Another month has passed and it's the middle of JULY! Goodness!
Since Kountze, I spent a week in SA packing boxes and sightseeing with my adopted granddaughter, Nicole. Then a week in Palestine with Ian and Nicole (Karen joined us later). Then Lydia and Caleb arrived, Karen and sons left, and I made decisions about paint for my bedroom (next week's project).
So after Lydia leaves and I give this house a good cleaning (!), I will dismantle my bedroom to repaint it a soft aqua color. I'm leaving the black and white toile decor and tweaking the accessories to suit. It's been a while since I've done a decorating project in my house, and I"m excited about the change.
A date to a local play on Sunday, a quick trip to Mansfield next weekend, and LOTS of scrapbooking in August will lead to the fall activities:
September: new baby in AR
October: scrapbook retreat in Weatherford, hosting Guion Music Club
November: Thanksgiving celebration (location?) and Caleb's 2nd birthday
Have I mentioned I'm glad I retired? haha
Thursday, July 15, 2010
Saturday, June 19, 2010
Adoptions
I am the adopted grandma of six children whom my friends have adopted. They come from three different birth families. There's two boys and four girls, ranging in age from 8-15. It is a busy, lively household.
What impresses me most is how, in a year and a half, the four siblings who were the last adoptees have meshed into the family. It's not an easy thing to take kids into your family and teach them your values, manners, and speech. These siblings had not even lived together for four years, having been in the foster care system before adoption. Challenging does not even begin to describe the parents' task. All six of these kids have special needs in some way: physical, mental, emotional, social disabilities. When I see them now, I see what a long way they've come in learning to love one another and behave appropriately in different situations. Wow.
I enjoyed spending time with them this week while their mom was recuperating from surgery. She directed their activities while I did the walking, lifting, chores, etc. The kids were fun to be around. Of course, they had their spats and stubbornness at times, but really, what family doesn't?
In this household, God is utmost. Three of the six kids have accepted Jesus as Savior and been baptized. Books and music in the house are Christian. Discussions about behavior center around what God's view of it is. This is the glue that holds the home together.
Mom and Dad, as in most families, have too little time alone together. Maybe I can change that in the future.
What impresses me most is how, in a year and a half, the four siblings who were the last adoptees have meshed into the family. It's not an easy thing to take kids into your family and teach them your values, manners, and speech. These siblings had not even lived together for four years, having been in the foster care system before adoption. Challenging does not even begin to describe the parents' task. All six of these kids have special needs in some way: physical, mental, emotional, social disabilities. When I see them now, I see what a long way they've come in learning to love one another and behave appropriately in different situations. Wow.
I enjoyed spending time with them this week while their mom was recuperating from surgery. She directed their activities while I did the walking, lifting, chores, etc. The kids were fun to be around. Of course, they had their spats and stubbornness at times, but really, what family doesn't?
In this household, God is utmost. Three of the six kids have accepted Jesus as Savior and been baptized. Books and music in the house are Christian. Discussions about behavior center around what God's view of it is. This is the glue that holds the home together.
Mom and Dad, as in most families, have too little time alone together. Maybe I can change that in the future.
Sunday, June 13, 2010
Recent Trips
We just made a trip to Missouri to visit my parents, and then I made a trip to Mansfield, TX to visit my in-laws. I'm home for two days, then off to visit a friend in Kountze who is recuperating from surgery.
Here is a picture from Missouri's trip:
This is a biker bar/restaurant actually built into a cliff. It is in Tipton Ford, MO, which is about 10 miles outside Joplin.The food was mediocre, but the atmosphere was fun. The back wall of the dining room is the rocky cliff.
And here's a picture from the in-laws:
They just moved into a luxury active senior complex. So gorgeous! Ken's preparing a roast for lunch in this shot. It was yummy!
Here is a picture from Missouri's trip:
This is a biker bar/restaurant actually built into a cliff. It is in Tipton Ford, MO, which is about 10 miles outside Joplin.The food was mediocre, but the atmosphere was fun. The back wall of the dining room is the rocky cliff.
And here's a picture from the in-laws:
They just moved into a luxury active senior complex. So gorgeous! Ken's preparing a roast for lunch in this shot. It was yummy!
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
Long Delay
It's been over a month since I've blogged. To say I've been busy is true, to say I've procrastinated is true, and to say I've been reading about others' lives (FB) is true. For whatever reason, it's time to catch up.
April, of course, was when Seth was born so I was in San Antonio for a while. He is precious, but a newborn being what it is, we didn't get much sleep! Now, he's starting to stretch out those night feedings. His only difficulty is he hates to be in the car and screams his head off. Constantly.
May has flown by. Alan and I celebrated our 36th anniversary. I am thankful to have a husband who lets me be me. He has been so understanding of my desire to retire, my need to travel to take care of our family members, my ups and downs health-wise.
June is shaping up to be busy, also. I am in Missouri now, spending a week with my parents. My in-laws are moving to a new apartment and I'll be going next week to help them get unpacked and settled. The following 2 weeks, I'll be in Kountze 3 days each week helping my friend recuperate from surgery and keep her household (with six kids) running smoothly while hubby is working.
Sometime in late June or early July, I'll be back in SA to help my kids move to their first home. It will be fun to see Ian and Seth again. I also have a scrapbooking weekend scheduled plus a visit from Lydia to Palestine. Can't wait to see Caleb!! He has such a cute sense of humor!
By the time I rotate through parents, in-laws, and both kids' families, it's time to start again! haha Too bad we're spread over 3 states.
But I am so thankful for a loving God who provides for my needs and enables me to do these things. He protects me as I drive, He provides funds for trips, He provides patience with toddlers, and mostly, He provides stamina/energy for the effort needed to be useful.
If I don't blog again for a while, you can find me on FB. If my name crosses your mind, say a prayer asking God's sustenance for me. Thanks.
April, of course, was when Seth was born so I was in San Antonio for a while. He is precious, but a newborn being what it is, we didn't get much sleep! Now, he's starting to stretch out those night feedings. His only difficulty is he hates to be in the car and screams his head off. Constantly.
May has flown by. Alan and I celebrated our 36th anniversary. I am thankful to have a husband who lets me be me. He has been so understanding of my desire to retire, my need to travel to take care of our family members, my ups and downs health-wise.
June is shaping up to be busy, also. I am in Missouri now, spending a week with my parents. My in-laws are moving to a new apartment and I'll be going next week to help them get unpacked and settled. The following 2 weeks, I'll be in Kountze 3 days each week helping my friend recuperate from surgery and keep her household (with six kids) running smoothly while hubby is working.
Sometime in late June or early July, I'll be back in SA to help my kids move to their first home. It will be fun to see Ian and Seth again. I also have a scrapbooking weekend scheduled plus a visit from Lydia to Palestine. Can't wait to see Caleb!! He has such a cute sense of humor!
By the time I rotate through parents, in-laws, and both kids' families, it's time to start again! haha Too bad we're spread over 3 states.
But I am so thankful for a loving God who provides for my needs and enables me to do these things. He protects me as I drive, He provides funds for trips, He provides patience with toddlers, and mostly, He provides stamina/energy for the effort needed to be useful.
If I don't blog again for a while, you can find me on FB. If my name crosses your mind, say a prayer asking God's sustenance for me. Thanks.
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Family of Four
Here is a pic of John, Karen, Ian, and Seth. Ian met Seth today and thinks he's pretty neat. He was very careful to be gentle with the baby and even got to feed him a bottle! He is proud to be the big brother.
Monday, April 26, 2010
The Things Ian Says
After leaving the hospital this evening, Alan asked me what Ian would eat for supper. I replied, "Chicken and french fries."
He said, "standard fare."
Ian said, from the back seat, "standard fare!"
He constantly amazes us with mimicing the things we say, trying out new words, matching enunciation and tone with us.
Today, he took his "backpack" to the "hospital" to see "Baby Seth". He likes ice in his water, dipped his fries into gravy and handed them to me to eat, drank like a big boy from a regular cup, and used a straw properly.
He is so fun to be with and, I must say, behaved wonderfully well on this long day. Tomorrow he'll go to Mother's Day Out and then back to the hospital for a short visit with Mommy and Seth.
He said, "standard fare."
Ian said, from the back seat, "standard fare!"
He constantly amazes us with mimicing the things we say, trying out new words, matching enunciation and tone with us.
Today, he took his "backpack" to the "hospital" to see "Baby Seth". He likes ice in his water, dipped his fries into gravy and handed them to me to eat, drank like a big boy from a regular cup, and used a straw properly.
He is so fun to be with and, I must say, behaved wonderfully well on this long day. Tomorrow he'll go to Mother's Day Out and then back to the hospital for a short visit with Mommy and Seth.
Thursday, April 15, 2010
Long overdue random update
Well, I haven't blogged since February! It's been busy around here, to say the least.
Trips to Missouri, San Antonio, and Arkansas have really put the miles on my car. But, oh, how fun! I love seeing family and participating in their lives. Jon's ordination service last Sunday was especially meaningful to me on many levels.
Ian and Caleb are growing bigger, talking more, and being more active every day.Their parents are doing such a good job of rearing them. They are such a joy to us.
And then the new babies! Seth should make his appearance next week. I got to see a sono done on Newbie2 this week (he's due in Sept). God is so good to bless me with grandchildren.
Read a good book yesterday. Ninety Minutes in Heaven by Don Piper. Story of his death and resuscitation, painful trials of recuperation, God's purpose and victory in our lives. Wonderful story!
I'm enjoying this week at home getting to do some scrapbooking and random chores before I head to San Antonio next week. Lunch with a friend and a haircut are on the agenda for today. I love retirement!!
That's all for now. I'll try to check in more often!
Trips to Missouri, San Antonio, and Arkansas have really put the miles on my car. But, oh, how fun! I love seeing family and participating in their lives. Jon's ordination service last Sunday was especially meaningful to me on many levels.
Ian and Caleb are growing bigger, talking more, and being more active every day.Their parents are doing such a good job of rearing them. They are such a joy to us.
And then the new babies! Seth should make his appearance next week. I got to see a sono done on Newbie2 this week (he's due in Sept). God is so good to bless me with grandchildren.
Read a good book yesterday. Ninety Minutes in Heaven by Don Piper. Story of his death and resuscitation, painful trials of recuperation, God's purpose and victory in our lives. Wonderful story!
I'm enjoying this week at home getting to do some scrapbooking and random chores before I head to San Antonio next week. Lunch with a friend and a haircut are on the agenda for today. I love retirement!!
That's all for now. I'll try to check in more often!
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Snow Day 022310
Here are some pics of our house and area in this beautiful snow today:
Click on the photo to see the album.
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| snow day 022310 |
Click on the photo to see the album.
Monday, February 22, 2010
Birthday Celebrations
Our family celebrated SIX birthdays this weekend: Ian (2), Lydia (28), Karen (29), Jon (30), John (30), and Grandma (82). This celebration was attended by all of the above plus Alan's parents plus Caleb plus my dad. We had a blast with everyone! As a mom, I can appreciate the trouble it is to travel with toddlers (not to mention being pregnant). I also appreciate Jon changing around his off day to accommodate the schedule, and John giving up an important conference and using a precious off-day (which he's accumulating for the birth of Seth). So many sacrifices were made to make this weekend the best! Who knows when we'll all be together again?
Here's a look at some pics:
Click the picture to go to Picasa to see the album.
Here's a look at some pics:
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| birthday celebrations |
Click the picture to go to Picasa to see the album.
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Friday, January 1, 2010
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