Our Sweet Chelsea

Chelsea in back

Chelsea and Derrick @ Purple Day

Chelsea & Ruthie befor Homecoming game

Tribute to Grandma

My grandma passed away on September 21, 2008. I had the best grandma in the world. I wanted to give a tribute to her in my blogspot.

My Grandpa John Douglas Bowen married my Grandma, Sibyl
Madona Stevens on November 7, 1941. They had 4 children Doug, Bill, Raymond & Diane. They have 14 grandchildren:

Billie Diane, Debbie, Lisa, Bubba, Sharon, Carl, Teresa,Tammy,Jenny, Tracie Missy, Kenneth Billie & April. They also had 22 great-grand children. My grandparents made evey single one of their grand and great grandchildren feel special. Grandma was a wonderful hard working mother.

Grandpa and Grandpa's wedding picture.

Grandpa & Grandma's children oldest to youngest.

Douglas Wendel Bowen

Willaim Reese Bowen

Raymond Lee Bowen

Diane Louise Bowen (this is Tracie's mom) AKA Precious.

Grandma I love you and will miss you and I can't wait unitl we are united again in Heaven.

For Hair cuts contact: Ruthie Chesser

Ruthie told me when ask her why did you cut your hair. " I want my hair to as bewtiful as yors Mommy". She didn't realize doesn't cut her own hair. So if you see sporting side pony tails on the right side of her head , that why. I went to my room and shed a few tears about it . But I am dealing with the best I can.

Josh & Cody's week with Aunt Tracie

Left to Right Josh, Cody, & Barret then in the middle is Chelsea. Barrret is Josh and Cody's friend than came with us.

They had a good time. They help with VBS. When went to movies, and bowling

An Adventure

Ruthie was wanting to go on an adventure so she got Backpack and Map (characters from Dora the Explorer) and put her and I a water bottle each in it. We went up and down our street finding some very interesting things. Here is the list of some of the items:

(1.) toilet paper from our front yard, that keeps falling out of the trees every time it rains. We can thank Chelsea's friends for the great toilet papering job they did. (2.) leaves and yes every single one is special (3.)Rocks, rocks and more rocks.

(4.) wire (5.) pine cones (6.) Sticks of all sizes. (7.) pecan shells (8.) Some things we couldn't figure out what they were.

(9.) Rope (10.) tree bark Last but not least number (11.) a "coke" bottle cap, that's what she thinks anyway. We had lots of fun.

Fun in the Sun

Chelsea and Ruthie playing in our backyard pool.

Memaw & Kenzie Visit

My mom and niece came to visit for several days this past week. We had a great time and Ruthie and Kenzie played very well together. I caught them playing nicely in the sandbox and couldn't resist taking a some pictures.

Chelsea has her permit now, so of course she convinced Memaw to let her drive around town. I think Memaw a seen more of Brownwood/Early than she ever cared to. :)

Aggie Softball

This past weekend Rodney, Ruthie and I went to College Station to watch the Aggie Softball team win Regionals. Chelsea decided she wanted to stay with a friend. She's not as in to the softball thing as we are. Poor Ruthie, she doesn't have a choice. Here are some pics with a daughter of some of our good friends. You may notice we got some sun that day.

Are you smarter than 3 1/2 year old?

I swear I have the smartest 3 1/2 year old. Yesterday we were leaving the school and there was a little boy who was sitting on the curb. Ruthie waves to him and says, "Bye Alex". He had a haircut like Alex did in a picture. I told her that he wasn't Alex and she asked, "Where is Alex?" I reminded her he is in Heaven with God. She asked,When can I see him again?" I told her when Jesus, God son comes back. That answer seemed to be enough for her. So, fast forward to this morning. I am sitting at the computer and she comes up to me and ask me, "Mommy is God Back?" At first I didn't understand her, I never dreamed that would come out of her mouth. When I had to tell her "No, not yet" she walked off with this sad look on her face. I asked her what was wrong and she said, " I want to see my Alex." I know she doesn't totally understand the concept of Jesus' return and that God is the most important part of His return, but she's learning. I too anticipate Jesus' return to be with God and His Son and so I can see mine as well. I have to admit sometimes my interest is more in seeing my son, but I know God understands that I am human.

Also, I think Ruthie is proof that pictures speak a thousand words, that is the only way she has seen her brother.

Ruthie Flying a Kite

I don't know if there is a official list of "Top 100 things that are difficult to teach a 3 1/2 year old"but, I think I could start one. Flying a kite would be on that list somewhere. Ruthie was so willing learn but so not wanting to listen. After lots of instruction and even more patience ( on Mommy's part if I do say so myself) we got the kite in the air, sort of. I made the string "Ruthie size". Of course, she didn't want it "Ruthie size" but mommy won that battle. I think the battle score today is Mommy 1- Ruthie 100. Mommy will try again tomorrow. :)

The Biggest Blog Ever!!!!

Thank you to all the donated to our Relay for Life cause. The Chesser's were able to raise $580.00. Our team raised over $3,000. Every lap Tracie took she said a prayer for each survivor we were walking for those we lost. She also said a prayer of thanksgiving for those who donated.

This is the beginning of the "Survivor Walk". Survivors and their caregivers walk the first lap before anyone else walks a lap. My Mom wanted all of her family to participate in the first lap.

Purple shirts represent survivors. Some of the survivors are not wearing purple shirts due to that each team has a theme and they dress up. Our team was a tropical theme. Above to the left is Tracie's Mom (the extremely colorful one in the middle) and her Dad (in the wonderful red hat and shirt) along with other family members.

All the survivors one by one went to the mic and told how many years since their diagnosis. For Tracie's Mom it has been 17 1/2 years. The young boy in the picture to the left is just beginning his fight. Some survivors had more than one type of cancer. Rodney's mom has had breast cancer and ovarian cancer.

Tracie's mom and cousin Teresa volunteer their services to "Lock of Love". Anyone who has long enough hair can donate. Tracie's mom cut the ponytail and cousin Teresa would give the participant a new hairdo.

Below are pictures taken throughout the night. L to R- Jacie,(Chelsea's best friend) Tracie, Teresa,(Tracie's cousin) Missy,(Tracie's sister) Chelsea, Diane (Tracie's mom)

Cody,(Tracie's nephew with a former teacher who is a survivor. Ruthie doing her Hula dance.
Ruthie & Makenzie(Tracie's niece)




Tracie's Mom & Dad


Jacie, Chelsea, Josh( Tracie's nephew & Taylor (Tracie's little cousin) Ruthie, Valen & Brendan (Cousin's meeting for the first time)

Congratulations Chelsea!

Chelsea tried out the Heartland Belles, which our high schoold drill team and she made it. I was so confident in her making it that Ruthie and I made her a congratulations card early this afternoon way before tryouts. Good Job Chels!!!

"Hand Me Downs"

This is Chelsea and Ruthie wearing the same outfit. Chelsea was over three in this picture and Ruthie was 2 1/2. Look how different the same outfit looks on them.

The Greatest Grandma

This my Grandma Sibyl Bowen. I am asking for your prayers for her. Right now she is in a nursing home not able to remember much, more and more of her past is diminishing everyday. She has always been such a strength in our family and too see her so weak and feeble is difficult. Pray for my parents who are the ones that deal with the situation on a daily basis.

Relay for Life

We are participating in the American Cancer Society Relay for Life. Please pray for our safe travel to Cuero and that we are successful. We have raised over our goal but could always use more to beat cancer. Click on the title above "Relay for Life" and you can make a donation.

"Christopher Robin" comes to visit.

Rodney sister, Robin came for a visit this weekend. All week long Ruthie wanted to know when "Christopher Robin" (Winnie the Pooh character) was coming. It was so cute because she would say Chris-e-fer Robin. We had a great time, Robin treated Chelsea and I to a pedicure and manicure. We went out to eat Saturday night and to church Sunday morning. Most of all we just go to visit and catch up on our lives.

..."smiled like Alex."

This weekend Rodney's sister came to visit. We were outside taking pictures. When we were done taking this picture Ruthie said, "Mommy I smiled like Alex." We tell her about her brother all the time, but I guess she is learning just as much from his pictures. Can you tell where she got that idea from? Looks like her Daddy smiles that way too. :)

Happy "Sweet 16" Chelsea!

I can't beliveve Chelsea is 16!!! If I say so myself she is very beautiful. While we were in Austin for Chelsea's birthday trip I took some what we called glamour pictures. Some of the girls brought fancy dresses and they posed. We had a fan and everything.

These are the girls that went to Austin with us. My mom, sister and nephew and a few others friends met us there.

We survived the trip had a great time.

On April 17th was her actual birthday. I can't believe she is 16. I told her, about her birth, she was causing trouble and still causing it now. She is such a good girl and we love her so much.

Guiena Pig

I am taking 12 girls and t to Austin this weekend for Chelsea's 16th birthday.

(I know I am crazy) Anyway, one of the things we are going to do Saturday night is some "glamour shots". So guess who was my guinea pig? Anyone who knows Ruthie she is not shy and willing to strut and pose. Here are her shots and will post Chelsea's after the weekend.

Ummm, I am not really sure what to do!!!

Just kidding I know how to be a ham!!!

Yes it is all about me!!!



















OK, I am not enjoying

this as much anymore!!!

Don't make me imitate my teenage

sister's attititude,

I said I am through!!!