Oops ....

I realized after I told about Evelyn Brown helping Roxanne, I left off some information. Many who follow blogs read Jennifer Olsens's .. actually, hers is one of the first ones I read. (She needs to write a book!) And I also enjoy Amy Benson's . So, William is not an only child! I just see him more often than I do the girls. So, now that I have rambled and even forgot to add "Marshall" to Evelyn's name, I better bow out before I make some additional errors! I seem to be doing well in that department today!

Happy Birthday, Kasi ... big "17" tomorrow!!

Seventeen years ago about now (it's about 8pm), Roxanne was pacing around our living room. Bob had just arrive home from Washington DC where he had taken the bar exam for admittance into US Tax Court. Roxanne had been in labor for a couple days, but true to form, I think she was determined to wait until her dad arrived home. She always felt that everything was okay if Dad was home. The night before, her contractions had been about 8 minutes apart but never really got any closer. She was waiting!! He was home now and Evelyn Brown (William Brown II's mother), who is a nurse, had come by to check in on Roxanne. She was marching her around and around our living room -- she said that Roxanne wasn't quite ready to head for the hospital but this should help things along. I wondered if we should even head for be at all, but we managed to get a couple hours sleep.

Somewhere during the night, Roxanne assured me that it
was defintely time, so off we went!

And the long wait began ... we waited and we waited! I am indebted to Evelyn who came to Roxanne's room as soon as she could leave her job in another part of the hospital. I think her hand was permanently disfigured as a result of Roxanne's grip throughout contractions!! Finally, after 17 hours of labor, Kasi made her appearance and the world has never been the same since!! (The picture below will confirm that -- Kasi with my niece, Shara!! Typical photo!!)

(Left: Kasi with Regan in her arms and Marley beside her. She was about 6 years old!)


It is so hard to believe that it has actually been 17 years since she was born! She usually has had a captivated audience and that brought interesting reactions such as when a kind gentleman leaned down to tell her she was such a beautiful little girl. Her response, "Your breath stinks!" Now she's a typical teenager with the daily battle of hormones and logic -- and it depends on the day which of those win! She's lots of fun to be around and is also willing to share her faith in God openly.

She's a great traveling partner for me and we usually have lots of fun. What's really funny is when she talks to a friend and tells them she is riding with her "Nana"! Somehow, I guess most of her friends cannot comprehend a relationship such as we have -- we are truly blessed.

So, happy birthday, Kasi!! I'm not sure I am ready for you to 'grow up' even though you are well on your way. It doesn't seem possible that you can be a junior in high school -- another year and you will be off to college! It seems like just yesterday...

Needed .... a girlfriend .... now!!!

My nephew, Seth Mark Israel Southerland, just turned 8 years old and he is sure of one thing -- he needs a girlfriend .. now!!! As he told his mother recently, "I'm desperate!!" LOL!!

He just wishes his cousins, Marley, Regan and Bailey, weren't his cousins. They would be in the running for sure ...

So, anybody know of a little gal about 8 years old looking for a boyfriend ... there's a cute little guy who has lots of personality available for a friendship -- of course, it requires parental supervision! Lots of it! But, life would definitely be interesting because there is only one "Seth Mark"! We love him!!

Oh, brother .....

Teri sent me a couple photos from their evening. I know there is a lot of discussion about Halloween and I can assure you that we don't get caught up in all the 'stuff' about it -- but the kids do have a good time interacting with neighbors. I was intrigued by all the people we got to visit with along the way that we might not have otherwise. So ... here are a couple photos -- I'm not sure I would know Regan on the street!!!

Here is what Teri wrote me tonight ...

I thought you might enjoy this. Marley was Paris Hilton, Regan a DEAD Vampire Princess (?), Bailey just a Vampire Princess (not Dead, whatever that means!) and Rudy was a cow. He was an amazing cow who held out the entire night, toting after his sisters as they trick-or-treated around the neighborhood. By the end of the night, however, I was carrying a cow bobble head as he had fallen asleep as I was carrying him. If you pay attention to the picture of Rudy and me, you will see he's getting into the spirit of halloween. Yuck!!!

Here come the troops ...

The three stooges -- well, sort of! They are quite the trio and have a blast whenever they are together! Our house is never quiet when the three get together and if I want any sense of peace, I just retreat to my room! However, tonight was one of those nights when I chose to walk with them as they made their way around our neighborhood. We live in a safe area (as far as I know) and have lots of friendly neighbors who have all kinds of lights on and many homes are decorated. So, tonight, it was family night and it was lots of fun!!!

This is Kamen -- son of Chris and Roxanne but known tonight as Walter Payton .... Sandi and Roxanne created this costume for him this afternoon. He's the big cousin and while he looks a little gruff here, he is a teddy bear around them!! He was quite anxious to come back with a stash .. of candy, that is!!








This is Tyler -- son of Tim and Sandi -- better known tonight as GI Joe!! The helmut lasted about five minutes (and that's stretching it) and he was the one who usually had an extended conversation with whoever answered the door. You were never quite sure what he would say ... but people were quite intrigued by whatever he shared. Last year, he was the only one who wanted to venture into a local haunted house (in a garage) but this year, he was quick to say he'd just like to pass on it! He came home with a big bag of goodies as did the other two!

This is RJ -- son of Ron and Shonna -- but, tonight, he was Thomas, the Train. He wanted to run to the houses but usually forgot his bag -- which meant that Mom or Dad had to follow up behind him!! Actually, this outfit lasted all of about five minutes and he went to the doors in just his normal clothes!

My teeth are chattering, my fingers are cold ...

... and I'm not sure I can type properly -- Amy Balty emailed me and asked if things were okay. She knew I was here with Susan and I'm looking forward to seeing her when she comes to the Beth Moore Bible Study tonight. It's been a busy few days and it seems that I couldn't sit down to get a blog written - well, if I really admit it, I have one in the draft mode and somehow, I'm not getting it posted. I know there are experienced bloggers out there who are rolling their eyes saying, "You can't be serious ...." So, I thought I would write just a few lines while I am sitting at the table waiting for the dinner to cool enough to eat. I always enjoy visiting here with Tim and Susan. However, I did have ice on the windshield when I left this morning. Yikes ... I didn't think I was that far north. I will be glad to get back to Florida weather tomorrow afternoon!! And then it will be spending the evening with the grandkids 'trick or treating' and handing out candy to the neighborhood young 'uns ... and their older siblings .. and their parents ...

I think I'll quit for now -- the Bible Study ladies will be here within about an hour and I'm anxious to catch up with Amy ... more later ... probably tomorrow!