I want to introduce you to my new little grandson, Tallen Oscar, born on October 7th weighing 8lbs and 6 oz. I fell in love with him the moment I saw him - just look at his pictures and you will understand why that was not hard to do.
We enjoyed some family time with the grandkids this fall too. These are random pictures of some things we have done with them.
Wildflowers bloom in the field
Ducks and their babies
Deer checking out what is on the menu
Yard Projects
Yummy Raspberries
Leisurely walks on the Douglas Trail
I Love Summer
The last month has seemed to be a whirlwind of activity: weddings, open houses, company, planting in my new garden, getting flowers started, in addition to all the "normal" stuff. This week I have been able to take a deep breath and all the while I keep telling myself that it is now summer break - deep breath again. It hasn't quite sunk in yet. I enjoyed my cup of coffee this morning, went on a walk with Maggie and worked on my new Bible study: Sweeter Than Chocolate: An Inductive Study of Hebrews 11.
This past month I have taken some pictures of things I think are interesting and would like to share. Enjoy.
Would you like to take a guess of the critter who lives in this hole?
Another clue for you: Black with a white stripe down his back. Yeah, Fun.
Some wildflowers - so pretty.
What a cutie - Elise could swing for hours.
My square foot garden.
Ducks on the pond - they had 8 babies.
Dan's hedge project - The planting is done and now mulch and TLC to make it grow.
Ten Years - One Decade Old
Where have the years gone? It seems that my little grand girl is just growing up way too fast. She turned ten - her first double digit birthday. Mikaela has been such a joy and delight to us and is growing up to be such a fine young lady. As the years go by and she continues to grow and mature it is our prayer that she will grow not only in stature but in wisdom and knowledge of God. We love you Mikaela.
50 Years - Half a Century
Mary, my one and only sister and very dear to me also celebrated a milestone birthday this year. We headed down to Des Moines after work on Friday night and with Dee's help planned on surprising her at Outback. Little did we know when we left that we were going to drive through a raging snow storm in Iowa. Dee in order to hold dinner off late enough for us to arrive planned to look at cars after work and to hold true to his plan they went car shopping while the snow was piling up. Mary thought for sure that he was crazy to want to do this at this particular time. It all worked out, we arrived just a little later than planned and they were waiting to be seated still when we walked in. Yes, she was surprised and we had a wonderful weekend.
Happy Birthday to two of my special people.
It was homecoming day for Elise as she spent the last few days in the hospital recovering from a bad infection. Poor little girl, she has been pretty miserable and is fairly convinced that anyone with a cutsy uniform top or scrubs is not her friend. She was poked, prodded and harassed by these people when all she really wanted was to be left alone. Praise God, she is home from the hospital and though she still has a way to go to be declared well she is recovering. It is scary to think what life was like before the days of antibiotics, iv fluids and Tylenol.
This day is also celebrated by Wesley in honor of his 15th birthday.
We celebrated with stuffed crust pizza and cake with caramel frosting. Happy Birthday Wesley!
The weeks kind of fly by and activities blend into each other and so while I am thinking about this last week just thought I will put down some of the things that happened.
On Monday Kathryn came over to introduce us to Daisy. She joined the family just this past week. She is just a little ball of fluff and is still a tad wobbly on her feet.
Our next big event was the Better Chance Gala. This event is the major fund raiser for the organization and Tom and Denise and family were there with bells on their toes. Besides being a very enjoyable evening it was rewarding to see the success of our children in the opportunity they have of being resident directors and having an influence on the lives of teenage boys as well as watching them raise their daughters. I pray God's blessings and strength upon them as they undertake this huge job.
Lastly, the weather is starting to warm up a bit and snow is melting finally. We have a flower bed that is up next to the house and this is what I found just today. Yes, there is hope that winter is leaving and summer is coming. Of course, how could I doubt because I believe in a faithful God who has promised that day will always follow night and that seasons will not cease to exist. Thank you God for spring.
February 28, 1925 is a day of significance to me even though it was years before my birth. It was the day that my father began his life on this earth. I know nothing about the details of the day other than it was his birthday. He was the second born of four children and grew up in Des Moines. After high school he joined the Air Force and it was his desire to be a pilot. After being admitted to flight school the Air Force cut back on the number of pilots they wanted and he was cut from the program. He finished out his term of service and then returned to Des Moines. It was after his military service that he met and married my mother Carol on February 18, 1950.
The most important event that occurred in his life was when he met Jesus Christ as his Savior. He had a love for God and a love for people. Some of the things that I remember about my dad are that he talked to everybody that he could about the Savior, sharing salvation with them. As a young child we read Bible stories from the family Bible story book and I recall many times that he would kneel and pray each night before going to bed. He loved teaching his Sunday School class and was always willing to help people in any way he could. He was a whiz at fixing anything and was so creative in making most anything around the house.
When Mom and Dad were first married they lived in Vandalia and decided to move into Des Moines within a couple years. Property was purchased and Dad built their home, moving in well before it was finished and before I was three years old they had their home all paid for. The story goes that they ate potato salad for several years while Dad worked on the house. My grandpa had a service station and Dad was a mechanic so he would work when needed but his main job was building the house. Amazingly Dad still liked potato salad the rest of his life. This house was my home all my childhood years.
Dad was such a craftsman and not afraid to try anything. He not only built their house but all the cabinets and such inside, even their bedroom furniture which still is in use today, approximately 60 years later. That is quality workmanship! He was such a thoughtful person and one day showed up at my house with a shelf to put my cups and saucers on. One Christmas my sister and I both got end tables, my children enjoyed desks, doll cradles and high chairs. He was a man who liked to work with his hands. More times than I can remember he fixed our cars, helped with remodeling, worked on plumbing, did painting or yard work to babysitting and giving a word of encouragement.
He supported his family by working hard, first with my grandpa at the service station and then at Anderson Erickson Dairy delivering milk to homes and later to schools. After 20 years of service with the dairy he retired and drove a school bus part time until he suffered a stroke and was no longer able to work. During his retirement years my parents enjoyed going up to their cabin on Lake Hattie. Dad and Mom enjoyed their summers on the lake and besides fishing he was always fixing something.
In December of 1989 Dad suffered a major stroke which changed his life forever. My dad could talk to anybody, anywhere and as a result of his stroke he was left unable to talk. His right side was affected and he lost use of his arm and only had limited use of his leg. This was a time in his life when his faith in a sovereign God was his rock. Thankfully he was able to come back to his house for a time even to remain there with live-in help after mom passed away. He moved to the nursing home in Mitchellville and was there for about 10 years. Even then he was cheerful and a joy to be around.
There were many episodes through those ten years that we thought God was going to bring him home because he would get so weak after being sick. God did call him home on February 25, 2005. I know that to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord. Dad is rejoicing in the presence of the Lord and the trials of this life are over for him. We do miss him here and look forward someday to being reunited with him.
I thank God for the dad that he gave me, for the example of love, hard work, generosity, patience, meekness, and faithfulness. I am so blessed to have grown up in his home.
Love you Dad.
Recently Brian and Nichole became engaged and we had a chance to have a small celebration dinner this past week with the family. Everyone was able to be here and we enjoyed some good BBQ from John Hardy's and a good time together.
A big part of an engagement usually involves a diamond and this one was no exception. Nichole is building up strength in her biceps as she carries this rock around with her through the day. 
Of course, having that hard job to do Brian and Kathryn are there to give her moral support and encouragement.
I believe I didn't mention yet that besides welcoming Nichole to our family, we also welcome Isaac.
The wedding bells are going to be ringing June 18, 2011.
