16th Annual Paul and Marley Zoo Picture

It all started back in 2002 when I took a picture of Paul and Marley walking at the Forest Park Zoo. My mother-in-law, Priscilla, loved the picture and a tradition was begun. Each year I have taken a new "zoo picture." Paul says the last one will be at Marley's wedding.

2017

2016

2015

2014

2013

2012


2011


2010


2009

2008

2007

2006

2005

2004

2003

2002 

September 2017 Scrapbook Pages

Paul, Marley and I went on our annual trek to Gordon College. Even though Marley doesn't want to go to college here (I haven't given up hope though), she still likes visiting in October. This is our 6th year doing this!  This is also our 3rd year taking our Annual Baba and Marley zoo picture here.

Happy 93rd birthday Dot!

This was the last picture that I have of Dot before she went to the Atrium.  It was taken on April 7, 2011, and she went to the Atrium on May 29, 2011.  Mark and Mason had come with us to bring Dot her dinner (for awhile Paul would get her a dinner to go from On the Hill and we would bring it over to her).  She was so happy to see them.

I looked back in my journaling to get the exact date that we brought Dot to the Atrium and, reading it, I got a knot in my stomach.  Even now, 7 years later, I feel so many emotions about that day.  I wrote that it was the worst day of my life.  It's still true.

We went to visit Dot at Wingate of Hamden for her birthday on Monday, the 18th.  My Dad's wife, Marge, is there now. We brought both of them to the dining room for a little "birthday party."  We had cupcakes and ice tea.  Dot doesn't walk, without their assistance, anymore so we wheeled her down to the dining room. They suggested we take Marge there in a wheel chair too. We gave Dot a present from Steph, wrapped in a box.  She didn't know how to unwrap the present, or even how to open the box.  We brought her a balloon, and took some pictures.

One funny thing about our visit - when we got back to her part of the nursing home, I had clipped the balloon to her chair. A little Hispanic man, who was also in the same type of reclining chair that Dot had, grabbed Dot's chair and pulled himself over so that he could reach her balloon and unclipped it.  He took the balloon and was having such a good time with it that we didn't have the heart to take it back, especially since Dot didn't even really notice the balloon.  He was still playing with it when we left, including wrapping the string around his bare feet and toes, lol!

So many times I wonder why Dot has to linger in that nursing home.  She used to tell me that our days are numbered by God, that it is written down when we are born and when we will die. Years ago Dot gave me a little daily devotional "The Grace of Encouragement" by Charles R. Swindoll.  Today's message was "All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be. Psalm 139:16."  I have to believe that God has Dot's life in his hands.  I love you Dot, happy birthday!

Happy 39th birthday Janelle!

This picture was taken on June 13, 2004. It was the first time that Janelle met GG. We were having Marley's third birthday party at GG's and Big Baba's house. Unfortunately, GG passed away a week later. She would have loved getting to know Janelle; she is definitely a wonderful addition to our family! Happy birthday Janelle!

Happy 43rd birthday Mark!

The other day I was talking with Mason about starting 3rd grade.  I showed him this picture of his father when he started 3rd grade, in the same school that Mason is going to.

This was the same grade where Mark crossed his eyes during the class picture!

He thought it was so funny!  Obviously, I didn't.  Raising boys is no joke!

Happy birthday Mark!