Believe it or not.... another birthday (Actually TWO)!

Here we are, only in March and it seems that we have had one birthday after another!  It was Ellie's birthday next.  Fun fact.... Ellie and Doug share a birthday!  Ellie turned 15 this year and Doug turned 42!  How is that even possible?  I was with Ellie a couple days before the "actual" day and I got to see Doug on his actual birthday! 

Ellie has been collecting these specific stuffed animals for a long time.  Here is the Grandma explanation of what they are- there is some YouTube creator that has a show that Ellie watches and somehow these are part of that show???? Anyway, I think this one is named Fred the Plant.  She was happy with it.   Ellie is not very happy being 15.  It means that she will be taking Drivers Ed this summer, and she is a bit anxious about it.  I'm sure when the reality of being able to come and go on her own hits her, she will warm up to the idea of driving.  Her other presents represented Ellie's unique personality and interests including crocheting and painting, and theater.  There was a specific paint brush cleaner that she has had on her "wish lists" for several years that was always out of stock.  Somehow, I managed to snag it and she was especially glad to have it.  I also gifted her some special "character shoes" that are used for play production. It is much harder to figure out what to get kids, once they are teens!

I have especially enjoyed driving Ellie to dance this year since it gives me time alone with her every week.  She has taken a real interest in stage theater, especially musicals.  Currently she has a role in the play "Honk" which will be performed at the end of April.  I heard all about the possible summer production of  "Mean Girls" that Ellie and her friends are all planning to audition for.  Ellie has worked hard this year on her home school material and plans to be done with school in April.  Quite a good accomplishment for her freshman year of high school.  One thing is for certain, she is going to miss Lia when she leaves for college next fall. I am so thankful that I get to spend time with her.  She is an amazing young kid that I'm sure will surprise us all in the years ahead!

I didn't remember to snap a picture of Doug on his birthday, but I did get this photo of the gift bag I found.  It was one of those times that you just can't pass up a perfect gift bag!

It looked like a fishing vest, covered with fishing lures!  It was perfect to hold the book I ordered for him, which was some kind of instructional book about tying flies for fishing.  At any rate, he was delighted with it!  On the weekend following his birthday, I took Doug, Susie, Grace and Jimmy out for a celebration birthday breakfast. Again, I totally forgot to snap any pictures of the event!  (This scrapping grandma is really slipping up!) Afterwards, Susie and Doug trimmed the tree in my front yard.

This nonfruit bearing crabapple tree has really grown in the last few years.  Some of the branches were so low and hanging so far over the driveway that it was a hazard!  Not only did they trim so many branches, they also cut them up and bagged them.  To top it all off, they even took them home to dispose of them! (I have to pay for my yard waste and theirs is free).  It is a wonderful thing to have someone like Susie who knows how to do this!  The tree looks beautiful now, and assuming that we don't have any late winter snow, should soon be in full bloom!

I watched Grace and Jimmy inside while Susie and Doug handled the tree trimming.  We had a week of rain, so it was much too wet for us to be outside.  Afterwards, we had a quick visit.  Jimmy begs to come to my house.  He really hasn't had much time here, so there are lots of things to explore.  As usual, Grace went immediately to my scrap room and found paper, tape, fancy scissors, and markers to make an art project. 

So, here we are in the middle of March.  This year has really gone by quickly.  Easter is so early this year, so I am anticipating a much colder than normal celebration for our family.  I look forward to Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and Easter every year.  But it is hard to feel very "spring like" when it is still March!  

Four years ago our world came to a halt with all the Covid restrictions.  During those days and days of isolation and quarantine, the uncertainties loomed over us.  How long would this last?  How could we keep from getting this terrible sickness?  How could we keep Ken safe from this when he was already so sick?  Would we run out of supplies?  Yes, it was a scary time.  I remember sitting in my scrapbook room, trying to imagine the future.  It seemed an impossible task when surrounded by all the unknowns.  What I have come to realize this year, is every day is actually exactly like those early days back in March of 2020.  In reality, we don't know what tomorrow will bring.  We can not say if any one of our family or friends will fall ill.  We don't know with certainty what the future holds.  But we can know exactly who holds our future.  It is such a comfort to know that Jesus is my provider and my refuge and my strength!  In my daily Bible reading yesterday that seemed to be the theme!  I always find it interesting when the verses I read fit perfectly with what is happening in my day.  As I considered those verses last night, I realized how appropriate they are for today.  Everyone who went through those weeks and months in 2020, feels that stomach clenching fear, thinking about those memories.  But the very good news then and now is that God's got this!  So, I will end with these verses from Psalm 46:1-3,7....

God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.  Therefore we will not fear though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging. The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.

Jesus, thank you for birthdays and time to celebrate together.  Holy Spirit, remind us during those times of worry and fretting that You are always with us.  Give us courage and boldness to remain calm when tings are shaking around us.  Thank you for providing helpers around us when we need them.  Amen

 

Grade School Music/Art Programs are the Best!

Grace had her school music program at the end of February and I was so thankful to be able to be there.  Shortly after Christmas, Grace told me that she had gotten a speaking part in the program and would need to learn her lines!  For a first grader, this is a very big deal!  She was also practicing the music, which thanks to her Chrome Book, she had at home.  She told me that she was the Narrator part and opened the show.  Until I actually saw the program, I had no idea what that actually was.  I was one surprised Grandma during that program!

There were eight classes of kids - four first grade classes and four second grade classes.  The gym was packed with parents, grandparents and various sisters and brothers. It was "Standing Room Only" as the late comers had to stand against the wall!  There was some "technical difficulties" and all of those kids (I estimate around 200 kids) were standing on those risers, looking out at the sea of faces, getting more and more anxious and nervous for the program to start.  After about ten minutes, they had the kids sit down on the risers.  After another ten minutes they were finally able to begin the show.   And then Grace walked to the microphone in the center of the stage and started the show.  Not only did she start the show saying all of her lines perfectly, but she stayed at the microphone for the entire opening number.  This brave little girl sang,  danced,  did all the hand motions.  And she did them well!  

I for one, didn't have any idea that she was going to be doing this!  I think all of us were a bit surprised to see her solo presentation. The rest of the program was very cute and all of the kids did a wonderful job.  I know exactly how much work goes into a big show like this, thanks to Gwen's years as a music teacher!  

Susie's mom and dad Steve and Sherry were also there, so Grace had a big cheering section!  Keeping a wild two and half year old entertained for an extra 20 minutes during the technical difficulties was the hardest part!  Jimmy did enjoy the singing once it started!

After the performance, the Art Fair was in the hallway.  Grace was especially anxious to show us her art work that was on display.  She knew exactly where they were hanging, which was a very good thing since it was wall to wall people in those hallways!  

I can't help but reflect on how grown up and truly wonderful this precious little girl is!  Before each of my grandchildren were born, I prayed for them and received a glimpse of what Jesus might have in store for them.  Out of those prayers, I created a "name frame" for each of them.  Grace's was in my mind as I drove home.  

For the first time I saw just how these words might come to life in Grace's lifetime.  She does love music and sings all the songs she learned in Vacation Bible School, as well as all the other songs she knows.  This music presentation just flowed out of her.  The smile on her face was certainly an expression of joy as she preformed.  I can't wait to see how Jesus brings all these words into and through Grace in the years ahead.  

 Jesus, thank you for children that remind us to smile and laugh.  Holy Spirit, continue to grow Grace into a Jesus worshipper who will reach the world with her songs.  Thank you for joy that overtakes sadness.  Give all of us the willingness to do hard things.  Help us to have courage and boldness like these little children.  Thank you Jesus for family!  Amen