HAPPILY MARRIED TWICE

That’s what my profile says.

But what does it mean?

Many years before I met Barbara, she was a dancing butterfly.





Many years before I met Debra, she was a cowgirl.



At the time I married Barbara, she was the cutest girl I knew.




At the time I married Debra, she was the prettiest lady I knew.

Barbara gave me the privilege of being a father to Bethany, Belinda and Ben, from birth on up.

Debra gave me the privilege of being a father to Ashley, from twelve years old on up.

Barbara was fourteen inches shorter than me.

Debra is four inches shorter than me.

Barbara and I enjoyed riding bicycles together.

Debra and I enjoy riding bicycles together.

Barbara and I got dressed up together for a Valentine’s Banquet given by the youth group in our church.

Debra and I got dressed up together for a Christmas Party given by the hospital where I work.

Debra was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2001. She was treated with surgery and with radiation therapy and she is a survivor.

Barbara was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1989. She was treated with surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy. After more than two years in the battle, she did not survive. She died exactly seventeen years ago today, January 7, 1992.

I have been happily married twice.

KARAOKE

Baylee and Rylie got a karaoke machine for Christmas from Papa and Nana. We celebrated New Year's Day by hooking it up, putting in a CD from the movie, "Shrek", and singing and dancing to some tunes from the soundtrack.

With a microphone for each female vocal artist and with an attentive member of the audience, Baylee and Rylie belt out a few tunes.

Sisters "Freaking Out"!

Rylie and Nana try a multi-generational duet while Baylee has found something else to do.



Rylie choreographs her own cool dance moves.

Add one Papa and call it a mixed trio.

FACEBOOK

About three months ago, I connected with some friends who I knew quite well in the early 1970’s. Since that time, we lost contact. So, I Googled their names, found them, found their email addresses, and sent each of them a message with photos.

All three responded. One of the three asked if I was on “Facebook”. I was not. But I was curious, so I opened Facebook and created an account. Within about two minutes I made the decision that Facebook really offered nothing I needed, so I deleted my account.

Then Bethany arrived at Christmas and showed me her Facebook page. I was intrigued with all of her Facebook “friends”, some of whom I knew from a long time ago. So, I reactivated my Facebook account, created two photo albums, asked some people if they would allow me to be their Facebook friends, shared some comments, replied to some comments, commented on some photos, and now I’m hooked.

I now have ten friends! I don’t think I’ve ever had ten friends before. We post comments on each other’s “walls” and keep connected in a way that is not especially time consuming and that does not require anybody to stay trapped at their computers carrying on real time chats.

I hope McDonalds doesn’t threaten legal action against me for using the theme of their advertising campaign, but “I’m lovin’ it”!

THE GIFT OF TONGUES

For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God.

He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself.

Now, brethren, if I come unto you speaking with tongues, what shall I profit you?

Wherefore, let him that speaketh in an unknown tongue pray that he may interpret.

For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth.

Wherefore, tongues are for a sign.

Wherefore, brethren, forbid not to speak with tongues.

Though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not tongues, I am nothing.

For to one is given, by the Spirit, various kinds of tongues.

And now abideth faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is tongues.

CHRISTMAS DAY

Christmas day started with Santa hats and with stockings filled to overflowing. After the stockings were emptied, we all broke for breakfast. Then it was time to open gifts under the tree. The remainder of the morning and the earlier part of the afternoon were given over to playing games and playing with new toys and gifts.

Mid afternoon took us to Skeeter and Becky's place where 23 people crowded into their 900 square-foot house for a potluck Mexican dinner. When the meal ended, the tables were folded and put away and we all exchanged gifts, white elephant style.

Finally, we sang a few Christmas songs together, filled the rest of the afternoon with visiting and with laughter, and then we all went home with a very merry day behind us.

Stockings on the mantle waited to be emptied by eager Santa Clauses.

Granny examines the contents of her stocking while Silas looks on.

Tim replaces his Santa hat with a new cap found in his stocking.

Bethany digs into her stocking while Devon is preoccupied with the parakeet.

Ashley checks out a couple of colorful pens that she just pulled out of her stocking.

Silas finds a stuffed animal in his stocking, which seems to catch Naomi's eye as well.

Devon dumps all the stuff in his stocking conveniently on the floor in front of him for easy access.

Naomi finds food in her stocking.

Adorned in her new hat and pajamas, Naomi waits for breakfast.

Granny, Bethany and Naomi gather around the tree for the opening of gifts.

Debra begins unwrapping something with her name on it.

I got much more than I expected or deserved: two CD's and a digital camcorder.

Devon creates beautiful artwork with his "Magic Light Brush".

Silas displays his talent with his three-dimensional "Color Explosion Glow Board".

Ashley and Silas square off in a game of checkers.

Bethany and Devon duke it out in a game of "Go Fish".

Before going to Skeeter and Becky's for dinner, the Weathersbys sit for a family photo in front of a now-giftless Christmas tree.

Twenty-three humans gathered together in a cozy little house for a fine Christmas feast.

Yes, twenty-three humans gathered together in a cozy little house for a fine Christmas feast.

Seeking to establish a place in the Guinness Book of World Records, twenty-three humans gathered together in a cozy little house for a fine Christmas feast.

A couple of one-year-olds were among the twenty-three.

A twenty-three voice choir filled the room with joyful noise.

Makiah used the singing as an opportunity to show off her dance moves.

Granny checks out the activity, Debra and Ashley talk, and three-time mother, Bethany, shares some thoughts with soon-to-be mother, Scarlet.

Andrew takes turns with Silas and Devon, flinging them into the air with his powerful legs.

The entire Christmas day was merry and bright! But the brightest spot in the day was enhanced by the flash of a camera.