Another (Disney) Icy post!

 I was very excited that Susie and Doug asked me to attend Disney on Ice with the kids again this year.  It was Jimmy's first experience and it was a good one!  Sadly, Susie's mom was not feeling well, so she had to miss this.  Thanks to the wonder of modern technology, we were able to facetime her in for her to at least see some of the fun. 

I was really wondering how Jimmy would do in this very different setting.  At 2 1/2, he has a relatively short attention span.  But the wonder that is Disney, captured his attention for the entire show.  Grace and Jimmy each got a lighted, revolving wand for Christmas as part of this gift experience.  Anyone who has been to one of these shows knows that these things cost a fortune if you purchase them at the show.  So it was a smart move to buy these in advance!

It was the perfect show for Jimmy.  There was Raya and the last Dragon.  Cars, complete with McQueen and Mater,  Mickey and Minnie were there, of course, plus Donald, Daisy and Goofy! For a kid who watches Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, this was wonderful.  And then.....Toy Story!  Jimmy practically jumped from the seat when Buzz Lightyear came out! 

All Jimmy talks about is Buzz.  He flies all of his toys around the house screaming "To Infinity and Beyond!"   Yes, there was one happy boy when Buzz skated on.  He was a bit scared of the robot scene but very amazed when the big orange balls fell from the ceiling.  

The second half had Frozen, which was certainly good for Grace also.  She had come to the show dressed in her Anna costume and had been waiting patiently for Anna and Elsa.  Jimmy was so excited to see Olaf!

Jimmy also loves Moana.  Especially - Maui!  So when the stage became a Polynesian backdrop, we knew that Maui would appear soon.  And then, there he was!

Jimmy actually got a bit scared during the volcano scenes!  It doesn't bother him on TV but on this giant screen, with "flames" skating all over the ice, it was a bit intense.  He was very glad when that was over and Moana and Maui "floated" off.  

There was so much more in this program!  All the Disney princess' made an appearance.  There was a long Aladdin scene with a truly amazing "flying Carpet" that skated in impossible looking ways.  Encanto included skating to "We Don't Talk about Bruno" which Grace really loved.  All in all, it was a fabulous show.  

I loved the show, but most of all, loved seeing it with Grace and Jimmy.  Seeing their excitement and watching them experience these characters in new ways, brings them to life for me also!  In spite of the bitter cold weather, it was a heart warming way to spend an afternoon.  

During this "deep freeze" we have had in January, the tubing to my ice maker froze up!  I suddenly realized that I didn't have an over supply of ice cubes in my freezer!  I know that I have been complaining about the icy weather, but I love ice in my water bottle!  It doesn't make much sense, but I like my water cold - even in the winter!  Thankfully Doug came and shut off the line so that it wouldn't burst and flood my kitchen.  And I was faced with the problem of no ice.  I long ago threw out the ice cube trays and was not going to run to the store in freezing weather.  I looked around my cupboards and saw the silicon cupcake liners that I purchased to replace the disposable paper ones.  I put six liners in a flat plastic container and suddenly, I have six perfect little "cupcakes" of ice that fit perfectly in my water bottle!  On the plus side, they stay frozen for a very long time!  I haven't missed my ice maker at all.  As they say, "Necessity is the mother of invention!"  

So here we are, nearing the end of January.  While it has been cold and icy and snowy, we have now transitioned to rain and fog.  The temperatures have warmed to the high thirties and there has still been piles of snow on the ground. Truly it has been a mixed bag of weather this year.  But looking back, even in the icy cold, there have been so many heart warming events.  Even my small "mishap" with my ice maker, has a surprise good outcome, with small cakes of ice that last longer.  I guess what I have been feeling is about finding the very good that can come out of a not so good event.  I think it is a good reminder to me (really everyone), to look for the positive instead of only seeing the negative.  This reminds me of a "Mister Rogers" statement that I heard a very long time ago.  He said that when there was a bad or scary situation, his mother told him to always look for the helpers.  So, in the midst of a very bad weather month, Doug came and took care of the snow/ice for me.  Also a neighbor paid to have my driveway plowed after a heavy snow.  Doug also saved me from possible water damage by shutting off the water.  I am thankful for workers who plowed and salted streets so I could get to these events.  There were lots of helpers in the parking lot of this Disney on Ice show, directing traffic and helping us find parking.  I am very thankful for them.  Yes, so many others who continue to work, no matter what the weather is like.  The police, the fire fighters, the doctors, nurses and all who keep hospitals running.  The bus drivers, all the workers at the airports, the store clerks, the truck drivers who deliver all of the things we rely on,  yes, I am thankful for them also. 

As January comes to a close, we have two very important events coming in our family!  Anna will turn 10 on Tuesday and Grace will turn 7 on Thursday.  Big days for them for sure!  I am ending this month feeling so blessed.  So thankful and so warm.  While it might still be typical January weather for Chicago, it feels pleasant and happy for this grandma!

Jesus, thank you for the reminder that even in hard times, we can find the good.  Holy Spirit, turn our eyes to see all the helpers when it feels like things are going wrong.  Give us wisdom to BE the helpers.  Jesus, thank you for gifting us with creative minds that can imagine so much.  Inspire us all to look outside of the box when faced with difficult situations.  Thank you for loving us and providing exactly what we need.  Amen

First ICY post of 2024!

 This year has certainly gotten off to a VERY COLD and snowy start.  While we had such a mild December, January has just been terrible.  There has been sub-zero temperatures with a very windy, snowy, icy bit to boot!  These last two weeks have been all about staying inside and also trying to keep the inside warm!  This included portable heaters, open cabinet doors and fans to stave off frozen pipes.  We have had several inches of snow, followed by several inches of snow on top of ice, followed by several inches of snow that was blowing and drifting.  Needless to say, it is typical January in Chicago!  

The first "special" event of this year, was a special dance program, held at Dance Connection  (Lia, Ellie and Anna's dance studio).  They invited kids from 4-8 years old to come for a program that included watching the Spotlight dancers perform, having games and snacks and making a craft.  I registered Grace for this event, not knowing that it would fall right in the middle of a really awful snow event.  But, as they say, the show must go on!  Doug volunteered to dig out my driveway as well as deliver Grace to my house to make the trip a bit shorter.  The day was actually one of the first sunny days we had in a long time.  Doug and Susie arrived with Jimmy and Grace, just after a very kind neighbor paid to have my driveway plowed!  I love living in a small town where the neighbors still watch out for all the "old people".  It was certainly a bonus for Doug since all he needed to do was some minor touch up shoveling.  Grace and I had no issues driving the hour and a half north for the program.  

Grace had a very good time watching the dances, got to play freeze dance and make some really cool mouse ears!  She just loves being with her cousins, no matter what the activity is.  She was happy to dress up as "Anna from Frozen" for this event.  We got in the car to begin our 78 mile drive back to Doug and Susie's house, just as it started snowing - AGAIN!  Surprisingly, I followed Google Maps, and we made the trip faster than normal!  Grace and I did see 21 snow plows on the drive however.  I stayed for dinner (my favorite - Doug's meatloaf, mashed potatoes and zucchini), before heading home. It was a dicey drive home, with blizzard warnings due to 50 to 60 MPH winds and blowing snow.  The highway was totally snow covered and the average speed was about 30mph.  I was especially glad to get home!  In spite of the weather, it is always good to get the girls together!  

The second "event" of January was a special winter "Bible Boot Camp" at my church, Fellowship of Faith.  Bible Boot Camp is a not-so-typical Vacation Bible School program, that is held in the summer. The program is almost all outside with obstacle courses and capture the flag.   Gwen had the idea to try a winter version, held on a day off of school in January.  The plan was to follow the same pattern as the summer!   The thing about Chicago weather - you just never know what to expect.  It could have been 40 and sunny with no snow on the ground.  However it could also be -15 with a windchill of -30 and piles of snow everywhere that make it hard to even walk, let alone run.  And that is exactly what the weather was like.  The kids were limited to 10 minutes outside for two different activities.  I worked at the snack station and we served lots and lots of cups of hot chocolate!  Surprisingly there were lots of kids - who really didn't mind the cold at all! There were over 20 Boulder students (junior high and high school) who served as leaders, as well as over a dozen adult helpers.  This morning in church, the Pastor gave a follow up report on the event and commented that this program has been held during times of 140 degree difference in temperatures!  Last summer was an excessive heat warning with high "feels like temps and this program was during a windchill warning with very low feels like temps!  So, matter the weather - it is a good time to celebrate Jesus, come together to worship and have lots of fun!

Besides the outdoor fun and this amazing worship time, all the kids also did a service project.  Every group worked on tied blankets that were donated to local foster kids.  Working with blankets when it was below zero was a great activity.  The kids also got to choose a "Bible Buddy" to name and take home.  The idea behind this wonderful program is to encourage the kids to read the Bible to their stuffed animal.  They were also given a journal to record about reading the Bible.  It is a fun way to get the kids excited about reading their Bibles!  Even the youngest kids got Bible Buddies!  

My friend Colleen and I watched this program from the (warmth) of the coffee bar.  Neither of us ventured outside.   No matter how cold, or dreary the weather might be, all you have to do is surround yourself with the laughter and joy of kids to change your mood.  Often people will ask me why I still want to help out with the kids programming.  It is so worth it.  Even when it included getting up early in minus 15 degree weather, to drive to church, to open snacks and pour cups of hot chocolate.  It was a good day.  A very good day.  

Not much has been happening this January.  But there has been lots of time to read and to write.  I have actually picked up my writing during this cold spell.  And that has also been very good.  After a time away from writing, I always go back and read what I last wrote.  This time, I went back to the very beginning.  The further along I went, the more committed I grew.  I need to finish this project and I need to finish it well.  I will be spending more time in the next weeks with my laptop in hand, working to complete the project that has been YEARS in the making.  I am convinced this is exactly what I need to be doing.  

No matter what your weather is like - cold, hot or in between, no matter if it is dry or wet, rain or snow, sunny or cloudy., Jesus is with us in it!  When it is so cold you don't go out, remember that Jesus is with you inside the warmth of your home.  When it is so nice that you just have to go out, Jesus is going with you!  What a wonderful truth to remember - Jesus will never leave us - no matter what the weather!  

Jesus, thank you for planning the change of seasons and the ups and downs of the weather.  Winter is a wonderful reminder that even when things look totally dead, there is always the promise of spring ahead.  Holy Spirit, remind us that even when we feel alone, Jesus is with us.  Help us all to make Bible reading a part of each day.  Thank you for caring neighbors, for family and friends.  Thank you especially for children!  Amen

Christmas wrap-up and year end review

This is kind of an out of order blog post, but wanted to begin this post with our family picture from our Christmas 2023 (which actually happened on January 1, 2024).  After so many years of things feeling sort of "out of order", you would think that I would be used to it by now!  But for some reason, I had a more difficult time with our celebration being so far after Christmas.  I must be getting old!   

Here is a recap of how the days actually went for me, leading up to Christmas.  After illness struck our family (as it did with so many families this year), we postponed our celebration.  So on the 23rd, Gwen asked me to come to their house and spend the night so we could celebrate Christmas Eve together.  It was a total surprise to me that Gwen and Tim had planned to take their family to see a very large, drive through and drive in light show.  This show is well known in our area and is really quite spectacular.  Needless to say, I was amazed and delighted to see this.  It is really impossible to get photos that do the show any justice at all.  It was a great way to spend Christmas Eve, Eve!  Christmas Eve began with a wonderful church service.  

After church, we spent a few hours just being together.  It was fun to watch the kids create Gingerbread Houses.  We had a lovely dinner together and Tim sent home enough leftovers for three additional meals for me!  

I spent Christmas day at home.  I had planned to attend a church service in the morning, but decided I would rather have a pajama day at home, which I did!  I watched lots of Christmas movies, ate those wonderful leftovers, and kept warm.  

The next week was one in which you never really knew exactly what day it was!  Everything felt out of whack with Christmas Day on Monday.  I think everyone will be glad to get to Sunday, January 7 when things go back to normal.  My family was more or less holding their breath until January 1st in hopes that no one would get sick!  Thankfully, the day arrived and we CELEBRATED!

We have learned that it is always better to take the pictures BEFORE we open presents!  This year was no different.  Pictures, presents and then food!  Everyone had a wonderful time with their gifts.  My favorite items were things that the kids made/bought for each other.  I love getting my yearly photo calendar from Gwen.  I have taken the 12 photos from each calendar since 2007 and put them in scrapbooks.  So I have a pretty good history starting with photos from 2006 when Lia was born.  I just love looking through these 3 large books.  Last years pictures finished the third book so I will be shopping for a new album to have in the ready for this years calendar pictures!  

This year Lia's boyfriend, Micah and Ellie's boyfriend, Samuel were with us to celebrate!  So we are pretty much at the end of this table fitting our entire family!  

These are just a couple of my favorite pictures from the day.  These cousins are really happy to be together.  Zeke is happy to have Jimmy around since all the girls can get a bit much for him!  Grace and Anna are close enough in age to really be good friends.  I love how much fun they have together!  

Driving home after our celebration, gave me some time to reflect on the last year.  2023 was a bit of a whirlwind for me.  My DNA discovery was certainly a big part of that.  I am still trying to locate my half-brother's son.  Unfortunately, he has a pretty common name so it makes him hard to find.  Most of the extended family don't have contact with others in the family.   I would really like to be able to talk with someone who actually knew my biological father.    Having names and a family tree is wonderful. The pictures I have are amazing.  But there are some questions that I can't get answered without this contact.  So this is certainly something that is coming with me into 2024.  I will continue to try to make these connections.   

The grandkids are all getting so old!  Lia will be heading off to college in the fall.  She has actually been a college student for two years, at a local community college.  As a homeschooler she was eligible to begin classes at age 16.  She has been on the Dean's list and will be starting college at Lindenwood University in St. Charles, MO in 2024.  This school is actually just outside of St. Louis, so it makes it a pretty easy 5 hour drive home. Its not THAT far away!  Ellie will soon be turning 15 and can begin drivers ed.  Gwen is certainly looking forward to this, with Lia leaving, they will be down one driver!  All those back and forth trips to dance are much easier with a teen driver!  Zeke will be a teenager this year!  How did that happen?  And Anna is "double digits" at the end of this month.  Grace will be 7 just days after Anna turns 10 and Jimmy is closing in on 3 years old!  You can't ignore the passage of time when you are surrounded with kids that grow and change faster than you can blink an eye!  

This year - 2024 - I will recognize my 50th Wedding Anniversary.  Ken was so looking forward to this memorable event.  It is sad that he didn't make it.   I will also turn 70 this year.  Somehow that just seems so much different than "being in your 60s."  My "word" for this coming year is PERSEVERE!  The Webster definition is "Continue in a course of action, even in the face of difficulties"     I love both Bible passages that are associated with this word -

Because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.  Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.  James 1:3-4

Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character, and character, hope.     Romans 5:3-4

I love that perseverance brings hope and maturity and completion - not lacking anything!  Sounds like a good goal for 2024.  

This post completes 11 years of blogging.  That doesn't seem possible.  When I began this blog in 2013, I don't think I had any intention of keeping it for this long.  But this chronical of my day to day life is really a treasure to me.  I know that God has used these words on a page, sent over the internet to thousands around the world to bring encouragement and hope.  Seeing someone else's struggles and joys and troubles can make you feel less alone.  If these words have brightened even one persons day, the time and effort are worth it.  My prayer is that those reading this will know that the love of Jesus is for everyone, everywhere. May you be encouraged to know Jesus better in 2024.

Jesus, thank you for family, for children and Christmas.  Holy Spirit, keep our eyes on what is really important as we settle back into our "normal" routines.  Keep our hearts open to see those around us that need a kindness.  Give us courage to reach out to people who are hurting.  Help us all to find ways to grow to know more about you in 2024.  Thank you Jesus for loving us.  Amen