Chandler Update

Well, I still can't believe Chandler has the mumps. He says he doesn't feel well. Obviously you can tell why. Tom & I are still having sympathy pains...well that's what we're hoping it is anyway. We are alternating Tylenol & Motrin every 3 hours to keep inflammation, pain, and fever down. I keep wondering where he contracted this. It could have been anywhere with all of our recent travels and an incubation time of up to 25 days. He's been laying around playing games & watching Home Improvement reruns. Guess that must be the life...for one who has the mumps... ;o)

Do people still get the mumps? Really?

This is absolutely unbelievable. Yesterday Chandler was complaining about his ear hurting. We determined it was probably fluid. Well...today his left jaw began swelling...a lot. After some deliberation, we took him to the ER. Mumps? No way! He's been immunized! Doesn't matter? Really? Ok. I'm thinking so why did we spend all of that money on immunizations we just "had" to have. Well, we rushed home to do some googling on the mumps. Sounds pretty serious. So we're giving ibuprofen and hoping for the best. Not sure if Tom & I are having sympathy pains or what but...we're having pains behind our ears. Oh boy. Hope we don't get them too...we were immunized too, but I forgot...that doesn't matter. You might want to do some googling on the mumps, they're obviously going around Chandler caught them somewhere.

Old Friend!

This has been a great weekend getting to spend time with my old friend Jason Whittington. It has been a while since we had the opportunity to just sit and visit and I must say that he has not changed one bit! He is still one of the most fun people I have ever come in contact with! It's really funny to watch Chandler and Clay react to him. Clay and Jason are two "kindred" spirits, and that "SCARES" me! We were talking about how long it has been since he moved to Boston, and he decided that it is close to 5 years now. I don't really know, but it feels like eternity to me! I am looking forward to the day he decides to come back home. You never know... it could happen!

Snowed In!

Yesterday while traveling to the cabin it started to snow. Luckily we had time to stop at the grocery store on our way in, other wise we would have been without food for the next 24 hrs. It seemed like every mile we traveled the temperature would drop a degree or two as the flakes were getting bigger and accumulating fast. These pictures can not even come close to the beauty of it all. Well... while we were there, we worked through the afternoon and most of the evening putting up insulation! (Thank God I do not do that for a living!) It is pretty amazing how much of a difference the insulation helped! The cabin started out at 30 degrees then after the insulation it was a comfortable 67. We awoke this morning to a great breakfast Stephanie made consisting of eggs, bacon, and biscuits. You can't ask for better. We finished the upstairs ceiling this morning, then cleaned up the mess and headed down the mountain. In the process of working in the bathroom, I found that my pipes burst at some time. This being said, my next project is "re-doing" the plumbing. Oh well, It's just time and money!!!

A Most Thankful Christmas Dinner

Today we met for the McIntosh Christmas. There were many who couldn't make it for various reasons, but those who did had a great time of visiting. We had a wonderful dinner of the usual McIntosh traditional Christmas foods. Uncle Roy always brings the ham (which he makes the best in the south...hands down). Aunt Laverne makes the dressing and chicken & dumplings along with the Italian cream cheese cake. For some reason this year she didn't make the yeast rolls or the sweet potato casserole, and we certainly gave her a hard time about it. Aunt Linda made the smothered deer, green beans, & Mississippi mud cake. And Mom made her broccoli rice, twice-baked potatoes, jambalaya, and pecan & coconut pies. We had tons of other food, and all was well on the McIntosh menu.

Everything was set up for dinner, and we all gathered around to pray. When suddenly Uncle Bob said he wanted to pray. Immediately tears filled everyone's eyes. Uncle Bob has been going through some trying times lately, but I am reminded of Romans 8:28 "And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose." Through these times he has been brought to the Father. His prayer was one that we've longed to hear.

As I reflect on today, I am reminded of all of the prayers that I prayed with Grandma Mac and the daily prayers that she prayed throughout her life for her family. This year, 2007, four years after her death, one of those prayers has been answered. I immediately thought of Revelation 8:3-4 Then another angel, having a golden censer, came and stood at the altar. He was given much incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of all the saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne. And the smoke of the incense, with the prayers of the saints, ascended before God from the angel’s hand. Our prayers are in heaven waiting for the perfect moment when All-Knowing, All-Powerful, Almighty God knows how to "perfect that which concerns us". As Uncle Bob prayed and tears of thanksgiving flowed down my cheeks I could imagine Grandma Mac in heaven praising God and dancing around, for you see her God, and mine, is faithful, and He cares about those things that we care about. Grandma has many more prayers that God will answer.
You know, I can't wait to see who prays next year.

Happy Birthday Clay

Today was a big day for Clay... we celebrated his 8th birthday. (Sunday is the actual day, but with the holidays and all we celebrated early!) Clay had a few friends over, and he had a large castle "spacewalk" in the front yard. We certainly were the attraction in the neighborhood. The kids jumped for hours and had a blast. Lots of friends and family came to celebrate.

It seems like only yesterday that he was born. He came home from the hospital with his little Santa hat and celebrated Christmas. Now he's 8 and growing like a weed. He is lots of fun. One day we were talking about talents. I asked him what his talent was, he said, "making people laugh". That is so true. He is extremely funny. He can come up with the greatest things. He's definitely an entertainer. We love his compassion for others, his joy for life, and his freedom. We received a wonderful gift 8 years ago. Happy Birthday Clay!

We love you & will miss you, Joey!

Today is a sad day in our house, we lost a friend of the family. Joey, our cat we've had for 17 years, that's 88 in people years, had to be euthanized. His health has been steadily deteriorating. We woke up this morning and he couldn't walk well, was dizzy and couldn't walk down the stairs. Joey was found in the Baptist Medical Center parking lot 17+years ago by some friends of Tom's, Charles & Peggy. They took Joey home with them to join their home and their other cats, however their other cats were somewhat jealous. Charles & Peggy asked around the hospital if anyone was interested in a cat. Tom, knowing that I loved cats, brought Joey home to me. He's been a family member ever since. He was absolutely the greatest cat in the world. He was gentle natured, sat there when he was given a bath, and would let us hold him upside down or anyway really. He was so sweet with children and was the best lap cat ever. He was greatly loved and will be dearly missed.

Proverbs 12:10a A righteous man has regard for the life of his animal,

Today life became different somehow.

Today we buried my grandpa. As we followed the hearse in the processional, we passed by my childhood home, through my hometown, and down the roads to the cemetery, I considered all that was happening. When I stood in the cold cemetery and looked at the freshly dug grave, I thought of the finality of it all and realized that things would never be the same. Not that they have been the same for a while, but well, I suppose it really sunk in. Grandpa was the last of my grandparents. They’re all gone. Perhaps Grandpa was the last living link that held us to those gone before. As I looked where they would lay him to rest beside my grandmother, and I noticed that my Grandma & Grandpa Mac were immediately to the left. I suppose I knew that they were “neighbors” but I never really thought about the impact of that until today. There lay 4 people who made significant impacts on my life. They helped to create many memories that I reflect on with joy. There in that cemetery lay 4 people who were close friends who began legacies that will continue for generations. Families who’s lives are intertwined by love, friendships, hardships, memories, and much more. I stood there thinking that now I no longer have any grandparents alive. My parents no longer have their parents. Today was the ending of an epoch.

Later in the afternoon, I just sat in my grandma’s room thinking of the fact that all we have now are memories and even though they are great, the sorrow consumes them right now. Death seems so final to those of us still here. We miss the person. We miss the love. We miss the closeness and wonder how things can remain close and the same when those responsible for so many of those things are now gone. Grandma Mel won’t sit in her chair beside the phone or fix her famous desserts. Grandpa Mel won’t sit in his beside the picture window watching the world or tell the kids to “quiet down now”. Grandpa Mac will no longer grab the children with his cane to steal a hug. Grandma Mac won’t fix us a pancake or a cake or fried chicken or pray for us. We can no longer go to Grandma Mac’s or Mel’s because the houses are or will be sold. Things will no longer be the same, and while we no longer have those special people. We will always have the special memories.

My hometown changed today. I feel like I didn’t just bury my grandpa, but a huge portion of my life. Perhaps many do not or can not understand and that’s ok, one day they possibly will. I have been so very blessed to have grandparents in my life who have impacted me in such an amazing way. They loved me, and I them. How very fortunate I am. Philippians 1:3 says “I thank my God upon every remembrance of you.” And I do!


Nobody can do for little children what grandparents do. Grandparents sort of sprinkle stardust over the lives of little children.~Haley

Just 8 Days until Christamas!!!

I must say that time has slipped away from me this year! It's not like December 25th came at a different time or something! I guess that with our trips and grand pa's death, time just seemed to get away from me. Tonight me and the boys took off for a little shopping, but we seemed to just catch ourselves looking "for us". Typical guys!! However we did get Steph a few things on our list. I have just one more business trip this week before I can settle down and enjoy the holidays. We are talking about taking a few days to head up to the cabin to do some work next week...No fires this time!!!

We will miss you Grandpa. We love you!

Alex Mummel
November 14, 1919 - December 14, 2007
Birth Place: Monroe County, AR
Resided In: Marvell, AR

Alex Mummel Jr., age 88, died Friday, December 14, 2007 from complication related to diabetes. He was born November 14, 1919, to the late Alex and Belle Boals Mummel. Alex was a veteran of WW II and retired from Mid-American Transportation Company as a riverboat Captain. He loved gardening, fishing, hunting, and selling watermelons in the community. Survivors include: five daughters, Marilyn Landon and husband, Brent, of Marvell, Melba McIntosh and husband Gene of Sherwood, AR, Carolyn Ralph and husband Roy of Socorro, New Mexico, Frances Schell of Marvell, and Gail Allbritton and husband Kenneth of Hamburg, AR. Nine grandchildren and fourteen great-grandchildren, Mark Landon of wife Teri of Herndon, VA, Karen Fant and husband Ron and sons Ryan and Austin of Midland, MI, Todd Schell and wife Patti, and daughters Madison, Alexandra and Emma Grace of Nesbit, MS. Brian Landon and wife Karen and son Reese of Woodbridge, VA. Sharon Witefield and husband Robert and children Dustin, Bobby and Jessica of Gustine, TX. Stephanie Thompson and husband Tom and sons Chandler and Clay of North Little Rock, AR. Terri Jo Banks and husband Tony and children Cody and McKenzie of Grenada, MS. Jerri McIntosh Tracy and son Graeson of Sherwood, AR. Kris Allbritton of Hamburg, AR. He was preceded in death by his wife; Mary Etheline Mummel, his daughter; Joyce Marie Haws, a grandson, Redmon Haws, and two sisters, Anna Belle Evans and Bessie Henderson. Visitation will be 6-8 p.m. Sunday Dec. 16, 2007 at the funeral home. Funeral services will be 10:00 a.m. Monday, December 17 at Bob Neal & Sons-Brickell Funeral Home in Marvell with Bro. David Hellwig officiating. Burial will be at the Marvell Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Calvary Baptist Church, Marvell Cemetery Association or a charity of choice.

Home at last!

We made it home... albeit 7 hours late! It is nice to be back and hear Christmas music as it was written, not with a "Ukulele"! hahaha Seriously, I will be hitting the road Thursday trying to finalize all my business travel before the holidays. Just a few more trips!

I am still looking for that job that requires me to just "sit on the beach" and work from my laptop! Anyone hearing about one like that be sure to let me know!!!

Time to come back to reality!

The worst part about vacation is the "trip home"! We left Kona Monday afternoon at 2:30 and arrived to Honolulu around 3:15. We had just enough time to grab a quick snack before boarding our flight to Chicago. We left Honolulu at 5 pm and landed in Chicago at 5 am! I will say that has to be most horrific flight I have ever taken! Well... now we are in Chicago with our scheduled flight to depart at 6 this morning. After a few delays our flight canceled and now (hopefully) we will be departing at 1:20 this afternoon. All in all this has been a enjoyable trip.

Sunday we played at the beach for awhile then decided to head up the volcano to play in the snow... we traveled about an hour before we finally gave up. It is just way to cool to be able to be at the beach one minute then in the snow the next. This trip the waves were really high and we had a good time playing in them, but it made snorkeling a problem. The few times we did snorkel, we swam with a few puffer fish and turtles. At one point I was swimming around and came face to face with a turtle. I do now know who was more surprised me or the turtle.

Well, I will keep you posted as to where you want to send our Christmas presents... as of right now it looks like we will be living in the Admirals Club in Chicago!

More later...

A Birthday Present to remember!

I must say that I should have given myself a birthday present like this many years ago! This has been one of the most "laid back" trip we have taken in a long time. As most of you know, we came to Kona last year and couldn't wait to get back. This trip, we found a few "off the beaten path" beaches and just laid around our hotel lagoon. The surf has been up and therefore snorkeling has been a problem. One of our goals for this trip was to go on a "whale watch" excursion... that too has been a "NO GO" due to the fact that the whales are late this year. Oh "well"!!!

Aloha & Mahalo

Happy Birthday Tom! Just want you to know in case you forgot...that I love you. I hope you like your birthday present....a trip to Hawaii! I must say that you're the only person I know who got that for his 40th birthday..or for any birthday for that matter! Most people get a cake, present or a card or simply a hard time. Your birthday will be busy with last minute errands, packing, and making sure all of our ducks are in a row, but I hope you have a great day. I love you more than I can express with words. I am so very grateful that God gave you to me. I'm not sure what I did to deserve you but I am glad I was rewarded. You really are the greatest.

Aloha au iâ `oe

~S

Birthday Blues

Today we celebrated my big "40th" birthday! I must say I have been doing a lot of thinking about this one. I have been looking back over my life and the many "close calls" I have had. Whether it has been the "tumor", the cow vs. truck, or the heart attack... I am truly blessed to have made it this far. There are so many things I still want to accomplish in my life and places I want to go. Most of all I want to slow down and enjoy my family. I can not thank my family enough for ALWAYS being there for me. Steph and the boys are my life! Steph, thank you for loving me unconditionally. Chandler for always keeping me on my toes and asking questions. Clay, for always making me laugh! My parents, for always believing in me and my sisters for always putting up with me! My brother... what can I say, but he is my "protector, my confidant, and most of all my friend! Thanks bro! To all my friends, Thank You for everything! This has been a great year. Now I am looking forward to the next 40!!!