More training needed

Setting: Church Kitchen, serving a special function.
Mom pleased Leah is such a good little helper to the ladies league.

Mom is refilling lemonade when looks up to see Leah batting her eyelashes to line cut, and get a plateful before all the men in suits take all the good food. Mom has the sense to take her out of line, but not without her protesting that she wants a potato and SOUR CREAM. Partial plate back on the kitchen counter and a quiet lesson in polite serving of our guests, and yes that means there might not be enough left for the servers. The ladies are supportive, however some smiling... that yes the women here eat last... but there is always enough food.

So much for this PW to learn... explaining the role of being a lady to a Pastors daughter just jump up in high priority. This includes not licking out her little sour cream cup! Later she was such a great little help with cleaning off tables and wiping dishes.

Later from Dad
"Leah come up to me and said she was so jealous of me sitting down to eat. She had ham and corn, but couldn't eat it". :-)))

I wonder if the Ladies League has a special "Miss Manners for PDs!"

September Memories (part three)

Ed is doing well, although his heart is really attached to his members. If they hurt... he "has a lot on my mind". I am praying he learns to Shepard without taking so much out of him. Or just the amount God wants for him. He is really happy with where God has led us and enjoys the fun times and co- coaching Luke's soccer teams.

Luke is adjusting to being a 6th grader. The first few weeks were hot without conditioning and knowing that public didn't start until 10 days later. He also thinks his teacher is too hard this year... although he has reflected this now on his parents... since I told him this is what we asked her to do. I am happy the school has high expectations of it's student!

Leah loves First grade and is READING. She is a great speller and is so excited to bring back her homework! I haven't heard if she in trouble for chatting with her neighbors yet. She started her team gymnastics program, 2 days a week and loves it! We are going to start really slow with competitions for at least this year.

Bandit and Skittles are enjoying the cooler weather, and that Mom opens up a back window so they can watch the bird feeder "LIVE TV". No comment from the birds!

September Memories (part 2)

Patty is working 3 to 5 days a week at hospice. The last 2 weeks have been busy and working long and stressful days... then the house becomes quiet after many dear souls found their way to heaven. Somehow we find a way to heal our hearts quickly and prepare for the next influx. I compare it the the Maternity ward... they all seem to come at once (in our case in reverse). Does the Maternity ward see things in 3's too? I really love the people I work with and the patients. I become closer to the patients and families in small town living... and all too many have family members at our church or school home. I run into families frequently at stores and am working on a way to connect faces to names... because it seems to make such a difference. I feel helpless at times... because kind words and promising to pray seems too little to lesson pain. But it is what God has given me... and I will do.

The start for full time hours is tentative with a staff member leaving, a new one orientating and a new computer program and training the others. I have been asked to develop into a team leader. This terrifies me.... but I am proceeding as God is leading me.

I am painting the house... a 2 story house. For some reason paint sheds off the house in sheets and has done so for 40 years. So I am touching up until we can side next year. I LOVE MY SCRAPBOOK ROOM and have been spending at least a evening a week in there. I have filled all my scrapbooks and am now waiting for awesome coupons to buy more books.

September Memories (part one)

Last night I spent about 2 hours reading a blog.... this very blog. I went back 2 years full of memories. REALLY GOOD memories! The blog is better than scrapbooking (although I still really like scrapbooking), to trigger my memories. I certainly would have forgot at least 50 % of said memories. I would have remembered the events,... but not the feelings or the little precious (or not) things the kids said or did at such major times in our life. Life is routine now... such a wonderful busy routine!

I just wrote a Christmas letter type of post and will post sections of it to keep Patty's memories. I hope some of you will enjoy it... or at least not mind too much... Hopefully, it will trigger a return to regular blogging.


Today September 11, 2010

Patty remembers 9 years ago... first thinking HOW AWFUL for "those people", really not understanding how an attack in New York would effect Iowa. The very next day we refinanced our home in DSM's tallest building and kept glancing out the window scared that every state would be hit next. Such an irrational fear. 3 years later, I drove on a tour bus past the site... still never comprehending what this meant the survivors, but a better idea of what it meant for America. God bless the New Yorkers as they rebuild and make decisions that will effect many. I pray ignorant people will stop hurting people as they seek their 15 minutes of fame.

Communication

Dad observes Maleah has a new airplane, that looks like one Luke owns. Luke suddenly has money that is burning a hole into his pocket until can get to Target.

Dad.... "Luke did you sell that airplane to Maleah?"

Luke... "NOOOO, I gave it to her"

Maleah... "Only after I had to give you money"

I am still barely able to hold back giggles.

Bad Mommy

All week long major battle has been occuring in our pleasant home. Tears, and DRAMA over what to wear to school. Mom being the good rule follower has put the tank tops in an afterschool drawer and is following the dress code to the T, no matter what susie's or jane's mommy does. Tonight, in excasperation I get out the school handbook and read clearly the words that coller shirts, t-shirts and tank tops are allowed. WHAT? No one told me the dress code went more liberal this year! BAD MOMMY! So apologies all around and yes, not on chapel day, but the wide tank tops can be added to the school collection. Calmness prevails, until we need to pick out a dress for chapel tomorrow. I sit patiently until the truth comes out that the cute yellow pleasent dress with the colorful stitching was really Mom's choice for the back to school Kohl's shopping. (think wonderful clearance sale). It is adorable on her, but SIGH......

FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL

First Day of school. They smiled nice for the camera.... but are actually bummed that they start a week before their friends. First and Sixth grade! I love the quiet of the house... but I'm not deluded enough to think our life is going to slow down any, just because summer is over.

FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL 2010

BACK THEY GO.... BACK THEY GO!

This is a perfect description of how they felt!

On the way home

We left early for home. But our hearts were heavy, as we know it will be awhile before we can return. Highpoint… the toll road by Denver needed no money from us. Low point… we came across a fire in the ditch. No one was around and there were no signs about controlled burns. We were debating about calling 911, when we saw a caravan of police and fire trucks racing to the ditch. Maleah yelled “people don’t know what they are doing… they are so CRAZY (to hurt the land).” She loves Colorado!

Zapata Falls

There were so many options for our last day. We will definitely need to come back to see the San Luis valley with the stations of the Cross, Fort Morgan gun fights and more mountain drives. Today we chose the falls, although most of us were leery. Mom and Dad (due to the hike and walk in ice cold mountain water) and Leah (because we still might fall off a mountain.) Luke… well he’s not leery of anything except has serious cravings for Cartoon network! K packed a great lunch and cold water. We started the ½ mile walk at a angle of almost 180 degrees up. Thank goodness for park benches and walking sticks. It actually wasn’t that bad… not knowing exactly how much more makes us scared. When we arrived at the water bed, we found the ice cold water exhilarating! Leah started to cry, we think because the canyon was so narrow, but she willing held our hands through the water and over many rocks. We were then rewarded with the most amazing waterfall in such a beautiful canyon opening. The sunlight filtered in and we were just thrilled! The way back was so much easier and Leah was able to tell a daycare group that it wasn’t scary at all. (The daycare kids were about 4, but each had an adult and many were carried in piggy back by young adults that defiantly earned their pay that day). When we arrived at the water bed… she wanted to go right back. There were so many people and our experience was so breathtaking, we didn’t dare, but spent some time wading through small outlets and going off the trail a bit. Lunch tasted so good and after some ice cream and gift shopping we returned back to the cabin. No deer this late in the afternoon.

Sand Dunes

Sunday is beautiful. 80’s and sunny. B and K’s cabin is only 45 minutes from the Sand Dunes National Park. A big beach of sand in the mountains… actually so much more. Thousands of years ago, southwest winds blew and dropped 30 square miles of sand below the mountain ridge. Today the winds are constantly blowing this sand into dunes of all sizes and shapes. To the kids, it is one big beach -- big enough to side down on makeshift cardboard sleds and to wade in the creek bed that mostly flows beneath the sand. God’s plans for nature are amazing! Leah wanted to play in the creek bed and tired of the dunes quickly. Luke however, took in quest after quest for a higher slope. Ed and I enjoyed the walk through the sand and beautiful views and Mom once rolled down a dune. Then she was quite breathless and had a big headache. Oh for the strength of youth again!

THE BAAR!!!

Auntie K and Uncle B met us at a park in a larger town by their cabin. We found a great bookstore in a quiet Spanish influenced town. Then K rode in the girl’s car. She assured Leah we’d probably see deer and maybe elk… but she hasn’t seen a bear in years. Well Auntie K, we don’t know what to believe because one of our first bends in the curvy road up the mountain, we see a big black bear and an adorable cub. Mama bear stood up by the ditch to show us how big she is and sends her cub up the mountain. We believed her and of course stayed in the car. The camera was still packed away because we didn’t care about deer (we see plenty of deer in our own neighborhood). The bear slowly backed up a mountain and hid behind shrubs. The camera was released and here is Mama Bear’s picture. Our pictures of baby have her completely camouflaged. But she was about 1/10 the size of Mama and seemed darker in color. Mama then ran up the mountain side toward the cabin area. The bear… or “THE BAARS” was a frequent topic all day. Ed told the kids that the Mama probably stood up to have her belly rubbed…   “”””Davy Crockett was born in Tennessee…. he shot his first baar when he was only 3.””””” Good memories!

Update

update


OK… Hope no one has held their breath since the last post. Yes, 5 weeks later. I’m typing in the car on vacation to update the last 4 months of activities deemed worthy to make the blog for family memory value. Some highlights:

Patty is working about 3 to 4 days a week in the local hospice house. These are regular hours…. Not PRN. So I have switch to a true PRN in Des Moines, and work about once a month. I’d love to work another Saturday or 2, but due to some new hires… the hours just are not there. I have been cross trained to also work the field hospice program to help out, but when the field is busy, so is the hospice house and it’s my first priority. I am considered an admission nurse again, so very few weekends. Mostly I work 8 to 5. Not bad , Not bad at all. As far as the rest of my time… it appear to be washing clothes and entertaining kids. The neighborhood shows up most every day. I some how was also feeding them mac and cheese and hot dogs. Fast stop to that and now they get tube popsicles, if the scissors get put away and tubes in the trash. I have been working on my scrapbooking room and touch up painting around the hours. Another new PW has moved to the area. She likes scrapbooking also… so hopefully she can get settled soon and some major scrap sessions can happen
Ed stays busy at church. One wedding and VBS done this summer. That was a lot of fun! Grandma moved to Des Moines and we were generously blessed with a garage full of tools and misc. things we had gave away when we moved to Sem City. Ed’s job is to find a place for all of it!
Luke has his cell phone. (We didn’t follow through on making him wait until he turned 27, like Mom had too) It’s really for Mom’s sanity as has a tracker on it and he goes to the Y most everyday to swim and stays home in the mornings. It’s working out well and although he has lost 2 pounds from all the exercise, he has also put on 2 inches. He is so happy to always have a friend to play with, and occassionaly talks one of the dads into taking him fishing.
Leah has just finished her Team gymnastic classes. She can do some AMAZING things. I think she does no less than 50 cartwheels daily. Right now we are working on back flips without hands! She also has so many little friends to play with. Her biggest worry is whether we will fall off the mountain or not!

Mesa Verde

Mesa Verde


No sleeping in on our vacation. We left very early for every minute we could spend at Mesa Verde. No, I haven’t developed a sudden love of Cliff dwellers, as fascinating as the sites are… Steve and Wendy from Sem. City drove from their home in AZ to see us. They graduated the year we left for Vicarage, so it has been 2 years since we have had a chance to visit. Steve and Wendy were also at our field church and were able to stay local for Steve Vicarage’s, we developed a close relationship for 3 years and miss them and their son, Dom. Dom couldn’t come, but we thoroughly enjoyed our visit and touring the cliffs. We toured the Cliff Palace and it’s is fascinating that in 1200, natives could architect and build such beautiful, purposeful and strong dwellings. Life must have been rough, yet one can imagine the multiple clans living and surviving the harsh life there. We highly recommend this national park to anyone. The air is thin here, in Durango (6500 feet) and especially high in the mountains (8000 plus). I’ve needed my inhaler and lots of water and rest. It would help if I was thin…. But too late for that now! Besides Steve and Wendy, Ed’s Aunt, Uncle, cousin and her daughter(age 7)came as well. We had a wonderful time!



Mesa Verde

Colorado

Colorado


We are finally on our way to Colorado. About the time Luke was born, we had a hope to vacation at an Aunt and Uncle’s cabin high in the mountains. When Luke was old enough for a 15 hour car ride, Leah came along, then the Sem, then ordination and buying a home. Since this time has passed, another Aunt and Uncle have a home in the state and we get to see some Great friends from the Seminary. The kids are really excited and so is Ed. I still have my worries about high in mountains without heat. Hopefully the snow has melted. I’m hoping my expectations of boring mountains will be greatly disproved. My last encounter was when I was 16… so my memories might be skewed. Here is our first views… pretty amazing!

June 2010

Time to update our busy life. I will be adding lots of pictures and a few important events to help remember 2010. Like was busy in the sem... but not so busy as that of a PW! So going back to March.... and hopefully will hit the highlights of our summer.

Happy Birthday Luke

Happy 11th Birthday Luke! The party was a fishing theme and Aunt K and Uncle B’s since we were going to be in Des Moines that weekend. What a blast with W and most all of his cousins. Of course he was spoiled by many. He was most surprised with what was in the iron box…. It was ringing and he said it was my phone. Nope. We has told him he needed to wait until he was 14. The only concession we had was he is too old for daycare and needs to stay home in the mornings. He will go to the Y for swimming and games in the afternoon. The Y is great, however, is big with 3 floors and dark stairwells. All sort of scary ideas led us to reconsider. He has a tracker on it and actually is very responsible with it. He is extra careful to not have his cell phone grounded.

Kindergarten graduation

We can forgo all the whining Mom had about her baby and growing too fast. Leah has heard it all before, and has no plans to be sympathetic. 9 very excited Kindergartens dressed up in their finest and were awesome in presenting their little scripture and songs. You can see how much they have learned and gained in confidences. This school is a Blessing! This class and Mrs. S is a blessing. Leah can read and is always sharing stories of what she has learned in bible class. Her scores are good in everything….. But her goal for next year is less chatting with friends. At least that is Mom . Dad and teacher’s goal.

Being Nice

For a while now I have realized my children do not understand the concept of enduring and the desire to endure. Or course, they are young... but still they need to learn this to mature and hopefully find confidence and success in life. Today, Luke began to whine from the back seat of the van about feeling too warm. So, no time like the presence to discuss other options he has and about learning to endure life's hardships. First a definition... "Learning to cope with life's problems to become a strong and more capable person". For an example, I brought up how Midwestern people have endurance to deal with the ever changing seasons and hard winters, and this makes them stronger and brings pride. Both are listening intently.... so I push on how Midwesterners are also honest and nice people. A huge sigh from the back seat..... Maleah cries out " I try Berry Hard to be Nice... but it's HARD!!

HE HAS RISEN!!! HE HAS RISEN INDEED!!

Happy Easter to you all!

Dear Fashion Designer and Small Town store buyers,

Easter comes every Spring. And Easter clothes should reflect the same... that means light, happy colors. The blacks, greys, and deep purples are winter colors. Why does every blouse, skirt and dress (in my size) come only in black, grey or deep purple? Of course I did have the option of Alfred*Dunner outfits! And I briefly considered it's pastel Calla Lilies, until I realized I'd probably match an elderly lady at church! So This Pastor's wife is wearing a trusty black skirt with a deep purple blouse that has a fake dickey sewn in to hide cleavage (That is a whole other issue I could bring up!) But never fear, I have found a new friend in the pretty silky neck scarf! A whole wall full of options. I can find the deep purples combined with teal and a pretty pink and a little black... you know - Spring colors. Another plus with a scarf is hidden cleavage! So the Fashion world has figured out how to add another $12 to the price of an outfit to add color and cleavage control.

On a side note, with every store that I visited this week in small town mall's 3 department stores, plus the big box stores. I'd say to myself... "God does not care in the least what I wear to church, and even if my clothes are a dark color... what is in my heart matters the most. So true!!! Hopefully soon I'll be much more secure in my new role as PW.

Blessed Easter everyone!!!

Uncle Lance's Wedding

Wedding


What a wonderful weekend! We get go to Packer country and Ed gets to marry his brother, Lance and new sister in law, Jennifer. Lance has had a horrible year after being burned in a power line, but a silver lining is that he reconnected with Aunt Jennifer and we Love her! Maleah finally gets to be a flower girl! She is so happy to get to wear her ordination dress again, as it fits Jennifer’s colors perfectly. Luke is ring bearer and he’s up for the job since it’s been 5 years since his last uncle was married. Because of the distance and that it’s still winter - only cousin, Jess can come. But my kids adore her and love to be with Uncle Don and Aunt Brenda who live in Packer land too! This was one of my favorite weddings. It was small, but so much fun. It was so nice to witness Ed’s first wedding, and Lance and Jennifer are so much in love. I had a delicious veggie supper and decided to kick off my heels and have a great time on the dance floor. Too bad I didn’t consult Leah! The look on her face was priceless! Half shock/ half horror - just what was her Mom doing?! Evidently only young and cute people could be on the dance floor?!? Of course, I was a good Mom and sat back down - doesn’t Maleah wish! I had fun with all the silly dances and a few of the fast dance. Of course, I love the slow dance (thanks Hubby)! Leah got over it and fun was had by all. One great moment was when favorite Aunt Brenda danced as well. She is so inspiring as has been deaf since birth… but can feel the rhythm through vibration!

Fun at school

Cody came to spend the past 2 days with us during his spring break. The most fun he had was having lunch with Leah and Luke at school. We had green eggs and ham. Actually, very tasty!! Then he was able to spend Leah's recess and Luke's recess times. Several 5th graders said that he is the best freeze tag player... pretty big praise for a kindergarten. When we went to say goodbye to Leah, her teacher asked us to wait until she unlocked her door. Oh MY.... some one trashed the room. Chairs and papers were scattered about. Shoes and school bags on the floor, and the kindergartners were appalled! Then they remembered a story the teacher had read about mischievous leprechauns! They even found tiny little muddy footprints. Leah's school is so fun... I wish I could go back to Kindergarten!

The journey continues

I seldom write about my job or patients... because it's their stories and out of respect and professionalism, it's just not right. This blog started because of the seminary years and our journey to always trust in our heavenly father... no matter how frightening or confusing our life had become. I am afraid my faith will never become to the level I or more importantly what God desires, but I have discovered faith is more of a process, than a decision made with an immediate result. I have looked for this miracle for years as I specialize in worrying!

I think I enjoy my job so much because of how close I can be to witnessing heaven through my patients. I find more comfort then sadness (most days anyway). Since my hire back at the Des Moines Hospice and now with my second hire at the local hospice, I just am amazed and sincerely know that I am placed in just the right places in God's timing. Several times in DSM, I have cared for people and their families, that I have known and respected deeply. Many "God-instances". Hopefully, I was able to share God's love and peace through my hands and words.

Yesterday, my mind and heart was on fire, with so many "God-instances". I was scheduled to work, Sunday, but a sweet co-worker volunteered to trade with me, when she learned it was Gotcha Day. I was grateful, but also curious to see what God would do with Tuesday. To be brief, I was able to share God's love with numerous fellow Lutherans. At one point, I had called in 3 Pastors. (one being my husband, Thanks Honey!), to help ease the pain and bring God's love to comfort the dying and grieving. I hope I ease the fear of the dying, with touch and encouragement to grasp Christ' hand when called. I know my nursing and hospice technique well, but God asked so much more and it is a sheer priveledge to do his work. It is exhausting though!

I am also discovering small town life brings more awareness of the sadness, as I will meet surviving neighbors and fellow parsishers frequently and I will search for more ways to be of help to them. Many times in Big City Hospice... I remember the stories, but never see those involved again. I fear God has more oppurtunities for me to grow and I hope I can alway remember to put my trust and faith in him to do his work even in my new community.

God, I pray for further strength and guidance in learning to trust in you always!

Does anyone remember....

The baby lion says..... squeak, squeak, squeak!!!! (when you push the stomach)

The Daddy lion says..... ROAR, ROAR, ROAR!!!

The Mama lion says......

Gotcha Luke!!!

Happy 10th Gotcha Day Luke!!!

10 years ago, I heard those wonderful words that put much anxiety at rest.. "I agree with this adoption." The worries of a God lead, but somewhat confusing adoption slipped away and Ed and I locked eyes with a sigh and relief as I hugged the wonderful, bouncy blue eyed 9 month bundle of energy that sat on my lap.

Today we celebrated the "10th Gotcha Day" with little gifts and lots of hugs and a special supper. Luke also embraced the day with excitement, but also many hugs and stating how happy he is to be our son. I have been dreading the time when teenage hormones and frustrations typically put a damper to love and communication between parent and child. He calls himself a "tweener", but we still have the same energetic (and sometimes bouncing off the walls), wonderful sweet boy. He still accepts and initiates hugs. Even if the future holds some rough days.... I know in my hear --- The Gotcha Days will always be special.

During our suppers we always ask around the table... "what's the best part of your day?". Tonight I started with "What I like best about Luke being in our family". Dad and I shared our love of his devotion to God, smart, his gratefulness and ability to show his love to others...among other talents. Maleah's best part of having Luke for her brother? ---- "We get to got to eat at a restaurant"

Back to reality Luke!!! She really does love you!!!

Am I awake or asleep????

Warning.... Father in laws don't need to read the rest of the post!

Sound asleep... when attacked by my white bra!
Who put my bra next to my pillow?
Why on earth?

Push it away... just too weird!

Oops... just the rump of my white kitty and the other "cup" is the lamp shade. White kitty is very mad .... but I'll sleep much better!

Short commutes are the best!

I am loving my short commute to the local Hospice House! The hours are inconsistent as I am now PRN (as needed) for both hospice houses. But I love the feel of being there and have met more great hospice nurses. The hours just fly by and although I work hard... it really just doesn't feel like work when I love what I am doing. I look forward to working more shifts next week. The timing of my hire was good, as a couple of nurses needed me to cover their shifts. Sadly, one's mother in law died unexpectedly and the other has a scary illness. It does ease the workload of the other nurses and it's nice to help out. Next week I orient to the field part of the hospice program. I am still trying to work every Saturday at the bigger hospice house and it is so reassuring to "come home" among friends and do the work I have loved for years. Leah loves that Mommy spend most every night at home now and that is worth everything!

This kid makes me laugh!!!

Maleah is tired of shopping for food at Walmart (since we left the chips and cracker isles). "Didn't you say we had to watch our money more?" "Don't spend money!" "Don't spend money!" "Don't spend money!" What an annoying mantra when our cupboards are empty. "Don't spend money!" "Don't spend money!"

"OOOOOOHHHHHHH.... SPEND MOM'S MONEY!!!!!" (over sausage patties!)

More Snow

More snow. Newscaster is doing a leadin about a record being set.

Ed: We don't care about that! (very frustrated with another 8 inches to shovel)

Luke: Records are GREAT! Maybe lots of people will hear and want to move to Iowa!

I know for a fact 50% of this household would seriously consider a move away from this winter!! I would imagine the numbers are even greater for most of Iowans this year!