A Birthday to Remember

HAPPY 80th MAMAW POGUE

I'm sure I've mentioned before that my dad comes from a large family. He was the first of six kids. Growing up with 13 FIRST cousins, I thought my family was HUGE. And, I guess in a lot of ways it was, until I met Matt. His family is even HUGE-ER. His mom is the first of five and his dad is the third of six children. He has even more cousins than I do. Plus, he's one of five children in his own family. I can't wait for the day that the Deaton brothers (and wives) expand our family even more, and my children have loads of first cousins like I did. Funny side note, Matt's youngest FIRST cousin is Miles's age. His Mamaw has a great grandchild and grandchild the same age.

At any rate, large families are awesome, PERIOD. I love being with my extended family (and Matt's). Most of my family, however, lives in Louisville so I don't get to see them as often as I would like. And, we're not kids anymore. Most of them are married and many of them have children of their own. This makes our gatherings even more exciting. The picture above is all of us Pogue cousins (missing is my cousin Brittany who lives in Germany, my cousin Brad and my cousin, Michael, who passed a couple of years ago). The picture below is all of us with our spouses (some are missing there as well).

On Saturday, we went to Louisville to celebrate my Mamaw's 80th birthday which was a surprise party. My aunts organized a party extravaganza at the church they all attend, Okolona Church. Wanna know how they got Mamaw there? They told her that she and my uncle David were playing in a corn hole tournament. If there is ONE thing my family loves to do, it's COMPETE. You name it...skiing, fishing, cards (rook, hand & foot, shanghai rummy, etc.), washers, softball, and now CORN HOLE. Mamaw is a pro. at corn hole and could probably beat just about anyone. I have a cousin-in-law who actually competes in tournaments--didn't know such a thing even existed. She's was up for the challenge and didn't suspect a thing when she saw so many cars in the church parking lot. She was so CUTE walking into the party (unsuspectingly) with her corn hole bags. Everyone yelled "surprise" and started singing to her. She was completely caught off guard. EVERYONE was there including old friends and neighbors. It was such a wonderful party.

My aunt Sharon also organized a family photo scrapbook. I have never done a scrapbook page in my life but enjoyed putting my page together SO MUCH. I can see how people get addicted to scrapbooking. I must admit though that I'm a computer person and prefer to do all my designing on the ol' desktop. But, this book was A-mazing. I loved looking through it and know Mamaw will cherish it.

Mamaw and Papaw and all their stinkers =).

Me and Kenton. My nephew Evan took the first picture. I must admit, I like being cut off from the double chin on down. Kenton is the life of the party. I seriously doubt he's ever had a bad day in his life. I laugh and have the best time cutting up with him. Sure wish he would move back to BG (he lived here while he was at WKU).

Me and my beautiful cousin Kim. She also blogs (check out her link sometime).

Me and Memaw. Bless her heart, she was trying her best to learn who belonged with who and who's kids were who's and all that good stuff. Like I said, my extended family is large and expanding by the minute with marriages, babies, etc.

Mike, Miles and Matt or the three MMM's.

My Mamaw is one of the kindest people I know. I had the opportunity to live with her and Papaw one summer during my junior year at Western. I took an internship at the Courier Journal. My grandparents took such great care of me. We went to church together. She was always wanting to feed me. We'd go down and visit my uncle Mark (who was pretty ill with cancer at the time) together. We'd entertain the other cousins with movies (everyone lives really close). It was a special summer. Mamaw and I like to write each other too. I love getting letters from her and love sending them. I'm thankful that she raised such a wonderful son LINDLE who has been a great father to me. I can see her gentle spirit in him when he wants to help those in need and expects nothing back. He is not materialistic and would give anyone anything they needed. He's loud (all of us Pogue's are) and has the best sense of humor JUST like HER. I'm very lucky having all my grandparents and so very thankful for their influence in my life. I wrote this scripture on my scrapbook page "He had made everything beautiful in its time." Eccles. 3:11 My Mamaw is one beautiful person inside and out.