Friday, May 30, 2008

Happy 48th Birthday, Erin and Elin



















48 years ago today June 11th, Poppi was sitting in the waiting room at the Venice, FL hospital. He was waiting for me to deliver our baby. Dad's were not allowed in delivery room way back then. He had picked up a copy of a Readers Digest and was reading an article titled "How much can one man endure". After a while a nurse came out of the delivery room and said, are you Mr Johnston? Poppi said that he was. The nurse said well Mr Johnston you have a darling little baby girl. Poppi was delighted and got on the phone to start calling friends to let them know the news. About 15 minutes later a different nurse came out and asked again if he was Mr. Johnston and Poppi again said yes. The nurse then said, did someone come out and tell you that you had a little girl. Poppi said yes. She said, well Mr Johnston they made a mistake. Poppi said, how can you people make a mistake like that, don't you know the difference between girls and boys? She said, oh no, Mr Johnston, it is not a boy it is two darling little girls. When he got on the phone again to let friends and family know this exciting news all the lines were busy.



Meanwhile I had been in the delivery room doing the really hard work. Little Erin was born and the doctor and nurses were all busy cleaning her up, when I had this huge pain and groaned. The doctor turned around and said well for heavens sakes and I said am I going to have another one and he said you sure are. So 12 minutes after Erin, Elin was born.



What a glorious day! Those two sweet little babes sure did surprise a lot of folks that day. But think mostly their Mom and Dad. Think their little 19 month brother, Eric was quite surprised also to suddenly have two little sisters. Really don't think his life was ever quite the same!



Poppi went on to endure many things in his life, but he was always proud as punch with his "matched pair" as he liked to call Erin and Elin.


All our friends in Englewood had given us a baby shower for the new baby. After the surprise, everyone duplicated their gifts. Ended up with 13 dozen diapers(cloth of course) and I used everyone of them. I also learned very quickly why God had given me two hands!!



So here's to you Erin and Elin. Happy, happy birthday to you both. All seems like only yesterday. Thanks for giving me 48 years of wonderful joy and love. You were one of the best surprises of my life!! All babies are gifts - it was very cool to get two gifts all at once! Love you and so did your Dad.




Wednesday, May 28, 2008

Another graduation picture.

The three lovely Stites girls. Sister Katy, Jenny and Mom Erin. A real bevy of beauties! Proud of you all.

Tuesday, May 13, 2008

Metamorphosis At Its Best




Just received a graduation annoncement for my first grandchilds high school graduation. How can that be?? She was just born a few years ago it seems. How on earth does the time go by so fast? Wow!!


Jennifer was not only our first grandchild, she was also our first grandaughter. As all grandparents know, it is something you will never forget - your first grandchild. Don't get me wrong - all my grandchildren are wonderful, but your very first one has a little special place in your heart!

We had the wonderful privilege of taking care of Jenny her whole first year and it was one of the most wonderful years of my life. She was just such a happy, expressive, and good natured darling little girl.

One day, my husband had gone into a room and closed the door. Jenny ran over and started banging on the door and saying, Daddy, Daddy. I said, Jenny can you say, Poppi and in her best little girl voice, she said, Poppi and I said that is Poppi. So he became Poppi from that day on and hence my name, Grandma Poppi. Now her other grandma had a dog, named Dudley and she became Grandma Dudley. Do you see a pattern there?

So in these 18 years Jenny has blossomed into a lovely, intelligent young woman and will be off to college next year pursuing a career in fashion design.

So, Jenny, your Grandma Poppi is so very, very proud of you and your Poppi would have been also. I wish you much success in all you do. But most of all I wish you happiness and a wonderful life. Please know that I love you as much as I did the first time I saw you and I always will.
Take those beautiful wings and fly into a wonderful future.







Sunday, May 11, 2008

Happy Mother's Day to all

It has been a while since I have written anything on this blog, I see. Spring seems to keep me quite busy doing other stuff I guess.

So today is Mother's Day. A very Happy Mother's Day to all mothers everywhere. I have not had my Mom for five Mother's Days now. I think of her everyday and miss her so, so much. She was a great Mom plus my very best friend and I was lucky to have her for 66 years.

I have had many a job in this life of mine, but my very favorite job has been being a Mom to my seven children and a grandma to my 14 grandkids. Don't think I could ever have done anything I would have enjoyed more. Not always easy, but what is? If I had a chance I would do it all over again in a heartbeat. Might want to change a couple things if I could, but that would be about it.

Little Owen had his first haircut on my birthday (so I will always remember that). Know some of you have seen these pictures, but I don't care I am putting them on my blog anyway!!



Just look at how nice he is sitting there!
Check out those new baby teeth!






I think Owen is very happy with his new do!

I also think this handsome boy will be walking before long!! Or maybe running!!