Good Morning CT,
It is good too see all the blogs and know whats Gowens on there. As all know by now, we are having another sweet addition to our family. It will be great for Kate to have a sister or brother so close to her age. They will probably be so close to each other and get to fight like cats and dogs. HAHA. Caden & Toby are beginning to start that already. Caden will hopefully get his cast off this next week and he can go swimming or atleast learn to swim. Toby is growing so fast and demands some NANA attention also now. I got to keep Kate last nite while J & B went on a little date. She definately already knows what she wants, she is so smart. I would blow on my lips and she would mock me and blow on her lips. I would blow on my tongue and she would do that. She just loved my nose and pulled on it for awhile. As you can all tell, not much in my life going on except, trying to finish up with the house and my loving children. I will be working from home probably the last of July. It will sure save some money on gasoline. I am hoping to get to what we call flex time some and have a three or four day weekend sometimes and make a long trip to see you guys and my sisters. I am not sure what I will do about my living arrangments, I guess I will see about that just a little later. I hope to either get into a small house or townhouse. Will see.
Hope this finds all of you well and good.
It will be nice to see all the GG's and Peg next weekend. Wish all could be there.
I love to see the pictures everyone sends. Love you guys, Eletia

Hey everybody.....Thanks Maw and Jill again for the special gifts. I love them both so much.

Aunt Peg and Judy, can't wait until next week. I got to get with you sometime this week and get all excited about coming there. I'm so happy for you and Judy. Also, to Judy, I am keeping you in my thoughts as I know losing a loved one is very hard no matter how long it's been. Carol passing away on August 1st is tough for Aunt Peg. I'm glad that you are there for each other.

It's been a really tough year for Maw. Can't imagine losing my husband, my sister and my son in the same year. Maw you have stayed strong through it all. We love you very much and miss you all the time.

Jared and Betsy.....congratulations. I'm so excited about being an uncle again. Can't wait.

Mom has had a tough time to battling with work like when she will work from home, trying to sell her house and just dealing without Dad here. She has been so strong too. I love her so much and don't know what I would do without her.

April and Zac got their car found and was able to work a deal for them to get a car that was not totally trashed out with drug paraphenalia, women's wigs....Crazy stuff...I'm just glad they got that worked out and they are safe. If anyone messed with them or anybody else in the family, I would hunt them down!!! Sorry, it's the big brother in me.

Aunt Kittie, how's your crew. How's Megan feeling? I'm so excited for her too. She will make a great mommy. Speaking of mommy's, hows that Maggie and Maddie. Maddie is so precious. Boston is looking so big and grownup. I know he is proud of little sis. HOw's Gary Dale?

Aunt Susan and Gary Lee.....It was really good seeing Gary and Brandon a couple of weeks ago. I am so excited about see Gary's crew in Florida this week. Stormy is getting so big too. She is a precious mini-Jill. Now if she gets her mommy's laugh too, then that would be awesome. I love Jill's laugh. Can't wait to hear it. James Lee and Shavonne, it was good seeing you too and that little handsome Brock. Man his hair getting dark and he looks so good. Can't deny he's a Gowens. James and Shavonne you two looked great too.

Well....guess that's it for now. Love you, Bear

Hey Guys,
Just logged on and saw about baby #2 WOW! CONGRATULATIONS Jared and Betsy. We are busy packing so we can get to "Crosbyville". We have a friend here who can never remember exactly Crosbyton so she calls it Crosbytonvilleburg haha. CT to us :)

Blair, thanks so much for our little "blurb" you put on the weekly wipe. It is wonderful and we thank you so much. Wait until you see our new tattoos. They look kinda like the rainbow you have on there for us. You are so good to include everyone on the website and thank you again for all the hard work you do to keep us all connected.

We will be out of the house as of next Wednesday, the 2rd. The 3rd us the anniversary of the date of Barbara's passing so please remember Judy in your prayers. Even though this is a joyous time for us, it is a particularly hard time for her. She is leaving behind all that is familiar to come to her "new family" and I know how that feels because I did it four years ago as well. We are excited to be home and see everyone and we are so excited for everyone to get here for the wedding. We'll be getting a DVD made so all of you who can't be with us will be able to share. Hope everyone has a good weekend. Again, Jared and Betsy, Congratulations. We miss ya'll and will see ya soon.
Love,
Peg & Judy

Hey Family
Guess everyone is too busy to Blog??Have been on line this morning checking out all the new pics that Maggie posted on Maddie's site.Check them out if you haven't. Maddie and Boston both are changing so fast. Jared and Betsy, congrats!! I loved all the comments on your site regarding your news. James and Shavonne did you have any new pics from your trip??Was good to talk to Jared yesterday. Wishing them good luck on their house here. Blair, I love the July 4th music and logos. Also, thanks for the pics from last year. I know it was a great time for Mike with you boys. One that you will never forget...It is still so hard for me to get my head around the fact that he is gone from us but I also know he is in a wonderful place with no regrets about his life.
TGIF so better get to work one more time this week. Love to all, Maw

Hey Family
Here we are mid-week again. Time just marches on. We have been have storms and rain every night lately.The rain is good.Sorry to miss James on Chat last night. I was outside and was too late to catch you James Lee. I would have loved to Chat with you. Bon and me and Jay always have a blast with loving "digs" at each other. This month is about gone so guess a lot of you are getting ready to head to Florida. I'm sure Bear will post pics for those of us that are not able to go. I'm sure everyone will have fun and enjoy the trip. I will be glad to have Peggy back in town. Seems like she has been gone forever.
Love to all, Maw

Hey Maw and Jill...You 2 are awesome. First, Maw thanks so much for the beautiful quilt. That meant so much to me to get it from you. I had tears in my eyes when I read the letter in the back pocket. You've inspired me now to decorate my home office in Tech again with a sporty look. Love you bunches!!!

Jill and Brandon......My front door area is decorated now with the beautiful Tech block you made for me. I love it!!! It was setting by my front door yesterday when I got home from work yesterday. Thanks so much. Love ya'll bunches.

I'll put pics on the web...
Love,
Bear

Hey Family
Wow, we really had some loud storms last night and much welcomed rain! Betsy, thank you so much for sharing Jared with us. We had several long visits at the office and at home and it was awesome. He is a sweetheart and I always know where I stand with him. Sorry ya'll are having the problems with the house here but hopefully it will get better. I called the school and had it put on their "list" for available property for any new teachers coming in. I understand there are 11 teachers leaving this year so there will be re-placements. Anyway, Jared and I watched the storm dump hail and rain on us. It was so much fun to have him here. Next time maybe the whole family can come. That would have been even better. I would love a Kate snuggle.
Well it is Friday and that is good. A couple of days at home is always good. There is the annual Jam Fest this weekend so will be vendors and people in town for that.Wishing everyone a great weekend. Maw

Hey Everyone,
I'm glad everyone enjoyed the pics from this past weekend. I enjoyed getting to see Gary Lee and Brandon. Next year, hopefully more of us will get to play. It was a blast.

Hope everyone is having a good week.
Blair

Hey Family
All of the pics of the weekend were great!! Made me feel like I was there. (Wish I could have been). Looks like it was just what you, Blair, Jared and April, wanted it to be. I am glad the ones from here got to go. I'm sure it meant the world to ya'll. I never knew when anyone left or when they got home but assume the trip was a safe one.
Eletia, that is great that you can see ahead to being able to work at home soon. That will really help on your gas cost! You are looking great in the pics!I think of you and pray for you daily for God to give you what you need for that day. Of course I pray for the same thing for myself. Ryan and I had a pretty rough day Sunday. Once when I went in Ryan's room, he was crying about Papa not being here so of course I sat down and cried with him. For the most part, we are doing pretty good. It is just so lonesome around here but we try to stay busy.
Blair thanks so much for getting everything put up on the web site so soon. You all looked so cute in your golfing attire. I know your dad would have been so proud of you.
Got to get to work so catch ya'll later.
Love, Maw

Hey Guys,
Just got logged on this morning so I could check and see if there were any pics of this weekend and, as usual, Blair you had already done your magic. Thanks so much for keeping us all connected. It looked like everyone had a great day and celebrated Father's Day in a way Mike would have loved so much. Will be there for the next one. We don't either one golf but I'm sure there was food involved and we co do that :) I am so proud of all the fathers in our family. April, so sorry about your car. Gotta get to work. Just wanted to check in quick and see if the pics were up...again, Blair...thanks for all you do.
Love to all,
Peg

Hey Family
Sure hated we could not come down for this "special" weekend. Please know we were there in spirit and love. Blair, Jared and April this was a great honor to your dad. I know it took a lot of work to pull it all off the way you wanted. I love and miss you all so very much. It was good to talk to you Eletia yesterday but was sorry to learn of April's car getting stolen. Were you able to get her a rental set up for tomorrow to go to work?? That would be covered under her Comp coverage for theft. It is so scary to think someone is right outside your house stealing your car while you are inside unaware. Glad everyone is safe. They are having a lot of home invasions in Lubbock lately and that is really scary too.
Kittie just called and invited us over later today for a cookout. Kraig has to work until 2:00 so they will all be getting together late afternoon.
Just hope everyone is having a really great Father's Day! Like Kittie said, this is the first year she has not had a "father" so it seemed strange, empty. At least we all have our great memories.
Eletia, that is a great idea to have this earlier in the year next time. Would be cooler for sure.
Hoping everyone has had a great weekend!
Love, Maw

Happy Father's Day to all the fathers out there. I know Gary Lee and Brandon are having a wonderful time. They both were so excited to go and see everyone. Stormy had two ballgames Saturday and it was so hot. Gary said he had a "meltdown" on the golf course Saturday. He is use to being out in the heat, but not the humidity. All you Gowens and McGaughy's thank you so much for having the Mike Gowens Memorial Golf Scramble, he would be in all his glory with all of ya'll playing golf. Take care of yourself and all your loved ones. Love , Susan

HEYY EVERYONE IT'S BAILEY AND I JUST WANTED TO SAY HEY AND WHAT EVERYONE WAS DOING BECAUSE I'M KINDA SICK, BUT I FEEL PERFECTLY FINE. WELL I WILL BLOG SOME MORE OK. WELL BYE.

I just wanted to stop in while I had some time to tell everyone to have a BLAST this weekend!!! James and I sure wish we could come down to participate in this wonderful memorial scramble. I'm sure there will be lots of laughter, which is just what Mike would want. Clearly, to any Gowens', if you're not laughing you're not enjoying yourself!!!

To all you fathers: Happy Father's Day!!! I hope you all know and can tell how much your child/ren love you just by the smile on their faces if they aren't old enough to say it. For all of us who are old enough, we need to remember to tell the ones we love so they ALWAYS know it!!!

We love you guys so much and we are thankful to have this blog (Blair) to keep intouch with everyone!!!

God Bless,
The Gowens' Family Trio

Good evening to all you guys,
The Memorial Service was just beautiful at the Texas Association of Funeral Directors Conferene. The preacher talked about funeral directors and the special job they had to handle at peoples time of needs. He talked that they had such hard jobs and how they were told so many different things by so many different people and how they had to hold secrets for so many people. He shared that a funeral director is a minister also. How they have to minister to families in their times of grief. But in the end, a funeral director, is just a person, like everyone else and is loved by his family and friends also. There was special music by a young gentleman and one of the songs he sang was "All Is Well." I couldnt believe my ears, because this is the song that kept running through my head the day Mike passed. I sat down at the very beginning and when Mikes name came up on the overhead, I nearly lossed it, but was able to keep some composer. But when his name was actually read and I was given an angle pin to wear and remember him by, I just lost it, and never really got it back together again. Oh well. I said some day I hope I can talk about Mike and not cry, but I think it will be a long time. As I said it was a beautiful service and such an honor to all funeral directors. All I could think of how Mike loved his work and how he loved to minister to all the people who needed him. He honestly had such great compasion and love for people. So I know, All Is Well, with Mike. April, Jared, Betsy, Kate, Blair, Bailey and I attended. Even though smiles are on our faces, it was again a hard day to face, but for our Dad and Sweetheart, another day of great sadness and loss, was faced, in his loving honor.
Love to your all, Eletia

Hey Family,
Hope everyone is having a great Sunday morning. I have been checking out all the pages on the family web. Blair is is amazing what you have set up to keep us all in touch. God Bless you for that. WOW and WOW to Blair, Jay and I'm sure Eletia too. I can't believe what you have done with your garage and backyard. It is truly amazing!!You guys are so talented. I give you an A+, everything looks great.
I can't look at the golf cart pic of Mike without crying but it is precious.
There is pastor on TV now from Houston, Joel Osteen. Maybe you have already watched his broadcast or read his books. Gary & Susan gave me one of his books for Mother's Day and it has been wonderful to read. Thanks kids! Anyway, if you do not know about him, please check him out. He is so refreshing and gives you real encouragement, which we all need. I was just watching his program this morning.
The wind continues to blow and blow and blow here. The little rain we got earlier has all been dried up now with the hot wind. My yard certainly does not look like Blair & Jay's, ha. Gary D and Kittie dropped by yesterday morning to see if my yard needed mowing but Ryan's friend had aready mowed Friday. Appreciate them checking on me tho.
Time to get ready for church. Just wanted to say hi this morning. Maddie has some new pics up if you haven't checked out her site. Her and Kate sure look like cousins, right? Stormy how is your snail doing? Brock, wish Caden and Toby were there with you in your pool. What fun ya'll could have. Don't guess Caden could swim right now tho with his broken arm. Boston is going to be here this week to go to Bible School. I know Big Mommy and Pappy will love that.(you too Megan)
Please know I love everyone very much and mention you all in prayer everyday.
Love, Maw

Hey Everyone.....Sorry it's taken a while to update the web. I'll get back to doing more once everything gets settled down.

We are looking forward to everyone that is going to get to come this next week to Fort Worth.

Everyone is doing good here. Love you all, Blair

Hello to all.
Shavonne, congratulations to you on your new job. It is so hard to land the good job anymore and it is so hard to wait and wait till they decide about you. I hope I dont have to do this again. I still do not know when or if for sure if I will be working from home.
Peggy and Judy, I am so excited about our trip to Florida and it will be great to see everyone there. Peggy I know the ceremony will be abosolutely special and wonderful for you two. I am so proud for you two and that you have someone so special to share your lives with.
Kittie, I cant wait to see you and your family for the golf tournament. Blair and Jay have worked so hard on this and trying to make it special for all of us to remember Mike in such a special way.
He would absolutely love it. Just wish he was here to enjoy it. That picture of Mike in the golf cart, is priceless.
I have gotten the headstone ordered and it will be around 4-6 weeks before it is delivered to the cemetary. It is black polished granite. I sure hope it turns out as pretty as I think it is. It will be simple with of course GOWENS in bold white letters. Itching of a rose with a hummingbird liting on it. It will have "Till we meet again" on one side and "our children" and there name on one side. This is all I know for sure right now, but there could be more. I will have two vases on it also.
Jared, Betsy and Kate have gone to Washington DC this weekend and week. I sure miss them. Betsy has not found anything yet and Jared has an interview in DC Tuesday. Please keep these two in your prayers as they look and search for work. I sure hope they find something here. I am selfish and would like for them to get to stay here with ME!
April and Zac are doing well. Caden and Toby have started back to Juniors Junction, Day Care, where they are under more supervised and routine care. They started back yesterday and seemed to be happy with it. Caden broke his arm last Friday. He was in the back of his Dads pickup and went to jump down and his shorts caught on the tailgate and he fell arm first and there ya go!!
Blair and Jay are doing well and working real hard. They turned their garage into a Media Room and it sure is nice. It is amazing how nice that extra room is.
Kathryn, come join us soon. I plan on getting out there in just a few weeks. I havent decided whether to fly or not. I will let you know as soon as I get it all worked out.
Love you guys, Eletia

Hey Guys,
Don't get in to blog often but just wanted to say hey to everyone. Bon, Bon, we are so proud of you and so happy that things are finally moving in your direction and we know that things are going to happen for James very soon as well. Have checked out all the pics of all the babies and they are all amazing. Brock's first haircut...wow!

Things are in full swing at home (my house), as well as here. Kack you are so right. Gary, Susan, Jill and Brandon are doing some really hard work and great things to help us out. I wake up every day and thank God for the amazing blessings in my life. I have no idea what I have ever done in my life to be deserving of all that is happening right now. Not only have I been blessed with such loving family and all their willingness to help me, I have now been blessed with meeting such a wonderful and loving woman in Judy and knowing that we will be able to share our later years together, there at home with family. Susan has done so much to help make this happen for us and we will forever be grateful. Judy is in awe of the family closeness we all have and is very anxious to be a part of that. She was made to feel so special on her visits home. We can't believe that everyone is making such an effort to be here for our committment ceremony and we will so miss those that aren't able to come...we know you will be with us in your hearts. Blair, Jay, Eletia, we can't wait to see ya'll and I know the change of scenery will be good for you. Gary, Susan, Jill, Brandon, Stormy, James, Shavonne, and Brock...can't wait to see ya'll. We need Stormy and Brock kisses and hugs. I miss you all so much, and Kack I'm sorry you and Ryan won't be able to make it, and Kittie you know you and your family will be missed, but we know that it is just not possible for everyone. We have a plan for a memorial table in part of the ceremony to honor Barbara (Judy's partner of 14 years), Carol, DB and Judy's dad Bob. We were making arrangements for flowers the other day and the florist said they had a beautiful new rose in....in the peach color we are using, and she thought we might want them in the bouquets...the name of the rose is Donna.....of course that will be what is in there . I miss her so very, very much. I think of Mike so much and know the pain of the loss you are going through Eletia....and kids. Kack I feel so for you and your loss and know how hard it is....I have walked the road since I lost Carol. We both know the pain of losing mother. I can only offer love and support in the loss of Mike....I cannot imagine the loss of a child. Gary, Kittie...I know the loss of a sibling and my heart goes out to you so much. There is so much goodness in our family and the unconditional love that Susan and Gary, and all the kids have shown, made it possible for me to walk my road.

Well, geeze, didn't mean to write a book. haha. Just hope everyone is doing okay and that you all have a good start to your week.
Everybody...thanks again for all your help. Just about a month and we will see everyone and be home
Love,
Peg & Judy

Just wanted to stop in right fast to thank Maw for the kind words about my new job!!! It means alot to hear congratulations, but I am also thankful to hear of your confidence in me! Thank you so much!
And Kitty, I wanted to thank you for posting Maddie's site! James and I visisted last night, we just love it and they are a great way to keep in touch.

Hope everyone is doing well! Summer has started but it just means HOT HOT HOT weather and workshops for me! I had already signed up for them befoe I got the job, I have to have so many hours to renew my certification anyway. James had his San Angelo P.D. exam yesterday morning so it was nice having him home for the weekend. It was his first weekend home since May 2nd and his exam went well, he's now filling out paperwork for the history and background check. Also, he's still waiting to hear back from AllState. . .
Check out Brock's website to see what's going on with him! He had a first just today!!! But I'm not going to give it away, I guess if you want to know you have to go check in (I'm mean, I know)!

We love you all, God Bless!
The Gowens Family Trio