Oh baby! Anna Cross is born!

July 2, 2009, a little after noon, Anna Cross was born! Many were eagerly awaiting her arrival.

Daddy had been deployed and got home just in time to be there when his beautiful daughter was born! Anna Cross joins her cousin Grady into a big, loving family and a huge group of friends! Here's the proud daddy and mama after Anna Cross made her grand appearance! Aunt Emily was like me and was wishing she could be there.

Aunt Mary Grace holding her new nephew! She hates having her picture taken, but for this occasion.....well she sacrificed! Grandpa is grinning in the background. This is grandchild number 2 and twins are expected in the not so far future from Uncle Brian and Aunt Robin.

Yes, I'm a little jealous that my sister was there and not me! Let's just say she was my substitute!

Beautiful, tired mama holding her precious little girl! I heard she was quite the trooper during labor.

Sweet, sleeping Anna Cross. She had a long day too!

Welcome, little girl! A lot of people love you!

A trip to the beach.

Have we been home less than a week????? This is a really busy and fun week!!! Did I mention that my grandchildren are not only beautiful, but they're really smart too??? Do I sound like a grandmother. But seriously, when you don't see them that often, it's such a treat and you just have to breathe them in and you notice every little thing about them. I wish you all could meet them in person. But I'll be doing good if all my family gets to see them! I have a big family.

O.K. one last entry about the beach. Only because these pictures are so good.

This bird is used to fishermen AND stealing their fish! He's awfully good at getting the fish before the fisherman does! He stayed around for a couple of days while the guys were surf fishing.

We had some wonderful moments at the beach. Little bits of Florida life that we natives used to know so well. Not so much anymore. Greed took over and this is one of the few beaches left with low density. Nice!

Oh, here's one of the above mentioned grandchildren now! I have no idea why we didn't have our bathing suits on. Ashley was in the water most of the time. We were just relaxing for a few moments here.

Adam isn't particularly fond of having his picture taken, but I was somewhat sneaky determined to get some of him in the Gulf.
I think this one was on his 13th birthday.

Niece Sarah had this nice tube that they loved floating in.....and sitting on the beach in apparently.

I took this picture right as the sun was going down. Ashley had been digging in the sand. You just never get too old for sand castles!

This is the house we vacationed in, beautiful!

Body surfing. This is about as much surf as we had the entire week. It was a good thing though as I didn't have to worry about the undertow. It can be vicious!

Adam loves working on the pool. He wasn't being forced into child labor, I promise!

Ashley on the balcony. I wanted so to have some pictures of the grandchildren in the sunset. Unfortunately, the sun set way to the right of the house. We could have gone to the other side of the Island, let's just say that never happened.

I was so glad they were able to spend a few days with us at the beach. They live near the beach in California, but you know there are just no beaches like Florida beaches!

Happy Birthday Ashley!

Seventeen years ago, I got a call that would forever change my life. My son said to me, "she's here, Ashley Bianca is born!" Five weeks later, her Uncle David and I boarded a plane and flew to California to get our first glimpse of this precious gift! The moment they put her in my arms, I felt something strange, yet wonderful! I was a grandmother! If you don't have grandchildren yet, just take my word for this, there is no other feeling quite like this one. It's different from the love you have for your children. It just is.

Over the years, she has grown in every way, but she has a very special grace. She's not only beautiful on the outside, but she's a real beauty on the inside! Everyone who meets her, just falls in love with her.

When she goes home, she'll start her senior year in high school. She's already taking the SAT's and thinking about college! She's gone from being a baby, then an adorable toddler, cuddly little girl, sweet preteen, teen and now.....suddenly she's on the edge of adulthood!

I pray God's love and protection on her life. I pray that she loves Him and serves Him all the days of her life!

Happy Birthday, I love you!

Happy Birthday Mom/Mema/MIL!

The day after Adam turned 13, Mema turned, well a year older than last year! She seems so young that it's hard to keep up with her age.

Here she is with her birthday peach cobbler and son Russell and daughter Sue. It was fun to celebrate at the beach! Thanks Mary Catherine for getting all the family together and just for being the great mother, mother in law and grandmother that you are.

You're kind and compassionate, so loving, just the best mom!
We're actually home now and I'm so behind! Now the piper must be paid for all the fun in the form of washing and putting all the things we took away! It is totally worth the effort. We all had a great time of family togetherness and couldn't have asked for better weather throughout the week!

Same time next year?

Officially the grandmother of two teens!

How did it happen? Where did the time go? Adam turned 13! Since we're at the beach, we had a little birthday party for all the June birthdays. From left, Granddaughter Ashley,son Tommy, cousin Ben and grandson Adam. Sitting Russell's mom. We had a great day on the beach then a great dinner, birthday cake and ice cream.







I'm always amazed at how time passes......one day you're holding an infant in your arms and the next you're putting 13 candles on a cake.......or 17.......or 27........or 23......or 82. Well, I actually didn't hold Mema or Ben as infants. :)

It's been such a pleasure to be able to have the grandchildren here with us at the beach. This will only be the second time they have been in Florida for their birthdays, so we're honored and excited to share this time with them.

Today, after a quick swim, lunch and showers, I took them back to PC to meet up with their granddad. They'll spend some time with that side of the family......granddad is taking them to see the Manatees. They're really excited about that. Ashley says she's taking a sea cow home! I'm not sure one will fit in the overhead compartment.

It's strange to be back without them, but I'm enjoying the rest of the week at the beach. The weather is beautiful! Hot, hot, hot.

Grandchildren .....first full day

On the first day of their Florida vacation, the grands always wake up wanting to swim! Being an obliging Nana, I put my bathing suit on and into the pool we went! Ashley is at that age where floating is her thing....Adam....he's all boy. Cannon balls all the way!

Here he goes!

Sister just looks on, relaxing with a small float behind her.

Aiming for the hula hoop. By the way, it was a bull's eye!

Uncle David let Ashley back his car and move it in the driveway while Nana stood biting her nails. She did a great job. Maybe she'll get her license soon. She's required to take a class before getting her license and there just hasn't been time, so she can't drive on the street. Sigh of relief here.

Nana and the grands. I like to get a picture right off in case we don't have another opportunity.

Uncle David, Ashley, Grandma Duncan and Adam. We went to visit their great grandma, my mama. She was so happy to see them.

Below is what my girl would do 24/7 if given the opportunity. She is a reader and reads several books a week. She was making this face because she didn't want me to record her reading. She's supposed to do more than read while she's here.

Once again quiet settles over the house as everyone heads off to bed. Tomorrow will be another fun day. If truth be known, I could just sit for a while and soak them in!

Surprise arrival alert!

The surprises arrived safe and sound tonight at 8:39 p.m. while grandmothers and grandfathers and uncles were waiting patiently! Their flights were right on time and they're HERE!!

I mean are they cute, precious, brilliant or what!? Oh, do I sound like a grandmother? :)

It's late, they aren't tired. Oh, dear!

I am so thankful for their safe travel and for this precious time we have to spend with them. That's it, that's my surprise. Worth the wait?????

Uncle Hugh!

Russell's 91 year old uncle asked if anyone knew what a blooger was (sounds like booger with an l). I said do you mean a blogger? So I commenced to explain it to him. He scratched his head and said why would you do that? I just smiled :).

The surprise is almost here! It's a good surprise!

Just a note....

A Sunday note. We had a wonderful and refreshing Sunday. After Sunday School and Church, our two campus outreach students came to eat with us. They are delightful! They're so eager to share the gospel and reach out to others. Plus they're so cute!

Today, they had to leave soon after lunch and as soon as their cars were out of the driveway, the three of us, hubby, Matt and I each found a napping place and went into comas!

I have a big surprise coming tomorrow. I'm not sure when I'll get to make the big reveal, but be watching and you'll soon see!!!! I'm super excited!

Molly

About 11 years ago, I went to the feed and seed store and there in a cage were kittens. A brother and sister who were huddled together obviously scared to death. They weighed less than a pound each. Later that day, I called my husband at work and said, I got some kittens.......silence.......then, what do you mean kittenSSS??? Wow that started a long relationship with our two cats, Max and Molly.

Here they are when they first came home. I'm not really sure if they thought the rooster was their mama, but they liked being next to her. They also loved our big lab Sam. When he died, they were so lonely. So I got two little dogs to replace one big guy. I know, I know. Two dogs?????

For a few days, Molly.....the grey tabby.....had been acting oddly. We didn't pay her too much mind, since she was an odd kitty. She was never very social and liked only one person, Matt. She was his cat. When he left to go to college, Molly was inconsolable. Tuesday, we noticed she seemed swollen, even her face. So off we went to the vet. As soon as he saw her, he whisked her away and that was the last we saw of her. She was a mystery even in death. Our vet did every test and kept her on a warming table, but she died during the night, just too sick to get better.

She loved to sit in front of that door in the sun. She wouldn't venture outside though. Everybody misses her. The other animals are all moping around.




I have to say we have the sweetest vet. He was so kind and each time he called, he tried to be as comforting as possible. Thanks, Dr. F for your loving care of all our animals.

So, we bid goodbye to Molly. She was a good old girl.

Happy Birthday Tommy!

Or should I say "Belated Birthday"???? No, we didn't forget, sent the card on time...I just didn't put up a post about him yesterday on his actual birthday. So here I go.

Tommy turned 27 yesterday! It seems like just yesterday he was 10.....about the age when I first met him. I became his stepmom and began a long love for him. His dad and I are so proud of him. He graduated college.....he's a GATOR!.....married.....went to work for an engineering firm and is doing really well.

Here he is with his wife, Claudia. She gave him a little surprise party with some of their friends last night. The old folks stayed home, but we sure missed seeing him on his special day.





This is a cute picture taken a long time ago....I told Russell I was going to knock him to New York City and back. He grabbed on to Tommy and said hold on son, we're going to New York!

God has blessed us with many happy years as a family. The years pass so quickly and the children have all grown up so fast!

I know you had a good day, Tommy.....We love you and wish you many more birthdays in the future! And I promise, if I ever do knock you somewhere, it will be somewhere good! :)

New Friends

Summer is a time when many college students are home from school and either work or just enjoy their time away from their studies and reconnecting with friends.

On campuses across the nation, many college students belong to Christian organizations such as Campus Outreach, Campus Crusade, RUF, BCM,etc. Some of these students give their summer to evangelical projects. The one here is called Beach Project. Students come from universities to spend their summer working to pay their expenses, participating in worship in a local church and doing various beach projects to share the gospel through forming relationships with other beach visitors. Some of those students are worshiping with us at our church and we are so happy to be a part of their spiritual lives.

This summer Campus Outreach kids from universities in Georgia and Alabama are here at beach project. We have the unique opportunity to "adopt" them for the summer. Below are our two summer children, Mary and John. They're just such sweet kids (actually they're grown ups, but.....) and so enthusiastic about sharing the gospel and learning more about what God would have them do with their lives.

Sunday, we had them over to eat, wash their clothes and relax after church and thoroughly enjoyed them! They ask lots of questions and really challenge us to think!!!

Businesses at the beach are always excited to see these kids come to town because they make good employees!


We have adopted students for several years now and it always ends up being a blessing to us as we watch them mature in their Christian walk.


If you ever have the opportunity to have campus outreach students (there are several different campus organizations on the different university campuses), go for it! It isn't hard. They are just so grateful for a homecooked meal and a place to relax. We even took our regular afternoon naps!

Thanks John and Mary for blessing us with your company and enthusiasm and providing us an opportunity to show Christ's love in our home.