January 6, 2013
Happy New Year. Can you believe that we already have a week behind us. I have been thinking about the things that have happened in our lives the past few months. I am so grateful that we have the Lord to go to when we have things going on in our lives that we need guidance to deal with.
I am so blessed to have such a wonderful family. I look at my children and know that Dave and I have done a good job raising them. Stephan has such a wonderful family. I love his wife, Kim, as if she were my own daughter. I love the boys and how they make us laugh. They fulfill something in our lives that only a grandparent can know. We have watched Ben and Kyle grow into wonderful young men, setting an example for Noah and Ashton.
Donna is an amazing young woman. She has had to deal with more in her life than any one person should have to deal with. To watch her have so much pain makes me so sad. When I think that just a few short years ago she was helping move her father during the time he was paralyzed, and now she can hardly walk, hold a plate, take a shower, or even send her friends a card. She connects with people with her I pad and phone. I pray everyday that she will have a good day and that maybe there may be something that the doctors have not tried that may help her.
Then there is Dave. He is the love of my life. My best friend for 47 years and my wonderful husband for 42 years. We have had a great married life. We have made memories together that will bind us eternally. I am so thankful for our life together. We have learned how precious life is and how to overcome very stressful situations.
In May when we were told that Dave had a mass on his skull, I went into panic mode. Dave remained very calm and told me not to worry about it, because it would be just fine. Just as he promised, in September when the mass was removed in was benign and we were thankful. This month we embark on the round of follow up CAT scans and Doctors visits. I keep reminding myself that we have beaten Guillian Barre and the removal of that mass. God has given us the faith to get through all we must.
I miss my brothers and sisters. Yes, at my age I would still like to be home with them. I worry about my brothers. Both work way to hard. Roger is at the Spagetti Warehouse all the time, Ray hopefully will actually be retiring this year. Working for the Highway Patrol is not an easy job, but I do know that both boys love what they do! My sisters-Pam is a workaholic. She hasn't learned yet that a job is only a job. You don't have to work yourself to death over it. Claudia was smart. She retired and is totally having fun at it. Rhonda is a little more difficult. She has MS and has good days and bad days.
As for me, as I crammed on the 30th and 31st of December to get my 15 hours of Continuing Education done so I can continue to prepare Income Taxes, I wondered where will I be next year at this time. I went back to work in 2012, I am still trying to finish that Human Resource degree, and still doing taxes. My plan was never to go back to work full time, but I did and love the job and people, but I know that I will be looking at how much longer I want to keep working. We want to travel and that is pretty hard when you are working, Want to buy new furniture this spring so that is my incentive to keep working.
Well, at the end of the day I am thankful for my family, friends and our church family. The Lord has been good to us this past year. To all that read this blog, Have a happy and prosperous New Year!
Sunday, January 6, 2013
Monday, December 10, 2012
Where has time flown too?
I can't believe that the year is coming to an end. It is already December 10, 2012. My birthday is slowly creeping up, Christmas will soon be approaching, Noah's birthday will be here and then it will be a New Year.
I can't believe that I have been so tardy about writing in this blog. I just don't know where the last 3 years have gone. Well, that probably isn't the actual truth. It is just that between our 33 month mission, and our everyday life and the fact that until tonight I couldn't even remember my sign in, I just haven't taken the time to open this site up.
We began serving an at home mission for the LDS church in October of 2008. Dave served at the Vehicle Coordinator and I served as Baptism Coordinator, newsletter person, medical person (which involved overseeing the medical needs of 208 missionaries). We were so fortunate to be involved in seeing young men and women out serving the Lord. We learned so much from them and they touched our lives so deeply that they will never know the impact they had on us. Our mission president and his wife, Brian and Sylda Pfile are two of the finest people we will ever encounter and we learned so much from their example. President and Sister Anderson came in July of 2011 and we also learned from him. They are really great people.
In August of 2011 we had a great young man move in with us as he finished his mission. Dan was such a help and a pleasure to have around. In June of 2012 he married Lani and they are now living in Provo and we miss him.
In August of 2012, Jonelle, another return missionary, came to stay with us. I truly believe that God puts people in our lives when we need them. Jonelle arrived one day and Dave ended up in the hospital the next day. She took over the cooking, cleaning and doing the laundry for me. She chauffeured Donna and I back and forth to the hospital for over a week. She took a big weight off my shoulders and I could concentrate on Dave. On September 27 Dave had surgery to remove a mass from his skull and one from the covering of his brain. Luckily, they were not malignant, but he will need follow up periodically. Of course this hospitalization opened a whole can of worms for Dave, but he is a trooper and we will deal with everything else one day at a time with God's help.
In the midst of all this, I went back to work in a physicians office. I love the job, the people I work for and know that I was led there because I was supposed to be. The job was a life saver for me.
With Christmas coming we have followed in our usual tradition and have decked the house inside and out as you can see so if you are in Colorado Springs, drive by!
So, here it is, the end of the "catch up" story and with that, I would like to wish you all a very Happy Holiday Season. Hopefully I will be able to keep the blog up better in the coming months!
I can't believe that I have been so tardy about writing in this blog. I just don't know where the last 3 years have gone. Well, that probably isn't the actual truth. It is just that between our 33 month mission, and our everyday life and the fact that until tonight I couldn't even remember my sign in, I just haven't taken the time to open this site up.
We began serving an at home mission for the LDS church in October of 2008. Dave served at the Vehicle Coordinator and I served as Baptism Coordinator, newsletter person, medical person (which involved overseeing the medical needs of 208 missionaries). We were so fortunate to be involved in seeing young men and women out serving the Lord. We learned so much from them and they touched our lives so deeply that they will never know the impact they had on us. Our mission president and his wife, Brian and Sylda Pfile are two of the finest people we will ever encounter and we learned so much from their example. President and Sister Anderson came in July of 2011 and we also learned from him. They are really great people.
In August of 2011 we had a great young man move in with us as he finished his mission. Dan was such a help and a pleasure to have around. In June of 2012 he married Lani and they are now living in Provo and we miss him.
In August of 2012, Jonelle, another return missionary, came to stay with us. I truly believe that God puts people in our lives when we need them. Jonelle arrived one day and Dave ended up in the hospital the next day. She took over the cooking, cleaning and doing the laundry for me. She chauffeured Donna and I back and forth to the hospital for over a week. She took a big weight off my shoulders and I could concentrate on Dave. On September 27 Dave had surgery to remove a mass from his skull and one from the covering of his brain. Luckily, they were not malignant, but he will need follow up periodically. Of course this hospitalization opened a whole can of worms for Dave, but he is a trooper and we will deal with everything else one day at a time with God's help.
In the midst of all this, I went back to work in a physicians office. I love the job, the people I work for and know that I was led there because I was supposed to be. The job was a life saver for me.
With Christmas coming we have followed in our usual tradition and have decked the house inside and out as you can see so if you are in Colorado Springs, drive by!
So, here it is, the end of the "catch up" story and with that, I would like to wish you all a very Happy Holiday Season. Hopefully I will be able to keep the blog up better in the coming months!
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Reflection of Time
This week has been a little stressful for me. It is a rough week because it brings up so many memories of my Mom, Dad and my wonderful Mother in Law. This week was my parents birthdays and my Mother in Law was buried on my Mom's Birthday (Oct. 19). I think that when we have our parents with us we certainly don't tell them enough how much we appreciate or love them. When they are not with us, we learn to appreciate the lessons they taught us in life.
One of the things all three taught me, by example, was exactly how important family is. They should always be our priority. I hope that I let my family know how much I love them and appreciate everything they do for me. I can't imagine my life without them in it.
I remember having those great family Sunday Dinners at home as a teen. The best thing was that my grandparents were usually there, along with my Aunt Lois. So much confusion with so many people in the house, but so much fun. When I met Dave, one of the first times I was at his house was for "The Sunday Dinner" after church. A lot of people. He had a big family too, and all his Mom's brothers and sisters came there for dinner. What fun! How I miss all that.
What I want to really say is "appreciate your family, love them unconditionally, and Tell Them Every Day!" Remember God loves us all unconditionally.
One of the things all three taught me, by example, was exactly how important family is. They should always be our priority. I hope that I let my family know how much I love them and appreciate everything they do for me. I can't imagine my life without them in it.
I remember having those great family Sunday Dinners at home as a teen. The best thing was that my grandparents were usually there, along with my Aunt Lois. So much confusion with so many people in the house, but so much fun. When I met Dave, one of the first times I was at his house was for "The Sunday Dinner" after church. A lot of people. He had a big family too, and all his Mom's brothers and sisters came there for dinner. What fun! How I miss all that.
What I want to really say is "appreciate your family, love them unconditionally, and Tell Them Every Day!" Remember God loves us all unconditionally.
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Wonderful Things Are Happening
So many things have happened since my last blog. I can't believe how long it has been. We have been so busy with the many wonderful things that have been put in our path. 
The pictures I put in are of Kyle, Ben, Noah and Becca, the second one is Becca, Donna, Kim, Stephan, Dave, myself, Noah, Ben and Kyle, and the last one is Donna and Becca. We have two more grand daughters, Ryleigh, and Reese. They are Becca's sisters. I will post some pixs of them soon.
We have had visits by family and friends since June, and we are looking forward to my sister, Claudia and her husband arriving here on Thurday or Friday for a few days. I have completed three more classes at Colorado Christian University. I am on the down side. I will be finished with all inseat classes in 6 months. I find it amazingly hard to believe that I have actually been able to manage these classes. After all, I have been out of school for 45 years. I have loved most all of the classes I have taken. Even the Challenging ones. I found out why I did not take Algebra, and Geometry in High School. Bottom line, I passed the math and I don't ever want to see another math class. Thank Goodness-Human Resourses only requires one 3 hour course!
I received a new calling at church. I am teaching a Primary Class of 4 turning 5 year olds. I am learning how to teach them. It has been challenging for me. Teaching Primary was never a calling that I thought I wanted, but I love the children and they are also teaching me many things. After all, I am a fairly new convert to the church and these great kids were born into it.
Donna and her dogs have moved in and we are so blessed to have her here with us. Life has been challenging for her but she has been a great help and we love her even though we have a few trying times. I know that is normal when an adult moves back in with their parents when they have been on their own for so long. I, personally, have to watch my attitude because I go into defensive mode some days with the "it's my house and you need to do what I tell you." You just don't do that to your 38 yr old daughter. Still your kids are your kids! Bottom line, I love her and am so thankful to have her in my life.
We have Noah for a few days and he, as always, is joined to his Pop Pop at the hip. They went for a haircut today in the "go fast" car. Of course he came home with goodies. His Pop Pop loves him more than anything! You can see the love between them. We are going to be grandparents in January and it will be another boy. God has blessed us so richly.
I am not really ready for the fall weather just yet, but Dave has been eyeing up the Christmas Decorations at Lowes. He is dreaming of a mini car dealership with a corvette in it. Lowes has the best stuff. If Dave is good maybe Santa will bring it to him. Anyone who knows us - knows we need more Christmas Decorations like a hole in the head, but we always can use stuff for the village under the tree. Sooooooo I am dreaming of an Elvis Drive In that is also sitting on the shelf at Lowes next to the Car Dealership.
WELL, this is my life today as I know it, I love being able to grow daily in my love for my family. We have been so blessed.
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Life At It's Best
Life is finally getting back to normal after a wonderful 3 1/2 week vacation. Dave and I left Colorado on May 11th and set out for a multi-purpose vacation! We drove to Junction City, Ks. and spent the first night--we were just tired. I guess just getting out of the house and away from the 4 dogs, who are usually underfoot, but we love them anyway!
The next day we headed for Tennessee to visit with our very good friends Vic and Kathy Gray. We do not get to see them often enough. We spent 3 nights with them and had a great visit, but their house was also our travel to and from spot to a couple other places. The first being the National Corvette museum in Bowling Green, Ky. We had a great time and enjoyed all the history of the Museum. Even enjoyed a great lunch in their diner! That was on Wednesday.
On Thursday, we drove to Sparta, Tn. It was so wonderful to see my Aunt Bev. I had lost touch with her for many years. We had a great day with her just visiting and catching up. I also got to meet my cousin's daughters and grandchildren. I realized that life is so short that you should never lose touch with those you love!
On Friday we left our friends house and headed off to Hillsboro, Tn. to take pictures of Dave's grandparents and his father's headstones! We had decided that we needed to try and construct some semblence of family history for our children. This meant visiting grave sites and taking pictures of how to get to the cemetaries along the way! We don't want them to loose their heritage! We headed off to Pennsylvania to visit with our other son, Bill, his wife-Kristy and their three beautiful girls, Becca-15 yrs, Ryleigh age 3, and Reese age 1. What a blessing they are. We found that we are missing a bunch being away from them. We also got to spend time with very special friends, but that time is never enough. We were there 4 days and could have stayed a month!
We left on Thursday and headed off to Ohio to spend a few days with family and also drove to Kirtland, Ohio, where there is much LDS church History. We also were able to spend a night with a friend we had not seen in 30 years (since we left Germany). It was a great 24 hours, but not long enough! We left Kirtland with a much better understanding of what happened there! We left Ohio and headed for Nauvoo, Il. There is much church history there. We stayed at a cottage owned by the Nauvoo Hotel. It basically was a 3 bedroom house, with a full kitchen (not that I used it-we were on vacation!) dining room, large living room, and a sitting room. We drove to Carthage and visited the jail. Dave and I both experienced some amazingly strong feelings there. After that we drove into Nauvoo to visit the restored homes and businesses of the first settlers of the Mormon Church. We toured many of the homes and the Joseph Smith Family Cemetary. We enjoyed two shows put on by the missionaries and the missionary couples serving their missions in Nauvoo.
We left Nauvoo wondering how these people gained the strength and trust to follow wherever the Lord sent them. They started over so many times. I wondered if my faith was truly that strong. We made the next stop along the way in Far West, Adam ondi Ahmen, Liberty Jail and the Visitors Center in Independence, Mo. I can't imagine how many times their faith was tested and yet they always remained strong. We are so blessed to have such leaders to set examples for us.
Finally reality sets in-We left on Sunday morning and thought we would drive from Independence to home, but by 4pm we were exhausted and decided to take one last evening for ourselves and just relax. We arrived home on Monday, June 1st and we are back to reality. I started back to school this week, taking two classes, we started our outside project of patio block and flower beds. Thanks to Stephan, and our Missionaries the patio block got laid before the rain came on Tuesday. Now I only have to get the rose bushes to plant. Then on to the next project!
I would like to say that vacations are wonderful, but it is good to be home (until the next time).
This trip has strengthened my faith and love for the church. I know that there is a plan for each of us and in that plan God has put a purpose for us. We may not see it at first but it is there. I have come home with a stronger faith and hunger for more knowledge of the Lord.
We love you all.
The next day we headed for Tennessee to visit with our very good friends Vic and Kathy Gray. We do not get to see them often enough. We spent 3 nights with them and had a great visit, but their house was also our travel to and from spot to a couple other places. The first being the National Corvette museum in Bowling Green, Ky. We had a great time and enjoyed all the history of the Museum. Even enjoyed a great lunch in their diner! That was on Wednesday.
On Thursday, we drove to Sparta, Tn. It was so wonderful to see my Aunt Bev. I had lost touch with her for many years. We had a great day with her just visiting and catching up. I also got to meet my cousin's daughters and grandchildren. I realized that life is so short that you should never lose touch with those you love!
On Friday we left our friends house and headed off to Hillsboro, Tn. to take pictures of Dave's grandparents and his father's headstones! We had decided that we needed to try and construct some semblence of family history for our children. This meant visiting grave sites and taking pictures of how to get to the cemetaries along the way! We don't want them to loose their heritage! We headed off to Pennsylvania to visit with our other son, Bill, his wife-Kristy and their three beautiful girls, Becca-15 yrs, Ryleigh age 3, and Reese age 1. What a blessing they are. We found that we are missing a bunch being away from them. We also got to spend time with very special friends, but that time is never enough. We were there 4 days and could have stayed a month!
We left on Thursday and headed off to Ohio to spend a few days with family and also drove to Kirtland, Ohio, where there is much LDS church History. We also were able to spend a night with a friend we had not seen in 30 years (since we left Germany). It was a great 24 hours, but not long enough! We left Kirtland with a much better understanding of what happened there! We left Ohio and headed for Nauvoo, Il. There is much church history there. We stayed at a cottage owned by the Nauvoo Hotel. It basically was a 3 bedroom house, with a full kitchen (not that I used it-we were on vacation!) dining room, large living room, and a sitting room. We drove to Carthage and visited the jail. Dave and I both experienced some amazingly strong feelings there. After that we drove into Nauvoo to visit the restored homes and businesses of the first settlers of the Mormon Church. We toured many of the homes and the Joseph Smith Family Cemetary. We enjoyed two shows put on by the missionaries and the missionary couples serving their missions in Nauvoo.
We left Nauvoo wondering how these people gained the strength and trust to follow wherever the Lord sent them. They started over so many times. I wondered if my faith was truly that strong. We made the next stop along the way in Far West, Adam ondi Ahmen, Liberty Jail and the Visitors Center in Independence, Mo. I can't imagine how many times their faith was tested and yet they always remained strong. We are so blessed to have such leaders to set examples for us.
Finally reality sets in-We left on Sunday morning and thought we would drive from Independence to home, but by 4pm we were exhausted and decided to take one last evening for ourselves and just relax. We arrived home on Monday, June 1st and we are back to reality. I started back to school this week, taking two classes, we started our outside project of patio block and flower beds. Thanks to Stephan, and our Missionaries the patio block got laid before the rain came on Tuesday. Now I only have to get the rose bushes to plant. Then on to the next project!
I would like to say that vacations are wonderful, but it is good to be home (until the next time).
This trip has strengthened my faith and love for the church. I know that there is a plan for each of us and in that plan God has put a purpose for us. We may not see it at first but it is there. I have come home with a stronger faith and hunger for more knowledge of the Lord.
We love you all.
Saturday, April 25, 2009
Enjoying Life
This is my very tardy blogging. Tax season is over! Finally I get to have a life once again. It was a good tax season. My clients are wonderful and most of them have become more like friends. As I set their appointments for next year, I tell them that I look forward to seeing them soon.
Then there is school! Yes I am still at it, but will be taking one block off during May so Dave and I can take a long overdue trip back to Ohio to visit with our family there and then on to Bowling Green, KY to the Corvette Museum and the on to Tennessee to see my Aunt that I have not seen for over 30 years. I am really excited about that. One should never lose contact with family members like that.
This has been a week of rememberence for us as we thought of the stillborn birth of Stephan and Kim's baby "Ryan" I can't believe it has been a year. Kim and Stephan have shown me strength beyond measure over the past year. How I love them and the boys. They are the light of my life.
I passed my year membership into the LDS Church. I received my endowments in March and eagerly await Dave receiving his soon. We will be sealed in the Denver Temple on August 8 with our very good friends, Chuck and Renee Smith. It will be a wonderful weekend. Our friends, Kathy and Stan are flying in from Salt Lake to be with us. That is a good thing, because they are the ones who started the ball rolling 39 years ago! We were just slow.
Today was a fun day for me. I was asked to help judge an oratorial contest for the Colorado Springs Optimist Club. I was amazed as I listened to these young men and women speak on what "optimism is." I hope that I get asked to judge again. It was a learning experience for me. Then we went to Kim and Stephan's and had dinner with the "Boys" because Kim got some time to spend with her friends and a "Girls night out."
I will close this with love for all of you. You are important in my life and you give me great joy.
Then there is school! Yes I am still at it, but will be taking one block off during May so Dave and I can take a long overdue trip back to Ohio to visit with our family there and then on to Bowling Green, KY to the Corvette Museum and the on to Tennessee to see my Aunt that I have not seen for over 30 years. I am really excited about that. One should never lose contact with family members like that.
This has been a week of rememberence for us as we thought of the stillborn birth of Stephan and Kim's baby "Ryan" I can't believe it has been a year. Kim and Stephan have shown me strength beyond measure over the past year. How I love them and the boys. They are the light of my life.
I passed my year membership into the LDS Church. I received my endowments in March and eagerly await Dave receiving his soon. We will be sealed in the Denver Temple on August 8 with our very good friends, Chuck and Renee Smith. It will be a wonderful weekend. Our friends, Kathy and Stan are flying in from Salt Lake to be with us. That is a good thing, because they are the ones who started the ball rolling 39 years ago! We were just slow.
Today was a fun day for me. I was asked to help judge an oratorial contest for the Colorado Springs Optimist Club. I was amazed as I listened to these young men and women speak on what "optimism is." I hope that I get asked to judge again. It was a learning experience for me. Then we went to Kim and Stephan's and had dinner with the "Boys" because Kim got some time to spend with her friends and a "Girls night out."
I will close this with love for all of you. You are important in my life and you give me great joy.
Sunday, February 22, 2009
A Touching Week
It has been a while since I sat down to write. Tax season has been very busy. This last week has been touching for me. We had two of our three grandsons here with us all week. I love having them with us. Kyle is ll and Noah is 5. They bring joy to our hearts. They certainly gave Pop Pop a reason to get up and get going this week. There is nothing that Dave would not do for those boys. Kim was in Can Cun and Stephan was handling the house, their dogs and Ben. Ben does not have the enjoyment of year round school as a teenager, but he will get the summer off and Kyle will only have part of it off.
We realized how much Noah has grown up when he decided he was big enough to sleep downstairs with his brother instead of "kicking Grandma out of her bed." Kim and Stephan got them on Friday and the house became instantly quiet.
On to the challenge of the week! Last Sunday we received a call from a member of the Bishopric at our ward. If you are LDS you instinctively know that it ususally means you are going to be asked to speak on Sunday Morning. This was the first time we have talked in Sacrament since joining the Ward last year. As I planned my talk on reading the scriptures, I really had a chance to look back at the last year and see how much our live have changed. I found that in my daily life now the scriptures play a very important part. I turn to them when I am troubled. I wonder now how I made it through Dave's illness without the church, and scriptures and of course our church family, which has become so important to us. This morning as I spoke, I looked at the ward members who have become so important to us. The encouragement we receive from every member is wonderful. The Sisters in Relief Society are a great source of encouragement to me also. I had a wonderful visit this week with our RS President and one of the counselors. I know that they are special, caring people. I envy the fact that they are able to meet with each sister and get to know them. We all find our place in the working of the ward. I have a very special desire and hopefully one day I will be able to fulfill it. Our Bishop is truly a man called by God and gives a sense of calm to us all. I thank God for them all and the blessings they give me in my life.
I am so blessed to have the life that I have now. I love my family and friends so much. This is just my way of saying thank you to all of you who care.
We realized how much Noah has grown up when he decided he was big enough to sleep downstairs with his brother instead of "kicking Grandma out of her bed." Kim and Stephan got them on Friday and the house became instantly quiet.
On to the challenge of the week! Last Sunday we received a call from a member of the Bishopric at our ward. If you are LDS you instinctively know that it ususally means you are going to be asked to speak on Sunday Morning. This was the first time we have talked in Sacrament since joining the Ward last year. As I planned my talk on reading the scriptures, I really had a chance to look back at the last year and see how much our live have changed. I found that in my daily life now the scriptures play a very important part. I turn to them when I am troubled. I wonder now how I made it through Dave's illness without the church, and scriptures and of course our church family, which has become so important to us. This morning as I spoke, I looked at the ward members who have become so important to us. The encouragement we receive from every member is wonderful. The Sisters in Relief Society are a great source of encouragement to me also. I had a wonderful visit this week with our RS President and one of the counselors. I know that they are special, caring people. I envy the fact that they are able to meet with each sister and get to know them. We all find our place in the working of the ward. I have a very special desire and hopefully one day I will be able to fulfill it. Our Bishop is truly a man called by God and gives a sense of calm to us all. I thank God for them all and the blessings they give me in my life.
I am so blessed to have the life that I have now. I love my family and friends so much. This is just my way of saying thank you to all of you who care.
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