OPENING OF ANOTHER FRED'S . . .

We have a longtime local favorite restaurant in Fort Worth called Fred's. It has been described as a complete dive. Its decor is very eclectic. It sports gold vinyl barstools with duct tape holding the seats together, plastic patio furniture and has what is likely the most charming patio area in Fort Worth, simply due to its completely unpretentious atmosphere that's both strappy sandal and flip-flop friendly. Fred's is named after the family dog, who belonged to the owner and chef Terry Chandler and just like the faithful companion, Fred's remains loyal to its patrons by refusing to adjust to the modern market surrounding it. Fred's has even been featured on Food Network's "Diners, Drive Ins and Dives". Everyone from doctors, executives, cowboys and rockers agree that Fred's has some of the best hamburgers around and love to sit on the patio in the evenings and listen to live music, eat their burgers and have their beer.

Well, like so many other restaurants in town, Fred's has decided to expand and has opened a second one called "Fred's North" and it is run by my son-in-law's brother-in-law, Quincy (Doug's sister, Melynda, is also helping out in addition to her full-time job). I was privileged a few months ago to be invited to the soft opening of Fred's North.

While it is located in a strip shopping center and the building is new they are trying to bring it down to the level of the original Fred's. Melynda even said that they will have the gold vinyl on seats and barstools in the near future.

Family and friends were invited to sample anything on the menu and enjoy the atmosphere - we were able to choose which time we wanted to attend and I decided on Saturday afternoon. Doug and Melynda's Dad and brother, Robert, would be there along with my daughter, Doug and the grandchildren.

Quincy has worked for Fred's for years and continues to, not only be co-owner of Fred's North, but oversees the operation at the original Fred's.

Miss Kylie calls him the "Q Man" and loves for Quincy to pick her up and show her some attention.

Doug's sister, Melynda, spoils the little ones like crazy.

Miss Wesley came all dolled up for her first outing at Fred's North.

As you can see she really wanted to get a taste of the chicken friend steak her daddy ordered. It was huge - two people could have made a meal out of it and had some left over to take home.

The little man was in awe of the decor and all the "wild" animal heads hanging around.

This is a picture of the Q Man back in the days he did the rodeo. A few years ago he was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis so he has had to cutback on some of his activities.

With three little ones it is easier to have one adult and one child together, that way you can make sure they get enough to eat. I helped our little princess and my daughter took Miss Wesley, while daddy handled the little man.

It so happened that the day the soft opening was held it was also Robert's birthday so Melynda had a cake waiting to help in the celebration. Of course, Kylie could hardly wait to taste it.

Luke, on the other-hand, was wondering what that large drink was that Robert had ordered.

While Miss Wesley tried and tried to reach food from her daddy's plate.

I wish Quincy and Melynda God's blessings on their new adventure and plan on visiting again soon.

A LITTLE LATE . . .

The Sunday after the Easter celebration Dr. Mark Bailey, President of Dallas Theological Seminary, spoke about the ascension of Jesus 40 days after His resurrection and I thought it was very insightful and uplifting. Here are some bullet points from his sermon.

The ascension of Jesus Christ into heaven . . .

• Validates the resurrection - giving the believer ASSURANCE for faith.
• Launches the global mission - crystallizing the core MESSAGE of the Gospel.
• Distinguishes the Trinity - providing helpful INSIGHT into their respective roles.
• Glorifies the Son of God - showing He is worthy of our WORSHIP.
• Distributes gifts to the Church - providing the ENABLEMENT to serve the body effectively.
• Affirms the intercession of Jesus - encouraging our CONFIDENCE to approach the throne.
• Promises the return of Christ - focusing us upon the HOPE of His coming.

What wonderful messages we can receive through these thoughts. We know that Jesus is coming again "in like manner as you have seen Him go into heaven" and won't that be a wonderful day.

I have finished up my BSF study on Isaiah and have to say that it was so hard. I received such a blessing from the study and learned so much but I am now looking forward to a little rest from the intensity of this study and looking ahead to September when we study the book of Acts.

MOTHER'S DAY WEEKEND . . .

Since everyone is so busy on the weekend (and especially with Mother's Day and everyone trying to spend time with mothers and mother-in-laws) we decided to meet for lunch on Saturday to celebrate with all the moms that were able to be there. My daughter and her husband were celebrating their 8th wedding anniversary so they weren't there and my son was in Austin for the weekend so I took the big girlie with me and we met my sister, her children and grandchildren and my mom for a Mexican lunch.

My sister hates to have her picture taken but she allowed this one.

Mother sure doesn't look her age (84 - but don't tell her I told you).

My niece, Lynley, and her boy friend, Blake.

My nephew, Ryan, and his "intended", Grace (they are getting married in November).

My nephew, Devon, and his big boy, Austin.

Devon's wife, Nicole, and their little girl, Casey.

We had a great time and, as always, love getting together to visit and catch up on everyone's lives. We all live in different areas of the Metroplex so special occassions are nice.

While we were at the restaurant I had to take the big girlie to the bathroom. While washing her hands she was carring on a conversation with a lady that went something like this:

Lady: "Where did you get that pretty red hair?"

Kylie: "From Jesus."

Lady: "Well that is a very special gift He gave you."

Kylie: "Did you know that Jesus died on the cross for us?"

Lady: "Yes, I did."

Kylie: "But He rose and went to heaven. Isn"t that nice."

Lady: "Yes, it sure is."

Children sure listen to what is being said and they aren't afraid to speak up and tell you all about what they have learned.

WEEKEND ACTIVITIES AND A SONG FROM SELAH . . .

This weekend is full - today I have a baby shower to attend and then off to help with a surprise 60th birthday party for one of my friends. Her husband is planning it so I hope she isn't too upset with him since everyone will know just how old she is now.

I found this song on You Tube and just fell in love with it and hope you do too.



Have a great weekend.

BOB AND LARRY . . .

I am sure that every parent and grandparent knows of or has heard of Bob and Larry of Veggie Tales. My grandchildren love to watch their DVDs and, I hope, learn something about the goodness of God and how we should obey Him and treat others. Well, a few weeks ago, I heard that on the 30th of April Bob and Larry were coming to Lifeway Christian Bookstore and, of course, they had to go seen them.

For a whole week our Big Girlie has been asking if it was time to go. Finally the big day had arrived. So on Saturday I met them, along with some of the parents and their children from a Small Group that my daughter and son-in-law attend, and stood in line to be one of the first to see (and possibly hug) Bob and Larry.

The excitement was building as the children could see them from a distance. They could hardly wait.

The closer we got to the front of the line the more the little girls, Kylie and Katie, did not want to get up close and personal with Bob and Larry.

But true to form the little man could hardly contain himself. He was climbing their friend's arm trying to get a better look at his heroes.

It is a good thing that Theresa is not only tall but strong. Luke was all over her. While the girls were being very proper standing in line with their purses and ignoring Kylie's brother and all the excitement surrounding them.

Finally, it was our turn and, of course, being a normal child, Luke decided he didn't want to get very close to them. You can see he didn't want his mommy to be very far away.

Our turn was over and as we were leaving Miss Kylie decided to cry because she wanted to "see Bob and Larry" so as luck would have it some of their friends were about to have their visit with our heroes so I took Kylie back to go up with them - knowing full well that she would never, never go up with the Anderson girls. And I was right.

Dad (a detective with our police department) and his three girls were the only brave ones to venture into the area of Bob and Larry.

As we said goodbye to our vegetable heroes it was off to McDonald's for my daughter and her friends and children and I was off to run some errands. As I drove away I thought to myself that this was a wonderful way to spend the morning watching the children, with excitement in their eyes, have such fun with some of their favorite characters.

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY . . .

M... is for the million things she gave me,
O... means only that she's growing old,
T... is for the tears she shed to save me,
H... is for her heart of purest gold;
E... is for her eyes, with love-light shining,
R... means right, and right she'll always be.

Put them all together, they spell "MOTHER,"
A word that means the world to me.
--Howard Johnson (c. 1915)

Happy Mother's Day to mothers everywhere and especially to my mother and daughter.

Enjoy the day!

BEAUTIFUL AND TOUCHING SONG . . .

I don't know how anyone could listen to this without shedding a few tears. What an awesome tribute to God.
My God is great and shows His love for us everyday.

Hope you enjoy it as much as I did!

SUNDAY MORNING EASTER EGG HUNT . . .

Easter Sunday started out to be very dreary and windy. It looked like rain most of the morning and I didn't want to rush to hide all the eggs and other things until I knew for sure it wouldn't rain and the kids were on their way to our home. Lucky for us the rain held off and we were able to do our hunt without any interruption due to the weather.

The children (and their parents) came straight from church so they were all dressed up in their little Easter clothes.

They got right into looking for all the hidden treasure.

From the looks of things Mom and Dad enjoyed playing with some of the toys the Easter bunny left as much as the kids did.

Don't you just love seeing children running and having a good time, I know I do (by the way, please excuse the wall behind by daughter - that is my neighbor's garage wall and I sure wish they would repair and paint it).

I even had time after everyone had eaten and left for the afternoon to admire my hollyhocks that had just started blooming. I couldn't help but think about our God who created this earth and some of the beautiful things He gave us - like the hollyhocks and (the reason we were celebrating today) Jesus who died on the cross for our sins.

What a wonderful Lord and Savior we have.