Danny Studying and the Bouganvilla

This is Dan's latest kick. He goes gets some books and paper and starts copying out of the book. Here he has a ruler also. He says, "I'm studying for middle school." I hope he keeps this up all summer as he reads and writes, both of which he needs to keep practicing.
The bouganvilla is looking good this summer.

Yesterday, Jeanie, Danny, Molly and I went to the Balloonfest. Molly had her friend McKenna with her. Molly and McKenna bought the $15 arm band to ride the rides. Jeanie, Danny and I walked around and enjoyed the activities. There was a juggler and unicyclist (on a 10 foot unicycle), dog show, children's tent with free face painting and crafts. The National Guard had an area for kids that was free. Games and a big climbing wall. We each had a couple, yes a couple, of Hawaiian Ice's. They were SO good and refreshing!! Then later Dad and I went to visit Dave K at the hospital. He was doing amazingly well! No ventilator and he is now able to eat ice chips. He was able to visit a little with us. Pauline wasn't there but we than met her in the hallway and visited. She is thrilled with his progress. He is on an insulin drip and that is the only reason he is still in ICU. Once they can get him back on his regular insulin they will move him to a regular room. Heading to the dentist with Jeanie and Danny.

Happy 75th Birthday Dad!

I want to wish my Dad a very happy birthday. He always has the biggest party ever as his birthday falls on St. John's every year. Dad, I love you and am so proud to call you my Dad! I hope you enjoyed your day to the fullest.

Dan the Man

I asked Danny to clean the living room as my other help, Kaitlin and Gretchen, are on their way to the UP. Boy he went to town. He picked up, pulled out the vacuum cleaner and vacuumed better than some of the kids, he even took the nozzle off and started vacuuming the furniture! And to think I didn't think he was capable of doing jobs. I asked Jeanie to clean off the upstairs steps and hallway. Hoo Boy! You never heard such complaining and stomping! "How come Danny gets the easy job?! You ALWAYS give me the hardest!" (Yeah right, that's probably the first "job" she's had in her 8 1/2 years!

Some Oldies

The twinners and I went shopping on Tuesday searching for confirmation dresses. The good news is that I will get two dresses for $50. The bad news is that they are in the form of 4 yards of material! So needless to say, I have been sewing. I was hoping they would go up smoothly but of course that would be asking too much. I have had to alter Gretchen's quite a bit. In fact I may have to go get more material and re-cut a couple pieces. Maybe Kaitlin's will go up with no gliches.........

We will not be going up for St. John's this year. I am disappointed to miss. Against my better judgement I am letting the twins go up with the neighbor girl. I'm not real comfortable with it as they are only 15 1/2 but I hate for them to miss the first year they can go with the "kids". I console myself with the fact that they have a sister (now two) up there who will keep an eye on them. Thanks Emily and Amanda!

Last of vacation pictures

I never did post condo pictures. This is the front of the condo. We were on the second floor to the right of the stairs.
This is the pool and slide taken from the hallway on the second floor. This is the water fountains the kids like to step on.
The back of the condo.
Jeanie, Danny and Molly waiting their turn on the slide. They had to stay on the bottom step until the person before them came out of the chute.

Jeanie coming out. It was so funny because she always stopped before she got out. She had to push herself to the end. There was a long straight part at the end and she was so light that she almost came to a complete stop. She would sit up and pull herself out.
Danny coming out head first. He got yelled at for that. It was against the rules.
Molly shooting out. The bigger and heavier you were the faster you shot out. Brett came out like a rocket!
Keeks and Molly enjoying the hot tub. All good things must come to an end. Back home again waiting for our luggage.

Memories of Pam

Today would have been my dear friend Pam's 51st birthday. I still have a hard time coming to terms that she is truly gone. Pam and I have been friends since before we were confirmed. She is one of those rare finds in life called "life long friends". As our kids have grown and our lives have changed we didn't keep as close touch as we use to. We always "talked" about meeting for lunch or just "getting together" as we visited at a shower or when I stopped in the store for something. We thought we had "time" and would be able to spend more time catching up. Just knowing that she was there was enough. Now that she is gone I can hardly stand it sometimes. I can't believe how many times the thought comes in my head to "call Pam" before I remember I can't. Even on this recent trip to Florida I was fighting tears thinking how I would have love to call her and hash over the trip with her as they took a similar trip with their family a few years back. In fact the last conversation I had with her was when she called me after hearing about our plans to Disney World. She just called to share in my excitement and share tips they had learned on their trip.


One thing I am thankful for are my memories of Pam. When our kids were little we didn't pack them up much and go back and forth but we talked on the phone many times a week. We were always on the "same page" whether it was our faith, raising our kids, crafts, keeping house and cooking. We've shared so many recipes over the years. I remember one time when I was actually at her house visiting and she served me a piece of her cinnamon nisua with my coffee. It was the best I had ever had. She told me her tips.....leave the dough fairly sticky and use brown sugar instead of white sugar. To this day I make the best cinnamon bread thanks to Pam and I honestly think of her every time I make it.

It gives me comfort to know that although she has gone to her heavenly rest, she will never be forgotten. Her memories are cemented in all of our hearts. They come out lovingly and close often. Every time I make one of her recipes, use my Bosch mixer, (recommended by Pam), use a household tip she shared with me or just reflect on the years when our kids were young.

I miss her dearly but I thank God that she was spared so much earthly pain and trials in the fact she was taken so quickly with out having to hardly suffer from the effects of her cancer ridden body. She was also such an uplifting testimony not only to me but to so many other Christians. Many that didn't even know her. To hear how she so peacefully and calming accepted her fate that day she was told that her time had come to an end. All her earthly trials were taken from her. God gave her that strength and peace to know that He would take care of her husband and children when she was gone. She had no fears. If we all could be so blessed on our last day. May God especially comfort Gary and her children on this birthday day.