Working on my summer to-do list... part 1

Here we go!  Into the best season of the year!  I am trying to get some items from my summer wish list checked off... whether I get to all of them or not, I am smiling a lot and taking in every moment.

Although watching our grandson, Christopher, wasn't on my wish list, that event took me to the park, which was on my list... and spending the afternoon with this little guy brought lots of smiles to my face.






Wearing new shades of lipstick?  Done!



When I said "visit all water parks within 30 miles" I didn't necessarily mean the parks with water fountains that shoot up from the ground to play in... but this worked, too!





 Much progress has been made on the painting of my bedroom!  The results are exciting.  You can see the new shade is not white, but not dark or too colorful.





Stay tuned for more summer events!!  I hope they get a bit more exciting than painting walls... I am sure they will!

Thorns

I was not raised with a green thumb.  I'm quite sure that any houseplant I was given prior to 2007 was doomed and died.  I liked them just fine.  I just had no idea how to take care of plants. 

Scott was raised by the Green Thumb Queen Katie.  To visit her home is a visual treat.  Her flower beds are lovely, the roses climbing her brick exterior fireplace are gorgeous.  Multiple large flower pots boast the prettiest plants and blooms.  Ivy surrounds her front porch and her back porch has a back wall of jasmine, which intersects and combines with grapes that cover the porch roof. 

Katie has been a patient donor.  The purple daisy-like flowers were so thoughtful.  I wish they had survived being planted out front.  My pink azalea did not make it through last summer.  This year's purple azalea is faring much better!  My irises are more than surviving and seem quite healthy... I need to learn how to thin them out, actually!  I am proud to say that my wedding ivy has taken off!  It might even surround my front window someday.  And the miniature red roses that Katie brought to me shortly after I moved here are thriving.  The hydrangeas are most impressive! 


Potted purple azaleas... they wont bloom until next year.


Pretty pink hydrangeas. 


My ruffled mauve roses have been going crazy with multiple blooms!


And this brings me to my post title... thorns. 

Now, I enjoy an object lesson.  And irony can bring a smile to my face. 

There I was.  Free time had found me and I was out clipping and pruning in the flower beds.  Along the side of the house are my 3 rose bushes.  I used to be very intimidated by them.  But, I have found my plant caring confidence this year and I was out there working.  And thinking.  I am always thinking about life and lessons and looking for areas to work on.  This is an annoying part of who I am when I want to sleep at night... but that is another topic.  So, there I was, thinking about the thorns on these rose bushes.  Working very carefully to avoid having my skin punctured and scratched up by thorns, I clipped.  I didn't completely avoid the run-in with the ever evil thorn.  I stepped back, marveling at how sharp those buggers are!!  They are really, really sharp.  Then, of course, I couldn't think of sharp thorns without thinking about my Jesus.  Gazing at those thorns, I thought of how awful it would feel to have a crown of them shoved down on top of my head!!  As I mentioned, I like an object lesson well enough... and irony has it's place in life, but... really??  Just after I consider thorns piercing my brow, (and quite deeply in thought, I must say...) I turn and bend down to pull a few weeds and OUCH!  I bent right into a branch with a thorn at just the right place to stick me in the forehead!!!  Like I said... I was deep in thought and all... and I laughed at the irony of my thoughts and life events.

The Official "I LOVE Summer" and My List of Summer Dreams Post

I love summer, oh, yes I do!!  I love nearly everything about it.  I love it sooo much more than any other season.  It is MY time.  To me, heaven will be never getting chilly or cold again.  I love that I live in an area that gets hot all summer.  I guess I will have two lists in this post... one for all the reasons I love summer and a second one for all the dreams I have to try to fit into one summer.

Here goes the first list!  I love summer so much because...

I rarely get cold
I don't have to wear layers
I can wear summer dresses and not get cold
I can wear a pony tail nearly every day and it "works"... (yes, I will be the 50 year old lady wearing a pony tail... maybe even wear one at 60... I guess we'll see!)
I love the smell of hot dirt and plants in the evening as I water them... you just can't get that any other time!
We can run around barefoot and not care where our shoes are... for a few weeks!
Children sleep in later and we don't have to "get up and go" prior to 8am... usually... I don't sleep in, but I sip coffee in a quiet living room, reading or writing... or sit on the porch... taking in every quiet moment life has to give me.
I have more time for the "bigger" projects in life!
The dock is warm, but shaded, so not too hot... and I can sit and play cards while Scott works on the boat and I am not cold or hot... I just am...
You can learn unique lessons that would happen only this time of year... like, don't jump into the delta with your cell phone still in your pocket!
Some days you walk outside the door and the heat hits you and sinks in and just feels SOOO good (heat as in over 100 degrees... no one else seems to share this love of mine, but that's okay!)


Well... I imagined my why I love summer list to be longer... and it could be, but I'd have to keep sitting here thinking and I want my love for summer to simply pour out...

Without further ado... here is my wish list for summer... things that I want to do at 100%, breathing in every moment...

This summer I want to:

Visit every water park within 30 miles... and go on nearly every ride... and particularly enjoy the wave pool and lazy rivers with Victor.
Read a classic novel... I am starting Treasure Island... I have never actually read the book!  Seems like a perfect summer time read!
Got to the library and find or order books on my list that I haven't wanted to purchase
Wear a lipstick shade that I normally wouldn't... just for fun...
Relax in the hammock at dusk, sipping a mojito, watching for the old horned owl to fly out of his tree next door...
Lay on a blanket in the shade at the park while the kids play... see if I can fall asleep... probably not, but I'll have my book with me!
Re-organize the garage... I know this is actually work, but once it is done, it will bless us all...
Paint and redecorate my bedroom...
Find and hang shimmering, flowing lavender curtains at my bedroom windows... the kind that you swag at the top... I don't like thick curtains...
Hula-hoop out on the cliffs of New Brighton Beach in Capitola as the sun sets over the ocean... hopefully with some friends!!


Isn't this the best summer picture??  It always fills me with happiness...

Go to an outdoor concert... probably just a local one...
Buy a couple pairs of flip flops or summer sandals in bright colors... like red or green or both... to match favorite shirts... and definitely finish it off with that new lipstick shade!
Listen to the old Go-Go's album... the "Vacation" one... over and over... it's so much fun! (and, hey, kids, it's better than putting you through Barry Manilow, right??)
Go out on an absolutely fabulous, wonderful date with my man!!!
Hang out at Pier 39, San Francisco... find the art store I heard about... then go and gaze at my favorite landmark... the Golden Gate Bridge.
Keep my flower bed plants healthy and alive!
Buy a great summer hat that I really, really like... one that'll keep the sun off my face and neck...

Well... that's it!  I suppose there is a possibility that I wont get to do everything on my list.  But, I live with lists nearly every day, and this is the best one ever!!  (it sure beats lists of running errands and buying groceries!!!)

What do you really want to do this summer??  Please leave me a message and let me know!  

Graduation, Part 2

Bek, in her graduation outfit.



My girl leans forward to connect with me.



Me and my graduated girl.

The day after graduation was one of the best days ever.  We went hiking in the Ozarks.  To say it was beautiful just doesn't work.  It was more than that.  It took my breath away.  I could imagine soundtracks form Lord of the Rings playing in certain parts.

















And I end this post with Bek... taking her graduation seriously... gazing at the paths before her... taking it all in.

The week later post with all things "Arkansas"

Life keeps me running.  I seem to always be "about to learn" to slow down and take in the moments and then off I go on another task... A week ago I returned from enjoying several days away from the family, visiting relatives and watching my daughter, Bek, graduate.  This morning I have some time... I think.  I could be washing walls and door jams in preparation of painting my bedroom.  I could get some more laundry done.  I have an ever present stack of filing staring at me from my desk top.  But, I'll take some time to share with my friends and family about my trip instead... or it might not get done!

It started with a lovely day at the spa.  Kind of.  I woke up early and drove to the airport, leaving behind 7 children (it seems like I shouldn't be calling them that anymore... they are getting so much older now... what do you call your children when they grow up?) and to everyone else on the airplane it was just another flight.  For me, it was spa day.  I sat back, enjoyed a book I'd been trying to get to, took in several deep breaths and sighed.  It was very nice to not be responsible for anyone besides myself.

The next day, Rebekah and I stared out the window, watching the rain pour down.  Now, Rebekah loves the rain.  She always wants to go out and play in the puddles and go for long walks in the downpour.  Me?  I am doing good when I take a shower and avoid getting water splashed on my face!  It's my brothers' fault.  Whenever we were in a pool swimming... whenever there was a squirt gun... guess who got it?  Me.  Right in the face.  I don't like the rain.  But, Rebekah wanted to ride the city bus around, take me to the mall, and show me around.  The weather forecast was not very promising.  So, I wore my brother's rain coat and decided to live life a little... and out in the rain we went.  We ran.  I started singing some such goofy song about singing in the rain and we were laughing and just as we neared the bus stop, we saw it.  The bus.  It just zoomed on by without us.  Now, it was POURING.  My feet were thoroughly drenched.  My capri jeans were dripping, so what did I have to lose?  We kept laughing and splashing and it was fun.



And wouldn't you know it... as soon as our shoes and clothes were tumbling in the dryer and we were changed the sun came out!!!  We got ready once more and this time we made it to the bus stop on time.  I love to goof off and laugh, but sometimes my children don't get to share that with me because I have so much to do and get too busy.  This was Bek's and my day to just joke and laugh.  We went into the mall and she wanted to get into one of those photo booths with me.  I protested, saying, "Bek, I did not take the time to look pretty today..." And glancing at her, I continued, "and neither did you!"  So, we decided to pile our hair on top of our heads and take goofy pictures, since we knew they wouldn't be beautiful pictures...








The next day I spent several wonderful hours getting to know my nieces, Amanda and Jenny and their children.  It was fun to see little Maggie warm up to me and giggle.  Zachary tried to fool me, pretending to not want much attention, but I could tell he likes the lovin'.  Looking into Amanda's eyes I can see our family resemblance... I see her eyes and think, "I've seen those eyes before!"  They are a lot like mine.  I hope she hasn't minded too much when she's been told that she looks a little like her Aunt Betty.  I am proud of both of those girls... waking up each day to take care of their little ones.  I particularly enjoyed holding baby Abigale and giving Jenny a break.  I had to take her outside to get her away from her momma, but once I did, she could feel my mother love and relaxed with me.  So, we settled in for a bottle and a nap and Jenny got to enjoy an hour to herself.  Thanks Amanda and Jenny, for the hospitality - it's great being family!

My mom and her love, Mike, drove in that day, too.  It was wonderful to see how much Mike cares for my mom and the fun they have together.  I couldn't possibly repeat the things that we laughed about... but it was sure a great time!!!



Rebekah's graduation was nice.  Terri, my brother Ron's wife, and I sat and tried to calculate how many hours I would spend in graduations.  Well, you take 9 children... high school graduations take a couple hours... and then guess how many of those nine would be likely to graduate from college and add on hours for those graduations... I guess we passed the time supposing and calculating.  Then my dear girl graduated.

Nathaniel turns 14

When I think back over the past 14 years as Nathaniel's mom, I remember many dear things that would totally embarrass him if I wrote about them and published them on my blog!  So, I am going to share some dear things that I choose to tone down or write about discreetly...

From before Nathan was born, he must have been sucking his middle two fingers.  I never could break this boy of this habit.  My dad always said, "Let the boy suck his fingers... you can always fix his teeth later, but if he needs this habit for security, you cannot fix his mind."  I noticed by the time he started kindergarten, that he sucked a LOT when he was thinking.  It was a connection... like the battery of his brain was in his mouth, activated by these two little fingers... and he has a brilliant brain...

Some scenes from Nathan's life are imprinted in my memory.  Like when he was a toddler sitting out in the driveway with the Tonka truck and Tonka loader and one of my kitchen spoons... playing as sweetly as any boy ever did... and out came some yellowjacket and stung him!  Oh!  The injustice of it!

Nathaniel has always been an easy child to raise.  In school, he just "knew" things.  I remember him reading out loud all the "Bob Books" to me... and he was a whiz in math.  For the first year or so that I homeschooled him, I would begin a sentence and he would finish it for me... he had been paying attention all those early years and he just skipped ahead to Stephen and Julie's grade and learned whatever they were learning, because he already knew kindergarten and 1st grade.  And he thought the most unusual thoughts... for a 6 year old.  He would hang out in the living room... thinking... after looking at the thermostat.  He called out, "Mom?  What's 82 plus 82?"  "Wait!  Don't tell me!  I know this!  It's 160!"  I started to correct his math, but before I could he said, "Oh, no... I forgot the 2's... it's 164!"  So, I continued fixing dinner, amazed by my brilliant child.  Then he was going to bed... laying there sucking his fingers and thinking.  You could practically see his brain at work.  I asked him what he was thinking about and he raised up a bit and said, "Oh, I was just thinking of how many pieces are on the chess board... I was counting up how many on each side and the total..."  Mmm-hmmm... just what every 6 year old boy does when it's bed time, right?  Just so you know, he is the undisputed chess champ of the family.  Sometimes Stephen can get a game off of him, but not often.

I will resist the more embarrassing (for Nathan) stories... but I will say that he has been a bit of a momma's boy and I don't regret that one bit.  He has been a gift in my life.  He has sang some lovely, sentimental songs to me with all his heart... but that's all I'll say... for his reputation... since he IS 14 now...


Nathaniel is smart, but sometimes is unmotivated... well... lazy, truth be told.  He plays a solid, strong game of tennis and gives his older brother a challenging match.  He is set to move to his father's home this summer and will play a lot more tennis than he does here with me.  I am excited for him to have every good opportunity that he can take hold of and chase down each dream for his future that he has.  On quiet evenings I will be missing him... wondering if he is sucking his fingers, trying to solve an algebraic expression... and I'll be hoping to get a call asking me to come watch an important tennis match that he'll have.

Here is a slide show from Nathaniel's 14th birthday celebration:

From 20-20 to Tri-focals in 2 years

I knew that my eyesight was changing.  No longer was the fine print on the Tylenol bottle readable.  Once I got it into focus by taking it further away from me, it could not be read.  It was also getting more difficult to thread the needle on the sewing machine.  So, into the eyedoctor's office I went.  And he smiled and said, "You have 20-20 vision!  Your eyes see perfectly!"  He went into some explanation about aging.  Mmm-hmmm. 

The fine print stayed unreadable.  It took several attempts to thread a needle.  I went into the drug store and purchased magnifying eyeglasses because I really wanted to see more.  But, when I wore them and looked up around the room, the rest of life was blurry.

So, back into the office I went and had another exam.  Several times I was trying so hard to focus that it seemed still objects were moving!  This time the Dr. said, "Wow.  Your long distance vision is a little off.  Your medium range vision is even more off.  You must not be able to see much close up."  Finally.  He was getting it!  He gave me another talk about aging, ordered tri-focals and out into the lobby I went... to pick out frames. 



I am now happily wearing my eyeglasses.

A fave of Victor at Sutter's Fort

Sutter's Fort

Victor's 4th grade class joined another 4th grade class and went on an overnight field trip to Sutter's Fort.  Joseph had the same opportunity last year and he and I had a fabulous time.  This year, great memories were made once more.

We had to wear "authentic" time period clothing.  I made my dress, the teacher's dresses, a cook's dress and Max's mom, Jill's dress.  I made Victor's short pants.  I couldn't pass up the opportunity to see a boy in knickers, now could I?

We met at the school at 6:30am.  While the children lined up and boarded the school bus, parents divided up and carpooled.  After a brief stop at Starbucks, we were on our way.

Parents arrived at the fort first and we began preparing stations for the children.  I was a basket weaver and put out metal tubs and filled them with water, for soaking reeds to make baskets with.  Other stations that the children had were: candle making, trapping, rope making, carpentry, kitchen and baking, stage coach, weaving and blacksmith.  We were all dressed in time period clothes and the hustle and bustle did in fact feel like we were transported to another time.

The bell rang to announce the children's arrival.  They had taken a bus to a local stop and boarded horse drawn carriages for their grand arrival at the fort.  Each child had taken the name of a pioneer settler who had in fact traveled from the east to the west and stayed at Sutter's Fort.  They had prepared by studying their character and preparing speeches to give.  So, parents gathered out front of the fort to welcome our travelers.







A class board was made by a parent who had previously taken photos of the children when they dressed up for a school presentation.  Their historic names were used on the board and this was displayed in the front of the entrance to the fort for visitors to see.

After some group photos children went inside and began their activities at their stations.  There was a half hour lunch and "mail call".  Parents were asked to secretly write a letter to each of these settlers, as if they were related in some way and turn it in at the school.  I wrote a love note to Victor, as if I were a girl friend that he'd left behind.  He opened his mail, read it and quite embarrassedly stuck it into his cloth sack!




Children then continued to visit each station and as the afternoon wore on, they were a bit quieter and subdued... they were getting tired.  Before we knew it, it was time to wrap up the stations and have dinner.  Men had been cooking chickens on a spit over an outdoor fire, then they cooked the tri-tip.  Dinner was tasty, but all of my food was cold.  Guests were invited to eat first, then children and volunteer parents.

A spraying hose began to wet the dusty ground and I could hardly sit still.  I knew what was next!!  A couple of musicians, also in time period clothing began calling out dances with their not so time period microphones. The children loved this.  I loved it.  I could imagine long ago when there were no televisions and game systems and families grabbed violins and guitars and had some great times with music and dancing.  Nothing beats it.










After the dancing, children gathered for singing and then as the sun set and the sky darkened, an Indian lady unraveled quite a fascinating bedtime tale.  Our bags of bedding were put out on the grounds and our modern air mattresses were inflated.  We snuggled down under the stars for a good night's sleep... right?  Well, not exactly.  Just as I was about to drift off to sleep, Victor and Max were woken for night watch.  Children had been divided up into groups to walk the inside perimeter of the fort, keeping us settlers safe.  They had wooden rifles (that do NOT work, they are inactive toys).  Well, Victor and Max did not want to wake up and it appeared that when we did get Victor up, he began to sleepwalk.  He was drifting around the middle of the fort, aimlessly.  We called him back and the men in charge of night walk helped him from there.  He insists that he was awake.  Sure thing.  I don't recall every falling asleep totally.  In the morning we had to thoroughly clean up and pack up.

After I got home, showered and thought I'd become a modern day settler (settling into my comfy bed!), I noticed a package had arrive for me!  It was my mother's day gift!!  I am now pouring over 4 Chonda Pierce books and have acquired 5 of her dvds.  Thank God for modern day books and videos!

My family grieves...

Some families are born out of marriage... others are born out of remarriage after divorce... and yet others are born after death.  Our family happens to be a cross of the latter two.  I married a man who lost his wife to cancer.  They were together for many years, raised two boys to adulthood and had two young sons.  Since I never knew Micheel, I really cannot say much about her.  But, I'd like to share about the family she left behind.

Scott was a faithful husband to her.  He would have never left her or been unfaithful.  He cared for her very much.  Sometimes I am envious at their communication... Scott tells me that they talked and talked and talked... about everything.  I could learn from Micheel about that.  Some days I ask, "Scott, do you sometimes walk through the house and just miss Micheel?"  And he says yes.  It's so important for him to know that it is okay to miss her... to remember her. 

Chris is her oldest son who has missed his mom so much that I have seen heartbreak in his eyes.  He stayed by her side day and night for weeks on end, caring for all her needs.  He and Sonia have wished so much that they could share their son, Christopher with her.  There is still a whole in their lives and I pray for peace, as they continue to grieve.  I am proud of them.  They are wonderful parents.  I enjoy it when we get little chances to visit, knowing that it is difficult for them.

Corey is an amazing young man.  He is approaching his 21st birthday and is one of the most responsible guys I have ever met.  His mother's passing came as he was preparing for graduation.  I cannot imagine the empty pain he must have felt on graduation day, just weeks later.  And he moved forward, bravely.  He has worked full time and attended college full time, paying his own way.  I am amazed at this guy!  I love to hear him laugh.

Clayton and Cody are now 13 and 11.  On sunny summer days I ask, "What is a favorite summer memory with your mom?" They tell me with happy eyes about something special.  And sometimes at bedtime I get to hear another memory, but their eyes are not happy... they are sad... and they pause and think of her, tears on their cheeks.  We look at pictures and I hear a little bit more. 

I haven't been able to share memories of Micheel with other family members... but I know how much Micheel loved them, because I've found little things that she wrote and left behind.  She adored her niece, Taylor, wanted the best life possible for her and loved helping with Taylor's baby, Noah.  There are many friends she left behind at church.  Once in a while I get to talk with one of those friends and I hear how much they loved her. 

Each year I buy flowers for remembering Micheel.  I have the boys write a note to her.  The last couple of years those notes were attached to balloons and we let them go from the church, after praying together and thanking God for her.  I also take pictures so that the boys will have a yearly memoir of these times... to stay connected. 

When I married Scott, I did not take Micheel's place.  Another family began... a different family.  Not a better family... just a different one.  And to Micheel's boys, Scott, Chris, Corey, Clayton and Cody I say I love you and I am so sorry for your loss.  May God's peace fill your hearts.

Remembering Desi

Once there was a young girl named Desirae Mooney. She went by Desi and was a vibrant person. Her parents and sisters loved her.... and she did not know her Aunt Betty. She might have known that her dad had a sister named Betty and that Aunt Betty lived far away with a lot of children, but didn't stay in close contact with her extended family. But, honestly, I doubt she ever thought of me. I didn't know her... she didn't know me.

And one day Desi's short life of 18 years came to a tragic end in a car crash.

I'll never forget the look on my brother's face. Painfully etched in my memory is him standing there, shaking his head, distraught. I'll never forget the feel of hugging him while he wept. Some memories we wish just wouldn't have happened. We'd rather not have that experience. I'll never forget seeing Desi's mom, Diana, eyes puffed and swollen from grief, holding her loved daughter's shirt in her arms.

Today is the 2nd anniversary of Desi's death.

Please pray for Dan, Diana, Denise and Dari as they grieve today.

And learn along with me a very important lesson. My niece, were she here, would not be able to say, "Aunt Betty taught me......" And that is tragic, too. How many of us don't stay in touch with loved ones out there? It would not have taken me long to write a note once in a while and send it to my niece. But, life was busy and I never did. Please don't do that. Take a moment and contact someone that hasn't heard from you lately. When I left the services held for my niece I promised myself that I would stay in contact with family.... even if means sending a card at holiday time or little goodies sent by mail. I want my nieces and nephews to know Aunt Betty. Who needs to know you?

On getting new clothes and finding treasures...

We've heard it many times. Our words are powerful. As mentioned in a previous post, while having a great time skating and hearing a favorite "teen" song begin to play, my face lit up and I announced to Scott and his son, Chris, "I told the kids that for Mother's Day this year I want to get gangster clothes, straighten my hair and do a video lip sincing to this song!" (Ima Be) Now, Chris laughed and said I should, that it would be "hecka funny". And Scott had an odd look on his face. He loves my curly hair, but I don't think it was the hair part that bothered him. I didn't know at the time if it was the gangster clothes or lip sincing to such a song as he'd never really listened to...
All I know now is, he went out and bought me a lovely, feminine spring outfit!!! I didn't ask about gangster clothes...




Yesterday while out running errands and waiting for Stephen to meet with his boss, I stopped in at a thrift store and found these:



Aren't they so happy looking? Shasta and Julie claimed them, so I am still looking for that special coffee cup for me. But, since it's a bit dreary with rain and chilly temps, I think I'll wash out Julie's cup from this morning and use it. It'll be just the thing to combat the dismal weather. Now, to find just the right lap blanket and a good book...

It's been one of those days...

You know, those days where you are ready to reach for a glass of merlot and sink into a hot bath...

I woke up and enjoyed a hot cup of coffee...
helped prepare breakfast and pack lunches and make sure boys brushed their teeth...
headed out to take kids to school... dropped of two boys at middle school and two at the elementary school...
came home and started washing up some dishes, instructed Cody on some homeschooling, started a load of laundry and then ran Shasta to work.
After that I took Stephen to his classes and came home to do more homeschooling and prepare some art supplies for Joseph's project...
and then went to pick up Stephen.
When we got home we realized that it was a minimum day and Zoey was waiting for a pick up.
As soon as we got in and I swapped laundry loads, it was time to go get the young boys because they always get out early on Wednesdays... this makes it extra wonderful for those moms who love to keep getting in and out of a car.
We were now home and could relax a bit... yep... Joseph and I built a paper mache mountain range on top of a shoe box for his Alaska project. That was fun. I like art. It really was fun.
A couple of boys began to play chess. I worked on an email. Zoey asked if she could go to Barnes and Noble and Joseph wanted to meet friends at the school park, so we headed out and dropped them off. After swapping the laundry and getting a glass of water it was time to pick up Joseph. He is still too young to have longer "hang out at the park" days, so he played about 45 minutes and his friends were with him.
We got in from picking him up and decided to start the grill. Stephen is my go-to guy for grilling. He let me know that the briquets were locked up in the storage shed and Scott has the keys and is out of town today. SO, we got back into the mini-van and went to the store.
This is where is gets really fun.
We bought briquets. I DID ask Stephen if we needed lighter fluid. He said we had some at home.
We came home. Stephen tells me that the lighter fluid is locked up in the shed, too.
We drove back to the store and bought lighter fluid and matches... just in case we needed matches.
We got home and Stephen successfully started the grill. He came in, happily getting the brats and heading to the back yard. He opens the brats.
He puts them on the table at the patio.
He decides to come inside to get tongs.
AND the Jack Russell Terrier gets onto the table and knocks down the brats.
The brats are consumed by one happy little dog and Baloo... the big queensland.
Stephen and I happily get back into the car and drive to the store to buy brats.
And this great guy tells me, "God has something to teach us in this."

Stephen has now grilled the brats.
I would eat and take a bath and climb into bed, but then I'd have to get up and get into the mini-van one last time today to pick up Shasta from work.

Oh, and somewhere in all of that the tops of the mountain range were painted white for snow...
and little birch trees were painted... maybe in between eating dinner and picking up Shasta the trees will be mounted.

And then...



off to sleep.

According to Victor...

"I got to cheer up an old man at school today... I think old people have lost some of their humor."

"I love Fridays. Because when you wake up in the middle of the night (what mom calls "morning") and see the lights on, you don't have to get up. It's Saturday morning and you can stretch."

"I had a runny nose at school today. I was in class and it started raining inside my nose."

Have a happy Friday everyone!

Busy, beautiful days...

This past week had so many treasures in it...

For months I've been planning on taking Zoey to get her nails done and we finally did it! You know that your words mean something, right? Well, when Zoey was born I held her and said, "You're gonna be my little shopping buddy!" She heard me. She has reminded me several times that I said that to her. She is all girl. Those who know me know that I am NOT a high maintenance gal. I go for comfort and time. Life is all about what to do next... not about looking in a mirror. So, Zoey did not get this from me! She loves to work on hair and makeup. When she was 8 she would go through department stores and point out which outfits would look good with different purses, handbags and shoes. I knew. This is her, through and through. She made me get a pedicure while she got her nails done. Totally forced me. My arm was twisted behind my back. Well... Anyway, nothing says pretty to me like a french manicure on my toesies!!





Sooo many choices for Zoey to make:



And if a french manicure on the toes says pretty... peace at church says beautiful!



Good Friday was a beautiful day. In the morning after I'd served the children breakfast, we gathered around the living room and I read several chapters from Matthew. There were some pauses here and there, as we took in what was being read and pondered... how would it have felt to deny being a friend of Jesus... how would it have felt to be one of the soldiers who at one time was mocking and participating in the crucifixion and another moment in time realizes, "Surely this is the Son of God"!

Then we went straight to church. The sanctuary was dimly lit. All was quiet. What a great feeling to walk in with most of the children... Stephen went to the balcony to pray... Zoey and Nathan went straight to the front steps, wanted to get as close to the cross as possible... Victor stood at the floor, right in the center... Joseph sat quietly in a pew... Each one of them stayed quiet and prayed on their own. We sat for about 10 minutes, then I motioned for them to leave with me. As we walked back to the car I was asked, "Is that all we came to church for?" Yep. That was it. To sit and ponder the cross and pray. To thank God for Jesus. Some day they will look back and they will remember. They will appreciate going to church to "just pray".

That evening our church choir gathered and rehearsed for our Good Friday Service. We sang a few songs. Stephen had been asked by Karla, our choir director and the pastor's wife, if he'd take some photos with her camera. After agreeing and following through, he stayed seated in that center, front row, next to the pastor. Zoey had joined him, too. I confess, I was singing with the choir and silently praying, "God, please don't let my teens start texting in front of the pastor during the service!"

As it worked out, we broke into prayer groups. Who did Stephen and Zoey gather with to pray? The pastor and his wife! I love it. Here is a church of 3,000. It's not that the pastor and his wife are unreachable, but in a church that size, they don't get to talk to everybody. And they shared the evening with my son and daughter. I have to share a bit of the humor now. See, Zoey isn't just a girly-girl... she is as honest and straight shooting as it comes... and she doesn't change or "play a part" for anyone... she simply is who she is. So, the pastor had passed her, asking, "Are you here to praise God and pray?" And she looked up at him, replying, "I sure am, how about you?" Lol. The pastor chuckled and said yes, that was what he was here for.

I will try to post the video of the choir singing "Oh, Sacred Head Now Wounded", but I make no promises... I am technologically challenged at best... and I haven't viewed it to see how it turned out yet. But, it was amazing.

What a beautiful start to our family weekend.

Love,
Betty

Sometimes you just have to grill?

Once upon a time the boys were putting up a tarp so that the grill could be used in the rain... because sometimes you just have to grill....

And then... sometimes you just have to text!

Music

When my girls were younger, we enjoyed a winter tradition (all two years of the tradition, ha ha). We'd get dressed up a bit, put on our winter coats and head out for hot cocoa and take in the Fairbanks Symphony Orchestra. My girls had a bit of musical instruction. Two of them played piano and we all enjoyed learning about instruments and listening to music. We took our seats and eagerly waited. One by one, occasionally two by two, the musicians came out on stage and found their seats. They would hold their instruments, play a note or two and check the tuning. What was even better to watch, though, was Rebekah. As each musician came out and held up his or her instrument, Rebekah's eyes would brighten. She'd move forward in her seat, eyes filled with wonder and listen for the sound that came out of each new instrument. She was a big fan of the strings, but, then again, she hadn't been exposed to French horns and trombones, yet! All sorts of sounds were now coming from the stage. Then there was the hush. Rebekah looked at me, wondering, then settled back in her seat. Each arrangement played that night was a delight to her. As the sounds would build and songs would climax, she'd raise up higher in her seat, until she was practically standing in awe of it all.

Sometimes worship services at church are like that for me... especially when some of my favorite songs are in the line up. There are the distractions of life, but we gather together and begin to sing. And before I know it, I am filled with joy. Our voices sing out and proclaim

"Lift up your heads, open the doors. Let the King of glory come in and forever be our God."

And the words! To sing out to God! To just try to imagine the King of glory! If I weren't already standing with the choir, I'd have been just like Rebekah... filled with awe, unable to sit!