Memama with the latest great grand baby, Noble, doing what she does best! With Carson arriving on January 2 and Noble arriving January 16, that is two in two weeks.

Memama may lose her rookie status when it comes to taking care of babies. Her "career" began in 1944 with her brother Wade, continued through five of us kids, seventeen grands and sixteen greats! That is lots of holding, rockin' and lovin'!

About 68 years worth.

Merrit's doctors decided to keep her an extra day, so she Noble and Brad will be moving home today! I bet it is one of those OMG moments!

On Monday as they were moving Merrit and the baby to her private room, Carol and I were visiting with Merrit's Mother.

Merrit has been all over the graph. Successful and bust! Flying by the seat of her britches.

But in the last couple of years, although things have been tough, she has done lots of growing.

Her Mother made the statement that "Merrit had never wanted anything in her whole life as much as she wanted this baby!" This is very true.

Her Mother continued, "For the first time in Merrit's life, it is not about her, it is about someone else."

Both statements, extremely accurate.

Looking at our family, it is a little weird. The first four of Memama's grand babies were solo. Then the grouping began Colby, Makai, and Joni were born from September of 79 to April of 80. Merrit, Kelsi and Stephanie were born from April to August of 1982. Chris, Shelby and Kirby were all born in 1985, then we went back to solos.

Greats begin with three solos over six years, then we get to pairings. It seems that Rian and Colby had three babies each in close time proximity. Then a pair with Chloe and Dakota, the twins and then a solo for Colby, then the recent arrivals of Carson and Noble, separated by fourteen days.

Specifics for Memama's grands; 10 grandsons, 7 grandaughters. Greats 8 and 8.

For Carol and I, it is very weird. We have like two families. First four grands are girls. Last four grands are boys.

Heh, heh. I've been playing dirty pool with my sister. She has been in Huntsville with Stephanie's family since December 29th I believe. Posting the pictures and all have made her a little homesick. Of course it helps that Steph and Carson are doing well. I wouldn't be surprised to see her drive up.

I have been wanting to get caught up with a little farming. As I had said earlier, I need to address about 550 acres. I plan on plowing just less than half and spraying the other. Thing is, the ground is VERY mellow. The moisture, freezing temperatures and the snow and ice have really been wonderful. I was looking to see when I thought I might get in to plow yesterday when I felt the pickup act funny. I slipped the transmission into neutral and the pickup rolled to a stop almost immediately. It almost wasn't quick enough. I was barely able to back out.

I got legal descriptions to the oil company last week that is interested in leasing Memama's oil and gas rights. In today's Abilene Reporter there is a big story about the pending "boom" in that area. Black shale. Horizontal drilling. Hydraulic frac-ing. They say they know and have known that oil is present for many years. Just recently technology has improved to where they can open it up and make it flow. (A problem in the past).

Went to bed just before ten last night. Took meds and was hoping for a good night. About twelve thirty Carol's phone rang waking me. She just turned it off. Me, I have been awake since.

Dang the luck.

My friend that is in transit with the FBOP has still not surfaced. Last known place was Grady County Jail in Chickasha, Ok. Seems like they always move him on a holiday weekend.

Well, I guess I'm caught up for now.

Have a day!

FATHER, lots going on as YOU know. Help me to make good choices.