Elenna - The Joy of New Life!

Joe and I are officially grandparents!

Elenna was born to Rachel and David on Thursday, August 27th.

All are healthy and well, and God has truly shown His love and mercy to everyone.

Isn't she just precious?

Rachel looks lovely, even after the rigors of giving birth!

We went down to see this sweet little family early this morning.  

 Isaac and Joshua were so excited!

I was so thrilled to get to hold this little 5 1/2 pound bundle!

Isaac was fascinated with this little baby girl and kissed her and 

touched  her all afternoon! 

He was amazed that Elenna's eyes were open - he thought babies were

like kittens, who don't open their eyes for several weeks.

Joshua, not so much.  He was very tentative in touching her and after holding her promptly

went back to his shark book - thank you, Courtney!

David got his turn, too.  He couldn't get over how small she was, and Rachel and I

both reminded him that his birth weight was very similar!

And now.......Grandpa Krause!

Isaac......the camera is over here!!!!!
Look at me!

Rachel, the new mama, looking radiant!

Little Miss Elenna, you are much loved!  

We pray for God's blessing on your life, and that you will love Him 

and follow Him all of your days.

A Tribute to My Dad

I honestly cannot believe I am doing this blog post in honor of my dad.  He passed away on July 31, exactly two months to the day after my mom's passing.  They had been married almost 61 years, so it's not surprising that their deaths were so close. 

 But this is tough......incredibly tough.

I was hoping to have more time with him after my mom's death, but his body just wore out. 

 Whereas with my mom's dementia I felt like I had "lost" her years ago, my dad

 was alert and talking to me up to the day before his death.

John Lee Carey was born March 3, 1931 - at home!

Here he is with his parents, my grandparents Carey.

In Junior High in Independence, Missouri, where he grew up.

He and my mom were married on September 4, 1954.

My dad was in the Navy.  They requested being sent to the 

West Coast - hoping for California...........but got the Philippines Islands instead.! 

That is where I was born.

My dad's college major was in architecture, and he soon had his own firm in Kansas City - 

Fullerton, Carey, Oman, and Alexander, Inc.  

In the 1980's my parents bought a beach lot on Longboat Key, Florida, and my dad

designed their home.  Wow, what FABULOUS times we had there.  The view of the Gulf

of Mexico was spectacular and the family times there were many.

Longboat Key is still my favorite place! - peace, solitude, tranquility, and family.

My dad loved to take his little sunfish the QE III out for a sail.  Fun times......

I spent many hours with him on the sailboat - as we came in to shore, my job was always to get

the rudder up before we ran aground!

Uh, yes.......those were the days when suntans were cool!

First grandchild - Courtney!

Visits to Florida were fun! Kids on the beach are never bored!

Target practice with Jonathan, using the Red Ryder BB Gun!

Last picture taken before he went into the hospital.  Joe, Courtney, and my dad spent the morning

together and had a great time over lunch before Courtney's flight headed back to Alabama.

So incredibly glad that she was able to come home over the Fourth........

I still can't believe he's gone.

He was a truly great man and a wonderful father to me.

I

I love you, Daddy.............