Bittersweet

First day of 7th Grade



After a long summer, mothers are anxious to have their children back in school. This is when we can finally join a gym, organize photos, lunch with the girls, read, or nap. Anticipation grows for life without bored children to occupy; and no one running on the carpet with kool-aid. At long last, we can play OUR music and watch OUR television shows. As the first day approaches, moms get giddy, barely containing their excitement, like horses snorting in the starting gates, ready to gallop toward freedom.


Freedom that brings peace


and quiet




.................and tears.





I hate the first day of school. It always makes me cry.
Oh, I get over it by day two or three, but

day one is always hard.

Our babies are little for such a short time.

The first day of school forces me face to face with a fact I can usually ignore;
The plan is working,
They are growing up and preparing to stand on their own.
It is all I want for them,
But on the first day of school.........I hate it.






Years ago, Steve and I devised an antidote:

Going out to Breakfast on the First Day of School.







It really works.

and if I am still too sad to go home to the empty house
.......... then we go shopping.

Four Generations

1979



Thomas Freeman, Elmer Angus, Steve Freeman, Michael Freeman





2009


Michael, Preston, Thomas, and Steven Freeman

It Takes A Village

I love being a parent,

there is no greater calling.




Today.....

I am grateful for all of the wonderful people who contribute to the outcome.

School teachers, Church leaders; Scouters, coaches, dance and piano teachers.
Grandparents, Aunts, Uncles, cousins, and.............



dear sisters






and dear neighbors






Today is the last Saturday of summer.



Chloe was called by Chrissy to have a date in the morning

..........and our neighbor, Lisa for overnight.


Norma, Lisa's grandmother, always says, "Chloe is family to us".




Wanna see what Chrissy & Chloe did on their date? Watch this.....






Thank you, Chrissy, Lisa, and Norma, for loving Chloe
and taking time out of your busy life to make her last day of summer very special.



We are certainly blessed.

California Vacation - Part Three

On Sunday afternoon, we headed to Los Angeles and made a beeline for
RANDY'S DONUTS.

If you haven’t had a Randy’s donut, you are missing out. I am somewhat of a donut connoisseur, and Randy’s is #1 on my list.









Monday, we enjoyed a much anticipated visit to Disneyland.










Disneyland is one of my very favorite places. I know, everyone says that. But as the years go by, I like it more and more. It is one place that is perfect. The architecture, landscaping, themes, characters, everything……..is perfect.

I love the fantasy, innocence, & happiness.






We arrived at 8am and enjoyed a few minutes with the empty streets.
























A MUST SEE is always Billy Hill and the Hillbillies



I have seen this act a dozen times and it is ALWAYS hillarious!






We just happened to pass the Wishing Well as this couple got engaged......he is holding the ring box.








































Here is a slideshow of our fun day, accompanied by music.

Make a Smilebox slideshow

It truely was a PERFECT DAY!!







On our way home, we passed through Steve's hometown (until age 14), Blythe. It was fun to imagine him growing up there; much of it remains the same.

Steve drove us past his old house, Church, friends' homes, and the canal that offered hours of swimming entertainment. The photos of these did not come out, but here are some that did:


Their band played at the Elk's Hall




After playing for dances, the brothers would get a soda at Courtesy Coffee Shop






La Victoria Grocery store still looks just the same





Everything in town is on Lovekin or Hobsonway.....if its not there, Blythe probably doesn't have it.










This brings us to the end of our adventures………..

It was one of the best trips ever!!

California Vacation - Part Two

Saturday was the big day………..The DANCE!





The guys practiced all week and were filled with nervous excitement.


We started off the big night with a dinner at our favorite Italian restaurant, DiCicco's. Dad's Treat! Thanks, Daddy! They bake the world’s best bread and everything else is delicious too!


EVERYONE was there, even dad’s brother, Jerry (from Idaho) and sister, Ruby and husband, Lawrence (from Nevada). It was fun catching up on their news.


Lawrence & Ruby




Jerry, Ruby & Richard.........the 3 Gibbs siblings


With their mother, Mable, in 1993




Jerry is only 6 years my senior and I have many fond memories of us playing together on Grandma and Grandpa Gibbs’ cotton farm. We would tunnel through trailor loads of freshly picked cotton, cover a tractor tire with plastic to make a nifty swimming pool, eat Grandma’s delicious fried apricot pies, and swim in the canal (don't let the crawdads get your toes, he would warn). Great memories.



We feel more like brother and sister than uncle and niece.

























After dinner it was time to Rock & Roll with the Freeman Brothers


The band was in top form, sounding better than they did as teenagers. Maturity, lots of practice, and MUCH more expensive equipment has paid off!



FAVORITE SONGS of the night:
Evil Ways, Soul Sacrifice, La Grange, Sharp Dressed Man, Smoke on the Water, Spooky, I Feel Good



Top 5 HI-LIGHTS of the EVENING:

1 - My parents attended the dance and stayed until 10pm! It was so nice to have them there.








2 - Steve’s lead and vocals on La Grange and Sharp Dressed Man
With ZZ Top beard & shades (thanks, Dave, for being the prop man)













3 - Enough is Never Enough (Steve wrote it many years ago and has never performed it with a band. It sounded GREAT!




4 – Ralph channeled James Brown, singing and dancing
“I Feel Good”



5 – The Blues Brothers dropped in and Rocked the House!



















Dave Cucuk & Walter Smith were the Blues Brothers




The Beach Boys set was lots of fun!










Some things never change......


1977


2009



Groupies - The Next Generation





Linda & Sara














Great job guys ! ! You sounded fantastic! ! Thanks for a wonderful evening!!


The Stake President LOVES the Freeman Brothers Band and has hired them to play for a Quad Stake New Years Eve Dance!


I can’t wait to do it all again on December 31st!




Since we moved to Texas, nearly 4 years ago, we have visited our family more than a dozen times. We have a tradition on the last day of the visit, and of course, it involves food.

We have a big country breakfast at the Rodeo Coffe Shop with our parents.

Then we say our goodbyes.








Don’t ya just love the horse stable on the wall?



We are blessed with a wonderful family. We love their visits to San Antonio and are touched by their attendance at our special occasions.

They always give us lots of love to take home with us.











Thanks for everything, everyone.

We Love You!