Dear Journal~

Louie here.  Thought I'd write in here before the gang leaves for breakfast and church afterwards.  Hope this finds y'all well and happy.

I am doing okay, the family is too, but I am feeling a spirit of depression in my heart.  Heard from Missy Williams, Kendra's daughter, who told me yesterday that Louisa Mason's condition has deterioated.  She (Louisa, not Missy) is having more problems with her breathing, and she is having more and more trouble moving her arms.  Very discouraging news.

Louisa is trying to be strong in her faith, which is good, but I can't imagine the pain she must be feeling inside as her body continues to betray her.  I will have to have our church lift her up in prayer, pray for strength and guidance.

Also, Bill and Ronee' made it back from Las Vegas yesterday safe and sound; Ronee' did not do well at her audition for "America's Got Talent". 

She is a little disappointed, but she is determined not to let it rule her life; there's more things to life than failed auditions, and besides, I told her to think of the happier times when onstage, like when she sang at the Grand Ole Opry, or when she opened for her favorite singer, Loretta Lynn.

I told her most kids her age don't even get to do that, let alone, be on television (she has been on tv, several times).  That made her feel a little better.

Besides, it won't be long before Ronee' forgets about her failed audition because she'll be too busy talking on the phone with her girlfriends, swimming, having sleepovers, or spending time on the computer (as long as we know about it first).  She'll be too busy to remember her audition.

Johnathon, her brother, is still ranting and raving about the audition, about that four year old girl who stole the show.  He's also very pink:  got sunburnt again; that poor kid has the worst time trying to get a tan!  He's so pink he glows!  LOL  His hair, which is white-blonde anyway, is even more so:  it looks like snow on top of his head! LOL

Johnathon was discouraged to hear about Louisa; he is suddenly scared about his own mortality, but I told him not to worry; concentrate on having fun, being a normal kid.  I told him that what Louisa has and what he has are two different forms of MD, and I told him to lean on the Lord if he is feeling sad or upset.

You ought to have seen the twins yesterday:  Isaiah and Ian are now nearly six months old, and they are getting so big!  They now weigh over 14 pounds each; they are regular little butterballs.  They are now crawling, making vocal sounds, discovering the world about them.  They are so cute; people just go crazy when they see the twins! 

Thursday marks sixteen years since Bill and I have tied the knot.  We don't know what we will do for our anniversary, but I do know this much:  the kids are probably thinking of something. 

It's hard to believe that we've been together this long, that we've weathered so much strife; yet have managed to stay true , faithful, to one another.  We've been through so much, but God's been blessing us immeasurably; and we are thankful that we have found God in our lives.  I don't know what we would have ever done without God's mercy or grace!!

I am now thirty nine; next year I'll be forty.  Gad!  I'm getting to be an old woman! LOL  As for Bill, he's pushing 42; he'll be 42 in November.  He hardly has a grey hair (or a wrinkle) while I am completely grey and have more wrinkles than a shriveled up prune! LOL

Didn't really do anything spectacular for my birthday; took it easy, took care of the kids.  Now, they did take me out to eat at Golden Corral; they had the servers sing the birthday song, which was kind of embarrassing. 

Heard from Lightning yesterday.  She is nursing a sore shoulder and back: she fell out of her wheelchair yesterday; wasn't hurt, thank goodness, but she's plenty sore.  She did go to the ER to get checked out; the doctors gave her a clean bill of health--and some pain medication.  I am thankful; it could have easily been so much worse!

Also heard from Dwerlina and her husband, Andre'.  They are expecting their first child any day now, a boy, which means another grandchild.  Their first.  I pray all goes well for the young mama to be!  They are still living in Lafayette, and Dwerlina is still working at Mulate's--or was until she went on maternity leave.

Dianna and Melizza are mad at each other:  they had a big row the other day (mostly Dianna ranting about Melizza's cooking); I am going to have to work with Melizza to improve on her cooking before she a.) kills her sister or b.) one of us! LOL 

Well, Bill's honking the horn; I'd best scoot on out of here, vamanos out of la casa, before I miss out on the victuals (or church).  I will write in here again later; until next time, take care and God bless!  See you around!

~Love, your (old) friend, Louie May. :D LOL