Life sure has a way of passing by so fast. The wedding was in September. They sure made a beautiful bride and groom. These are a couple of my favorite pictures. 1st one looks like Stacey is holding a groom balloon. I am so happy that my son has married a woman that completes him. They are so perfectly matched. She has accepted my grandkids as her own and they adore their new stepmom, even though she is so much more than a stepmom. They make each other so happy and as a mother that is all I can ask for. They took 8 days and honeymooned in Jamaica. I had the pleasure of spending those 8 days caring for Mercy and Jt. We had a great time. By the end of the week I was ready for them to come home and take over the parenting and to sleep in my own bed. It was a beautiful wedding of two beautiful people. Stacey not only got a husband, she gained a whole family and we gained a lovely daughter in law. Now I just hope they can add another grandchild or 2 to the bunch!

Wedding

Hard to believe that Jt and Stacey's wedding in next month. I am getting excited for the big event. I wonder if I will cry? I wish my mom and dad were still with us to be there. Stacey got to meet my mom, but I wish she could have met my dad. He was a great guy. Life has a way of working out. Even when we think it never will. This union between these two people is a gift from God for me and my son and grandkids. We are all lucky to be able to share this day with those we love.

County Fair 2012

 Mercy at the entrance to the 4-H county  fair. We accompanied JT, Stacey and the kids to the fair this year. We had a great time watching the kids run from ride to ride. It was wristband day and they got to ride all the rides at least once.

 Jt at the entrance to the 4-H county fair. This kid is fearless when it comes to carnival rides. He rode every adult ride there, and some a couple of times.

 Mercy and Jt riding a camel. This was the calmest ride they rode all evening.

Jt and Mercy on the ferris wheel.  He is her Hero.

Stacey and Jt on the ferris wheel. What a goofy smile.

Summer 2012

JT turned 7 on June 19th. He is a remarkable kid. Smart, handsome, and has a great sense of humor.

We are so proud of him. Happy Birthday Sweetie!

 Jt's turned 7 on June 19th. He asked Memaw for a set of golf clubs.

 Jt's 1st golf outing after receiving his new golf clubs for his birthday.

Mercy accompanied JT on his 1st golf outing. She had already purchased her clubs off Craig's list.

8 Years Ago

8 years ago, April 7th 2004 I became a grandma for the 1st time to this beautiful young lady. Hard to believe she has grown so much. She is a memaw's baby girl no matter how old she is. She is my pride and joy.

Mercy started gymnastics in November. She goes once a week for an hour. She has really improved from those 1st weeks. She has great form and desire to do well. She really loves this activity. She does seem to be a natural at this.

January has been a busy month. Jt had his 1st Tae Kwon Do match. He does pretty well. At this age they are amusing. He was so proud of himself as was his grandma. He is learning so much. We have another match in April in Indy. Should be fun!

Jt and Stacey became engaged on December 18th, 2011. When they took this picture last summer, I said it would make a great engagement picture. They are a perfect match for each other. She loves him and his kids. They all adore her. I am lucky that he found a good girl that is a good fit for our family. I stayed with the kids so they could go away for the weekend. Stacey thought she would be surprising him by taking him to a couples hotel with a swimming pool and hot tub in their room. She had no idea the surprise would be on her when he proposed to her. She called me that night to tell me he proposed and she said yes. The kids were screaming, they are so excited to have her as their stepmom. So now it is time to lose a few pounds so I can get a nice dress to wear to the wedding, which by the way is September 15th, 2012.

End of 2011

I haven't done a great job keeping up with my blog this year. 2011 was a tough year and one that I will be grateful to see end. Our family experienced a lot of loss in 2011. My husband's good friend died in April. He was only 51 and committed suicide.

Then I lost my mom on May 24th. I never thought I would be so lost without her. There is a hole in my heart that will not close. I have cried many tears since that day. The holidays are the hardest without her. She made my childhood and adulthood memories of the holidays very special and it will NEVER be the same without her.

I lost my Nana on August 18th. This was my other rock. Besides my mother she was the closest woman to me. God now has 2 angels in Heaven with him. I just wish I could have had them here with me a few more years.

So as 2011 comes to a close I will reflect on those I loved and lost. Those I love and hold dear to me and pray for a good 2012. One filled with love and happiness, peace and joy. Merry Christmas and God Bless us eveyone.

Spring has came and the Good Lord called my mom home on May 24th. She was is now pain free and with my dad. As difficult as it is without her, I know she is happy. I miss her terribly. For the 1st time in my life I feel truly lost. I love you mom.

2010

As I close out another year, I look back at the year that just may have been one of the most difficult years I have ever experienced. My son was divorced and awarded full custody of his children. My mother became ill and now requires around the clock care. That has taken a toll on our whole family since we care for her ourselves in shifts.With the major caregivers being myself and Louie. She is no longer the person that raised me. She is very difficult to live with and care for. I still have hope that she can improve, but it doesn't seem likely.
At work things have improved. Business is much better than last year. People are slowly getting jobs again. I hope 2011 will see gains in the job market for many unemployed people. I want my friends and family to know that I love them and I hope 2011 brings peace and prosperity to all.

Fall 2010

My son's family has experienced big changes this last year. He was divorced and was awarded full custody of his kids. He met a great girl and they are building a solid realtionship. My grandchildren love her and that is wonderful. Here are a few pictures. Mercy

John Tyler (JT)

Stacey, JT, Little JT and Mercy

Iraq war is declared over! 7 1/2 years after it started the last full combat brigade crossed over to Kuwait. Remember the beginning, Mar 2003. Had a WNDU news reporter in my living room. They wanted reaction of local familes of Company B Marines in Iraq. Was a big deal then. Didn't even made the TOP story on local news stations tonight. I was watching it on MSNBC. Know more about Iraq than I ever needed to know...

Bits of Summer 2010

Jt at the Elkhart County fair July 25th, 2010 Mercy and Nick dancing at Brooke's wedding on June 26th, 2010

JT, Nick and Mercy at Nick's 5th birthday party, 2010

Mercy riding the pony at Nick's 5th Birthday party. Now those parents know how to host a kid's party.

Mercy trying out Papa's old skate board.

Daddy's girl

Mercy and her daddy dancing the night away at Brooke & Kevin's wedding. I love this picture. Wish it was clearer. The lighting made my pictures blurry. Can you believe how tall she is getting? Hard to believe she is 6 years old. Harder yet to believe that JT is 27 years old!!

Easter 2010

Easter was fun again this year. The kids got to stay with us and wake up at our house to their Easter baskets from the Easter Bunny. JT loves his Mater car

Just what she wanted!! She looks so big in this picture.

Checking out their Easter baskets.

My 2 angels on Easter morning.

Homecoming 3/24/2007

Hard to believe it has been 3 years ago yesterday when our Marines returned home after their 2nd tour in Iraq. For those of you who have never experienced a homecoming, it is comparable to giving birth or getting married, only with a big sigh of relief. We forged bonds with Marine families that will last a lifetime. I love and miss my Marine Corp family. There will always be a place in my home and my heart for a United States Marine. Semper Fi.

Grandma's Poor Baby

Do not let your grandkids play with their parents. Big J, Little J and Mercy went to Kid's Kingdom yesterday to enjoy the warm, sunny weather. Big J had Little JT over his shoulder as they were going down a tunnel. Little JT lifted his head just as they were going under a 2x4 cross bar. He cut the back of his head open. 3 staples later he was good to go. Of course his dad felt so guilty he took them to Chuckie Cheese. I called him last night to see how he was doing. He told me that a spiderman tent would make him feeling alot better. Then his sister had to milk his injury. Mercy told me that JT told her that I would get "them" something. I guess she thinks she deserves something for her pain and suffering because she witnessed him getting hurt. I hate to tell her that I think he is going to cause her more suffering. He is only 4 and he has had a broken leg, and cut open his arm after putting it through the storm door. Grandma's poor little baby........

Kids....

Look closely at Mercy's eyebrows. She decide to trim them with her dad's nose hair trimmer. When asked if it hurt she said "no, but I will never do it again." Thank goodness she didn't take them all off.

Dad

It was 4 years ago on January 26th that my dad passed away. The days are easier, the memories are sweeter, but a still miss him like crazy. He was one of a kind. He was a great person and loved by everyone who knew him. Over 700 people came to pay their respects when he passed away. My family was aware that my dad knew "everyone", but I don't think we realized the vast number of people that he touched in his life. He left his mark on this earth. There are so many wonderful things I remember about him. I smile when I think of all the silly things he did. I laugh when I remember how mad he would get at me when we played cards. He took it so serious. He had to win. He knew the dates of everyone's birthday. He loved his grandkids, and he melted over a little great granddaughter named Mercy. She was Poppy's girl.

His former employer named a company award after him. The top employee of the year now will receive the Marshall Holycross award. Which includes a cash prize and a trip. They are nominated for the award. They have to exemplify a strong work ethic, moral standards, and a dedication to their jobs. As they said "If there is such a thing as a perfect employee, Marshall would have been it"

My siblings and I are very proud to have been his children. We have a high standard to live up to.