My “other firstborn” –my dear nephew, Caleb, center. (Weston, left. Morgan, right.)
I helped raised Caleb from 13 months to kindergarten. I babysat him every day and often overnight, too.
He’s 27 now.
He’s a high school geography teacher in San Antonio.
I used to call him my Leblet. He used to get confused and call me mommy.
Getting a decent photo of all three of them looking normal felt just like trying to get a photo of Weston and Morgan and Ross where they all look normal.
Or maybe this is normal???
Lake Granbury. We lived here for over a dozen years in a house on the lake with two acres of property.
After the funeral in Fort Worth, Morgan wanted to go to Granbury. All three of the kids were born when we lived in that house. We went to visit some old neighbors. I sat in the porch swing on their dock looking out a few lots down at our old house and the lap of the water against the dock and the sweet quiet felt so peaceful. We used to get on blow-up rafts and float back and forth visiting our neighbors/friends.
That red double-decker dock?
It was ours. Back then, we had a huge slide on the top deck. You had to climb a ladder up the slide, so it was like a third story. We ran a hose on it down the slide, so it was like a water slide. The kids loved it.
We built that house while I was pregnant with Ross.
I used to have swim races with the kids out to these dead trees.
Geese in our neighbors’ yard.
There are always lots of geese and ducks in the yards along the lakefront. My love for ducks was born here.
Jalapeno poppers!
Or you could have them wrapped in bacon! I’ll have the recipe sometime soon.
San Antonio.
Morgan, placing flowers on my mom’s casket at the burial service in San Antonio.
The Explorer that I’m helping Weston bring back to West Virginia. Photo taken at a rest area somewhere in Arkansas.
We’re on our way.
Shelly says:
Seems like you had some bittersweet memories. So sorry about your mother. What year is that explorer? I have a 1996 Eddie Bauer addition, maroon color. It’s been very reliable.
On July 19, 2010 at 1:22 am
joanne says:
travel safely y’all. I love the pics of Texas but I am just heart broken as to the reason you are there. Take care…
On July 19, 2010 at 1:44 am
Barbara says:
Dear Sweet Lady, I’m so sorry for your loss and will be praying for your comfort and for peace and strength. I was so surprised to see your post with the pictures of Lake Granbury because that is just where I live! I know you will be glad to get back to your home so stay safe and have a good trip.
On July 19, 2010 at 2:36 am
Flatlander says:
Although the reason to go out there was very sad, the memories you have and seeing it all again, must be a nice trip down memory lane for all of you.
Drive and travel safe, take you time en try to enjoy trip.
On July 19, 2010 at 2:38 am
Patty says:
Drive safely and be careful! We’ll be here when you get home!
On July 19, 2010 at 2:57 am
kathy says:
So very sorry to hear about your mom. Her casket cover was just beautiful. Badly phrased, but. May the wind be at your back, the road rise up to meet you, and the sun shine softly on your face. Safe travels home for you and the kids.
On July 19, 2010 at 3:46 am
Nic, SD says:
I love your blog, and it’s kinda cool to see a different part of your life. Or maybe to hear about a different time period, if that makes more sense? I’m so sorry to hear about your mother. I do have to agree with Kathy–the floral arrangement is just beautiful.
Safe travels!
On July 19, 2010 at 4:21 am
Snapper says:
Safe travels!
On July 19, 2010 at 5:49 am
Sheryl at Providence Acres Farm says:
Have a safe return! They all three have the same mouth and smile.
On July 19, 2010 at 5:57 am
Jane says:
I live close to Grandbury and it is beautiful. I love the old downtown and the famous Opra house too. I am guessing you all went up 35 from Dallas? Hope you have a safe trip in this heat.
On July 19, 2010 at 6:16 am
Tovah says:
Another wish for safe travels! And definitely don’t get overheated in this weather!
On July 19, 2010 at 6:40 am
Carol Langille says:
Don’t you just know your Mama was looking down, Suzanne, on you and your family gathered to honor her life and she is happy and safe.
The Granbury area is one of my favorite places…we live in Far North Dallas and try to go down there fairly often. And I love Glen Rose even more…there is an old man who comes to the Glen Rose Courthouse Square every weekend and he sells stuff out of the back of his truck. Things like cantaloupe, green beans, tomatoes (to die for!) and when the garden season has passed, he sells pecans that he sits in his truck and shells while life goes on around him. We always buy from him and if he’s ready to ‘head to the ranch’, he’ll just about give you what he has left in the truck. (not the pecans, tho…he’s not stupid!)
I’ll be glad when you come home and we all pray for your safe return. Life will be different for you now, Suzanne, but it will still be life and you will make the best of it as you always have.
On July 19, 2010 at 7:16 am
NorthCountryGirl says:
So sorry about your Mom. Have a safe trip home. Remember, we’re all here for you, just like you’ve been here for us! God bless and keep you and your family and grant you safe passage home.
On July 19, 2010 at 7:26 am
marymac says:
O Suzanne, my heart Aches for you and your family. I wish all your friends here could take some of the hurt away, and make it easier for you. You are such a wonderful person. You would have to be, or you wouldn’t share so much of your life with us. Be safe and trust in the Lord, to show you the way. We are all waiting for you.
On July 19, 2010 at 8:10 am
Diane says:
Again tears to my eyes. You have such a way with words to tell a story. I would love to visit that area of TX. Looks beautiful. The lake side is beautiful. I can see your kids sliding down the slide off that deck. Kind of made me sad too thinking that was a past life that is no more. But again you have such a wonderful life now that it was ment to be in a way.
I helped raise my cousins kid for awhile. We have a special bond between the two of us. I was sad when her mom decided that she was going to work at home and no longer needed me to take care of her daughter. It was a good thing but I still missed her. They only live up the road from me. But its a difficult family and I dont get to spend much time with them.
I agree the flowers on your moms casket are beautiful. She will be watching over you now.
Have a safe trip home. I am sure you are probably home now taking care of your farm and visiting each and every one of our animals. Catching up on small town life.
On July 19, 2010 at 8:27 am
Joycee says:
Wishing you a safe journey…
On July 19, 2010 at 8:41 am
Nancy says:
Thank you for sharing your life with us…keeping you and your family in my thoughts for a safe trip home…
On July 19, 2010 at 9:02 am
Sue Nugent says:
:snuggle: My thoughts are with you, also. Next time you’re all together, let hubby take the same poses of you and the kids. They both resemble their Dad, but I’ll bet we could see the resemblence to you, also.Funny how that is.Great pics!
On July 19, 2010 at 9:09 am
Mary Kellogg says:
It will be good to have you back at the farm.
It is such a small world. I lived most of my adult life in Fort Worth. My mom passed there last year at Marine Creek Nursing Home. She was living at the Waterford Adult community when she took a turn for the worse.
My son still lives there. I miss Fort Worth so much! Someday I’ll be home, too.
Thought are with you and your children.
On July 19, 2010 at 9:26 am
Kim Gibson says:
Beautiful memories. Safe Trip. Love and hugs.
On July 19, 2010 at 9:40 am
Stephen says:
I’m sorry to hear that your visit to a place with so many memories was because of a loss, but as with many things friends and family will make the burden lighter. Safe travels.
Stephen
Midlothian, TX.
On July 19, 2010 at 10:13 am
Patchkat ~Susan in TX says:
Suzanne, your children look “normal”…have you ever gotten a candid shot where someone didn’t have a finger in their eye or a goofy expression on their face? With 4 children, we were certain to have funny shots.
Hope you have a safe drive home. Granbury is lovely. We were there from Tuesday till Thursday this past week. Enjoyed walking the square and sitting by the water.
Blessings on you and yours. Patchkat >^,,^<
On July 19, 2010 at 10:58 am
Rhonda says:
Those are some happy memories. The pictures are great-laughter is always a great healing of sorrows. And you left Texas why? 😉 Safe trip home.
On July 19, 2010 at 11:47 am
Cate says:
Be safe.
On July 19, 2010 at 12:28 pm
Nancy in Iowa says:
Thank you for taking time from your sad mission to share the photos with us. What a pretty area! And the kids are not “not normal”, they are beautiful kids – even the 27 yr old!
Safe travel….. :wave:
On July 19, 2010 at 12:34 pm
LisaAJB says:
Wow, you just live is some of the most beautiful places ever! It’s so kind of you to post right now with everything you’ve got going on. Hope you’re enjoying your ride back with Weston!
On July 19, 2010 at 12:39 pm
Lisa says:
Safe travels, friend of my heart. We can’t wait for you to get back.
On July 19, 2010 at 1:26 pm
Susan says:
Your mother’s casket and flowers are almost identical to the ones my mom had when she passed away last year. Have a safe trip back to West Virginia.
On July 19, 2010 at 3:11 pm
Rosemary says:
Have a safe journey home. So sorry to hear about your Mother’s passing.
On July 19, 2010 at 3:31 pm
Wendy says:
Wait!
Morgan has TWO eyes?!?!
(Just tryin’ to interject a little humor into your day.)
(My heart is still crying for you.)
(I’m with *my* Mom. I’ll give her a hug for you.) =-)
On July 19, 2010 at 4:18 pm
Estella says:
Have a safe trip!
On July 19, 2010 at 4:26 pm
ginny beyer says:
God Speed to you and the kids
On July 19, 2010 at 5:08 pm
yvonne says:
I’m so sorry for your loss. I lost my father suddenly five years ago and miss him so much. Thank you for writing such a great post. With all that you and your family are going through, I don’t know how you do it. God Bless and please have a safe trip back home to WV. (The post about your mother was beautiful!)
On July 19, 2010 at 5:19 pm
Lindy says:
Be safe!
On July 19, 2010 at 5:26 pm
patrice says:
Wishing you safe travels, Suzanne!
On July 19, 2010 at 5:33 pm
Diane says:
I am so sorry for your loss. Sending jingles for a same trip home.
On July 19, 2010 at 7:11 pm
Senta Sandberg says:
Ross will like those pictures. God Bless.
On July 19, 2010 at 10:14 pm
Therese says:
Granbury is the neatest place. (Glen Rose, too.) Sorry you had to revisit it under such a sad circumstance. Hope your trip home is a safe one.
On July 20, 2010 at 1:05 am