Doug’s lovely mother passed last August, but due to COVID, there were no opportunities to celebrate her life. She chose to be cremated and to be placed in the cemetery next to her late husband (Doug’s dad), Robert.
Before the service, Doug showed Tot and me his past wife who died when Austin was only 4 years old. She was so young, and I love how God has redeemed Doug’s life giving him a new wife, life, and girl. (He also showed me the baby that died before Austin).
Now it is time, August 14th; Doug would rise up and take the lead to celebrate his Mom, Darlene, at the grave site.
He spoke about how now she has been “promoted” to a better place; with Jesus in heaven.
You could hear a pin drop. Everyone listened intently.
Then it was time to bless her.
And then she was placed next to her late husband.
Here we all are. Doug’s handsome brothers. (But I’m partial to my honey…my HHH)
Doug’s mom would be so proud. It was lovely and honoring of Darlene.
Then, they all got together at BJ’s to eat and enjoy family. Here is Terri (Craig’s wife) and Tot.
With Austin and Baby William (Terri’s grand baby…Bethany’s boy)
And then with David’s girl, Kiara.
Tatum had a great time with her cousins, and I know my honey enjoyed celebrating his mom’s life with his brothers. She is partying up in heaven in NO pain and with a whole new body! HOORAY!
Darlene, you were such a terrific mom to these boys, and we love you so.
His mind is a creative blend of ideas and designs. My HHH dreamed of an outdoors which is likened to Coronado. He outdid himself. Plus, the fountain he dreamed up and built far exceeds any expectations I ever had! WOW!
I remember his design from an IDEA dinner months ago:
The flower bed….all of it! Now look at it!!!
A tweak here and there, but it is nearly finished. Love, it is beautiful!
Since Tot was a baby, I have been producing inspiring art for Tatum’s wall. She has quite a few of my drawings, and I love to gift her with these from my heart.
I first had been working on a Lighthouse for like two years. I put it aside for a while, but then I revisited it a couple of months ago in the summer.
I finally finished.
I could blend more and fix a few spots, but I figured It was enough.
After getting it color copied, I framed it and put on the frame what I wanted to say. God is truly our lighthouse. He directs us when we feel like we are in the dark. His word is a lamp to our feet and a light to our path. We can in turn be lighthouses in a dark world. This is Tot’s verse: “Let your light shine…” (Matt 5:16).
Then, the second one. I started this little cardinal after my cousin Kasey gave me this pic. I just fell in love with his cute little face.
She actually took this picture and then I wanted to draw it. This has been sitting in my art book for 4 years unfinished. I finally did.
I remember giving up on him a few years ago since it was so hard to get the colors right….blending and shading just got the best of me. Not this year! Holy Spirit power!!
I then put the caption to “Sing to Him a New Song.” This is what I need daily! Sing to Him with new found joy! What a reminder.
It was only going to be a few minutes we would be gone. When we got home from picking up Tot from school, it was very quiet. Too quiet. Where was the Coopy head? Coopy? Coopy? Oh, dear. No answer. Not in his house. Not on the chair. Not….anywhere!
Then, I hear, Mommy, come quick!!!
Oh, my! Coopy! What have you done? Well, first he found Tot’s Kleenex box. That is obvious.
Then Coopy showed himself. All boxed in, boy?
He’s wagging like mad, and he’s swinging his head around trying to get free. We are ccccccaaaarrrracking up.
Poor guy that he’s providing our comic relief as he suffers in blind dark boxed silence.
Tatum finally freed you from your blindness. Did you have fun in your little box o’tissues?
At orientation, Mrs. Temple stressed that PVCP will be a school of lovers of country. With all of the division in our country, she wants the kids to understand our freedoms and the precious gift that is our country. American flags are all over campus.
She also wants to have PEACE be the theme this year. Jesus is our peace! I love this school and its heart for love, country, and faith.
First, I made Tot a lovely breakfast so she was all ready!
Then when we arrived, the whole school gathered around the flagpole with some military officers to celebrate America with the pledge. Here is Mrs. Temple and one of the teachers leading us.
Tatum, you are ready! Prayed up and set with blessings.