Thursday, December 24, 2009

T'WAS THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS IN TEXAS!










Merry Christmas from the front porch in TEXAS!

It is a rare night indeed in that it is SNOWING here in Texas. One report was that there has not been a white Christmas in Dallas since 1926! But the view from this front porch is definetly white...snow everywhere.

So I've posted a few pictures..of the Gabbard Christmas celebrations. We alternate holiday gatherings...an 'agreement' that we started years ago..it has worked out pretty good. We get everyone one holiday say Thanksgiving and then for Christmas that year everyone can go with the other side of the family and the next year visa versa. This year we will not only have a white Christmas but a quite one as well.

Shopping is done...presents mailed off to those who are out of town...cooking started for Christmas dinner tomorrow, just got home from the candlelight service at church, snowing outside, a roaring fire in the fireplace and "It's a Wonderful Life" is on the TV.....it is indeed a very Merry Christmas!

So from this white front porch to yours....perhaps you are like me really experiencing a white Christmas or maybe just ....as the song goes...'dreaming of a white Christmas' as the song goes 'may your day be merry and bright'. But when it is all said and done if you know Him who whose birthday we are celebrating..it will indeed be a blessed day! He is still the reason for the season.

Saturday, December 19, 2009

December Birthday Time!

ALL 8 OF THE GABBARD GRANDKIDS!
KARSON'S FARM BIRTHDAY PARTY AT GRANNIES BARNYARD! Happy 2nd Birthday KARSON!
THE BIRTHDAY BOY!
BIRTHDAY GIRL CAMRYN AND 'FRIENDS"
SWEET BIRTHDAY GIRL!



Greetings from a front porch in Texas!

December is a month of many celebrations...but for our family we have two birthday celebrations...Our youngest grandchild, Karson just turned 2 and our 'oldest' grandchild, Camryn, is 11 years old today! Happy Birthday Camryn! All the grandkids are such a blessing...each unique and their own little being. Camryn is becoming a young lady who loves to read and loves her kitten "Goldie' who just happens to live here with me. It is going to be very interesting to see how each of these 8 grandkids mature and what each will become!

Sunday, October 11, 2009

HAPPY BIRTHDAY LORI!












Greetings from the front porch!

Just got back from Kentucky and a really good visit with my family-but especially with my mother who shares a birthday with Lori. Mom was 80 years young yesterday October 10th. I did not get to visit her this summer...as a matter of fact it has been almost a year and a half since I had seen her. A great deal has happened since then. She is now in a nursing home-really a very nice place and for the most part doing pretty good. It was good to spend time with her-visit with my other family members and to also see some fall colors! It was cool and rainy but a really nice visit.

Back to the other birthday girl. I am a day late in this posting-due to being out of town-but do want to say a few words about baby girl #2- Lori Ann. She followed her big sister a little over 4 years later. Lori arrived at the Gabbard house on a cool October morning via Christ Hospital in Cincinnati, Ohio. It was the trend then to not have ANY medications-nothing-during the labor and delivery. The delivery was pretty easy-considering. She was a petite 6 pounds 12 ounces and looked so much like her big sister, Julie. Little round face and cute as a button. Back then you had no idea what gender your little blessing would be either so it was perfectly fine we had another little girl.

Anyway, Lori has been and continues to be a real blessing, and was such a sweet little girl. She can hold her own in any situation-firm but fair. She has grown into a wonderful lady-mother and wife. I admire her accomplishments-her devotion and dedication to her 'men'....Aaron, Caleb and Lukey. I call them the Garza guys and she is the Garza gal.

Lori above all is a woman of God..who has proven time and time again the strong faith she has in her God. She has weathered many storms and stood firm in each one and come out with a deeper walk with her God and a greater testimony.

She is a great cook! Just check out her blog for her many mouth watering recipes. She can stretch a dollar farther than anyone I know. A true Proverbs woman!

I have included just a few of my favorite pictures of her and a few of her family. She grows more beautiful every day both outwardly and inwardly.

Lori Happy Birthday...You are a treasure. Love from the front porch!

Sunday, September 20, 2009

A LABOR OF LOVE


Greetings from the front porch.

Not your typical evening...weather has been rainy and everything looks more like spring than Fall... I can handle that!

Speaking of rain..I am finding that having huge trees right in front of our house is a great blessing but can also be a burden. Twice now this summer we have had some major tree branch breakage at the home place. Heavy rain, lightning?? not sure. Anyway, number 2 son, the 'baby' took several hours out of his busy busy schedule and came over and cut the branches-cut up for fire wood :) and did several other major 'parent do' chores for us! TIM, A SHOUT OUT FOR YOUR HELP! Me and the preacher just aren't as strong as we used to be. Those young strong arms of Tim's sure helped us out.

I pray blessings of many times over come back upon you Tim. Have a great week! May God pour out on you so many blessings you cannot count them all.

By the way this is one of my favorite pictures of me, Tim and his dad. Us on a younger better day and Tim as handsome as ever!


From the front porch to yours especially to Tim's Love ya!

Sunday, September 13, 2009

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JULIE!









































Greetings from a rainy (much needed) kinda cozy Sunday morning from the front porch!




Today is Preacher and my's daughter's birthday. She was born on a sunny Kentucky evening...just a few years back-so it seems. Preacher and I married young right out of high school-that seemed to be the thing to do back then...we were very young-very much in love and have had a roller coaster ride ever since! Ups and downs kinda sums it up after 39 years of marriage. But I would not change anything about my dear Preacher or the wonderful, blessing-the gifts as Joe pointed out the last time he preached or us...my family. I feel each one was sent by God..fearfully and wonderfully made-unique as can be.



Out of those 39 nine years came 4 children and 8 grandchildren and blessings and memories and good times and even a few bumps along the way. We had Julie 2 years after our marriage-we were still so young! I am the oldest of 8 children-Glen one of 12 .but I soon realized that being part of a being family dosen't automatically make you a wise parent! As a matter of fact-how strange it is that for the MOST important job in all the world-being a parent-the ONLY game plan/road map/user guide/manual/ that we have is the Bible...God's Word. It gives us directions...but still being a parent MUST be done with prayer and fasting and fear and trembling daily. I made countless mistakes along the way-hopefully my children now as parents themselves will realize just how hard it is being a parent...it's a challenge when trying to speak in wisdom, making decisions in wisdom-you just do the best you can and PRAY.




Julie kinda of grew up with us it seems...has always been there is seems...has been a steady constant part of our lives. Her and the Preacher always had a very special relationship..even from day one...he so often referred to her as 'his little pumpkin'...long story..but a sweet one.




Julie being the oldest..was an achiever-able to tackle and do anything she set her heart and mind on. I guess a mixture of the Lawson/Gabbard genes and therefore has accomplished so much in her life. God has blessed her with many talents and gifts and as a parent it thrills our hearts when we see our children-no matter how 'young' succeed in careers but even more so in the ministry.




Today is her birthday. It has been a challenging year for her and her girls...for her and her entire family. Julie, know that we love you-we are praying for you-God's blessing be upon you!


Better times are coming-that's a promise from the Lord.



From the porch to Julie...Happy Birthday to you!


















Monday, September 7, 2009

HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY JUSTICE!







Justice Cole Gabbard! Born September 8, 2007...aka 9/8/07...kinda catchy and easy to keep straight.

Anyway from Grannies Front Porch here in TEXAS a big HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO LITTLE GUY ALL THE WAY IN Lee Summit, MO a stone's throw from the Big K...Kansas City.

Little J reminds me of his Daddy so much...walks like him has the same kind of 'stick up on your head' hair..just a little sweetie. DID YOU GUESS??? The first picture is not Justice but Joe...about the same age..one of my favorite of Joe. Happy, smiling just waiting to make sure something exciting happens!!! I miss seeing him and his brother Jace and of course Ronnin and Joe....hopefully someday me and the Preacher can celebrate these long distance birthdays.

Once again Happy Birthday Justice!

HUGS, KISSES AND LOVE TO YOU

Love PaPa and Grannie

Sunday, August 23, 2009

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JACE!!





































TODAY IS JACE'S (Joe's oldest little guy) BIRTHDAY!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU JACE!!


HUGS AND KISSES
Wish me and PaPa could celebrate with you. We couldn't be with you...so here are some pictures from some of the birthdays we have been able to shrare with you!


Love Grannie and Papa

Sunday, August 16, 2009

BEING THANKFUL!


GOOD EVENING FROM THE FRONT PORCH!

I need to be doing a million other things, but decided to take a little time and visit on the front porch. I visit a farm from time to time Farmgirl Fare and absolutely love it! Visit her ‘farm’ sometime. Anyway, I saw a post where she and a friend made a commitment to e-mail each other 5 things they are thankful for each day. That got me to thinking…..I should be able to post 5 things I am thankful for at least once a week???? Hopefully, more often. So here goes……….

That is what life is really about….appreciating the small wonders, the surprises when God’s display of greatness, mercy and grace unfold and envelope us. So here’s the post for today with a picture of one of my favorite things: my little farm.

I AM THANKFUL FOR:

My God. I do love Him so..I fail Him over and over…but His grace and mercy wash over me and keep me safe in His arms.
My family: my husband, Glen, who has his moments, but is a dear loving man who still loves me after all these years and thinks I hung the moon!
My children….are they perfect??? No, pretty close and pretty great in spite of me.
My grandkids!! I LOVE THEM, I LOVE THEM, they are the neatest little Gabbards (Garzas, Cubbages) alive! They keep me on my toes, especially the ones living with me right now.
My little farm: brings me such joy and peace. Strange, I’ve NEVER worked harder-but enjoy every minute…even cleaning out the stalls. I love to see the beauty they bring, the different personalities, the wonders God has created. My favorite spot…under the pecan tree…it’s always shady…and always entertaining as two legged or four legged manages to capture my attention.

Thanks for stopping by and how about you too, stopping and be grateful for the treasures …as my son, Joe, said, the “gifts”, God has given us!

Stop again soon and we’ll chat again.

Friday, August 7, 2009

HAPPY BIRTHDAY RONNIN!







Greetings from the front porch!

Glad you stopped by. Busy day so I will have to say hello and get going...but you are welcome to stay and linger and enjoy the 'view'.

Today is my daughter-in-law, Ronnin's, birthday.

So RONNIN, Happy Birthday to you. I will do my usual “Happy Birthday” call later-but I want to begin a new tradition and feature the Birthday people in our family with a little tribute and walk down memory lane.

So, I do want to thank God for Ronnin. She is more than a daughter-in-law to us. She is family. She is Joe’s wife and mother of two of our wonderful grandsons, Jace and Justice. They spent a few days with us in July at “Grannie Camp’. It was not enough time but so thankful for them coming and visiting.

Joe and a friend are on their way back to Texas as we speak. He is going to be the guest speaker at our church this weekend and he is bringing a good friend to help with the praise and worship. It will be so good to see him!

To show you just how understanding and sweet Ronnin is…..even though today is her birthday…..she ‘released’ Joe and so he is on his way to Texas….that’s pretty great….


So once again Ronnin Happy Birthday to YOU!


Come back and visit soon!