Heading North for Christmas

The car is packed, Bill is taking a nap, and I can hardly contain myself until we get on the road to Arkansas!

Our first stop will be in Searcy where Bill and I will be proudly witnessing our son Levi receive his Master's Degree from Harding Graduate School. He has worked so incredibly hard and continued to be an involved husband, daddy and businessman while maintaining a 4.0 GPA. Way to go Levi!! Zeke, Cliff and William are already in Searcy helping them move and attending graduation.

Then Monday we will head a little further north to Bentonville to see the rest of our family. I'm counting on lots of hugs, laughing, stories and probably some tears.

Many of you have been praying for my niece Danielle who was in a very serious accident earlier this week and broke her neck in 3 places. She was released from the hospital today and got to go home!! Praise to God and thank you for your prayers.

Here's my sweet gorgeous niece in the brace she will be wearing for about 3 months:

I'm not posting pictures of the truck she was in...they make everyone cry. We are so thankful she is alive. Again, praise to God!

I'm so excited about being with my children, grandchildren, brothers, sisters, nephews and nieces and their families AND my Dad and Judy! They will be celebrating their wedding anniversary before I get back home.

Mr. & Mrs. Carl Lamp
Merry Christmas to all, and to all lots of love, good health and safe travels!!

Thanksgiving memories 2008

Driving home from Searcy, AR after a fabulous visit Bill and I talked about our visit and I wrote several posts in my head that I couldn't hardly wait to actually put on our blog. The closer we got to home, the more I convinced myself that I wasn't really all that tired...I would get on the computer right away and before the weekend was officially over, our account of the holiday with our family and and brand new granddaughter would be out here for everyone to read!!!

Then my tummy started feeling sort of grumbly...and I thought maybe I was hungry...lunch had been several hours earlier after all. So we ran through Wendy's and grabbed a bite that we could eat on the road as the trip was getting longer and longer. My tummy didn't really like that chicken sandwich too much and instead of grumbling, started making funny noises and sort of jabbing me kind of hard. By the time we drove up in front of the house a couple of hours later, it was twisting like an iron pretzel and I was beginning to perspire. Let's just say I'm probably never going to eat a Wendy's chicken sandwich anytime in the near future...or beef noodle soup from Cracker Barrel (lunch) or a Chili's big mouth burger bites (dinner the night before)....because none of them are good the second time around!

I haven't mentioned yet that Bill was sick pretty much the entire time we were in Searcy, and I finally got him to a doctor on Saturday who loaded him up with medication for upper respiratory and sinus infection. The same day I was able to keep down sips of water, my head and chest started filling up with the same gunky stuff that Bill had...he's such a generous man! Both of us are doing well now though and just have some remnants of the same stuff everyone has with this crazy weather pattern we're having...83 degrees in the afternoon and 4 hours later 39 degrees and sleeting!

On to the good stuff though....here are pictures from Thanksgiving 2008 at Vi Carson's house (Laura's mom). She has graciously opened her home to us for the past couple of years and you couldn't ask for a better hostess or one who makes you feel more like family!

Vi Carson, Levi, Laura, Bill, Laura, Alicia (Laura's sister), Madi (Alicia's daughter)
sorry you can't see Andy
========
Our beautiful, beautiful granddaughter Carrigan!
With her Grandpa
Her Uncle Andy
Grandma with both of her grandbabies


There was lots of football in the backyard with Gavin, Grandpa, Uncle Andy and Daddy

Grandma had a great time getting to know her grandson Gavin a little better!

I loved it
when he
warmed up
to me enough
to take my
hand for
a little walk!!

A Blessed Life

What a blessed life we live!! God has shown himself to us in so many ways...really all of our life together, but especially this past couple of years as we have struggled with moving. My moving to SA was a great decision, and I don't regret it for even a second...God meant for Bill and I to be together heart, mind and body and we have really reveled in our time living together again. Of course we miss our children (we count our daughter's-in-law as children), and our grandchildren...I could really obsess about how much I miss them, but God has assured me they are in great care in the arms of their parents...my children are AWESOME parents!! And the ones who aren't parents are AWESOME uncles!! Wow...who would have thought that my children linked with God could do all of this without me?!? I say that very tongue-in-cheek because no one knows better than I what a control freak I can be...and another blessing is revealed...when I give in and allow God to control, it all turns out much better. [and I don't cry all the time]

Tonight in place of our regular Wednesday night Bible Study, we had "Praise and Pie Night" so we could all come together and pray for each other and our families who will be traveling over the holiday weekend!! Doesn't it sound great?? I mean you have Praise (which is always great), and PIE...what more can I say?! And let me tell you...there are some bakers down here! Bill and I work with the Fellowship Committee, which consists mostly of retired couples, and we love each and every one of them! They treat us like their own kids, love on us, joke with us and have really made us feel at home here. We just absolutely love this Church and love being a part of it...you can feel God's love, guidance and presence.

We will be leaving tomorrow night on our drive to Searcy to join our son Levi, daughter-in-law Laura, grandson Gavin and brand new granddaughter Carrigan for a Thanksgiving Feast at Laura's mother's home along with Laura's sister and niece and our son Andy. We can't wait to see them, hug, visit, laugh and make memories! What a blessed life!!

Our other children, Cliff and his son William, Carl, his wife Crystal and son Camden, and Zeke will be eating with some of my brothers and their families and my Dad and Judy. We will miss them, but they will be surrounded with good old fashioned family-love and making memories too.

Praying that all of you have a safe, joyful and memorable Thanksgiving.

My Kindergarten Boy

William is doing so well in school!! Cliff went to his first parent-teacher conference a couple of weeks ago, and William's teachers all bragged about how well he has adapted to school life and how well he is processing everything he is learning. He has had such good behavior that his daddy let him choose some toys as a reward!

Great job William!!
Keep up the good work!

Halloween munchkins

I have such good memories of Trick or Treat back in the "old days", when you could go from door to door for hours and would get home made treats from all of your neighbors and not be afraid to eat them!! We lived in the country, so we would walk for miles (ok, I know I really sound old now), and would drag our bounty back home, sort it, trade for our favorites, and then HIDE IT to make sure the older boys didn't make off with any of it! Our neighbor, Melba Carmichael, used to make popcorn balls every year and invite us inside her house for hot cocoa, a sampling of the popcorn and send us off with at least one popcorn ball in our bag. Such fun times!

I received pictures of each of my grandchildren in their halloween costumes, and you just have to see how adorable they are!!

William as "Rock Man"Gavin the "Dinosaur"

Carrigan the "Friendly Ghost"

Camden the "Horse"

Who wouldn't want these little goblins to knock on their door?!?

Beautiful Granddaughter

New pictures of our beautiful new granddaughter Carrigan.


























































She's so perfect, and so expressive already. We can't wait to meet her on Thanksgiving, and hold her and feel her downy soft skin!

Look, she's wearing the felted clogs grandma made for her!

Cherokee Home for Children

Bill and I took a trip with some couples at church to hang out with the kids at Cherokee Home for Children in Cherokee, TX. We rode in Friday night to the high school football field at about 8:45pm and I got the biggest cup of hot chocolate I've ever seen...I was freezing!! I guess I've already gotten soft in this warmer climate :) Cherokee is a very small town, only about 110 students in the school system. We watched them play 6-man football, which was very exciting and fast paced!! When you only have 6 guys on each side and one of them breaks away running toward the goal, it moves very fast. The game ended at 78-70, Cherokee down. A couple of the boys from the home played on the team, and some of the girls were cheerleaders. The concession stand had home-baked items for sale which looked pretty yummy, and almost odd since you don't see that in our schools. Everyone was very friendly, and you could sense how close the community is.

After the game, we went back to campus (the Home) and hung out in the rec hall playing fooseball, pool, cards and snacking and talking. The high school girls all went on an annual "Girls deer hunt". I really showed my ignorance when I said "with guns?!" I guess down here even girls have their first guns around their 5th birthday!! Yahoo!! The men all spent the night at hospitality quarters on campus, and the women went home with the administrator and his wife about 2 miles down the road. The next morning we all ate breakfast together and then some stayed on campus with the older boys who escorted them all around campus and played games. Some of us went with the younger kids to watch them play pee-wee football (also 6-man), and watch the girls cheer. After lunch, and some very lively conversation, back on campus with the older boys in their cottage, we headed home.

As happens every time we go somewhere to meet with Christians, we met new people who knew old friends in one way or another...this comforts me more than I ever realized it would. I am so homesick sometimes for my friends, and always for my kids and grand kids, that when I feel God's family ties I don't feel so far from home. I would love to be able to be with, hug, comfort and support our kids and grand kids every day, but that is not on God's agenda for us right now, so we are going to try to be with, hug, comfort and support some of God's other children who are in need.

The ride home was gorgeous and warm. We took a road that crossed several ranches that are all open-range. You see the wildlife, deer, cows (and their horns) up close and personal!! They just wander all over, including right in the road. Got home about 6pm tired and happy.

Carson-King Family

Some great pictures of Levi, Laura, Gavin and Carrigan. Bill and I couldn't get the computer powered up fast enough when we came home Saturday after being away overnight to see pictures of Gavin and Carrigan...and their parents of course ;)









Doesn't Gavin look ornery?!? It's so funny to see how quickly they figure out they are now "top dog" as the oldest!




She's so beautiful, I can just imagine how soft those little cheeks are.




















Gavin's first day of being a big brother was a lot of work!!

Carrigan

Here's our first peak at Carrigan and Daddy. We don't have any pictures with Mommy or Gavin yet, but as soon as we do, we'll post them.

Daddy sure looks proud
doesn't he!

Oh my goodness...It's a

Girl!!!
Born October 23, 2008
8:53 am
8# 1 oz
21 inches
Carrigan Carson-King
(no middle name yet)
daughter of Levi and Laura
sister of Gavin

Granddaugher of Vi Carson and Bill & Laura King

It's time...

This beautiful family of 3 will become a precious family of 4 within the next few hours!! I got a call from Levi at about 9:00 tonight that he and Laura were in the car on their way to the hospital with contractions about every 2 minutes. He called again about 10:45 that they were in their room and Laura was at 6 cm. I'm betting this second baby is going to make an appearance before Gavin eats breakfast tomorrow morning...
Gavin and Mommy












Gavin and Daddy









Maybe Gavin picked this one for his new sibling...He's going to be a great Big Brother!

William's birthday

Monday, October 6, my grandson William will be 6 years old! When he was visiting me in San Antonio and watching me knit (he calls it "yarning"), he said several times that "he would need a sweater pretty soon to keep him warm when the air turns cold...and not a scratchy one." Within just a few days of him leaving, I found some very soft hand spun cotton yarn and went in search of a pattern. Having never made a sweater before, I had no idea if I could pull this off, but I kept hearing his sweet voice in the back of my head and the pleading look in his eyes, so I ventured on. I finally found a pattern, sucked up all my courage (with the encouragement of my sister practically on a daily basis and a couple of SA friends) and started on the journey of my first knitted sweater.

I decided to use closures rather than buttons because I thought William would like them...and I don't know how to make button holes!!















I really cherish the time I spent working on this as William was always in my thoughts...we have so many memories from the past 6 years, and I treasure digging them out and reliving them in my mind.

Of course I worried he might not like the color, or that it wouldn't fit (who really measures?), and I don't want him to have to wear something he doesn't like. Yesterday he received his birthday package from G'ma Laura and Papa Bill, and even though it was a couple of days early, his daddy let him open one of the presents..Happy 6th Birthday William!!
I miss you and love you oodles and gobs!

Fun Day

Since I've been so grumpy lately, I thought I'd tell you about a very enjoyable day today. This morning I went with some others from church to serve lunch at the Medical School at the University of Texas San Antonio. A group of christian dental and medical students involved with CMDA (Christian Medical and Dental Association) meet every Thursday and a church in the area provides lunch for them. There is a quick motivational talk, and then they are on their way to the rest of their classes, etc. They were the nicest bunch of "kids". Earnestly appreciative of being able to grab lunch, visit, get a boost and get on with their very busy schedules. We served about 120 or so today, which is down due to exams next week and a couple of study groups were meeting during that time today. Really made me homesick for Levi who I know has been keeping this same pace for the 4 years he was and undergrad student and even moreso for the past 1 1/2 years as a graduate student, and husband, daddy and full-time manager of a Sears store. I don't know how he does it! He's not just getting by, he EXCELS! Miss you sweetie!

To top the evening off, we had a fun "fashion show" with some of the women from church with yummy soups, salads and tons of desserts. All the latest fashions were modeled and I can't wait to see them on mainstreet USA. :) A very nice time visiting with friends AND I took home a "newcomers" gift!

Physical Therapy

I had a CAT scan a couple of weeks ago, and the doctor called to tell me he didn't see anything real bad, just degenerative problems that come with age...gee, just what I love on a Tuesday evening, my doctor calling to tell me I'm getting old! Thanks.

He prescribed physical therapy and my first appt. was last Friday. Well, according to the report, I do have a bulging disc (why do I always have something bulging!?) and some other stuff that basically means my spine isn't doing the "S" curve the way it should. Also have some problems with "unstable sacrum", so I get to wear this really cool belt low around my hips to hold me together!! Won't that be attractive...maybe I'll practice my "come hither" look.

Meanwhile, the pain is still excruciating, I can't tell that the therapy is helping at all (I'm going 3 times a week), I have to sit in a reclining position, no lifting and no bending over...I'm in pain, cranky and NO I'm not posting any pictures!!

Prayers please? For Bill at least.

Sea World

Bill and I went to Sea World again last week, and I've got to say, I never tire of seeing all the fabulous creatures God made for us! The highlight this time was the penguins. There are so many different species, but the ones that were the most fun to watch were the "kids" that were running, chasing, jumping, diving and having a great time tormenting each other...just like when our kids were little! Due to the lighting, we couldn't get any pictures at that exhibit, but it sure was nice and cool in there : )






But, I just have to post a Shamu picture...I love that show!











Bill and I did enjoy the Kevin Fowler Band in concert. In case you've never heard of them (I hadn't), they are a Texas band that Bill likes. We had a fun day just hanging out, listening to music and walking around the park.

Elise's cape

I made this cape for my friend Elise from Bentonville. I've never attempted anything of this nature before, but I really enjoyed it. When I finished it, I almost cried it is so beautiful (if I must say so myself!)

This is one of my new friends from San Antonio, Denise modeling the cape for me. Actually, she is from Houston and moved here just a couple of months ahead of me, and we just hit it off right away.

She's quite the model isn't she? I think she may have missed her calling! She's a sweetie.

The cape is made with baby alpaca and is sooo soft!!

Hope it keeps her warm on those cool AR evenings.

Ephesians 3:14-21

This has been a sad and hard week with the death of a brother in Christ in B'ville, who died in a car accident, leaving a sweet wife and 2 precious daughters. It's hard being so far away from my family in B'ville who are grieving and hurting. I have no words of my own, but these words, written by Paul, have been in the forefront of my mind for several days.

"For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom his whole family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge--that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever! Amen."

Carl #2 and Levi #3

These two boys have the very unique honor or sharing the same birthday...3 years apart! When Carl came into our lives, he was this snuggly, loving, easy-going, totally loveable baby! All my fears about whether we were ready for another baby in our family disappeared the very first moment I saw him. He made a quick entrance, 13 days early and 47 minutes of labor! He made his appearance before the doctor showed up to catch him!

Carl found his true love, Crystal, and married her 3 years ago. We are so happy having her be a part of our family. They live in Centerton, AR, where they are now raising their first child, Camden.

Carl has worked for Wal-Mart at the home office in
Bentonville for several years now...I can't keep track!
He works with the buyers, and will soon be traveling in Mexico for a week or so.

Crystal got her cosmetology license in December, and is able to work 3 days a week and be home with Camden all the other days.

Aren't they a beautiful family!?! If you want to see lots more pictures and get to know them better, the link to their blog is to the left of this post...The King Family.

Carl, just like the other boys, loves motorcycle riding, but has given it up for the time being to concentrate on his family. He is a sweet, gentle man, loving, earnest and a great father and husband. We are so proud watching him lead his family and always putting them first. By the way, did I tell you he's my favorite?

When my water broke at 2:30 a.m. on September 8, 1984, I knew my 3rd child was going to born on Carl's birthday. We didn't know whether it would be a boy or girl, but I had been given specific instructions to "bring home a boy baby" from his two older brothers. We brought Levi home the same evening he was born and laid him in Carl's lap who immediately thought Levi was his birthday present!


Levi found his love and soul mate in Searcy, AR while attending Harding University. They were married 2 years ago and we couldn't be happier with Levi's choice to be our daughter-in-law. They live in Searcy, AR where they are raising their first child, Gavin and will be welcoming their second child next month.





Levi will graduate from Harding Graduate school this December in Business Health Services. He also manages a Sear's store in Beebe, AR.

Laura is a stay-at-home mom who thoroughly enjoys every day with her son as he grows. She will soon be a very busy mom with two little ones to love.

This picture is from when Gavin was first born, and I don't have any of the three of them now that he is bigger, but you can click on the link to the left of this post and see all of the great pictures and read about the lives of this family...The Life of my Love.

Levi is a man of incredible drive and discipline, working full time, completing his graduate degree in 15 months and still putting his family first and capturing precious moments with them. Levi really enjoys cooking...especially grilling, and is very good at it. He is a generous, kind, honest and devoted father, husband and son. We are so proud to see him lead his family and live his life for God. By the way, did I tell you he's my favorite?

Prayers please

I just got a call that my best friend (and sister-in-law), Betty will be having a stint placed in one of her heart arteries tomorrow. This is her 2nd stint and is in a precarious location in the artery, and Doctors say there is a risk of heart attack during the procedure. Please pray for healing for her, that God guides the hands of her physician and for God's peace for her, my brother and their kids.

Sisters...all kinds

My sister, Debra, was diagnosed in January with breast cancer...she has faced the chemo, mastectomy and radiation with amazing bravery and faith in God to carry her through this valley and heal her.
My sister-in-law, Betty from Arkansas, and I took a little trip in the spring to spend a few days with her and it was so beautiful we took a little tour of Skyline Drive in Virginia.

We laughed, cried and enjoyed just being together.















In June Debra and I spent 3 weeks together when she had her mastectomy. Much of the time it seemed like we were little girls again sharing a bedroom, secrets, laughing and giggling in the dark and faking as if we were sleeping when Mom came to check on us. Then reality would hit when it was time for her pain pills or to "strip her drains". It made me realize how deeply thankful I am to have a God that see, feels and hears me...and also comforts and gives me peace. Jill, another sister-in-law from Ohio, was able to spend a couple of days with us during her surgery and the first couple of days back at home...it was GREAT having her there. She is a nurse, and has such a gentle way about her and calmly assured us that we could take care of Deb's medical needs...peace...God sent her too.

After a mastectomy, the woman goes home with a couple of drain tubes that might be left in place for 6 or more weeks. I referred to "stripping" them earlier and that is a procedure to get the contents into a little ball at the end of the drain line so you can measure output...eww. Anyway, the drain is about 3 feet long and can be quite um...unsightly when you are out in public, so we tried several things to hide them when we went out...then I remembered that Debra (Queen Knitter), had made a little coin purse a few months earlier, and had not actually used it for anything. It is adorable and was just the right size to hold the drains (and the little ball things), and she could tie it to her belt loops and it just looked like a cute accessory.

When we went for her appointments and back to the chemo lab to visit other patients, she showed them the little bag and everyone fell in love with it and those who had already gone through the surgery wished they'd had something like it...so, a great idea was born...Debra decided to make the little bags and take them to the cancer wellness center that had been so supportive and helpful to her throughout her diagnosis and treatment. They already hand out packets to cancer patients filled with goodies that are all ideas born very similarly to the idea of the "drain bag". The Center was thrilled with the idea to have another item to add to the packets for patients who needed them.

From there, she talked to some yarn shops in her area who are all donating yarn, acting as drop-off locations for the bags, and giving discounts to those involved in making the bags. Deb has already picked up several bags from "Never Enough Yarn", the shop that was first on the band wagon. A new knitting group has started at the wellness center, all survivors, and they want to make the little bags for others.

Here's a couple that we've made recently...and some from the yarn shop. The name for the project is Sisters Helping Sisters.





People really do want to do good things for others...everyone needs a chance to get in on something like this...check out a group in your neighborhood and see what kind of a difference you can make in someone's life.

Beautiful faces

I've got to show you 3 of the most beautiful faces in the world...my grandsons!!




William Clifford King IV is my oldest grandson, and will be 6 years old October 6.

He lives in Bentonville, AR with his daddy Cliff.

He just finished his 2nd week of school and still wants to go back this week!








Gavin Sawyer Carson-King is my second Grandson, and turned 1 year old July 24. He lives in Searcy, AR with his mommy Laura and his daddy Levi. He's getting ready to be a big brother at the end of October!

Isn't that a precious face?!




Camden Ryder King will be 6 months old September 5. He lives in Centerton, AR with his mommy Crystal and his daddy Carl.

I just got this picture this past week...it's his first time eating green beans...he looks a like he's got something to say to mommy about them.

Don't you love his little cherub face?






And last, but certainly not least, is our brand new grandbaby that's not quite "done" yet. We will get to see this sweet baby's face sometime around October 29.

Levi and Laura are the expectant parents and Gavin will be the big brother!

(I copied this picture from Laura's blog, so I hope it's o.k. that I posted it here).



I miss all of my babies SO much and can't wait to be with them again on my next visit north. I can hardly wait to meet this new member of our family, and you can be sure I will post pictures as soon as I've got them!