Happy New Year!!!

We wish each one of you a year filled with health, family and love.

Have a Great 2008!!!

Enjoy life,

Russ & Karla

Directions

DIRECTIONS TO OUR FATHER'S HOUSE.

Make a Right onto Believeth Blvd.

Keep straight and go through the Green Light, which is Jesus Christ.

There, you must turn onto the Bridge of Faith , which is over troubled water.

When you get off the bridge, make a Right turn and Keep Straight.

You are on the King's Highway - Heaven-bound.

Keep going for three miles: One for the Father, One for the Son, and One for the Holy Ghost.

Then exit off onto Grace Blvd.

From there, make a Right turn on Gospel Lane .

Keep Straight and then make another Right on Prayer Road .

As you go on your way, Yield Not to the traffic on Temptation Ave.

Also, avoid SIN STREET because it is a DEAD END.

Pass up Envy Drive , and Hate Avenue.

Also, pass Hypocrisy Street , Gossiping Lane , and Backbiting Blvd.

However, you have to go down Long-suffering Lane , Persecution Blvd. And Trials and Tribulations Ave.

But that's all right, because VICTORY Street is straight ahead!

AMEN!!!!!

SEND THESE DIRECTIONS TO YOUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY SO THEY WILL NOT GET LOST.

Life is God's gift to you.
The way you live it............is your gift to God.

A few Christmas Photos

Kaitlyn's first Christmas - a perfect day for a snooze I guess!

Sydney agrees that a gal needs feathers to complete an outfit.

And Megan likes to add stickers to complete her ensemble.

Sydney had some secrets to tell Karsten.

We hope you had a great Christmas!

Russ & Karla

Merry Christmas To You!

From our house to yours -

Merry Christmas

and may 2008 be

a wonderful year for you!

God Bless You!

Russ & Karla

It's Christmas Eve!

It's Christmas Eve - all the packages have been wrapped, the cookies are made and the table is set for our Annual Open House. We never know who may chose to drop in - sometimes a few and sometimes more. It doesn't really matter - we are here to greet anyone and everyone and wish them a Merry Christmas. We will be going to church soon - to celebrate the birth of Jesus.

We have had some sadness this year, we have had some happiness this year but the most important thing is that we realize that Jesus Christ is our Lord and Savior and we believe that He will give us the strength we need to get through the bad times and likewise He gives us the ability to enjoy the good times.

We should have a few pictures tomorrow of Megan, Sydney, Karsten & Kaitlyn enjoying the trimmings of Christmas.

Merry Christmas everyone!

Kaitlyn is Home - Hooray!

Welcome Home Kaitlyn!!

Kaitlyn and Grandmama play rub noses!

Mark with his newest angel!

Kaitlyn snuggles with Michelle.

Sydney and Bitty Baby welcome Kaitlyn.

Some gifts come in small packages - and this one came home from the hospital at 10 days old and 5 pounds 4 ounces. I am sure my big toe weighs that much!

We are so blessed this Christmas season!

Not ready to come home yet

Kaitlyn did not get to come home today (Sunday) as planned. During the night she lost her body heat again along with 2 ounces - which puts her under 5 pounds again. It seems her issues with controling heat are due to the placenta/umbilical cord problems. While they will continue to run tests, we think it may just be a matter of time until she can build herself up enough to be able to grow the heat containing "fats" that our body needs to self-regulate.

Here is a picture of Kaitlyn and Michelle after a diaper change. She was 5 days old here. She was out for the change and picture and then back with not only her hat (thanks to the great volunteers and nurses who knit/crochet/quilt hats and blankets for these special care babies) but her booties and 2 blankets too. You know the old saying - snug as a bug in a rug!

We do appreciate all your prayers for Michelle, Mark, Sydney, Kaitlyn and Grandmama and Papa too!

Enjoy life,

Russ and Karla

The Little Peanut

A quick update on the Little Peanut Kaitlyn. She lost more weight than we thought at first - she is 4 pounds 13 ounces which means that she lost 10% of her body weight. (Now if Grandma could do this - how exciting that would be!) She continues to have a hard time keeping her temperature up. They have started to lower the temperature of the isolet - hopefully her body will catch up and then she will move to a "crib" - without all the incubator parts. Today she is supposed to do a car seat test - they put them in the car seat for half an hour to see how they do (can't have problems breathing etc. while in that position). While we want her home - it is much better to stay there in the special care nursery than to come home and then have to go back. If that were to happen she would have to be admitted through the ER, have lots of testing (like a spinal tap) and then be admitted to the pediatric area (not the new baby area). Not what we want to happen. The doctor says not to rush her - and that is our plan too - All in God's time.

Kaitlyn in Special Care Nursery

Michelle was released from the hospital but Kaitlyn is staying. She is having problems keeping her temperature up. While in the isolet though she is toasty warm. I was glad to get to go back to the unit to see her.

Her coloring looked good.
Her IV is hooked into the bandaged arm.

She spit up some here and was waving her arm to make sure we knew. Who wants to lay in spit!!

Michelle and Mark left the hospital to go to Babies R Us to get premie diapers and some premie clothing - have to have something warm to wear until the big growth spurt hits. Then they will head back up to the hospital to feed her again.

We all do appreciate your prayers for our littlest angel - we look forward to having her home soon so we can all love on her!

Prayers Needed

A quick update this morning - Little (and I mean little - she is down to 5 pounds now) Kaitlyn was moved to the special care unit for infants last night. She is not holding her temperature - she has been in 3 blankets and a hat and even going into the "warmer" and still cannot control her temperature. She had a very rare placement of the umbilical cord into the placenta and had a bowel movement just before birth. The docs are running lots of tests on her so looks like she will not be returning home for a couple of days at least. Mom Michelle should be released today - and we all know how hard it will be to leave her there. We will have to go back for lots of little visits!

We appreciate all your prayers - will try to get a pic of her in her little isolet soon.

Kaitlyn Denise

Love the bow the nurses taped to her little hat!
Kaitlyn with her bear from Aunt Kim and Uncle Dave

Michelle and Sydney stop for a snack and a hug

Mark on video duty - thanks to a gift from Grandma and Grandpa Garon - who could not visit today due to illness.

Sydney's first time holding her baby sister - with the help of Mommy of course.

Kaitlyn and her little dolly from Grandmama and Papa.

Kaitlyn with a little bear made by Jan and Leonard Schwandt.

What a blessing she is! We enjoyed a visit this afternoon to meet and greet Little Kaitlyn. Sydney was glad to see Mommy and Daddy (it had only been a few hours but she was excited all the same!) When Kaitlyn fussed Sydney came running saying "Kalyn crying". And when Sydney cried we told her it was hurting Kaitlyn's ears and she stopped! Hopefully that will continue to work! ;-) Kaitlyn had to be under the warmer while we were there - blood sugar was dropping due to the loss of heat and the low weight. The nurse gave her a little formula also - lots of sugar in that. Sydney enjoyed giving and getting presents and was very willing to leave the hospital - she was going back to Grandmama's and Papa's to take a bath with her new toys!

Hope you enjoyed a few pictures - I could have posted all night! ;-)

Enjoy life!

Karla and Russ

It's A GIRL!!

It's a beautiful baby girl for Michelle and Mark! Little Kaitlyn was born this morning about 9:15 am and weighed in at 5 pounds 5 ounces and 19 1/4 inches. Can't wait to meet her! Pictures will be posted this evening I am sure!

We are so very blessed - 3 granddaughters and 1 grandson!!

Enjoy life!

Karla and Russ

The Ten Commandments

This is a pretty fun site - The Ten Commandments so everyone can understand!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wU8lV2_NZo8

Enjoy life!

Karla and Russ

A Poem worth thinking about.....

A Poem to Think About!

I was shocked, confused, bewildered As I entered Heaven's door,

Not by the beauty of it all, Nor the lights or its decor.

But it was the folks in Heaven Who made me sputter and gasp--

The thieves, the liars, the sinners, The alcoholics, the trash...

There stood the kid from seventh grade Who swiped my lunch money twice.

Next to him was my old neighbor Who never said anything nice.

Herb, whom I always thought Was rotting away in hell,

Was sitting pretty on cloud nine, Looking incredibly well.

I nudged Jesus, "What 's the deal? I would love to hear Your take.

How'd all these sinners get up here? God must've made a mistake. "

And why's everyone so quiet, So somber? Give me a clue."

"Hush, child," said He, "They're all in shock.

No one thought they'd be seeing you!"

Judge NOT

Gives us all a little something to think and pray about!

Enjoy life!

Karla & Russ

Steal One - Get Three Free!

This has NOT been the best of days!

We found out this morning that someone broke into Contractors Connection overnight - they thought it would be a good idea to "Steal 1 and Get 3 Free" with our cement power buggy's. I'm being nice - actually they stole at least 4 power buggy's. We're still doing inventory to see if anything else is missing. This is a picture of what they look like.

This is one of two places in the fencing that they cut to go through. They went through the Mammoth Baptist Church lot and cut their way into the back yard. They broke into that trailer that you see on the left. Cut through the lock. They broke out the flood lights - I guess these people work better in the dark!

They cut the lock on the snowmobile trailer that is stored there also. Took all the keys to the sleds. The other place where the fence was cut was near that trailer. Pretty sure they planned to come back for the whole trailer.

Things could be worse - this is just a pain!

We thank God that no one was injured - Russ is there late at night many nights and that has always been a worry for me.

Of course police reports have been made. You always wonder though, who would do such a thing?!

Enjoy life - God is Good!

Karla

Nashville - Alabama trip

Russ and I had the opportunity to visit the Grand Ole Opry while in Nashville for a business trip.
Martina McBride gave a private performance at the Grand Ole Opry for those of us attending the Stafda Convention. And what a concert she gave!

Just before going to Nashville we visited Russ' family in Alabama. Pictured is brother Raven, Russ, sister Renee, Mom and Dad.

So good to see all of them!

Always good to get away - and so good to get back to my own bed!

Enjoy life,

Karla and Russ

Halloween 2007

Halloween - a fun time for the little ones and a fun time for the "old folks" too!

Megan, Sydney and Karsten (known today as the Monkey, Tinkerbell and Frog) came to visit Grandpa at work. Good thing he had "allergy" friendly treats to hand out! Thought you might enjoy seeing our little angels!

Enjoy Life!

We Made It!

Karen and I left Saturday morning on our trip to take her back to Florida. We really thought we would arrive by noon on Monday - and instead pulled up in the driveway by 4:30 pm on Sunday. We had great weather, easy driving and managed to not make any wrong turns!

I will fly home late on Sunday, October 21 - and Karen will begin to get used to living alone. But not for long - she will fly up in December to meet the new Baby Garon and celebrate Christmas with us. That means our annual Christmas Eve gathering will have lots of homemade cookies to enjoy!

Hugs to all!

Family time

What an absolutely great Sunday we had today!

It began with Russ and I attending church at CWC - we really love our church family. We came home to homemade Swedish Pancakes with Karen. She has been so helpful to us - all the good meals to say nothing of the laundry and ironing she does to help us.

This afternoon the family gathered for our last "big dinner" with Karen before she returns to Florida. Just a simple meal - hot dogs, hamburgers, brats, corn on the cob, baked beans, chips and homemade cake - but so enjoyable. The little ones enjoyed the swingset - they enjoy swinging for a minute and then they are "all done" and move to the next swing. They all love to run and yell for Grandpa too. We are so blessed with our family for sure!

Karen and I will spend time this week getting everything ready for our drive to Florida. We will leave on Saturday and just take our time driving. Lots to do to get ready for that - getting an oil change and tires rotated, having the chair lift put back on the van and all the packing too.

On Thursday we will have all 3 of the grandchildren for the day too. That will be a fun day! They all love to go to Grandma Karen for pretzels that she keeps by her chair just for them. They are loving the Great-Grandma Karen attention - and will miss her when she returns to Florida. These little ones are so smart and observant - they still talk about Papa Charlie when they see his picture and still remember which is "his" chair. He will always be loved and missed for sure. And of course they won't forget Grandma Karen - she is coming back to celebrate Christmas with them!

Some things we keep reminding ourselves of is that God does not give us more than we can handle - we know He is making us stronger each day. Our job is to Know Him and Make Him Known.

Hugs to everyone and enjoy life!

Happy Birthday Dee!

Happy Birthday to you,

Happy Birthday to you,

Happy Birthday dear younger sister,

Happy Birthday to you!

So glad that I can call you sister and friend. So glad that you are there for me and that I am there for you. Always!

Happy 53rd birthday!

Happy Birthday Sydney!

Not really her birthday - that will be on Tuesday, September 11 - but certainly her birthday party! Cannot believe Sydney is 2 years old! She enjoyed a "Dora" birthday party with all 4 of her cousins - Daniel, Alison, Megan and Karsten. Lots of presents and good food!

Her mommy and daddy had one of the big inflatable Dora jumping things (now I know there is a name for these...) - everyone enjoyed jumping - including Grandma (and notice there are NO pictures of that! )

Enjoy life!

My only excuse....

July was not my favorite month this year - my Dad being so sick and then passing away has been very hard on me to say the least.

Today I thought back on my blog and realized that I didn't put it in writing to our only daughter-in-law, Noelle, that we wished her a very Happy Birthday! Noelle's birthday was just 3 days after my Dad's passing - yep, I was kind of consumed with a thousand things to do! Now in my defense we do celebrate her birthday with the June birthdays and Father's Day and I did call her on her birthday and left a message - I just didn't post on the blog!

So Noelle, you know we love you and wish you all happiness always!

Breakfast with the giraffes!

Kari received a great birthday present this year from Rich - a breakfast with the giraffes at the Detroit Zoo. Her mother in law Shirley, Kim and I accompanied her to the event yesterday. We were taken to our breakfast site - the side walk near the giraffes, where we dined on bagels, muffins, scones, fresh fruit, coffee and juice. While we were eating we were given some info on the giraffes - and reminded that we will be eye to eye with them and even though they are so cute we should not touch them - but they could touch us if they wanted. We walked up the ramp and fed these beautiful creatures rye crisp crackers and let them munch on leaves from branches that we held. She was right - we were eye to eye - and they are so beautiful! There are different kinds of giraffes - you can tell by the area between their spots - some are white and some are more light brown. We were honored to be eye to eye with Charday and Ajax - another one whose name I cannot remember was enjoying getting to some branches he couldn't reach before the storms of the night before. After the feeding time we were given a guided tour of the zoo - while riding one of the carts. How interesting to see the zoo with more information than I will ever remember!

Afterwards we picked up lettuce wraps from PeiWei and took them to Michelle's for lunch!

A great day for all of us! Pictures will be posted after Kim sends some to me - my camera was safe at home! (I have been losing things lately - like my digital camera and dad's house/car keys!)

Enjoy life!

Karla

More birthday pictures!

Megan takes after Grandma - we LOVE cake!!!

Happy Birthday Megan!

Hard to believe that Miss Megan is now 2!!! She turned 2 on August 17 but we had her party today. Unfortunately it rained on her outside party - children got to play on the new swingset for awhile but then we had to head for the garage and house. As you can see from the picture Megan enjoys corn on the cob!

We are so blessed to have Megan - hope she knows how much we love her!

Enjoy life!

Go Tigers!

I have a new camera - lost my old one here in the house....probably forever!!

;-( So, I am learning to use the new camera - and not doing very well.


We were excited to attend the Detroit Tigers vs the Oakland A's baseball game last night at Comerica Park. Michelle was fortunate enough to get 4 of the Henkel seats for the game so we got to go with them. We were 5 rows up from 3rd base and about 5 seats and an aisle away from the Tiger Dugout.

Sydney was a lucky girl too - the Oakland A's 3rd base coach motioned for Mark to bring her down and she was given a game ball - which she promptly threw back at the coach! Fortunately he gave it back to her and Mark helped her hang on to it that time. When they sat back down she was ready to throw it again - we were fast enough to get it put away for her memory box!

Marcus Thames

Granderson got a triple here!

This is Mark, Sydney and I as we left the game. Everyone had a good time - especially the A's since they won the game!

Enjoy life!

Karla and Russ

Olive Garden Luncheon

What a great day we had yesterday! Karen and I were excited to be able to meet at Olive Garden with several of my cousins and an aunt and uncle. Pictured is (in zigzag order): Pam Raska, Elaine Bokano, Retha Ponticelli, Brenda Bokano, Karla Patterson and Karen Teague. We were also joined by Elaine's children, Amber and Barry (with girlfriend Kara) and Elaine's dad, Uncle Augie Bokano and also Brenda's children, Kathryn and Kevin. A great time of food and catching up for all of us!

Enjoy life!

Karla

Goodbye Dad!

Charlie Lee Teague
February 10, 1928 ~ July 12, 2007

What a fantastic Dad God blessed us with! We will always remember his gentle spirt, his quick wit and his good attitude!

We are sad - for ourselves. But we rejoice because we know that Dad is in the company of our Lord and Savior today!

We love you Dad!!

Happy Birthday Dave!

Happy Birthday to son in law Dave! He just returned from a motorcycle trip to NY. Something I bet Russ would love to experience!

Dave and Kim have just sold their home and are preparing to look for new digs a little closer to work, family and Stoney Creek Metro Park.

VVVVRRRROOOMMMMMMM was the sound of Dave leaving after our June/July birthday celebration and Father's Day yesterday. Pictures will be coming soon - I didn't get many and Michelle is not feeling well enough to get hers posted yet.

Again, we wish Dave a very happy birthday!

Enjoy life!

Russ and Karla

Henry Ford Hospital

Due to how my dad was feeling, we managed to change his appointment with the Henry Ford specialists from next Thursday to this Wednesday.

We sure appreciate all the prayers in his behalf!

Enjoy life!

Karla

Happy Birthday to Me!

Can't believe I am this old - when I was the age of my kids I thought of this age as REALLY old! Now I have to say that I didn't know much way back then! I am actually a quite young old person! ;-)

I still look in the mirror and am surprised when a blonde chick in her early 30's does not look back at me! I know I don't have the same energy I had when my kids were in elementary school - but I do pretty good chasing around with three grandchildren under two years old. I think I do pretty good at running and doing for my dad and stepmom - they are not so good at the stairs anymore! If I go up or down the stairs once a day you can figure I will do it about 40 more times before bed.

Russ had a "vacation day" today - he skipped church and went to Carnival of Cars. It is really the only time during the summer when he can just get away and enjoy. After returning home he gave me a very pretty diamond necklace - a big surprise!

I went to church this morning - it was Pastor Ed's last day with us at CWC. When he came to join us he made the comment that he wanted to be the one Youth Pastor to stay the longest - and I understand he did that. (Others have come as Youth Pastors and then gone on to other positions in the church.) We will sure miss his excitement and love for the teens. We do appreciate Pastor Jason who is taking over as Youth Pastor - he has had good teachers!

Russ and I were glad to be able to attend the graduation party for Kirsten Zeiter today too. Cannot believe that she has graduated - we met her when she was two months old - at a child care center where I was working. Each of our kids have babysat for Kirsten at one time or another. She has always just been part of our family - and we love her and her mom too!

Later Kari and Megan came by - we went out for ice cream and then had pizza.

A nice relaxing day!

Enjoy life!

Karla

Happy Birthday Rich!

Pretend it is yesterday - June 9! The hurrier I am going the behinder I am getting!

Rich is off to Alberta, Canada on a bear hunt - so he won't even realize I am a day late!

Last year when he returned from this hunt he talked of how absolutely stinky he was - about 7 days out in the wild with no showers or shaving. This year it will be about 14 days out - so that will make him twice as hairy and twice as stinky!

We will enjoy celebrating our birthdays on Father's Day - and will hear all about the bear he got this year!

Enjoy life!

Russ and Karla

Kari is 27!

Happy Birthday to Kari!

We will be celebrating the June/July birthdays along with Father's Day soon. But Kari got a nice little present yesterday when Megan managed to go potty on the potty chair! Hooray!

We love you and are so proud of the woman you have become!

Enjoy life!

Russ and Karla

Steve, Steve, Steve

Pretend it is April 27th -

Happy Birthday Steve!!!

We celebrate our birthdays by the week so Steve had his birthday celebration but then I was out of town on his actual birthday and did not have the opportunity to write about him in this blog. After returning to Michigan, it was a good day if I remembered my own name!

So, Steve, you know you are loved and were certainly in our thoughts and prayers on your special day!! And you know how proud we are of you and your accomplishments!!

Almost Heaven, West Virginia....

Dad, Karen and I sure enjoyed our short trip through WV. This is Dad with his only sister, Ruth Ann Moore.

Uncle Cliff and Aunt Ruth Ann

Vee Pack

Lena Wesley

Jimmy, Betty and granddaughter Kaylee

Jimmy with Kaylee and McKenzie

Aunt Ruth Ann with great-granddaughter Kaylee

Something to make Russ jelous - Betty surprised Jimmy with a Harley for his 50th birthday!!

Ootsie and Barbara

Ootsie and Sherry Wooten

Enjoy life!

Russ and Karla