Our Mothers

You know it is inevitable - but still sad when it happens. Our mothers are getting older and consequently are struggling with some health issues. Both mothers turn 81 this Spring. My mom, Dorothy Boore, has been having back/leg pain for about three months. She has tried a chiropractor, medicines and physical therapy, but nothing has brought real relief. She is now scheduled for an epidural shot next week, but her doctor is doubtful it will take care of the pain. Most probably, she'll need to see an orthopedic surgeon and face surgery. Mom has always been healthy and active, so she's not liking this time in her life at all - and of course, us girls don't like it for her either! She has also been experiencing an upset stomach for a couple of weeks and has lost 9 lbs. Doctor thinks it might be a virus, but seems to me that two weeks of it is rather long! Rachel came up this weekend to see both her grandma's. Here is a picture of us at Mom's.....

Jeff's mom, Evelyn Swart Gaston, is in the hospital in Pittsburg for the second time since the end of December, with congestive heart failure. This is a great concern to us. The doctor said that if they can't get the fluid from building up after this stint in the hospital, there isn't anything else that can be done :-( We were disappointed today when we visited her, that in the 3 days she has been there, they've not succeeded in getting any of the fluid off yet. Here is a picture of Evelyn with Jeff and Rachel......

I got them to laugh :-)

A few days later, Josh & Erika and Andy & Carman came to visit their grandma. It was the last "good" day she had before she died. Jeff & I are so glad that our kids got to visit with her while she was alert enough to know them.

We do appreciate your prayers for both mothers!

Christmas with the Boore Family

I'm very thankful for my extended family. Once again, Kaye & Rob opened their beautiful lakehouses to us in Bella Vista, Arkansas for our family Christmas on New Years weekend. We had a wonderful time visiting, cooking and eating delicious meals, playing games, watching football, exchanging gifts, etc. We used Andy's camera again with the timer to get this family picture. I hate it that Mike, Adrienne and Lincoln hadn't arrived yet when this was taken -- and Shannan's husband, Mike, wasn't able to come due to having to work. So this is only part of the family.........

An extra special event this year was our three expectant mothers: Carman Swart is expecting Lane Virginia in May; Shawna Tunnel is expecting Tristan Ezra in March and Shannan McEuen is expecting Cooper Jackson in April. Next year will be a fun Christmas with 3 babies....along with our other 3 children: Madyson and Zachary McEuen and Lincoln Goering. We are praying that Josh & Erika will also have one or both of their boys by next Christmas - and who knows what other babies might be in the "making" :-)


Here is a picture of Mady, Zach and Lincoln - all cute, cute kiddos!

On Saturday - some of the guys went to the Razorback basketball game, so the rest of us went to visit a neat glass chapel in Bella Vista. This is a picture of those who went:

We took lots of pictures and so I'm taking the easy way and just inserting the link to my Picasa album for you to look at those (you can double click on it and open up the pictures in Picasa to see them individually):

Another wonderful Christmas with my family! We never take one for granted, as so much could happen in a year - so thank you Lord, for this time that we had.

I love all of you!

Christmas with our Kids

We celebrated Christmas with our kids in Springdale on December 30th at Andy & Carman's pretty home. Andy's camera has a timer -- so we got this shot of the family......

First off -- Jeff & I's gifts to our future grandchildren.....

An embroderied "blankie"

And for Jude and Gabe (the boys Josh & Erika hope to adopt)

Dapper Dan.......

The kids got their "heads" together and gave Jeff & I wonderful "baby" gifts......

A Pack & Play from Josh & Erika....

From Rachel & Derek........

A Stroller........

And from Andy & Carman......

Cute bibs (lots of them!)--I Love Grandma and I Love Grandpa were two of them.....

And a booster seat...

A little outfit I got Laine....

And then the gifts from Rachel & Derek were opened.....cute, cute outfits for Laine.....

A neat musical book for the boys.....

And a drum set for the boys......

More cute outfits for Laine.....

For my birthday from Rachel & Derek -- a bag with my Grandma name "DeDe"

And for our anniversary from Rachel & Derek--an insulated coffee canister with my name....

Jeff's anniversary gift from R&D was a cute T-shirt with his Grandpa name--"Papa"

There were several other gifts that were opened -- and we had lots of fun! After doing our gifts, then we went to P.F. Changs in Rogers for a delicious meal:

The next morning, Carman fixed us a delicious breakfast, then we headed to Bella Vista to spend the rest of our week/weekend with the extended "Boore" family.

Thank you, kids, so much for a wonderful Christmas. We sure do love each one of you!!

Christmas Dinner with the Hall Family

We had plans for our Christmas Day to fix a big meal for Jeff's mom, Evelyn, neice, Aimee and her family, Josh & Carlie Kay; nephew, Jeremy and their Dad, Gary. However, that didn't work out. Christmas Eve day we found out that Jeff's mom was very sick and we were forecast to get snow that night. So Jeff drove to Pittsburg to spend the night with his Mom; and my Mom & I spent Christmas Eve together here in Galena (we did enjoy a delicious meal at Red Lobster in Joplin in the early evening) and then watched Christmas movies on Hallmark. The snow began falling around 10:30 that night and when we woke Christmas Day - we had 7" of snow! It has been too long for me to remember - when we had a White Christmas, so as you can imagine (if you know me), I was beyond thrilled!!

Judy Hall and Leigh Ryan did not want us to spend Christmas alone, so insisted we join them for Christmas dinner. As always, it was delicious and we had so much fun!

This is Bill & Judy and their family.....all wonderful, godly, loving people!!

They were so kind to even include Jeff, Mom and I in their fun, fun, stocking gift time!

Here is a slideshow of the pictures at the Halls....you can click on it and open up the link in Picasa to see each one individually.



Thank you, thank you, Bill & Judy and family for allowing us to join your family for a wonderful Christmas celebration. You all are such kind and generous people and we are so appreciative of all you do for us!! We love you!

On Monday after Christmas, Jeff had to put his Mom in the hospital where she is still a patient and probably won't get to go home until January 8th or so. She has congestive heart failure and we would appreciate your prayers for her.

Even though our Christmas didn't quite go as planned - it was a wonderful day and I can truly say that this Christmas season has been my most favorite in many, many years.

Christmas Time!!

Wow - one week from tomorrow is Christmas Day.....!! It's been a whirlwind of activity this month, but very enjoyable.

Here are a few pictures of our decor...thanks to Leigh Ryan & Judy Hall for all their help in getting me all "pretty!"

This is a "Gone With The Wind" tree in the middle bedroom - where I have Gone with the Wind decor. The tree belongs to Leigh, who loaned it to me for this season :-)

Rhett & Scarlett......

Scarlett......(these are all the Hallmark collectable oranments). I love them!

The first of the month, I hosted my "first ever" holiday open house. It all went great and we had a wonderful turnout. I so appreciate several of the ladies who helped me decorate for it, provided food, served, and helped clean up! Here are a couple of pictures of the food and beverages. For more pictures, check the posting below this one (two down).

Hot apple/orange cider; water with lemons and limes and a delicious cappuccino punch (coffee, chocolate and vanilla ice cream, cool whip and whole milk - yum!).

We have enjoyed attending each of our adult Sunday School class Christmas parties. I didn't take my camera to any of those, but believe me - there was delicious food and sweet fellowship at each one!

We enjoyed a wonderful meal at the Red Onion Resturant last week with our staff: Paul & Mary Mooney and Dave and Leigh Ryan (we have a wonderful staff and are so appreciative of them!).

It was also a lot of fun to travel with a group last Saturday from our church to Branson for the musical, "The Miracle of Christmas" at the Sight & Sound Theater. Then we stopped in Springfield on our way home and had a delicious meal at Lamberts.

Some of our folks at Lamberts.....

Our children did a wonderful job last Sunday with their Christmas musical!!

Last night, we went caroling with several of our church folks. That was fun and heartwarming--but also sad to me when I saw the tears in the eyes of several.....I'm sure, in part, remembering past Christmases when their loved ones were still alive and their health was so they could enjoy the time with family and friends more. A vivid reminder to me, to appreciate every day of health and my family!

This week, I spent a couple of days baking pecan pies to give as a little "thank you" to those in leadership at our church. Here is a picture of the first batch......

Tomorrow night, we have the privilege of attending the "Glory in the Highest" Tour with Chris Tomlin, Louie Giglio, and Christy Nockels at The Church at Pinnacle Hills in Rogers, along with my sister, Kaye and husband Rob. Then we will spend the night at Kaye & Rob's lakehouse in Bella Vista, returning Saturday morning for another S.S. party that evening.

Sunday, our Adult choir will lead us in a meaningful time of worship and Christmas celebration. We are so appreciative of Troy Wade and Jerry Derfelt, along with the praise band, praise team, and choir members for their willingness to use their gifts and abilities in our church.

Jeff & I are looking forward to getting away for 48 hours next week for our 37th anniversary. We were planning on going to Branson, but after checking and seeing that the shows and Silver Dollar City are closed for the week, we will probably just go to Springfield.

I will be preparing a meal for Jeff's family, Christmas evening with my Mom joining us as well. We will be going to Springdale the next week to spend Christmas with all our kids, followed by time in Bella Vista with my extended family.

I can truly say that I have really enjoyed this Christmas season more than others since I'm presently not working at a job outside my home -- and then shopping for those future grandbabies have definitely added to the enjoyment and pleasure!

I am presently doing Beth Moore's study, "Believing God." As with all her studies, I am convicted and challenged to live each day believing that God is who He says He is; believing that God can do all He says He can do; believing that I am who God says I am; believing that I can do all things thru Christ; and striving to make God's Word alive and active in my life. We serve an awesome God and He is worthy of our praise and a life of service! Thank you Lord - for sending us your only Son as that babe - to live that perfect life - then to die that horrific death - for my salvation! Praise You, Lord!

Merry Christmas to all!