10,000 Day Anniversary

Happy 10,000th Day Anniversary to us!

Man it is a milestone, sounds like a freakin' long time. Actually it is almost 27-1/2 years since we said "I Do" with dreamy visions of a life filled with "happily ever after"! And what a roller coaster ride, this marriage has been. There have been highs, and there have been lows. There have been tears, laughs, screams, rants & raves, moments of silence, giggles, smiles, looks of frustration, and looks of admiration. But through it all, we stuck by those vows we uttered in May of 1981.

Two kids and four grandkids later, we are still going strong. There are still days when this marriage stuff is very hard, but there are more days when it just feels right growing older (and hopefully wiser) with each other. We love each other and enjoy just being together. I can't imagine life without my partner in crime and thank God for allowing us to find each other. I thank God for giving us the strength and determination to not quit when all the odds were against us. I love you, Poppa and I am thankful that you love me!!!

And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love. 1 Cor. 13:13

Happy Birthday Hunter!!

What a difference a year makes...


Twelve months, 366 days (leap year), 8,784 hours, 527,040 minutes--that is what has passed since one of the most frightening, blessed days of our lives. I can still remember the phone call from Gabe telling us that Ryan was in labor. I remember thinking everything would probably be okay because they would probably stop her labor. She would have to endure months of bed rest, but all would be well. Then came another phone call from Gabe--there was no stopping the labor and Ryan was going to be careflighted.

We were worried about Ryan and the baby. We were worried about Gabe and Kattie getting to Ft. Worth in time. But we prayed and the worry subsided, because we knew God was in control.

He blessed us with a tiny little guy and a healthy mom.


Hunter Brayden Lewis

9/21/2007

1 lb. 3 oz. - 11"

It was the beginning of a roller coaster ride with a lot of good and some bad. He remained in the NICU until January which was when he was supposed to be born. He went home on oxygen and a feeding tube and was back in the hospital twice. Just within the last few weeks, he FINALLY was weaned off the oxygen. He has gained weight--up to over 14 lbs. His motor skills are developing well, and he has the most awesome personality of any little guy.

He makes our hearts melt with those big blue eyes and that beautiful smile!!!

Along the way, we have witnessed such growth and determination on the part of his mommy and daddy. I cannot even begin to tell you how proud we are of Gabe and Ryan. They have pulled together and shown remarkle strength. Even when they were beyond exhaustion and despair, they hung in there and helped their little guy pull through. I know that he drew strength from them. Ryan continues to amaze me in loving and working with Hunter. She has endured so much and still has managed to be a wife, mommy to Dane, and student along with a part-time job for much of the time. WOW--can we say God bless Ryan!!

I can honestly say that I have had to learn to trust God like never before during this journey with Hunter. I wanted so much to believe that God was going to bring him through each day, but there was this little part of me that was worried and scared. Had we not had the love, support and prayers of many good friends and local churches, it would have been even more difficult to get through the past year. What a blessing this journey has been and we look forward to seeing what God has in store for Hunter!

Anyway it's a celebration of great blessings. Thank you God for Hunter--our little miracle!

Blessings - part 2

Another reason it has been a good week...

Our oldest (and only) granddaughter, Brie, started preschool this week. It is hard to believe that she is 4 years old. She is the most articulate and mature 4 year old I have ever been around. She has spent most of her years hanging around adults. We were excited for her to begin the preschool experience in preparation for school.

When her mommy picked her up and asked her how she liked it, she told her that she didn't like it. There were too many kids in there and that she just wanted to stay with her mommy or with the kids at daycare. Danita and I think realize that she needs time to adjust.

When I asked her later if she liked preschool, she said she liked it. I asked her if she had fun and she said yes. The mind of a 4-year old is a complex thing!!

Blessings

It's been a good week --a blessed week...

My son (who is my baby even though he probably dislikes that) had his birthday this last week. He is now 24 years old and I can't help but think how quickly time has flown.

I always tell young ladies who have babies to treasure each moment, because in a blink of an eye those years are gone and those babies grow up to be toddlers. Toddlers become school age children and that leads to the joys of teenagers. Then you survive teenagers to begin a new cycle of life with marriage and GRANDbabies.

We're proud of the young man our son has become. He is married to a wonderful young lady and they have two young sons. He works full time, attends school part-time, and fits in a wide variety of activities in between tending to his family and his hobbies of music and guitar. We've seen him become a stronger yet more tender man because of the loves of his life--his family. He has met challenges in his life that have made me fall to my knees in prayer and God has answered those prayers!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY GABE!!