I had a wonderful birthday today....

I have had a wonderful birthday. I heard from my precious children: Chip in Indiana as well as from Amy and her family who are on vacation. I heard from my sisters. I always so very much miss my parents on my birthday but rejoice in knowing that they are awaiting all of us in Heaven. I enjoyed gifts, cards and emails from a host of family and friends. Richard planned a wonderful birthday surprise for me. On Saturday night I knew we were going out to dinner with one couple; but unbeknownst to me, Richard also invited two other couples to join us. It was a fun evening of wonderful fellowship. After dinner, the restaurant where we were dining invited us to go out to the garden and pick some veggies to take home. That was a treat and we are especially enjoying the vine-ripened tomatoes. Anyway, it has been my very best birthday ever, and that's saying a lot for having now celebrated 56 of them!! Thanks to everyone for your good wishes! ~~Susan

Update on our Son Chip

Wanted to catch you up on our son Chip. He is doing great. He is enjoying the youth pastorate and is still at the church in Indiana. We visited him in May and hope he will be able to make a trip home to see us all sometime this summer, otherwise, it will be Christmastime again. He hasn't seen Amy and her family since last Christmas and the kids miss their Uncle Chip. Lots of exciting things are happening in his life and with his ministry. God is so good! It's hard to believe that our "baby" will be 30 in less than 6 months. They do grow up on us, don't they?

They're Off!!!

Brian, Amy, and the kids got off this morning. They were all excited about their trip to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park with a stop-over in Atlanta to enjoy their season passes at Six Flags. We would appreciate your prayers for traveling mercies, good health, and lots of fun for all.

The Next-Door Neighbors are going on vacation

Our kids (son-in-law, daughter, and four grandkids who are also our next-door neighbors) have loaded their travel trailer this evening and will take off on their week-long vacation tomorrow morning. It surely will be quiet in the cul-de-sac with our loved ones gone, but we know it will be a fun and exciting week for the 6 of them. Amy's eye has felt better today and she looks forward to the get-away. Please pray for their safety of travel, for good weather, and for a relaxing but fun time for all. Thanks! ~~Granny Susan

Then and Now...

If you look at the birthday pic on the right, you will see Nita is the girl on the far right. That pic was made 9 years ago on the occasion of our 25th wedding anniversary surprise party. Here is a recent picture of Nita with her husband Terry (couple on the left) with Bill and Darlene who are explained in the picture to follow. They are all best friends and beach bum together a couple of times per year.

Richard's Baby Brother

Having been married to my hubby for nearly 34 years, Richard's family truly is my family. I am blessed to have a great relationship with his two brothers, his sister, and their families. Here is the baby of the family.... Bill. Darlene (Lady Frog) is his sweet (and crazy!) wife. They are so dear to us.

My Baby Sister

I am the middle girl of three, and my two sisters are so very dear to me. It has always been neat to have an older sister (Karen) and a baby sister (Nonie). Nonie is only 15 months younger than me but she is forever my baby sister. Here is a recent picture of Nonie with her husband Tom.

My Friend Diane Getting Her Anchors...

Diane and I graduated high school together way back when in 1969. We lost touch for many years but this wonderful internet brought us back together probably about 5 years ago. Diane and her husband both serve our Country and she was recently promoted to CHIEF in the Coast Guard. In honor of all of our men and women serving around the globe, I post this picture and Diane's bit of "history" regarding her and Wayne and their military service.

Wayne has been in the Coast Guard for over 34 years (15 years active duty, 19 reserve). He is a Chief Operations Specialist (OSC) and has worked with Homeland Security matters for a good while. Following 9/11, he worked in New Orleans for 4 years, where he served as a Watchstander and oversaw administrative matters for the officers in his unit. He then retired and was recalled a year ago. He currently is working in a supervisory role with the unit that is responsible for salvage operations in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. The unit oversees salvage operations of contractors hired to remove boats, barges, and other debris tossed into the waterways by the storm. FEMA hires the contractors and the Coast Guard oversees the operations.

I have been in the Coast Guard for almost 18 years (2 years active duty, 16 reserve). For the most part, I have worked in administrative positions, dealing with pay and personnel matters. I am a newly pinned Chief Yeoman (YNC) and currently work in the Coast Guard Eighth District Legal Office, where I serve as a Legal Assistant. We assist members with legal problems, questions, and issues. I have learned how to prepare Powers of Attorney, and I input all case information into our automated system to track case development and resolution. I hope to learn how to prepare wills as well between now and September 30th, when my current orders end. I am waiting to see if funding is available for an additional year beginning Oct. 1st, but if approved, I would not be working in Legal. That's the nature of the military. People get shifted around to wherever they are needed most.

Wayne and I met in the Reserves and have been married for almost 12 years (our anniversary is Aug. 4th, the same day as the Coast Guard's birthday!) We anticipate being happily married for as long as the good Lord allows us to be on this earth. Wayne is a wonderful man who has been such a blessing in my life. I couldn't begin to list all the things he has done for me and my daughters and grandchildren. He treats my daughters as though they are his own. For that one thing alone, I will be eternally grateful to him. I try to treat his children and one grandson the same. Many "blended" families have problems but we all seem to get along just fine, another blessing. God has blessed us in every way imaginable, and we are truly grateful to Him most of all.

L-R: Captain Sullivan, Chief Diane, and her husband Chief Wayne:

Prayer Request for Daughter Amy

For nearly a month now, Amy has suffered with a serious eye inflammation called IRITIS. She has been to see her opthalmologist numerous times during this time and is on her way to the doctor right now. Please pray for wisdom for the doctor to know what to do to get this disease under control. The condition is very painful in that her pupil is trying to stick to the lens of her eye. Because of that, she has had to keep dilating drops in her eye 24 hours a day every day. That in itself is not comfortable. The IRITIS always hits her good left eye. Because her right eye is weak from birth, it has always had a vision of 20/400 so needless to say, it is no help with vision during these times of IRITIS. But you know what? God knows exactly what is going on. We don't know and can't see the big picture, but He is working even this to Amy's good. This morning on the Christian radio station, I heard the song "Count Your Many Blessings" and it convicted me as I have worried and fretted over Amy's illness. The song helped me to put my focus ON THE LORD, to count my many blessings, and to trust Him in all things. I am sending this from Amy's house as I am here to stay with my 4 grandchildren while Brian takes Amy to the doctor on his way to work. (She is unable to see to drive.) I will let Jarrett, Belle, Josh, and Jaden sleep in for a bit and then get them up, fed, dressed, and we will head off to go pick up Amy when her appointment is concluded. I will update later after Amy's doctor appointment as soon as I can. THANK YOU FOR YOUR PRAYERS!! ~~Susan

This is my all-time favorite "patriotic" picture.







These are my first two grandchildren. Isabella and Josh were adopted from Ukraine in June 2001 at ages 2 and 6. This picture was made shortly after their arrival in America. I call this picture "We're Proud to be Americans." Our lives are so very enriched by our grandchildren.