Flashback Friday: It's (Not) In The Cards

This week's Flashback goes back to a quiet Sunday afternoon in March. Mom and Aunt Sylvia had come down for a quick visit and we decided to play some Spades.  About five hands into our game I was a dealt a hand that was so frustrating that I had to take a picture of it to show everyone when we finished.

The 'perfect' nil hand...all except that unbeatable Ace of Spades!  My, my, my!  At least my partner got a good laugh out of it when we were done.

Happy Birthday, Jim!

In honor of The Love of My Life's birthday, here are a few of my favorite pictures from the past year that have not yet made the blog.

My handsome Chauffeur on our way to dinner.

Our strong shoulder in tough times.

My daredevil (who puts on a helmet only to be a good example for his grandson who is watching as he races).

Hog fan.

Always working on something.

Best Pappaw, Ever!

Jim and Davin posing with their shotguns and talking about dove hunting.

Jim teaching Brooke how to shoot the .22.

Jim and Maddux mugging at a wedding.

Celebrating Elliot's first birthday with a sweet kiss.

Delayne's piggy-back ride.

And my One True Love!

Happy Birthday, Baby!

Here's to many, many more.

Love you to the moon and back!

Flashback Friday: Rodeo 2013 Girl's Night - Take Two

Rodeo Houston, now know as the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo, is one of my favorite times of the year.  It is a chance to get together with friends and family for a fun night out on the town...and usually includes a good concert to end the evening.

I normally make five to six visits a year, but this past year was so busy that I made it to the show only three times.  I shared the first back in March when we had Girl's Night with Bruno Mars.  The last visit I shared on a Flashback Friday when the girls and I went to see George Strait on Saint Patrick's Day.  Here are pictures from my only other visit, when Robin and I went to see one of our favorite 'Rednecks'.

Fonda & Robin, ready to roll!

With a slight detour slowing us down, we made it to Reliant Stadium after the rodeo had begun...but with a little time to visit the Wine Garden and enjoy the beautiful evening before concert time.

Our favorite 'redneck'...and Jim's too.  Can you guess who it is?

Mr. Blake Shelton, live and in person.

Robin got to enjoy a little face-time with him before the show.

Yes, she was one happy girl!  And we had a great time, singing along to all the songs.  I didn't realize how many of his songs I knew by heart.

PS...I stole that last picture off of her Facebook page.  Shhh!  Don't tell!

Our New Family Member

I think Jim must be concerned about what we are going to do with ourselves once the boys have moved out because he brought home a new 'baby' on Monday night.

Meet Butkus. He followed Jim around at a local convenience store Monday evening.  Jim pulled away, but circled back to pick him up.  The first night was tough with all the whining and carrying on...but I've gotten better since then.  Last night was much better but I think that had to do with Davin being over yesterday and wearing him out.

Oh, yeah, and Davin calls him 'Butler'...while Brian calls him 'Samson'...we will see which name sticks.

Remembering Desi

"But we do not want you to be uninformed, brethren  about those who are asleep, so that you will not grieve as the rest who have no hope...For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we shall always be with the Lord.  Therefore comfort one another with these words."

1 Thessalonians 4:13, 16-18

I am holding on to these words anew this week.  If the Lord should bring our family to your mind today, I assure you that not a prayer will be wasted on us today as we stop to remember our sweet Desi Elyse.

Much love,

Fonda

Of Superheroes And Swimming Pools

Last Saturday, the family gathered at Teri and Duane's swimming pool to celebrate the Sixth Birthday of Ironman (aka Davin Rodgers).

In Goode family tradition, there was way too much food awaiting the guests.  Though Elliot and Uncle Brian did make a dent in the watermelon!

Next it was time to head to the basketball court for some water balloon games.  I think the kids were able to play one game before chaos ensued...and no one was safe from the flying water balloons!

(BTW, Derrick Rodgers, you still have it coming.  Be afraid.  Be very afraid!)

Finally! Time to open presents!

I don't know who enjoyed the present opening more, Davin or the cousins?

Where has the time gone?  He is growing up so fast!

And now, the cake!!!

Happy 6th Birthday, Davin!

...I mean, Ironman!

You will always be 'Super' in Nonna's book.

These last two pics are here just because I love them so.

My incredible hunk masquerading as the Incredible Hulk.

Technically, this picture was taken the weekend before the party.  But our little diva slept through most of the party so I didn't get a picture of her during the soiree.  I posted this to Facebook when I took it, but I wanted to post it here as well.

My Friday Lunch Dates

Last Friday, I was called to 'Nonna duty'.  Kelli had a doctor's appointment and Matt had to work, so I was asked to go spend time with three of my favorite grandchildren.  (Because they are all my favorites, you know.)

We began our visit with lunch from McDonalds with our Happy Meal Minions.

This sweet thing was asleep when I arrived, but she awoke before we could even start lunch.  She was a little thrown off when Nonna went in to get her out of her crib with no Mommy in sight.

But then I gave her yogurt and cookies and french fries and chicken nuggets...so we were all good from there.

After a quick tour from Brooke of the new schoolroom Kelli has been working on, we sat down to play.  Books, video games and, of course, our Happy Meal Minions.

Kelli came in soon after but was looking absolutely exhausted.  Matt had been suffering all week, first needing a root canal on one side of his mouth; followed the next day with a wisdom tooth pulled from the other side.  Needless to say, Kelli had not had a lot of sleep.  Since it was time for Elliot to go back down for a nap, I decided that Brooke, Maddux and I would have a movie date while Mommy got some sleep.

Off we went to watch 'Despicable Me 2' with lots of candy, popcorn, soda and yes, our Happy Meal Minions.  Cute, cute movie...but by the end, Maddux no longer wanted to hold his Happy Meal Minion (the evil purple one) because he was scared and wanted in Nonna's lap.  Oh, yeah, and we were out of candy.  And soda.  It's a tough life!

After the movie, they wanted their picture made with Turbo.

A quick bite for dinner at the Burger King in the mall and we were headed back home.

As I left Kelli's house headed back to Waller, this was the view from my windshield:

A beautiful ending to a beautiful day!