The Debut of Two Girls Into Our World

On this special day, September 16th, I'm celebrating two of my girls. It was actually September 15th when our son asked us to join him and Shawntel's family for a surprise birthday party for her at her home. Her birthday was September 16th, but the party was on the 15th. We had a wonderful time together celebrating this beautiful woman (inside and out), but the party went to a whole new level, when Ryan got down on one knee and proposed to her. We rejoiced when she said "YES"! We knew God brought them together. Three months later they were married.

Larry and Staci were absent from this celebration -- but they had a good excuse. Just after Ryan proposed, we received the call from Larry....."Staci's contractions are just minutes apart." That meant we had to make a quick exit from this fabulous party.....to be at another fabulous "debut" party. Our little Alexia was coming into the family as well.

We drove lightning speed from Tulsa to Dallas and though the doctors were telling Staci to "push", she refused to....."My Mom and Dad must be here!" As we were running down the hallway of the hospital our precious little girl started coming. We made it....but not a minute too soon!

Our hearts were full -- our son was engaged to the "love of his life", and Larry and Staci brought another precious treasure to love into this world. And to make it even more special, Ryan and Shawntel drove from Oklahoma to Texas to meet their new little niece on both girls' birth-days. It was a joyous celebration!

So, today, September 16th, I get to celebrate two precious girls that have brought so much sunshine and joy to our family. I can't begin to thank God enough for my Shawntel (aka Angel -- always has been to our family) who is the most devoted and loving wife to Ryan, and incredible mother to our boys. She calls me Mom, which is one of my greatest privileges. We're bonded. We've shared so many blessings and though we're physically miles apart -- when we are back together again, it's as though we were never apart. She will always be MY GIRL. I'm so thankful for her Mom and Dad's love that brought her to this world for all of us to love her.

And, then there's my hilarious, beautiful, talented, loving, granddaughter, Alexia Wallace, who celebrates her 16th birthday today. Where has 16 years gone? It seems just a little while ago that we were rushing to meet her, and now she is becoming a young woman of destiny and purpose that loves God and loves to serve Him with all her heart.

Happy Birthday, Shawntel and Alexia -- my two September 16th GIFTS FROM GOD!

The Debut of Two Girls Into Our World

Day 255 of Photo Inspirations -- The Debut of Two Girls Into Our World
On this special day, I'm celebrating two of my girls.

It was actually September 15th when our son asked us to join him and Shawntel's family for a surprise birthday party for her at her home. Her birthday was September 16th, but the party needed to be on the 15th.  We had a wonderful time together celebrating this beautiful woman, but the party went to a whole new level, when Ryan got down on one knee and proposed to her.  We rejoiced when she said "YES"!    We knew God brought them together.   Three months later they were married.

Larry and Staci were absent from this celebration -- but they had a pretty good excuse.  Just after Ryan proposed, we got the call from Larry....."Staci's contractions are just minutes apart."  That meant we had to make a quick exit from this fabulous party.....to be at another fabulous "debut" party. Our little Alexia was coming into the family as well.  

We rushed to Dallas and though the doctors were telling Staci to "push", she refused to....."My Mom & Dad must be here!"    As we were running down the hallway of the hospital our precious little girl started coming.  We made it....but not a minute too soon!  

Our hearts were full -- our son was engaged to the "love of his life", and Larry and Staci brought another precious treasure to love into this world.  And to make it even more special, Ryan and Shawntel drove from Oklahoma to Texas to meet their new little niece on both girls' birth-days.  It was a joyous celebration!

So, today, September 16th, I get to celebrate two precious girls that have brought so much sunshine and joy to our family.  I can't begin to thank God enough for my Shawntel (aka Angel -- always has been to our family) who is the most devoted and loving wife to Ryan, and incredible mother to our boys.  She calls me Mom, which is one of the greatest privileges.  We're bonded.  We've shared so many blessings and though we're physically miles apart -- when we are back together again, it's as though we were never apart.  She's my girl and has always been.

And, then there's my hilarious, beautiful, talented, loving, one-and-only granddaughter, Alexia -- 14 years old today.  Where has 14 years gone?  It seems just a little while ago that we were rushing to meet her, and now she is becoming a young woman of destiny and purpose.  With 5 grandsons who are ALL about "guy" stuff....this precious girl gives me the bows, ruffles, shopping, girly-girl things that I love so much.

Happy Birthday, Shawntel Wuerch​ and Alexia Wallace​ -- my two September 16th GIFTS FROM GOD!

It's Special Plate Day For My Sweetheart

Day 251 of Photo Inspirations -- It's Special Plate Day for My Sweetheart!

Our family has always made big deals of birthdays.  After all, it's the day we made our debut on this earth -- straight from heaven's portals.   So, of course, it's a celebration day.  The day always starts with the birthday decorations and birthday breakfast with the "You Are Special" Birthday Plate.  This is the birthday honoree's SPECIAL DAY, and we each tell them how special they are to us.   Each one conveys tender and heartfelt words of love and appreciation.

I've got the "Special Plate" out today because today's birthday honoree is my Sweetheart, and I ask my friends and family to indulge me once again as I reminisce about the life of this precious man and how special he will always be to me.  

"On this day of celebration, I hope you know how much you are loved, honored, respected, and admired by me and all those who know you.  This is indeed a time of celebrating a man that made his mark on so many lives, the least of whom is ME!    I am more today than I could have ever dreamed possible because of you.....your relentless urging, pushing, prodding, and encouraging me to be all I could be.    You have always made me feel beautiful.  When I didn't believe in myself.....you believed in me!  

I am so thankful for the amazing husband, father, and grandfather that you always were.  You always gave yourself so freely to so many.   I will never forget the precious, caring and giving way you treated my mom.  You always made her feel like a queen.   You were so much more than a son-in-law.    And when I wanted to shut the door so many times to some of the dysfunctional, yet needy members of my family.....you not only opened the door to them, but you fed them and clothed them and tolerated them and gave them truly the Father's love.  You really were a "life enhancer" and a replica of Christ's love.    There are so many adjectives for this man named "Ronald Wuerch" and so many reasons why I celebrate your life and the impact you had on so many.   And I'll try here to name just a few.  I love Ronald because.....

• You could play the piano and sing.....like a virtuoso
• You were an amazing carpenter -- building houses and so much more
• You were an awesome pilot
• You could fix anything -- around the house and in people's lives
• You had so much wisdom and creativity
• You were a great fisherman....of fish....and of people -- leading them to Christ
• You were so giving to those in need

• You were my greatest cheerleader
• You saw the good in everyone and you taught our family the key to our greatest joy and happiness was found in God's Word.
• You led our family in the optimistic, positive faith message that caused ultimate success in each of our lives.
• You were my best friend, lover, confidante, and my hero
• And there's not enough room here to continue with all that you were to me......but one thing's for sure.......you received your ultimate reward by getting to go on the fast track to heaven.  My greatest determination is to be there with you someday and to get to have the ultimate in birthday bashes there!  And, to all my FB friends and family -- YOU ARE ALL INVITED!!!

Oh, and by the way, maybe it's time you and your family have special plate days, too! It is sure a confidence builder to those we love!

Happy Birthday, my Sweetheart!