Our Three Degrees of Glory

Once again Dennis came up with the title. He said our children's college degrees were our three degrees of glory! We were sooooo proud on the 15th of December at 3:30 our Blythe Alexis Branham received her B.A. in Art History. It was an emotional day. TaMara claims her degree is the celestial degree because she received it from the Lord's school, BYU! I am just thankful and greatly blessed that it is all done and over. Truly we have been blessed with three wonderful children.

Matt, TaMara, and Zack moved out that same week. They have an apartment about a mile from Shane and Blythe's. It has been fun for those three. They will only be there for about six months while they build their house. We are going this week to pick the spot out and measure it off. Progress!

Shane is about to bust to leave Tuesday for Utah or should I say leave to go get Whitney. I am so excited for them both! Whitney has brought back our fun, sweet, loving Shane. He is a different person. Thank the Lord.

Dennis was sick for about a week before Blythe's graduation. The day of it he really was sick. He just kept pushing himself all that week until by the 16th he was exhausted. We were able to get him an antibiotic but he needed rest. TaMara and I commanded him to the bed that Friday and he did not go anywhere until Monday morning. We were worried, but he is much better now.

Zack had a big Christmas. I absolutely had the best Christmas ever because everyone was here!

Thanks For Giving

Dennis always says, "Thanks for giving" instead of Thanksgiving. It is a pretty good way of putting things. We were soooo thankful for the first time in years to have all three of our children and our Matt and Zack with us this Thanksgiving. What more could we ask to have?

While Grandma was making the ambrosia, Zack decided to help himself! I feel a newness to life with so much family around. I don't know why it took TaMara's coming home for Shane and Blythe to come around more. The reason doesn't matter. I just love it. Shane brought a new friend over to meet us all on Wednesday night. Dennis grew up with her mom and me for a little while in the teen years. They were visiting here from Utah. Shane and Whitney met Sunday and spent just about the rest of her whole visit together. Just a few more days before Blythe graduates! Another reason to give thanks! Now we are asking the Lord to give Blythe a job so we can thank him for another blessing. Matt and TaMara will probably be moving into an apartment soon for about six months while building their house NEXT TO US!!!!!!!! I have truly been blessed during my life to learn patience, but it truly does pay to have it. Look....I waited on Dennis and have had 32 blessed years of bliss and now Zack will be living right beside Grandma!

Is that happiness or what?

Shock! Twice in one month! Wow!

Just thought I would blog before I got too busy with Thanksgiving and the start of the holidays. Hope all are doing well. I finally got well after about two weeks of some virus or flu bug. To make it worse, I took the flu shot the day I became sick. It was the worst ever but now I feel like a million dollars. About a week ago I was named "Staff Person of the Month" for November. Woo-hoo! I couldn't believe it. Everyone at school has been very nice and assuring that I deserved it. I thought, well after being there nine years one would think so, huh? In less than a month Blythe graduates from college! That is another thing that makes me really proud. Three down and NO MORE TO GO! We have had a child in college for eleven years staight. No we have no retirement money.

Next Sunday my favorite tv show returns "24." I think it will be two nights in a row. Good thing "Dancing with the Stars" is almost over. Next Monday is our 32nd anniversary. Now I cannot even believe that! I surprise myself sometimes.

Has everybody been working on their year supply? Dennis has gone crazy between buying food and guns. I don't know if I can take 4 years of his griping about Obama being our president. It is the Clinton era all over again. Maybe this time it will only last four years instead of eight.

Well, hope everyone of you who checks this will have a wonderful Thanksgiving and holidays. I love this time of year. It has been a beautiful fall here. Love to all. TaWanna

We did our part!

As you can see.....we all did our part and voted today!!! It wasn't that bad of a wait either. We were there about one hour tops. Wasn't that a blessing? Probably the only one we are going to receive since Obama is probably going in. It has been hard to accept, but this is how I feel. We were blessed to be born in America and in the church. I am just thankful at these troubled times that we have the safety of the gospel and a prophet who I know will tell us what to do. Dennis voted after being in meetings most of the day and Shane had to vote early, early this morning. He probably will not get to leave for home until about 4 a.m. tomorrow morning. Somehow he is in the middle of the security for the votes. We are all just sick around here but know the Lord will provide. We can all help each other through this.

Our Family is Complete!

No lectures. I know I am behind again. TaMara, Matt, and Zack arrived August 16th to our home! We are so happy making up for lost time with each of them.....especially Zack. Their being here has added life back to our home. I did not realize how boring our empty nest was! There are some pictures (finally) attached of our trip to Savannah in early August. We just wanted to get away one last time before I started back to work. It really is a lot like Charleston.

We wanted to go to Paula Deen's place but the community kind of discouraged it. They said it was always so crowded (2 hour waits) and not as glamorous as you pictured. It was true. We rode by it and peered inside. It was just okay. Another place that was recommended by the towns people was the Wilkes House. The owner passed away about 2 years ago. Anyway, I think this is the place Paula Deen may have copied. We went in the 100 plus year house in the basement area. We only waited an hour. You go in with 12 people and all sit at one table. They bring out about 15-20 dishes with different meats, veggies, and starches in them. All made from scratch and Southern. It was wonderful and like going back in time. You definitely did not have to eat again the rest of the day.

Since going back to work, I can hardly get anything done. It is just wonderful to come home and be greeted with hugs and kisses from Zack. He adores and loves his Grandaddy Dennis. He helps Grandaddy pick the garden. He tells Dennis, "We have to go get the harvest." Of course, Dennis first put him up to saying that.....and many other things. I don't know what we are going to do when they buy a home or build one. They may build one here on the family property. That is a big decision to live so close to us.:)

Zack has had a very bad cold this past week and is on an antibiotic. It was hard to see him so sick. He still kept being the sweet, fun child he is though.

My little business has really taken off now that I am back at work. I have to take this Thursday off to handle one sale this week. Then I have another one on the 27th and one on Oct. 11th. The USC games were going to be to hot and aggrevating to find a place so I decided against that. Other than all of the above, everything else is fine. I am trying to do better at all this.:) Love to all!

My Summer Is Flying

Elbow update: after going to the doctor I found out I have arthritis and 3 spurs on my right elbow. Yes, I am right handed. Naturally I was given a non-inflammatory drug plus I have to ice it twice a day. Yes, I am still doing it even after a couple of weeks. The dr. discouraged surgery of any kind.....even orthoscopic. What is up with that? Well I will just tell you something is going to be done. I cannot go on without some permanent help. So Monday I am going to another dr. for a second opinion. Ha! Would you believe we went back to the beach for a couple of days? Canada and Hill Cumorah were ruled out with the cost of things. The real reason is because we want to go see Zack more than the east coast! We will definitely be going out to Utah at least before Aug. 6th. That is my dreaded day of return. On July the 4th we went up to the lake with LaDonna and her family. It was very nice! We now have a boat slip! Sure makes life simpler to just go up and walk on the boat then start the engine. Besides watching our garden grow, crossword puzzling, ipoding, and just a little here-ing and there-ing I am loving life. Today I went to the temple with Mama and my aunt Hallie. I got to be at the altar for the sealing of my great, great, great grandfather and his father. It was a special time. Hope you all get to see the pictures I tried to post.

Curvin & Sellin'

Hello, people. I am at Curves today and tomorrow with one of my sales. Today has been pretty busy and gone fast. Coming in at 8 and staying until 7 makes a full day. I did have a 2-hour lunch break. Saturday while I was setting up I made $130.00 off of two women! Today I have made about $210.00 and I still have one hour left. Even though I am at Curves I am too sore with tendonitis in my elbows and ankle area to exercise. Last week I thought if I exercised it would help the soreness. Nope! It got worse. So I am living off of Naproxen. Getting old is such a bummer. Notice I was able to load two pictures of Shane's Coast Guard Graduation. Those were the only pictures I had with me today. You better believe the next pictures will be of Zack! Does anybody know how to format the picture so it loads in smaller? See I knew I could do it. I just had to have time. So far my summer has been very busy. Last week I went up to Greenville to check on LaDonna. She had had some minor surgery and is doing fine. We were finally able to get Mama up there from Sun-Wed for a visit. She really enjoyed it. Miracles never cease. Most of the rest of the week was taken up with preparation for the Relief Society lesson I gave yesterday.....along with music in the Nursery. Dennis had to teach the same lesson. How convenient. Yes he mooched info and ideas off of me, naturally. What would men be without us women? Wednesday I am going to the temple with Mama. Busy, busy. At least I don't have to answer to anyone, though. I can just do whatever I want whenever I want. These few weeks will fly by before I know it. Hopefully we will be going to Hill Cumorah or Nauvoo in a few weeks. Well, if you read this please comment so I can know I am loved.
Thanks and love to all, TaWanna

I truly am a "blogger!"

Okay.....so I'm a slack blogger. Yeah...yeah. Seriously, I just forget. You all know my life is sooo interesting and full of unending events. Yeah....right. Soon it will be because my last day for working this summer is Friday, the 13th!!! Lucky for me. No big, huge vacations planned. We are toying with the idea of a trip to Nauvoo. Of course, if TaMara and family aren't here then I will be visiting out there. I did purchase a new laptop yesterday and can hardly wait to get busy with it. Well, I just have to tell each one of you about my different names and identities I have recently been adorned wtih. First and foremost......Zack has been calling "Paula Deen" grandma for quite a while! On t.v. or the front of magazines he'll say, "grandma." Sometimes he throws in a "hey y'all" just like she says on her show. Hey she is an attractive older woman and rich. I will take that! The other name is unbelievable! In the yearbook for this year......and by the way an LDS sister here publishes it each year......anyway, under my name was "Career Development Asst" but without the T!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I had to laugh it off! Yep. Right there in the middle of the yearbook. Oh yeah...the sister heard from me alright! I bet next year there won't be a mess up like that. There may be though because I was moved to the main office as of the last 2 days of school. I will be the Fees Secretary for 1800+ students!! Dangerous, huh? Me in charge of soooo much money! Well, I will try not to make it so long between blogs next time. Love you all and thanks for visiting me.
Love, TaWanna

I'm still living!

Hello, all! Sorry it has been so long. Not much is happening. I did go to Charleston with a group of 45 students to chaperone back in March. Keeping teenage hours was rough on this senior. I did survive though!
Right after that was Spring Break. What a timely blessing that was. It was wonderful doing whatever I wanted at whatever time I wanted. We went out on the boat for a few hours on one of those glorious 80 degree days we sometimes have around here. After shopping forever for a 42" flat screen tv we finally bought one just before March Madness. Now that was nice. Watching conference was like being there. To experience a Solemn Assembly was very special...kind of like a temple dedication. We were able to watch all sessions. That was a testimony builder. Last but not least, I am once again on the South Beach diet. I am trying to make a world record in how many times I can gain and lose the same 20 pounds! Also, my little pocketbook/accessory business keeps me pretty busy. I hope to be renting a space for sales before the Carolina football games. You all know I will be loving that! Better go. I will try to do better at posting. Love you all.
TaWanna

Busy month!

Hello, everyone! Well, all my travels are over and, you know, I am kind of glad. Nikki's baptism was beautiful and one of the most spiritual experiences I have ever had. It looked like the entire single's branch was there. Her parents, brother, uncle (preacher) and his family all came. Two of her high school friends also came. Just by the looks on all their faces, I feel they were really touched by the Spirit and left wondering about everything they had seen and heard. Ever since then Nikki has just been beaming. She bore her testimony the next day about how glad she was to finally say she was a member of the Church. Nikki doesn't realize she has been living the Gospel for a long, long time. She is definitely a special daughter of God. Two friends sang "I Know That My Redeemer Lives" with an accompaniment only a concert pianist could play. It was unbelieveable. While Nikki was dressing our director of CES stood up and told the Joseph Smith story. I don't know what made him do this, but it was well received by the non-members present.
The next big day(s) of February were spent with Zack, TaMara, and Matt. We had a great time.
Zack is such a loving, obedient child. If TaMara tells him to go to time out he'll go sit on the couch, fold his arms, and get quiet. When we first walked in the door, he hugged me and just snuggled up around my neck until Dennis had to put his hands on him. It was sweet. We played and read a lot with Zack. He is wide open all the time. Friday was mostly preparation for his party on Saturday. Lee and Dianna, Zack's paternal grandparents, hosted his party at their home. All of Matt's family was there and some of the people who work with TaMara. The football pinata was quite a hit with the kids....all ages. The party really turned out nice. Zack really had fun with all the attention he was getting. He is so friendly to everybody. He walks up to every person in the room usually and says either "hi" or "hey." Even at church or in the nursery he makes sure everyone knows he is there. Matt said the other day while in the nursery Zack had all the kids in a corner just talking their ears off. You can't really understand, but it is still cute. The goodbye was really hard as expected.
Bear with me on the length of this blog. So much has been happening. This past weekend we went to see Shane's Coast Guard graduation. The whole trip started as a nightmare. We had to go through Detroit on the way to Philly. The next leg of our flight had been canceled. After pleading our case to a few people we were able to get to Philly by 1:00 a.m. Of course, the largest snow storm they had had this year came in overnight. It took us 2 1/2 hours to make a 1 1/2 hour trip. We made it with 5 minutes to spare. The ceremony was short, sweet, and to the point. The remaider of the trip included Atlantic City, New York City, the Statue of Liberty, Independence Hall, and the Liberty Bell. We packed it in and had a ball! Pictures will follow.
Thanks for taking the time to read through all this. Love you all! TaWanna

Great news means busy times for our family.

After almost 10 years of investigating the Church, Blythe's best friend Nikki is being baptized Saturday. One of the first things Nikki believed in was President Hinckley as a prophet. It is almost ironic that she be baptized on the same day of his funeral. When she learned of his passing she cried for over an hour. She will be baptized and then we will all watch the funeral.
What a spiritual day! Nikki asked Blythe and I to speak and Dennis and Shane to assist on the confirmation. We are all thrilled. I have been busy getting my talk ready, framing her one of the "Living Christ" documents, making her a glass block that says "Return with Honor" and other things. It has been nice to be busily engaged in such an event. I contacted some of those who worked with her over the years in YW, the young adult ward, and Institute and they all want to attend. My sister and mother are even coming. Just an example of Nikki's testimony: she has gone to the temple many times and sat in the waiting area while everyone else went in and worked. It didn't matter to her. Just to know she was at such a peaceful place uplifted her. I will update soon. Love to all. TaWanna

What is going on in my life.....

Hello everyone! My life consists of going to work each day, calling Dennis and each one of my children, Mama, and of course Zack! Zack will be two years old Feb. 8th and we are going out to be with him and TaMara and Matt. Can't wait for that! He can talk now and makes his SC grandparents smile every day with his sweet disposition. Around Feb. 24th Dennis and I will be going up to Cape May, New Jersey to Shane's Coast Guard Reserve Graduation. Yep, he did it.....joined the reserves on us. That is fine. He will enjoy it. No marriage prospects though. That is okay too. Blythe moved out in November. That has been weird not to have her around after all these years. We miss all our children, especially Zack! Blythe hopes to graduate this summer or next fall. We hope she does too or we are not going to have any retirement money left! Hope you have enjoyed this little bit of news. Love to all!