HAPPY BIRTHDAY DEAR STANLEY

Sarah and Stan. . .our two precious babies in 1976.

As usual, Sarah had a baby of her own in her hands.

. . .Happy Birthday Dear Stanley. . .

Happy Birthday to you!

 

Thirty-eight years ago the doctor placed into my arms a wonderful gift.

Thirty-eight years later Stan is still a wonderful gift.

He is so like his dad in creativity. . .and so like me in thought/study pattern.

Tom and I are so blessed to have a son who is responsible. . .

Who really cares about others. . . who is a hard worker. . .

a faithful husband and protective father. . .

a loyal friend. . .
 

one who loves the lord and looks for ways to bless his people. . .a man of integrity.

 

I'm a blessed mother. . .and I know that I am.

_________________________________________________



  Psalm 37:23 

 The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord: and he delighteth in his way.

Stanley Thomas Peach is 37!

Happy Birthday Dear Stanley Thomas Peach!

Stan’s 3^rd birthday. . .Travis, Stan, Matt, Danny, Sarah, Gary. .

It’s hard to believe that my baby is 37 years old today. It seems like only yesterday I was bringing him into the house and showing him to his little one year old sister, Sarah Jean.

She wasn’t sure she was happy with me since I’d been gone for four days without her, but she liked baby Stan and Grandma Wirth helped her hold and admire him.

They were friends from the start and soon Sarah found out she was still just as important to me as the new baby. She would sit up on my lap when I would feed Stan in the rocking chair. . .and as Stan would get his tummy full he'd Fall asleep. . .and Sarah would fall asleep. . .I couldn't get up with both arms full of little ones so I’d just relax and take a nap there with them.

It was lots of fun watching the two kids grow up together. . .

they had so much fun

and always had a playmate. . .

even when they were sick with all the childhood diseases they

usually both were sick.

Sometimes I think rocking them in that chair together,

Sarah's head on my should and Stan

in my lap helped them to bond. They knew I had room for them both.

They knew both were loved and accepted. . .treasured.

Stan is a very good son. He loves Tom and I and blesses us with "things"

we needed (new carpet and flooring). . .

and things he knows will make us happy (Tom's Guitar).

He enjoys blessing people with gifts. . .especially those he loves.

Stan's kids were here with me Sunday evening. . .four of the five. . .

Baby Emily was with Mommy.

They were talking about their dad and how his birthday was coming up.

You could sure tell they loved him being around. . .and were making plans for the next few days with him.

I asked, "When is Daddy going back to the job site? I thought your Mom said he was going soon."

The kids didn't like that. . .they all said, "Noooooooo, he just got back!"

They sure wanted him around.

What is better than a Daddy and a Mother in your home?

I remember how I loved knowing Mom was home all day for me if I needed her.

I liked it that I could count on her to have good meals ready for breakfast, lunch or dinner.

Other folks could have been there, but they weren't my Mom.

Same with Dad. . .I knew he was going to come home every day about 4 o'clock.

He'd come in carrying his lunch pail with a big grin on his tired face.

On Friday's we'd run to check out his lunch pail. . .

It would have candy bars for us inside.

It wasn't a big expensive gift, it just said to us that we were special and loved.

Then Daddy would take his check and give it to Mom for the week's needs.

We didn't have money for everything in excess, but we had enough to build

a solid home with loads of love inside. . .and even overflowing. . .

We had enough money to pay tithes and share our meals with friends. . .

Enough to open our home to friends when they came for a visit.

We were rich enough to have great men and women of God stay in our home during

church meetings. . .

Yes, we were rich because we had the things money couldn't buy. . .time for each other.

Today life is so full of work, work, work.

How can you be responsible without letting work rob you of

the need to be with your family and bringing them to God?

If you give your life just to your children, they will grow up to be spoiled brats.

If you give your life just for your spouse, you will never be completely fulfilled.

If you give your life for the Lord, you will fulfill the needs of your wife and family while gaining God's favor and finding the correct work ethic.

 

Joanie, Me, Jeb, Travis, Glenn, Stan,?, Matt, Chris, Danny, Bud, Sarah, Alice

at Stan's nursery birthday party in 1978.

For Stan's birthday, Lord, I desire that you'd bless him with the

power to serve You and Your Father the way both his grandfathers did. . .

I pray that you will teach him how to use his time responsibly. . .making

certain Becky, the kids and especially You get all the time you need to share with him.

I pray You will help Stan to use the gift of leadership You

placed inside him. . .that he will never be too busy to sing and speak out for You. . .

that he will recognize his place in the church and fill it. . .

I pray that he will always be able to show mercy and grace to those who aren't as strong as he is. , ,

That he will be able to forgive those who've done wrong even if they never ask. . .or admit it to him.

Lord, I thank you for these 37 wonderful years we've enjoyed Stan. . .

Watching him grow into a boy full of energy, then a young man ready to work and

be responsible for a wife and family.

I thank You for his beautiful children and ask You to give them a vision of Your body.

Stan's done well providing for his family and making jobs for others so they can support

their families. . .but help him never to let work crowd out the most important things in life. . .

Help him know when to expand business and when to say, "That's enough."

Lord, You hold the key that will give Stan complete victory in this dark world.

Help him to lead his family into the full light of Your calling for their lives.

Help Stan to make plenty of room for You in his home.

Help Stan to search his heart and allow You to search it with him.

Thank You!

Happy Birthday Dear Eric. . .I didn't forget you.



Adorable Eric. . .reminds me of Rosie.
I was there when he was born.
Rachel and I had gone to the doctor the same day for a check up.
She was in the room next to me and I heard the doctor tell her
she was expecting.  (Dr. Lunin)
I was so excited that when I heard the door to her room open
I flew out to give her a big hug. . .but I ran smack into
the Doctor expressing my excitement.
It was the first time either of us had gone to him but
it was the beginning of a good relationship.
He said, "Not me, it's her having the baby."
Through the years he delivered all our two kids. . .
and I ran righ smack into him another time.
It was when Bethany was being born. . .I was going to stay home and
watch the four kids our combined families already had. . .but
Greg called and said, "Karen, aren't you coming?
I thought you'd be here for us. . ."
So, I had Tom to help with the kids and off I went.
It was a new hospital and I didn't know where the delivery room was so
I was trying to hurry. . .I flew around the corner
and "bump". . .I had hit the doctor right head-on.
Dr. Lunin looked up and saw me, laughed and said,
"You're going the wrong way. . .we'd better hurry or we won't get
there in time. . .follow me."
He knew who I was and why I was there without me telling him.

I loved that doctor.



Eric, Stanley, Sarah, Joanie and Bethany having a blast.
This was after a big storm hit Houston. . .Rachel's house had no lights or water.
My house didn't have electricity but we did have water.
We ended up staying together for about a week having lots of fun.
Our freezer was full so we had cookouts all week with all the neighborhood.
I remember we had lots of fish (from Denny taking Stan fishing) in our freezer. . .
so one night we had a big fish fry.
It was a good time to have food in the freezer.

Karen holding Stanley, Eric and Rachel - 1975.
We spent lots and lots of time together.
Eric was one of my favorites.

Dear Lord,  We thank you for bringing Eric "home" this year.

He's been gone for a long time but he remembered you, The Master of the Wind.

He knew the only place to find real peace was in the "ark" with you.

I am so thankful that his girls wanted to come to church.

Averi wanted to come to Bible school and she got the Holy Ghost.

That's so good of you Lord. . .she gave up something that wouldn't

give her anything but a trophy made of metal for something that

would give her a "crown of life".

Thank you, God, that Robin likes coming to church.

God we just pray that Eric will begin using the gifts you've given him.

Help him to respond to you when you ask something of him.

Help him to work while he still has time.

Thank you for the 39th birthday he celebrated Sunday in your house.

Krp

Kimmie Jo "sneaks" a hair cut. . .I think I need my brains checked

 When Stan was a little boy there was a commercial on the radio that sang,

"Do you think you need your brakes checked? Well, I think you need your brakes checked. . ."

Stan sang it like this, "Do you think you need your brains checked?

Well, I think you need your brains checked. . ." over and over through the day.

After reading this post you will probably be singing that little song about me. . .

I should have suspected something! 






Sweet Kimberly Jo Hanna 2 years


Although this little lovely lady appears harmless as a dove. . .
she has her full share of the works of the flesh.
Kimmie can cry crocodile tears at the drop of a hat.
She makes her little mouth into a pout and she has the lips to make it adorable.
It is a constant goal to stay "ahead" of what she has planned for her next endeavor.
Last week I let George and Kimberly spend a few days at my house
while their parents were re-arranging their schooling room.
It was during the last day she stayed here, Friday, the accident occurred.
George was on the floor playing with dominoes and
Kimmie was not exactly helping him but he was sharing with her.
I'm right there in the kitchen where I can see them both.
Kimmie leaves and goes into my bathroom. . .I thought to potty. . .
after several minutes she comes back into the kitchen, throws something
in the trash and goes over to play with George again.
I continue cooking and notice Kimmie once again took down her ponytail. . .
but then I lifted the lid of the trash to throw a paper towel into it when what did I see?
Hair!
Bunches of hair.
At first I thought it was from an old hairpiece the kids play with, but no. . .
It is hair. . .fresh cut hair.
I look again at Kimmie and notice her new style of "bangs". . .
"Kimmie, what did you do to your hair?" I ask.
She immediately jumps to her feet crying, tears streaming down her face
while she jumps up and down wailing. . .
Oh yeah. . .this is a dead give-a-way. . .we have a problem.
I said, "Did you cut your hair?  Show me what you did."
She leads me into the bathroom where she has a little chair pulled up to the sink.
Hair is also scattered on the chair and floor.
"What did you cut your hair with?"
  I knew I had put the scissors up where she couldn't get to them
earlier in the week.
She pulls open the drawer containing Q-tips, etc. and points to my cuticle scissors.
She did all this damage with cuticle scissors!

Short side of cut.

Non-repentant hair cutting villain.

Long side of cut.

Yes, she is a challenge.
It was shorter on one side and I'm not even sure where all the hair was cut.
She designed this cut with just a few clips in record breaking time.
Thank heaven her parents didn't disown me!


Later that afternoon Kimmie came over to me all excited. . .
"Grandma. . .Georgie said maybe I can be his best friend!"
Awwww. . .she was "Sweet Kimberly Jo" again.

I live through another episode kind of like this years ago with her mother.
Sarah and Stan cut her hair to the scalp right before a General Meeting. . .
right in the very front middle of Sarah's bangs.
I called my friend, Wanda, for HELP!
I was so upset and didn't know how to fix this problem.
Wanda Dacus fixed it up for us.  She took a large portion of Sarah's thick red hair
and made them bangs.  It pretty well covered up the gap in the front.
Sarah had cut the front and Stan had cut the back. . .both were
about a one inch section all the way to the scalp. 
I was right there when this happened too. . .standing at the kitchen table cutting price tags
off some new clothes I'd just bought Sarah for kindergarten. . .when the phone rang
which was right behind me on the wall. . .it was a customer wanting me to take a message for Tom.
I laid down the scissors. . .
then turned from them to write down the message. . .
turned back around to see the gaping hole in Sarah's bangs and
witness Stan's lightening snip sending more hair to the floor to complete the back gap!

Here are a couple of pictures of Travis.
He was having a big time in the back yard while Chad was putting up the trampoline.
He had a shovel he was dragging all over Sarah's back patio and yard.
It was cold and his little jacket made him look like the "bruiser" he is.



Thank God for kids!

Daniel Boone shows up for Christmas Eve . . .

Here's Jesse in his Daniel Boone/Davy Crockett outfit.

It was his birthday present from us and he slips into it as often as Mom allows.

He asked me, "Grandma, do you have a chimney?"  I said. "No, just some pipes on the roof."

He said, "Well. . . Santa can probably come down the pipes. . .yeah, I think he can.

I don't have a chimney."

I asked, "So how does he get in your house?  Is he coming down your pipes?"

Jesse, "No. . .He just comes in the front door. . .he does."

Becky and Sarah getting the finishing touches for the meal.

Don't they look beautiful working together.



Stan had fixed a tender, juicy ham and Becky had made all the abundant sides.

Deviled eggs, mashed potatoes, green beans, salad and more.

Sarah had made jalapeno jelly and put it over cream cheese with crackers. . .good stuff.

It was a feast and we all really enjoyed ourselves.

I especially was thankful that Becky wanted to have Christmas eve in her home.

Since Christmas came on Saturday and we had service that night and Sunday night,

She thought Saturday around noon would be the best time.

  I had been sick with the flu for a couple of weeks

and my energy was l

                                    o

                                                 w . . .

I was dreading getting down the tree (without Tom to help since his hand was hurt).

So I didn't even decorate this year, excepting for a Christmas wreath.

It was a wonderful day and I really do appreciate how my kids try to help me out.

My girls have always given me an extra hand

when we have Christmas or an outing at my home.

Thank God for kids!

Here's the men sitting around the loaded tree while the women were

finishing up in the kitchen

.Soon the kids had that empty floor loaded with papers and bows.

Jesse, Brooklyn, Kathryn, Kimmie, Chad, Travis, Sarah, George

Jilly and Laura

Kathryn, Kimmie, Chad, Travis, Sarah, Jesse and Laura

Pap was there but missing "Gram" as she was at work.  The kids sure do love him.

Brooklyn, Jilly and Kathryn

Kathryn and Kimmy opening more gifts.

Stan opening a set of Sowder's books. . .we hope he enjoys them.

It was a great day. . .Tom and I left around five o'clock so we could be at service Christmas eve.

Pap left before us but the kids stayed on longer playing together.

The following day while my kids were each in their own homes with their own kids. . .

Denny, Michelle, Janet, Sam, Tom and I had Christmas dinner together at our house.

It was a sweet time of fellowship and discussion.

We have been so blessed by the Lord to enjoy so many years in this country that

honors Christ as the reason for the season.

I heard on the radio a story where a man's daughter was in a Christmas program.

It was the standard nativity story but at the end his daughter sang . . .

"In To My Heart, In To My Heart. . .

Come In To My Heart, Lord Jesus.

Come In Today. . .Come In To Stay.

Come In To My Heart, Lord Jesus."

The man went on to say the preacher made an altar call and it was a beautiful

sight to see shepherds, angels, wise men, Mary and Joseph along with

several from the crowd down at the altar. . .on their knees

singing and  with arms raised, worshipping the Lord.

That is a good Christmas song. . .do we have room for Jesus in our heart?

Or will we, like the owner of the inn, send Him off to another location because

our lives are just too full to allow Him and his family inside?

Come in. . .come in. . .come in to stay, Lord Jesus!