Time with Mom and Sisters

It's a very rare thing for "just" us 3 girls to be at Mom's by ourselves. The majority of the time it's with our husbands and/or children/grandchildren. In fact, I don't recall doing this since the weekend of Dad's death. So this past weekend was a special time. It was also the very first time Beverly had driven by herself from Texas to Kansas. Way to go, Bev! Prayerfully, you have arrived safely home by time this posting is complete. Bev and Kaye drove to Mom's from their respective homes on Thursday. Since I had Bible study groups in the morning and evening of that day, I didn't go then. Instead I meet all 3 of them Friday morning at the new Orthopedic Doctor's Clinic very near my house. Mom had an appointment with Dr. Smith there. We were very impressed with these facilities and Dr. Smith who was thorough and kind in dealing with 4 women (ha!). It was determined that Mom will be having back surgery March 15th at St. John's Hospital in Joplin. From the doctor's explanation of what has happened to some disks in her back, it appears to be her only option to be pain free. And Mom is so ready for that as she's suffered with back and/or leg pain for almost 6 months. She's always been very active and this has just about done her in. Bev & I both have had back surgery, so we can definitely sympathize with her misery. We appreciate your prayers for a successful surgery and a quick recovery.

After her appointment, we came by my house, so Bev could see where we lived, picked up Jeff and then went to a really neat indoor/outdoor interior decor place called Sandstone Gardens. They have a delicious restuarant inside where we had lunch. Jeff took our picture on a pretty staircase in the store.

Saturday morning, we stopped by our cousin Kimbra Brunk's restuarant in Girard, Peppermill Cafe, so we could say hello to Sandy Virnardi who was working that morning. An extra treat was to also visit with her daughter Amber who was there with friends eating.

Then we headed to Pittsburg for a fun afternoon of Bunco with Boore cousins and aunts at Holly Viet's new home. We had three tables of 4 players each. Since I was taking the pictures, I'm not at one of the tables at this time, but did play (unfortunately was one of the "top" losers!). But it was fun anyway! Here is Michelle Hardister and her daughter, Cara, Aaron Boore, and Jeanice Bradshaw (roommate of Chelsea Boore's).

This table consisted of Kaye, Holly, Chelsea and Morgan Boore (who was recently crowned Girard Homecoming Queen - whoo hoo)!

Mom and Aunt Freda Hardister were our "audience" since the game is fast moving - they decided to just "watch."

The last table consisted of Beverly, Nancy Boore, Shawnee Viets and Aunt Judy Boore.

We played 4 rounds (I think), then had a break for food and fellowship :-) Then played another 4 rounds. Then it was time for prizes!!! Each one brought a "white elephant" and those were awarded as prizes. Lots and lots of laughter and fun! Here we are before the prizes were chosen.

Our only boy in attendance (of course) picked the gift bag that had a dress in it!!

Sweet Jeanice relieved Aaron's of his embarrassment by taking away his gift (we played it like you do at Christmas.....).

There was only one gift worth taking home and Chelsea got it, lucky girl!

Thanks so much, Holly, for opening your pretty home to us for this fun family gathering. Sure hope next time, I can get ONE Bunco!

I love my family and am so thankful for each of you!

The Passing of Jeff's mother, Evelyn Gaston

We said goodbye to Jeff's mom, Evelyn, on January 30th. We rejoice that she is now experiencing all of the glory of her heavenly home and is no longer in pain or suffering. But as with all deaths, it was sad to say the final goodbye. Our lives are so busy these days trying to wrap up her affairs, so I am attaching the link to our daughter, Rachel's blog, who did a great job posting a memorial tribute to her grandma.

Please take a few minutes to read it:

http://rachelanncox.blogspot.com/2010/02/in-loving-memory-of.html

Thank you to all of you who have been so kind us during these days. We love you!

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.