Extended FAMILY

Next to Jesus and God, nothing is more important to me than family.  We have a very close, small immediate family but do not have a lot of extended family (so many of our loved ones are already in Heaven!).

So it was such a wonderful blessing when Mickey's niece, Regina and her husband, Rich, invited us to come and stay with them when they heard we were coming to Dallas for the Revive 2013 Conference.   They live just north of Dallas.  So, we did not stay for the final evening session on Sunday from 6:30 to 10 but left right after the 3:30-4:30 breakout session and headed north.

 Marc, Susan, Mickey, Regina, Rich, Aric

also present were their oldest daughter, Lesley, Jason, her husband, and their three daughters:
 Lila Joyce age 4
 Laney Jules
 Landry Jeanne
Laney & Landry are 2 year old twins

We visited, and enjoyed delicious appetizers, on the beautiful patio by the pool, in which 4 year old  Laney and dad Jason were swimming.

Then we went to a wonderful dinner in the dining room.  All 8 of us adults were at the big table and a separate small tabled had been set up for the 3 children.  We loved it when the 3 little girls all had their hands folded in front of them and participated in the prayer over the meal.  Wish I'd have gotten a picture of that precious moment!!!

Regina is a fantastic cook, loves to cook,  and had prepared us a delicious meal.  We started with a salad of corn, peaches, tomatos, feta cheese and bread crumbs.  The main course was: baked chicken with gravy, wild rice, green beans, dressing and hot rolls.  For dessert Regina had made a large Coconut Cake (which she knew was Mickey's favorite !) plus a fruit cobbler and of course vanilla ice cream.  It was ALL delicious. 

While we were still sitting at the table visiting, 4 year old Lila came over to grandma and said, "remember we need to do the drawer game".  

We all proceeded to the living room where we were privileged to learn and watch this adorable game that these 3 precious granddaughters get to play EVERY time they come to Grandma's house.

Regina has this chest that has 6-8 rows of about 6-8 small drawers in each row.  (wish I'd have paid more attention and actually counted them.)  Regina randomly hides 3, of the same (of course) toys in 3 of the drawers.  Each child gets to look in 3 drawers to try and find one of the toys.

  

 Lila always gets to go first, because she is the oldest, and because she had been playing this "game" even before the birth of  Laney & Landry.  Here you can see her opening the drawers with Landry and grandma Regina looking on.

 She found it!!!!  Orange sidewalk chalk.  Look at precious Laney all eyes watching Aric as he takes a photo.

 Then it was Landry's turn and she found purple sidewalk chalk..

 Last was Laney's turn.  Marc, Aric, Mickey & I were all amazed at how patiently and quietly the 2 younger girls awaited their turns to play.

Now, came a problem!!!!  Laney opened her 3 drawers and could not find her treat.  This will never do!!! So she opened drawers and opened drawers and could not find her treat.  Finally Grandma Regina had to find her pink sidewalk chalk.  They said this was the first time that had ever happened. 

 Lila, Landry & Laney with their treat.

This wonderful family of Jason, Leslie, and their 3 precious girls: Landry, Laney & Lila. 

The twins, Landry and Laney had on the same little dress only in different colors and a Big "L" and their names embroidered on the front.  So cute!!!!

Leslie & Jason & the girls left to return to their home, about 20 minutes away, and Regina, Rich, Mickey, Marc, Aric & I visited and had a wonderful time until bedtime.  We actually had our own "suite" with a sitting /tv room, a bedroom with a queen size bed and private bath for Mickey & I, and another bedroom with twin beds and private bath for Marc & Aric.  We ALL sleep like babies.

Monday morning Regina fixed us a wonderful breakfast: ham, bacon, eggs, left over fruit salad from the evening before, biscuits, orange juice, milk & coffee.  

Another nice time of visiting around the breakfast table and looking at some family pictures.

It was hard to leave but we did so about 10:30.

Thank you Regina & Rich!!!  

We love you - you are special in our lives.

As a footnote:  Regina & Rich visited us and spent some time with us (they lived in Virginia at the time) right after Suzette had been diagnosed in September of 2010.  Regina had undergone a liver transplant just a few years prior and she was a great encouragement to Suzette as they talked.