Cycles of Life

During the last week of March we have experienced the cycles of life. On March 21st, our Aunt Wilma Bradshaw passed away at the age of 94. She was Wes's dad's older sister. We had a wonderful time of celebrating her life at the funeral service in Springtown, Texas. The Methodist church where she and her husband J.K. Bradshaw were active provided a wonderful meal for the family before the service.

Wilma was probably 17 in this picture taken at the weigh-station after a day of picking cotton. She married out of high school, had 3 children and was widowed at the age of 32. She married J.K. at the age of 37, and he brought 3 boys with him.

We were blessed for Matt, Morgan and Emma to travel from Midland to be at the service.

Morgan and Emma pose at the graveside service with some distant cousins, all adopted!

After the service at Aunt Jo's house in Weatherford we continued the family fellowship. That is Wes's cousin Sue Griffin Stahl with his mom Sylvia.

One of Wilma's daughters, Virginia Lee, with her husband Jerry Corker.

The cycle of life continues as Jan celebrates a birthday, here with Vivian Miller, Edna Staudt, and Mary Herst. All LONG-time friends who have stuck with us through hard times and good. We love you!

Sweet Teri McDonald blessed Jan with a gift bag of birthday presents, including this hand-crocheted monogram cloth, suitable for framing. Notice RJG, that's Rosalyn Jan Griffin! This will be a precious heirloom.

The bluebonnets in our field next door are better than ever!

Wes's mom Sylvia posing in the bluebonnets.

Wes and Jan in the bluebonnets.

Playtime (Just Dogs)

Following the recent spring rain of 3.5 inches the creeks and pond are full to overflowing. We have never seen our property this green or maybe it is just the contrast to the extreme drought we have experienced in the past months.It was such a beautiful day I took the opportunity to take our 2 dogs, Mirabelle and Sadie, for a romp on our 8 acres. They had such a great time running and swimming that I decided to add it to GG's Journal.

The onion flowers are in abundance and are so beautiful, especially in the morning.

This is the area where the dogs love to play and run....so lush and green.

You can tell where the creek left its banks during the rain by the flattened grass on either side.

With that very thick and dark coat, Sadie always seems hot. She is one happy puppy!

It is hard to get a picture of these 2 because they are running nonstop!

What a face...not as innocent as she looks!

Mirabelle has become quite the water dog.

Always a game of chase.

Nice pose, Sadie!

Must be a bug in the grass?

On your way back home you can see part of the pond with our house in the background. The water is always muddy after a big rain but will clear up after a few days. Thank you Lord for the rains you have sent this spring!

Here we go! My first post.

It's never too late to start something new so here it goes. I want to share memories & photos with our family and friends so it was decided that a new blog would be the answer. I think it will compliment Wes's wonderful blog "His Eye Is On The Sparrow" but by no means will it compete!

March is the month that Matt G comes to Austin to attend SXSW and this year was no exception. It is always great to have him here during that time.... then it gets even better when the rest of Matt's family joins him here in Liberty Hill. Wes and I had fun playing with Morgan (6), Emma (4), and Viola (2). The pictures that follow show some of the good memories made during this March, 2012 visit. One day I went with the Matt G family on a beautiful drive to Pedernales State Park (Wes had to work but joined us for dinner on the way back), another day was horseback riding, and of course everyday there is great adventure in the woods around our home.

Here is our sweet Emma posing in the middle of the Pedernales River.

Love that smile!

Morgan showed much strength walking upstream to this

spot. Way to go!

Brother and sister braving the cold water together!

Viola was most content sitting with Mom and Dad but

she did get into picking up shells and digging in the sand.

Wes was able to join us for dinner on the way home from Pedernales State Park. He chose a favorite spot "Boathouse Grill" where we could dine outside and the kids could play on the playground.

Back at Liberty Hill, I managed to find boots for all the kids so they were a little more protected from the elements of the "wilderness". Here are sisters

Viola and Emma headed out for a hike.

Yep, Liberty Hill heaven for sure! Viola, Jan, Emma, & Morgan.

Wes tried to get a bluebonnet picture in the field next to our house but the kids were just too freaked out by the bugs. Baby 'V", Morgan, & Emma.

Viola sure likes for PapaWes to carry her...& he happily cooperates.

Our sweet friends across the road let the kids ride one of their horses (that's Cinco in the background). Here are Emma, V, and Morgan getting ready to ride!

This is Cinco's owner, Katie Schiele. What a blessing she is! She was very patient while everyone took their turn riding. Thank you Katie!

Morgan went first and rode like a pro!

Next, Emma rode & Katie let Morgan lead Cinco. You are quite a cowgirl, Emma!

Baby V didn't want to have anything to do with getting on such a big horse until she saw Morgan & Emma ride. So up she went and Morgan and Emma both got to lead Cinco.

You go, Baby V!

Here we are at the end of our ride with Katie and her mom, Andi Schiele.

Back at our place, Morgan, Viola, and Emma posed on the step of the "fort" their daddy helped build when he was a boy.

It's not easy to say goodbye but the Matt G family had to head back to Midland. Hurry back!!