Thursday and Friday

My brother and sister in law from Wisconsin are coming today to visit. My younger brother and wife will join us at Dad and Mary's for dinner tonight. The eighty plus year year olds are he host and hostess. To typical. Mary is a hostess innately. What a woman. We will have the fruits of their garden, Im sure. What a man. That grandpa is quite the gardener.

Fast forward to Friday evening. A delicious meal we had last night. The socializing was most enjoyable as we shared many memories of growing up years. I recalled Dad buying a milk cow and raising chickens for eggs after he returned from the war. I can still picture him on a one leg stool filling a stainless steel bucket with warm fresh milk straight from Bossy. I was the only kid then so the only one with that memory. I also singlely remember the two sheep Dad bought to "mow" the lawn. Only problem was that they were tethered to a tree and one of them choked himself on the rope and died. So Sad.

I have a birthday this weekend so Mary outdid herself by designing a five layer cake filled with various fillings. When I got home I opened the card from Dad and Mary. I nearly cried when I read that Dad had listed seven memories of when it was just Dad, Mom, and me. One of the things that touched my heart was that he wrote how hard it was to be seperated from me during WW2. I was a newborn and he returned when I was three. He wrote how thrilled he was to see me with Mom when he returned. He had never mentioned that to me before and it moved me deeply. His list of memories about only me poured healing oil over my heart. Parents were not all that expressive in those days and to hear the deep feelings of his heart was so wonderful.

Today, my brother and wife stopped to say goodbye. I suggested we go to the Dairy Adventure for some icecream. We climbed in the car and were soon sucking on our ice cream. While they had been to the tour before, they hadn't had the ice cream so it was a special treat. After we got home they left for their home in Randolph Wisconsin. Short but sweet visit.

Mixed Emotions

Waiting for the doctor's office to call all day just wears me to a frazzle. Finally, at five o'clock the office called and told me about a drug they are adding to the new diuretic they prescribed a Monday. Nothing has broken loose yet so hopefully tomorrow when I take this jump start pill, we will get some results.

This morning I had some energy so I decided to ride into town to see if I could find some garage sales. All I need is some more "stuff" but it is fun to pay a couple of bucks for a new look. I enjoyed the time I had all by myself.

Today, Scarlen, Isaiah and Ken moved the trampoline to Isaiah's house. Ken will not have to move it one more time when mowing and Isaiah will have something he loves. Another thing accomplished. It is another reminder that our lives have changed dramatically. Mixed emotions.

The Grass is Always Growing....On our Side of the Fence

I got a new direutic today. I pray and ask you to join me that it will work to turn around this fluid weight gain. I am waiting for good results. I told my step mother that it hadn't worked an hour after I took the pill.....she said, "Girl, you're looking for magic". I had to confess that would be nice. Instead I wait on the supernatural work of my Creator.

Not much going on today. I did stop by Dad and Mary after I went to CVS for my prescription. We visited awhile and then I felt led to leave and let them have their hot meal for the day. My dad's pickup was backed up to the road with tomatoes and fresh green beans. They didn't have much business but then when it is the first day one is out, no one knows you are there. As my dad said, the word will get around. Mary had a red umbrella fixed over the beans so the sun didn't dry them out. They are so entertaining......

Ken is putting out the sprinklers after mowing the lawn. We don't have under ground sprinklers but the man has his plan down to a science. I smile as he takes it all so serious. He has a big pump and a well he draws his water from. It is pretty impressive. His grass is the greenest in the neighborhood and that is satisfying to him.

Slow Sunday

Cubs win! Cubs win! Cubs are a half game ahead of the pack and are now in first place. That makes MOST of my family really happy. There is one in law and his wife, our daughter who is a traitor to the Sox but oh well. It's the majority that counts.

Finally after many years of sheer frustration, Dish came and fixed the TV in the sunroom. I have had a non working remote so had to get up each time a show was over, go into another room and check the guide to see what my choices were. Ugh. Now that Ken has been through this with me from time to time since I've been sick, something was done! Hurrah. I now have a beautiful picture and great remote. I'm thankful.

I've pretty much rested today. It was a VERY busy week. Ken went to church and I took in The Hour of Power. I enjoyed the preaching pastor very much. The music has been better to my liking but there is something about an orchestra to lead congregational singing. I wonder where the closest church is that would worship with orchestra. My guess is that it isn't very close. That truly is my heart though, and I think it brings the level of praise and worship to a higher level. Just my personal opinion but also the expression of my heart. Los Angeles would be a long way to travel to church each week.

Week in Summary

Wow......one week and have been visited by six of our eight kids! Kendra and Craig left for home today. They were here since Tuesday. We got our Emerson fix.....she mimics EVERYTHING one says so we have to be careful. Words we use as adults don't always sound good coming from an eighteen month old. She is just so precious.

Jennifer came on Thursday. Joshua came today to finish a painting job he worked on two weeks ago. He is such a sweet kid.......always giving. He got the job done and it all looks beautiful.

John and Kim and their five sweet kids came this afternoon and spent time here. Before we knew it, all of them were working in our gardens and when they left they left a promise to come back on one of John's days off to do MORE. As they worked today they seemed to develop a vision so I smiled at Ken and said, "Let them do what they want to do, I love it". John transplanted a bunch of hostas and seem big sedum. The area where our neighbors weeded has been transformed. Hopefully there will be no room for weeds any longer.

Of course, Lauri and Elton and Scarlen were in and out during the week. Lauri takes control of the meals for which I am so grateful.

A couple of John's kids and Lauri's kids were conniving to spend time at the other's home. We laughed at their creativity. In the end both sets of parents consented and one could hear a chorus of cheer from the kids. So Mackenna is off to Michigan and Kyle is staying in De Motte. They were happy clams. I smiled as John said to the adults, "I really think this is the only opportunity all summer that they have to spend time together." We always listen to what John says. Welllllll, almost always.

What a joy to have a family that loves one another. We are most blessed. With the dynamics of four adopted and four bio kids, we are such recipients of God's grace and love. To God be the glory forever and ever! I couldn't love each one of them more. Various personalities and personal challenges but oh so wonderful. People thought we were a bit crazy some twenty five years ago. Actually, we found ourselves questioning ourselves at various points, BUT, our blessings have overflowed. I always knew it was God who orchestrated the whole idea to adopt older children. I just didn't always trust Him for the outcome. He was faithful. That is a lesson for me right now, isn't it?

God's blessing for a day of rest.

It's already Thursday?????!!!!!!!!!

It has just been plain busy. Kendra and Craig with Emerson came on Tuesday and it's been crazy since then. I can't remember what ate the time away. All I know is that watching and engaging with Emerson keeps of us busy and entertained. Today, Jennifer came from Chicago to golf with her dad and Craig. They were gone the better part of the day. I'm sure it was a bonding time. Jennifer is ready to return to Chicago, Lauri's family is here along with K and C so I'm in the sunroom trying to stay out of the firing line. It's so busy and I'm not totally up to it all yet. The girls are planning dinner at Lauri's house.....I would have ordered out but then there are quite a few of us. Sydney and Emerson are sitting on the floor in here playing with a Fisher Price barn....which was one of our few garage sale finds this week. It is pretty cool.

More tomorrow........

Mellow Monday

It started out a bit like a fall morning. Fifty five degrees. Brrrrr. Now the thermometer says 80 so a warm up has occurred. It was such a beautiful morning. Just proves we have a global warming problem. I think Gore and his entourage have their heads you know where. It is just ridiculous the money our government is spending on this fraud. When I see the scientific data it shows to me that we are in a natural swing in temperature, something that has happened for thousands of years. Do the thoughts of some today baffle your mind? Blows me away. What happened to reasonable?

Bernice called this morning and asked what I was doing. I told her I was cleaning up because Kendra and Craig are coming tomorrow. She said she would be right over to help. What a sweetie. She did the things I felt were important and then she did my laundry. What a help. I feel all ready for tomorrow now. What would I do without her in my life?

Scarlen and Isaiah stopped by for awhile as well. Scarlen worked on the computer for a time and I spent some precious moments with Isaiah . He also got worked out on the trampoline. He is supposed to take that home but Mom's having a time finding someone with a truck. Ken will be glad to have the thing out of the yard because it is a pain to move every time he mows. It has always been Isaiah's good friend. He loved it when I stood in the sunroom and watched his flips. Memories are made of this.

Sunday Selections

Now I know those who read my blog have comments along the way. Why not share them with me? It would encourage me to go on. All you need to do is click the word comment on the bottom of the blog and share your heart with me. Please.

Now Sometimes surprises happen suddenly and totally unexpected. One of our church families lives up the road and up the hill from us. I don't think Tawnya has ever been to our house before. Late yesterday afternnoon a friend and I were visiting in the sunroom and I heard some voices come through the door. There was Tawyna and two of her little boys, probably number two and three of their five small children. Tawyna stood in the door way to the sunroom and explained that she was finished with the yard work at her home and that her husband was still mowing so she took the kids over to do whatever I wanted done in my yard. Eureka!. I didn't skip a beat, I knew the garden to the east of the sunroom and back of the main part of the house was full of weeks. Tawyna looked out the window and said, Yep, sure enough. Some forty to forty five minutes later, the garden was clean and my spirit lifted a mile. Those little boys were learning at their mother's side to help a neighbor in time of need and also was teaching them what the difference between a perennial and weed is. What a good mom! Thanks Tawyna and boys. Anyone that pulls out weeds for me is special. I'm so grateful.

Is anyone else watching the British Open? Tom Watson, age fifty nine, is doing so well. I find myself praying for the man. He maintains incredible control and shows immense humility. What a witness for good sportsmanship. At the moment he is one under but hopefully he can pull it off. What a historic event it would be. We will know the outcome at the end of the day.

Our friend Joni, the new mommy in the header picture, was taken to the hospital last evening. She is suffering from an infection due to some residue left in her uterus after the birth. We are asking for prayer that this will not become worse as Joni is threatened by infections. Joni's dad is with her at the hospital, her husband came home and is trying to get some rest and Linda, Joni's mom is caring for the baby. Just when we thought all was well. God bless the medication to her body and rid it of infection.

My husband has a new addiction and it is chasing a white ball around a course of green grass and trees. He spent yesterday morning satisfying that craving. Third time this week. When he returned home slightly after 12:30, I suggested he take me to Kohl's in Merrillville. I had a 30% off coupon and it was burning a hole in my bargain dreams. Soooooo, he was very cooperativeand off we went.

Ken found better deals than I did and I'm the queen of deals. I always praise God that He shows me favor when I enter a store. It was Ken's turn this time. He got a pair of shorts and New Balance tennis shoes for less than twenty dollars. I found a coat I couldn't resist. The original price was 116.00 and I paid 22.00. Ken reminded me that I have on similar. Oh well, another has to be a benefit. Actually, if I were going to church this cool morning, I'd have the opportunity to wear it. Soon enough, I'm sure.

A friend just arrived and we will have tea.....more later

TGIF For all You Working People

The day was so beautiful yesterday, it put a bug in us to do something more enjoyable than sitting in a chair watching gold fish. Ken suggested we call friends in Rossville Indiana, about eight miles east of Lafayette. We met Bev and Gene about thirty years ago when we were rearing our children. We met at a Chicago Korean Lion Club appreciation picnic for families who had adopted Korean children. Bev and Gene had six bio children and then adopted four Korean girls. It was apparant that this family loved God and wanted to do His will. They also expressed a bit of free spirit and that was attractive to me. We struck a life time friendship on the spot. Our adopted kids and theirs, seemed to bond as well. Distance hasn't always helped hold us together but now that we and they have more time in life, we have seen them more. So I gave Gene a call. Whatcha doing? Oh, we are at the fair with three great grands and two grands. Wow....call that bravery. Gene and Bev are pushing eighty years old and seem to have abundant energy. When I explained we were thinking of riding there for the evening, Gene was more than encouraging. Come on down and we will go out to eat together. Deal. This was a stretch for me but one I felt up to. We had a delightful ride down there and then spent an evening of gracious conversation and sharing of life. Reconnection with good friends is invaluable.

Today? It will unfold. The weather has taken a turn to cooler temps. I stuck my nose out the back door and decided it was sweat shirt morning here. I'm sure by midday it will warm up a bit.

Oh What a Beautiful Morning

This morning, I had to go to the lab at the hospital for a blood test after fasting eight hours. I usually go in the afternoon when there are few people there and waiting is brief. BUT, I didn't take kindly to not having the freedom to eat today soooooo, we left here about seven thirty and arrived at eight o'clock. There were only four people on the list ahead of me so it was fairly painless, the wait that it. After the routine stick in the arm, we headed to the very nice cafeteria and selected our breakfast. Ken took six sticks of bacon....hmmmmm.......and scrambled eggs. I had scrambled eggs and a bagel with cream cheese. The bill? $2.77 for the two of us. I have heard that many seniors go there for their dinner. Why not? They have good food and one can't beat the price.

Our coffee drinks at Starbucks far surpassed the price at St Anthony's. Oh, well, gotta live a little too. We called Lauri and Elton for their orders as we drove up to the drive through. Lauri was quick to jump on the bandwagon, Elton said his coffee would be enough. Now I know the boy loves one of SB's cold drinks but no amount of encouragement would sway his decision.

We took the river road home (so as to avoid the interstate where construction is at work). Close to the river begins the Kankakee Marsh County Park. It's tree thick forest and bayous are unspoiled. The road becomes narrower and the shadows from the morning sun danced on the road where the trees gave the rays a chance to get in. The bayous were covered edge to edge with green algae. Those same determined rays of sun reflected a lime green and chartreuse hue. It was simply gorgeous and with the temperature around 70 it was a morning where praise to our creator God came without effort. The distance the ride covers can't be over a half mile, but the joy of riding through this natural treasure is always worth the extra time it takes to go out of the way. The wood plank bridge with its tall steel sides only adds to the mystique. I love it. I think I wrote a blog about talking to a beautiful fox that stood next to the road right over the river. She stood still and looked at me as I talked to her through my open window. It will always stand out as a highlight in my experience with wild life.

May the Lord bless and keep each of you this day and always.

Midweek Musings

Those oldy but goody golfers of which my husband is a part seem so lucky with the weather on their golf days. Ken left in the rain this morning fully confident the clouds would dissipate and golf would go on. Soon after he left, the sun came out and while it has clouded up a few times, it is still perfect golfing weather. I would think it is time for him to return to the roost about now. The golf bug has bit him hard.

This morning, I made the rounds. First I went to daughter, Lauri's, and ate a bagel with her. Her husband has vacation this week and the four kids are at their other grandparents in Michigan so visiting with the two adults is a treat.

From there I went around the subdivision to Joni's and Jason's house. I wanted to see that baby with my own eyes. She is just beautiful......full head of dark hair and little doll face. Joni asked if I wanted to hold her and while I will in the future, I just couldn't bring myself to interrupt the baby lying face down on her mommy's chest. Joni will not be able to handle the baby as easily when she gets more mobile so I told her I'd come back another time. Joni looked wonderful. Jason was pooped. There was a care taker for Joni there so I told Jay he should sidle up next to Joni and take a power nap. I believe he was going to do that.

After seeing the miracle baby, I stopped at my dad and Mary's house. We visited awhile and then Mary invited me to stay for lunch. Mary and Dad have been married 31 years. God couldn't have given Dad a better helpmeet after my mother's death. She is a jewel and takes excellent care of my dad. We dearly love her and credit her with much of my dad's zest for life and his health. Of course, God is the source but Mary has cooperated with Him to the best of her ability. If one could see how hard they work and how much good food they consume, one would agree. Last evening Mary canned 11 quarts of pickled beets from their garden. Yikes. I wish I had that energy. At any rate, Mary served us cooked baby carrots, fresh green beans, new pickled beets, tomatoes from their garden, and fresh blue berries. I think I got my veggies for the day. They ate some pork which is not my favorite so I politely declined. I sure did enjoy the rest of it though.

Dad was more than a little interested in the letter from the long lost cousin of yesterday. He had all kinds of questions which I couldn't answer so I invited him to our house sometime soon to put in a three way call to Jackie. Jackie, if you are interested in such an arrangement, let me know when would be a good time. BTW, your book is in the mail.

The golfer is finally home so I will post this and visit with my man.

Let's Try Again

Today, I received a letter in the mail from a name I didn't recognize. When I opened the envelope, I was delighted to read that a distant cousin, perhaps second or third, (I haven't sorted out the generations yet) had read one of my blogs and learned we share a grandmother. Amazing. Who would have thunk it? I have cousins in Houston. As she shared the things she was seeking, I realized our book, "Spirit Trained Eyes" would fill in a myriad of blanks for her. It seemed rather bold to call someone I didn't know and ask them to buy one of our books. As I expected she was more than open to the idea and I think rather excited as well. I will try to get a book off to her in the morning. I look forward to future communication with Jacque. Isn't God an awesome God? Yes, he deals in families. I smiled to hear that she and her family honor the God of our heritage.

My dear friend of forty years came around noon today. She always lifts me up. She spruces up areas of my house and just plain talks positively. I love you, Bernice. I always thought it would be me taking care of you since you are seven years my senior. But, now, you take care of me. Thank you.

My youngest brother and wife came late this afternoon. Their neighbor is pulling out blueberry bushes and they are trying to pick ahead of him. They brought us a couple of buckets full. I can't tell you how long it has been since I've had a good sweet berry but these are wonderful. Thanks Jer and Lu.

I've written in my blog prior that our friends' quad daughter was expecting a baby. To say that friends and family were concerned is an understatement. Joni had quite a time with volitile blood pressure through out her pregnancy which landed her in a Chicago hospital a few times. Thank you for your prayers for Jason and Joni and Joni's parents, our dear friends. Joni had a baby girl last week and is now home. The baby is perfectly healthy, Joni had her naturally and is recovering quickly. The whole experience is evidence of God's immense grace.

I ask you to join me in declaring that the healing power of Jesus is at work in my body and that I am getting better every day.