Final thoughts on 2024

I love finding these hanging on the doors of the "Game Closet" at Gwen and Tim's house.  The tree on the left is a long ago memory of mine.  Ken and I bought these matching Christmas Tree gift bags at Crackle Barrel restaurant to take into our offices.  I had mine hanging on my office door for many, many years.  The Santa Claus was Ken's growing up.  His mom made it for him as a "Pajama bag" that was on his bed every Christmas season until he got too cool for this.  His mom added the door hanger and we received this from his mom on our first Christmas together in 1973.  It's a little worn, as you could imagine since it was made in 1952!  So I love to see this still around in 2024.  My kids remember this as a piece of their Christmas celebrations.

One of the highlights for me this year was Jimmy's three year old preschool Christmas program.

It has been so fun watching him adjust to being in a school setting.  I get to drop off and pick up on the day that I watch Grace and Jimmy.   The week before the program I asked Jimmy what songs they were going to sing and he told me that it was a "reindeer song".  He couldn't sing it for me, but he insisted that it wasn't any of the ones I suggested.  He couldn't remember any of the other songs, so I kind of figured it would be a typical 3 year old performance with not much singing happening.  Boy was I wrong.  That kid knew every song and every motion and performed them all perfectly!  The reindeer song turned out to be "Reindeer Hokey Pokey".  Watching that class of 18 three year olds gave me a great appreciation for their teachers!  There were a couple of girls that twirled the entire program. More than one child stood stone faced and didn't sing or do any hand motions.  There was one little one that sniffled and cried, clearly scared to death!  But Jimmy performed the entire show!  The boy next to him tried several times to distract him, but he was on a mission!  This is one proud Grandma for sure.  An added bonus for Jimmy was that Yia-Yia (his other grandma) also came for this performance!  There is just nothing cuter than three year olds at Christmas.

I went to Christmas Eve church at 10am.  It felt kind of strange to not go at night, but this made the most sense for me.  It was a lovely service and after pictures, I went to Gwen and Tim's for Lasagna for lunch.  This is my families kind of traditional Christmas Eve dinner.  

I also got to be a part of Lia, Ellie, Zeke and Anna receiving their yearly Christmas Ornament from Gwen and Tim.  Their (very small) tree is crammed with all of these ornaments but the kids have insisted that this tree must remain.  No new tree is allowed! 

Of course Lia received a Lindenwood ornament.  Ellie got a yarn ornament and Anna got Stitch. It's really been a Stitch year for her.  Zeke got a Lorax ornament - its what he wanted!  

I spent a quiet Christmas Day at home and never got out of my pajamas.   I watched some Christmas movies and just relaxed.  It was good to just rest and reflect.  I knew that the following weekend, I would be back at Gwen and Tim's to watch Chandler and Sunny.   

Their entire family went to a wedding in St. Louis of a former youth from their church.  Lia was actually a bridesmaid and Tim walked the Bride down the aisle!  So a a very big deal for sure.  This was the first time I have been at their house with no kids!  Just the dogs!  Needless to say, these dogs missed the rest of their "pack".  We had a very quiet three days.  By the end of the time they were both running the front door if there was any sound of a car that might be coming close to their house.   It was a good way to end the year for sure.  

This morning I took down Christmas.  It was a bit early for me, but I just woke up motivated to clear up my space.  As usual, it looks very empty with everything put away.  As I was tucking the  boxes back in the closet, I saw my Christmas wreath on the door - wreath hanger - still in the closet.  I simply forgot that I even had that!  I guess that is the mark of being 70 years old!  Hopefully next year I will remember to put it up!

And here we are.  The New Year begins tomorrow.  I have been studying the Bible book of Acts this fall.  The primary thing about this book is action.  It is the story of the start and spread of the Christian church.  Looking at the Bible account, it is hard to miss the fact that this actually happened over a long period of time.  Recently it was point out to me that Paul spent years in each of the places he visited.  Somehow, in my mind, these were like short term mission trips.  But in reality it was very long term.  So I will be reminding myself that while Jesus calls us to action, there is also not a "short term" period put on that assignment.  A recent sermon reminded me that our culture of hurry needs to stop and take a pause.  Given these two reminders, I will be taking more "pauses" during the New Year.  If I have one thing added to my "To Do" list in 2025, it will be to slow down.  And this is good.  This past year has seemed to be rushed and busy for everyone.  There has been much anxiety and stress for so many.  So lets make 2025 a year of stopping and taking a deep breath.  Then we will be able to turn our focus to Jesus and really enter into His plans and purposes for us.  Praying you all have a slower, calmer year ahead.  

Jesus, Thank you for reminders and words that turn our thoughts towards you.  Holy Spirit, give us courage to say no to things that bring stress and anxiety to our life.  Help us remember to stop and breath deeply so that we can focus on your plans for us.  Give us boldness to do those things that you place before us.  Thank you for becoming one of us, to bring us back to you.  Amen

  

 

Rowley/Johnson Christmas celebration - 2024!

Our family Christmas was celebrated before the holiday this year, and one perk was that we had a "white Christmas", which the kids sure enjoyed.  We always gather at Gwen and Tim's house, which has enough space for all the stuff that accompanies the Holiday!  The first thing we do is take these pictures!  We have learned that trying to get everyone to cooperate after food and presents just does not work.  So, photos it was!

I made a special request this year for a beef roast for dinner, and Tim was happy to make it.  He put a ton of beef in a crock pot with carrots and potatoes and then also made a serious mound of mashed potatoes for this "spud" loving family.  We managed to squeeze around the table for this wonderful Christmas dinner.

After dinner, we proceeded to the present portion of the day.  The kids all seemed to really enjoy their gifts.  This year I think Lia got the prize for being the most excited about her gifts - most were practical things for her College dorm.  After presents, all the kids wanted to go outside to go sledding on the hill in Gwen and Tim's front yard.  This is the second year that we have been able to play in the snow during our Christmas celebrations since 2020 when they moved into this house.  

The kids managed to get in about an hour of sledding before the sun went down.  The promise of dessert and hot cocoa got everyone inside without too much complaining.  Susie and Doug had stopped at our favorite bakery (Blessed Little Kitchen) and brought cupcakes, cookies and a French Silk pie!  We managed to squeeze in a family game time and this years new game was a card came called "The Chameleon".  It is supposed to be for older kids and adults but Grace and Anna played with no problem.  As a matter of fact, they did much better than this grandma! As usual!  It was sad to see the day end, but everyone was tired.  Doug and Susie have quite a long drive home, so it was an early goodbye.  

Every family day we have makes me so grateful for my children and grandchildren.  I am so aware of many who do not get to celebrate with their grown children, or those who don't have any family nearby.  I don't take these times for granted.  Each celebration, each event, each family get together is another memory.  These are memories that I know I will cherish in the years ahead.  

These times with family pictures highlight just how fast the kids are growing up.  This year we have one in preschool, two in grade school, one in junior high, one in high school and one in college!  Quite the spread.  And before I know it, they will all be grown and flown.  So I continue to make being with my children and grandchildren the top priority of my life.  It makes for a full and fun calendar of events!

Jesus, thank you for family and time spent together.  Holy Spirit, remind us all of the value of memories and the importance of spending time together.  Keep us mindful of those around us who are alone or lonely.  Give us courage and boldness to share kindness and love with those around us.  Thank you for this season to celebrate your birth.  Amen 

Thanksgiving review

Our traditional Thanksgiving always starts with Gwen and Tim and the kids coming to my house on Thanksgiving day.  We watch the parade (sometimes more than one time since it is on repeat) and then always watch the dog show that follows that.  The last few years Gwen and I, along with Lia have gone to Meijer, which is the only store that is open on Thanksgiving.  They have frequently had really good sales that Gwen waits for every year on winter boots for the kids.  This year was no exception!  We never have turkey or a big dinner, but always have Lasagna that I have prepared the day before.  The kids (and dogs) love this time at Grandma's house and we have a "sleepover" so that Gwen and I can "Black Friday" shop in the early hours of the morning.  

This year we noticed that Black Friday may be coming to an end.  There were really no crowds at most of our typical shopping places.  Tim came with us for the first round and we were actually back at the house by 7:00am.  We left Tim, who had another store to visit with Zeke, and picked up Lia.  We ventured to the nearby Outlet Mall.  Lia had some very specific things she was looking for to finish out her shopping for the kids at Good Samaritan Ministries.  Lia works at their after school program for the kids who mostly come from poor households.  She was determined to help these kids have a good Christmas and through her efforts (and so many generous friends and family) she succeeded.  All in all, we had a short, but good shopping time.  We did decide NOT to go the Nike store, which had a long line OUTSIDE of the store and very long lines inside to check out.  No good deal is worth that kind of time. 

After all of our Black Friday things are wrapped up, we go to Doug and Susie's for our "real" Thanksgiving.  Doug usually smokes a turkey and this year was no different.

We always take lots of family pictures and the kids have so much fun together.  This year Jimmy found a way to get Zeke to play all of his fun imagination games that include rockets and transformers.

And there were also several rounds of  "Taco, Cat, Goat, Cheese, Pizza" .  If you don't know what that is, trust me, its a new, fast paced card game that the kids just love!

We had a wonderful dinner with everyone fitting around the table.  Grace made place cards and decided where everyone should sit. 

I think that the kids were most thankful about the desert we picked this year!  Since only a few of the adults like pie and none of the kids will eat pie, we decided to have Ice Cream in Waffle bowls with all the toppings.  It was a big hit for sure!  

Here are a couple of the posed family photos from our yearly Thanksgiving.  

Our thanks on Thanksgiving are wide and deep.  All of us are thankful for this family. We are thankful for good health, that we live close enough to be together.  We are thankful for good jobs and good friends.  I can't help but come away from every event like this feeling so blessed. 

And here it is almost Christmas.  I can't wait for a repeat of this time together.  Hopefully I will blog about our Christmas much quicker than happened for Thanksgiving.  One thing is certain.  I will be just as thankful at Christmas for my family as I was at Thanksgiving!

Jesus, thank you for family and times to step back and remember just how blessed we are.  Holy  Spirit, comfort those who don't have family or friends to be with during these seasons.  Give wisdom to us all to see our friends or neighbors who might be spending the holidays along and give us creative ways to bless them.  Thank you for the good food and great fun.   Amen  

November catch up.... show time and snow finally!

In the last few years, Ellie has turned into quite a theater kid.   Ellie is currently rehearsing for her part in a production of Shrek Jr. the musical.   Her directors decided to arrange a field trip to a nearby theater for their cast to see the Broadway production of Shrek!  I was delighted that Ellie asked me to go with her and Gwen to the performance.  

It was a wonderful, warm afternoon and Ellie enjoyed seeing this with her theater friends.  I am so blessed to be able to have these experiences alongside of my kids and grandkids.  I would never have seen this show on my own.  I am now looking forward to seeing Ellies production the second week of January, 2025!  Just wait for that blog - and hopefully it won't be months late!

The weather was typically not what you might expect in the fall.  But since we live in Chicago, you just never know what the weather will be until you step outside.  The next week had a really warm spell.  

It was warm enough for me to take Grace and Jimmy to their local playground on a day that Grace had a shortened school day.  

Jimmy really needs time to run and play outside and this day he was showing his very good climbing ability for a three year old!  This section of their playground is supposed to be for kids over five, but Jimmy has mastered everything.  I am thinking it is going to be a long winter if it is too cold to be outside!

The following week, I took Gwen, Ellie and Anna to see the Broadway production of Frozen.  Susie had already taken Grace on the same day that we had tickets to Shrek, so sadly we couldn't go together; This was Anna's first time seeing a Broadway show, and it was a good one!.  

The weather had turned into winter (which was very appropriate if you know the Frozen storyline) and we walked to the theater from the parking garage, in the snow!  It was just at the freezing mark, so we didn't think it would stick, but it sure did. The cast of this show was extraordinary.  There was not one bad singer in the entire cast.  Ellie was happy to see several of the cast that she follows on line.  What a wonderful day.  Again, so thankful to get to these shows!

The next day, I was with Jimmy and Grace and there was snow! Grace was home sick, so we skipped Jimmy's preschool. After lunch, he begged to go outside.  It was windy and so cold and actually snowing.  I did not have boots and was not prepared for the weather.  But, I bundled him up and sent him out in the backyard.  

He actually stayed out for a long time.  He made snowballs and ran around the entire yard.  You can tell by this picture, he was one very happy little boy!  I stood next to the house, protected from the wind, and watched from afar.  I was able to get him to come inside, only with a promise of a snack.  As much as this boy loves the outside, he also loves to eat!  He pretty much grazes all day!

Our normally healthy crew actually had a bout of unexpected sickness in late October and early November.  Lia actually got sick at college (which is a nightmare for parents with their first kid at college).  She ended up having pneumonia, which has really been going around this year.  The same week, both Ellie and Zeke tested positive for strep.  Grace actually tested positive for strep also.  Zeke did not recover with the antibiotics, and was also diagnosed with pneumonia. Somehow, Anna and Jimmy sailed through without getting sick.  Everyone got better quickly and I managed to stay healthy also even though I see the kids often!  We are very thankful for medical care, medicines and general good health!     

One of the highlights of this fall for me has been attending my churches Wednesday Night Ministry.  There is a meal every week and then an hour of small group study time. I love getting a chance to meet more people and to have time to just fellowship over food.  If there is one thing my church excels at, it is eating!  But also, seeing over 100 people come out every Wednesday evening to grow closer to Jesus is just the best. I have a long drive to my church, but it is certainly worth every mile.  

There should be no complaining about snow in November.  But we had such a warm fall that it was a bit jarring to pull out the winter wear.  Thanksgiving was extremely late this year - the 28th of November.  That makes for a very long lead up to Thanksgiving and a very short time between Thanksgiving and Christmas.  But, again, there is really no good excuse for the lateness of this blog.  But it feels good to be putting these memories onto the page.  Keep watching for the Thanksgiving update and a Christmas report (hopefully) before the end of 2024!

Jesus, thank you for fun outings and the change of seasons.  Holy Spirit, bring comfort to everyone struggling with health issues this year.  Give us reminders to slow down, eat well, and get enough rest.  Be especially close to the families who have members dealing with mental illness.   Give wisdom to health care workers during this season.  Jesus, remind us that you are the light of the world during these dark days.  Thank you for your peace.  Amen

 

End of the year.... already

 Well, here we are.  It is almost Christmas and almost the end of 2024.  I have been remiss in blogging since the middle of October.  Over the last 12 years that I have been writing this blog, that there are often these "dark" times when I just can't seem to get the words our of my brain and onto these "pages".  There is no big reason why this has happened this year.  For the most part, everyone has been healthy.  We have not had any big issues in my immediate family.  This is just something inside of me that has blocked me from sharing here.  These blogs have always been a way for me to have record of the year events, so I will go back to where I left off.  I want 2024 to be as complete as the previous 12 years!

The last Sunday in October has always been Trick or Treating at Gwen and Tim's house.  This year Grace and Jimmy got to come for this.  It was a nice fall day and the kids had so much fun. Best of all, Lia was home from college for the weekend, so we got to visit with her also.

This year Jimmy's preschool Halloween parade was on Thursday, so I got to see it.  Jimmy is the adorable Buzz Lightyear on the far right!  Later that day, we got to go to Grace's school parade.  While it wasn't blizzarding like last year, it was very cold and windy!   

Doug made it home in time to take the kids trick or treating.  It was a cold evening, but at least there was no snow on the ground this year!  Candy and fun were had by all!  I handed out candy at their door and this year there were plenty of kids looking for those treats!

November 1st is Lucas' birthday.  He would be ten years old this year.  It just doesn't seem possible that 10 years have gone by.  

As a family we gathered to remember Lucas and that always includes a trip to the cemetery.  Jimmy was happy to gather up some sticks (his favorite thing to play with) and we all walked around in the fallen leaves.  I am always struck by the beauty of this small, country cemetery.  Sadly, there are many of the very old trees that are needing to be removed.  The cycle of life and death is present even in the trees here.  It is still a wonderful place to come and honor Lucas' short life.  The passage of time seems to be so much more evident in this very old cemetery.  There are graves from the 1800's.  I am always thankful for the hope that our family has of the eternal life we have because of Jesus' sacrifice for us.  

Events like these certainly help mark the passage of time.  At seventy, I notice how quickly time seems to go by.  When I noticed that I hadn't blogged since October 19th, I was surprised!  To me, it seemed like just a couple weeks ago, when in fact, it was two months!  Here we are in the darkest time of the year, counting down the days until Christmas.  In spite of my delay, expect to read all about November in the next post!  We can't get to Christmas without Thanksgiving!

Jesus, I am reminded that you don't operate on the same timeline that we do.  I am so thankful that you forgive the times we make mistakes, don't follow through, or simply just mess things up.  Holy Spirit, give us courage to confess our wrongs and to forgive those who hurt us.  Help us to be gentle with those who struggle in this season.   Let us walk out in kindness and grace every day.  Amen

Fall Retreat Time Again...and a reflection on "being a village"

 It doesn't seem possible, but here it is the middle of October already.  That means that it was Fall Retreat for Gwen, Tim, Ellie and Zeke.  Anna and I got to spend a wonderful couple of days together for this last ever (Anna will be on the retreat next year) retreat.  Both of us were well aware of the significance of this time together.  

We tried to do all new things during this special time.  We found a new place to eat breakfast.  We both decided it was a good place and we would return there again.  We tried a new activity!  We painted ceramics.

Anna painted this cute Smores trinket box and I painted a Grandma coffee mug.  Anna thought that was very appropriate for this coffee lover.  We had to include a stop at the very favorite ice cream shop - the Teepee (AKA Riverside Chocolates).

The best part of the weekend is just getting to spend time with Anna.  She loves to play games so there were many, many games on our agenda.  

This game is a new version of Clue and you get to move around the board and discover who the culprit is and where he committed the crime.  I really enjoy this game.  Anna managed to beat me every time, however.  But it was still really fun.  The dogs spent a lot of time watching the door in hopes that the rest of their "pack" would be home soon.  They also kept a watchful eye on us as we played games!

It really is a dog's life for sure.  These two have lots of love, lots of good food and treats and cozy blankets to sleep on.  They are quite the privileged beagles.  I was looking through old photos and found this shot of Anna during Fall Retreat in 2016.  Anna was two and a half.   I couldn't pass up sharing it!

Just before this weekend, I attended the memorial service for an old friend of mine.  Lois was 92 when she died and I hadn't spent much time with her and her husband Don in the last 15 years or so.  But Don and Lois were an important part of my life during the years that I had grade schoolers and teenagers of my own.   I met them around 1990 at my church and I really got to know them when I joined their "Care Group" at their home.  Lois and Don (who was an Elder at my church) provided so much support for me during busy and challenging times of my life.  I did so many Bible Studies with them. Spent so much time at their house and drank so many cups of coffee from a special coffee mug that Lois set aside just for me.  Their prayers, their wisdom and their encouragement certainly helped to bring to where I am today.  At the memorial, Don greeted me as one of his "kids".  He cried tears for the passing of Ken (which he had not heard about) and he inquired about Gwen and Doug.  He told me that he prays everyday for Doug, since he was his Confirmation Elder.  He remember the exact Bible verse that he gave to Doug in 1995.  That verse if Revelation 3:12 -

 The one who is victorious I will make a pillar in the temple of my God.   

Don said that it is his prayer for Doug that he would be that strong, upright pillar for his family.   I was stunned that he remembered Doug and continues to pray for him.  

We all need a village to surround us and our family with their support and prayers.  I am so thankful that I get to be a part of the village for both Gwen and Tim's kids and also Doug and Susie's kids.  And I am grateful for the loving, caring adults who are being a village for my children and grandchildren.  What a blessing it is to catch a glimpse of God's provision of that village so many years later.  

Look around and reflect on your life today.  Who impacted your life?  Who stood by you when you really needed them?  Who helped shape your children and their walk with Jesus?  Now consider, who are you being a village for?  Find someone today and spend some time getting to know them better.  Help them with their kids  - even if you are not in the same season of life as them.  Are they older?  Have a cup of coffee with them and ask about their life.  Are they younger?  Ask about their interests. Take my word for it, it matters.  Your efforts matter.  They matter to Jesus for sure.  

Jesus, thank you for loving us so well.  You knew that we need each other and you have given us family, church and friends.  Holy Spirit, remind us to pray for those who have touched our lives.  Give us courage to reach out to be that village that is so needed.  Thank you for precious time with our family.  Amen  

Turning 70 when you sure don't feel it!

This is what turning 70 looks like in my family!  We had a wonderful day on Labor Day (which was actually a few days before I turned 70) celebrating being together.  I don't know what I would do without these wonderful people!  It was a glorious sunny day and fun to be at my house for this event.  Doug made pulled pork, which is a favorite of mine and Lia and Anna made me a "Sprite Cake".  This is really a 7upCake but made with Sprite (which is my drink of choice when it comes to soda).  

We are pretty good about taking family photos whenever we are together.  But usually, we miss getting a picture of me with Gwen and Doug.  This year I made sure to get that photo.  Also we never get a picture of the "adults".  Usually it is just me and the grandkids.  So I was extra happy to get a photo with Gwen and Tim and Doug and Susie.  And notice, please, that Lia is in these photos!  This was the best birthday treat!  She actually came home from college and was able to be at this event.  The added perk of this was that she only had a 4 hour and 30 minute drive back to campus from my house.  Being a bit further west out of the madness of Chicago traffic makes for a quicker trip back to college for her.  Good food, good conversation and good time together.  There is no better birthday than that.

The following days were filled with gatherings with friends to celebrate my special day.  My calendar was filled with breakfast/lunch meetings and so much time together talking, laughing and praying.  I spent my actual birthday morning with Grace and Jimmy and then the late afternoon/evening with Gwen and Tim, Ellie, Anna and Zeke (as well as more friends who came to Gwen's for a ROCK teachers meeting).  All in all, it was a week of fun and fellowship.  No better way to spend a birthday.

As mentioned in previous blogs, I have sort of been dreading this BIG birthday turning 70.  But, as I write this blog, I have realized that each passing year has just gotten better!  A schedule change for me this year is allowing me to attend a Wednesday night dinner and Bible Study at my church.  I have time to have these breakfast/lunch meetings with friends.  Suddenly I have four regular "monthly" get togethers over a meal.  The best realization I have had is that learning and growing doesn't end at a certain age.  I have been stretched by the Bible Studies I am in right now.  I love when I can say, "Wow, I never knew that before!" or "That is a new way to think about that!"   More than anything, I don't want to get stuck in old ways, old thoughts, old ideas.  As I said in my previous blog, I want this new decade to count!  I'm not sure what exactly that means, but I have that target to shoot towards.  I don't have any immediate plans or even ideas, but I feel open to whatever comes my way.  

Today I am celebrating that the antibiotic I received after an urgent care visit last weekend, has cleared up both my sinus infection and urinary infection.   Thankfully, I was never terribly sick with either thing, just a bit aggravated by the symptoms.  The sinus problem is an old one that often strikes with fall allergies around my birthday.  The nonstop headache is reason enough for medicine.  The other symptoms made an urgent care visit more necessary.  So in spite of entering my 70's with a doctor visit, I am thankful for insurance coverage for the visit and medicine at no cost out of pocket.  

This song represents so much to me .  Goodness of God speaks of God's faithfulness over my life.  Take a moment, click this link.  I know this is true - God is running after me and you!  

Jesus, thank you for friends, family and fellowship.  Holy Spirit, continue to remind us that you have been faithful to us.  Birthdays are just days on the calendar. Jesus you are with us all the days of our life.  Thank you for another day to praise you, to worship you, to learn and grow.  Amen