Last Trip to the Beach

Well, finally, the "Farewell Tour That Never Ends" has . . . ended. The Dischers are safely in Missouri, and the Florida family is "Discherless". Before they left, they wanted to take one last trip to the beach. Although we live within one hour or less from either coast, we seldom make it to the beach. So Granddaddy said, "Pile into the RV, and let's go!" Never mind that it was winter in Florida, which, believe it or not, does occasionally resemble winter elsewhere -- and that day was cold and windy. But off we went!!

Gracie and Kitty -- " Hmmm, was this a dumb idea? Nahhh, the beach is the beach! It will be wonderful!"

Chipmunks. (This was actually staged. When the RV is in motion, they are much more safely seated!)

William and Emma Jane explore the old well at the Gamble Plantation.

Along the way, we stopped at the Gamble Plantation in Ellenton. This is from the state park website:

"This antebellum mansion was home to Major Robert Gamble and headquarters of an extensive sugar plantation. It is the only surviving plantation house in South Florida. It is believed that Confederate Secretary of State, Judah P. Benjamin, took refuge here after the fall of the Confederacy, until his safe passage to England could be secured. In 1925, the house and 16 acres were saved by the United Daughters of the Confederacy and donated to the state."


Danny and his "girls" in front of the plantation house. We are always amazed at the ingenuity and creativity of the folks in times past. They may not have had electronics, but they had real creativity in solving day-to-day difficulties.

Musing on the second story balcony.

At the beach near Venice, FL. The picnic areas were secluded in the palmettos. The day was quite chilly, so there were very few people there anyway! My kind of day at the beach!

Granddaddy and Grandmama doing their favorite thing -- spending time with grandchildren!

Little Paul preparing for life in frigid Missouri! He doesn't care -- he's just happy to be outside!

Kitty and Mary, contemplating getting into the icy waters of the Gulf.

Beth and her grown up girl Sarah.

Cheery Abigail!

So far, the rocks are warm enough.

Molly and Beth, sharing time in the sun. Sarah: "Something tells me a camera is nearby! Hey, there it is! "

Little cousins Rosie, Margaret Anne, and CJ snuggle up.

Kitty and the Big Blue Sea.

Gracie loves it, too.

We took another route home and went through Arcadia. We met sweet friends, the Franklins, for dinner at a local, small town restaurant. Much more picturesque and interesting than a fast food chain.

KelliPaige and Patrick and children were pleasant dinner companions. They are "Discherless" too!

Poor little Wills! A long day comes to a pleasant end! It was a different day at the beach, but I am sure it sent the Dischers off with good memories of living in Florida! Thank you, Lord, for our family and the many good times we have had together.

A Very Special Occasion

Over 18 years ago, when our family found out 3, count them -- 3 precious bundles would be born in the same year, what excitement was everywhere! First would be RG, the first male grandchild and first child of Robert and Katie. Then Callie, Molly and Chris' first baby. Then Gracie would be born the third child of Beth and Eddie. They would be grandchild 3, 4, and 5 (respectively). Oh the joy of that year! They were so different, each bringing amazing things to our family! RG was a big boy (everyone always thought he was older than his actual age) and all boy. Callie was a wisp of a girl, but so vibrant! Gracie was a fluffy butterball with a smile that never left her face.

This Christmas in Arkasouri, we carried out a family tradition started when Kitty and Sarah each turned 18 years old. The parents and grandparents take the 18 year olds to dinner without the other children. It is a wonderful (and emotional) time of recognition of their coming of age. Danny and I like to give something of significance, such as a family heirloom, and each family has its own tradition (well, this is the first for the Stricklens and Millers, but the Dischers have been doing this for a couple of years!)

Granddaddy and Grandmother with RG. What a special young man he has become! The Lord knew exactly what he was doing when he sent RG to our family for such a time as this!

Callie Sue with Granddaddy and Grandmother (and Grandmother's great big ole purse!). She is still a wisp of a girl, but so full of love for the Lord and her family, and so diligent in preparing the skills she will need as a woman of God!

Gracie with Grandmother and Granddaddy. She has certainly outgrown her butterball-ness, and never ceases to amaze us with her talents wisely used for the Lord's purposes and for the benefit of those she loves.

RG with his parents. It is amazing how the Lord places children in the care of the perfect parents for them. Katie and Robert have diligently worked to guide and mold this strong young man of God -- and He will surely do amazing things through RG for His kingdom!

Callie with her parents. Molly and Chris are so different in personality, yet Callie seems to
have both of their strengths! She has already begun influencing those around her for the Kingdom of God, and is becoming such a strong and lovely woman of God.

Gracie with her parents. Beth and Eddie's consistent guidance and direction have given Grace a unique personality and character. Her diverse interests and talents and her graciousness continually delight her grandparents!

Aunt Molly's poignant reflections of the years gone by had us ladies totally choked up! Sorry, y'all -- this is one emotional family, especially remembering three little folks who have made life so wonderful!

Everyone spoke a word of remembrance and admonition to the young adults. My own heart thoughts were, "Never forget who you are. God put you in this family for His own sovereign reason. Acquaintances and even friends may come and go, but your family and your heritage will never change. Remember who you are." God bless you, young adults! His Kingdom will be in good hands when we are gone to Heaven.

The Mysterious Land of . . . . . .

SNOW! Our family traveled from Florida and Arkansas at Christmas time to "Arkasouri", that Mysterious Land of Snow. Some of the Florida babies have never seen snow (even some 18 year olds), so we thank the Master of the Wind and Waves for His bountiful provision! Enter with us . . .

This picture took my mind in the direction of mysterious places. You can almost imagine the "Spare Oom" just around the corner from the "Lamp Post". Instead we found enchanting . . .

. . . snow covered haybales in the pasture. All you poor, cold snow-sufferers, please bear with us. It was lovely! In this mysterious land we found many enchanting scenes . . .

Angels in the snow! Rachel (with friend Buddy watching from above.)

Snow Angel Rosie, with Jake wondering what all the excitement is about.

You would find lovely babushkas waiting to lead you from one exciting scene to the next.
Kitty . . .

And Sarah, who got up early to be the first out in the snow.

You would find exciting adventures, instigated by Uncle Jay, who provided equipment and scraps for boys to turn into fun!

Snow Angels Rosie and Rachel enjoy the result of creativity -- an improvised toboggan pulled by the 4-wheeler.

What a great time for fun with cousins you don't get to see too often! Daniel and Sarah see what the 4 wheeler does on the snow. Obviously, Floridians did not have snow equipment to bring along (especially since we didn't really expect snow!). BUT BEWARE!! Who knows what lurks in the snows of Arkasouri . . .

Is it?? The Yeti, the Abominable Snowman?? A lost terrorist?? Oh, it's just Uncle Jay, who has lived here a few months and is prepared for working outdoors. Hmmm, what is he getting ready to do???

ACCKKKK!! Poor Sarah!! That throwing arm was more powerful than I remembered!! Actually, Granddaddy took the picture just as she ducked! Well-played, Sarah!

Indiana-born Danny hasn't forgot his snowball-fighting form! No one wanted to be the recipient of Granddaddy's hardball!

Oh, yes. One more thing Granddaddy doesn't miss about snow country! It will take the Lord God Almighty to move him out of Florida!!

Yes, another beware! Sisters sneaking up behind you with snowballs! Oh, well, there's always a lovely roaring fire in the house!

. . . or in the pasture! I'm afraid there is a bit of pyromaniac in the Frodge genes, and it has been passed on. Of course, what better occasion for a bonfire than a cold day playing in the snows of "Arkasouri"! Well, thanks for visiting our mysterious land -- come back anytime!

God's Providential Timing . . .

What a wonderful heavenly Father we have! Jason and Ashley were expecting a baby boy earlier in December, but the Lord knew how special it would be for him to be born when the whole family was there. On December 23, Jason Clay Frodge Jr. came into a cold, cold world but was greeted warmly by his loving family. He makes the 24th grandchild and evens up the genders -- 12 girls and 12 boys. What a precious little boy he is!

Ashley was blessed to have a (relatively) short labor with the midwife in Mountain Home, Arkansas, and be home shortly after. There were lots and lots of cousins, aunts, uncles, grandparents on hand to watch Savannah and assure her that her little brother was coming home soon!

Grandmother and Granddaddy adore the newest addition -- and one of only two actual Frodges!

Jason with his little son on Christmas day. We remarked over and over how much he looks like Jason when Jason was first born. Below is a picture of Jason when he was 2 months old -- it will be interesting to compare baby Clay with his daddy in another month or so!


Jason Clay Frodge, the Original 1972

Ashley with her little boy, a couple of days old. She looks so contented and pleased. God is merciful and gracious to our family.

Aunt Katie, loving this little nephew. Our family loves babies!

Aunt Ashley introducing Clay to his cousin, Paul. I predict they will be great pals and grow up to be faithful men of God together. Thank you, Lord, for your abundant blessing of children!

We love you, baby Clay.

Christmas in Arkasouri

Well, this year, the Lord graciously allowed the WHOLE family to be together for Christmas -- in Missouri! What a whirlwind month it has been! The Discher family sold their little house here in Florida and moved in with us until they leave in Feb. for Missouri, so we had a few days here before taking off together for two weeks in Missouri. The sweet Stricklen family set out at about the same time from Florida, and we would join the Millers and "other" Frodges when we got to Arkasouri.

What an adventure we had! A little unorthodox, heading OUT of Florida in the winter, but we wanted to have the family together for the first time in years, so . . .




Sweet Discher girls dressed in Christmas finery. Sarah, Kitty, and Gracie (with a little Emma Jane head!)

Gracie with her mother.

Sarah with her mother. You know by now what a pitiful photographer I am. The Stricklens were at the same Sunday service, but I never pay attention to whose picture I have and whose I don't have. Visit here www.thedischerfamily.blogspot.com and here www.thestricklenfamilyblog.blogspot.com for much, much better variety of photos. These children do not miss a chance to play paparazzi!

Then on to Missouri! I believe this is the only picture I have of the trip! We caravanned -- the RV, our Durango, and Eddie driving his yellow service truck -- so we could rotate drivers and stop together. Here, Sarah Beth and little Paul get a nice nap in the RV.

So, we make it to Missouri for Christmas together. The children are such a blessing with their musical talents, always willing to fill the air with hymns, carols, bluegrass. Here, Kitty on guitar, Peter on banjo, and RG's arm on the upright bass make Christmas day a sweet time. Notice the bare house. The Dischers have hauled some things up, but most of their household is still here in Florida until Feb. So we made the most of what was available. It was all in good fun.

Callie on the dobro, Gracie on the mandolin, and Mary on the fiddle add their instruments to the good music. In the right background is a friend of daughter Katie's. Her name is Maria, and she joined the family for the day. Good to meet you, Maria!

Here is Peter on the banjo again, Sarah takes up the bass, and RG fiddles, while Grandmother just basks in it all! I love it when the Country Cousins are back together, even for just a few hours.

The girls blessed us with a rendition of "Then Love Came Down". Beautiful. Thank you, Lord, for giving your Son.

Papa Eddie and baby Paul enjoy.

***************************************************

"HERDING CATS"

Ever try to get 34 various people to pose for a rare family photo? It's like . . . well, you know.

Joey: "I wanna go outside in the snow! What?? I don't need shoes, Mama . . .!"

Matthew: "TURKEYS!! Well, anything to get me outta this!"

Sarah: "Will you people co-OPERATE!!"

Rachel: "I'm still smiling. Pleeze, take the picture!"

William: "I don't want to get my pickchur taken!"

Matthew: "It worked! I'm outta here!"

Savannah: "What's the matter, William?"

Peter: "I don't care if I'm not smiling. This is the best your gonna get!"

RG: "If I lean just right, I can finally take a nap!"

Rachel: "I'm still smiling . . ."

William: "No! I don't want my pickchur taken!"

Almost . . .

Ashley: "Come on, people. I just gave birth 2 days ago! How much longer do you think this smile can last??"

Robert: "I got home early for this??"

Matthew: "If I can get a little head start, I can be outta here . . ."

Rachel: "Now I got the front row smiling!"

William: "Stop looking at me, Mary! I don't want my pickchur taken!"

William: "Okay, take it!"

Grandmother: "A-h-h-h-h-h......! What a beautiful family! Thank you, Lord."

Next: Snow!