Pictures, I hope

Pardon my lack of blogging skills, as well as my tardiness in posting. I have no idea when the photo was taken of Nick and Jaxon, but I'm just so grateful Nick sent me the pictures I didn't care! They are both so adorable and loved so much. The photo of Wade with Lauren and Sullivan was taken in December when we went to San Antonio. Sullivan was one month old on that day, I think - Wade's birthday. Forgive me if I've posted this one before, my brain is pretty foggy these days. The cute little one of Brady is from when he was just days old, but at least you can tell he's a keeper. I love his red hair! The picture of Caden with her fish is the most recent one - she is so proud of her catch. Caught with her very own Barbie fishing rod! She loves doing all the stuff outdoors with her dad. I think she has her own set of golf clubs and maybe even a bow and arrow set. Hmmm. Can you say spoiled? Ha! Any way, sorry I've been absent of late, but that does not lessen how much I love you all and I'm glad we are sharing this blog even though I haven't participated a great deal lately. I'll try.

NICKNAMES

Hi Cousins!!!! Diane has told me several times how confused Don got when he joined the family about who was who and why were they called something different than their name. We seem to enjoy giving members nicknames -- I have no idea who started it but it was probably around Munnie and Papa's time. I can remember them but I bet I'm the only one in the Cusenbary line in our generation that had seen them. Take Granny and Granddaddy for instance. Granny was well, GRANNY to my bunch and Bula's bunch, MOMA CUSH for Wade and Celeste, CUSHEN for Buster, Melton and Cathy, MRS. CUSH to the in-laws, I think GRANNY to Candy and Susan, and AUNT FAY to all the rest. Granddady was GRANDDADDY, MR. CUSH and UNCLE DAN. Then there was LALA! Grandaddy called Lala CALAH (don't ask why, maybe Collie or Bula know) but when I started to talk --Lala always said at 6 weeks -- I couldn't say CALAH and it came out LALA. Now, for my Moma, Granddaddy called her WOWAH (Sweetie, your guess is as good as mine) and in school - high school I think, kids started calling her PAT.
So many people that knew her afterward were surprised to learn her name was Mattie Faye. They have told me they always figured it was Patricia. Now for Velma Estelle - I was told that someone started calling her BULA after a Negro maid on the radio. You'll have to ask her or Collie to find the answer there. COLLIE is Edwin Caldwell's nickname, also CUSH and I've been known to call him COLLIEWOBBLES. Uncle Dan was JUNIOR to Granny and Grandaddy, DANNY to his sisters and SARGE to a lot of people. I remember when I was just a small girl (Collie and Hazel weren't married then) that I was at Granny's and Uncle John came to take her on a date and Collie hollered - "Hey, BIRDLEGS, SUNSHINE is here!!!" Can't you just see Collie giggling over that!!! Suzy and Jimmy's grandmother was always called AUNTIE by the Cusenbary group. MOM is what Suzy and Jimmy called her. AUNT ELLA by others. Their daddy was called GOBBY by my family some, but I have no idea why --ask Suzy. Dont think Wade has ever had a nickname but, of course, Celeste will always be CISSY to us older folks. Don't know about Cathy but both of her brothers have nickname -- Gary is our BUSTER and Melton was known as SHORTY when he was a kid. And my Keri named her future husband BUSTER when they started going together (his real name is Floyd.) So we can understand why Don Bottoni might have been a bit confused. Diane needs to make Maddie a copy of these before the reunion. LOL If you guys have more nicknames that I don't have and have no idea of the next generation, please let us know. I think this is fun. Hope you do too. Love to all, Jody

Happy Birthday, Susan (tomorrow)

Susan,
I know you won't have time to read this tomorrow, so I'm posting today. You're the best sister I have! Wait a minute...you're the ONLY sister I have! Hope your day is fun and that you get rid of the cold symptoms.

Cousins,
We celebrated Susan's birthday on Saturday night since Rachel, Matt and Owen were in town. I fixed supper. We had chicken piccatta, pasta with caper sauce, asparagus, asiago cheese bread and cupcakes for dessert. Steve's mom joined us so we had a full dining room. We kept waiting for Owen to wake up from his nap, but that didn't happen. He was so tired that he slept until around 3am (I think!). We sang to Susan, she opened her presents, then we shifted gears and had Rachel's birthday since we wouldn't be with her on March 2. We nearly forgot to sing to her, but she reminded us. Whew!

Everyone is at their respective homes now. Steve is taking a nap and I'm checking email. Hope everyone had as enjoyable a weekend as I did.

Love you all,
Candy

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SUNDAY TO KAYLEE BRAZEEL

Hi there Little Girl!!! Hope you have a super day on Sunday. See you at the reunion this summer. Love Jody

Pictures

Greetings,

This is actually Paul posting these (mom's still learning all of this). I'm putting up a photo of Maddie and I, and of the ring. Hope all is well with everyone.

Arrivederci!

Paul

Happy Birthday Lance

Lance,
Hope your day is restful and fun. We'll see you guys at the reunion this summer. Can't wait to meet little Brady.
Love,
Candy

Happy Birthday to my Valentine

Nathan,

Happy Birthday from Steve and me. I hope your day is fun and full of joy. You are the best Valentine present I ever received.

Love you,

Mom

This is my favorite picture of you and your granddaddy.

HAPPY VALENTINE' DAY TO ALL OF YOU

HOPE ALL OF YOU ENJOY VALENTINE'S DAY. TAKE TIME TO LET THOSE YOU LOVE KNOW YOU LOVE THEM. HEY YA'ALL "I LOVE YOU" JODY

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SATURDAY TO NATHAN HENSLEY

HEY,SWEET BOY!!! HAVE A GREAT DAY. YOU HAVE MADE SUCH A GOOD-LOOKING YOUNG MAN. I BET YOU GETS LOTS A VALENTINES SATURDAY. LOVE YOU, JODY

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MONDAY TO SHERRI BRAZEEL

Hey Sherri, we would love to see you, Phil and the girls at the reunion this summer. Have a super-duper birthday. Love, Jody

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ON TUESDAY TO LEVI DOWDLE AND MARK BRAZEEL

Hey, Levi and Mark. Hope you guys both have a great birthday!!!! Love, Jody