Happy Birthday Dad!

Today is my dad's birthday. We got to celebrate last night at Hemingway's with the entire clan. It was fun. For those of you who know my dad, you know that he is a very sweet, caring man. He has always put his family first and he loves to tell stories. I am so thankful for everything he has taught me and shown me through the years. It makes me cry when I see how much he loves Zachary and my nephew, Elliott. He enjoys every second of being "POPS". Dad I hope you have a great day. We love you, H, K, & Z

Happy Birthday Aunt Rachel!

Zachary wanted to send a SHOUT OUT to his Aunt Rachel in honor of her birthday today.

I love you Aunt Rachel and I hope you have a great day. Love Zachy

60 years and counting

Ruey & Freddy holding Zachary 45 minutes after he was born.

Ruey and Zachary

Ruey & Freddy with Santa Clause on Christmas Eve


Today is my "grandparents" or should I say my "adoptive grandparents" 60th wedding anniversary. For those of you who know my Ruey and Freddy then you know what I mean about "grandparents". This is the short story....when my parents moved to a little bitty small town they became back door neighbors with this AMAZING family. These neighbors had 4 kids but no grandkids. Ruey and Freddy first adopted my parents and welcomed them with open arms. Then my sister and I arrived and they took us in under their wing and treated us like their grandkids. Then when "real" grandkids started to come into the world they continued to love us. No matter what! For the past 29 years (whose counting?) Ruey and Freddy have shown love to me and my entire family. They have been to all of my high school events (plays, choir concerts, church stuff, etc), all of my college events, and now all of my family's special occasions. They have been the best grandparents, since all of mine have passed away, I could have ever ask for.

Here are the top eleven things Ruey and Freddy have taught me:

11. Wear your seatbelt. (I opened Freddy's car door on his Lincoln Town Car when we were driving to Springfield. I was probably 4 years old. Ruey caught me, immediately shut the door, and said, "see that is why you wear your seatbelt."

10. You can never have too many pets. (Ruey & Freddy gave me several pets. One Christmas they gave me the best gift ever a black cat, then for my 4th b-day they gave me what I wanted...a pink farm pig, they have also given my family several rabbits, a goat, and more kittens.)

9. Snicker doodle cookies are the cure for your sadness. (I can't tell you how many shoe boxes of snicker doodles Ruey has sent to me over the years. No matter what state of mind I was in, they always cheered me and my roommates up.)

8. Never give up and keep trying. (They taught me how to roller skate when I was in kindergarten).

7. Be kind to every person you meet. (When Ruey meets someone for the first time she says "Nice to know you".)

6. Don't tell your elders NO! (Ask my sister she told Freddy no when she was 2 and got a spanking from Freddy)

5. Give to others in need. (Ruey and Freddy give so much of their time and earnings to others less fortunate.)

4. Love your spouse at all times. (Ruey & Freddy have loved each other for more than 60 years. Freddy does not miss a special occasion. Freddy always listens to Ruey even when he does not want to.)

3. You can never have enough family.(Ruey was an only child. She wanted a BIG family. When she could not have any more children. She adopted. When she wanted more grandkids then she found more...Me and My sister. Ruey and Freddy treat everyone like family.)

2. Put your family before yourself. ( I can't count how many times Ruey and Freddy have dropped everything to help a family member out. When I was really sick my senior year of college. Ruey would drive 3 hours to visit, call me weekly, and send care packages to me.)

1. Love Jesus with your heart, soul, and mind. (Ruey and Freddy live for HIM daily and show other HIS love at all times.)


Happy 60th Wedding Anniversary Ruey and Freddy. Thanks for loving me and my family so much and for always being there. Also thank you for being a constant example on how to treat others, how to raise your children, and how to love your spouse.
I love you, HIL


Ruey and me sharing our birthday's

Freddy showing off his ears.

Chuck E. Cheese...

Last Friday night we met Mel, Ryan, and Charley at Chuck E. Cheese's Pizza. Mel thought it would be a great place to go to keep her mind off the cancer. I must mention that Kevin had NEVER been to a Chuck E. Cheese or Showbiz type-establishment. I was not sure what type of reaction Zachary would do when he saw Chuck E but he really did not care about it too much. When we ordered we got 40 tokens to use.
Kevin and Wasson split them up. Z would sit on the motorized toys but if you put a token in it he did not like it. He immediately would get off the ride. He had more fun just sitting in the object. Charley showed a little more excitement but again not what I expected. I think the big boys had more fun. After about 45 minutes of fun (or not so much) Mel and I decided we would have a better time at their house. Let me put it this way...Wait for Chuck E. Cheese until your child is at least 4 or 5 years old. Pizza not so good. Rides are filled with germs. Stuffed Mouse running around not too cool. Also Zachary and Charley both came down with fevers the next day. It's hard to tell if they got sick from the germs at Chuck E.'s, however I think they caught a little virus. Kev and I spent Sunday morning at the Paediatrician's walk-in clinic getting him checked out. Here are our photos from Chuck E.'s. Enjoy!

Zachary on Choo-Choo


Charley riding on Clifford


Zachary on Fire truck


Charley on slide


Mel and kiddos on couch


Bath time with Charley & Z


Zachary styling new do'.

One bad month....

I hate to be a downer but this month has been a very difficult and sad one for my family. First my uncle died, then a patient of Kevin's passed away from a car accident and now this. This blog is supposed to be happy, fun, and about our family...but I guess since it is life then it will be both the good and the bad.

On Thursday, my best friend of 17 years, Melody got the news that no one ever wants to receive. She was diagnosed with an aggressive type of breast cancer. Whew...did I really just type that? Can a 28 year old mommy really have cancer? I don't know why God dealt these cards to Mel, but I do know that God does not give you anything that you cannot handle.

This spring Mel and I went to a bible study on the book of James. At the time Mel and I were not going through any trials. So we did not rely heavily on the scripture verses to much. At this time, I am going back into my notes and clinging to the word that James writes.

James says, "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develop perseverance". James 1:2

I have to make myself have JOY about this ordeal. Mel has to make herself have JOY, knowing that her faith will be stronger and that some how this HUGE TRIAL will bring her closer to our Lord Jesus Christ. Mel is a very strong, determined, and faithful woman. I know she can beat this. It's just going to be a difficult journey for her, her husband Ryan, her 2 year old daughter, and her family. I wanted to put a link on my blog directly to her site about journey. Click here to view it.

Please say a prayer for Mel and her family.

Mel and Hil pregnant together


Mel and baby Charley


Mel with her parents and daughter


Mel and Hil at Women's Retreat


Hot Springs Annual trip: Mel, Ryan, Hil, and Kev

It's SUMMERTIME!

Today finally felt like it was SUMMER! Z and I have really enjoyed ourselves today. We tried not to worry about what needed to be done around the house or what needed to be done for the office or for MOPS. Instead we just relaxed, had fun, and enjoyed each other. I often forget that Zachary will not be this small forever. So today we went to Mommy's Boot Camp Fitness Class, then we made a stop to the city pool for "Splash Time", then we headed home for lunch with Daddy. We were surprised when Grams & Pops said they were in the area so they joined us at home for lunch. It was a great surprise. Then Z had his nap. Then....we enjoyed Popsicles outside. Followed by swinging and riding the tricycle. Zachary loved his first popsicle. Believe it or not, it was not as messy as I thought. Well, we hope you are enjoying summer too.

Breakfast with the cast of Seussical the Musical.

The Cat & The Hat


The boys walking into the character breakfast


Elliott and the Cat


Where is Elliott, The Cat, and Zachary????? Under their hats!

Zachary in his striped hat

Cat & The Hat with Zachary



This morning, Zachary and I had the pleasure of joining the cast of SLT's Seussical the Musical for breakfast. Aunt Rachel organized the event and was nice enough to invite us. At first Zachary was hesitant of the characters. Within 5 minutes he was covered in pancake syrup and enthralled with the cast members. I think Zachary's favorite was Cat In the Hat. Thanks Aunt Rachel for including us.

Noah...the Musical

Our entire family...Marvin & Karen, Mom & Dad, Rachel & Matt, Elliott, and Zachary went to see Branson's newest show.....Noah the Musical on Thursday night. It was just what the family needed after a tearful morning at my Uncle's funeral. It was a good show. I must say the favorite part was when the animals were loading the ark 2 by 2. The boys kept pointing and making animal noises. It was so cute. If you get a chance go and see the show. It has a great message!

Kev, Hil, and Z outside Sight & Sound Theatre in Branson


Zachary and Elliott resting in hotel room during my uncles funeral

My Uncle Charlie

Thank you again for all the prayers on the death of my uncle. Please continue to keep my Aunt Sharon, John, Matt, and the entire family in your prayers. He will be missed. If you wish to view his obituary please click here.

My entire family is ovewhelmed by the huge response of prayers, phone calls, cards, meals, etc. What a blessing it is to have good friends and family.