When I want to think of you...

I skyped with Kate today for a nice long conversation.  She is well and ready for the rainy season to come to her island.  She sent me new pictures while we talked.  I knew you would enjoy them.  I decided to put all the photos I have in a video so I could try to get a feel for what her life is like.  Come, take a few minutes and go to Little Corn Island with me...

Happy Birthday to the Island Girl!

"Of course if you like your kids, if you love them from the moment they begin, you yourself begin all over again, in them, with them, and so there is something more to the world again."

I do, I did, there is.

Your father and I wish you all the happiness the world can give. I shall miss sharing your birthday with you. I hope you can feel my heart, my hugs and kisses. 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, KATE!

Psalm 127:3

The Energizer Lawyer!

He just keeps on going and going and going and going...

A Story about Aidan by Alan

Aidan is being lifted by Keegan and another team mate.

Last night Aidan got a dramatic base hit to win the game for our team, the Tigers.

We went into the bottom of the final inning behind 8 to 2. The Tigers rallied, mainly by obtaining a lot of walks from the opposing pitcher. By the time Aidan got to the plate, the Tigers were down 8 to 7. The bases were loaded, and there were two outs.

One of the first pitches hit Aidan's finger and bat at the same time. That hurts! Aidan was hurt and crying. I went out to check on him (I'm the coach). The umpire said that we could bring in a substitute hitter since Aidan appeared hurt. I asked Aidan if he would like to stay in the game or have a substitute come in. He was crying too much to speak, but he motioned that he wanted to go back up to the plate.

Aidan came back up to the plate. He got behind in the count... no balls and two strikes. The bases were still loaded with two outs, and the Tigers were down by one run. If Aidan had allowed one more strike, the Tigers would have lost.

Aidan hit the next pitch solidly up the middle, allowing two runners to come home to score. The Tigers won! The team preserved its undefeated record for the year (seven wins, no losses).

Aidan's teammates and Keegan came out onto the field and started chanting "Aidan, Aidan, Aidan!" They carried him off the field to the extent a bunch of nine and ten year olds can carry someone off the field.

Very soon after receiving the game ball, Aidan handed it to me and said, "Can you hold this? I want to go get some popcorn before the snack shack closes."

Easter 2011

"I am confirming that all of you and your entire families, except for brother Tom’s, will be our guests for Easter Brunch at 11 a.m. at the Commerce Club in the 191 Peachtree ST. building on the 49th floor. This is the re-named 191 Club in its new quarters in the same building. Parking in the garage below. Bring your ticket up to the reception desk of the Club to be validated. Easter Bunny (but no more egg hunts, sorry Joe), private room (the Ivan Allen room), and groaning board, per usual."  Love, Grandad

  

Easter Egg and more fellowship to follow at the Heath!

Easter was given for you and me...

REMEMBER SWEET ONES, JESUS IS THE KEY.

 HAPPY EASTER.

I have so many found memories of Easter; yesterday, today and tomorrow the gift is ours.

In Honor of Terrence's 71st Birthday...4/13/11

As I start to write this blog all I can think to say is that I want many, many more birthdays with this man I call Honey.

You held my hand
When it was cold
When I was lost
You took me home
You gave me hope
When I was at the end
And turned my lies
Back into truth again
You even called me friend

We've celebrated 34 of your 71 birthdays together and never once have I doubted your love and devotion.  These gifts along with your honesty and truth are what I hold dear and the gifts I will give to you in return.

And I can't believe it's you I can't believe it's true
I needed you and you were there
And I'll never leave, why should I leave
I'd be a fool
'Cause I've finally found someone who really cares

dYou needed me 

You needed me

I rejoice in your birthday, I look forward to every night that I can cuddle up in your arms and each morning that we can wake together to a new day.


Happy Birthday, Terrence, I want to thank you for seeking God's will with me. You are my forever and in this uncertain world, that's all I need to know.

 

More Spring Break and Birthdays!

A GREAT time with Morgan!
(Oops, sorry about the mistake on the video; Morgan was born 4-13-99.)
HAPPY BIRTHDAY DEAR MORGAN!

In a word...Joe

Today is Joe's day.  He was born in 1998 and today he is 13, that's THIRTEEN years old!  Over the years it has has been my privilege to see the softer side of Joe (sometimes kids are a little more gentle with Grandparents than with others) when he has come to stay with me, at least once a year while his parents are out of town on an annual trip. He has always been a delight to have around the house and has never fails to touch my heart.

I still feel my heart strings tug when I see him these days, on the baseball field, out to dinner, at home doing his homework, at school on Grandparent's day... always doing his boy thing, too old to be taken care of, but every time we hug hello or goodbye, he is so sweet to let me say, "I love you" with my embrace, and my heart always feels his goodness.

I see him trying to be the best he can be, whether on the baseball field or doing his homework.  That's good character, grandson, and every time I see you biting down intently on your tongue as you are throwing a baseball, I know you are in the zone, digging deep down inside and praying you succeed.  That's a good quality to have, and that's what I think makes you the best of the best!

Thirteen, I can't believe you are already 13!  Oh, how I have loved watching you grow so fine.  Remember, Jesus will be your best friend for the asking and your best is always the ultimate gift you can give.

Happy Birthday, dear Joe.  Can you hear me and Grandad singing?!  

Home Grown Random Act of Culture

After the Wesleyan Jr. High Player's hit show, "Seussical", part of the cast went out to dinner to celebrate a successful closing night.  The cast came up with the bright idea to share a song from the show with the patrons of the restaurant where they were eating (joining the many who have recently performed in huge numbers, at malls etc.,  their version of a random act of culture).  I'm sure you will recognize the tall, beautiful, white shirted, brother and sister team (Andrew and Emily), standing together with their backs toward the camera, as they join in the impromptu performance!

What fun!  There's no business like Show Business!!  I've always wanted to do this!!

Cell phone video by:  Daddy Tom

Rhythmical clapping by:  Mama Kim

.Signs by Kate

Still on Little Corn and now using her skills with a paint brush to help pay the rent.
(photo: Kennedy was introduced to me by Kate on Skype.)

On the outside wall of the Dive Shop

A map of the island and designated areas where you can have different diving experiences. (I think.)

Forever the advocate for recycling...I understand, very much a necessity on the island.

Who knew she had such a talent!

The Future Teacher...

 When my niece, Abigail, was a little girl she taught every doll and friend that came into her make-believe class room.  Playing school was her favorite thing to do and there was never a doubt what she would be when she grew up.   She is now a teacher with a real classroom that looks much like I would have expected it to look, perfectly in order with lots of attention to detail.  She loves her job just like she loved playing it, not so long ago!

I mention Abby because I am seeing a repeat story in my granddaughter Isabelle’s life.  Although she has many interests, she spends much of her time in her specially designed classroom, teaching her stuffed animals (only eight at a time), writing test papers and grading them, keeping current bulletin boards and good behavior charts.

Emily went with me recently to take notes while I interviewed Issy and snapped photographs of this future teacher.

Isabelle's special class room is but two steps up from her own lovely, well appointed bedroom.  It is hard not to stop and stay awhile in her room filled with bright colors and loads of lovely, girlie treasures.  But, for this day we are interested in Issy's passion for TEACHING! 

Glimpse of Issy's bedroom

Issy shows us up to her class room.

Students

Issy is up to date with all the latest teaching tools and she uses ALL of them!  What student wouldn't want to be in her wonderfully whimsical classroom.  It's a child's paradise.

At the white board, the teacher introduces herself to her class.

Visiting student and Mimi's blog stenographer. 

Miss Regas

While there we explored the world using her special globe, to see were Nicaragua was located.  We looked at the very old dictionary that once belonged to her Papa (Emily's too).  We read her rules, looked at her math papers and decided that she, like Abby and her Aunt Carol before her,  will make an excellent teacher when she graduates from the pink and green classroom above her bedroom.

Thanks for sharing, Isabelle!

Weekend events

Emily and I shared a day of her Spring Break painting pottery and going for a visit at the Regas household.

Mary showed us the results of her fabulous workout room,

 The stunning new wine celler,

and Isabelle's stylish room as well as the "classroom" where she teaches (see blog at a later date!).

Learned that Bethann and Adrienne got a new puppy.

Michael and Isabelle attended this years Father-Daughter Dance. What a handsome couple they make!

Andrew returned  from a wonderfully uplifting mission retreat and everyone enjoyed being back together, relaxing on the new sofa.

Ford and Joe played baseball in between rain drops and Morgan agreed to spend a few days with me on her Spring Break the first week of April!  (See that too on a later blog!)

Grandad and I are Greeters at church on Sunday, where we will later give thanks for our blessings.

Quote from Aidan from Alan ...

Aidan says funny things every day.


Today we were watching a commercial for ING Bank.  The commercial asked people to think about their retirement number.


I turned to Aidan and asked, "How much money do you want to have when you retire?"


He replied, "$17 billion so that I can be an old person with a jet pack." ...


Grandad wishes he had thought of that!  


Have a good day.

Sharing my day with you...

This morning I donned my trusty old boots and headed for a long anticipated hike  to the waterfall .  The day was perfectly warm and beautiful.

I stopped many times along the way to snap  photos of old familiar sights that never fail to move me each time I'm here...

Up or down the Fightingtown.

After climbing to the top of the hill I realized it had been too long and too many pounds ago since I have tested my endurance.

But the views along the way encouraged me to keep on making this journey.  I should always keep going, no matter how slowed down I might become.

The water was moving quickly through the small tributaries in the valley below the road I was traveling...

as well as alongside it.

 I began the climb up the mountain trail to the waterfall.  I stopped halfway up to catch my breath and try my skills with the self timer.

I made my way down the ever narrowing path towards the falls.  The sound was thunderous as it revealed itself to me in all it's glory.

I sat down on the mossy bank and watched for a long, long time...

bottom of the falls

top of the falls 

first signs of spring

What beautiful, beautiful sights to behold.
  

I give them to you. 

full pool

Kristin Celebrates a Birthday!

Kristin, attorney at law, partner in her own law firm, wife of Alan, mother of Keegan and Aidan, has little time for counting birthdays, but celebrating is certainly in order for this successful daughter!  And in between the ball games her sons are playing, I hope she will find time to feel the special love and good wishes we're sending out to the West Coast!


Alan tell me that Kristin spends a good deal of her down time going on walks with him and watching a little "trashy" TV.  She is into Real Housewives of Atlanta and Beverly Hills, Gene Simmons, and The Hills.  "Monday will be a big day for us as we watch the finale of The Bachelor!"  Well, I guess everyone needs to escape the real world every once in a while.                    


Kristin is also a bit addicted to her e-reader, the Nook.  "It is what helps her calm down after a hectic day before falling asleep."  (Now that's a habit most of the family shares!)


I can also tell you that she calls her father and me every so often to just chat, catching us up with her life and those of the rest of her family.  She lets us talk and ask questions for as long as we like, never acting rushed as we know she must be.


Trying to give the boys a great spring break this year, Kristin and Alan took them to Washington DC for a look at our nation's capital.

We're thinking of you Kris and sending you wishes for a very 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

3/18/69 


(The above pictures were made during a recent trip to Northern California.)




 

Fun photos from the Regas' Spring Break

Looks like an exciting time in Keystone!

(I know these were on FB but I wanted to have them documented in the Chatterbox archives.)

Ready - Set - Go!

Baseball season is in full swing!

Last Saturday Keegan pitched for the first three and a half innings (a no-hitter) and also was a few feet shy of a homerun on his first at-bat.  The ball hit the wall at center field and even dented the sponsor's sign!!  Keegan's team (Red Sox) won their game in the Majors, as did the Tigers (Aidan's team, coached by Alan) in the Minors.  The Tigers blew out last year's Minors champions, 11-5.  Aidan was second in the batting order, sacrificed his first at-bat and hit a single later in the game.  His hitting is strong this year, and he's a great fielder. 

Aidan calls Alan "coach" on the field.  Alan is coaching his team!  

(Thanks to Kristin for the sports update and fabulous pictures!)

Wishing a winning season to Ford, Joe, Keegan and Aidan (and for Nana, the BRAVES)!