Friends Reunited

Diane & Jeannie

Friends Reunited

Between the ages of 10-12 my family and I lived in St. Bernard in a gigantic OLD house on Paris Road. Across the street was a single mom named Jeannie who had 5 young children.
(Stevie, Terry, Keith & Karen (twins) and the baby Pam.
My mom and Jeannie became fast friends so my mom wanted her to attend church with us. Jeannie kept saying she didn't have a dress to wear. SO, Diane made her one! Eventually Jeannie became a member of our church and their friendship became even stronger.
We remained very close until after a few years 'Sister Jeannie' (as we called her) moved
away and we eventually lost touch. The oldest son Stevie and my brother Michael were very good friends, and I don't know how, but through the years Steve (I guess I should call him-he is 43 now!) has managed to remain in touch-- calling/visiting him every now and then. I personally have not seen him or anyone in the family in over 20 yrs. Well, what a surprise we had this Christmas!
Steve and his mom were in town visiting relatives that live in Ponchatoula!
My mom and her long lost friend were reunited! It was wonderful to sit and reminisce about the days gone by....I got a couple of quick shots, but I regret that I did not get one of Stevie and I together. As it turns out Jeannie's mom and sister live in Hammond! Jeannie had no idea that mom had relocated to the Ponchatoula area after Hurricane Katrina and we had no idea that
her family was so close to us. It is truly such a small world!

**Nugget: The huge house eventually became the 'Breakfast Club' where we would eat after church on Sunday nights sometime. Sister Jeannies house became 'Fradellas'.
As far as I know, it remained that way until after Hurricane Katrina.

Lets Chat

Okay, so I have been at this blogging thing for a whole
week now-whew! It's extremely time consuming to pull out
cds and search for pics, but I have to say... I have enjoyed
it immensely!! I do think it's time to stop and do
SOMETHING in the house!
I did manage to stop for a while and at least get all the
Christmas decorations down and boxed.

My baby girl got a new keyboard for Christmas and she
is playing twinkle twinkle little star already! I am so thrilled!
We got the keyboard as an introduction to piano lessons and
hope to be able to start her next year.
We just wanted to see if it would strike an interest. I ordered
some beginners books for her and they came with little
stickers for the keys so it's actually pretty simple.
She's a little choppy right now, but it's HEAVENLY music to
my ears. It's amazing, I hear her in her room trying so hard to
get it right and I can't stop smiling!

As far as my pics go...OK...I know I am amateur, but I LOVE
photography. It's a wonderful hobby...thats why I call my
pics 'pho-tog hob' (for those that didn't figure it out)
I would love for it to be MORE than a just a hobby -- ONE DAY
I believe it is what I am supposed to be doing when I grow up! HA!
I AM creeping toward it at a snails pace. I am going to be a
VERY late bloomer! I need a few more things so that I can
achieve that 'pro' look and really make my pics POP.
I hope everyone is enjoying what I have posted so far.
I don't know why I did not do this sooner?????

Back to posting I go.........

POM Friends

Mike & Julie

Hannah Harkins

Hannah was so great to photograph.
Tuff to get a smile out of though!

Hannah Harkins

Hannah

POM Friends

The Grants --

Kerry, Tracie, Brie,Riah

Bro. Kerry is the Assistant

Pastor/Music Director

at POM

(Pentecostals of Mandeville)

Tracie is the Director of our

Children's Education Department.

They are dedicated and

just precious!

Brie and Riah are two of the

most delightful little girls you

could ever meet. Montana

and Brie have been friends

since age 2.

Miracles Still Happen!

Michael Anthony

after MUCH prayer and a long time of waiting (9 yrs)

Sohpia and Mike finally got pregnant!

she was prayed for by Bro. Doug Klinedindst,

and within weeks she conceived.

no one understands better than me what JOY

and fulfillment a long awaited child brings!

Senior

Brandon Cheramie --- Senior Pics

(a few of my favs anyway...)

Just for Fun

experimenting....

Sisters

'Sisters'

Celeste

Celeste....

beautiful & photogenic

Celeste and Friend

These are some 'oldies but goodies'

Celeste (left) agreed to be a model for me for a

couple of hours and her friend jumped in for a few.

We had a great time!. It's been over 2 yrs. and I'm sad

to say, but I don't even know where she is now.

Adopted? Who would know it..!..!

Ain't God Good!

When we decided to pursue adoption, we never dreamed

what BLESSINGS would be ahead. Montana is literally an

'angel' sent from Gods throne directly to US!

(hopefully, I'll still be saying that when she is a teenager-ha!)

She is the wind beneath my wings - my anchor, and my

complete JOY. In fact, I wanted her middle name at one point

to be 'Joy' but decided to go with 'GraceAnn' after my mom and I.

She is the sweetest natured child and has such a big heart.

I can't tell you how many times over the past several years she

has comforted & encouraged me! Oh what FAITH she has in God!

Now, I fully understand why Jesus said 'be as a little child'.

I can honestly say, that from the moment I laid eyes on her we

instantly were bonded, and I became completely 'fulfilled'!

The gaping hole in my heart was suddenly filled to overflowing

and the grieving over infertility magically disappeared...

THANK YOU JESUS
**Read about our 'Adoption Journey' at the site

of 'Families Thru International Adoption'.

Precious

I was on a photo shoot last fall,

and I just couldn't resist this shot.

:)

Shane

My Brothers Keeper

My Brothers Keeper

It was a beautiful Saturday
in May and we decided to go
over to my sisters house.
The boys were on the trampoline
and Rodney decides to
hose them down. They had
a blast! Of course, I think
Ty was feelin' kinda
tortured by his big
brother!

My Brothers Keeper

Hannah Harkins

Hairdos

Tan likes to fix her own hair.

Didn't she do good?! ;)

Bye Bye Tonsils

"No more tonsils"

Montana had HUGE tonsils and we were finally able to have them removed in July.

We had just returned from the beach so her cheeks are chaffed and

she is still slightly woozy from the anesthesia.

Her top tooth was loose so while in surgery the doctor pulled it out.

She was so thrilled!

Mr. Froggy

when Tan was 5 she caught this froggy--now you would have to know how afraid of critters she is to truly appreciate the fact that she actually picked this frog up and was SO proud!

of course, I had to run inside and grab the camera...

Beach Days

Montana & MiMi

at the beach...

SO MUCH FUN!

(sorry vic--had to.. :)

Spoiled Rotten

my little sweetie 'Chelsi'

we adopted chelsi when she was around 8-9 months old

it was love at first site!

she is an awesome doggy and a perfect fit for our family

Too Sweet

After the Rain

Yes, I let my little princess play in the mud!
She got these boots for her birthday and could
not wait to try them out!

one of my favs

another fav of mine

fake cheesy grin

Beethoven

Montana loves the "Beethoven Movies".

Paw Paw & LuLu bought her this giant Beethoven!

She loves it. He takes up the whole bed!

"Look Mom, he's prayin' for me!"

Thanks Paw Paw!

These are some pics from Christmas at Paw Paw and LuLu's