My Grandma

Back in June as some of you know, Dave & I along with my Sister Bonnie & my Nephew Theo All went to Texas. To See my Grandma and My Aunt Jeannie. It had been a long time since I had seen either of them. It was such blessing to reconnect with family again. Sadly I found out that my Grandma passed away on Nov 28. no I didn't just find out today the day of my post I just have had some delay in writing this post. Hope that it makes sense. I am so thankful that I did get to spend some time with her before her passing. I will always remember that she loves me better than Gold. It's hard to part with the ones we love. How precious they are to us but more precious are they to God and he was ready for her to come home.

I Love You Grandma!

This time of year!

As we approach this busy time of year, As we hurry to our party's, dinners, plays or what ever it may be for you & you family. Make sure to make time for that special person. The one who was born so many years ago. In a very humble beginning and Died a very Tragic Death so that we might live again! Remember this one thing!

yes it is fun to get gifts but the one true gift was Jesus and he Came here to Earth to Save us all!

Merry Christmas!

Thanksgiving is Almost here! What am I thankful for?

What am I thankful for?

So many things. Some how this year it seems like I am so much more thankful for those who have crossed my life. I am thankful for my Lord he has shown me that no matter how rough life gets he will always be there to pick me up. I am Thankful for my wonderful husband there is not a day that go's by that I am not thankful for the blessing that he has been in my life. I am thankful for my family for their love and comfort. I am thankful for Our Exchange students Vicky and Aline, They have been such a blessing to us in so many ways. I am thankful that I live in a country where I can worship God as I please.

A Great Movie!

Last Night Dave & I went to see Julie & Julia, If you have not seen this movie - I suggest you do. I don't know if it's the spirit of the Holidays or this movie. Tonight I came home played on the computer and then went in the kitchen and made a homemade pumpkin pie and some homemade peanut butter fudge! this movie may be the cause of inches on my waist and calories in my mouth, but a Girls gotta eat! and lets face it no one here on this earth can live without food no matter how sinful it tastes. I also purchased from eBay the republished version of Mastering the Art of French cooking. We here in the Vander Wall household like to try new things I'm not afraid of new foods! I'm excited to see what this cookbook holds!

Welcome Vicky

On Thursday we got Our Wonderful foreign exchange student Vicky From Denmark. We are so excited to have her here I have enjoyed the time we have had to spend together. We are excited to see what the year will hold and to introduce her to our culture. Welcome Vicky! we are happy to have you here!

It's Almost time!

For those of you who read this and dont know what is going on here in the Vander Wall World, We are Hosting a Foreign Exchange Student for the school year! I am beyond excited. Her plane Come's in tomorrow evening. Her Name is Vicky as you can see by the sign I made to hold up at the Airport! and she is from Denmark. I still have to clear out her closet so she has room for her things! So today is going to be a busy one! Cant wait to meet her I will take my camera to the airport so I can take photos of her as we meet although she may be to tired as she will be traveling for 12 hours. Prayers for her safe Travel!

Texas- Seeing Family Again!

♥ Aunt Jeannie & Uncle Ron's House ♥


Last month Dave, My Sister Bonnie, My Nephew Theo & I all went to Texas to visit Family. My Grandmother that I had not seen in 16 years and my Aunt Jeannie. They live about 45 minuates outside of Dallas on 14 acres of Land. My nephew had a ball Driving their go-cart and Tractor. It was a nice break from the city and a Great time to do some catching up and look at old photographs and take some new one's to make some more memories. While I was there one thing that sticks in my mind was one of the times I told my Grandma I loved her and her reply was I love you too I love you better than Gold. My Aunt Jeannie and my New Uncle Ron made us feel right at home. They have a beautiful Garden that they said they had to replant 3 times because of Rain I think it was. My Aunt is an incredible lady She is always busy doing something if it's not the Garden, it's cutting down the feed in the field to be bailed or canning, I think I should just re-name her Betty Crocker. It was so nice to just enjoy the openness of their home and the new things we learned. At some point during our visit she taught us how to make some of the old family recipes for bread-witch we made cinnamon rolls from and also the family biscuit recipe. These are things I will treasure for a life time. Dave and I are already making plans to Return there next year. I am so happy to have reconnected with that part of the family there was to much time spent away
( never again) I love you all.

Here are some of the pictures we took on the trip.







Me, My Grandma Jewel & Dave












Aunt Jeannie & Uncle Ron













Grandma's tomato plant














Theo Driving the Tractor













Blackberries (Yum) they look Red right
Now if you look towards the bottom you
can see some that have changed.







The Garden!




































towards the back of the picture you can see some bails of cattle feed their land go's just beyond that.
























Some Birds had built a nest under my Aunts back porch there are babies in it.












My Grandma & her sister ( My Great Aunt Susie)












This was A rose at my Great Aunt Susie's house.













My Great Aunt Susie's house.







That is all for now Next post I will show old family photo's that my Aunt was so kind as to let us copy.