Christmas Emergency Appendectomy

Our family Christmas was scheduled for Friday, December 23. On Thursday the 22nd, I began to feel bad. Marilyn and I were out running last minute errands. When it came time for lunch, I warned her I might not eat much. After 26 hours of stomach pain and passing it off as a "stomach bug," I decided I should probably have it checked out - otherwise I might spend the 24th or the 25th in the ER if things didn't improve.

Leaving the rest of my family at the house, Jenna and Jared took me to a clinic. After the doctor examined me, she told me I needed to go to the ER with possible appendicitis. So I still ended up at the hospital. Marilyn came up and let Jenna, Jared, and Marlow come back to the house. After bloodwork and a CT scan, appendicitis was confirmed.

(Marilyn took this right after I was told I had to have surgery!)

Justin, Jared, Jenna and Keelie put a meal together at the house, cleaned up the kitchen, and then the kids brought Rick up for the surgery which was a couple of hours later. The kids did a great job taking charge; they also made the decision to reschedule our family Christmas until this next weekend.

I was released Christmas Eve night.

So blessed though - still celebrated our Savior's birth surrounded by family members!

Keelie's Girls' Christmas Party

Yesterday was Keelie's annual afternoon Christmas gathering for us girls! She had a great meal, and we all brought our desserts to exchange with each other. We enjoyed our Christmas gift exchange with lots of "steals."

It was Molly's first and Marlow's second to get to attend.

My fam.....

It's Our 39th Anniversary!

What a journey!

Taken at FBC

Taken at FBC Trunk or Treat 

Football State Championship!

The Gunter High School Tigers did it! They finally got a state football championship tonight at AT&T Stadium.  In addition to being the champions of 3A Division 2, they accomplished a 16-0 record for the season. What an accomplishment! So glad my whole family got to be at the stadium along with 18,800 other football fans. Congrats to all the coaches and boys (especially the Lowe boys).

 Tiger Pride!

P.S. Happy 15th Anniversary to Justin and Keelie. They made the jumbo screen!

Precious Molly is 4 months old!

Christmas Tea

Took a few minutes out of Saturday to attend our Ladies' Christmas Tea at FBC. So glad these peeps were with me! Tis the season......

Church Service and a Symphony

This morning I rode with Marilyn and Rickie to Dallas. We attended a special baptismal service with Greg and Lisa at their Dallas church for baby Isabel. I had never been to one of these. Chad and Tara (godparents) were there. Following the service, photos, and a reception, Greg and Lisa took us all to brunch. 

After I got home, I then got to go with Keelie and her family to the Christmas Pops/Symphony! It had been several years since I had been. So glad I got to go with them.

Love all my family!

Marlow's First Birthday

Rick and I went to Jenna and Jared's Thursday. On Friday, we ran some errands and got things together for Marlow's party.

Yesterday morning we were all buzzing around. Marilyn, Keelie, Glory and Molly drove down together. Chad, Tara, Greg, Lisa, Anja and Isabel came, too!! Justin and Jonah did not get to come because Jonah had basketball games. In addition to the family, there were a bunch of friends who came to celebrate!

Can't believe this precious little girl is one!

Chad and Tara Back in the USA

The family is thrilled! After five years in Singapore, Chad and Tara are both finally back on U.S. soil! Chad's five year contract was up, and they brought him back to Houston the first of this month. Now Tara is here. Where they will actually end up is uncertain but for now we are all happy!

 Thanksgiving 

We were all together this weekend! We enjoyed our official Thanksgiving meal with Marilyn and Rickie on Saturday. We were so glad she took some pics for us! 

Blessed!

Six-Month Update on Rick

Rick's MRI today was clear. The tumor has not begun to grow back! We are good for another six months. Thank you, God!

Mansfield Weekend

We were Face Timing with Jared, Jenna and Marlow Friday afternoon. Marlow had taken her first steps at daycare. I got to see those first steps via the daycare's cameras which I had just logged on to literally one minute prior to her taking those steps (God's timing...wow!). 

After a few minutes talking with them, we decided to head that way. We stayed Friday and Saturday night. Jenna, Marlow and I ran some errands and had lunch out on Saturday. Saturday night we had a meal with all of Jared's family at his dad's house. Today, we went to church with them; I cherish our times together at church whether here or there!

Hobby Lobby wears a girl out.....

Church pic....

Church Craft Night & a Three-Month Old

Last night we had a ladies' fall craft night at church. It was so fun. We had a great group of women to participate. Needless to say, the room was full of "JOY!"

Molly Sage - 3 months old!

I Prayed...I Voted

Halloween & Trunk or Treat

It was such a fun time this year. We had the best Clone Trooper, Fairy Princess, Little Elephant, and Tall Latte with Whip Cream you have ever seen in your whole life!

Papa and I were bikers at our church Trunk or Treat. Thanks to Tim for bringing his bike over!

From the Lake on to Mansfield

We got home Thursday morning from the lake. We unpacked what little we had to and repacked. Within an hour or so, we were on the road to Mansfield. When I picked up Marlow from her daycare, she was as excited to see me as I was her!

Jenna and I ran some errands, cleaned a little, and had some good meals. Today, I got to take some 11-month old photos of Marlow.

Jenna and Jared had to cancel their Halloween party plans tonight as he woke up sick this morning. We came on home this afternoon because we were to leave early in the morning anyway.....have a busy Sunday.

Marlow Mae - 11 months old

October Camping #2

We went to Ray Roberts again this week. We enjoyed having some special guests! It was Molly's first camping/lake experience. Although she won't remember it, I have it documented.

An Eventful Family Weekend

Greg, Lisa, Anja, and Isabel came in from Nashville on Wednesday. We had not seen Lisa and Anja since Christmas and had not ever seen Isabel. It was so good to see all of them.

Jenna, Jared, and Marlow came in again on Friday for the weekend. Justin was off both Friday and yesterday so all of them were around, too. It was fun going to the pumpkin farm, playground, and being outside quite a bit. Jenna, Jared, and Marlow went to church with us, and then they went home this evening after another family meal.

Can I just say lots of fun with all the kiddos around?!

Jonah (11), Glory (8), Anja (2), Marlow (10 months), Isabel (3 months), and Molly (2 months).

Blessed!

 Reunited And It Feels So Good

Rick was weaning some calves off their mommas this past week. He brought some of the cows down to the corral. Our fairly new brahman bull, Duke, followed. He was so happy to see Sis, the horse.

When we first bought the bull, he and the horse had stayed together in the same lot for about six months. We were letting Duke grow and mature a little before he got turned out to the pasture. It was during that time they seemed to become real buddies.

They are so cute together!

Happy Campers

We just had three great nights away in the RV. We enjoyed day drives, perfect weather, and an afternoon visit with Keelie and the kiddos one afternoon.

God painted us beautiful sunsets while there!