DAVID'S VISIT - August 28-September 3, 2014

What a wonderful time we had!!!!  Just mostly hanging out, having fun, acting silly, playing games and talk, talk, TALKING!!!

 Here's the 6 who were here.

Marc, Aric, Mickey (in 1st), Susan (in 2nd)

David, Jacque

These were taken Saturday morning as we were waiting for our table at Egg It On Cafe for brunch.

Then Mickey, Jacque, & David and I came to our house and the 3 of them played their X-box golf game.  That evening we invited our dear friend, Don, over to join us for sandwiches so he & David could visit. David & Mickey also spent time via the phone & X-box instructing Jacque how to connect with them so she can join in the games with David from his home in Florida. 

 A guys group hug at Marc's home one of the times we had been together and were leaving

 Having fun playing Apples to Apples game at Mom & Dad's. 

Single shot of Jacque who only got to be with us the one time on Saturday due to her work schedule and a birthday celebration on Benny's side of the family.

Just all being together and hanging out is what we enjoy doing.  Of course there was one night that David & I had to stay up TALKING very late one night (which we paid for dearly the next day!).

Mickey, Marc, Aric & David played their X-box golf game one day. Jacque, Mickey & David played the game on Saturday.  Can't believe I didn't get a picture of either occasion :o( When these golf games are going on I'm usually in the office on fb and relishing the laughter, camaraderie and fun that emanates from the living room  

David went with us to The King's Kitchen and participate in the entire 3+ hour preparation with the entire crew.  I was so upset I was so busy I forgot to get pictures!!!  It was such a treat for all three of us: Dad,Mom,Son and was a very special time.  David could not get over all the joy and camaraderie of this wonderful team of helpers who have done this every Tuesday for the past 4 years and 6 months.  It was great for him to get to meet all of them and for them to get to meet this son we talk about so much.  

It was a wonderful, fun, relaxing family time for all 7 of us. 

So thankful for his visit and he left with a promise to try and get home every 6 months.  We'll see!!!

THE BIG MOVE

Yes, our #1 son David and Karin made this 2,982 mile move from San Francisco, California to Vero Beach, Florida!  Talk about moving "cross country"!!

Moving the furniture and personal items from the Condo in San Fran consisted of renting 2 of the small pods that were loaded and then transported to Vero Beach.  Here are Karin and Mickey in front of said Condo last October when we were visiting them. 

One of the biggest challenges was getting their THREE cats moved that distance.  Solution:  First - they flew 1st class with 2 of the cats.  David said everyone around them in 1st class was very nice about that and enjoyed the cats!  Then Karin flew back to San Fran, leaving David and the 2 cats at the new house in Vero Beach.  She finalized everything in San Fran and then she and the 3rd cat drove that  2,982 mile drive cross country in her little Volkswagon.

It took her 3 1/2 days.....just she and kitty!!!  Our prayers were surrounding her all the way and we know they played a part in a very frightening episode for her..... She was behind a semi-truck and noticed another semi coming up behind her.  She thought, "I don't want to be between these two semi." so she moved into the inner lane of the highway.  Good thing she did------because the second semi ran into the one in front.  Had she not moved she probably would have been smashed between them.  Needless to say, she was shaking and very upset.  She got off the road and into a motel and called David.  Being able to talk to him and shed some tears over the phone helped her regain her composure and continue on the next day.  

Good-bye to the view from their condo in San Francisco.

They enjoyed living there - but it was time for a new step and adventure.

The very happy couple embarking on this great new stage of their lives together.

They are very excited about this move for many reasons.  They wanted out of San Fran because of the housing costs they knew they would never be able to purchase a home.  David had talked to his employer around the first of the year about moving.  Since his work takes him all over on assignments he was seldom in the office anyway.  Their answer to him was, "David, you can move anywhere in the U.S. you want as long as you are close to a major airport."  WOW!!!!  ~~~~  So the hunt began.  They both love living on the coast so they began looking at Florida.  Karin was the one who did all the research into various places in Florida and Vero Beach wasn't that far from the Orlando Air Port and had all the things they were looking for.

So they moved out of the tiny little condo, which was so small they didn't even own a table and chairs!, and into a lovely, BIG 4 bedroom house!!!!   I don't have any pictures of the new digs yet but can't wait to visit and see it.  The first thing they bought was a king size bed and a BIG TV.  They are renting for now, as they wanted to get familiar with everything and be sure where they wanted to buy, but plan to buy their own home in the not too far future.  The added PLUS to this move-----their rent is $1,000 a month LESS!!!

AND ~~~~ for the final "good news"~~~~~~  Karin has already found employment working in the Library of an elementary school about 15 minutes from home.  We received the telephone call yesterday telling us this great news.  

I have no pictures, YET, to show of the new digs.  They are close to the beach and very happy with Karin's choice.  They are almost lost in the space of the big house and they are very happy and excited about their future.  We are eager to visit, and "plans" are already being set.

DAVID HOME FOR BIRTHDAY & FATHER'S DAY

Our family just got to celebrate a very special occasion - David's 49th Birthday.  What made this so very special was it came about very suddenly when David's employment "just happened" to send him to Tulsa for a job.  Now, we know this was a God Deal and Blessing to allow us to celebrate his birthday together for the first time in years & also it "just happened" to be Father's Day week-end so a double blessing. 

 David has just arrived and is home

 David & Mickey planning their golf game TOGETHER and in person, rather than long distance between San Francisco and Coweta, Aric busy on his own computer game on his lap-top.

 Brother Marc has just arrived after work and is overseeing this golf game. 

 That evening it was all 7 of us (David, Marc, Aric, Jacque, Benney, Mickey, Susan) going out to dinner at David's choice.   El Chico for a Mexican meal.

I had given David his choice of what he wanted for his Birthday Meal and he selected, without hesitation and in a moments time!! , Beef Strogonoff  & German Chocolate cake.  

We celebrated the joint Birthday & Father's Day celebration on Saturday.  Added to Davids request for dinner was fresh green beans with new potato, big tossed salad, garlic bread and choice of beverage.

 The home-made German Chocolate cake and his goofy wrapped gift.  

David said, "I know this red bow probably came from 2 Christmas's ago!"  He was right!! 

 Blowing out the candles.

 Along with the "serious" birthday card Mom picked out Dad bought him a silly Cat card.  

David has always loved cats and currently has 3 of them.

 Making sure the dress shirt we bought him fits.

A fancy cologne from Jacque. 

Notice the FAMOUS golf game on the TV in the back ground.

 Mickey with his new Father's Day shirt from Marc, along with new bedroom loafers from Marc & Aric, new cologne from Jacque, Golf points from David.

 Jacque FINALLY get in on this golf thing, with Benny watching from the sidelines.  

It was Jacque's first time but she, as always, caught on real quick. 

 Our 3 grown, adult (???) children goofing off, as usual and having a great time.

Look at Mickey's concerned look - no matter how old they get DAD worries!!!

Our little, srinkling, but great family.

Jacque, Marc, Mickey, Susan, Aric, David.

(missing - Suzette in heaven, Jessica at work in Oklahoma City & Oksana in Indiana) 

It was a GREAT Birthday/Father's Day celebration and 3 days together.

Family Times - David's Home April 19-24, 2012

Don't have any idea why or how this didn't get posted in April, but it didn't so I'm doing it now!!

Always a happy day, for this Mom & Dad when #1 son comes to visit from San Francisco.

D

 He's just driven up in his rental car and Dad's out the door to greet him.

 Mother and Son. We grow them tall!!!!

 Father & Son 

 Proud Mama's men -

1 fantastic Husband, Mickey

2 great sons - Marc & David

1 super grandson - Aric 

Out to check out Brother Marc's Cadillac.  A new purchase since David was home in November for Mickey's 80th Surprise Birthday Celebration.

Checking it ALL out!!

Table all set for Sunday Dinner.

Menu:  Swedish Meatballs on rice, broiled asparagus, fruit salad, home-made whole wheat bread & to Braum's for ice cream for dessert.

Terrible dark picture of Benny, Jacque & David.

Mom, Dad & Marc & yes, Mickey & I are holding hands!!

Marc, Aric & Benny.

A lot of the time David was here was spent with him setting up Netflix for his dad (another BD gift) as well as instructions on the X-Box & golf game David gave him in November.  I even tried my hand at it, but only lasted 2 holes!!!

David made the rounds and spent time at home with Dad & I; at Marc's with Marc & Aric - Aric loves uncle David playing video games with him!; & at Jacque's watching movies and eating ice cream AND popcorn!!  Also, a lot of time eating out, which this family is good at.

Great family - great visit.  Happy times & making memories. 

Thanks for coming, Son.  We love you!!!

FAMILY BLESSINGS

God is so good to us and our family.  Our daughter was recently in a collision, not her fault - a man ran the light.  She totaled her car and broke her foot.  She of course could not drive for many weeks, due to the broken foot so did not have a need to replace the car.

The Dr. finally released her to drive.  Her dad took her car shopping on Friday the 4th.   Then Marc took her the afternoon of the 5th and they located a car.  She went back that evening when Benny got off at 5.

She called us about 8 and said, "I'm coming out to show you my new car!"  

 Hugging her 2012 Nissan Sentra with only 18,000 miles and new car warranty and a very good price.

A shot of the back - It was night and dark so the pictures aren't the greatest.

Romans 8:28 in action - "That's why we can be so sure that every detail in our lives of love for God is worked into something good."  The Message 

Then the very next day our son, David, who lives in California had talked to his employers about moving out of California (he has a job where he travels all the time) because housing is so high there he knew he could never buy a home.  He was expecting it to take about a month for him to even hear back on it.  Two days later, his boss contacted him, "David you can move anywhere in the US you want to as long as you are close to an airport."

Psalm 21:2 "You gave him exactly what he wanted; you didn't hold back." The message

Yes, our God not only blesses Mickey & I but also extends those blessings to our children and grand-children.  

Thank you Jesus for blessing us, by blessing our children.

Gift & Surprises Part III

I cannot believe it has taken m 24 days to get back to finishing up about this trip.  In a few more days I'll be able to tell you why :o) 

Friday, October 5th, David drove us to the San Francisco airport about 5 a.m. to catch our American Airlines flight back to Tulsa.  We were scheduled to arrive at 2:15 and Marc was picking us up.  The plane loaded but was a few minutes late and we were a little concerned about making the connection we had to make in Dallas.  When we landed in Dallas we RUSHED to the gate, we needed to be on, and boarded just in time.  We were so relieved.  

So we settled down in our comfortable 1st class seats, 2nd row on the right.  Then the pilot came on the speaker and said,  "We are going to be leaving a few minutes late because we are awaiting a connecting flight."  No problem.  We wait and we wait.....finally a bunch of American stewards and pilots come rushing on board.  So that was who we were waiting for!!  Then we wait and the pilot came on and said, "We have a minor problem with an engine light and we are waiting for a mechanic to check this out."  We wait and we wait and we wait....."The mechanic has arrived and we will be leaving shortly".... and we wait and wait ....."We have a shift change and the mechanic is leaving and they are sending another."  WHAT????  Shortly..... "The mechanic needs just a small part and has left to go get it from the service area across the field."  Everyone is patiently sitting, at least in our 1st class area.  We have no idea what it must be like in the main seating with 3 narrow seats.  The little female stewardess is literally running up and down the isles tossing bags of snacks to the people and offering water.  Trying to "feed the animals"?

Mickey and I knew instantly what was going on...because we have a big American plant in Tulsa...and are aware their is a labor dispute between American Airlines and the pilot union.  This was definitely a "quiet demonstration".  Because we had no connecting flight to worry about, and because it was afternoon Mickey & I just sat and visited and I worked a lot of puzzles in my Sudoku puzzle book.  

FINALLY, after 2 1/2 hours we are in the air and on our way to Tulsa.  We arrive at 5:30 and Marc, who we had been in contact with telling him, "we're still on the ground" and finally, "we're finally in the air" was waiting for us.  We had to go to Owasso, to Marc's house, to get Mickey's pick-up.  Marc says, "We'll have to jump the pick-up because the battery is dead."  No problem.  We decide to go out to eat before heading home so pick up Aric at the house and go to Red Robin.  Have a delightful meal and visit with Marc & Aric, telling them all about our trip.  

We leave Red Robin and are going to head to Marc's get our pick-up and head home.  Oooopppps.....Marc's car will not start!!  WHAT???  He has jumper cables so a man in a car pulls up beside us and Marc asks him if he will let us jump the battery.  He is very nice and we think wheee "thank you Lord".  Well, guess what?  The car will still not start.  The man offers to drive us where ever we need to go, even offering to drive us to Coweta (which is a 40 mile trip) but we thank him and call AAA for service.  About 45 minutes later the man comes out of Red Robin after his meal, we are still waiting for AAA who hasn't shown up yet so and we tell him if he really doesn't mind we'll take him up on the ride.  Mickey, myself and Aric all hop in his vehicle and he drives us to Marc's, which is a very short distance away.  Then this wonderful man helps Mickey & they jump the battery on the pick-up.

AAA finally arrives and Marc's vehicle is hauled to a near by Auto repair store, Tate Bros., so he can get it fixed the next morning.  Mickey picks Marc up and brings him home.  It is now so late, and at this point Marc has no vehicle so we decide to just spend the night with Marc & Aric.

Tate Bros. got right on his vehicle the next morning and had it done  by noon.  By the way.....it was the starter, and of course a $300+ bill.  So after a nice breakfast at IHOP we drop Marc off to pick up his vehicle and we head to our home in Coweta, a day later.

I have to say, it was an exciting end to an exciting wonderful trip that we will never forget!!!  We live such an exciting life.  

GIFT & SURPRISES Part II

The wonderful gift from our #1 son, David, was First Class American Airlines Tickets first to Phoenix on September 29th, and covered in the preceding post about my surprising a blog/fb friend, then from Phoenix to San Francisco on October 1st to visit our son.

Early morning (4:30 am) September 29th as our wonderful son, Marc, takes us to the airport.

We arrive right on time in San Fran and David picks us up at the airport.    David & Karin have a wonderful Shish-q-bob dinner catered in for us this first night.

They have a beautiful condo with a fantastic view!!  I took this shot early Tuesday morning, while everyone else was still sleeping.  My little camera really didn't catch the beautiful off their deck.  It was very clear and the moon was a beautiful golden color.

A day time, clear shot, view from the same deck.

Karin & Mickey pointing up to their upstairs condo.  The apartments are upstairs and the garages are below. 

On Tuesday Karin went to work and David, Mickey & I just hung around the condo and enjoyed each other and visiting.  David, who travels all over the U.S. with his job, scheduled vacation time so he could be with us during these 5 days of our visit in San Francisco.  That evening they have Indian food catered in.  Different to our tastes but yummy.  The four of us watched a Leo Gigglio tape How Great is Our God which we had brought with us.

Wednesday Karin took off at 2.  David picked her up and we went sight seeing.  Karin did all the driving in her Volkswagen, stick shift with power pack.  She was an amazing driver, going up and down the packed, steep streets of traffic.  She drove us down Lombard street, the famous crooked street, but I failed to get a picture. 

The Coit Tower on Telegraph Hill.  Mickey & I had been here on our RV travel trips.

Father, Son & Mom 

Karin & David 

David had researched things for us to see and do and one of them we decided on was visiting The Parrots of Telegraph Hill.  From the above picture we are preparing to walk down a series of 289 steps and then back up to Coit Tower.

A view of the skyline, on this overcast Wednesday, just before we began our decent. 

Lovely, very expensive and lovely apartments & condo's all along the way down.  

The beautiful gardens as we are making our way along the 289 steps.

Another view as we are making our decent.  The corker of this excursion was we saw not ONE, nadda, Parrot but it was a fun climb.  There would be 10 or 12 steps and then a landing and it would turn a degree, and then another group of steps, etc.  Coming back up we had to keep stopping and catching our breath but we made it!!!  

Hurried back to their condo and ordered Pizza and watch the 1st Presidential debate together.  Fun!!!  And no arguments :o)

Thursday David took Karin to work and then the 3 of us went out for another day of sightseeing.

First was the beautiful Palace of Fine Arts - This was October 4th which was our 54th Anniversary.  What a beautiful way to spend it, in this beautiful city with our son.  We are so grateful for the wonderful marriage God has enabled us to build, even through some difficult times along the way.  

Next to Pier 45 

David & Mickey enjoyed touring this submarine.  I sat on a park bench and waited for them and visited with a young couple from Bonn, Germany. 

We drove up and down many street to find this Mel's Drive-in.  Made famous from the firm American Graffiti.

Wonderful diner meals, we all choose something different and with my meetload dinner I had a yogart malt.  A first for me, and it was very good. 

Autographed items and pictures on the walls from the movie.

One of the places David for sure wanted us to see was this beautiful Grace Chapel.

Built 163 years ago.  I tried to take pictures of the beautiful inside stained glass windows but my little camera didn't get good shots.

Son & Mom climbing 40 steps up to the chapel (after our 289 yesterday this was nothing!!)

Added unexpected treats of the day was they were setting up for The Americus Race and The Blue Angels were flying over us!!! 

Then it was home where we enjoyed a shrimp platter, cheese & crackers & left over pizza.  We watch a Bill Cloud dvd we had brought with us.  Early to bed as we had to be at the airport early for our flight home.

There is MORE to this story, but since this post is so long I'm going to make a Part III of this wonderful gift, trip & adventure.

Thank you David for making our 54th a really special treat with this wonderful trip and visit.