March 11 Aidan's Card

Wednesday:  This is the EIGHT-page card I made for Aidan. I had so much fun making it, but ... it sure took a long time to decide which pictures, etc. I think he liked it though, so it was worth the effort.

 I'm getting better at these 8-page cards! How handy it is that I have a computer, a photography program, a printer, and card stock right at my house. I absolutely love making cards!

I love these pictures of you, Aidan, and I love all of the memories of your 8th year (2025) that is now finished. What a blessed grandma I am!

March 10 Celebrating Aidan

Tuesday: Aidan's 9th birthday is not until tomorrow, but since I am leaving for a 9-day stay in Florida and have too many things on my list to do in preparation for that trip, I asked if I could celebrate Aidan's birthday a day early. Everyone was on board with it, except Aidan! He thought he should be able to open his gifts today and still have me come over on his actual birthday. I will take that as a compliment that he likes hanging out with me. 

I was at their house at my usual time, the kiddos came home from school, we played a few games together and ate snacks, but we agreed NOT to open presents until Dylan and Kelly came home from work. I kept the gifts in my car so as not to torture poor Aidan while he waited.

Here are pictures of what followed:

These first two pictures are of the LEGO remote controlled robot gifted to Aidan by his Uncle Shane.

"Uncle Shane gives the BEST gifts" was Aidan's introduction to zooming this cool remote controlled robot all over the place. Aidan said it took him quite awhile to build it, and he seemed so proud that he was able to put it all together. 

Here is our darling Erin eating her cinnamon toast while we waited for the parents' homecoming ...

Erin and I played a few games of my 3-D chutes and ladders game ... we had so much fun.

Aidan and Erin played a game of it too.

Our young Gregory was in his typical playful mood ...

Aidan and Erin absolutely love their little brother. This is Aidan hugging the daylights out of him! I love these pictures!

The parents arrived home--YAY! Now, we are just waiting for everything to be ready for Aidan to open the gifts from his grandma.

The troops were VERY restless while waiting, so I organized a game of "Animal, Animal" to see if any of the kids wanted to play. I could not believe their completely positive response! Gregory finally got to be in charge of calling the animals ... I believe this time the animals were from the rain forest and he decided they should be PYTHONS ... so here are Brendan and Erin pythoning it on over to Cal. Aidan declined to play, because he was very focused on those unopened gifts ...

Aidan looks a little bit tired in this picture ... but isn't he such a handsome child?

I made Aidan a kind of "fancy" card, 8 pages of pictures and memories from 2025 for him to enjoy, including THREE riddles!

Aidan opened the smallest gift first, because he already knew what it was ...

He opened the biggest and heaviest box next because he had no idea what was inside. I took a chance with this gift, but after watching Aidan build at the museum last summer with these wood "planks", I thought it would be a hit--and it was! In fact, ALL of the kiddos wanted some.

The Paper Airplane kit was a request from Aidan, so it was no surprise. It looks like it is a nice kit.

We relaxed a little bit afterwards, and then it was time for their family to have dinner. Aidan's party isn't until Friday and I will be in Florida at that time.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO AIDAN, who announced that he was officially "grown up" now. Oh my!

March 8 ... and there she was!

Sunday:  Have you ever been so happy you couldn't sleep? It is going to be difficult to chronicle what I want to say and actually find WORDS that will adequately describe my joy about what happened yesterday ... but I'm going to give it my best effort anyway.

I went to Calvary Church yesterday, both services, because my Sunday school class meets every 2nd, 4th, and 5th Sundays during the first service, and then I worship during the second service. I have really learned to enjoy and actually love my Sunday school class. Perhaps it's because I am one of the younger (!!) members ... which means there are not any single men of interest that I am at risk of being stupid enough to actually get involved in a relationship with. Zero. 

But there are some really lovely couples in the class and some widowed ladies too. There are a few single men, but they look like they are closed to being 100 years old! There are two teachers, both of whom are able teachers, and the class supports each other in prayer and truly seem to care about each other. 

After class was over, I sat in what has now become my "usual place" in the auditorium. I used to sit (years ago) just off the center aisle, (on the left) toward the front, but not terribly close to the front. This was back in the days when Emma came to church with me almost every Sunday. NOW, I sit over on the orchestra side rather close to the front, row 3 or 4 typically, and my good friend Cheryl sits with me. 

Yesterday's service was really a wonderful time of worship. We had a guest teacher, a former Muslim who came to faith in Jesus while living in a refugee camp (he was actually BORN in a refugee camp) somewhere in Turkey (if I remember correctly). His testimony was so incredibly amazing to hear! And how in love this man is with Jesus now! As I listened to him speak I wished so badly that Emma was sitting next to me, like in the old days, and could hear how Jesus changed this man's life too--because I knew she would love his story.

After the service ended, Cheryl and I were walking in the open space outside of the sanctuary, each of us heading towards the parking lot where we had parked when I looked ... AND THERE SHE WAS! 

Emma! It was Emma! I was so absolutely thrilled and so full of JOY I thought I would burst--I'm serious! Emma had been in the service and was sitting in the area where we used to sit, only closer up--she said she thought perhaps I would see her, but I did not. We hugged and briefly talked and agreed that Emma would drive to my house where we would share lunch and hang out for awhile. I was so thankful I still had enough of one of her favorite casseroles in the refrigerator that I just had to heat up, so we ate and then we talked and laughed ... it was just like it used to be when I saw her more regularly. I am so thankful for this time with her--I was so happy that I kept waking up in the middle of the night just from the joy of spending time with her. We got all caught up on family news, and she shared a lot of what was happening in her life and with Kota. What a gift from the Lord! How kind HE IS! 

PS--This picture (above) was taken on her birthday at my house back in August. It's really the most recent picture I could find to post. I didn't snap any of her yesterday--I thought about it, and I wanted to but I didn't, because I didn't want to be rude.

March 6 and 7 Brendan comes over

Friday and Saturday:  I've been trying every other Friday night to have one of the kiddos spend the night. With me being sick for 10 days kind of through our schedule off, and since I am leaving Thursday (on a jet plane) for nine days to visit my brother in Florida, also throws things off. But I am at least making an effort, which is very worth it. Having 1-on-1 time with a grandchild is absolutely priceless.

Brendan is no longer a little kid. I can't call him "Little Fellow" anymore; but once upon a time, that name fit him SO well. He is fourteen now and in the eighth grade at school. I'm always a bit surprised that he still wants to come over and spend the night, but he does!

We did a variety of things here at the house--lots of it was just hanging out together. We did play a few games: "Fox and Geese" and "Four-in-a-Row" Friday night after we ate dinner. We talked about choosing a movie to watch at about 7pm--making that choice took us awhile. I pulled out about five movies that Brendan hadn't seen in a long time--a few of which he had never seen--but when I asked him to choose, he said none of those movies looked terribly interesting to him. Sigh. So, he went over to the movie shelf and decided to watch a "classic"--"Homeward Bound." Good choice!

I popped a bunch of popcorn, poured the soda, turned off lights, and we settled down to watch the movie. It had been quite a long time since we'd seen it, so it was fun to see it again. Brendan loves animals, and this is a very good animal story with a happy ending. Brendan also brought along a library book which he read when we were in-between activities.

We went to bed at about 10:15 and slept all the way until 8am. It took Brendan a little while to fall asleep, but he says he's the same way at his house--he thinks he probably fell asleep somewhere around 11. 

Brendan asked if he could make another sock puppet, so we hauled out our puppet-making supplies from my art cupboard and he got to work on it.

Brendan created a sheep that was dressed up as a human (try to picture that!) and worked very diligently at his creation. This puppet is named "BOB." 

Here are a few of our other sock puppets we have designed over the years ...

We also watched the highlights of a few old episodes of "America's Got Talent" when a 12-year-old girl won the big prize doing her ventriloquist act. Her name is Darci Lynn and she is amazing with her puppetry. It was fun to watch all of her really cool puppets--she can even make them sing without moving her lips! Anyway, then we got Paco, Ramone, Oscar, and Sunny out of the puppet bin and played puppets for about an hour.

Brendan has always loved these puppets. Paco, naturally, is everyone's favorite because I've had him the longest. But our "Flooglebird" whose name is Sunny, comes in at a close second. He's rather large, and very hairy. It's very fun to play with him.

I took Brendan out to lunch at Culver's on the way back to his house. Yum. I ordered the Walleye with cheese curds, and Brendan ordered a Butterburger with cheese curds AND a chocolate shake. We had a nice time at dinner, and then it was time to take Brendan back home.

I had such a nice time with Brendan. Truly, he has such a super kind heart. I love him so much. Thank you, Lord, for Brendan.

March 5 Procedures

Thursday:  I picked Jesse up today at 8:15 to take him to have two procedures: (1) an endoscopy; and (2) a colonoscopy. The reason he was having these tests was actually because he has had acid REFLUX for nearly 20 years and has been on antacids and other meds for that condition, he also has a hiatal hernia, so his doctor wanted to do the scope to check out the health of his esophagus -- and while they were knocking him out, why not do a colonoscopy since he's never had one?!

We drove over to the Metro Hospital complex (off from M-6) and found the professional building, which is right across from where Jesse goes for his veteran's stuff--so he knew how to find it. We got him checked in by 8:45 (exactly on time) and then we went through all of the hoops (medical questions, forms, signatures, etc.) from then until they wheeled him away at 10:00 to do what had to be done.

Jesse returned to the recovery area at 10:45 VERY sleepy. His nurses and doctor came in with the initial report that all was well on "both ends." YAY. There was a small benign-appearing polyp removed from both areas which they will biopsy (routine). 

Jesse had to wake up enough to get his street clothes back on, so we didn't actually wheel him out to the car until about 11:30. Once we were back at his house, Jesse was finally able to eat something (he hadn't eaten a single thing for 36 hours ... or smoked or vaped for that amount of time either), so he heated up some leftover pizza and laid down for a nap.

Kaity came home from school at her usual time and relaxed in her room for awhile before she came out to eat something. By that time, Jesse was awake and he visited with us awhile. It was such a nice time!

Kaity was showing me an algebra problem she had for homework. Whew. Algebra. Not exactly my strong suit whatsoever. Kaity seems to enjoy it, which is good!

It is very very VERY rare that I take a photo of Kaity, so I just had to sneak a few in while I had the chance. Isn't she pretty? And there is Jesse in the background!

How thankful I am to spend time with these two today. I feel super blessed.

March 4 Cardinal Couple

Wednesday:  I can't actually say which birds are my favorite ones BUT since my most favorite color is RED, the Cardinals do come very near to being my favorite to see at my window almost every day. They come together, the male and female, ALWAYS. How is it that they pair up like this and stay together? I am so curious about it! In eternity, when I am living in my new resurrected body (I will not be a disembodied spirt, but I will have a BODY), I'm going to have a whole bunch of beautiful birds and other wild animals that I will enjoy completely. I'd like to have a bunch of chipmunk pets and squirrels too!

I have been re-reading "Heaven" by Randy Alcorn and it has been so good for me to remember that because of what Jesus accomplished for me in his death and resurrection, He has promised and already granted eternal life to all who believe. Since I DO believe, this world really should not be my first love since it is only temporary. God has promised to make a "new heaven and a new earth" where He will live with us and we will serve Him ... forever ... no more curse, pain, tears, sorrow ... just JOY and PEACE and endless ADVENTURE. !!!

March 3 with the kiddos

Tuesday:  What a nice time I had with the kids this afternoon. The thing is--ALL of these guys are SO interesting to be with! And they sincerely seem happy to see me every single week, which is something I do not take for granted.

I think what I enjoyed most today was watching how they all play together. And Aidan seems so much more settled in his heart and mind these last few months--less edgy, and so much more happy. I'm so thankful to see him behaving more consistently ... normal. It's difficult to describe Aidan. I believe that he has a brilliant mind that oftentimes makes him miserable because he seems to be two steps ahead of everything and everyone around him and it vexes the daylights out of him. But lately, he just seems less bothered by life in general. Thank you, Lord.

Here are a few pictures I took of the kiddos today: This is SO typically CAL. He absolutely kills me and cracks me up completely. What a kid.

Aidan was very pleased to show me his new sneakers--very nice!

Erin came off the school bus reading her library book and continued to read as she walked down the sidewalk until she reached the crossing point. I was very relieved when she tucked her book under her arm before stepping out into the street. This is the little one who was somehow "delayed" in reading a year ago, which was a total surprise for her parents to find out (me too!), but apparently she has just "taken off" with reading this year. We all knew she would! She lives in a READING HOUSEHOLD for pity's sake.

I brought my Tetras game with me and we enjoyed playing a few rounds of it while the kids were eating their after-school snack.

Afterwards, Aidan beckoned me to the basement to show me the fancy car he had designed for Cal. I love these pictures of them so much! Aidan explained that HE was the engine.

Erin had a little vehicle of her own, with a fancy computer-operated system. She was quite pleased with it.

The kiddos grabbed my phone to take a few "selfies" and we all cracked up doing it.

Isn't Aidan growing so handsome? The picture below was the final "selfie" and totally cracked Aidan (and all of us) up.

I missed out taking any pictures of Brendan. Hopefully, I will make up for that this weekend when he comes for his overnight on Friday. I'm trying to pick a "wholesome" movie for the two of us to enjoy. The last few times I kind of let Brendan pick a movie, kind of out of the blue, one that I had never heard of, and I struggled to enjoy movie time! So, I'm going to make myself be aggressive and do the choosing of our movie this weekend. Hopefully, Brendan will be okay with this. He is FOURTEEN now, so any time he is actually willing to come over and spend a night I cherish highly! I know that pretty soon he will not want to do this anymore; and even though I accept that completely, it's something that I hope won't happen suddenly.