Christmas Is Family, Friends and Fun

Because Adam and Nat were going to be in AK for Christmas, Scott and I went up in early December to have "Christmas" with them. We enjoyed attending Providence Baptist Church's Christmas program on Friday night. That has become one of our favorite Christmas activities. Daniel sang a beautiful solo at the beginning of the program and Adam and Nat were part of a "commercial" that was inserted in the video footage of the program. Adam was at the drive-through at Caribou Coffee and Nat played the part of the lady named "Larry" who took his order - his usual "boo."

Scott and I are here with Bennett and Greta. Greta is hanging on to Poppy's hoodie string because she doesn't want him to leave (either that or she liked sucking on it.) We had a little time with all the kids on Saturday morning before heading back to Charlotte.

Mom and Dad came in for a few days in early December. They love to get together with the "Village People" for breakfast on Saturday mornings. Here's a shot of the gang all gathered around - the men sit on one end (they call themselves The Liar's Club) and the ladies all sit together on the other end. They've been doing this for so long that the waitress knows everyone's order.
Another tradition - for years Mom and Jean Raborn have had a Christmas party for their Sunday School class on a Saturday afternoon in December. This year it was my joy to host their party. About 15 ladies gathered for lunch, gift exchanges, and lots of laughs and fun. These ladies have such a special relationship of loving and caring for each other. It was a privilege to have them in our home. Merry Christmas, Joy Class!

Christmas 2007

Just a few pictures to post of our Christmas this year. Adam and Natalie and little Greta were in Alaska with her family, so they're missing in these pictures. Our pictures mostly show Bennett enjoying her gifts on Christmas morning. She's 15 months and so much fun. We loved watching her open presents and enjoy each one.

Mama and Pap Ward sent this cute knit cap with some money tucked inside. Bennett's already a good Tide fan.

One of the gifts Scott and I gave Bennett was a drum with rhythm instruments inside. It's a wonderful gift for her to take home and play with - one of those noisy ones!Daniel and Danielle left yesterday (Friday, 12/28) to go back to Raleigh. We had a wonderful week with them here.
A special treat - Wednesday afternoon we had a visit from Carol Wray Moore and her husband Byron, their son Byron, Jr., their new baby (1 week old) Bryson, Carol's mom from Cleveland and her twin brother Carl from Baltimore. Carol and her husband live here in Charlotte. Carl and Carol were students at Cedar Hill Christian when I taught there. They attended for about 5 years and were in my plays and music classes. We had so much fun remembering people and songs and programs. They are such a wonderful family, and I feel so honored that they would want to stay in touch. Having them come by for a visit was a highlight of my Christmas!

He Has Made Everything Beautiful in Its Time

As I drove in the driveway this afternoon I couldn't help but notice the beautiful colors in our yard. Because of the drought, it had seemed as if we wouldn't see those vibrant colors fall usually brings to the Carolinas. But today they were there! God's goodness is all around.
"He has made everything beautiful in its time." Ecclesiastes 3:11

The red maples stand out against the other colors.
All year long we watch the squirrels playing in these oak trees. The acorns are everywhere, crunching under the leaves as we walk across the yard.
The sweet potato vine (right) that I planted last spring has almost taken over the fence. I think it's trying to make a break for the woods!

A Weekend with the Kids

The girls and their parents were in for the weekend. Greta and Bennett are just starting to interact with each other.



Greta is modeling a little cap that her mommy made for her. Love those blue eyes!

"No more s' mores!"

Bennett enjoyed the slide and Greta enjoyed the swing. Saturday was such a beautiful day that both girls were able to be outside and play in the yard. (We didn't let them stay out too long by themselves, though.) Greta had her first time on the swing and she loved feeling the air on her tongue. She gave us a big smile and laugh when her daddy pushed her. Bennett learned to come down the slide on her tummy and enjoyed landing in the pile of leaves at the bottom.

Fall Festival with Pumpkin & Tootsie

It was fun to attend the Fall Festival at Providence with the kids on Halloween night. Bennett and Greta were dressed as the cutest pumpkin and a tootsie roll! There were games, ponies and a big slide that the kids could enjoy. Bennett rode a pony and went down the slide with her daddy. But she, like Greta, mostly enjoyed watching all the other kids in their costumes.

Happy Birthday, Daniel

Daniel turned 28 last Friday, October 12. How we remember the night he was born. We were living in Nashville, and Scott was a youth pastor. About ten teenagers were in our home that Thursday evening. When I realized that our baby might be soon to arrive, I started hinting that it might be time for everyone to go home. Soon after they left, we too left for Baptist Hospital. In the early morning hours, around 6 a.m., Dr. Levine delivered Daniel. He was our firstborn and how thrilled we were to be his parents!

In looking through some pictures of Daniel when he was a baby, I came across the one I've posted here. It occurs to me that this might explain some things. Those of you who know Daniel well know that he doesn't like getting dressed up. Well, maybe it's my fault. I miust have scarred him with outfits like this!

On his birthday last Friday we all met in Greensboro and had dinner together. Adam came with Daniel, Danielle and Bennett, but we missed having Greta and Natalie there. (Hope you two are having fun in Idaho with Nat's family. We miss you but are glad you're getting to spend time there. Hurry home. We hear Greta is starting to turn over!) Leigh Anna drove down from Lynchburg and Megan Lewis, her best friend, came along too. Megan is just like a member of the family, so it was fun to have her there. After dinnner at Outback we went to a nearby Starbucks, then we all headed home in our separate directions. It was so fun being together, though. We'll take the opportunity every chance we get!

Scary Times in Missouri

We had a few hours to look around in Farmington on Saturday before Matt and Maggie's wedding. It's a neat little town with lots of shops in the downtown area. Right next to our motel a garden center was having a fall celebration with lots of things to do and see. We enjoyed hanging out with Lorraine; she's a good sport and really not a witch. She doesn't even play one on TV, but she was willing to pose beside this tombstone. Natalie, do they have pumpkins this big in Alaska?

Matt and Maggie's Wedding

What a wonderful weekend we had in Farmington, MO as we celebrated with Bruce's family at Matt and Maggie's wedding. They were married at Twin Oaks Vineyard, a beautiful setting, right among the grape vines. The weather was splendid, if a bit hot, especially for October. But as the sun went down the evening was especially nice under the tent with lots of laughter (who will ever forget Brian's toast to his brother?), wonderful food, and lots of dancing. Maggie was a radiant bride. I hope these pictures give you a chance to see her dress, the setting, the cake and just a few of the special touches. I love fall weddings!

Lots to Celebrate

It's hard to believe, but Bennett is one! We were thrilled to help celebrate her birthday as Danielle's parents and two sisters joined us for a party on Friday before Bennett's birthday on Saturday, September 21.

That same weekend we traveled to Raleigh to see Greta dedicated in the Sunday morning service at Providence Baptist Church. Greta, Adam and Natalie are shown here with their pastor, Dave Horner. We're thrilled that our kids are all part of such an awesome church.

We are all proud of Kyle and the playing time he got in the Liberty football game recently. Here are all four cousins at that game. Katie, Kyle's sister, is a student at Lee University in Cleveland, TN. It was so cool that she was present at the game when Kyle got to go in.

An Update?

Don't give up on me! I'm trying to be better about keeping our blog updated and after the weekend we just had, there's plenty to post. However, Leigh Anna accidentally took the camera back to Liberty with her. We had some great pictures from Bennett's first birthday and Greta's dedication. Hopefully, I'll get them posted soon.

In addition to the fun grandchildren events, we enjoyed seeing lots of friends at NCA's Homecoming Friday night. Leigh Anna brought her cousin Kyle home with her for the weekend along with two great friends, Julie and Cimber. In Raleigh on Saturday we all hung out with Adam and Nat and their friends Jackie and Jay. (Great dinner Nat!) Then watched the Alabama-Georgia football game. (Not-so great.) Sundays at Providence are always awesome. We truly leave there with our hearts full and blessed.

Check back for pictures soon.

Papa Ward Meets an Old Friend

What an exciting event for Papa Ward as he got to see a buddy from his days in Korea. They were reunited after 56 years. Go to the link below to read the story from the News Enterprise from Elizabethtown, KY.

http://www.thenewsenterprise.com/articles/2007/09/16/news/news03.txt

Loads of Fun and Celebrations

Mom and Dad flew in Tuesday for a quick visit and Danielle and Bennett also stopped in for a few days.

With Danielle, Bennett and Grandma Ward and I enjoyed a visit to the Farmer's Market. Bennett is trying to figure out if she wants to take a bite out of this pumpkin. Then we went to visit Ruth Goforth at Brighton Gardens Assisted Living Home. Bennett brought lots of smiles to the residents there.

The main reason for Mom and Dad's visit was the celebration of Ward Tank's 25th anniversary. On Thursday there was a golf tournament with about 150 participants and then a luncheon on Friday with employees, past and present, suppliers and clients and lots of friends of Ward Tank from over the years. I was so proud of Dad as well as Uncle Donnie and Jon. Lots of hard work and God's blessing has yielded a good reward. When Jon introduced Dad as the founder of the company and asked him to say a few words, the DJ started playing the Bama fight song before Dad could speak. At the end of the song most of the crowd yelled, "Roll Tide Roll" at just the right time! What an appropriate intro for Dad!!