For Immediate Assistance 24/7 Call 210-661-3991

Delia Balles

delia balles
Delia L. Balles went to be with her Lord on October 9, 2006, at the age of 69. On November 30, 1936, in San Marcos, TX, Delia was the second of seven children born to Gilbert and Susie Lopez. Her parents, two of her sisters, Carmen Mendoza and Betty Lopez, and two brothers, Gilbert Lopez and David Lopez, preceded her in death. Her sisters, Gina Lopez and Mary Saucedo, both currently reside in Austin, TX. Delia met Cipriano C. Balles in July of 1952 and they married on August 8, 1954 in Seguin, TX. They moved to San Antonio after their marriage where they remained to raise their family. They celebrated their 52nd anniversary this year surrounded by their children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Their family includes eight children: Diana Solis and her husband Juan, Robert Balles and his wife Cindy, Betty Salas, Sylvia Nuncio and her husband Hector, Cipriano Balles Jr. and his wife Linda, Eddie Balles and his wife Tammy, all of San Antonio, Thelma Lopez and her husband Mario of Laredo, TX, and Patricia Hassmann and her husband Joe of New Braunfels, TX. 21 grandchildren: Leticia Garcia, John Solis, Jason Solis, Karen Balles, Adrian Nuncio, April Nuncio, Angie Nuncio, Ben Salas, Nancy Salas, Mario Lopez, Jr., Christopher Lopez, Daniel Lopez, Crystal Lopez, Rafael Lopez, Bobby Lopez, Ashley Balles, Aaron Balles, Hadear Shafei, Summer Shafei, Drew Coburn and Jordan Hassmann. 12 great-grandchildren: Danny Garcia, Isaac Garcia, Savanna Mata, Samantha Mata, Andrea Solis, Angel Solis, Andrew Solis, Diamond Nuncio, Antonio Nuncio, Jeannine Fuentes, Tyler Skelton and Kayla Coburn. Delia spent most of her life as a homemaker, raising her children and grandchildren. From 1972 to 1978, she served as a Home Health Aide with Family Services Association of San Antonio, Inc. She received two awards for her outstanding service. She was a founding member of the Dorey Miller PTA in 1970, where she served as President. Delia loved watching football. She especially enjoyed Rogers Middle School and Highlands High School football games. She was honored earlier this year by tossing the coin at the 2nd Annual Highland’s High School Reunion Football Game at Alamo Stadium. She always enjoyed drives through the Texas Hill Country watching the seasons change or looking for wildflowers. She looked forward to her weekly Sunday morning breakfast with her family. Those who love her will always remember her tending to her lovely plants. At our mother’s request, there will be a private memorial service. We would like to express our deepest gratitude to family and friends who share in our loss. We love you Mom, always.

View current weather.

Memories Timeline

Guestbook

  1. Mom, not a moment has gone by that I don’t think of you. You will always be with me. I was Honored to be at your side, and to be your son. May we meet again on the other side. My heart sings of you and is forever filled with the joy of knowning you were my mom. Granny rest in peace and say hi to grand pa and grand ma for me. I’ll have more to say later, once I have had a chance to think a bit more. Love you always Granny…. Eddie (Michael)

  2. Hector & Sylvia, Betty Balles My deepest condolences. My prayers and thoughts are with you and your family. Pete Gutierrez

  3. We could tell Delia loved her family and welcomed us into it with open arms. We were blessed to have been a part of her life. God bless.

  4. Daer Linda, Cip, and Family, Our deepest sympathies to all of you. You are in our thoughts and our prayers. God Bless you. Mary aand Phil

  5. You all have my deepest sympathy, and my strongest condolences. Betty, I am here if you ever need me. You All, are in my prayers, and have been, and will also continue to be. She’s in a place now where she’ll suffer no more, and there’s no better of a place than with Our, Lord & Savior, Jesus Christ, & Our Heavely Father, Almighty God. May God Bless You, All. I know there’s really no words to say to ease the pain, but remember you all are not alone. In Loving Memory of, Mrs. Delia Balles, Again, May God Bless You All, & He is with you, All. Ms. TJ Shelton.

  6. For in the time of trouble he shall me in his pavilion; In the secret plce of his tabenacle he shall hide me; He shall set me high upon a rock. Psalm 27:5 My prayers and thoughts are with in time of sorrow. God Bless each and everyone and may his comfort and peace be with you.

  7. Ciprano and cousins, we are deeply sorry and our thoughts and prayers are with you. Please call us is there is anything we can do during this time or at any time. Sincerly, Larry, Monica, Alejandro, Jaime and Salina

  8. Dear Cip, Linda, and kids, I only met your mother a few times but I’ll never forget when she told me how proud she was of Cip and his family. I am so sorry for your loss and if there is anything I can do don’t hestitate to ask. Love, Selina Puente

  9. Mr. Cip Balles, First of all, I would like to express my sincerest and deepest condolences to you and your family on the passing of your mother. I am sure this is a difficult time, but I also want you to know that I am here to help in whatever way I can. Please remember that I consider you a friend and not just a fellow co-worker, and I care about you. Through personal experience, I can imagine what you may be experiencing. But I also know that you have inner strength that will allow you to make it through this difficult situation. Let the Lord be your guiding light, and although your Mom may not be here with you, I know that she will always be in your heart. Sincerely, Elias Hernandez

  10. I am glad to have had the pleasure of meeting Delia at Eddie’s and Tammy’s wedding. Although we had very little time to get acquainted, I enjoyed talking with her and would have liked knowing her better. My deepest sympathy and love goes to her entire family. Sincerely, Faye Killough

  11. Cip, It sounds like you and your family have some wonderful memories of your mother to sustain you during this difficult time. May you and your family always cherish those memories and continue to plant in her honor. God Bless.

  12. want to send you my condolences from myself ,Roland Pena and many other peolpe from SAA. If you need anything feel free to call.

  13. Love never disappears for death is a non-event. I have merely retired to the room next door. You and I are the same; what we were for each other, we still are. Speak to me as you always have, do not use a different tone, do not be sad. Continue to laugh at what made us laugh. Smile and think of me. Life means what it has always meant. The link is not severed. Why should I be out of your soul if I am out of your sight? I will wait for you, I am not here, but just on the other side of this path. You see, all is well.”

  14. My condolences to you all for your loss. Knowing that someday we will be all reunited again, keeps me going…as I am sure it will help you all through tough times and moments of sadness. You all are in my prayers.

  15. Cip and Linda, My prayers are with you always. I pray that God will strenghten you in your time of sorrow.

  16. To Betty, My Dearest Friend, and the entire family of Delia Balles, Your angel was a blessing to me, and I know your hearts are saddened at her flight to Eternal Life, but know that she is always in your heart and her strength is with and in you. I’ll miss her so very much. Your Spirit Flies Free Fly my friend, fly high to the sky Your Heavenly Father’s hands are open wide The Gates of Heaven He’s opened wide for you Eternal Life, His promise, is now your due Let your spirit run free And your soul be at rest For your heart will forever be With those you love and also with me Take your rest my precious friend Your great work here is complete You gave your all to those you loved Grace and Mercy has placed you in a heavenly seat Adieu, my dear friend, This isn’t the end One day very true Again we will see you. I love you and miss you, but you will forever remain in my heart!! ~©~ Laura Wallace 10/19/06 Dedicated to the Life of My Precious Angel Delia Balles! Take flight and continue to smile upon our hearts.

  17. Mom, Its been two weeks now. I’ve missed you. I go to your website 3-4 times a day to check on you! Love Cip

  18. MeMe, Words can not express how much I miss and love you! I am one of the luckest people on earth to say that you are my grandma! You have helped me, as well as our family so much. Mostly everything I know, came from you. Who else taught me how to make homemade tacos!:-)Six years ago when I came to live here in Texas, you took me in your arms as if I were your own. I really, deeply appreciate that. I am going to miss not seeing you all the time, but I know you are still there for me. For all of us. Every night I prey telling you everything like I always have. I know you are listening. MeMe, not a day goes by that I dont think of you… I will still let you know when Nanny 911 comes on, and tell you if we won our football games. You raised such wonderful people that you will live through for generations. I love you MeMe ALWAYS & FOREVER! Love, Summer (Sky)

  19. Dear Eddie, Tammy and the Entire Balles Family, My thoughts and prayers go out to each of you for your loss. I too was blessed to spend time w/ her during the festivities of Eddie & Tammy’s wedding and she was very kind to me. God bless you all, Robin

  20. Mom – I miss you – I miss not being able to call you, or visit or go to lunch. You sacraficed so much for us and I didn’t always make it easy for you…but you never waivered – Aways strong & proud…Your FAITH, principles, honesty and integrity will be with me forever. I love you Mom & I know your in Heaven – Betty

  21. Meme, I really miss you. I really love you I want you to still be here. The food you made like tacos were really good. You were the only person that was nice to me. You went to all my football games last year. I miss you and I will continue playing football. love Aaron

  22. Hi, Meme, Althought I miss you sometimes I know you’re in a better place. I know these past few months you were in a lot of pain and I’m glad that you’re not anymore. Just knowing that you’re always in my heart makes me feel better. One day I’ll see you again, Love, Ashley

  23. I recently lost a woman that raised me, through actions and her loving guidance, from birth. She showed me how to love others, consider their feelings, to educate myself and others, and to always have pride in myself and know that I am loved. I will miss her greatly, but God needed another angel, and she already has the experience from her years here – guiding and loving all, from her closest family to a person she might be waiting in line with at the grocery store. Everything I did, everything I accomplished in life, I did with her in my mind and in my heart. Love Cip In Loving Memory of MOM 1936-2006

  24. As I sat watching by your bed, A million thought ran through my head. Of just how much were you aware? Did you know that I was there? So that I could tell you just once more, “I love you Mom! “as I had before. And we could talk like days of old, Over the news on CNN And laugh and joke, or just to share some football memories and to talk of the past, or things yet to do. All these dreams now hang in shreds, As I sit here with bowed down head. And ponder on these sad thoughts. Just to wonder, “Was it all for naught? “

  25. “MY MOTHER’S SONG” The silence I hear is not the same to me anymore. My pain is a little bit deeper now, my tears come a little more frequently than they had since before you passed onto the other side. The door that closed between you and I, is but shut for a moment in time. I do not fret over your passing, I remain eternally faithful to your memory. I do not miss you, cause you have not left, but filled me with your love, wisdom, and patience. It is love that sustains me now and forever more, memories of dancing, traveling, eating, and laughing with you. I remain here waiting for you to return, maybe in a dream, or a memory long thought forgotten. When I see a halo around the Moon I will remember, when I hold a child in my arms, I will sing from deep within my heart your song. You have not parted form this place, but merged into the greatness of all things. Eternally, you belong to everything that is remembered, and cared for within the hearts you have touched. I wait here to hold your hand once again, stroke your hair, and continue our dance. E A Balles Oct 17th 2006

  26. Today is your birthday! No place to send you a card.Things are getting better. LOVE Cip,Linda, Ashley,Aaron,and Summer.

  27. Mom.. we got through thansksgiving Thanks to Eddie & Tammy – Cip & Linda & the kids were there – you’d be so proud of everyone – We miss you and wonder why God took you so soon from us – I guess only he knows and it must be for a good reason… The Holidays won’t be the same knowing our mother is not here on earth with us…. I know God does not give us anything we cannot handle…. so we’ll miss you and continue to love you and know that your looking down on us – Merry Christmas MOM

  28. Merry Christmas MOM…as Betty said we miss you and we keep you in our hearts and thoughts. We all wish you could be here in body, but your soul is felt. Love you. Eddie and Tammy

  29. MeMe, It has been almost four months and I still find it hard to realize that you are gone from this life and are in a better place. We miss you very much and the kids still talk about and remember special times that you were there with them. I remember your kindness and the special relationship that we had and I smile. I am lucky too have had you cross my path in life and I pray that you are comforted and no longer in pain. Thank you for your wisdom, kindness, and especially your love. You truly were my second MOM. Love you always, Linda

  30. MOM – LIfe without you seems so different..there is a void that is as big as the sky. GOD sent his angels to take you & still we keep wondering why? The pain in our hearts cant’ be measured and we sometimes dont’ know what to do. That’s when we ask GOD to help us, make it through LIFE without you. I read this and thought about you…I love you Mom – Betty

  31. It’s now been 4 months. I’ve been sick with the flu. Aaron has been sick too! There no safe place to go and get the special care that you gave us when we were sick. This is the only way to talk to you by using the internet.Its funny that everyone has access to a computer but we’re the only ones that write to you. Ashley’s birthday is tommorrow. Linda and I will just take the kids and go to eat somewhere. No reason to have a party. Everyone is doing fine. I LOVE YOU cip

  32. Hi Meme, Ashley participated in her first cheerleader competition in Corpus. Her team won first place in their division. She was really good! You would have been PROUD of her. She looked so beautiful in her cheerleader uniform. You were right, she a born cheerleader.

  33. It’s 5 months today that you left us.Life continues for us but it’s not the same.I have some great news for you. Ashley made the varsity cheerleadering squad. She was very happy. Next year she will be cheering on Friday nights. I wish you could be here to see her. Summer’s dance team got second place in their dance competition in San Marcos. Her birthday is next week. Aaron is doing good in school. Spring break starts this Monday. The base called and told me that I might get promoted to Master sgt. I hope everything goes well, I’ve been waiting a long time to get promoted.That’s all the new for now. We love you and I MISS you! Love Cip and the family.

  34. Today is Summer’s birthday. She is 18 years old today. We are going out to eat with Eddie and Tammy tonight. I got her a digital camera for her present so we can take pictures. Everything is still the same. The grass is starting to grow real fast due the rain we had. Aaron is going good. His birthday will be next.This will be a hard one to celebrate without you being here. I will write again soon and keep you inform. LOVE cip and family

  35. The base called and told me that I my promoted date to Master Sgt. will be effectived May 1. Easter will be here soon. I will decorate your tree with Easter eggs. Your flowers are growing real big. Aaron waters them everyday and Ashley waters your big tree. We love you and I MISS you! Love Cip and the family.

  36. Hi Mom.. Easter is almost here and I can’t believe a year ago you were doing just fine and then GOD took you too soon. Eddie is lighting your candles at St. Jude just like you would want… MOM – thank you for leaving me your 2 angels – Cip & Eddie..they are doing everything you asked them too…but then you already know that. I LOVE & miss you Betty

  37. Mom, it’s Easter today. I just wanted to let you know that we are all doing well and that not a single day goes by that we don’t think about you. Tammy and I are going to spend Easter with Betty and Cip. Granny, I have to say that I would not ever had predicted how things are turning out for us here,but I know that you saw everything unfolding. Everyday with you was a gift to me, Betty and Cip are doing well, the kids too. We all seem to be taking care of one another. I feel blessed that I had you as my Mother…I love you so much, and miss you dearly. Hugs and kisses MOM. God bless us all, and Happy Easter in Heaven. See you later, promise.

  38. HiMeme,Its been six months since you left.Easter was different this year. I had everyone come over. I made rice,beans, and bar-B-Que. The weather was cold but it warmed up so Aaron can have an Easter egg hunt. Your tree still has not bloom with leaves yet. I need your special touch on how to make the tree bloom! Everyone is doing fine. Love and kisses Cip Aaron is typing… happy easter,meme… Bye

  39. Hi Mom, you tree is starting to show its red leaves . The kids are taking the TAKS tests this week. Aaron did real well on the Math test. Everyone is doing fine. I will write when I have more news to share with you. Bye for now! Love cip

  40. Hi,meme I miss you.I made 3 100s in a row on the math taks test.I still go to GT and I made a picture that you would like. LOVE, AARON

  41. Hi Meme, Your tree started to show its leaves. Summer getting ready for Prom. Ashley is fine, just waiting to see if she made a 100 on the reading TAKS test. Aaron has one month left before he goes to middle school. I’ll going to sign him up for football this Wednesday. This will be his third year playing. My promotion is still up in the air,no word yet.Everyone is doing well. No major problems. Bye for now. Will write again soon! Love Cip

  42. Hi Meme, Aaron was pick as Student of the Week. His picture is on a poster at his school. Along with his favorite Food(pizza), Sport( football), hobby( video games)He was given several awards. Bye. Love Cip

  43. Hi Meme, Today makes 7 months since you pasted away. Aaron’s birthday is this Friday. He will be 11 years old! I got him a X-box for his present. He ask me to bake him a chocolate cake. We are going to take him this Firday to play video games. The grass is really growing fast due to all the rain. Mother’s day is this Sunday. I see no reason to celebrate Mother’s Day this year. It will not be the same. Bye for now. Love Cip and Family

  44. Hi Mom.. I cry everytime I read Cip’s notes to you.. It has been storming like crazy… Today is 7 months since you left, but your memory lives on. It will especially hard on Mother’s Day this year…& I just didn’t know what I had until I lost it.. Nancy & Ben are fine Thank GOD and I’m blessed to have had you as long as i did – i love you & Happy Mother’s Day MOM. Betty

  45. Betty and I went to St Jude Today to light our’s and your candle. Needless to say we miss you very much Mom. We have alot of wounderful memories to cherish, and I wish we had time to make more. What time we did have was so special Mom and nothing is done, or accomplished without the thought of you in mind and in our hearts. Your only absent to use in the physical sense but your spirts is always felt around us. We will each celebrate your life and memory this Mothers day in our own way, and the common thread is that we all thank God that we had you as our Mother. So heres to you Mom…Happy Mothers Day! Love always Eddie and Tammy

  46. Hi Meme, Today is Tuesday, Good news,Aaron scored a perfect 100 on the Science TAKS test.That makes two perfect scores of 100 for Math and Science. His graduation is set for the 29th at 1:30 Ashley scored a perfect score of 100 on the TAKS Reading test too! Graduation for Summer is on the 25th. That’s all the news for now. Will write again with updates. Love Cip, linda, and the KIDS.

  47. Hi Mom, tomorrow will make 8 months since you you left us. Everyone is doing fine. I’ll working at the base for the whole month on June. The kids are out of school. Bye for now. LOVE cip

  48. Hi mom, today Ashley left for cheerleader camp at Texas A&M. She will be back on Monday. Aaron is starting to practice on his field goal kicking. I made him a real field goal so he practice in the backyard. Summer has picked her classes for Palo Alto college. I’m still working at the base. Everyone else is doing fine . GOOD NEWS: The Spurs won their fourth championship title last week. Bye for now! Love Cip

  49. HI mom.. we miss you very much and at times it’s very hard to accept you’re gone. today is July 9th and that makes 9 months.. some-one told me the sun still sets and rises.. but it’s never the same. you’ll be happy to know that Eddie is working, so I’ll be lighting your candles at St. Jude today for you on this – your anniversary. Mom.. we miss you very much and keep you close at heart always. Betty

  50. Hi mom, I’m still working at the base. I had a dream about you last night. You took care of business! Everyone is fine. Yesterday makes 9 months since you left. I still think about you everyday. Talk to you later. LOVE cip

  51. Hi Mom, We all went to Flordia. Aaron wanted to go fishing so I took him on a deep sea fishing tour. We were about 20 miles out. He caught a nice red fish, about 3 pounds and 13 inches long. He was very proud. The girls are doing fine. School will start in 3 weeks. Aaron starts football training today. Ashley is going to help with the little girls cheerleaders. she is a student coach. Its keeps raining almost every week. I have 3 weeks left here at the base. bye for now Love ALWAYS, Cip and the kids

  52. Yesterday made 10 months since you left us. We continue to go on. The kids still think about your tacos. Aaron ankles are hurting him alot. The dentist had to remove one tooth yesterday. Ashley is still working on her cheerleadering skills. Summer pass her driving test today, so that means I will have to go a buy her a car this weekend. School will start next week. I have one week left at the base. Bye for for now. Don’t forget I check your website everyday. LOVE cip

  53. Hi Mom…it’s August already.. and HOT-I am walking and taking care of my diabetes..I’ve lit your candles @St. Jude…3 of them..for Eddie, Cip & myslef – We know how much you belived in St.Jude and we continue to ask for his blessings – I will watch Aaron play football for you & support Ashley, Summer and Heidre in whatever they need. Eddie is doing fine.. dont’ worry about him Mom – Love you and Miss you – Keep an eye on US MOM

  54. Hi Mom, tommorrw will be my last day working at the base. Aaron’s ankles are alot better now. Linda and I brought Summer a new car for school.We start school next week.I talked to John last week, he’s going fine. Everyone is going OK here. Bye for now! love Cip and the kids

  55. Granny, I had a dream about you lastnight. It was so clear and it almost felt as if it were real. I woke up in tears, but they were tears of joy. We talked about things, and walked for a spell. Then it was time for me to carry you and place you in bed, yes you were a bit weak but you were very lucide. We talked about life and we got a chance to hug and say “I love you.” I swear I could smell your hair, then I woke to tell Tammy that I got to spend sometime with you. I miss you so much, we all miss you so much. Not a day goes by that you are not in our hearts and minds. Dad was in the dream too, and he had all the doors locked but we got in so you could sleep. Well I guess that’s all I can say right now…Hope all is well in Heaven. Love always, Eddie & Tammy, and Riley (she is our new Pit Bull) You would love her.

  56. Hi Mom, I’m back at school. The kids start school on Monday. Aaron will ride the bus with Ashley. Summer will be driving to Palo Alto college. Aaron and Ashley’s first football games are in two weeks! I wish you could be there to see her cheer. I went to the doctor this morning. I have to do a MRI next week on my knee. Everything else is fine here. bye Love cip

  57. Hi Meme, I got my braces on today. I got green and black. Our first football game is next week. I hope we win. Love, Aaron

  58. Hi Meme, I got my braces on today. I got green and black. Our first football game is next week. I hope we win. Love, Aaron

  59. Hi Meme, On Saturday Aaron made a saving tackle at the 5 yard line. You would’ve jumped from your seat. I was proud of him. Monday was Aaron’s first day at Floresville Middle school. He said everything was ok, he met a friend who came from a different state so they both have something in common, both new students and they have the same class schedule. Aaron said, he wasn’t afraid. Summer was surprise how different college is! Ashley getting ready for her first game this Friday. Everything else is OK for now. I still question God why he took you so soon. Maybe the answer will appear serveral years from now. Bye Love Cip

  60. We lost our first football 13-7 on Saturday. It rained before the game. On Sunday we went to Rockport. Aaron and Ashley fished all day! Aaron caught a 2 pounder and Ashley caught one too! I only caught 5 small ones. Betty was there, she happy with her new boyfriend. I think you would have enjoyed Rockport. Bye for now. LOVE always Cip

  61. Searching for a reasons for Moms death would be as futile as searching for a reason as to why God gives life, and takes it. The question is not without merit though, it shows that you Love and miss her. It proves that She mattered enough to have others question her passing too. But I think we should look at what she has gained by passing onto the other side. She is without the pain she had here with us, by which I mean her illness. She has a new body, one of light that can transcend all matter that is transient. Our Mother is now with God and those she too had lost in her short time here with us. Her smile, and happiness are eternal now, as is her memory of what she has given us, and left us here to recall whenever we choose too. Mom was taken early to abate any further suffering and pain that she endured while still in her earthly body. She is true spirit energy now, a light that shines within us, all of us. She sees us from a place we too will go to when our time is up. Her life was not taken for some punishment, or to off set some Karmic debt owed, but it does hurt those that are guilty of failing to see and appreciate how she was in this life. Those who failed to see her beauty and strength are suffering in their own sell imposed hell, that I am sure of. We cared for our Mother in her time of need, and we continue to care for one another as best we can, Mom is pleased of this I am also sure of. Question God if you must, but once in a while ask him to say hi to Mom, and tell her we Love her and miss her with heavy hearts. There are some wisdoms we cannot come too at this time, but we will all get there in time, we will all know the Mind of God one day. We will see our Mother, sister, aunt, and granny Delia in Gods own good time, till then, we wait patiently in haste. P.S. She saw us fishing and all having a good time, with her in each of our hearts and minds.

  62. Hi Mom, Yesterday was 11 months since you left to be in a better place. The Rockets won on Saturday, the score was 35 to 6. Aaron didn’t make any tackels but he played a good game. I’m writing to you from Austin. I will be here for two days. It’s a teacher workshop. Everyone is fine. Ashley tried out for one of the girls for homecoming. They had to raise money but she didn’t get it. That OK maybe next year. I hope everything in Heaven is just like I think it should be. Enjoy yourself. LOve Cip

  63. The world didn’t stop, it didn’t even slow down for a spell. Life continued on but with one exception, your spirit had entered into a realm beyond this one we inhabit now. What you left behind were hearts that felt broken, many tears, and sorrow we feel might just last our lifetimes. We know instinctively to keep going on because of the people you left us here to love and care for. And we honor that commitment everyday. We call on ourselves to carry on what you started, what you yourself could not finish, for your body became too weak, too quickly. We measure time by the months since your passing and soon we will measure time by years. A year is approaching quickly Mom, and time, well it has not healed the pain of your passing all that much. Strangely enough though we do see you here and there, we see the things that brought you joy, and some that had brought you sorrow. We come together at times to share a dream we had of you, or to simple say we think of you and miss you. I don’t know sometimes how we do it though, how we make it through a day, but then you didn’t raise us to just lay down and give up. To your credit we continue on, and we do so out of our Love, respect, and devotion to our Mothers spirit. A year seems a whole lifetime ago, and it is in some respect. We will remember Mom, each of us has our lifetime of memories of having you as our Mother, Grandmother, and Mother-in-law. Whatever heaven is, or isn’t, we look foreword to a day we will be together again. Till then, from all of us here, much love, much, much love Mom. Eddie Balles 09/16/2007

  64. Hi Mom, on Saturday to rockets lost its second football game. The other team’s kids were a lot bigger than ours. We gave them a good defensive game. Ashley has a new dress for the homecoming dance this Saturday. Homecoming for Floresville is this Friday. Everyone is fine. Both Ashley and Aaron help me cut all the yards I have to do!Bye for now. Will continue to write to everyday. Love Cip.

  65. Hi Mom, today is Friday. Ashley is working hard getting ready for Homecoming tonight. Tomorrow we have another game,hopefully we will win. All the kids are doing fine at school. Love always Cip

  66. Good morning Mom, Ashley’s homecoming was a sucess. Floresville won 41-13 agaist Brack.Saturday night was the homecoming dance. she had on the new dress. She is really growing up!. The rockets won 30-0, Aaron had one good tackle by himself!he played the whole game on defense. Bye for now. Love Cip

  67. Yesterday Aaron got an interception at football practice. He ran about 3 yards before he was tackled. He was very happy about it, SO WAS I. Ashley broke-up with her boyfriend earlier this week. Summer is still dating Nick I guess! Everyone is fine. I will be taking Oct 9th off so I can go see you in San Marcos. Football season is half way over. The rockets football record is 2-2 and Floresville is 4-0 Bye for now Love always, Cip

  68. Hi Mom, on Saturday the Rockets lost 25-0. Not a very good game. Floresville is on 5-0. Everyone came over yesterday. We plan to visit you this Sunday. I still plan to see you next following Tuesday. Oct 9 is coming up fast. It will one year since you left. Everyone is fine and doing well. I will continue to keep you inform about all of us. Bye for now. Love always Cip

  69. Hi mom.. October 9th is when you left to a better place and it’s with a heavy heart that I write you today…but I believe you check in and read these every now and then..as well as looking down on the “Balles” family. When the time comes. I pray that I too will leave this earth with the dignity that you did.. Cip granted your every wish mom.. and not many understood why he did what he did.. he did everything you asked.. he always has. Eddie & I know he had the hardest task before him taking care of your affairs. I was just glad to have played a small part in the end. to have just sat and watched the news with you in silence.. nothing had to be said .. I’ll see you soon – Love you Mom..

  70. Tomorrow will be one year since you left us. Everyone is adjusting to the change. Aaron decorated your tree with Halloween decorations. The rockets won 30-0 against the Yellow jackets. The defense score two touchdowns! I will be there tomorrow so I can talk to you. I think about you everyday. I did everything you told to do, there are some indivduals who don’t understand your wishes. I ran into some roadblocks. I did the best I could! See you soon, Love, Cip

  71. Tomorrow will be one year since your passing. “Rumi” Don’t grieve. Anything you lose comes round in another form. The child weaned from mothers milk now drinks wine and honey mixed. God’s joy moves from unmarked box to unmarked box, from cell to cell. As rainwater, down into flowerbed. As roses, up from ground. Now it looks like a plate of rice and fish, now a cliff covered with vines, now a horse being saddled. It hides within these, till one day it cracks them open. “Walt Whitman” (song of myself) I depart as air…I shake my white locks at the runaway sun, I effuse my flesh in eddies and drift it in lacy jags. I bequeath myself to the dirt to grow from the grass I love, If you want me again look for me under your bootsoles. You will hardly know who I am or what I mean, But I shall be good health to you nevertheless, And filter and fibre your blood. Failing to fetch me at first keep encouraged, Missing me one place search another, I stop some where waiting for you. There are those that believe that you are gone, but I see you in everything you touched and loved. I see you in the backyard mowing your grass and edging your shrubs. I imagine you enjoying a Sunday afternoon football game. I feel your pride at the accomplishments of your cubby and Ashley. I see what your words of encouragements and spirit have done for Summer. I see the consistent devotion your son has for your commitments, and his to you. I see a daughter that continues to grow and learn from you, you made her our greatest connection. You live in my dreams, and sometimes in the flashes of light that dance upon the moving waters of a lake or stream. Your breath is cold in January and hot in August. I know your out there cause you are eternal. I know you are alive cause we are living proof of what love can do. Our devotion has not wavered Mom, nor shall our love for you and the memories we can draw upon. We will see you Tomorrow. Till then goodnight….love you. Eddie and Tammy

  72. Hi Mom, last night the rockets had a football scrimmage. Aaron got one good tackle by himself. Ashley hurt her back during a football game. The doctor wants her to see a specialist next week. You know that Summer likes to dance so I let her go to Cowboys night club with her friends. It was college night. She’s doing well and is following the rules. This weekend is the Peanut Festival, Ashley will be riding on the float for the cheerleaders, We have to be there at 7:00 am so we can help decorate. Everyone is fine. I will continue to keep you inform. Love Alway Cip

  73. Hi Grandma, How have you been? Me fine, im finally a senior. I get to grad. this year I still talk about you and think about you. I wish you were still here. Nothing the same without you. Everything is going good now my grades are good, friends are great,and noe we have 5 dogs, their so cute. My parents anniversary came up. Been married for 23yrs. On the day of their anniversary me and mom went the Rebelde(my favorite band)concert. Its the first concert she took me to. My dad gave my mom a dozen of roses. To celebrate we went to Little Red Barn. Please look down on me beacause sometimes I need a little guidence. Miss you & love you. Love Karen 10-11-07

  74. Good morning Mom, The tailgate party was fun. The rockets lost 24-0 against the Holy Cross knights. Aaron had two good tackles. Our record is 3-4. Ashley’s little cheerleaders had their competition yesterday. I think another boy likes Ashley. The Floresville parade was ok. The Dallas Cowboys were 5-0 but they lost to New England 48-27. Floresville won Friday night, their record is 6-0. The whole town is happy. The girls are doing well in school. Aaron grades are all in the 90’s. Linda’s sister Judy is coming in November for a week to visit. Everyone is well. Love Alway, Cip

  75. Well Mom we gathered on your anniversary, we gathered to remember, to recall our time with you and our time without you. There was a trace of sadness, more for those whom choose to believe that they have been wronged by us in someway. We do not debate their feelings, we just go on with your work in mind. We have our lives to live, and a memory to keep. Our treasure is that we have you here still to keep us together. There are those that believe that things are the way they are because of our acts, they do not know, or understand that is how you wanted it to be. Per your wishes a son had a duty that was not popular, not wanted, nor respected. But that duty was done per your instructions, without fault. There is anger there, there is also self loathing, selfish pride, and all engrossing black ego. We few chose to not live in that mess, we are one with you and without you now. We have our peace of mind and our dignity, who among the others can say that with the conviction I say it here now with? None. Ours is not to shun the others, we actually wait for them to open up and see the stone in their own eye’s. Our doors are open (the phone numbers in the book). If you were here now I know you would set them straight, tell them as only you can, to get their stuff together. Well Granny, for myself and with the help of my sister we have kept your candles lit for a year. From time to time myself, Betty, and Cip will light your candles at St Jude when we can, when we feel a need to talk to you, or just thank God we had you for our Mother, if only for the shortest to time. Bye for now… Love always.

  76. Well mom, on Friday I had to take Summer to the Wilson County hospital. She had a fever and had fell and bump her head on the floor Thursday morning. She was very dizzy and couldn’t walk. The Doctors released her on Saturday. She’s fine and back at school. The Rockets lost thier last game by the score of 30-6. The football players were happy. Ashley got her release to cheer from her doctor. Floreville won again, they are 7-0. Next week they play Harlandale. That’s all the news for now. LOVE Cip and the Kids.

  77. Hi Mom, Ashley’s back is Ok, the doctor wants her to get 4 weeks of OT for her back. With so many girls hurting the highschool teacher decided not to sent them to cheerleader competition in December. Floresville is now 8-0. Everyone is doing well. Bye for now LOVE Alway Cip

  78. Hi Mom, yesterday was Halloween night. Aaron and I dressed up like Jedi knights. I was the Master and he was my young student. Eddie let us barrow his lightsabers. Everyone that saw us said “those lightsabers are real cool” Ashley dressed like a football player. Linda had an ok time. Remember she doesn’t like Halloween because of her parents. Summer went with her boyfriend Nick to the movies. Linda’s sister Judy flys in tomorrow at 2:00. I know that you’re upset because of the situation down here but try not to worry too much because the kids have Eddie, Tammy and Betty to take care of them for you! Will write again soon. LOVE Always Cip

  79. Hi Mom.. well Fall is here and the time is gonna fall back tomorrow – hard to believe a year has gone by. We’ve missed you so much..it’s very hard not being able to call and discuss the news w/ you.. wheather in S.A., the U.S., the country or just the news of what’s going on in our lives.. I take it you know.. A spiritual psychic said you were a very spiritual person and had spoken to GOD many times before you left us.. and we are in GOOD Hands w/ GOD mom.. He is taking care of us and we are at Peace even if the others are not.. She said you are at Peace but very frustrated.. Like Cip said.. try not to worry Mom.. Cip, Eddie & I are fine… I can’t tell you how the others are..but I’m sure you know… Keep warm MOM.. you know how you hate to be cold. I love you

  80. Hi Mom, Floresville won against South San. The score was 27-14, they are now 9-0 one more game to make it a perfect season. The Dallas Cowboys are 7-1,that all news on football. The new Whatburger at Floresville is almost open!. Linda’s sister Judy made it here. We when out to eat with them on Saturday. The kids are fine. Summer and Ashley are growing up real fast. They are becoming beautiful young ladies. BYE for now. Love always CIP

  81. Today is November 9th. the thirteenth month since you left us to be in a better place. We understand why you left and we do not feel guilty by your actions. On to family news,Aaron decorated your tree for Thanksgiving. Floresville plays to night. Highlands only won 1 game this season. They have a new coach and system. Linda’s sister Judy left this morning to visit Aunt Clara for a week. Everything went well except Hedear and Judy had a disagreement. The girls are going fine. Linda and I will have our surgeries the week of Thanksgiving. It might be easier to go somewhere and eat turkey. I wish you could be here to make some of your turkey gravy. Will write to you on Monday and let you know about the playoff. LOVE Always CIP

  82. Well Mom, Floresville lost their last game. Their perfect season gone but they did win the district title and will play Port Lavaca Friday night at Corpus. It reminded me when we lost our last game against Sam Houston. Our perfect season was gone and no playoff game for us. The cowboys beat the NY giants on Sunday.Everyone is doing well.Will write again when I have some news for you. LOVE always Cip

  83. Well Mom I have a lot of news this week. First Floresville lost thier bi-district game. The cowboys won on Thanksgiving Day, next week they play Green Bay which should be a good game because both teams are 10-1. Aaron got his lower braces on and Linda and myself are recovering well. Ashley will leave next week to Florida with the Rockets cheerleaders. She is on of the coaches for that team. The news is this: Your house caught fire on Friday. The fire dept. said it was totaled. The garage,Dad’s bedroom,the kitchen, washroom, and part of the living room were burned. Your two bedrooms were not touch by the flames. The fire was started by the Bar-B-Que pit. Someone forgot to check to see if the fire was completely out. I think they want to rebuild the house and make it smaller. Love Always Cip.

  84. Hi Mom..you already know you house burnt down.. I can hear you telling Dad today… your gonna burn the house down..pans burning on the stove, cigarettes or the B-Que pit…you were always right mom….The house was so cold.. guess it needed some warmth huh..You always know when and what to do – I’m sorry you have to deal with all this but I knew you’d take care of things..Please keep on watching over Cip, Eddie and myself.. of course Linda & the kids too…. Drew too. He’s trying mom but he’s got so much growing up to do.. Dad is staying with Cindy but you know this already.. Hopefully in the near future we can ALL rest at peace… OH mom.. Cip cooked a turkey feast just like you..It was real nice and peaceful at his house on Thankgiving..Eddie made it to and from Armarillo safely.. Thanks MOM for seeing to this.

  85. MeMe, Well it has been awhile since I wrote to you. Life is moving along so fast and it is hard to think that you have been gone as long as you have. We all really miss you, your cooking and yes your advice. We know that you are now an angel looking over the ones that you love and care about. The kids really miss you. All of their memories of you are precious. Aaron put his football picture by your picture on the piano. Ashley and summer have pictures of you up in their rooms and they talk about missing you. Please know that we love you and you are missed alot. I will write again soon. Take care of your angel wings they are beautiful. Love you, Linda

  86. Well Mom, today is your birthday, you would have been 71 years old. We met last night and talked about all the things you did for us. The cowboys beat the packers last night 37-27. they are now 11-1 for the season. Betty, Eddie, and Tammy are doing well. She keeps Eddie in line. Tammy’s parents are planning a trip to SA for Christmas. I know that you are feeling better in heaven now. Don’t worry I will continue to write to you every week. Love Always Cip

  87. Happy birthday Mom, we all met at Little Red Barn to celebrate your special day. I have to say, though we still morn your passing, we did manage to have a good time. We gave thanks before our meal, we thank God for the time we had with you here, and that we had you as our Mom. There is still a profound emptiness that we do not deny, but we tend to our lives, and the journeys you have started for us, and yes we tend to keeping your memory alive and well. Yesterday we were allowed back in your home to retrieve what was rightfully ours, much had been taken by those that feed on their regrets, self loathing, and guilt. The Worms have feasted upon empty souls and still they hunger. They still do not see the stone in their eyes, but meek we have remained. We wait for our own calling, and a great reuniting that we know will come to us in our own time. The Worms, they feast and remain blind to what they feel they hunger for. I say to them, eat what you must, but hungry you shall stay till you feast no more on the empty troughs filled with denial. A few of us have risen higher than the others, we see purpose in life and in the ones we hold dear. We have the best of what you gave to us, and we use that gift everyday. Thank you Mom. We have seen you set thing right in your own way, the evidence is incontrovertible, there are things that just can’t be burnt. We see others in denial, and continue to live in denial of their own transgressions. You alone have brought a judgment to those whom crossed you. It is evident that our hearts are at peace, and yet we see those whom scramble for cover and question why? We stand unmoved in our faith, and yet we see the so called faithful tremble. We hear them ask, how do we feel about this judgment? And we feel secure that we have not wrong a soul to be judged by. We have a mighty love in you, yet we see a full cauldron of doubt in those transgressors. Again we give thanks, and we praise our wise Mother. Your insights were deep and revealing, looking back we see what great insight and purpose you possessed. We wait for final closure to all this, we wait and we prey. We strive to do honor in your memory. Again Mom, Happy Birthday. Love always, Eddie, Tammy and little Riley

  88. Good morning mom, today is Dec 5th. yesterday Aaron decorated your tree with Christmas bells and I placed the different color lights around the front yard. The Christmas tree is up. We went with the gold theme this year.Ashley will be back from Flordia on Thursday, the cheerleaders took 8th place out of 16 teams. We have just two weeks left before school is out for Christmas. I wish we can get together to make some tamales!Take care Love Always, Cip

  89. Hello Mom, today is my official birthday date but we all know that I was born tomorrow, so I celebrity for two days! The weather is changing from day to day. Some days it is cold and other days warm. The trees are changing colors. My birthday is not the same but I understand the reasons why you were taken from us. The other day I made chicken soup, everyone said it tasted pretty good. The kids have most of their presents under the tree. Aaron wants video games and the girls want clothes. I miss you, Love always Cip

  90. Hi Mom, sorry that I haven’t written within the last ten days, my computer at school set up a blocking scan on different websites. I hope it will be corrected soon. Today is Christmas day. The kids got all their gifts. Aaron got a fishing rod, Ashley got her little dog, and Summer got clothes and money. Everyone is doing fine. We all met at Eddie’s and Tammy to eat Turkey. Tammy’s parents are here to spend Christmas with her. Betty is fine and still working alot!. The Cowboys are 12-2. They are in playoffs but New England is 14-0. I think Green Bay or Dallas will play New England in the Super bowl. I feel feel an empty space in my heart during the holidays but I understand that life continues on. That all the news I have for now. Love always Cip.

  91. Hi Mom, sorry that I haven’t written within the last ten days, my computer at school set up a blocking scan on different websites. I hope it will be corrected soon. Today is Christmas day. The kids got all their gifts. Aaron got a fishing rod, Ashley got her little dog, and Summer got clothes and money. Everyone is doing fine. We all met at Eddie’s and Tammy to eat Turkey. Tammy’s parents are here to spend Christmas with her. Betty is fine and still working alot!. The Cowboys are 12-2. They are in playoffs but New England is 14-0. I think Green Bay or Dallas will play New England in the Super bowl. I feel feel an empty space in my heart during the holidays but I understand that life continues on. That all the news I have for now. Love always Cip.

  92. MeMe, Merry Christmas. Today is a beautiful day. It seems like spring. We are together and enjoying each other. Tammy’s parents are here. We miss you and still wish that you were here to share in the joy although we know that you are with the angels in heaven and are looking down on us and enjoying this Christmas day as well. Love you, Linda

  93. Merry Christmas Granny, I know that where you are is a far better place than where you left us here. We all wait for the day when we will see you again and in much better health. We miss you and our hearts still ach with the empty space you left behind. We work together to help one another to get on with our lives. I know I speak for everyone when I say that not a moment or day goes by that we do not thank God we had you as our Mother, and Grandmother (mimi). The kids are growing up too fast, but in a good way. I know you can see them and us from where you are now. Mom my heart really hurts right now, there are tears in my eyes but I am only sad cause I can’t talk to you and hug you. I have nothing but the best memories of everything that was right with us. All is as well as can be expected and that is good enough for us. We still know you set things right the day after Thanksgiving, there are those that are in denial but it is so clear to us. Betty got a picture of you in your wedding dress, it was a Christmas gift from Cip and Linda. It was so very nice to have it here and to have you here for the Holiday. God bless you and all whom love and respect you. Be well and happy for us, we love you. Love always Eddie, Tammy, and Riley

  94. Hi Mom.. Cip wrote you this; his computer is still on the brink. Hi Mom – Everyone is doing well. The Cowboys are in the playoff. They will play the Giants this weekend. The New Year Holiday was fine. Everyone showed up to celebrate. I’m glad that the Holidays are over. Ashley is getting ready for her cheerleader competition in Febuary. Aaron is doing well in school. Bye for now. LOVE Always.. CIP

  95. Hi mom.. I hadnt’ written in a while… I’m just glad the Holidays are over like Cip Mom… especially now that you’re not here. But Linda Balles said something profound at Christmas time while we were opening presents at Eddie’s house.. that we are starting a tradition. I think you will be proud of her and agree with Linda. It felt good to have those who loved you and honored your memory together during the Holidays. Ashely & Aaron are getting older Mom..I know you see us from above but we miss your presence here on earth..Nancy & Ben are OK Mom.. you know them.. still trying to make their way in this world. I’m still working lots..but I’m happier than I’ve been in years.. you told me I will meet someone before you left Mom.. I did and I think you would approve. I’ll keep you posted as always.. I Love you Mom..

  96. I am struck by a line in a song that I know. “When one door closes another one opens.” We have seen a door close, we have seen God take you in his arms, and carry you away, far from our reach. We are not bitter at our loss. I know Mom that there were times at hospice that I prayed for your passing, to save you from further suffering, to save you some dignity, there was no time to be selfish, no time to be weak. God knows I would have traded places with you in a heart beat, any of us would have, I guess that is why you chose us. It was heart breaking watching you lying there not in your own bed, in your own house, surrounded by the things you knew and loved. I also have to say that of those you entrusted to do the right thing, we did, as best we could. It was hard to see you slip away from us, and we cared enough to know that we needed help in helping you leave. Saying goodbye is never easy, saying goodbye to you was heartbreaking. We did good though. I think, actually I know that you are proud of us. We continue to care for one another. We continue to do right by you Mom. Many doors have closed since you left us and there have been many doors open to us and the possibility that we can go on. We are always mindful of you, your memory, your beauty. Our days do have grey in them at times, but never for very long. We carry on with your courage in our hearts and your memories in mind. Saying goodbye was hard, heartbreaking, but with the promise of seeing you again one day it should make all our pains fade away with tears of joy. We are reminded that there is a heaven were you exist, and that one day we will all be together there, till then we love you and miss you. Love you always, Eddie, Tammy and Riley Balles an the rest of the clan;)

  97. Hi mom, Sorry about my computer problems. Aaron and I are at a place where my computer can find you on the internet. I have some sad news for you. Your sister Gina past away this week. I know that you were there to guide her up to heaven. Nothing has been done to the house. I guess Dad is waiting on the city. We have all been sick lately. Aaron was the last one to feel ill. He seem find today and he is eating again. The cowboys lost to Green bay in the divisional playoffs. The Superbowl is on Feb.3. The New York Gaints will be playing New England. Next week we have to go to San Marcos to see Ashley at a cheerleader competition. Aaron is about to start writing to you. Hi meme, I passedall my 9 weeks tests. I miss you very much and I still pray for you every night. School is fine, but I missed the bus last week so daddy had to come get me. Bye for now LOVE always Aaron…. Well mom I how have a new place to keep writing to you! Love ALWAYS CIP

  98. Hi Mom, the weather was cold earlier this week but today it’s nice and warm here. Everyone is fine, We have to go to San Marcos for Ashley’s cheerleader camp on Sunday. Next week is the Super Bowl. I still go to the gym after school. I’m trying to stay health for me and the kids. Well bye for now. I will continue to write to you always. With LOVE CIP

  99. Hi MeMe! I know it has been forever long since I have dropped a couple lines. I am doing wonderful. My couldnt get any better. I have nothing to complain about. Uncle Cip and Aunt Linda are taking care of me well. You were right about everything. All those conversations we would have on saturdays…:-) I miss you so much! I just got my first lap top today, so now I can write you more often. I love you ever so much!!! -Summer

  100. Hi Mom, Well another week has past by. The cheerleaders got 4th place in the small varsity level division. Ashley was able to do some flips and turns. San Marcos is really growing!. Everyone is fine here. I know that you are keeping an eye on the indivduals that took your advice to heart. Aaron will decorate your tree for Valintine’s Day. Next week we will travel to Houston to see Ashley and the cheerleaders perform in the National Cheerleaders competition. Bye for now, I love you! ALWAYS, Cip

  101. Hi Mom, It was an upset! The New York Giants beat the New Enland Patriots in the Super Bowl. The score was 17 to 14. The game was slow, it got excited in the fourth quarter. We leave for Houston in the morning to see Ashley and the cheerlearders perform. Ashley left today on the school bus. She has a new boy friend, his name is Mando. He seem nice. Aaron had to build a float for school. It was a project for his Lanuage Arts class. No news on your house. Bye for now, with LOVE ALWAYS Cip

  102. Hi Mom, I’m writing from my computer at school, I hope that my computer problems are fixed! Everyone is fine. Ashley has a new boyfriend, Summer has the same one. Aaron went to the Valentine’s Dance at school. He decided himself that he wanted to go. There were plenty of flowers around the house this year. Floresville High school is building a new football staduim and should be ready for next season. I told Aaron that he can play in a new staduim if he plays 7th grade football. I miss you alot! I still think about you everyday,but I know that life continues on. I’m scheduled to take the principal’s test on April 19, I hope I pass it. Bye for now. Love Always, CIP

  103. Good morning Mom, today I feel a little sick I think I got the cold from Aaron. He was sick on Sunday but he’s better now.Everyone is fine. The weather is nice and warm here. I think spring will be here early and that meaning I will have to start cutting grass soon. I know your watching over us! Take care, Love Always CIP

  104. Well Mom, I had a bad case of the flu. I was out for four days! I’m feeling better but my chest still hurts a little. Everyone is fine. I passed by your old house,its still has plywood coving the windows. I don’t know what their plans are. The TAKS test will start next week. Bye for now! love always CIP

  105. Hi mom.. it’s been a while since I’ve written..I do think about you all the time – I think you would enjoy the political air right now.. Texas is right smack in the middle of it.. I can see you watching the news and knowing everything there is to know about these 2 canidates. I miss your wisdom mom. I Thank you everyday for the blessings in my life and can’t help to think you have somthing to do with them..LIfe is good for us.. eddie, me & cip. you are the only missing link. Life is very sad for the others mom.. but I know you tried your best to steer everyone in the right direction.. I’m so happy it wasnt’ too late for me.. you told me I would be happy and I am MOM..I truly am..I only wished I would have listen sooner..but I’m glad I finally did. THANK you for EVERYTHING.. Be at Peace mom.. You have so much love here on earth and we all miss you so very much.. I’ll talk to you soon.. betty

  106. Hi Mom, Yesterday I received a letter from the military stating that I can offically retire from the Air Force with 20 years of service. It seem just like it was just a year ago that I was writing letters to you from Basic Training at Lackland. I have traveled and experienced many different counties and cultures and have met many new friends along the way. This summer will be my last days working at the base. Its time to hang up my uniform and fine something different to do in my life. I know that you would be proud of me for my service to the country. I know that you read your emails everyday. I miss you everyday!!!! Love Alway Cip

  107. Hi Mom, Today we had to administer the TAKS reading test. I hate these days because it so boring in class. Ashley had to take the writing section today too! All 10th graders must take the writing section. Aaron will take the reading section next month. I’ll be working at the base during Spring Break and I will start my paperwork for retirement. I can’t justify any reason(s) to stay longer. Summer is still at school and is doing great. Everyone is doing well. Easter will be early this year. I will get Aaron to decorate your tree with Easter eggs for you!. Love Always Cip

  108. It’s been a while since I have written you here Mom. Things are going well with us all. I have plans to rent a house for the Memorial Day, and Fourth of July weekends, so that we can all get together and have a bit of fun, and rest. Aaron loves to fish, and Santa got him a new fishing rod for Christmas. I know you see us all together and are proud and happy for us. I can’t tell you how crazy it is that none of the others ever writes you here. I just don’t understand them Mom. They must have such dark and lonely hearts. Tammy is doing well at her work and I am still working for the State. Things could always be better, but I feel, and I think we are all blessed. It is good to see the blessing that we have, and see that we still have one another to remember you and continue to carry on all that you had started in your young life. I can see you with wings of gold and silver. What heaven must be like? There is no pain there, and I think ours is lessened knowing you have family there. God took you from us way too soon, but it was a plan that we cannot see that is working here. It’s hard to understand the reality, and the hand of God at work. In one sense, I get to chat with you whenever I want too, without busy signals or call waiting. I rest easier now knowing your in no pain, that you can walk or fly wherever you want to go, any time, day or night. I miss you so much it hurts, but it only last until I remember that you are in a far better place. Love is our bridge to you now, dreams, hope, and a wish that we will all be together again one day. Well I have some work to do here at the house, I will talk you soon, actually I never really stop talking to you, but then you already knew that. I miss our times watching the news together, I miss a lot of things and I guess you know that too. I Love you Mom. Nothing good ever dies, your body just got more tired than your love for us. If you could of, we know you would have stayed. All the love from us Eddie, Tammy and Riley Balles

  109. Well mom this is the news I have for you today! Ashley got a letter from the cheerleader sponsor. It stated that she could not try-out for the cheerleader squad next year because she has to many adsentences. She was upset all weekend long. This morning Linda and I went to talk to the vice principal at Floresville HS. She was able to fix the problem with Ashley, so she will be able to try-out next week. One more problem solved. bye for now. Love always Cip

  110. Hi Mom, spring break starts on Monday. Aaron is happy because he doesn’t have to go to school. Ashley starts cheerleader try-out next Tuesday after spring break. Summer is going to the coast with her friends this weekend. I will be working at the base all week and linda will do nothing. Take care, Love Always Cip

  111. Hi Mom, today is Easter Sunday. Linda and the kids went to church. I filled out my retirement papers and my date of retirement is Sept.18. We are at Eddie’s and Tammy home. The kids are getting too old for an easter egg hunt. Easter is not the same without you being here,its just another Sunday for me. Everyone is fine here. Ashley will start try-outs on Tuesday. Bye for now! Have a happy Easter with your sisters, father, mother and God himself. Love Always Cip

  112. Hi Mom, today is the school carnival. I will be operating the Jail House. I built a new one this week. Ashly’s cheerleader try-outs are today. She is trying out for captain or co-captain at the varsity level. I will let you know if she gets the job. I know that she will make varsity again. Next year she will be in the 11th grade, I remember when she was just a baby. Floresville will have a new football stadium soon. I know that you wanted to see her cheer on Friday nights. She’s good at it! You would have been proud of Fussy! Aaron is fine and is still playing his videos games. Next year Aaron will be the 7th grade and will start playing football at the middle school level. Bye for now, LOVE Always Cip

  113. Great news mom, Ashley made the varsity cheerleading team again for the next school year and she also made Co-Captain, she will only be a junior! Ashley was so proud of her accomplishment that she cried after she founded out. As one of the captains she will have to decide what the new uniforms will look like for next year. That’s all the news I have for now. Love Always Cip

  114. Great news mom, Ashley made the varsity cheerleading team again for the next school year and she also made Co-Captain, she will only be a junior! Ashley was so proud of her accomplishment that she cried after she founded out. As one of the captains she will have to decide what the new uniforms will look like for next year. That’s all the news I have for now. Love Always Cip

  115. Great news mom, Ashley made the varsity cheerleading team again for the next school year and she also made Co-Captain, she will only be a junior! Ashley was so proud of her accomplishment that she cried after she founded out. As one of the captains she will have to decide what the new uniforms will look like for next year. That’s all the news I have for now. Love Always Cip

  116. Well mom, another week as gone by, next week is April 9th. It will be one and half years since you left us but time is starting to heal us! Ashley broke-up with her boyfriend. Aaron and Summer are fine. Next week I start a busy week due to TAKS. I received my retirement certificate this week. My official Date of retirement will be Sept. 18, 2008. Linda and I have been going to the gym since December. I go Monday- Friday and on Sundays. So far I have lost 12 pounds. I’m tring to stay healthly! That all the news I have for you now. Love Always CIP

  117. Nearing the journeys end, I wait for a sign. I wait for the dawn to penetrate the darkness and light a path to you. Stopping here, I linger a while, gathering a few precious memories I had found in the last fleeting moments of the morn. I have been dreaming. You were gone, but then I can hear the fluttering of wings and once again I am with you in flight. But I have to stay here, and you have to go. I am sad, but there is an inner peace that overcomes my grief. Your flight is your own, my journey my own, and never shall the two meet. Light is breaking now, and the tears that are rolling down are both born of sorrow and joy. You have not gone away from us, your as real now as the sun which penetrates the window and warms my skin. In oceans of memories, I drown myself in what was once, and what might have the promise to be again. Though your arms cannot embrace me, I still feel the firmness of your clasp. God has taken you, He alone knows what is, and what will be. Absent of this knowledge, I can only scream for the eternal moment. I am haunted by all that has been these last few months. You are free now of a body surrounded by the pains of a physical life. Reborn are you now, nothing holds, or bounds you to the pain that was once yours alone. There is a newness to this life, a lesson passed on to us, we did not ask for it, but you taught it to us. In your death you have shown us what it’s worth to have dignity and courage. The sign I was waiting for had been there the whole time. Dawn is lighting the way, we either choose to see it, or close our eyes to the truth. Heaven has you now. And heaven knows your heart, as do we. A tree grows for you, and it will stand tall and watchful in your absence. What is planted with love can never fail. We watch the others fester in their ignorance, we pray for them cause that is what you would do. Your lessons will never end, the signs are everywhere. E A Balles April 07/2008

  118. Hi Mom.. I can’t believe I turned 50yrs old.. you passed on to be with your Lord on the 9th day of the month and I know you’re still with us in spirit. We are doing well mom. I visited tammy in Laredo on Easter & like Cip said..Easter just wasnt’ the same w/out you..but I do remember we had a good Easter before you went home.. I showed Tammy the pic w/ the Mariachi’s.. I was surprised on how well she is doing.. 5 of her 6 kids are in college..and they are all so respectful and kind. Nancy & I are going to church on Wednesday nights.. she’s trying hard mom. Ben is still lost but so was I for the longest time. I miss having lunch with you mom or just calling you..Sometimes the pain is unbearable… I imagine the pain for Cip & Eddie 10x’s worse – they were so used to you being here. I guess we thought/hoped you always would be. You left us behind to honor your wishes and your memory.. Until we see you in Heaven Mom.. Love – betty

  119. Hi Mom, last week was all TAKS,I’m glad is over for now! Everyone is fine and doing well. Ashley is busy with her cheerleader stuff,Aaron is practicing his field gold kicking, and Summer just works and spending her time with Nick, her boyfriend. Linda and I will take our principal’s test this Saturday. Last Friday we celebrated Betty and Eddie’s birthdays at Big Lou’s Pizza. I haven’t talk to dad in over a year now,I guess he’s doing OK. That all news for now. Love Always Cip

  120. Hi Mom, just a little news, Ashley was ask to attend the prom this year so Linda and her will have to go shopping for a new dress. The septic tank had to be pumped out and I will have do some plumbing repairs soon. I built a kicking area made out of astro-turf near your tree so you can see Aaron practice his kicking. You know that you have over 125 messages on your website and these messages come from only three people. I guess the others are too busy to write to you! I will write again soon, Love Always Cip

  121. Hi Mom, Just a little news today. Ashley brought a yellow color dress for the prom. Linda and I took our principal’s test on Saturday, now it’s a waiting game to find out our scores. The spurs are in the playoffs and they won the first game against the Suns. Everyone is fine and doing well. Love Always Cip

  122. Hi mom, I have a lot of news today, First the septic tank. I will be adding 20 extra feet of drainage line. Aaron and I have been working on this project for two weeks now. Second the AC unit is giving me trouble. This week I will be testing again. On to sports, the Spurs are leading 3 games to 1 against the Suns. Fiesta is over, we took the kids to the King William parade with Tammy and Eddie. Everyone is doing fine here. Will write again soon. Love Always Cip

  123. Hi Mom, this Sunday will be Mother’s day ( May 11th)Mother’s Day is not the same. Aaron’s birthday is also on Sunday. He will be 12 years old. Aaron and Ashley finshed thier TAKS tests. Linda and I are still waiting for our test results. The spetic tank is fix now. Still working on the AC unit. Not too much rain here. The grass is not growing due to the lack of rain. Everyone is fine. This Saturday I have to take Aaron to Floresville HS for his physical to play football. Ashley has a cheerleader workshop. Linda and I plan to visit Fort Sam and then go to San Marcos to see you. I will write again soon. Love Always Cip

  124. Hello Meme, Summer had her prom this Saturday. She had your bracelet on. She was beautiful in her prom dress. Ashley had her cheerleaders dinner on Sunday, Linda had to take her to that function. I had to take Summer and Aaron to church because they had cake and punch for the seniors that attent church.She got a bible with her name on it and graduation cards from the people from church. The spurs are in the playoff. Lst week of school. bye for now love cip

  125. Hello Meme, Summer had her prom this Saturday. She had your bracelet on. She was beautiful in her prom dress. Ashley had her cheerleaders dinner on Sunday, Linda had to take her to that function. I had to take Summer and Aaron to church because they had cake and punch for the seniors that attent church.She got a bible with her name on it and graduation cards from the people from church. The spurs are in the playoff. Lst week of school. bye for now love cip

  126. Hi Mom, other week has gone by, Ashley fell and this time she hurt her toe. The doctor said,she had a hairline fracture and told her to use plenty of ice on it. The prom is set for this Saturday. Aaron turn 12 on Mother’s Day. We took him to play videos and brought him some video games. I made a chocolate cake for his birthday. I wished that you could have been here to see him grow up! School will be out soon for us. The kids get out on May 31 and Linda and I will get out on June 5. Ashly will leave for cheerleader camp in June and Aaron wants to attend a football camp in Floresville the first week of June. Summer plans to take off the first summer session from college off. Hadear is attending UTSA now. That’s all the news I have for now. Will write soon, Love Always Cip

  127. Hi Mom..Mothers day was hard this year… knowing you were not going to be here in the physical was heartbreaking. As a mother I know why you’re so proud of Cip & eddie mom.. They are what lamberto calls Noble. You would have loved the cake cip made for Aaron’s b’day.. it was delicious. Aaron is a very lucky little boy. I know you’re lookin down on us from Heaven Mom. You were taken much too young – and too soon. We miss you so much Mom… Nancy is doing so much better.. Ben is doing OK too.. I can’t complain. Life is good and you left me with so much to be grateful for. I wish you could have stayed longer … I know you wish that too.. Love Betty

  128. Hi mom, the prom is over. Ashley said that she had a good time and she also danced almost every song. The Spurs beat New Orleans in a game 7 playoff. They will play LA for the western conf title. Everyone is fine and we are getting ready for Aaron’s fishing trip to Rockport this Saturday. He said that he enjoys fishing and he can’t wait to use his own fishing rod now. Summer broke up with her boyfriend again! Highschool graduations are coming up soon, I don’t know if Karen will graduate from East Central. Well that’s all news for now. Will write again soon, Love Always Cip

  129. Hi Mom, the fishing trip was a success. Aaron caught the biggest fish,it was 20 inches long. Eddie said that it was his rod that Aaron used to catch the biggest fish and he should get the credit! Everyone had a good time. Tammy’s aunt, Robin joined us this time. All the girls try fishing. Ashley had several fish that got away. Summer only had some bites. Overall its was a goog trip. We are planning another fishing trip for the 4th of July at Rockport. Betty made everyone breakfast on Sunday. Will write again soon, Love Always Cip

  130. Hi Mom, good news! Aaron and Ashley’s TAKS scores came in. Aaron got commended performance in Math and Reading and Ashley got commended performance in Social Studies and passed the reading, math, and science tests. Commended performance means that a student scored higher than a 97 on a test. Everyone is fine. Will write again soon , Love Always Cip

  131. I have seen the worms, I have seen their empty and hollowed peace. They have forgotten your spirit mother, and they have forgotten who it was that had given them their start. I do not have pity, but contempt for them now, they believe the wall of lies they have built, they believe things we cannot fathom. Their silence makes them guilty and their treason against your memory is smeared in the shame of their ignorance. The light they failed to see, was the one you tried to pass on to them in your final days, and hours. Low are they, that do not see the stone in their eye’s. What chance do they have to reconcile, to beg for forgiveness of their short sightedness. If it is ignorance that blinds them, why do they not drink of the knowledge of your beauty and spirit. The goodness of your spirit spills over into this life still. It must be known only in heaven why the worms feast on their empty souls. Heaven must know the answer, must know the worms heart. Shame on them that have forsaken you, shame on them for forgetting your teachings, your strength, your beauty. I have seen the worms, felt their hate, and heard the fear they now have. We, who have stood side by side fear no evil, we are protected by our Mother’s love, and your spirit. Your council Mom, we continue to seek, your devotion we continue to honor, your memory we continue to renew. It is not just our faith that carries us, its our reliance on our Mothers teachings, on knowing that she knew more than what was given credit for. Maybe, that is why the worms are the way they are, maybe that is why they are immersed in shame and loathing. No matter, let them stay in the silence, in the darkness, we few shall remain in the light. I pity you worms, how you live in your glass houses. We live in homes filled with love, and peace, as our mother taught us to do, and strive for. You worms do no honor to our Mothers’ legacy, you only shame yourselves. Why do you continue to live this way, why do you not accept the truth, accept the immutable, accept your Mothers’ grace. Years shall pass, and the time will not be recycled, we are only here for a short time, waste it if you will, but the cost is not to be measured in what was owed, but what was never gained, and ultimately in what was lost to you. For now, we fish together, we love, we drink, and we make merry, and we live within the beauty of our Mothers dear memories. We live very richly, and in peace. E A Balles 06/01/2008

  132. Hi Meme it`s me,Aaron.On Monday, I started football camp.It is really fun.School ended for Ashley and me last Friday.That is all I have to say.Love, Aaron

  133. Hi Mom, today is the last day of school for Linda and myself. I start working at the base on Monday and Ashley will go to Texas A&M for her cheerleader camp. I got the AC working again, it cost me $2000.00 to fix. Then we had to buy a new dryer and washer. I hope nothing else will break! I will write from the base the next time I write to you. Love Always Cip.

  134. Hi mom, I just started my second week here at the base. I have just 9 days to go until I’m finish with my military career!. Ashley and Aaron when to church camp on Sunday. They will be there for a whole week, Aaron was not afraid to go. Summer started a new job last week. Father Day was yesterday, it was OK. I made steak for linda and myself, nothing special. Everyone is fine and doing well. Will write again soon, Love Always Cip

  135. Hi mom, the kids got back from camp on Saturday, Aaron said that he had a fun time. All the boys in his cabin played jokes on one another. He said the food was good and he plans to return next year!. Ashley said that she also had a good time. Her main concern was meeting boys. she did talk to one boy and got his phone number.This is my last week working at the base. I have only 4 days to go! That all the news I have for now. Love Always Cip

  136. Hi mom, today is my last day at the base. I’m completing my paperwork to leave. It will be different not coming to the base anymore but I’m ready to retire now. Everyone is fine and doing well. I will be working around the house next month. I’m building a large Bar-B-Que pit so we can take it to Rockport on the 4th of July. Thats all the news I have for now. Will write again soon. Love Always Cip

  137. Well Mom we got back from the coast today. We all had a great time and I think everybody that fished got something this time. I know you would have loved being there, well I guess you were in your own way. We all miss you and when ever we are all together we know that you are there with us too. Aaron and Riley slept together, Riley watched over him as if you would have yourself. I think and maybe some of the others might think now that you sent her to us so she could watch over all of us. She is very protective of us when we need her to be. It was sweet the way she stayed by Aaron while he slept. She only checked up on me and Tammy once she knew we were up. We are all doing fine and as always we are missing our Mother. We love you. Take care for now and we will see you soon. Family~

  138. Hi mom, summer is almost over the us. I have to go to Austin for a TAKS reading workshop set for Aug 6-8. Aaron is fine and is working on his kicking. Ashley is just hanging out with her friends. Summer is working at the downtown Hooters. I have been busy doing things around the house. As you known we all went to Rockport on July 4th. Ashley caught the biggest fist this time around. I had my new Bar-B-Que pit with me. I plan to use it again this Thursday for the Church Youth group. We plan to make 300 hamburgers for the Kids. That all the news I have for now. Love Always Cip

  139. Hi mom, Linda and I took our test again. This passed Thursday was our 20th wedding anniversary. We just went to eat with Eddie and Tammy. The rockets football season has started again. It was different because Aaron is not playing for the rockets instead he will play for Floresville MS. Ashley will continue to be a coach for the little girls “cheerleaders” team, so it will be Ashley and myself going to practice now! Linda got the kids new clothes for school early. Aaron is really starting to grow tall. I leave for Austin on Wednesday and will return on Friday. I have to review questions on the TAKS reading test. Everyone is fine and doing well. I think about you all the time. will write again soon. Love Always Cip

  140. Hi mom.. I haven’t written in a while.. I guess I thought it would get easier with time.. but I was wrong.. you’re missed more and more every day and it’s difficult to write w/out crying and feeling sorry for myself.. I know you are in a good place and are watching over us… Like Cip said.. we are all doing OK. He fixed my roof the other day..and cut my tree that was hitting my roof.. You know me Mom.. I’m still working 2jobs.. Eddie lent me his ice chest to work the other day.. I remember you telling them to take care of me Mom.. they are.. thank you very much. Even in death you know everything. I get my hard work ethics from you.. I love to work.. even though I complain.. if I’m not busy doing something I get anxious. OH & boy am I glad I listen to Cip & Eddie Mom.. when they told me to buy a small car.. THE GAS prices are ridiculous..they are so high along w/food prices. I watch the NEWS and think of you all the time Mom.. Wish you were here.. LOVE betty.. P.S. Please keep an eye on Nancy & Ben.. I know they will feel you getting after them Mom…Love you… Betty

  141. Hi Mom, well school has started again. We have a whole week of teacher inservices. School will begin on the 25th of Aug. Ashley has started her cheerleadering again and Aaron will start football training on the 26th of Aug. He will practice in the mornings and the 8th graders practice in the afternoon. His football games will be on Tuesdays and Ashley’s will be on Fridays and the Rockets games are on Saturdays that’s 3 games for each week that I will have to go to! I wish you could and see them play. Summer will start her second year of college next week. The city is almost done with Glenoak. The street has sidewalks on both sides and the flooding problems are fix now. The street looks real good. That’s all I the news I have for you now. Will write again soon, Love Always Cip

  142. Hi Mom, the kids have just one week left before they start school. Ashley has practice almost everyday. Aaron will pick up his football equipment this Thursday. His first practice will start next Tuesday and the first game will be on the 9th of September. The coaches said that this will be a short period to get ready for the first game so is important that the players get their equipment early. I have some different news for you, Diana is selling her house. I don’t know the reasons why. Patty is her real estate agent. No one talks to us. We saw Diana enter a restaurant where we were eating and when she saw us,she turn around and lefted without saying a word to us, but that’s OK. That all the news I have for now. Will write again soon. Love always Cip

  143. Hi Mom, yesterday Aaron and I went to Floresville middle school to pick up his schedule for this year. He will be taking advance math and science again. Then we pick up his football equipment. He has an assign locker. I helped him get his equipment ready for Tuesday morning. He’s growing up real fast. Ashley is doing well and Summer went to Colorado to visit her brothers. It has been raining alot lately. We really need the rain. On to football, Floresville has a scrimmage against Highland today and the Rockets will scrimmage against 3 differents teams on Saturday. That’s all the news I have for now. Love Always Cip

  144. Hi Mom, This morning I dropped off Aaron for his first football practice. He and Ashley got to school late yesterday because of the bus. Everthing else went OK for them. The rockets did very well in their scrimmages. That’s all the news I have for now. Will write again soon, Love Always Cip

  145. Hi Mom, I have some sad news today, Mando’s Father passed away last week. I will read the newspaper for any information. On to football, Floresville beat Fox Tech 44-12. The rockets had some good scrimmages. Dallas will start this Sunday. Aaron’s game is next Tuesday against Boerne North. On to the kids,Aaron can how drive the tractor. Ashley did very well with her cheerleading at the game. We are still having problems with Summer keeping her room clean. That’s all the news I have for now! Will write again soon. Love Always Cip

  146. Hi Mom, I have news about Aaron,the coach’s picked Aaron to be on the B team and he will be starting as a running back for offense and will play defensive back on defense. That’s all the news I have for now. Love Always Cip

  147. It’s been a while since I have written anything here Mom. I guess I haven’t had anything profound to say. But each day that goes by still brings memories of you, Fall is coming and I see you wanting to hang sheets out on the line. Tammy and I were trying to get away for a honeymmon, but there have been seven named storms and hurricans in the gulf this season. We have decieded to go to New Mexico for a long weekend. I remember our long drives, driving into the Hill Country just to see God’s beauty. I miss all the things we did, I miss all the things you did for us. We all got together the other day at Cips, Cubby is growing so fast, My word, Ashley is growing into a very pretty young lady. I have to say that I am hard with Summer, she is dating an idiot. I wish you were here to show here what she cannot she or know on her own. I love you Mom. God blessed us with you. God knows what we feel, and I’m sure he lets you know. Love Always, Your Family

  148. Hi mom, I have more sad news for you today, its about Pete and Dora. Pete passed away last week. I just got an email this morning about it. On to football, Floresville beat Lanier 39-0 The rocket won too by a score of 42-0. I don’t know about Dallas yet! will write again soon, Love Always Cip

  149. Hi Mom, Today is Sept.9th that’s ONE year and 11 months since your passing. Today Aaron will play his first football game at the middle school level. I wish that You and I could go see him play. I will be there with a empty seat next to me but I know you will be watching him from heaven. Take care of him! Will write again soon, Love Always Cip

  150. Hi Mom, Great news Aaron’s 7th grade football team beat Boerne North by a score of 29-0. Aaron played half-back. He didn’t get a chance to run to ball. On one play he and the quarterback got thier signals mixed-up. He had some good blocks for the other runners. The coach picked him to do the kick-off for the second half. He kicked a 30 yarder. He did a great job! I’m so proud of him. The weather is getting bad here. Ashley’s football game has change to Thursday due to the rain coming in on Saturday. We should get a lot rain this weekend. Will write again soon, Love Always Cip

  151. Hi Mom, Well another week of football. First the rockets, we beat Pleasanton 30-0 and Dallas beat the eagles 41-37 on Monday night football. Last night Floresville MS beat Medina Valley 12-0. Aaron blocked a lot but didn’t run to ball. He did a kick-off after they scored thier second tonchdown! A nice 25 yards. That’s all the news I have for now. Will write again soon, Love Always Cip

  152. Hi Mom, well another week of football games. First Floresville beat Brackenridge 28-7. The rockets beat Medina Valley 30-8, the Cowboys beat Green Bay 28-16. Aaron will play today against Somerset. I will let you know that score tomorrow. I got the AC unit working again. I had to replace the electrical fan. Summer is not following the rules at home so we believe that she will be moving out soon. She has been gone for 4 days now. That’s all the news I have for now. Will write again soon, Love Always Cip

  153. Dear Mrs. Balles, I didn’t even know I could write to you on here. I see you have been updated on how everyone is doing. I think you would be happy to know that I am still going to school, have a really good job now, and don’t have any kids. I am living with my boyfriend, we got a small but nice house and we keep it very clean. Uncle Cip (Mr. Jigsaw) helped us move everything in one trip. We got a lawn mower and I do the yard, like you used to always do yours. And you know I hate to cook so we eat out a lot, or Hector cooks. I am at UTSA now for the second semester. I am now majoring in Business/Finance and I have decided to stick with it. I want to change my major so I can do some kind of Social Work but I am already too far into it and just need to finish school. A lot of people criticize me for still not being done with school, but you would always tell me it doesn’t matter how long it takes you to finish as long as you finish… I work A LOT!!! But you always told me never to be afraid of work, and I’m not. I put in a lot of overtime and then focus the rest of my time on school. I have to keep busy or else my mind starts to worry too much. I miss the family, I don’t really see them or talk to them much, everyones too busy I guess and in their own little worlds. Summer is having problems and I am helping her as much as I can, she is my sister and you always told me we only had each other. I think about you and how I used to just be able to go to your house and lay on the couch and just talk to you and watch Laura. I really do miss your advice. I’m sure you would be happy to know that me and Nancy have become really close and I am a positive influence on her, she is doing a lot better. I haven’t talked to her in a couple weeks though. Well I have to get up early in the morning to put in some more OT hours and I have school after work. Please check in on me from time to time and know that I love you and miss you very much.

  154. Hi Mom, I have the score from Aaron’s football game. The score was 19-7. Floresville 7th graders are now 3-0. Aaron played running back again but his job is to block. He did play a little defense at the Linebacker slot. He did a kick-off but the ball only traveled about 20 yards only. That’s all the news I have for now. Will write again soon, Love Always Cip

  155. Hi Mom, another week of football scores. First Floresville beat the McCollum Cowboys 49-20, it was good game. Second the rockets bet the South side cougars 30-8, third the Dallas cowboys lost to Washington 26-24 on Sunday. Aaron will play La Vernia on Tuesday. On to sad news, Summer decided to move out. We wish her the best. Eddie brought a new truck last week. The Floresville cheerleaders fund raiser was a sucess. We cooked over 800 chickens. That all news for now. Will write again soon, Love Always Cip

  156. Hi Mom, another update on Aaron’s football game. This time he was picked to do the kick-off to start the game. The announcer called his number and name over the loud speaker. This is what he said “Kicking for the tigers number 45 Aaron Balles” It was a close game, La Vernia scored with three minutes left in the game. Floresville scored two plays after the kick-off. The extra point was good so the score was Tigers 8, the bears 6. Aaron was able to kick again with only 1 minute and 50 seconds left. He did two good kicks. Thier record is 4-0 now! Well that’s all the news I have for now, will write again soon. Love Always Cip

  157. Hi Mom, next Thursday will be two years since your passing. The hole in our hearts has gotten a bit smaller but we can still feel the emptiness in it. I have made plan to take that day off so don’t worry I will be in San Marcos next week to talk to you. Will write again soon, Love Always Cip

  158. Hi Mom, another week of football games. First, the rockets beat the little hornets 19-0. We are 5-0. Floresville lost 31-7 to Medina Valley and Dallas beat the Bengals 31-26. Aaron will play on Tuesday. This Saturday is the Peanut festival so we will have to dectorate the cheerleader’s float. We are redectorating the house like painting some of the rooms a different color, just small stuff. That’s all the news I have for now. Will write again soon. See you on Thurday, Love Always Cip

  159. Hi Mom, yesterday the 7th grade football team went to Kerrville. They lost 20-0. Aaron did the kick-off to start the second half. He played a little defense again at the linebacker slot. Tomorrow will be 2 years since you left. I have some business to take care of but I will be there tomorrow. That’s all the news I have for now. Will write again soon, Love Always Cip

  160. Two years have come and gone. What we measure this by, is the depth of our sorrow, and the diameter of the hole that was left behind when you went home to be with the Lord. The sorrow is as deep as it was the very day we said our first goodbyes to you, and the diameter of the hole is as wide as it was when we realized your voice was silenced. We are in need of your council and wisdom, we’re in need of the assurance that what you had to say could be taken as gospel. These times have seen many changes, and one constant. The constant has been our devotion to your memory, faith, and love. We are no longer in the darkness of the others, we have moved forward knowing that you did “take care of business.” We band together to keep what family we have left strong and faithful. What we have left is one another and the promise that we will continue to remember our strong and beautiful Mother. Time has been spent tempering the sorrow of our loss, it has not been wasted on depression or pity. We are strong cause that is how you would want us to be. We heed your lessons Mom, we listen in silence to what you have to say and show us. We are never without you, we are never alone. We have you in heaven watching over us, being proud that we continue to be what you expect us to be. Be well in heaven Granny, we all miss and love you so much. ~E

  161. Hi Mom, well the cheerleaders won first place for their float in the peanut parade. We went to the night part and talked to Johnny Johnson and his wife, Hadear and Hector also showed up. On to football, Floresville had its homecoming last Friday, they beat Southside 48-7. Dallas lost in overtime to the Cardinals. Aaron and the Rockets had a by-week. This coming Tuesday the 7th grade team will play at Uvalde and Floresville will play against Harlandale this Friday. Bellaire will be having its Halloween carnival this Friday.That’s all the news I have for now, will write again soon. Love Always Cip

  162. Hi Meme.We are doing good in football.Our record is 5 and 1.We lost against Kerrville.I got to kick the only kickoff.Daddy said it went about 30yards.This week we play Uvalde.I hope we win the next three games.That is all I have to say.

  163. Hi Mom, well another week of football news. First Floresville beat Harlandale 31-7, The Rockets beat the NW raiders 48-0. Dallas lost against the rams on Sunday. The kids are fine and doing well in school. Eddie, Tammy,Linda, and Betty are doing fine. We continue to go to work but we also think about you a lot. Your birthday is coming up and so are the hoildays. We will continue to live in peace and sometimes question why you were taken from us so early in our lives. Will write again soon, Love Always Cip

  164. Hi Mom, great news about Aaron’s football game. They beat Uvalde 28-6. He finally was able to run the ball. He ran for 4 yards and one for 8 yards. He did get tackled for a 1 yard lost. He had two good kicks one for 32 yards and his best one for 35 yards. One of the ladies sitting next to me made this comment”thats a good kick” He plays a good game.On defesive he made 1 taclked. I know you were watching him play. Thanks for helping him. the 7th grade team record is 5-1 That’s all the news I have for now, will write again soon, Love Always Cip

  165. Hi mom, well another week of football, first the rockets beat the longhorns 32-6 on Saturday so our record is 7-0 for an undefeated season. The offense scored a total of 192 points and my defensive unit only allowed 14 points with 5 shut-outs. We start the playoffs next Saturday. Floresville had an open week. Aaron will play tomorrow. The US ecomony is bad, its like everyone is losing their jobs. I guess I plan to stay here were my job is safe. The presidential race will start in two weeks. We need a change in goverment. That’s all the news I have for now. Will write again soon. Love Always Cip

  166. Hi mom, lets talk about football, the only score I have today is on Aaron’s game. They lost 19-6 to Boerne South. They had some big players on their team. The Cubs are now 5-2. Aaron had another good kick-off. He is getting better with his kicking. Halloween is this Friday but Floresville has a game on Friday night so we won’t be able to go Trick-or-treating this year. That’s all the news I have for now, will write again soon Love Always Cip

  167. Hi mom, well another week of football, first the Rockets beat the dragons 44-0 in their first play-off game. Next Saturday we play the Hornets for the city championship. Floresville beat Uvalde 20-7. The tigers are now 8-1. Dallas lost to NY giants on Sunday. Aaron will play tomorrow, it will be their last game for the season. Everyone is fine and doing well. Ashley is doing OK in physics and in school,she sure goes out lot with different boys. I haven’t talked to Summer in 5 weeks, well that’s all the news I have for now. Will write again soon, Love Always Cip

  168. Hi mom, First Aaron’s football game. The cubs beat Pleasanton 20-6. The seventh grader’s record is now 6-2. After the game we had a pizza party for the boys. The season is over now. On to the election, Obama won the presidential race. He is now the first Black man to win the presidential seat. That’s all the news I have for now. Will write again soon, Love Always Cip

  169. Hi Mom.. I do pray you are more peaceful with each passing day.. knowing we are all well and missing you the same as if it were yesterday.. I can’t believe you’ve been gone 2 yrs already. Time has a way of sneaking up on us.. but I imagine you know this. The World is a scary place these days.. Nancy told me her Grandma Josie always told her she wanted to die.. because she could help everyone more from Heaven than here on Earth. Hmmmm.. I think there’s some truth to that..I always feel you’re watching over us, keeping us safe. We’ve had a good two yrs despite everything. Well Mom.. I voted for Barack Obama and HE WON.. He’s very spiritual and I believe He has Angels protecting him.. same as you protect us.. I’m sorry you werent’ here to share this with us.. but I know you were looking at CNN everyday and keeping up w/ the Political News.. I think you would be glad for this History in the making.. you’ve always had a soft spot of those who suffered.. Autumn is here and although I miss calling you and visiting you here on Earth.. but I’m glad we visit here.. Love you.. Betty

  170. Hi mom, well on to football, Floresville lost to Pleasanton 21-14 But they did make the playoffs. They will play Port Lavaca Calhoun on Saturday. The rockets won the city championship. We beat the little hornets 28-6. Our next game will be in the Valley. That’s a long drive to get there. Nothing else is going on I quess it was a peacefully week. Will write again soon Love Always Cip

  171. Hi mom, I have some sad news for you today. Your aunt Lecha past away earlier this week. We plan to attend the Church service tonight to represent you. You would have loved your new street. The city finally finshed Glenoak. The street has sidewalks on both sides and the drainage problem is fix now. I’ll be glad when the football playoffs are done. Everyone is fine. Will write again soon Love Always Cip

  172. Hi Mom, well this will be the last update for football. First the rockets lost to the McAllan Chargers 25-13. This was the regional quarter finalplayoff game. It was a good game but I’m glad its over. No more practices during the week and Saturday games.Floresville also lost 44-10 so Ashley will now cheer for the basketball team. Aaron is now partcipating in off season football training. Dallas beat Washington 14-10. That’s all the news for football.We plan to meet together in two weeks for your birthday. Will write again soon Love Always Cip

  173. There is no darkness, only a light that burns, a light that extinguishes the ignorance that binds us to a notion that you are not here with us anymore. Though your body could not sustain your soul anymore, it was a passing of flesh that we experienced, a passing of the transient nature of being attached to an image. What we have now is the eternal, the immutable fire of what was the essence of your being. Time will change, the winds will blow away soil, and bare the unseen, what is left are timeless dreams, a timeless image. What can be known, what can be felt are ghost now. Time itself is fading into the oblivion, your nature though remains timeless and beautiful. What we can gather from God’s nature is that all things pass, and yet all things are renewed within God’s nature. Lying within the eye of God is knowing we are bound by the nature of creation, and that birth and death are one in the same. No words, or train of thought can really express what it is that is eternal, one might as well try to contain all the oceans of the world in a single cup. What we have is a profound sense of loss within our hearts, we will meet on your birthday come Sunday, November 30th. This is what we have, and it’ll have to do, till we too find our way into God’s nature and find our own eternal footprints. God bless and keep you Mom. Eddie, Tammy and Riley Love always…

  174. Hi mom, Today I have some sad news here at school. One of the teachers who worked here and retired from Bellaire past away this morning. She was only 60 years old. I just talked to her last Friday. The whole school is feeling sad. Will write again soon, Love Always Cip

  175. Hi Mom, tomorrow Linda and I start the Thanksgiving Holiday break. We will be off for the whole week. The kids will have to attend school until Wednesday. We will be having Thanksgiving Dinner at Eddie’s house. We know that you will be there with us. That’s all the news I have for today. Will write again soon, Love Always Cip

  176. Happy Birthday Mom. What follows below was written and read by me in San Marcos the day we met there to deposit your ashes next to your parents. We will meet there on your Birthday to show our love, and respect. Eternally yours… “Mom’s Requiem” We are gathered here today to bequeath our Mother’s ashes to their final resting place. It was fitting that Mom left us while in a peaceful slumber, waiting for her pain to be abated within the healing hands of God. We surrender her frail body to Heaven and all it‘s angels, may she be rejuvenated, and given a body of light she so richly deserves. May we recognize our Mother from time to time in the eye’s of our children, and ourselves, in their mannerisms, and in their dispositions towards hard work and sacrifice. Surely, as we stand here today we must take comfort that it was God that came to retrieve our Mother and take her home, home to where she is to be reunited with those whom she honored and loved; her loving Father and Mother, along with her sisters, and brothers. To sum up Mom’s life, We choose to say that her life was served to be in the service of others, she was born to a state of selfless sacrifice. It could be said that our Mother’s calling was to give of herself, and to do so unselfishly. Our Mother’s nature was to give without asking for anything in return, it is indeed a testimony to this fact that we are gathered here today, to respectfully fulfill Mom’s last request. It should not be open for debate why Mom had decided to do this service absent of all those whom knew her. Simply, Mom just knew, that in all of her life of giving, she would have to give up something else, just one last time. And we honor her for this, we honor her without debate, and we take solace within her Intuition and Wisdom to certain facts of life. Simply we are here to say a final goodbye, simply we are gathered here to say we love, and miss you Mom. We are gathered here to speak for our Mother, and to say thank you to all whom are present here today, and to those who are not. She leaves behind a legacy that holds all the potential for greater things in this world. It is with heavy hearts that we leave Mom’s ashes here in the care of her Parents whom she Loved so much, yet we rest well knowing this is what Mom wanted most in death. Our Mother’s legacy lives within the hearts of those that are now gathered here today, and within the hearts of those whom had been touched by her in one way or another. We dedicate our lives to the prospect that her memory shall live on. We shall not forget her Love, we shall sing of her Courage, and we will live and remember her by her resolve to remain strong and steady in her Faith. We shall recall times of joy, and times of sorrow. We shall pray in silence, each according to our needs. We shall remember our beloved Mother all the rest of our days. We shall remain eternal to the memory of a loving and strong woman that had a heart bigger than the fragile body which nestled it upon her untimely death. I say here now. There is no loss. There is no time between here and now. There is only the distance of faith and reality. Our peace lies within the bosom of our Mother’s love for each of us, we remain eternally blessed for our good fortune to have had such a strong role model. To her, we owe much, our Faith, our Hope, our Love, our Lives, and our Resolve to remember our Mom as best we can. Our children and their children, and so forth will forever be touched, and carry on within them a part of Delia Lopez Balles, born on November thirty, nineteen hundred and thirty six. May God bless and keep you Mom. May we all be rejoined, and rejoice with you on the other side at the time of our own deaths. Till then, may our sadness and longing be soothed by the memory of your virtue to be strong and unwavering in your Faith, and Love of God. Should you gaze down upon us from your home in heaven, know that we are united. United with you in the blood that still flows from the oldest to the youngest, united in generations not yet born, or even conceived of in thought. Should a candle be lit, know that is done so, in your memory with all our Love and the deepest of Gratitude’s.

  177. Hi Mom, Well the Thanksgiving holiday as past. We had dinner at Eddie and Tammy’s home. She made the best home-made dinner rolls, Aaron kept eating them up. Everyone had a good time. On to good news, John and his new wife had a baby girl. Her middle name is “Delia”. Last Friday was one year since the house burn down. The house still looks the same. No one has done any work on it. Yesterday was your birthday; you would have been 72 year old. Betty, Albert, Eddie, Tammy, Linda, Ashley, Aaron, and I went to San Marcos to visit you. Yesterday we decorated the Christmas tree. Aaron will add bells and decorated your tree outside. Everyone is fine and doing well. I will write again soon. Love Always Cip

  178. Hi mom, Aaron decorated your tree with blue jingle bells. He knows that blue is your favorite color. Your tree is ready for Christmas too. Will write again soon Love always Cip

  179. Hi mom, well on to the news, first Ashley fell and bruised her knee real bad. She put ice and heat on it. It is hard for her to walk. Second the cowboys lost to the steelers 20-13 I think Dallas will make the playoff. Aaron is doing fine. That’s all the news I have for now. Will write again soon Love Always Cip

  180. Hi mom, well yesterday I had to get Ashley out of school early and took her to the doctor. She has a second degree burn spot caused by the heating pad. No broken bones in her knee but the doctor wants her to get a MRI on her knee. We will just have to wait to see what happens to her. That’s all the news I have for now. Will write again soon Love always Cip

  181. Hi Mom, Well yesterday was my birthday. I am 46 years old. I made a German chocolate cake and I also got Aaron football picture. He sure is getting tall and his voice is starting to sound deep. Today I am Santa the school asks me to wear a Santa uniform and take picture with the students. On to some news, Bubba father past away on Tuesday. Everyone is fine and doing well. Will write again soon Love Always Cip

  182. Hi Mom, well the weather has change from warm to cold this week. This is our last week of school. Everyone will be off for two weeks. The kids have most of their Christmas presents under the tree. I plan to visit you in San Marcos during the Christmas break. The hioldays feel different without you being here but I know that I must continue on. Ashley’s knee is getting better. On to football, Dallas beat the Giants last Sunday. That’s all the news I have for now will write again soon. Love Always Cip

  183. Hi Mom, well tomorrow is Christmas, We are all here at Eddie’s home for Christmas Eve. The kids are ready for christmas morning. Times are getting better maybe because we understand why you left us and the big picture is starting to get a little bit clearer. Everyone is fine and doing well. Aaron said “Merry Christmas and I miss your tacos”. That’s all the news I have for now. Will write again soon Love Always Cip

  184. Hi mom, well the holidays are over and everything is getting back to normal. On to football, the cowboys didn’t make the playoffs this year. Aaron is training for next year’s football season by running and lifting weights at school. Ashley started cheerleadering practice for their competition in February. Everyone has gone back to school. The next big thing will be the TAKS tests in late February and April. Thats all the news I have for now. Will write again soon Love Always Cip

  185. Hi Mom, on Saturday I took the kids to Monster Jam to see the big four wheel drive trucks. Ashley was the one who really wanted to go. The steelers, eagles,cardinals and the ravens are playing for the conference championship games next week. Everyone is fine. That’s all the news I have for now. Will write again soon. Love always Cip

  186. Hi mom, well this has become a busy week. I have take Ashley to practice early in the morning. She has be there by 7:00am. We had booster club meeting on Wednesday and one this Friday. I plan on changing some light fixures out and replacing them with new ones this weekend. Eddie has scheduled our 4th July fishing trip to Rockport. Aaron really enjoys fishing. This week at school I have been testing all week. That’s all the news I have for now, will write again soon Love Always Cip

  187. Hi Mom, on to football. It will be the Steelers against the Cardinals in the superbowl. Today Obama will become the 44th president. Everyone will be watching this on TV. That’s all the news I have for today. Will write again soon. Love Always Cip

  188. Hi Mom, this weekend we went to San Marcos. Ashley wanted to see the other cheerleader teams compete. Floresville was scheduled to compete in San Marcos but the girls were not ready so they didn’t go. Aaron and I just walk around the campus and then we practice kicking some field goals. We stopped by to see you and then we went to Fort Sam to see Linda’s mother. Sunday was Mrs. Breeding’s birthday. Every one doing well. That’s all the news I have for now. Will write again soon Love always Cip

  189. Hi Mom, well the superbowl game is over. The Steelers won but it was close and good game. The score was 27 to 24. Betty and Eddie came over to watch the game with us. Everyone is doing fine and working. The kids are fine. Ashley’s birthday is nine days away. She will be 17 years old on Feb. 10th. and Aaron will be 13 in three months.That’s all the news I have. Will write again soon, Love Always Cip

  190. It’s Monday 5am, and like always I am up and catching up on the news. It got up to the sound of rain, we haven’t had hardly any rain in sometime here. I recall times waking up this early and running across town to get you some sweetbread for you coffee in the morning. I miss that. I miss our mornings watching the news and haveing our coffee and sweets. There seems to be a million things to miss about you. One simple phone call just to see what you were doing, if you had a good morning, or if there was anything interesting in the news. Well, I’m sure things are beautiful were you are. We miss you, I miss you. Tammy remindes me of some of the things we did for lunch when she would meet us, she has a good memory. I am so lucky to have her, lucky to have kept Cip and Betty as my family. Thank you Mom. Love always, talk to you soon. God Bless, Us

  191. Hi Mom, well this last week has been tough for me,on Friday afternoon I started to feel sick so I left the gym and when home. I was sick for three days with the flu so I missed three days of workouts. My body hurt all over. I still feel a little sick but I came to work today. Today is Ashley’s birthday she is 17 years old. It will hard for us to do something for her because we have to work for the cheerleaders tonight, tomorrow and Friday night. Aaron is fine and if you look closely you can start to see some hair on is upper lip now. That’s all the news I have for now. will write again soon Love Cip

  192. Happy Valentine’s Day Mom, in my heart you will be getting a dozen of red roses in heaven tomorrow from us. I’m still fighting this flu. I didn’t go to work yesterday because I started to feel bad again on Wednesday.Today I feel better. Aaron is attending the school Valentine dance today after school. Ashley is going to meet me at the high school so we can work the concession stand today. I think she might be going to the movies with her friends later on tonight. That’s all the news I have for now, will write again soon Love Always Cip

  193. Hi Mom, well I seem to be getting over this flu. It took two weeks for me to get better. The rockets called and asked me if I wanted to be the head coach for the PeeWee football division. I think I will take the job! Tonight we have to work the concession stands again. Aaron has his class schedule for next year. He wants to take Advance Math, History and Science classes. Ashley is doing fine and is passing physics. The cheerleader competition was cancel due to the girls not being ready to compete. Spring is just around the corner.that’s all the news I have for now, will write again soon . Love Always Cip

  194. Hi Mom, well this past weekend Aaron and I when camping. We did a trial run in the backyard. We set our tent up and on Friday night we had a wind storm. The tent when down about 3:00 am. On Saturday we tie each pole down with rope and the wind didn’t affect us. We slept outside for two nights. On Friday night Ashley and the other cheerleaders when to Laredo to cheer for the boy’s basketball team. They were in the second round of the playoffs. The basketball team lost 45 to 47. Ashley said it a good game. Do you remember that house on the corner that caught fire? Well they started to build a new one on the same lot. That’s all the news I have for now Love Always Cip

  195. Hi Mom, Well things are happening on the Cheerleader Booster club. The president and Vice prisident quit due to the teacher who is in charge of the cheerleaders so Linda and I will have to do all the work now! Spring break starts on Monday so I will not have the internet to write to you. We have no special plans for this week anyway. That’s all the news I have for now, Love Always Cip

  196. Hi Mom, Well spring break is over. The weather turn turned cold and wet for three days. Aaron and I did some jobs around the house. Cheerleader tryouts start next week so Ashley is getting ready. Aaron and I will be working the concession stands today because the weekend baseball games were cancled due to the weather. That’s all the news I have for now. Will write again soon, Love Always Cip

  197. Hi Mom, well I have some interesting news for you today. Your rodeo was stolen last week. That’s all I heard no details. On to cheerleading, tryouts starts tomorrow. We will see if Ashley makes captain. On to some GREAT news! Ashley’d friend Brook, since Middle school was picked to be the Queen for the Peanut Festival. She ask Ashley to be one of her Special guest for the Parade, so she will be after the Queen’s float. Ashley will be representing the FHS cheerleaders and be Special guest to the Queen. Last week Ashley got her Class ranking. She is ranked 61 with a grade point average of 3.52. Aaron is going fine. Eddie is still working a lot. Betty is fine and going well. That’s all the news I have for today. Will write again soon, Love always Cip

  198. Hi Mom, I have some great news today, Ashley made Captain for the varsity cheerleading squad for each year. She will be a senoir each year and Captain too! So we have one more year for her in cheerleading. She was so happy to make Captain. I’m so proud of her!!!!!.. Betty called and told me that Nancy was very sick. She had to go to the hosptial. The doctors want to run some test on her to see what made her sick. That’s all the news I have for now. Will write again soon Love Cip

  199. Hey MeMe. How are you doing? I’m doing good. In March I tried out for cheerleading for next school year. And guess what I got VARSITY! So now I’ll be cheering on Fridays. I know you would have wanted to be there waching me. In about 2 weeks we start partice and then we go to camp.Can’t wait for that. Yesterday was my last day of school and today Summer graduates. Thank you for the neckless that you gave me for my birthday, I started crying when I opened it. Thank you for everything you’ve given me, I miss you and you’re always in my prayers. I miss your potato and egg tacos too. I love you! Bye.

  200. Today is the last day of school. Summer has graduated, Ashley is going to the 10th grade and Aaron is now going to the 6th grade. I have no one left at the elementary level. Everyone is growing up!I didn’t get my promotion, I’m thinking of getting out of the Air Force. The kids are doing well has for me I’m holding on. bye love cip

  201. So here we are once again on the eve of Mothers Day. We celebrate this day in silent contemplation, and prayer. We long for the days when we would go to your house and meet, take you to lunch, or dinner, may BBQ for you. We recall the flowers, and cards that sometimes came for you on your special day. Though we remain somber on your day, we also remain thankful for the very special gifts you gave us, Love, Courage, Grace, and much.. much more. There is a sadness that comes along with your day. There is a part that is missing in the physical, but what remains is the acknowledgement that you left us much to celebrate in honor of your Motherhood. No one misses you it seems more than the ones you trusted in your final days. In your honor we remain resolute in keeping our small family together and strong, we gather to celebrate you, our precious Mom. Memories are what we have, and good ones they are. We rise on your day contemplating, remembering, missing you, and in that sullen silence there is an appreciation, and joy that you were here to be our Mother, thank you for that. Thank God for this one simple fact, we our blessed to have had you here for even the briefest moments of time. Happy Mothers day Mom…..we miss you so much. from your two sons and daughter, their families and one dog.

  202. Hi Mom, I have some more good news today. Aaron was picked to join the Junior Honor Society because of his high grades. We will be attending a ceremony next Tuesday so he can get his awards. Last Saturday I had to take another test. The school wants me to be certified in ESL (English as a Second Language) the test only had 70 questions. Easter is this Sunday,we just plan to Bar-B-Que nothing special. Thats all the news I for now, will write again soon, Love Always Cip

  203. Hi Mom, well Easter came and left. Everyone came over. My bar-b-que came out good. I have some real good news today! I will be helping as a defensive coach for the City All-Stars football game. The players are in highschool. We start practice on April 28th and the game will be on May 9th. I was talking to Coach Martin and he made some calls so that’s how I got the job. I hope this will help me get a football coaching job at Floresville Middle school next year. That’s all the news I have. Will write again soon, Love Always Cip

  204. Hi Meme. I was accepted into NJHS at school. Daddy mentioned the real name earlyer. I am going to play football next year when I am in 8th grade. I hope to be the kicker for the team next year. I hope we have another winning season like last year.

  205. Hi mom, well tomorrow we’ll be off from school due to fiesta. The kids still have to go to school. Next week we start the TAKS tests again. That’s three days of testing. Ashley and Aaron will have to take the math and reading sections. This comming Monday I start coaching football for the East vs West all star game. Ashley has her dress for the prom and the prom will be on the 16th of May. She finally found a date for the prom. We are almost finish with Aaron’s field goal. We just have to paint it. That’s all the news I have have for today. will write again soon Love Always Cip

  206. Hi Mom, last night I watched a movie about a lady who helped other people. This character reminded me of you. I just want to say… “I love You” that’s all, Love Always Cip

  207. Hi Mom.. I believe you’re looking down on us from heaven and know what’s going on. I do want you to be at PEACE and rest which I believe you are. The Pain of not having you here with us is almost too much to bear sometimes. I’m trying to ask myself. what would mom advise me to do.. so I go with that. I’m doing pretty good considering Nancy fell ill. SHe’s mental mom. just like the “salas” family. Ben is funny.. driving the BIG trucks. HE leaves his RIG at the parking lot by the house.. IT was grocery store but now it’s empty. Eddie gave us a computer and we were all very grateful. Now I just need to buy the Internet. I saw Dad mom at HEB .. He’s blind like you said.. didn’t even recognize me – I was right in front of him going the opposite direction. I also saw Cindy & HEctor and April and lots of kids at Jesma. Small talk.. She has much on her plate.. I still have the same boyfriend.. you’d be surprised. HE washes dishes, vacumms and doesnt’ drink. you’d like him. He’s an ok companion for now.. You know me… Keep praying for Nancy & Ben Mom..It’s hard with no “GRANDMAS” here on earth.. WE LOVE YOU.

  208. Hi mom, I just want to say Happy Mother’s Day. We went to place flowers on your marker. Everyone is fine and doing well. Will write again soon love Always cip

  209. Hi Mom yesterday was Aarons birthday. He is now 13 years old. We got him an Xbox 360 and some other game called Rock Band. He and Ashley like to play that game at Eddies house. I started to do Bettys yard again. I hope to getting looking good youre your was at one time. We have a busy weekend coming up. Ashley has her junior prom this Saturday. I had to pay $100.00 dollars for her part of the Limo. Both she and Aaron will be taking their physicals on Saturday morning at Floresville HS, and then Linda will take Ashley to get her hair done at Jesses. The football game is on again. Yesterday was our first practice since that flu problem. We will play the game next Saturday at 7:00pm. That all the news I have for now. Will write again soon Love Always Cip

  210. Hi Mom, well the Prom and the cheerleader banquet is over. Ashley had a fun time at both and Linda is glad its over. We have to take Ashley’s yellow dress to the cleaner because she got it dirty from the rain. She plans to use the same one for the peanut coronation. She has another white and black dress for the peanut parade. I have a football banquet on Friday and the game this Saturday. Just a BUSY month for everyone. We have just 3 weeks left before school is out for the summer. That’s all the news I have for now. Will write again soon Love Always Cip

  211. Hi Mom, The football game was played last Saturday. We lost 9-0 Aaron and I had a lot of fun partcipating. We have only two weeks left before school is out. Ashley got commended for Math and Social Studies. Still waiting on Aaron scores. That’s all the news I have for now. Will write again soon, Love Always Cip

  212. Hi mom, well Aaron got his for the TAKS tests results. He got commended for Math and Writing. This make 5 years in a row that he got commended in Math. He and Ashley pass the reading section. That’s all the news I have for today. Will write again soon Love Always Cip

  213. It’s 2:50am Tue Morning. It’s been a while since I have had anything to write. I keep you in my heart and mind all the time. I have been haveing a lot of dreams with you in them lately. It’s always good to see you. Things here are going well, the kids are growing so fast Mom, you just would’nt believe how much they have changed. We are all doing well and that is always good. So manythings have come to pass, things you knew about. I am haveing surgury today no big deal but I am up wondering, wishing we still had you with us here instead of there in heaven. Tammy is doing really well at work, she closed one of the biggest deals with a vendor for her job. Cip and I have some great ideals for the back yard and he has plans to tile his restroom and kitchen. I know you can see us all, and I am sure you are proud of what we have attained. I could’nt have ever seen this working out this way but it is what it is and it is good. One more month Mom and we are going fishing. Aaron has so far beaten me at it for a while but one fish he caught was on my line. We will all be together and we will all be thinking of you. Love you Mom, see you soon. Love always Eddie, Tammy & Riley Christina Alexandria Balles De San Antonio.

  214. Hi Mom, well today is my last day of school. Im anticipating that another school district will hire me as a special ed teacher/football coach. I have to take the ESL test again. The kids last day of school was yesterday. Ashley and Aaron both did very well in their grades. In three months Ashley will be a senior and Captain of the cheerleaders. Aaron will be the 8th grade and playing football. If I dont get another job offer I will be the Head football coach for the Rockets Pee Wee division. I will continue to write to you over the summer. I just have to find a place that has internet access. Everyone is fine and doing well. All I have is Eddie and Betty to talk too. Everyone else I guess decided to live their own lives. We all plan to go fishing in July. Thats all the news I have for now. Will write again soon Love always Cip

  215. Hi Mom, today is Father’s Day. The kids wanted Manudo today. It came out pretty good!. Last night one of Ashley’s friend had a graduation party so we all went. Aaron started to learn how to dance. He did a good job for his first time. Ashley was showing him all the movements. Aaron is just 1 inch shorter then Ashley. He is growing up real fast. Ashley passed all her TAKS test so she will be ready for graduation next year. She will start driver ed classes at the end of June. This last week I had a painting job so the kids help me to finish it. Everyone is fine and doing well. We will be going to the beach tomorrow for two days then I have my ESL test next Saturday. That’s all the news I have for now. Will write again soon Love Always Cip

  216. Hi Mom, well the only thing to talk about is the very hot weather we’re having. In the morning its about 80 degrees outside. In the afternoon its around 103 degrees. The green is looking bad. We such need some rain. on to other news, East Central has two job opening that I’m looking into. Aaron is getting ready for our fishing trip to Rockport next week. Everyone is fine and doing well. That’s all the news I have for now,will write again soon. Love Always Cip

  217. Where to begin, well we all headed down to Rockport to do a little fishing and to get away from it all. Aaron caught the first fish using my bait and line again, it was a nice size red. We all arrived there before 2pm, I got there a little early so that me and Riley could get things in order. The weather as you can imagine was HOT, but they added a great addition to the house (deck cover). Cip BBQ for dinner both days and Betty got up and made us all breakfast. She does know how to cook, you would have loved her potato and eggs. Tammy had been under the weather for the last week before we left, but she did pretty well out there. Her Aunt Robin came down and spent the weekend with us as well. The kids are growing up so fast, I know you see them as only you can, but it does strike me how time moves us all forward. The fishing was good in so much as we hit some really big ones, no keepers but they were nice and really gave us some exciting moments. Aaron seems to catch his share, but I do nicely myself. You would like it there in Rockport is very nice. I wanted to take Cip and Aarron to Goose Island so that we could pick out a camping spot for the fall. Other news, Tammy wanted to look at houses in Lavernia, and we found one that was amazing. It is in between Lavernia and Floresville. You would think it was as grand as anything. We also wish to see what is in Castroville, remember they have that great bakery there. Well that is it for now. In knowing you, we learn about each other, what we have left is this A brother, a sister, Family that is closer and stronger, we listen, and we are there for one another. God has taken away, and has given too. We see and feel our loss, but it is tempered in knowing that we have you still, just not here but there, watching over us. Love always Eddie, Tammy & Riley

  218. Hi Mom, well as you know Eddie and Aaron caught the most fish again. I had an interview at Floresville. The job will be at the highschool. I should know if I got the job on Tuesday. Ashley got her scores from the ACT test. She did very good! her score was a 21. She got a letter from Texas State in San Marcos tell her to send her highshool grades and class ranking. Everyone is fine and going well. There is only three of us who keeps your memory alive. The weather is very HOT here. I hope we get some rain soon. Football season will be starting next month. I will let you know where I will be coaching. That’s all the news for now. Will write again soon Love Always Cip

  219. The Guest book says to Share our memories. Is why we keep writing to you MOM. Eddie, Cip and I know that you loved to read the paper and you love reading these too.. WE write to you to keep our memories alive and to make new ones with you.. This summer has been a HOT one Mom. But we love getting together at Rock Port.. the only thing missing is you..but I see you in the Sunset, in the PEACE of your “BOYS” MOM. Lamberto has a good name for Eddie & Cip. He says they are “NOBLE”. Honest, hardworking, respectful, everything you’d want them to be. Ben and Nancy are doing much better, thank you. I knew you’d watch over them. Ben says he’s getting married. She’s in the Army Mom and when she get’s out of training.. we’ll see. I’ll beleive it when I see it. I’m back to where we started Mom.. I’ve been re-assigned again. God knew what he was doing when he placed me here in 2006.. It’s going on 3yrs Mom.. but I was close enough to visit everyday.. have lunch with you.. take you to Dr’s visits..make you dinner. It was a blessing to have had you Mom and to have accompanied you in your last days.. Thanks again for all your wisdom, love and sacrafice.

  220. Hi Meme, we when to the beach and to Rockport this summer. I caught a 18 inch fish. I have been playing video games on my new XBox 360. Also I have been reading my book (StarWars)and practicing on my field goal kicking. I will be going into the 8th grade when school starts again. I will be playing football. Love Aaron.

  221. Hi Mom, well I have some good news this week. I passed my ESL test and I have a second interview with Floresville ISD this Tuesday. If I get the job it will at the highschool if not then I guess I will be returning to Bellaire Elem. Aaron and Ashley will be going to Fiesta Texas with the Church tomorrow. The weather has been real HOT. The lack of rain as cause the grass to turn brown. Everyone is fine and doing well. That’s all the news I have for now. Will write again soon Love Always Cip

  222. Hi mom, well I didn’t get the job at Floresville HS but that’s OK I will be returning to Bellaire. The teachers go back on Aug 12 and the the first day of school is Aug. 24th. I plan to start looking for a football coaching position within the district for next year. I did take the head coaching job for the rockets. We have a lot of players that haven’t play football before. Aaron and Ashley are doing fine and getting ready for school to start again. Ashley will be going to cheerleader camp at UT Austin next week. The weather has been real HOT. Its hard to do anything outside during the heat of the day. Aaron as been practicing on his kicking. Well thats all the news I have for now. Will write again soon Love Always Cip

  223. Hi Mom, well I’m back at work. Ashley came home yesterday from cheercamp. The team won a trophy. She had a good time in Austin. We got her graduation pictures this week and today she will take her cheerleader pictures. Aaron will be in the 8th grade. We have to pick up his class schedule next Thursday and his football equipment. He plans to take Algebra I and PAP science. Tonight linda is taking them to the Icecream soical in Floresville. That’s all the news I have for now. Will write again soon Love Always Cip

  224. Hi Mom, well football season is almost here. My team has only 12 players. We need 16 players to play. I have a young team, half of them have never played football before. Aaron will start practice next Tuesday and his first game will on Sept.8 against Boerne North. FHS first game will be next Thursday at the Alamodome against Fox Tech. You know that I will keep you informed on all the football scores. I think Ashley wants to attend Texas A&M Kingsville. Linda and I will start hepling her with the paperwork. I Think its a good school. Remember Linda and I attended TAMUK for our principalship. The reasons Ashley wants to go there is.. the school not that big like SWT, The cheerleader team looks good, the school not that far away from home, and the new dorms the school has. Aaron said that he likes the school too and that TAMUK has a good engineering program for him. School starts this coming Monday. That’s all the news I have for now. Will write again soon Love Always Cip

  225. Hi Mom, First on to football news. First the rockets had a football scrimmage last Saturday. I was surprise that my team did so well because I have 8 players that never played football before. Aaron started football practice on his first day of school. He was affected by the heat a lot. I made him get two plastic quarts of water to drink before he starts practice today. The temperature is so hot here it was 102 yesterday. Ashleys picture was on the Floresville ISD web site showing the cheerleaders. Everyone is doing fine. Will write again soon Love Always Cip

  226. Hi Mom, well another exciting past week, first Floresville beat Fox Tech 34 to 13 at the Alamo dome. The cheerleaders did a good job. After the game it started to rain real hard. On Friday Linda and I took Ashley to Carmax so she can choose her new car. She picked a 2008 two door Ford Focus. I think that she will be good and responsible driver. She will need it because of her busy cheerleading schedule. On Saturday the Rockets had another scrimmage. I had to stop playing because we ran out of running backs. There are only 17 players on the team and most of them have never played organize football. On Sunday Aaron and I went with Eddie to a gun range so we can practice shooting his guns. Aaron is a good shooter! A lot of his shots were in a group. He had a few that were off target. Thats good for a person who has never shot before. Aaron said that he had fun shooting. Thats all the news I have for now. Will write again soon Love Always Cip

  227. Hi Mom, well the football season continues. Floresville beat Lanier 36-32. They scored a touchdown with 6 seconds left in the game. My team the Rockets lost to the Longhorns 21-0. Remember half my team is made up of players who have never played before. Aaron will play later on today. The cubs will play against Boerne North. That’s all the news I have for today. Will write again soon. Love Always Cip

  228. Hi Mom, I have some GREAT news for you today. First Ill start with Aaron; yesterday during the football game he scored his first point in a game by running the ball in for the extra point. He kicked-off three different times and had one open field tackled on defense. Floresville Middle School beat Boerne North 21 to 6. He played on offense and played Middle linebacker on defense. MLB was my old position in high school. The GREAT news continues with Ashley. She has been accepted to attend Texas A&M at Kingsville for next year. Now she just has to try out for the cheerleader squad in April. I guess I will be taking her to TAMUK for try outs. We are both so proud of her accomplishments. Thats All the news I have for today. Will write again soon Love Always Cip

  229. Well Mom, the rains have finally gotten here, for the last few days, everyday, we have had some showers. My lawn really needs help, the green is gone, but now it seems to be showing signs of life. Things here are going well, busy with work, Tammy will be traveling soon. Riley is three now and we are hoping she will soon have a baby brother or sister, we will let you know when the time comes. I dreamed about you the other day. I know you know that all our business is done now. You’ll be happy to know that no one got shot, yet;). Life moves on, we all still have one another and the Holiday will come and we will all meet to celebrate and you will be there too, as always. It seems things are settling and time is meting out it’s justice to those that have been (well lets just call a spade a spade) evil, selfish, and just plain mean. Karma is kicking some but out there. Their deeds have laid ruin their futures, and still there is time for more of their deeds to be judged and measured for setbacks, failures, incarcerations, and what not. We’ll be keeping watch, not anticipating, just watching, and listening. We remain as true to your memory and the legacy you left us here in your absence. Bye for now Mom, Love you and talk with you soon. Eddie & Tammy, and Riley…

  230. Hi Mom, well another week of football updates. First the Rockets lost again but we managed to make a touchdown with 15 seconds left in the game.(record 0-2) The cowboys won.(record 1-0) Floresille HS lost to Port LAvaca 41-0.(record 2-1. Aaron will play tomorrow against Medina Valley. I will let you know the score on Wednesday morning. That’s all the news I have for today. Will write again soon Love Always, Cip

  231. Hi mom, well the FMS football team lost to Medina Valley 14-6. Aaron played on defense the whole game. He made about 9 tackles playing MLB. He had one good kick. Yesterday the team practiced on field goals. The coach said that Aaron did good. Maybe the next game he will be able to kick field goals. Tommorrow FHS has its homecoming game aganist Brackenridge. That’s all the news I have for today. Will write again soon Love Always Cip

  232. Hi Mom, well another week of football upsets. FHS lost to Brackenridge 29-25. My team the rockets, lost 21-7 and the Cowboys lost to the NY Giants too. Yesterday we hepled Hadear move into a new apartment. Ashley can drive her car better now. Sometimes she drives Aaron to school and will drive on Fridays because she has to be there early for cheerleading. Linda and I have a wedding to attend. My friend Danny from the military, his son is getting married on Oct 3 so Linda and I will be in Dallas. I will be taking off on the 9th of Oct. to go visit your resting place. It will be three years since you left us. Many events in the past three years have changed our lives. Some of these events we except with open hearts. I will continue to keep you imformed. That’s all the news I have for today. Will write again soon Love Always Cip

  233. Hi mom, well FMS football team lost to Somerset 13-0. Aaron had 4 tackles and one kick for 40 yards. Their starting QB broke his arm during Monday’s practice so the offense just couldn’t get the timimg right during the game.The weather changed yesterday from hot to cold and rain. That’s all the news I have for now. Will write again soon Love Always Cip

  234. Hi mom, well another week of dispointments with football. First FHS lose to McCollum 48-28, The Rockets lost the the Cardinals 33-0 and the cowboys plays tonight. We saw John at HEB. He got promoted to E-5. He has a baby girl and he will start a new job at the old Kelly AFB.John is doing well. Eddie and Tammy are thinking about a real baby. I thought it would be a new puppy for Riley. I was wrong. Lets hope that everthing goes well and soon we will have a new baby in the family. That’s the news I have for today. Will write again soon Love Always Cip

  235. HI mom, I have some good news,first FMS beat La Vernia 14-6. Aaron had 4 tackles and two good kicks. The cowboys won on monday night Football.This Friday Linda and I leave for Dallas. That’s all the news I have for today. Will write again soon Love Always Cip

  236. Hi Mom, well another week of football scores, first FHS lost to Medina Valley 49-7, the rockets lost again to the yellow jackets 23-0 and the cowboys lost to Denver 21-7. Aaron plays Kerrville today. The trip to Dallas was good. It started to rain after the couple left the church. It rained all the way home on Sunday. We have the Peanut festival this weekend. I ask the neighbor to borrow his crossfire for Ashley. We have the sport car ready to go. Linda and Ashley have completed all the decorations for the float and the car. On to good news, Eddie found another job. He will be working at the old Kelly AFB for Lockee Martin. That’s all the news I have for today. Will write again soon Love Always Cip

  237. Hi mom, well tomorrow will be three years since you left. I can still remember the details like it happen yesterday. I will be there in the morning to see you. After that I have to cut Mrs. Peters lawn and then get ready for the Floresville parade on Saturday. The score for Aaron’s football game was 56-6. Aaron had three good tackles but they lost big. That’s all the news I have. Will write again soon Love Always Cip

  238. It’s Sunday here and I’ve got some laundry going, and I am up here in my office thinking. Friday, the third anniversary of your passing came in with a cool blast. It was raining in the morning and the temperature dropped quickly outside. The day you left was nothing like it was then. The weather kinda fit the mood, I had to work so I didn’t have a chance to come and see you, I wish I could have but I know you would have wanted me to finish out my job on a good note. There were a lot more things lost when you past, things lost that we never saw coming. I knew what was next for me, well I thought I did. I was ready to walk away and start my life with Tammy. I did not see what was coming next though. I didn’t think that the greed, anger, and mistrust of the others would break other bonds. You knew what was coming, of that I am sure. All was not lost though, I did end up with the best of what was left of the family. Betty and Cip are the most trust worthy brother and sister I could have ever had. What was lost I was ready for, but I don’t think they were. I think Mom that…I know that it is enough. It’s enough that we talk to each other, that we are there for one another, we try to support what we have. We meet on Holidays and we take trips together. I’m not sure why some have done what they have done or are doing, I can’t speak to the silence they offer. From what I see your wishes for better or worse were followed. Who can fault that? It would be better here if you could set them all strait, what wasted lives I see and hear them lead. The three of us will continue on your work, our ties, my new job will let me do more things with everybody and for them. I would trade all the money in the world just to have you back one more day. Greed is never good, nor is hate, or the thoughts of mistrust. I don’t understand the actions of some. I did know of the others black hearts…there colors were right on. Anyway, did you see what Ashly looked like there at the parade. Wow, me and Tammy were so proud of her, we wanted to stay and hang with Linda and Cubby but we had to get back for a very important meeting. I know you see everything and Tammy and I are doing what we can to grow this family bigger and stronger. I know you probably had your eye’s on Cip’s footall game, you love your football. He been doing what both of you loved so much. I wanted to be there but everthing has been going on at one time. Rest assured though we are going to have a great Holiday gathering and I know you will be there with us too, I keep your pictures all over the house, you are never out of our minds and never out of our hearts. We love you so much Mom, and it still hurts knowing that heaven is too far to reach you from here. I can hear the wash beeping down stairs, its ready for an other load. You taught me so much, thank you. Love always…us.

  239. Hi Mom, well another exciting weekend with football games. First Floresville High school lost to Southside 16-14. The Rockets lost 18-13 this was the best game we had this season. You would have enjoyed our game. Dallas won on Sunday. Aaron has an open week. They had three games left before his season is over. The Coronation was nice. Ashley was very beautiful in her yellow color dress. Her title is Duchess Ashley Balles. The weather worked out for the parade. Ashleys vehicle won second place. Anthony Trejos daughter was one of the four princesses and Ashleys friend Brook was the Queen for this year. Thats all the news I have for today. Will write again soon Love Always Cip

  240. Hi Mom, well another week of football scores. First FHS lost to Harlandale 38-18 on Friday night, Highlands also lost. The rockets lost 28-0 to the Apaches. Our season is over. As for my first head coaching job, my record was 1-6. Not be bad considering I had 13 players that never played the game before. This week Aaron plays against Uvalde at Floresville and Ashley will have to travel to Uvalde this Friday night. The Dallas Cowboys didn’t play this weekend. That’s all the news I have for today. Will write again soon Love Always Cip

  241. Hi mom, well FMS lost to Uvalde 13-12. It was a close game,Aaron had two good tackles and 3 kicks. That’s all the news I have for today. Will write again soon Love Always Cip

  242. Hi Mom, well on to the football scores first FMS and FHS had an open week. Highlands lost again and Dallas beat the Falcons 34-24. Aaron plys tomorrow at Boerne. I have some sad news today. My small trailer crashed into a concrete wall on Saturday. I was able to fix the BBQ pits but the trailer is losted. The trailer some how came lose from the hitch and hit the wall.That’s all the news I have for today. Will write again soon, Love Always Cip

  243. Hi Mom, well Aaron had a good game yesterday. He had one kick for 50 yards, two tackles, and one run for 8 yards and a first down for 12 yards. I was able to see he play from the sidelines. He played real good. The score was 28-0. That’s all the news I for today. Will write again soon Love Always cip

  244. Hi mom, well another week of football scores for you. First FHS lost to Uvalde 28-22. Ashley said that it was a good game. The Cowboys beat the Seahawks yesterday. Aaron will play tommorrow against Pleasanton. This Saturday we’re planning a trip to Kingsville to see the TAMUK cheerleaders. Ashley wants to see them cheer at a game.She keeps get letters from diferent collges to apply and to visit their campus. We’re just waiting to see which college she will pick. That’s all the news I have for today. Will write again soon Love Always Cip

  245. Hi mom, well another exciting football game. FMS lost to Pleasanton 20-12. The Cubs were leading 12-6 until the middle of the third quarter. Pleasanton just took control in the fourth and scored their last touchdown. Aaron had a good kick to start the game and serveral tackles. The season is over now. Aaron has played his last game at the middle school level. Next year he will be playing at the High school level. I remember when he stated playing for the mighty mite division. Time has changed a lot around here. That’s all the news I have for today. Will write again soon Love Always Cip

  246. Hi mom, the last message I wrote to you didn’t go through because the computer system was down. The cowboys lost to the Packers on Sunday. The kids are doing good in school. I have been working on paper work for Ashley’s schoolarships. I am trying to get the VA to transfer my education benefits to the kids. TAMUK send a letter to Ashley to apply for one of their schoolarship. She has the FHS cheerleader schoolarship for $2000 so far. Aaron and I have been working on Eddie’s yard. This Thanksgiving break we will be replacing his fence. That’s all the news I have for now will write again soon Love Always Cip

  247. Hi mom, well today is Thanksgiving Day. Everyone is here at Eddie and Tammy’s house. Aaron and I finished the fence today. Aaron has learned to use my saws and drills. He worked really hard this week. Betty and her family are doing well. Nancy and Ben are working and are doing well. Dallas plays tonight against the Raiders. Aaron said “Happy Thanksgiving”. You know that you were the topic of conversation for Betty, Eddie and me. Hadear showed up to share the holidays with us. That’s all the news I have for today. Will write again soon love Always Cip

  248. Hi mom. Well today is your birthday. You would have been 73 years old. This week we have the Floresville Christmas parade. The cheerleaders have a float that we need to decorate for Saturday. Then we have the cheerleader’s BBQ fund raising on Sunday.We have a busy week coming up. The kids are fine and doing well in school. I brought a 50″ TV for Christmas. That’s all the news I have for today. Will write again soon, Love Always Cip

  249. HI Mom, The cheerleaders won third place in the Floresville Christmas Night Parade and we made over $3000 from the BBQ plate sell. Now we can start working on the Christmas tree. On to different news, Eddie had to quit his job because of his continuous back problems. The doctor told him that he will need surgery when he older and to find a job that does not require lifting. Thats all the news I have for today. Will write again soon Love Always Cip

  250. Hi Mom, well today is my birthday. I am 47 years old. A little older from when you left but alot more wiser. I some times think that you gave me a test to workout for myself.In star wars, we call that a trial of live There is no wrong answer. The weather is getting colder around here. I plan to go some where to eat and have a few beers, nothing special. Still working on schoolarships for Ashley. The VA denied my educational benefits. The reason was I didn’t have any Active Duty time pass 9/11. 21 years might be for nothing. That’s all the news I have for today will write again soon Love Always Cip

  251. Hi Mom, well the weather has been cold around here. I’m still working on Ashley’s schoolarship forms. I have a different schoolarship through the state of Texas called the Hazlewood Act. Its for veterans who entered the military from Texas. I have to send my papers to TAMUK today. School will be out this Friday. We will have two weeks off. Ashley will be going to Galveston in March for cheerleader competition. That’s all the news I have for today, will write again soon Love Always Cip

  252. Hi mom,Merry Christmas I have some great news today. Ashley was notified that she would be getting the Presidential Schoolarship from TAMUK for $4000. We are so proud of her. Ashley just needs to sign the acceptence letter. Aaron said “Marry Christmas and I miss your TACOS” Everyone had a nice Christmas. Eddie and Tammy went to visit her parents for Christmas. Betty and the kids( Nancy and Ben) are fine and doing well. Thats all the news I have for today. Will write again soon Love Always Cip

  253. Hi Mom, well the Cowboys beat the Eagles to win the Eastern division. They will play against the eagles next week again. We’re back at school now. Now its time to start getting ready fot the TAKS test starting next month. Aaron doesn’t like it but Ashley is done, no test for her. She passed all her TAKS tests last year. This Saturday we have tickets for the Army highschool football game. Ashley got her Graduation pictures last week. She has really grown up. Graduation day is set for June 4th. I know that you will be there with flying colors on,watching from above. That’s all the news I have for today will write again soon Love Always Cip

  254. Hi mom, well the weather has got real cold around here. The temperature for tomorrow morning should be around 19 degrees. Last night Texas lost to Alabama 37-21 in the BCS title game. Aaron and I were supporting Alabama to win. Ashley has a cheerleader competition meet on the 24th of January in San Marcos. I found a football camp for Aaron to attend at TAMUK for June. That’s all the news I have for today. Will write again soon Lovw Always Cip

  255. Hi mom, well the Cowboys beat the Eagles 34-7. Next week they will play against the Vikings. Some good news to report,the cheerleader coach at TAMUK called me yesterday and asked Ashley some questions about what she does as a cheerleader at FHS. She plans to meet with us on the 30th when we go to kingsville for college day. That’s all the news I have for today will write again soon, love Always Cip

  256. Hi Mom, well today’s news is this, Aaron has some kind of rash all over his body so I’m going to take him to the doctor this afternoon. Ashley got her letter from TAMUK for her to sign. She was awarded an academic schoolarship for $1000 dollars a year. Total of $4000 dollars from TAMUK Presidential Schoolarship Program. That’s all the news I have for today will write again soon Love Always Cip

  257. Hi mom, my last message didn’t get printed so I will write it again. The cowboys lost to the vikings 34-3. Aaron’s rash is gone now. The doctor gave him a shot. This sunday we have to go to San Marcos because Ashley has a cheerleader competition meet. Next week we have to travel to TAMUK for college day. That’s all the news I have for today. Will write again soon Love Always cip

  258. Hi mom, the FHS cheerleaders placed third yesterday. They made some mistakes but it was Ok. They will be in Galveston for the next cheerleader competition. On to football, The Saints will play against the Colts in SuperBowl 45 in two weeks. This saturday we have to travel to TAMUK. That’s all the news I have for today. Will write again soon Love Always Cip

  259. Hi mom, well the TAMUK trip was a success. We talked to the cheerleader coach and some of the cheerleaders there and we turned in her cheerleader forms for try outs in April. We saw the new dorms that Ashley will be staying in. Each semster the cost will be $3,500. I placed a deposit and turned in her dorms forms too. She will have her own bedroom and will share a bathroom with another girl. She will be living with three other girls. Aaron was told that his braces will be coming off in March. He told me to tell you his news. He is happy that his braces will be off soon. Super Bowl will be this Saturday. That’s all the news I have for today. Will write again soon Love Always Cip

  260. Hi Mom, well the Saints beat the colts in SuperBowl 44 by a score of 31-17. It was a good game to watch. Everyone is fine this week. Will write again soon Love Always Cip

  261. Hi mom. well today’s news is good. Today is Ashley’s birthday, she is 18 years old. I remember when she was born and all the trouble we had went she came into this world. That when she got the name “fussy”. She will be the first one from our family to attend college with scholarships. She is very smart. Her new class ranking is now 51 out of 255 and a grade point avg. of 3.65 I’m still filling out scholarship forms for her. She how has two scholarships awarded to her. Tonight we plan to eat somewhere. That’s the news I have for today. Will write again soon Love Always Cip

  262. Hi mom, I just want to say Happy Valentine Day. I know in my heart that you got a dozen roses from me today. I Still Love you! Will write again soon, Love Always Cip

  263. Hi Mom, well this week has been slow. The weather is getting warmer now. We had some good rain around here. Eddie is working on his yard. Every other day we have concessions to do for the FHS cheerleaders. In two weeks Ashley has her cheerleader competition in Galveston. In March the high school is having a meeting for incoming 9th graders so Aaron and us will be there to dicuss his classes for next year. You know Ashley will be a Freshmen at college and Aaron will be a Freshmen at Floresville High Scool. The kids are growing up real fast. That’s all the news I have for today. Will write again soon Love Always Cip

  264. You have been heavy on my mind and always in my heart. I was talking to someone about you today and I found myself still getting choked up when I speak of you. No matter how many days seperate us since your passing, I can still feel just how much you are here in our hearts and dearly missed. Always…. Eddie

  265. Hi Mom, well this past week has been busy. We have concession duty this Thursday and Friday. Aaron has his dentist appointment this Friday. The next following weekend we have the cheerleader competition in Galveston. I turned in all the forms needed for Ashley to recieve my military education benefits. I’m working on Aaron’s kicking shoe. It should be done in the middle of March. Aaron and I have a deck to build during spring break. This week we will start cutting everyone’s lawn. Eddie is making plans for our annual 4th July trip to Rockport. You would have loved Rockport. Everyone is fine. That’s all the news I have for today. Will write again soon Love Always Cip.

  266. Hi Mom, well the concession stand duty is over . We made over $2000 in profit. We leave this Friday for the cheerleader competition. Aaron’s teeth look real good. He’s happy that he doesn’t have to wear braces anymore. The SA East vs West All Star football game will be in May. I will be coaching the kicker and punter again. At work all I do is testing or getting the test forms ready for the students. That’s all the news I have for today. Will write again soon. Love Always Cip

  267. Hi Mom, Well the cheerleader competition is over. The girls won first place in thier division. On to some very sad news for us. Ashley’s dog, Cupcake pass away on Friday. We don’t know how she died but the vet said it looked like poison. We completed Aaron’s schedule for next year. He will enter high school with 3 and half credits to start. This spring break was terrible for us. Well that’s all the news I have for today. Will write again soon love always Cip

  268. Hi Mom, well today I have some GREAT news for you. Ashley will recieve another scholarship. The Cheerleader Booster Club voted to give her a $2,400 schoolarship. So far she has the TAMUK Predidential and the Booster Club scholarships for a total of $6,400 dollars. We should be getting more information on different scholarships because the deadlines are coming up soon. We have only three weeks to go before Ashley’s cheerleader tryouts. That’a all the news I have for today. Will write again soon Love Always Cip.

  269. Hi Mom, well yesterday Aaron got his new football kicking shoe. We had to get it specially made due to his shoe size. Easter is this weekend. I guess we will just BBQ at home, nothing special. We have just eight weeks of school left. Everyone is fine and doing well. That’s all the news I have for today. Will write again soon, Love Always Cip

  270. Hi Mom, well Easter was OK. Everone came over. The weather was good and everone had a good time. I did the BBQ and Tammy brought over the cheesecake. Eddie had surgery on his shoulder on Thursday then Aaron, Eddie and I went to shoot the guns on Saturday. Betty is fine and doing well. This week we leave for Kingsville for the cheerleader tryouts. Hadear will stay with Aaron on Friday night. Tomorrow we start the TAKS testing for two days. Aaron has Math and Reading to do. That’s all the news I have for today. Will write again soon Love Always Cip

  271. Hi mom, Well today I some EXCITING news for you! Ashley made the cheerleading squad for Texas A&M University at Kingsville. The competition was very intense. On Friday the girls worked on their tumbling skills and some stunts. On Saturday the try- outs started in the morning. Three girls didnt show up on Saturday morning so that brought the number down to 24 girls. At the end of the day, the girls were called up one by one and were told if they made the team. If a girl made the team she was given a yellow T-shirt with the words TAMUK Cheerleading printed on it. Some of the girls were not given a shirt. On their way out of the gym you could see the sadness on their faces. Some of them were crying as they left. Ashley walked in with a group of girls at the end. The cheer coach said that it was taking too long to tell each individual girl so she decided to tell them as a group. Linda and I were both very happy for Ashley. She started to cry tears of joy. Im so proud of her and I told her that you always said Ashley was a cheerleader! Even I had a few tears of happiness for Ashley. On the way back home Ashley called all her friends to tell them the great news. Ashley is the first in our family to participate in a NCAA sport. The girls have a cheer camp in July at SWTSU and National cheerleading competition in Florida. On to the second part of our great news, we also were notified that Ashley will receive the Hazelwood Texas Veteran Educational grant for $40,000 dollars. This grant will pay all tuition and fees for her. Well thats all the news I have for today. Will write again soon, Love always Cip.

  272. Hi mom.. it’s been a long time since I’ve written to you.. Eddie gave me a computer because they took our internet access away from us at work.. I used to write you from work.. I get so lazy here at home and thought maybe I needed a rest. I always think about you and have your pictures on my shelves.. Like Cip.. it get’s sad and a lump builds up in my throat when I sit here & write to you. I’m still working 2 jobs mom. .so I’m tired all the time. It doesn’t help that I turned 52..but I still remember how fast and hard you always worked. You taught us well.. I wish I would have taught ben & nancy how to work hard..but in trying to make things easier for them..I’m afraid I didn’t teach them what hard work was. I thought by seeing me work hard, they would learn. .but it’s by doing not by sight that we learn. Please keep an eye on them.. Love betty P.S. Pooky & Drew just came by the house to wish Ben Happy b’day.. they’re so big mom.. but I’m sure you know how they look. I truly believe you are looking down on us..

  273. Hi Mom, well Linda just called to inform me that Ashley was told that she was picked for “Student of the Month” at the highschool. She will get reconized at the next school board meeting. Her picture will placed on the FISD main webpage. She just seems to collecting all kinds of awards. That all the news I have for today. Will again soon Love Always Cip

  274. Hi Mom, well once again I have more great news about Ashley. Yesterday we attened the Floresville ISD board meeting because Ashley was awarded the April’s Student of the Month Award. The FISD superintendent and the school board members presented Ashley with a glass plaque and they all said nice things about her. The Principal read a statement all about Ashley’s accomplishments and mention to everyone that she will be attending TAMUK, making the Cheer team and the all the schoolarships that she has so far. Well that’s all the news I have for today. Will write again soon Love Always Cip

  275. Hi mom, well today I have some good news about Aaron. He got commended performance in Reading and Math. So far he has made commened performance six years in roll in Math. That’s all the news I have for today. Will again again soon Love Always Cip

  276. Hi mom, well this will be the third time I tried to write to you this week. Linda did a good job with the decorations for the cheerleader banquet. Ashley’s picture is on the school website now. We have to go to Kingsville on Saturday because ashley has cheer practice, a group picture, and to get sized for her cheer uniform. Aaron has a physical for fooball on Saturday so Hadear will be taking him. Football practice has started for me. I am once again coaching the kickers. On to some sad news,Johnny Johnson mother passed away yesterday. That’s all the news I have for today. will write again soon Love Always Cip

  277. This is what website said about fussy…..The April Female Student of the Month is Ashley Balles. Ashley is the seventeen-year-old daughter of Linda and Cip Balles. Ashley is a leader among her peers at FHS. As a member of the Varsity Cheerleading Squad, Ashley has served as Captain and Co-Captain and will receive the Cheer Booster Club scholarship in the amount of $2,400. She was previously the captain of the junior varsity cheer squad. Ashley is a member of the FHS Student Council, Texas Association of Future Educators and National Honor Society. In addition, she has earned recognition her freshman and junior years for Perfect Attendance. For her efforts in the classroom, Ashley has received the United States Achievement Academy Award. Ashley has been very active in her community. She has participated in Bike-A-Thon events and volunteered with the Special Olympics. Ashley has spent time volunteering at the elementary campus painting faces at its campus events. She spent two years volunteering as a cheer coach for the Highland Rockets Pop Warner program. Ashley is also an active member of the youth group at Southeast Church of Christ. Upon graduation in June, Ashley plans to attend Texas A&M Kingsville where she has already been named to the Cheerleading Squad and has earned a $4,000 Presidential Scholarship. She will major in either education or speech pathology.

  278. Happy Mothers Day Mom. Everyday is your day here, everyday I have reminders that you are still here with us in spirit and memories. I love you and miss you. Not a day goes by that you are not with me. So today as everyday I say thank you. As you keep watch above we look upward and know that we still have you here. Love always….

  279. Hi Mom, Happy Mother’s Day. The kids gave Linda a ring. The day was quite. We went to San Marcos to visit you and then Linda and Hadear went to Fort Sam to see Mrs.Breeding. Ashley will have travel every week in June to Kingsville for cheer practice. That’s all the news I have for today. Will write again soon Love Always Cip

  280. Hi mom, I had a busy weekend. First Ashley had her senior prom on Saturday night. She went with her friend Brook and her boyfriend. She had a good time. On to football, the East team lost again. The score was 17 to 12. It was an exciting game. Aaron and one of his friend were the ball boys. Ashley’s graduation is 3 weeks away. After that the TAMUK cheer coach wants all the cheerleaders to practice every Tuesday – Thursday each week in June. Ashley will be very busy this summer. FHS is having a welding class for two weeks in June. Aaron will be taking this welding class. He wants to learn how to weld. That’s all the news I have for today. Will write again soon Love Always Cip

  281. Hi mom, well another week has past by. Yesterday Ashley got baptized at church. The church also gave her and other girl a graduation party. She got over $400 in gifts. We have only two weeks of school left. This summer will go by fast. That’s all the news I have for today. Will write again soon Love Always Cip

  282. Hi Mom, today I have some good news about Aaron. He received commended performance in Science and History. He also made commended performance in Reading and Math in March. This means that he scored 96 or better on all four state TAKS tests. That’s all the good I have for today. Will write again soon Love Always Cip

  283. Hi mom, well Linda and I went to see Aunt Clara in Mississippi for their 60th wedding anniversary. Linda had the opportunity to visit with all her relatives. It took me 10 hours to drive there. Everyone missed us. We had a good time. Ashleys graduation is this Friday and our last day of school too! Next week Ashley and Linda will go to TAMUK for three days of cheer practice and Aaron will start his welding class on Tuesday from 8:00 to 3:00 and Football physical conditioning Monday Thursday from 5:30 -7:00. I know that you will be there on Friday night for Graduation night. Thats all the news I have for today. Will write again soon Love Always Cip.

  284. Hi Mom, well today is the last day of school for us. Today is also Ashley’s graduation from High school. She will now be considered a College freshmen and Aaron is now a high school freshmen. The kids are growing up real fast. This summer we have cheerleading and football practices to keep us busy. That’s all the news I have for today. Will write again soon, Love Always Cip PS. Will see at graduation tonight!

  285. Hey Mom, it’s been a while so I will just start off by saying that we miss you. All this I know you know so here is just a run down for you. I had to take two classes inorder to sit for my real estate exam. It always looks harder than it is I guess, I got 90 and above on my course work and when I sat for my test three weeks later guess what? Yep, I passed both parts on the first try, I was so happy Mom…I really wasn’t sure about this test, but I guess it was all in the cards. Today I took my oath as a Realtor, and found out that a lot of guys I was in class with that had more schooling than me and alot more RE courses had failed one or both sections of the test. One guy had to take it four times. Mom I wish you could be here to see us. Ashley graduated, Tammy and I were so $#(*ing Proud of her, she is so grown up. My heart broke knowing you were there to see it with us. I know you were there, I could feel it and I know nothing not even Heaven could keep you from seeing it all happen. Tammy and I are doing well, we both miss you, We help keep this family together, well I will say goodnight for now, we love you. We really really love you. Night Granny.

  286. Hi mom, well it’s been two weeks since I wrote to you. Ashley’s graduation was nice. Last Sunday I took a picture of Ashley’s graduation and placed it on your grave site, so you you can have it with you. Yesterday Ashley and Linda were driving off to Kingsville for cheer practice when she received a phone call that said ” cheer practice is canceled until further notice”. We don’t know what the problem is. On to some good news, Aaron summer class was over today. He received a grade of 98 and another credit. He now has 4 credits and will only need 3 more to be classified as a 10th grader. Aaron and I have a football camp on Saturday at TAMUK and Ashley has to attend a two day class for incoming freshmen on Monday and Tuesday so we will be at TAMUK for three days. That’s all the news I have for this week. Will write again soon Love Always Cip.

  287. Hi mom, well this week Ashley got her class schedule for this fall. Yesterday I brought her books for her over the internet for a cheaper price. She will have cheer practice for a whole week after July 4th. Everyone is fine and doing well. That’s all the news I have for today. Will write again soon love always Cip

  288. Hi Mom, well the weather around here is, rain. We had a storm that was in the gulf of Mexico called Alex. We are still planning on going to Rockport in the morning for the 4th of July weekend. Today is Linda’s birthday. She is now 47 years old. Everyone is doing well. I will write to you when I get back from the coast to tell you how things went. I know that you know what’s doing on with everyone else and I will just wait and see what actions you take. That all the news I have for today. Will write again soon Love Always Cip

  289. Hi Mom, well our annual 4th of July fishing trip is over. Tammy’s aunt Robin, came along with her new boyfriend. Everyone had a good time. There was plenty of BBQ to eat and the fish were biting a lot. Ashley has travel to Kingsville next week for cheer practice. Aaron is at football practice right now. He has practice from 5:30 to 7:30 Monday to Thursday. We show up early so he can practice his kicking. Everyone is fine and doing well. That’s all the news I have for today. Will write again soon Love Always Cip

  290. Hi Mom, well the weather has been hot around here. I’m working around the house and in the yard. Ashley left to Kingsville on Monday. The cheer team will travel to San Marcos on Friday. We plan to go see the cheer team in competition on Monday. Aaron’s kicking skills has improved. That’s all the news I have for this week. Will write again soon Love Always Cip

  291. Hi Mom, well Ashleys cheer camp is over. The team did a trophy for best improvement The following college teams that show up were: UT Austin, Baylor, UTSA, LSU, Texas State ( SWT) , the sooners and some smaller colleges from around the state. On to some great news, Ashley got two more scholarships from the school of Education at Kingsville. One was for $1,000 and a smaller one for $250 dollars . Aaron and I are just working around the house this past week. I am rebuilting the flower beds with a concrete wall and installing a new tile floor in the kitchen and hall ways. Thats all the news I have for today. Will write again soon Love Always Cip

  292. Hi mom, well school starts for teachers next week. I’m still waiting to see if I will get a football coaching position at the middle school. This morning Aaron started freshmen football camp. On Thursday he has to attend orientation for incoming freshmen at the highschool. The first day of school will start on Aug 23th and Ashley’s first day of college will start on Aug. 25th. Ashley will be moving into her dorm room on the 19th of Aug. That’s all the news I have for this week. Will write again soon Love Always Cip

  293. Mom, so much has been going on that I foregot to tell you everything that has happend around here. I know that you can see everything that is going on down here with us and that you watch over us through Riley and other heavenly means. Some might think it’s a bit crazy but I know you sent her here so you could stay in-touch one way, or another. Well, I don’t remember if I told you that I passed my State Exam the first time out for my Real Estate License, I had my first closing about two weeks ago. I am working with Rick. Tammy and I got our first Foster child in June, I am trying to be a good man for him. I wish you were here to really help me though, I could use your advice from time to time. Tammy and I also got a smaller child David but he was only with us for two weeks, he went to live with an Uncle the state found for him. I hope he is in good hands, he was a bright faced little angel. Trey is a happy boy too, he is so cute and very smart, Tammy does really well with him and I help out as much as I can. We have ask Linda for some help and she really came through for us, we are lucky to have this family here. The boys stopped by, Adrian, Pooky, and Drew, they were in the neighborhood and just stopped in to say hello. They seem to be very hard working young men, you would be proud of them. I hope they stay in contact so that maybe we can build some stronger ties with them. The kids are all growing up so fast, Ashely will be in College soon, Aaron in the 9th grade. Time sure moves… Our fishing trip was awsome though we missed haveing Betty there this time, she was not able to go with us but she is doing really well. She seems to be making some good choices for her life and working like crazy to make it all happen. Tammy and I are waiting to see what happens with Trey, if they send him back we might stop Fostering, it is a heart breaker to see these kids leave, and to not know what happens next to them. God does work in mysterious ways Granny. I always say how much I miss you, how much “we” miss you, I guess we will never stop missing you mom… That is how strong our love is for you. Death or time cannot break, or block our love. No matter how far or how long you are away we are connected by this simple truth. Talk with you later Granny. Love always Eddie, Tammy & Riley and everyone else that is our family.

  294. Hi mom, well yesterday I drove Aaron to school for his first day of freshmen football. It made me think back went I went to Highlands for my freshmen year of football. I’m so proud of him and is kicking skills has improved a lot. Ashley has to attend Hoggie camp next week then off to college. I’m still waiting for a coaching position at the middle school. That’s All the news I have for today. Will write again soon Love Always cip

  295. Hi mom, well another week has past by. Ashley is at kingsville for this week. She will be back on Thursday. We all plan to go to Kingsville on Saturday so we can help Ashley move all her stuff into her dorm room. Aaron is at football prictice. This week he will practice from 4:30 to 6:30 until school starts. We are back at school and attending teacher meetings. Everyone else are doing fine. That’s all the news I have for today. Will write again soon Love Always Cip

  296. Hi Mom, Well I have some good news about me. I finally got a coaching position. I will coaching football and basketball at Kingsborough Middle school this year. I will be coaching the 8th graders. That’s all the news I have for today. Will write again soon Love Always Cip

  297. Hi Mom, well yesterday was a sad and Happy day for Linda and I. We’re sad because we left Ashley at Kingsville. She will be starting a new chapter in her life. We got her moved in and her new dorm room is decorated. We are very happy and proud that she will be attending TAMUK and being a cheerleader. The ride home was very quiet. We plan to see her on Sept. 18th when TAMUK plays their first football game at home. I plan to take a lot of pictures of Ashley in her new college cheer uniform. Aaron’s first football game will be against Highlands on Aug. 28th. I will continue to give you updates on all the football scores. That’s all the news I have for today. Will again soon Love Always Cip

  298. Hi mom, well football season has started. First the good news Aaron kicked his first extra point as a highschool kicker. He made it on the same field where I used to practice football on. The Floresville freshmen team beat Highlands 42-0 I was so proud of him as a father. I hope this will encourage him to practice more. That’s all the news I have for today. Will write again soon Love Always cip

  299. Hio mom, the scores for week are: Kingsborough 14-Kazan 0, FHS freshmen team lost 21-0 against Runge. TAMUK won against Northwest Missouri State. That all the news I have for today. Will again soon Love Always Cip

  300. Hi Mom, well another week of football scores. First The Kingsborough 8th grade B team won 22-0 and the A team lost. Aaron’s team lost to Port Lavaca 21-0. I didn’t know that coaching would take so much of my time but I do enjoy the coaching part. We are planning to go see Ashley because TAMUK first home game is next week. That’s all the news I have for today. Will write again soon Love Always Cip

  301. Hi mom, well another week of football scores. Aaron’s team lost to South San 12-0. Kingsborough’s A team tie against Harlandale MS 12-12 and the B team was also a tie with a score of 0-0. Ashley got her new cheerleader uniform yesterday. I like the blue color better. We will be at Kingsville tommorw to see Ashley’s first college cheer game. I didn’t think that coaching could be this hard. I usally get home around 7:00 pm and on Fridays we have to go scout the high school teams that McCollum High school will be playing against. That’s all the news have for today. Will write again soon Love Always Cip

  302. Hi Mom, the trip to Kingsville was wet. It rained the whole weekend. On to the news, Ashley completed her first college football game as a cheerleader. She looked real good in her uniform. I’m so proud of her and she did very well on the football field. TAMUK won 21-0 against Texas A&M commerce. On Sunday I took Ashley and Sam to HEB for some snacks for next week. She looks very comfortable and HAPPY at TAMUK. I think she made the right choice by going there. Well that’s all the news I have for today. Will write again soon Love Always Cip.

  303. Hi Mom, first the football scores for Aaron. The freshmen team traveled to Port Lavaca yesterday. They lost 24-0. In two weeks the grades come out and if a player is not passing then he can not play.The No pass, No play rule comes into affect. Aaron said that serveral players will not be playing so the the two teams will combine to make one team. Kingsbrough plays tomorrow morning. We also fall under the No Pass No play rule too, as coaches we are making plans to accomadate the changes. The cowboys have lost thier first two games so far. Ashley will be here today. We plan to go see TAMUK play against Incarnate Word on Saturday. That’s all the news I have for today. Will write again soon Love Always cip

  304. Hi mom, well another week of football scores. First Kingsborough’s both A and B teams lost 8-0 against McNair. Ashley came home this past weekend and we all went to see TAMUK beat UIW by a score of 38-9. Aaron has an open week so no football game for him. Next Saturday we will travel to TAMUK. That’s all the news I have for today. Will write again soon Love Always Cip

  305. Hi Mom well another week of football scores. Kingsborough’s A team lost 22-20 and the B team won 20-0. TAMUK lost 31-24 against Abliene Christian, It was good game and the weather was great. After the game we all had pizza. Ashley is doing fine and is keeping up with her college work. The Floresville Peanut Festival is this weekend. Aaron will be riding with the welding club this year. On Thursday the freshmen team will be playing at Gregory-Portland. That’s all the news I have for today. Will write again soon Love Always Cip

  306. Hi Mom, tomorrow will be four years since you left. In those few years I have witness many events that have taken place. Aaron went through his middle schools years and is now attending Floresville highschool and playing football. I remember him has a little boy that day and now hes almost as tall as Linda. Ashley just started highschool that year and now shes into her first year at Texas A&M Kingsville. She has become a very beautiful young women and a college cheerleader. Hadear is close to completing her degree from UTSA and working for an insurance company. Summer has change since she moved out. Im afraid that she is starting to make decisions just like her mother Judy. As for me, I retired from the Air Force after twenty-one years. I got my football coaching job at Kingsborough Middle School. Eddie is now working in Real estate with Rick. He and Tammy are very happy. Betty is still working for the City and doing well. On to some different events that has happen. The house burn down after the first year, and now Cindy and her family are living there. It still needs a lot work to make it habitable. Dad found a new girlfriend within a year of your passing. I havent talk or seen Robert, Diana, Patty or Dad in four years. The only persons I talk to are Eddie and Betty, we keep to ourselves and try to enjoy the holidays together as a small family. I still open your website every morning and continue to write to you on current events about the kids and any football scores. There are times when I ask myself the question Why did you have to leave I guess only TIME will tell. On to this weeks football scores, The FHS freshmen team lost to Gregory-Portland 27-7 last night but Aaron kicked the extra point so now hes 2 for 2 on extra points. I have football games tomorrow. The Peanut Festival starts tomorrow and Aaron will be riding on the welding club float. Ashley is coming home today so she can go to the Peanut Festival. Thats all the news I have for today. I will CONTINUE to write again soon Love Always, Cip

  307. Hi Mom, the football scores for this week are: Kingborough A and B teams lost to Zamora. The cowboys lost to Washington. TAMUK won 28-21 against Angelo State. Highlands also lost. The FHS freshmen team will play Victoria West on Thursday and we plan to travel to TAMUK this weekend. Ashley will have a busy week due to all the event scheduled for Homecoming. This will be her first Homecoming as a college student. That’s all the news I have for today. Will write again soon Love Always Cip

  308. Hi Mom, well here are the football scores for this past weekend. Both kingsborough’s A and B teams lost. The FHS freshmen team lost. TAMUK won 28-24 and Dallas won. We have only one game left. Aaron still has three more. Ashley and ten other cheerleaders will be traveling to Tarleton State one hour from Ft. Worth on Saturday and the next group of cheerleaders will travel to Southwestern Oklahoma in two weeks. That’s all the news I have for today. Will write again soon Love Always Cip

  309. Hi mom, well another week of football scores. Kingsborough MS A team lost 24-16 and the B team lost 12-0 both against McAuliffe MS. Well the football season is over for me now. I plan to help out with soccer. TAMUK won 21-13 against Tarleton State. Ashley said that she got back to school at 5:00am on Sunday morning. Highlands and Floresville both lost this past weekend. Aaron will be playing against Victoria East, I plan to go see him on Thursday. Dallas plays tonight against the Giants on Monday Night Football. That’s all the news I have for today. Will again soon Love Always Cip

  310. Hi Mom, well the football score for Aaron’s game was 23-6. He had some good kick-offs for 45 yards each and one extra point against Victoria east. I drove to Victoria to see the game. He got home around 11:00 pm last night. That’s all the news I have for today. Will write again Love Always cip

  311. Hi mom well another week of scores. Aaron will play his last football game this Thursday. TAMUK beat southwestern Oklahoma 56-17. Kingsborough’s soccer team lost 2-1 in both games.The cowboys lost also, their record is 1-6. We will be traveling to TAMUK this weekend to see Ashely and the football game. That’s all the news I have for today. Will write again soon Love Always Cip

  312. Hi mom, well the score for Aaron’s game was: FHS 0 and Port Lavaca 10. It was good game to watch. Yesterday the main water line at home formed a big leak so I had to fix it. The soccer team beat Zamora 2-0. That’s all the news I have for today. Will write again soon love Always Cip

  313. Hi mom, well another week of football scores for you. First TAMUK beat Midwestern State 24-7. TAMUK is ranked 3th in the nation in Divsion II so the first round of playoff games should be in Kingsville on Nov.20th. Harlandale or McCollum didn’t make the playoff. Highlands lost to East Central 45-10 and Dallas lost to the Gaints 45-7 last night. Aaron will now start his off season training. He kicked 4 extra points and missed one for this season. Ashley still has some football games to go. She really like TAMUK.That’s all the news I have for today. Will write again soon, Love Always Cip

  314. Hi Mom, well today is the Bellaire’s carnival. I remembered that you always enjoyed coming to the carnival and eating the different kinds of foods. I will be in charge of the BBQ turkey legs this year. Yesterday the soccer team lost in over-time 1-0 against Harlandale Middle school. Tomorrow we will leave to visit Ashley at TAMUK. That’s all the news I have for today. Will write again soon Love Always Cip

  315. Hi Mom, well the carnival was a great success. The school raised over $7000. On to football, TAMUK won against Southeastern Oklahoma 38-21. Because of thier high ranking in Divsion II TAMUK will have a bi-week and will play in the second round of the playoffs in Kingsville atfer Thanksgiving. That’s all the news I have for today. Will write again soon Love Always Cip

  316. Hi Mom, Ashley hurt her knee in practice on Tuesday so Linda and I when to Kingsville yesterday to take her to the Doctor. It took us five hours for her to be seen. The Doctor told her that she will need medication for swelling in her knees and to wear a leg support and that cheerleadering does tear the body. With these precautions she can still cheer but with some pain. That all the news I have for today. Will again soon Love Always Cip

  317. Hi Mom, well Thanksgiving is over. Everyone had a good time and plenty of food to eat. Once again, Tammy made a great turkey. Dallas also lost on Thursday. On Saturday TAMUK lost to Northwest Missouri State 35-31 in the second round of the playoffs. Ashley now has basketball games to cheer for. We started to put up the Christmas decorations on Sunday. That’s all the news I have for today. Will write again soon Love Always Cip

  318. Hi mom, well today is your birthday. You would have turned 74 years old today. That’s all the news I have for today. Will write again soon. Love Always Cip

  319. Hi mom, well on to football scores. Dallas beat the Colts 38-35 in overtime. We lost our soccer game 2-0 against McAuliffe. On Saturday we went to kingsville to Ashley’s sorority group participate in the night Christmas parade.That’s all the news I have for today,will write again soon Love Always Cip

  320. Hi mom, well today is my government birthday. I am 48 years old, tomorrow will will be my offical birthday and I will be 48 years old too!. Yesterday the soccer team won 2-1 against Leal MS. We will play again on Monday, Thursday and a Soccer tournament on Saturday. Ashley will start her finals next week. That’s all the news I have for today. Will write again soon Love Always Cip

  321. Hi mom, well today is my last day of school. Christmas break starts tomorrow. Ashley is now home from college. Aaron’s last day of school is also today. I will have a week off then basketball practice starts. Eddie and Tammy should be back from their trip to Mexico. Betty plans to travel to Mexico with Albert to visit his family next week.That’s all the news I have for today. Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year, love Always Cip

  322. Hi mom, well the hoildays are over and everything is back to normal. I got Aaron’s welder wired up yesterday so he can practice welding. I painted Ashley’s room and she will return to TAMUK on the 15th of Jan. for school. Her grades for her first semester were four A’s and one B for a grade point avg. of 3.8. Dallas beat the eagles 14-13 on Sunday. That all the news I have for today. Will write again soon. Love Always Cip

  323. Hi mom, well The B team won their first basketball game by a score of 16-10. Aaron and I welded all day on Sunday. Ashley leaves this morning back to college. That all the news I have for today. Will write again soon Love Always Cip

  324. Hi Mom, well I have some great news today. Ashley made the Dean’s list for the Fall semester. This is the same as the Highschool Honor society. On to basketball, the B team won against Zamora 26-14 so my coaching record is 2-0. I have a basketball tournament on Saturday. That’s all the news I have for today. Will write again soon Love Always Cip.

  325. Hi mom, well last night the B team lost 30-32 against Harlandale Middle school in basketball. It was very close game. Now my record is 2-1. Ashley will be coming home today. Aaron is fine and the coaches asked him to try kicking soccer style for football. That’s all the news I have for today. Will write again soon Love Always Cip

  326. Hi mom, well last night the B team lost 15-19 against Scobee Middle school in basketball. It was very close game. Now my record is 2-2 Aaron got sick the another day so Linda had to pick him up from school. He is fine now. That’s all the news I have for today. Will write again soon love Always Cip

  327. Hi mom, the big story around here is the weather. We are expecting 2 to 4 inches of snow tomorrow morning. The schools should be closed due to the weather. Ashley’s classes were canceled along with our Basketball game today. That’s all the news I have for today. Will write again soon Love Always Cip

  328. Hi mom, well Superbowl 45 is over. The Green Bay Packers beat the Steelers 32-24. Everyone came over to enjoy the game. This coming weekend we will be traveling to Kingsville for Ashley’s birthday. She will turn 19 years old on Thursday. She has a basketball game on Saturday so we plan to see her cheer at the game. That’s all the news I for today. Will write again soon Love Always Cip

  329. Hi mom, the weather around here is cold. Today is Ashley’s birthday. She is 19 years old. I’m so proud of her! That’s all the news I have for today Will write again soon love Always Cip

  330. Hi mom, last night the “B team” beat McAuliffe MS 24-10 so record is now 3-2. The “A team also won by a score of 68-52. Monday is Valantine’s Day so I placed my order of roses to be delivered by UPS to you in heaven. That’s all the news I have for today. Will write again soon Love Always Cip

  331. Hi mom, last night the B team beat Leal MS 31-24 so my record is 4-2. This means that the team will be playing in the top eight tournament. We should be second or third in our division. That’s all the news I have for today. Will write again soon love Always Cip

  332. Hi mom, well tomorrow we will play Zomora MS in the second round of the playoff and if we win then we have to play for the championship at 3:00 pm that same day. Ashley will be at home later on today. That’s all news I have for today. will write again soon Love Always Cip

  333. Well on Saturday we lost both games so we ended up in fourth place. In the second game we lost in overtime 25-27. Aaron had a track meet at Medina Valley, he ran the 100 meters and placed fifth. Next week Linda has to travel to TAMUK for a Mother/Daughter meeting for Ashley’s sorority. That’s all the news I have for today. Will again soon Love Always Cip

  334. Hi mom, well track season starts today for me. I went to see Aaron at his track meet on Saturday. He ran the 220 in the second heat,he ran good. I was very proud of him that he is able to run track. Next week is spring break. That’s all the news I have for today. Will write again soon love Always Cip

  335. Hi Mom, well spring break is over. Ashley went back to school. Aaron and I worked on the yard this whole past week. I have to travel to Austin on Wednesday for another TAKS test review to se if the test will be Ok for the kids to take.That’s all the news I have for this past week. Will write again soon Love Always Cip

  336. Hi Mom, I have some good news, Ashley and her roommate Sam (names) were printed on the Texas A&M-Kingsville President’s List, Dean’s List, Honor Roll web site. Ashley’s name was place in the San Antonio group and Sam was placed in the Floresville group. There were six other students from San Antonio that made the Dean’s list. That’s all the news I have for today. Will write again soon Love Always Cip

  337. Hi mom, well here is the news for the past two weeks. Ashley has cheerleader try-outs starting on April 29- May 1st. Aaron has his last track meet today at Port Lacava. I took him early to school this morning because the coaches wanted to leave at 6:45 am. My track season will over next Thursday then I will start practice with the football All Star team. On to some sad news, Robert Lee my friend from High school died last week. The viewing will be this Sunday and he will be buried at Fort Sam on Monday. That’s all the news I have for this week. Will write again soon Love Always Cip

  338. Hi mom, well Easter has passed. I made BBQ and everyone came over. Ashley will start cheerleader try-out this weekend so Linda and I will be traveling to Kingsville. Aaron has a TAKs test on Thursday and Spring football training starts on the 4th on May. That’s all the news I have for this week. Will write again soon Love Always Cip

  339. Hi mom, Happy Mother’s Day. Yesterday we just sat around the house. Ashley will be home on Wednesday and Aaron has an athletic banquet tonight.His kicking has improved alot. That’s all the news I have for today. Will write again soon Love Always Cip

  340. Hi Mom, well Ashley came home yesterday. She has completed her first year of college. Aaron turned 15 years old yesterday. We got him a new phone for his birthday. That’s all the news I have for today. Will write again soon Love Always Cip

  341. Hi Mom, well Ashley’s grades for this semester are 2 A’s and 3 B’s. She has a 3.6 grade point average for her first year at TAMUK. Aaron made all A’s for the fifth grading period. We hope that the TAMUK cheerleaders will be going to Texas Stadium on September 17 because the football team will playing there. Next Friday Aaron will be playing in the Maroon vs White Spring football game. Hadear should be in her last semester at UTSA. That’s all the news I have for today. Will write again soon Love Always Cip

  342. Hi Mom, well tomorrow Ashley, Hadear, and Linda will be traveling to Colorado the see Judys son Clinton graduation from highschool. Aaron will play in the Maroon vs. White football game this Friday. Aaron and I plan to travel to San Marcos and stop by to visit you and then drive to Lockhart to eat some BBQ this Sunday. We have one week left until school is out. Linda and I will attend our 30th highschool reunion in June. The next following week Aaron and I have a football camp at TAMUK. We all are going to Rockport with Eddie and Tammy for the 4th of July. Aaron enjoys going because of the fishing. He wants me to get him a new fishing pole for our trip. Ashley has her cheerleader camp in San Marcos on July 14-17. Aaron will be attending the Floresville football camp every day in the summer. Next year I will be coaching the 7th grade football team. Thats all the news I have for day. Will write again soon Love Always Cip

  343. Hi mom, well today is the last day of school. I found out that I will be coaching 7th grade football next year. This summer I plan to install and new wooden fence and change the flooring in the washroom along with some other small projects around the house. That’s all the news I have for today. Will write again soon Love Always Cip

  344. Hi Mom, well the weather around here is HOT!. Because of the heat Aaron goes to football practice in the mornings. Last night it rained about 2 inches but we need more rain. Ashley and Linda left for TAMUK this morning. Ashley has cheer practice starting today until Sunday. Aaron and I have being welding alot. The fence is built and it looks real good. That’s all the news I have for today. Will write again soon Love Always Cip

  345. Hi mom, well our 4th of July fishing trip to Rockport is now a memory. Aaron caught the fish that weight the most and Tammy caught the longest one. Everyone had a good time. On to some good news, Nancy went into labor on Tuesday, she had a baby boy! Betty is now a grandmother. The weather is still hot and very little rain. The NFL owners and players are still in court over money so we’re just waiting to see when the football season will start. Ashley will be travling to TAMUK on Saturday and will leave to San Marcos on Sunday for the college cheerleader camp. That’s all the news I have for this week. Will write again soon. Love Always Cip

  346. Hi Mom, well the TAMUK cheerleaders did a good job at the SWTSU cheer camp. They proformed a lot better than last year. Ashley had a good time there. Linda and I went to see the team practice on Saturday, Sunday, and Monday. This is Aaron’s last week of football training summer camp. He will start football practice on Aug. 8th at 7:00 in the morning. I will be the head coach for the 7th grade football teams. I go back to work on the 1st of Aug. and Linda goes back on the 8th. The NFL football players and coaches might have a deal if so, the season should start on time. That’s all the news I have for today . Will write again soon Love Always Cip

  347. HI mom, well summer is over for all of us. I started work last week and Linda starts today. Due to the high heat, Aaron starts football practice at 6:00am and Ashley plans to return to TAMUK next Saturday. The cheerleaders have practice starting Saturday at 6:00 pm. so we plan to take her stuff back to school on that day. Once again I will have a busy schedule of football games to attend. That’s all the news I have for today. Will write again soon, Love Always Cip

  348. Hi mom, on Saturday morning Aaron had football practice, they were working on special teams. The Junior varsity was on a different field when the varsity head coach called for Aaron to come over and kick extra points with the varsity team. He later said that he very nervous about kicking. He kicked about eight times and missed only two. Coach Baker even told him to relax. I told Aaron that the coach Baker knows what he can do now. He also knows that Aaron is a kicker and all that practice we did during the summer is paying off. Thats all the news I have for today. Will write again soon love Always Cip

  349. Hi mom, well today is the first day of school. Aaron is now in the 10th grade. He is a sophomore in highschool. On Saturday we drove Ashley back to TAMUK and now she is college sophomore. I know that she will be in high spirits at TAMUK. She understands how the college system works. Aaron has his first football game against Highlands this Thursday. I start football practice today as the head coach for 7th graders. Everyone here, are doing well. That’s all news I have for today. Will write again soon Love Always Cip

  350. Hi Mom, well yesterday FHS JV football team lost 14 -0 against Highlands. Aaron had only one kick-off for 41 yards. Next week I have my first game against Kazen MS. Thats all the news I have for today. Will write again soon Love Always Cip

  351. Hi Mom, Aaron had a great game last night. He made four extra points and did five kick-offs for an average of 42 yards. The JV beat Lanier 28 -6. His kicks were real good; all that practice during the summer is paying off. Ashley had cheer practice yesterday and everyone told her that her flips were real good and tight. Even Tommy, the coach notices her flips too! Tomorrow the KMS 7th grade football team will play its first game against Kazen MS. I will you the score on Monday. That’s all the news I have for today. Will write again soon Love Always Cip

  352. Hi Mom, well the 7th grade A team won 46-0 and the B team won 28-6. We play our next game on Thursday. Ashley said TAMUK also won on Saturday. FHS varsity team lost 40-34 in overtime against Lanier. Dallas lost to Miami 17-3. That’s all the scores for this past weekend. Will write again soon Love always Cip

  353. Hi Mom, I have some GREAT news today for you. First the news about Aaron, yesterday during the JV football game the score was 0 to 0 with one minute and 30 seconds left in the game. The coach called on Aaron to kick a field goal and he made IT!!!!!!! The FHS JV team won the game against Brackenridge 3-0. After the game was over the team put Aaron in front of the line to shake hands with the other team then they carried him off the field. Linda called to inform me about the kick. I was so proud of him! Second Ashley was chosen to go to Dallas next week when TAMUK plays West Texas A&M. Looks like we will be traveling to Texas Stadium next weekend. Third the 7th grade A and B football teams beat Terrell Wells 30-6 and 20-0. My record is now 2-0. Thats all the news I have for today. Will write again soon Love Always Cip

  354. Hi Mom, good news again, Aaron made 3 extra points with a win over South San 35-14. The KMS A team lost 20-16 and the B Team won 16-8 yesterday agaist Harlandale MS. The record for FHS JV team is 3-1, The KMS A team is 2-1 and the B team is 3-0, Ashley is coming home today because her roommate’s (SAM) father died on Sunday and today is the viewing. Ashley will return back to Kingsville tonight so she can get ready for the trip to Dallas in the morning. Linda and Aaron plan on going to the viewing. I have to go scout in Marble Falls tonight. Tomorrow we leave for Dallas. That’s all the news I have for today. Will write soon Love Always Cip

  355. Hi MeMe, I miss you so much… I got to cheer at the Cowboy’s stadium, wish you couldv’e been there. Everyone was so excited and the only ones on the team that got to go were the vets [lucky for me its my second year(: ] It was really fun, but it was so hot in there it felt like there was no ac on so I was a little disapponited in that. I got to take pictures inside the big star thats on the middle of the field. It was a great once in a life time opportunity. Whenever I make potato and egg tacos I think of you, they were soo yummy! I miss you every day but know your in a better place and that I’ll see you one day. I LOVE YOU.

  356. Hi Mom, well the FHS JV football team lost to Antonian 21-0. Aaron only did the second half kick-off. Ashley travels to Wichita Falls this Saturday and will return back to TAMUK early Sunday morning. The 7th graders will play McNair tomorrow. That’s all the news I have for today. Will write again soon Love Always Cip.

  357. Hi Mom, well the 7th grade A and B teams beat McNair MS on Saturday. The score was A team 38-0 and B team score was 8-0. Ashley and the other cheerlearders went to Wichita Falls over the weekend, TAMUK lost 44-38. She got home around 4:00 pm. That’s all the news I have for today. Will write again soon Love Always Cip

  358. Hi Mom, well another week of football scores, the 7th grade A team won 22-0 and the B team won 20-0 against Leal MS. TAMUK won 38-20 against TA&M-Commerce and Dallas lost 34-30 against the Lions. FHS had an open week. This week Aaron will play against Gregory-Portland on Thursday. That’s all the news I have for today. Will write again soon, Love Always Cip

  359. Hi mom, today makes five years since your pasting. Over the year everyone has changed alittle. Ashley started her second year of college.She has change her major from education to becoming an occupational Therapist. Aaron is in the 10th grade and his kicking skills are improving. Betty became a grandmother and Eddie and Tammy are doing well. Hadear should graduate in December from UTSA and they have started their new football program. As for me I’m in my second year of coaching and we are doing very well. You pasted away at 2:05 pm and today at that same time I was just thinking about you and some of the thoughts I had were about the tacos you used to make. One day I will be there,so we can talk about football and the kids. That’s all the news I have today. Will write again soon love always Cip.

  360. Hi Mom well another week of football scores for you. First Aaron made two extra points on Thursday night. THe FHS JV team beat Victoria West 14-8. On Saturday the KMS A and B teams beat Scobee 32-0 ( same score) The A team is 6-1 and the B team is 7-0 Later that night TAMUK beat Incarnate Word 41-38. The football team traveled to San Antonio to play so Ashley came home on Friday night. Her friend Sara also stay with her at home. Ashley, Sam and her cheerleader friend left yesterday. That’s all the news I have for today. Will write again soon Love Always Cip

  361. Hi Mom, well the 7th grade football teams won 28-0 for A team and 22-0 for B team. A team season record was 7 wins and 1 lost. B team had a perfect record of 8 wins and 0 losts. All the boys were happy and alot of the parents thanked me for all the hard work we did as coaches. TAMUK lost last Saturday. Aaron plays on Thursday against Victoria East. That’s all the news I have for today. Will write again soon Love Always Cip

  362. Hi Mom, well Aaron made 1 extra point in the game against Victoria East. The score was FHS JV 15 Victoria 14. The weather has changed from hot to cold today. I was sick on Monday and Tuesday and Ashley is now sick. She might not make the trip to San Angelo tommorrow due to her cold. That’s all the news I have for today. Will write again soon Love Always Cip

  363. Hi Mom, I haven’t written lately because I was sick with the flu. I when to the doctor on Monday and stayed home for three days. Today Aaron will travel to Port Lavaca for their last football game of the season. I plan to drive there so I can see him play. The 7th B team made the website news and my name was printed as one the coaches. That’s all news I have for today. Will write again soon Love Always Cip

  364. Hi Mom, well the FHS JV football team lost to Port lavaca 33-13. Aaron made one extra point and he also missed one. Thier season record was 6 wins, 3 losts and 1 tie. The weather was cold. Now the off season starts. That’s all the news I have for today. Will write again soon Love Always Cip

  365. Hi mom, well this week has been very busy for me. First, I had to re-do all the files on the grades for this week. I have been on the computer all week. Second,we lost 2-0 in soccer. The 8th grade record is 0-4. The boys 7th grade lockers got painted on Tuesday. This will save me time because I was planning on painting them myself. Next week we will be off from school due to the Thanksgiving holidays. Ashley will be home next Wednesday. Aaron has the whole week off from school like we do. We are getting ready for Hadear’s graduation from UTSA and setting a date for everyone to celebrate her great accomplishment. Both Linda and are very proud of her and I know that you are too! Well that’s all news I have for this week. Will write again soon love Alway Cip

  366. Hi mom, well yesterday was Thanksgiving Day and everyone went to Eddie and Tammy’s home. Our family got a little bigger with the addition of Nancy’s baby. Once again Tammy made a wonderful meal for everyone. We lost our soccer game 1-0 on Monday. Dallas won 20-19 aganist Miami on Thursday. This morning Linda and Ashley got up very early to go shopping. That’s all the news I have for today. Will write again soon Love Always Cip

  367. Hi mom, well the weather has turned cold. The Christmas tree is up and all the decorations. This Sunday is my birthday, I will be 49 years old. That’s all the news I have for today. Will write again soon Love Always Cip

  368. Hi Mom, well another day with news for you. Ashley was at cheer practice, she fell and hit her mouth on her knee. Her front tooth went through her bottom lip. She was bleeding all over her face. The Doctor gave her stitches. Her coach went to check on her and she is doing well. Aaron had a field trip with the welding club today. Thats all the news I have for today. Will write again soon Love Always Cip

  369. Merry Christmas Mom, I’m writing to you from Telluride Colorado. Linda and I took the kids skiing. Aaron wanted to try snow boarding. He had a great time learning how to do it. Hadear and Linda went skiing without lessons and Linda hurt her knee. Hadear had a great time learning how to ski. Ashley and I played it safe. We just went sledding down small hills. There is a lot of snow around here and the temperature is around 20 degrees. The mountains are covered with snow and the views are beautiful. Telluride is small town like San Marcos. We plan on leaving tomorrow morning because I had basketball practice on Tuesday. I have a long drive ahead of me. That’s all the news I have for this week. Will write again soon Love Always Cip

  370. Hi mom, today I have some very sad news. Mrs.Peters pasted away last night. She was 95 years old. Thats all the news I have for today. Will write again soon, Love Always cip

  371. Hi Mom, well this morning Linda had her knee surgery done. The doctor said everything went well and he scheduled an appointment in ten days to check her progress. We lost last night 27-23 against Zamora MS. Aaron is doing good in school. He made four As and two Bs. Ashley made all As again so she should be on the Deans List for the fall semester. Ashley will back to school this Saturday. Both Hadear and Summer are doing well and working for the same insurance company. Thats all the news I have for today. Will write again soon Love Always Cip

  372. Hi mom, well some more good news. Yesterday we recieved a letter from TAMUK saying that Ashley had made the President’s List. This honor is only for students who have taken 15 college hours and made all A’s in thier classes. On to football, New England will be playing the NY giants in this year’s superbowl. That’s all the news I have for today. Will write again soon Love Always Cip.

  373. Hi mom, I have some good news today. Last night the B team beat TWMS 23-22. This was our first win of the basketball season. Tomorrow Linda and I will be travling to Kingsville to watch Ashley cheer at the basketball game with the coed team. Next week is Ashley’s birthday. She will be 20 years old. That’s all the news I have for today. will write again soon Love always Cip

  374. Hi Mom, well the New York Giants won superbowl 46 by a score of 21-17. That’s all the news I have for today. Will write again soon Love Always Cip

  375. Hi mom, well today is Ashleys birthday. She is 20 years old. Im so proud of all her accomplishments in college. I know that you are very proud of her too! Ashley has been cheering for over eight years. I still have her picture when she was a little girl in the cheerleader uniform you made for her on my desk. Last night we beat McAuliffe Middle school 26-18 in overtime. Thats all the news I have for today. Will write soon Love Always Cip

  376. Hi Mom well here is the beginning sentence that states what the requirement are for the TAMUK President’s list. “Texas A&M University-Kingsville has released the names of the students who made the Presidents List, Deans List and Honor Roll for the fall 2011 semester. In order to qualify for the prestigious Presidents List, a student must be enrolled in at least 15 semester hours and have a perfect 4.0 grade point average for the semester”. Ashley’s name was placed under students who live in the San Antonio area. Linda has to travel to Kingsville for a daughter/mother lunchon tommorrow for the Ashley’s sorority. That’s all the news I have for today. Will write again soon Love Always Cip

  377. Hi mom, well this pass weekend Linda and I drove to Houston to pick up her new car. She brought a little two seater convertible. It’s a crossfire and the color is black. Aaron went to his first one-on-one kicking camp. The coach was a kicker He has two kicking camps, one in San Antonio and his main camp in Houston. Aaron said that he learned a lot and he wants to go back. That’s all the news I have for today. Will write again soon Love Always Cip

  378. Hi mom, well spring break starts tommorrow. I have a track meet on Saturday. I hope it will be canceled due to the weather. On Sunday Aaron will have another session for kicking. Ashley will be home on Saturday. She has to go judge tryouts for cheerleaders at a highschool close to Kingsville today. I have a roof job to do over spring break. That’s all the news I have for today. Will write soon Love Always Cip

  379. Hi mom, well spring break is over. Aaron and I did that roof job. We finished on Friday. Aaron did a good job at roofing. Ashley went to the coast on Saturday and then left for Kingsville. Everyone is back at work or at school. Tomorrow is Summer’s birthday. She will be 22 years old and we all plan on meeting at Big Lou (pizza place)for her brithday. That’s all the news I have for today. Will write again soon Love Always Cip

  380. HI Mom, well Easter is over, everyone met at Eddie’s home. He and Tammy are moving to Virginia because Tammy has a new job there. Aaron burned his hand in welding class this past Wednesday. Today his hand is alot better. Ashley came home on thursday and left on Sunday afternoon. As for me, I’m doing track for the 7th and 8th grade boys. Our last track meet will be on April 20th. That’s all the news I have for this week . Will write again soon Love Always Cip

  381. Hi Mom, well last night Aaron was inducted into the National Honor Society. He was dressed in blue pants with a white shirt along with a blue tie. He seems to be growing up real quickly. You would have been proud of him! He was inducted as 10th grader so he has two more years in the National Honor Society. This morning Aaron called to tell me that he kicked a 30 yard field goal at practice. He said, the extra help he is getting from Coach Nick, is starting to make him kick better.. Thats all the news I have for today. Will write again soon Love Always Cip

  382. Hi Mom, well Ashley made the cheer squad again. She scored a total of 190 points. I don’t know how the judges score each cheerleader but her friend Sara scored 167. Another year of cheerleading for the fuss. That’s all the news I have for today. Will write again soon Love Always Cip

  383. I got 194 points(: and Sarah got 164. I did really good at tryouts and Sarah and I had the most advanced stunts out of all the other girls. Ready to start my third year of cheering here… Love you MeMe Ashley

  384. Hi Meme, Well I have some great news, I just found out that Ashley and her friend Sarah were asked to be captains for the coed Texas A&M University at Kingsville cheer team.

  385. Hi mom, well Aaron started Spring football training this morning. The team practice from 7;00am to 8:55am. This will last for weeks then they will a Maroon vs White game on Thursday. That’s all the news i have for today. Will write again soon Love Always Cip

  386. Hi mom, Happy Mother’s Day. Aaron turn 16 on Friday.We had ice cream instead of cake. Ashley came home on Saturday. It is offical, she was named co-captain of the coed cheer team. That’s all the news I have for today. Will write again soon Love Always Cip

  387. Hi mom, well spring football training is over. The coach had the two kickers practice kicking extra points. Aaron made all three of his kicks. Ashley found a job at a gym in Kingsville helping young girls learn how to improve their jumping skills. We have just one week of school left. Eddie sold his house so Aaron and I will be replacing the roof in two weeks. That’s all the news I have for today Will write again soon Love Always Cip

  388. Hi mom, well today is the last day of school for the students. Linda and I have to come on Monday and then we can start our summer. Next Tuesday Aaron and I will start roofing Eddie’s house. The girls are fine and doing well. That’s all the news I have for today. Will again soon Love Always Cip

  389. Hi mom, well I’m writing to you from Virginia. Aaron and I rode with Eddie It took us two days to get here. We leave early Friday morning. This place is different from San Antonio, its a lot cooler here than at home. I wish them the best of luck in their new home. That’s all the news I have for day. Will write again soon. Love Always Cip

  390. Hi Mom, it been some time since I last wrote to you. Linda and I went to Dallas (SMU) to see Ashley at cheer camp. Aaron started football practice again. He will be the kicker for the JV team. That’s because they have a person who is a senior and he was the kicker last year for the varsity team. The first day of school starts on the Aug. 27, Aaron will be a junior in high school and Ashley will also be a junior in college. I will be coaching the 7th graders again. I hope we can have another winning season. Aaron’s first game will be against Highlands. The weather has been real hot this summer because of the heat the grass hasn’t grow alot. I decided to stop cutting grass completly because there are no new customers. Everyone is fine and doing well, Eddie still hasn’t brought a house yet. They are still trying to find one. Betty is working and doing well. Hadear is still living with us and working at the insurance company. She wants another job but in this economy it’s hard to locate a new job. That’s all the news I have for today. Will write again soon Love Always Cip

  391. Hi mom, well Aaron picked up his class schedule for this year. He also recieved his class ranking for this year. He is 41 out of 256 students. This places him in the top 25% of his class. His grade point avg is a 3.9188. He still has two more years to complete. With grades like this he should not any problems entering college. I very proud of him. That’s all the news I have for today. Will write again soon Love Always Cip

  392. Hi Mom, Aaron picked up his class schedule for next year and he also found out his class ranking for this school year. He is 41 out of 256 students. This will place him in the top 25% of his class with a 3.9188 grade avg. I’m very proud of him. That’s all the news I have for today. Will write again soon Love Always Cip

  393. Hi mom, well today is the first day of school. All the little 3 and 4 year olds are cry for thier mothers. I remember when Aaron was that age and you took him to school. Now Ashley and Aaron are both grown up. Aaron has his first game against Highlands this Thursday and today is the first day of football practice for the middle school. That’s all the news I have for today. Will write again soon Love Always Cip

  394. Hi mom, well today I have some sad news. Billie Solis past away last Friday. She was 51 years old. That’s all the news I have for today. will write again soon Love Always Cip

  395. Hi Mom, well this morning I have some good news about Aaron. Highlands was ahead 6-0 at the end of the third quarter. Floresville’s JV offense scored on a fourth down pass from the 6 yard line in the fourth quarter. The score was 6-6. Aaron then made the extra point to give Floresville the lead 7-6 with 5 minutes left in the game. The tigers are now 1-0 with the help of Aaron’s kicking. That’s all the news I have for today. Will write again soon Love Always cip.

  396. Hi Mom, well TAMUK won 35-6 against Washington State. The cheerleaders looked real good on the field. There were about 40 cheerleaders on the two teams. Dallas plays the New York Gaints tonight to start off the NFL season. That’s all the news I have for today. Will write again soon Love Always Cip

  397. Hi Mom, well the JV team lost 6-0 against Brackenridge. They were at the 3 yard line when they fumbled the ball. That’s all the news I have for today. Will write again soon Love Always Cip

  398. Hi Mom, well another week of football. The 7th grade A team won 8-6 and the B team won 28-0 against Scobee MS. Ashely had to travel to Abilenethis past weekend. TAMUK won 16-13 against Abilene Christian. That’s all the news I have for today. Will write again soon Love Always Cip.

  399. Hi Mom, good news today, Both the 7th A and B teams won yesterday against Garcia MS. The score were A team 32-0 and B team 16-0. We are 2-0 for the season. We leave for Dallas in the morning to go see Ashlet cheer at. Texastadium. That’s all the news I have for today. Will write again soon Love Always cip

  400. Hi Mom, well another week of football scores for you. FHS won against Lanier 26-0 Aaron made two extra points and miss two. He said the holder was new and never practice holding a football for a kicker. KMS B team lost to TWMS 16-14, It was a close game. The A team won 16-8. Our record is 3-0 for A team and 2-1 for B team. That’s all the news I have for today. Will write again soon Love Always Cip

  401. Hi Mom, well another week of football scores for Aaron. The JV won against McCollum 7-0. They scored in the 4th quarter off a fumble. Aaron made the extra point! That’s all the news I have for today. Will write again soon Love Always Cip

  402. Hi mom, sad news today about football. Our games were canceled due to heavy rains. TAMUK lost in overtime against TA&M Commerce on Saturday. Thats all news I have for today. Will write again soon Love Always Cip

  403. Hi mom, well The JV teams lost to Harlandale 22-7. Aaron made the extra point. That’s all the news I have for today. Will write again soon Love Always Cip

  404. Hi Mom, it’s been a good while since I have writen anything here and mostly that is cause I know you see everything and you know what is going on. Well, it’s been 6 yrs now since you left us. It was today, October 9th that you left for heaven. Tammy and I are doing well we have a really nice big home now and two doggies. Your knew friend is Charlie Brown but you know that. We are ajusting fine here, the weather like Cip said is a lot cooler and it’s getting colder and wetter now to. We miss you Mom, still not a day goes by that I don’t want to pick up the phone and call you to see what you are doing. Your always here with us. Cip and Aarron drove with me here and we had a great time. I can’t wait to have all them up here for a chance to see the beauty of this place. We have great woods in the back of the house and the yard is big. I want you to know that I will always be here for our family even though I am across on the east cost. Well I have some painting to do, getting the house ready for some carpet. We love and miss you Mom! Always… Eddie, Tammy, and Riley & Charlie Brown.

  405. Hi Mom, well yesterday I took the day off to travel to San Marcos to visit your resting place. Tuesday made six years since your pasting. You would have been 76 years old next month. I will be 50 in two months.We continue living and working. Eddie how lives on the east coast and Betty is still working for the city. This year,I only have nine more years to go until I can retire from the school district. Ashley and Aaron are both juniors in college and highschool. That’s news I have for today. Will write again soon Love Always Cip

  406. HI Mom, well this morning I have some great news. Aaron kicked 8 extra points last night against Memorial. The score was 56-0. The jv team scored every three minutes so Aaron had to do 9 kick-offs and 8 extra point kicks. He was on the field a lot. That’s 8 extra points without missing a single one(he was 8 for 8)That’s all the news I have for today. Will write again soon Love Always Cip

  407. Hi mom, well the FHS JV team won on Thursday 41-0 Aaron only made one extra points. He missed four because of a new center. He couldn’t get the snap right. On Saturday both A and B teams lost to Leal MS. TAMUK beat Tarleton State 35-23. Thats all news I have for this past weekend. Will write soon Love Always Cip

  408. Hi mom, well the FHS JV team lost 36-0 against Medina Valley. Aaron only did the kick-off to start the second half. It was a good kick, it when around 50 yards. That’s all the news I have for today. Will write again soon Love Always Cip

  409. Hi mom, well another week of football scores. Both A and B teams won on Saturday, so our record is 5-2. Our season is over. TAMUK won also. Aaron still has two more weeks of football. That’s all the news I have for today. Will write again soon Love Always Cip

  410. Hi Mom, sorry that I have not written to you. The reason is that the website changed it computer format and the computers at school was not able to work on their new format. I brought a new computer and Aaron was able to format my computer so I can write to you again. A lot of news has happened, first I turned 50 last December. We had a good football season. I “m coaching basketball right now. Ashley and Aaron will be seniors this May. Aaron had made 8 extra points in a row in one game this past football season. Betty got sick for several days last month and I helped her out like you told me to do! Eddie is fine and they brought a new house. Tammy should be back from China. She was there for a whole month. Hadear moved out to an apartment with her friend. She is going well and her job gave her a promotion along with a higher pay raise. The holidays were ok, nothing special going on. Ashley will be 21 years old in 8 days. This might be her last year cheering. She said that her body hurts a lot and her hurt herself again two weeks ago. She is thinking of attending SWT because they have an OT program there. It takes three years to complete but if she does ,she will be granted the title of Doctor of PT. We are starting to look at different colleges for Aaron. He wants attend TAMUK and major in Electrical Engineering and he is starting to drive. That all the new I have for today. Will write soon Love always Cip

  411. Hi mom, the basketball season is almost over. We have an important game tomorrow against Harlandale Middle School. If we win, the team will take the number four spot in the play-off tournament. Ashley and the cheerleaders are planning to attend a cheer competition in California over spring break.Linda plans to travel to Colorado to visit Nicky. That’s all the news I have for today. Will write again soon Love always Cip

  412. Hi mom, well school is almost over. Ashley will be a senior after this semester. She decided not to tryout for the cheer team. Ashley said that she was getting hurt a lot and her body always felt sored. She is now looking for an apartment to live in for the next school year. The kinesiology department said Ashley if she would like to join the kinesiology debate team for next year. Aaron feeling are hurt due to football. His heart is not into kicking. I hope that football summer camp will change his attitude about kicking. We helped Hadear move into her new apartment last week. She still working at the insurance company and started a part time job about two months ago at Ann Taylor’s, which sell women’s clothes. Linda sister Judy moved here about six weeks ago. She brought all her drama with her. She’s a mess. That’s all the news I have for today. Will write again soon Love always Cip

  413. Hi mom, I just want to say Happy Mother’s Day. Today is Aaron’s birthday. He is 17 years old. Ashley is on her way home today…. Ashley just got here!. Everyone is doing well. We have just four weeks of school left. This summer will be short because of all the things going on. We will have to move Ashley into her new apartment at the end of the month. Aaron has two kicking camps in June. I have a doctor appointment because I’m fifty years old. That’s all the news I have for today. Will write again soon Love always Cip

  414. Hi mom,well the summer is all most over for Aaron and I. We mostly went to Aaron football summer camp and after that we would go to KMS because I had open gym. Aaron took the college entry test (ACT) and scored a 27 in Math, 24 in Science, 21 in reading, and a 19 in the grammar section for a composite score of 23. With this score he will not have any problems attending TAMUK and being accepted in the engineering program. He should get the Presidential Scholarship like Ashley. Last week he took his graduation and yearbook pictures. I will make sure that you get a picture Ashley got a job at the school. She is now a senior and attending summer school. Ashley will be here tomorrow so she can get her new military ID card. Yesterday was our 25th wedding anniversary. We plan on going dancing this Saturday. The football season will start soon so I will keep you updated with scores and how well Aaron does. Everyone else is doing fine. Hadear is back with Pepsi boy and Summer is working. That’s all the news I have for today will write again soon. Love Always Cip

  415. Hi Mom, well today makes seven years since your pasting. The kids are well and doing good in school. Ashley is a senior now and she still has one more year laft to complete. Because she is a double major, the courses she needs added another year at TAMUK. Aaron is kicking on the varsity team. He has a total of 15 extra points and one field goal. Right now he’s in third place in the district. My seventh grade football players are not strong or fast. We only have 13 players on each A and B teams. We only won two games so far. You would have be HAPPY to see Aaron and his girlfrend on the field for Homecoming. They came in scond place. On Saturday he will be driving (excorting) his friend in the Peanut parade. The doctor place me on a diet so far I have lost 37 pounds. That’s all the news I have. Will write again soon Love Always Cip

  416. The years are passing, but it doesn’t seem to be all that long since you left us. It’s cooling down here now, the leaves are changing color and the air is getting colder at night. We are adjusting well here making all kinds of new friends. We sure miss not seeing Cip, Aarron, Betty and the rest, Tammy want’s me to go to Texas come January when she is in Hong Kong. I am thinking about it, but I worry about the dogs all the time, they are finally getting use to me leaving and running around during the day. Charlie Brown is playing like a real dog should he as finally come out of his shell, and well, Riley is doing really well… She has gained a lot of weight. I love and miss you and I want you to know that I am really happy in my new life. I could not have imagined anything this good, and I know you knew Tammy would be good for me. We both miss you. I remember this day like if it was just a day ago. I will ask Betty to go light a candle for you at Stain Judes. Love you always…

  417. Hi mom, well our football season is over, I’m glad its over because we have a bad season. We only won two games. Floresville HS football team are doing good, they won a big game last Friday night against Medina Valley. The score was 14 to 7, Aaron had two extra points. This brought his total to 27 points for the year. This victory also gave them a play off spot in three weeks. This weekend we plan to go see Ashley and again in two week because she got an award for “Who’s Who at the college level” There were only 150 students from TAMUK who got this award. On to some GREAT NEWS for you. Aaron has been accepted to attend Texas A&M University at Kingsville! Both Linda and I are very proud of him. That’s all the news I have for today. Will write again soon Love always Cip

  418. Hi mom, on to the good news. Aaron did real good in football. He scored 29 extra points and he made two field goals. One was aganist Harlandale HS. The team won the 29-AAAA district title but lost in the bi-district by 2 points. He made All District Academic and Second-team ALL-State academic. He graduated last Friday night. He finished highschool with a 93.8 grade average and he was number 41 in his class at Floresville HS. He and Ashley when to TAMUK yesterday so AAron can register and AShley can go back to summer school. Aaron plans to major in mechanical engineering. He got the presidential scholarship and some other small ones. Ashley once again made the President’s list. This is better then the Dean’s List. Next week we plan to travel to Houston to help Ashley check out graduate school for OT. She will graduate form TAMUK next May as a double major. That all the news I have. Love Always Cip


Sign the Guestbook, Light a Candle

  1. CandleImage
  2. CandleImage
  3. CandleImage
  4. CandleImage
  5. CandleImage
  6. CandleImage
  7. CandleImage
  8. CandleImage
  9. cemetery

Accessibility Tools
hide