Compass Rose

The other day I sorted through some older e-mails and I found this picture, it was taken a few weeks before Chris got sick.  A group a ladies travel around the country and they volunteer to paint the compass rose at different airports.  On this day they painted the compass rose at the Richard Downing Airport in Coshocton, OH.  The ladies asked for volunteers who might want to help with painting.  At the far right are Chris and Caleb.  Just next to Chris is Dave, the one who sent the picture to me and he is now the one who mentors Caleb on Thursdays at MMS.  I have to admit that I had to fight back tears when I saw this again.  I marvel at the fact that even though the Lord allowed Caleb's father to be taken from his life, he HAS provided someone else to step in and provide some encouragement as he grows into manhood.  Again, I thank you Dave, for allowing the Lord to use you in Chris' son's life.   

Children's Christmas Musical

This past fall two ladies at our church started working with the children for our traditional children's musical, which is performed the Sunday evening before Christmas.  Kristine and Sandi worked most Sunday evenings for over and hour to get the children familiar with the music and ready for the performance.  Thank you ladies for all your hard work and dedication and making it all come together.  What a blessing to hear children singing about the Lord Jesus.

The story line of the play involved a spelling bee.  The contestants were given a name of Jesus to spell, if the got it correct they advanced to the next round.  Here are Lydia and Chase.  Chase was the judge and told the children if they had spelled the word right--and if they didn't what part they would get in the Christmas pageant.  Lydia was the pronouncer and she gave the children their words to spell...I think I can give a totally unbiased opinion and say that she did a fantastic job!!  : )

Here is JoAnna as Bella McDoubt trying to think of the correct spelling for the word "lamb".  After asking for a song she perked up and confidently spelled L-A-M-E.  Her bubble was quickly burst and she was given the part of a shepherd girl.

This is Elizabeth as Beatrice B. Beesley...she buzzed around the stage showing off her beautiful yellow and black stripes.  She stayed in the bee one round and misspelled her 2nd word and was given the part of an angel.

Here Lydia and Kennedy are arguing about which of the final two contestants spelled the name "Emmanuel" correctly.  One of them used an 'I' and the other an 'E'.  It was concluded that it can be spelled either way.

Here are the co-winners Michael and Ruth-Anne playing the roles of Jesus and Mary.  

At the end of the play JoAnna, Brian and Olivia watch on as the others take their bows.

Uncle Tim

This blog is sad to write.  This past weekend Chris' brother Tim joined him in heaven.  He was a police officer and he truly loved his work.  He had a servant's heart and helping others was what he was all about.  Two years ago Tim flew to Denver and drove his parents to Ohio (in 1 1/2 days) so that they could be with me when we removed Chris' life support.  He walked into the room and said to me, "You're still coming to Texas for Christmas."  We did go to Texas for Christmas that year.  Please pray for this family as they start down the difficult road of grief--may the Lord carry and protect them.    

I want to share a few pictures of our trip to Texas two years ago.

Here they are playing Zingo, which was JoAnna's Christmas present from Uncle Tim and Aunt Stephanie.

This is Uncle Tim teaching Caleb and Lydia about riding a lawn tractor.  He let Caleb ride by himself, but Lydia went with Uncle Tim.

This is Uncle Tim taking JoAnna for a ride and letting her steer...that was so fun for her.  

JoAnna wanted to take some pictures.  She took a whole bunch of pictures and she got this one of her uncle, not to mention a bunch of her fingers, the ground, the side of the house, the sky...you get the idea.

Here, JoAnna is helping Uncle Tim open one of his Christmas presents.  He didn't seem to mind the extra help.

I don't remember what was going on here, but everyone seems to be having fun.

This is the beautiful locket Tim and Steph gave me for Christmas that year.  What a blessing.  I, in turn, this past week found a beautiful locket and put hers and Tim's pictures in it.  I could hardly wait to give her my gift.  I think she now fully realizes how precious their gift was to me 2 years ago.

Thanksgiving

We went to Michigan to see my family for Thanksgiving.  My parent's paper is about 2  inches thick on Thanksgiving morning.  My children found the add that they wanted to check out.  They are looking for a good deal on a Wii...they are saving their money to split the cost of a system.

 My brother and his family came over on Thanksgiving Day and after dinner we played Railroad Pedro (Pee-dro).  Has anyone else heard of Pedro?  It was an old farm game that my grandpa played with his buddies. His children became a 2nd generation of Pedro players.  My brother and I are third generation and my children are now 4th generation Pedro players.  JoAnna can't wait to be old enough to play with us.  

On Friday my mom received a call from her brother.  There was a place open in the nursing home for my grandpa (the Pedro player).  He is 95  and has been in an assisted living situation, which costs $2,500 a month.  It is about time for Medicare to kick in and they will only pay for a $5,000 a month full nursing home.  That's our government!!!  Here I am with Grandpa in August of 2006.  He has been showing signs of dementia, even forgetting his own daughter.  The funny thing is that he has not forgotten Chris.  He always points to Chris' picture and says, "I know he died, but how did it happen?!"

We drove home on Saturday and had everything unpacked and put away by bedtime.  On Sunday we had our first roast from our full freezer...wonderful!!  Then Lydia bathed the dogs...here are Tessa (still wet), Lydia and Maia (dry and fluffy).  

Skull Session

Today was a big day here is Ohio...the Ohio State vs Michigan game.  My friend Kristine and her daughter, Elizabeth are big Buckeye fans.  Well, as I reported in a previous blog my daughters and I are Wolverine fans.  Now, I must tell you that I don't follow sports or really even care...I just like to be an antagonist.  I am also proud of the state in which I was born...the only state that has a built in map on most every human body in the world.  So, buckeye fans, like it or not, you have a "little bit of Michigan" in you!!  : )  

Anyhow,  today Kristine and I took the girls to the Ohio State band skull session.  2 hours before each home game the band rehearses one last time before marching onto the field.  They invite the opposing team's band to join them and today we thought that the Michigan band would be there, so we went.  We drove an hour and a half to Columbus, fought traffic, walked through the crisp air, rushed half way around St. John arena, found seats and no sooner sat down when we heard them announce that the Michigan band only comes every 4 years.  We were all disappointed b/c we wanted it to be a fun day of rivalry.  JoAnna proudly carried her Michigan wolverine with her.  She would push it's hand and it would yell, "Go, Michigan!" and then play Hail to the Victors.  She held it up for the ladies in the line for the restroom and squeezed it's paw...it's a good thing she's cute.  

We left after the skull session and took the long way over to Easton and grabbed some lunch.  It was a great day to "just be out."  Everywhere we went people joked about the Ohio State fans hanging out with the Michigan fans.  

Seriously, I really do love Michigan.  I grew up in Muskegon, which is right on Lake Michigan.  I grew up swimming in that lake, camping on it's shores, watching the beautiful sunsets and enjoying the snow that it caused every winter.  I would love to move back home, but I believe the Lord still has a purpose for me here.  I will trust and obey my Lord...even in enemy territory.    

grandparents

My parents came in on Thursday morning.  The children have been enjoying having fun with them.  We went to Walnut Creek Cheese and found some yummy Amish treats...cheese, homemade jams, beef jerky and of course we had to get some homemade ice cream.  One evening my mom, Lydia and I went to a Pampered Chef party and Caleb went to a lock in at our church.  My dad stayed home with JoAnna and they played games.  She got him to play the Littlest Pet Shop Game with her, but in the picture they are playing Crazy 8's.  He said that JoAnna also gave him a lesson in biology.  She explained the whole process of how food goes from our mouths, through our bodies and eventually to the toilet.  Maybe she's listening better in school than I give her credit for.  

Where's the Beef?

It's in our freezer!!  A man at our church donated a beef cow to the MMS families that attend our church.  We split the cost of processing the meat and now I have loads of beef.  What a blessing.  My mom is coming this week and I hope she'll help me learn how to cook soup bones to make soup.  I've heard they make the best soup broth.  My children's (it used to be Chris' also) favorite thing about winter is that it is time to make homemade soup and homemade bread.  I'm not sure what is better the soup and bread or my chai tea...hmmm...that's a toughy.