Kay's Boy ~~ Ryan

It is so much fun to keep up with dear friends. Kay was the church secretary at our home church way back when ~~ in the early to mid 80's. I volunteered some of my free time in the church office and learned so much working under Kay and enjoyed her friendship. (She is a NUT!) She left us and returned to her home "up North" -- being a YANKEE -- and at age 40 married the man of her dreams: Daniel ~~ her forever "Schweetie." Richard and I attended their wedding and then lost touch for a long time. In the intervening years, she give birth to Ryan at nearly age 45. What a joy it was to be reunited with Kay via email just a few years ago. We correspond daily and enjoy keeping up with each other's families and sharing pics. In fact, I received this pic of her son, Ryan, just this evening. He is 9 and entering the 4th grade this fall and keeps Dan and Kay "young." I enjoy "watching" Ryan grow up through pics and reading Kay's "Ryanisms." I have told her that she could very possibly make her million by being the next "Erma Bombeck" on the scene. :)

A wonderful evening with family from "home" : Chris, Bonnie, Alex and Alyson

Our hearts were touched a couple of weeks ago when Richard's nephew (mine, too!) Chris called to let us know he and his family were planning a vacation to the Gulf and hoped we could get together with them. We made plans to meet for dinner, and tonight was that special time with them. Chris and Bonnie are so dear, and it had been a while since we had seen them. The kids, Alex and Alyson, had both grown like weeds and were so much fun this evening. We had a nice dinner at The Shrimp Basket on Perdido Key and they treated us to dinner ~~ wow! FAMILY is so dear. We are so thankful for the relationships we enjoy so much on this earth and look forward to spending eternity together with our saved loved ones. Chris, Bonnie, Alex and Alyson: thank you for giving us an evening of your vacation. We are so proud of your family and it was wonderful to spend time together catching up on God's blessings in your life. With love from Aunt Susan :)

My Little Friends Today...

I have the blessing of babysitting two little girls today. I am missing my 4 grandkids while they are away on vacation, so the girls are a treat. Katie is 3-1/2 and Leslee is 2-1/2. They are cousins and so cute. I kept Leslee a couple of days per week this Spring when I still had my 2-1/2 year old grandson Jaden week days, so it has been fun to have her again. Katie's family has just moved to Pensacola so it is nice that the girls can grow up together and be close as cousins. Gotta run~~ it's time to fix lunch!! May God bless Leslee and Katie always. ~~"Mema" Dean

Ray's and Ida's Grandbaby!

Being a grandma myself, I am always excited for my friends who become grnadparents for the first time. This is Baby Sophie, and she was born on Valentine's Day so you know she is a certified SWEETheart. Ida said: Don't panic! They don't leave her unattended with the animals. (grin)" Daddy Chris says that Sophie is cutting her first tooth. All of the "firsts" are so very exciting for parents AND grandparents. It is such a blessing to know that Chris and Kelli will grow her up in the nurture and admonition of our Lord. May God bless precious Baby Sophie!!

Update on Daughter Amy's Eye

Several have so kindly asked how Amy's eye is doing so thought I would update you as best I can. I am kind of out of touch as she and Brian and the kids have been gone on vacation since Saturday. Amy called last evening so I was able to ask about her eye, and she said she THINKS her eye is some better. Of course, I would rather hear that she KNOWS it is better so am just trusting God and thanking Him that at least she knows it is not worse.

They are having a great time on their first long vacation in their new travel trailer. She said she had been having trouble sleeping since being put on the oral steroid but had done better on Sunday night regarding that problem. This evening they are taking the kids to the Dixie Stampede so I know that will be a fun time for them all.

I would appreciate your prayers for continued progress toward healing as she does start her new job at the academy as principal of grades 4-6 on Monday with some 16 teachers under her supervision. Amy will need to be able to see clearly for all of the desk work, paper work, scheduling, and whatever that new responsibility will entail her first two weeks on the job before the teachers return and then the start of school in a month. God is able and God is good~~~ all of the time.

Thanks for your prayers.

Blessings,

Susan

James and Ann~~ Amazing Friends

James and Ann came to my birthday dinner as a surprise to me. What fun!! Richard first got to know James in Sunday School when I was in the choir and not in SS with him. I met Ann in a ladies group in which we were both quite involved and our friendship grew there. Our friendships grew on both ends. Ann and I have enjoyed doing "girl stuff" together (we ate at our favorite restaurant for lunch today!) and also enjoy doing "double-date" events with our hubbies. They are an awesome couple and their love for our Lord shines through. James and Ann are super-duper folks in our book!

Our Forever Friends~~ Jeff and Sandra

Jeff and Sandra are dear friends. They went out with us for my birthday dinner on Saturday night, and we do lots of stuff together as couples. Jeff is working nights this summer so Sandra came over this afternoon to swim with me and then stayed for dinner with Richard and me. God is so good to bless us with Godly and precious friends. Our friends~~~ Jeff and Sandra!!

My Birthday Gift from a beloved Christian Fiction Author...

Jennifer Seest is a wonderful Christian Fiction author and a dear online friend of mine. She made this lovely "tag" for me for my birthday. She writes wonderful books which I would highly recommend. You can read all about Jennifer and her sweet family on her website as well as view the books she has written and order some for yourself or for friends. (They make great gifts!) When you go to her website, click on the row of books right under the flags on the top of the page. Her URL: www.our.homewithGod.com/ewerluvd

John and Jeanette~~ Jewels in Friendship

If you have read about my birthday dinner and what happened after dinner, you will know where these friends are and what they are doing. :) Someone commented this morning how that it seems like we have made lots of friends in Pensacola. God has truly blessed us with PRECIOUS friends in our 5-1/2 years here, and we praise HIM for that. This is John and Jeanette. Richard has the privilege of eating lunch with them at work most every day. We enjoy getting together in each other's homes and they are our "let's-eat-out" buddies as well. J&J: thank you for your special and precious friendship!!

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