They Have Arrived!!

Announcing! Jacob Smith Anderson! Born March 30, 2009 in Manhattan Kansas

Mike and Anne and the boys are really excited to have this good looking little guy, here, finally! He is a mild mannered little man. And both mom and son are doing well!

Cheramie and Shaun also welcomed additions to thier home on May 7th, 2009.

Carter Glade Smith

Mia Lyn Smith

Coleman Lowell Smith

This is a great day in the Anderson and Smith families. The Triplets have arrived and Cherm and the babies are doing well. Everybody is doing OK! that is so great. Cherm went to the Dr. this morning for a checkup and he said lets go to the hospital and get these babies out, (well those weren't his exact words, but you get the idea). This is so exciting! I will fly out tomorrow afternoon and arrive in Bentonville around 11:00 pm. As far as I know there are no names yet; I guess they want to see the babies before giving them a handle. We have called and texted everyone we can think of and hope none were missed.

Evelyn was able to be there for all the births and was thrilled to be able to help out as much as possible. She had a great time with Will, Isaac, and Anderson.

In honor of the big event, Daisy 2 our Wa-gu Angus mix had her baby the same day as the triplets! He is a little bull and I believe I will name him "Triplet"in honor of the big day, instead of "Ferdinand the Fourth".

Will and Isaac have changed my mind about the name "Triplet" for the new bull. They have been calling the triplets; "Twiglets" so now the bull bears the name "Twiglet".

Growing Old is not for the Faint Hearted
I just got home from the hospital. Grandma Powell was taken to the ER, they suspect infection and slight pneumonia. She seems to be ok, they will admit her tonight and look for any problems. I watched Grandpa and his worry and love for Grandma, I realized it is so true...growing old is not for sissys. They both do the best they can for each other, and where they have been so independent they now must rely on others which is hard for them. The same with Grandma and Grandpa Anderson, his eye surgery went ok, but now he is totally dependent on Grandma and she is doing the best she can but it is very difficult to handle it all. So I have come to the conclusion that the toughest among us are the old ones who get up everyday and face the health challenges, face the long hours of the day with minimal physical strength when they had been active all their lives, and just face life in general and keep pushing on. This is not unlike the pioneers pushing handcarts all day for months on end, they just got up and kept going. I admire that and hope we all think about the "old ones" and the courage they show.
Love,
Dad

What a Great Day!
Well the kids and grandgirls have all gone home now, and I get to reflect on another birthday come and gone. It has been a very good life so far and with the family and gospel I can only see more wonderful things in store. Don't get me wrong it's not been all easy, but nothing good ever is. The Lord has blessed me greatly none of which I have deserved, but it has been given; ..."good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over..." (Luke 6:38) That is how I honestly feel my life has been! The phone calls starting this morning and interspersed all day, Angie, Ernie, and Anna; Jeff, Britt, and Brooklyn bringing over dinner and then whisking me off the the bowling alley, it was really fun. I have some pictures I will post with this blog of the "Tres Leches" cake and the group gathered around the table (our favorite spot). Thanks for such a great day and life, all of you I love you and "cannot say but the smallest part which is in my heart". You all have brought so much joy to Mutsi and I because of your loyalty to each other, love for each other, and service to each other. What more can an old guy say?
Love, Dad

These are for Mutsi, since she is missing the Lilacs in bloom, they smell Lilacky too!

Here are the blossoms of the bush trees in front

This provides a better close-up they are very pretty

And finally the BIRTHDAY SUPPER! What great kids! And a whole bunch of fun! Thanks for making an old guys Day!