This past month has brought some bitter with the sweet.  I posted a picture of John.  He had a birthday right before Thanksgiving.  My niece Lisa had a new baby.  Little Daisy Darling is so cute! I also had another birthday. I am always thankful for another one but I think I am in denial of my age. Time goes so quickly.

My ex-mother-in-law passed away last week.  She was 90. Bob and I would visit her in the nursing home when we visited Lafayette. She was the Grand-mother to my children. She loved gardening in her younger years, made delicious homemade noodles and had many homemaking talents.  She was a happy, up beat person.  RIP  Martha, you will be missed.

Our son-in-law Brent lost his Mom last week also.  Jill was only 62.  She had brain cancer and passed away unexpectedly with complications from the chemo. For several years we would see Jill at family events and sometimes with Brent and Angie.  But, it wasn't until she became very ill we got to really know her.  She was incredible with her fight to win the battle with brain cancer.  She had a cheerful attitude even when we knew she was not feeling well.  Bob and I visited her for many times while she was in the hospital and nursing home.  We just kind of hung out for hours.  We had a lot of laughs and even made some plans for when she would finish her treatment.  We are still in shock and feel so sad about her passing. There are no words to how bad we feel for Brent and Angie. I am happy though, we had the chance to get to really know her.  RIP Jill.

Daisy Darling

My niece Lisa had a new baby.  Daisy Darling, is a month old here.

Happy Belated Birthday to John!

Last week Robert (young Bob) had a birthday.  Happy Birthday Robert!

The new president elect is Donald Trump. (no comment at this time)

My niece Lisa had a new baby girl. Congratulations to Lisa and Nick and to the Grand-parents Silas and Hollie.  Pictures will come later.

Angie had her 2nd MRI which comes every two months.  The results was good. There is no cancer activity showing around the remaining tumor.  She had several seizures since her surgery so they increased her Kepra and advised Valium should she feel a seizure is coming on. Her doctor suggests she not be under any stress both mentally and physically. I hope all of these things will help her. All in all it was good news.

Angie's mother-in-law Jill also has a brain tumor.  She had one Chemo treatment (a week in the hospital) and today she started her second round of treatments.  They are planning four one week treatments with a couple of weeks in between each treatment.  Please keep Jill in your thoughts and prayers.

Happy Belated Birthday to our Grand-son Austin!  He turned 18 last week.  Austin we are so proud of the young man you have become and love you so much.  Some of us got together for dinner to celebrate.  The Japanese Restaurants are very delicious and entertaining.

Austin Turned 18!

http://www.westcobbfuneralhome.com/obituaries/Harvey-Warner/

RIP Uncle Harvey

This was the last time I saw Uncle Harvey. It was in 2014 a couple of months before Bob's stroke. He is with his daughter Beth and husband Alfredo in the photo. We were saddened to hear he passed away yesterday morning. Our condolences to his son Paul's (deceased) family, his son Danny and his family, his son Steve and his family and his daughter Beth and her family.

When Uncle Harvey walked into a room everyone noticed. It was not only because of his his tall, distinguished, handsome and well dressed stature but he seemed to radiate love. He was kind, always interested in people and never seemed to be judgmental. He was a man of faith and walked closely with God. His actions and way of living were his testimony. He will missed.

My mother often talked of how she and Uncle Harvey sang as a duet together at church as they were growing up. I am visualizing the two of them singing a duet of praise in heaven at this moment.
RIP Uncle Harvey.

Happy Birthday Ben!

                                               Jane and Ben

Ben had a birthday this week.  We were not able to be here for his birthday but I am happy to say we are here now visiting and I got to enjoy a piece of his birthday cake.  Yum!

"Try To See the Sunshine Through The Rain"

Times have been a little rough lately but we are all looking up.

How Is Angie Doing?

About a couple of months ago Angie and Brent took a vacation to Chicago to visit family and friends and to Wisconsin to attend the air show.
While at Jane and Ben's Angie woke up in the middle of the night with her mouth drooling to one side, tingling in her face, arm and hand.  She thought she had a mini stroke but after some tests at the hospital they said she had a seizure. The cause was a brain tumor.  Her symptoms were gone after the hospital visit and they decided to finish their vacation and scheduled a visit with a neurologist at UT Southwestern in Dallas.  She also saw the doctor she had with her Melanoma surgery on her foot  which was done over a year ago.
They were relieved to learn the cancer was not melanoma but a Glioma Cancer.  If it were Melanoma it would have meant it had traveled to the brain from the foot which would have been really bad.  Even though the Glioma was also threatening the chances would be better for treatment and etc.  Two weeks after she came home they did brain surgery. The surgery was successful.  They took out a large percent of the tumor and what remains is level two and dormant at the moment.  She will have to have MRI's every couple of months to make sure there is no activity.  This was more and better than she had expected.  They thought she might have to take a chemo pill.  That won't be necessary unless they see some activity.  Our family and many people have been praying for her.  We are all so thankful at her outcome so far.

With the three of our kids celebrating anniversaries this weekend and all three couples married 20 years and over, it caused me to think a little about marriage.  This was especially after looking through pictures and selecting the one with Joy and Rob at Zale Hospital in Dallas where they are looking at the new Parkland Hospital being built at that time. Bob had just had his stroke and they and so many were so supportive with prayers and many visits to the hospital.  Marriage isn't all about love and romance but it is caring enough about your partner to help them go through bad times like supporting one another when times are difficult.(Someone to lean on) They have gone through difficult times in the past couple of years concerning other family members also. I have seen this support with them towards each other and it warms and comforts my heart.  

Happy Anniversary Joy and Rob!

Happy Anniversary Jane and Ben! 21 Years!

Happy Anniversary to John and Casey!

20 Years!!!

Our daughter-in-law had a birthday a few days ago.  We wish her a Happy Belated Birthday! I have said before how much we love her. She is a sweetheart.

Casey's Birthday

A Visit From Silas and Hollie

Last week Sy and Hollie came to visit for a few days.  It has been a few years since they have been here.  We were able to go out to the lake house one day for a party, we swam at John and Casey's, had dinner at a few restaurants, spent some time in Grapevine and more. Sy grilled for us one night. In my book he is the "grill master."  Hollie introduced us to pineapple upside down pancakes. Yum! It's pretty nice when you have guests who cook for you.  We used to live close to Sy and Hollie in the Chicago area and even though we have been here in Texas since '89 I really miss having them near by.

Happy Birthday Joy! Happy Birthday Gill!

Yesterday was Joy's birthday and it was also my friend Gill's birthday.  We have been having all kinds of celebrations lately with birthdays and family and friends visiting.  I have really enjoyed it.

My sister Bev and son-in-law Rob shared the same birthday this past Saturday.  We wish the best to both of them. They are both on my list of favorites and I think on the list of favorites of the people who know them.  Bev is a very bubbly person and you couldn't ask for a better son-in-law than Rob is to me.

Happy Birthday to My Sister Bev and Son-in-law Rob!

Last week my cousin Mark visited with his family.  I don't see Mark very often so we had a lot to catch up on.  We all had a wonderful time just getting to know one another. It is strange how quickly time goes by.  We get busy and before you know it years have past.  The last time I saw Mark with his kids was about 10 years ago.  His kids were very young.  Somehow time stands still when you haven't seen someone. For instance, Mark's kids were still young in my mind. In reality they are young adults now.  You can't make up for the time lost but it is never too late to make a better effort to stay in touch.  

Cousin's Mark's Family, Catherine, Nathan, Mark and Sarah

Cousin Mark and Bob

Rest in Peace Millie Philips

Millie, (on the right) went to heaven today after a long fight with Cancer and heart trouble.  I knew her through our mutual friend Helen. (on the left)  Millie was one of the sweetest people I have ever met.  She was full of love, vitality with the most bubbling personality.  She will be missed.  RIP Millie.

Last week our friend Tamara (like a daughter) had a new baby boy.  They named him Lake. Lake looks much like his sister Sydney although babies seem to change their looks several times as they are growing. Our Congratulations to Tamara, Bill and her family.

Bob also celebrated his birthday.  It's funny how birthdays become even more valuable the older you get especially if you have had a severe health threat.  Bob is doing pretty good.  I will soon post some pictures and videos of his progress.  Even after almost two years from his stroke he still regains the use of what may seem to one to be small but to him is huge.  These things have been through so much hard work with therapists and at the gym. So, Happy Birthday Bob!  You are such an inspiration to me.

It was Bob's Birthday Last Week

Tamara and New Baby Lake

Happy Birthday Jake and Congratulations on Your 8th Grade Graduation

Grandson Jake had a birthday this week.  He turned 14.  It is so hard to believe he will be in high school next year.  Where has the time gone!  We all love and miss you Jake and wish we didn't live so far away.

Our 30th Anniversary!

The tenth of May marked our 30th anniversary.  It's hard to believe that much time has gone by.  We celebrated in Branson last week and mostly relaxed.  The only show we saw was the "Texas Tenors." Their show is fantastic?  I love their wonderful blend of harmony.

Bob and I have been through a lot in the past 10 years with the challenge of illnesses.  Both of us are fortunate to be here.  God has blessed us with some extended years and I think it made us realize what life is all about. We are both thankful.

RIP Tim

I have been keeping this blog for the past nine years and this post is the most painful post I have had to make.  My blog is mainly a family and travel blog.  My brother Tim passed away a couple of weeks ago.  In the past 9 years Tim has had about 4 open heart surgeries and in the past 8 years he has been having constant treatment to fight cancer.  And, a fighter he was!  I have never seen anyone fight so hard to live.  He told me once he wanted to stay alive to see his grand-children.  He was a great brother, brother in law, husband, father, grand-father uncle and cousin to many. Tim had a warm personality that brought his true spirit to surface. Growing up, I shared music with Tim and my other brothers and sisters by playing instruments and singing together.  Music was our bond.

Tim served in the Army and fought in Vietnam.  Wounded just three weeks before coming home from Vietnam he earned a bronze star and two purple hearts.

Tim was a family man and also belonged to Green Street Harmony, Tippicanotes, and Sound Sensation Barbershop groups. Tim loved singing.

Tim's wife Linda, Four boys, Aaron, Michael, Matt, Scott, and seven grandchildren survive him.  Tim was my first sibling to come into my life and the first sibling to leave my life.  We were very close and he is going to be missed. My heart is broken.  Rest in peace Tim.  

Tim with His Wife Linda

The Barber Shop Group Tim Sang With

Tim As A Young Boy Playing the Guitar

Me Singing With My Brothers Al and Tim and Sister Pam

Tim With His Guitar When He Was In The Army

Tim with Linda and his boys Scott, Aaron, Michael, and Matt Just a Few Weeks Ago

Our Entire Family

Happy Birthday Jane!

We have had a lot of birthdays lately in our family.  Jane had a birthday the other day but we were most fortunate to celebrate Jane's birthday early.  Jane and her family visited last week.

Celebrating Jack's 13th Birthday at BJ's Last Week

Last week we were visited by Jane, Ben and Jake.  Jake was on spring break and since it was also Easter what a better time to come.  They made part of their time here a golf vacation and were joined by several members of our family and friends at various times.  We also celebrated Jack, Brent, Jane, and a couple other family friend's birthdays.

Tuesday Bob started a study at UT using electrotherapy trans-cranial stimulation.  They are exercising his arm and hand during the process.  There have been successful results in other studies. Bob has been a little sore from moving his arm and hand in ways he has not done before.  I really have high hopes this will make a difference.

Bob, Getting Ready for the Transcranial Stimulation Study

February Birthdays: Angie and Peyton

Last night Jack's team "the frogs" took the championship in the play-offs.  I attended three of his last games and they were so intense.  Those eleven and twelve year old kids were as fun to watch as any professional game.  Congratulations to Jack's team.  They worked very hard to achieve their goals.

Jack Making a Basket

A Huge Gap Between Posts

Wow!  There is a huge gap between my last post and now.  To catch up a little we celebrated Christmas Eve at Angie and Brent's house and Christmas at John and Casey's. After Christmas We headed for Florida for a long vacation.  Our first stop was in Crestview Fl.  We were there for a couple of days and spent New Years Eve with my sister Beverley and her husband Joe.  On the 1st we checked into a Time Share for a week at New Smyrna Beach and from there we rented a house in House in Haines City Fl.  We had several visitors at different times.  We also visited many friends and family. I am not going to get into details and I didn't take many pictures.  Later I may randomly post some of the pictures I did take. It was great to get away and as with most people's feelings it is always good to be home.

The birthdays for February in our family were Peyton and Angie. Since Peyton has been at college and Angie was out of town on business we will celebrate later.  I'll  try and get some pictures.  I have really been slacking a bit with the pictures but that is what vacations are for. We were really needing to do nothing.

It looks like Bob is going to be in a new study at UT.  It will be using electricity on his brain to hopefully improve his use of his hand and arm.  Other studies have shown some success.  I am sure I will have more information regarding this in the near future.