August Layouts

  In 1989 we started a family vacation in Nashville and planned to travel farther south. We were going to follow a trail of battles that took place in the Civil War through Tennessee. Our first stop was at Stone River near Murfreesboro. Here Ron and I read all he plaques telling the tales of the battle that took place there. Mike and Jackie ran around and climbed on a few cannons. Our next destination was Chattanooga to the battle sites at Missionary Ridge and Look Out Mountain. The kids liked riding the lift to the top of Look Out Mountain and going to Point Park. Mean while Ron & I continued to gothrough the battle facts. We were stopping at home sites, creeks, and any battle spot soaking up the information, as we crossed over to Georgia to grasp what happen in Chickamauga. At one of these stops Mike and JackieRevolted and started their own Civil War. They decided they were not getting out of the suburban to look at ANY MORE CANNONS!! THEY HAD SEEN ENOUGH OF THEM!!!  Ron & I enjoyed the trip and we did stop at Motels with a pool every night.  = I just asked Jackie about this trip and she is quoted “Oh the Worst trip ever” That is not exactly the memory we set out to create but it is history and when has that been fun? But, again it is an adventure they remember. {The first picture is of my Dad and me at one of those same battle fields, my first trip through those sites. I’m guessing my parents spent less time reading all the battle information.}

 My theory is that Grandparents are extremely valuable in our children’s lives.  I lost all of my grandparents before I was 20, but I cherish the memories I have of the times I spent with them.

My Dad’s Mother died when I was just 6 months old so I do not remember her.  However, I do remember my Grandpa Weber.  We went to his house several times a year to celebrate birthdays and every Christmas.

We were much closer to my Mother’s parents and spent every Saturday with them as my Mom and Dad ran their egg route.  My Grandmother was ill most of her life after having rheumatic fever twice.  Apparently, the disease damage her heart and we lost her in 1965 when I was but 9 years old.  To this day I clearly remember many of the days spent with her.  She taught me to sew, to snap green beans and to crochet.  She also told me where there was a will there was a way, so never give up.

I was the apple of my Grandfather Latta’s eye.  I loved him so and followed him around whenever possible.  To my Sister and others he was rough spoken and gruff, but that is not the man I knew.

He was always kind and supportive for me.  He died when I was just 17, and I still miss him so.

My Mom and Dad are a long story all on their own.  However, when they were together there was never a dull moment.  Just when things seemed quiet a spark would fly and off arguing they would go.  They finally divorced after nearly 40 years of marriage.  I will save those details for another time.

Who knew that on 2/7/98 when we officially became “boyfriend and girlfriend” that 8 years later on 6/10/06 we would get married. We always knew we wanted children, and by far the best milestone was on 2/19/14 when God blessed us with Nathan. Life has been an amazing adventure and we are truly blessed. I can’t see what else will go in our history book!