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!