More Updating . . .

Mother's Day was a wonderful day for me -- spending a quiet, restful day with daughter Molly and her family, and receiving sweet phone calls from my distant children. Beth and Molly have posted sweet, honoring posts here:

www.thedischerfamily.blogspot.com (is that little "fluffy" girl really me?

and here: www.thestricklenfamilyblog.blogspot.com It was a special day.

More (actually the first!) pictures from my extended stay in Arkasouri:

One day, we piled Beth and her children and Ashley and her children into the RV (happened to be the only vehicle that would hold everyone) and took off for the wonderful Morningland Dairy about 2 hours away. We already buy from Morningland and have the outstanding raw cheese shipped here to Florida, but we thought "what a great way to save shipping charges!" Here, Adventurous Beth takes the wheel of the RV, and Kitty helped out driving, too, but Grandmother did NOT venture behind the wheel on the curvy mountain roads!


Peter has his own way to handle motion sickness. Paul says, "they don't call me Re-Pete for nothing!" Like big brother, like little brother.

On the way up, we stopped at the Dawt Mill, one of Ozark County's historic old mills. Thankfully, these mills are being restored, and this one has a lovely restaurant and old buildings for visitors. Kitty and Sarah give baby Clay a tour. Notice the interesting posts on the old lodge in the background -- unfinished tree trunks!

We decided to eat outside, where the balcony hangs over the "Something" Fork River (forgot the name). Interesting for an acrophobiac like me!

No, baby Clay, no salad yet! Ashley has that maneuver down to a T!

Everyone enjoyed the huge burgers and fresh battered onion rings.

Two little rascals study the menu. The catalyst for Emma Jane's new haircut was her attempt to give herself and Savannah a trim. She chopped hers up drastically, but thankfully, she was discovered before Savannah lost much of hers!
Everyone was fascinated by the falls and rapids on the river.

The dairy farmer explains the procedure for making cheese -- raw and grassfed, which we believe has abundant health benefits. And it is delicious!

Back home again after a lovely day, though full of curves and hills. I love this view.
Gracie is a born Pied Piper of little ones. She loves them and they gravitate to her. Here, she and Savannah find a perch in a tree and explore "tootles". Grace plays beautifully, and I bet it won't be long before Savannah is making music, too!

Grace also loves theology. Here, she and RG discuss some finer points. What a blessing to see them devour the Word!

One morning, when Granddaddy was there, we piled some little ones on the golf cart and explored a little (the golf cart won't go where the Polaris will, so it was just a little exploration!)
Out in the pasture, sweet cousins Andrew and Rosie give a ride to Savannah and Emma, to avoid the prickly pear.

Their reward -- the "little" creek, just the right size for little people to explore. Clear, beautiful water.
Sometimes, the deep swimming hole in the big creek is the place to be, with big brothers and sisters and mamas and daddies, but for younger ones, this creek is perfect!

More pictures to come. Thank you, Lord, for a wonderful visit to the northern Dayspring.

First Things First

Well, it is so good to be home after nearly a month in Missouri!While I was spending wonderful quality and quantity time with sweet children and grandchildren in the upper Mid-South U.S., (I mean, what do you call the Ozark region -- South?? Midwest??), my faithful "elder in the gates" patriarch-husband was sounding out truth loud and clear here in Florida. He organized and hosted a large gathering of patriots and concerned central Floridians in our home. It wasn't supposed to work out that he was "hostess-less", but we trust the Lord knew best, and I want to thank the kind and competent "substitute hostesses" who filled in for me on the evening of April 16.
Sweet Stricklen granddaughters Callie, Mary, Margaret Anne, and Abigail know my heart and my home as well as I do, and they faithfully clean and serve (and play Celtic melodies!) when we have events at Grandmama's. They are here, working in the background, when no one else knows. Thank you, darlin girls!

"Adopted granddaughters" Amanda and Jessica, who also went on the first leg of the "Arkasouri" trip with us, were right there helping, serving, running errands, and helping in any way they could. Thank you, dears.

The dear Franklin family pitched in to make the event successful -- what a generous spirit of service they exemplify! Not just for these events, but every week for church set-up. Thanks, faithful friends!

The event featured Mr. David Zanotti, of the American Policy Roundtable http://www.aproundtable.org/ whose organization has faithfully worked for decades to strengthen America's foundations. As they state on their website:

"A generation ago, a handful of "ordinary people" began meeting together out of a growing concern for America. Their conversations, prayers, and research led to the founding of an "extraordinary" public policy effort that would blossom into the American Policy Roundtable.

Recognizing that America is - at its core - a commitment to ideas and principles, the Roundtable was established with the mission of restoring the historic Judeo-Christian principles to American public policy. The Roundtable seeks to fulfill this mission statement by meeting three core objectives:

1) Rekindling the American Spirit -- by telling the story of Liberty everyday.
2) Building networks of leaders, who will help others join in the adventure of responsible citizenship.
3) Overcoming evil in civil society by promoting positive alternatives in public policy."

Take some time to explore their site and appreciate all they are doing "behind the scenes". My husband is impressed with their integrity and dedication, not an accolade he hands out lightly. Joining together with like-minded believers is crucial in these times.

Just wanted to say, Thank You, Sweeties! I have heard many good comments about how beautiful everything was and what a nice job you all did. If I couldn't be here, I am glad y'all were! You have been a blessing to me! Thank you, Lord, for dear, faithful ones who love to serve!

Now that it's been . . .

. . . almost a month ( ! ) since I last posted here, I want to quickly update. Hopefully, pictures will be coming soon. We left FL April 5 (leaving most of the sweeties there, including brand new little Nathaniel) for a week or so in Missouri. Granddaughter Abigail came with us, as did two "adopted" granddaughters, Amanda and Jessica.

Well, cell phone coverage is very scant at the Missouri property (I use my cell phone for a modem), and little did I know that Danny would take off and fly back to Florida, along with the 3 girls, leaving me in Missouri! So, pictures may take a while to upload, given the fickleness of ATT coverage!

It has been a blessed time here, but after 45 years of marriage (in November), it isn't the same without my Sweetheart, my Hot Fudge Sundae! He returned for me yesterday (Friday) and, the Lord willing, we will be on the road Monday back to all the sweet Florida babies.

What a sweet time I have had with the Arkasouri sweeties! Since I was here a while, we got into the routine each day of Savannah and Emma Jane coming over to Grandmama's for letter sound and recognition pre-reading activities. There precious little minds are so ready to absorb learning ( for 5 or 10 minutes anyway), and now is the time to make it normal and adventurous to learn. No pressure, just a good time with Grandmama -- and the "goldfish" treats don't hurt either!

We have been thrift-storing, creek-watching, gardening, bird-watching (Missouri birds are so different from Florida birds!), mill-visiting (the beautiful and historic Dawt Mill) and touring the dairy that makes our favorite raw milk cheese, Morningland Dairy. Of course, nightly bluegrass and Celtic music sessions and heart-filling devotions are a blessed memory! And Scrabble! Who could forget almost-daily Scrabble matches! Gracie, Grandmama has met her match!

Well, I hope to get pictures up soon, but just wanted to let you know we are still here, or in Florida, or somewhere in between!!

When Cousins Come to Town . . .

The Dischers recently visited (only a couple of weeks after becoming citizens of Missouri!), and when cousins come to town, creative events will happen! Hmmmm . . . what shall we do? I know! A garden party! But the garden is in transition from winter garden to spring! Oh, nevermind . . . it will still be wonderful. Let's get moving and set everything up. Then let's dig out the lovely spring prints and hats. No mind that it is still coolish and windy today. Let's have a garden party!

Margaret Anne contemplates hats, teas, linens, finger sandwiches, cookies . . . (and grandmother contemplates where in the world that blue line has come from and how in the world can she get rid of it!)
Emma Jane tries on a lovely hat. Hmmm, probably a little too heavy and Eastern European for this event!

Mary greets us with a cup of hot tea, while she maintains her hat status. I guess EJ decided to go hatless.

Mama/Aunt Molly sits at the little table (where did that scowling prince come from??)

The granny corner is just the right spot for Grandma Sue and me (hey, I said it was a breezy day, okay!)
Young ladies fill their plates with dainties, homemade scones and lemon curd. Everything was delicious.

The lovely maidens' table. It was a beautiful day, despite the winds.

Wonderful fellowship and conversation. The time for beloved cousins to leave for home will come too soon.

Margaret Anne shows off her babies, the Brussels sprouts. We enjoyed them a few days later. Nothings better than wonderful fresh produce from the Stricklens' garden!

Aunt Beth with another interloper prince! What fun we had with Baby Paul while he was here!

Callie displays one of the remaining (huge) collard plants. These are so delicious!

Amanda snuggles with her little buddy before they sweep him off to Missouri.

Abby in her gracious hostess mode. We had a wonderful time, Abby!

Rosie and her "other cousin", the Lady of the Garden.

Two of my sweet, godly daughters and me. What a wonderful day we had. We miss you, Dischers, but what a blessing to have the Stricklens nearby!

Better Pictures, I Hope!

Here are some better pictures of Baby Nathaniel Charles Stricklen. He is at home and about 1 and 1/2 days old in them.

Such a rosy, healthy boy! William was a little perturbed at being "dethroned", but now he is a proud big brother.


Granddaddy loves holding this little bundle.


Grandmother had to get her arms around him, too!

Big sister Callie gets him when his eyes are open! Praise God from Whom all blessings flow!

Wonderful News!

I am putting together a quick post, so family and friends near and far can get the news and see a few pictures, such as they are. The pictures of Precious Baby were not good, so I hope to have better ones very shortly.

This Friday evening, as our family was hosting a "patriot" meeting in our home, and the Stricklens and Dischers (visiting from Missouri) were faithfully helping with serving, Molly let us know that things were happening and Baby Stricklen would likely be making his appearance in the next few hours. She went home to get a good nap, and we all finished cleanup and headed for bed.

It wasn't too long before we got the phone call. We headed over to the birthing center about 1:30 a.m., and the exhausting, but endearing, process began. Grandbaby number 25 was about to come into the world!

Molly, walking and working to get things going.

Faithful maidens, waiting and praying.

Grandmother and Granddaddy, expectantly and patiently waiting.

Molly, getting serious about those uncomfortable pangs that bring forth new life.

Faithful sister Beth, giving a comforting backrub. What a blessing that the Lord saw fit to send this baby while the Dischers were still here visiting. Beth was so faithful in comforting, encouraging, soothing, cheering. Molly was so glad to have her there.

Molly's Daddy came in to ask the Lord's blessing before things really got intense.

The precious little bundle arrives, with his mother exhausted but lovely!

Molly's Mama loves being there for her girls in any way possible.

Sisters -- what a blessing to have sisters for support and love.

Margaret Anne takes the challenge and cuts the cord.

Beautiful young ladies learning the ways of Christian womanhood. Well, there is one gentleman in that group! He's not quite sure how to take this new little cousin!

I am so sorry this is the only picture I have of little Nathaniel ?? Stricklen! I will try to get better ones when we visit this evening. He came into the world at 6:43 a.m., March 20 at 8 lb. 7 oz. and almost 22 inches long. God bless you, Sweet Baby!!