Looking Forward to Saturday

We are not really sure how many people are coming on Saturday, but we're looking forward to seeing all of you. We'll be at the Mountain Terrace Estates Clubhouse at 2:00 and will plan to eat supper together at 5:30. I'm not sure if I've given you directions in the past, but it's very easy to find. From 430 follow Maumelle Blvd. to Odom South on the left (It's the left turn after the Region's Bank traffic signal). Turn left and follow Odom for about 1 mile. Turn left into the Mountain Terrace Estates. The clubhouse is straight ahead behind the circle drive. Enjoy the area as much as you'd like. We'll be at the clubhouse when you'd like to visit. Bob Torres, our counselor, has planned a brief memorial time before our meal. I hope you're all there to be part of this. Have a good week and we'll see you on Saturday. If you want to bring a snack to share during the day, or a dessert for the meal, that would be great. Love to you all.

Karen

May is Going Fast

I returned to work this week. I was actually able to accomplish a lot of record-keeping and professional development during the week. I let the teachers know that I would not be doing any more classroom guidance and they seem to have accepted that o.k.. I'm looking forward to seeing everyone on May 31st.

We have concrete! We were shocked to go out to Maumelle this week and see the foundation had been poured. I guess we better get our house sold before long. If not, Randy will have to stay here and I'll move into the new home. I know he'll go for that. We sure don't need two mortgage payments. Maybe when you come on the 31st, there will be more than concrete to show all of you. Think of how you want to remember Trav that day. We have a brief little memorial time planned before our meal at 5:30. Bob, our friend and counselor, will be leading it for us. If you have something you want to say you can do it at that time. I know that Travis will be there with us in spirit. It will be so good to see all of you. Lots of love.

Karen

LOOOONG WEEK!

Since Mother's Day I've been at home. I've had an awful "grief attack", as Bob calls it. The week started with a migraine and after our visit to the Deputy Prosecutor I was ill for the remainder of the week. I requested a copy of the last doctor's evaluation, which turned out to be 21 pages long. As I read it I became amazingly angry that Andrew described every detail of the day that he shot Travis. No longer will I think that he possibly was so ill that he didn't understand what he was doing. He obviously knew every step. He also expressed no remorse except that he was in jail. It's taken me the entire week to digest the reality of all of this. I missed work and counseling. Caralee came over a couple of days and stayed with me. I'm glad that I have so many loved ones who are available when I call. I've called Becky, Sharon, Caralee, Beverly and Tina this week. I know that Randy was worried when he left town for a ball tournament this weekend, but I'm better now. I'm actually glad that I had the opportunity to face this now and not in the courtroom. We agreed with the Prosecutor that at this time we would not discuss any plea bargains. We want to see what the judge says on June 24th regarding Andrew's ability to stand trial. I have no doubt that jail is where he belongs. I only hope the jury agrees. I haven't felt up to adding a post this week. Sorry for the delay.

Travis, I know you're watching us and you're safe now. I pray that I'll always be able to hear your voice and see that loving face in my dreams. I love you so much, son. Mama

Mother's Day

Believe it or not I had a very comfortable day Sunday. We had received cards from the Coco girls that they made; Tasha's family; Becky, and calls from Brad and Beverly, as well as text messages from Laura and Jeni. I even received a message from a childhood friend who wanted to wish me well and say hello, Vickie Huckabay. I began the day with prayer and a resolve to celebrate the 25 wonderful years I'd had as Travis' mother. I also decided to count all of my blessings which I cannot begin to measure!

After reading the paper we decided to go to the Tropical Smoothie restaurant where I had my last lunch with Trav. While we were on our way, I received a text message from the Warriors inviting us to join them at Beth and Manuel's for a meal. We spent the afternoon visiting and enjoying our grandkids, Lydia and Josiah. Tasha surprised us with a very cute picture of Josiah that was made recently. I can't believe the two of them are getting so big. Lydia is almost walking and Josiah is still sleeping most of the time when we're around. I love the big smile in his photo. They are both so adorable! Trav's spirit was with us as we visited. I thought of him throughout the entire day while holding Lydia during her nap and watching her play and Josiah being such a peaceful baby. We're looking forward to the 31st when we'll get together with all of you to remember Travis and the joy we feel when we think of his life.

Mother's Day Weekend

Randy and I plan to take his mom and dad to Tunica on Friday afternoon to spend the night at Sam's Town. His mom likes it there and we thought that we'd do something special with her for Mother's Day before the actual day. We'll be back some time Saturday afternoon. I guess on Sunday we'll just take a long drive somewhere to get away for a while and not be around the house. I hope all of you Moms have a wonderful day and make some very fun memories with your kids. We love you all. Thanks for helping us deal with life this past year. I know for certain that we could not have made it without God using each of you to show His love and grace to us.

Karen

Mona-vie is Taking Off

You guys who have been reading our blog and not taking part in the product we've been promoting are really missing out if you don't get involved soon. The company is already a million dollar business, and is growing by leaps and bounds. I hope to get some info into the mail for some of you out of town this week. You not only will have the benefits of 19 different nutritional fruits daily, but will have additional income that I know we all can use. You benefit both ways! Go online and check out the facts about Mona-vie and its healthy nutrients. There are so many ways it can heal and protect your body, it's amazing. We would all like to live longer and be active throughout the years that remain. I challenge you to look into it and let us know if you want to get involved. We'd love to hear from any of you very soon. Check out the Mona-vie website and look at the product overview section. You'll have a video you can watch about the products.

Karen

PRAY, PLEASE!

Ephesians 3:14-19

"When I think of all this, I fall to my knees and pray to the Father, the Creator of everything in heaven and on earth. I pray that from His glorious, unlimited resources He will empower us with inner strength through his Spirit. Then Christ will make His home in our hearts as we trust in Him. Our roots will grow down into God's love and keep us strong. And may we have the power to understand, as all God's people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep His love is. May we experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then we will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God."

Sorry, but I took the liberty to insert the two of us into Paul's prayer. I love this prayer and I believe that if I keep praying it, God will help us come to realize His strength and peace in our lives.

Karen