They're coming....

the birthday pics I mean. Work has been relentless and I will get the pics posted soon. Here is a preview - Audrey at the beach -- her wish for birthday trip was to "chase birdies and throw shells in the water" -- proudly showing her age. Preciousness!

To Audrey who is Three

You know I love you more than anything. You stole my heart 3 years ago, and the ties that bind have grown stronger. I hope that you will always remember, no matter what, your Mommy loves you more than ANYTHING. More than herself. She has given up so much - and never questioned why - for you. She is a woman who is strong, seldom complains, and simply goes from square A to square B to C...etc. always putting you first. I am so proud of her. Someday, if you are very lucky you will understand.

You have so many who love you beside me. J, Bebe, Farrar, Courtney, ALL of the Gantt family, your uncle Scott and Aunt Jen. Many other friends and relatives including a grandpa and a whole 'nother side of the family pulling for you - we love you unconditionally.

I remember watching you every night after you were 6 weeks old so Annie, a brand new Mommy, could make money at the Cracker Barrel to support you while she was doing nursing school. Me a brand new professor making time for you. And you a brand new baby. We did brand new pretty well. I am proud of how we pulled it all together and seldom complained.

God willing, there will be many more birthdays. There will be untold challenges as you deal with life and all that goes along with it. Know that your Grandmomma ("momma") loves your unconditionally. You are my treasure. I am so proud that you are my granddaughter. I never imagined how far my heart could stretch past loving my children, and make room for another. You have taught me how far a heart can really, truly stretch and make room for more love. I so love you Audrey Anne.

With all my heart,
Your Momma.

Tomorrow's THE day!

Yes indeedee, you can feel the excitement here in South Texas. The invitations have been distributed to tots, moms, family and friends, cake ordered, party favors being put together, room at Gatti-town reserved and even JP (a.k.a. Bebe) is coming into town for.....Audrey's Third Birthday Party! She has gotten VERY adept at holding up three fingers and telling anyone who will listen that she is having a 'three years old birfday pawty". The theme? Not girly girl. Nope. That is NOT Audrey. SPIDERMAN! It was a toss-up between Spiderman, Batman and Curious George was (briefly) considered. But -- Spiderman it is. Stay tuned....

Sight Seeing In North Carolina

JP and I had a little time to do some sight-seeing in NC - not much, but what we saw was beautiful - and memorable. First, St. John in the Wilderness Episcopal Church in Flat Rock - here is a history. Built in the 1800's, it is rather small but full of relics and artifacts including a cemetery where the slaves and their children were buried - apart from the Caucasian church members. The Slaves Cemetery - the original graves were marked with rocks, but those were later replaced by these simple crosses. Some stained glass windows in the church. Joe giving a sermon from the pulpit. Taken at the church entrance. A beautiful, tree-filled setting.

Next, we went to the home of Poet Laureate Carl Sandburg. Again, another beautiful setting set off of the highway with water, goats and plenty of solitude. One of the tour directors told the story of the typist that Sandburg hired. She had a manual typewriter and did all of his typing while he dictated -- for 20 years. Imagine having that job and being the first to hear and capture the famous works he published!

Back at the ranch, or in this case, The Carolina Village in Hendersonville, I took some pics of things that make Ruth and Joe extra special: Ruth is undoubtedly one of the most talented artists I know - you remember the blog about the horse she painted. She also does china painting - there were dozens of these eggs around their cottage as well as vases, dishes, serving pieces -- all hand painted. She also does needlepoint, embroidery, makes exquisite clothing for her (self-painted) porcelain dolls...and that's just the beginning. There are so many exquisitely crafted items that are changed according to time of year and occasion. All this still being done at 84 years old! It is amazing. Joe knew from the time that he was young that he likes to build things - and he graduated from Virginia Tech with his degree in Mechanical Engineering. After a very successful career as part of the original teams at NASA who sent men to the moon (more stories on a future blog), he found he loves woodworking. He built 30 - yes THIRTY - of these benches that now surround Carolina Village. The walkers are thankful. He also makes a delicious pot of homemade oatmeal!! Since JP and I dated in high school, I knew Ruth and Joe back in the '70's. It has been wonderful to be reacquainted with them again. The best way to get to know a person is to get to know their parents -- it was an awesome trip!

Happy Birthday Continued!

It's tough spending time away and then facing the onslaught of work (and grumpy students) that inevitably follows spring break. However, here are some bright spots from Ruth's 84th birthday. Taken by me - a bit less formal, and certainly captures some very beautiful smiles!
Ruth adjusting Joe's tie - it even lights up!
We decorated the tables with St. Patrick's Day Theme - complete with candy, shamrocks, funny money and lots of green.
JP stealing some of the candy....

The Birthday Girl and her crown!! It was custom created for this auspicious occasion by a friend.


Not to be outdone by his celebrity wife, Joe is King For A Day.

Happy Birthday to Ruth!

Tuesday was JP's Mom's birthday as Ruth turned 84. We flew to North Carolina to be part of the festivities. Ruth and Joe live in a beautiful retirement village in Hendersonville, NC. It is gorgeous as it sits near the Smoky mountains - "God's Country" is what Joe calls it - - an accurate description. Their friends are many and it was very hard for Ruth to limit her number of invitees to 20. I'm glad JP and I made the cut! Add to that the fact that her birthday falls on St.Patrick's day and you have the makings for a fabulous birthday party. We had a great time - they are very blessed. I hope I have as many friends at my 84th party -- and have fun times as well!!! The Head Table

Some St. Patty's Decorations -- yes, that is a green snake. Do you know the story about St. Patrick and snakes???


Joe making the toast...that's Welch's bubbling grape juice :)

Cheers!!!! We love you Ruth!

Happy St. Patty's Day!

A big day - much will soon be posted. In the meantime, here is a favorite clip of our Muppet friends doing their hilarious rendition of Oh Danny Boy. Thank you Lupe for posting on Facebook. I laughed till I cried in my green beer :)

Smoky Mountains

I am heading here in a bit. A woman that I've known since I was 16, my sweetie JP's mom Ruth Elizabeth Piland is having her 84th birthday (born in 1925 on St. Patrick's day). She and Joe have been married for nearly 62 years in June. It will be a wonderful celebration. Ruth is a woman who provides the best example of what it means to be wife, mother, grandmother and WOMAN. I am proud to know her.

The Smoky Mountains as they are called really do look smoky....this fog, which is most common in the morning and after rainfall, is the result of warm humid air from the Gulf of Mexico cooling rapidly in the higher elevations of Southern Appalachia. There are black bears in abundance as well as lots of salamanders. I prefer to meet the latter in person.

Details - and pics - will follow. Suffice to say -- I am looking forward to this trip, on so many levels.