Listening to my dad's advice on music...again.

Seems this past week has been turmoil in every direction. I feel it all over - wherever I turn - whatever I am doing...but the other night I finally got a spark to start decorating the Christmas tree. You see it has been up for almost two weeks, but I hadn't even put the extra lights on it. Our youngest joy found a Christmas CD - "Mom's Favorite Christmas" CD and cranked it up on the kitchen cd player. It took me from a sad hopeless mood into one full of joy and peace...singing along while climbing up and down from the stool, arranging the white sparkling lights just so...then digging through the bins of decorations while stopping to watch my youngest little, pick out his favorites and put them on the tree. Our grandson took this in for the first time...while being cuddled by his mom who was just as excited to see the tree being trimmed as her little brother. It was precious...Rylan's dad was watching too...not sure what was going through his head...maybe, simply - man, Ry's grandma can't sing so great. =O)

After about an hour of enjoying the magic of Christmas, I looked at the kids and said "well, if only those thieves that stole my purse and forged more than $10,000 of checks could see us now...maybe they would ask how we could possibly feel joy in the midst of the nightmare?" The real reason for the joy and peace of course is my Savior and King. Only He can give that kind of feeling...one like no other. Truly. Thank you Jesus.

Going to sit and look at our tree now...then into the kitchen to start some cookies. Let the holiday baking begin~
Goodnight.

Glad the GOOD LORD is on our side...

Welcome to my nightmare. Step right in. The water isn't just warm, it is starting to boil.

Talk about some professional thieves we have fallen victim to. Just three days ago...not even, my purse was stolen when someone smashed out our passenger window on the vehicle while parked at the arena in Minneapolis. They took my purse from under the seat...and the spending spree has started....checks have been coming in to my bank from stores they have shopped at. To be exact...four different Target stores, one at walmart, two at Kohls and one unknown. All total so far it is over $5,000 already. There are still 12 checks that have not come through yet, that were in the new book of checks, minus the 4 or 5 that I wrote. I feel panic at a moments notice...and yet a strange peace and calm. I know that has only come from the Lord and trust in him to handle this. I have loaded all of the mess up and dumped it for him to carry. Nothing else we can do...but for now must handle the mess it has created with our bank. I feel like we are taking part in a movie that you think will never really happen...at least to you...but it has happened, to us, and it is a nightmare. As though life wasn't hard enough the way it was at times.

Please Lord keep us in your care. Please speak to the heart of the guilty party and may they stop the crimes they have commited...may the store clerks take notice...and may they be caught before they mess up our lives any further...or the lives of others. Thank you God for sending your SON and for loving us no matter what. Thank you for the peace I feel in my heart. I know there is a reason you have allowed this to happen and I know you will handle the outcome. Eventually in Your time.

In Jesus name I pray...Amen.

Hey thief...you suck!

Ever been robbed of anything you really cared about? I really hadn't...up to last Saturday in Minneapolis. I have always hated driving or riding in the cities, but now I hate that place period!

It all started with a fun weekend of visiting family and watching our oldest play high school hockey. Saturday Toby dropped me, Lacey, Rylan and Mel off at the door...I decided at the last minute to leave my purse tucked under the seat. We enjoyed three periods of watching Roseau vs Totino Grace...and after, hung around to visit with Brooks and the relies. Little did we know we would find a mess of broken glass in our new Ford Escape upon leaving the arena...and, my purse was gone. Yup....all of my most personal information was in it. The first thing to go through my head was what kind of a creep does this. The second thing was....panic..then tears. Lots of tears. So many tears my face got chapped. Crap. This is not fun. Riding back to Laura's in a vehicle with no window was also not fun...not so much. From there Jon & Toby took it back to the Wylies house to cover the window (or hole) with plastic. We drove home 4 long hours with NOISE and more noise! But we did stay warm. And the plastic stayed up. And we didn't run out of gas. Having no money, no checkbook and no debit or credit card is really a terrible feeling. Especially when away from home. With my kid, and my grandbaby who is only 2 1/2 months old. GGRRRRRRRRRRR!

Now the hassle of replacing the cards...drivers license, debit, credit, insurance, dental, movie rental, you name it. And praying to our wonderful God that the creep grabbed the cash and threw the purse in the trash. Please Lord save us from a nightmare.

Time to eat! I didn't even have to do the cooking tonight so I am outahere.

The Love of My Life...

The excitement still buzzes around our house...our oldest daughter Lindsey, aka sparkie, was the lucky recipient of a beautiful diamond engagement ring this past Saturday. Yup, November 29th was the special day for her and Jesse. He had this planned for a month, so we are told, and pulled it off with a big huge surprise for his special girl. He proposed with a romantic idea of asking her to marry him with a sixteen foot sign lit up with Christmas lights! Here is how it went down....

Started with letting her dad and I know he would like to propose that night. Of course we were extatic! Jesse is just one of those perfect gentlemen...the kind any mom or dad would be pleased to see their daughter marry. He even talked to her brother Brooks when they were out hunting. That was sweet. Of course Brooks was thrilled to have Jesse as a future member of our family.

Dinner: Jesse cooked for them...a pot of chicken wild rice soup. Sounds good to me. And delicious. Ok, then two periods of the Sioux hockey game on tv. It was a close and exciting game and 1-0 after two periods. This is when Jesse suggested they leave and go put the dogs in for Bernie & Amy. With some hesitation he finally convinced her to go. . . with a detour to view some Christmas lights! Finally getting close to the destination of surprise...they rounded the corner to Bernie and Amy's house. Lindsey noticed the pretty Christmas lights...thinking the long sign said Merry Christmas. Instead, as they got closer she saw LINDSEY WILL YOU MARRY ME in red Christmas lights! She said to Jesse "are you serious?" and as they were getting out of the car he reached for a box inside his coat pocket, they got out and walked over to the sign, and he got down on one knee and asked her if she would marry him! She of course said YES and cried...happy tears...all the while Amy was hiding in the bushes and sneaking up on them with the video camera! What a wonderful moment that will be in their memories...always. While standing there, she called us on her cell phone. We were all so excited! We jumped in the car with Rylan and drove to GF at 10pm that night, meeting them at Applebees for a celebration dessert! Amy was there with them...we had a nice visit and returned to their place for a bit to see the sign and take pictures. We got back to Moorhead at 1:40am! But hardly slept with the excitement of it all! God is good...we prayed for Lindsey to find that perfect match...God's choice for her and He did! Thank you Lord!

Goodnight!

Oh happy days are here....=O)

Today brought the joy of spending time with the little mr before and after going to work...even got to sneak out of work early to babysit little man! He isn't feeling that great today with a stuffed head and runny nose...and a cough. One of those days that jammies all day are a must.

All those without some type of car trouble this week raise your hands...huh? it's just us that have constant car trouble? Aggghhhh! Enough already...today my car wouldn't start AGAIN but this time Toby had the joy. Of course I was home without a vehicle as Lace had just left for work and her shift started shortly before he called. Luckily our oldest daughter came to the rescue as she was just pulling into the FM area shortly...so went directly to jump the car at the office. All are home now warm and safe!

It's time to set up the tree the kids tell me. Oh boy...I don't have the energy to keep up with the laundry and house the way it is! Now we have to literally DIG the tree boxes out from under a heap...uuuggghhh is all I can think! Maybe a little Charlie Brown Christmas tree would work this year? We have had a couple of those over the years...probably my favorites!

Thanksgiving is almost upon us...another year to be thankful for so much. Knowing we have raised 4 kids...well almost, and they are still healthy and well is enough to be thankful for, and now this year, we have been more than blessed with a gorgeous perfect grandchild. Who knew it could fall into place so perfectly....for all the times we felt so hopeless and scared...the Lord knew and we are very blessed. Thank you!

Goodnight! And HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

Feelin kinda grouchy?

Came home from work today to find the little mr feeling a little grouchy...his mommy said he has been kinda grouchy all day and not his usual fun, smiley silly self. HHmmmm guess he is feeling a little like the rest of the world today! Seems like more and more grouchy people inhabit this city every day. Maybe it's that everyone is so bogged down with debt and responsibilities that they have no more room in their heart for joy. Maybe they are just downright angry about the life they have....or the family they grew up in. Let's all take time to enjoy the simple things in life...remembering that "the best things in life ... aren't things". I need to remember this more than anyone! Enough said. Good reminder for all of us.

Just thinking back to a year ago. Brooks was just starting hockey tryouts in Roseau...we were unsure of how the year would go. Little did we know the rollercoaster he had stepped onto...we of course were hooked to it by the love of our son, whipping this way and that with emotion, thinking we had made a huge mistake...wishing we could use a mulligan...a RE-do...but all in all, he had a great season, gained alot of confidence and ended up being able to step onto the ice for the state tournament at the Xcel Center anyway! Life isn't always easy or fair...but it is exciting and full of the unknown. This year I have no expectations at all and will leave this in the Lord's hands. What will be will be. And that is going to be good enough for me!

Time to monkey a little bit more on some photos...if only I could spend more time doing what I love...and learn a little bit more. Up until this point, I have basically "winged it" just snapping pics here and there with really no knowledge of photography at all. Just what I SEE...and that too, is good enough for me! As long as I capture the wonderful images and memories that go along with them, it is enough. Hoping all the people I love in this world will have a wonderful week.

Night night. (not quite but soon enough!)

You'll be in my heart...

The Tarzen song...reminds me so much of my grandma Amy and the day of uncle Ray's funeral. Grandma was so sad and confused, absolutely heartbreaking to see. At the reception she posed with me, Mel and Geoff for a picture before leaving, and held my hand to keep her steady. Probably hadn't held my hand since I was a small child. I miss her so much -she taught me so much...so much about being happy with simple things in life. Thank you grandma for loving all of us like you did...can't wait to see you again someday. You'll be in my heart...

The last weekend of hunting and a fun day staying home today with just Linds, Lace and Rylan. Aaron was off to Fergus Falls for his first hockey game but rode with the Pinks today...their son will ride with us next weekend. Said he had fun...they won in OT. He is growing up too fast! Isn't that what Brooks said about 8 yrs ago on the last 5 minutes of his 10th birthday? =O( Thanking the Good Lord for bringing home all the guys safely again today.

Picture day today...I only 135 pics taken! How can I possibly stay away from the camera with such a darling little grandson in the house? I got some absolutely beautiful shots of him and his mommy today...and many more of just RyGuy. Gotta love that little Rybaby!

Time to visit with the family upstairs...signing off for tonight.

Goodnight.

Good music soothes the soul...

As dad used to say, good music can calm the beast in all of us....I think he is right. Sitting here listening to some good Christian music feels so good...it's like it speaks directly to my heart...giving me the attitude toward others and life that I was created to have. There is always such a peaceful feeling when we focus on Christ instead of ourselves. Listening to this music makes such a difference in the way I view things...the older I get, the more I desire the peace that comes with this. If only I knew then what I know now...? Maybe I could have avoided some of the major bumps of life. Chalk it up to learning from my mistakes I guess.

Speaking of my dad, yesterday was Veteran's Day and I thought of dad so much. I think of him often anyway but thinking of his service to our country brings joy to my heart. He was quite a man...I miss him and wish I could visit with him up in his stokin hot room - trying to talk over the loud volume of his TV...glad he got to enjoy that his last years though! Thanks Bernie & Amy! I am thankful for all the extra years we got to have dad around. Can't imagine how much mom misses him.. Good thing Brooks is there to keep her busy and keep her company.

The Little Mr continues to grow and amaze all of us. Lately he has discovered his voice...and is cooing up a storm! Each day he coos and coos a little more, melting each of our hearts into puddles of mush!

One weekend left of hunting...nothing for any of our guys yet - they have usually slain a big monster buck by this time...so where are they hiding? Probably in all the corn the farmers have NOT been able to harvest yet! Good for the deer I guess! Looking forward to seeing our oldest boy tomorrow as he heads home for another weekend of hunting. Soon those weekends will come to a close as hockey will be in full swing. This will be Brooks' last year of hockey - seems like he has played all his life...guess he pretty much has, starting at age 5. Will we go through hockey withdrawals when it is all said and done? NOPE. I am pretty sure about that. NOPE. Especially Mhd hockey - oh my gosh can't wait til that is over for good! Roseau is soooo much different than Mhd - and SO MUCH BETTER! Glad Brooks gets the chance to experience how it should be and hope he has a wonderful last year...his senior year.

Soon time to watch a new episode of Criminal Minds with my wonderful hubby and son. Looking forward to the weekend as usual. Seems like corporate America has taken it's toll on me. And half of the world!

Nite.

All is quiet...sshhhh

Haven't heard the house this quiet in awhile...the guys are all asleep early dreaming of slaying the big buck tomorrow at sunrise. While they are freezing their butts off I will be sleeping sound in a nice warm bed! Haven't slept in for a long time...if little man isn't up too much for his mom, I will take the chance to snooze. If he is, I will take the opportunity to snuggle him!

A hairy day at the office today as I was there alone most of the day. For a Friday there sure were alot of people leaving things to the last minute...what's new! Little did I know that when I finally escaped the place just before 5pm, my car decided to go nuts and honk and flash lights like a freek show of sorts. Finally I got the noise to stop - but the darn dang car wouldn't start! Completely dead like the racoon lying on the road on the way to work this morning. Aagghhh! Cars are a pain in the neck sometimes...and the checkbook.

Heading off for some zzzzzz's now....and hopefully a good night of sleep. Of course I am the designated ALARM clock for these helpless guys...4:30am it is! Praying for safety while out hunting...for my guys.

Goodnight, sleep tight, don't let the bed bugs bite. If they do, hit em with a shoe, til they're black and blue. Dad used to say this...gotta miss that man. Love you dad.

Pass the candy?

43 Halloweens have now passed me by...the time between each gets closer and closer. This year was especially fun with Little Mr dressed in a penguin suit for his first Halloween! He was about as impressed with it as I am with this election. Aaaggghhhh! 4 more days and it will all be over...but like the last election 4 yrs ago, it will be just the start of yet another 4 yrs of campaigning that we have been victim to by Obama and Hillary in the last 4. Oh my gosh... I feel like screaming and some hair pulling...only I don't have much hair left to pull.

This morning was an especially nice and sunny Friday morning...I met an old friend for breakfast for a short visit. She has always been like a big sister to me...I remember thinking she was just sooooo cool when I was a kid. She still is...and has always marched to her own drum which I must say I admire. Thanks Denice for lending an ear...you are a good friend whom I am glad to know!

We had the joy of two kids coming home today...first our oldest daughter Linds showed up with hogging the baby on her mind...=O) thanks for being such a wonderful aunt to that little guy Sparkie...you have grown into such an amazing young woman that dad and I are SOOOO proud of! Hoping your process of applying to medical schools goes well...you deserve it!

Brooks was our other pop in - arriving tonight about 7 and also looking first for his little nephew. Rylan - you are such a big hit with everyone! But why not??? You are one darling little boy - we are so blessed to have you in our family! Brooks will be around for the weekend to take in some hockey scrimmages tomorrow. I will be heading to GF to pick up Lacey and Rylan, who went home with Lindsey tonight to spend the night. Lindsey plans on practicing her mothering skills while taking care of the baby and giving her little sister a break...and some uninterrupted sleep!

It is time for me to hit the pillow - having been a very long day...I was up at 3am with little man and slept just a little before the alarm blasted me out of bed. It's been fun.

Goodnight

Woke up to snow!

Howling winds gusting to fifty mph and a cold draft woke me up today...opened the blinds and couldn't believe we had snow! The ground was white and with the strong winds it was somewhat like a mini blizzard. Guess we made it almost to the end of October before the snow flew this year so we can't complain. Last night the boys helped me clean up the last of the cut hydrangeas and emptied the big flower pots so at least those things are done before winter sets in for good.

It was a lazy but busy day. Because of the nasty weather we stayed home all day today so laundry and cooking were at the top of the list. Also got my bible study done early this week.

And of course as a Sunday, that means Brooks had to head back to Roseau. Of course mom looks forward to his return but it leaves the rest of us feeling sad. It is funny how each day he prepares to go, he always comes up with another 15 or 20 things he needs to do before he actually leaves. I call it stalling! I think he does too...glad he isn't in a hurry to leave us. He is such a great kid....so grown up and responsible in many ways, a good friend to so many kids of all kinds, doing great in school, loving hunting and hockey as he always has, probably wishing he could get a little fishing in though...praying he gets home safely as I always do. He and Phil should be back in Roseau any time now. He will call to let us know he made it so we can rest easy.

Rylan has had a few great days of smiles and attempts to coo....it is just soooo adorable! Thank you Lord for this very special little boy. Again, you knew what we needed at this very time. A HUGE BLESSING! Thank you thank you thank you...Thank you very Lord!

Goodnight kids...two at home, a grandson too, and two away, but always close in my heart.

Rain Rain go away...

I guess it could be worse....freezing rain would be for sure. So the light and steady rain that is falling today is actually kind of nice. The perfect day for a nap...just so happens that I got to stay home from the office today - and take a nice little nap on the couch in the sunroom which was wonderful. Upon rising from that short slumber, I made chocolate chip/m&m cookies. They are the cutest cookies with pink M&M's...taste pretty good too.

Lots of baby time today - seems like little guy has been with us for a long time, yet at the same time it is just like he was born yesterday. We are so thankful for his presence in this house as a new little life brings with it a certain HOPE. Everyone can use hope. Life can be so hard at times and without hope what would we have?

Aaron needs to sign on to get a little homework done so I will sign off now.

As usual...goodnight!

Bursting with joy for this new baby boy!

Haven't mentioned for a couple days just how wonderful it is to have a grandchild! Today I have spent lots of time with little Rylan...came home from work about 1pm and had the afternoon to hold and cuddle him. In between I put the pics we have so far into an album of his first year...but it is almost full and he is only 5 weeks old today! Oh oh...good thing we don't use regular film any longer!

The maple trees on our street are absolutely gorgeous right now ~ hoping the leaves hang on for a few more days. I think I counted 8 vibrant red trees coming down our cul-de-sac. How beautiful they will be when they are big! Hopefully we will still live here then - if not, we can always do a drive by viewing!

Lacey and I made a new Mexican dish for supper tonight...can't even remember the name right now but they were really good! I think the guys thought so too!

Soon time for Dancing with the Stars. Dishes are still waiting also. Better get busy!

Goodnight.

Home again...

Got home today after a 3 hour trip of silence...stopped in GF to see the kids, had lunch there thanks to Linds & Jesse, and got home about two. Hard to believe how many nice gifts Lacey and Rylan got yesterday at the baby shower. It looks like Christmas has hit our living room!

Had the pleasure of giving Rylan his bath tonight and getting his jammies on. He is now all tuckered out and sleeping in my arms. Just a quick update as I don't want to waste these precious moments typing on a computer. He is absolutely a joy.

So nice to be home again....

Goodnight.

I miss you little guy...=O(

Oh I forgot...I miss you little guy soooo much. For the past 3+ days you have been away visiting your daddy and his family. I don't like that much...would rather have you with us. But praying for you constantly. Love you so much Little Mr.
Grandma

Time for some sleep...zzzzzz

Today was fun. Started out with sleeping in which was a treat for me. I got up just before mom was about to come in and see if I was still alive. After some wakeup time we were off to the baby shower for Lacey and Rylan, hosted by Julie, Ben's mother. It was held at the Brickhouse and had a nice turnout, good food and many nice gifts for the little guy, which were much appreciated.

Later in the day we met my aunt Dubba and cousin Lisa and her daughter Hayley from the cities for dinner at the Roseau Diner. After more good food and lots of laughs we said our goodbyes and went back to mom's house for a quick visit with the baby. About 7 I picked up Darci and we went to the Brickhouse again...this time for a burger and fries and a nice visit. It felt good to be able to sit and visit with a good friend without the clock ticking. Just what I needed were a few more calories for the day!

Got home and decided to create a Facebook page...FINALLY after my friends and family have trying to talk me into it. I must admit it was fun! And loading up pictures was even more fun. Looking forward to keeping in touch with my cousins this way. Can we still laugh via the page? We always laugh when we see each other...good medicine for the soul. Now I am so tired I can't see straight so am off to bed. Hoping tomorrow will be a good day. It will. It always is.

Goodnight.

A Cool Crisp October Evening...

The smell of smoke in the air tonight brings back fond memories of being a kid in Roseau. The crunch of leaves under foot and the crisp bite in the air make for a good night of sleep. Sitting on the couch in the home in which I grew up feels good as I visit with my mom while watching policics on Fox News Channel. The fools that fool the fools...man are people ignorant or what. Maybe not the best idea in prelude to sleep. The need for blood pressure meds must rise dramatically in an election year. Come to think of it I forgot mine at home. But I will be home again tomorrow night so not so long to wait.

We arrived in Roseau tonight about 5pm. Lacey and Rylan came up yesterday so Lacey's best friend Katie rode along with me today. We did our best to pass time on the 3 hour trip without any radio or cd player. Not that it didn't work...it just didn't work completely. The volume was stuck. And it was loud! After visiting for the first hour or so we decided to try listening anyway. Then all the buttons quit working and it was blaring on a station that we didn't like ... at all ... trying to shut the stupid thing off didn't work either! Thank goodness after about 10 miles it finally shut off. We appreciated the peace and quiet the rest of the trip....through the ringing in our ears...or deafness.

My new grandson spent the first night away from our house since he got home from the hospital. I didn't like the quiet. We much prefer the sound of kids in our house, big or small. Or really small. Nothing quite like the sweetness of a new baby in the wee hours of the morning when they are hungry. The little baby bird movements are just too cute. I got the pleasure of an early morning feeding and snuggle the other day. The joy in my heart as I sat holding him in the dark was so wonderful. I look forward to the next time I can feed him in the wee hours =O)

Tomorrow we get the honor of attending a baby shower for Lacey and baby, hosted by Rylan's other grandma. It should be fun. Now it's time to hit the pillow for what is hoped to be a good night of sleep in my old room growing up. It is our son's room now. Hope he doesn't mind me using it for a night....he is back home in Moorhead so it is sitting empty.

Oh, I helped my friend name a puppy tonight....she asked me if I had noticed the white moon shape on it's back. I told her she should name it Sliver...like the sliver moon on her back. So she did! Holding a baby and puppy in the same day. Life is good.

Goodnight moon.

Oh what a wonderful life it is...=O)

Busy busy busy...today was a busy day. It seems that all this busi-ness is making life pass by oh so quickly, and much too fast. But tonight after all the busi-ness, holding a new baby in my arms just puts everything into perspective. One month ago today our first grandchild was welcomed into this world...the best day in a real long time! We have a grandson...a perfect little miracle...perfectly and wonderfully made by our loving Father, and just what we needed at exactly this time. I remember the day we found out about this special little baby our youngest daughter was expecting. It was a very busy Monday in January. In the middle of papers flying and watching ink dry on checks (it was payday and bill paying day) at the office, our oldest daughter called to say that our youngest daughter needed her mom. She was at her apartment with her older sister crying and crying. She wouldn't say what was wrong...so my husband told me to get going...and I jumped in the car and off I went to the rescue. The 75 mile trip was a trip indeed...all kinds of horrible thoughts racing through my mind. As I approached the exit from the interstate, I had myself so worked up it was hard to catch a breath. Just then my favorite little angel in heaven sent the song Brave to be played on the radio...just in time to remind me that I can get through this...we will get through this whatever it is. Thank you Bryce for that reminder! The song ended literally as I pulled into my parking spot..and up the stairs I went. Knocking on the door, my heart was knocking on the walls of my chest. Not sure what I would find inside, I walked in and was greeted by little Sparky...she brings cheer wherever she goes (dog). There on the couch sat my little Scrappie...(nicknamed as a little girl) now 19, a first year college student, with a red face and eyes swollen from crying, and crying and crying. She couldn't get a word out, so I asked if she would like her sister to tell me. She nodded yes - older sis gave a sigh, then said that I was going to be a grandma. I took a breath, thought "wow - at least she isn't sick...thank you God" and leaned over to give Scrappie a hug. She hugged me like she did as a little kid...kind of just clung to me, all the while still sobbing. I cried too - but said we will get through this together. And together we did. All of us. Mom, dad, daughters, sons, brothers, sisters, grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins... and of course friends, but mostly through God's grace. Nothing takes God by surprise a good friend told us, and from that day on, we awaited what was to be the greatest blessing we could have ever imagined! A beautiful little boy born Sept 16th, 2008 at 5:05pm. Oh the joy he has brought to this family already! One month has passed - and with each day he just gets more adorable! Thank you Lord for your faithfulness...for the greatest blessing we could have asked for...and just what this family needed at this time. Goodnight.