Miss you Grandma

You always had a way of brightening our day and laughing everything off. You were always ready with advice (sometimes more than we wanted) but you had so much wisdom to impart and you were sure you could fix all our problems. From raising babies to dealing with our spouses to taking care of what ailed us you were never short on a cure. The memories keep coming as we reflect on the years gone by and the precious time we shared with you.
We spent oh so many Friday nights at your house, staying up, watching old movies, cartoons in the morning and a big breakfast cooked by Pap! You would beg for all 4 of us kids to stay at once but Mother & Daddy insisted we were too much to handle. Go figure.
You and Pap loved to camp and fish and would take Aaron & Adam along, they loved riding in Pap's jeep. Your front porch was the hang out on July 4th as we watched the Constitution Park's fireworks! Your house was a motel at times and you heard love stories and heart breaks from all 8 of your grandchildren. (I think Adam may have had the most.) You embraced our spouses as if they were your own and subjected them to the same lectures you gave us. You were in awe when you witnessed the birth of one of your great grandbabies and you saw all 18 of them before you passed away...even little Rebekah. You adored each and every one of them and they know it.
You taught us to eat junk food when we were sad or upset - gotta love a grandma like that!
You showed us that you never go out without lipstick and earrings. (bra, maybe!)
You showed us how hard a woman really can work.
You showed us how a wife cares for her ailing husband.
You showed us how to stay positive and keep fighting.
You showed us how to enjoy a cool evening under the stars.
And you showed us there is still such grace and beauty in old age.
Most importantly you made a decision to accept Jesus Christ as your Saviour and we WILL see you again!
Your baby Grandaughter,
Leah Carol

Grandma's (Charlotte Maxine Sullivan) obituary is up on the funeral home's website, however the memorial service time is incorrect - it will be at 2 pm at Bedford Valley Bible Church, not 3 pm as stated.
www.adamsfamilyfuneralhome.com/

Grandma is "home"

It is with much sadness and yet spiritual celebration that I share that Grandma Charlotte went to be with her Lord and Savior yesterday afternoon.
We were prepared to take her home from the hospital - the discharge papers were ready. She had received dialysis, the doctor said her heart beat and other vitals were excellent but she collapsed with heart failure. We are never prepared to lose someone, even our 86 year old grandmother. Mother and I both commented as we stood there saying "goodbye" that our pain is selfish, she is rejoicing with Aaron in heaven and no longer battling the misery of earthly life. I had talked to Christina earlier in the day and told her that Grandma was going home from the hospital that day, I had no idea that she really was going HOME.
At Grandma's request, she is being cremated. There will be a Memorial Service this Sunday, March 2 at Bedford Valley Bible Church at 2 p.m. The burial will be Monday, the time has not been decided. I will keep you posted and include her obituary later.
Mother has now lost her son and mother within a 5 month period and is still relying on the Lord and His words in scripture to comfort, strengthen and sustain her. What great promise we have in knowing (really knowing) that the shed blood on the cross was for us that we would have eternal life when this life comes to pass. This brings us hope in sorrow.
Leah

Dave Summerfield

At 6:14 pm the wreckage of Dave's plane was discovered. There are no survivors.
Please pray for their families as they deal with the reality of this terrible tragedy. My heart aches - those feelings are still so real. Our church family has lost a great man and so has our community. We are comforted knowing that this man of God is with His Lord and Savior.
2 Corinthians 5:6 says "Therefore we are always confident and know that as long as we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord." Last night, our brother in the Lord, Dave exchanged His earthly tent for his heavenly body and he is rejoicing in the presence of God. I wonder if he and Aaron have met up! I can only imagine!
Heaven looks better every day!
Leah

No News

Local news coverage of Dave's downed plane

http://www.times-news.com/breakingnews/local_story_053085308.html

URGENT! Prayer Request

I got a call early this morning from my pastor regarding a dear friend in our church and fellow Board Member, Dave Summerfield. He is an Air Force veteran, a flight instructor, and a private pilot for local businessmen and women. It seems that last night he was returning to our local airport and just 10 minutes from landing was lost on the radar. A snow/ice storm hit our area a little earlier than we expected and we are assuming that that has something to do with his plane going down. Helicopters attempted to search for him last night but were downed by the weather. Fire & Rescue saw no evidence of him landing and skidding off the runway. It is such a shocking and devastating event! It is so difficult to believe that (with the current technology) his plane cannot be located in this area. There was another gentleman with him as well, a local businessman.
Please pray for their families and the entire situation. We know that the Lord is in control, We trust Him knowing that His plan has higher purposes than ours.
With a heavy heart and mind,
Leah

February 21st - My baby is 7!

Raegan turned 7 today and I find it hard to believe

that seven years could have blown by that fast!

She kept this hat from another birthday

and she ran to find it this morning to put it on.

The kids were off school AGAIN and so it changed plans for a school birthday party. She was disappointed so I made last minute plans to make the day special. We made a Red Velvet cake in the morning and then the neighbor girl came over to play. After we made the cake the left-over batter was just too tempting for Raegan to resist

While they played, I fixed lunch and surprised them with a "little party" of their own. It was fun, and the girls kept saying how cool it was. Wow! I pulled out some left over birthday decorations from years past and threw them together. The girls felt like I had planned a big party for them. I didn't even have enough icing in the house to finish the cake. Look at that! My friend Kim (Martha Stewart) will be appalled!

Making a wish!
Chowing down - both of the girls had 2 pieces of cake.

It's her birthday, of course I said yes.
I count it a blessing to have experienced the heartaches and

joys of motherhood. This little girl was a miracle.

We were told we wouldn't be able to conceive without medical help. We did!

Through very early labor, bedrest, and a violent, difficult delivery. We did!

Through 3 years of NO sleep (honestly). We did!

She is a sheer joy and I am honored that God has given me the chance

to raise a young girl to know and love Him.

Happy Birthday, Raegan Nicole!

We'll party on Saturday!

Mommy

Happy Belated Valentine's Day

Last week is a total blur for Joel and I - both of us were fighting the flu and respitory infections. Raegan only had school one day because of the weather & other pre-scheduled no school days so we played tagteam parenting and made it through somehow! We are just now getting our strength back.
The only day Raegan had school was Valentine's Day and since I'm room-mom, well.....I had to throw a party. Wasn't feeling like it but I did it and the kids are always so much fun!

Raegan and her friend Abby.

The craft each of the kids made. Raegan was almost a Valentine baby!

She'll be 7 on Thursday!

Joel and I did manage to celebrate Valentine's (barely). We had already made plans to have dinner with Joel's brother Shaun and his girlfriend, LeeAnn so we forced ourselves to get showers, dress and meet them at Guiseppe's. We had a great meal and, as always, very interesting conversations. We like her!
Love is in the air!
We've commented that we missed each other - we've been sleeping in seperate rooms trying to get rest. Luckily, we can celebrate Valentine's anyday! Maybe I'll get flowers next week. Ha Ha

She's Here!

I just had to change my blog to pink today in honor of our newest addition! Rebekah Grace Howsare came into the world at 3:48 today. She weighs 6 lbs 11 ozs and is 20 1/4" long. Everyone is doing well! Can't wait to post some pictures for everyone to see! Amy and Steve are both excited to add one more to their family. Praise the Lord for a healthy delivery!
I'm an aunt AGAIN!!
Leah

Ronald Wilson Reagan

Wednesday, February 6th would have been President Ronald Reagan’s 97th birthday. He was the epitome of conservativism – there never will be another Ronald Wilson Reagan but I do hope our nominee (whoever he may be) will seek to walk in the same honor, integrity, strength and faith that he did. An amazing man that left an indellible mark on our nation's history. Enjoy my video bar honoring him!
Republican for a Reason!
Leah

West Virginia Republican

Tuesday, February 5th was yet another anniversary of Aaron’s departure from this earth. Four months have gone by without our dear sweet Aaron. Tuesday was also what our nation calls “Super Tuesday” and I was honored to attend the WV Repbulican Caucus in our state capital Charleston. As an alternate delegate for someone who could not attend due to a death in their family, I cast my vote for the Republican Presidential Nominee. What an amazing opportunity! To be in the Charleston Civic Center with 2,000+ other Republicans was awesome. I smiled to myself, knowing that Aaron would have been so “stoked” to be in a group like that, not to mention the Governor from his state was there! His excitement would have been clearly evident – no need to describe that.
We left Monday afternooon - it is a 4 hour drive to Charleston. We arrived in time for the McCain reception. It was okay, didn't like the recruiting tactics and the schmoozy people. Had dinner at the Outback - in the mall across from our hotel. The mall was an added bonus to the trip! My friend Sara is the secretary for the Executive Committee of our County's Republican Party - she's responsible for this wonderful opportunity! We met the WV Secretary of State Betty Ireland, who has made the difficult decision to not seek re-election so that she can care for her elderly mother. She'll be back though.....there's talk of a Governor here!!

Sara at dinner with her official Republican Convention hat!

Just 3 of the 25 that represented Mineral County.
We got wind that Romney would be in town in the morning and that his supporters were having a "breakfast" at 7:30. When we got up to get ready, Romney was already on TV being interviewed IN CHARLESTON! I didn't even finish my hair, ran out the door and over to the civic center. I managed to squeeze myself in a room of 150 people (I think it was 150 degrees in there too!!) to meet him. I, myself, was not a staunch Romney supporter but I have a few family members that were. hmmmm So I ended up right in front of him - obviously, look at the pictures!
He took some extemporaneous questions - and I did actually like his answers. Seems that is null and void at this point though. Anyways, I met him and shook his hand. The media was everywhere - this is the back wall (what I could get of it)

Shelley Moore-Capito addressing the Caucus

Dr. Harry Boggs listening to Mitt Romney.

A former Naval aviator, he and I talked about C-130's and such!!

Huckabee being introduced. Sorry for the quality of the pictures.

I was clear in the back of the arena!

Huckabee addressing the crowd. There were poeple sitting around me that had been Rudy and Fred Thompson supporters and came to the caucus uncommitted to any candidate. After he spoke they were moved! I heard one say "that's a man of the people!"
After 2 rounds of voting - Huckabee was the winner!

Baby Shower

Irene, a friend of Amy's decided to throw a surprise baby shower last Saturday. Who knew that after four children you would still need things! haha (She got lots of pretty little outfits, a girl can never have too many of those!) The kids spent the night at Irene's house and when Amy, Steve and Jacob arrived to pick up the kids we all were there to surprise her - it worked!

Steve and his "mini-me" Jacob. Couldn't resist the opportunity to get a belly shot of her!

The cake
Zachary (oldest) brought his mom the first piece of cake
and Amy planted a big kiss on him.
Right before we left we realized we hadn't taken any pictures - hurry up, look here and smile! Oh my...none of us had lipstick on - that's a sin in our family!!I can't believe you are having #5, Amy! God bless you! I guess I didn't get the fertility gene that you and Aaron got! We continue to pray every night for a safe and healthy delivery for you both and some relief from the discomfort! Little Rebecca will complete the family very well.
The last baby (and the slowest it seems) guess this one will take after you and be "fashionably late" to most things in life. Or maybe she just isn't ready to make her world debut.

Amy is scheduled to be induced on Monday unless she goes into labor on her own this weekend. Ryan, her second oldest would like the baby to arrive today - February 9th, because it's his birthday. Happy 9th Birthday Ryan!

Leah

Sacred Heart Hospital Rm 504

Grandma Charlotte remains in the hospital and continues to undergo dialysis as often as the doctors feel she is able to handle it. It really takes it’s toll on a person's body and she is a real fighter! The neurologist has taken x-rays of her legs and feet and is running tests this weekend to see if he can more specifically diagnose her leg pain, foot drop, nerve damage, etc in her legs. She LOVES visitors but is also very emotional. This has not been a very good hospital stay for her – several things have happened that show a lack of professional care and concern on the part of the hospital. We all continue to encourage her as much as we can. I took Raegan’s CD player up to her yesterday with some relaxing music. Mother thought this might be helpful for her when she is laying for 4 hours at a time during dialysis, as well as blocking out some of the depressing noises around her hospital room. Carole and Olivia came after us and then mother was back again in the evening. She’s doing her best to balance everything.

Grandma Charlotte

Grandma was admitted to the hospital yesterday afternoon with dehydration and complications with her kidneys. They are giving her fluids to correct her levels, however, it is a delicate line they must walk because of her failing kidney function. They don't want to put too much fluid in when the kidneys can't expell the necessary amount. The kidney doctor had not yet been in this morning - possibly because of the ice storm that hit the area - to decide if they will put a permanent port in and begin dialysis or not. She also suffers from neuropathy (sometimes called restless leg syndrome). Her condition is pretty severe and dealing with it can cause her to be depressed and very nervous. Her dr. changed her perscription and it had helped with these two side effects, however her kidney dr. took the medication from her yesterday. The 2 pills she is now permitted to have are not sufficient to relieve the pain and settle the jumping/jerky movements she experiences. Please pray for her comfort and peace. This picture of her was taken on Thanksgiving this past year - we were thankful to have her with us.