Sunday, October 31, 2010

It's Sunday

I love Sunday's. We always go to church. I am always blessed to be there. And we almost always have a Family day on Sunday too. LOVE IT!

But today I'm not attending church. My mouth continues to hurt especially when I talk. And laugh. So I'm staying home and being quiet.

My family is planning to be here for lunch. I did two quick dishes this morning.....BBQ hot dogs in the crock pot and Easy Mac and Cheese ready for oven. I had planned on a different meal.  But since I've not been my usual self these last days, this is what they get =)

Have a great Lord's Day!

Saturday, October 30, 2010

Trick or Treat

Last Evening there was a knock on the door.....

It was a Duck.....

A Princess.....

And a Boxing Kangaroo!

The boxing kangaroo....side view!

Our Sweet Princess Paityn

Our Cuddly Duck....Zoe

The Hungry Kangaroo Aidan eating raisins,
Yes, Nana knows how to give good-for-you treats too =)
And the Sweet Princess does what she needs to do ...
Jump, of course!

It wasn't easy but we did get them together for a picture...
Aren't they just the cutest?

The Kangaroo picks up the raisins he dropped...
ate them of course!

I had some Pumpkin coffee, cider, chocolate doughnuts and pumpkin bars ready when they got here. It was a short but fun visit.

Have a great day!




Friday, October 29, 2010

I survived...again

Although I would prefer to never walk into a dentist office, I went again yesterday. I got there just in the nick of time. I hurried, I really don't like to be late for appointments. And then I waited. The dentist was having some technical issues with a piece of equipment for the patient before me. I used my time wisely and caught up on my magazine reading =) Why subscribe to them if I can read them at Doctors offices and hair salons?? I may have been reading but I really wanted to leave. I just do not like being in a dentist office.

I was called back, got shot up and he went to work. He finished the root canal and then did more gum surgery. Non of this was a piece of cake for me or him. He said it was to be a simple procedure but it wasn't for me. More than two hours later, I was finally on my way out of that office and on my way to the drug store to pick up pain meds and an antibiotic. I was never so glad to get home.

The first pain med I took soon caused my stomach to be upset. I have trouble with pain meds.....even if I eat with them as directed. I'm now taking a heavy duty Motrin....so far it is not making me sick. But it isn't completely taking care of the pain either. I'm ok.

I plan to take it easy today. I'm actually still in my bathrobe!

I go again on Friday morning for a quick check. He said we won't finish with the crown for about 2 months. Said I've been through enough! I AGREE!! (I do still like my dentist, by the way)

Have a great day!

Thursday, October 28, 2010

Honoring the Kids

On Tuesday evening we attended a very special banquet. The room was full of excited kids and proud parents. I wiped more than one tear...I was a very proud parent of my daughter Ellen. What an honor to be with this group!

It was the end of the season banquet honoring the UDS Challenger Football League Players and Cheerleaders. Pizza Hut provided pizza, bread sticks, wings, and salad. We have not had Pizza Hut pizza in more than a year. I forgot how good it is! And the wings....yum!! Another business provided sodas and Rita's provided Mango Italian Ice. We all enjoyed the food very much!

We then watched a video made from all the taping during the season. We saw Ellen cheering her heart out for the teams. She was excited about that! The video will soon be posted on the UDS website. After that a man who played one season with the Eagles, spoke. He encouraged the kids to never give up.

 Then it was time for awards. They started with the Cheerleaders.

Ellen being congratulated by the Director, Jeremy Tearpock.
The next two men are the Football coaches. Each of these men have a
special needs son who plays on the team.

Getting a hugs from Deb, Sarah and Erika, the Cheering leaders.
The girls holding the orange bags are Donegal HS cheerleaders.
Each UDS cheerleader received a medal, pom poms and a bag of goodies.
Wonderful group of kids... Cheerleaders -  UDS and Donegal!

The girls giving flowers the the Leaders and helpers

Ellen used her pom poms (the ones that were just given to her!) to cheer as the players came up to get their awards. It was so neat. She was jumping and cheering even as we walked to the car!

More pictures taken during the season......

UDS Cheerleaders with the Donegal Cheerleaders.
For the last game, the Donegal Cheerleaders came to
do some cheers and a dance at halftime.


These kids are all in Ellen's class.
Austin, Ben, Ellen, Elizabeth and Nicole

Ellen relaxing at halftime.

The Football players!

Let's get this game started!


What a neat program this is. I will never be able to thank UDS or the Donegal Cheering program enough. UDS went way over the top to find sponsorship this year. When I say they honored these kids, I mean it. These kids felt like kings and queens.....not just during the banquet but for the whole season. Needless to say, we are looking forward to next year =)

Tuesday, October 26, 2010

Pretty Leaves

Let's try again.... By George. Now they will post!

This is the view my sister sees from the back of her home.
Can you even imagine how wonderful it must be to see such beauty every day? 

This beautiful tree is next to her home....
and, as you can see, the mountains in the background!

Jeanie is helping her Grandson Austin down the steps.
He was going to Day Care.
Such a cutie! 

We just came home from the End of the Season Banquet honoring the UDS Football Players and Cheerleaders. What an awesome group of kids. I forgot my camera but used my cell phone to take a few pictures. Will write more and post the pics at another time.

Goodnight!

A Special Monday

Monday. Not always a favorite day of mine, especially when I was working. But my Monday this week was a very special day. I got to spend the day with my daughter Kim. And spend time with my sister Jean. And speak to a lovely group of Penn State students and profs. Can it get any better than that?

Kim arrived at my house at 10 and we were off to State College. My sister (and her son) gave great directions to her house. Dale had put his GPS on the kitchen table for me to take but I forgot to pick it up. Oh well, we did fine. I was so glad to have Kim come along. It made the drive sooooo much more enjoyable!

The drive to State College takes you through many mountains. The trees were breathtakingly beautiful! I just couldn't get over them......I was trying not to bore Kim with all my "Oh, that's sooooo pretty!!" over and over again =)

We arrived to my sisters home in time for lunch. I had not been to her home before so this was very special. Her Grandson was taking a nap. We had to be quiet....a hard thing for those with Witmer genes! But we did good. She took us on a tour then treated us to a DELICIOUS lunch...taco soup and a warm just out of the oven apple pie. So good!

Kim checking messages on her phone

After lunch I needed to change my clothes and prepare for my speech. I looked over my notes. I also brought with me a print out of a Proverbs 31 devotional. I had red flagged it when I read it because I knew I would need it on this day to help calm my nerves. It spoke directly to me. I don't mind speaking. I don't mind being in front of people. But I had never spoken at a college. My nerves were working up a protest! And God was faithful. He always is!

Before leaving Jeanie's house I snapped a few photos of her mountain views......
I don't know what I am doing wrong but I can't get them to load =(


Jeanie dropped her Grandson off at Daycare and then we drove into the town of State College, parked in a parking garage and walked to the building where I was presenting. There we met Jeanie's DIL Lori, Dr.Lori Francis. She was the one responsible for me being in this situation =) We took a quick tour of the building, met some of her colleagues and saw her office. My sister had never been inside Lori's building so this was special for her too. Then it was time to get to the classroom and set up. I was amazed how many showed up for this speech! I know I love the topic of Dementia, but was pleasantly surprised that young people do too. The room filled up. Lori said it was the most well attended session of the year. My goodness!

I was delighted to meet those who came up afterwards to ask more questions. One girl had a question about helping a Person with dementia to eat. She helps her boyfriend's Grandmother. Another sweet student had questions about finding passion in what we do. She is trying to find her way into a field where she will find that kind of love for what she chooses. I had a great time. My goal is always to help those in my audience to SEE the Person, VALUE the Person, HONOR the Person rather than only seeing the illness of dementia. If all we see is the illness, we will be more inclined to see despair rather than hope.

It was starting to rain when we left. Kim and I headed right back to Lancaster County. The rain never got too heavy for which I was thankful. We stopped for some dinner at a Hardee's. We each had a wonderful grilled chicken sandwich. Hardee's gives you a number when you order and they bring your food to the table....how nice is that for a fast food place?!! It was 8:00 by the time we got back home. A lot of time on the road for one day!

So thankful for Kim being with me!
So thankful for safe travels.
So thankful for a God that hears our prayers, cares about our insecurities and shows up in BIG ways!

Now I need to do something about this house which I have been sorta neglecting.....

Have a great day!


Monday, October 25, 2010

Today is the Day

Well, here it is. I've been working to prepare for this day since early September. I was up till 12 last night going over my notes, re-writing and fixing some of them. I guess I'm ready.

The nerves are just below the surface. I will be praying a lot till 3:30.

My daughter Kim is going with me. I'm very grateful to have her company! The drive to State College is about 2 1/2 hours. We will get to my sisters house in time for some lunch. It's the first time to be at her new home. SOOOO excited to be able to be with her today! Then it's off to Penn State (about 15 min. from my sisters home) to a classroom somewhere on campus.

A little problem is threatening.....I have a very red left eye and my right eye is getting red too! I got some drops yesterday.....not sure they are helping. I won't put in my contacts till just before going to the presentation. But.....really. RED EYES????? I'm trying not to get too freaked out about this. I would appreciate prayers =)

Have a great day!

Friday, October 22, 2010

Amazing....

My friend who had the hip replacement surgery on Wednesday came home today! She is doing great, according to her grateful hubby =)

God is so good!

A Different Kind Of Day

I sat all day. But I was working!

 I sat on my reclining sofa with my netbook computer on my lap, surrounded by books and papers. I only got up to answer the phone (could have used a cordless!), to use the 'little room' and to get a bite to eat. I am working on, and all but finished, a presentation on Dementia which I will give on Monday.  I need 40 to 45 min. of material. I'm sure I have more than that =) And I certainly have only scratched the surface of this vast subject.

I'm excited. I'm nervous. I'm counting on my passion for this subject to overtake the nervousness. It usually does. I hope those who attend will leave with a new or renewed understanding about -  The Person with Dementia; Stories of Compassion, Dignity and Hope.

Thursday, October 21, 2010

Pictures - let's try again....

These pictures were taken on Saturday at the Challenger Football Game at which Ellen cheers. Someone has been filming the games all season. On Saturday they were there again and wanted to do some interviews. We learned that UDS was making a video for their website. Oh, so that's what it was all about! They wanted to interview 2 of the girls. We Moms decided that doing all the girls together would be a better idea. It would be too overwhelming for them to go alone.

Here they are!
Several girls were missing on Saturday.
They really missed out on a neat experience.

Ellen is the last girl on the back row

The crew doing the filming.
The girls did a great job answering questions!

One more Saturday and then it's over for another year. Ellen will be so sad. This has been a really neat experience for her. And I have loved being with the Moms and getting to know them better too.

 Ellen will have an opportunity to be with some of the kids in cheering and some that play football. We have registered her in a Youth Group for kids with special needs through Aaron's Acres. They meet once a month on a Friday night through May. On the 29Th of this month they are going to a farm with a corn maze and petting zoo and will roast hot dogs over a fire. I'm sure she will love it.

I keep my 2 little ones today.....I need to get moving! Have a great day =)

Wednesday, October 20, 2010

Miscellaneous

Yes, this is a post about most anything!
  • Yesterday after I posted, I realized it was my 100th post! I started blogging in May of this year after I became unemployed. Blogging is something I always wanted to do.

  • A picture I hadn't posted.....

Several weeks ago my siblings placed this arrangement,
 in memory of my Dad,
at the alter of his church.
We added a small Bible he used when he visited people
and his harmonica

  • I'm doing ok after my dental work yesterday. My jaw continues to be tender. My dentist called last evening to see how I was doing. I thought that was nice! I go back next Thursday to continue the work on this troublesome tooth.

  • My friend Elsie is having hip replacement surgery this morning. Please remember her in your prayers today. As I was on the dentist chair yesterday, I decided to pray for people that the Lord brought to mind (I needed a distraction from all the work that was being done in the very back of my mouth....  the worst place, in my opinion) and Elsie was the first person that came to mind! I hired Elsie a few years ago to work in the Dementia unit at the Nursing Home. She is an amazingly compassionate person.

  • Some more pictures....I guess not! While blogger isn't to do the maintenance till 5p, there seems to be issues already this morning. Bummer! 



  • It is Spirit Week at Ellen's school. Today each grade was to wear a certain color. Ellen was to wear purple. Now while this may not be a problem for most girls, it is an issue for Ellen. She does not like purple! We scoured her closet and dresser drawers for something purple. The only thing we found was a dress with pink, cranberry, brown and yes, purple in it! She likes to wear dresses so she was thrilled to be allowed to wear a dress to school. I don't mind her wearing a dress....except that she has trouble remembering to sit like a lady =/ At least this dress isn't too short and has a fuller skirt.

  • Today I will do some housework, laundry, grocery shopping and work on a presentation I will be giving on Monday. It will be a very busy day!!

  • RIP Tom Bosley, Mr. C! I loved Happy Days =) He wanted to be remembered for being a good Father, Husband and Grandfather....how refreshing is that especially from a famous person!

Have a great Wednesday!

Tuesday, October 19, 2010

To the Dentist I Go

root canal
gum surgery
mouth open way too far
for 2 hours (way too long)
big bucks spent
geez, I do hope this is all worth it.

Not looking forward to it
but hoping to not be a wimp.
Or, at least to not let it show =}

Sunday, October 17, 2010

Grocery Store, Football and Parks

What a fun day! After church we decided to go to Marcy and Scott's house to watch the Eagles game. But we needed some lunch too. It seems like it's always so hard for us to decide what to do for lunch....unless I already have something prepared! We decided to stop at a grocery store near their house to pick up something....what, we weren't sure but we knew we would know when we saw it!! Scott, Greta, Lynn, Ellen, Paityn and I wondered through John Herr's Market and we found something...that's putting it mildly. We ended up with several lunch meats, cheeses and fixings for sandwiches, hot dogs and sausages for grilling, Chicken Pot Pie, veggies and dips, gummy bears (Ellen's choice!), several kinds of chips, Chocolate Cream pie, Red Velvet cake roll, iced tea and soda. It was a wonderful lunch! After watching Scott make a wrap, I decided I wanted one like his. Oh my it was good! Turkey breast, turkey ham salad, lettuce greens, fresh salsa, horseradish spread, mayo (just a little bit!), hot pepper pickle slices on a hot pepper wrap that was then toasted in a toaster oven.......that was one yummy sandwich!

After lunch Hubby and I took Paityn for a walk to a small playground in their neighborhood. There were some other kids there and Paityn had a blast playing on the equipment with them. She wanted to swing high to the sky =), she climbed a rock wall (you know, the plastic kind on a gym set), went down all the slides, climbed up the slides....it was the nicest day to be on a play ground.

We missed having Corey, Christy and their family with us. Christy and Aidan are sick. I hope they were able to watch the Eagles win. I didn't hear from Andrew today....not sure if his Cowboys won or not

Now we are back home. I have my feet propped up and am relaxing. Wonderful!

Today my friend Theresa from theycallmeganky.blogspot.com linked my soup recipe on her blog. How sweet of her! I have enjoyed getting to know her through blogging. We have a lot in common......especially our love for our kids and Grandchildren. I am delighted to call her my friend.

Hope your Sunday was a special one.  And may your week be a blessed one!

Friday, October 15, 2010

Chicken Corn Noodle Soup - the recipe

OK, Debbi (and anyone else interested), here it is!

Chicken Corn Noodle Soup

2 c. chicken, cooked and diced
2 c. chicken broth
2 c. water
1 onion, chopped
1 c. celery, chopped
2 chicken bouillon cubes
2 c. corn (fresh or frozen)
salt and pepper to taste
parsley to taste (I never use)
2 c. uncooked thin spaghetti broken into 2 inch pieces (I use regular or whole wheat)

Combine all ingredients except spaghetti pieces. (I add the chicken later too)
 Heat to boiling. Add more or less liquid for desired thickness of soup. (My family prefers it to be on the 'thicker' side)
Add spaghetti after liquid is boiling (I use frozen corn so I like to wait to add the spaghetti after cooking about 20 min. Maybe that's not necessary, but that's how I do it!)
Simmer for about 15. min. till spaghetti pieces are tender. (simmering longer is fine too. I usually have it simmering while waiting for the fam to get home, making the house smell really really good!)

I got this awesome recipe from a church cookbook. We were in a Home Group with the family that submitted it. I have never tried another recipe for this soup in 20 years! If anyone tries it, I hope you enjoy it as much as my family does!

A Soup kind of Day

Yesterday was a good soup day. When I heard the forecast for Thursday I decided I would buy a chicken and make a good Lancaster County soup.....Chicken Corn Noodle soup! My family loves it. I love it too!

I cooked the chicken on Wednesday night while I was watching Survivor. Stupid Somewhat entertaining show but I still watch it! I needed to go stay with Aidan and Zoe on Thursday morning so it was an up and going type of day. I brought them here after lunch. By that time it was raining, really raining! I was soaked and cold after getting them in the car and out again when we got here. I was so glad I had planned to make soup for dinner.

Before I started making the soup I read an email from Marcy that said they would come over this evening so Scott could service our computer =) I told her to come hungry because I was making our favorite soup. Of course Christy and Corey were coming too because we had their kids.

 I got out the BIG kettle and went to work. I also made a pan of chocolate chocolate chip brownies. Oh the house smelled so good! There were also a few pieces of apple cake for tasting too. I'm not the only one in this bunch that thinks that apple cake is the best ever!

Scott got the computer up and running again.....THANK-YOU Scott! And THANKS to Lynn who communicated to Scott with what he found.

Enjoy a few pictures that I took of our little ones ......

Scott having fun with Paityn.
Zoe is watching the action,
Aidan is playing behind them.

Aidan says Cheese!

Zoe enjoys Mr. Potato Head....
all the grand kids love this toy!
That is the little kids, my teenage grands not so much =)

Have a great Friday! It's another beautiful crisp Autumn day in PA. The Homecoming Football game is tonight. Ellen is looking forward to that! Her wonderful Daddy takes her to home games while I stay at home in the warm house. I much prefer that  : )

Wednesday, October 13, 2010

Apples, Pumpkins, Pretty Leaves

I love fall! Did I mention that before? I do believe I have =)

Apples......I made the BEST apple cake the other day. I cannot keep my hands off of it! I found it on the blog Let's Dish. You can find it listed on my side bar. That apple cake is seriously the best I have ever tasted......really!

Pumpkins....I also love pumpkin chocolate chip cookies and pumpkin bars. I love pumpkin pie but I do not bake pies. Can't do the crust! We bought some pumpkin spice coffee which is sooooo good too!

Leaves.....it's starting to get pretty around here. Our trees are always some of the last to turn but the wooded area on the other side of the creek is getting pretty.




It's a crisp autumn morning. So refreshing! Time to make my breakfast smoothie and get something accomplished. The computer is still not up and running. But thank God for the modem only needing a new cord. Last evening that wasn't working either. Which meant I was completely un-connected to the world. Yikes!!

Have a great Autumn Day =)

Tuesday, October 12, 2010

Oh Dear, what can the matter be?

The thunder storm was brief. It came around 1:30 this morning. I heard it rumbling in the distance. I hoped and prayed it wouldn't come our way. (because I didn't want my sleep disturbed!) I fell asleep again. Then an extremely bright flash and a huge crash caused me to jump right out of bed! After finding my glasses, I went to Ellen's bedroom. She was out of bed too. It was decided to go downstairs to wait out the storm. Hubby checked the washer and dryer....they were ok. He shut down the desktop computer.

This morning we cannot get the computer to start up again. Hubby tried and Greta tried. Oh dear. I guess we will need to call on the intelligent techie ones in the fam (Corey, Scott, Lynn, help!)..... hoping we don't need to replace it just yet.

It's a beautiful morning. Have a great day!

Sunday, October 10, 2010

Sunday = A Family Day

What a beautiful Sunday we had. The weather was perfect. And having the kids and Grands here was beautiful too!

After church Marcy, Scott and Paityn and Lynn came for lunch. I had some chicken breasts in a BBQ sauce in the crock pot which we ate over baked potatoes. I found the recipe on Penny-Pinching Provisions blog....check my side bar. I also made a wonderful pasta salad I found on her blog. Everyone loved it. I didn't feel like baking yesterday...... Tasty Cakes were on special at Weis Markets. That worked!

Later Corey, Christy, Aidan and Zoe joined us. They had a birthday party to attend first. And Kim and Andrew soon showed up, then Greta after she was done working. I put out more food and ice cream. It's Sunday and we always have ice cream!

Andrew watched his Cowboys play...



.........and lose. Sorry Andrew.


The little ones played outside while some of the adults watched them...and chatted ....and ate some more....and enjoyed the nice weather. The little ones also played indoors. Most of the toys ended up on the floor.....normal!


Pardon the lack of clarity...but you can get the picture =)

Corey helps Aidan put a puzzle together again.
Not sure why this puzzle is such a hit....to take apart.
It's a royal pain to put together again!

This is where all the toys came from.
Paityn wanted me to open the doors and let them open.
And you already saw the results of Nana honoring that request =)


Now everyone is gone. They are watching the Eagles play on their TVs and I know Marcy is watching her beloved Phillies. Dale is switching between the Phillies and Eagles games. I suppose the very tired little ones are snuggled in their beds. I'm tired too and am heading to bed after I make a cup of tea to take with me.

It was a great day! I hope and pray yours was too!


Friday, October 8, 2010

Do you dread going to the Dentist?

I went to the dentist yesterday. Ever since I was a kid, I dread going to the dentist. I often think I would rather be giving birth than go to the dentist.....crazy! Does anyone else feel such uneasiness about dental appointments??

Anyway, I lived. I have a very gentle dentist. He very kindly says what needs to be done to fix my mouth. He doesn't make me feel guilty for not doing something sooner.....I have felt that way in a dentist office. In fact I clearly remember crying my eyes out on the way home because I felt my dentist was insisting on work needed which cost more money than we had in our checking AND savings at the time. Those were tough days.

I do need a root canal, gum surgery to build it up (never had that done before) and a crown. Yikes! I am sorely missing my dental insurance. But I  remind myself of the trade off....a life without the intense, stressful job I was a slave to for too many years.

I am NOT looking forward to this but I do not want to live in pain, which would surely be in a not too distant future, if I ignore this.  Breath in.....Breath out.......

Have a Great Day! (it's another bright sunny day in PA!)

Thursday, October 7, 2010

I see the sun!

What a beautiful morning! I should have taken a picture of the sky as I waited with Ellen for the school bus. I love a beautiful sky.

We've had clouds and rain for what seems like forever. It's Farm Show week in our town. Tuesday evening the weather was cold but it didn't rain. Yesterday it rained off and on....all day. Even at the parade.

What a busy day! I left my house at 8 to go stay with Aidan and Zoe when Christy went to work. Aidan slept till 10. He was not excited to see me when he got up. He wanted his Mommy and Daddy, of course. All my sweet talking did not help. So a Nana has to do what a Nana has to do. I asked him if he wanted a cookie  =) Nana's are allowed to do that. All was well from that point forward!

I brought the kids here to my house around 1p. Gina and Joe drove down to spend some time with us and to go to the Farm Show too. I put Aidan down for his nap. Marcy, Scott and Paityn soon arrived. After a while I heard someone say, Nana, Nana...... Aidan had not gone to sleep yet and was not going to miss out on the fun!  He and Paityn had a blast pulling out the toys while the adults visited.

We planned to meet the rest of our family at the Farm Show for dinner. It was raining again...ugh! We waited for it to stop before we got the babies in the stroller and placed our chairs on the sidewalk in front of the old Middle School. Thank God for cell phones.....we were able to find each other. All our family was there except Kim's hubby and Laurencia. Gina and Joe left to go back home before the parade started. Since our chairs were at the end of the parade, we didn't need to be at them at 7. Corey and Christy and the children were the only ones in our family to stay for the parade. Wouldn't you know, it started to rain again and drizzled or rained the entire parade. Towards the end, it was pouring! I was trying my best to keep an umbrella over Christy and Zoe. At one point Christy and I both remembered (at the same time which brought on uncontrolled laughter!) a marching band competition where we sat in a downpour, a long, intense, teeth chattering downpour. We had umbrellas that night but they were in the car, of course! We decided this parade will be one we will never forget!

Since our car was near where we were sitting, we piled Christy and the babies in our car and took them to our house. Corey ran back to their car in the rain and came to our house to get them. Greta and Lynn came back to the house too. We all sat and talked till almost 11.....even though our jeans were wet to the knees...at least we could shed the wet coats =)

Today I'm tired. I went to put the wet blankets in the washer and found a load of clothes in it that I guess I never started yesterday! There are dirty dishes in the sink that I started washing yesterday but didn't finish. There are toys to pick up ....Aidan really wanted to pick them up last night but I told him it's ok, I will do it today =)  I have a dentist appointment this afternoon. And then to the Farm Show for some food again. I didn't get a yummy chicken breast salad or a sweet potato yet. And I need another sub too before the show ends!

I have a busy day ahead of me. It will be a good day. Hey, the sun is shining....it will be a great day!

Pictures from Tuesday at the Farm Show........

Aidan and Christy enjoy some yummy fries and choc. milk!

Zoe is all bundled up!

Tuesday, October 5, 2010

Clouds and Rain

It's been raining or very overcast since what seems like forever. And cold....was it just last week that I was melting to death??

Days like this make me feel  lazy. I have so much I could and should do.....

But I think Christy and I and her little ones may go to a couple thrift stores today. Zoe needs some warmer clothes. Why buy new when there is always so much cute stuff in second hand shops? Babies out grow their clothes so quickly. Zoe is growing like a well watered weed =)

I hope the rain/drizzle will not keep us from attending the Farm Show in our little town tonight. I do not cook the week of the show. The food is amazing....we look forward to it each year. Last night Hubby and I went in the rain to get food to bring home for dinner. Other people were taking food home too. No crowds at the food stands.....we even got some milk shakes to bring home. There usually are about 4 very long lines at that stand....always....the shakes are that good!

I will have a fun day. Hope you do too!

Monday, October 4, 2010

Great, Wonderful, Exciting News!

Late Saturday afternoon, Greta came running into the house calling.... (Lynn was not far behind)

MOM! Guess what...Lynn proposed!!

He gave her a beautiful Coach bag and in it was this ring...
He asked her to be his wife.....
And she said YES!

Needless to say, we are very happy about this! Lynn has been part of our family for a long time. His parents are dear friends. Our son and Lynn have been good friends for years. Lynn and Greta have been dating for 5 years. They are so cute.....


They don't have a date yet but think it will be spring 2012. She went to a bookstore yesterday to purchase a wedding planning book....fun!



Have a Great Day......I know I will =)

Sunday, October 3, 2010

Pictures

Not much happening around here so I'll post some pictures I haven't posted before.

Our little sweetie Zoe


Ellen cheers at the game yesterday


Our sweet Ellen


Ellen at her friend Nicole's Birthday Party


Paityn's very pretty Birthday cake....
I forgot I had taken this with my phone!
Remember how the candles frightened Paityn?


Ellen and Aidan relax during a shopping trip to the mall.


Isn't this just the cutest ?
And yucky!
Every kid needs to try this at least once =/

 I have some wonderful news to share but I need to get some pictures together first....

Have a Great Day!



Friday, October 1, 2010

My sister's post

My sister Jean re-posted what she wrote on her blog one year ago after Daddy went to meet Jesus. Click on 'What's up at the Stauffers' on my sidebar to read about this awesome experience......sad too but we knew where he was going and how to get there!

Remembering my Daddy

One year ago today, my Daddy when to Heaven. He had suffered enough and was so ready to meet the One he had served for so many years. My Dad was an ordained minister in the Mennonite Church since 1960.  He would rise very early in the morning, make coffee then go to his study to read his Bible, worship his Lord and prepare his sermons.

Daddy was an encourager. He would often affirm gifting in people.  During one of his last days and even though he was so sick, I remember him looking at my tall grandson Andrew and tell him that he sees in him a leader. Kim, my oldest child and Andews' mother, said a counselor or teacher in school had just recently told him he had leadership qualities. Chills went through me!

He was a gentle man and a powerful speaker/preacher. He was a compassionate counselor and mentor. People loved him. We all loved him so much. We miss him so much.

We miss his prayers. He had a long prayer list. He prayed for many people and ministries by name. We knew he was praying for us, his children and our families, each day.

Enjoying a book at my BIL's lake house

Dad and Mary looking at some pictures during a family gathering

The next 3 pictures were taken during his last few weeks on earth.
Each moment was precious.
I will treasure them always!

Sharing a laugh with Mary Ellen, my sister. 

On a  beautiful Sunday he decided to go for a stroll to the lake in the wonderful community where he and Mary lived. I walked with them. Many people stopped to greet them and let them know he and Mary were in their prayers. 


One of his favorite activities was singing, especially singing with his family.
We sang a lot in his last weeks. He helped as long as he was able.


I thank God for the wonderful parents He chose for me. They now are rejoicing in His presence along with my oldest sister.  

We all miss my Dad very much but probably not as much as his wife of almost 26 years. Please remember our sweet Mary in your prayers today.

It will be a great day, I have many wonderful memories to bless my day.