One Gutsy Grandma

From the day that my Aunt Brenda told me that she was going to come visit us, I was anticipating her arrival with excitement. She came over with two of my young cousins ages 12 and 14, her grandchildren, and was ready to see it all. We toured Venice and Sermione in Italy, Munich and New Schwanstein here in Germany, and Paris. It took a little work to keep the teenagers interested and in good spirits, but a trip to some water slides, bribery in the form of money for souvenirs, badminton, bumper cars, and contests to see who had learned the most foreign words in Italian, German, or French did the trick. I was afraid that all the walking, stairs, boats, bikes, rain, and subway systems would be too much for my aunt, but when the kids were falling out, she was still going strong. I don't think there is a better grandma in the world. And I am always so happy to be around my aunt, because she is the closest connection I have to my mother and there are so many traits in her that remind me of my mom. The bonus of the trip was the best chocolate cake ever in Paris. It was a purely Parisian confectionery display of sinfully gooey chocolaty goodness, oh yes it was. As for the rest of Micma's grandchildren? Ya'll better start sucking up now, cause I'm thinking of the Greek Islands for her next visit!

Here are some pics from some of our travels.

Apparently, when you are 12 and 14 it is really fun to have a lemonade bottle that looks like a beer bottle. And look at the size of Micma's real beer!

Sermione, Italy

Venice, Italy

Hellos and Goodbyes

As my Aunt Carolyn wrote to me, "When one leaves us, another comes into our lives."

My Grandmother Marie Rogers passed away, after 90 full years spent raising 4 boys, faithfully loving her husband of over 50 years, and fervently serving her Lord and Saviour. She was probably the best cook I've ever known. Isn't it funny that with all the technology over the last 50 years, the best meals still come off of the oldest gas stoves? I have fond memories of campers with colorful fruit lights and a rolled out green astroturf rug, watching Wheel of Fortune in the living room while my grandmother put my wet hair up in a head full of pink sponge curlers (although sleeping on those things were miserable) and eating a bowl full of Neapolitan ice cream, laying in the huge bed of the front bedroom watching the Ms. America pageant on a black and white television with rabbit ears 3 times larger than the screen, waking up to the most heavenly smells known to man and then sitting at the breakfast table watching my grandfather dip his toast in his coffee and waiting for my grandmother to sit down on a rickety folding chair to just a few measly bites herself only after making sure that everyone else was served first. She was a wise woman, who never lost the art of the handwritten letter . Her greatest attribute was her commitment to prayer, and I always knew that when she said she was praying for me, I could be certain that she really was with her whole heart. She has been waiting for a long time to be reunited with her husband in heaven, and I can only imagine the gorgeous smiles on both of their faces when that happened.

I am overjoyed to announce that I am an aunt to the most precious little boy. His name is Samuel Grady Rogers, and its a good thing that Alan has a pretty wife, because Sam is just beautiful. The disappointment of missing out on the birth of this little miracle was great, and I am so jealous of everyone who has gotten a chance to hold him in their arms already. I can't wait until my chance in October to see him for myself, touch his baby soft skin, inhale the sweet smells that only come from a new baby, and introduce Cooper to his cousin. Congratulations Alan and April and welcome Baby Samuel!

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