Just a quick post for today. For the end of Bible School celebration, the children performed during the service this morning. They sang, cited Bible verses, and shared the crafts they made during the week. This may have been the best Bible School program I have ever seen. All the kids had such fun and sang so loudly. There's nothing that can bless your heart more than the innocense of childhood sharing God's love. Of course, having two of my grandchildren in the program helped.

Then later this afternoon, Kaelyn and Caleb got to come over and swim in the 'new pool'. They loved it and we finished off with a trip to McDonald's. Yeah, I know, not the healthiest, but it was a treat. Gramma needed it. I'm on antibiotics for the second time in about six weeks and they really seem to affect my mood. I told Phillip this the last time I was on them. Anyway, I feel some better now (although still a bit moody) and am gearing up for our trip. Hopefully, I'll get to say goodbye to Reed tomorrow night, since they will be leaving for Chattanooga on Tuesday. Then hugs for Caleb and KK before we leave on Wednesday. Ready for the trip, but will miss my family. Some people have told me I am too attached to my family, but I wouldn't change it. Yes, there are more heartaches and tears, but there is also more laughter, hugs, kisses and happy tears! And whenever you need one of those hugs, someone always seems to know and just give you one. Too attached? Absolutely, hook, line, and sinker....but how could you not be attached to this?

Trips around the world!

In 1999, I met Mick Oxford when he came half way around the world to help set up our network when we were bought by the company he worked for. Little did I know at the time what a wonderful friendship would develop. Five years later, I received a call from him one night "warning" me of a plan to bring me to Australia for a networking workshop. Knowing my fear of being on a plane for roughly 15 hours in one hop, he wanted me to be prepared. I hung up the phone in shock and told Phillip I just didn't know if I could do it. Well God always gives us the support we need, and he provided for me again by guiding Melba (worked with Mick also in 1999) to travel with me. We had a wonderful time. We flew into Melbourne. Mick and Helen so graciously met us at the airport and saw us safely to our hotel room. The next day, Melba and I flew over to Hobart in Tasmania for a couple of days.

Melba and me atop the highest mountain in Hobart, Tasmania

We then returned to Melbourne and the hospitality of Mick & Helen sharing their home. On the weekend they drove us around site-seeing and took us to a conservation area where we got to see animals in their natural habitat.

If you look really close above, you can see a 'joey' in the pouch.

A real tasmanian devil, they do exist!It's a koala, don't you just want to hug him!

Melba got to do a bit of sight-seeing while I was away at the workshop and then after saying our goodbyes to the family, it was off to the airport for that flight back around the world.

From left, Eammon, Lauren, Regan, Helen, & Mick Oxford

Unfortunately, Melba wasn't able to join me on my next trip, but I again got to enjoy staying with my new found family on the other side of the world the next two years (2005&2006). In December of 2005, Mick and Helen came all the way around the world just to celebrate my 50th birthday. (Not really, but I still tell it that way!) We started , what we hope, has become a tradition of enjoying some vacation time together. Kaelyn entertained them by.......well, by being Kaelyn, and Helen got to practice for the future by holding Caleb who was only 3 months old. The Holts, Oxfords, and Hesters were off to short stop in Gatlinburg and then to a Bed & Breakfast in Black Mountain, NC, where everyone met Jessica's sister, Lindsay, and loved her I might add. We had a wonderful dinner at the Biltmore (guys were a little upset they had to wear a tie), but didn't they look great! What a great time we had! Biltmore was all lit up for Christmas. Amazing!

Left to right Helen & Mick Oxford; Corneice & Phillip Hester; Melba & Dannie Holt

One more trip back to Melbourne for me (July 2006), but unfortunately didn't get to spend a lot of time with 'the family'. Lots of business and traveling with a group this time, so pretty committed on time. I did enjoy some of the most beautiful scenery I have ever experienced when we did a day bus tour down the Great Ocean Road.

My first ride in a helicopter! But believe it or not, it was even more beautiful looking at it from the shore line. I've never seen such beautiful clean water and georgeous coastline.

Mick was able to make another trip across in spring of 2007. It was business again, so not a lot of free time, but enough to perfect a duet with Kaelyn singing "Another Brick in the Wall". She just couldn't understand why he wanted her to 'talk funny', like him. He also got to play a little soccer with Caleb in my Mom's den, knocking over one of my Dad's tomato plants he was nursing. Boy, did they get in trouble!

Now this past weekend, Mick and Helen arrived again on vacation. This time they also got to meet Reed. We had a big picnic here at our house, with all of Melba's kids and grandkids and all of my kids and grandkids. There's nothing better than sharing your family. Hopefully, when the time comes, Mick and Helen will also be able to share their grandchildren with us.

Reed, Mary Megan, Jacob, Anna Chris, Chase, Jackson, Caleb, & Kaelyn

Helen Oxford and Reed

I think Reed is insisting on finding out if Melba has teeth; after all, she was trying to look at his! It's only fair!

Next week Dannie, Melba, Mick, Helen, Phillip, and me will fly off to the Great West. I should have lots to share on return. And rumor has it that we are going to discuss our next trip together and maybe meet in Ireland!! I'll keep you posted.

Memories-Past, Present, Future

On Sunday afternoon, I took a short break from the work on our house to head down to my parent's house for a little photo session with Michael, Jessica, & Reed. The photo session turned into a trip to the "Hollis Park" found on the old family farm behind my parents house. The park and most of the old farm (all except the portion where my Mama and Daddy live) is now owned by my cousin and they have really been working to bring it back to life. After taking a few photos, Chris, Kaelyn, and Caleb came along and we all went down to the location of an old spring. We didn't quite make it to the spring because of the undergrowth, but it was the closest my Dad has been in a number of years. We took a short ride from the park through the field as far as safety allowed us to go in the truck and then walked a little ways to get there. It was great to hear my Dad tell us about the barn that used to be by 'that' tree and point out the locations where they raised tobacco which was hung in that barn. I haven't heard so much 'pep' in his voice in a while. I'm going to post a few pictures, but you can find more on Jessica's web site, "Reed All About It". We hope to get more pictures this next weekend when all of our family is together for Father's Day. Although pictures are great, the most precious things was hearing my Dad's stories and watching as Caleb had to take every step with G-Daddy and to see Kaelyn turn to make sure Grandaddy (G-Daddy) was making it up the hill okay. She grabbed his hand to help him along and he made sure to praise her for the 'help'. So much love shown. No doubt, memories in the making!





Speaking of next Sunday, there will be a dedication at church for the stained glass window placed in the youth room in memory of my cousin, Edward Wayne Hollis. Michael and Jessica, along with Chris and Regina have done a wonderful job with the youth group. They took over the Sunday School Class when Edward Wayne lost his battle after a long fight with a brain tumor and it's aftermath. He was a cherished teacher of the Sunday School Class. The window now holding the stained glass in his memory was the only window in the whole church which hadn't been replaced. It was almost as if it was waiting for him. I look forward to the dedication although there will be a sad element to it. He is greatly missed, but this is such an honor to his memory. I'm sure he will be smiling as he watches down on us. There's a chance Michael & Jessica may miss the dedication due to a prior commitment, but I hope they know how very important their role has been and how very missed they will be on this occasion.