Friday, January 23, 2009

Happy 29th Birthday, Mimi!

You're not getting older, you're getting better. - Unknown

Haven't we all noticed this is so true about Mimi? Each year she just seems to get wiser, funnier, and more amazing! She has a great partner in this life who helps her achieve this, but today is HER birthday, so we will brag on and celebrate her today!

Mimi, we love you and cherish you... you are truly irreplaceable. Thank you for your ever-consistent involvement in our lives and the special was you have of making us all feel so loved and special!

So Mimi, check out the comments listed below so you can see our individual reasons we all love you so....

Saturday, January 17, 2009

Farewell, Soldier...See You When You Get Back!


Farewell, Daniel. We love you, support you, and will be lifting you up in prayer as we await your safe return! Don't forget, Daniel has started his own blog so that we can keep up with him.

Sunday, January 11, 2009

Welcome to the Newest Poche Grandchild


This grandchild is getting her own post!!! Congratulations, Lisa on becoming a grandmother. I know this grandbaby will have the cutest clothes and best grooming!


In case you haven't heard, there is a new grandchild on the block.... her name is Maggie and she might just give all the grandchildren a run for their money.


Tiff, as a new mother, I hope you are getting plenty of rest and taking advice from other mothers you meet while taking walks, going to the park, etc. Good luck with that college fund.... does Pet Smart even have one of those, yet?

Thursday, January 8, 2009

December.... So Long '08, Bring It On '09

Well, the Poche's have remained their usually "busy bodies" during the month of December. There was a gathering of the members of the clan at Caney Lake for Christmas which included great food, great fun, and of course GREAT company! Don't you wish Christmas came more frequently? I'm sure something will happen between now and next year so that we can once again come together. So, someone get married, or graduate, or have a baby, or SOMETHING!!! :-)

So, here are our family updates that occurred during December.....

Under Raymond's Roof
Kelly & Mario celebrated their one month anniversary!
Bart enjoyed Texas instead of New York this year!
Claire enjoyed some time away from Med School (in Houston)... 'tis more fun to spend time with the fam than Italicwith 45 pound pathophysiology books (I think!)

Robert's Rockin' World
Robert & Beth have crossed the Mason Dixon Line and settled north.
Here is an update from Michael & Steph's brood (Thanks, Steph):
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! Only about 50 more days until Michael comes home from his second tour in Iraq. Kaley, Mari Katherine, Evan, Tink and I are doing well this time around. Kaley and Mari Katherine are enjoying their new Charter School. Both of the girls are active in gymnastics and play the violin, not sure how long the violin will last. Evan, is also very active in well…being Evan, he NEVER stops talking. Michael seems to be thriving as troop commander, but ready to be home. Michael and his troop have helped open village schools, train the Iraqi Army and provide assistance in reducing crime. Michael and some his Soldiers, about 50 of the 105 in his troop, are currently living in a two bedroom house in a village near the JSS . They gutted out the bathrooms to make room for sleeping space but do have port-a potty’s and a shower trailer nearby, although I am not sure how often they use them J. All of our troops received their own Christmas trees and ornaments for the holidays along with care packages and Banners from home. Michael and the 1st Sgt said they grilled hamburgers and hotdogs on Christmas Day for everyone. We all miss you and hope to see everyone around Easter. Love you all!
Seth & Tara are busy preparing their home for Christmas next year. In case you haven't heard, they are hosting the Poche Christmas next year!! ;-)

Richard's Southern Ruckus
We kept Jamie in Chris in our prayers in December as they worked at one of the most dangerous places during the Holiday Season... Wal-Mart & Bass Pro Shop in Baton Rouge!
All is well with David's crew... and Lenelda's family enjoyed (and survived) Christmas with the Poche's at Caney!

In Lisa's Land
Damion interviewed for a position at Northwestern State University in Natchitoches.... keeping our fingers crossed and prayers lifted for him!
Here is an update on Daniel (Thanks Mimi):
Daniel just received word that he will be leaving for Iraq sometime within the next two weeks. It's not the best of news, but he is looking forward to the time that he & Michael might have together over there, before Michael leaves there to come home sometime in February. Daniel's unit is supposed to be replacing Michael's, so they will probably be working together for a short time. Here's hoping that they enjoy a Happy Poche Clan Reunion together even if it is bitter sweet. Let's wish them both a safe & speedy return home.
Tiff is well & dared to bring a "friend" to Caney... and allowed Ryan to ask him questions....enough said. If you were there, you know what I mean!

Lori's Loopy Crew
Butch is dreading the close of deer season. Jessica and David''s youngest celebrated her first birthday on New Year's Even...Happy Birthday, Keaton! Emily passed her exam from the Cooper Institute and is now a Certified Personal Trainer. Ryan is being Ryan, keeping us all entertained and constantly amazed. Crystal is busy with the blog and wishes more people would send in updates...there is no family gathering this month and she is concerned where she will get her info from for January!! (HINT HINT)

On Norris Lane With Leslie
Cameron (Jenny & Corey's daughter) is the new boss!!!!! She is cute as a bug, so if you saw her you would know why!
Lydia's Lucky Photo Club
Gracie & Gabi are still keeping Lydia's memory card full! Trey is hoping to get everything finalizedon his new home....and his personal shopper and decorator (aka Mom) is making sure it is going to be great!

Here is a brief update on Mona & Marvin (Thanks again, Mimi):
One bit of sad news. We heard from Aunt Mona that Uncle Marvin has been in the hospital for about week. This past Saturday he had to have the first joint of one of his toes removed. You know he, like a few other members of our family, has Diabetes. Hope we can offer him our prayers & wishes that he will have a speedy recovery --- & that he will now find watching his diet a little easier.

And last, but definitely not least, here are a few words from the two who are to blame for this crazy crew!! :-)
Mimi & Poppie
Poppie & I would like to thank everyone for the part they played in our having the happiest & most memorable holiday we have had in a long while. Poppie said he would also like to add that it was the easiest for him that he can recall, & he wants to give a special thank you to all that contributed to that ---- especially Lydia. She came the day before the festivities & helped with the cooking & getting everything set up. I think he knows your thoughtfulness & foresight saved him a lot of work. Our only regret is that we didn't get in on some of the emails that we hear were going back & forth. From what we hear they were a blast & obviously they were effective. Your gifts to us were so thoughtful & well chosen & appreciated. We hope that we didn't miss thanking each & every one of you. But, if we did miss anyone, please know that it was because of the sheer number of us that were here that you might have been overlooked. At last count it was between 45 & 50. How lucky we were to get that many of us together at one time--- & in this small house, too! And we can't forget those that couldn't make it that day, but came either before or after. Hope you know you were all in our thoughts--- especially Michael & his family. We were lucky enough to see almost everyone during the Christmas holidays. It was such a special time, & we hope that all of you will have happy memories of our time together. Wasn't it fun watching that old video together again? How many times have we seen it now? We will never tire of watching it & get the impression that most of our grandchildren feel the same, since it was one of you (thank you, Bart) that suggested we watch it again. As much as I enjoy watching the video, I think I enjoy watching the looks on your faces as you see yourselves & realize how uninhibited you were then & how you have grown & changed in 16 years. With no exception each of you have matured & made us so proud of you. We thank God so much for the blessing of our large family & all the happy memories you have given us. We thank you, too, for the way every one pulled together & brought food to make our get-together out here at the lake such a success. As usual, it was all delicious. You all did such a good job of taking the work-load off of us. It was almost like being a guest at our own party. We are so lucky & thank you all for being loving members of the Poche Clan.

Here are a few pics from our December updates:



















Our Soldier Hard at Work in Iraq!


















Cooper sporting his shades (compliments of Mimi & Poppie) on his way home from Caney Lake!
Keaton's homemade birthday cakes! How many 1-yr olds get a LaTech cake? (p.s. Where is the purple & gold...you do live in Louisiana, don't you?)