Missing "Grandpa Mac"

Dad moved to heaven this past March. I haven't written about it...not publicly...

and for some reason, I feel compelled to write now. 

This Father's Day 2019 is my first without my Dad. 

Dad was always hard to buy gifts for...he said he didn't need anything; so one year for Father's Day I gave him a "Letter of the Month" from me to him. He hated talking on the phone and this was a connection that allowed me to share what was going on. I think he really enjoyed that...

he saved every letter.

I expect my four siblings are missing him as much as I am right now.

The shear emotion has taken me by surprise today.

I can only imagine all the emotions Mom is having as she misses her husband of nearly 61 years and the father of her five children on Father's Day.  

Dad served in the Air Force and was stationed in Nebraska soon after he and Mom married in 1958.

I loved to hear him tell stories about his service time...about his last flight shortly before his separation from the Air Force and how he feared it might be his last anything.

I love to see old home movies with him and mom and my two older brothers from that time period.

They made lifetime friends there. They made a home away from home there.

They navigated the ups and downs of life together and
set a beautiful example of two imperfect people making a wonderful life together.

Dad loved Mom and family. He especially loved babies and Pop and I were privileged to give him his first grand baby and to watch a whole new side of Dad. The silly side that could draw giggles from the bellies of our babies. Because Pop and I started young, we also were blessed to see our first baby deliver Dad’s and Mom’s first great-grand baby. Watching my parents with our babies and their babies has been an amazing blessing...to see their excitement with each pregnancy announcement and each birth has filled me with joy unspeakable.

Dad lived a good 83 years and his family is blessed. Blessed to have many years of memories. Blessed with the knowledge that Dad loved us all. Blessed to have been raised by him. Blessed to have camped, flown kites, and fished with him. Blessed by his smile, laugh and sense of humor.

I know that he is flashing his smile now. I don't know if he has that gap in his front teeth or not; but I know heaven will be perfect and we will be given perfect bodies. 

I always thought his smile was perfect so I picture him with the smile I knew most of my life.

We celebrated Dad's and Mom's 60th wedding anniversary in 2018 with a big family reunion and are so glad we did. It was a privilege to celebrate them and an honor to gather together.

My family is only a part of the story of my Dad...collectively, my siblings and siblings-in-love, along with Mom have been grateful to share in his life. We have watched him dance with our new brides, snuggle our new born babies, and teach us now to do life by living it.

Dad, I'm missing you terribly. I suspect I always will.

Happy Heavenly Father's Day.

I love you forever.

Merry Christmas 2018

We are still here and my how we've grown!!

This past year has been a whirlwind of mostly wonderful events…at the top of the list is the birth of the newest member of the Four Sisters Farm family who arrived mid-July after holding her parents hostage by waiting long after her due date of July1st! Of course, she was well worth the wait!  We are all looking forward to celebrating Christmas 2018 with a baby in the house. 

Pop and Grammy are adjusting more and more to retirement and to racing from one event to the next to try and fit in all the activities of our “awesome eighteen” grandchildren.  The kids are involved in all sorts of things, so we have attended school plays, presentations, vocal concerts, piano recitals, football, baseball and basketball games! We have also had kids out to the farm to make memories while their parents went on trips, dates, and appointments. This season is busy, but we know firsthand how quickly these years pass and we don’t want to miss out. Our youngest is five months old and our oldest granddaughter is a high school senior!

"The Rocking Royalty"

"The Superheroes"

"The Unconventionals"

The "Growing Table" Family

Our family enjoyed gathering at the Christian Camp of Pop's and Grammy's home town for a reunion and celebration of her parents’ 60^th wedding anniversary.  We also loved hosting as well as visiting family and friends in 2018.  We look forward to what 2019 brings our way.  If you get a chance, come see us! We’d love to have you! Grace and peace to you and yours.

Grammy and Pop

Me and My Shadow

I'm told that when I was little, my favorite thing to do was to follow my Grammy around.  My Mom called me Grammy's shadow and I have always enjoyed that title.  I know I wasn't the only grandchild to tag along with Grammy anytime there was an opportunity; but I'd venture a guess that I was in her shadow more than most because my family was blessed to live so close to her and Grandad.  Now I have some of my own shadows from time to time and there is nothing sweeter.  I love each and every one of them more than life itself.

He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High Will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. (Psalm 91:1)

Keep me as the apple of the eye; Hide me in the shadow of Your wings (Psalm 17:8)

Grammy's Teddy Bear

When I celebrated my 15th birthday some years ago, Pop was my boyfriend...not my husband just yet.  He gave me a big teddy bear for that birthday that I still have and the old guy has shown some wear and tear lately..the bear...not Pop. The grandkids have had different reactions to this teddy bear that Pop named Albert all those years ago...Albert is not so plush and cuddly as he once was and his red felt tongue mostly came off a long time ago.  To add insult to injury, one toddling grandchild chewed most of his nose off.

Just the other day, our Superhero grandkids were visiting at the farm while their folks went on a date and tender-hearted Supergirl had several of the Four Sisters Farm stuffed animals out to play and noticed Albert had a rip under one arm. She came asking for help and of course I was happy to oblige. After all, we can't have animal stuffing falling out around here!

We checked Albert into our makeshift teddy bear hospital (my sewing space) and got to work stitching up the hole under his arm. Supergirl and I were joined by two of her superhero brothers who were interested in Albert's well being. One commented that Albert needed his nose fixed and the other that he needed a smile where his tongue had been.

We fixed him up and now I regret that we didn't get a picture when he checked in...but we did take a picture after his makeover with the superheroes for the world to see and sent pics immediately to the Four Sisters to let them know that Albert had undergone plastic surgery and they all replied...but Pretty Princess really cracked me up with her response.  She said, "Ha ha!  Roarnoplasty seems to be the latest in bear plastic surgeries these days!" All the Four Sisters make me laugh but they know one of my favorite things is a good pun.  Nicely done, Pretty Princess! 

A Big Lesson from Four Small Quilts

I'm not a quilter.  Really...I am not.  I have seen some incredible quilts made by amazing quilters.  I can sew...but sewing is only part of quilting.  I have made sixteen photo quilts for sixteen of our grandbabies when they turned one year old.  Though they hold high sentimental value and are treasured by our sweet grandblessings, they are not works of art. (Note: The Growing Table's sweet Mei Mei has one coming for her birthday later this year!)

My mom had asked for some help to take four quilt tops she had been given and put them together with batting and backing...and bind them...and tie them...then deliver them to a nearby children's home.  The story is that my dad's recently passed away cousin, along with her husband, used to make quilts and donate them to this particular home.  Mom and Dad thought it would be nice if we finished up these quilts and donated them in her memory.  I told her yes (because I pretty much still do what she tells/asks of me) and I brought everything home...where it sat for a good long while.

The quilt tops were interesting to say the least.  They were the products of someone's unfinished work.  They were not colors or patterns I was drawn to at all.  Some of the work was not as well done as I thought I should have been.  In short, I didn't much care for these quilt tops and only my promise to Mom and Dad inspired me to finish them.  As I talked with my friend "Daina" one day and told her about these quilts that I needed OFF my to-do list, she offered encouragement and prayer and a promise (threat) that she would require a status update in a few days.  I started in.

As I began the process of pressing, batting, tying, and binding them it occurred to me that I was a snob.  It wasn't that I didn't have the time to do the work...I simply hadn't made it a priority because I didn't think they were up to my standards...PRIDE was standing in my way of offering four children snuggly, warm quilts to call their own.  As I sewed, I humbled myself and found my softened heart broken by the truth.  I felt God compelling me to complete this work to the best of my ability, in spite of what I started with.  I felt the Truth wash over me that these quilts were much like me...in need of work.  I confessed my pride and thanked God for the fact that He makes all things beautiful in His time (even me), I thanked Him that He takes the rags of our lives and makes all things new.

The Last of The Four Quilts
(and the most needy) in Progress

I finished the first three in a short time...oh, but the fourth...it appears to have been hand stitched by an older woman with poor eyesight out of old fabrics that don't really go together.  As I pondered what to do, I told my Mom about it.  I feared that if I put it together as I had the other three, it would fall apart in the wash...literally.  I knew it would require hand quilting in order to be used, washed, and loved.  Mom released me from it, saying she was sure I had more important things to spend my time one.  But I couldn't let it go...I was compelled to finish it.

Now I see these quilts in a completely different light.  I see beauty, comfort, and warmth.  I see the hard work of other seamstress' hands used for a purpose they could not foresee and that I was called upon to complete.  I see fabrics that may remind a child of a dress their mother, grandmother, or sister used to wear or that feels like their father's shirt.  I pray that God will take them and use them to speak love to four children in a way that only He can.  I pray that He will wrap His arms around them as they wrap in these quilts and that they will feel His total and unconditional love in pieces of fabric stitched together to make unique quilts...much like God pieces together the events of our lives to make something beautiful in His time.

Driver Education

Pop and I recently had the two youngest of The Growing Table family for several days when their parents made a trip out of town with their two middles (the big boys were with EJ's folks) and one of the highlights for them was driving our two little battery-powered jeeps...BUT...I have to tell you that keeping these fellas headed in the right direction is an activity requiring hands-on adult supervision!

Then there are the bigger fellas riding the dirt bikes (also battery powered) and keeping them on a larger and more free path while steering them away from dangers like barbed wire fencing requires nerves of steel (which Pop has but I somewhat lack).

Then there is our oldest grandchild, Lou Lou who is driving with supervision now.  She only scares me when she is fiddling with the radio.  Ha!  She really is developing into a fantastic driver; but still, supervision and instruction is intense in the beginning!

Sometimes the task of guiding children can be overwhelming and feel like disaster is looming large.  The task of guiding children...whether driving or in general is a hard job.  Kudos to all the parents out there (my daughters and sons-in-love included) who stay vigilant and lovingly guide their children.  May God multiply your efforts and bless you richly!

Turns Out You CAN Go Home Again

Some would say that you can't go home again...and I understand their meaning...nothing stays the same and though familiar, "home" is different.

Early in 2015, Farm Chick phoned Pop and asked him if she and seven of her "closest friends" could move back to Four Sisters Farm for a while.  With Pop and I it was a no-brainer.  We had lived with The Growing Table family before out at Four Sisters Farm and we knew we could do it again.

The plan was for Farm Chick and EJ to list their "city" home and build their barnhouse on EJ's family land while living at Four Sisters Farm.  They estimated it would be from the end of April to mid July but we weren't holding them to it...construction projects never go quite as intended, right?

What was different this time was that when we lived together before, EJ and Farm Chick only had two...then three children.  Farm Chick and I enjoyed our time together before with a ready coffee drinking female close by and a Grammy and Pop always happy to see some grandkids so we proceeded.

Pop and I moved back to the basement apartment where we lived before.  We tried to make room for a family of 8 on the main floor which is three bedrooms and two bathrooms.  It was good timing with the spring, then summer weather so the kids could get out and run...and run they did!  The backyard at the city house was spacious but not as spacious as Four Sisters Farm!

Pop and I had some travel scheduled during that time and it was a great fit having someone at the farm to feed cats and watch over things.  We didn't get to help much on the build which made us sad but when it was all said and done, EJ earned the respect of all.  He slept at the farm but between working his full-time job and putting in MANY hours at the barnhouse, we rarely saw him!

Farm Chick stayed REALLY busy with running her household with much less help from EJ and making decisions about the house.

God truly blessed our time together and blessed EJ and Farm Chick as they built their barnhouse.  There is really no explanation for the build going as well as it did except for being in God's favor...and Dennis the handyman which would be a whole other story which would like likely be called, "Two Story Stories"!

Head on over to The Growing Table if you want to know more about their fabulous new living space.

Now...to the other Four Sisters...who wants to see if they can go home again?  Pop and I love you all!

Merry Christmas 2015

Dear Family and Friends,

            2015 is now drawing to a close for us all…regardless of the kind of year; good, bad, or ugly…we will be closing the chapter.  Our prayer for you and for all of us is that we will choose to remember the good, learn from the bad, and accept that our loving heavenly Father has a purpose in it all and promises to use it for our good.  

            We haven’t had any additions to our family in 2015 but are anticipating the arrival of our “China Baby” by way of the pending adoption to The Growing Table family.  Little ones are loved and cherished and we will all be sad when the little ones are big; but each age and stage is precious and brings blessings and joy. 

 

            We have celebrated a lot of birthdays this year…and two in particular were celebrated together as Grammy's Dad turned 80 and her Mom turned 75.  We enjoyed a family reunion around the celebration and were only missing a few.

            In May, we attended the All School Reunion in our beloved small Kansas home town and loved taking the opportunity to catch up with school friends.  The hospitable folks of our home town put things together in fine fashion and we had a great time!  

In May we also saw our oldest granddaughter, Lou Lou, promoted from 8^th grade.  She is a freshman  now and it boggles our minds to think we actually have a high school grandchild!  Our youngest grand just turned one and with 26 of us in our immediate family, we are a crowd! 

            In early October we flew to Charleston, South Carolina to attend a wedding near there.  If you caught the national news you saw that areas of South Carolina experienced what is referred to as the “Thousand Year Flood” and we felt fortunate to drive out of the state before the water got too high in the red Ford F150 we purchased while there that is now dubbed “The Ark” because it saved us from that flood and got us home! 

             Also in October we enjoyed our family for our annual fall party at the farm.  Pop and I have tried in recent years to surprise the grandkids with our costumes and this year we were Gru and Lucy Wilde from Despicable Me 2.  The littlest ones were not sure what to think of Pop with his mask!

            Pop has hunted, golfed, and fished…and Grammy has attended a women’s retreat, bible study, a Beth Moore event and spent a little time with her folks…but not as much as either of us would like since we’ve traveled so much!  I guess we have some things to look forward to when Pop retires someday.  We hope to sleep a little more, see our grandkids and kids a lot more, have more time for things at the farm (including friends coming to visit), and to just laugh and enjoy life with more time together.

            Wishing you and yours a blessed Christmas and a wonderful New Year,

                                                                                                            Pop and Grammy

I am Loved Deeply, from the Heart

I was on an outing with this five year old cutie pie we call Super Girl on our blog.  She came with me on a fabric shopping excursion today.

I hadn't really planned on shopping for fabric...I thought I had all I needed in order to make a one-year photo quilt for Mini Maiden but when I began laying things out I decided I needed more pink...a girl can never have too much pink!  So I texted Rock Star to see if Super Girl might be available and she was!

I picked her up and we headed out.  It wasn't until we were actually on way that I decided where to go.  Super Girl hadn't had lunch yet and I thought that would be our first stop but she said she wasn't hungry yet and wanted to wait to eat.  I'm flexible so I steered the van toward Hobby Lobby because I love that store!

We found some perfect fabric choices right away and were just looking at lots of things because there are lots of things to look at there!  I thought several times I should tell Super Girl we needed to go but we were having such a good time and I don't get her to myself very often so we took our time.

As we were headed toward the front, I saw a familiar face...

This beautiful woman is a friend from years ago.  She mentored me when I was younger and still had four daughters in my nest.  We lived in the same town and attended the same church.  She loved me unconditionally and radiated the love of God.  I basked in her presence then and she has continued to love me (and I her) from a distance since we no longer live in the same town.  Some day I will see this face in heaven and get to spend more time with her.

She noted today that God brings special people into our lives.  I know what she means.  From a human perspective there is no rhyme or reason for the great love we share; yet God knit our hearts together years ago in a way that I am convinced will endure forever.

As we visited, my sweet little Super Girl was SO very patient!  She browsed the displays on either side of us being careful to always keep in my sight and never once fussed about taking so long (and I know she was getting hungry).  She even took this picture of us for me.

Some days, God smiles or winks at His children to show His great love; and today He brought me so much joy I could hardly contain it!  It was a simple miracle just for me that we were in the same place at the same time...I know without a doubt that He orchestrates our lives.  Thank You, Father!  I love You too!

1 Peter 1:22

Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for each other, love one another deeply, from the heart.

A Healing Walk to the Pond

I recently did something to my right shoulder that impinged it and can say with certainty that shoulder impingement is no joke...it sends shooting pains down to the elbow and then short-circuits back to the brain!  After more than a week, I'm feeling much better...after two trips to the doctor, two trips to the chiropractor, a lot of ibuprofen, some Epsom salt soaks in the bath, and some tender, loving care from Pop.

As I type, there is still a twinge once in a while that reminds me I had better not sit too long in front of my computer screen.

Today, as summer is blowing its way to fall, I decided to take a walk to the pond.  Something about spending time in nature is soothing to body, mind, and soul.

So I put on my cowgirl boots (to avoid being bitten by any snakes enjoying the sunshine) and took off toward the pond.  Before I got past the garage, I noticed a nice crop of weeds so I stooped to pull several handfuls out and then address them fully later.  As I pulled some up, something caught my eye...feathers!  Beautiful blue feathers.  I love them!

I headed down the path toward the pond and was immediately smitten by the bright blue sky and the clouds on the horizon and the colorful "flowers" along the way.

Beauty in every direction.  Breathing in the sun-warmed air, I thanked God for His creation that brings us healing and hope in every season.  I lingered by the pond listening to the wind in the trees and just being grateful to live at Four Sisters Farm.

As I made the trek back to the house I followed an alternate path and sensed God teaching me a nature lesson.  Like in life, there is beauty to behold along the way.  Sometimes you have to focus on it to fully appreciate it.  Sometimes you have to block things out like old junk piles and yucky webs in trees with all manner of flying insects in them.

Sometimes you need to be aware of where you are walking and to pay attention lest you end up in a cactus patch or get too near some poison ivy (no picture...I know to stay away).

Sometimes, you need to make choices to stay on the straight and narrow or you might run into a barbed wire fence never thinking it could happen to you.

All along our path, there is good and bad.  In this life, we will have trouble even when we don't look for it.  But we don't have to wallow in it.  We can always look up and find our Father who is always watching over us, Who never leaves us nor forsakes us.  I've found thus far, if I just look up and say thank you, my perspective on this life is good. 

And that's all I have to say today.

Love and grace to you from Grammy.