Easter Egg Hunt

Here's the grandkids waiting at the top of the stairs to come hunt for Easter candy hidden all over the basement. Looks like they were ready to find HUGE loot to me!

A Story.........

A few summers ago I was able to plant my favorite tree, a willow, in the backyard. A willow tree of my own had been a dream of mine, reminding me of my childhood when I could see a row of them out my front picture window every day and of walking hand in hand with my dad alongside them on our way to church on Sundays. But at the time my own willow tree was to be planted, the main function was to eventually use it for privacy reasons. The landscaper and I talked at great length on where is should be placed. So we decided on a spot where sunshine and water would nurture it every day. There was only one drawback to the area - the whirlwinds that would come around the corner of the house and play havoc with it's pliable trunk and branches.
I quickly came to realize that just because the tree was much taller and bigger than I was, it was still so young in many ways. 'Willow' wouldn't give in to the elements that could have destroyed him. He learned to bend and not break; to sway and not crack; to hold on with his roots and not topple over. Our neighbors were worried he wouldn’t make it as they would see him bend over almost in half at times. It wasn't until the summer of ’05 that Willow became strong, thick with dark brown bark replacing the greenish-yellow of its youth. He became a steady tree, so full and lush with leaves. Willow had weathered those dark winter winds and summers of scorching heat with a strength that you could almost touch.
Willow has imitated his owner's life - me.
Soon after Willow came to live at my house, my only son, Tyler, was taken from me in a tragic accident. Ty would tease me about Willow and ask why I would want such a weak tree in my yard, warning me that the poor sapling would never make it where it was planted. So maybe Willow could feel there was a new challenge given to him, more than just his nature’s call.
So after losing Ty, I felt an overwhelming urgency to act strong and continue on no matter what, and found I was paralleling the life of young Willow. The winds of life were playing havoc with my heart and most heavily, my spirit. I merely existed, ending up bending and swaying with whatever blew in or around my life and accepting it all without as much as a thought about what was truly happening. I did not break, I did not crack….on the outside. But as time went on I felt weak in my spirit, lost my love of life, put aside my convictions, and yes just like Willow, the neighbors were afraid I would break from my personal storm.
As Willow had been placed in a new area, green and inexperienced in his new life - so had I. He had the basics of survival and so did I. But the turning point was when I saw him mature in his strength and prowess and realized he was telling me his facts of life; a life of strength, of beauty, of standing on firm ground and taking root in what is good and right. He found his way through all those difficult times to be strong. I have found my way through a sorrow that cannot be described to a strength I had not known before. He taught me to go deep, to look at Who made me and why, as he does. That there are reasons to be strong and go on with a life that will give my Master joy, as he does.
I have a true and steadfast friend in Willow. I know someday we must part, but the lessons he has taught my life and my heart will not be forgotten and I hope to teach or show others this: That there is Strength to be had, to be found, to accept and grab on to with both hands, and most importantly to live for. I am so thankful I’ve been reminded of the Living Water I need and the Son shine in my own life, in my core, in my roots.

My fave.........

This is my most favorite picture of my brother..............











.......... thought provoking and peaceful.

Just a thought.........

I have no story to go with this picture. I just found it on my computer from last summer and it just says so much all by itself. Doesn't it just tell you to take a minute, step back and enjoy what's there in front of you, no matter how long or how short of a time it is?

Thankful Thoughts

Gratefulness in my heart
That a young life was spared yesterday
Black ice on a cold Nebraska highway
Could have meant the end of a vibrant life
A young woman, a wife and mom
Off on a delivery with many miles between
Cassie's life was spared when her truck and
Trailer hit the ice and rolled - over and over
Her children still have their mom and
Her husband - a wife
It's a day of celebration and thankfulness.

Cassie was a friend of Tyler's in their high school years. She is still dear to our hearts.

The 'Fat Man'

Dylan was having so much fun with the 'fat man' in front of Lincoln Station. He had a conversation with this sculpture and told the 'man' that he had a big nose! We had a big laugh about this one.

Bengals Soccer Victory!

Here is the ending of a perfect game! Abby's team, the Bengals, won their first game with a BANG! Here she is at the end of the red team's line giving 'good games' to the opposing team. She did a super job and didn't touch the ball with her hands even once during the game. I think that's a pretty good start!

"Furry" Glasses

Here's Raegan watching Abby's first soccer game through 'grandpa vision', or as she told Bill, "Grandpa, your glasses are furry!" She's a kick.

Dave's in the background trying to look like Antonio Banderas! :)

The $200 Beach Bag

I know it's hard to believe, but this darned beach bag cost me $200 to make. Odd? Well, not really. I started sewing this out of a beach towel on my 30 year old Singer sewing machine when I broke the machine! After taking it in to see how much it would cost to repair, they said it would be over $200 and not worth it. I cried. Just ask Bill. So I had to go out and purchase a new machine for that same money. After weeks of just looking at the foreign machine in my home, I finally plugged it in and gave it a whirl this morning to finish this bag. It worked like a charm and has features the old one just didn't have. So here's celebrating the most expensive bag in my world. :)

Shawna's Family

Here's Shawna with her two kids, Raegan and Dylan.

I got to take pictures of them in the Haymarket by the old train this past Sunday and we had a wonderful time. Lots to see and lots of things to jump, climb and play on, especially the jungle gym shaped like a train engine.

This was the best photo of the bunch

and we just wanted to share with the world.

"Guideposts" Knit For Kids

Here are the first three crocheted sweaters for Guideposts outreach "Knit for Kids". These little guys will get sent around the world and I'm happy to say they even get sent to the poor in the United States. Check out their website!

I have more yarn stashed for more sweaters. These I can do while watching TV with not much thinking.

Guitar Hero!

Here are a couple of nuts trying to play Guitar Hero on Playstation! They really tried and loved every minute of it. Hunter has played it before and he actually did very well for just pushing 4 years old. Dylan just liked the fact that he had a guitar in his hands - rocking out! Bill's Guitar Hero game should be coming by UPS this week, weather permitting. It could get dangerous around here again now that the Playstation is set up again after 2 years of getting dusty. :)

For Baby Merryl

Here is the blanket I finally finished for Michele's baby, Merryl, born on March 1st. It's WAY cooshy and will be sending it off to her tomorrow.

A compassionate read.........

I would highly recommend to absolutely everyone this incredible book by Dr. Wess Stafford.

Your life will be touched deeply.

More babies!

Here are two blankets to give to two more new moms. The pink one is for Mikaela who just had daughter #2 this week, and the purple starburst is for Gretchen who had baby #3 and her first GIRL! Congratulations to these new mommies.

Yikes!

I don't think this photo of Raegan even needs an explanation other than MY GRANDKIDS are ALL gorgeous!!!!!!!!

A Little Christmas Attitude

Talk about a couple of kids with a 'little' bit of attitude! Here's Raegan & Dylan putting on a show for my camera - can't help but see the attitude coming through these shots. Our goal was GOOD and clean shots that the great-grandmas would like. Might have to try again, huh?

Lily

Granddaughter Lily went home to be held by Jesus this evening. Our hearts break for her mom and dad and sister and brother who are being forced to be without her beautiful little face and special "Lily" only kind of communicating.

Please pray for Season & Dave as they go through these next few days, weeks, months and years, for each day will carry it's own challenge.

The sign-in board

Here is Bill signing in on the board for Lily - a tradition we've had for anyone who comes to visit for the first time to our house. Bill has been sick with lung congestion he can't seem to shake, so he isn't visiting Lily, doesn't want to make her sick with this on top of everything else. We don't know if she will ever make it out of her own comfy home to visit anyone, but as you can see she's impacted our lives deeply - and here's her grandpa's way of showing how much he loves her.

Lily - The Fighter

Here's Season and Lily Friday morning before they removed the oxygen. Their love for her has beaten out their initial fear of taking her home, they are being so very strong. They have brought in hospice care, which is giving them some comfort. This little girl is a fighter, coming through each episode. We are thankful for every day the Lord gives us all to enjoy her.

Lily made her appearance this morning weighing in at an ounce under five pounds. Please keep this little one in your prayers as she is facing health issues.

We will treasure each and every day we're given with her.

We love you, Lily -

Grandpa & Grandma

A sister's blessings on me

Here is a photo that my sister found when re-doing her photo albums. Pretty precious even though it's 18 years old. Thank you, Donna. A treasured photo.

Singing with Uncle Gary

The kids finally got to sing with Uncle Gary, something they'd been talking about for days before his visit. Dylan has the tamborine and Raegan has the maracas - all singing Jingle Bells. It was a short concert, we were all pretty hungry for a good brunch before we had to say goodbye to Gary and Teri.

Too Much Turkey

I'm thinking Dylan overdid the turkey thing! All he's missing is his easy chair and the remote for switching between football games.

Thanksgiving Day 2006

Abby is so grown up - she put the placecards out for everyone and only got confused on 2 of them - OURS! Well, think about it..... she doesn't call us Bill and Karen. Those were new words to recognize.

Here is Season looking absolutely radiant coming to the end of her pregnancy. Baby Lily will be born this coming Thursday, the 30th of November.

And of course, Bill's acting up and the guys are picking through the rest of the food left in the kitchen. Season thought Bill looked like a cartoon character in this photo. Maybe he IS!

Birth Spurt at Church

It's amazing that there were so many babies born at our church this past week and a half. Here are the ones I get to give away this week.

Plain pink is for the Tate baby girl, green diagonal is for the Ryan baby boy, and pink/white block is for the Hogue baby girl. Our pastor

had a new granddaughter born in Texas, too.

Lola's Thanksgiving

And the Major Award Goes To...........

Here is part of the group that went to Canada fishing in June. The major award had to go to Jim (right) and his uncle Rod (not pictured) for running out of gas and having to use old oars for 4 hours trying to find the cabin.

This is Ryan, Bill, Tim, Mark and Jim (Unc was living easy in Mexico when this was taken)

For Dean Charles Marsh

Another baby born into the family on November 5th, 2006. Nephew David and his wife Liz welcomed into the world Dean Charles Marsh in Grand Junction, Colorado.

I tried a different type of fuzzy yarn for the ripples and it actually came out very cooshy. Is that a word? Anyway, we are so excited for Dave and Liz.

California Trip

OK, now those who know me would never suspect I could actually like being on the back of a motorcycle, touring the countryside......but, I LOVED it and can't wait to do it again. This picture is the bike we took on a mountain ride in California in early October, the same bike that is in my brother's blog when he bought it and drove it across America. It was a glorious trip.

MOPS - Nashville Convention

There were nine of us from our Calvary MOPS leaders that got to go to Nashville for the convention late September. It was a marveous time with lots of information. I came home on information overload and it took a few days to process the whole thing. So glad that most of us got to go.

"SIX" only happens once......

Our oldest granddaughter turned six (holy cow) last week, with no party or fanfare. Here she is getting to open her salvation bracelet made with real crystals. She is so grown up........... HAPPY BIRTHDAY, ABBY!

....waiting for Halloween

We had fun making jack-o-lanterns with the grandkids this week. Dylan doesn't like bad guys so he wanted his to look like a monkey. We had them name the pumpkins, so Dylan's is Orange Monkey and Raegan's is Kelly Di-La-La (don't ask). We had a BLAST!

More babies.......more blankets

Neighbors Andy and Amy had their third baby, and it was a boy!

...........Here is the blanket that I did for them.

Awaiting New Granddaughter

Here is a baby blanket I finished while on vacation in September - just waiting for my new granddaughter Lily to be born on November 30th. I fell in love with this pattern and with her name being Lily, it just had to involve some flowers.

Rainy Day Cake Set-Up

Here's Season setting up her last wedding cake before baby Lily comes in December. This was the first time I was able to help a little with setting a cake up. And that help consisted of holding an umbrella in the rain so the sugar chrystals on the cake wouldn't melt! But it was an important job and the cake made it to the little church on time and in exactly the way the bride wanted it - simple and sparkly with the perfect touch on top - the topper from the bride's parent's wedding cake! Makes me wonder where in the world mine is. :)

My Best Friend

Here's my best friend, Sue. I got to spend the evening with her to help her learn how to use her new scrapbooking toys. And btw, let's keep her in our prayers the next few weeks because of health issuess and that her doctors will be able to finally help her.

She's a keeper and she's the best.

Kansas City Trip to Universal

Here's the real reason for the fast day trip to KC. We needed to pick up product for a client here, and got a grand tour of how the big boys work in a large printing plant. It was an awesome experience and met some wonderful people who work there. We were busy Friday, huh!

The sign that got my attention

On my first day trip to Kansas City ever, we stopped for gas in St. Joe and I couldn't believe the sign in the restaurant window next door! What a hoot! Have any of you ever seen a 'shut' sign instead of 'closed'? I can just hear them saying, "Sorry, ma'am, but we're SHUT!" Too bad, too, or we'd have stopped in and tried the BBQ.

A little YARN