Heredity ... Environment? Who knows or cares??

It seems that every time our family (even extended family) gets together, the cameras come out and so do the crazy poses. It doesn't matter who it is .... if there's a camera, you will most definitely hear, "Crazy picture." Just as soon as those words are uttered, you can be sure everyone has taken up some sort of a crazy stance -- for the most part. So, I thought I'd share just a few of those photos here.

Way back about the time my brother, Tim, got married, the sons-in-law decided to have some fun with my mother! As you can see, she knows there is some craziness going on behind her. Over the years, you'd see some pretty funny expressions on her face as she knew she'd probably been 'had' by somebody acting up behind her!

So much for having a serious family, huh? But, we do have lots of fun ... usually!

Oh, and I added one of Rachel's latest, too!!

I think I'll unpack!!

After traveling all over the country during this income tax season, it seems that I can actually unpack and stay home for ... well, all of about a week! I'm almost afraid to unpack -- I won't know how to operate except out of a suitcase!

However, I will be glad to pack up for a couple trips next week. One is to IHC for 1-1/2 days. Since the 15th falls on Tuesday, it seems that I will be rather limited in my travels! So, I will catch an early flight on Wednesday and make my way to Ohio. I am glad that my room at the Crowne Plaza is already secured -- and paid for!! On Thursday night, I will go back to Rachel's so we can catch another early flight on Friday morning. I'm really looking forward to that weekend. Rachel is coming to Florida for a few days during which Roxanne, Sandi, Rachel and I will head to Orlando for a two night/ three day girls' away weekend. What fun!! Most of it will just be 'take it easy' time but we have opted for a dinner night out at The Melting Pot. What a place to go -- you need a whole evening to enjoy it fully! The last time I was at the one there in Orlando, Roxanne and Sandi were with me. We laughed through most of the dinner since our waiter seemed to provide amusing entertainment. What did he do? I don't remember at all! All Iknow is that we thoroughly enjoyed the evening.

We're adding Rachel to the mix so who knows what will happen. All I know is that I'm glad we are in Orlando where no one knows us!!

By the way, the photo was taken the last time we were at the Melting Pot! Scary, huh???

Happy Birthday, little brother!!

My youngest brother, Thad, has a birthday tomorrow!! While he may be the youngest, he is probably the tallest. So, I look up to him to have a conversation. Thad doesn't have any children but he is a great uncle to all of his nieces and nephews!! He loves to be with them and they know they have a special place in his heart and always will!! Love ya, Thad!! He's on my lap in the first photo and with Teri's children recently.

Such excitement ..

First, it's my brother's birthday today .. Tim, that is. He is all of 2-1/2 years younger than I am and I am told I was not a happy camper to say the least when he arrived! It seemed I enjoyed getting all the attention -- both as first born in our family and first grandchild on my mother's side. But, somehow, I managed to accept him as a little brother who grew up to be taller than me! Today, I get to spend a lot of time with him and his family in Atlanta and that is a special treat. I even have my own room there!! My home away from home!! Then, this evening, I received a call that Rachel's son, Seth Mark, 8 years old, had broken two bones in his arm. He was playing football with himself (picture that -- of course, he was throwing the ball in the air and jumped off the couch and landed right on that arm / wrist!! Ouch!!!) So, here he is .. in the hospital!! He is home now but off to see an orthopedic surgeon tomorrow!

Rudy meets Rudy!!

Our grandson, Rudy (Ruettiger) was named after "Rudy" of Notre Dame fame ... a movie was made about him in the 90's. Teri, Jeff and their kids spent Sunday night in South Bend ... not knowing that THE Rudy was staying in the same hotel. Of course, after getting to meet him, pictures were taken! The Rudy was speaking at a benefit for a boy with cancer. He was only to be there for a few hours so they felt quite honored to have met him.

Five parts do not necessarily make a whole -- at least, not today. We were missing our brother, Tim. But, we did have a great time and probably overwhelmed the staff at Glenn Oaks Health Campus where my dad calls home. The last Sunday of the month, the staff invites families of residents to have dinner 'on them'. It's a great meal but when a family of 15 arrive, it sent staff scrambling to try to accommodate us! They did it graciously -- maybe that's because my dad has poured himself into ministry there over the last year or so.

I did have my camera handy of course! My mother must have chuckled today or given her typical whimsical smirk when someone said, "Oh, you are taking over for Mother who always had her camera with her." To which someone else responded, "Oh, are you cutting off people's heads, too?"

My dad got to attend church for the second week in a row and while he didn't feel real good, we were all glad he was there with us! He even sang during the afternoon service there at Glenn Oaks. It was the Sunday for Spiceland Church of the Nazarene (where my brother-in-law, Allen Southerland, pastors) to hold the service. My dad raised his voice in song -- "Great is Thy Faithfulness"!!

Back to the photos -- Joel is the one who never acts too crazy for the 'crazy photo' which is a staple in our family! You can't leave a family celebration without it!! But, somehow he makes up for it in the serious photos -- you can see the 'bunny ears' extending upward from Rachel's head! He thought that was quite the humorous accomplishment when I called to tell him I had just discovered that! Quite pleased with himself to say the least!!!

So ... it was a great day -- from my family back to Bob's sister's home to visit with her, her husband, Gene, and friend, Rose Blackburn! They had a Sunday School party at Rose's home until about 1am this morning ... don't they know when you get older you are supposed to go to bed a little earlier??? Probably not -- they are retired and can do whatever they'd like to do.

Tomorrow evening, it's back to Betty's home for dinner ... she's a good cook so I always look forward to going there!!

So ... enjoy the photos ... well, maybe ...

Count the colors!!

Okay -- so I got 26 ... I was pretty proud of myself until I saw how many there really were!!

26

Growing up toooooo fast!!

I'm in Indianapolis but work kept me from attending Shara's basketball banquet tonight ... I don't usually get to be in town for events like this -- and I am actually missing RJ's 5th birthday party at home tomorrow! I think I need to go into mourning!! What will I miss next??

Back to Shara -- I love these photos ... from playing basketball for Indy Storm to just a typical 17 year old gal -- well, typical might be stretching it. Anyone who knows her knows she's not too typical. She may look more like her mom's side of the family but she definitely has her dad's sense of humor!! What a combination. I still remember when she was a little girl and cried because she didn't like to wear 'fancy dresses'!! Maybe that's why she looks so comfortable here!!

Oh, in case you didn't know -- her parents are Allen and Rachel Southerland.

The God of WHOM???

Tyler is quite the student and loves Bible stories. But he had his parents quite amused recently when he was talking about God and declared .... "the God of AVRI, Isaac and Jacob."

Abraham took a back seat to his friend, Avri Dressback.

You never know what will come out of the mouths of 7 year olds! Of course, this is the same 7 year old who can tell you about any animal you want to know about as well as many other pieces of information. I have learned to listen -- one time I was a little doubtful as to what he was telling me so I went to 'google.com' and found out he was absolutely right!

These are TAXing Times!!

Okay, so I meet myself coming and going and I dream of figures and figure out challenges that are taxing right now -- income tax season, that is! And busy isn't quite the word for it -- if I can just hang on for the next three weeks or so, I think I might stay sane ... well, relatively speaking, that is!!

Fortunately, the weekend after April 15th, my girls have planned a weekend away (and invited my sister to join us) ... this was their Christmas gift to me! What a gift!! I wish it were this weekend -- but I eagerly anticipate this time together. It will just four of us on this trip as Shonna and Teri had other commitments (Shonna is in school) ... but I know that when you get Roxanne, Sandi, Rachel and me together -- who knows what may happen! Two days in Orlando!! Or three days and two nights. I am definitely looking forward to it.

Tonight, I am at my sisters and all is quiet. I wonder why? Maybe it's because they are all at church right now and I sort of played hookey -- don't worry, I am not being anti-spiritual or anything of the sort. It was just a long day and I arrived later than I planned after stopping in to see my dad for a few minutes.

I spent a couple days with Tim and Nova Ferguson -- I love being in their home in northern Ohio. It is like being in a lodge in Colorado. Their wall (high ceilings!) is filled with hunting trophies -- five of them came from a hunting safari in Africa. Even Nova has some trophies up there! I tagged along with them to their church last night where a Ministerial was being held for the Pilgrim Holiness Church of NY. I told the conference superintendent I had come all the way from Florida to hear him speak -- he said, "I came all the way from Florida to speak!" Evidently he had been in Hobe Sound. He gave an excellent message and I enjoyed running into some old friends.

It is quieter here than it was Sunday night when I stopped through. There was a houseful -- like 30 people -- playing games and making noise but having loads of fun!!! I'm sure I will be begged into playing video games with the nieces and nephew shortly -- so better make sure I am finished with whatever I am doing at the moment!!