Family and memories we have shared!

Popo and Miss Layla

Saturday, Kenneth and I ran down to Victoria and spent the day with Chris and Kimberly. Chris cooked a wonderful brisket out on the grill and Kimberly and I fixed all of the sides. Chris will be gone for Thanksgiving so it was an early non turkey dinner. They invited a bunch of his family who were in town so we had a great time. We took the nursery furniture down for them and got it all set up in the nursery. I started the bedding so Kimberly was able to see what the baby quilt would look like. She seemed to like it, I hope so. Chris and Marshall went to the car races with his dad and brother on Sunday, so Kenneth and I spent most of the day with Kimberly. We came back about 5:30 pm and I went to see Honey. She seems to be doing ok, we tried to call Jim, my brother, to wish him a Happy 66th Birthday, no answer, so we will try again today. Ethan and Paige came over to spend the night Sunday and all day Monday with Kenneth and I. Michele has class today and the kids were out of school so we get to have them. We are expecting Melissa, Richard and Layla in sometime Wed. and probably Kimberly and Marshall, as well. Richard's brother and sister and their families are coming in from Oklahoma for a long overdue reunion with their dad. I hope that this visit goes well and will be the first of many. I know how hard these holidays will be for all of the kids with Medea gone and it is good that they are reconnecting with Big Rich. Kimberly and Marshall will have Thanksgiving Day with Kenneth and I. Brad and Michele chose to have their Thanksgiving at home as a family. I hope that everyone has a wonderful day no matter where they spend the day and that we all take the time to be thankful for all of out many blessings and to remember those who have passed and all of the wonderful Thanksgivings we had with them. As I reflect on what I can remember of the last 60 years, I have so much to be thankful for and am looking forward to the next 30 or so years to watch the rest of my family grow and make memories of their own. I love all of you dearly and wish each of you a wonderful Thanksgiving .

My 60th Birthday, Thanks All!
Markey, Morgan and Justin Christian, Ethan and Paige in New Mexico,

Life is a circle

On my previous post I talked about the loss of my friend. On the same day I heard of her passing, I received the beautiful pictures of our Addison Mae who will be coming to be with us in early February. God giveth and God taketh away. It is all the circle of life. What a glorious miracle birth is and what a glorious miracle death is. The in-between is just a ride that we all must take and how we handle that ride is up to us. I have chosen to enjoy and appreciate what God has given me. I can't say that was always my attitude...I think for a while in my life I was so wrapped up in THINGS, I didn't take the time to just enjoy. We have to find the peace within ourselves to find the pleasure in all things.



REMEMBER.....

Life should not not measured by the number of breaths we take, but in the moments that take our breath away.

A beautiful sunset in the mountains near our home in Carrizozo...if ever you have a doubt of who is in charge, stop and watch a beautiful sunrise or sunset. It will remove all doubt.

Loss of a friend

When my brother, Phil, passed away his obituary was printed in our home town paper. On the day it appeared, I received a phone call from a girl we had grown up with but whom I had not seen in over 40 years. The phone call, in and of itself, was enough of a surprise but she had read of Phil's passing and somehow tracked down my cell phone number and took the time to call and reach out to me. This thoughtfulness was really amazing since she had left not only Beaumont but Texas and had been living in Washington state for 30 + years and read the obits online that day for Beaumont. During our conversation, she told me she was moving back to Lumberton, just north of Beaumont, because she was coming home to die. She had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and wanted to come home to be near her family. I told her I wanted to come see her when she got here and got settled and asked her to call me when she felt like having company. Weeks went by and I never heard from her so I began trying to reach her. I was never successful so I went to the internet asking if anyone had news of her and how to reach her. Sadly, this week I received the news I had been dreading. Darlene passed away two weeks ago and I never got the chance to tell her in person how much her reaching out to me in one of my darkest moments meant. Here are my words of wisdom for today... take the time to reach out, take the time to tell others how their kindness was appreciated, do today what you may not have another opportunity to do. My prayers and condolences go out to the family of my friend and I would like for them to know what a caring loving person she was. God Bless you, Darlene and until we meet again, may God hold you in his loving hands. Rest in peace.

Addison Mae's first pictures

Kimberly and Chris went for the 3D/4D unltrasound yesterday. How exciting. We actually got to see pictures of Ms. Addie Mae Purdy. She is going to be her own unique person and we are so looking forward to meeting her. Go to The Purdy Life blog to view all of the pictures. Only 10 more weeks and we will be able to see this little lady in the flesh. We love you guys.

Baby is a comin'

After making the long drive from Carrizozo on Friday, I was up and running again Saturday morning and went to Victoria to spend the day with Kimberly. Her friends honored her with a beautiful baby shower. Thank you so much for all of the friendship and blessings that you have shown to my daughter. It is so hard to believe that my BABY is having a baby. Addison Mae is going to have so much love from all of the wonderful friends and family that Kimberly and Chris are blessed with. The shower was fabulous...the food was wonderful, the gifts much appreciated but the friends unsurpassed. Thank you to everyone who attended. I will have pictures soon and will share with everyone. Can you believe that I went all the way down there and left Kim's house without my camera and we did not have time to go back. I am going to have to rely on getting copies from those who were more intelligent and had their cameras.

Vacation is over

After spending almost 3 weeks in Carrizozo, we returned to San Antonio today. We had 4 1/2 inches of snow on Oct. 28...can you believe it.

I was a little concerned about leaving Honey for so long but she did fine and I needed the break. Kimberly and Chris came up while we were there . Chris went hunting with Kenneth, Arlin and Cole. NO LUCK! Maybe next year!

Janis and Aunt Florine came up to see us as well. What a great visit! Aunt Florine just turned 92 in Aug. and never missed a beat with any of us because she was afraid she would miss something. God love her, I know we all do!

Can anyone guess which one is Aunt Florine??? Just kidding, Janis! We had a great time and hope you will come back soon. This family certainly knows how to put the FUN in dysFUNctional!