Happy Birthday Sweetheart!

I typed in the heading and a suggestion popped up saying Happy Birthday Gray-Gray! Guess it's been awhile since I've posted. :} So, I'm sure I have plenty to blog about, but maybe another time.

Today, I want to say Happy Birthday to my sweetheart of 35 years! We spent the whole day together on the road. Another words, I had him captive in the car and he couldn't play golf! Well, whatever way I get an uninterrupted day, I'll take it!

Happy Birthday! I love you so very much!

Welcome to the World...

Ethan Scott Noland. You are so beautiful! You arrived at 1:36pm today and weighed in at 8 lb 7 oz and 19 1/2 long, lots of dark hair and beautiful pink skin. You came so gently into the world and seemed so content. Worship music was playing so softly in the room that everyone seemed so calm, even the doctor and nurses and as you made your arrival I noticed the song playing was Overshadow Me. I'm sure He did cause I don't think I've experienced such a smooth, calm, peaceful birth ever. It was so precious and sweet. We love you so much already and Addie LOVES her baby brudder! I think she has already resolved to being your protector. She is going to be a wonderful big sister. Such a sweet and beautiful family.

Happy Birthday Gray Gray!

It seems like yesterday Sarah was grilling me about what it was like when I had Landon & Kylah so close together and how far apart they were and question after question, until I finally turned to ask the question: "Are you PREGNANT?!!!" As I drew the answer out of her I would have never imagined how that little bundle of joy would grab my heart! Grayson Reed Henry was born 2 years ago today, and I can't believe how big his is, and how cute he is, and how everyday he talks more and more, and how he swoons my heart! Like tonight during dinner when I began to choke over something going down the wrong pipe, with concern in his eyes he began to pat me on the back and say "I bless you, Mamo!" My heart just about pounded out of my chest with love for him.

Gray baby, I can't believe the gift God has given us in you. I never knew life could be so sweet and precious as you have made it. Life is good. I am blessed beyond measure!

Happy Birthday sweet Gray Gray! Mamo loves her baby boy!

Thanks Uncle Royce! We miss you!

Last week I took a road trip with my daddy to Santa Fe, NM, to his brother's memorial service. There was an inspiring military funeral at the National Cemetery in Santa Fe, where his ashes were buried on top of his wife's grave. It is a beautiful cemetery. All those white crosses lined up so perfectly always makes my eyes tear up and my patriotism soar. Sobering.

My daddy's siblings that are still living, except for Uncle Royce's twin sister whose health did not allow her to make the trip from Oregon, were all together. Six of the twelve gathered, along with some of my cousins, some of Royce's in-laws, and dear friends. It was a gloriously, fun time of getting reacquainted. I have a fun bunch for a family. Crazy. I laughed till I almost peed my pants! No, really! I have stories to tell... My Aunt Helen assured me I was the NOW generation and it was up to me to carry on the family tales! I don't think she realizes what she just gave me permission to do! ;}

Daddy and I had a good time of talking during that long drive. It was nice. You get him cornered and he will tell tales of his childhood and you really learn alot about who he was then. I never get that chance. I'm glad I went.

Uncle Royce didn't want a funeral, so I think he is pleased we honored him by gathering together as a family should and visiting and spending time together reminiscing.

So thanks Uncle Royce for the family reunion. I just hope we don't wait until someone else ends their time on this earth to get together again...

Uncle Royce LOVED jalapeno peppers, so...
we all signed some and put them with him forever! That's the Brawley Bunch!


Oldest to Youngest... Clarence, Boyd, Helen, Pat, & Jerry

Me and cousin Kayla

Me and Aunt Aileen and cousin Donna

Me and handsome Daddy!

and Aunt Helen, Aunt Pat, and Me!

The whole bunch!

Tea Party

Ellie and Mamo had a tea on the deck and JoJo joined us. I had promised her one for when she woke from her nap. She was princess for the day. What fun!

I've not posted any pictures of the ladies tea, but after Sarah posted so many I felt relieved for a bit. I will get those posted eventually. I've had these pics ready to post for even longer...

My Girl's Back!

Have I told you that? Probably not, since it's been Easter since I have posted! I don't know what's wrong with me! I told myself I was gonna spend the summer reading and blogging. I don't know why, cause it's only mid June, but I feel like the summer is almost over. We have been out of town alot and I'm about to head out again for a few days.

Anyway, I know I haven't put it on paper or on blog, but my girl is moving back to San Angelo! I kept myself from posting about it for awhile, afraid something would change and it wouldn't happen after all, but it's true! In fact, they are here with us now! Yep, that's right, I wake up every morning and get to see that little sprawling grin of my newest grandson! he is so precious and he has gotten so big! Michael took a job here again and until they sell their house, they are bunking with mamo! Yippee!

I can't express how it feels to have an opportunity to watch Michael David grow and spend time with my daughter again. Now that she is a mom it opens a whole new realm of our relationship that I always dreamed of sharing with her: married life and children.

I know their time away was important and needed to bond them together, and this season is a good time of bonding for David and I, with her, Michael, and Michael David. I know this may not always be, that I have my children around me, but I'm sure gonna enjoy it while I can!

Now, how can I get my Mattie and Mush here! ;}

Here Comes the Henry Bunch!

Fun in the sun!

Today, after our peanut butter whole wheat pancake breakfast, Addie and Laney played their little hearts out. For some unknown reason, Laney, although she loves all the kids, has chosen Addie as her favorite. She gets so excited when Addie comes to play. All Addie does is giggle after her, loving on her and running with her. She's pretty attached to Laney as well. She waited all so impatiently for Addie to wake this morning, and as soon as she heard her holler "Mamo", she was off, jumping and whining and standing by her door. She met her with a big ole slobbery kiss and Addie didn't disappoint with her usual, "Hi Aney" followed by her contagious giggle. It is just so adorable! Well, this little twosome rose to a new level today. We were getting dressed to go run and errand and have a picnic and playtime at Unidad park, she was ready to go and I left them playing as I ran to get dressed. I could hear Laney running in and out repeatedly through the doggie door and Addie saying "Aney where are you" over and over. All of a sudden, her voice and giggle were so much clearer... yep, Laney had taught her in mere minutes to follow her right through that doggie door. I peeked out the blind and Addie was running right behind Laney all over the deck. I hurried to the playroom about the time Laney came back through followed very closely by Addie! Surprise! I had to give her the "we don't use the doggie door" speech, which she said in her cute little voice, "otay mamo." Stinkin cute.

After an errand, we spent a couple hours at the park having a picnic and Addie playing her heart out on all the irresistibly fun toys. The swings proved to be her favorite and we took one last trip to the swings, with her giggling her sweet giggle squealing "higher mamo, higher!
She adored this bumpy slide! reminded me of scooting down stairs!

Mr & Mrs Squirrel came over to share our picnic lunch. More giggles!

nothing like warm sand between the toes!

"She almost fell asleep before we got home and she had her a long three hour nap and was still ready to head back to her beloved sleep by 9.

Sweet girl. I sure love her.

Addie time!

Monday was Lennon's 30th birthday and Christal took him on a three day trip to San Antonio...alone! Which means Mamo gets to spend three days with her Addie!

She is so precious. She played her heart out with Laney, ate a good supper, took her bath and then announced bedtime! Wow, pretty incredible. We danced with mamo, sang a lullaby, rocked, and prayed. She ended the prayer with a hearty "Amen!" and "Nite-Nite Mamo!" It doesn't get any easier than that. Laid right down with her elmo and baby by her side with blankie tucked close...she never said a peep.

It's going to be a fun couple of days ahead!

My cup runneth over...

and so did my Easter dinner table...

glorious!

we also took the afternoon on saturday for some more family time...

watch for more awesomeness to come from jenny soon!

Good Times

Just got back from Dallas where I attended a workshop on a new program we are using at the church. It was okay, just not long enough for the information they overloaded us with. Should have been a little longer.

The best part of the trip was spending some much needed time with my youngest babies in Plano. I don't get to see them enough as it is, so getting them all to myself was wonderful. They had to work of course, but there was lunch with Mattie and shopping in the evening along with dinner with the both of them, followed by some pretty rough games of cards where they stomped me and I returned the favor. We had a very relaxing time together and I loved every moment. Great thing is, they'll be here late Thursday night for Easter weekend! So will Kylah, Michael and Michael David! I can't wait for the weekend for sure! When my house is full...I am blessed and happy!

Mattie asked me why I never blogged anymore and David told me he was going to delete my blog from his homepage! So I'm vowing to "try" to get back to posting again. We'll see.

Can you believe Easter is one week away! OMGoodness! At least my tree's down.

30 years ago today...

how on earth could he be 30!

oh my goodness! i can not have a 30 year old child! that's what i want to scream! actually my child is a 30 year old man.

this precious child of mine, who taught me so much, and changed me so much has grown into such an amazing man. i'm so proud when he speaks of the things of God. he knows so much and understands so much. he prays so eloquently and preaches with such authority. he does demand respect. he is alot like his mama, but when i look at the man he has become, i realize he is his father's son. when i read sarah's words..."he demands respect, he's everyone's best friend", and what kind of father he is to his daughter and son. he is his dad.

sarah was talking about it the other day...what kind of effect we have on each other. we still know how to push each other's buttons. funny how no matter how old you get, what your mama says to you, positive or negative, still has such a great effect on you. and even more, as a mama, something about that first born does the same for you. maybe it's just me. maybe believing that i could have been such a better mama to that little boy, if i'd just been more patient with him would have allowed him to be more creative than he already was. that if i had played more instead of the other things i thought were important, the years wouldn't have seemed like they passed so fast.

when i look at you, landon, i know i did alright. i wasn't a perfect mama by no means. but God's mercy is great. i have had a hard time letting you be thirty. harder than accepting that i am 50. i guess it made me being 50 more real. you're a man now. when i looked at you this morning, i thought you looked taller...and wiser. i believe you are. at the same time you're hilarious. you make me laugh like no other. i am so blessed. i love you with all my heart. you left a little while ago and i remembered that i let you get away on your birthday without making you sit in my lap in the rocking chair. hehe.

happy, happy, birthday!

Thirsty

This year, in our women's minisrty, the theme for 2010 is "Thirsty." Last night we had our "kick-off" to cast vision for the new year. Good food and good times together. My prayer is just this...that in some way I stirred down into those precious ladies hearts a thirst for more of God. That I stayed out of the way enough to let the Spirit speak to them.

Why do I always get home, sit down, take a breath, and begin to critique what I could have done better? Maybe it's normal, but I just want lives to be touched more deeply for Christ. Something the Lord has been showing me is times like last night are important to bring ladies together, but what's most important are the ladies themselves. I need to focus more on the individuals than the programs. My deepest desire is for women to come into a deeper awareness of God and His desires and dreams for their lives. The more we hunger and thirst for the living God, the more we seek Him and the more we seek after Him the more He pours into our lives and quenches our dehydrated souls.

I feel something stirring deep within me. Is it just for me or for others as well? I do know this, whatever He births in me will benefit others.

Lord, move in my life like I've never allowed You to before. Use me like I've never allowed you to before.

I'm ready...

Well a little late...

but Happy New Year everybody!

My week with all the family was so incredible! We had such a relaxing time visiting, a little shopping, watching movies, going to the movies, eating and eating, (I have the poundage to prove it) and playing shanghi and train! nothing but fun in my book. then off to odessa to nanny's for new year's day. we just had a good visit all around.

I'm certainly missing everyone today. been working hard and long since they left, at the office, getting ready for the annual business meeting, but maybe I'll get the Christmas deco down by the weekend. or maybe not.

I wonder what it would look like with red hearts all over it...