Chilson Family

  Eleven years ago, today, my mom entered the gates of heaven.   My heart still breaks, hurts, and grieves.  But I know I will see her one day.  It seems like it has been a lifetime.  My youngest was only 6 1/2, now she is 17 1/2, a senior in high school and trying to choose between two colleges.  My oldest was 26 with young children and now is 37 and his crew is growing up too quickly!   My oldest grandchild was 6 and now is 17 and a senior in high school.  My youngest grandchild was only 6 weeks old and now is eleven.  Eight of my thirteen grandchildren have been born since that day.    Mom Mom's Viewing My children, taken about 6 weeks before  Mom died. I miss you, Mom!

 Recently I was sitting and waiting for a funeral that Hubby was officiating.  As I sat in the very back of the viewing room I was reminded of a few things. Life is precious.  Every.  Life.  Is. Precious.  No matter how young, old, born, yet-to-born, color of skin, disability, picture perfect.....life is precious.  Life is short.  It does not matter the age.  Life is short.  We are never guaranteed a tomorrow.  There was a newborn there, probably only a week old, a grandmother who is into her eighties.  Ages that were in-between.  Life is eternal.  Not earthly life, but eternal life, you know, the life that follows this life. Today marks 2 years since my dad died, yet it seems like forever.  My heart is sad as I remember the day, but I will see him again.  My mom died just a little over 10 1/2 years ago.  It seems like it has been "longer than forever".  I am so sad as I think of that day, but I kn...

 Has it really been since the end of 2020 that I last posted?.....wow...... My girls were sitting at the dinner table, way past dinner time, and were asking me if I was still blogging.  I told them no, that I really was not sure why.  I guess the dynamics of life have changed, I really had not put a lot of thought into the blog.  But they had a ball going over the post and our youngest daughter, Daughter #7, could not believe, in her words..."Why would you put such rachet  pictures of me on your blog!?"  (she is almost 18 and loves to describe things as rachet, crusty,  etc.)  Some of the words they come up with I have to ask what they mean.....{BIG SIGH!} So, here I am.  What should I blog about?  Life is always interesting, but we live it a day at a time.  We make plans but seems like we do more rearranging.  That's okay, somethings we plan end up not being important as something else. Life here at home has changed in the pas...

I kind of think that most everyone will be reviewing this year in their minds, with family, and with friends, "Never thought we would see a year like we did this year."  Will we even notice when 2021 rings in a new year?  Or will we ring in 2021 with hopes that life will balance out and the virus will be only a memory? I feel like the year has just been one blur of events.  It seems like yesterday our youngest grand was born, but she will be one in February.  Our youngest just turned sixteen...seems like she was just four years old just a few days ago!  Dad will soon be gone 5 months, and Mom has been gone just nine years.  Birthday parties became birthday parades, visiting family became a drive by visit.  We saw some family on a day to day basis....because you cannot babysit and social distance.   As the year comes to a close and a new year draws near, one thing has remained the same....God.  He is still on His throne, not surprised by ...

Thirty-seven years ago today I said, "I do!", and today I still "I do!"!  The years have been blessed with 14 children, 6 in-loves, and 13 grandchildren.  Not a day has gone by that has been a perfect day.  There is always some hic-cup or bump in the road, but we manage.   Marriage is work.  It is hard work.  But it is worth every bit of it.   This picture was taken at our surprise anniversary party last year.  M y daddy is sitting between Hubby and me.  I cried when I saw him sitting at the table.  He NEVER wanted to go out ANYWHERE!  But he came for ME!!!  One daughter was suppose to be at college in South Carolina...she made a trip home to celebrate us!  (ummm...so I notice that today I have on the same shirt as last year!!!!...if I knew we were going to be celebrated I sure would NOT have worn that!  But I guess that is how it goes with surprises!) Anniversary card I made for Hubby today. HAPPY ANNI...

 Wow...my last post was in December of 2018......how my life has changed.  I honestly went to my blog to see if I could still access it.  I was very surprised that I could!  My dad died on 31 July 2020.  He made a very rapid decline at the beginning of July.  He was declining in health all along, but July 1 was a major turn for him.  He died 17 days after his 91st birthday.  This is him on his 91st birthday.  He was born on flag day, June 14, 1929.  He was so proud to be born on flag day.  My family gathered outside of his home in the afternoon to sing happy birthday to him.    He did not remember everyone who was there, but kept telling me that "Those people must really like me and think I am special."  He talked about it for days!  He was so tired by the time we left, but it was a very good day for him.  It was a good day for all of us. My heart is so grieved.  I know my dad is in heaven with my ...