…who calls me Ma

His little hands stole my heart, and his little feet ran away with it.

My sweet baby boy.

And although he is no longer a little boy, he is still the baby of the family.

Richard

came into the world 27 years ago today.  At the time we had been blessed with little girls, so to have a baby boy join the circle was an exciting event.

Those little girls weren’t completely excited about that event

Although they changed their tune when they discovered it was fun to dress him up like a princess with a purseAnd soon learned that they love him dearlyToday they are inseparable.

Richard had no interest in playing the part of the princess, but instead preferred to play the part of BatmanAnd still likes to play the part of Batman.
He had a handful of special friends as a little boy

Who continued to be friends through the years.

And even remain good friends to this day.
After he became part of the High School Ministry at First Baptist Jacksonville, Rich had the opportunity to participate in a few mission trips, including a trip Nicaragua to help minister to a small community and church there.  As the years have passed his focus continues to be spiritual.

Today he works as a Collegiate Missionary at Campus Church UNF

He is married to a beautiful young lady; His own Mama, couldn’t have chosen a more perfect mate for him. And now he has a baby of his own.

Happy Birthday to my Baby!

I’ll Love You Forever.

I’ll Like You For Always.

As Long As I’m Living…

My Baby You’ll Be.

 It is a fact

that nothing has changed my life so dramatically as did the arrival of

My Firstborn

Weighing a mere 7 pounds, 9 ounces, and measuring 19 tiny inches in length, Stephanie arrived at 4:14 PM on Friday,

November 1, 1985

…and the world has never been the same.

My world was not the only one that was altered.

She changed my Mama’s world too!

And brought into being the One and Only Mema Mary!

Stephanie was a pretty baby girl.

In the hospital, when the nurses changed shifts, each would tell me what a pretty baby she was, one commenting that she had a complexion of peaches and cream.

Although it seemed to take years for her to grow hair,

Stephanie was a little princess.

At thirteen months old, she became the big sister…and later on she became the leader of the pack.She is a valued Stein Mart Associate.And she is an integral part of our family…and a beloved friend to many.Stephanie is the Family Fashionista.She is the one I consult for choosing the best shoes, trends, colors, etc.

Stephanie loves to display her creativity in the kitchenand will be my head baker if I ever get that bakery business going.

She may not demand attention, but she draws it regardless.

Happy Birthday to You, Happy Birthday to You, Happy Birthday Dear Stephanie…

Happy Birthday to YOU!

There is a special bond between sisters that is unlike any other.
This I know from personal experience because of my sister Gina.  I can’t imagine what my life would have been without her (thank you Mama).

Today is Gina’s birthday

and this is for her:

You are my little sister and my forever friend
You’ll always be a part of me, on that you can depend.We started out together, were besties from the start;
We’re similar in many ways, my younger counterpart. We share family, the same parents, several secrets and good looks,
fondness for little kitties, You’ve Got Mail and Disney books.We’ve shared each other’s happy times, we’ve also shared our dreams.
Our life is filled with memories of laughter (and it seems)

Although our times together are not as often as before,
meet with me at Mama’s, and we’re back in time once more.Time and space may separate, and though we’re oft apart
You’re never very far from me, you’re always in my heart.Other friends have come and gone, but heartstrings know no end,
Your sister will be here for you, on Me you can depend.You are my little sister,
I hope that you can see…How very precious that you are
and how you’ll always be.

Happy Birthday Gina!

When my daddy was just a little guy, learning to talk, he heard his Mama being called Irma Nell Knox by her parents.  She was a teenage mother raising a baby and living with her parents (circa 1947).  Hearing the name Irma Nell Knox, my Daddy (as a toddler) translated her name to be

NumNell Knox

While you may think this is totally bizarre, I think it is adorable.  Apparently she responded when she heard the full name call and he thought he would achieve like results by demanding “NumNell Knox! Get up! Breakfast!”

My Daddy and his mother, My Mema have gone to be with Jesus.  But not a day goes by that I don’t give a thought to both of them.  Two people who greatly influenced my life.

Irma Reid

(aka Irma Nell Knox) died October 17, 2007 at the age of 78.

She was born July 16, 1929 in Valdosta, Georgia to Alton Knox and Grace Bennett Knox.  She married my Grandpa, Harold Reid when my Daddy was just a little fella.  He adopted my Daddy and has loved him as his own… even to this day.Mema was an old fashioned, Southern girl.  If you ever heard her speak, you would immediately recognize the southern dialect.  I talk to people from around the country every day and once in a while I’m asked, “where are you from?”  In every instance I will admit, I’m from North Florida… Jacksonville, but most of my people are from Georgia.  They will reply, “Yes, that’s it!”  If you know me, and you recognize that I have a southern accent, it’s likely due to the fact that I’m a direct descendant of Irma Nell Knox.

I’ve gone to church all of my life, (since before I was born) and my first church was a church that my Mema and Grandpa Reid helped to start.

Faith Memorial Baptist Church

…a place that was a second home to me for 30+ years.

While I was growing up, my Mema was there with me every Sunday.  She sat on the second row, left (piano) side.  I would typically sit with her and she always had Juicy Fruit Gum.  One Sunday I commented on a ring that she was wearing.  It was (is) pretty!  It was a beautiful silver ring (she always wore silver jewelry).  She took it off of her hand and placed it on mine.  She would do that again before I graduated High School.  I still have both of those rings and wear one of them EVERY day.

What I remember most is that she loved me unconditionally.

The stories I could tell would keep me typing all night.

My Mema Reid

Thank you for the pictures Mama