SHE DID IT! ~ FEBRUARY 27, 2007

Grandma Mildred Van Liew with Joseph, Jonathan and Bethany
February 18, 2007


Well, She did it! Grandma Van made it to her 100th birthday today! Vaughn called her and Aunt Naomi said that Gma. was even trying to talk with him (something that has been very difficult for her since her last stroke)! What a sweetie! We were told that Gma. is doing better - Vaughn said that having all the family around her lately gave her added life.

Well, congratulations Gma.! You just keep us guessin', don't ya! Atta Girl!

WEEKEND of FEBRUARY 23-25

Well, we have been back from our trip for 4 days now. It hardly seems possible, but we have been pretty busy with the boys; getting them home, helping get their laundry caught up, finding out that some hiccupped school-wise while we were gone (went brain dead). I asked the boys in a playful way if they missed us and they told me YES - we really missed your cooking! It is nice to be needed for something!

Adam added some really fantastic pictures to his blog from our trip and I loved them so much, that I am going to show you some of them here....

This is our family; Joseph, Bethany, Me (holding) Jonathan, Vaughn, Amy (holding) Aidan and Adam overlooking the Grand Canyon. I love this picture! And, yes, it was as cold as it looks; the wind blew right through us making the babies especially uncomfortable.

This was what it looked like outside through the window in the van...I was so glad that it snowed. It was a strange day what with it taking 8 1/2 hours to make a trip that normally takes about 2, but hey - that is what makes memories memories!

This is one view of the way the I-17 "parking lot" looked like.

Well, that should give you a little better understanding of what we did and what it was like.

It IS nice to be home, however, I really miss Adam, Amy and Aidan. We gave them a webcam and we have one (Vaughn and I kept in contact that way when he was in Senegal and I was in Arizona recuperating from my 2nd back surgery and we were separated for 6 months)...Anyway, when I was talking with Aidan he started looking all over the room for me! It was precious!

Phoenix, Arizona February 14th-20th, 2007 Vacation

5 Generations; Vaughn and his mother, Irene in the back row

Jonathan David, Grandma Van and Bethany up front

We just returned from a wonderful, but yet once again, too short visit to Phoenix. It was the best trip we have made there, hands-down!

Thursday was spent with my side of the family; my sister Nancy was in town for the week and Cyndi came over bringing our father with them. Cousin Sissy Mary showed up with Brian and their daughters, Alexis and Rachael, also.

Me, Bethany, Amy and Nancy with Cyndi up front

Vaughn performed a wedding for his nephew Charles and Allison on Friday night at Northwest Community Church. It was really wonderful! As Vaughn's brother, Chuck (father of the groom) said, "God definitely showed up!"

Saturday was George Van Liew Jr. family reunion. It was really nice! We got some pictures taken and everyone enjoyed everyone else.

The whole family included the following: Grandma Irene (Van Liew) Betts; Vaughn & Kathy Van Liew; Adam, Amy, & Aidan Van Liew; Joseph, Bethany, & Jonathan Dumas; Larry, Susan, Cody, Caleb, Audrey, & Ashley (w/boyfriend Tyler) Van Liew; Jim, Marcie, & Ethan Caughey; Chuck & Brenda Van Liew; Nathan & Courtney Steinmann; Susan Irene Van Liew; Howard, Valene, Violet, BJ, & Levi Hays; and Kris, Becky, Justin, Lynnsae, Curtis, Peter, & Joshua Van Liew. 36 Van Liews (+1). The only ones we were missing were Grandma Irene's husband, Howard Betts, and the newly weds of last night: Charles & Allison Van Liew.

Sunday we went to two different churches in the morning. First, we attended Palmcroft Baptist along with Vaughn's mom and her husband and 5 of Vaughn's siblings and their families were at the service. Vaughn's brother Larry and his family all had responsibilities that hour at the same church, so they were not with us in the service. Then we got dropped off at Northwest Community where our son Adam and his family attend. Bethany and Joseph went there that morning, also, so it was nice to have us all in the same place at the same time.

(Back row) Kris, Vaughn, Larry and Chuck (Front row) Susan, Irene, Marcie and Valene

Lunch was at 2 different restaurants. We all met up together at Uncle Paul and Aunt Naomi's house for the celebration of Grandma Van's 100th birthday later that afternoon. It was one of my favorite and most memorable times with the family ever. We sang hymns together and BOY! can that group sing well....Vaughn told Grandma that it was a glimpse into what heaven would sound like! Grandma and the next generation (her 2 remaining sons and the 3 daughter-in-laws) had each family group come up one at a time and they laid hands on us and blessed us. Then Grandma had them hand each of us an envelope. There was a letter from Grandma to all of us and the grandchildren, their spouses and the great grandchildren also received a monetary legacy from Grandma. It was generous and surprised us all. Later all of Geo's kids, etc. met again over at Larry and Sue's. I babysat for the two little grandsons so that their parents and Vaughn could go play.

Monday was our day to go show Joseph the Grand Canyon for his first time. So, Vaughn and I, Adam, Amy and Aidan, Bethany, Joseph and Jonathan got in to the 12 passenger rental van (that proved to be exactly what we needed!) and headed north. It was about 3 1/2 hours. It was chilly up there and beautiful. We took lots of pictures and spent monies in the gift shops. Some light snow flurries started. It was neat. On to Flagstaff we went....we ate a late lunch/early dinner...(Adam referred to it as linner or dunch) and the flurries started coming down thicker...We left Flagstaff at 4 pm. The snow really started coming down then! Our expected trip back to Phoenix; usually 2 hours or so ended up taking us 8 and 1/2 hours! Most of which we spent PARKED on I-17!. There were only a few times that the babies were crying or that anyone was really uncomfortable. It was really different than what we planned, but it was nice, too.

Now, we get back to Phoenix - drop the kids off, clean out the van, get it re-filled with gas and take it back to the rental place. Then we go back over to Irene's and I fall into bed at 2 am!

The flight home wasn't too bad; it always seems a lot longer and harder than the way TO somewhere, though. We got home and got a good night's sleep and now I have less than 30 minutes before the school bus arrives!

DOWN 42 and STILL GOING!!!

I had my weigh-in this morning....I was a bit nervous because I hadn't been as careful about what I had consumed recently AND because, though I have good intentions, I have not yet begun to work out regularly (I haven't begun to work out AT ALL, for that matter!).

So, my original goal is only 17 pounds away...WOO HOO!!!! I have got to be "good" through a family reunion and wedding next week and a cruise next month! HERE I GO......

VALENTINE

. . . . . . . . . . .

My mom forwarded this to me and
I thought it was too good NOT to share:

Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y

A friend sent this early "Valentine" to see if it could make it
around the world by Feb. 14th, 2007.....

For God so loVed the world,
That He gAve
His onLy
BegottEn
SoN,
That whosoever
Believeth In Him
Should Not perish,
But have Everlasting life." John 3:16

The REAL kind of love! May each of you know this LOVE personally! Y Y Y Y Y

Z Z Z Z Z

2 2 2 2 2

Update on the Batson family

Well, their house is TOTALLY gone; went up in flames within 5 minutes - they were floored at how quickly it went up. The attached garage held two of their vehicles that literally melted where they stood.

They are not sure if they are going to rebuild or not. Anyway, for now, they are staying here at the Ranch in the Retreat Home.

They are doing okay but of course, as they remember things that they lost in the fire, such as sentimental items like pictures, etc. it will hit them over and over. It will be a difficult time for them.

Our Lord is more than sufficient to help them through this AND He is faithful to do just that!

MUCH to be thankful for

Some good friends, Tim and Sandra and three kids (Caleb, Joshua and Brooke) had a house fire last night....the Houseparent Dads from the Ranch are all on their way over there now to see if they can help salvage any of their belongings. Tim is employed here at the Big Oak Ranch as the Groundskeeper/Maintenance guy. I was told that he and his father built the house. Please be praying for them as they deal with this tragedy. Thankfully none of them was hurt by the fire that started in the garage.