March 21, 2010

Goodness, it has been a very long time since my last post. There is simply no way that I could catch-up on all that taken place. However, I shall start from here, March 21, 2010, and see what happens.

Jim came Friday, from his home in Texas, to celebrate Max's birthday on the 22nd. It is such a delight to have him and we are so sorry that Nancy and Chris couldn't come. They have 7 goats, a donkey, a horse, a potbelly pig, 3 dogs and 3 cats..... They actually could have a petting zoo. There is no way they could leave these animals.

Max will be 76 tomorrow. I simply cannot comprehend it...., especially since we were born the same year. No, it cannot be! Max and Jim have had a great time just being together. Tonight they went to the Imax to see Avatar. They came home exclaiming how wonderful it was. So, even though I didn't think I would want to see it, I think Max and I will go.

Zadok, our great grandson, who is 16 months, just grows more and more delightful. Stacia and Spencer are really good parents. The Lloyd grandchildren are all grown up now. They are a wonderful bunch of kids and really a delight to have around. They live about a hundred miles from us, so we do not get to see them as often as we would like to. Conner, Carter, and Kyleigh are still at home....all typical teenagers who drive their parents crazy when they are not being adorable. Lori and Andy also have a young man, Tanner, living with them, who has no place to go. He has been a close friend of Conner and Carter's for years. He is 18 years old. The whole family has embraced him. It is quite a circus when they are all together. Yes, I pray for Lori a lot because Andy travels every other week....thus, she has the greater part of the responsibility. Trusting the Lord to lead and guide in every little step of the way.

Michael has gone through many changes in the past couple years. He and Angela divorced. I am still in deep grief over that. Michael's heart is still breaking and I cannot explain how my heart feel crushed into a thousand pieces. Angela will always be my daughter and I will love her dearly forever. I pray that they will be able to heal and find rest in their hearts.

Michael's practice continues to grow. He is still in Silverdale, WA. The building he has been in is too small for his growing business and he will locate another place soon. He celebrated his 10th anniversary of being a Chiropractor. I am so very proud of him. I just wish we lived closer so that he could be my doctor, as well as my firstborn son. Max and I hope to drive out to Washington this summer to visit with Michael.

Jonathan and Yvonne are still in South Carolina, in the city of Greer. They live across the street from a wonderful City Park. One of the best I have been to. Kenny, Riley and Jesse are all just great children. Kenny graduated a couple of weeks ago. They are having an open house for him in a few days. When the Wagners come here in June, we will have a graduation party for him. Yvonne's brother, Johnny, lives here and he has 3 girls....so they, along with the Lloyd clan and aunts and uncles, it will be a nice party. we are so proud of Kenny. All the grandkids are endeavoring to live a Christian life.

Max and I have celebrated our 15th wedding anniversary. We continue to be amazed at how wonderful our life is. We are so very thankful to the Lord for bringing us together in these later years of our lives. Max has had some health issues in these years, but being the positive and strong person that he is, he has bounced back wonderfully. This past February he had his gallbladder removed (they found 6 large stones). He is still having some problems which will be addressed by his surgeon this week.

I have been involved with an aerobics class for over 4 years. It is a group of ladies in my age bracket. We have a fun time each Monday, Wednesday and Friday. After class, a group of us have coffee at McDonalds. It has been a good thing for exercise and fellowship. We have become close friends.

In October of 2007, I started my first oil painting. I love it. It was Paula Swornay who encouraged me to paint. Now, I have done 9 paintings. It seems each one gets better. I am just now starting another (have already done 3 in oil and 2 in porcelain) lighthouse.

I have been doing a 'journal scrapbook' each year now for 5 years. It is such a wonderful way to track all that takes place in your life and that of your family.

I think I will close for now and continue more faithfully in the days to come.