David's 24th Birthday Party! July 9, 2009, Baby Dave is now 24 YEARS OLD!

I called a few of David's friends and Dave. We thought David would love to celebrate at La-Casona. Although David won't believe me, I WAS NOT the one that told the waiter it was Baby David's Birthday!

Laura started calling David "Baby Beau" the night that David was born. She was saying Baby Boy and it sounded like "beau". As time went on she began to call him Baby Dave and Baby David. To this day, relatives and friends in Florida call him Baby Dave(id)!

Oh God Thank You for my Son! Thank you Lord that David is saved and on his way to heaven, continue to keep him safe and keep him in your ways. Thank you for his job and for all the blessings you have given him. I pray now for that young lady that will become his bride and for his future offspring. May David's wife be a Proverbs 31 girl. May David's children become believers at a young age. Help David to be a Godly husband and father. David you are indeed wonderfully and fearfully made! God Bless You Son!

ROAD TRIP - - Look Out FLORIDA!

Oldies, but goodies! This is the longest car-trip from Houston to Orlando ever! On June 27, 2008, Mari, Linda and I took off for Florida. I was delivering the Expedition to mom and dad and then staying through July to work for my friend Nanc at the "Orlando Colon & Rectal Clinic". The girls stopped everywhere, just to stop, "hey Starbucks!, let's get coffee". In Mobile, Alabama: "Hey Linda's grandmother on her porch, let's visit her!" "Hey Florida State Capitol, let's go!", etc. Thank you God for friends, I couldn't have made that long drive alone. Having just moved out of my home, leaving my "safe job", and going to work in Houston, at The Methodist Cath Lab. Let's just say, I was a fish out of water! Thanks Linda and Mari!

Cookbook

Click HERE to go to Laura's blog and see a recipe from the recipe book I am always referring to.

This is the recipe book that Ryan's family made as a fundraiser for Breast Cancer. Ryan's dad, Victor Holmelin passed away November 15, 2004, after a 16 year battle with Breast Cancer. Please pass this on to the man in your life that you love!

Is not my son-in-law, Ryan (Ry-Ry), so cute? He takes such good care of my bun-bun. That boy cooks, cleans, brings home the bacon, and most importantly HE PRAYS! God has blessed me with not only a wonderful daughter and son, but also a fantastic son #2, Ryan!

"MOTHER"S DAY 2009"

Not pictured this time Laura, the other gift presenter, (she was in Germany).

Then I spent the night with Hel & Jay, (the camera was missing, so no pictures of Hel). Then the memories began with Hel and I shopping at our favorites, eating, laughing, and catching up on things...........

Just when I think my kids "can't top this one", they surprise me yet again! The best present ever, a ticket to.........FLORIDA! I get to see my mom, dad & Hel-my mom-in-law, for Mother's Day. I don't think my offspring could have made me happier! God has truly blessed me with the best 3 kids alive! David drove down to spend the weekend with me, then after church he gave me the "TICKET"

Ava and Julius playing at Great Grandma & Grandpa's House.

Of course my other memories start with watching my great niece & nephew turning on the hose, filling buckets and picking up sticks, just as Laura and David used to do when they were around this age! Don't tell their parents that this is why they love Aunt Lydia!

I just love, love, love, MY FAMILY! My brother Tim, his wife Deb,

their daughter (my niece)-Bobbi Jo, Mom & Dad.

Bar-B-Que at Kathi's! Good Food, Silly Talk, Contagious Laughs....

Uh Oh...a tear :( missing them already

MEMORIAL DAY! My Family sporting "Red, White & Blue". Bottom Row: My nephew, Jonathan's kids Julius, Ava, Mom & Dad. Back Row, My Nephew's wife-Giselle, my Sister-in-law-Kathi,

My Brother-Tim & Debbie-Tim's wife

No "Girls Night Out" at the Movies this trip, but lots of laughs & tons of food! Julius, Mom, Ava, Dad, Giselle, Lyd, Kathi, & Debbie

Ahhhhh, a day at the Beach, Ben, Lesley & Justin............

Memories of long days at Cocoa Beach, strolling, collecting shells, & "The Windjammer" with my sister-in-law Ruth & my niece Lesley

Last but not least, memories of sailing in the Intercoastal in Cocoa & Melbourne, anchoring at "The Dragon", sitting under the Palm Trees, watching the sun set at Pineda......

So so good to see mom and dad, go to church with them, visit, laugh and sing around their table, listen to some of dad's stories, (he has new ones too!), then wake up to the smell of mom's cinammon coffee! Shhhhhhhh, don't tell them I'm going back for my class reunion in July! They will be so surprised. I just hope they are happy to see me again so soon!

Hopefully I'll have more pictures for you.........................

Some of my Cath Lab buddies.....

Karen, Lydia and Brenda. Karen is a rad tech and Brenda a circulating nurse in the cath lab. They both have been so sweet to me! I'm so blessed to work with fun, young, nice folks!

Karen and her birthday "roasted pig", the pork was yummy!

Here is the gang at a Luau. We were celebrating birthdays, Ricky, Charmaine and Karen's.

Laura Ann's Visit to the USA, April 2009

Our precious Blue! He is guarding my apartment from the neighborhood cats

My two beautiful children, David 23, Laura 25Laura with good friends of ours

Luke and Levi Brooks,

Parents - Jonathan & Steph Brooks

Grandparents -Terri & Marc Holder, Janet & Don Brooks

Look how God has blessed these little guys! So Cute!!

One of Laura's best buddies, Lori Beaver Romans

Ryan's mom-Debbie, Lyd, Laura, Dave & Ryan at Ryan's 1st surprise party ever!

The proud parents and their favorite daughter!

One of Laura's other best friends, Jason Doxey.
Laura taking a picture of mama & her handsome devils!
Ryan, Laura & David

What a wonderful time we had. Ryan's surprise Birthday Party, Going to our home church and hearing Bro. Rodney preach and singing worship songs, Visits with friends, shopping, playing with Blue, our morning coffee runs, watching American TV, Bucees Ice Tea, Sonic Coney Island Dogs, Airport Shuttle for David and Ryan, late nights at my apartment with friends. We even helped my friend Janet with her grandbabies, Luke and Levi, one day. Most of all--the laughter, we laughed and laughed and laughed. I thank you Lord for bringing her home again, especially so soon. Keep my boys and Laura from harm and give them a special blessing for treating their mama so great and giving me the best Mother's Day ever!!!

PRAISE THE LORD! HE HAS A JOB!

David starts his new job on Monday, April 6! Hallelujah! My God reigns. Thanks for praying and for encouraging him. He will be working for an orthopedic company in North East Houston. We looked for apartments all day today and he studied tonight for the exams he will encounter next week and has to pass. Then he will travel to New Jersey for training. So after 3 months of interviews and applications God has answered my prayer for a job for David. Please join me as I lift him up and thank God for all He has done in the lives of my children and in my life!