cerwindoris's Xanga

Wednesday, May 14, 2008

Wed, 14 May 2008 08:02:00 GMT

Day Two in Minnesota

One of my favorite things to do when visiting the Stauffer's is having "school" with Japheth and Aimee's children - and it seems they enjoy it too.

Knowing I would be here to take care of the five oldest children, Aimee scheduled several appointments on Tuesday - taking baby Lynne with her.

While waiting for breakfast, the three oldest - Loraine, Jeremiah, and Japheth watched my Monarch butterfly slide presentation from last summer.

Walking to Bob & Doris' for breakfast.

Morning devotions - Bob and Cerwin

A delicious breakfast of baked oatmeal.

Cerwin and Bob were off to install cabinets - while I walked back to Japheth and Aimee's to be with the children.

The lilac's are ready to open when warm weather appears.

When I arrived, Jeremiah was reading to Jaden and Loraine.

After Aimee left, our first school project was to make books. Notice the blank note books.

The covers and a few inside pictures are finished.

Jaden chose one of my bird pictures for his cover.

Wayne chose a picture of cows.

Playing memory. Left to right: Jeremiah (5), Japheth (6), Loraine (4), Wayne (3), and Jaden (2). Loraine won!

Yogurt popsicles for snacktime.

I love this picture of Jaden, as it captured his personality.

Wayne and Jaden's favorite school project was cutting paper and putting it into bowls.

If cutting didn't work for Wayne he kept trying until he figured out how to cut. If Jaden couldn't cut it, he tore it!

At "Grandpa Stauffer's" Doris is reading a book to everyone - especially her mother - because it is a true story written about the area where Mother High grew up.

Loraine and Aunt Judi listening.

We had Walleye for supper. Yum!

We were invited to Japheth and Aimee's for dessert. Finally the sun is beginning to come out.

Let me introduce you to baby Lynne - age six months.

So ended our second day in northern Minnesota.

Don't you feel sorry for us having to endure this kind of vacation?

Tuesday, May 13, 2008

Tue, 13 May 2008 07:47:35 GMT

Harrisburg, Pennsylvania

Bemidji, Minnesota

We had been looking forward to this trip with our mothers since our last trip to visit Cerwin's youngest sister, Doris, and her family, two years ago, so it was good to see the lakes and trees of north central Minnesota as we approached the Bemidji airport.

It was a great day with good flights and easy connections.

Our first stop was Japheth's Stitch in Time shop in Bemidji. Japheth is Bob and Doris' oldest son. This is the area where he does repairs.

A few of the sewing machines he sells.

The room where he gives classes on how to use the machines.

This sweatshirt was hanging over a chair.

Japheth's wife, Aimee, designs beautiful cards and has a display in the shop.

Cerwin's mother, Japheth, Cerwin's sister Doris, and my stepmother.

It still feels like winter here, so I suggested that he may want to take down this sign!

Cerwin and our brother-in-law Bob displaying their feeling about the sign.

Japheth Jr. and Jeremiah were our welcoming committee when we pulled up to the house. Bob and Doris and Japheth and Aimee's houses are on the same acreage, overlooking a lake.

We are sleeping in Japheth and Aimee's guest room, so after unpacking our things, Loraine showed me her "treasure box."

Big brother, Japheth, came to the rescue when she couldn't figure out how to open it.

One of her treasures.

Wayne enjoying popcorn.

Chloe is my traveling companion when I walk from one house to the other.

This is the view we will have to "endure" for the next six days.

Monday, May 12, 2008

Mon, 12 May 2008 13:19:32 GMT

For the whole law can be summed up in this one command

Love your neighbor as yourself.

Galatians 5:14 NLT

Monday, May 12, 2008

Mon, 12 May 2008 05:21:23 GMT

I began entering this post last night, but didn't finish because I needed to get to bed early - we were getting up at 3:30 this morning.

I did a bit more work on it at the Harrisburg Airport a few hours ago.

Now I hope to finish it, as we have a three-hour layover in Minneapolis before flying to Bemidji (north central Minnesota), where Cerwin, his mother, my stepmother, and I will spend a week with Cerwin's sister, Doris.

~~~

If I don't post for a week - I am okay - but without Internet access.

Sunday's

Make-a-Wish Parade

The morning paper says there were 381 trucks in the parade.

Bunny O'Hare, Cerwin, and granddaughters Jenna and Diana setting up the steps to the chapel.

We arrived at 8:00 a.m. to get our spot and be set up for those who wished to attend a worship service.

The girls enjoyed helping.

Trucker Ron (sharing his testimony) and Bunny O'Hare, TFC Director of Chaplains (seated, left, front) were in charge of the morning service.

We enjoyed telling visitors about the ministry and showing many of them what a chapel looks like inside.

It was fun for me to meet a Xanga friend - http://www.xanga.com/raycindy93. We don't live very far apart, but had never met.

I always enjoy seeing the stuffed animals in Jeff Brown's cattle truck when he is in parade.

We had about an hour wait from the time the parade started, until it was our turn. Jenna enjoyed blowing the air horn - in preparation for the parade.

I took this picture of Diana looking in my truck window, not realizing I was also getting the reflections.

My cousin, Joan, was one of the clowns.

The scene as we left the parking lot.

People watch this parade from all kinds of vantage spots.

I like when we approach this area where the hillside is full of Amish.

The underpass at Brownstown is a fun place to take a picture.

Do you think these people know us?

Our friends, Gene and Rose Gehman and John and Judy Lentz.

These are our most faithful parade watchers! Jere, Kristen, Josh, Jana, Ian, Jared, and Jesse watch the parade from her mother's (Betty - center) front porch.

Our son, Jere, and youngest grandchild, Jesse.

Our grandson, Jared, and daughter-in-law, Kristen. Jared wasn't sure what he thought about seeing us in a truck.

Kristen, Jere, and Jesse.

The end of the parade.

Sunday, May 11, 2008

Sun, 11 May 2008 05:48:08 GMT

It is good to give thanks to the LORD

and to sing praises to Your name

O Most High.

Psalm 92:1 NKJV

Saturday, May 10, 2008

Sat, 10 May 2008 22:09:19 GMT

Mothers' Day Treasures

I love celebrations, and Mothers' Day is no exception, probably because Cerwin and the children always do special things for me - and who doesn't like being treasured.

First came the roses from Cerwin, which I told you about the other day.

Last night our youngest son, Jere, his wife, Kristen, and their three youngest boys brought a pretty geranium.

This morning Jeff brought a miniature rose. This is the fifth year he brought a miniature rose, so I am developing a pretty little rose garden.

~~~

It isn't as easy for our girls to stop by to deliver a present.

Diane and her family live five hundred miles away - in Maine. She is very faithful in telling me she loves and appreciates me - and did so yesterday via phone.

Deb lives thirty miles away, and...

sent her love in a box - which included a pretty card that "sings" A Wonderful World" when opened (love that song), a frame in which I am supposed to insert a picture of the two of us, a snack pack, awesome chocolate pieces, and a microwaveable soup (which I already ate).

~~~

I can't imagine life without Cerwin, our four children, their spouses, and our sixteen grandchildren. I am so blessed.

~~~

Bird Feature of the Day

This bluebird couple keeps checking out the red birdhouse - and I keep hoping they will move in, but...

Mama Wren keeps divebombing them! They move away so fast when she scolds them, that I can never catch them flying away.

Mama Wren just swooped in again - notice her to the right of the red bird house. As far as I know, she is living in the brown house. She certainly does not appreciate having neighbors.

Saturday, May 10, 2008

Sat, 10 May 2008 06:10:33 GMT

The Lord will guide you continually,

giving you water when you are dry

and restoring your strength.

You will be like a well-watered garden

like an ever-flowing spring.

Isaiah 58:11 NLT

Friday, May 09, 2008

Fri, 09 May 2008 21:08:22 GMT

Middle School Spring Concert

Last night we enjoyed "Unlocking Our Hidden Talents" presented by the orchestra, chorus, and band of our local middle school.

Preparing to start.

Our granddaughter, Jenna (seated center), plays violin.

Chorus - Jenna (left - in turquois).

My favorite song was Canon in D.

Our nephew, Tristan (2nd from left in back) doing hand and arm motions with the song.

Jenna being congratulated by her mom.

~~~

Rain Was the Descriptive Word for Today

Just sitting in the rain.

Friday, May 09, 2008

Fri, 09 May 2008 06:53:29 GMT

I trust your love

and I feel like celebrating

because you rescued me.

Psalm 13:5 CEV

Thursday, May 08, 2008

Thu, 08 May 2008 21:56:49 GMT

Planting the Tree

Cerwin was out in the yard bright and early this morning - first removing the sod.

When the hole was ready, he called me to help roll the tree into the opening.

We did it!

My job was to hold it in place until he had put a few shovels full of dirt around the bottom.

The building in the background used to be a one-room school house - and where I attended from first through third grade. Today it is a residence.

First he mixed some peat moss with the top soil.

The pretty Red Sunset Maple has a permanent place in our front yard.

~~~

Red Roses for Mothers' Day

Yesterday Cerwin saw these pretty red roses and thought of me.

How sweet was that!