Archive - March, 2010

$259 Million

March 31, 2010 in Lana's Journal with 3 Comments

My mom’s second cousin died three days ago. He was 77. He grew up poor, really poor in rural Texas. His mom and brother passed away when he was 7 and his grandmother (my mom’s aunt) raised him.

Somewhere along the way, he got into oil. He climbed his way right up to the top.

He was on the Forbes Richest Americans list for years. Last year he was #30 among U.S. billionaires and #74 in the world. And he was the third richest Texan.

He was #38 on Business Week’s Top 50 American Givers list. From 2004-2008, he gave $259 million to medical research, orphans and the poor.

That’s a list I would LOVE to be on! $259 million would go a long way towards finding a cure for Tay Sachs and helping orphans.

Dan Duncan, I bet you are having a great reunion in Heaven with your mom and grandma!

Obituary

Good Morning!

March 30, 2010 in Lana's Journal with 12 Comments

Well, it is now afternoon but I took these pictures this morning to do a good morning post. So good morning/afternoon!

Lauren is not smiling because I am taking her picture. She is smiling at the TV! Today is a bit chilly and windy so we are inside. Tomorrow and the next day are supposed to be in the 70s so hopefully we will get outside. (This week is Spring Break so Lauren is home.)

Lauren holding Hope

Hope slept SEVEN hours straight last night. Hooray Hope! She woke up in a happy, content mood and I snapped this picture.

Hope

I hope you are all having a grrrrrreat day! :)

Peach Oo-La-Long’s Wisdom

March 29, 2010 in Lana's Journal with 6 Comments

I love Honest Tea’s Peach Oo-La-Long. It is my very favorite drink. Peach Oo-La-Long only has 60 calories. If you are concerned about Fair Trade and organic, it is both.

Honest Tea

Under each bottle cap is a quote. Here is what I found today.

Bottle Cap

Every once in a while something happens that I have been praying about and I say, “Wow, I CANNOT believe it.” And Dave says, “Why not?” He is right, of course. Why am I so incredibly surprised when God miraculously works things out???

Last week I experienced a miracle and yet again, I was surprised.

I believe in miracles. If I didn’t before Carmen, I would now. God has provided for Carmen in so many miraculous ways. But, I still struggle with faith and trust.

God must have a LOT of patience with me.

Happy Birthday NY Grandpa!

March 27, 2010 in Lana's Journal with 9 Comments

Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you, happy birthday NY Grandpa, happy birthday to you!

We want to wish NY Grandpa a happy birthday and to thank him for all he has done for us in the past few years.

He lives 6 1/2 hours away but at a moment’s notice will drop everything and come help. In fact, he tells us that his overnight bag is packed and ready to go.

He has been here for Carmen’s hospitalizations and sicknesses. One night Carmen was coughing and coughing. I was sitting in the rocker with her (this was before night nursing care). NY Grandpa came in Carmen’s room and said, “Go to bed. I’ll hold her.” I went to bed, only intending to sleep a few hours. I woke the next morning and found NY Grandpa sound asleep in the rocker with Carmen on his chest. He had slept all night sitting up holding Carmen. I wish I had taken a picture.

He has been here when Dave has to travel.

He was here many times when I was on bed rest.

Most of my MOPS friends know NY Grandpa.

He is known as the pie-maker around here!

Lauren refers to the basement room as Grandpa’s bed room. She once said that Grandpa lives in the basement and goes home to visit Grandma.

He loves playing with his grand kids. Crafts, geocaching, polly pockets, etc. He is often “Prince Charming” at our house.

Thank you NY Grandpa. We hope you have a very happy birthday!

Here is a photo of NY Grandpa and Hope.

NY Grandpa and Hope

Bath Time

March 26, 2010 in Lana's Journal with 8 Comments

Carmen always LOVED baths. In fact, anytime I wanted to take a picture of her smiling, I put her in the bath. She would give huge smiles for the camera.

The picture on the left is Carmen’s first bath at our house, January 2007. The picture on the right is the last picture I got of Carmen smiling, November 2007.

January 2007November 2007

Although Carmen can no longer smile, I think she still enjoys baths. She definitely relaxes in the bath tub.

Hope, on the other hand, HATES baths. In fact, I told Dave yesterday that I was going to give Hope a bath and there would be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Maybe she will decide she likes baths as she gets older?!

Yesterday was the first time Hope actually stopped crying in the bath long enough to look at the camera! But, alas, that didn’t last long!

Hope in the bathHope crying in the bath

Every one wishes for a baby manual when they bring home their newborns. I suppose there isn’t one because every baby is so very different!

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