I have always considered myself so blessed to have become part of my husband's family.  And after 33+ years I can honestly say I considered his grandma to be my own.  She immediately accepted me into this crazy family and treated me just like one of her grandkids.


One year ago this month, grandma decided it was time to leave this mountain and the place that she called home for the last seventy plus years.  She decided it was time to move to Harrison and into an assisted living facility.  Maplewood Esplanade appears to be a wonderful place; new, pretty, small apartment sized rooms where you have assistance performing what most of us would consider the simple daily tasks of living.  Grandma said she was tired of cooking, cleaning, and washing clothes and wanted/needed the help. She certainly didn't want to become a burden on any of her family.  But I personally think she always thought of this place as a place where people to go die.  It simply was not home to her.


For the last few months she has been losing blood which leaves her feeling weak, tired, and not good.  However, after a transfusion she perks back up and is ready to go for another month or so.  But in addition to this, her heart is also giving out.  She has a heart valve that continues to weaken.  Grandma is tired.  She has made the decision the she does not want to continue these treatments and prolong the inevitable; therefore, this week Hospice was called.  They will be caring for grandma over the next few weeks/months as well as guiding/helping the family.


The first several years of my marriage, Grandma Opal would ALWAYS, every week, prepare Sunday dinner after church for four families, that was 15 people!  The three Parker boys and our three kiddos, all very young, made for some very loud and exhausting family dinners.  But we were together and enjoyed each other and made wonderful memories.  Grandma loved flowers!  When passing by, one would often see her out in the yard working in one of her many flower beds.  Of course, that work then called for a period of rest in the swing, on the front porch, with Grandpa.  Each of them always greeting those that passed by with a wave.  Grandma also loved to crochet!  Each of her grand children, have a crocheted tablecloth and each great grandchild has a crocheted afghan.  Oh my goodness, and I couldn't forget the Easter egg hunts we have had there!  What fun memories.  That house was so full of love.  I only have one sister and my parents were not close with their brothers and sisters so I never really knew what it was like to have big family gatherings.  I loved it when family would come in from Texas for the holidays.  Thanksgiving and Christmas were especially busy times at grandma's house. Grandma always kept Little Debbie cakes and soda in her refrigerator and popsicles in her freezer.  Oh and the bubble gum in the cabinet.  I love to listen to my husband's stories of his favorite memoires of his childhood.


It saddens me greatly to think what our family is going to have to endure over the next few weeks/months.  But family is planning on coming in within the next week and a half to visit with Grandma and I do look forward to seeing everyone.  I am sure there will be conversations and stories told of favorite memories at Grandma's house.


Grandma is 96.  She has a wonderful family that loves her dearly!  Three children and their spouses, seven grand children, and five spouses, 13 great grandchildren, with ten spouses, and nine great-great grandchildren.  She is such a prayer warriors and woman of God.  I am so proud of the family legacy she and grandpa have left for our family.  I was visiting with her the other day and her bible was lying on the table between us.  The pages were dog-eared and very well worn.  I asked her how many times she has read the bible through.  She said she didn't know, it was too many to count!  She went on to say that she used to read the bible to her kids.  That was their storybook!  I have been trying to read the bible through for years!  I start out in January, every year, and usually only make it through to February.  I admire this great woman that we call Grandma.

Today is the day, hopefully, maybe, I guess it could be tomorrow.  My heart is so full of love and joy, excitement and thankfulness,  and hope.  Will the date be August 5, 2014?  We are getting ready to meet our fourth grandchild, Kenton Blake Blevins.  Of course the only child on our side of the family that will carry on my husband's family name.  Richard was an only son of three children as is our son Brian.  I absolutely cannot wait to see my baby, holding his baby! 


I am so trying to push worry out of my mind.  But after what we went thru with little Audrey, honestly it is difficult at best.  I will never forget what Kayla said a few weeks after Audrey was born. . . . . "the real miracle is a healthy baby".  Of course we know Audrey is our miracle baby but Kayla was so right with her comment.  


I have so many thoughts running thru my head I simply do not know how to articulate them or put them on paper eloquently. So more on this later, maybe while I am sitting at the hospital later today.

I have had such a busy weekend.  It is that time of year again when I start to panic a little bit over our annual 4th of July celebration.  Richard says this is the 28th year we will have hosted this event.  I think it is 29 or 30, but obviously I am not positive.


On Saturday I started cleaning.  Richard does not understand why I do what I do.  He always says, why are you cleaning parts of the house that people will not see.  I do it because I know it needs to be done.  I cleared out all of the kitchen cabinets and drawers and washed them down with Pine Sol.  I also cleaned out the refrigerator and freezer; I spent about two hours on that baby, washing down the entire inside with Pine Sol.  I also got the glass globes washed on four ceiling fans, cleaned my oven, cleaned out the bathroom drawers, done laundry, cleaned my stainless steel appliances, and mopped.  And the bad thing is, I still have so much more to do before company starts arriving.


I have compiled the guest list, the meal menu and am working on my grocery list. I need and want to start working on decorations.  I absolutely love this holiday but always feel so rushed as I don't plan ahead very well.  I do get excited thinking about the back yard bar-b-que event that will take place at our house in just a few short days.  Family and friends will gather wearing our nations colors and I enjoy getting to visit with them.  Our flag will fly on the east side of our house and we will cook about 60 or so hamburgers along with hot dogs.  We will have a chilled watermelon and homemade butter pecan ice cream.  Oh and of course, my husband and son's fantastic display of fireworks.  All to celebrate the freedoms we experience in this great country we live in.  Between now and then, I will listen to Lee Greenwood's song, God Bless the USA, a few times as it stirs something in my soul that I enjoy.


Until next time.

The year 2014 is almost half over; unbelievable.  Time seems to be passing so fast.  As I look at my previous post, I have only accomplished one of those "things" I wanted to do. I did plant flowers in tubs and they do make my front porch very pretty.  Sigh. . . . .


I still want to make a quilt and have been thinking about it regularly.  Simply, I hesitate to start as I know I do not have the time to commit to it to finish it.  I still want to run a 5K.  I did try to start training again and have such issues with swelling of my ankles when I run.  That obviously has slowed; almost halted my running. I still want to sit for the SPHR exam and am hoping to find the time to do so.


Now; however, I have began thinking about and trying to prepare for our annual Fourth of July celebration.  At least the list making has begun, but hey, that is a start.  There always seems to be so much to  do I get somewhat overwhelmed at the thought of it.  House to clean, groceries to buy, decorations to make and display, food to prepare, not to mention company to get ready for.


Special prayers for Brian tonight as he prepares for competition at work tomorrow.  Dear Lord, please bring a sense of confidence over him and I pray for a calming spirit.


Prayers for Kristin and her family as they are preparing to move in with a friend until they hear if their offer on another home has been accepted.


Prayers for our unborn grandson and his momma, Megan.  Praying for an easy labor and delivery and a healthy baby boy.


And not to forget Kayla and Chase, simply for continued wisdom to raise precious Drew and Audrey to love and obey Your word.

Random Thoughts

I have so many things running thru my mind lately, I need to write them down.  Put them on paper.  Maybe this is my bucket list for 2014.  There are so many things I want to do but simply get so over whelmed I simply don't do anything.  sigh.

I want to make another quilt!  I have been thinking about this for about a year now and have hesitated buying the fabric because I know myself way to well.  I will start it and never finish it.

I want to sit for the SPHR exam!  I want to become certified in Human Resources.  It felt so good to get my ACH certification this past year and has helped me so much in my job.  If nothing else, I have a level of confidence now regarding that topic.

I want to run a 5K race!  My daughter, Kristin, is such an inspiration to me.  It will take me so long to train for a race.

I want to get serious about a monthly budget plan.  That takes time and discipline.

I want to read the bible thru this year!  I started a reading plan on January, just like I do every year.  It is only February 1 and I am already behind. :(  I even bought a new devotional at the first of the year, My Utmost For His Highest, and I haven't kept up with that either.

I want to attend one of Tim Earnest's photography classes!

And now I can't remember everything that has been cluttering my mind.


And I want to plant flowers this year.  I want a pretty yard and inviting front porch.