Christmas Wrap-Up

 Christmas 2014 was indeed memorable.  Our house was full to overflowing and it was wonderful!
Erin came home and Jeff, Sammi and Eveyln came and brought along one of Jeff's former missionary companions, Fabio.  He is from Brazil and got kicked out of his dorm over the semester break.  We were glad to have him come enjoy Christmas with us.  Brett's house was full too so Bonny came to stay with us for a couple of weeks.  Here's a photo recap of some of our Christmas.

On Christmas Eve we met some of my family and did a caroling "concert" of sorts at the Birch Hill Health Care facility where my dad spent his final weeks of life.  Jeff played his cello and I accompanied on the piano.  I believe a good time was had by all.

On Christmas Eve our children exchange their gifts to one another and I always give the grandchildren some kind of books.  

 Earlier in the week, Pat taught Fabio how to drive a tractor.  He has never driven anything so this was a real treat for him.  

 He was surprised that we would get him, a total stranger, Christmas presents.  I got him this badger shirt.  I told him to be careful wearing that on the Michigan State campus.  He also got a John Deere tractor shirt from Pat.

 Pat always gets the kids a gift from him.  Here's Tom's new "cat shirt."  It makes my eyes hurt.

 I got Jeff a "Fifth Quarter" shirt which you'll see in another photo.

 The girls got me new measuring cups.  There's a backstory on why.  I received a set of measuring cups as a wedding gift 32 years ago and I love them because they have a 2/3 and a 3/4 cup.  I refused to get rid of them until I have something to replace them.  They were looking really rough.  That's even sort of kind.  Here are the new ones.

 Jeff showing off his new shirt and socks!

 Tom wearing that hideous shirt and showing off his new Ipad.

Erin got something for Sam and Jeff.  I don't recall what was in the box except some "thank you" money for letting me live with you.

Sammi and I got this Brasil jacket for Jeff.  It was quite expensive and he didn't even want to try it on in the store because of the price.  She found a coupon and with both of us, we could afford it.  It was priceless to watch the expressions on his face as he recognized what we got him.

Sammi put together a scrapbook for her dad with all of us writing our testimonies and a thank you note to Pat for what he's done for us.  He was touched.

I found something extra for Clint that I normally wouldn't have purchased.  Its a plaque that says, "Always be yourself.  If you can't be yourself, be Batman.  Always be Batman."  It has a bat symbol on it.  He wanted to know where Clare would let him hang it.

Clare opening her "Papa" purse.  It's made out of Papa's shirt and pants.

Clare and Clint are always taking meat to Kropf's to be ground into burger.  I splurged and got them a heavy duty meat grinder.

Sammi made me some cube ornaments.  This is what they look like.  I love them.

The sunset on this wonderful Christmas night.

I saw this quote in October when I went to a craft sale with Sharla Bohl.  I had Erin take a photo on her phone so I could remember it and make it.  Pat had Pam Moede make it for me.  I love it.  It sits on my piano with my family photos.

These two are always glad when they get to be together.  Moreso Cami but I think Evelyn will come around as she gets a little older.  Wonderful girls.

Making Fresh Apple Juice

 We've had some apples in our garage for about a month.  Last week Pat and I canned 24 quarts of applesauce.  That got us through about 1/3 of the apples...maybe.  We decided in order not to waste them we needed to press them for juice. 

Saturday was finally warm enough to do this rather sticky job outside.  We set up to work and included our three local grandchildren as helpers along with Tom, of course. 

It appears we have some taste testers.

Brock taste tested until his little Dixie cup collapsed and he had to get a new one.

The apples are first ground into a mash and then placed in the press.

They are squeezed until no more juice comes out.  Notice the stream of juice below the press.

The kids can only do so much and finally an adult has to step in to make the press really do its job.  

In all honesty, the kids helped for about the first two batches and then it was more tasting and going inside where it was warm.  Brock was the lone helper in the end. 

Tom's job is to load up the mash after it has been squeezed and haul it away.  He got his bike out so he could put the bucket in his basket.  What a good helper.

It was cool outside so we stayed in the sun until it went around the side of the garage.  Thanks to wonderful friends who let us borrow their apple press year after year.  This year we got about six gallons.  One is already gone and it isn't even canned yet!

One Good Man

 My sweetheart had a birthday this week.  He doesn't really care about his birthday.  In all honesty, I don't care about mine either but he always makes a big deal out of it.  For his day, I try to make a favorite meal as that's most appreciated.

I've created posts for my children and parents but don't believe I've ever done one for the most important person in my life.  My best friend.  My husband!  Enjoy the many faces that follow.

It begins every year about this time.  The stripes come out.  He enjoyed having Erin and Andrew officiate with him.

 This is Howard Sharp.  He is Pat's mission president.  He lives in Salt Lake City.  We visit them as often as we can.  Wonderful people!  I believe this man is Pat's "father" in many ways.  I know there is a great respect and admiration.

 I am not a very romantic person.  My husband is a romantic at heart.  Just this week we drew a heart in the snow and wrote my name in it.  I think that's one of the sweetest things he has ever done.  I adore him.

 He has been serving as our stake president for 7+ years.  He has had some wonderful men at his side throughout this time.  He has an infinite love for Jesus Christ and his greatest desire is to do His will.  I couldn't ask for a kinder, more gentle man. 

 I believe this was one proud moment as a dad.  Andrew would be entering the MTC in a matter of minutes after this photo was taken.  He writes Andrew several times each week.  What a great dad!

 This man LOVES his girls.  They will tell you that he, at times, made them crazy but when they have a problem (especially with a car) they call him.  He is most generous and loves to create surprises.

 This was the day we got married.  I never anticipated how wonderful my life would be because I married this wonderful guy.  Just this summer I recognized once again how unselfish my sweetheart is.  He insisted on having my father stay with us so we could take care of him.  He was willing to take time away from work so he could help care for him.  I saw this compassionate man in action as he would hold Dad's hand and kiss his face. 

 He's a man all about SERVICE.  Two weeks ago he was shoveling the driveway and stairs of President Sharp while we were in Utah. 

 He's all about doing new things.  While on temple square we went to a concert put on by "Bells on Temple Square."  It was fun to experience something new with this guy.

 I love that he wants to have photos of the two of us. 

 He's a great "Papa" to our grandchildren.  Typically he would be holding my hand while we are taking a walk, but he always shares me with these little gems of ours.

 He's a hard worker.  He is all about removing snow off of our driveway so no one will drive on it and pack it down.  Just a hint of OCD there.  All kidding aside, he works hard to provide us with every possible thing we could need and several things we want.

This guy always greats his dad with "Stake President!"  What will he say when a release comes?  Perhaps it will go back to just being "Dad!" 

 

I am blessed over-the-top to be married to this extraordinary man.  He's so patient with me and leads by example.  He loves me completely and tells me how wonderful I am (even though I know I'm nothing special).  When I was younger I used to watch my parents and thought how I would like my marriage relationship to be like theirs.  I believe I've accomplished just that.  I do have to give most of the credit to my wonderful husband.  I think he watched them too and learned how to be the doting husband.

I'm grateful that my Heavenly Father brought him into my life and that I can have him forever!

November Happenings

There's been quite a bit to write about this month.  The biggest thing was over the weekend.  We took a fast trip to Salt Lake City, Utah to go to nephew Michael's wedding.  He and his bride, Becca are so cute together.  A beautiful wedding with plenty of rain during the photo shoot.  Therefore, I didn't stick around too long to take a lot of pictures.

He's from Wisconsin.  She's from Ohio.  They got married in Utah!

 I'm glad we went.  They look so happy.

 We got to see some family that don't live by us anymore.

 I think this is my favorite of all the photos I took.

 On Sunday we went to church with Pat's mission president.  He was kind enough to shovel off their stairs, walks and driveway.  We met a lot of new people who are somebodies.  At least name recognition.  For instance, Bonnie at the organ.

 On Saturday night we attended a concert in the Tabernacle. 

It was a concert by "Bells on Temple Square."  A little long but very entertaining.

 This November has been really cold.  The window in my east bedroom has given us quite an ice show already.

 I'm trying to go through my dad's things.  I took these picture frames and put them up in my upstairs hallway around the newly framed family tree casket insert.

 Andrew sent me a picture of he and Elder Mason.  I love getting pictures from him.

 We've had our fair share of snow already this month.  Fortunately it has melted with the rain and warmer temperatures.  It started snowing again this afternoon.

This frost sculpture was in my east window after several days of very cold temperatures.  It got better and better as the time went by.  It reminds me of some kind of etched windows one would see in the temple.  I took this in the morning with the sun coming up.  With actually seeing the sun, it melted several hours later.

 

I'm glad we got away for the weekend.  It was nice to come home and see the grass for a few hours before it got covered again.  Actually we got to go for a walk on Friday in Salt Lake City in 50 degree temperatures.  It was wonderful!!!!

 



No Sadness This Year

Twenty-one years ago yesterday my mother passed from this life when she was far too young.  I thought about her yesterday and just smiled.  No sadness this year.  She and Dad are together again which makes my heart so, so happy.  I LOVE the plan of salvation!  I LOVE the temple covenants that bound them together on earth and in heaven!

I ponder at times how blessed my life it.  I had the meanest mother out there.  She was not easy on us, except maybe for Bonny.  The rest of us remember a mother who was demanding and could deal out consequences with firmness.  I'm sure my dad knew a different side of her as he adored her to the ends of the earth.  I was blessed with the kindest, most generous daddy anyone could ask for.  Somehow, they balanced one another. 

At any rate, I came to know a different side of my mother as an adult and more especially when I became a mother.  She had so much wisdom.  She helped me with so much emotionally, spiritually, financially and in just being a kinder, more patient mom.  Isn't that something?  She was hard on us and yet she wanted me to be more gentle in dealing with my own children.  I guess because those children were her grandbabies.  She LOVED being Nana to the grandchildren and they adored her. 

At times I have looked on my nieces, nephews and children as well as the next generation and thought about what my mom would say about them.  I can hear her comments.  She would comment how Cami is so smart and Adam's sensitivity and imagination.  She would have loved Andrew's imagination when he was a little boy.  She would love the spunk in Arianna.  I think she would comment about chunky little Dax.  She would love that Evie would have a conversation with her.  She would be so proud of her grandchildren who served missions.  She would pray for those who are straying or having a difficult time.  In fact, she probably does pray for and comment on all those things and many more.  I just don't get to hear it.

I recall when Tom was a baby.  He wasn't making the strides that he should.  He was delayed in all his milestones.  I remember very distinctly the day out in the garden (I was standing in the driveway) when she said that she and Dad felt that we should see a specialist about Tom.  It had to be difficult for her to talk to me about it.  I was so relieved that someone had an idea of what to do.  I will forever be grateful for her gentle boldness in opening her mouth and speaking what I needed to hear. 

Yes, I am blessed with parents that had amazing testimonies of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ and served so willingly.  I was blessed with their example of how a loving marital relationship should look like and feel.  I think I found it.  As much as I miss each of them at different times, I am glad that they are together again!

Life-changing Decisions

Just as our lives have gotten back to a normal pace and into our regular routine we get unwelcome news.  Pat's father has had some ear issues over the past year.  Just a few weeks ago it was discovered that he has grade 2 non-Hodgkins Diffuse Large B Cell Lymphoma.

 It is very treatable but there are other factors to consider. Pete is 80 years old and I don't know that he would tolerate chemo and radiation.  He could opt for just radiation which would knock this cancer down for one to three years but it would return. The other option is to do nothing which would give him about six months.

Pete also has the beginning of dementia. His older brother and sister both succumbed to this horrible disease. He  said he never wanted go through nor put his wife and family through Alzheimer's disease. Amazingly, Pete has been given a choice not to go through it.

We visited on Friday night with some of Pat's siblings.  We were told that Pete has decided that he isn't going to do anything.  He doesn't want to be sick.  He and Lolly have decided that they will take quality time over quantity.

It seems that all the sibling are supportive of this decision.  In fact, I believe that they all feel this is the right decision for their dad.

The best decisions aren't always the easy ones to make.  I pray for my father-in-law and Lolly to have strength and comfort.

I find it incredible that both Pat and I will lose our dads in such a short time.  Last night we had the evening session of stake conference. As my husband spoke about keeping our baptismal covenant I was very grateful with all who mourned with me as I went through the mourning process so recently.  I felt impressed that I need to do all I can to help Lolly through this process. It is my turn to mourn with those that mourn.