Time flys

May 31, 2014
Didn't see a rainbow today but sure looked for one. I found this picture and decided I would have my rainbow anyway. I think about promises when  I see the rainbows, the day we buried my son, Shannon I saw the most vivid incredible one ever in my life. It was God speaking to my broken heart. I did not think that at the time but the Little Rock paper published the picture of it and I have it laminated. Rainbows are certainly blessings!
Tori had her 16th birthday, May 18. we did not have a family dinner but today I was finally able to spend some time with her at the coffee shop and give her the birthday gifts I had saved for her. We had a great visit. She is such a sweet young lady, blessed with a huge amount of talent. She is a bit quirky , love how she communicates with me. I believe she has a mind of her own and will make her on decisions in life. She is her own self and doesn't feel she has to be like others around her, I call that a double dip of self confidence ! My prayer for her is to drive safely, to follow her dreams, know she is loved and to show kindness to others. Most of all to remember that she does not have to worry and Jesus will carry her. Thankful for being this humans grandmother!!!

Update of JuJu's blessings 2013 and the new Year

New Year 2014

It was so lovely that my family was able to all be together this New Year's day. I love that Stacey was available to take this picture of me and my grandkids. 2013 had it ups and downs, especially difficult was the loss of my dearest childhood friend, Agnes Mitchell. She was my rock and I miss her each day and especially late at night. We talked on the phone so many late nights. I have to admit that I am getting older and now will be saying goodbyes as those I have known reach the end of their time on earth, I laugh to myself as I used to think my mother was so morbid to always be going to funerals. I feel terrible about my silly feelings and misunderstanding, momma was saying goodbyes to those she loved so much. Perspectives change once we begin to experience life at different ages.
I was very ill in June when I had a pretty severe GI bleed caused by a stress ulcer. Dr's told me I was lucky that I did not die. I got great care at the Mercy hospital in Fort Smith and was double blessed that Andie was able to stay with me and make sure things were done correctly.
It was not fun being so sick and the recovery seemed to take much longer than I could imagine.
The good times in 2013 were the times I spent going to Nashville to see Ryan receive his Masters, the visit with my brother, John Tom and his family, attending Mary Garton's wedding in March. She is such a beauty and I love her like my own daughter. A dear hometown friend, Becky came for one night, she was in Danville for her class reunion and I was able to have her come see me. What a nice dinner we had meeting up with some more friends from years ago. Watching Austin play ball, watching Tori dance, seeing Andie and Kevin buy their first home. Time spent taking Tori and Austin places, or having them hang out or spend the night with me. Stacey and Scott were always gracious to have me over for dinner or a movie. Thanksgiving was spent with DD and Tootie Martin and their family. I only had the one day off work, my kids were all busy so I crashed the Martin's  relaxing mountain top home I was blessed to have Sarah and her family spend a week with me at the end of the year. I worked very hard this past year and it looks to stay the same for at least a few more months. Love my friends at work and thankful I do have the health to keep working. I had a nice surprise from a dear college friend that brought me a great Christmas gift and took me to a great place for lunch. I even got a foot massage. Hope this friend will move closer so we can have some fun.
I am so thankful for all my many blessings, appreciate the prayers from my friends and the many friendships I have from the past and new ones I make. I am so privileged and undeserving, I need to do more for others. I pray for more strength this year to be able to do more fun things, work just takes too much of my energy! Now looking forward to 2014, I intend to take a vacation someplace not spend my time off with some health issue.

My Granddaughter is 15

May 18, 1998 my first granddaughter, Victoria Michelle Archer was born. Tori, has been one of JuJu's very best blessings. Time has passed so fast that I am amazed that she is 15. I have watched this young lady with tons of personality , brains, and beauty grow up. I am so happy to have lived and am now living close to her. I remember when Tori was a toddler how much she loved me. I felt so loved by her and still do. We have a special relationship that is hard to explain. Being her grandmother is just wonderful. We share each other's secrets and I giggle with her like I am another teenager. I was not close to my grandmother, never really understood the problem between us. So, I do my best to let Tori know I love her so much and am proud of everything she does. She is an artist, just found this out about 8 months ago. I think this is why she always wanted to make a mess with colors or markers! She sings like an angel ,she is winning scholarships for her talent dancing. I know she is blessed with so much . My prayers for her are many but most of all I want her to know how much she is loved.

 30  years ago tomorrow it snowed between the drive from Clarksville to Eureka Springs, it was raining that afternoon when we were married. The next day was beautiful and there were many more beautiful days priceless memories that will always be blessings stored away inside my heart. I gave my heart away to someone I will probably never understand. I thought I did, I truly believed that it was what the Lord wanted me to do. When the sad time came he was there to help, we raised two beautiful smart daughters, we shared many blessings. Sure there were hard times, days I wanted to throw in the towel but he could make me laugh like nobody else and I decided to stay. Decades passed the girls grew up, he left for a different life, but much remains of us. Because we fell in love there are two beautiful grandsons with both our genes. I would do it all over again for them and for our daughters and for how much I know he loved me, It was worth it and it was a blessing and not a mistake, I had the best years and they will be well rememebered as blessings.

Grandson number 3, Jude

Thanksgiving 2012

I had a nice dinner with my Stacey and her family on Thursday and had the next three days off work. Andrea and Kevin had to work and of course Sarah, Ryan and Liam were all the way to Nashville so I was hanging out at home. I had talked with Ryan on Saturday and just got a feeling that there might be something going on with Sarah. Jude was not due to arrive until the end of December but since Liam came early I was not surprised when Ryan called me back and told me they were at the hospital monitoring Sarah's contractions. It was great that our dear Kirsten was visiting and available to care for Liam. Sunday afternoon the doc decided to send Sarah home for bedrest and medication. I thought to myself that it was not going to work but still prayed for her to go a few more weeks or even days. Jude decided he was ready to come so back to the hospital for the C section and Jude arrived around 830 pm, six pounds and 12 oz. Ryan called to see if I could come to help I had to go in and do payrole , then pack and get headed east. I was very blessed with enough paid day off to stay for 10 days. Oh the best days are those when the babies come and there is so much love in my heart for this little boy. Jude had issues with breathing, something that was not a problem for Liam. Liam had low weight and jaundice issues. Jude had periods of apnea but otherwise did well. I think we were allvery happy with the NICU. I was so glad to enjoy time with Liam. He is so much fun and filled with energy. I think he is such a good little guy and happy almost all the time. I was just glad to be there  so Sarah  and Ryan could go back to see Jude . Their  church and friends brought lots of great food but nobody could take care of Liam. I truly believe he and I bonded this visit. I can come to tears easily when I think about how far away he lives. I love how he says, "juju' and also calls "mom, mom" for me. Sarah said he keeps looking for me since I left.
About Jude, he is adorable with lots of hair. His hair is lighter in color than Liam's and he looks more like Ryan. Sarah had similar hair but her's was actually silver ( I have only seen one other baby with silver hair) It will be fun to watch how he changes in the months to come. He has the sweetestchuby cheeks, such long fingers and feet. It is hard to say if he has the chin dimple like Liam and Ryan because his face has more fat. It was very difficult to say goodbye and go back home on Wednesday but Jude came home that evening. From what I hear from the Hawks they are all doing great. It is not easy for me to live this far away. I am blessed to be close to Tori and Austin and very happy to have my job back in Fort Smith. Thankful also for Skype and being able to use the modern technology for communication.

A short Visit with Liam and Sarah

September 22, 2012
Sarah and Liam made the trip from Nashville to Silaom Springs for her 10th high school reunion. I was very happy I got to have them at my house Saturday afternoon until Sunday morning. Liam seemed to have grown several inches, his legs are really long. He enjoyed the toys at my house and taking a bath with new bath toys I have for him.
Sarah looks very beautiful 26 weeks pregnant with Jude. She calls him tornado jude as he moves a lot more than Liam.
My prayers continue to be for her to go to term with this little boy and for him to grow up healthy and strong!
Oh, so many blessings in my life.
Very busy at work with people off and having to fill in as lab assistant , technologist and manager!
I am excited about October , my favorite month is almost here!!

God is good all the time, Liam on the trip home! Tori now a member of the National Honor Society (four generations) friend Mattison

August 2012

I have not spent time writing JuJu's blessing in a long time. This doesn't mean that I have not been noticing the many blessings in my life.  
Tori, my granddaughter is 14 and I am looking up at her, I think she is about three inches taller than me. She danced classical ballet this spring in Canada and then western Arkansas ballet performed the play, The wizard of Oz, They did an awesome job, Tori danced the part of a flying monkey !
Austin played all summer on two baseball teams. It has been so hot that I did not go to many games this year. He did a great job my making not only the church league all star team but was chosen for the All State All Tournament team. I did make it to both of these events. I am very proud of my family!
My vacation was from July 9-24. I spent two nights in Forrest City with my only and favorite brother, JT AKA John Tom. I enjoyed time with him, Carolyn and my favorite twin nephews. I was so proud of how well mannered these two young men are. They have changed and grown up a lot in this past year. We went to Memphis one day and was happy the weather was cool. I had never been to Mudd Island .It was the perfect day to walk across the mighty Mississippi River and check this place out. I think my brother knows more history than is normal. He made the visit very enjoyable. We walked down Beale street until we were hungry. We visited Carolyn's sister at her lovely old home , I enjoyed all of her vintage furnishings. As the day came to an end we all had dinner before back to JT's to crash. I was up early on Wednesday to head on to Nashville. It was an easy drive with rain but not too hard. I was so happy to see the Hawks! Liam has grown from a baby to a little boy since I had seen him in March. I had learned in May about another little Hawk due in December so the hug from Sarah was very good. She looked good but tired. I bought a new ice cream maker so she could try a great recipe while I was there. I was the fill in baby sitter on Thursday and on Tuesday. Sarah was able to take Saturday off so we went out to lunch and some shopping. I always enjoy Nashville ! I went to worship with them and out to brunch at a very good place. They had taken me out to eat Greek on Friday evening and it was very good. Liam is such a sweet little boy and so much fun. He is good natured all the time and only fussed when waiting for his milk. He loves all kinds of foods and this is something to be thankful for. Sarah was so picky that I had wondered if her child would be the same.
I returned home a few days before going back to work. I wanted to spend time with Kevin and Andrea and they were able to come stay one night with me. I took them out for steaks and some shopping.

So the big thing to look forward to is the birth of my fourth grandchild and third grandson, what a blessing!

Another Blessing!

It has been way too long since I have taken time to blog. This does not mean I have not been noticing all the blessings God keeps on bringing to me,
I could write a ton of things tonight but it has been a long wonderful and interesting week-end and it is fast going to be my bedtime.
I am so excited about having another little grandson! I just noticed that Sarah Beth has blogged his name! Ryan told me days ago and I had to promise not to tell. It has been difficult because having a child named after me just brings me to tears! His name is, Jude Monroe Hawk, it means Praise and the Monroe is after Sarah's dear grandfather and my late father in  law, Jesse 's family. Monroe was not Jesse's name but several of his family members from years ago have the name. Monroe means from the river and of course is Irish . So we are praying for Jude Monroe Hawk. to arrive safe and sound and grow up to be a man that will praise the Lord!
My grandchildren, Tori, Austin, Liam and Jude are the blessings of my life and along with their parents, my darling Andrea and Kevin with their little ones to follow.
Good night
JuJu

This time of the year

This time every year I struggle with depression. I know it is coming, I try to not get down but it is always hard to get past Feb 23. This is Shannon's birthday. I lost my first-born and only son in a freak accident many years ago. I do not know for certain how this effects all mothers that have out lived their children. What are we suppose to do? I like to remember the happiness of his birth, how he looked,how proud it felt to have a son. I have had his pictures out the past week. I look at them and remember the good times. Yes, it is sad and hurtful but lots of women never have a child or a son or have a child that is healthy and makes it to be 19 years old. Shannon was a very special young man, so big in size with a heart that was tender. I look at men his age and think about if he was still with us. I was blessed to have known a sweet boy that loved his mother. I know there is no way to understand why things happen the way they do. It is true what someone told me years past that time would be my friend, the grief would be less and I would be happy again. I am happy but there is still a place in my heart that is empty, there are days the grief feels raw with pain, but time has made things better. I actually go days without thinking about him, sleep weeks without dreams filled with his laughter or nightmares of reliving the loss. God did not leave me even though I was angry and thought I hated him. Instead, he sent his people to help me through that terrible time. He blessed me with another child , grandchildren to enjoy, years of watching my girls grow up healthy and three wonderful son-in-loves!

Week-end Blessings
Had a nice skype with the Hawks in Nashville, Liam was having a great time playing,
Needed rest because of the very long hours I worked last week-end. So I went to bed early.
Got to visit with Scott and Austin for a bit, Austin was changing from basketball shoes etc to baseball gear,he was going to baseball practice, then basketball again last night.
Hope to see Stacey and Tori before heading back to NWA.
Watching church on T.V. today, glad to get some spiritual food without getting out today.

Happy New Year 2012

I am excited to have a brand new year! Last year was a year of extremes for a lot of us. The record snow and low temperatures led us to the other extreme record breaking heat and very dry summer. I have written several times about silver linings and this one sounds
crazy but true, I was very sick for three months and did not have to be out in the heat. My heart went out to those that were working.
Being sick was maybe the way my Father wanted me to experience how much love there is in my life. I was thankful for Andie staying with me at the hospital both trips. Kevin came and spend his vacation at my house and also made trips driving me to the appointments in North West Arkansas. Friends from far and near made visits, cooked , cleaned, ran to the store and most of all lots of prayer support. My neighbors were awesome to water the plants and continued to check on me. Stacey and her family encouraged me and Sarah , Ryan , and Liam came for a couple of days. I was also very thankful for the sick pay that helped me make it through.
I made two trips to Nashville last year. I went out in March to keep  Liam while Ryan was out of town. It was a blast getting to have that baby all to myself. He is the best baby I have ever been around. Auntie Barb from Cleveland, Tn. met me at Sarah's and spent one night. It happened to be the night the moon was huge. She had her photography equipment with her so not only did she take shots of the moon but also got some great Liam pictures. She treated us to a wonderful Italian lunch!
In May we lost my dear father-in -law, Jesse Graves AKA Peepaw. He had been ill for many months so it wasn't a big surprise but very hard for many people. Guess I am at the age that I will be saying good-bye to friends and family. Joyce Coats, Gene Harp, and Dutch Houston are  other dear friends that are in Glory now.
I got to see my brother once on my way home from Nashville. He showed up at my house one Friday early in September to visit. He spent the night and went to the Greenwood/Shiloh football game.
In October my big birthday arrived and the kids sent flowers to my work!! Scott and Stacey and family took me to Nashville with them to visit the Hawks again and to the razorback game. I was still pretty weak but it was an awesome fun time.  Stacey and Scott put down a new floor in my kitchen for my birthday!  Most of the week-ends were spent watching my grandson, Austin play pit bull football. His fifth grade team was  runner up for the championship. I was so proud of Austin. He did a great job playing on the line both offense and defense!! I know how fun the next few years will be watching him play!
 Thanksgiving I met Barb at Jerry's in Clarksville. The first time in my life to be away from my kids. It turned out fine, we had a great time cooking and eating. I got to know Jennifer and her twin daughters (she is Jerry's girl friend)
It seemed like no time and it was time to go see The Nutcracker. I always go for one reason and that is to watch a certain granddaughter dance. She did a great job and made me very proud.
I am always a bit sad at Christmas, I miss my parents and Shanon. Sometimes we need to realize how important each day is when our families are healthy and well. That can change in only a second.
I cooked lunch on Christmas eve for Stacey and her family, Andie and Kevin and Mr Deaver. Sarah and Ryan are always stuck in Nashville because of Sarah's job. I worked Christmas day, first time in many years.
So what will I plan for 2012? I am going to be still and listen to where God wants me to go. I did not do a Bible study this past year and sure have missed being in the word. I know it is not healthy or God's will for me to be so focused on my work. I am praying for the focus of my life to be on HIM.
One thing for sure, this year will be like all the others, there will  be good and bad days. I will find joy and heartbreak but the hope and faith I have in Jesus over comes the bad.

My Grandsons!

Thankful Days of November

Thankful for my children because they are creative and I steal their ideas!
My blog has been about Blessings, so mentioning things I am thankful for this month really include many of the blessings I have written earlier.
I had a big birthday this year, I am not talking about the age thing but more about appreciating the years and experiences along my journey of "Passin Through"
I am decades old and when talking to a family member yesterday we did speak a lot of how we understand much more about our parents now. I guess it will be this way with my children when I am gone. If I have one very huge regret is the way I treated my mother. I loved her so much but she did drive me mad at times. I know she must have had patience like Job. I said lots of words that can't be taken back, did things I wish I could change, and as bad as I was the more she loved me! I believe if I had committed murder she would have tried to convince everyone including God the person needed to die. It was not a healthy way to raise a daughter, now see here I go again.  I am thankful God gave me to my mother, I really did admire her and after my dear Shannon died I understood why she acted the way she did since she lost her firstborn son also. My mother loved her children and was always telling us how much. She adored her four grandchildren that were born before she passed away. I am almost as old as my mother when she died.
Being thankful isn't hard for us that have been blessed with so many good things and times. It makes me feel guilty sometimes when I remember those less fortunate. There are so many with so little. I pray this year thanksgiving will be an opportunity for us with so much to help someone without.

Beautiful day here, it seems like fall is doing its best to hang on and keep old man winter away!

Silver Linings are Blessings!

I love the rain in the summer! Especially, this summer. It has been like a desert here for weeks, more like Arizona instead of Arkansas. No rain for weeks gave us dead grass and the trees are almost without any leaves,
I always think about the rainbows God has blessed me with. A few years back when I was especially troubled God gave me a triple rainbow!
I think it is interesting how we always appreciate the good weather, good times, etc. when things have been bad for a long time. Much of the time we stay busy and don't notice all we are given.
When I had cancer and lost my hair it did not bother me. Friends did not believe me because they know me and are very aware of my fault of vanity. Actually, it was a blessing not to have to worry about my hair. My husband would rub my head and tell me how little and pretty it was. Not being able to see where to stop the make-up was a challenge and my head was cold. Most days no make-up and my man's orange hunting toboggan solved those issues. No hair on my legs to shave, see blessings galore!
Spending the past weeks ill and in the bed most of the time made me sad, nervous, lonely etc. But the infection got better each day, my home health nurses were awesome, friends from far and near showed up to help. They cleaned, cooked, brought lunch and dinners. My kids all came to help at different times and ways.
 For the first time in years I feel rested! I have not been suffering from Fibromyalsia at all!

Try to see the good with the bad it sure helps to get through most things life throws at us!!

The blessings of family, neighbors, friends when ill

Most people know how I feel about handwashing and bacteria. After all I am the manager of Microbiolgy at a hospital. I read reports from CDC before most doctors have any idea of the lastest scare. The increase of infections due to Staph is not something people are unaware of. June 11 I noticed a red spot the size of a dime on my booty. It did not look like an insect bite. It did not seem infected. I did clean it and used triple antibiotic cream just in case. In less than 24 hours this spot bacame a boil as big as my fist. I felt terrible, started running a fever and decided it was time to get to a doctor. I will not get into all the stupid things that went wrong. Just one point I will make, when you are real sick take someone with you to the doctor. I was admitted to the hospital 72 hours after going to a walk in clinic. I was septic (means blood poisoning) So blessed to have my daughter, Andie come and stay at the hospital with me. I was admitted on Wed afternoon and by Saturday night released to go home. Andie took care of getting me home and she and her husband stayed the week. I kept feeling terrible with fever. The kids took me to see my real doctor on Thursday, he is not in my insurance net work so I had been taken care of by a hospitalist. Since a surgeon was never called to consult about the abscess and no follow up ultral sound done this Dr was very upset, He wanted me back in the hospital for a surgeon to decide to remove this abscess. He did add another antibiotic to hold me over until the surgery. The surgery was done on Tuesday evening. I stayed in the hospital until Friday evening. I have been receiving home health care since, Two IV's daily and a wound vac attached to the surgery site.
The many prayers from friends and families have been very appreciated. Sarah and Ryan sent me a care package from Nashville and a sweet card that Liam even signed! Stacey and her family have been over to help. My neighbors and some church friends have been here. The best was two of my friends from Siloam Springs made the long trip to Greenwood with food . They cleanned my kitchen and spent most of the afternoon with me. I got some lovely flowers from another friend in Siloam. Several lovely cards from as far away as Virginia. I needed the rest but now appreciate my job. I will be so happy to get back on my feet ASAP. I am blessed with much. God is good all the time.

July 4, when JuJu was a kid

HOME MADE ICE CREAM
BARBE QUE CHICKEN
TATERS BAKED IN THE COALS
FIRE WORKS
COUSINS
SPRING LAKE
I was visiting with my brother yesterday about the wonderful blessing we grew up with, this being our father's talent for cooking. The fourth of July celebrations we experienced were all filled with lots of great food.
We both know the Walker secret BBQ recipe. I have never had better. I am going to make some this fall this is a promise. His ice cream was wonderful also Until my freezer croaked I made ice cream in the summers. Never had a bite left.
My cousins would usually show up on the fourth. I remember going to Spring Lake in Yell county early in the morning. The lake was spring fed and was cold except on the fourth when it would warm up due to the big crowd.
By the time we returned home the water melon we had filled up on at the lake was gone.We were starving and the wait for the chicken and ice cream was nothing but pain.
I never remember my dad in a hurry with the exception of driving fast, I never remember my mother doing a single thing at a slow pace. Since daddy was cooking the food it would not be ready soon. But man was it worth the wait. He had someone custom make his BBQ smoker grill out of a old cast iron wash pot. It had legs and was used to  heat water by building a fire under it. Dad had a frame to hold it with wheels. Looked  sort of like a cart. He filled it with charcoal , a grill was placed on top and there was a big heavy lid, too heavy for me to open when I was 10. The men would be cranking the ice cream freezer. I never really understood why once the handle was stuck and the cream was frozen  why we were not allowed to open it and dig in. This frozen ice cream was salted down again and a heavy quilt was wrapped around it for at least another hour. It was a great moment when the time was right and the first mouth full of ice cream was tasted.
It was just wonderful and I always ate it too fast and wound up with brain freeze!!
Soon after dinner the fire works came out along with the lightening bugs! We had so much fun chasing each other with fire crackers, The cousins usually stayed the night with us. We were always going to stay up  all night , however I never remember that happening. I do remember falling asleep listening to the whippoorwills calling out from the woods.
Those were the best of times and the years have flown by way too fast. I am thankful for the blessings of growing up in the south with good food and fun cousins.

Blessings, my daughters!

The mother of three daughters, now all grown up. I still catch myself wondering where did the time go?
 It seems only yesterday Stacey was a little girl. Now she is a successful engineer, been married to Scott for more than 20 years and the wonderful mother of Tori, age 13, and Austin, about to be 11. My first daughter was born a few days after I had my 18th birthday. She was very active before she was born. I felt like she was doing flips and jumping jacks 24/7. When she was born the activity level did not slow down. Today she can get more done in 1 hour than most people do in one day! She has and is a blessing to me and the rest of our family and those that know her. I appreciate all the times she helps me with decisions or listens when I need to vent.
Stacey was my baby for almost fifteen years. In August of 1984 I had, Sarah Elizabeth. We named her after her sister, Stacey Elizabeth. Sarah has always called her Sissy.
Sarah was a precocious baby, gifted with language at a very young age. She was what I call an old soul. It seems she was not a baby very long. She was speaking sentences on her first birthday. She grew fast and was big for her age with long hair. It seemed she was born with poise and presence. When Sarah was only two her older brother, Shannon , barely 19 was killed in a terrible accident. I have felt a lot of guilt because of the terrible grief and despair that kept me from being a good mother for Sarah. God's grace does cover so much for Sarah was never a problem. She was always well liked with tons of friends and an excellent student. She enjoyed helping the younger kids at school. She went on mission trips with our church. I heard many people say that Sarah has a special gift working with children. All I know is she is a wonderful young lady, she has been a wonderful mother to Liam born 6 weeks premature. She manages a Star bucks store and does a great job. Sarah lives all the way to Nashville. I enjoy the times we spend together. I am thankful to have been blessed with my Sarah Beth.
Then along came baby girl number three. Andrea Jeanne, was a surprise. She is almost 20 years younger than Stacey and five years younger than Sarah. She is the only child I have ever known with multiple imaginary friends. Andie was born joyful. I remember her giggles before she could talk. It is hard not to smile when thinking about Andie. She makes everyone laugh. She is now almost 22 and is focused on school. She is planning on becoming a nurse. I know she will be a wonderful nurse, her gift is compassion.
One of my prayers is that these three sisters will someday have a strong bond. I hope they will want to spend time together, that they will know how much they are loved by me. I have people tell me often what a great mother I am to have such three great girls. I just don't feel like any credit is due. I think God, in his mercy and grace was able to fill in the gaps. He knows my heart and answered my prayers. I prayed for many years my daughters would not make the same mistakes as I, and  would have wonderful Godly husbands, would be healthy.

I continue to pray they walk with Jesus and for their protection from the evil one.
Thanks to the Lord God Almighty, my three daughters are my treasures!

May 23, 2011

Last night a terrible tornado hit Joplin, Missouri, this happened about 6:40 PM.  St John's Mercy Hospital was hit the hardest, Over 130 deaths and hundreds not accounted for. The hospital is part of the Mercy System I work for. My heart goes out to all those hurting, those homeless, the ones that have lost everything. If I had the money I would give a fortune to help them.
On the way home from work it was like driving through a flood. I am thankful for a bigger car so being swept away was not a concern. I bought a get well card to send to Peepaw, he has been very ill. I was thinking about going to visit him this past week-end. I did not want to cause additional stress for him or Betty. I prayed for him last night and again this morning.
when I got home this afternoon I noticed my phone had two messages. Jesse passed away about noon today. I spoke with Stacey for a few minutes and was told Andie did not know yet. I did tx Sarah and she responded she was ok and Andie knew.
Peeps was one of my favorite people. He was always very good to me. The day my husband moved out Jesse came in the kitchen crying. He gave me a big hug and told me he was so sorry.
He has been sick since last summer. I went to visit him twice when he was in the hospital, took him chicken and dumplings and fried apples.
I am glad he got to see Liam the two times he was here,
He was a wonderful grandfather to my kids , Even after the divorce he went to Austin's ballgames. I will miss him very much.
Rest In Peace dear Peeps.
JuJu

Vacation Was A Blessing

 I had a great trip to Nashville. I am getting used to making the drive. It isn't bad at all. I was tired when arriving. However, most days when Sarah got home JuJu got a good long nap. I wam amazed  Liam is almost six months old!! He is growing fast. He is adorable in every way. I can set and watch him sleep and it brings me great joy to be his grandmother. He looks a lot like Sarah but I see Ryan also.  His mommy makes his baby food! She is starting him on the more perfect foods, oatmeal, sweetpotatoes, avacado, bananas. Liam like the food and will eat every single bite.
I was sad to leave but work awaits me in the morning! I was able to stop in Forrest City and see my brother and my nephews for a little while. John made me a sandwich, baby swiss cheese, cajun turkey, he even cut it in four pieces just the way our mom made sandwiches for us.
Yesterday, I got to spend a little time with Tori. Her family was in NWA for Austin's baseball turny. The game was delayed due to bad weather. Tori was bored and wanted to come on  home so she came down the mountain with me. I enjoyed her company very much. She is a beautiful sweet young lady.
I was happy to get in my bed last night. I did not get up in time for church. That was not good, since the Lord gives me so many blessings I should have gotten up.
I must get in a better frame of mind, the job this week will be hard. I have to work the week end. I know I will be depending on God to give me strength to get the work done.

Spring Break in Nashville 2011

I am sure it has been mentioned many times,"there is nothing as special as being a grandparent", it is the truth.
I am blessed to have three healthy beautiful grandchildren. There are no words to explain the deep love in my heart for these young children.
Liam David Hawk, the youngest, only 5.5 months needed a baby sitter this week. His daddy is his caregiver during the day while his mommy works. Since daddy had a chance to play music this week I decided to help out and come to Nashville . I had him  by myself yesterday and it worked out great! He is just adorable
I  lived close by when Tori  and Austin were little. I spent lots of time with them.
I have found it very difficult being so far away from Liam. I have wondered if we would have as close of a bond as the other two.
God blessed me so much by not only giving us a new baby, but making it possible for me to have a job with vacation time. I am very thankful to be healthy enough to come help.
I am so in love with this new grandson.
He is so sweet. His smiles are beautiful, his voice is so funny as he speaks the baby language. He is a very good baby. Sarah and Ryan are doing a great job taking care of him. I hope the rest of my time here goes well. I am cherishing each moment.