TeXas! (Part Two)

Hello Again!

This post is picking up from our Texas Trip, Part One...if you haven't read that post yet, here it is- http://potterluv.blogspot.com/2012/07/texas-part-one.html

So, after Kelsey's baby shower that we had on Saturday and the busy morning we enjoyed, it was time to get ready to feed the crowd that had gathered to celebrate Independence Day, honor our Veterans and remember Dad. A whole bunch of people pitch-in to help this day happen. It's a lot of work, but always, always worth it. We make a lot of great memories together while we are working away. It was different this time...no one could deny the fact that we could all feel a black hole, a sadness, an emptiness, a loss...even thru all the hustle and bustle of the days and day that we had been prepping for. You could see it in everyone's eyes and almost feel it in their heartbeats. It was sad, but at the same time...amazing. Amazing to me that I could see and feel all of these people that Dad meant something too. They all had great stories to tell and share and they each did it with tremendous love, honor, respect...

I had been intending to write something to say/present just before we said grace and started the serving line...I had tried several times to come up with something, but couldn't seem to find the right words until about 20 minutes before it was time! Crazy how that works out...so glad it did. I kept it short...I knew that I would really struggle thru it and didn't want to stumble or fumble with the words. I was shaking like a leaf and beyond emotional, but as soon as I started talking, a calm overcame me. I could not see my children's eyes, but I could feel their heart-break. They miss him beyond what we could ever imagine. I was so relieved that something took away my panic...I wanted to be strong for them and for the rest of us that were there to remember Dad and "rise him up". Oscar Medley spoke first and as always, he did an outstanding job. I was tearing up the second he started speaking and thought to myself- CRAP...I should have went first! LOL...but I hadn't and when it was my turn, I just jumped right in-

" Thank you all for coming and being a part of today. I see a bit of Dad in all of you and it makes my heart smile. I love all of your stories and memories of him, they are comforting and healing. Dad was a devoted father, a loving grandpa, a loyal friend to all and simply "one of a kind". He always stood strong in what he believed in. He was an honest and sincere man- sincere whether he was giving you advice, chewing you out or busting your jaw or butt...no doubt -he did it with pure sincerity. We will always have our memories of him and I know we will never forget his big grin that shined on so many of us. So, thank you Dad for being the person we all want to be someday. Our love goes with you and our souls wait to join you."

After I was done speaking, it was time for grace and time to enjoy all the southern cookin'.

We enjoyed serving everyone and sitting down ourselves to eat, visit, laugh, hug and reminisce about all the good times we have had together. I took as many pictures as possible because I knew that I may not see some of these folks again for a long while.

Each year they gather up all the Veterans for a picture. Sadly, in the last few years we have lost too many of them...but we always remember them and carry on with the traditions that were started many years ago.

They held a banner up with Dad and Gunner's picture. It was a great moment and it's a great photo. Thank you to each of you for serving our country and God Bless You.

Here are more pictures from the afternoon-

Shirley Hannah made these aprons for the cooks to wear. They said Thank You all over them and had GRIFF monogrammed on them. They were just perfect...she is an amazing seamstress! In fact, she made my wedding dress for me! I love her and her husband Andy to pieces. They have been loving and supportive long-time friends.

 This is my loving, supportive and fun Nonna and Pe-Paw....love ya'll with all I have! Thank you from the bottom of my heart for everything. You are both amazing and wonderful.

 They had posters of Dad up in the cook-shed and everyone enjoyed them. Kelly had made them for his service and none of us wanted to get rid of them. They look perfect in the cook-shed.

 Here are more and more pictures!

This is my cousin Mason. He lives on the farm that once belonged to our beloved Mema and Big John. I am so glad that he is out there. We all have amazing memories from the Farm.

 This is- Mason, Sam, Catie Lynn, Sydney, Alec, Sherry, Tarver, Jimmy and Mac...what a crew!

 Tommy Smith, one of my Dad's great friends.

 Aunt Sharon, Momma-Lene, Oscar, Andy, Lilly, Me, Pe-Paw, Nonna and Uncle Johnny

 The kids playing on all the equipment my Dad built many years ago.

 Andy and I

Nora Pointer and Pe-Paw. The Pointer's have always blessed the gathering with their company and generous donations of brisket to feed everyone! Thank You!

 The Superstar- Miss Lilly Belle

 Great Friends, Sweet People-

Jerry and Shirley Smith

 Me, John and sweet Cathy Meile...had not seen her in years!

 Brody and Cody...he gave lots of rides in that thing!

 Nonna and Nora! Amazing women...

Here are just a few snapshots of Lilly with all the people she wanted a picture with!

LOL- she wanted more...but I had to stop it at some point!

Lilly and Momma-Lene

 Lilly and Martha

 Lilly and Aunt Sharon

 Aunt V. and Lilly

 Lilly and Sydney

 Tarver, Alec and Lilly

 Aunt Kelsey and Lilly

 Aunt Sherry and Lilly

 Uncle Johnny and Lilly

 Lilly and Uncle John...she says he talks just like Grandpa Tex. She is correct!

 Pe-Paw and Lilly- funny tale...when Pe-Paw first saw Lilly, he told her "You sure are a pretty gal".

Lilly responds "I know!" 

I never know what my lil' gal is gonna say next!

After we had all eaten and I attempted to visit with everyone, I had some fun stuff planned for all of the kids. Pat and I started a Fourth of July tradition a few years back with silly string of all things. We always have a huge silly string fight before fireworks, so I tracked down as many cans as I could. I had gone to Alpine and wiped out both of the Dollar Stores. Pe-Paw went to Marfa and wiped out their stock there and I had Shirley take out what she could get  from Pecos. It was quite the group effort to find enough cans! We also picked up some fun poppers and Velvet brought a bunch of glow sticks for when it got dark.

The silly string war was awesome! Jimmy and I could barely hold them all back to get the cans out of the boxes!

 Once we got started...it was big time fun!

Our next event to wrap up an amazing day was the beautiful firework show that the guys put on each year. The kids were getting rowdy and excited for it.

The show was awesome, as always, and it moved us all as music played all the great American Patriotic songs in honor of our freedoms!

 After the firework show, we let the older kids go to town and attend the town dance. They were all dressed up, lookin' cute! I didn't think Mac would do much dancing...but I could not have been more wrong! A little birdie told me that he danced with 9 different girls and busted out some of his own moves on the dance floor!

WOWZER...he most definitely got that from me, not his Daddy! LOL...I am so glad that my kids love music and like to dance. I love it. It's an amazing feeling to hear and feel the music and shake what your Momma gave ya (0:

Sydney met a cowboy and fell head over heals for him...turned out I knew his Mom and Dad. Ha- they work for Nonna and Pe-Paw. He came out and picked her up for a bit the next day. It was pretty cute!

Another little birdie told me that Sydney was pulled over on the way home and was just told to slow down a bit. She had no idea that it was Mr. Clay Woods, the city Constable and that he was one of my Dad's best buddies. He was also "baby-sitting" the dance. I had eyes everywhere! 

That's one great thing about a small town where you know everyone...they can keep an eye on your gremlins without them ever knowing it!

HA, HA...Love it!

Stay tuned for TeXaS (Part Three)...coming soon.

Love ya'll!