Mid-Summer Post

     This summer is really flying by, isn't it? School will be starting in just a couple of weeks. Hard to believe! I'm ready, however. This summer babysitting is too much like work! I think the kids are probably going to be ready, too.



   
      I know Megan is. She will be going to pre-school three days a week beginning this fall. She is so excited. She had her 3rd birthday last month--can't believe how big she is getting. She is 3, going on 5!! Love this brief video of her birthday--she was so excited about the cake, and the balloons, and most of all, the presents. She was positively giddy! Elizabeth, of course, her sister, is now 8 going on 15 as this picture will show! They are all growing up too fast. Course, I love this picture of the two of them above in their little "fairy tutus."

      

      My mother's family had their family reunion  in May (the May family); and just a few weeks ago, Russell's Mom's family (the Paynes) had their family reunion in Gueydan, Russell's home town.

sis-in-laws Nona (l) and

Cynthia (r) with me and

bro--in-law Chris in rear

     The reunion is usually in San Marcos, Texas, but the Theriots hosted it in Gueydan this year. Craig and I, his girls, and Luke were the only ones able to make it. Alicia stayed home because her boys had a baseball tournament, and Sheri stayed back to take Landon to a baseball tournament. So the five of us went, and we really had a great time. This is the first Payne reunion I have been to since Russell passed away. I just haven't felt like facing all those people. But I had great visits with all of the ones who came, and I feel so good that I went. I'm also planning to make next year's reunion in Texas.



    The kids are enjoying the pool this summer, at least when it is not too, too terribly hot. Sometimes the water seems like a hot tub rather than a pool. Megan is swimming right along with all the others, as long as she has her swimmies. She loves to go "schwimming," and I love to "schwim" with her.

     I saved our best news for last. Our precious little Anna turned 18 July 9, this past Monday. This is nothing short of a miracle, since the doctors told us she might live to 4 or 5. We are so proud of her and so grateful that she is still here with us.

     Her cake looks like it is on fire there are so many candles! Megan blew the candles out for her at a little family celebration on the day of her birthday.

     We are planning a big luau on July 28 to celebrate this very special occasion. (We had to work around summer trips and baseball, so this was the first date that we thought would work.) We're going to have a roasted pig and everything. We are looking forward to it and hope it doesn't rain!

    Landon just returned today from a week in Arkansas with one of his friends, and Luke leaves today for a week in Morgan City with one of his friends. Craig and Alicia's three older kids had soccer camp this past week, too.They have all been so busy this summer. Anna and I pretty much keep to ourselves and stay home, but I don't mind. We keep each other company, and I know Russell is here with both of us in spirit. (I also know how very proud he is of her for proving all the doctors wrong!!)

    

Spring News

    I can't believe it has been so long since my last post! It's certainly not because I don't have anything to write about. Maybe that's the problem; we have been so busy, it's hard to decide what to write about. In my defense, I did teach three classes this spring, all in one day so I only had to get dressed one day a week! But school is out for me and will be for the kids this coming week, so let me try to get caught up.

Ryan receiving soccer medal

    Let's see.Craig's boys have been playing baseball and soccer a lot over the last few months. I think Craig said they are finished with soccer this year after a tournament in Hattiesburg this past week-end. 

Kieran-2nd from left fr. row

       Megan is being Megan. Here she is getting ready for Elizabeth's 8th birthday party a couple of week-ends back. Elizabeth had a skating party and, of course, Megan was going to "skate" also. She acts so grown up! She likes to "read" to me and to herself, and she likes to paint her own toenails.

     

The girls have also been helping Grammy plant a few flowers--not a whole bunch, but we had fun anyway. I didn't have any garden gloves for them so we used some rubber gloves we keep on hand for Anna. They enjoyed it, though. And Megan helps  me keep them watered every day.      

     Easter was also another nice week-end. Craig and his family came by after church with some tulips for Grammy; and, of course, there was an Easter egg hunt party for the little ones, which Megan enjoyed.

    

Mimi (Alicia's Mom) with Lizzie; Ryan, Landon, Luke
and Sheri in church before the service

     The week-end of Elizabeth's 8th birthday was also the week-end of her first communion. Alicia's Mom and some other of her family members and we were all there and had a really nice lunch together at Anchuca, one of Vicksburg's bed and breakfasts.

Elizabeth and her beautiful family!

     It was a very special day, and Elizabeth looked so beautiful. Kieran was also an altar boy during the service, so all in all it was a very special day for everyone.

       

Me, my brother Joey, and my Aunt June

           My daughter Sheri has some news. She was recently promoted to Director of Rehab at the convalescent home where she has worked since she graduated in 2009.  She is doing so well; I am so proud of her, and I know Russell is, too. We knew she had it in her. She just needed a chance. Here she is in her new car, too. She and the boys are really enjoying it this time of year.

     

Uncle Bobby and Aunt Ruth

     This past week-end my older brother Joey and his wife, Betty Carol, and I drove down to Pascagoula, Mississippi, for a May family reunion. May was my mother's maiden name. Mother was one of 8 children, and my Uncle Bobby, who lives in Pascagoula, is the only one still living. There were about 50 people there. I was so glad we were able to go. I got to spend some time with some cousins I know I have not seen in about 40 years! It was nice. My Aunt June, who is my Uncle Bill's widow, came in from Phoenix also as did one of her sons (my cousin Glen, who I have also not seem in many, many years). It was great to visit and reminisce.   

    And, of course, Grammy's pool is open. Yesterday, Landon, Luke, and a couple of their friends swam for a while, while Sheri enjoyed some time in the sun (with sunscreen, of course). Later, when it was a little cooler and shadier,Craig and Alicia came with their kids and they swam for a while. The weather was good, but the mosquitoes are already bad!! Hate those mosquitoes.

Elizabeth, Megan, Ryan, and Kieran

Megan had to have goggles!

     Perhaps our biggest news is that we finally got a lift (elevator) for Anna outside our patio. Now I can get her out of the house by myself, which I could never do before. I got so worried during all the bad weather we have had lately about how in the world I would get her out of the house in case of a tornado or fire or whatever by myself. I am here all day with her and Megan both, and it would be impossible for us to get Anna down into the basement or just out of the house by myself. I feel so much safer now! We found an agency through which we received a grant for it (thank goodness!), and the workers completed the installation this past Friday. The lift has to built according to Medicaid's standards in order for the grant to be approved; so the workmanship is absolutely wonderful--it's extremely sturdy and has so many safety features.And it can hold up to 750 pounds--Wilton, won't that cover you???!! Ha!

     It wasn't feasible to build a ramp out from any of the many outside doors in this house, or to build an elevator inside. This was the best solution. We haven't put Anna in it yet, but we plan to use it often, especially during the nicer weather (spring and fall) to get her outside for a while. She is cooped up in this house all day (me, too, for that matter). So I'm looking forward to being able to take her outside some and am extremely thankful to now be able to get her out of the house by myself! It's such peace of mind. I want to make sure everybody--even the kids--know how to use it just in case they are here and something happens to me and I can't get to the elevator. They can at least get Anna and themselves out, and that gives me so much peace of mind!

     Well, gotta start taking pictures for next post. I'll try not to be so long this time. Thanks for reading!

     

             

        

   

 

After Christmas Post

     This title might be a little misleading I guess. It's now the beginning of March, and I haven't posted anything since I posted the "Christmas" one. But for lack of a better title. . .It's not that we haven't been busy. In fact, that may be the problem; we may have been too busy. Me with babysitting, teaching one day a week, babysitting, and, of course, babysitting.

     I guess the biggest "news" is that we finally finished the pecan picking season. Man, we were so busy; I loved it, though; and I know Russell would, too. We went out to the farm every week-end toward the end of the season and picked and picked and picked. I finally decided to "hire" some pickers for halves. This worked out so well; I think I actually gave all of them more than half each time but they were so diligent and such hard workers and really nice, nice people.  I will definitely call them again if we have the same kind of season next year, except I will call them earlier, when they pecans first fall!

     Altogether, we harvested over 3,500 pounds of pecans. We have never done anything like that before. It was so exciting. We sold some retail, but most of them we sold wholesale at Vicksburg Farm Supply. More than one day I rode over in my car with about 400-500 pounds at a time. That's why I decided I need to get a truck--nothing fancy, just a good, old, "work truck." I am ruining my car. Of course, I also gave some pecans to friends and family, and I kept some myself for pecan pies

     The kids just keep growing and growing--all too fast I think. Elizabeth will be 8 in April, and she just got her ears pierced. She is so excited--quite a grownup lady. She is enrolled in tumbling and is on a competitive cheerleading team. I saw their first performance a couple of months ago. It was so cute. I think I put pictures in my blog about it then. The team has come so far since that time! They didn't do any tumbling in that routine, but they are all flying all over the mat now. I'm posting two short videos, one showing the routine they will be performing at a national competition at Disney World next week! The other is a tumbling sequence she is doing. I am so impressed. She has learned so much in so short a time.

    

     And, of course, Megan (who won't be 3 until June!) is also taking "'nastics.'" She loves it. She brings one of her leotards in her book bag almost every day and wants to put it on and "practice." Here is a picture of her and her big sis one day after school being creative at the snack bar. She is wearing her black leotard here. The boys are being creative also, in their own ways--don't they look like zombies!! They spend so much time playing video games!!! They do, however, like to go outside when the weather is nice and play football.

     Gotta share what my precious little Megan said to me the other day. We were in line waiting to pick up the other kids. She was in the back seat in her car seat, eating a lollipop. The stick was sticking out of her mouth, and out of the clear blue, she said "Grammy, I love being with you." Doesn't that sound mature! I mean she says, "I love you" all the time, but this is so different and means so much. She just melts my heart!!

     They are all so special, each in their own way. It gets kind of hectic sometimes after school with all of them here, but I wouldn't have it any other way--unless I could have Russell here enjoying them with me. That would be just perfect!!

Christmas 2011

     Well, another Christmas has come and gone. Doesn't it seem every year that Christmas is here before you know it? I vow every year that I will not be a "last minute shopper," but I am--every year.

     Sometimes it seems as though the holiday goes on forever when you have an extended family. Craig and his family had their "Santa" Christmas that morning at their house. Sheri, the boys, Anna, and I did the same at my house. Then later that afternoon, everybody came to my house for dinner and, of course, there were more presents to open. The boys may not seem very happy in this picture, but believe me, they were. They are just going through this "no smiling" stage.  We had a wonderful time!
 

Uncle Bob said Landon is a pretty good shot.

      The following week-end is always the "Theriot Christmas." This year it fell on New Year's Eve. Landon and I went down to Gueydan on Thursday so his Uncle Bob could take him duck hunting. The party was not until Saturday. He had a ball. He hunted two mornings. I forget exactly how many ducks and geese he got altogether, but it was a lot! Uncle Chris and a couple of second cousins took him one time. He loved it. It's so nice that Russell's brothers have stepped up to fill this role, one of many that Russell would be enjoying right now. I don't doubt that by this time we would have either a camp or a house in Gueydan so we could go down whenever we wanted and always have a place to stay.

Nona and Russell's ONLY sister, Annette

     The Theriot extended family is very large. Russell is one of 8 children, each of whom have children and most of those children have children as well. In fact, this year, "almost" all of the 23 "then" great grandchildren were present. On Friday morning, I went with Nona to help her buy gifts for all 23 great grandchildren. The adults used to play "dirty Santa," but we stopped that a few years ago. However, we always try to make sure that every child there gets to open a present.

#23, Dawson, with Aunt Cynthia

     I said "then great grandchildren" because there have been 2 more within the last few weeks, neither of whom were at the party. One had just been born the week before, and the other one was not born until after the first of the year. There are also still a number of very young grandchildren who are not yet married who will, I know, continue to add to this wonderful family.

Megan in background;Lizzie in front

     I am including some random pictures. We can't get everybody together for one big family picture; that is just an impossible feat. Of course, I am not in any of these pictures because these are the pictures I am taking! I think all the kids loved their presents, except that for the most part it seemed that they would rather play with some balloons!

A few of the cousins

     What I really enjoy every year is watching the grandchildren (cousins) interact with each other, the ones in my children's generation. There are 22 of them, and I think I counted 17 of them there. Even though some of them only see each other this once a year, they get along like best friends--all of them. It is so rewarding to watch!

"Baby" brother Bart doing a taste test

     Several of the brothers get together and cook a big hen gumbo (with potato salad, of course); and potroasted ducks (lots of rice!!). Some of you may have never seen such big pots!

Too many cooks??

     The rest of us (usually only the children--my generation) bring appetizers to snack on before the big meal or desserts. Of course, there is always plenty to drink. It was a wonderful time. In fact, this is the first Theriot Christmas I have really enjoyed since I lost Russell. I felt he was there more this year than ever.

     I could go on and on about that week-end, but on to other matters--pecans! (I do  have some other "random" Theriot Christmas pictures at end of this blog.)

     Sheri suggested that I put an ad in the paper asking for pecan pickers to pick "on halves." Since I had nothing to lose (except pecans, of course!), I decided to try it. The ad ran Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, starting this past January 6. I was amazed at the response. I am still getting calls, even today (January 12).

     Landon, Craig, and I met some pickers (about 20) at the orchard Saturday morning around 11. They picked over 1,300 pounds of pecans. We did not stop until 5:00, and believe me, they picked non-stop! The weather was not supposed to be good the next day, but I was afraid that if we didn't take advantage of that day, it would be a while before we could pick again.

     The forecast was for scattered thunderstorms. It only sprinkled on us until about 12 (a few of us were there around 10:30 or 11:00). Since it was uncertain what the weather would do, I switched the schedule a bit. I had planned to let the pickers have the last two hours to pick and keep everything for themselves. Since I wasn't sure we would be there much longer, I gave them from 12+2 to pick all they wanted. They were all so sweet and had worked so hard, I felt that they should be rewarded. They were really appreciative. 

     I did weigh what they picked just so I would know for myself and because every year the Dept. of Agriculture calls for a report. I usually only guess, but this year I feel very confident that my report will be accurate. We have harvested almost 2,500 pounds this season, and we will have at least one more week-end to pick. I am so pleased about the whole crop this year, and I know Russell is, too. Even though this was his dream, we are living it for him and I think that would make him happy--I know it does me.

     Well, as usual, I got a bit winded so I will stop for now. I do hope this new year brings you all health and happiness. 

Other Theriot Christmas pictures:

"Chef Luke"

     Luke's Godmother, Aunt Alicia, got Luke this adorable chef's outfit. He thinks he may want to be a chef--he helps me cook at home.


     "Older" brother Wilton's grandson, Israel, celebrated his 4th birthday party with his extended family. That's Wilton at end of table.


     "Super Megan"!! Just  had to put this one in. She had so much fun playing with all of her "cousins."

"Super Megan"

The "matriarch," Russell's Mom, Momo Kathleen, getting a kiss from "baby" brother Chris.

      Craig and Bret (left) in deep conversation. Alicia is in background getting a drink for son Ryan (that's his really blonde hair). Bret's twin, Bart, is having a serious conversation with his son, Tabor.