Monday, June 15, 2009

A Family Visit - Part II

Continuing with our family visit to Tennessee.

The first night we were there we had the privilege of celebrating Billy's 44th birthday. We had a lovely dinner at a Steakhouse and there were 14 of us present. What a great way to get to visit with almost everyone at one time and one place.


Brother Jerry, Birthday Nephew Billy, Billy's younger son, age 13, Jake.


Billy's younger brother, Joe, with his younger daughter.

Billy's older brother, Wayne, with Joe's oldest daughter, Lindsey. Wayne, Billy & Joe are the 3 son's of Mickey's only sister, Jane, who is deceased, and bother-in-law, Ronnie.


Billy's wife, Diane, and older son age 15, Will, had just returned from a 17 day trip to France the last night we were there. From left to right are Diane's father, Diane, Ronnie, Will & Jake. We were so glad we were able to see Diane & Will before leaving and get to see all the pictures from France of their wonderful, exciting trip. This picture was taken in the sunroom of Billy & Diane's home.

One of the highlights of the trip was getting to visit Billy & Diane's 100 acre farm with this wonderful cabin.

Jerry unlocking the door while Ronnie & I look on. Mickey taking the picture, of course.


This cabin was the original house on this farm. Billy had it dismantled, the log boards numbered and then re-assembled with additions and improvements added.


The living room fireplace.



The upstairs bedroom with fireplace.


You can see they have kept it as authentic as possible, and also having all the modern conveniences of water, heating and cooling, electricity, etc.

Jerry and Diane's Longab*erger baskets.


An old couple (Mickey & I) rocking on the front porch of this quaint lovely cabin.

Billy invited us to spend as many days here at the cabin on the farm as we wanted but we declined on this trip. But took a rain check!!!!



On our way home we stopped and spent a day and night with Helen, our sister-in-law. Helen was married to Doug, the brother just older than Mickey, We had hoped to pick Helen up on Sunday and take her with us to Nashville but she was in Florida. Fortunately she got back in time that we could see her and spend a wee bit of time together. Helen has always had the greatest sense of humor and a joy to be around.

We had planned to spend a couple of days in Eureka Springs, Arkansas, and at a cabin with our neighbors Wayne & Jimmie on the way home but............. On our way home we hit a terrible thunderstorm and tornado warnings. We actually spent over an hour sitting in the parking lot of a truck stop at Russelville, Arkansas as the storm blew over us. It was quite fierce and we were just so thankful we did not get caught on the road in that storm. Another prime example of God taking care of us!!!! We had stopped to eat a bite of lunch when they made the announcement over the loud speakers of the impending storm. After this experience and the fact it was raining all around the area we made the decision to come straight on home.

This trip made me so aware of how truly blessed Mickey & I are. Out of the 4 sons & 1 daughter that made up Mickey's siblings we are the only one's who are still together and have not lost a mate. As most of you know, we are working on our 51st year of marriage. We not only still have each other, which is so wonderful, but we are both healthy, very happy and enjoying life. We have this wonderful extended family on Mickey's side, plus the ones in Virginia and of course our own wonderful 4 children, and 3 grandchildren. Plus our Lord and Savior.....who could ask for more?


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17 comments:

Joy said...

You all really had a good visit. Sorry the storms ruined your plans at the end though.

That cabin is unbelieveable. What a treasure to have on their property.


Joy

Humble wife said...

Wow! I love you and Mickey on the porch. Makes me think of a song, The Rockin' Years.

Blessings right before you through love and hard work and the grace of God --- it is pretty amazing though!

Jill said...

So true, Susan. Who could ask for more? Love that log cabin and all the photos of your wonderful family gathering/visits.

Shirley said...

What an adorable little cabin! Looks like you had a wonderful time. We had a very scary storm experience, too - I need to blog about it sometime :) Glad you were safe.

retha said...

It is a lovely place, I so like the old furniture.

It is wonderful to have each other and your own family plus the extended family. Even more so-maybe- is that you can visit!

Mari said...

I love the cabin! What fun it would be to stay there! Yes - you and Mickey are blessed and you are a great example too.

... said...

i'm glad you had such a nice trip and visit with family. i love that old cabin. it looks beautiful and the history that is there must be amazing.

welcome home.

Tammy ~ Country Girl at Home ~ said...

Susan,

You two really are blessed! And your vacation with family looks like a fun time! You have a great looking family there!

I'm still oohhing and awwing over that cabin! That is so neat! I think it's great that they've preserved it so well! That is just awesome!

Tammy

Dawn said...

We are blessed as well - all of my 4 siblings are with original spouses, same with DC's brother and sister. We have such good times when we get together.

Sounds like a wonderful trip - except the storm in the parking lot. But what a blessing that you weren't on the road!

Anonymous said...

I love all the photos but that cabin just gets to me! I love it.

Jenileigh said...

Beautiful place! Hugs!

Debra said...

What a beautiful little cabin! Sounds like a wonderful trip except for the storms!

Susan Skitt said...

What a blessing family is for sure!

And wow about that storm!

Sharon said...

It is to bad that the weather had to ruin your trip. Yes, indeed GOD was looking out for you.
I loved the photo of the cabin.
God bless

Kathy said...

The log cabin is a Christmas postcard if there ever was one. Sounds wonderful!

marallyn ben moshe said...

dear dear susan...of course you have my permission to use my blog...thank you so much for asking...stay safe...love marallyn

pearlie said...

Never seen one and never been in one - a log cabin. Wish I were there :)