Time flies...

Some days it seems like time is flying by...other days it seems like the day will never end.  I don't think I'm the only one in that boat....but lately it seems like I'm in the former one.  I can't believe Savanah is over 4 months old already.  She is still such a little tyke and so cute. (Does that sound like a grandma talking?)  But others have said the same, so I don't think it's only me.  And we had been planning for our sons visit....and all of a sudden, he is here.  That time really flew by.  It seems like a constant thing lately with things flying by....like I'm standing here and watching things float by me.  One wedding done and another less than 2 weeks away.  But a lot of what I have to do is finished already for that one.  Still have to do the personal flowers for everyone, but the major ones are done, thanks to the last wedding.  I only have to change a few things in those flowers.  

I have to post some pictures here.   Savanah is the first one.  She was not happy to have me taking pictures...we were ready for church and it was like she was saying, "okay, get done so we can go."   

 And then on the flight last Thursday our son flew in.  See any resemblance?  A fellow missionary at the airport said, "Oh, is this Don's brother?"  I said, "Try SON!".   He looked sort of sheepish and said, "Oh man, now who do I apologize to?"  But they do look so much alike.  Actually all of our boys look just like their dad.  They got to work the same day he came in and I can't believe the work done in the garage.  One huge truck load went to the garbage already.  And it's organized now.  What a blessing for Don.  Todd sure has his dad's work ethic.  Just get in there and do it.

 This last picture was sent to my by our daughter.  Everyone knows I really like eagles.  And so does her neighbor.  When he caught this one, he made sure she would get it to me.  Isn't it fantastic?  One eagle on the nest and the other looking on.  Awesome.  

 I really do like what eagles represent.  Before I became a Christian I only thought of them as birds of prey.  But now I see the strength, the power and how God uses them to show us how we can be.  We can "...mount up with wings as eagles..." (Isaiah 40: 31) ...wow, what a thought.  But in God's strength we CAN do that.  

Don has spent the last few weeks helping Pastor Marius gets material for the work to be done on his church.  Then last week he helped while Marius' team was in, to continue to get materials.  He has done a lot of hard work to help get that church repaired.  (With a lot of flat tires and worn out days.)  Sorry I don't have any photos of that job.  But getting Don to take a camera with him is really hard.

It's back to Savanah now.  She has become a very definite "grandma's girl".  but she is with me 24/7.  And we don't go out much, except to church.  I'm trying very hard to break her of that.  Her new mama and family are coming for a visit the end of March and I want her to connect with them in a big way.  They hope to have her dedicated while they are here, too.  Pray for all these things for us.

So, on that note, I have to close and go take care of the little tyke.  She is a real joy, for sure.  Keep your eyes on Jesus, and remember, you have the ability to "mount up with wings as eagles."  

Something different....

Our daughter-in-law posted this, so I decided to try it.  I learned some about her I didn't know, and maybe you will learn something about me, too.  

 

1. What time did you get up this morning? Baby got me up at 5 

2. How do you like your steak? Medium

3. What was the last film you saw at the cinema: Soul Surfer, in Florida

4. What is your favorite TV show? Don't have a favorite...but we've been watching Flashpoint on Netflix

5. If you could live anywhere in the world where would it be? Hard one...probably near our kids.

6. What did you have for breakfast? Piece of toast

7. What is your favorite food?  Pork Chops

8. Foods you dislike? Anything spicy...and aspearagas

9. Favorite place to eat? Olive Garden

10. Favorite dressing? Prefer salad without dressing, or the Olive Garden Salad

11. What kind of vehicle do you drive? Toyota Hylux

12. What are your favorite clothes? Jeans and sloppy t-shirt

13. Where would you visit if you had the chance? Denmark

14. Cup 1/2 empty or 1/2 full?   Always half full

15. Where would you want to retire? Someplace near our kids, grandkids and great grandkids (miss them all)

16. Favorite time of day? Evenings

17. Where were you born? Milwaukee, WI

18. What is your favorite sport to watch? Football

19. What is your favorite fragrance? Humm...I guess Vanilla Fields, but leaning toward the body sprays now.

20. What is your favorite face cream? Oil of Old Age...oops Oil of Olay.

21. Favorite baby/kids products?   Baby Magic Baby Lotion

22. People watcher? Yup

23. Are you a morning or night person? Night...get most things done then (when we have electric)

24. Do you have any pets? 2 dogs, plus 4 or 5 dogs that live here but aren't ours

25. Any new and exciting news you’d like to share? Our son is coming for a visit...YEAH!

26. What did you want to be when you were little? Clothing designer or artist

27. What is your favorite memory?   Spending time with our kids this summer!

28. Are you a cat or dog person? NOT an animal person...

29. Are you married? Yes, almost 49 years.

30. Always wear your seat belt? In the US, yes, in Haiti, nope

31. Been in a car accident? Yes.

32. Any pet peeves? Cell phones in church

33. Favorite pizza toppings? sausage

34. Favorite flower? Carnation

35. Favorite ice cream? Real Strawberry

36. Favorite fast food restaurant? Chik-fil-a.

37. How many times did you fail your driver’s test? 2, once the car didn't pass, so I didn't...then the dude told me to turn left...I did...wrong way on a one way...

38. From whom did you get your last email? Oldest son

39. Which store would you choose to max out your credit card? Don't want to do that...then I'd have to pay it off.... but probably if I HAD to choose...Wal-Mart...

40. Do anything spontaneous lately? I'm usually spontaneous...just give me a try.

41. Like your job? Yes.

42. Broccoli? Oh yea, a favorite.

43. What was your favorite vacation? Victoria, Canada

44. Last person you went out to dinner with? My husband and Savanah

45. What are you listening to right now? Crickets outside

46. What is your favorite color? Blue

47. How many tattoos do you have? Yuck...none

48. Coffee drinker? Nope.

So, that's it. Did anything surprise you or do you know me pretty well? 

 

It's all fun and games...and a bit revealing at times to do these silly things.  Today in church we had a great sermon...and it went with my devotional...So, remember...THANK THE LORD for the ability to do these silly things, and for all He has done for you, and for having so many choices in life (many people don't), and most of all, for all your friends who read these goofy things and laugh with you.  Blessings...God Loves You!!

Happy Valentines Day

No need to tell me how slow I am at getting caught up on the blog.  It's been a wild and sometimes fun time.  I spent a lot of time getting things ready for the wedding for this last weekend.  Why is it that no matter what you do, things seem to take a turn...in different directions than what you planned?  No need for details...just finally got the flowers done.  Never found the arch we use, but did without it.  More photos later.

Abbie, being Abbie, gave us some laughs.  She didn't laugh, but the situation was only an "Abbie-ism".  She had already lost a bottom tooth.  Really proud of that!  Then one day at school, they were playing outside.  No idea what the game was, but she had her eyes closed and had to "get" one of the kids.  With eyes closed, she ran right into a tree... now maybe that would be so bad, except for the scrapes on her face, but she knocked her top front tooth out, so she hit HARD!  After the pain and tears, she is now proud of another blank spot in her mouth.  That picture to follow, too.

Don has been kept really busy hauling sand and gravel for a team coming in for a pastor.  We are talking 12 loads of each.  He can average about 3 or 4 a day.  Plus he has had to haul the lumber, cement, iron, and all the other things needed.  I think he would enjoy a few days off from the bumping on those roads.  It's funny, because the pastor and his head elder took turns riding with Don.  Neither one wanted to make all the trips.  But Don was also able to help out a family (grandparents, kids, grand kids, and great grand kids) in the area where he gets the sand and gravel.  Thanks to a friend in our home town, he also gave them some clothing and shoes.  And some candy for the kids, too.  The head elder thought that was really something for Don to do that for them.  He has used this same family to buy from for years, and he said the needs there are so great.  Pictures posted before showed some of that family.

And then there is Savanah....what a trip this kiddo is.  I wish I could capture her laugh on video.  She is so funny.  And she laughs a lot.  I think she thinks Abbie was created just for her entertainment.  Of course Abbie soaks all that up and loves it.  In a few days Savanah will be 4 months old...wow...she is growing fast.  She weighs in at 13 pounds now.  I forgot how quickly the kids outgrow clothes at this age.  I'll try to get some pictures of her soon to share.

Now to the wedding.  This was a unique wedding for here in our area.  They did not invite anyone...I mean ANYONE.  Just told people when they would get married.  And the second thing that was unique, they didn't have a reception.  Many people who don't even know the couple will show up for the food afterward.  I would guess between 250 and 300 showed up.  And many were shocked when there was nothing to eat.  But it was a beautiful wedding.  And Abbie was flower girl.  She takes her job very seriously.  A joy for us was when Emmaul, one of "our kids", who lives in Chicago, showed up.  he said he couldn't miss Ruben and Phanie's wedding.  It really was wonderful to see him again.  Just wish his family could have come along.

Okay, now on to the pictures....

Here is Abbie, minus two teeth...

 And the cake for the wedding...Kathy and Alice made this (this does not get shared with the people, this goes to the wedding party)...

 The flowers, such as they are (minus the personal flowers)....

 Abbie as flower girl...

 King and Queen (Don't ask...never had this one before) with the junior bride and groom and flower girl...

 And the wedding party... Aren't they wonderful?  That's Maren (Godmother), groom, bride and Paren (Godfather)...

 Okay, well, that's it for now...hope your Valentine's day is super nice.  But above all that commercialism, how about centering on God's love for you?  And YOUR love for Him....I hope it's a strong relationship between you and the Lord!!
Blessings!