In Loving Memory of My Mother Sister Deanie Easter

My mother passed away Tuesday May 15, 2008. Her family had gathered around her bedside and we were able to hold her hand through this time. She was such a wonderful beautiful lady. I will miss her terribly. I thank God that I had the time with her that I did. She had a lovely funeral service in Tulsa where many brethern and friends attended. Later in the day she had a graveside service at Parkland Cemetary. Bro. Bill Porter & Bro. Danny Godwin officiated the services. We were blessed during mothers last days to have the help of many of our family. Moms Aunt Virginia James from New Mexico came and cared for her, as well as Aunt Joy Easter, Uncle Carl & Aunt Wanda James and many others. My sisters and I bathed her a day or so before she died. It was an honor to care for her in her own home.

Many brethern came and brought food while we were there. Bro. Bill & Sis. Marcelle were such a big help to our family. As were Bro. Danny & Sis. Coweta Godwin. Many more brethern than I could possibly name visited and helped us so much. Beth & Robert pulled their 5th Wheel over for Alan & I to stay in. It made things so nice for us. Alan got up each morning after mom died and set and had coffee with my Dad. Dad was only sleeping about 4 hours a night and he really needed the company. Please pray for him. I know he is going to be so lonely without her.

The night before the funeral we stayed with Colin & Teresa. What a blessing it is to have friends like that. I feel like I have riches untold when I see all of the friends I have. We love you Colin & Teresa. We love everyone of you who have helped us through this trial.

Back Home Again

This is Monday. I have been working all morning trying to get the house back to livable conditions. Being gone for a week can sure take its toll on a place, especially when you leave a husband & four childern at home. So far I have done the kitchen, cleaned the living room done two loads of laundry, and have done quite a bit of decluttering as I worked, so things are starting to shape up. I sounded like a drill sargent this morning before the kids left for school. I made Tyler & Mason clean & vaccum their room. I can't stand it when things get so totally out of whack. Most of you know me personally & I have never been that picky of a housekeeper, but as I get older I seem to be leaning more in that direction. It's about time!!

The trip out to Oklahoma was very good. Amy behaved so well on the way out and it was great when we got to the hospital where mom was, Amy was the first person she saw when she woke up. It made my mom so happy! The doctors had planned on doing exploratory surgery on Mom on Monday morning (basically they were going to use her as a guinea pig), but my sister & I discussed it and we both didn't feel like mom would make it out of surgery alive. Sooooo after speaking with my dad about it the family decided to take her home and care for her there. I beleive that is why I felt so pressed to go to Oklahoma when I did. She & Daddy were both so happy when we got her home. It was such a beautiful thing. My moms aunt is staying with them indefinately.

It was good to get to visit with my mom. I had the opportunity to speak to her alone for a while and was able to get some things worked out that I had let set for many years. I know without a doubt that mom loves me. I think I often wondered about that. The night before I left I set next to her and held her and she kept kissing me and telling me how much she loved me & my kids. I don't care how old a person gets, sometimes we just need to hear that from our Mommy's.

The ride home with Sis. Carolyn was wonderful. We had such a nice visit. The trip from Sapulpa to my house only took us 13 1/2 hours. And we did not speed. We took a great short cut through the backroads of Texas.

I don't think that I will get to see my mom again before she passes. She is very very ill. But I know that she loves me and that is all that really matters to me right now. I am so thankful she is at home. Thank you all for your prayers

Going Back to Oklahoma

My mom is very ill and I will be leaving for OK in a couple of hours. Please keep me and Sis. Carolyn Cunningham in your prayers. I am taking Amy and the rest of the kids will be staying home. I don't know if I will make it there in time to speak to Mom again but if I do please remember to pray for me that I will speak whatever the Lord gives me to and to keep my mouth shut when I need to also. Love You All.

Paperback Swap

I stumbled across the neatest website last week. It is called paperbackswap.com. What you do is post ten books that you are willing to swap and they give you 2 credits immediately to use. Then as people request your books and you mail them to them you get another credit. 1 book = 1 credit. The great thing is there are over 2 million books posted and more added daily. You also have a wish list where you can request books. That way if someone post one you want you get an email asking if you want to order it. It doesn't cost anything except for postage to mail out your book to the next person. It has tons of great features. I have sent off 9 books since last Thursday and have seven coming to me. I have already received two books. Its such a great way to acquire books you want, and to get rid of those you don't need any longer. You girls should take a look at the site and tell me what you think.

A Decision Finally Made

This weekend after much discussion, thought & prayer, Alan & I decided to homeschool Tyler & Mason through Jr. High & Highschool. I don't really know what kind of homeschool. Knowing me I would say loosely structured. I could sure use any advice or encouragement you lovely homeschool moms might have. I'm a little nervous, but I am very happy with the choice. The boys have been lobbying for this for a couple of years. The little kids will continue on in public school through elementary. Or until I change my mind.

We live a very spontaneous life. It would be so nice to just up and run to Brewster or Eugene or Oklahoma for a week or two without having to notify the government. I know that Alan really needs Tylers help with the business this fall & winter, and Tyler needs to learn all he can from his dad. Mason is a sweet & gentle soul and school was destroying him. I think my biggest fear was losing my time to myself. But I will have plenty of that when they are grown!!

I was happy to hear that Rusty & Dennis went to pray for my mom this morning. She did not do well yesterday with the flying and her legs had began to swell. I am not out there so if any of you sisters see her and feel that there is something I should be told or whatever please, please send me an email, I check it frequently. Beth is going to try to keep me updated. At this point it is just so hard to know what to do. A sister from GJT called me this morning and said that yesterday in church the Lord put it in her mind to take me to see my mom. I really didn't know what to say to that as we had just been to Oklahoma and my mom is with Cindy & Connie now so I told her I thought mom was doing better, but we would pray about it and see how we felt later. Then I spoke with Beth & found out that mom wasn't as well as I had beleived. I trust this sister from GJT completely and I truly beleive that the Lord gave her that instruction, however, I don't know if it is for right now or for after mom gets back to OK. Please pray for me that I will know what to do. Thanks, JoAnn.

Notable Night!!

Last night upon returning from church we found that ALL of the cows were out!! Alan, (in his great wisdom)decided that they would not wander far and would be fine until the morning. I thinnk he was really just very tired and did not want to mess with it. Soooo Anyway. This morning they were all gone! He and the big boys had to go hunt them down and chase them back in. What a wonderful start to the day.

At 7:30 this morning Angela Mc had a baby boy!! Finally!! She was about 2 1/2 weeks overdue. His name is Kyle Douglas and he is 8 1/2 lbs. Very adorable. Alan & I made the pilgramage over to greet the new prince at 8:45 (hey, we were very excited). After seeing that he was wearing a purple baby cap, I made a trip to Target and picked up the cutest little boy things. They should fit him for 2 or 3 weeks. The kid needed clothes! Also on the shopping list were chocolates for Angela. She was quite happy with that. I do plan to not go back again at least until tomorrow, although the kids will be home a 4:00 and you just know they are going to want to see the baby. It is so awesome when a sister has a healthy, happy baby. Gives you so much confidence that the faith will continue.

The Lord has blessed us all with Trinas little Boaz, Dixies little Holly, Tereasas B.'s little Cassidy, Gracies little Mariah, and now little Kyle!! WOW!! All within the last month. Pretty amazing isn't it?

Weeeeee're Baaaaack!!

I am sure you all are very excited to here from me again!!LOL!! We just returned home from Oklahoma last Saturday night. It was a fun and very exhausting trip. We left home on Friday the 26th. After arriving at my Sister Beth's home that night, we got the grand tour of their new home and then we fell into a deep sleep (after they so graciously gave us their bedroom for the night). We left from their house Saturday morning and spent the day with my other sister Cindy & her family at a place called "Incredible Pizza". The place is a fun park type place with games, go-karts, bumper cars not to mention unlimited pizza, ice cream, soda, saled & pasta!! My kids thought they were in Heaven. Alan and I really enjoyed our day with the family, but if you ever go there bring lots of cash. It is an incredibly expensive pizza experience. But a ton of fun.

We went to church at Sapulpa, set in a very good meeting, then went to some bretherns home for dinner. Which was absolutely delicious! Afterwards we hustled back to the church for Bro James & Sis. Barbaras 50th Wedding Anniversary party. There were about 250 people there. It was a nice party all done up in Pink & Black like a 50's soda shop. Their kids did a lot of work to make it extra special for them. I got to see many of my friends from my teenage years there and that was wonderful. For some reason everyone is looking quite young, none of us looked like we have aged at all.

I got to see Julie and her family. Was going to try to make it over to their place but ran out of days. The picture above is of Emily and Taylor. They were in first grade together for a time and are very good friends and cousins.

I was able to spend a few days with my folks. Mom is still very sick and in need of prayers. The brethern have been so good to check on them. I am so thankful for everyones kindness.

On Tuesday night we went to Jeff & Sylvias for dinner. Our kids had a blast playing with their kids. We had a great visit with them and Bro. Wes & Sis. Angie. Sylvia is a dear friend without whom I am sure I would not have survived my growing up years. How's that for schmoozing?

Wednesday we meandered down route 66 to OKC to see Sam & Skye. Why you ask, did we not take the turnpike. Because my husband hates to pay to drive on the turnpike and was determined that we could go all the way on the backroads. He was very insistent so I let him have his way. We almost made it too!

We visited my Uncle & Aunt, and then on to Alans brothers house. Spent time with Sam & Skye and kids in City, went to the zoo. Will write more later as I am getting tired.