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

Busy days with a two year old and a new song....

For some retired people (or others that just stay at home with no children), it is often hard to figure out how to fill up their time during the day.  Let me tell you, it is not a problem when you have children around!  This winter has really seemed long and dark here in Chicagoland.  All of us were getting a bit of "cabin fever" over the last few weeks.  So this week was a wonderful break with a couple of days of almost 60 degree weather!  And we even had a couple of hours when the sun was actually out!  Amazing!  

So Grace and I actually went outside on Tuesday.  It was not the warmest day this week - but it was close to 50 which felt warm!  

Grace picked out her hat and insisted on wearing it.  You can tell that it has been really cold here!  She also insisted on wearing mittens.  She was still able to find some really interesting sticks and made a "display" of them on the door mat.  We walked up and down the street several times and she ran around the yard.  The highlight of our time outside, was a police car driving by their house.  He actually stopped and waved at Grace and she was so excited.  They live on a street that has almost no traffic so seeing any car go by is quite the cause for celebration.  It was a much needed breathe of fresh air,  hour and a half for both of us.  

Thursday's weather was not wonderful.  As a matter of fact, it was awful! While it was in the high 50's, the wind brought a weather system blowing through that came with thunder, lightening and downpour rain.  Unfortunately, the worst of the storm hit during Grace's nap time.  And the noise woke her up.  So she had a much shorter nap than usual.  It was an indoor playtime for sure.  

We played with play-dough (always a favorite).  She was delighted to figure out that she had two sizes of rolling pins.  She spent a lot of time going from one to the other, trying out different thickness of dough.  

Doug and Susie got her an easel for her birthday (one side is magnetic and one side has a chalk board) and there is paper to color or paint on also.  Right now she loves the magnet side.  Gwen and Tim and the kids gave her the Leap Frog "Fridge Phonics" and she loves to play with all the letters. This grandma does NOT however appreciate the song that goes along with each letter.  I am really tired of it.  

After the worst of the rainstorm was over, we did go outside.  It was a very short trip, to say the least.  The wind had actually blown the patio screen door right off of the house!  So I needed to go out to retrieve it before it was ruined.  The wind was nearly blowing Grace away.  She could hardly stand up.  Even the dogs didn't want to be outside.  

It is on these kind of days that I realize just how hard this winter has been for me, spiritually.  I feel really shaken and dry.  But then I hear a new song on the radio that speaks directly to me.  It touches my heart and makes me feel like things are going to be okay.  The song is Prize Worth Fighting For by Jamie Kimmett.  I love the chorus...

When every day is just another struggle

And every choice is an act of war

Gotta pray, gotta press on

to the prize worth fighting for

When it feels like I'll never make it

When my heart's crying out for more

Gotta pray, gotta press on

To the prize worth fighting for.  

The entire song made me stop and realize that no matter what 2019 has been like for me, it is so true.  The love of Jesus is my reward.  And because of His promises, I can stay strong and keep fighting on.  And I will win the race because of the unfailing grace of Jesus.    Praying this song blesses many of you who might be in the place of struggle as me.  I am so thankful for new Christian artists who faithfully create new music to bless us all.  

Jesus, thank you for music that speaks to us on so many levels. Holy Spirit, keep our ears open to hear you through the music around us.  Thank you Jesus, for inspiring musicians to create new songs that convey your heart to the world.  Thank you for the joy and wonder of two year olds as they explore their world.  Holy Spirit, keep our hearts open to experience that same joy and wonder of your creation.  Amen

Telling the truth in all things... even the weather!

Last week was one of those silly weeks when you simply do not know how to dress.  On Thursday morning, I scraped about 2" of snow and/or ice off of my car before heading to watch Grace.  At some point during the day, the sun came out and by the time I left for home, it was 59 degrees.  I had worn my winter coat in the morning and a fleece over a long sleeved shirt.  I carried my coat to the car and before leaving the driveway, had taken off my fleece.  Over the next few days it was impossible to decide exactly what kind of coat or jacket you might need when leaving the house.  Friday was a bit cloudy and windy and felt cold at times. But then the sun came out and it warmed up. Saturday was also overcast - until late in the day again.  Let's face it!  It is just time for some good old spring weather.  Today I confidently hung my winter coat in the back of the closet.  I am trusting the forecast for the next 15 days - lows in the high 40's and highs in the 50's and 60's.  

So apparently Grace had decided it needs to be springtime - or at least warm enough to have a picnic!

On Thursday she spent the better part of the day setting up her little picnic set and then putting it all back.  Over and over and over and over.  You gotta love these little ones.  They just never seem to get tired of the "in and out".  

She found the cups and spent a bit of time "practicing" drinking from a real cup.  She does a pretty good job drinking out of a glass if you hold it for her.  But she loves these little plastic tumblers.  Part of the day the "picnic" was on the ground, until she discovered that she could set it up on the table! This was especially interesting to me since Doug, Susie and Grace were leaving for a camping vacation just a few days later!  It was almost as if Grace understood that there was a picnic in her future!

So, just like Grace, Ken and I decided to proceed with our patio enhancements, as if it will soon actually be warm enough to use it.  After our "situation" with our gazebo almost flying away, we purchased some really nice, specially designed weights for the legs.  We also got an outdoor heater and some very festive lights. We also spent some time actually attaching the canvas top to the frame much more securely.  All in all, we should be set for some good relaxing time IF the weather ever gets above 60 degrees!

Over the last few weeks, the subject of personal testimony has been coming up over and over.  The interesting thing about doing this blog is that it is my personal story and no one can disagree with what I have written!  The same is true of each person's testimony of their relationship to Jesus.  In this blog, I have written about various different times that have changed the course of my life in some way.  The common thread of each of these events is that I had a very real encounter with Jesus.  He spoke to me, brought revelation to me, came to me in dreams, sent someone else to speak a word to me, brought a song to me, caused the Bible to come alive to me,  really so many different things.  I am always amazed by people who want to dispute that Jesus can speak to each one of us.  Not only CAN he do this, but it is His plan for each of us to have a personal relationship with Him.  And that relationship would be pretty one sided if Jesus did not have an active role in it.  The entire time that Jesus was explaining the Holy Spirit to his disciples, is really the groundwork for us all to understand the lines of communication that Jesus was leaving with us.  It would be better for us all when he was in heaven because then ALL of us could communicate with Him.  Such an amazing plan by an awesome God.  Yet, here we are some 2,000 years later, and really good people - some of whom have studied "religion" for years and years want to deny that Jesus speaks to us ALL!  So, here is my soapbox of truth telling for today!  Jesus has, does and will continue to speak to me and I have, do and will continue to listen to Him.  Hey, that news is so much better than the weather! You can depend on that truth!

Jesus, thank you for the reminder that you desire a relationship with each person.  Thank you for the amazing gift of the Holy Spirit.  Open the ears of those that are afraid to hear your voice.  Give courage to us to share this truth with those around us.  Help us to teach our children and grandchildren the truth that you speak to us all.  Thank you Jesus for warmer weather and the approaching of springtime.  Amen

Ups and downs - in the weather and in life!

Here are four happy kids today, after a late winter snow.  Now, granted, we have had a very mild winter and the kids were so excited about the possibility of snow.  But really???? On the day AFTER the dreaded "spring ahead" time change?  When you already feel like you are getting up extra early (and you want to have extra time to travel, because, well the roads are not going to be good).  At any rate, the kids did have a wonderful time and the snow was perfect for sledding.  They have a good sized hill on the side of their house, which was just perfect for lots of fun.  Zeke said he made a "roller coaster" track (of course, since he is currently obsessed with them).  Even Anna finally warmed up to going down the hill on the snow tube!  I had a difficult time getting them to come in the house for lunch.  HOME SCHOOL FOR THE WIN!

It was sort of an interesting conclusion to a somewhat up and down last couple of weeks.  I have gotten to spend lots of time with baby Grace.  While this is certainly an UP for me, it was not so much for Susie, who has been having some really bad back issues.  I am so thankful that I have been able to help her out during this time.  It is not pleasant to see someone you love, hurting so much.  Thankfully, Grace has cooperated by being a really contented newborn.  She eats, sleeps and fills her diapers.  Which is exactly perfect.  We had some really wild weather at the start of last week - winds that would pick up almost anything!  Along with those winds, we had some thunderstorms and severe weather.  It was really crazy.  Certainly a downer!   By the end of the week, we were so grateful for the absence of that killer wind.  We were grateful also, that Susie was feeling better, with less back pain.

Because life is always busy, this weekend Ellie got her birthday "family fun day" (thanks to Doug and Susie) and she decided that she wanted the girls to get a pedicure!  Last year it was warm enough for the boys to go fishing on the day the girls went to the salon.  Sadly, it was 24 yesterday and the lakes were iced over.  So no fishing for the boys!  They found a great playground and had a fun time while the girls got their toes painted!  Grace came to the salon and slept the entire time!  Here is Ellie getting her toes done! This was certainly an UP part of the week for us!

After the nail salon, Ellie requested an ice cream treat (actually Frosties).  And Grace finally woke up for all of us to at least get a peak at her!  Great up ending to a fun day with the family!

This morning when I got to Gwen's house, the kids informed me that they had opened their own nail salon (in their bathroom).   I was invited to have my fingernails painted.  Lia was hard at work giving Anna a pedicure (she was not old enough to go to the salon with us).  So Ellie decided that she needed to paint my finger nails.  

Yes, that is black nail polish and there are blue and red "flowers" (which are actually just dots of polish). Not bad for an eight year old stylist!  I guess this is what you have to expect from girls after a visit to the nail salon!  

There you have it....... the up and downs of Chicago weather.  Sunny, warm, windy, severe thunderstorms, rain, more wind, and then cold, followed by snow.  All in one week.  It is said that you can experience all four seasons in one week in Chicago and this past week proved that to be true! And there were a few ups and downs in our family also.  No health issue is ever good and was certainly a bit of a downer for us all, as we were concerned about Susie.  The good news is that she is on the "UP" swing and Grace is doing great!  

I am always surprised when I  hear someone comment that Christians should always be UP!  That is just silly.  Over and over in the Bible, we are told that there will be ups and downs!  That is just what it is to live in this world.  The secret to living like Jesus is to walk THROUGH the down times and keep looking up!  When you keep your focus on Jesus, you won't get stuck in the muck of those inevitable nasty things that just happen.  He will help you to keep on putting one foot in front of the other so that you can get through those downs.  It is good to remember that every situation, every bad thing, every really tough issue you might be in the middle of right now, will come to an end.  Just like the weather, things change.  

This was my view from Doug and Susie's driveway as I left last Thursday.  I just love when God paints the sky with colors!  This sure had me looking UP!   I am so thankful that we have these wonderful reminders - right in the middle of a week of crazy weather - that Jesus is in control.  And I am thankful that a beautiful sunset helped me to remember to look up!

Jesus, thank you for this amazing week, filled with family time.  Holy Spirit, help all of us to remember that we need to move through those bad, down times.  Give us courage and boldness to walk on, and hope for the good times that are to come.  Thank you Jesus, for health and healing!  Amen

Changing perspective on the weather.....

We have had some wild weather here in Chicago.....it has not been the "warm April" that was predicted.  In fact it has been downright cold.  And snowy. And windy.  And rainy.  Well, you get the idea.  Just awful weather.  We had some really nice weather in March - including the day I took these four cuties to the park for some play time.  

Last Saturday it was snowing.  And I was remembering a long ago day - on the same date - in 1975.  We had a memorable snowstorm that day.  About 12 inches.  I got stuck about half way home and finally got out after about 3 hours.  My dad abandoned his car on the interstate and got a ride to a local hotel.  Ken picked him up around 11:00pm and took him home.  The next day we helped him retrieve his car that had been towed off of the interstate.  It was really warm the next day and the snow mostly melted quickly.  But from that day onward, I have never believed that winter in Chicago is over until the END of April!  Funny how one day's weather can change your perspective, isn't it?

Last Sunday (and it was still cold and VERY windy), we had a family celebration of Ellie's birthday.  Susie and Doug had told Ellie she could choose whatever activity that she wanted and this was her choice..........

She decided that all of us "big girls" (all except Anna) should have a pedicure together!  Doug decided that it would be a great time to take Zeke fishing and Tim and Anna tagged along.  Us girls had a wonderful time and so did the guys!

Zeke caught a fish which truly made his day!  He had the biggest smile when he told us that he had "casted" all by himself and "turned in" the fish (reeled it in)!  And he was also quite pleased that he saw the fish swim away when Uncle Doug put it back in the water.  We finished the day with a very windy and chilly trip to the local ice cream store (again, Ellie's choice).  Even though it was cold outside, it was a heart warming day, being together.  

This week has continued the cold and rainy weather.  Last night there was a very loud thunderstorm.  But in spite of this bad weather, Ken and I are feeling very "sunny" about the coming week.  We are heading out for a much anticipated vacation to a warm, palm tree filled, ocean front get away.  And the anticipation of this event has changed our perspective on the current weather.  Knowing what is right ahead on the horizon makes the dreadfulness of the past weeks weather much more bearable.  

The Bible reminds all of us who believe in Jesus, that there is a wonderful place for us, right ahead on the horizon.  That place is heaven.  All of the dreadfulness of this earthly world should be much more bearable when we remember what is ahead for us.  Jesus promised that there were many rooms in His Father's house and he was going there to prepare a place for us.  The book of Revelation contains a really clear description of heaven.  Unfortunately most of us don't spend much time reading that description because that book is somewhat difficult to understand.  But since I have experienced a change in my perspective on the weather while keeping in mind what is ahead, I think I will be spending time reading this book in the next week.  If all of the current "crud" that is flying around the internet has gotten you down..... if there is anything else that is troubling you and keeping your perspective in a not so good place, join me in reading about the most amazing place that is right on the horizon.  When you learn about the God who created the heavens and the earth, who is the Lord of Lord and the King of Kings, who rules and reigns from that amazing place, I guarantee that your perspective will change!  Happy reading!   

Jesus, thank you for the reminder that heaven is close at hand and it will change our perspective when we remember what is ahead!  Holy Spirit, thank you for helping us when we are feeling overwhelmed and depressed about our current situations by turning our eyes to THE TRUTH - Jesus.   And Jesus, thank you for family times that warm my heart. Amen

It was a "partly foggy, mostly not sunny day".....

I am going to blog something that I never, ever thought I would be blogging about...... the weather!  Yes, the weather.  Today was one of those grey, late fall days when the clouds hung heavy in the sky.  It felt kind of muggy, even at 7:00 as I was going to work.  Like it could rain at any moment, but then it didn't.  Thankfully, it was nice enough to be outside with the little ones in the late morning.   I loved this explanation of the weather today, given by the "weather watcher" in the 3 year old room......  He spent several minutes looking out the window this morning, then declared it was a "partly foggy, mostly NOT sunny day"!   I just loved this.  Needless to say, the teacher did not have a partly foggy, mostly NOT sunny day, flannel piece to put up on the calendar!  So she settled on the grey clouds.  Then, suddenly, the heavens opened up and it rained and rained and rained. 

So, I was thinking about this during nap time (while patting the back of a 17 month old who did NOT think it was nap time - for 2 hours).   I love the mind of a three year old that doesn't say it is foggy - it is only PARTLY foggy.  and then, its not dark and grey it is simply NOT sunny!   I loved this positive spin on the pretty ugly day.

Wouldn't it be much better if we saw all of the icky stuff in our life as PARTLY bad? And really, isn't it the truth that usually, not EVERYTHING is going wrong.  And wouldn't we feel a lot better about things if we focused on the good stuff that is really just around the corner (or in this case, hiding behind a cloud)?  I was thinking about the TRUTH that the sun is always shining, we just might not be able to see it.  I know that there is so much written and spoken about the glass half empty/half full.  But I just couldn't resist.  Because really, that is what this is all about.  But today I'm thinking on a much deeper level.  Today I realized that even when really lousy things happen to us, behind it all, the SON is shining.  Yep, Jesus is there and he is always in charge.  He is the Lord of Lord and the King of Kings.  And He reigns! Even over the really icky days.   So now I will be thinking about the less than perfect things in my life as "partly cloudy, mostly not sunny day, with a 100% chance of the SON shining! 

Jesus, thank you so much for the wisdom of little children.  Thank you, Holy Spirit for this revelation to remind me that the SON is always shining even when things look bleak and dark.  Thank you for the reminder that you are in charge every day, whatever the weather, whatever the circumstance.   Jesus, hold close in you arms all those that are having one of those ICKY days.  Holy Spirit, bless them with the assurance that Jesus is shining and brightly reigning.   Amen