Happy 12th Birthday Makaela!

April 25, 1999

Makaela, I cannot believe you are already 12 years old, it seems like just yesterday you were 5.  Time has gone by fast and you are turning into a young lady.  I'm very blessed to have you as my daughter and thankful to the Lord for you.  You are a sweet, helpful daughter.  You take time to help with brother when you can . I know that it is not easy living with someone with disabilities like Allen and you are learning many character qualities because of it.  I pray with the Lord's help it will make you a strong young lady.

I will stop and not go all mushy, but just wanted to say Happy Birthday dear one.

Love you,
Mom

Happy 20th Birthday Allen Jr.!

I can't believe my little boy turned 20 this week.  In my mind I can see him still little and running around here playing.  On Monday, my Mother-in-law, took Allen, Makaela, Summerr, Zachary and Ollivia (family friends) bowling, out to eat Pizza, then cupcakes and ice cream at her house, games too.  Then brought them all home.  He was in Heaven so to speak, he had the best time and just loved doing all of those things.  Summerr, Zachary and Ollivia are all good with Allen and interact well with him, so they had loads of fun.  While they were doing that, I ran around and finished his Birthday shopping, and came home to get dinner ready.  My Mother came over and we had him a little dinner and presents at our house.  He enjoyed that.  It is fun to watch him open up presents...he will sit there and tear one little piece of paper off and then looks at you and says Ohhhh! with big eyes and smiles, like he can really tell what is under the paper, but he can't.  It is funny.  I'm so thankful the Lord let me have my "Little" man in my life.  He is very special and means a lot to me.

Happy Birthday Allen!  I Love you!
Mom

Happy Birthday Makaela!

Eleven years ago on a Sunday morning...a lot like this one, you were born.   What a blessing, the Lord gave your  Dad and I that day, well really the whole family.  We have enjoyed watching you grow up into a young lady.  Through all of the ups and downs of your (our) medical journey, the Lord has kept you.   I know he has a special plan for your life and as you mature, you are realizing this.  You have been reading your devotionals and your Bible, that makes me thankful you have a desire to learn more about God.  When you were a baby, your Dad and I dedicated you to the Lord, he gave you to us to help raise and guide, but ultimatly you belong to him.  I pray that as you continue to grow, that I can lead you closer to the Lord and his ways.  Just wanted to let you know, how much I love you and I'm thankful for you.  Happy Birthday Makaela!

My Mother

Mom's Birthday and her Wonderful Friends (and Granddaughter)

My Mother's birthday is today, she is 65.    I'm so thankful to have my Mother and that she loves the Lord.  It is a blessing to know that she follows his leading and I can talk with her about anything.

I had thought about trying to plan her a party or do something special for her, but could not figure out what to do that she would not find out.  Well, Donna Mofley, one of the ladies in our church (close family friend) said that if I did not have anything planned, she wanted to have a luncheon at her house for Mom with some of the ladies she travels with.  I told her that would be great.  So Donna planned a nice soup and salad lunch for Mom's Birthday.  Mom was so surprised and had a wonderful time.  One of the ladies baked her the butterfly cake and her son helped her decorate it.  Some of the Ladies shared different things Mom had done over the years to help them or memories they had of her.  Of course, some of them had known Mom since before she married my Dad, they shared those memories, some of when I was little, etc.  We all had a relaxing and wonderful time.