Living up to the promise

What can I say, a new year and a new resolution to blog more. I looked back at some of the old posting I had done and I am ashamed to admit in one of the more recent OLD post I promised to keep you updated on Addison. In an attempt to do so, I will tell you now, she will soon be a year old. She has been an additional blessing to our family and is such a happy, beautiful child. Ken and I have decided ..."We don't make anything but PRETTY babies in this family." In Addison's case a "PURDY" baby. We thank God daily for the beautiful girls and now grandchildren he has given us. Here are some of our pictures since Christmas.

Happy Anniversary to me!

Before I forget, I want to take a minute to wish my husband a very Happy Anniversary tomorrow. January 11, 2011, 10:00 am, will mark 36 years of marraige. I would like to say it has all been bliss but I promised when I started this blog to try to always tell the truth. I can, however, say that the good still outweighs the bad. If anyone ever tries to tell you a marraige has all been rosy...they aren't telling the exact truth. We have had our ups and downs and we do our fair share of animated discussions (lol) but I can say, there is NO ONE else I can imagine going through this world hand in hand. Please keep us in your prayers for another 36 years. By the way, January 11, 2047, God willing, if we are still here, we are going to have a huge party and you are all invited.

Well, it has been a while since I Blogged and I seriously am going to try and get in the routine. That being said, I probably won't but at least you will know I have good intentions. I started this to offer, all of you younger people, the benefit of my wisdom. I read the following and thought I could not have said it better myself, so here goes:

There comes a time in life when you walk away from all the drama and people who create it. You surround yourself with people who make you laugh, forget the bad and focus on the good. So, love the people who treat you right and pray for those who don't. Life is too short to be anything but happy. Falling down is...part of LIFE, getting back up is ...LIVING.

In the past months our family has had many good times and others that weren't quite so good. I know we could have dwelt on the bad but we have chosen to embrace the good. I want you all to know, I love you and wish only Gods goodness and mercy in your lives. Love one another and be thankfull for all we have and pray for those who have so much less.

Keep us in your prayers, please!

Have you missed me? Today was not one of my best days but I need to share with you to let you know that the light at the end of the tunnel does NOT appear to be an oncoming locomotive. I was in Victoria this week doing my Mimi thing and playing with Addie Mae while Kimberly teaches all those little darlings. I have so much fun with that little doll. Anyway, this morning I was actually sleeping in my bed down there ( Miss Addison had been asleep for 6 hours) and Kimberly woke me to tell me Kenneth was on the phone and was experiencing some medical problems. To make a long story short, he is in the hospital tonight being monitored to rule out a stroke. So I started my day off being scared to death when he tells me is numb on the entire left side of his body followed by a mad dash back from Victoria and a day full of tests in the hospital. All really looks good as of now. If it was a stroke, it was very minor and they think it is actually just that his blood pressure and diabetes medicine needs to be adjusted. Thank you God for that, I am not ready to deal without him just yet...maybe another 35 years!

Who knows where this road will lead...

It has been a very busy two months since I posted anything and I know all of you have just been waiting with baited breathe ( or not). Since my last post I hyave been busy working for the Census Bureau...It's is your hands...Mail it back! Seriously, it is very important that everyone mail their Census form back ASAP. Did you know that it is estimated that if Texas gets an accurate count this time around, that we stand to gain 3 - 4 additional seats in Congress? 10 questions, 10 minutes...JUST DO IT! Those are my words of wisdom for today.

On a much more important note, since my last post, Ken and I became grandparents again. Kimberly and Chris welcomed Addison Mae Purdy (Addie Mae) into their hearts and home on 02/01/2010 (cool date, huh) Needless to say, she is beautiful. If I can remember how, I will post a picture for all to pay homage to.

I will try to get back on the blogging wagon and keep you updated on Addison's growth .

Basically, 2010 has started off great. We are so sorry for the loss suffered by Melissa, Kim's best friend, with her Grandma's death New Year's Day but her pain is over and we will keep the family in our prayers. Ken and I went to Victoria for Chris' Baby-Que over the New Year's weekend. We had a wonderful time and while the boys were partying, Kim and I painted the master bath RED. At least we started it, she and Chris had to finish it on Sunday. It looks wonderful.

We brought Honey back to her own apartment from the Rehab center Tuesday. She has been at the Rehab since her fall on Oct. 26. For those who I have not kept in the loop, she had vertebraplasty ( they put cement in a couple of vertebrae in her back that were collapsing) and has done wonderfully since then. She is still doing physical therapy to regain the strength she lost from lying in the bed. She seems to be happy to be home.

Hope everyone is having as great a start to the New Year as we are.Here is my wish for everyone for the New Year...

2010 Contract
After serious & cautious consideration... your contract of friendship has been renewed for the New Year 2010! It was a very hard decision to make ... So don't mess it up!!!
My Wish for You in 2010
May peace break into your home and may thieves come to steal your debts.
May the pockets of your jeans become a magnet for $100 bills.
May love stick to your face like Vaseline and may laughter assault your lips!
May happiness slap you across the face and may your tears be that of joy
May the problems you had, forget your home address! In simple words ..............
May 2010 be the best year of your life!!!


Happy New Year!!

New talent

Hey Mel, This post is mostly for you. Did you notice I figured out how to bring a picture from Flickr into my blog! I just never cease to amaze myself. LOL. For those of you who don't understand my lack of computer skills, it is a major accomplishment that Mel is able to give me instructions on how to do these ( to others, easy tasks) things and I actually figure them out! Yeah me! Have a great day!

Welcome to December

What a great Thanksgiving we had at the Faifer household! Kimberly and Marshall were in and spent most of the holiday with us. Melissa, Richard and Layla were in from Houston for Thanksgiving with Richard's family but we did get to see them as well. I am so glad that Rich's brother and sister and their families were able to come from Oklahoma and have some time with their dad and Richard. Long overdue! That's what the holidays are all about...family! I guess that is why I love December so much. In this month we will celebrate Paige and Marshall's birthdays, Kenneth and Melissa's birthdays, Carla and Arlin's anniversary and Christmas. We also have Crystal, and Darianne, & Jordan having birthdays. Even though we will not see them...Happy Birthday! Have a piece of cake on me! See you soon!

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!

Honey Bunny

Honey seems to have settled in and has adjusted to her new home. They tell me she is laughing more and visiting with her table mates during meals. I also think we have finally achieved a better balance on her meds. She is much more alert and with it most of the time. We are going back to the Retinal eye specialist today. Hopefully, this treatment will give her some of her vision back. I know she would be so much happier if we could get some of her vision restored so she could do more of the things she likes doing. She goes to the beauty shop every week and likes looking pretty. I am glad they have such a nice facility that offers all of these amenities. I will keep you posted as to her vision progress.

Ken has been out in New Mexico for several weeks. Carla and I will be joining the boys Saturday, Oct. 24. Janis and Aunt Florine wll be coming out around the 10th of Nov. and Kim and Chris around the 5th for hunting. It will be a full couple of weeks but we are really looking forward to our company. We always like to show off our house. We are very pleased with it and are looking to the day that all Ken has to do is go out and enjoy.

Everyone is invited...just let us know when you want to come out.

Here's Addison ( or soon will be!)

What a great week-end I had! I got to go down to Victoria and spend some time with Kimberly. We painted the nursery and began stripping down the rocking chair that will be in Addison's room. In case any of you haven't heard...Kimberly is having a little girl in Feb. and she is going to be named Addison Mae Purdy. Kimberly and Chris picked this name because they liked the name Addison and Mae because it is honoring not only Kim's grandmother "Honey" whose real name is Johnnie Mae but also Chris's grandmother whose name was also Mae. Unbeknownst to Kimberly, her great-grandmother's name was Addie Mae. Shortly after Kimberly and Chris decided on a name, my cousin called and offered me Mama Addie's old spider rocker. So, the reason for this whole story is that Addison Mae will have Addie Mae's 75+ year old rocker to help put her to sleep at night. Life goes on! Many thanks to my cousin for sharing this piece of my grandparents heritage with me. Sidenote...my cousin had no idea that Kimberly was pregnant much less considering the name Addison Mae...this was just a wonderful coincidence of timing!



We have now embarked on the next decorating journey. We have ordered the bumper pads from a friend of Melissa's ( she does beautiful custom baby bedding, check out her website here) and I am making the rest of the bedding ensemble. Her color scheme is sage green, pink, brown and cream. It is beautiful together. If you would like to see the combination, check it out . The best part of this beautiful nursery will be the beautiful little Addison Mae that will complete it. Can't wait till February! Till we meet again... God Bless and have a grat day!

Decision Reached and Loved Ones Remembered

Kimberly made a final decision on how she wanted her nursery so I ordered the material and we are moving forward. I can't wait to get the material so I can start on this little girls blanket and other pretties. I am so proud of my three daughters and the wonderful young women they have become. No matter what I ever do in the rest of my life, I am a success because Ken and I have reared 3 responsible, respectable and delightful young women who will continue to contribute to the good of this world. In case I don't tell you girls often enough...I am proud of you and everything you represent.

Today was my brother Phil's birthday. He would have been 63. I know he is up in heaven looking down and reflecting on this world and all that has transpired and I know he is as proud of our families as I am.. Happy Birthday, big brother. I love you and miss you more than words can express. I miss being able to pick up the phone and just talk. I still have not deleted your phone number from my cell...I guess that will come in time but for right now, you and Jason are still there. At least you two are up there celebrating your birthday together. God Bless you and always remember how much you are loved.

The possibilities are endless...

Thank You Baby won't let me post a picture for you but click here and I know you will enjoy. Mel is trying to help me with this blogging thing so please bear with me as I learn.

Check out this retro!

Is this not just the cutest ever. Kim is having a little girl and we are looking for inspiration... If you want to see more of this , go here . This is just one idea but I sure like it.

Passing of a friend

Yesterday we said goodbye to a long time friend of my girls and a wonderful young man. Evarista "Juny" Sierra, Jr. is no more on this earth but his memory will live in the hearts and minds of all those he touched. I cannot imagine the loss his family is experiencing but I know that they will be reunited with him again. If the measure of a man can be made by the number of people he touched, Juny was a man to be reckoned with. Live each day without regrets and if you need to make amends, do it without delay. Our days are dependent upon the Lord and when he calls me home, I hope to go, assured that those I love , are aware of how much they mean to me. God Bless you, Juny, and until we meet again, I will remember your beautiful and radiant smile and your love for your family and friends. Please say a prayer for the Sierra and Bingham families to help them get through this painful time.