Mamaw turns 100!

We have a very special little lady in our family.....she's a mom, grandma, great-grandma, and Griffin's great-great-grandma! To most everyone, she is known as Mamaw. She is one of the sweetest, most genuine, and caring women I know and she's always made me feel very loved. She loves God, working puzzles (over 300 a year!), Tiger Woods (more so before he went off the deep-end), and washing the pots & pans after a big meal (she thinks it's her way of paying rent). Drew has always loved how you can count on her to get every stupid joke he or his brother would tell, by her little smile or laugh when everyone else would be silent. On October 2nd, she turned 100 years old! We have been anticipating this birthday for many years. Maybe because she actually preferred not to make it to this milestone, while we all knew that she would. The day that we lose her will be heartbreaking, but knowing how strong her faith is, and the fact that she can't wait to get to heaven will make it a tiny bit easier.  

I have planned for forever to try and get her on the Today Show with Willard Scott through his centennial birthday/anniversary announcements. Another thing I love about her was her repsonse to a particular question on their form to submit. It was "What is your secret(s) to longevity?" ---- besides the fact that it is up to God, she said "Having the will to take things as they came!" That's good advice, I don't care who you are. What I didn't realize is (apparently they get so many requests) that you should submit your form and picture 6 WEEKS in advance. I did not see that coming.....I'll just expect the letter from Willard that all of the hopefuls get in the mail sometime soon and shoot for 101 next year. 

I quickly found a few old older photos from recent years.........

2011

 

2012

2009

On Wednesday evening we stopped by to see the birthday girl and Griffin got to tuck her in bed:

This weekend we celebrated with a big party including all kinds of extended family. It was nice to meet all of her remaining nieces/nephews and I'm not sure who all. She had a lot of siblings (none of which are alive still) and it was nice that their children and children's children could come wish her a happy birthday. 

Aunt Sherry has a connection to Brad Pitt's
parents, so she surprised her with a signed photo!

the Williams side

a majority of those who attended

it's too bad Sherry had her eyes closed in all 4 shots like this that I took

her great and great-great-grandchildren

interesting tidbit: Annah, kneeling on the right, was
Miss Hawaii 2012!