DISNEY WORLD TRIP IN MARCH

I spoke to a friend today and she mentioned that she found my blog, but that it needs to be updated! Thanks Bobbie, for that reminder!

This spring we had planned a family vacation with our entire family at Disney World! Matt and Carol backed out, so the rest of us continued with our plans. ( I think Matt and Carol wanted to be sure they could afford their trip to New York City, in April, to celebrate their first anniversary) We drove down and spent a week at Disney!!! It was so fun! Pam, Jud, Julia and Sam, Amy and Luke, and David and I had a whirlwind week enjoying the four parks! I'd like to go back and see it again just to take a slower pace! Anyone who knows Pam, knows that she's going to pack as much fun as possible into the time, so we rode lots of rides, saw lots of Disney characters, and ate breakfast with the princesses, lunched with the other characters and rode the most exciting rides there! My least favorite was Space Mountain and my most favorite was Soarin!!! The ride with Julia on Splash Mountain was made even more fun because Julia had ridden it before and she had fun telling me not to be frightened!!! If you've never been, go with children! My grands made it so much fun! Can you imagine me spinning around in a tea-cup, or riding in an elephant on Dumbo! Soarin' was so fun as we were "hang-gliding" over the United States!!! The ride was amazing!!! I would love to ride it again and again! We came home exhausted every night and got up each morning, ready to go again! Everyone should visit Disney World at least once in their lifetime!

My How Time Flies When You're Having Fun

I can't believe so much time has pasted since I last posted! Let me try and catch you up! It's been a year, and lots can happen in a year! Luke is almost 2 years old, Julia is 8, Sam is 4 and Charli is 4 also. I guess Charli has the biggest news! She has a new "mama"! Matt became reacquainted with a woman who went to church with us, who became divorced. They were truly a match made in Heaven and on April 10,10, they became husband and wife! Charli adores her and the feeling is mutual! Carol brought with her to this family her son, Zack, age 12 who is adored by his younger new cousins! Sam and Luke really look up to him but Charli is quick to point out this is HER bubba!!! Our family is truly blessed by this addition and I know Matt and Charli are truly happy! It's taken a little time for MeMe and G-Daddy to have Charli living at another home after four years with us, but its wonderful for her! She comes over quite often and still claims "her" room!

Easter 09

Luke checks out his basket! What's an Easter Bunny, mommy?

Charli's found lots of eggs in Aunt Pam's & Uncle Jud's yard

Sam's coming to check on G-daddy & Pop

Julia's quite the little lady at lunch!

Easter was a very special event for our family this year. We celebrated it with Pam, Jud and the kids, as well as extended Rutland family as they came to Pleasant Valley South to celebrate Julia's baptism! To know Christ as your personal savior is such a wonderful gift from God, but to have our first grandchild experience her baptism on the date we celebrated Christ's resurrection was extremely special! Also, Pam was a soloist at the worship service, which made the day even more special. Having our entire family worship together with all of Jud's family only added to the significance of the day! Amy, Luke, Matt and Charli came along and it was such a good day! After church service, we all went to dinner together, and then back to Pam and Jud's house for an Easter egg hunt. Julia, Sam, Charli and Annika had so much fun finding and opening eggs. Julia found the most, and ended up with lots of money! It was a beautiful afternoon, and we sat outside while the kids played and it was such a wonderful day!

Graduation and Winter Fun

On Friday David and I travelled to a Kentucky State Park with Pam, Julia and Sam to spend the night, and to attend Pam's graduation from Lincoln Memorial University where she earned her EDS degree. This is one year away from her doctorate in Education, and we are certainly proud of her. It was an amazing weekend because when we arrived at the lodge, there was snow on the ground and David and I got to experience Sam's first snow, and Julia's first remembered snow! We had snow ball fights, Julia made her first snow angel, and Sam learned to throw snowballs! He wasn't sure about the snow at first, but once he realized that it was fun, he really had a wonderful time! It was so great to see our daughter's accomplishment, and to enjoy being with Juila and Sam, as we don't get to spend as much time with them as we'd like! We hope you enjoy the pictures!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

Although this is our annual Christmas card photo, I decided to share it here because this was taken on Thanksgiving day and I hope you can see our joy! We have so much to be thankful for! David and I have FOUR miracle grandchildren and we are so thrilled to have them all together. It never seizes to amaze us at how well the three oldest play, for hours, without arguing! Julia is the little mother of the group and she takes pride in watching Sam and Charli and keeping them happy! Our house is pretty child friendly, with lots of toys and things they can play with. There is very little in our home that they cannot touch, and they know what to play with! As you can see, baby Luke won't be long behind the others in "running the show". He's growing way too fast!

TRICK OR TREAT

Julia and Sam didn't get to be with us for this little holiday, but they were in our thoughts! Julia chose a costume that she wore for a dance recital, but needed the added touch of a cape! Of course, MeMe was more than happy to get out the sewing machine and accomodage her! The best part of it is that Julia "designed" the cape by drawing what she wanted me to make, and I followed her instructions! Sam, our SUPERMAN, looked awesome in his chosen costume! They're growing up way to fast to suit me!

Charli chose to be Tinkerbelle, and loved it, including the RED SHOES! Those, of course, didn't go with the original theme, but when she chose them, they certainly brightened her costume and gave everyone a new "take" on Tinkerbelle! She was the prettiest Tinkerbelle I ever saw!

Baby Luke was very excited about his first Halloween, and chose to be a "horsie"! He donned the costume and really played the part--he "neighed" every chance he got, and sometimes it almost sounded as if he was crying! I think that's because he didn't have any teeth to eat his candy with, so his mommy helped him out and ate it for him!

We had a wonderful time at the church "Trunk or Treat" on Wednesday night, then on Friday, the two that were here, Charli and Luke, dressed up again and came to DHR with their parents to celebrate Halloween with DHR staff and foster children. The workers had candy and treats in each office, then there was a party in the conference room for everyone! Children, parents and foster parents attended as well as DHR staff.

Baby Luke is weighed for the first time!

Luke met mommy for the first time in surgery!

MeMe is so happy to meet this little guy as mommy looks on!

G-Daddy is telling Luke about "the building" and the fun they'll have out there!

We are currently celebrating the arrival of our fourth grandchild, Lucas McLeod Robertson, who was born on Wednesday, September 24, 08 at 8:01 a.m. He weighed 8 pounds, 4 ounces and was 21 inches long. Luke gave us quite a scare during labor, as his heart rate dropped several times, to as low as 12, instead of the 140 beats per minute it was originally! The doctor placed a probe on his head, and they completely lost the heartbeat, briefly, before deciding an emergency c-section was in order to get him out safely! He spent the first 5 days of life in the neonatal intensive care unit and did very well! We brought him home on Monday and he is thriving! We are so blessed to have these wonderful grandchildren. Cousin Charli says that he is her "baby Uke" and Julia and Sam can't wait to meet him. Due to his being in the NICU nursery, Juila and Sam weren't allowed to visit, so when he came home to Glencoe, Charli met him first. What a wonderful time we've had! Here's a peek at our newest! We hope you agree--HE IS BEAUTIFUL!!!!!

This photo was taken on July 11, 1970, our first anniversary, and hence, it is rather old and tattered--yet it is one of my favorites, and my children love to see it too! WHY? Because, our expression says it all! We were madly in love, and still are, for that matter! If you look closely, you'll notice that my tummy is round! Yes, that's Amy, on the way to her birthday--October 16, 70! During that time it was anybody's guess if the baby was a girl or boy, and we could hardly wait for the baby to get here! We prepared for both, but I think David secretly hoped for a boy, while I was anxious for a daughter. I had chosen her name when I was only 15 years old, before I even knew that David existed. I chose Amy Laduska because I thought Amy was a beautiful name, and Laduska because it was my maternal grandmother's middle name and an unusual one. David agreed that if we had a girl that could be the name so that's how she came to be named! Today, we are anxiously awaiting the birth of Amy's first child, a son, who will be named Lucas McLeod. He will be called Luke and its only about 3 weeks before he should arrive, so we look back with joy at Amy's arrival, and we look forward to her future as a mother. She is so awesome and will make a wonderful mom! Pam, our second child, has two precious children, Julia and Sam, and she is so precious as a mother. Matt has amazed us as a daddy to Charli! He is loving, gentle, yet firm and strong as he parent's this adorable little girl! While David and I anxiously awaited parenthood, and thrilled with each child, our pleasure at being grandparents is difficult to describe!

Ninety Nine and Counting!

On June 27, 2008, Aunt Thelma celebrated her 99th Birthday! She is so awesome!!!! Her hearing isn't good, but she listens intently and if one speaks loudly she understands and participates in the conversation. Her mind is still sharp as a tack! She seemed to enjoy the day! Pam, my daughter, and Julia, Sam, and Charli (my three cherished grandchildren) and I went down yesteday morning, and we took her to Shoney's, in Clanton, for lunch! Brenda and Mike met us there, and we shared a fun lunch before going back to her house. We spent the afternoon there, and then returned home.
I don't want to end there! Let me tell you about this wonderful "ROCK" in my life! As a small child, our family lived next door to Grandmother, Aunt Thelma (who never married) and Uncle James (the youngest of the family) who was still living at home. Our "village" was full, with relatives visiting on a regular basis, and we loved it! Aunt Thelma, a first grade school teacher, had an amazing level of patience with us, and would read stories to us, bring home her school supplies and teach us, and make us happier than anyone could imagine! We moved from there when I was in the first grade, and when I was in the 2nd grade, Grandmother died, and Uncle James was in school at Auburn. That fall, I stayed with Aunt Thelma, though the rest of the family lived in Clanton, and I attended school with her. It is really my happiest and most memorable year in my entire school career. Being one of 6 children, there were seldom moments for individual attention (understandably) but with Aunt Thelma, I was truly an ONLY child! I thoroughly enjoyed being spoiled by her, yet she made me mind and corrected me when I was wrong. One of the strongest lessons I learned was to tell the truth. She has been my spiritual mentor my entire life, and has encouraged me to do my best, and remain strong in my faith. The summer after second grade, I made a personal decison to follow Christ, and was baptised after a summer revival at Pleasant Valley Baptist Church in the summer of 1957. That fall, my parents and siblings moved to Gadsden to follow my daddy's job, but I chose to stay with Aunt Thelma for the rest of the school year. We went to chuch on Sunday mornings and nights, and on Wednesday nights, as well. It was a very small church, but there were several children from the community there to enjoy learning with. The one incident I remember most is that I lied to Aunt Thelma about taking some medicine she had to give me following a bout with the flu. She and I both had the flu, but she had to go outside to do something outside. I didn't want to take my medicine, so when she came in, I told her I'd taken it. In fact, I'd poured it down the kitchen sink. I think she knew I hadn't taken it, but I kept up the facade until bedtime that night. Each night, we would read our bibles and say our prayers before going to bed. I can't say for sure, but I think Aunt Thelma may have chosen the scripture to "guide" me because after we finished reading, and started to say our prayers, I confessed to Aunt Thelma that I didn't take the medicine--- so she led me to ask forgiveness, and set it right with God. How well I remember that time, on our knees, beside the bed, asking God to forgive a 9 year old for lying. It had a great impact on my life, even to this day!
The year which I spent with Aunt Thelma bonded me even closer to her, and she has to be the most awesome person in my life! She gave unselfishly to me, and to my siblings and cousins, having us for weeks in the summer, spring break and Christmas holidays each year. She worked tirelessly to feed us, work in her garden, put up summer foods by canning and freezing, and still managed to keep 6-12 kids in her home! She took us to church, even though she sometimes had to make two trips to get everyone there. She'd take some older, and some younger, and drop them at the church, then return home for the rest! We never stayed home from church because there were too many kids! She, and her older sister, Aunt Myrtle, cooked for the crew, and we took turns cleaning up. Aunt Myrtle worked at Belk Hudson in Montgomery, and sometimes came home on the weekends! She was more stern than Aunt Thelma, but it was evident she loved us too.
Aunt Thelma told me an amusing story yesterday that summarizes her sense of humor. She said that her brother, Uncle James told her that if she lives to be 100 she probably won't ever die. She laughed and said that's because you hardly ever hear of a 100 year old dying!!!! She just laughed!

Father's Day 08

Isn't this what it's all about? FUN! FUN! FUN!!!!!!! This year, we celebrated Father's Day on Saturday, so that the Rutlands could spend Sunday with Jud's dad. We had such fun with all of the grandchildren here! Even the one who isn't born yet! Sam just finished swim lessons, but he still wasn't sure about staying in the pool a lot! Charli loves the water, and has no fear! Julia, an accomplished swimmer was so busy swimming, jumping off the diving board, and going down the slide, that it was difficult to catch her on camera! I did get the one of her diving under just as she started her dive! As you can see, we had a fun day! After swimming we grilled kabobs, ate roasted potatoes and had tea and rolls! It was a wonderful afternoon; one that will be remembered for some time! Who's not in the picture? G-daddy! Somehow, he didn't get into the spot light much, but he did swim and says he really enjoyed the day! I'm so blessed to have such a happy and loving family! Julia has always been my very heart, and Charli and Sam only enhanced my love for grandchildren. Baby Luke is scheduled to arrive in late September, and I can't wait! As I placed my hand on Amy's tummy yesterday, he wiggled and that was my first feel of the miracle of another grandchild! WOW! I just can't wait for him to big enough to be born! The photos tell it all!

Pierce Family Reunion

These are just a few shots from the Pierce family reunion which is held the 1st Sunday in May each year. We've had this reunion yearly for as long as I can remember. It started at Grandmother's house, then after she passed away, it continued until Aunt Thelma and Aunt Myrtle felt overwhelmed with the task of hostin it. Later it was held at the Clanton Recreation Center, for a few years, then a cousin, Harold Pierce graciously invited the family to hold the reuinon at his home in the Enterprise community of Chilton County. In years past we have had over 200 participants, but in recent years it has been much smaller. The 1st picture is my cousin Doyle and my eldest brother, Ken. Next is Aunt Cherry, Uncle James and their son Phil. (Aunt Cherry passed away last week after a valiant fight with cancer). She lost the battle, but won the victory as she was a strong Christian. The third picture is my granddaughter, Julia, with aunt Thelma, then a group of my siblings and their immediate families as we gather each year, in a cluster, under a tree, at the reunion. The last is my cousin (Mary) JO, and she will probably "kill" me for using it, but I just thought it looked like her mom so much that I used it anyway. There were 11 children in my dad's family, who lived to adulthood, but now only three of them are living. Just to see if I can, I will list all of their grandchildren:

Uncle Leon had three daughters, Dot, Nell and Judy;

Uncle John had: Ola Faye, Harold & Doyle,

Uncle Jessie: Billy, Bobby, Patricia, Peggy, Margaret, Michael, Debra, Jake and David;

Uncle Wolf (Wilbert) Carole, Dale, Steve, Kaki, Phyllis & Jan

Uncle James; Phil & Tim

My dad: Ken, Brenda, Shirley, Cynthia, Greg & Mark

Aunt Maggie: Mary Jo & Jerry

Aunt Jewell: Juanita, Donald & Gerald

Aunt Mattie Ree: Wayne, Charles & Joan

After Granddaddy Pierce (Clyde) left our grandmother (Josephine); he re-married and three more children; Buddy, Joyce and Shirley Ann.

Seeing this list, you can guess that there are lots of relatives to attend these reunions! Its always fun to gather and visit with those who attend each year! Of memory, I can only think of one I missed, and I was sick, or one of the kids was sick. I'll add more pictures, and try not to bore you anymore. I just wanted to include some of it for a better picture of who I am.

Julia (at her 6th birthday Party) along with her brother, Sam would like to share their latest family news. ANNOUNCING: We are the very proud children of Mrs. Pam Rutland, TEACHER OF THE YEAR for Johnson Elementary School, Floyd County Georgia! Although we had to let mommy leave every morning to go to her school, it was worth it because our mommy proved that not only is she a wonderful mommy--she is also a wonderful teacher!

Yes, Julia and Sam had a little help writing this one, but they love their mommy so very much! Of course, MeMe and G-Daddy, (our mom calls them Mom and Dad) are so very proud of her too!

A little story about Pam--When she was a last semester senior at Jacksonville State University she held a summer job at Camp ASSCA, a camp for special needs kids and adults. In July, one month prior to graduation, she called home to say that her plans to be a physical therapist had changed, and she had decided to change her major to education and to prepare to teach Special Education. Because Matt was already at JSU also, and Amy had previously graduated there, we insisted that Pam accept her undergraduate degree, since it was already earned. She entered Grad school in the Education arena, and a year later, graduated with her Master's in her newly chosen field! She has a very special gift and loves her students more than anyone can imagine! She maintains her love of teaching although there are many challenges in managing a classroom of special needs children.

WAY TO GO PAM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This is my paternal grandmother, and she had a great impact on my life although she passed away when I was only 8 years old. When I was a preschooler, our family lived next door to Grandmother, Aunt Thelma, and Uncle James. Running in and out of her house daily was part of our routine! The latter two were siblings to my dad, and are the only two siblings that are still living.
There are so many fond memories of Grandmother that I can't recount them all, but I will try to give you some images that are a memorable part of my childhood! On Sunday afternoons, most of grandmother's children and their children would gather at the family home site and visit. There were cousins galore to play with, and we rambled the fields, the gully, the woods and a branch that adjoined the family land. During the Sunday visits, in the summer, at least, the front yard was quite a site to see. Each adult had some sort of seat and the family formed a circle so everyone could visit and talk. Some of the men, my daddy included, would take a ladder-back chair and turn it on the ground, using the ladder part as a backrest. Children of all sizes roamed in and out of the circle, playing with cousins, while the babies napped on quilts laid on the groud. I can still "see" it when I think of those times! Life was so simple and carefree.
Grandmother was quite a seamstress and made clothes for her grandchildren which delighted us to no end. Sometimes, because we lived next door, I would go into grandmother's house and sit to watch her sew. One afternoon, before I was old enough to go to school I saw her making a pretty dress. I asked about it and she told me it was for Patricia, my favorite cousin. I became jealous and told Grandmother I wanted a new dress too. She didn't scold me, or remind me that she had just made me a dress. Instead, she put aside her sewing and took one of Uncle James' tee shirts. Within a few minutes, she had sewn Ric Rack around the neck, sleeves and hem, added a pretty sash and I had perhaps the FIRST tee-shirt dress ever! They became the fad when my girls were growing up, and I told them about the wonderful dress Grandmother made me!
On another day, also before I started school, my younger sister, Cynthia and I were outside playing but told Grandmother we had nothing to play with. She asked what we wanted to play and we told her we wanted to have a tea party but we didn't have a table or chairs for our tea things. Grandmother quickly took her hammer, handsaw and nails and set to work building us a table and two chairs. In what seemed only minutes Cynthia and I were sitting at a little table, pouring "tea" for ourselves and Grandmother. Not only did she build the table and chairs but she furnished the treats and joined us for our "tea" party! WOW! was she something! Before you begin to think that she probably was a "young" and new grandmother, my siblings and I were some of her youngest grandchildren and she had over 40! Some were old enough to be our parents! LOL
Grandmother, mother and some of the neighbor ladies would sit and quilt all day, in the winter, and Cynthia, Patricia and I would lie under the table, watching the needles go in and out--listening as the ladies talked and sewed! I don't remember what they talked about, but I know they laughed and seemed to be having fun! As I think of them, their names and faces are so vivid in my mind and heart--Aunt Vick, Aunt Cora, Ruby, Ms. Silas, Grandmother, Mother, and I sure others, but those are the ones who come to mind.
I'm sure there are other memories that I could relay to you, but I thought these might give you a glimsp of me that few know of! Oh yes, another thing I remember is the game of "Thimble Shine". Grandmother would take one of her thimbles and place it somewhere in the room. The children would have to search with their eyes, without moving from their seat, and the first to find the thimble would get to place it again, while everyone else hid their eyes. This game would amuse us for long periods of time. Grandmother was really patient!

My last post was several months ago and I hadn't realized it has been so long! Spring is upon us and we're getting ready for another "swimming" season! David has worked on the pool a lot this week and it is really beautiful. This has been therapy for him, as his closest friend, Don, passed away two weeks ago from a massive stroke. David and Don grew up together and loved each other like brothers. They were as different as two men could ever be, but they loved and supported each other in everything. David will miss him until they meet again!
Much has happened since I last wrote. The biggest news we have is that another grandson is on the way. Amy, our eldest, lives in Birmingham, and at the age of 37 chose to become a mom in a fairly new and unique way. She remains single and refuses (rightfully so) to marry someone just for the sake of having a family. She is very strong in her beliefs and chose to have artificial insemination to have a child. Our entire family is extremely proud of her and supportive of this choice---AND---in late September Lucas McLeod Robertson will join our clan and bump Sam from his spot as the baby of the family! WE CAN'T WAIT!!!!!!!!
Julia and Sam continue to grow, and its hard to believe that Sam and Charli are two!!! Julia will be 6 in May and she will be in first grade in the fall! WOW! She was just born the other day, how can this be! Our grandchildren are so precious to us and we thrill to have them with us! We hope everyone gets as much joy as we do from having them! I'll write more later, but just wanted to add a little update.

November 07 is so different from 06! Last year we were so sad because of all that happened in Jefferson County! This year, there is a deep scar, but we're healing and the three precious grandchildren shown above are a big part of that healing. We are truly thankful for each of these precious children we have been given to love! Our day began early and the turkey was popped into the oven before 8 to ensure that we ready by lunch to enjoy our "feast". God blessed us with plenty of food, all three of our children at home, and all of the grandchildren here for part of the day! Charli had to go visit her mom and family for the day, but once Julia and Sam arrived, the house was "popping" again! They are so delightful! Julia alternates between being an Auburn and Tennessee fan, and Sam is GEORGIA all the way! Its such fun to try and trip him up by saying "War Eagle" or "Roll Tide"!!! His response is always "GO DAWGS-woof, woof" He is so cute and is quickly losing his baby look! (boo hoo) At just 3 weeks younger than Charli, he is the baby of the family! Julia, our first grandchild never fails to amaze me, and her beauty is breath-taking! She is also the sweetest and funniest angel! Charli is full speed ahead, and charming, and adorable, and Mr. Sam-man is a heart stealer! They are my very HEART!
Juila is 5 now, and reading well, and doing math in her head although she is only in kindergarten! Jud couldn't be with us because he and his dad have a Christmas Tree business, and it's in full swing by Thanksgiving! Lots of folks finish dinner and head to find their tree, so Christmas Tree City, in Rome Georgia is there--selling trees to make Christmas beautiful!
As we give thanks today, I thank God for salvation, and the Son He gave for me, I thank him for my Christian husband, and for four wonderful children who love the Lord and serve Him and for the beautiful grandchildren He has blessed me with! I hope you can be thankful too!

FUN SATURDAY!

1. Julia, 5, on the slide, with Aunt Amy, Uncle Matt, and baby brother, Sam. 17 months

2. Matt and Charli, 18 months

3. Aunt Amy and Sam

These pictures tell some of the story of last weekend, and I wanted to share what a weekend we had!!! Pam and Jud had planned, weeks ago, to attend the Georgia game with friends, and David and I agreed (very willingly) to keep Julia and Sam. Little did we know that David would have to be hospitalized for a heart catherization on the Friday before! Amy had agreed to come home to help with the three and we had a good time although G-daddy wasn't really feeling great! (Pam and Jud offered to make other arrangements for Julia and Sam, but my heart was set on having them, so we went full speed ahead!) Amy was a REAL TROOPER, and really worked hard, covering for G-Daddy! The were wonderful, and we made it to church, almost on time, for Sunday School. On Sunday afternoon, we took Julia and Sam back to their parents' and stayed for the evening worship service where Pam's husband, Jud, was ordained as a deacon for their church. We are really proud of the fine Christian husband and father he is! The weekend was great, and the only down thing is that they did find blockage in 3 of David's arteries. 60%, 50% and 30%. They are treating it with medication. Keep us in your prayers.

Also, while you're praying, there is a special little girl, Mallory McElhaney, age 2 1/2 who has a disorder known as Mitochondrial Disorder. It is a genetic disorder that causes multiple medical issues, and the life expectancy of a child with this disorder is to not live out of childhood. The average age is 7. Mallory is the third of three daughters, and her older siblings are Laauren, 5 and Anna Kate, 4. Mallory's family is very close to Pam and Jud, and they spend lots of time together, so we see them often, as well!

Thanks for reading my blog. I hope its not too boring.

Labor Day is truly a wonderful time if your grandchildren visit and you get to catch them dressed for church! On Sunday, the Rutlands came over from Rome and I made this photo of Sam, Julia and Charli before they changed into play clothes! As you can see, Sam wasn't really happy about his older sister holding him in place! We had a happy visit and Charli loved playing with the two cousins! She and Sam are "learning" to share toys and Julia is busy finding places to play that will stop the two little ones from grabbing her things! They are growing faster than I would have imagined they possibly could, and they are so delightful! Sam is almost 17 months old, Julia is 5 years old and Charli is almost 18 months old! Before long they'll be too big to pose in G-daddy's chair!

Introducing Charlise (Charli) Robertson! Yes, I know there's already a photo of her in the family portrait, but that was before her legal name was changed to reflect that she belongs to the ROBERTSON CLAN! If you've been reading my eldest daughter's blog you know the problems we've had over the past year. I will spare you the long version, but tell you that last October, after almost a year of court hearings, Matt was divorced from his wife of 14 months. Charli is the result of that brief marriage, and Matt was granted primary custody of her on October 4, 06 when she was only 7 months old. In an effort to regain custody, lies were told that hurt our family badly. When the dust settled, Charli was back with us, and Alyssa now lives with her mom and her mom will not allow us any contact. Charli is now 16 months old, and this picture was taken a week ago, just before we left for Sunday School. She is the delight of our hearts, along with her two cousins, Julia and Sam Rutland. She loves her cousins, and they love her too! We can only imagine what she and Sam, who is 3 weeks younger than her, will get into when they get older! Poor Julia will have her hands full, trying to get her little brother and her little cousin to stay out of her stuff! Here's a picture of the three of them on the 4th of July! We thank God daily for the miracle of our grandchildren. David and I delight in them constantly! They are so very precious! God has entrusted Miss Charli to Matt, and we are helping him with her until he gets more adept at parenting. He is doing really well with her, and she loves her Daddy! Personally, David and I think we have the four cutest grandchildren in the world, and we miss "Miss Alyssa" the granddaughter we aren't allowed to see. She will always be in our hearts and hopefully she'll come to visit when she is grown and make her own choices.

FAMILY
While on vacation this summer I bought a little plaque that says "Families are the Love, Memories and Laughter they share." It sits on our entertainment center as a reminder of the fun vacation we spent at the beach, marred only by the absence of two of our grandchildren, who weren't allowed to go with us, as planned.
This is the entire Robertson Clan, and today I want to share with you what I think family means. Our son, Matt, is going through a divorce that was not his choice, and has asked for custody of his two daughters, Alyssa and Charlise. He adopted Alyssa when he married her mother, and Charlise was born after they separated. Yesterday was the last of several court hearings and Amy, Pam and Jud were with us to support Matt. Jud's parents graciously accepted responsibility for Julia and Sam so that Pam and Jud would not have the stress of rushing back to pick the children up from school and daycare. The entire FAMILY was there to support the one who needed us! I am thankful that God has provided us the love and closeness to be there for each other when there is a need. He blessed us with three smart and successful children and later added Jud and the grandchildren to our family. I think that yesterday proved what the word family means! We who are Christians are all ADOPTED by God, and those children who have been placed in our family through legal adoption are so very precious to us. They are on equal footing with the two grandchildren who were added by birth. We thank God for each of them, and ask Him to watch over them and allow us to raise them. It truly does take a "village" to raise a child--a village of family, friends and church family, and most importantly God's guidance. If Matt is granted custody of his two daughters, "the village" will be there for him! So--this is the Robertson Clan as it looks today. Hope you enjoy seeing this, and whenever possible, spending time with this CLAN!

MAMA & PAPA DEAN

This picture, made years ago, is the only one I have of Mama and Papa, my maternal grandparents. It brings back a myriad of memories as I look at who they were, and how they affected my life! When we visited in the summer, their house had a special, cared-for smell of country living. The house itself was made completely of wood, inside and out, with wooden walls, wooden floors and wooden ceilings. The house had a wholesome wood smell, and Mama swept the floors daily to make sure it stayed clean. When we visited, mother always made sure we helped out, so we weren't a burden to them. We helped with the sweeping, dish washing and whatever other chores we were assigned, and they had to be finished before we were free to play and roam the woods. If I could only count the times we raced down the hallway, through the house, from the back porch to the front, and bounded off the steps or one end of the porch or the other! This house, with a hall that separated the house into two side, from the back porch, straight through to the front porch, was set on brick pillars, and at some points under the house, one could stand up without bumping into the foundation boards--and other times one COULD NOT!!! OUCH! Mama and Papa had a collie dog, and he would run under the house, barking because we were running. Woe be the kid that dog nabbed-if you stopped, he would too, and we knew to stop immediately to keep from being bitten!!! There was a wooden swing on the front porch, just right for three or four kids to swing for ages! If one sat in the middle, and held the two chains, pulled inward, the swing would tip backward, and sometimes dump the swinger(s) out, only to be repeated until one learned the exact amount of pressure to use to tip backward without falling!! Quite a feat for kids! Other fond memories this picture evokes are of walking down the red dirt road, hot and sweaty, and coming back to the house for our afternoon treat. This treat was called a "spanking" by Papa and he would have us line up for our "spanking". He would swat each of us gently on the backside, and then send us to the dining room where Mama would give each of us a Dr. Pepper or a Coca Cola--not a Coke, or Pepper, but the full name of the cherished soft drinks. These were real treats because our mother did not believe in allowing soft drinks regularly, so to be given one each day was a delight beyond imagination! One day, I'll tell you about Garland, Alabama and how much fun it was to ride in the back of Papa's pick-up on a trip to the store, but for now, I hope this has given you just a taste of a simpler time when children entertained themselves, and were expected to come up with their own ideas for entertainment. TV was only turned on at night to watch the news. Besides, who had time for TV when the outdoors offered Hide N Seek, and Lightening Bugs, galore!