Golden Corral

When Mom's appetite started coming back in March, Dad kept trying to figure out what foods sounded good to her. He had been giving her the Scandishakes, filled with heavy whipping cream, ice cream, and whole milk to try to get her weight back as she had lost so much. His hard work paid off as she started gaining weight and Mom finally said, "No more cream or whole milk!" Her energy increased and her color came back and then came the search for a variety of foods to eat. After several months of liquids only, Dad suggested Golden Corral. That hit the spot and has become a favorite lunch destination for Dad and Mom!

Wheat and Spiritual Experiences in China

Dad was invited to speak to an Empty Nesters group in Meridian on his experiences in China. We joined the group for a light, very nice dinner in a couple's home and then Dad showed slides and spoke for about 90 minutes. It was absolutely fascinating! I don't think anyone wanted to leave even though it was approaching 10 pm on a workday. We have got to get the recorders going when he starts speaking so we can capture his incredible experiences and memories.

So Many Granddaughters, So Many Bonnets

Eighteen bonnets just isn't enough when you have 40 grandchildren and 25 of them are girls -- and your one great-grandbaby is a girl, too! So Mom got to work and made 4 more bonnets for the other granddaughters who are under 18! They are the cutest pioneer bonnets and can be worn by the granddaughters who arrive in Melba in time to ride on Grandma and Grandpa's float in the Melba 4th of July parade. I got Mom to model one for me!

Mother, I Love You

Mother, I Love You,

Mother, I do,

Father in Heaven has sent me to you,

When I am near you,

I love to hear you

Singing so softly that you love me too.

Mothers' Day 2012 - what a special day! All 11 of Mom's children honored her -- some with flowers, with cards, with calls, and with a special bbq dinner at Joyce's home! Dad honored her, too, starting the day with his yummy mix of Immunocal early in the morning for her to down -- and made it sweeter with his sweet, tender message on his special Mother's Day card. I got to attend church with Dad and Mom and Mom wore her red rose corsage. We went home to make 2 large pans of apple crisp (naughty Mom, you're not supposed to work on Mother's Day, but boy was it good!) and then we gathered at Joyce's home for dinner with Joyce's family, Lynette's family, Sharon's family, and Natalie's family (and me!). Rick's mom was able to join us for dinner, too, and we had an amazing smorgasbord of grilled meats, salads, fruit, and desserts! We talked and enjoyed being together and being in the presence of our special Mother and our wonderful Dad!

Mom wearing her corsage

Dad, Mom and Bev at dinner

Mom with all her Mother's Day flowers

Mom surrounded by 5 of her 11 children

Six hot chicks (ha)

We love you, Mom!

The Wonder Chair (aka the Sneaky Chair)

Mom's chair lift finally came the first part of April! It was attached to the stairway in a few hours and then Mom was stair-mobile! It rides quietly down the 15 steps to the basement and then zooms a bit faster up again. Dad said he needs to put a bell on it to give him some warning of when she's coming downstairs as now she can "sneak up on him" in his office! :) It is a great piece of equipment that provides a smooth ride, saving sore knees! No more huffing and panting or crawling up the stairs either!

Ready for the trip down!

Catch you later, alligator!