I suppose at the beginning,
because the beginning is a "very good place to start!"
Last Thursday evening we packed two cars with
seven adults and a baby, lots of luggage and snacks...
...we highly recommend Great Value's "Cajun Trail Mix"!
Bethany, Loren, Hudson and myself rode in one car
while Sweet Husband, Peter, Jake and Drew rode in the other one.
This time was a highlight of the trip for me...
extended time with my daughter and one of my daughers-in-law.
They love Jesus and spur me on to love him more...so good!
We trekked to Meridian, MS and
bedded down for the night at a Hampton Inn.
What a treat to see our grandson, Hudson, in the morning.
He was full of smiles and coos.
Grandparent-hood is also highly recommended!
Friday morning we departed from Meridian and
headed to Lindale, TX...home of my extended family.
It was a great travel day...
except for the detour we took in Monroe, LA.
Someone in the "man car" was wanting Chick-Fil-A in a bad way!
We arrived in Texas later in the afternoon...
my, my, my it is hot and humid in Texas!
My mom and dad gave a couple of obligatory hugs...
but, quickly zeroed in on their first great-grandchild, Hudson.
It was love at first sight...of course!
I'll not post all the details of our five days in Texas,
otherwise you'd still be reading five days from now.
So...I'll just post some photos and a few comments now
and dedicate another post to the main event...
...the reception celebrating my parents' 50th wedding anniversary!
For now...here's a peek at our time together...
how I love my family!
Dad and Hudson became fast friends...
the Auburn outfit was fitting (Mom and Dad retired from Auburn University)
...Dad's singing sealed it for Hudson.
Mom and Hudson bonded quickly, too...
but it wasn't Nonnie's singing that won him...
...it was her little finger...better than any old pacifier!
Angela Jenkins and Chica enjoyed watching.
Dad and Jerry (Angela's husband) watched birds instead.
Jerry was in one of my dad's first junior choirs and
Dad was later in Jerry and Angela's wedding.
Dad and Jerry ended up teaching at Carson-Newman
for three years together...1967-1970.
I remember Mom and Angela getting together
to knit and chat when I was 6 and 7 years old.
Sweet friends...for many years.
It was great to see them again!
Tiger (Mom and Dad's dog) wasn't so sure about this
newcomer who was stealing all of the attention.
He never missed an opportunity to sniff or lick Hudson
the whole time we were there.
Trey (my brother), Jake (our son), Dad, Chris (Trey's oldest son),
and Sweet Husband...
Dad cooked his famous (to us anyway) "PawPaw Breakfast"
on Saturday morning. We enjoyed eggs, bacon, sausage, biscuits,
gravy, tomatoes, juice and coffee. It was yummy!!
Loren, Tori (my niece) and DeLeith (my sister-in-law)
enjoyed PawPaw's breakfast! Not sure what Tori
was doing or saying...but, Loren was tickled by it.
We enjoyed lots of laughter...yes we did.
After breakfast we gathered around and watched a
slide-show my mom had put together.
It was GREAT!
Talk about "a walk down memory lane"!
Hudson was feeling bright-eyed and bushy-tailed on
Monday morning.
He tried so hard to tell Nonnie how much he loved being
at her house...
...they were definitely communicating...
...and Hudson loved every minute!
Whew! Cooing and smiling is hard work!
The game of the vacation was "Ticket to Ride"...
...not sure how many times or how many configurations of
people played...but, it was a lot!
Drew with the Gossett clan and boyfriend/girlfriends.
This was Hudson's preferred position...
on either Uncle Jake or...
...on PawPaw...who is obviously upset by this.
This is such a great picture of how God, our Father, wants
us to "rest" in him...isn't it?
On Monday my brother, Trey, made up a HUGE pot of
gumbo. It was AMAZING...as always!
Trey learned from our grandmother, Nana, how to make this
wonderfully delightful fare. It's full of chicken, crab meat,
shrimp, celery, onions, spices, and eggs... Nana didn't
put eggs in hers, but Trey has added them to his.
I like the addition...a lot!
My saliva glands are now salivating and longing for more!
I've got to learn to make this stuff!!
After gumbo we gathered around to watch another slideshow
that DeLeith put together. Yes, I have my own box of
Kleenex. Yes, I used them...frequently.
(thanks for taking this pic, Tori!)
It seemed like we blinked twice and it was time to head
back to Tennessee. It was a wonderful time spent with
my precious parents. We didn't "do" a lot...but, we loved
a lot...and talked a lot...laughed a lot...cried a lot (well...
I did)... Most of all I was reminded of how blessed I am
to have parents who love each other...even after 50 years.
More to come on the celebration of that 50 years! Stay tuned!
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