Getting My Act Together?? and Meet My Precious Great Nieces!!!

First off, do y'all think it's high time I get rid of the February, Valentiney theme on my blog? I promise, it will happen, just don't know when!

I really need to get my act together. I'm in the same boat as another blogging friend or two it seems. As of late, I can't seem to get my stuff together. And by stuff I mean even some of the simplest of daily chores! Most of you know our family recently went through some major changes and major health issues over these past six months or so. I thought by now, I'd be up and running on all cylinders, facing life with energy and zeal. But it just "ain't" happening! Could it have something to do with my age? I turn the big 50 in November. Shhh, don't tell anyone!

Well, here, let me allow the following picture to express to you how I'm feeling these days!

I've given myself a good talkin' to about my lack of reaching my own goals. I've had the hubster pray with me about it. I've joked about it with others. I've cried about it with my sister. I've tried to ignore it. I've given that ol' devil a chewing out. I've mused about it at odd hours, yes, many times at midnight. I'm tired of thinking about not being quite with it around here, so ...I've decided that for now I'm just going to rejoice in the fact that I walked for an hour yesterday and plan on doing it again today.Shane did get some lessons done yesterday and by God's grace, we'll do even more today. At least that's a start in the right direction of my former life and what we called normal.


Now, If y'all will indulge me, I'd like to share some sweet photos of my great nieces visiting my children's church class a couple of Sunday's ago! They are here visiting from Paraguay and leave us in about 6 weeks. I'm already having withdrawal symptoms. Let me tell you, these little princesses have a way of stealing hearts! Their giggles and squeals when I walk into a room is priceless!

Baby Lexi didn't like getting her clothes changed for church!

Here my niece Jackie, with her husband Brian are leaving the morning church service laden with gifts of pink from many of our generous church ladies! This was Jackie's first time to church since the birth of Lexi. Jackie looks good here doesn't she? She had given birth to Lexi at her home just two weeks prior.

Sarah gifted the girlies with matching dresses, not seen here as they are still in the bags.


My Mom brought baby Lexi into our Children's Church for a photo op ---It was, after all, Lexi's first time to church! Elena and Abbie are very proud to be big sisters now.



Elena and Abbie LOVE LOVE LOVE playing in the puppet theatre at the end of class time!






My helpers in Children's Church"

Elena, Matthew, Abbie, and Seth hold up the visuals to the little song,

"Whisper a prayer in the morning,

Whisper a prayer at noon.

Whisper a prayer in the evening.

Twill keep your heart in tune."



My niece said the girls went around their house singing it all week.

How precious is that? Be still my soul!



Here are the three princesses;

Abbie (age 2) Ya' gotta notice the toes! , Elena (age 4), and Lexi (1 month)



I love 'em to pieces!

Checking In! and Welcome Stupendous Sparkle! Glad you found my blog!

Do any of my friends even blog anymore? I have been so scarce around the blog world, I don't even know if my friends blog any longer! That's pretty bad!

Our lives have been in such an unusual state, that I've stayed away from blogging on purpose. I never want to say anything on here that would be detrimental to my family or my loved ones. Thankfully, due to prayer and tears, lots of good books by strong Christian authors, many counseling sessions with pastors, but most importantly, clinging to the Word of God, we are healing and things are ALMOST back to normal. (Normal for us anyway-I always heard that normal is way over rated.)

I did post about my newest great niece, Lexi Joy. That was a great occasion in all our lives. My mother and I were so happy Jackie is home on furlough from Paraguay and was able to give birth in our area.(See her photo in previous post) The baby is now 3 weeks old and getting lots of lovin' from her two sisters!

Last Saturday I enjoyed attending a school reunion. I was a teacher at Arcadia Christian Center back in the 80's, but forged many wonderful friendships with many of the students who were class mates with my siblings. Most of us hadn't seen each other for 25 years until this reunion. It was amazing. And true to form, I have PHOTOS!! LOL

SISTERS!
Rita and I having a good laugh. I probably shouldn't have posted such a terrible picture of myself, but I love what this photo communicates. We shared so many good laughs throughout the day.

Former students with their babies!

The next generation!



Mom and Rita, with some of mom's former students.

This is such a great shot! Kim and Rita were best friends and Kim was in Rita's wedding. They've only seen each other a few times since then. I'm sorry it's blurry, but I had to grab this moment before it was over!

Yes, Kim is sitting on my lap. We're so silly!

Rita and Clint with Dwight Powell. He was pastor/principal of Arcadia Christian Center. He just recently returned from Haiti, where he has an established ministry. Oh the stories he told us! God is really working in Haiti. He baptized 126 Sunday before last! He told about a Voodoo priest who also came to the Lord after Dwight climbed the mountain to speak with him face to face and offer food for his people. He told him "My God spoke to me and told me to bring you and your people food." At first the priest denied the help, but later accepted. The next day, he came down off the mountain and found Bro. Dwight and asked to learn more of "his God" who was loving and kind and sent food. The Voodoo priest said his god was angry and made the earth break. Bro. Dwight shared the gospel with the man who openly accepted the Lord that day. I had goosebumps all over as he told this miraculous story. Can you imagine the rejoicing that went on in the ministry headquarters that day!?!

Wendy was so happy to see me again! She was a student of my parents at the school, but I taught her on Wednesday nights at our church. We hadn't seen each other since 1983!

Jan and George seemed happy to be reunited!

Lots of hugging through out the day.

Here I am with Paige!! I was her first grade teacher and taught her how to read! I hadn't seen her since the mid eighties when she was still a little girl! She is now retired from the Air Force. One of her most recent accomplishments was spending nearly five years writing an instructional curriculum for the Air Force. I kept rubbing it in that I was the one who taught her how to read! I'm so proud of her and what a sweetie she is!

Two great godly men, Bro. Dwight and my dad!

Aunt Rita greets Shane.

Brother in laws, Clint and Agustin

This photo needs no words. I love it!

She's Here!

Meet Alexandra Joy McCobb!!!

My niece Jackie had her baby and it was a girl!

She arrived Friday morning, Feb. 26, 2010 at 9:35 a.m.

Brian and Jackie (the happy parents) are pleased as punch that this, their second home birth went very smoothly!

Here I am enjoying the little butter ball! She is chubby and oh so short!

Elena is a very proud big sister! Can you tell?

For All My Northern Friends Craving A Touch of Spring!

Click on the link below!

My_Friend

About Cheerfulness

"Your cheerfulness can only spring up freely and healthily out of your heart when your heart is truly at rest in God; when you are satisfied with His ways, and wishing no change in them."

--Priscilla Maurice (1810-1854)

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Don't you love being around cheerful people? I mean those truly, genuine cheerful people who don't have to work at it! For the most part, I think I'm a cheerful person, but I admit there are times I come up short in that department. I realize my testimony for Christ is impaired if I'm a grump. My number one goal for the month of February is to be more cheerful in the home and to have a merry heart;

for my heart rests in God!

The Name Game!

All of your different names...Try it with your name!



1. YOUR REAL NAME: Pamela Lea Riffe Rios
2. YOUR GANGSTA NAME (first 3 letters of real name plus -izzle): Pamizzle
3. YOUR DETECTIVE NAME (favorite color and favorite animal): Red Dog
4. YOUR SOAP OPERA NAME (middle name, and current street): Lea Stone Arch
5 STAR WARS NAME (the first 3 letters of your last name, first 2 letters of
your first name, first 3 letters of Mom's maiden name): Riopabla
6. YOUR SUPERHERO NAME (2nd favorite color, favorite drink): gold water
7. YOUR WITNESS PROTECTION NAME (Mother's middle name and fathers middle
name): Lou Joseph
8. YOUR GOTH NAME (black, and the name of one your pets): Black Chance

Send this on to your friends (including the one who sent it to you) and see
what interesting names are created)!

Does This Make You Want to Curl Up With a Blankie or What?

I love watching this video of Abbie falling asleep in the car. It makes me feel so relaxed! What about you?

You can also get a quick peek of Elena in the back seat.

Big Congrats For My Cousin, Garin Justice!

I wanted to share the following article from yesterday's Beckly Register Herald newspaper. It's about my cousin, Garin who was a starter for the West Virginia Mountaineers during his four years at college. We loved it when WVU came to Florida to play in Miami, Orlando, and especially Tampa. It meant we go watch the game in person and see Garin for a few minutes after the game. (It was always hard to get his undivided attention due to the swarm of people trying to get his autograph or a photo with him.) These games played in Florida afforded us the opportunity to spend time with my Uncle Gary, Aunt Phyllis, and cousin Gehrig who faithfully supported Garin and attended each and every game during his four year college career. Even now, as he coaches at my aunt's Alma Mater in Athens, West Virginia, they attend all of his games. Talk about a dedicated set of parents! We know all that love, sacrifice, and support and Garin's hard work, have helped mold Garin into the person he is today.

So Garin, a great, big congratulations to you, #69, for being named to

THE ALL-DECADE TEAM OF WEST VIRGINIA!

Justice named to WVU all-decade team

By Tom Bone
For The Register-Herald

The toil and pain of being a starting offensive tackle often goes unrewarded. Garin Justice is now an exception to that statement.

Justice was selected as one of two offensive tackles on the All-Decade Team of West Virginia University football, selected recently by MSN Sports Net, media partner of WVU sports.

“It’s definitely a great honor,” Justice said this weekend on the Concord University campus in Athens, where he is the offensive line coach and strength and conditioning coordinator of the Mountain Lions.

“In my mind’s eye, I’m (no more) deserving than a lot of other guys who played that position. I mean, that’s just a couple of people’s opinion. I don’t even know if I would have named myself to that list, actually.”

“I think a lot of it was just the fact that we had a lot of success when I played. With success comes rewards. Coach (Rick) Trickett was a great O-line coach. He pushed us to the limit while we were there.

“I think it’s a combination of coach Rod (Rich Rodriguez), the success he had in the program and the success we had with coach Trickett. The hard work paid off.”

During his time as a starting offensive lineman for the Mountaineers, Justice, a native of Gilbert, was named All-Big East and earned the Big East Scholar-Athlete of the Year award. He was a second-team All-America selection by The Sporting News in his senior year, 2005.
He and his fellow blockers helped West Virginia finish seventh and then fourth in the nation in rushing offense in 2004 and 2005. The Mountaineers were first in that category in the Big East in both of those years.

In his years as a starter, from 2003-05, Justice was part of teams that went 27-10 and beat Georgia in the Nokia Sugar Bowl. In that span, West Virginia also won three Big East titles, going 17-3 in the league. The Mountaineers finished 11-1 in 2005.

It wasn’t always easy. Justice said when Rodriguez put in his no-huddle, “spot-the-ball” offensive scheme, he struggled. “Actually, the system didn’t fit my talents, coming in,” he said.

He said the all-decade honor “takes you back, because I was there for seven of those years, so I know the players who went through there.”

Because of the talent level represented, some names of noteworthy players are not to be found. Justice mentioned Quincy Wilson as an example.

“He was a great tailback, and wasn’t even mentioned, because he was behind backs like Avon Cobourne and Steve Slaton,” Justice said. “Noel Devine wasn’t even on the list, and Noel Devine is probably going to the NFL this spring, or the next year.”



“That just shows you the caliber of players that you did have go through the program.”

One of his jobs now is to mold an offensive line for Concord that will reach a high caliber.

He was hired by Concord in December 2008, and held together a unit that was extremely thin in depth. That line helped the Mountain Lions to a 6-5 record, and opened holes for Brian Kennedy, who won the conference rushing title, and other teammates. Concord rushed for 227 yards per game and averaged 33.2 points.

Justice said that lessons he learned in Morgantown helped his coaching efforts.

He said, “I think the main thing (was that) we took guys who were not your highest recruits or considered your best players, but instilled in them a work ethic and a pride in the program, and what you do. I think that’s the biggest thing.

“If we can get our players to start to fight for us, which I felt we did, to believe in what we’re doing, and know that they deserve to win — then you will win.”

He learned that as a player, and feels fortunate to have been in on something special.

“You have to look back on this decade of West Virginia football as being the best in the history of the program,” Justice said.

“Don Nehlen had a couple of years here and there; he had one great year in the ’90s and one great year in the ’80s. But never before was there two BCS (Bowl Championship Series) wins. …

“With two BCS wins, and winning the Big East Conference four or five times in those 10 years — it’s hard to compare it with any other decade in the history of West Virginia football.”

He said West Virginia head coach Bill Stewart “seems to be doing a nice job.” But he leaves no question about his allegiance to the coach he played for.

“I’m always going to be a fan of coach Rodriguez. I think he gets a bad rap for some things in the state,” Justice said. “People also can’t deny the great success Rich Rodriguez had when he was here.”

Here I am with my REALLY TALL cousin at our 2005 Family Renion!

Michelle, Pam, Garin

Garin, Josh, Scott at our house when in Tampa for 5 weeks of training.

 (Notice how the two ball players dwarf my 6 ft. son!)

Garin, Shane, Scott

Their shoulders are higher than the top of my big fridge!

We had Garin and his friend over for a cookout. Agustin couldn't believe how much these fellas ate! He packed them up a huge "to go" bag with loads of food for their room mates. Yeah Right!

For My Sis ...

My next few posts will continue with the theme of photos and videos galore of family members, but hey, it's the only way to keep my sis, who lives in South America, in the loop. Maybe someday soon, I'll actually write a post!

OFF TOPIC:
I recently switched over to the newer version of blogger. WHERE DID THE SPELL CHECK GO? I need
that tool desperately! OH AND  HOW DO I UPLOAD VIDEOS NOW?

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OUR PARENTS

Christmas Day 2009 Part One

Christmas Stockings waiting to be "dug" into!

The family happy to be together again!

One happy Mama!

Blessed with a great meal of spiral sliced honey ham, london broil, roasted rosemary potatoes, mom's old fashioned green beans, sweet potato casserole, yeast rolls! Best ingredient of all---family togetherness!

The meal ended with the patriarch of the family (my dad) reading the Christmas Story from Luke 2 out of the new Bible he gave to Shane for Christmas.

So, how did you enjoy your peek into our Christmas Day? I'm glad you stopped by for a visit!

My Favorite Video Clip of Christmas 2009

We had so so much fun with my mom's FLIP camcorder!

Here's a video of my first born son Josh on Christmas Day. We were so thrilled he was able to come down and spend Christmas with us! Before Christmas week, I hadn't seen him in three months as he is working in West Virginia these days.

Christmas Eve: "A La Casa Rios" Part 2

The Rios Bunch on Christmas Eve

Mom shows off her set of kitchen towels, hand embroidered by Aunt Tommie.


Another piece for dad's lighthouse collection; thanks to his sister Tommie.

Josh gave his dad a new tie.

Shane with his new gaming laptop. He was stoked!
I know, you can't really tell from this photo so

just watch the short video at the bottom of this post!)

Naomy seemed to like her body care products.

Josh with his new shirt.

Hawaiin Princess Cake - moist and delish!

Naomy saying farewell to Mr. Snowman

Shane and Rudolph

Josh was thrilled that we asked him to pose also!

Give the snowman a hug Josh!

Do I sort of look like a midget? Naomy thinks so!

The "tough guy" cousins saying goodnight.