Gathering with Friends

It is always special when we get together with our friends. This week we've been fortunate to have a delicious dinner at the Singleton's. Steve and Becky are long-time friends that feel like family. In the 33 years that I've known them, they've seen my life go through an unbelievable number of changes and stuck with me. I'm blessed to have true friends who love me unconditionally. Even though they've not always lived close to us, every time we're together it's like we've never been apart. I'm so glad they're in Conway now. Their support during the last year and a half has been invaluable. (They were only two of MANY friends who've literally "loved us" through the pain.)
Tonight we got to visit with the Pfeiffers. Brett, Angela, Abigail, and Jessica, had come back to AR for Christmas. We also were able to see Brandon, Pam and KaraLynn, with Neil and Caralee. After a short visit at our house we all went to the Purple Cow for supper. Whenever we're together through the past 26 years, we laugh and reminisce about the adventures our families have shared. The Pfeiffers were Trav's second family. He never tired of going to their home and "taking advantage" of the attention that was lavished upon him by the twins. They're truly our family in spirit. God has been good to us. Not only these two families but so many others have given us the gift of love that God has provided. We have so many angels surrounding us, we will forever be grateful. If you're reading this, you know you are one of our angels. God bless you all.

With all of our love,

Randy & Karen

Wow! It's December!

Randy and I had a relaxing time at Tunica over Thanksgiving. Paula Deen's Restaurant really spoiled my thoughts of ever making a really good meal for the holidays. It was amazing! We did, however, enjoy the company of our moving friends last week. Becky, Steve, Beverly, Jeremy, Meredith, Darin, Cindy and Mom and Dad joined us for a home-cooked meal from my Rachael Ray Cookbook that Trav gave me a few Christmases ago. I think it turned out fine. It was good to get together with some of our friends and spend an evening together. My next goal is to have Randy's employees over before Christmas and the Warrior clan soon after. We have so many people to acknowledge for their love and support during the last year and a half. (Can you believe it's been that long since Trav was with us?) Hopefully, after everyone has been here once for a meal, they'll feel comfortable returning--OFTEN! We've missed seeing everyone and it's been kind of dreary around here. I'm sure the holidays will be over before we can even think about it. Keep in touch and let me hear from all of you. We've missed you.

Love to everyone,

Karen

Hello, everyone

TWO LITTLE CUTIES!

I haven't written in a while. I've been having some tough days for about a month now. I've battled with taking myself off of the meds and having my blood pressure go way up. I went to the cardiologist today and was told that I must return to the meds and the counselor. I guess I'm not as strong as I thought. I made a trip out to Otter Creek yesterday and to the cemetery. This whole thing still doesn't seem possible somehow. I cannot believe that I haven't hugged, kissed or talked to my boy in almost a year and a half.

I found a precious picture that I wanted to share with all of you. Travis and Abby Jiu were born a couple of months apart. Believe it or not, Abby is two months older than Travis. She recently had a birthday and will also be getting married soon, so I was thinking about how cute the two of them were together when they were small. Look at how Abby has her hand on Trav's leg. They were so sweet when they were together. I wish he'd spent more time with his friend, Abby, but they always lived a distance away and Travis didn't keep in touch with the Jius like Randy and I did.

However, he did end up with a beautiful Jonesboro girl after all. Laura is as beautiful on the inside as she is on the outside. We were very blessed to have her as part of our lives for a couple of wonderful years. (Of course, we wish it had been many more.) She and Travis were so much fun to watch. They were so competitive with each other, but also very affectionate. They were good for each other. I know that Laura will find another man that will love her as much as Trav did. Whoever that will be will appreciate Laura's uniqueness, fun-loving nature and warmth. We have only best wishes for Laura's future and hope that she'll find happiness with someone when she is ready. We always love you, Laura.

Sharing My Halloween Angels

I just had to show all of you the adorable costumes that Lydia and Levi were wearing yesterday for Halloween. Necon and Jeni brought them by the house to trick or treat before we left for the Friendly Chapel Fish Fry with Caralee and Neil. Aren't they TOO ADORABLE!

It's Another Monday

Randy and I unpacked a lot of boxes over the weekend and he brought more clothes from the other house. I still haven't unpacked anything that doesn't belong in the kitchen. That tells me I own WAY TOO MUCH stuff for the kitchen for someone who hasn't cooked in almost a year and a half. I guess pretty soon we'll go buy some groceries because we're both tired of eating out all of the time. I've got my recipe box here now and plan to start dishing out some invitations to meals real soon. If you want to be on that list you'd better let me know. Jeremy has already put his name at the top. It's been pretty busy at school and I cannot believe it's almost November. This year is going to be over before we know it. I hope everyone is ok. Love to you all.

Karen

ADDRESS CHANGED

We have officially changed our address with the post office. Our new address is 32 Mountain Terrace Circle, Maumelle, 72113. Thanks to our friends who helped us this past weekend to move 2 truckloads of our belongings. We tried to leave enough at the house to appear to be "lived in". On Saturday Becky, Steve and Paul helped us empty the storage unit. All of those boxes are now located in the garage. On Sunday Jeremy, Meredith, Buddy, Mom and Dad helped us get the PIANO and many other items from the house that were just taking up space. I'm really surprised that Randy can walk today. I hope that no one injured themselves with the weight of the piano. It was a real booger! Something else exciting to report--Jess sent me a message that she and Hartford are now engaged! That's so exciting! If you didn't get in on the moving action this past weekend, don't worry, we have at least two more truckloads to move when the house sells. Take care and keep in touch. Love to everyone.

Karen

Here's the Latest

I was told by Becky today that I needed to update my blog. It has been a long time since I've added an entry. I've been under a lot of stress with the new house and the legalities that we've been enduring. As of today, Andrew has been sent to prison for first degree murder and I'm spending my second night in our new home. Randy stayed with me last night on a pallet on the floor. Today he brought me an inflatable mattress. It's much easier on the back. It was nice of Megan, Raymond, Sharon, Becky, Jess, Rachel, Kenny and Laura to join us in court today. I wasn't prepared for being so emotional. I wish the end of the legal ordeal would bring Trav back to us but no such luck. I'm glad the hearings are over. I'll return to work tomorrow and hope that the rest of the school year will go more smoothly. I've missed a lot of work up to this point, but that has to improve or I'll have some very unhappy folks to face at work. Please pray that God's peace will surround us and we can move forward to make a new life as a couple. I really like our new home, but all of our furnishings are still in the other one until it sells. I just had to have a change of scenery. Our Mona-vie business is going well. We have a new product that is FDA approved for heart health/cholesterol. I'm drinking both the active and the Pulse to keep my body healthy. I hope to see some of you soon when we start trying to get our belongings moved to the new location. I think we'll have plenty of room to visit, even in our smaller home. Love to you all.
Karen