Hey Kittie, we will all keep our prayers flowing for Lynnie...She has been fighting this for so long. We all love her and pray for her. We also will pray for you and Gary Dale to keep you strong through all of this. Really sorry to hear about little Michael too. He will get better real soon, I just know it. Love you guys!

Gary's bunch, hope you all had a great Christmas too. Maw said she came over and spent Christmas with ya'll. Wish all of us could be there together. Hey, let's try for this Summer. I'm thinking about having the Mike's Memorial Golf Scramble in May this year. That way it's not too hot and not on a holiday.

Aunt Peg and Judy, wasn't that the coolest that Jay ran into Judy's mom and brother at the airport on Monday while he was picking up Bailey. Bailey is here this week while she is on break. Bailey's original flight was at 9 a.m. leaving Lubbock. But the flight was cancelled. So, anyway, she got bumped to the next flight. Jay called me all excited going you won't believe who I just saw get off the plane here in Dallas. He said it was Judy's mom and brother. Jay said his mom gave him a big ole' hug. I thought it was real cool too, because of all people to give you your last big ole' Texas hug would be Jay. Anyway, really cool stuff!

Maw, thanks again for all you do for all of us...We love you so much!! Your the best grandma a guy could have.

I hope everyone has a Happy New Year....
Love,
Blair

Hey,
I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas!! Seems like there was so much to do, mine kind of went by in a blur....I still haven't even got my Christmas candy made?!?!?!? Maybe it will be New Years Candy!!! haha...
Michael is sick. Megan took him to the ER yesterday and they said he had RSV, so she took him in this morning to see Dr. Stripling and he confirmed it was RSV and she had to get a nebulizer, so she can give him breathing treatments and he has to go back on Wednesday....He sounds so pitiful...he is really congested and coughing....but he seems to manage a smile when you talk to him!!! As Megan is beginning to find out....IT IS ALWAYS SOMETHING!!!
I am continuing to take Lynnie for treatments. She has two months to go....she has good days and bad days...With it being metastatic there is no telling where the cancer might go next...they think it may already be moving to the bones...But her cancer markers were improved on the lung cancer, so guess the chemo is helping that some....Time will tell....She just does not seem to enjoy anything anymore...it is hard to keep her emotionally uplifted....I am asking that everyone please just say a prayer for her....
I didn't get around to calling or seeing everyone at Christmas but I am assuming everyone had a good holiday...Mother said Christmas with Gary Lee's bunch was alot of fun....sorry I did not get over to see ya'll....It looks like from the pics that Mike's bunch had a good day too!!
I miss you all and hope everyone has a Happy New Years Eve and Day....and I pray that this next year will be a good one for everyone!!
love to all,
kittie

Hey everyone,.....check out griffinsisters front page, tribute to best of 2008, love blair

Thanks so much...I'm really glad that everyone enjoys the website....I still after almost 3 years in February enjoy doing it...

Really sorry to hear about Imagene...Sounds like her service will be right be us in Fort Worth..If I can get off work, I will make an effort to go the funeral.

I love how this website keeps us all connected.
Love,
Blair

Hey Family
Just read Eletia's blog on the GS side and I have to totally agree that I too live for this family web site everyday. Blair and Jay, I hope you know how much it is appreciated by all!! Thank you so very very much. Without it we would not have the special bond and be in touch with one another like we have been able to.

Just received a phone call from Wilma Gowens to let me know that Imagene Reed passed away Friday and her funeral is tomorrow, Monday, with viewing at 10:00 and the service at 11:00 at Davis Funeral Chapel, 6912 NE Loop 820, North Richardland Hill, just off Rugus Snow. Don't know if any of you Ft Worth bunch would be able to attend ?? Her daughter, Donna Lynn Sydow was just a few months older than Mike and Imagene and I spent lots of time together with our babies while Dalmer and Vernon (her husband) were in the Army. This is A J Grisham's oldest sister.

Yesterday was so miserable with the weather. So very cold and the wind was blowing terrible so I just did not get out much. Took a long nap and just watched TV. Nice to just have a good day of rest I guess. I went over to Gary & Susan's Friday night after work and joined in their family Christmas with them, James, Shavonne, Brock, Jill, Brandon, Stormy, Peggy, Judy, her mom, Dorothy and her brother Mike. It was very nice. I played dominos with Brandon and then Gary Lee and beat them both so I guess I learned a few things from Artie, Ha.

Will have another crazy week coming up with being off Thur and then work Friday and then off the weekend. Be glad when things get back to normal. Hoping everyone had a great Christmas and looking forward to a Happy New Year. Love, Maw

Merry Christmas, Ctown,
Hope all of you have very nice Christmas. We will be spending time at Jared and Betsys today. I have got most of my food done and will get up in the morning to start the rolls. Jared wanted rolls and asked me to make them. I hope they turn out as I have not made them in a long time myself. I am only off work today. Worked yesterday and back at it tomorrow.
Hope this finds you all well and most of all at peace and happy.
Love you guys,
Eletia

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ONE AND ALL!!
Went to church tonight to the Candlelight- Carol Service and it was so good. Kittie sang O Holy Night and did a beautiful job. Just a good way to start Christmas off. Not sure what all Ryan adn I will be doing tomorrow or in what order but we want to get around to see everyone. Both Gary Lee and Kittie has ask us to dinner. Today I made a little dressing and 2 pumpkin pies to go with a ham that Terry (my boss) gave us just so we would have something here to munch on. I love the smell of pumpkin pie cooking too.

Last night I woke up at 3:00 AM and too early to get up so I lay there and reflected on all my blessing of this past year and there have been so many. God is so awesome and so good it amazes me everyday. I went back to sleep, counting blessings and not sheep.

Hoping everyone has a great Christmas full of joy, happiness and most of all love.
Maw

Merry Christmas to all!! We will have our Christmas for several days. Christmas lunch will include about 13 of our family members with others coming for dessert and James , Shavonne, & Brock coming in Christmas night. Our family Christmas will be Friday night. It will be good to be together at this special time of year. It was good to talk to Jared, yesterday. We love all of our families wherever they may celebrate. Merry Christmas from all the Gary Gowens bunch.
Love, Susan

Merry Christmas to everyone.....I hope everyone has a Happy Holiday filled with peace, joy and love....HoHoHo....Love, Blair

JW has really been on my mind alot the past few days. This time last year was really hard and he fought a long hard battle. I too miss him very very much.....I was telling Blair the other day about how wonderful it was to have Mike here last year at Christmas....He was so kind, caring, concerned and loving when he was here and I will always be blessed that I got to spend some time with him on his last Christmas on earth!! This past year has been quite a ride for everyone and I hope and pray that we all have a better year this next year...although, I did get two new grandbabies this year and that in itself is reason to be happy and thankful!! We just have to take the good with the bad...I think it is called LIFE!!
I love you all so much,
kittie

Family
It was one year ago today that J W left us and went to live with the Lord. It has been a rough year and I miss him just as much today. Thank you J W for sharing the last 25 years of your life with us! Love you, Kathryn

Hey Everyone...Well weekend is almost here....Enjoyed seeing everyone this past weekend..

I think we are going to Jared and Betsy's on Christmas day. Looking forward to that.

Blair

It was great seeing Blair, Jay and Eletia this weekend.

Hope everyone has a wonderful holiday....
love,
kittie

Hey Family
Happy Birthday to Jay!! Sorry I do not have all these birthday dates, sorry. The Raider "dance" was so cute. Boy that Caden can really dance!! The pics at the cemetery were awesome, Blair. Looks like someone was looking over you.Somethings we just can't explain, right. I checked out the wedding pics and the wedding looked like it was beautiful. Now you have another daughter, Jay. I loved the pic of everyone dressed up and there was Bailey with no shoes on, that's our Bailey. Ha, Love, Maw

Happy Birthday Jay!! Love, Blair

Hey CTown, was really good to get some spend some time with family on Saturday night. I really enjoyed that.

We got the wedding done with and now we can look forward to Christmas.

I will be posting an updated webpage sometime this week, and I'll have some pictures of the wedding for everyone to see.

Hope everyone is staying warm....
Love, Blair

Hey Family
Gosh it was so good to see Eletia, Blair and Jay Saturday night and was glad Kittie, Megan, Michael, Peggy and Judy were able to come by. Kittie brought an old home movie of Blair and April and Megan dancing as kids and Blair laughed until he cried. Was good to hear!!! I was disappointed when I got up at 5:15 am and they were already gone. Didn't get to say goodbye and my mistake in not telling them before we went to bed that I had the quilt for Carson and some little gifts for Caden, Toby and Kate to take back with them, so there they sat by the side door. I'll just have to go to Plan B and mail them I guess. I guess that was my Christmas get-to-gether and I enjoyed it so very very much. When we got out of church (me, Kittie and Gary D) a terrible sandstorm was blowing so had to stay inside all afternoon.

Had a great afternoon Sat with Stormy. She stayed with me while Jill and Brandon moved more stuff to storage. She seemed to really enjoy playing with my "old" toys and most of all playing with Flower (our dog) She carried her around and held her like a baby. Hope you will come back soon Stormy to play with me and Flower.

Sunday afternoon then Kittie, Megan, Maggie and Maddie came by to bring me some pictures and Maddie got lots of kisses from Flower. Maddie loves doggies in case no one knew, ha.

To sum it up, I had a really good weekend, thanks to all of you!! Hoping a good week for everyone!
Love, Maw

Ctown,
Wishing all of you guys a very Merry Christmas. Hope all of you get to be together and well. Kittie you have a very lovely family. Michael is a doll. It was good to see you all. We made it home safe and sound. Just one deer and Thank God, just stood there and did not move. My heart was in my throat for a while, but soon settled back down. Kathryn thanks for the place to lay my head and the good food. I know Blair really enjoyed the old movie and laughter you guys brought him. He needed that and the love of his family. Peggy and Judy it was so good to see you too. Peggy you have to be the most loving great aunt to my kids. Thank you. They all love you too. Sorry did not get to see Gary and Susan.
All please have a Merry Christmas, Eletia

We are all thinking of you today, Mike, on this your birthday. I just know you are having the greatest of all birthday party's in heaven today with Jesus and all the family members that are there with you. Love, Mother

awesome quote....it really does say it all....we learn and grow so much more from sorrow....guess that is when our hearts are the most open....
love,
kittie

I walked a mile with pleasure, she chatted all the way, but left me none the wiser, for all she had to say.

I walked a mile with sorrow and not a word said she. But oh, the things I learned from her when sorrow walked with me.

Sorry I missed telling you Happy Birthday Betsy. I do not always know when all the inlaws and outlaws (ha) birthdays are. Guess I need to get all this info and fix me a list for each month. There are so many of us now including all the great grandkids. Afraid it is too much for me to keep up with.

Certainly hope Kate is better today. Have had ya'll in my thoughts and prayers.
Love, Maw

Hey Family
I want everyone to know that I now have my Christmas tree up. None of my lights would work this year so I tossed them, went to the Dollar Store and bought new ones. All they had with a green wire was colored lights. (I have always had white or clear) I put them on and I LOVE it. I could not believe how much different my old tree looks with colored lights and they only cost me $12.00. 4 strands at $3.00 each. Can't beat the Dollar Store!

Just want to mention that we all need to remember Gene, Bret and Jed today and their boys. I know this is a really hard holiday for them as well. It is still so very very hard for me to realize that Donna Beth is gone.

Sorry to read on Betsy's blog that Kate is sick again, bless her little heart.

Love,
Maw

Hey Family
Congrats Blair on your ARK's. Bro Les talked about that movie Sunday at church and said it was a re-make (or whatever you call it) from the old 1950's version. It is cool and I bet you really enjoy it. Way to go BEAR !!! It is so cold and windy here today, about 32, cloudy but no snow. Should be better tomorrow. Just a front moving through.

Hope everyone is having a great week and sure hope Kate is feeling better. According to my mail today, I see we have a new name in the Gowens family, wonderful!! I love it!
Later, Maw

Wooohooh...I got ARKED today....Man I'm going to a movie...Woohoooh...There is a new movie called The Day the Earth Stood Still....Thank you who ARKED me....

Also, thanks to another ARK I got a couple of weeks ago....You know who you are too...Thank you very much. Man, this ARK thing is really nice...

Also, I have updated my other website www.healthyhappyme.com with a circuit on the front page. My Christmas tree is to the side. Hehehe..

Love to all,
Blair

Hey Family
Just read Alli's blog and thank you Alli for your great words of wisdom. I think of you often about all the things you had to deal with at such an early age. I can remember the first time I ever saw you was when ya'll lived at Houston and J W and I went to your house for a short visit. You were the cutest baby girl and your mom was so very very proud of you. I believe she called you the Princess ? Your outlook about your parents is great and I know they both are looking down on you with much pride. Of course you are right that to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord and this has to be the most most awesome goal in our whole life. I know we start to die the day we are born. However knowing all these things there is still this void and empty ache in your heart. The sermon yesterday was directed at me (I guess). Bro Les was saying how the Lord is our comforter but sometimes things have happened to us in our life or things going on in our life that are so huge or bad that we refuse to let Him comfort us. We shut everything out when if we would allow Him to put His arms around us and hug us tight as we need to be hugged, He is always there and ready. It just takes some of us longer to get to this point than others. It seems harder when you are older also (or it has for me). God Bless you Alli and I appreciate your love and concern always. I was just thinking this morning about your Mom and Renee and Cindy and myself going to her house and trying to do what we could for her when she was too sick to eat. Now Renee has gone thru cemo treatment but apprears to be doing good. We never know. Was so glad you got to be with your aunts and cousins for Thanksgiving. It was such a long drive but worth it I'm sure.
Love, Maw

Good morning CTown. I was checking posts before I got started this morning and Blair's latest blog hit a note with me. Then of course I read what Kathryn said and I felt more compelled to write. It's hard during the holiday season when you've lost a close loved one. Actually, hard doesn't do the pain any justice. It hurts, point blank. Then when you have birthdays or anniversaries on top of that, you have no choice but to remember the fact that your loved one is no longer with you.

I just wanted to share something that I always do. When it comes time for my parents birthday, instead of being sad all day I still choose to celebrate their birthday. I've have done various things to honor them, sometimes I still bake a cake (doesn't do too good for the waistline since I'm pretty much the only one that eats it :) I would share the other things I do, but they are very personal to me. I suggest that instead of dwelling on the fact that you have a void in your life, do the opposite. Celebrate that they went home to be with the lord. It has helped me to let go. I'm blessed that the church I go to looks at death in a more positive light. They don't deny that death is hard for those left behind, but it views it as a time to celebrate their life. Cause I know that once I pass, I don't want my kids to sit around crying cause I'm not there. I want them to be laughing and telling stories about the dumb or funny things I did (so I'm sure they will have alot to talk about).

Ok, I'm off my soap box for now. Just though I would share. Love you all and I hope you have a blessed week.

Alli

Hey Family
Just read Blair's blog today and I can certainly relate to his feelings. I have really been having a rough time too. I guess it is because we remember the special dates like holidays and the holidays last year were all at the time when J W and I were going through so much. Then of course as a parent, you always remember special times with your kids, which makes me realize I am one short this year. As Blair said, I have already been dreading Mike's BD coming up. I'm sure everyone gets tired of hearing about the sadness but I can only say what I feel and who better to say it to than my family. Like Blair, Thanksgiving was very nice and was with lots of family but it just had that cloud hanging over it. Maybe once we get past all the special days once, it will get easier??? All I know is I have no desire to put up a Christmas tree or anything. You young ones can go on with your Christmas for all the precious grandchildren (and you should) because this is all new and wonderful to them. Make memories with them and I am content to just remember all of my memories when I was young, with Mother and then my young married life with Dalmer and having my babies and then my older years with J W. God, it seems like I have lived forever. It is strange but most people can always remember where they spent nearly every Christmas of their life. Can you?? Do you have a favorite one??

Megan is gone today to take Michael for his doctor checkup. He is 2 months old now and so cute. It was good Thanksgiving to get Kittie's babies and Gary's babies together for a few minutes. They are the next generation. It is hard for me to realize that I am the oldest generation now. Where did everyone go?? Better get back to work. It is so cold here today and cold wind blowing. A good day to stay inside. Love you all, Maw

Hey Everybody....Hope everyone is having a great week. Man it's already Thursday...Next weekend, me, Jay and Mom will be coming to Lubbock for Adam's wedding. We hope to get to come through Crosbyton on Saturday night after the wedding.

Man, I didn't realize how sad I would be right now. Dad's birthday would be next Friday and Christmas is coming up. Thanksgiving was nice this year, but wasn't the same.....

Well love everybody very much!
Love,
Blair

Yeah, the website is now back up and updated...Enjoy. Love, Blair

Hey everyone, I am having a little trouble with the webpage. I am having to reload and republish everything. Thanks for being patient and I hope to have it back up real soon. Love, Blair