May 19 with the kids

Tuesday:  Well--here we are again! This week was one of the fastest ever. From Tuesday to Tuesday felt like 24 hours, not 7 days.

We couldn't find any paper plates for our cinnamon toast this afternoon, so we used paper towel instead. We could have used regular plates, but ... whatever. We just used these and they worked fine.

Here is Cal playing with his sabertooth tigers. What I gathered is that one of them is named "BOB" and the other tiger is named "The Other Bob". Okay! 

Mr. Aidan got the Slip-'N-Play all ready to go for after school fun today. It wasn't as warm as it had been the last few days, but Erin and Cal were very enthused about it anyway. After Aidan got it all set up, he decided he was wet enough without actually participating in the slipping and sliding part.

It's interesting to me how Aidan just "takes charge" in these situations and orchestrates the situation quite responsibly. I guess he is not quite as responsible about cleaning up--but he sure has the set-up figured out.

Little Cal was very pleased to wear his swim gear this afternoon. He proudly told me that he has a GREEN shirt, just like this blue one, that goes with the "set".

Erin is really like a little FISH when it comes to water. I remember this has always been the case for her. She is not one bit afraid of the water or waves or depth, etc. She can be a little bit scary at the Big Lake.

We were kind of in and out during the few hours I was with them today. Here is Aidan showing me the gift he got for Cal's birthday. I can't spell what this is called, but the kids all love to play it. It's a spinning tops kind of game ...

Aidan showed me another one of Cal's gifts. Aidan is an excellent builder with just about any and every piece of material available. I really enjoy watching him create stuff.

Brendan was here too, but not nearby when I was taking pictures. This coming Friday is Brendan's sleepover. I'll get a bunch of photos of him then.
 

May 17 Jesse's Birthday

Sunday:  As "the boys" have gotten older, I've spent extra time and care to design a birthday card for them. It takes me awhile to decide which pictures to use--but also what exactly to say to each of them that adequately expresses my love to them.

This is the card I made for Jesse this year:

Front--These lyrics are from "Forever Young" by Bob Dylan. I used these lyrics a few years ago on Dylan's card too. I always liked the lyrics to this song. Their dad, Jim, was a big "fan" (if he actually was ever what you could designate in one word) of Bob Dylan. Jesse, too, shares a love for music of all kinds. I love this particular picture of Jesse because it looks like he is stretching his arms out to lead a full orchestra of instruments--notice behind him the hundreds of albums AND the stereo and receiver (which is actually IN Jesse's front room presently, restored and in working order!).

Inside Top: These are just various pictures from when Jesse was very young--most of them under age two. Jesse was very tall for his age, even then, and people often had odd expectations for him--probably because he always looked older than his actual age. He didn't actually walk until he was 13 months--just a few weeks before his brother was born; so I was carrying Jesse in my arms while I was 8-9 months pregnant. My obstetrician told me that I should NOT be lifting Jesse (he was 25 pounds), but what were my options? Drag him by the arms?!? Doctors can be so impractical, can't they?

Inside bottom:  This has been a very rough year in Jesse's life. Watching him suffer through a very difficult loss has been painful as his mom--more painful for him. This "note" inside his card was written in light of what he has struggled with.

 

Back:  The photo on the back of his card is from some time in high school. I just thought it was cool that he has a remote in each hand, headphones, wires everywhere ... he's still the same today!

Sunday was Jesse's 46th birthday. I offered to take him out for lunch. What we ended up doing, however, was ordering "out" from Olive Garden so that Jesse could get a meal of shrimp Alfredo that he really likes. It comes with gnocchi soup and breadsticks! I ordered just the soup and breadsticks because I still had leftover pasta in my refrigerator that needs eating before it spoils. We went over to Olive Garden and picked up the food and then brought it back to Jesse's to eat.

After lunch, we picked Kaity up for a few hours. Jesse announced that we were going to watch the movie, "The Last Samurai", which I have never seen--so I was up for it. Kaity was too. The movie was really interesting. Tom Cruise should have had an Oscar for his role in it; I'm not sure if it received any awards back in 2003 when it was in the theaters. Anyway, it was an enjoyable time. What an INTENSE story!! One of those stories where you really love so many of the characters ... and despise others!

I am thankful I was able to spend time with Jesse on his birthday. I love him so much.

May 16 Grad card for Chris

Here is the card that I designed for Chris's graduation:

All of these photographs are from Townsend Park, and Bear Creek, out in Cannon Township. When Chris, Matt and Emma returned from Texas in 2012, this place became one of our favorite spots to hang out. We would bring nets with us and dangle strings loaded with a piece of hotdog and catch crayfish. It was so much fun. I have many posts from 2012-14 of us "fishing" here. I love these memories of the grandkids so much.

This is what the LORD says: "Let not the wise man gloat in his wisdom, or the mighty man in his might, or the rich man in his riches. Let them boast in this alone: and understand that I am the LORD who is just and righteous, whose love is unfailing, and that I delight in these things. I, the LORD, have spoken." [JEREMIAH 9.23-24]

This passage from Jeremiah 9 is so essential to our lives--no matter who we are or what we are doing for a career or with our families--it applies to the deep parts of our very selves. Why? Because all of us suffer from PRIDE and our culture glories and encourages people to this state of mind. God tells us the very opposite in His Word. Are we wise? Are we strong? Have we been blessed with riches? All of those things, although not evil in themselves, can lead us to depend totally upon OURSELVES for any accomplishment or blessing that comes our way in life. That's NOT God's perspective at all. He says that understanding HIM--His JUSTICE, His RIGHTEOUSNESS, His UNFAILING LOVE--that's what is worth boasting about. Do we really know our God? John 17.3 says: "This is the way to have eternal life--TO KNOW YOU, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, the one You sent to earth." The only way we can really know God is to study who He has revealed Himself to be through the life of His Son as told to us in the Bible. 

This is what I pray for Chris as he enters this new phase in his life of career and family. Life is full of really hard stuff. Finding meaningful work is difficult. Finding employment that actually supports a family is challenging. Loving a wife (as modeled by Christ's love to us) is impossible without the Lord as King of your life. 

I suppose this is rather "preachy" of me ... but I am an older person who has made very unwise decisions that affected my entire family right down to my grandchildren. I can't undo those decisions. But I can trust the Lord to perform His will for His glory in each life of my kids and grands. And I believe He will answer my prayers for my loved ones.

 

May 16 After Graduation

Saturday (cont):  We had the opportunity to greet Chris after the Commencement ceremony outside where it was SO beautiful weather-wise.

I snapped these pictures rather quickly. I am sure Emma must have better ones than these--but these will have to do for me. 

Chris looks very distinguished in his cap, gown and hood, doesn't he? Goodness!

Ella is so photogenic. She has a beautiful smile. I've rarely seen her take a "bad" photo. I think they look really nice together as a couple. I'm thankful they have a date set for their wedding and I'm looking forward to it very much.

I gave Emma my phone to take this of me with Chris. I look about 85 in this picture ... oh well. It really doesn't matter, does it! I am Chris's grandma who loves him!

Here is Diana and Chris. This is not a good picture of Diana, but she has been recovering from knee surgery and a bunch other health issues for weeks on end. I feel very sad for her struggles, physically and mentally. You are loved, Diana.

Chris and Emma. 15 months separate them in age. Beautiful kids. Emma made Chris an enormously cool book (47 pages!) of his sports' career. She did an amazing job on it and gave it to him after graduation. He seemed to enjoy looking through it. I hope he appreciates how much Emma loves him and wants what is best for him. Their family has lived through some really difficult years ... and all of them carry the pain of it.

Heavenly Father, You love us with an unending and redeeming love. Please restore the years for this family--all of them--and bring healing and peace to them in the mighty name of your dear Son, Jesus Christ.

Chris rendezvoused with some of his friends ...

Dear Jesse and Chris.

Sweet Kaity-Girl, who has grown up so quickly, too fast ... Lord, please place your arms of protection around her.

It sure was a good time being with family today. Really proud of Chris's accomplishment of his degree, his football career, and praying his days ahead will be one that bring honor and glory to Your Name.

May 16 Olivet 2026 Commencement

Saturday:  "The family" has been pretty excited about Chris's upcoming college graduation, and Saturday was THE DAY. We carpooled in two vehicles and showed up to celebrate with Chris. I have too many pictures! Sadly, since I have not been using my camera (various reasons), I am left with my phone only to take pictures and they just aren't the same quality unless they are close-ups. Zooming in really messes with the pixel quality and I've just been too lazy and not had enough "capital" to see to my camera issues.

Anyway, here is what I feel are my best photos of this important event! It was held in the Cutler Event Center on campus, very near the football stadium actually.

The procession has begun ... can you find Chris? He is sixth from the right ...

I combined a bunch of these because I have way too many pictures and couldn't choose between them very well. I like these of Chris very much.

Emma and Dakota drove with me, and I was so glad to have them navigate to and from the college with me. Did I mention that the bleachers we were sitting on were absolutely THE MOST UNCOMFORTABLE seating ever??!?!? Ouch. My lower back STILL hurts two days later.

I picked up a Commencement folder, very purposely, so that I could identify the various speakers I would post here; but I cannot find the folder anywhere, which is so annoying. I believe this gentleman below is the President of Olivet University. He gave a very nice speech about making a difference in the world.

Here is Jesse and a tiny bit of Kaity. Jesse has very painful knees. I can only imagine the agony he had sitting all squished up in these bleachers.

It took a very long time to get to the part where each student was announced, hooded, received their diploma, was photographed, etc. But here is Chris's row heading on over to do exactly that.

I got out of the bleachers to take a few shots because I knew my phone was not going to do a good job at distance. Thankfully, Emma had her camera and took really good photos all the way through. I surely hope I wasn't blocking her view some of the time.

Chris! All of us love you so much!

Chris is finally next in the line to go up the stairs to the stage ...

When they announced "Christopher Pahman" we hesitated a little bit, but then I heard Jesse bellow out some praiseworthy words and then the rest of us gave a good yell for Chris.

Here he is receiving his hood. 

Shaking hands with the man ...

Chris now has a Bachelor of Science in Physical Training (I hope I am saying this correctly). 

Chris has been hired at his high school alma mater as a defensive football coach for the 2026-27 football season! Isn't that cool?

Back in his row, socializing with friends sitting behind him ...

Once all of the diplomas and hoods were presented, they had the class of 2026 turn around and face the family and friends who were there. Much clapping and cheering ensued.

And Chris, of course, STILL socializing ....

I took a few more pictures afterwards. See next post.

CONGRATULATIONS, CHRIS! WE ARE SO PROUD OF YOU!