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  

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

Cousins have so much fun together!

 Anna and Grace are always asking for more time together.  Since the girls live about two hours apart, I am the most likely person to manage to get them together (outside of family events).  Since I see Anna on Mondays, we arranged for a Monday when Anna did not have dance and before Grace started school, when I could bring her home with me.  Then Susie's mom and dad dropped Grace off at my house on their way home from Doug and Susie's.   Let me tell you it takes a logistics expert to try and plan these extra events for the kids.  Not only was it necessary for both kids to NOT have any extra activities, but getting the girls from one place to the other took careful planning.  An interesting side note of these complex plans was that Anna got to see Graces "other" grandparents and Grace got to see Anna's "other" grandparents since Tim's parents were at Anna's house when we went there for a swim! Here is a recap of the activities that these two COUSINS managed to squeeze in with Grandma over a 24 hour period!

First we ate at Red Robin - which also happens to be one of my favorite places to eat. 

Even though it was almost sunset, the girls insisted on stopping at a playground near my house.  We have driven by this park several times, but have not had a chance to stop before this.  

They managed to spend almost an hour playing on this playground.  It was a wonderful evening and not very warm which made this a perfect playtime.  After this, we returned to my house.  There was a request for a movie.  So after some difficult decisions, they watched about half of a Disney flick before it was time for bed.  The girls did great going to sleep and I didn't ever have to tell them to quiet down.  Before I went to bed, both girls were asleep.  

Our plan was to go out for breakfast and then drive back to Anna's house to swim.  I had decided to treat them to a movie theater movie, which was a surprise to them!  So, we ate breakfast on the way back towards Anna's and then went straight to the movie theater. 

We saw Despicable ME4 and the girls came ready with their blankets!   Although it really wasn't that cold at the theater, they enjoyed having a blanket to cover up.  

Both girls seemed to enjoy the movie,  I have watched the others in this series, so at least I could follow the plot.  After the movie, we went to Anna's house so that we could enjoy their pool.  It was a wonderful, sunny day so we got spend several hours playing in the water.

The girls jumped on the trampoline to "dry off".  Grandma sat on the deck in the sun, which was enough activity for this busy day.

Grace and I left Anna's house early enough to make the drive home in the least amount of traffic as possible.  Our dinner was the left overs from the night before from Red Robin.  

Grace and I got to spend a nice evening together.  We played some games and watched the end of the movie that the girls had started the evening before.  Grace spent the night with me, since I was getting up early to go to her house, as usual to watch Jimmy and her for the day.  Our complicated logistics plan worked out perfectly.  It was a win for sure.  The girls got about 24 hours together that included a sleepover at my house.  Grace got an extra sleepover with me.  

I am sure it seems like this was a lot of time to spend driving back and forth the distance to the various houses.  But I can't think of a better way to spend several days.  The time to talk with the kids in the car is some of the best discussion you can ever have.  I learn so much during those talks and I get to share with the kids.  I figure that I only have a few more years that the kids will even want to spend this time with me, so I will continue to do whatever I need to do for these events.  

This summer has just flown by.  I can't remember a time that has seemed to pass so quickly.  The interesting thing about this is that I have not taken a vacation this year.  I have truly just enjoyed my somewhat "normal" routine of spending one day each week with Gwen's kids and one day each week with Doug's kids.  The extra perk of this is not only seeing the grandkids, but also seeming my adult children!  I realize the blessing I have that my children and grandchildren have remained a close distance from me.  It may not be in the same town but Doug and Susie are only 20 miles and Gwen and Tim are 42 miles.  If we lived anywhere but Chicago, this wouldn't even be a long drive!  Unfortunately, traffic is the unknown factor going between our houses.  But I am so thankful for having them close by.  I have been reflecting on my upcoming birthday - really all this year - and suddenly have a better understanding of growing OLD!  So until I CANT - I WILL!  I am feeling like that is pretty good advice for most things.  Keep on doing the things you CAN.  Keep on with that hobby as long as you CAN.  Don't let people tell you what you "should" be doing at your age.  Just do the things you CAN for as long as you CAN!  And that includes these special days spent with the kids.  

Jesus, thank you for the reminder of the many blessings you have given me.  Holy Spirit, remind us all to see the small and big blessings around us each day.  Give us patience with ourselves as we age.  Give us eyes to see ourselves as you see us.  Help us to see every day as a gift.  Show us your plans for us, even as we age.  Thank you for loving us.  Amen


  

Christmas in July for our family!

Doug and Susie always try to give Gwen and Tim's kids an experience for Christmas instead of adding to their mound of presents.  For Christmas in 2023, they gifted a day at an Arcade for the whole family.  It just happened that our schedules didn't allow for this to happen until July, so it was Christmas in July for our family!  This was such a fun way to spend a Saturday afternoon.  The place that Doug and Susie found was really great.  It was just about the same distance for everyone to drive and we planned to have lunch after a couple hours of fun. 

This is just a small sampling of the photos that I took of the kids going from game to game.  Lia and Ellie especially liked this game that actually shot water.  The four girls played the Mario Cart game and actually raced against each other.  Tim and Zeke threw bags against those clowns and won so many extra points that Zeke shared them with everyone at the end of the time.  I decided that video games are not just sitting there - you have to throw and run and shoot and dance.  There is much movement for sure!  I managed to not score many baskets when I tried to help Anna. But I tried!

Before we left the arcade, I made sure to get pictures of the kids together and with me! 

By the end of two hours, we were all tired and ready for some lunch!  The kids all agreed this was the best Christmas present!  We went for a nice lunch at a local place and everyone actually ate all their food with very little left to take home.

Ice cream was a necessary treat after such a good lunch so we found the nearest Baskin and Robbins and went there for a grand finale to this day. 

Gwen took this final picture so she is missing from this last shot!  

It was a wonderful Christmas in July celebration for sure.  

These memory making times for our family are just the best.  As the kids have gotten older, they really seem to appreciate these experience gifts and talk about them from year to year.  In the past we have visited indoor and out water parks, we have gone camping (to see the Eclipse this year) and visited various parks and playgrounds.  I sure love to get these fun experiences with all the kids together.  

Every time I look at these pictures, I get a bit chocked up.  This is the last time my entire family will be together before Lia heads off to college in a few short weeks.  I keep telling myself that she will be home for all the holidays, but, really - where did the time go?  And on the other end of the ages, Jimmy will be starting preschool this fall.  Yes, time marches on.  But I have to admit, that sadness of missing Lia is tempered by a burst of excitement for her.  I can't wait to hear about all the wonderful new things that will fill her life at college.  Every age and stage is filled with new experiences.  The best thing about this, is that I get to share in them.  I am incredibly grateful for every hug, every smile, every phone call or facetime, for every bit of contact I am blessed with from this crew!  

Today, I am especially thankful for Doug taking the time to come and help me solve a very odd problem that happened in my house!  Yesterday, when I went to leave the house, I could not open the door from the house to the garage!  The door handle would not budge!  I went outside, opened the garage door and tried the door to the house from inside the garage.  Nothing!  Apparently the lock mechanism broke somehow.  So I purchased a new doorknob and Doug was able to (rather quickly) change it out for me. 

I can't tell you how many times between yesterday morning and today that I went to that door and could not use it!  Old habits are hard to break!   But Doug's visit to fix this problem is just another blessing of having my family close by.  

There is a verse in the Bible - Proverbs 17:6 that says, "Children's children are a crown to the aged" and that is most certainly true.  One meaning for a Biblical crown is honor and joy.  My grandkids are my pride and joy.  

Jesus, thank you for family, for children and grandchildren.  Holy Spirit, remind us during times of transitions in our life, that you have much more in store for us in the years ahead.  Jesus, give us courage to walk ahead, even when it is a new path.  Holy Spirit, remind us that you are with us when  seasons are changing.  Fill us with hope and great expectation for the new things ahead.  Amen

A few days of fun remembering being a "parent"!

Gwen and Tim took Lia to San Diego for her Senior Trip.  All of these events just make it so much clearer that Lia, in fact, will soon be 18 and leaving for college!  I got the chance to stay with Ellie, Zeke and Anna while they were away.  Of course, this also includes my "granddogs" Chandler and Sunny!  It was only 5 days, but included plenty of activities. You forget what its like as a parent taxi service after you haven't done that for a while!

The first day was kind of quiet.  We were gearing up for a few very busy days to come, so the kids took it a bit easy on Grandma.   We had lunch at Culvers, which is always a fan favorite.  The weather was incredibly warm for February, which was a wonderful surprise.    Anna and I took Sunny for a long walk down to the lake.  It was a bit muddy but Sunny was glad for the outdoor time and I sure appreciated the warm walk.  Anna is an expert at walking Sunny and he has become really good on the leash.  

Zeke asked to have a friend over on Friday night, which was fine with me!  The boys played video games while Anna and I played a bunch of board games.  I really didn't see much of Ellie.  As a typical teen, she spends a lot of time in her room!  

 On Friday, we knew that we would have the beginnings of a busy few days, but Zeke and Anna really wanted to see the movie "Migration".  I didn't know anything about this movie, but it turned out to be really cute.  Ellie had no interest in this movie, so she stayed home.  

It was interesting that we saw this movie about birds, while Gwen, Tim and Lia were actually seeing the real things at the San Diego Zoo!  

While the movie was fun, I know that they had a much better time seeing the animals in person!  I enjoyed the part of the movie that takes place in Central Park, New York City!  Since I now have actually seen those places, it was fun to have those memories flash up on the screen.  

Friday continued with bringing Ellie to serve at a Girl Scout Cookie Booth with her troop.  While it had been warm during the day, the temperature dropped when the sun went down.  It was a chilly time for her for sure.  Anna, Zeke and I went to Zeke's basketball practice.  It is so interesting to see 7th and 8th grade boys together.  Some are still very small and young looking while others look like grown adults!  His team sure includes some of both, with Zeke falling comfortably in the middle of the pack.  

That is Zeke taking a shot at the basket.  I didn't get many good pictures. It was a long practice that ended at 9:30pm!  This grandma was tired just watching these kids run up and down for a solid hour.  By the time we got home and settled, it was after 10:30!  The kids weren't tired at all.  Sigh.

We had an early start to our day on Saturday.  Ellie had to be at a cookie booth at 8:30am and Zeke had two basketball games - one at 9:00am and one at noon.  Ellie had a second cookie booth in the afternoon, but thankfully her Troop Leader transported her to that one (thanks Lianne)!  

Anna and I watched Zeke's first game, which sadly, his team lost the very close game by two points.  I took the kids for a quick lunch before Zeke's second game.  After that game, we picked up Ellie from her second cookie booth.  There was a very cold wind and the temperatures were only in the 30's so she was really glad to get into the warm car.  She said her toes were numb!  But they sold 249 boxes of cookies at these cookie booths, so it was well worth the effort!

Sunday we had church, as usual.  Zeke was serving in production that morning, so we had to be at church by 8:00am.  Most people are pretty used to seeing me as the "substitute" Gwen/Tim.   I am so thankful for this amazing church, that has been MY church for the last two years.  Being there with the kids is so wonderful.  After church, we geared up to watch the Super Bowl!  Zeke was surprised to know that I actually understand football and even knew what some of the penalties were.  He was extremely excited for this game, but his favorite team didn't win.  I haven't watched a Super Bowl in countless years, but it was worth it to see Zeke's excitement about the event.

Monday morning the kids wanted to go out for breakfast.  I love doing this!  Ken loved going out to breakfast and I miss this.   Whenever I get the chance, I love to do breakfast out.  

We went to a family restaurant that is pretty close to their house.  There used to be a nice park across the road from this place, but it is currently under construction!  It looks like it will be much bigger and include a spray park!  I for one, miss the quiet small park right on the lake.   

Zeke made plans to meet a friend at a park to practice his basketball shots.  Anna wanted to go to a playground.  Thankfully, there was a nice playground right next to the basketball court.  Anna had a good time and especially liked playing with the "digger"!  This was a new park for the kids, and I am sure we will be back there.

I spent some time sitting in the Sunroom.  While the sun was shining, it was still a bit nippy.  Sunny and Chandler were really missing their "people".  After a few days, they are ready for them to be home.  Gwen spends a lot of time in this room and the dogs took their place in Gwen's favorite chair!  I couldn't get them to move!  

Later on Monday, there was dance!  I picked up all of the Girl Scout cookies that Ellie needed to deliver, while bringing Anna and her friend to their dance classes.  I unloaded the cookies from my car and helped Ellie separate them for delivery.  Gwen, Tim and Lia got home in the wee hours of the morning from their trip.  It was a full five days!

As I was driving home on Tuesday morning, I was recounting all of the driving that happened in those few days.  I remember, so well, doing the same thing when Gwen and Doug were in those years.  While there was just one of me over this weekend, it is so nice that Gwen has two other drivers to take some of these trips!   I have forgotten just how busy parenting is.  And these kids are each only in one activity.  I can't imagine trying to juggle two or three different things with two or more kids.  

It is really good to be put into someone else's shoes.  Even if you once took care of kids 24/7 a few (think a whole lot) of years ago, things are different now.  Some things are so much better.  Everyone has a cell phone.  You can always get a hold of a child, they can always get a hold  of you.  In Gwen's house you don't even have to go downstairs to get the kids up!  You can just ask Alexa to "drop in".  At Doug's house,  I never have to worry about Jimmy when he is (supposed to be) napping!  Thanks to an amazing app on my phone that lets me SEE Jimmy in his crib.  I didn't even have an audio monitor when my kids were little. This time with the kids has reminded me, just how much work children are!  I am incredibly proud of Gwen and Tim and Doug and Susie for the amazing job they are doing with their children.  All four of them work full time jobs that are stressful and demanding.  Yet they have made family life a priority.  All of my grandchildren expect to sit down at the dinner table and eat together.  In both houses, there is a lot of love and care for each other.  There is also room for being sorry and receiving forgiveness.  Every generation seeks to do better than their parents.  It is a wonderful thing to experience the joy of knowing that your kids have succeeded in that!  Truly, there is nothing better than spending time with family.  You can always rest tomorrow!

Jesus, thank you so much for smiles and laughs and fun with children.  Holy Spirit, help us to let go of old ways and expectations for things to always stay the same.  Jesus, keep us looking ahead and not back.  Give us courage to try new things and wisdom to see the good in the changes around us.  Surround children with your protection and fill them with your love.  Amen