Time Seems to Be Flying By

It seems the older I get the faster time flies. It is hard to believe my two oldest grandchildren are in the final weeks of their first and third years of college. Seems I was just playing with toddlers or rocking fussy babies a few years ago.  So proud of these two. Love you Dustin Wayne Bowman and Lauren Raylee Hart!

Lauren Freshman year - Science Building

Dustin Freshman year - Outdoor Chess Board

Thank You Cindy!

Cindy surprised me yesterday by planting me a new flower garden. She said it is my Mother's Day gift. I think it looks very nice. Thank you to Cindy, Rodney, Lauren, and Lindsay!

Samantha's Cherry Pies

Samantha wanted to try something new last night so she experimented with little cherry pies. They were okay but she says she still has to get better!

The first ones.

They got better as she went along!

Wow! Carlos

My how time flies. Can't believe Carlos is off to his first formal occasion. Seems like only yesterday he was a scared little 4-year-old walking in our front door after being found in Oregon. He is a good kid and we are so proud of the young man he is today. Hope you have a great time tonight Carlos!

My Pretty Lilies

I love my pretty red lilies that brighten my yard every Spring. Thank you Dustin for taking these pictures this morning before school.

Samantha's Baking Products

Of course our little baker couldn't pass up a holiday like Easter without making some pretty treats. Thankful people at church enjoy her goodies. She was delighted when they ask for snack items in the store. She helps out the Cornerstone (our missions gift and book store) by selling some of her treats there. It keeps the family from eating them all and adds to the coffers, too!

Samantha and Mary Singing at Easter Service

Mary and Samantha singing in our Easter service this morning. Mary is standing directly behind Samantha.

Carlos and Friends at Church Easter Sunday

Carlos, Moriah, Julie, and Chandler at church this morning. So glad Carlos has Christian friends.

Our Pretty College Girl

It was good to see Lauren when she stopped by last night to pick up Tucker. She has a four day weekend but no time to play. I think she said she has eight papers to write. I made her a few of her favorite foods to send home with her since Cindy is in Minnesota with Lindsay for volleyball. Here she is in her pretty black dress Cindy took her when we went to see her a couple weeks ago. Beauty and brains! Love you Lauren!

Our Traveling Volleyball Player

Sometimes I have trouble keeping up with where Lindsay is. She loves volleyball and is quite a player. Three weeks ago she played in a tournament in Florida at the ESPN Wide World of Sports, last weekend she played in a Dallas tournament and now she and Cindy are on their way to Minnesota for a tournament there this weekend. So proud of her for being a top academic student and a top volleyball player as well. Way to go Lindsay! We are proud of you!

The team and coach at one of the games they played in Orlando, Florida.

Carlos' 14th Birthday Party

As usual grandma is running behind with her posts. Last Friday was Carlos' 14th birthday so we took him and Dustin to ITZ for the evening. Chad, Mary, Isabell, and Samantha went too. I think Carlos had a good time Here are a few of the pictures from the celebration.

Twenty-Five Years Ago Today

Twenty-five years ago today my phone rang in the early morning hours and I knew it was not good news! Cindy was home from college for the weekend and in her bed asleep so I knew the call had to be from Indiana. When I heard mom's voice I could hear the tears in it and Becky's (she was on the extension phone) was worse.  I will always remember Mom's words, "He's gone". Even though his death was sudden (ruptured aorta) I was not shocked. God had been preparing us in advance. A few Sunday's before this one (yes, April 9, 1989 was a Sunday) Cindy had come home from Baylor and told me how God had woken her in the night a few nights in a row and discussed papaw's impending death with her. This was very important as Cindy had been very ill for a few years and she was very close to her papaw. She said she wanted to prepare me so she came home to tell me in person. God had also revealed this to me during prayer time at church a couple of Sunday's prior to dad's death. Even though God had prepared us, we still weren't ready to lose our beloved dad, father-in-law, and papaw. And even though it has been 25 years, we still miss him constantly.  My big regret is that he never lived to see his great-grandchildren. Thank you Christy for naming your son Dustin Wayne after your papaw. We love and miss you Dad!

Linda, Dad, Mom, Becky

May 1987

Carlos

Celebrating Carlos this week since Friday will be his 14th birthday. Here is a picture of him in third grade!
I believe you have changed a little Carlos but you still look a lot the same.

Samantha at Her First Nascar Race

Samantha is loving her first NASCAR race even though it is so cool today, April 7, that she had to wear her Christmas sweatshirt to keep warm. I know it was very important to her to be there because she never misses school. Since the race was rained out yesterday, she still wanted to go today.

More From Waco

A couple more pictures from our trip to Waco last Friday....

Lauren is the rose among the thorns.

So glad our granddaughter goes to a Christian University. This banner is hanging on the wall directly across from her dorm room.

Pretty Lauren

One of the reasons we were at Baylor was to take Lauren a new dress for an upcoming banquet. She did allow me to get a couple of pictures when she tried it on for fit. It is a beautiful dress and I think it is perfect for her. You are beautiful Lauren!

Enjoyed a Trip to Waco to See Lauren

We went to Waco with Cindy yesterday to see Lauren. She is one busy girl but we enjoyed getting to spend some time with her and have dinner with her last night.  She is finishing up a great Freshman year at Baylor University where she has excelled academically, pledged a sorority, and enjoyed having a friend since kindergarten as a roommate. One month left of her Freshman year and she is looking forward to some changes in her Sophomore year. One of those changes will be giving up dorm life for a nice apartment with friends. We stopped by to see where she will be living next year and grandma approves. The building has secured entrances, interior hallways, garage parking, etc. Over her objections, we were able to get a few pictures of the building. Her apartment will be on the top floor. Steve teased her say she was getting a penthouse apartment.

Congratulations to Lindsay and her V-Ball Team

I am running a little behind here (not unusual for me!) but I did want to say "Congratulations" to Lindsay and her volleyball team for their wins last weekend in the Disney tournament in Orlando, Florida. They played 17 sets and only lost 4! Way to go girls!!

Chad's 38th Birthday Was Sunday

Samantha made her daddy one of his favorite desserts for his birthday this past Sunday. He loves fresh strawberry pie and she was surprised how easy it was to make. She thought 38 candles in his pie would be too many(!) so he told her that was okay. He got 1 candle because he is #1. She thought that was a good idea.