Still Reminiscing -
On this day, August 19th in the year of our Lord, nineteen hundred and seventy-six (1976) these two people started dating. They were a very young (yet mature), seventeen years old, heading into their senior year of high school. Earlier that year they had dated for a few months before "she" decided "he" was way more outgoing (extrovert) than she (introvert) was comfortable with, so she ended the "relationship".

(December, 1976)

Later that year, during a week of church camp, she came to her senses and saw this guy differently. And she really liked what she saw. I mean, come on, he was the drummer in the band -- what's not to like about that! It was this day (8/19/76) when he kissed her - in the dark - on the wooded trail to the cabins -- that she knew "he was the one". Of course it took him another 5 years to realize the same about her.

Thirty-two (32) years later:

they are living happily ever after!

Happy "anniversary" drummer boy!

A Glimpse into our wild and crazy life . . .
Not a normal day here....
1. I rarely get up before 9am on Saturday.
2. Because I don't get up til 9 on Saturday, I don't usually garage sale...but Cara and I went today.
3. Then we picked up Nate and went to Kohl's to buy wedding guest attire. (shirt/tie/shoes)
4. Jackie and kids came to swim and hang out
5. Out to dinner with kids
6. Watched movie...."Fractured" --- very good.
7. 12:30 a.m. and I'm still awake.

Danae and Kirk took a spin on the bikes.
A cute father/daughter moment

I told you.....crazy.

A beautiful rainbow after dinner.

Dinner at Chester's with our kids.

At least one of the above photos probably causes you to ask questions...

No goldfish were injured in the production of this blog. (the fish was already dead when Cara scooped it out of the barrel with her bare hands then proceeded to play with it ....remember it's dead.....and torture others with it....me.) Danae is the goldfish swallower of the family. But that's a story for another day.

Have a wonderful Sunday!

Special places
As a child I always thought I'd live in the same house, on the same street, and go to all the familiar places I'd always gone to. One of those special places was my grandparent's "cottage" (lake home) on Lake of the Woods, in Decatur, Michigan. For the last year or so I've had dreams about the place. Real dreams, while sleeping. The dreams got me wondering things like....Does the cottage look the same? Who lives there now? Have they changed it alot? I've also dreamed of visiting it ... just driving by, unless of course the people who live in happened to be outside, then I'd have to talk to them!
Danae reminded me recently of the website local.live.com and how you can see houses really well...and that sparked an idea!

Now you too can see the current condition of the cottage I used to visit many weekends in the summer as a child. (as if you care!) (click on the photos to see a larger version)
The red box outlines the approximate property of the cottage when my grandparents owned it. Most of the homes are original to the location, some are new, many are updated (and larger) versions from what I remember.
This is the best photo I have (from 1960!) It's taken from the end of the dock (probably by my grandfather) looking toward the front of the cottage. By the time we sold the cottage there had been several updates and additions done, but this was the beginning. This is where my sisters and I played in the "sand pile" by the lake, swung on the tree swing, learned to swim and waterski, went on MANY boat rides, fished with grandpa and collected many a memory. It is where we all became lovers of water. It's no surprise that all 4 of us girls have a pool and vacation near the water!

p.s. That's me and my mom & dad in the photo!

I'll have some more please.
So today was just a "little" windy....but it was still a good day. We slept til 9am (perfect) had breakfast, then Cara joined Kirk and I for a cup of coffee on the back patio. That's when some friends stopped by (we hadn't showered, and some of us were in our pajama's still) -- but it was good! We visited with them for a bit, then started to get some things done.
I was happy to finally get my little barrel pond up and running. This year it is on the back patio, and has 5 goldfish in it! (thanks to JoLynn).
Gabby was happy to have the barrel full....she likes to drink from it!

When you want to hang your bedding outdoors, the wind is a good thing!

Everything dried on the clothesline in about 20 minutes!

Rosie and Dorothy spent the day out in the yard (instead of the pen). It amazes me how they stick around, and how Gabby leaves them alone!

Kirk got a lot of painting done on the barn. We love the shade of red we chose!

I really wanted to help Kirk paint the barn. But the sun and pool were just too much of a draw for me and I gave in to an hour of float & sun time. I did get all my laundry done, folded and put away today, and made a salad and salsa and frosting for banana bars that Cara made, and helped Nate put on a birthday party for his friend Maggie this evening (which is still going on at 11:30 pm!).

Tomorrow....more outdoor time for me!

We experienced a rare occassion at our home last week, we all had dinner together! Actually, since that day last week, I think we've managed another dinner together. Not bad for us, 2 times in two weeks 5 people from the same house - sitting down for a meal together. The first time was for a little family celebration of Nate's birthday. The last time was, wait....Last Night! I have to say that one of my favorite things to do is to have dinner and spend time with my kids and Kirk.

So, since I just "happened" to have my camera with me, I begged and pleaded to take a photo of the three of them together.

and being the well-mannered, lovely children they are, they were agreeable.

to a point, that is.

they are always open to a group photo . . .

but sometimes, it's on their terms

and I have to be very patient

until they choose their favorite pose

which is totally up to them!

and I thought it was a challenge to take their picture together when they were 1, 2 and 3 years old!!! Love you kids!

Cheri

Happy 14th Birthday

Mackenzie Diane !

Happy birthday niece Kenzie!

It was fun to see you last Thursday!!

Oh, and your birthday card . . . yeah, it's in the mail! hehe.

Love,

Auntie Cheri

Some of the old familiar gang . . .
We were in youth group together, went to retreats, camps, each other's weddings, then we grew up, moved far and near, got jobs and had kids . . .

I think we did a pretty good job of it too! (some of our kids)

and grandkids !

It was a little surreal to watch our kids on the dance floor together having fun acting as crazy as were at their ages!

There was no end to the silliness and fun all our kids had at the reception!

Finally . . . after dealing with mega traffic, and trying to get into about 3 different beaches that were FULL, we finally found a nice beach near our hotel. It felt so good to feel the sand again -- and surprisingly, it wasn't very crowded either.

After a few hours at the beach, we got to the hotel, showered, and were off again to our friend's house for a cook-out.

Luke and Cara got into a friendly game of corn hole with Kirk and Gary.

Joel, his wife Jen and daughter Lucy. How can it be that these kids have kids of their own?
Paul, Elisabeth (the bride), Ed & Joel

Little Max running to be with Poppa Ed! Max loves his Poppa. Ed decided we needed to have a bonfire, so he rounded up some wood from nearby woods!

For most, these photos won't mean much, but to others, like Mark A., Sandy, Bob, Dad, my sisters, my mom, these photos might be more interesting since they know at least a few of the peeps. We are having a blast spending time with old friends and re-connecting. Just got back from breakfast with Gary & JoAnne!

Now we are heading to the Lighthouse outlets near here, to buy Kirk some dress pants.....because he FORGOT his suit!!! Yeah. Remembered the shirt, tie, socks, belt, shoes...but left the suit at home.

Later,

Happy Birthday Dirk!

Happy birthday (youngest) brother-in-law! Two years to go to the big four-O !
Jersti shows us how she is celebrating dad's birthday!

The team effort to get ice cream & cake to 7 kids and 5 adults

Kale talking to Danae (back in MN)

Tomorrow, the beach.

Congrats . . .Cara!

The marqee on the Duke Energy Center in downtown Cincinnati . . ."Congratulations Christ College of Nursing & Health Sciences Graduates"

Our girl after getting her degree !

Within minutes of graduating nurse Cara is called upon to care for Grandpa!

. . . because my (huge) camera slid down my shoulder and hit him in the arm on his delicate skin, which caused it to rip open.
Cara jumped right into action finding a band-aid and taking care of Grandpa ~~

And Grandpa was so happy he thanked his nurse with a kiss!

Graduation complete!
Yes, we are a bit silly.

I'll be posting more photos and stories later.
After 12 hours in the car -- with a power-shopping-stop at the outlets in the middle, then a slide show of the first few days of Nate's Europe trip, I'm just a little tired.

It's good to all be under the same roof again!

Happy (77th) Birthday Dad!

Forget the beer, sometimes all it takes is a diet coke to get him a little goofy!

But when it comes to being dad & grandpa, he is the best!

Hope your day was as wonderful as you dad! Know that we all wish we were with you to celebrate. I'm sure Sandy and Bob celebrated you well, and that Don took you out for breakfast at First Watch, so there was good food to be sure!

Weather. I think I may have acquired the "weather gene" from my husband. I know, you can't acquire genetics from just living with someone. But maybe I'm an exception? Kirk's family has a very strong weather gene. There is such a thing you know. Maybe you have it. You might have the weather gene if you can't have a phone conversation without talking about the weather.

My first experience with the (dominate) weather gene was when Kirk and I called his parents from Pennsylvania to tell them that we were engaged. After Kirk announced our engagement to them, they said, "That's great news, what's the weather like there?"
So, in honor of my in-laws, here is some WEATHER we experienced today!

5:30 pm-ish ---A good heavy downpour, complete with thunder and lightening !

5 minutes later: panic sets in as the hail falls....and the car isn't in the garage (because, well, the baby chicks are in the car spot)

and more hail

and it starts to pile up --- but not like it does in Kansas!

Having experienced hailstorms and tornados in Topeka, KS, this was nothin'.

There ya go.....today's weather.

Oh, last night, it stormed all night...lightening, thunder, rain.

And...this afternoon......well a VERY bright lightening flashed in our front yard a second later....BOOOOM! Kirk and I jumped out of our seats and the dogs went berserk!

this weather blog is dedicated to my husband's family genetics --- and the "weather gene"

Happy Mother's Day Mom !

Golf cart follies . . .
I do realize that it was much more fun to witness this live, but the pictures do give you an idea of the fun that transpired with a golf cart and 6 kids!

We start out on the adventure with great caution . .
Danae is in control of the situation -- holding on to 3 year old Kale and carefully watching 5 year old Jersti drive.

Kale decides running is more fun . . .

Jersti yells, "everybody ready?" and off they go with a full cart again . . . Danae still supervising the driver.

Is that Danae in the back of the cart . . . and Jersti is now driving alone with Kale up front? . . . (note how Jersti holds the side rail as she drives. . .makes ya wonder what kind of turns she is going to make)

and now Jersti is driving with Danae in back --- and the other kids chasing the cart...

Ok, that's better . . . but Jersti has her eye on Brigs . . .

and now it is a game of catch while the golf cart keeps rolling on . . .

safe and sound --

I didn't say "of sound mind" . . .
There is never a dull moment when the cousins get together!

Time for fun with the youngest cousins . . .

Danae, Cara and I stayed an extra night for some extra time together, and to see the youngest of the cousins . The weather was perfect for playing outdoors and enjoying the kids.

For her first trick on the trampoline Danae performs a perfect toe touch.
Brigs watches intently waiting for her turn.


Cara and Brigs break the "one person at a time" rule. . .

More pictures of more outdoor fun tomorrow. I get the biggest kick watching my kids interact and play with the younger kids. They are all so fun and funny together. Tomorrow: Golf Cart Follies!

I'd like you to meet my sisters . . .

Me ~ Dee Dee ~ Barbara ~ Amy (in birth order)

and my daughters & nieces ~~

(the two youngest ~ Brigs & Jersti not pictured)

Cara ~ Danae ~ Bailey ~ Rebecca ~ Mackenzie ~ Molly

and my mom . . . (with my daughters)

We even had fun taking the photos! These were all taken on Sunday morning - and it was an absolutely beautiful day.

Some days there is blog fodder all around, some days not so much. Today was a banner day in blogdom!

First, I had coffee with a friend and she complimented my husband as someone who is trustworthy, who has wisdom and is respected. (I hope I'm not putting words in your mouth friend!) Anyway, her words were something to that effect. Kirk is well respected by his colleagues, friends and children. That makes me proud. I love the coffee hour (ok, 2 hours) with this friend -- our discussions are usually insightful, meaningful, challenging, and deep....and I love it.

Then later in the afternoon while I was talking with our daughter Cara she mentioned a conversation she recently had with friends - her friends each commented that they would not marry someone like their fathers. Cara, on the other hand, said she would marry someone like her father. That spoke volumes to me and I couldn't wait to tell my husband about the two compliments he received today.

Cara & Kirk

Finally, tonight I watched Idol Gives Back. So many hurting, sick and hungry people -- especially children. I just want to bring all those orphan kids into my home. Besides all the entertainment and attention drawn to the needs in the world, I was shocked at the end when the choir and current Idols sang "Shout to the Lord". What???? A secular show singing a praise song? And singing to the Lord! Bringing attention to God?! Cool. Amazing. Awesome. I was an Idol fan before...but after this show....with the giving emphasis and the closing number...they've got my attention for another year. Is America becoming more spiritually aware? More concerned for others instead of just the "me, me, me" --- more, more, more mentality? I hope so.

Shout to the Lord is one of my favorite praise songs - here's the words - and you can click on it in my music list to listen to it.

Shout to the Lord, all the earth, let us sing

Power and Majesty, praise to the King;

Mountains bow down and the seas will roar

At the sound of Your name.

I sing for joy at the work of your hands,

Forever I'll love You, forever I'll stand

Nothing compares to the promise I have in You.

My Jesus, my Savior, Lord, there is none like You;

All of my days I want to praise the wonders of Your mighty love.

My comfort, my shelter, tower of refuge and strength;

Let every breath, all that I am, never cease to worship You.

Chorus

Shout to the Lord, all the earth, let us sing

Power and Majesty, praise to the King;

Mountains bow down and the seas will roar

At the sound of Your name.I sing for joy at the work of your hands,

Forever I'll love You, forever I'll stand

Nothing compares to the promise I have in You.

Shout to the Lord, all the earth, let us sing

Power and Majesty, praise to the King;

Mountains bow down and the seas will roar

At the sound of Your name.

I sing for joy at the work of your hands,

Forever I'll love You, forever I'll stand

Nothing compares to the promise I have...

Nothing compares to the promise I have...

Nothing compares to the promise I have in You.

Shalom,

You can dress 'em up, but you can't take 'em out...
but that's exactly what we did... we took the "kids" out to Olive Garden thinking they would act all grown up like.


and they did. for awhile. (Danae helping figure out the bill)

ok, this is good. No nonsense. but it looks like Nate is up to something...

...until Nate unwraps his mint. and rolls the foil in a ball. and flicks it towards dad.

Sunday afternoon we try going "out" again. This time only for an ice cream cone.
Danae is done with her cone, and Nate gives her a wonderful idea ... tricks with a napkin!

..."Dad, let me have your glasses"...

More ideas from Nate: "Try to drink through your straw..."

Who ARE these kids?

I'm telling you the truth....it is a laugh a minute with these kids! (at least they aren't fighting or throwing temper tantrums any more!)
After ice cream, it's time for Danae to head back to college....the tearful goodbye...(haha)


Last minute advice from daddy....
Driving away. (I hate this part the most)
As always, its good when the kids are home. Nate misses Danae. They have always been close. Next year they will both be at the same college....

Sometimes...
taking serious, posed, show-off the offspring kind of pictures are a major challenge...

Finally.

Some things never change.