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.

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!

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.

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!

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!!!

Baking cousins

I was ambitious this weekend... maybe a little too ambitious! If you are family and these show up on the goody table... be cautious, more flour than dough was used. Of course most ended up on their clothes, hair, the floor and curtains!

Leah makes us smile (Luke would disagree)

Tonight we have my nephew Lightening Mc Queen spending the night. Ed and I were in the process of deciding the evening's events. A movie was mentioned, but there was quite a ruckus from downstairs. Lots of "buttons" being pushed between cousins. Leah and Lightening Mc Queen came up to tattle, and we mentioned that only kids that behaved would be invited to the movies. They both immediately turn to go back downstairs and we overhear Leah telling Luke. "Everybody that is nice to me gets to go to the movies". What a princess' perspective!!

Busy = confusion

Did I mention how much we love living back in Central Iowa? My in laws had a birthday party to attend about an hour away, so spent the night with us. The kids (even us big kids) LOVE having Grandpa and Grandma so close). Good Times!! Our church had planned a "get to know the Pastor and family" potluck, so the timing was great.

I'm blaming the stress of motherhood and the extra worry of cooking. Bible study was cancelled to allow for the cooking of yummy potluck dishes. But the kids still had Sunday school. I went home with R and M to cook Party Potato casserole. Since we had a little time, I navigated my in laws through a little detour downtown. All is great, until we try to open the front door, without the keys that are in Luke's pocket back at at Sunday school 15 minutes away. So back to church, and then I realized there was not enough time to bake the casserole, so off to Hyvee to buy a salad. My mother in law was such a dear to ask if I wanted her to come in. I hesitated just a sec, and then readily agreed... because I had no money!!! My father in law claims that "time with Patty is always interesting"! (((As a reminder... I don't carry a purse, because for 3 years in Seminary City, I traveled so many hospitals and only carried a cash card and my driver's license, in part to avoid theft.... but more likely to not leave a purse in one of the many hospitals. Trying to be a good Pastor's wife, I tried carrying a purse for 1 week until I left it in a city restaurant 3 hours away!!! Thank heavens I didn't have my little pocket wallet, as I didn't trust myself to not lose it! It did have my sorry excuse for a camera... ((still can't download to computer)), but had a memory card full of pics so am forever grateful to good friends Matt and Shelley for rescuing it =-)) Luke often carries the keys because my "Pastor's wife" dresses don't have pockets.

The third time back to church with my bought salad in a pretty glass bowl, I commented how well my father in law was navigating our new town!! There is a silver lining to all of my flubs!! Thanks R and M for being such great sports and so helpful!!!!!

The best part of the day was to come, such a nice dinner with our new congregation. I got my nerve up and talked to every single one of them... and am actually making connections and memorizing names. The food and house shower for us was such a wonderful surprise!! What a blessing these souls are!!! Maybe one of them can teach me how to sew a little pocket in my dresses, because my inlaws can't come to church with me every sunday!

Note to darling children

Dear children: We all know your mother is not a natural cook. Baking is great yes.... but not the same as cooking. We all know this!


For future reference..... When you see this plate,



Mom has actually thought about a plan, implemented this plan to prepare a delicious, nutritious, cost conscious and home cooked meal. This might have taken her all afternoon. You will not utter the words "YUCK" "I wont try it" "Why do I have to eat this", or vomit your bite (yes this has happened). You may do what Mommy did as a little girl and coat her meat in ketchup.



If your plate looks like this....



Feel free to complain all you want. But you won't because it is probably pizza, spaghetti, fish sticks or hamburger helper. You guzzle this right down, which doesn't hurt my feelings because it was probably decided a half hour before supper time.

On a side note.... when googling a picture of the dirt cheap plates I bought at the seminary for $5 for a microwave sized box full of these "just pretty" dishes that I liked..... I discovered a single plate sells for $18 on ebay. Wow. I gave away the salt and pepper shakers because they don't match "my real china" and I'd never use them with their little plastic stopper bottoms anyway. I should have googled them first. Oh well, since they are going to be used to highlight a whole afternoon's worth of planning and effort to "torture" my children, I'll probably keep them!

Missed blogging

Long time, no post. The family has been

*trying to make this house into a permanent home. (The china has actually been washed and put into cabinets!)

*rescued Bandit a year old male kitty from the humane society. He was to be a friend to the lonely Skittles since her big sister Checkers died. Turns out we were wrong. She is scared of him and he is taking advantage of this fact. He has a little stomach issue and is quarantined. Fun times at our house! Luke keeps asking me if Bandit has to go back. I don't think I have the heart to do that... but I KNOW THERE WILL BE NO MORE ANIMALS IN THIS HOUSE! You can quote me on that!

*looking for a job... with 10% of the country. I am so grateful Ed is bringing home the pay and the benefits! When nurse jobs are scarce... times are tough. Right now, I am applying for part time work in Des Moines and will bunk with my families. Hoping for 12 hour shifts. The drive and time from my family will be a sacrifice, but the money will be good and I hope to soon work at the hospice I love at least PRN!

*Getting ready for school. Shots, pencils and new clothes. The kids are taking care of the sibling rivalry... so Mom won't cry on the first day of school. She'll drive away from the school humming such a happy tune! Only 6 more days..... ONLY SIX MORE DAYS =-))))))))

*We are close enough to Des Moines to go shopping, garage saleing and hugging cousins!

*Our new home feels like home, we are learning the roads and the ropes. Life is good even if it is busy. God is good.


P.S. The camera cord has vanished into thin air... if it ever appears, I will post pictures of Bandit. He looks nothing like Checkers. No one will replace my baby.

It's official, I'm a Pastor's wife!

The big day has finally arrived. And it was more than we thought it could be. So many church friends and family came. Luke acolyted, Maleah presented Daddy with a new cross. I cried and cried and then some more Happy tears. In my defense, many other people were crying also. It was so sweet to see Ed get on his knees to let Maleah place the cross and then hug her.) As you can see in the pictures, he spent some time on his knees before the cross with prayer and blessings from the other 6 Pastors. One, his mentor, another a best friend, a current and former Pastor of our home church and one a friend from the seminary that he went to Guatemala with. The last in the center is our District President. What an awesome day with many memories. In the AM, Ed baptised our newest princess niece. We were godparents as well, then a nice family BBQ. After the ordination, the church had a wonderful dinner with 149 people attending. The seminary days are over.... and my husband is a Pastor. God is GOOD!! His mercies endure forever!

I still can't find my camera cord. (did I mention in past posts, I HATE moving?!?), so one of Ed's former teachers sent me her album.

Wow, how she has grown up

I just had the best talk with my 15 year old niece. I LOVE how open she is with me. More open than even my own kids. She is struggling with how hard detassling is. She has been watching too many "children of the corn" movies. I think I have convinced her to stick it out. I mentioned pride, it will look great on her resume for a winter job, and cash. Of course, Auntie K has told her she will get an outfit for school if she sticks it out. That is her biggest motivation! She is taking driver's ed and want's to drive to see me next year in our new town. It is so hard to grasp this idea! I am proud of her! She has her Freshman courses all planned out with high ambitions of doing it all with great grades! I love it! I love you J!

June is almost over

Time to get moving... quite literally. I have one more day of work. Many blessings to have kept working until July! But, much packing is still needed. I'm not blaming it on procrastination, more on my aweful memory. In my past 4 moves, I have realized if I pack slowly, day by day - I have no idea what is in the boxes! So I can now go room by room and have a much better chance to have a clue what my codes are.

We had a great weekend. We celebrated baby H's FIRST birthday! His parents know how to throw a great BDAY bash. There was lots of great company with family and friends. Baby H just took it all in! Another special guest was Baby E. (8 months old) They are beautiful and we love them! We are so happy to be closer to DSM to see much more of them!


I also got to play with the my sister's three C's kids. Baby C is 3 months old and smiles and coos all the time. Soon she will say "patty" and melt my heart even more. Ed wouldn't let me take a baby home. It's just as well. Being with so many adorable nieces and nephews makes me tired!


Today was church, meeting a very nice missionary family from China and packing up my sewing and crafts. I also got in a little nap and take out mexican. Just can't beat that kind of day!

Many reasons for delay in blogging

graduated husband and awaiting pics from family (still struggling with camera issues)
buying a home ..... financing YUCK!!!!!
starting to pack ... thank goodness we kept all of our boxes
preparing for VBS and nephew,Lightening McQueen, to stay a week
preparing for Leah's dance recital
preparing for transition in my job from school nurse to audit nurse (THANKS to God for the work until we move!)
Celebrating Luke's 10 th BD yesterday with 2 celebrations. (yes I let him turn double digits YIKES)
Finding a new job
Planning an ordination!!!
catching up with laundry from 5 days in Seminary City and Des Moines
Baseball, lots of games and T ball

There is more I'm sure..... but this is making me tired and stressed. Last day of school is Friday.... I'm actually sad to leave my little guy and his classmates. But there is no way to say goodbye to him. It's probably best that he thinks school is just done for the day or the weekend. I'll miss the job and seeing great teachers at work. I will not miss winter recess though!

I love being close to these 3!!!

My sister, S, aunt J and the 3 C musketeers came for a weekend visit. I was all set to take some night time feedings, but after the one o’clock, her “baby meowing” over the monitor was waking Ed (who had to preach at 8 AM.) So I moved the monitor to her Mommy’s room and didn’t her the nighttime party my sister and her daughter had until it was shared with me in the morning!

If you remember, the crib leaving left a serious case of baby desire. Miss Princess and Little guy have fixed that. I can love them, spoil them, and give them back at bedtime! I am too old and too set in my middle aged, mother of school aged children routine. My sister makes beautiful babies, I’ll just fix my baby cravings through her!
We had a wonderful visit, with some highlights….

We all went to my Mom’s grave and did spring cleanup. The 5 year old’s had lots of questions about the Grandma their Mommies keep speaking so lovingly about. They really didn’t get that Grandma is in heaven with Jesus, but her body is in the ground under the pretty red gravestone. We talked about the special part that made Grandma, the Grandma who would love them. I shared with that I believe… S and I had to wait so long for our babies, because Grandma J just didn’t want to share them with us! She was holding and playing with them in Heaven. Leah listens attentively and then announces to Lightening McQueen (also 5), "SHE LOVED ME BEST!". Oh my, I told her Grandma loved all her grandchildren equally. I could have pointed out that since Princess was the last to come to earth... Grandma held her longest. (I can't wait until my husband reads my take on this.... I'm sure theology is much different!

After the cemetery, we went to revisit the small town Aunt J grew up. S and I also have great memories of our Dad's childhood home until it was sold when I was 10. I was across the street, taking pictures of the fantastic job the latest owners did. And the owner came out to ask me why.... I explained who I was and that my aunt was so interested in what he had did (it really was awesome) and he invited her in!!! The new family was so interested in the history and stories of the house, that they benefited also. I stayed with the babies (all 5) and we went to the park I played at 30 plus years ago! Many good memories.

Then we took the kids to a cousin's farm to see the cattle. The kids loved the cows. It made S and me realize exactly what city slickers we were raising.
**Luke was swinging a dried corn stalk.... and commented what weak Bamboo it was!
**Lightening McQueen and Leah were holding their noses... despite us telling them it "smelled like money."
Princess slept through it all...... But Little Man... all 2 years of him.... wanted a big cow. All the way home.... "Cow, Cow... peaz cow". Maybe Grandpa will get a little farmer yet.