Happy Birthday, Grandma Jody!

Today is my Mom, Grandma Jody's, birthday. She is 72.

Mom is actually very remarkable. She is like an Ever Ready Battery woman. She just keeps going and going and going. She makes up her own family traditions and keeps them going year after year. For instance, when each grandchild graduates from high school, she takes them on a trip. She has taken kids to California, Mexico, Hawaii and Yellowstone. For our birthdays, we get a dollar a year. I got $51.00 on Saturday! Grandma Jody goes to as many kids games and school events as she possibly can.

Mom is the original family photographer and historian, with the help of her sisters, and now with some of us kids. I am helping out with the pictures now that I don't have to pay for developing. Each Memorial Day, the women and girls in our family go to the family cemeteries and listen to the stories about the people buried there as we put flowers on the graves. For Christmas, she gives books and information about our ancestors.

Grandma Jody is a CASA volunteer, works hard on keeping her church building in great shape and is the church parish nurse. She goes to Guatemala every year with HELPS and Cascade Medical Teams. She is a retired registered nurse, and still puts her skills to great use. Mom has a heart for old people and those in need of help.

Mom, you are so important to all of us, and we love and appreciate you so much!

Happy Birthday!

Love,

Kathy and Cary

This year, Kristin and Ethan
joined Mom in Guatemala.

Kristin and Mom in Guatemala

Mom holding Ethan and Nigel,
Aunt Mardy holding Alex,
Nanny holding Chris

Grandma T. holding Sondy,
with Mardelle and Jody

Mitch, Mom, Me, Dad and Angie

Sondy, Jody and Mardy

Mom is the baby, 72 years ago.