Wednesday, August 28, 2013

It's the Hodgepodge, Baby!

It's Wednesday, and though I don't have a lot of time for blogging today, I'll make this one a 'new grandchild' edition. Little Noah James was born last Wednesday, and I had the blessing and honor of sharing in his birth with my daughter and her husband. What a joy to welcome him to the world. You can read about his birth day here, and watch a slideshow of his birth story here. So special.

So in keeping with my theme, my answers will all be baby related. Enjoy!
1. Labor Day weekend (in the US of A) is approaching...what's something you've labored over this year?
Well, I wasn't the one laboring, but watching my daughter was almost the same thing. But easier.

2. What is one word to describe your 'job' or career?
Granny to these three...
and brand new little Noah.

3. What was your worst or least favorite job ever? Why?
I don't think I had a 'worst' job, but the hardest and best are one in the same... being a mom. (So far, being Granny is much easier. :) )

4. How do you measure contentment?
Well, this is one way.

5. Pickles-like or dislike? What is something you eat that requires a pickle? Dill, bread and butter, sweet gherkins...what's your favorite kind of pickle?
Dislike pickles of all kinds. It's a texture thing for me I think. 
But this little guy might be called a sweet gherkin (whatever that is). He's got the sweet part down. :)

6. In your current house-town-state, what is it you like living close to?
Our grandchildren, of course.

7. What is one thing on your 'want-to-do' list before summer draws to an official close?
Spend some more time with this little guy.
And get ready for football season, of course. Who Dat! 

8.  Insert your own random thought here.
There is something so special about those first precious days with a newborn. I am so grateful I was able to share in that with sweet Noah. They did a little photo shoot yesterday with the patient and talented Sarah, of LinneaLiz. I can't wait to see the rest!

Monday, August 26, 2013

A Noah Story

Here is a little video of the birth of Noah. A Noah Story. Photos by Sarah of the fabulous LinneaLiz. (Not just for weddings anymore!) :)

Praising God for our newest little blessing.
Enjoy!




If you aren't able to see the thumbnail, click HERE.




Thursday, August 22, 2013

Noah James

We are so blessed to welcome another grandchild to our family. Noah James was born yesterday at 7:35 p.m. He weighed 8 pounds, 13 ounces, and will be playing quarterback for Purdue before we know it. :)

Here is Bryan, early in the day, sending a text message. Notice his 'labor shirt' urging Jennifer to FOCUS.
There was a large crowd gathered and waiting to greet Baby Davis. We were still making predictions as to the gender of the baby, and also guessing the weight.
And here HE is! Noah James. There will be many more photos to come, since they had Sarah, their friend and wedding photographer there to document the big event.
Two sets of (pretty big) footprints.
Hello Baby Noah!
Grandparents and great-grandparents came to see the precious little one and his mommy and daddy.
He got to meet Aunt Darci,
cousin Haleigh, and a whole bunch of other family members.
He even had some Facetime with Uncle Adam who is working in New York this week.
So sweet.

And Granny got to hold him too. :)
So blessed and amazed by the miracle of each new life.
It's just your first day of sleeping and growing and laughing and crying and loving and being loved. God is good. All the time.


"I love these little people; and it is not a slight thing when they, who are so fresh from God, love us."
~Charles Dickens



Wednesday, August 21, 2013

Hanging Out at the Hodgepodge

It's a Wednesday Hodgepodge kind of day, so join in the fun by enjoying the questions and my answers, then clicking over to visit Joyce and the others.

Here we go!
1. What's your worst food memory?  How about one of your best?
When we were first married, and living in our tiny married student housing apartment, I attempted to fix liver for my new husband. You see, he claimed to  like liver, and I was trying to please him with my mad culinary skills. He soon learned that I, in fact, had no culinary skills. (Still don't.) I found a recipe for barbequed liver in the crock pot. This sounded desirable because 1. tossing liver in the crock pot seemed way preferable to actually touching it, and 2. smothering that slimy stuff with barbecue sauce would surely make it taste better, right? Apparently not. First and last time I ever fixed liver. 

The best food memories for me are often tied to the event and the people with whom the meal is shared. One of my best food memories was the beautiful dinner we shared in celebration of the marriage of Bryan and Jennifer.
The room was beautiful,
 the main course was delicious,
 and the cake was lovely.
Just like the happy young couple.

2. Do you appreciate people telling it like it is, or would you rather a speaker temper his/her words and maybe beat around the bush a little?  How about when you're the one communicating...which type are you?
I appreciate a person telling it like it is, but it is always good to remember to be kind. When in doubt, I try to err on the side of keeping my mouth shut. Try. That being said, we have all said or done things that came out all wrong, despite the best of intentions. That's when we rely on grace. Giving and receiving.

3. What's your favorite place to hang out?
This place. I may have mentioned it before. :)

4. When do you most feel like you're a slave to time?
Thankfully, I don't feel like that much any more, but when the kids were little I felt like there were so many days when all I said was "hurry up, hurry now, hurry, hurry, hurry!" I wish I would have known then what I know now. That, in the sweet words of Ann Voskamp, "Life is not an emergency."


5. What was the last concert you attended?  Who'd you go with? Was it any good?
The last concert I attended was to hear our friend Sandi. Sandi Patty, that is. We always like to call her our friend. We go way back. To the days of the Friendship Company and AU convocations and singing along to her cassette tapes in the van.
Jim and I went with our friends Daryl and Ruthann. You can read about it here.
And yes, it was good. She's Sandi. Our friend. :) (Well, she would be our friend, if she actually knew us.)
Here's an old photo of Sandi and me at Women of Faith, back when we were younger. Lol.

6. Reality TV...harmful or harmless?  What's your guilty pleasure when it comes to reality TV?
Meh. I'm kind of indifferent. Watch it. Or not. I don't think I have a guilty pleasure when it comes to reality TV. Unless you count football. :)

7. What's something you think is overrated?
I don't know, reality TV?

8.  Insert your own random thought here.
Our dear friend Ruthann (in the pink hat) went to Houston this week, and had a great report from the doctor there. PRAISE GOD! Please join me in prayer and praise as they travel home today. God is good... all the time.

"The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him." ~Psalm 28:6-8

P.S.  Waiting to welcome our new grandchild sometime today! Can't wait to meet him/her! Join me in praying for mama, baby, and daddy too!

Wednesday, August 14, 2013

And They Called it.. the Hodgepodge

Time for another edition of the world famous Wednesday Hodgepodge. We do enjoy gathering each week to answer the questions Joyce has prepared for us. She likes to make us think. Be sure to click the button to visit her blog, and while you're there leave her a comment. You can also visit the others who have participated in the Hodgepodge today.

Here are her questions and my answers:
1. My daughter earned her Master's Degree this past weekend...what's something you've 'mastered' in recent weeks or months?
First of all, congratulations to your daughter! As to the question, I'm more of a jack of all trades, master of none kind of girl. I guess I did master my six month term on a federal grand jury that ended in July. By the end of the term, my fellow jurors and I had learned much about the federal court system, gained a new appreciation for hard-working law enforcement agents and attorneys, and made new friends from all over the southern district of the state. We met for two days, every other week, and heard 4-5 cases a day. We did not decide guilt or innocence, but rather considered whether there was enough evidence for an indictment. My eyes were certainly opened to things that I never knew or imagined are happening just a little way down the road. It was an interesting and rewarding experience, and I am grateful for the opportunity to have served.
Most of the jurors shared lunch together on our last day, and posed for this photo on the circle.

2. What song most reminds you of your childhood?
If I were to hear Donny Osmond's Puppy Love, I would immediately be taken back to the 16 hour car ride to Florida when I played it on my little cassette player. Over and over and over. All. The. Way. To. Florida. And they called it... Puppy Loooovvvve...

3. What do you think about single gender groups and/or events? Should everygroup/event be open to both genders?  If not, what sort of exceptions do you think are appropriate? 
I think we sometimes get just a little too hung up on making sure no one is ever left out. I think single gender groups are just fine, especially when a group has been designed for either men or women. Just relax people.

4. What's your favorite spice? Your favorite dish containing your favorite spice?
Um, what else? Cinnamon. As in cinnamon rolls.

5.  I saw this question on Marla's facebook page and asked if I could steal borrow it for the Hodgepodge... thanks, Marla!

Chevron patterns are everywhere!  Do you like it or think its just a little too much? Do you own anything 'chevron'? 
I like it! I think it's fun. I have a chevron scarf, and I like the bit of chevron Jennifer has used in the nursery. Just a couple more weeks before we meet baby Davis!

And these cute little girls wear chevron well, don't you think?

6.  What's something you disliked as a child, but can fully appreciate now?
Oh, I don't know... rules? bedtime? curfew? I do appreciate them now, and, of course, I implemented them with our kids. I honestly don't think I even minded them that much when I was a child. I was very obedient. :) I do remember being caught under the covers with a book and a flashlight long after I was supposed to be asleep. Several times. Such a rebel! 

7. What can irritate you very quickly?
The guy at Best Buy telling me the new iPhone I ordered had been cancelled. And sent to West Virginia. Just a little. Bit. Irritated.

8.  Insert your own random thought here.
School has started here, and grandson Matthew is into his second week as a fourth grader.
Granddaughter Haleigh started preschool yesterday. 
School days, school days, dear old golden rule days. :)

Monday, August 12, 2013

A Celebration of Cousins

Our weekend was a busy and special one, as we had a reunion with my cousins that I have not seen for several years. My brother was the instigator of the event, and I think we are all grateful to him for making the effort to follow through with the plan.

Kent and Michelle flew in from Atlanta, and Meg and Brooks, with their adorable son Charlie, drove over from northwest Ohio. We all gathered at Ted and Cheryl's for dinner on Friday night, where we were joined by my parents and some of our children.

We enjoyed fun fellowship and great conversation, and laughed at the telling and retelling of old stories as is often the case when family gets together. I believe Jim and young Charlie had an interesting discussion on farming, too. Charlie might even hire Jim to work on his farm someday. :)

The next day, they made the journey over the river and through the woods hills and hollows to our Brown County home on Sweetwater Lake. We are blessed to be able to share the fun of the lake with family and friends. Since I had inadvertently double-booked the weekend, we had family, friends, and cousins galore.

Charlie enjoyed the lake with his dad, and took a ride on Shamu both in the lake,
and on the watermat.
He also tried out the pirate ship.
Yo ho ho!
Inside, Ella was hanging out with Gumbo.
Gumbo is always one of the favorite attractions at the lake, or anywhere he goes.
Everybody loves Gumbo.
The little girls enjoyed some pool time on the dock with David D.
The cousins took a boat ride on the pontoon for a tour of Sweetwater.

Cheryl and Ted.
Michelle and Kent.
Nana and Boomie. Happy Birthday, Boomie!
Charlie, Brooks, and Meg.
Charlie and Gumbo. I repeat, everybody loves Gumbo.
Charlie said he enjoyed himself at the lake so much that he felt like he was at home. So sweet. He will be starting first grade next week.
The four cousins posed for a couple of pictures. Hopefully, next time, we will add my brother Michael, and our cousin Elizabeth to complete the group.

I had a little girl trying for a photo bomb by holding my hand in the picture. I'll take that any day. :)
My mom and dad, the cousins, spouses, and Charlie.
We celebrated Boomie's birthday at dinner, before the cousins headed out. It was a great reunion, and we are already working on plans for the next gathering.

On Sunday, there was time for some rope swingin'. That's Matthew!
There he goes again!
Shelly tried a flip from the platform. She really needs a chair to stand on to give her enough momentum for the fancy stuff.
Abbi is ready to try it.
There goes Andrew.
Abbi!
Darci put together a little collage of Matthew swinging. He's gotten very brave on the rope swing!
He and Abbi also did a little tube surfing back in the cove after tubing. They soon toppled off the tube and had to swim back to the dock. (photo also by Darci)
The new paddle boat works great. That is a full load!
Three cuties on the dock.
And a perfect sunset to end the weekend. God is good.