A Weekend in Lynchburg

Since Leigh Anna had to work and couldn't get home to Charlotte, Scott and I went to spend the weekend with her. We took up the new trestle table that Scott built for the apartment she shares with Katie De Armon, her cousin. The table turned out great. Soon we'll take up the two benches that he is still finishing to go with it. Here we're sitting down to our dinner on Saturday, July 4 before leaving to go the Hillcats baseball game. Dinner was barbequed chicken, pasta salad, corn on the cob, Texas toast and watermelon (which we forgot to serve). Yummo!

At the Hillcats game we ran into John Ruleau and his new wife Jenna. Scott and I were glad to finally get to meet Jenna as well as to see Rocky, another friend from LU. We enjoyed sitting with them for the last half of the game and the fireworks. It was a fun 4th!

On the way home Sunday morning we went to church at Lawndale Baptist Church in Greensboro where Mark Walker is worship leader. Their morning service featured a patriotic program with a video connection to Ken Lewis in Baghdad. Cindy, Meagan, Taylor and Katie Beth drove in for the service as well. In spite of some technical glitches with the live feed from Iraq, it was a great program that made us proud of our country and proud of guys like Ken who are serving our country.

4th of July Resolution

In know that most folks make New Year's resolutions, but today I'm making a resolution and it just happens to be July 4th - what better time to declare my intention to be a better blogger! I've heard from several of you that my bi-yearly updates just aren't getting it, so in response to the great demand (Hi Launi!) I'm going to try to do a better job.

Thought that the best material for my re-entry into the blog world would be the world's cutest, sweetest, and smartest grandchildren. Recently when Daniel and Danielle were in Canada for her grandmother's funeral, Natalie and I ventured to Chik-fil-A with all four. It was a bit crazy but made for a great photo op.

Healthcare Will Never Be the Same!

Liberty had a special Ribbon Ceremony for the nursing students on Tuesday night, 10/30. Cindy Lewis and I got to go up to see Leigh Anna and Katie Beth receive their blue ribbons as new inductees in the program. Those of you who know Leigh Anna know that we tease her quite a bit about being a "klutz." (In our family no one is allowed to take themselves too seriously, so everyone gets teased. We believe in equality.) But she really is a determined and accomplished young lady. (We just all cringe a bit at the thought of her coming at someone with a syringe!) She's worked hard to get admitted into the nursing program - only a fourth of those trying, get in. Now that she's in, she'll have to work very hard to make it through the rigorous program. But - Leigh Anna loves a challenge. She has a heart to use her medical training for the Lord, to be His hands and feet for hurting people as they emphasized in the ceremony.

The Lewis girls - Meagan's a senior in the nursing program, due to graduate in December and get married in January - Katie's in Leigh Anna's class and received her ribbon as well - Cindy was the school nurse at Northside Christian Academy the last eight years and has just gone back to mom/baby nursing at a local hospital. Great gals, all three of them! We're proud of them as is their husband and father, Ken.

Some of the professors in the nursing department handed out the candles.
The entire sophomore class. If you think you're seeing a giant pair of blue jeans in the background you're not mistaken. It seems that Jonathan Falwell is preaching a sermon series at Thomas Road right now and uses these giant jeans as a prop for his message. It made for an interesting and rather surreal background for this dignified ceremony.
Speaking of dignified ceremonies - here are some of Leigh Anna's friends that attended -Dani, Cimber, Ryan, Kyle, Julie and Meagan. She's so blessed to have such great friends who encourage and love her, but dignified doesn't describe some of them, especially her cousin Kyle who yelled out her name every chance he got. We're just hoping she doesn't get kicked out of the program because of it. Thanks Kyle!

The Grandest Ones of All

We're never happier than when we are with our granddaughters. Last weekend we got to go to Raleigh and see the whole gang. Eden was dedicated in the Sunday morning service at Providence and we celebrated Bennett's 2nd birthday while we were all together (Leigh Anna even came in from Lynchburg). Bennett turned 2 on Monday, September 22. In just a few weeks we'll have to update this picture by adding Greta's new baby brother, soon-to-be-born, William Scott. For now, we just imagine what his world will be like with these three girls telling him what to do.

Bama Beats Georgia!

We had a great time watching Bama beat Georgia Saturday night. Pam, Frank, Nathan, and Allison came over and they brought this great cake that they made themselves. I think it was a group effort. It not only looked awesome but tasted good too. We pulled off such a great win against a higher ranked team that I think they should make one every week for the rest of the season. Hey, we're not superstitious, but it can't hurt! Final score - Bama 41, Georgia 30.

A Bridal Shower for Meagan

We had a bridal tea for Meagan last Saturday and lots of friends came and helped shower her with gifts. About 25 were there. She received some wonderful gifts and we all enjoyed the time together.

Taylor's mom, Tammy, came from Hampton, VA.
The three Lewis girls: Katie Beth, Meagan and older sister, Cindy, or is she the mom? It's so hard to tell.

The girls from Raleigh who visited with us last weekend gave me a beautiful bouquet of flowers which we used for the shower. It's in the background on the buffet - pink roses, fuji mums and baby's breath. The teapot and cream and sugar set on the buffet table belong to Danielle Renstrom; they were her Grandmother's. I'm just giving them a safe home for a while until Bennett and Eden are a little older. Maybe someday we'll use them in a bridal tea for them! I'll try to post a better picture that shows the flowers and tea set. Thanks, girls, for your thoughtfulness.
Meagan's Grandma Betty and Aunt Corky drove up from Greenville, SC.

As favors for our guests we made these tea bags and attached them each to an embroidered handkerchief.
Carleen Maslar helped by making a corsage using a lace handkerchief that has been in Meagan's family for several generations. Meagan's mom, Cindy carried it in her wedding.

Pam Howell and Debbie Baker helped with the shower. Pam brought the yummy cucumber sandwiches and then took over my kitchen for the afternoon! Debbie got up early Saturday morning and made about 50 chicken pockets which were a hit! These two ladies have been a blessing in Meagan's life for many years and wanted to be a part of this special event for her. Meagan, you couldn't choose two more precious ladies to look up to!

Meagan and Taylor are getting married January 3, 2008. It's been a joy to see how God has brought them together. We know He has great plans for them in the future!

Weekend Guests from Raleigh

Loved having these girls spend Friday evening and Saturday with us on their little "Mommy-ran away-from-home" retreat.

Family Vacation

Just a few rather random pictures from the last few weeks. We all met on Isle of Palms near Charleston, SC for family vacation this year. What a great time with four generations under one roof! The early morning crew on the porch reflects the oldest and youngest. We took some group pictures down at the waterfront in Charleston. As you can see, with our gang, some of the little ones were running out of patience with the picture process. This last picture of Bennett was taken at our house before we left for Charleston. While we were fixing breakfast one morning, Bennett arranged this comfy seat for herself on the coffee table to watch cartoons.

A New Granddaughter!

What a great day! After waiting for an extra week past due date and then all day of Danielle's being induced on the 19th of June, Eden Hope Renstrom made her grand entrance on June 20 at 12:01 a.m. We were so excited to be there when she arrived, waiting (impatiently) in a nearby waiting area. Daniel was texting us with frequent updates, and Danielle was actually posting her progress on their blog (blonderenstroms.blogspot.com). Those of us waiting were rewarded with a chance to see and hold her when she was just minutes old.

We feel so blessed to have a third little girl to add to our family. Eden weighed 7 lbs. and 2 ozs. She's got lots of dark hair and a sweet little face that reminds us all of her big sister Bennett. Bennett is so gentle with her, just kissing her lightly on the hair and giving her "air hugs."

Daniel and Danielle are doing fine though it has been a rough couple of days. Daniel was diagnosed with strep throat Thursday morning before taking Danielle to the hospital. Danielle remained in good spirits even though she must have felt like the pregnancy was never going to end.

Our Friends from up North

It was so fun to see Sara and Molly again and to meet Molly's husband Jeff as well as their two girls Emma and Grace. We also enjoyed meeting Diana, their other sister, and her family - husband Chris and four of their five daughters: Brenna, Emily, Catherine, and Grace. What a wonderful family. We were blessed to have them stay with us for a night on their way to a week at Hilton Head.

Greta's 1st Birthday

It's catch up time, but I couldn't post anything without going back to highlight some highlights first.

Greta turned 1 while in Alaska visiting Natalie's family and celebrating Bernie and Angie's wedding. We loved hearing about her special day and the moose birthday cake that Natalie made for her. We celebrated her birthday with her before she left. She is opening the little scooter that we hope she'll enjoy giving Will rides on.