3 day potty training?

Rebecca and I have embarked on a "3 day potty training" program for Christian. I'll let her elaborate later about the program but suffice it to say we are in the "throws" of "big boy underwear", pee all over the bathroom, and stalking a toddler anticipating his every bowel movement! Currently I'm writing this blog seated on the floor of his bedroom while he naps. I must be available the moment he awakes for bathroom duty. Somehow I even drew that duty at 11:30 p.m.! We'll update later. For the time being enjoy a few recent photos.


Somebody is tired-who might that be?


I know when I was born!


My ice cream cone-yummy


Love those eyes


Football with grandpa-notice the big boy underwear

Four basic principles

On Sunday Hunter and I always join Rebecca and Steve in worshiping at the church they recently joined here in Columbus-Vineyard Columbus. The pastor is Rich Nathan. Today I was impacted by the simplicity of four basic Biblical principles he shared with the congregation.

1. All of life is to be Christ-centered. In fact our fundamental identity should be: I am a Christian-a daughter (or son) of God.

2. We are to sacrifice ourselves for each other.

3. We are to strengthen and encourage one another.

4. Christ makes all things new.


As simple as these principles appear to be they are found throughout the Bible and if followed will transform us and continue to make life full, rich, and a growing experience.

Speaking of growing-here are a few grandchildren updates from North Carolina


A day at the petting zoo


Brushing the goats is fun!



Like my sunglasses?


Funny grandpa!



Logan at three weeks



A talk with grandpa

Time with Aiden David Stall

With my grandma I............

P.S. To see "my" captions just drag your cursor over the picture.

Grandbaby #3!

Aiden David Stall was born on June 20th at 2:50 p.m. weighing in at 8 pounds and 3 ounces and 21 1/2 inches long! Maybe we have a basketball player on our hands. Branden and Brooke are thrilled and exhausted. Tomorrow they head home from the hospital to start their life now as a family of three.
Grandpa and Grandma plan to visit this new little one over July 4th week-end. As our family continues to grow we'll be often on the road visiting the little ones. We thought our "quiver" was full when we had three children but now it has expanded to include three children, two daughter-in-laws, one son-in-law and three grandchildren and I've been told that's only the beginning. Ha!
We are praising God for allowing Hunter and I to still be healthy and active in our retirement to join in the fun and educational opportunities God affords us with our grandchildren. Just today Hunter spent time playing with Christian in a hammock and I "taught" him all about ants and leaves falling from trees. What a joy!

Children are INDEED a gift from God!

There is a special kind of joy to see your own children born. That joy grows to a new height when you see your grandchildren born! I had the priviledge of being one of Rebecca's birth coaches this week during the delivery of Logan Gabriel on Wednesday night at 9:07 p.m. To me, the miracle of birth is proof positive there is a loving God! Words can not fully express the flood of emotions as I witnessed our second grandson "pop" into the world with his lusty cries and pink little fingers and toes, quite long by the way indicating he has some "Stall" in him. Ha!
Check out the photos below and then go to Rebecca's blog: (www.rebeccathorpe.blogspot.com) for a nice slide show.

Grandpa and Logan


Grandma and Logan


He's a blessing!


The happy family!

Friends and Family

Hunter and I just spent a glorious week in the Quad Cities getting our yearly "fix". I MUST see my friends and spend hours over lunch "catching up", while Hunter MUST challenge his friends to backgammon, tennis, and archery. God has blessed us both with wonderful relationships which have been cultivated over years of child raising, working, volunteering, church service, and playing various sports activities together. In the book of Psalms David writes that "a friend loves at all times" and "there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother". That is the kind of friends we have and we miss them as we spend our year traveling across the United States. Thankfully we can and do stay connected via e-mail and cell phone and they are with us in our hearts!

Now we have moved on to family: Rebecca, Steve, Christian and Logan (soon to be born). Our title here is Grandpa and Grandma and we love it!

Here are some cute photos of our adorable grandson!


Mommy has a baby in her tummy. Christian has an elephant in HIS tummy!


Getting a haircut while holding a balloon and watching a kid's video! Fun-I think!


Watching the fish with Grandma at the zoo!