"My Baby Brother, 

"Kenneth Stephen Harwell!"

AND  

"My "Michael!"

Well, he's not actually mine. He is my brother's son.
He is a miracle.

Allow me to tell you why, from the beginning.

On April 2, 1955,
 mama was 9 months pregnant with "Steve!"
Daddy in the driver's seat, me in the middle, 
mama in the passenger seat. 
Suddenly we were "T boned" by a speeding car,
 at the intersection of Pioneer & Park Drive in Bakersfield.

At "Mercy" Hospital the prognosis was grave for
 my mother and baby Steve. 
Without permission from anyone, 
those sweetie heart nuns,
 rushed Steve to the priest to be baptized.

 Yes, Bubba (Steve) is a "Church of God" Catholic!

 He's never been to mass, but he lived! Mama too!

 You never know what "God," is going to do.

When our parents were missionaries in the Philippines,

 they met a young lady named "Veronica."

 Attending college, in California, and with a bit of nudging, after seeing her picture,

 Steve began corresponding, with "Veronica."

Steve's "Island Baby!"

"Dad" walking "Veronica" down church aisle.

December 13, 1985

Michael Stephen Harwell

Born

June 29, 1989

Our home in Vacaville, California, 

with Mamaw, nephews, niece, grandson, and dogs.

Those were the sweetest Forest Lane days.   

I had only 1 grandchild then

20 years in Vacaville, living on Forest Lane.

We moved to Tennessee.

It's been 32 years old today!
Now you are a grown up!
You are an awesome, tall, dark, & handsome,
  "PREACHER MAN!"

Husband, and Father!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!

"Happy Birthday Caeden!"

"Baby you're a firecracker!"

By, Cheryl Harwell Bailey

I can't believe you are 12 years old!

Before you were born,
 I loved the name your parents chose. "Caeden!"
 It is such a Scottish name.

The day of your birth, 
we realized it was a "God" thing. 
They named you right! 
You had "Red" hair.  

You are my "Grandson!"

You are my "King David!"
 You are my "Prince Harry!" 
(Conner is "Prince William!") 

You are "Caeden Joshua Gerry"

With All Our Love and Prayers,
Grandmother & Grandfather

 "Sea Shells"
by, Cheryl Harwell Bailey

Irish Flat Shells keep the bugs out!

A "Goodwill Store" chandelier is transformed, 
using  sea shells.

Sea shells were the first objects to be utilized as bowls.
 Did you know sea shells can be washed in the dishwasher? Making them perfect in our modern age,
 to use as kitchen gadget's, and unique serving pieces.
 My husband, couldn't believe his eyes, the first time he watched me put Abalone shells in the dishwasher.
 "Where did you learn to do that?"
 My mother taught me to collect shells,
 but I took it to next level.
 It was instinctive.

Abalone shells are awesome bowls,

 dishwasher safe, and beautiful.

 I have many sizes.

 Some from my mother's collection.

Assorted types of sea shells 

make pretty candle holders and oil lamps.

How about "A Bridal Bouquet?" 

Thick and sturdy shells are great scoops.

With my handy glue gun, and sea shells,

 a yard sale mirror becomes a show piece, 

gracing our hallway.

Sea Shells have been handed down

 generation after generation in our family.

 Most of us have fun memories, of "listening" to the ocean, as we put one to our ear, at grandma's house.

 I enjoy displaying them every summer. 

Use shells as planters.

This is one of my favorite

 shell idea's for summer events.

Sea shell summer garland in July,

 where the Christmas evergreen garland hangs in December.

Sea shell "wind chimes" have a distinct ring.

Every mermaid needs a "Crown."

Sea shells are loved by all, 

and wonderful free gifts of nature.

Happy sea shell hunting!

Fred Chancellor Harwell
 "WWI Hero"
by, Cheryl Harwell Bailey

My Grandpa was born on February 15, 1894 in 
"The Cherokee Nation," Indian Territory.
 He attended A&M College, in Oklahoma. 
 On February 25, 1917, 
he and my Grandma, "Nancy," were married in
 "Webber's Falls, Oklahoma.

 That same year, on April 6,1917
the U.S. entered WWI.
 Soon he was on a ship bound for the
 "Argonne" offensive, in France.

Nancy Harwell
"Grandma wearing Grandpa's WWI Uniform."

Grandpa in his WWI Uniform

  

"Grandma gave birth to their first child,
on January 23, 1918. 
Sadly, baby "Mary" died in March. 
"Grandpa" never met his first child. 
Can you imagine learning your baby girl had died,
 while  fighting across the sea, in the trenches of WWI?

Just 6 months later, Grandma received a telegram,
 with the worst possible news.
 On September 26, 1918, "Grandpa" had been 
"killed in action."

First her baby girl, now her brave soldier.
 She anxiously hoped his body would be returned home.
Two months after the memorial service, she was still waiting. 
One beautiful autumn afternoon,
 she was baking and thinking about, how sad this "Thanksgiving Day" would be,
 when she heard the screen door slam.
 She continued to prepare the apple cobbler.
 Suddenly, from behind her, a familiar voice whispered,

 "Nancy," 

as she lost all consciousness.

He was back, not in a "pine box" but from the dead. 
Wounded warrior yes, but very much alive. 
 Such a romantic true story!

They continued to live in "Webber's Falls" area,
 near Muskogee, Oklahoma. 
While there, they had 3 boys and 2 girls.

"Mule Skinner!"

Grandpa drove freight.
 Driving a team of 20 (sometimes more) mules on his own,
 with nothing but a whip and muscle.

With a flick of his wrist,
 the razor sharp whip skinned the hide right off
 any of the stubborn,
 as his team moved in unison as one,
 to accomplish the impossible.
 Having a "Grandpa," with this kind of "fire,"
 makes me feel like I can do anything,
 anytime, anywhere!

They moved "West," to Buckeye, Arizona in 1927.
 Could any town in the U.S.A. sound more "COWBOY?"
"Buckeye!"
 Yes, this is where 5 more boy's were born.
 With a growing family, he put his mechanical knowledge
 and education from A&M to use.
 He started working as head mechanic at 
"Ford Motor Company."

Grandpa & Grandma had 10 Children. 
They buried 2 babies, "Mary," and "Paul."
 Raised 8 healthy, children, 7 boys, 1 girl.   

 They moved to Bakersfield, California in 1940.

Grandpa bought Grandma, a California Country Cottage:

816 Park Drive

Bakersfield, California.

It was "Home to the Harwell's" for more than 40 years.

Orange trees, baby pink climbing roses for

 "Grandma's Cottage."

 Grandpa holding Steve. Grandma holding me.

 Apart from being a mechanic in Bakersfield, he also commuted to San Francisco to work in the shipyards. 

He was a brilliant soldier, cowboy, mechanic, and shipbuilder like his "Viking," forefathers.

Is this where all the "Harwell" redheads come from?

Mr. & Mrs. Fred Chancellor Harwell

10 Children

12 Grandchildren

23 Great Grandchildren

25 Great Great Grandchildren

2 Great Great Great Grandchildren

Grandpa died on February 19,1957.

Grandma died on November 19, 1991,

They were never married to anyone else.

 February  25, 2020,

 Marked 103 years since their Wedding Day.

I love and miss you Grandpa & Grandma!

I will see you on the other side.