Hello June!

Wow... for so long June has seemed so far away and now suddenly it is upon us. I look out and the leaves are in full bloom; the fields are planted; the dandelions have come and gone. Summer is here. I love summer. One of my favorite flowers is this purple Cematis that grows outside our front door. It is so beautiful.




I decided to celebrate summer I would get a new fun cover for my Iphone. This one grabbed my eye. Loved the color and the fun design. I've only had my phone for about a month and I love it. Steve has wanted one for so long and finally made the switch. He hadn't had his 4 hours before I knew that I wanted one as well. His and Hers. Very fun. (Although he has decided he doesn't need a fun summer cover for his.. black is just fine.) Not sure if you can see my fingernails, but that is K's latest venture....










K is learning how to do fancy manicures to use in her ministry to college women next year. Who doesn't love to have their nails done and what a great opportunity to spend time together and talk face to face. And I told her if she can make MY nails look nice, she can beautify anyones!! She is going to redo them today for me and next post I'll share some that she has done.




Steve is preparing for his second trip to Jos Nigeria which is coming up two weeks from today! I've decided to stay home this year for a number of reasons, but am hoping to go back in the very near future. We met over the weekend with part of the team that will be going. I will dearly miss being able to see the many friends we made last year, but know that for this year being home is the best decision.




Even with the wonderful weather, Sophie chooses to be inside with us rather than outside. This is a very familiar sight as she sits very patiently waiting for us to let her in. She is not a barker. Not even when someone comes to the door.. which I kind of wish she would do. She is a licker, however. Sure wish I could break her of that habit....












And I readily admit that she is spoiled. And I readily admit that I am the key spoiler. Anyone who wonders whether it truly is a dogs life or not just needs to meet Sophie to know that it is....











We are reaping the yummy rewards of having K home with what is coming out of the kitchen. Homemade Angel Food cake; cookies and delicious curry! This is a batch of Masaman curry and I am already watching the clock closely so that when it is a respectable time for lunch I can heat up a bowl. Yum!!!





And so I look forward to June. To summer. To warm weather.

A few excerpts from my 1000 gifts journal:
#67. Popcorn and M&M's..
#75. God's steadfast love...
#76. Naps that refresh...
#85. Painted toenails....

Until Next Time....

Ephesians 5:20 'Giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.'

Anniversaries

This past week we celebrated two anniversaries here at our house. A & C were here and celebrating their one year anniversary. Hard to believe that it has been a year already!! We had the top of their cake in the freezer and took it out to enjoy after dinner Friday night. The cake was absolutely delicious even after a year in the freezer!!!! (It was one that K had made with a strawberry glaze and cream cheese frosting filling.)



The cake, however, did not survive the thawing out process as well on the dining room table. We came home from our dinner out and this is what we found. Sophie had gone into the dining room (which she NEVER does) and licked this entire section of frosting off of the cake while it was on the table. (Which she has NEVER done). I am honestly still in shock. Usually when she gets mad at us leaving, she shakes rugs and scatters them around. She has taken it to a whole new level....


And there was a witness.... This squirrel came up while we were sitting there and chattered on and on. I really believe the squirrel was trying to tell us that he saw the whole thing!! But with as many squirrels as we have running around, I'm not sure we could find him again if we needed him to testify....












Steve and I also celebrated an anniversary this week. 28 years!! These flowers arrived part way through the day. Steve sent an explanation..

'Do you see the different colors? 28 reds for each year you have made my life complete, 5 whites for the amazing children God has given us, and 1 multicolor rose for little A.'

I told him the probation period is over. I'll keep him!! :)



So much to be thankful for. Even a naughty dog who still has me a bit shell shocked from her cake eating escapade.

A few excerpts from my '1000 gifts' journal...
#38. Inside jokes between friends....
#46. Precious conversations around the table...
#53. Anticipation of vacations - even months in advance...
#60. An owl in flight...

Until Next Time...

1 Thessalonians 5:18 'Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.'

Giving Thanks.....

I recently was given a book that started me on a journey. 'One Thousand Gifts' by Ann Voskamp. It's a challenge to cultivate a heart of thanksgiving. I have started my journal of 1000 'gifts'. It's amazing the change in one's perspective as you look to find things to be thankful for in each and every situation. The good days. The bad days. It's nearly impossible to grumble and complain when one is looking for ways to be thankful. I hope to share glimpses into my journal in the days; weeks and months to come.


Yes.. I'm going to make a concentrated effort to blog more. I can't really explain my absence from the blogging world. Just needed a break, I guess. I'm thankful to back. :)

Life has been marching forward. It is hard to believe that little A is 6 1/2 months old. He is such a happy little guy. I think I could fill my journal with every time he makes me smile!!! He recently took his first plane ride and apparently was a 'rockstar' traveler! He's currently enjoying his first vacation to the ocean. Wish I was on the beach with them!!












K graduated from college a few weeks ago. So proud of her! She is joining the Navigators College Ministry team for the coming year and is excited for what the year holds.











Sophie is almost 3 now and still very much a puppy. Sigh. She still LOVES her toys and will run and get one as soon as you come home just in case you have a need to play.








If you don't want to play, this is what you get.... sad eyes looking at you while she protects those things most precious to her. (Her toys...)









In the knitting world I am working fast and furiously on a baby blanket for my friend's baby who is due any day.... Love this pattern. I'm making it with Blue Sky Worsted Cotton. It is so soft and yummy. I hope it becomes one of baby G's favorites!!














In the food department (because food is one of the things I am VERY thankful for!!!), my focus will be on a good burger! A few weeks ago, a few friends from our small group took a trip up to Gunder Iowa, which is home of the famous Gunderburger. They start with 20 ounces of meat which cooks down to a one pound hamburger. I had mine loaded with ketchup and sauteed onions. Yes, I was in heaven.




I would say that is is impossible to finish one of these, but that would not be true. Steve ate his whole burger as well as all of his hash brown potatoes. And he didn't even seem that miserable. I will say it was a good 24 hours before he was hungry again....













I'm looking forward to grilling some good, but smaller burgers this coming weekend. Our good friend and fellow Gunderburger consumer, shared the following burger recipe that they had made for our small group one night. (They gave me measurements, but said they usually just toss in ingredients and don't measure....Yikes. I could never do that.)




John's Better Burgers









5 pounds lean hamburger
2 eggs
1/2 cup corn flake crumbs
one finely chopped onion
1 tsp garlic powder
2 TBSP Greek seasoning
1/4 cup BBQ sauce (Sweet Baby Ray's)

Mix all together and form patties.

I did a half batch and made 8 good size burgers (5.7 ounce each) with a tiny burger that I threw on my George Foreman for a quick lunch.


Hope you all have a wonderful Memorial Day Weekend. We're looking forward to A and C being with us from Colorado! I'm sure I'll have many things to add to my journal.....

A few excerpts...
# 9. Fresh pineapple that tastes like candy...
#13. My green and white polka dot mug brimming with morning coffee...
#15. Seeing Steve walk out to meet me as I walk Sophie in the back field...
#25. Bags of cakeballs in the freezer ready to be dipped and shared...
#31. Pulling up the blinds to a new day...

Until Next Time....

Psalm 107:22 'And let them offer sacrifices of thanksgiving and tell of his deed in songs of joy.'

Oh The JOY....

Oh the JOY of being a grandma!!! Hard to believe that I have almost 5 months of experience already!!! Thought I would give you a peek at little A. (Well.. not so little anymore!!) There is just nothing like a baby to attract attention and smiles!!






He has gotten so big! He has always had quite the fascination with his tongue and it's fun to watch him stick it in and out.









He smiles and laughs often! And it is contagious!!
I'm pretty sure he is totally unaware how much joy he has brought into the lives of so many!!











He has made friends with people from all over the world. One of our dear friends from Nigeria was visiting and taught M how to wrap and carry A in true African style.















R & M are getting him started early on the piano. It may be a little while before he plays solo!!


















Joy is also found in time spent with all of our kids. Had the chance to see A & C in January while we were in Colorado for a conference. Oh how I miss these two!!! Thankfully we have several visits coming up in the months to come.









Y (our foreign exchange student from China) is still with us for a few more months. She has been helping us as we have basically repainted most of the house. It was hard to paint over her awesome writing on the walls of the hall!







K is finishing up her final semester of college. So hard to believe. She still LOVES to spend time in the kitchen and occasionally even does a few orders for her baking business.















I'm wrapping up another tax season. Looking forward to having 1040's behind me for another year! More time to spend with family!!









Oh the joy......

Until Next Time...

Happy New Year!!

Wishing you all a Happy New Year!!!! 2010 was filled with many blessings for us.. Looking forward to all that 2011 holds. Especially excited about watching this little one grow. Everyone who told me that grandparenthood is THE BEST was right!!!!!

Blessings to you and your family.

Grandbaby!!!!

After 39 weeks of great anticipation, our grandson has arrived!!!! Because GB was breech, a C-Section was scheduled for Monday morning, November 8th. All went well and we are so thankful for his safe delivery.








We were waiting at the hospital with the other set of excited grandparents. Tears flowed when the nurse came out to let us know that all was well and that our grandson was absolutely 'beautiful'!!!









I was so excited just knowing that he was finally in the arms of his mommy and daddy!!!










Of course, us grandparents were excited to hold our first grandchild as well!! How we have prayed for this little one!! And now to have him here is such a joy!!!















M's parents have also anticipated this moment and beamed when they held him for the first time.









After I sent a text to K letting her know that the baby had been born, she immediately skipped her next class and hopped in the car to come and meet him.















M's sister B was there waiting as well to meet him for the first time. He is a lucky baby to have 3 very loving Aunts!!! (A & C will be here this Monday to meet him!!)














Steve wanted to give him a complete physical. Reminded me of when our son was born when Steve was in medical school. Poor baby got a complete physical multiple times a day from a dad in training!!














It was neat when Steve's dad came for a visit to get a picture of 4 generations!!!











Proud daddy and grandpas admiring him.











Sweet dreams little one. You are loved.











Until Next Time.....

MOM....

Mom, you HAVE to update your blog!!

I have been hearing this for several weeks. Ok, maybe months. I really don't know what has happened to the last 3 months. Blogging just kind of took a back burner. I'm still not sure how often I'll get to it, but I am here today and will try to give a very brief synopsis of where we've been and where we're at and where we're heading!!

The big news it that grandparenthood is now just a few weeks away!! I'm not sure how clear this picture will be, but it is a ultrasound photo of our grandson at 34 weeks. How amazing is that? His chubby little cheeks remind me of R's cheeks when he was a baby. I cannot wait to hold this little one and cover those cheeks with kisses!!!












I did finish the pinwheel blanket I was knitting for him and LOVED how it turned out. The all cotton yarn is so soft and wonderful. I think I need to cast on another. I have a beautiful pink in this yarn that is just begging to be a pinwheel.




We have had a few adventures since I last blogged. The first being our annual trip to Bayfield Wisconsin. We do love that area. This year we rented some mopeds on Madeline Island which was a blast.






But I think the highlight this year was going on a Sea Kayak adventure out on Lake Superior. Steve and I went in a double kayak and did quite well.







The rock formations are amazing and you are able to kayak right up to them and into several of the caves!








We ended up in some pretty close quarters in some of the caves!!! Certainly not for the claustrophobic!!














In August we headed to Minnesota for the wedding of the daughter of one of the Triple R gang! The three of us girls have been friends forever and all married guys whose last name began with R. And the Triple R gang was born. So blessed to have such dear friends!!! Cheryl and I had the honor of reading scripture at the wedding. And we didn't even mess up!!




R& M (expecting grandbaby) and K also came up for the wedding. A & C are now in Colorado, so were unable to make it. It was a beautiful wedding and so wonderful to be able to be there and share in their day.






Labor Day weekend we FINALLY were able to get out to Colorado to visit A & C! Oh how much we have missed them!!!! I have to say I am quite jealous of where they are living. I have always wanted to live in Colorado. At least now we have a really good reason to get there as often as we can!!!!



We took a drive on the highest paved road in North America and saw some beautiful views!!!!
You may notice a new face in the picture! This is YS - our foreign exchange student from Beijing who is living with us for the school year. She is a junior in high school and just a delight. She had only been in the country for 36 hours when we hopped in the car and headed to Denver.




The whole gang!! I do LOVE the mountains!!!











We stopped in Winter Park at one of our favorite pizza places. There was a bit of a wait, but no one seemed to mind. Just so nice to be together.









And the pizza makes it totally worth the wait. YS thought it was very strange that we put honey on the crust. Of course she thinks that many of the things that we eat are strange. There is a BIG difference in food between our two countries. But we will learn. It was hard to leave A&C, but hoping to see them for the upcoming holidays!!





In September the Triple R gang founders spent the weekend at a cabin in northern Minnesota. Another area of great beauty. I have to say, I think I could do this every weekend. It was so great to spend time with such good friends.







Sophie made the 7 hour+ ride with us and has decided she wants to be a cabin dog! She did great in the car; loved boat rides and had a keen sense of how to get back to the right cabin when out on walks. (More than some of us can claim!) She HATED being left behind when Steve and I took a ride on the SeaDoo.










She quickly forgave us of course. There really wasn't room for her on there with us. Plus, at 70 miles per hour I don't think she could have hung on without opposable thumbs!!






Well, that's about it. The last 3 months in a nutshell. I won't make any promises of how often I'll blog, but I will try to not wait so long. Maybe I'll post a few new recipes. Until then, I will at least direct you to an incredible recipe blog that a friend of mine from high school has created. It is a gluten free recipe blog, but any recipe can be made with ingredients that aren't gluten free if you want. Every recipe looks amazing.









Until Next Time.....