Quotes:

I believe that imagination is stronger than knowledge -- myth is more potent than history -- dreams are more powerful than facts -- hope always triumphs over experience -- laughter is the cure for grief -- love is stronger than death. ~ Robert Fulghum




For everything there is a season, And a time for every matter under heaven:
A time to be born, and a time to die;
A time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted;
A time to kill, and a time to heal;
A time to break down, and a time to build up;
A time to weep, and a time to laugh;
A time to mourn, and a time to dance;
A time to throw away stones, and a time to gather stones together;
A time to embrace, And a time to refrain from embracing;
A time to seek, and a time to lose;
A time to keep, and a time to throw away;
A time to tear, and a time to sew;
A time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
A time to love, and a time to hate;
A time for war, and a time for peace.

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

So, yesterday was a hard day. My Great Grandma Lucille Boatwright, we called her Maa-Maw, passed away yesterday morning. She lived a wonderful happy life. She has been on 3 Cruises, gone to Branson Missouiri about 4 times to see the shows, Eurika Springs Arkansas for the Passion Play severel times, Little Rock Ark, Oklahoma, New Jersey, The Amish Country in Pennsylvania, Maryland, Florida, Delaware, New York City, where she walked down Wall Street (which was one of her dreams) and went to 34th & Broadway, Times Square & the Theater District. She also went to Washington DC, Virginia, Atlanta, California, and Biloxi Mississippi. She was a busy woman.

She was the glue that kept our huge family together. She loved to cook and eat desert first. She gave me a copy of her cookbook as a wedding gift. She knew I was going to marry Nick, before I knew. She called Nick 'her boyfriend'. She was very talented with a sewing machine. She quilted Zoe a huge quilt for a baby shower gift. She also wanted to have a grandkid named Rebecca. I bought her house when she moved in with Grandma Ruth. She left me little kitchen things (her cooking timer, her drink pitcher and the matching glasses, her broom, etc.) when she moved out. She was wonderful. I don't think I have a memory that doesn't include her in some way, shape or form.

She was 28 in this one and 90 something in this one. She was such a beautiful person, inside and out.

She had four children, 10 grandchildren, 12 great grandchildren and 5 great-great grandchildren. All who are very blessed to have, had her in their lives. She was 94 years old and completed five generations.

Five Generations of Boatwright women, May 2008. She was soo proud that she had five generations.

Back to yesterday, My mom called me early yesterday, around 8 am, which is odd, so I new something was wrong. When she told me Maa-maw had passed my heart sank. I knew that Maa-maw wasn't going to last forever, after having two hip replacements in two years and the fact that she was 94! But the possibilty of her not being here never crossed my mind, until yesterday. I was a mess. I would cry then I would dry up then I would cry, typical me. I left work at noon and immediately went to my Grandma Ruth's, Maa-maw lived with her. You could tell that everyone was numb. I went into 'What can I do' mode, I cooked lunch and cleaned the kitchen. I helped my mom find pictures for the slide show for the visitation on Wednesday. I wanted to fix it, then realized I couldn't. She was gone and there was nothing I could do. I couldn't bring her back. That's a sucky feeling. I miss her.

(Insert subject change, so I don't cry)

On a more positive note, I did find some pictures of Maa-maw that I had never seen before. I think I'm going to do a scrapbook for my family of Maa-Maw and maybe journal some memories that I have. (Thanks Meli for the idea)

Odd Fact: I didn't know that Lucille isn't Maa-maw's name. Her full name is Edith Lucille Boatwright. Edith, Who knew? Apparently, not me!

This is Maa-Maw at her 90th birthday, January 24, 2004 and Maa-Maw and I at my wedding October 23, 2004.

This is my absolute favorite picture. Zoe was about 6 months old and teething. Maa-maw took her tea spoon out of her drink and gave it to Zoe to chew on and wouldn't you know it... Zoe cut two front teeth before dinner was over. I think I'm going to have this picture framed for Zoe.

Well, I better quit rambling on and try to get something done today! I love you Maa-Maw. You will be missed dearly.

Take Care,

Stefanie

Airhogs!

Did you know that Grand Prairie now has a minor league baseball team? Well, they do. The Grand Prairie Airhogs. I know, The Airhogs?! What kind of name is that? But it is G.P., did you expect anything less?

Well, We went on 8/5/08 to see them play the Pensicola Penguins. Nicks family was in town, so we had a good size group. (Nick, Me, Isaiah, Zoe, Grammy Hammie (my grandma), Grandma Lyla (Nicks mom), Nathan and JD (our nephews)) Before the game we had the traditional baseball meal; Hamburgers, hotdogs, chips and PIE! (Thanks to Grammy Hammie, it was good!) After dinner, we all piled into my car and headed to the stadium. Zoe was soo excited to see the game. The tickets were cheap and the seats were good. I don't think there is a bad seat in the stadium. It wasn't a full house or too hot, so that was good! The game was good and the Airhogs WON. They are number 2 in the Southern Division, the Fort Worth Cats are number 1. Here are some pictures from the game, of the stadium and such.

Look how beautiful the day was!

These are my two favorite pictures.

See the rainbow? and my pretty little girl?

Both sooooo beautiful!

I hope everyone has a great week. I will post another soon!

Stefanie

Summer Days

So yesterday I was in the mddle of cooking dinner, Taco/Tostadas/Nacho Night! When I noticed the house had suddenly fallen silent. My house hasn't been this silent in 3 years!!! So, I checked the whole house & Nick, Isaiah and Zoe were nowhere to be found. Then I noticed the front door was open, (which I should have noticed sooner, as I had to walk by it to get to the rest of the house, but that's besides the point) Those little stinkers snuck out and decided to ride bikes with out me!!! So you know what I did?!? I got my camera and shot a few pics of them in action:

This is the standard Isaiah face for pictures... But Look how big he is!

Zoe got this bike for her b-day last year and couldn't ride it without help... But look at her now...

Then Nick had to get in on the riding action and do tricks for the kids...

She's prissy even when it's 100 degrees....
Just wanted to share a little bit of our summer.

Have a great weekend!

Stefanie

WARNING: This blog may be long, as I have not updated in quite a while.

I don’t know what it is about summer, but it seems that we are ALWAYS busy. Life in general with kids is busy, but throw summer in the mix, that makes for one tired mommy!

Isaiah is up from San Antonio for the summer. He is growing up so fast! He just recently graduated from the 5th grade… We are now the proud parents of a 6th grader!!!! He is going to a summer camp in GP. He likes to spend time with his dad at the tattoo shop and hanging with his friend Sammy.

Zoe is getting soo big! She is thoroughly enjoying her summer with her ‘bubba’ here. I think she is driving him crazy, but she loves him! She just recently was moved to the 3year old room! She calls it the ‘Big Girls Room’. She now gets to participate in the extra activities that the ‘Big Kids’ do. Everyday, she comes home with something NEW that she has made just for me! I’m such a proud momma!

Zoe grew this plant all by herself.

Her smile makes my heart melt!

We have been spending a lot of time playing in the pool, going to movies, blowing bubbles, playing outside and being together as a family. Zoe has become a little fish! Last summer, we couldn’t get her near a pool. This summer, we can’t get her out!!! Isaiah has mastered the handstand and headstand and is now learning how to dive (without a belly flop) and do a front flip into the pool.

Nick and I are doing good. Busy being parents. Nick is still at North Texas HD (day) and Death or Glory Tattoo Shop (some nights). He is much happier than he was at Longhorn HD in Grand Prairie. He loves having both kids here with him. He has become the ‘monster’ and everyday when he gets home from work Zoe and Isaiah run and hide from the ‘monster’ then Nick of course chases both of them around the house!!! I am still at UT Southwestern in Transplant. I was just recently promoted to ‘scheduling coordinator’ in May. I am basically doing the same thing I was, but now I’m getting paid for what I do. I love being able to get off work at a decent hour and spend time with my family without having to rush to get everything done.

It is sad though that summer is almost over. As busy as we are, I hate to see it end. I love watching the kids laugh, sing, play, swim, fight, paint and blow bubbles. I guess that’s just the mommy in me, sentimental and such.

I promise to update more frequently… ok well I will try to atleast…

Take Care. Always.

Stefanie

Hanging In the Backyardagain!

Here are some random pics from Zoe and I playing the in backyard, or as Zoe likes to say ‘backyardagain’.