November 20, 2010

When our children were younger we wondered (or at least I did) what they would be like when they are grown and who they will marry. Well on this date we were blessed to add to our family our second daughter-in-love, Kristi Breann Lindley Russell. She and Jordan were married in Pittsburg at Emmanuel Baptist Church. Roger officiated at the wedding. It was a beautiful ceremony.

Jordan is ENGAGED!!!!!

Jordan asked Kristi to be his wife on May 24 when on a trip to Niagara Falls Canada with Kristi's family. The wedding will be November 20th. Pray for them as they prepare for this exciting time in their lives.

One Year Old!

It is hard to believe one year has gone by since Avery was born. It has been an exciting year seeing her grow in so many ways. She is a very special blessing from the Lord to our family!

We have another college graduate in the family!

December 12, 2009 after Jordan was sworn in as an Army officer he also graduated from Union University. His degree is in Business Management.

We are so proud of Jordan.

Jordan with his two grandmothers, Mama Dee and Nana.

What next for Jordan? He is in the process of applying for seminary so he can be an Army chaplain. Pray for him as he begins this new adventure with the Lord.

2nd Lieutenant Jordan Russell

Jordan joined the Tennessee National Guard his freshman year at Union University. During the last two years of his college life he has been also with the ROTC program. Classes are done and on December 12, 2009 Jordan became 2nd Lieutenant Jordan Russell.

At attention during the national anthem.

Jordan taking the oath of office as an Army officer. Lt. Colonial Odom swearing Jordan in.

Captain Crawford and Roger pinning on Jordan's Lt. bars.

Jordan being saluted for the first time as a 2nd Lieutenant.

The brothers!

Avery's baby dedication 11-29-2009

Having a baby in the family is very special. We enjoyed seeing our sons grow, mature and become men. Now we are blessed to see our granddaughter, Avery grow up. Even though she is only six months old we are seeing a bright eyed little girl curious with the world around her. As parents we want what is best for our children. As Christian parents we want our children to understand who the Lord Jesus Christ is, what he did for them, accept Him as their Savior and enjoy life through His guidance, direction and being a part of His family.

On November 29, 2009, Nathaniel and Kelly dedicated Avery May Russell to the Lord at their church, The Well (Moody Texas). It was a very special time for the Godfreys, Russells, and The Well church family to remember the importance of raising our children in the ways of the Lord. Pastor Jason Dean especially reminded the church family how they too were also responsible to see that Avery knew the Lord if Nathaniel and Kelly did not. It was very special time of prayer as Jason prayed for Avery. It was a very special day for us all!

The Godfreys, Russell and Nana before the dedication.

Avery with her three uncles - Uncle Kyle, Uncle Brandon and Uncle Jordan.

Jason kissing Avery's hand.

Jason praying for different parts of Avery's body, feet, hands, brain...

Private Kyle A Russell

Roger, Jordan and I departed Nolanville at 5am Tuesday, August 11th for St. Robert MO. Our goal was to see Kyle graduate from Army basic training. This adventure began for Kyle in December 2008 when he signed up with the Tennessee National Guard. He has monthly drills to attend but had to go to basic training as all new recruits whether regular Army, Reserves or National Guard. He arrived at Fort Leonard Wood, MO to begin training on June 2nd. For the next 10 weeks he marched, learned to Army shout and chant, marched, did pushups, situps, running, marched, endured tear gas, was on maneuvers, marched, and over came many other challenges especially dealing with the personalities of the other soldiers and drill sergeants. He has accomplished the goal, he is now a soldier.

On Wednesday, the 12th we were able to see Kyle for a couple of hours.

Here is Kyle (with his Army look) with Roger and Jordan.

Kyle after graduation on the 13th in his dress uniform.

We are very proud of Kyle!

Our Oldest is 25!

It is hard to imagine it has been 25 years since Nathaniel Phillips Russell came into our lives on July 7, 1984. We were living in Nacogdoches when Nathaniel was born. He weighed in at 8 lbs. 2 3.4 oz. and was 20 1/2 inches long. I had been wanting a girl (we did not have a sonagram) but when I heard Nathaniel's first cry I was in love! And of course my love for him as grown deeper ever since!

Nathaniel one day old (hospital picture)

Nathaniel and Melinda - August 1985 (Nathaniel 13 months old)

25 years after Nathaniel's birth, he and Kelly have blessed us with a beautiful granddaughter, Avery May.

Happy 25th Birthday Nathaniel!

I love you!

Mom

Our First Grandchild - Avery May Russell

May 21, 2009 is a new date on our family calendar. It is Avery's Birth Day! Of course the two previous weeks we had been wondering when Avery would arrive. Kelly had been having contractions off and on. Finally her doctor chose a date when Kelly would be induced IF the baby had not arrived yet. So the night of May 20th Kelly and Nathaniel arrived at the hospital to begin the delivery process. Of course babies don't always want to arrive quickly. Nathaniel was like that for me and in the same fashion Avery wanted to take her time being born (and wanting Kelly to remember Avery's feet up in her ribcage during those final hours).

Nathaniel and Kelly monitoring the contractions and Avery's heartbeat.

Kelly did great. We are thankful the epidureal eased the pain for her so the final hours of labor and the two hours of pushing were bearable for her. Nathaniel was a great coach. He stood by Kelly encouraging her and helping her in anyway he could.

Kelly's Mom, Ruth Ann, Roger and I were able to be in the birth room as Kelly was monitored. When Kelly had dilated to 10 cm. Roger was sent off to the waiting room. The room was prepared and Kelly was allowed to begin pushing. After pushing for two hours at 4:12pm, Thursday, May 21st Avery May Russell arrived. AND she made herself known with her crying and showing us her beautiful head of hair.

The nurses had us all guessing what was Avery's size. Avery weighed in at 7 lbs. 1 oz. and 19 inches long.

We thank the Lord for blessing Nathaniel and Kelly with their beautiful little girl (and us our first granddaughter). We know God has special plans for Avery May. We look forward to seeing her grow and enjoying life with her Mommy and Daddy!

Mommy, Daddy and Avery.

Mommy and daughter.

Roger and Avery. Tati has been chosen to be his grandfather name. It is Romanian.

It looks like I will be called Buni (boonie) which is a short version of grandmother in Romanian.

Four generation picture!

Nana and her first great grandchild.

My niece, Natalie holding Avery.

March 31, 2009 Jordan is 22!

Jordan is our miracle child.  Of course all our sons are blessings and gifts to us.  When I was four months pregnant with Jordan we learned I had placenta previa.  So the remainder of the pregancy I was monitored closely, had to quit my job and be on bed rest (hard to do with an active 2 year old at home), take meds to keep from having Jordan early, and had at least five sonagrams to make sure he was OK.  AND Yes we definitely knew he was a boy!  My original due date was April 11th but since I had to have a c-section we chose March 31st as Jordan's delivery date.  On that morning Dr. Sarmini, his staff, Roger and I were in the delivery room for Jordan's appearance. When Nathaniel was born he came out crying but when Jordan was born no sound.  I asked why was he not crying.  Later Roger told me that Jordan was blue when he was born (the placenta was dying/Jordan would not have survived until April 11th).  But after what seemed FOREVER Jordan started crying!  I have thanked the Lord many times for Jordan.

Happy Birthday Jordan!  I love you!

Mom