FATHER'S DAY 2014

Father's Day 2014 found just the 4 of us celebrating.  Daughter Jacque was visiting in Missouri and of course son, David was in Florida.  Both Jacque & David called Mickey and wished him Happy Father's Day. 

Marc & Aric surprised Mickey by showing up for church service which was the best gift EVER, but in addition Jacque & Marc got him a pair of blue Sperry Top-sider's.  His favorite!

My "guys" want an old fashioned Pot Roast dinner so that's what I prepared.  Roast, carrots, onions and FRESH NEW POTATO'S from Mickey's own garden.  Of course, the BIG tossed salad, and doughnuts for dessert.  

Had enough left over that I was able to cut it all up in small bit size and mix together for another great meal for the 4 of us in Monday, when Marc brought Aric and the dog over to stay with us while he went to OKC for 2 days on business. 

 One of our favorite  picture pose's.

Mickey is ALWAYS the cut-up.

 These guys are never serious, especially when they are endeavoring to put one over on me.

They did in this one !!!

 3 generations

Father, Son, Grandson

It was Father's Day but I was one VERY blessed wife, mother & grandmother.

Mother's Day - May 13, 2012

Jacque & Benny hosted Mother's Day at their home.  They catered Rib Crib Bar-be-que: chicken, pulled pork and beef, cold slaw, baked beans, Texas toast, pickles, onions, & peppers.  Benny made a big batch of his own delicious potato salad.  Chocolate & apple pie.  Marc paid for 1/2 of the catering.

(Sorry the pictures are so dark)

 Dave - Aric - Benny

Get a load of Aric's new tennis shoes!!

 Mickey - Marc

 Jacque - Susan

You can tell this was NOT a posed picture!!!  That's the real us.

 Reading Jacque & Benny's sweet card with these words:

Mom, I want you to know that you're as great at being a friend as you've always been at being a mom.

The same warmth that was there for me when I was little is there for me now when I need a little encouragement or ego boost.   The same cheerleading and belief in me when I was in school is there for me now, just as needed and just as appreciated.  We're so close that I consider you not only my mom but my lifelong friend-that one who's always in my corner and on my side..the one I'm always going to need and love.  Happy Mother's Day

Signed:   I Love You with all my heart!  Jacque

Love, Bennie

You all know how much I treasure cards and words.  These blessed me so!!

(picture of their gift below)

Reading my Gift Certificate from Marc & Aric

Certificate of Appreciation for the BEST Mother

This certificate is awarded to

Susan Joyce

in recognition of valuable contributions to raising the Joyce Family which we all know was not an easy task.

Also redeemable with this certificate is one week day lunch and afternoon shopping trip to chose the white sandals of your choice

all compliments of your forever loving son.

Signature:  Marc   5/13/12

Signature:  Aric 5/13/12

(My scanner just went on the fritz when I tried to scan the card & certificate - bummer!)

My lovely new top & pant outfit from Jacque & Benny.

I always liked it when my girls brought me clothes because they have such good taste.

Of course, we had that empty chair at the table which was a sad reminder but it was still a lovely

Mother's Day 2012!

RESURRECTION SUNDAY 2012

The Family

(left to right) Grandson Aric - Son-in-love Dave - Granddaughter Jessica - Daughter Jacque

Benny - Son Marc - Husband, Father, Grandpa Mickey 

 III Generations - Jessica - Jacque - Mickey

 Youngest - 13 year old Grandson Aric 

The family again with me in the mix.

A GRAND day - Marc & Aric surprised me by showing up at our church!!!  But it was also a red letter day in more ways than that!!!

As always, I fixed a meal for us:  this time it was Pot Roast with onions & carrots, mashed potato, gravy, 2 kinds of rolls, and a huge tossed salad with lots of different veggies in it.  Jacque brought  cherry & apple pies for dessert.  Tea, soft drinks, water & coffee. 

I LOVE MY FAMILY!!! 

We are very blessed with the closeness of our family. 

It was a beautiful, clear day. 

FATHER'S DAY 2011

The card below was given to Mickey by our youngest, Marc, on Father's Day June 19, 2011. 

 

The long typewritten letter that was enclosed, and read to the family by Mickey himself, was so touching and awesome.  I am so very thankful for the openness and love that our family has one for the other.  I'm thankful for children who are open and able to express their love for us and each other.  I'd love to share the letter here but I know that doing so would embarrass Mickey so I'll refrain.

Yesterday was our first Family Holiday and Celebration since losing our Suzette one month ago on May 19th.  We had a rough week dealing with our tears and emotions during the proceeding week but as we celebrated together it was wonderful, as it should be, and as we knew Suzette would want it to be.  We know that she was looking over the banisters of Heaven enjoying it with us!!! 

 Those present were:  Mickey & I (who hosted with a wonderful Ham dinner), Jacque, Benny, Marc, Oksana, Aric, & son-in-love Dave.   I intended to take a group photo and completely forgot. 

Missed phone call from #1 son, David, in San Francisco before we got home from church but he called back and had a nice Happy Father's Day talk with his dad before the others arrived for dinner at 2. 

I pray your Father's Day was as blessed as ours.

I am so thankful for the earthly father, Henry Harrison Errett, that blessed my life and who I loved and adored.  He is the one, from the earliest of age, who taught me integrity and honesty as he not only talked the talk, but walked the walk every day before me. 

I am so thankful for the father of our children, Mickey Wayne Joyce, who loves them with his whole heart and who walks out, on a daily basis, the values he holds dear and lives by.

I am most thankful for my Heavenly Father who has held my hand, and my heart, these many years since I made Him mine at the age of 18.  There is no Father like our Heavenly Father but I have been triple blessed to have and share in the lives of the all these fathers.

A BITTER SWEET MOTHERS DAY & PRAYER SHAWL #8

It was a wonderful Mother's Day for me in the fact that when both son, Marc, and daughter, Jacque, asked me what I wanted for Mother's Day I told them nothing would please me more, or make me happier than for them to attend church with us.  They readily agreed and met us at our house at 10:30 so we could all arrive at the same time together.

The bitter part was just prior to 10:30 Dave and Suzette had driven the 26 miles from their house over here to surprise me with them also attending church with us but by the time they got here Suzette was feeling so badly, her right arm was really swollen, and she was in much pain.  There was no way she could attend the services, even in her wheelchair.  It touched ALL of our hearts so much that they tried to surprise me in this way.  It is the hardest thing I have every had to endure, seeing our daughter suffer so much and not get to enjoy today with her family.

The sweet part, it was wonderful to have Marc & Aric, Jacque & Benny in church with us.  

After church Marc treated all 6 of us to a wonderful buffet lunch at The King's Palace.  Such a nice place with linen napkins, nice china & silverware and a very pleasant setting.  Our meal was delicious and the company UNBEATABLE.

I had completed my 8th prayer shawl for Grandson Aric in April and had planned to give it to him on Easter Sunday when we all got together.  Because Suzette was in the hospital it was not the pleasant surrounding that I wanted to give it to him so I waited for a more appropriate time.

Mother's Day seemed like a wonderful time so between Church and going out for lunch we stopped by the house and I presented him with his prayer shawl.

I told him, "Joseph had a coat of many colors, but you now have a prayer shawl, made by your Grandmother, of many colors."  He was very delighted and appreciative of it.  The scripture references on the attached note for him are Hebrews 11:1 - Philippians 4:6&7 and Psalm 37:4.  I love our grandson.  Aric is truly a gentle, innocent young boy.  One of my prayers is that he retains that wonderful spirit.

Susan, Jacque, Benny, Aric & Marc.

Mickey, Jacque, Benny, Aric & Marc.

We will rejoice at ALL times because our God is good and faithful even when occasions are bitter-sweet.

Our Church services, as always, were powerful and wonderful!!

A BITTER/SWEET THANKSGIVING

THE BITTER: Suzette was feeling ill from the effects of the Chemo she had on Monday and the Avastin she'd had on Wednesday. SO.....she and Dave were unable to come and celebrate not only our Thanksgiving dinner but also our joint Birthday celebration for Dave & Mickey who both celebrate their birthdays on November 24th. We have always celebrated Mickey & Dave's birthday together on Thanksgiving each year.

We held up dinner scheduled for 2 , hoping she could get to feeling better and come, but finally at 3 we had to removed 2 places settings and the 10 of us feast, instead of the 12 of us.

Taken right after I took Suzette home from her Avastin injection on the 24th.

Dave had shaved BOTH his and Suzette's heads on Sunday, November 23rd. What a great, wonderful, loving & supportive husband, Dave is to his wife & our girl!!!

MORE BITTER: #1 Son, David, did not get to make it in from California. But he did call, while we were eating and we passed the phone around the table for everyone to say hello!!!

THE SWEET: We had celebrated an early Thanksgiving, with Turkey and all the trimmings, on October 22nd when David & Karin came to visit!!! There were 14 of us, should have been 17 but Deann's 3 sons were with their father that week-end.

Since we'd had turkey a month earlier we had Ham. I baked the ham & candied sweet potatoes. Jacque & Benny brought Cauliflower/Broccoli Salad & Amish Green Beans - Jessica & Josh brought a yummy fruit salad - Marc brought plain tea, sweet tea, rolls & butter - Deann baked delicious pumpkin & pecan pies :o) (so glad our family finally has a pie maker!!!) - Suzette & Dave had made a cranberry salad & purchased the ham. I was also suppose to fixed mashed potatoes and COMPLETELY FORGOT!! We sat down to eat and Jacque said, "Mom, where are the mashed potatoes?" OOOpps!!! I mean a BIG oops for this family not to have mashed potatos!!!

THE SWEET:

Mickey received this Hoody from his brother, Jerry, from Tennessee. See the joy on his face?!!!!! He'd been wanting one of these.

The skull cap on Mickey's head, and the Jesus Fish Tee-shirt were gifts from Jacque & Benny. Benny has started a new company called Biker Wraps and the emblem is on the skull cap and the back of the tee-shirt. These are just 2 of his items.

Marc's gift to his dad was an external hard-drive for our computers. YEAH!! No more worry about losing our data.

Grandpa Mickey and Grandson Aric both claiming to be #1!!!!

THE SWEET: Being able to share this Thanksgiving/Birthday celebration with at least 8 of my wonderful family: Mickey & I, Daughter Jacque & Benny, Son Marc, Deann, Granddaughter Oksana & Grandson Aric, and Granddaughter Jessica & Josh. Again, Deann's 3 boys, Mason, Austin & Cody were with their father for Thanksgiving this year.

THE SWEETEST OF ALL: The faith to believe that next Thanksgiving Suzette will not be ill and we will ALL celebrate Thanksgiving/Birthdays together.

The faith that someday we will ALL celebrate the Marriage Supper of The Lamb together in heaven!!!!!!

VETERANS DAY HONOR

This beautiful granddaughter, Oksana, invited her grandfather to be her special guest of honor at a Veteran's Day memorial at her school. I got to tag along, too :o) She recently blessed us with this 9th grade school picture so I thought I'd share it here.


First was a lovely BBQ luncheon served by some of the students, who were all wearing camouflage t-shirts with "Owasso".



This was on the wall in the room where we ate.
Standing in the buffet line.

After lunch we were shuttled by bus over to one of the auditoriums on this lovely Owasso campus for the program which began at 1.

The program was absolutely outstanding. This was Mickey & my first exposure to the Owasso school system since this is Oksana and Aric's first year to attend here. We are so pleased and delighted with all we've seen and heard and the good experience it has been in their lives.

The program was a jam packed 45 minute program with 2 guest speakers, lots of video's, taps by two student, the Chamber Choir, honor guard presentation of the colors, etc. and then over 50 veterans in attendance who were honored by name.

The program ended with all the veterans coming to the front and standing beneath the flag of their military branch.

It was a lovely, impressive program and to think it was put on by 9th & 10th grade students just blew our minds.

Another added surprise for us was getting to see Jessie. She and Oksana meet 3 years ago in the Tulsa school they attended and it is so wonderful that they are both still together here at Owasso. We had not see Jessie since Oksana's 14th birthday party.

It was a great day!!!

CELEBRATING on Two Fronts!!!

The 4th of July and the celebration of our great countries 234th Birthday was EXTRA special this year for us for many reasons and was a great day.

It was special to spend the morning excercising one of the most important freedoms we have in this country.......freedom of religion. Freedom to believe....or not believe. Freedom to walk out our front door, without fear, and attend the church of our choice. That is exactly what we did. Our Pastor's sermon was "True Freedom....Only in God". YES....we are truly free when we know Him who sets us free!!!!

Next was celebrating this freedom with our wonderful new blended family at a cook-out at their current home in Owasso.

Our grandchildren grew from 3 to 6 and we are loving that.

(left to right) Cody (9) Aaron (11) Mason (13) Aric (11) & Oksana (15)

(missing this time) Jessica.

The Hostess Deann....our wonderful new daughter-in-love

Who prepared delicious ribs AND grilled chicken breast AND hot-dogs plus all the fixings and the trimmings.

The Host - our son Marc. He might look relaxed and leisurely here but he'd been busy setting up, helping and serving.

Daughter Jacque (who brought the fresh garden salad and fixing) and granddaughter Oksana (who had prepared dozens & dozens of deviled eggs for all of us.)

We were also celebrating belated Father's Day (since we were out of town and had to cancel on Father's Day due to the funeral in Tennessee).

Mickey putting on the new Sperry Top-sider shoes he had just opened from his kids. Dave is showing off his which Mickey had seen at our last gathering and commented on. Daughter Suzette, by her husband, and Benny, barely visible on the couch by Mickey. Suzette had brought her delicious potato salad.

Me - cutting the two cakes I baked and brought. German Chocolate with home made icing and a Dark Devils f ood with white creamy icing and of course chocolate/vanilla swirl ice-cream.

After the sun went down it was to the patio and back yard for the kids to shoot off their fireworks. Each of the 5 had been given money to select the items he or she wanted.

Aaron going through his things and demonstrating one.

Oksana & Cody getting theirs ready.

Aric, who already had his items by him, and was waiting patiently on the swing for his turn. They shot them off taking turns from the oldest to the youngest, which made him next to the last.

Cody & Mason getting ready for their next round and turn.

Last, but not least, was the joy of knowing that in Coweta at our Coweta Assembly of God Church the church body (who could be there) were having a great cook-out and fireworks display and time.

BUT THE GREATEST FIREWORKS OF THIS 4TH OF JULY WAS

Our Pastor and the other 2 men who also signed the original note

burning the mortgage on our church property!!!

FINANCIAL FREEDOM

The 1.1 Million $ mortage paid off in 7 years!!!!

This quote from our Pastor: This past Sunday evening July 4th we celebrated freedom from debt and burned the mortgage on our church. In September of 2003 we entered a contract with First National Bank for $1,100,000.00. We made our last payment Thursday July 1st. Our church is now completely out of debt. The two buildings we currently have total approximately 45,000 square feet on 8 acres. God has been faithful and blessed our church even in the financial difficult time we are currently experiencing. This is not us bragging, but giving thanksgiving to the Lord. We want others to know that God is faithful and if He can do it for us, He can do it for others.

Oh yes, lots for us to celebrate & to rejoice over!!!!!!