Happy Birthday David

I did it...I am actually posting this one early...tomorrow is Grandson David's birthday...he will be 29!  Holy Cow! 

WHat to write about David?  I first met him when he was 2 days old...he was in the hospital still, under a yellow light due to jaundice.  So tiny and small!  And I fell in love...hard!  He was my first true grandson.  He was born in Bilioxi Mississippi...I was there for 5 days and it just about broke my heart to leave him with his Mom and Dad.  They were so young...but regardless, he grew.

 Next thing I know the family has moved to Wichita Kansas...ah, got to see him a lot more often.  He was the sweetest baby...so mellow.





I made several trips to Kansas/Missouri over the years to see him and his brother Danny.  David  was always so sweet and kind to me.  Over the years when the boys were older, Al would fly them to Seattle for the summer, to "surprise" me.  Of course the first time he did this in 1988 it was a total surprise to me.  What a fun summer we had.  Then the next year he did it again, but this time I knew about it, but we kept it a secret from the boys because they wanted to surprise me again. 

We also took them on vacations with us and to the Lake of the Ozarks when we would be there visiting friends. 



Then the next thing I know, David is graduating from high school.  Once again, time slips up on me. 

Now, David is a father of three of the cutest, sweetest great granddaughters a grandma could ever want.  I am so proud of you and love you David....Happy Birthday.

Tell me again why I decided to do this?

Birthday posts sounded like such an easy job when I decided to do it this year.  And it is...it's just that I can't keep up!  So here we go again.

First off the list is Victor...May 12.  Happy Birthday to grandson number 4.  And the youngest grandson, even though he is 22!  YIKES...how did THAT happen?  I turned my back and all of these kids grew up!  Sheeesh!

Vic is a special person.  He is so fun to be around....at least when I am around him, which is very little I am sad to say.  He lives in Portland, OR....I live in Tucson...of course ALL my children and grandchildren live far away from me. Darn it!  Of course they way they are scattered across the USA I would have to live in several different states at the same time to be close to all of them...But back to Vic...VICTOR WARD.  Ward after my dad...makes me smile.

Vic as a child was all boy...wanted to anything "BOY".  He had dreams as all children do, about being a spy, spiderman, etc.  He had a little "car" that he drove all over everywhere, well at least in his yard.  At the time they lived in California so I would only get to see him once or twice a year.  Then, in 1995 they moved to Portland Oregon...only 4 hours away.  I began burning up the highway between Seattle and Portland.  I loved watching Vic and his sister Lori grow . 

1996
Then, as a teenager, Vic got interested in Rodeo's...not just watching them, but participating in them.  And of course, he picked the most dangerous sport of all...bull riding.  Needless to say, he is part of the reason my hair is gray! 


Mololla Rodeo 2005

And before I knew it he was graduating from High School.  WHAT???  How can that be?  But, yes, he did graduate even with me claiming he was only 4!!!! HA.

And now, he is 22, and graduating from Jr. College here in a few days.  We are so very proud of this young man.  He has had to  overcome some huge obstacles to get to where he is today.  He has been diagnosed with Non Verbal Learning Disorder....but that didn't stop him.  People said he couldn't finish Jr. College, but they forgot to tell him and he has defied all the odds.  Yes, he has had to really struggle, but he has the determination and courage to overcome the obstacles life has put in his way.  We are proud to call him our Grandson.  We love you Vic...

More Birthday Posts....still behind

I really thought this was going to be a good idea, and so easy....just do a blog for everyone's birthday.  CHeeezzz...I can't keep up.  So here we go....where I left off....

April 21....Happy Birthday to our youngest GREAT Granddaughter Molly, who we haven't met yet. (I really, really need to go to Missouri!!). 

Dear Molly, Grammy loves you so much and I will meet you soon.  Big hug and kisses.

April 23

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY WONDERFUL HUSBAND AL.    Ric, Janet and Jennifer were here from Seattle to help Dad celebrate his 77th birthday.  The kids came in on Thursday night.  Friday they went to the Pima Air Museum...Dad and I elected to stay home.  Saturday we spent the day getting ready for Dad's party.  We had a house full, Jude and Roger; Pat and Patti; Bruce, Holly, Thomas: Jack and Suzi; Denise and Gordon; Barb.  Sadly we all missed Bob...our get together's are just not the same anymore!  But we all had a great time.  Ric, Jenn and Janet did all of the great food...we had tri tip, baked potato casserole, salad and  lemon coconut cake or chocolate cake for dessert.  We were all sufficiently stuffed.  Great day for Al. 

Al doing one of the things he loves best...cruising, this was in 2010.

Al doing something else he likes to do...relax while we are out in our RV


Al and his 5 children...r-l, Melanie, Jennifer, Ric, Mike
Front:  Al, Jerry

April 28
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO JERRY

Jerry on our Carribbean cruise

Doesn't look much like a cowboy here!!!

Jerry, our middle son celebrated his birthday today.  We won't say which birthday as that would make us feel old...uh, ok, we do feel old.  Jerry lives and works in Odessa.  He loves to be outside and work with his hands and specializes in plants and nature.  He is a true cowboy.  We love him.  He is fun to be with and a great guy. 

April 30

HAPPY 3RD BIRTHDAY TO OUR GREAT GRANDDAUGHTER SOPHIE

It seems like just yesterday grandson David was calling us to tell us Sophie had arrived!  We were on a cruise and happened to be in port in Astoria Oregon.  We were so thrilled to hear the news.  Sophie, sweet, shy, lovable.  Cute dimples and beautiful eyes.  What a little doll.  Again, I need to go to Missouri to see these sweet great granddaughters of mine! 

Sophie....

Okay, done with birthdays until next week.  Whew...this has turned out to be a job...of course, we do have a large family and I love them all.

In other news, Al had gotten good reports from the Kidney Doctor and his regular doctor.  So if he continues to improve we hope to take a short trip to see granddaughter Lori graduate from High School, grandson Victor graduate from Community College; then on to Seattle and over to Odessa for Al's high school reunion....but that isn't until next month. 

So until next week.....stay happy and healthy.