Christmas 2017

Christmas this year seemed to creep up on us with all the other things going on in our lives, but even though it was a little different out of necessity, we were grateful to be together and make special memories.

Our strategy for Christmas gifts this year for the grandkids was one big box per child that they could open and which was filled (or actually half-filled) with items they could all share among themselves.  The idea was a huge success, though it was a bit of a wild mess as the unwrapping occurred all at once!

Katie seemed to primarily be interested in her M&M's...

Dad and Mom surprised me with a KitchenAid mixer, just like the one Rachael received as a shower gift!  So unexpected...

Ben, Laura, and the kids gave Kathy a box of children's book, one of them being a copy of the "Long Winter".  Very fitting given her relocation to Duluth, Minnesota in February.

One of the other activities of the day was practicing how to do the girl's hair for Rachael's wedding.

Oh, and also playing with the 1,000 piece dominos set!

Little James eventually had too much...

The dessert spread was incredible!  So hard to choose...

Now we are on to pulling together the last details for the first of two weddings!  Thankful for the memories, and looking forward to the new memories that will be made in the coming year.

Rachael's Bridal Shower

It was a lovely evening on Monday as we celebrated Rachael's upcoming marriage to Eric during her bridal shower.  We were overwhelmed by all the love and support from our church family and friends.  We were also very grateful that Mom could be there and share in this special event with us.  Truly an answer to prayer!

Some of the decorations for the evening - 

We were touched by how many of our friends made an appearance!   So many special faces - 

Everyone contributed their favorite dessert or finger food, and we served a variety of tea, coffee, and hot chocolate.  The food tables were incredible!  As someone commented, "We should have invited other churches to join us!"  

It was good for everyone to hear from Rachael how God brought Eric into her life and share a little about him since most had not yet met him.  We were also very surprised and delighted to receive a warm thank you from Eric himself via speaker phone!  Such a southern gentleman.  

We were encouraged by the words of wisdom from two godly women:  Mom and a good family friend, Julie Mauser.  

And then the fun part - opening the mountain of gifts!  People were so generous in helping Rachael and Eric set up their new home.

We are so grateful for all those who helped to make the evening a special memory.  Now we look forward to December 30, 2017 as Rachael and Eric make their vows to one another.  May God richly bless them in the years ahead!

God's Providences

It was confirmed today that Mom has sepsis as well as pneumonia. The infected line will be removed tomorrow. We are hoping for discharge Wednesday or Thursday.

I can't tell you how disappointing it has been to have all this happen right before the first of two weddings. I'm recognizing that I had subconscious expectations for how I wanted these last weeks to go - the things I wanted to do as a family, how I wanted to spend the time with my sisters, the memories I wanted to create during the holidays, etc. But I'm learning it's better to let God define how he wants us to create these memories and embrace them as the absolute best. "In acceptance lieth peace." (Amy Carmichael) Praying for his joy, his peace, his grace to be reflected in all that transpires in the coming days - and for special memories to be created as we accept what God has ordained.