So much to catch up on!

As I was looking for pics of my Papa the other night, I saw just how far behind I am on posting fun pictures of our family. It's quite overwhelming when you just can't get to blogging! Here's yet again another catch up time even though I'll only get to a few!


December brough Ashlyn's 7th birthday. So hard to believe I was watching rodeo while in labor just 7 years ago (I was very relaxed with an epideral!). She enjoyed having over 5 of her friends from school and church. It was pretty chaotic at times in our small house but she loved it.





As always, we spent some time with Josh's family at Christmas time. We don't have many pictures of Josh's grandmother (mainly because she really doesn't like her picture taken!) but I snatched one of her and the kids. She always tells them before we leave "I love you a bushel and a peck and a hug around the neck." They love Grammy.



California was fun in December. Besides getting to spend time with my grandparents and family, it was great to be on a mini-vacation by myself! Time alone doesn't happen much these days and it's always a welcome experience. I felt revived and ready to "hit it" again when I returned home. We finally got a picture of the three "Rheas": Uncle Bill Rhea, Phillip Rhea, and his son Nathan Rhea. Pretty cool family name, in my book.
While in CA, we took a trip to Disneyland - In all the times I've been to Disneyland, I'd never been there right around Christmas time! It was so fun and great to spend time with my niece and nephews! How fast they're growing up!

I just love this picture! Ian loving lunch at "Taco Bells"

New News

I received word tonight that my precious grandfather - Papa - has been determined "terminal". Althought this is not a shock, it's hard to sort through the feelings of sometime soon losing someone that has been such an instrumental person in my life. He has battled with Alzheimer's for quite some time now and has been cared for by my grandmother (Graney), Uncle Bill, Aunt Gloria and my parents. He has stayed at home all this time even though that has taken its toll on my family. It's hard to imagine life without Papa. There are so many amazing, fun, humorous, and special memories. We have shared much and loved much. Yes, he's not gone physically yet but my "Papa" - the man I knew and grew up with - is no longer here on this earth. The illness has taken over and he is on his way to glory. I'm so very thankful that he knows the Lord and will be with Him soon. I rejoice that he has lived a very full life filled with over 65 years of pastoring and over 70 years of marriage. What a man!
I also am thankful that I was able to go to California just after Christmas for the very purpose of visiting with him. Even though he had definate moments of confusion while I was in town, my visits with him were filled with much recollecting and he knew who I was the whole time I was there. It was a precious time. He even got to meet his newest great-grandson, Nathan - my brother Phil's son born last May.