Finally.......

The computer tech from our service was here for 2 hours and finally figured out what the problem with our computer was.....the firewall that comes with our service was not recognizing our Vista program and was blocking everything. I told you Mike and I were about to put our foot through this new computer......well, now we don't have to. All is well and we are happy campers with our computer once again.

Here's my latest Sam story.....he had been very curious about where he came from and Cindy has been giving him a little correct information here and there. So, as Mike was giving him a bath the other evening he looked up and said, "Pop-Pop, I just can't find my uterus, do you know where it is?" After a little explanation, Sam looked right at him and said, "well Pop-Pop, whose uterus did you come from?"
I just love it because Mike was always away coaching and he didn't get to experience all these type of questions from our own kids!

Two of My Guardian Angels...

Here is a special picture of two of my Guardian Angels.....I miss them both so much. Jim would have been "The Big 60" today also. It was always so special that he and my cousin Fleta shared the exact same birthday. Know that I am thinking about you today Fleta, and hope you have a fun, fantastic day!

Saga continues.....

Well~ Betty had a good idea about the birth date, if Wed. fell in 1916 then Mom must have been born in 1916. Mike and I just looked up Mom's death certificate and we did put 1916 on her death certificate - So, Happy 91st Birthday Mom!
I have been down with the flu since Sunday night - I'm ready for this to be gone!

The Saga of the Name....

When my Dad was getting ready to retire from McDonnell Aircraft he had to also submit information about my Mom. Well... they wrote to Little Rock for Mom's birth certificate and low and behold one did not exist for Fleta Alleen Powell born in 1917. So, since Grandpa had written in Mom's Bible that he gave them in 1947 that she was born in 1916...they sent away for that birth certificate with the same results. Since all her other brothers and sisters had birth certificates, Mom really couldn't understand why she didn't have one, but then decided since it was so close to Christmas it just must not have been recorded.
For those of you that remember Dad, he was a follow the rules kind of guy. He went about proving Mom's birthdate with three other documents showing her age and name being Fleta Alleen Powell, born December 27, 1917. This statisfied the retirement people and he thought...all is well.
One night, just before they went to sleep... Mom sat up in bed and exclaimed...."I know why we can't find my birth certificate... my name is not Fleta Alleen it is Trellamae." She went on to explain that she remembered being told along time ago that when she was born the doctor came to the farm and when she was born she was given the name Trellamae. Well...as the story goes, Great Grandmother Powell was there to help (our Grandma was not very found of her) and every time she went to change Mom's diaper, she would make a comment that it was time to change "Trell's" diaper again. When she left, Grandma and Grandpa changed Mom's name to Fleta Alleen, but obviously never did it officially.
The next time Mom and Dad were down to visit at Uncle Cotton's home, Mom asked if he remembered ever hearing that story and Uncle Cotton confirmed the story.......Dad's response, "I just know it could not be true, because I would never have slept with a Trellamae."
Dad would never let us send for a copy of a Trellamae's birth certificate.....some how he was afraid it would mess of Mom's benefits. After all....Mom graduated from High School, was married, gave birth to me, had a Social Security Card and Driver license all under the name of Fleta Alleen. The best part of the story is that every year after that, there was a gift under the tree from Skip and Jim marked to Trellamae. Also, note the spelling.......all one word and this led to many, many giggle times.

Let the New Year Begin!

This editorial cartoon was in the KC paper today~I can not think of a better tribute to my Mom's Birthday remembrance than to post a picture of the President she actually hated the most. I can't imagine what my Mom would have thought of "Bushie", but I'm sure she would have gotten a kick out of this on her 90th birthday. It's hard to believe that my best friend would be 90 tomorrow, or it could be 91 depending on which version of birth years you use. There has always been a dispute as to Mom's birth year and Dad would never let us write for her birth certificate. You see - Fleta wasn't her real name.

Waiting Patiently!!!

My three boys waiting to open gifts. I call this their "Angel Look" - they could hardly wait and I certainly didn't blame them. Our rule is that you have to wait for everyone to be ready to open gifts - youngest goes first. Guess who got to go last?

Sam is one happy boy!

Sam loves to push the button on the Santa and hear, "let's jump for Christmas", I always try to get him to take this one home, but his mom says that it is a "Grandma thing" and it need to stay at my house.

What a Joyous Time!

Everyone had a fantastic Christmas - it is so enjoyable to see the boys really old enough to enjoy, and yet still believe in Santa. This year no one was "crabby" or "whinning"~ everyone laughed and had a great time. My favorite line was from Cindy when she told me she took Sam to see Santa on Saturday, he took one look at the line and said, "no thanks, I will just go home and email Santa". That is exactly what Sam did.

Chocolate~Chocolate!

Tanner and Sam loved the big bear and rocker outside the Chocolate store. They were really all smiles this afternoon and they were so good~I think Grandma and Grandpa will have to take the three on more outings.

Boys and Trains:

It was so much fun to here theme talking about each of the train layout areas. This particular corner was called the junkyard.

Grandpa with boys!

This afternoon the boys were off school, so we took them down to Union Station in Kansas City to see the huge train layout. We really had a great afternoon with the boys.

The Candle of Hope

This candle has been circulating around with so many of my friends. I think and pray for each of you that this cancer has touched, may the strength of our Lord surround you. The percentage of my friends that have had Breast Cancer is almost overwhelming ~ I pray that in '08 they find a cure and then maybe our daughters, grand daughters , nieces and friends may never have to deal with this disease.

Merry Christmas

This Christmas Card reflects warm and beautiful thoughts for each of you that I hold so dear. Reflections of a time of our youth, with memories I hold so dear. I pray that '08 brings you each the peace of our Lord, good health and the enjoyment of family and friends. Each of you have touched my heart and you bring me such joy each and every day through your blogs. May the Lord bless and keep you through these holidays.

Jimmy and Katie

Finally, I have their pictures to post -

Paxton and Tanner

This is the best I could do~ they just kept moving because they wanted to be with their friends. You do have to admit that I can claim these two guys. Paxton looks just like his Dad at this age - I have no idea where Tanner got the redish hair.

Tanner and His Best Bud!

Here is a picture of Tanner and his best bud, Cadin. These two are inseparable and it was fun to see them being so angelic.

Paul's Family

Tonight my grandson's, Paxton and Tanner had their Church Christmas program. I am so thrilled that Paul's family is now very active in their church. The program was darling~ especially the 2 year olds that came in on their Dad's shoulders and were dressed in white robes with red bows and they were flapping their wings. Tanner's group is led by Dawn ( my daughter-in-law) and they sang "Away in the Manger" and Paxton's group(3rd Graders) sang "Joy to the World". It was a really enjoyable, fun evening.

Mike with Santa in 1948

My Mother-in-law gave me this picture of Mike right after we got married. Here is Mike with the same Santa, the same year. It looks like we were about 1,000 children apart, but I guess this was just fate that we would be there the same day. You will notice, that Santa looks so much more pleased with Mike and of course, his mouth is shut!

1948 visit to Santa

When I was 6 years old, a visit to Santa at Famous and Barr was a really big deal. Mom and I rode the Street Car to downtown St.Louis and waited in a very long line to see Santa. Also, it was a very big deal to buy a picture of me sitting on Santa's lap. I remember when the picture came, Mom was really upset because I had my mouth open so big, and I told her~ "well, Mom, I had to tell him everything on my list"! This was the last time I had my picture taken with Santa.

Our mantle - '07

The big Santa picture is new this year. I found him down in St.Louis and put him up right when we got home. The stockings are hung by the chimney with care (Sam put them up for me and arranged them the way he wanted them).