Today Doug and the boys had to dig out — again — from snow. We had about a foot from this last bout. And, when you figure in the other storms and light snows we've had, we must have about two feet right now...of course, most people DO have two feet but I mean two feet of snow.
Last winter we got several feet of snow in the spring. This winter we're getting everything in December. Does that mean we'll have a dry spring?
And coolllldddd. yuck.
snow is good for one thing...a Christmasy mood. But now, as we finish the holiday season and are nearing epiphany, I wish it would get warm!
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Sunday, November 16, 2008
It's November?!!!?!!!
Yowzers. It seems strange that it's already November! And right around the corner is Christmas. What's up with that?
Wayne and Nancy and boys spent almost two weeks in Calgary visiting her parents, Jim and Sharon. The pictures show everyone having a great time! What fun...visiting in the mountains...playing with cousins and just visiting!
The first night they came back Nancy asked us to come over to see the kids. What a joy to talk about their trip and give the little guys big hugs from Grandpa and Grandma!
We've had it super wet here! And we've had a tad of snow, although there are only traces, really, that are showing on the edges of lawns. Yuck!
Monday, October 20, 2008
An update
Here's the quick D. Stender family update:
Doug continues to see the country driving for Otter Tail Coaches. Last week Doug drove and I chaperoned the Fan/Band bus of Hillcrest students to a Hillcrest Soccer game. If Hillcrest won, they'd be in the state tourney. They lost. We are very blessed to have a special, caring and dedicated coach in Rod Jensen. One of these days, he'll have a team at state tourneys. It just wasn't in the cards for this year. They still did fantastic. It's an international team of Hillcrest U.S. students, students from Norway and others from South Korea. We are blessed too to have such talented students.
Carol: I'm still writing and am seeing the country. I hope to get a new and used car this fall...the car will most likely be used but it will be new to me! Need a good runner for all the miles I travel! I keep watching the weather reports closely since we will soon be bombarded with...gasp...snow and ICE. Hate the ice!
Andy: is finishing up the football season. He played on JV and their season is done but they play against varsity as the varsity prepares for its first tourney game this weekend! He works at Take 5. Busy, busy, busy schedule!
Jose: He's looking forward to basketball season. He enjoys hanging out with his friends, too. We have plans to paint his room soon. The couple who ran the orphanage, lovingly referred to as Papa Ed and Momma Rosa, are coming for a visit next month. In Fergus Falls, they'll visit us, the Prestons and Amy Twedt who operates the adoption agency that we used for the adoption. What a fun visit that will be! Such workers for the Lord, the Salas' are! (ooooo. That sounded like a Yoda comment!) Ed and Rosa will travel to Michigan and further for Thanksgiving before returning to Mexico.
And our elder crew:
Wayne and Nancy are super busy parents! Wayne works with ministry and peer ministry at Hillcrest. He'll be returning to Fergus late tonight from a speaking engagement in Seattle plus Hillcrest promotional trip. Nancy watches a little one and keeps up with their two busy boys! And it's all boys she watches! Yowzers! She also deans at Hillcrest dorms on Mondays.
JP and Julie are busy setting up their careers. JP works for Thrivent and somehow he weathered the parental storm provided by us as we looked into an insurance policy. You'll want to schedule an appointment with him...he makes GREAT coffee! And Julie is student teaching in Perham this fall. She'll be finished in early November and then can teach! What a great, organized teacher she is!
Well, that's our updates.
Doug continues to see the country driving for Otter Tail Coaches. Last week Doug drove and I chaperoned the Fan/Band bus of Hillcrest students to a Hillcrest Soccer game. If Hillcrest won, they'd be in the state tourney. They lost. We are very blessed to have a special, caring and dedicated coach in Rod Jensen. One of these days, he'll have a team at state tourneys. It just wasn't in the cards for this year. They still did fantastic. It's an international team of Hillcrest U.S. students, students from Norway and others from South Korea. We are blessed too to have such talented students.
Carol: I'm still writing and am seeing the country. I hope to get a new and used car this fall...the car will most likely be used but it will be new to me! Need a good runner for all the miles I travel! I keep watching the weather reports closely since we will soon be bombarded with...gasp...snow and ICE. Hate the ice!
Andy: is finishing up the football season. He played on JV and their season is done but they play against varsity as the varsity prepares for its first tourney game this weekend! He works at Take 5. Busy, busy, busy schedule!
Jose: He's looking forward to basketball season. He enjoys hanging out with his friends, too. We have plans to paint his room soon. The couple who ran the orphanage, lovingly referred to as Papa Ed and Momma Rosa, are coming for a visit next month. In Fergus Falls, they'll visit us, the Prestons and Amy Twedt who operates the adoption agency that we used for the adoption. What a fun visit that will be! Such workers for the Lord, the Salas' are! (ooooo. That sounded like a Yoda comment!) Ed and Rosa will travel to Michigan and further for Thanksgiving before returning to Mexico.
And our elder crew:
Wayne and Nancy are super busy parents! Wayne works with ministry and peer ministry at Hillcrest. He'll be returning to Fergus late tonight from a speaking engagement in Seattle plus Hillcrest promotional trip. Nancy watches a little one and keeps up with their two busy boys! And it's all boys she watches! Yowzers! She also deans at Hillcrest dorms on Mondays.
JP and Julie are busy setting up their careers. JP works for Thrivent and somehow he weathered the parental storm provided by us as we looked into an insurance policy. You'll want to schedule an appointment with him...he makes GREAT coffee! And Julie is student teaching in Perham this fall. She'll be finished in early November and then can teach! What a great, organized teacher she is!
Well, that's our updates.
I don't like sharing
There are some things I like to share...
a recipe
a good book
a piece of Weight Watchers chocolate cake (that's a dream. I'm doing WW Core and bread or anything similar there of is a no-no)
But I don't like sharing colds.
I'm not the one who wants to share this thing...Andy gave it to me!
He was a very sick boy a couple of weeks ago. Severe sore throat and cold. A throat culture on, of course, when else do you get them... a Sunday morning in the emergency room (Do you hear the cha-ching, cha-ching of charges on that visit? It's resounding in my ears!) showed he didn't have strep but was definitely battling an infection.
After some hefty antibiotics, he's baaacckkkk! That's the good news. He slept most of the days he was home but, with the antibiotics, was coming around on a Monday and went to school the next day.
Glad he's back at it but now, I'm down for the count!
a recipe
a good book
a piece of Weight Watchers chocolate cake (that's a dream. I'm doing WW Core and bread or anything similar there of is a no-no)
But I don't like sharing colds.
I'm not the one who wants to share this thing...Andy gave it to me!
He was a very sick boy a couple of weeks ago. Severe sore throat and cold. A throat culture on, of course, when else do you get them... a Sunday morning in the emergency room (Do you hear the cha-ching, cha-ching of charges on that visit? It's resounding in my ears!) showed he didn't have strep but was definitely battling an infection.
After some hefty antibiotics, he's baaacckkkk! That's the good news. He slept most of the days he was home but, with the antibiotics, was coming around on a Monday and went to school the next day.
Glad he's back at it but now, I'm down for the count!
Saturday, September 20, 2008
updates on life...
Doug is driving the Fergus Falls community college football team to a game in northern Minnesota today. It was an overnight trip for him.
Andy went in the fourth quarter of the varsity football game last night. He has a JV game on Monday. He's working tonight at Take 5...Take 5, the convenience store that has employed almost everyone in the family!
Jose goes to youth group and likes riding bike with his friends. tonight he is at a party. It's going to be an interesting winter and will certainly cut into his socializing time. He is doing more and more of his homework by himself.
I am busy with work, as always. I have had an opportunity to interview many special people. I've truly been blessed in my work. I interviewed the first runner up for the Mn. pork ambassador position and found out her mom is from Barrett, my home town! Talk about a small world! Fun!
I have now finished painting the dining room (with Nancy) and living room (with Jose, Nancy had to work) and am planning painting of our foyer.
JP is busy with his work at Thrivent and is preparing for the hunting season (he should just drive my car...that's guaranteed to get a deer or two!) Julie is student teaching in Perham. Miss seeing her...she's gone during the week and the weekends are precious times together for the two of them. Wayne is active in the Hillcrest ministry and at Bethel church and Nancy and Wayne are busy with their two and Nancy with babysitting and deaning at the school.
Wow! It's something when we can get everyone together now! But we do. That time together is important and precious...
That's our update for now. And what's new with you?
Good morning sunshine...but where IS the sun?!
I am not a big fan of fall.
The changing leaf color isn't a problem, it's the later sunrise and earlier sunset that bothers me.
I am an early riser. I like getting up around 5 a.m. Actually, it's not much of a choice for me. Once a country girl, always a country girl!
Nancy said Kian woke up around 4 one morning and Wayne commented, as the two of them woke up to the crying infant, that they should take him to grandpa's and grandma's house because THEY would be up! We probably would be up! It's just our nature.
It's just hard to get up and get motivated with the dark mornings!
Wish it was spring again....
Saturday, August 30, 2008
Painting party with Nancy
Wayne, Nancy and boys came over last night. I'd requested help in finding colors to paint our living and dining areas. The painting was a must. I couldn't take the "baby-poop" yellow anymore!
Nancy compared swatches and placed them against the walls and woodwork to make sure the color would match the existing woodwork in our 1920s era home. She found what she believed were the perfect matches and the rest was up to me. I had to wash the walls, tape the woodwork and get the paint and various other assundries all for painting. Nancy said she'd be by later to help.
I couldn't believe how long the cleaning and taping process took but I remained firm in my resolve to get this painting done during labor day weekend. By early afternoon, Nancy came and we started to paint. I did the cutting in near the trim and Nancy manned the roller.
In a couple of hours we finished the dining area and have yet to finish the living room, hopefully on Monday. I keep looking at our handiwork and am marveling at the appearance of the room. It seems so fresh!
Then we went to ... well, originally we were going to celebrate our labors at Applebees but a bunch of Hillcrest Norweigian students beat us there so we went to the chinese restaurant nearby.
We both ate WAY too much but it was good!
Thanks, Nancy. You are a trooper and I appreciate your help. And I thank you for your company at dinner! Good conversation and good food. We are blessed! Thanks, Nanc!
Nancy compared swatches and placed them against the walls and woodwork to make sure the color would match the existing woodwork in our 1920s era home. She found what she believed were the perfect matches and the rest was up to me. I had to wash the walls, tape the woodwork and get the paint and various other assundries all for painting. Nancy said she'd be by later to help.
I couldn't believe how long the cleaning and taping process took but I remained firm in my resolve to get this painting done during labor day weekend. By early afternoon, Nancy came and we started to paint. I did the cutting in near the trim and Nancy manned the roller.
In a couple of hours we finished the dining area and have yet to finish the living room, hopefully on Monday. I keep looking at our handiwork and am marveling at the appearance of the room. It seems so fresh!
Then we went to ... well, originally we were going to celebrate our labors at Applebees but a bunch of Hillcrest Norweigian students beat us there so we went to the chinese restaurant nearby.
We both ate WAY too much but it was good!
Thanks, Nancy. You are a trooper and I appreciate your help. And I thank you for your company at dinner! Good conversation and good food. We are blessed! Thanks, Nanc!
The Pig Whisperer
Robert Redford portrayed a horse whisperer and Jennifer Love Hewitt plays a ghost whisperer, both in theatrical form. But after my day-long stay at the Minnesota State Fair last week, I have been dubbed the Pig Whisperer.
My aim, as an agriculture reporter, was to work in as many ag related booths as I could during one day. I started with the pork producers. At the association's Oink Booth in the Swine Building, fairgoers could see a sow and her litter. They were in an crate surrounded by a fence. The sides of the crate were enclosed in plexiglass so the crowd could see the antics of the little ones and get a good view of the little ones feeding.
The Minnesota Pork Producers' communications director Amy Brandel brought me into the pen and told me to pick up a little pig. The people like to touch the pigs, she said. And it's a great way to tell everyone about hogs and hog production.
My first little porker sat snugly in my arms. People patted its head and, when I told them how soft the tip of the snout was, they touched it and were amazed at the feel. When that little one started to grunt and wiggle, I put him down. All the pigs were gathered on mom's side trying to get her to lay on her side so they could eat. She wasn't having any of it and just laid still.
So I picked up another. Again the people came, young and old alike, to touch a pig. Pig's don't have sweat glands, I told the people. That's why farmers have sprinkler systems in their barns so they can cool off the hogs on hot days.
I mentioned other facts and the people asked questions.
Then the sow laid on her side and all the pigs started to feed, quite noisily too, I might add. I'd better put this little guy down, I thought. When I put him in the crate, he landed with a light thud and didn't move. He was asleep. I rubbed him to wake him up but it was the grunts of his siblings that caught his attention. He stood up, shook himself and went to momma to get his dinner.
It's been 30 years since I've worked with pigs and the experience was a sheer thrill for me. It was fun reconnecting with the industry and finding I still have the touch with livestock.
And to learn...I AM the pig whisperer!
My aim, as an agriculture reporter, was to work in as many ag related booths as I could during one day. I started with the pork producers. At the association's Oink Booth in the Swine Building, fairgoers could see a sow and her litter. They were in an crate surrounded by a fence. The sides of the crate were enclosed in plexiglass so the crowd could see the antics of the little ones and get a good view of the little ones feeding.
The Minnesota Pork Producers' communications director Amy Brandel brought me into the pen and told me to pick up a little pig. The people like to touch the pigs, she said. And it's a great way to tell everyone about hogs and hog production.
My first little porker sat snugly in my arms. People patted its head and, when I told them how soft the tip of the snout was, they touched it and were amazed at the feel. When that little one started to grunt and wiggle, I put him down. All the pigs were gathered on mom's side trying to get her to lay on her side so they could eat. She wasn't having any of it and just laid still.
So I picked up another. Again the people came, young and old alike, to touch a pig. Pig's don't have sweat glands, I told the people. That's why farmers have sprinkler systems in their barns so they can cool off the hogs on hot days.
I mentioned other facts and the people asked questions.
Then the sow laid on her side and all the pigs started to feed, quite noisily too, I might add. I'd better put this little guy down, I thought. When I put him in the crate, he landed with a light thud and didn't move. He was asleep. I rubbed him to wake him up but it was the grunts of his siblings that caught his attention. He stood up, shook himself and went to momma to get his dinner.
It's been 30 years since I've worked with pigs and the experience was a sheer thrill for me. It was fun reconnecting with the industry and finding I still have the touch with livestock.
And to learn...I AM the pig whisperer!
Saturday, August 16, 2008
Facing up to Facebook
I joined Facebook a few weeks ago and suddenly, this week, several friends, also with Facebook accounts, asked me to be their friend!
I know, I know, it sounds wierd if you're not using Facebook yourself but once you make those connections, you can instant message and leave messages for the people you know.
I was so excited to get so many people to be my Facebook friend that I admit I gushed a bit about it when the guys and Julie came over for Jose's bd. Wayne just tsked and said something about mothers being on Facebook and shook his head.
Jose had his 15th bd this week! We gave him a cell phone. It's much easier to be in contact with him now and he's pretty good about letting us know where he's going with his friends. He's excited about it!
Andy is in football. He says it's been going pretty good. He's also Sophomore Class president so he's had a busy time the last few weeks between leadership training for Hillcrest, Football practice and completing his athletic skills training at Athletic Republic, a new business in Fergus that helps athletes build up their stamina and do strength training and the like.
Both guys are getting ready for school. Hillcrest starts on Monday. Jose already has had orientation. There goes the summer! We have some major shopping to do tomorrow afternoon and our time for shopping is also limited since they have the school picnic tomorrow afternoon and I have to go to Barrett to help my bro and sis load up chickens for butchering at the Ashby plant.
Never a dull moment!
It's a brief update but it catches all up on what we've been up to.
Oh, and Doug has a bus trip later this week to Bottineau where we lived for a few years! HOpefully he'll be able to get in contact with our good friends while he's there. Shelah? I need some phone numbers! Thanks
I know, I know, it sounds wierd if you're not using Facebook yourself but once you make those connections, you can instant message and leave messages for the people you know.
I was so excited to get so many people to be my Facebook friend that I admit I gushed a bit about it when the guys and Julie came over for Jose's bd. Wayne just tsked and said something about mothers being on Facebook and shook his head.
Jose had his 15th bd this week! We gave him a cell phone. It's much easier to be in contact with him now and he's pretty good about letting us know where he's going with his friends. He's excited about it!
Andy is in football. He says it's been going pretty good. He's also Sophomore Class president so he's had a busy time the last few weeks between leadership training for Hillcrest, Football practice and completing his athletic skills training at Athletic Republic, a new business in Fergus that helps athletes build up their stamina and do strength training and the like.
Both guys are getting ready for school. Hillcrest starts on Monday. Jose already has had orientation. There goes the summer! We have some major shopping to do tomorrow afternoon and our time for shopping is also limited since they have the school picnic tomorrow afternoon and I have to go to Barrett to help my bro and sis load up chickens for butchering at the Ashby plant.
Never a dull moment!
It's a brief update but it catches all up on what we've been up to.
Oh, and Doug has a bus trip later this week to Bottineau where we lived for a few years! HOpefully he'll be able to get in contact with our good friends while he's there. Shelah? I need some phone numbers! Thanks
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
Chip throwing champ!
I just got back from two days at Farmfest.
Two highlights were:
•I was part of the media panel asking questions of U.S. Senate candidates. Interesting debate and several hundred filled the forum tent where the questioning took place.
•And I was on the media team for the Department of Natural Resources Buffalo Chip Throwing Contest! I mentioned this is in a previous e-mail.
Well. the media team won!!! I have to admit, though, that my forte wasn't throwing the chips for distance. Yep, threw like a girl! But when it came to accuracy, I carried the team! Got both chips in the tub! The guys were the ones that threw like girls in that event!
So we got a nice framed certificate and a medal! I hope someone is impressed because Ijust kept getting razzed around here! People just don't have respect for good chip throwers!
My bro and sis, Byron and Karen, came to Farmfest today too but they missed the chip throwing contest. As I was explaining to them about the event, my brother reminded me that our mom would often walk with our uncles and aunt through their pastures picking up cow chips or cow pies that were used for fuel. Can you imagine burning that stuff? But, any source of fuel, I guess. That's the true bio fuel!
Two highlights were:
•I was part of the media panel asking questions of U.S. Senate candidates. Interesting debate and several hundred filled the forum tent where the questioning took place.
•And I was on the media team for the Department of Natural Resources Buffalo Chip Throwing Contest! I mentioned this is in a previous e-mail.
Well. the media team won!!! I have to admit, though, that my forte wasn't throwing the chips for distance. Yep, threw like a girl! But when it came to accuracy, I carried the team! Got both chips in the tub! The guys were the ones that threw like girls in that event!
So we got a nice framed certificate and a medal! I hope someone is impressed because Ijust kept getting razzed around here! People just don't have respect for good chip throwers!
My bro and sis, Byron and Karen, came to Farmfest today too but they missed the chip throwing contest. As I was explaining to them about the event, my brother reminded me that our mom would often walk with our uncles and aunt through their pastures picking up cow chips or cow pies that were used for fuel. Can you imagine burning that stuff? But, any source of fuel, I guess. That's the true bio fuel!
Friday, August 1, 2008
Opportunity drive NOT an opportunity after Vikings Training Camp trip
Doug and Andy had great plans on Monday when they decided to go to Vikings Training camp.
They were going to take my car BUT I had arranged to get a much needed oil change for my dear Mitzu that now tops more than 340,000 miles (think Mitzubishi will give me a discount on a new one?)
Well, they admitted they had not informed me in time of their plans so they decided to take Andy's Taurus. The Taurus is a used vehicle we got from my bro Byron and has been a great little runner for Andy since he got his license in May.
I called them at training camp and they were having a blast. They got to see many of the players, experienced training camp (Andy getting some professional football training camp views before he starts training with the Hillcrest crew) plus buying some stuff like a Vikings football for Breiden.
From there they decided to make a day of it and went to the Twin Cities for the Minnesota Twins first series game against the White Sox. Basking in the glory of a Twins win and the Twins moving up in the standings of the division race, they started for home.
All was going well until they hit St. Cloud when the car decided it had had enough. They managed to go off on Opportunity Drive by St. Cloud near where a highway patrolman was parked. He gave them a ride to a convenience store and they tried to call me - twice but between the fan and deep rem sleep, I never heard a thing!
They finally reached Wayne (Wayne and Nancy had just returned at 10 p.m. that night from their week and a half on the east coast - yes, they had the kid with them too on their travels) Wayne had to get JP's car and went to get them. It was about 5 a.m. by the time Doug woke me up as he was getting into bed to sleep! I was then getting up!
What a night. Quite memorable with all their activities. And they call that bonding time? Definitely, though, the time at training camp and the Twins game is the winner of the day. That car stuff is just, well, the stuff of the day!
They were going to take my car BUT I had arranged to get a much needed oil change for my dear Mitzu that now tops more than 340,000 miles (think Mitzubishi will give me a discount on a new one?)
Well, they admitted they had not informed me in time of their plans so they decided to take Andy's Taurus. The Taurus is a used vehicle we got from my bro Byron and has been a great little runner for Andy since he got his license in May.
I called them at training camp and they were having a blast. They got to see many of the players, experienced training camp (Andy getting some professional football training camp views before he starts training with the Hillcrest crew) plus buying some stuff like a Vikings football for Breiden.
From there they decided to make a day of it and went to the Twin Cities for the Minnesota Twins first series game against the White Sox. Basking in the glory of a Twins win and the Twins moving up in the standings of the division race, they started for home.
All was going well until they hit St. Cloud when the car decided it had had enough. They managed to go off on Opportunity Drive by St. Cloud near where a highway patrolman was parked. He gave them a ride to a convenience store and they tried to call me - twice but between the fan and deep rem sleep, I never heard a thing!
They finally reached Wayne (Wayne and Nancy had just returned at 10 p.m. that night from their week and a half on the east coast - yes, they had the kid with them too on their travels) Wayne had to get JP's car and went to get them. It was about 5 a.m. by the time Doug woke me up as he was getting into bed to sleep! I was then getting up!
What a night. Quite memorable with all their activities. And they call that bonding time? Definitely, though, the time at training camp and the Twins game is the winner of the day. That car stuff is just, well, the stuff of the day!
Thursday, July 24, 2008
Meet me at Farmfest!
I just got word that I will be covering Farmfest for Agri News Aug. 5 and 6, the Tuesday and Wednesday of the event.
I've been asked to be part of the media panel questioning the senate candidates including Norm Coleman and Al Franken on Tuesday at 10:30 and will cover the most eligible male and female farmers that afternoon. (Can this job get any better?!)
AND...I am Soooo excited about this one...on Wed. at noon, I will be at the DNR, again part of another media group, participating in the DNR's buffalo chip throwing contest!!!! Can't wait!!! Honestly, I really can't. I covered it last year as a reporter and it was a blast to watch but now I have to practice my throwing skills.
I was a pretty mean thrower at the Agri News staff picinic's ladder golf event this spring so now I have to get some extra practice in for the chips. Of course, unlike ladder golf, the chips have a way of falling apart in mid-air!
Yep. I've been known to throw some bull around in my day and now I'll actually be doing it with the real thing!
So, hope to see ya there at Farmfest!
I've been asked to be part of the media panel questioning the senate candidates including Norm Coleman and Al Franken on Tuesday at 10:30 and will cover the most eligible male and female farmers that afternoon. (Can this job get any better?!)
AND...I am Soooo excited about this one...on Wed. at noon, I will be at the DNR, again part of another media group, participating in the DNR's buffalo chip throwing contest!!!! Can't wait!!! Honestly, I really can't. I covered it last year as a reporter and it was a blast to watch but now I have to practice my throwing skills.
I was a pretty mean thrower at the Agri News staff picinic's ladder golf event this spring so now I have to get some extra practice in for the chips. Of course, unlike ladder golf, the chips have a way of falling apart in mid-air!
Yep. I've been known to throw some bull around in my day and now I'll actually be doing it with the real thing!
So, hope to see ya there at Farmfest!
Friday, July 18, 2008
A badly needed update
It's been brought to my attention that our blog is in need of an update. So here it is...
It's been a very busy summer, as summers usually are...Andy spends Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings at Hillcrest in weight training. Tuesday and Thursday morning he's at Athletic Republic, a new training facility that's part of the hospital complex here in Fergus but it is geared to help athletes better their stamina and performance skills. This is something special for Andy who is morning challenged at the best of times. But he makes it up every morning and is committed to the morning long sessions.
Andy is also working at Take 5, the convenience store that has now employed four Stenders! And he just returned from a week long basketball camp in Wisconsin.
During his absence, his Playstation 3 quit working - with a rented game in it! He was not happy at that news. It is now on its way to Sony headquarters to hopefully get fixed!
Jose just completed traveling team soccer. He did quite well and met many new friends. Good friends of ours from our Trinity Church days also have a son on the team so it was great to connect and share rides. The downside of the traveling soccer team was the travel. The games to Alexandria were one thing but the three hour ride to Thief River Falls was another. It was especially frustrating when they had a game in Bemidji -another three hour trek - and it rained very hard all the way up and back. We were afraid the game would be called when we'd arrived but the sky cleared long enough for them to complete the game - a tie - and for us to grab something to eat.
Today I took Jose and a friend to the West Otter Tail County fair here in Fergus Falls. I received a season pass from the fair board and received two extra free passes from a business in town. I'd also purchased two fair ride arm bands since I know Jose enjoyed the bumper cars last year. Because I still had stories and cutlines to finish for work, I dropped Jose and his friend, Theo, at the back gate entrance armed with my cell phone to call home when they were ready to be picked up.
They called just two hours later. After I picked them up, I started to ask questions about their trip to the fair but the two were VERY quiet. Dear Theo, a very nice, polite young man, grunted short answers to my questions but Jose minced no words at the cause for their behavior.
"We don't feel good," Jose said.
They'd enjoyed a fair meal of hamburgers and sno cones followed by rides on the bumper cars and several trips on whirly, twirly rides. Theo got sick on the fair grounds and Jose made it home only to be sick a short while later.
Jose then vowed he did NOT want to go with the church youth group to Valleyfair this month. This once brave carnival ride kid has sworn off the whirly twirly things!
Julie planned a fantastic surprise party for JP last weekend. JP has graduated from Phoenix University with a bachelors degree in business with a finanace emphasis. He is an associate with Thrivant for Lutherans but couldn't make the trip to Phoenix for his college graduation. Julie worked hard to keep the event quiet and JP said he had no idea she had planned the party for him.
Wayne has been busy heading recruiting trips for Hillcrest and Bible camp experiences plus working concessions for Doug Hansen. Nancy was able to work with Wayne at the Cass county (Barnesville) fair. Andy even took part in that one. Nancy is also babysitter for a friend. With their two and the little one, it's a busy day for her.
At JP's surprise party, Breiden enjoyed playing with the balloons and, as he would bat the balloons in the air, he'd say, "watch this." some might dispute his baby phrases but we really heard him say that! And of course, he's one of the smartest one-year-olds around. And we're not biased.
Doug continues to drive bus for the Alexandria Beetles. IT's a crazy schedule with him on the road for a few days then home for a couple more.
And me? I'm still trying to figure out where the first half of the summer went and how I can schedule in some painting days here to finish some of the room painting.
Monday, June 16, 2008
B was here!
Grandpa and Grandma got B for two and a half days! An overnighter! What fun. Well, at least for us.
Wayne and Nancy participated in their good friends' wedding on Saturday so B came Friday mid-afternoon. On Saturday, Doug was on the road with the Beetles and I was home with Andy, Jose and B when the tornado sirens went off in the late afternoon. I knew we were in a thunderstorm watch but found out, after a quick listen to the radio, that we were in a tornado warning. IT was also summerfest weekend in Fergus Falls and the parade was starting soon.
The sirens quit and the radio announced that the sirens went off to get people out of downtown. The parade was postponed. I told the boys that the next time the sirens went off, we were going to the basement. Jose was in charge of the flashlight and Andy, the blankets.
So the sirens went off and when I hollared the boys, they gave a muffled answer. Both seemed to have beamed directly to the basement! I didn't hear them go past the kitchen. Can't get them to go anywhere, the usually plod along but tell them get thee to the basement because a tornado is coming and ZOOMMMMMM. Lickety split!
And here I was with Breiden and my radio! WE all got to the basement, the three dogs were put in the kennel and we laid a blanket on the floor then put a blanket over our heads. I had the radio station on and in mid report, it went to just static. Not a good sign. Breiden started to whimper. For some strange reason he didn't appreciate the blanket! No peek a boo! Jose gave him the flashlight and suddenly he had a pretty neat toy!
We could hear the wind but soon the sirens ended and, when we got up, the sun was shining! We just had big winds and rain when the worst of the storm passed overhead. Lots of branches down around the city but no tornado touchdown. It had been spotted just miles west of Fergus Falls.
And through this experience I learned how fast we can prepare for severe weather in our house AND how fast the boys can move when they so desire!
Even Nancy and Wayne and JP and Julie (Julie was a personal attendant at the wedding and Wayne and Nancy read scripture) had to go to the basement of reception hall as Fargo-Moorhead also had a thunderstorm/tornado warning! They spent an hour in the basement...and everyone was just getting their food!
Wayne and Nancy text messaged me asking if B could stay another night because it was very late when they left the reception. No problem! But when Wayne picked him up the next morning, B immediately waved good bye! Grandpa and Grandma are great but there's nothing like mom and dad! !!!!
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
rain rain go away
We're starting to grow gills here!
It seems we rarely have three days of pure sunshine. The sun makes brief appearances but rain is sure to pour at some time in the day.
Farmers can't get in the fields, baling the alfalfa is a challenge and the lawn is growing by leaps and bounds!
But Jose has had two soccer games!
At his team's first game, he scored several goals and had an assist as they won 4 to 1!
They just played Thief River Falls, an almost three hour drive one way, and he scored one goal and was a good defender, moving the ball and challenging the other team. The Fergus Falls Cyclones tied the score at 4 to 4. Good job, Jose!
Andy's summer is VERY busy. I was unsure how his summer would go now that he is too old for the youth rec league and he didn't sign up for any church league ball but he's earning money (yay) working at Take 5 and mowing lawn for our good friends, Brian and Elaine. Yep. The lawnmowing has kept him quite busy!
Jose is enjoying time with friends and will have to get our own lawn cut soon! Very soon!
All the kids were over on Sunday for dinner and painting. We got everything done except for a few touch ups. It sure makes the outside house appearance much more pleasing. Now we need to do some major yardwork, get the fence down and repositioned so the "girls" (the three dogs) can have some good play area. The fence all the way around the property is a bit forboding!
Then there are indoor painting projects, work indoors, etc. etc. etc. If it isn't one thing, it's the other, isn't it? Summer is such a busy time especially when we Minnesotans have about two months of it!
Doug is busy driving the Beetles baseball team around. The other night, Ottertail Coaches took as many employees as wanted to, to one of the Beetles home games. It was a fun time although it was a tad cool!
Doug and I also celebrated our 26th wedding anniversary at Bella's on Broadway. Wayne recommended the restaurant and it was great! Good food and good company...we were able to get away alone as a couple.
My summer is also busy with work. Lots of cattle shows to cover, dairy princesses to interview and fun rural places to visit. travel. travel. travel. And all of that with almost $4 gas! Yikes!
It seems we rarely have three days of pure sunshine. The sun makes brief appearances but rain is sure to pour at some time in the day.
Farmers can't get in the fields, baling the alfalfa is a challenge and the lawn is growing by leaps and bounds!
But Jose has had two soccer games!
At his team's first game, he scored several goals and had an assist as they won 4 to 1!
They just played Thief River Falls, an almost three hour drive one way, and he scored one goal and was a good defender, moving the ball and challenging the other team. The Fergus Falls Cyclones tied the score at 4 to 4. Good job, Jose!
Andy's summer is VERY busy. I was unsure how his summer would go now that he is too old for the youth rec league and he didn't sign up for any church league ball but he's earning money (yay) working at Take 5 and mowing lawn for our good friends, Brian and Elaine. Yep. The lawnmowing has kept him quite busy!
Jose is enjoying time with friends and will have to get our own lawn cut soon! Very soon!
All the kids were over on Sunday for dinner and painting. We got everything done except for a few touch ups. It sure makes the outside house appearance much more pleasing. Now we need to do some major yardwork, get the fence down and repositioned so the "girls" (the three dogs) can have some good play area. The fence all the way around the property is a bit forboding!
Then there are indoor painting projects, work indoors, etc. etc. etc. If it isn't one thing, it's the other, isn't it? Summer is such a busy time especially when we Minnesotans have about two months of it!
Doug is busy driving the Beetles baseball team around. The other night, Ottertail Coaches took as many employees as wanted to, to one of the Beetles home games. It was a fun time although it was a tad cool!
Doug and I also celebrated our 26th wedding anniversary at Bella's on Broadway. Wayne recommended the restaurant and it was great! Good food and good company...we were able to get away alone as a couple.
My summer is also busy with work. Lots of cattle shows to cover, dairy princesses to interview and fun rural places to visit. travel. travel. travel. And all of that with almost $4 gas! Yikes!
Monday, June 2, 2008
busy busy busy
Ahhhh. Summer starts and we're off to the races!
Andy is working at Take 5 for now, the convenience store that has employed just about every member of the Stender family except for Jose and me...well, I guess I did help Doug out a time or two but I DIDN'T GET PAID FOR IT! Just out of the goodness and kindness of my heart....
Jose is in a traveling youth soccer team and they have been practicing for their first game this week. Doug signed Jose up but, yesterday, before a parent's meeting I was to attend, Doug said he didn't know if the size he signed Jose up for would actually fit him. In the first place, Jose has grown. He's as tall as if not taller than me. And secondly, Doug doesn't know sizes.
When the coach handed out uniforms last night, he called Jose's name, said adult small and looked doubtful! He told Jose to put on the uniform right there so we could check the size and it fit. No, it's not skin hugging but we don't want me to wash it at all for his roughly two month season. Me, the ever loving shrinker would surely get that thing down another size or two if I tried to clean it! So I won't me washing it. Afterall, why DID they make febreeze if not for such cases?!
Okay, all you moms out there, I AM just kidding! Not by much, though.
Wayne and Nancy had a nice day out for their third anniversary! They went to Fargo to visit some coffee shops and to see their friends, Tom and Kelly. Doug and I had Breiden and Kian for the evening. What a night of joy. Kian, though, grew very tired of grandma and grandpa and wanted mom and dad...especially mom because she could feed him. We talked for quite a while and Breiden pulled all the kleenix out of a brand new box I'd just opened. Nancy gasped. I told her this way we don't have to go through all the bother of pullling the kleenix out ourselves!
They did enjoy their time together.
Wayne did a lot of the painting of our house. It looks sooo much better now. What a fresh coat of paint can do....And JP came over last night to help with some fans we want to get in the attic. Ahhh. older homes. They are a handyman's joy. At least someone is pleased with all the work!
I got the annuals planted. I figured since it is June, the chances are good it might not snow again this summer. Of course, who thought we'd have that BIG snow in April!
Andy is working at Take 5 for now, the convenience store that has employed just about every member of the Stender family except for Jose and me...well, I guess I did help Doug out a time or two but I DIDN'T GET PAID FOR IT! Just out of the goodness and kindness of my heart....
Jose is in a traveling youth soccer team and they have been practicing for their first game this week. Doug signed Jose up but, yesterday, before a parent's meeting I was to attend, Doug said he didn't know if the size he signed Jose up for would actually fit him. In the first place, Jose has grown. He's as tall as if not taller than me. And secondly, Doug doesn't know sizes.
When the coach handed out uniforms last night, he called Jose's name, said adult small and looked doubtful! He told Jose to put on the uniform right there so we could check the size and it fit. No, it's not skin hugging but we don't want me to wash it at all for his roughly two month season. Me, the ever loving shrinker would surely get that thing down another size or two if I tried to clean it! So I won't me washing it. Afterall, why DID they make febreeze if not for such cases?!
Okay, all you moms out there, I AM just kidding! Not by much, though.
Wayne and Nancy had a nice day out for their third anniversary! They went to Fargo to visit some coffee shops and to see their friends, Tom and Kelly. Doug and I had Breiden and Kian for the evening. What a night of joy. Kian, though, grew very tired of grandma and grandpa and wanted mom and dad...especially mom because she could feed him. We talked for quite a while and Breiden pulled all the kleenix out of a brand new box I'd just opened. Nancy gasped. I told her this way we don't have to go through all the bother of pullling the kleenix out ourselves!
They did enjoy their time together.
Wayne did a lot of the painting of our house. It looks sooo much better now. What a fresh coat of paint can do....And JP came over last night to help with some fans we want to get in the attic. Ahhh. older homes. They are a handyman's joy. At least someone is pleased with all the work!
I got the annuals planted. I figured since it is June, the chances are good it might not snow again this summer. Of course, who thought we'd have that BIG snow in April!
Monday, May 26, 2008
a long time ago
A long time ago...I wrote in my blog! The last time was after the snow we had..in April. What's up with that? The weather has been cooler than normal but the grass is growing, much to the dismay of Jose who had to cut it!
We are busy making plans for summer house projects including painting the outside and inside, fans in the attack and various other asundries. House projects never end, do they?
Jp's dogs, Jada and Abby, are now living at our house. JP comes often to visit them and I take them and our beagle Mocha for walks around four times a day. Great to have the extra support on the walks I need to take on my weight loss journey..ah, and what a journey it is...Looonnnnggggg journey.
When we come down the street, we make for quite a site. Often people stop to comment on this menagerie. Mocha is the typical beagle with her nose to the ground, sniffing out every scent possible. Jada, the older Bichon cross, walks by my side while Abby, the roughly six month old, bounces ahead of everyone and sometimes, so boldly, goes over to nose with Mocha or giver her a playful nip on the lip.
I have to be careful not to trip on anyone!
Our new grandson, Kian Julius, was baptized earlier this month. On Mother's day. What a great way to celebrate, huh?! It was a very nice private baptism at Bethel followed by lunch at Hillcrest's Student Union. Nancy's sisters, Suzanne and Heather and their spouses are sponsors and Heather was able to make it for the baptism with two of her daughters. Jim and Sharon, Nancy's parents, were able to spend more than a week with Wayne and Nancy too. Sorry we weren't able to spend much time with them during their stay. So much activity for school stuff with the boys but enjoyed the Sunday and brief conversations were had during the week.
Next time, hopefully, we can get together for a cup of coffee or an Applebees lunch!
Andy started training at Take 5, the convenience store where Doug once worked plus Wayne and JP. Next year maybe Jose can also work there.
It seems strange not to have baseball games to run Andy to this summer.
He plays on the Hillcrest team and was playing on the JV squad and will sit on the bench for the varsity during their playoff game tomorrow. HE has a busy summer, though, of conditioning, weight training and basket ball camp planned.
Jose is playing traveling team soccer and has been to a few practices so our summer schedule will be filled of his games.
And so the summer begins. May we at least get two house projects done out of the gobs we'd like to do. And hopefully the next installment to the blog won't be a report of more snow!
We are busy making plans for summer house projects including painting the outside and inside, fans in the attack and various other asundries. House projects never end, do they?
Jp's dogs, Jada and Abby, are now living at our house. JP comes often to visit them and I take them and our beagle Mocha for walks around four times a day. Great to have the extra support on the walks I need to take on my weight loss journey..ah, and what a journey it is...Looonnnnggggg journey.
When we come down the street, we make for quite a site. Often people stop to comment on this menagerie. Mocha is the typical beagle with her nose to the ground, sniffing out every scent possible. Jada, the older Bichon cross, walks by my side while Abby, the roughly six month old, bounces ahead of everyone and sometimes, so boldly, goes over to nose with Mocha or giver her a playful nip on the lip.
I have to be careful not to trip on anyone!
Our new grandson, Kian Julius, was baptized earlier this month. On Mother's day. What a great way to celebrate, huh?! It was a very nice private baptism at Bethel followed by lunch at Hillcrest's Student Union. Nancy's sisters, Suzanne and Heather and their spouses are sponsors and Heather was able to make it for the baptism with two of her daughters. Jim and Sharon, Nancy's parents, were able to spend more than a week with Wayne and Nancy too. Sorry we weren't able to spend much time with them during their stay. So much activity for school stuff with the boys but enjoyed the Sunday and brief conversations were had during the week.
Next time, hopefully, we can get together for a cup of coffee or an Applebees lunch!
Andy started training at Take 5, the convenience store where Doug once worked plus Wayne and JP. Next year maybe Jose can also work there.
It seems strange not to have baseball games to run Andy to this summer.
He plays on the Hillcrest team and was playing on the JV squad and will sit on the bench for the varsity during their playoff game tomorrow. HE has a busy summer, though, of conditioning, weight training and basket ball camp planned.
Jose is playing traveling team soccer and has been to a few practices so our summer schedule will be filled of his games.
And so the summer begins. May we at least get two house projects done out of the gobs we'd like to do. And hopefully the next installment to the blog won't be a report of more snow!
Monday, April 28, 2008
What's up with the snow?!
Everyone is getting a little testy around here. I think it has something to do with the close to 18 inches of snow we had here.
They were forecasting two to four inches. We get over a foot.
What's up with that?
It would be one thing in February but here it is April! And the end of April, at that!!!
On Friday, I was helping Nancy with Breiden and Kian when JP and Julie stopped for a visit. The snow was really flying by then. When I left Wayne's and Nancy's house, it seemed like I had to shovel off more from the car than I've had to shovel snow all season! I had a soccer meeting to attend and by the time I got done with the meeting (only four parents were there out of around 20) I had to remove snow AGAIN!!! I went home and Jose had two friends visiting. One of the moms came to get her son and the other couldn't because of car problems so I drove him home before it got too bad out. On our way home, Jose's friend said that's just the way Mother Nature is. I told him Mother Nature needs to get a reality check!
Doug had a coach trip to South Dakota to pick up a group and ended up staying the night because the roads were so bad. When they took off on Saturday morning, they had to stay in Brookings until around noon because I-29 was closed.
Meanwhile, the snowplow went by our house, burying the cars, and we went out to shovel so I could get some groceries. It was a very very heavy, wet snow. Heart attack snow, they call it. I didn't have a heart attack and Jose, Andy and I struggled to shovel. But I did fall on my butt. I laughed- at first - until I felt the wet snow seeping into my jeans! As I called to the guys to pick me up, they were suddenly weak because they were laughing at me and Andy put down his shovel to give me some applause. Shesh, thanks guys!
Everyone got home later and was great to have everyone home safe and sound.
Today, the snow is still there but it's starting to melt.
Jose had his project on display for the science fair tonight. What a fun evening. Jose's project, one where he makes static electricity and is able to give shocks similar to those you get when walking on carpet and then getting a shock when touching a door knob. Yep. Big hit with the guys!
They were forecasting two to four inches. We get over a foot.
What's up with that?
It would be one thing in February but here it is April! And the end of April, at that!!!
On Friday, I was helping Nancy with Breiden and Kian when JP and Julie stopped for a visit. The snow was really flying by then. When I left Wayne's and Nancy's house, it seemed like I had to shovel off more from the car than I've had to shovel snow all season! I had a soccer meeting to attend and by the time I got done with the meeting (only four parents were there out of around 20) I had to remove snow AGAIN!!! I went home and Jose had two friends visiting. One of the moms came to get her son and the other couldn't because of car problems so I drove him home before it got too bad out. On our way home, Jose's friend said that's just the way Mother Nature is. I told him Mother Nature needs to get a reality check!
Doug had a coach trip to South Dakota to pick up a group and ended up staying the night because the roads were so bad. When they took off on Saturday morning, they had to stay in Brookings until around noon because I-29 was closed.
Meanwhile, the snowplow went by our house, burying the cars, and we went out to shovel so I could get some groceries. It was a very very heavy, wet snow. Heart attack snow, they call it. I didn't have a heart attack and Jose, Andy and I struggled to shovel. But I did fall on my butt. I laughed- at first - until I felt the wet snow seeping into my jeans! As I called to the guys to pick me up, they were suddenly weak because they were laughing at me and Andy put down his shovel to give me some applause. Shesh, thanks guys!
Everyone got home later and was great to have everyone home safe and sound.
Today, the snow is still there but it's starting to melt.
Jose had his project on display for the science fair tonight. What a fun evening. Jose's project, one where he makes static electricity and is able to give shocks similar to those you get when walking on carpet and then getting a shock when touching a door knob. Yep. Big hit with the guys!
back to work
It's back to work for me!
I had the sheer joy to take a week's vacation and be with Nancy the first week home from the hospital after the birth of Kian Julius!
Nancy was (hopefully) able to rest, take a few naps, recuperate, tend to Kian and have special time with Breiden and I tried to do the heavy work, keep Breiden occupied, help wherever I was needed and drink Nancy's fantastic coffee!!!
Nancy wasn't able to drive for a week so we were able to make a few road trips including a trip to Target where we HAD to get Ghiradelli chocolates with the caramel center. Those can only be eaten with a cup of hot coffee. Enter Nancy with her great coffee blends and coffee making ability! Yummmm.
I had several people say it was great I could help Nancy, Wayne and boys but really, it was pretty selfish on my part. I was able to hold Kian and cuddle, play with Breiden and even rock Breiden to sleep before a few of his naps. What fun!
I couldn't believe, though, how pooped I got! How did I do this with our three? Guess that's why we had the younguns when we were...well, young!
Bless you Wayne and Nancy! What a special family you have...It's easy to see the love and care you are giving them!
Grandpa Doug came over a few times during the week on his break and Breiden was speechless watching Boppa drive away in the big yellow bus. Nancy would open the front door each time Doug backed out the driveway so Breiden could see him drive off and Doug always had a special beep beep for Breiden!
Ah, what a fun week!
I had the sheer joy to take a week's vacation and be with Nancy the first week home from the hospital after the birth of Kian Julius!
Nancy was (hopefully) able to rest, take a few naps, recuperate, tend to Kian and have special time with Breiden and I tried to do the heavy work, keep Breiden occupied, help wherever I was needed and drink Nancy's fantastic coffee!!!
Nancy wasn't able to drive for a week so we were able to make a few road trips including a trip to Target where we HAD to get Ghiradelli chocolates with the caramel center. Those can only be eaten with a cup of hot coffee. Enter Nancy with her great coffee blends and coffee making ability! Yummmm.
I had several people say it was great I could help Nancy, Wayne and boys but really, it was pretty selfish on my part. I was able to hold Kian and cuddle, play with Breiden and even rock Breiden to sleep before a few of his naps. What fun!
I couldn't believe, though, how pooped I got! How did I do this with our three? Guess that's why we had the younguns when we were...well, young!
Bless you Wayne and Nancy! What a special family you have...It's easy to see the love and care you are giving them!
Grandpa Doug came over a few times during the week on his break and Breiden was speechless watching Boppa drive away in the big yellow bus. Nancy would open the front door each time Doug backed out the driveway so Breiden could see him drive off and Doug always had a special beep beep for Breiden!
Ah, what a fun week!
Thursday, April 17, 2008
He's here! Kian Julius is here!
Kian Julius Stender arrived at 5:03 p.m. at Lake Region Hospital in Fergus Falls. He is welcomed home by big brother, Breiden. Kian weighed 9.5 pounds, was 23 inches long and has hair!
Nancy looks fabulous after what was a four hour labor and Wayne is ecstatic!
Breiden is spending tonight with us. He was an overnight and Thursday guest at JP's and Julie's house. He's now saying "dog", according to Julie when he points to their puppies.
Unfortuneately, Andy wasn't able to see him yet. He had a baseball game in Ortonville and returned home well after 9:30. Visiting hours end at 9.
But we have plans for all to visit the little guy tomorrow.
Such a precious bundle. Such a blessing.
Welcome, Kian, to our family!
Nancy looks fabulous after what was a four hour labor and Wayne is ecstatic!
Breiden is spending tonight with us. He was an overnight and Thursday guest at JP's and Julie's house. He's now saying "dog", according to Julie when he points to their puppies.
Unfortuneately, Andy wasn't able to see him yet. He had a baseball game in Ortonville and returned home well after 9:30. Visiting hours end at 9.
But we have plans for all to visit the little guy tomorrow.
Such a precious bundle. Such a blessing.
Welcome, Kian, to our family!
A new life
Just got word that Wayne and Nancy will be going to the hospital today, preparing for the birth of baby No. 2! How exciting.
Please keep them and baby in your prayers, please.
Please keep them and baby in your prayers, please.
Monday, April 7, 2008
Home in the snow
Andy returned...in a snowstorm!
We were in the part of Minnesota that got a lot of snow. Not quite the two feet some places got, but at least six to eight inches! And it's that heavy, wet stuff, too.
The band was supposed to give a concert Sunday night about 6 but they postponed that and plan to reschedule, according to an e-mail we got from the band director, Mr. Doering.
On Sunday night, Mike from the bus company called to say school would be two hours late. Good thing. It took us a while to get the cars out especially after the snow plow went through and buried the cars. Really, the plow didn't bury the cars but it was hard moving the cars outside that ridge of snow that built up after he went through.
As we were finishing with the car getting out of the snow thing, Doug got a call on his cell phone, again from the bus company, saying school was now cancelled!
The kids were happy and Andy, tired from his trip, went back to bed!
Now we have to get back on schedule. The boys' Easter vacation is officially over and Andy will have baseball practice.
The schedule gets filled up again!
We were in the part of Minnesota that got a lot of snow. Not quite the two feet some places got, but at least six to eight inches! And it's that heavy, wet stuff, too.
The band was supposed to give a concert Sunday night about 6 but they postponed that and plan to reschedule, according to an e-mail we got from the band director, Mr. Doering.
On Sunday night, Mike from the bus company called to say school would be two hours late. Good thing. It took us a while to get the cars out especially after the snow plow went through and buried the cars. Really, the plow didn't bury the cars but it was hard moving the cars outside that ridge of snow that built up after he went through.
As we were finishing with the car getting out of the snow thing, Doug got a call on his cell phone, again from the bus company, saying school was now cancelled!
The kids were happy and Andy, tired from his trip, went back to bed!
Now we have to get back on schedule. The boys' Easter vacation is officially over and Andy will have baseball practice.
The schedule gets filled up again!
Friday, April 4, 2008
waiting for andy
We’re home but anxiously waiting the return of Andy to the fold.
For the past week and a half he’s been performing with the Hillcrest Band. The band and choir go on tour during the school’s two week Easter break. One year the choir goes, the next, the band.
This year the band chose a Midwest route including Wisconsin, Minnesota, North Dakota, Kansas, Missouri and Iowa. The kids have done some sight seeing, plenty of travel in the bus and stayed some nights at host homes.
Andy has had fun although he’s battling a cold right now. One of his host homes helped him medicate for his cold. They gave him cough medicine and plenty of kleenix. Bless their hearts!
I talked to Andy last night and he sounded stuffed up. He told of a trek he and some friends made in one city. He ran out of kleenix and ended up having to use Starbucks napkins. Any port in a storm, they say!
It’s been an experience for him and the others. They return on Sunday night and will perform a “coming home” concert.
There won’t be too much time to kick back for him, though. They start school on Monday!
Jose had been enjoying his week back home. He’s been vegging out on a new psp game we purchased in Mexico.
Mocha is back home, too. She enjoyed her time at the kennel, we hear. And she played with lots of dogs. She was named “The Runner” because when they let her out, she ran and ran and ran in their enclosed kennel yard. That’s our Mocha! Lots of energy.
Although we’re settled back in at home, I’m still doing laundry trying to get everything cleaned from our trip.
there are some things in life that are constants — death, taxes and laundry!
For the past week and a half he’s been performing with the Hillcrest Band. The band and choir go on tour during the school’s two week Easter break. One year the choir goes, the next, the band.
This year the band chose a Midwest route including Wisconsin, Minnesota, North Dakota, Kansas, Missouri and Iowa. The kids have done some sight seeing, plenty of travel in the bus and stayed some nights at host homes.
Andy has had fun although he’s battling a cold right now. One of his host homes helped him medicate for his cold. They gave him cough medicine and plenty of kleenix. Bless their hearts!
I talked to Andy last night and he sounded stuffed up. He told of a trek he and some friends made in one city. He ran out of kleenix and ended up having to use Starbucks napkins. Any port in a storm, they say!
It’s been an experience for him and the others. They return on Sunday night and will perform a “coming home” concert.
There won’t be too much time to kick back for him, though. They start school on Monday!
Jose had been enjoying his week back home. He’s been vegging out on a new psp game we purchased in Mexico.
Mocha is back home, too. She enjoyed her time at the kennel, we hear. And she played with lots of dogs. She was named “The Runner” because when they let her out, she ran and ran and ran in their enclosed kennel yard. That’s our Mocha! Lots of energy.
Although we’re settled back in at home, I’m still doing laundry trying to get everything cleaned from our trip.
there are some things in life that are constants — death, taxes and laundry!
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
We're baaaaccccckkkkkk!!!!!!
We're back home! What a great feeling!
It was a great trip but always great to return home.
On our last night in Chihuahua, Jose and I went to a movie but we kept getting to the theatre in the shopping center too late and had to go to an evening movie. We got out of the theatre at 10, our supper ended up as candy and chips from the hotel vending machine, and we went to bed. Only it was hard to get to sleep!
We woke up at 3, were on our way to the airport via taxi by 4 and on our flight by 6. We landed in Minnesota around 2 and Bob picked us up again. So nice he took time out of his schedule to take us to the airport and back again. Once more, Thanks Bob!!!!!
We got home around 6, Jose went to a friends house and we are now trying to recuperate from vacation.
Jose enjoyed touching base with everyone at the orphanage. It wasn't so much a vacation for us but a time for Jose and, as I said, he enjoyed!
Got some pix and hope to have them up on the website soon.
Now it's back to work!
This time change will take some getting reacquainted and, since we flew back on a Tuesday, we are going right into the work week.
I'm a firm believer that one needs a vacation from their vacation.
Then there is the mountain of laundry!
Well, I'd better get a start on it!
It was a great trip but always great to return home.
On our last night in Chihuahua, Jose and I went to a movie but we kept getting to the theatre in the shopping center too late and had to go to an evening movie. We got out of the theatre at 10, our supper ended up as candy and chips from the hotel vending machine, and we went to bed. Only it was hard to get to sleep!
We woke up at 3, were on our way to the airport via taxi by 4 and on our flight by 6. We landed in Minnesota around 2 and Bob picked us up again. So nice he took time out of his schedule to take us to the airport and back again. Once more, Thanks Bob!!!!!
We got home around 6, Jose went to a friends house and we are now trying to recuperate from vacation.
Jose enjoyed touching base with everyone at the orphanage. It wasn't so much a vacation for us but a time for Jose and, as I said, he enjoyed!
Got some pix and hope to have them up on the website soon.
Now it's back to work!
This time change will take some getting reacquainted and, since we flew back on a Tuesday, we are going right into the work week.
I'm a firm believer that one needs a vacation from their vacation.
Then there is the mountain of laundry!
Well, I'd better get a start on it!
Monday, March 31, 2008
Our final day in Mexico
We are in a final day here in Mexico. Seems like we just started our trip. And as we bask in the 80 degree temperatures, we are watching the Twins on ESPN2 and listening to it on Doug’s satellite radio AND listening to snow warnings!
Think we’ll stay another week at that!
Alex, his wife and a friend picked us up around noon yesterday. We thought we were going to Lily. Instead, Alex said no, we are going to church. But we thought they went to 5 p.m. church. Usually, yes, Alex said. But we are going now. A guy who delivers prophecy will be speaking.
So...three hours later, we made our way to Lily.
We had a good talk with Ed and Rosa and talked to many of the kids who send their greetings to Susana.
Ed and Rosa are making many updates to the orphanage. A work group from MIchigan refinished much of the playground equipment and Ed and Rosa are putting final touches on a building that will house the older boys and are building another that will be home to the older girls. The main complex will be home to the youth up to sixth grade.
They plan to be in Michigan around Thanksgiving and told them it would be nice to see them at that time.
Today we went to the mall where Doug and Jose played video games and Jose and I thought we’d go to a movie but it turned out the 2 p.m. time was actually around 4. We walked back to the hotel, had something to eat and are now watching the Twins game. And thinking of this snow that will greet us....us and our light coats!
Snow or not, it will be good to be back home.
Think we’ll stay another week at that!
Alex, his wife and a friend picked us up around noon yesterday. We thought we were going to Lily. Instead, Alex said no, we are going to church. But we thought they went to 5 p.m. church. Usually, yes, Alex said. But we are going now. A guy who delivers prophecy will be speaking.
So...three hours later, we made our way to Lily.
We had a good talk with Ed and Rosa and talked to many of the kids who send their greetings to Susana.
Ed and Rosa are making many updates to the orphanage. A work group from MIchigan refinished much of the playground equipment and Ed and Rosa are putting final touches on a building that will house the older boys and are building another that will be home to the older girls. The main complex will be home to the youth up to sixth grade.
They plan to be in Michigan around Thanksgiving and told them it would be nice to see them at that time.
Today we went to the mall where Doug and Jose played video games and Jose and I thought we’d go to a movie but it turned out the 2 p.m. time was actually around 4. We walked back to the hotel, had something to eat and are now watching the Twins game. And thinking of this snow that will greet us....us and our light coats!
Snow or not, it will be good to be back home.
Saturday, March 29, 2008
museums and the twins
A big thanks to those who sent birthday greetings to me in Mexico! It was a beautiful day...around 85 degrees... sunny and really hot as I walked through the centro de ciudad of chihuahua. (central part of the city)
We moved into our suite and Doug got his satellite radio to work so he’s been a happy camper between finding Twins, Wild and Gopher games either on ESPN 2 on TV, on the internet or his radio! So there have still been a lot of games he’s kept track of even though we are in Mexico.
Yes,we're finally able to make our own coffee. IT’s nice to have the refrig. We purchased some bread, condiments, sandwich meat and hot dogs so are able to make a few meals ourselves and keep water cold in the frig!
For my birthday we ate an interesting breakfast at Chilis then I got some information on museums. One of the staff, who spoke English, was telling me of places to see and she kept going to the back office to get brochures with Espanol and English. And she talked about “the caves.” I’d never heard of them before but she really talked them up.
Well, Doug, always the sports guy, stayed in the hotel and listened to the Twins while I (yes, me, the person people questioned could find her way around) took a cab to the centro de ciudad and spent about three enjoyable hours going through several museums that focused on the revolution and history of Mexico.
One museum had a section on the different topography in the state of Chihuahua from the desert (That’s north and including the city of Chihuahua, prairie and mountains. Right outside Chihuahua are the “caves” or adobe dwellings of natives that lived several thousand years ago. After going through their display, I know it’s a place I want to plan to visit next time!
I saw where Father Hidalgo was jailed and executed.
Again, It was all very interesting to visit.
And it was nice to get out of this room and walk. The room is very nice but after awhile, it’s nice to get some fresh air although it was rather warm. Oooooo. Love to say that. Warm! I know when we return it will be about 40 degrees colder in Minnesota but for now, I’m basking as much as I can.
We did travel to the centro de ciudad yesterday, Doug and me, although Doug did mention several times he was missing the Twins game. But he got to enjoy that today, instead.
We pick up Jose tomorrow. Alex, who worked for COI when we first met him on one of the Hillcrest Mission trips, will take us.
A couple days ago, I was standing with my back to the front door of the hotel waiting to talk to the staff when I heard this voice say, “Hello.” Perfect English. It was Alex. He was picking up a couple at the orphanage to bring to DIF or the social service department in chihuahua. We asked if we could ride along and if we could pick up Jose and bring him to DIF to talk to the lawyer who was instrumental in our adoption. So we all loaded up in Alex’s vehicle, Jose in the back, and made the trek. Was fun to Weber again.
When we dropped everyone off once more at Lilly, we took Alex and his wife to lunch at Ricky’s Tacos. Great tacos and toppings and they make a bean dish that contains almost everything of the hog but the squeal! Actually, it’s the bacon, ham and pork skin with the beans plus tomatoes. It’s pretty good but I didn’t eat the skin.
Will write more and try to get some more pix up of the trip before we head home. Hope to get more pix tomorrow of the orphanage.
We’ve had a chance to talk to Andy a couple times and it sounds like he’s keeping busy and they have had some good concerts.
We hear that Breiden is now walking. WAy to go, Breiden!!!! Wayne and Nancy, you don’t need aerobics. You’ll get your exercise trying to keep up with him now.
And JP and Julie report that they haven’t heard anything from the kennel where I’m boarding Mocha. That’s good.
Although I love the warmth here and this city and country, I long for home.
We moved into our suite and Doug got his satellite radio to work so he’s been a happy camper between finding Twins, Wild and Gopher games either on ESPN 2 on TV, on the internet or his radio! So there have still been a lot of games he’s kept track of even though we are in Mexico.
Yes,we're finally able to make our own coffee. IT’s nice to have the refrig. We purchased some bread, condiments, sandwich meat and hot dogs so are able to make a few meals ourselves and keep water cold in the frig!
For my birthday we ate an interesting breakfast at Chilis then I got some information on museums. One of the staff, who spoke English, was telling me of places to see and she kept going to the back office to get brochures with Espanol and English. And she talked about “the caves.” I’d never heard of them before but she really talked them up.
Well, Doug, always the sports guy, stayed in the hotel and listened to the Twins while I (yes, me, the person people questioned could find her way around) took a cab to the centro de ciudad and spent about three enjoyable hours going through several museums that focused on the revolution and history of Mexico.
One museum had a section on the different topography in the state of Chihuahua from the desert (That’s north and including the city of Chihuahua, prairie and mountains. Right outside Chihuahua are the “caves” or adobe dwellings of natives that lived several thousand years ago. After going through their display, I know it’s a place I want to plan to visit next time!
I saw where Father Hidalgo was jailed and executed.
Again, It was all very interesting to visit.
And it was nice to get out of this room and walk. The room is very nice but after awhile, it’s nice to get some fresh air although it was rather warm. Oooooo. Love to say that. Warm! I know when we return it will be about 40 degrees colder in Minnesota but for now, I’m basking as much as I can.
We did travel to the centro de ciudad yesterday, Doug and me, although Doug did mention several times he was missing the Twins game. But he got to enjoy that today, instead.
We pick up Jose tomorrow. Alex, who worked for COI when we first met him on one of the Hillcrest Mission trips, will take us.
A couple days ago, I was standing with my back to the front door of the hotel waiting to talk to the staff when I heard this voice say, “Hello.” Perfect English. It was Alex. He was picking up a couple at the orphanage to bring to DIF or the social service department in chihuahua. We asked if we could ride along and if we could pick up Jose and bring him to DIF to talk to the lawyer who was instrumental in our adoption. So we all loaded up in Alex’s vehicle, Jose in the back, and made the trek. Was fun to Weber again.
When we dropped everyone off once more at Lilly, we took Alex and his wife to lunch at Ricky’s Tacos. Great tacos and toppings and they make a bean dish that contains almost everything of the hog but the squeal! Actually, it’s the bacon, ham and pork skin with the beans plus tomatoes. It’s pretty good but I didn’t eat the skin.
Will write more and try to get some more pix up of the trip before we head home. Hope to get more pix tomorrow of the orphanage.
We’ve had a chance to talk to Andy a couple times and it sounds like he’s keeping busy and they have had some good concerts.
We hear that Breiden is now walking. WAy to go, Breiden!!!! Wayne and Nancy, you don’t need aerobics. You’ll get your exercise trying to keep up with him now.
And JP and Julie report that they haven’t heard anything from the kennel where I’m boarding Mocha. That’s good.
Although I love the warmth here and this city and country, I long for home.
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
The walk that almost killed us
We went to the mall, Plaza del Sol, again today and, while the walk there should be a healthy one, it almost killed us.
Our hotel, a Microtel of the U.S. Microtel chain, is across the street from the mall. But it’s a very very busy street and in Chihuahua the traffic is anything but slow and pedestrians are seemilngly viewed as targets to be hit.
Yesterday, after we dropped Jose at Lily, we asked the taxi driver to bring us to the mall where we ate at Chilis and then decided to walk to the hotel. the walk is a bit of a jaunt from the building, across a wide expanse of parking lot and then across the street to the hotel but I walk that distance during my walks with our dog, Mocha, back in Fergus.
We made it to the street and thought we could just follow the traffic patterns and ended up standing in the middle of the street as the cars wouldn’t stop for us.
Our life events were flashing before our eyes!
Luckily, during a brief break between the speeding metal, we made a mad dash for it...okay, a clumsy lumbering gait as fast as any couple over 50 can make...and we were obviously successful!
We walked to the mall again today but chose a more carefully planned street crossing. We noticed then how many people actually make that jaunt and how everyone seems to dart between the cars in the attempt.
This part of Chihuahua, we were told by our taxi driver yesterday, is considered to be the “new” Chihuahua. When we came to get Jose and bring him home last year, we stayed in the centro de ciudad or central part of the city that has a feel of the 1950s to it. It appears to be almost in a time warp and has a distinctly different feel to it compared to the newness of where we are staying now. It’s interesting to compare the contrasts.
We were going to go to the old part of the city today but Doug balked a bit.
The two of us were eating on the outdoor balcony of the mall (sorry, Minnesotans, to say that as you face yet another snowstorm but I thought I’d give all a flavor of what really warm weather feels like) and I told Doug we needed to do something today. I wanted to go to the old city.
“And do what,” he asked.
“I’d really like to go to the shops,” I replied.
“Shops? You know that if you said that to me in Fergus, well, you know what my reaction would be. My idea of a vacation is going to Minneapolis and going to a Twins game. My first idea of a vacation is NOT shopping.”
I gave him the wifely stare.
Then he admitted his feelings of melancholy.
“I wanna go home,” he said. “I miss Breiden.”
“Well, we can’t go home until we get him his present,” I reminded Doug.
There. I’d said it. We REALLY need to go shopping!
So a trip to the centro de ciudad is in the planning!
We are planning the trip for early a.m. since we are also planning on changing rooms to a suite. The suite will have microwave, refrigerator and the most important appliance to us as a couple - A COFFEEMAKER!!!!!!! It will save on some of our food bills and give us room to stretch once Jose rejoins us.
We are really good at changing rooms in Chihuahua. When we were here last year completing the adoption process with Jose, we changed hotels at least 7 times. It kept the stay more interesting.
The sky is clear and the weather in the 70s to 80s. It isn’t overly hot. It’s a dry heat, they say.
Will continue with more of our stay tomorrow with hopefully some news about a shopping trip...unless Doug changes his mind - again! I thought that was a woman’s perrogative!
Oh, Happy BD to my aunt, Adeline!!! Special birthday blessings to you!
Our hotel, a Microtel of the U.S. Microtel chain, is across the street from the mall. But it’s a very very busy street and in Chihuahua the traffic is anything but slow and pedestrians are seemilngly viewed as targets to be hit.
Yesterday, after we dropped Jose at Lily, we asked the taxi driver to bring us to the mall where we ate at Chilis and then decided to walk to the hotel. the walk is a bit of a jaunt from the building, across a wide expanse of parking lot and then across the street to the hotel but I walk that distance during my walks with our dog, Mocha, back in Fergus.
We made it to the street and thought we could just follow the traffic patterns and ended up standing in the middle of the street as the cars wouldn’t stop for us.
Our life events were flashing before our eyes!
Luckily, during a brief break between the speeding metal, we made a mad dash for it...okay, a clumsy lumbering gait as fast as any couple over 50 can make...and we were obviously successful!
We walked to the mall again today but chose a more carefully planned street crossing. We noticed then how many people actually make that jaunt and how everyone seems to dart between the cars in the attempt.
This part of Chihuahua, we were told by our taxi driver yesterday, is considered to be the “new” Chihuahua. When we came to get Jose and bring him home last year, we stayed in the centro de ciudad or central part of the city that has a feel of the 1950s to it. It appears to be almost in a time warp and has a distinctly different feel to it compared to the newness of where we are staying now. It’s interesting to compare the contrasts.
We were going to go to the old part of the city today but Doug balked a bit.
The two of us were eating on the outdoor balcony of the mall (sorry, Minnesotans, to say that as you face yet another snowstorm but I thought I’d give all a flavor of what really warm weather feels like) and I told Doug we needed to do something today. I wanted to go to the old city.
“And do what,” he asked.
“I’d really like to go to the shops,” I replied.
“Shops? You know that if you said that to me in Fergus, well, you know what my reaction would be. My idea of a vacation is going to Minneapolis and going to a Twins game. My first idea of a vacation is NOT shopping.”
I gave him the wifely stare.
Then he admitted his feelings of melancholy.
“I wanna go home,” he said. “I miss Breiden.”
“Well, we can’t go home until we get him his present,” I reminded Doug.
There. I’d said it. We REALLY need to go shopping!
So a trip to the centro de ciudad is in the planning!
We are planning the trip for early a.m. since we are also planning on changing rooms to a suite. The suite will have microwave, refrigerator and the most important appliance to us as a couple - A COFFEEMAKER!!!!!!! It will save on some of our food bills and give us room to stretch once Jose rejoins us.
We are really good at changing rooms in Chihuahua. When we were here last year completing the adoption process with Jose, we changed hotels at least 7 times. It kept the stay more interesting.
The sky is clear and the weather in the 70s to 80s. It isn’t overly hot. It’s a dry heat, they say.
Will continue with more of our stay tomorrow with hopefully some news about a shopping trip...unless Doug changes his mind - again! I thought that was a woman’s perrogative!
Oh, Happy BD to my aunt, Adeline!!! Special birthday blessings to you!
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
We're here!!!!!
Doug, Jose and I are in sunny Mexico!!!!
We were very glad to leave the snow behind!
It has been quite a journey. We left Monday afternoon for Doug's sister's home. Shelah is watching her grandchildren and out of town but her husband, Bob, woke up at 2:30 a.m. on Tuesday to drive us to the airport!!! Whatta guy! Thanks Bob!
We thought we'd have all this time before our flight took off and planned to have a little breakfast but, by the time we got through security and to our gate, they were loading! Mmmmmm. Peanuts for breakfast. And airplane peanuts at that!
During our layover in Houston, we were able to get a more filling meal.
We made great time. According to our boarding pass from Houston, we left that airport at 9 and made it to Chihuahua by 9:20! Time change!!!!
And once we got to Chihuahua, I thought I'd be deported! The last time I was in Mexico, we traveled with Jose through Juarez and they didn't stop at the Mexican border station where our passport would be stamped saying we were exiting the country. Doug had already gone through that when he drove a Hillcrest mission group just months after we'd adopted Jose but I hadn't. So after some translation by Jose and a reprimand by the official, we were good to go. Oh, but first we had to have our luggage searched. But that was a minor detail!
We took a taxi to Lily of the Valley with Jose after we first checked into our hotel in Chihuahua and Jose is staying out there for a few days. He'd told us he thought everyone might've forgotten him because he'd become so old but that was not the case! What a greeting he got! Mama Rosa, who operates Lily with her husband, Papa Ed, was not there but Ed greeted us warmly and thanked us for keeping our promise to keep in touch and was thrilled to host Jose for a few days! There is an American group from Michigan staying at Lily now so there is no room for Doug and I to stay but Jose will have an opportunity to translate for the group. He's thrilled!
We're making plans to do some sightseeing tomorrow and have plans to get Jose for a visit to DIF or their social services in charge of children and adoption by week's end. Lots to do.
We thought a week would be such a long time but when you consider all we want to do, it seems a very short time.
But there is no snow, temperatures in the 80s and we've ditched the coats!!! Yay!!!! Nice to wear shorts and sandals!
We know we will be returning, most likely, to more snow since forecasts were for another storm system to hit Minnesota, but for a little while we've been able to experience some summer type weather!
We were very glad to leave the snow behind!
It has been quite a journey. We left Monday afternoon for Doug's sister's home. Shelah is watching her grandchildren and out of town but her husband, Bob, woke up at 2:30 a.m. on Tuesday to drive us to the airport!!! Whatta guy! Thanks Bob!
We thought we'd have all this time before our flight took off and planned to have a little breakfast but, by the time we got through security and to our gate, they were loading! Mmmmmm. Peanuts for breakfast. And airplane peanuts at that!
During our layover in Houston, we were able to get a more filling meal.
We made great time. According to our boarding pass from Houston, we left that airport at 9 and made it to Chihuahua by 9:20! Time change!!!!
And once we got to Chihuahua, I thought I'd be deported! The last time I was in Mexico, we traveled with Jose through Juarez and they didn't stop at the Mexican border station where our passport would be stamped saying we were exiting the country. Doug had already gone through that when he drove a Hillcrest mission group just months after we'd adopted Jose but I hadn't. So after some translation by Jose and a reprimand by the official, we were good to go. Oh, but first we had to have our luggage searched. But that was a minor detail!
We took a taxi to Lily of the Valley with Jose after we first checked into our hotel in Chihuahua and Jose is staying out there for a few days. He'd told us he thought everyone might've forgotten him because he'd become so old but that was not the case! What a greeting he got! Mama Rosa, who operates Lily with her husband, Papa Ed, was not there but Ed greeted us warmly and thanked us for keeping our promise to keep in touch and was thrilled to host Jose for a few days! There is an American group from Michigan staying at Lily now so there is no room for Doug and I to stay but Jose will have an opportunity to translate for the group. He's thrilled!
We're making plans to do some sightseeing tomorrow and have plans to get Jose for a visit to DIF or their social services in charge of children and adoption by week's end. Lots to do.
We thought a week would be such a long time but when you consider all we want to do, it seems a very short time.
But there is no snow, temperatures in the 80s and we've ditched the coats!!! Yay!!!! Nice to wear shorts and sandals!
We know we will be returning, most likely, to more snow since forecasts were for another storm system to hit Minnesota, but for a little while we've been able to experience some summer type weather!
Friday, March 21, 2008
He is risen! He is risen indeed! Alleluia!
Easter! What a joyous time of year. A time for celebration even as we deal with more snow!
As we celebrate Easter in the Stender house this year we are also busy with many plans for travel. It's kind of a different Easter season, that way.
Andy is going on the Hillcrest band tour. They leave at 2 p.m. on Easter Sunday. Doug has a road trip and will leave at 1 p.m. for that, be back Sunday night, and then Jose, Doug and I leave for Mexico on Tuesday. What a schedule!
We are definitely looking forward to all our trips, however. I'm just concerned that some of this cold weather might follow us to Mexico! Hope it stays at least 70 when we are there!
I think of all our activity in the family - JP and Julie are busy with work. Julie came with me when I got my hair cut the other day and kept me company. We had a good chat as the hairdresser snipped my locks. JP remains busy making contacts for his work. Wayne is completing his college courses and working at Hillcrest in the ministries department and Nancy is looking forward to delivering baby number two in a month and babysits. And Breiden, well, he's certainly captured all our hearts.
And then there are the four of us making our travel plans.
But no matter how busy we may get, we still reflect on our faith and what our Lord did for us.
Alleluia. He is risen. He is risen, indeed.
Blessed Easter.
As we celebrate Easter in the Stender house this year we are also busy with many plans for travel. It's kind of a different Easter season, that way.
Andy is going on the Hillcrest band tour. They leave at 2 p.m. on Easter Sunday. Doug has a road trip and will leave at 1 p.m. for that, be back Sunday night, and then Jose, Doug and I leave for Mexico on Tuesday. What a schedule!
We are definitely looking forward to all our trips, however. I'm just concerned that some of this cold weather might follow us to Mexico! Hope it stays at least 70 when we are there!
I think of all our activity in the family - JP and Julie are busy with work. Julie came with me when I got my hair cut the other day and kept me company. We had a good chat as the hairdresser snipped my locks. JP remains busy making contacts for his work. Wayne is completing his college courses and working at Hillcrest in the ministries department and Nancy is looking forward to delivering baby number two in a month and babysits. And Breiden, well, he's certainly captured all our hearts.
And then there are the four of us making our travel plans.
But no matter how busy we may get, we still reflect on our faith and what our Lord did for us.
Alleluia. He is risen. He is risen, indeed.
Blessed Easter.
Sunday, March 2, 2008
In March....
Well, March has begun! That means spring and hopefully some warmer weather. At least we've had warm weekends with temps in the upper 20s and 30s. Can spring really be far behind? Hopefully the weather will straighten out soon.
Andy has his last basketball game tomorrow. He's had a fun and enlightening season. It's been great to see him play and to get back into Hillcrest basketball again. We always enjoy watching HLA teams play but there's something special when you watch your own children or kids you know well performing!
We're proud of you, Andy. It's been fun to see you play this year on the JV. Can't wait for baseball season now!
Jose's season also ended. They won two games during their entire season and Jose scored a total of six points. It was neat witnessing Jose's growing confidence. He became more bold at each game and started taking more shots. His defense under the basket was strong. Again, fun to watch him play.
JP and Julie traveled to the Twin Cities last weekend for the state wrestling championships. Julie's brother, Jesse, and 8th grader at Perham, was part of the school's wrestling team. The lost in the championships but Jesse had an opportunity to wrestle two matches at state. He's had a phenomenal year. He was a teammate on the football team and, over winter, on the wrestling team. Was fun to follow his success through reports from Julie and JP. We're proud of you, Jesse. You've had such success in your 8th grade year. Can't wait to see what sport Jesse will take part in this spring and the opportunities that await him his freshman year!
This is a busy month. Doug, Jose and I will be visiting Mexico. Jose wants to spend a few days at the orphanage especially touching base with his friends and with Papa Ed and Mama Rosa who operated Lily of the Valley. Andy will be on Hillcrest band tour this month, too. A busy month for all!
Nancy called the other day and said Breiden was wondering why he hadn't seen his Grampa and Gramma lately. That Breiden! We know he's smart but he has a special relationship with his mom, obviously. When he talks to us it's more of a goo goo gah gah speech but with Nancy, he's putting together these full sentences! We enjoyed the visit, Nancy. Anytime Breiden wants to come over, you know all of you are welcome!
And so another week starts. Will write more of our trips later.
Andy has his last basketball game tomorrow. He's had a fun and enlightening season. It's been great to see him play and to get back into Hillcrest basketball again. We always enjoy watching HLA teams play but there's something special when you watch your own children or kids you know well performing!
We're proud of you, Andy. It's been fun to see you play this year on the JV. Can't wait for baseball season now!
Jose's season also ended. They won two games during their entire season and Jose scored a total of six points. It was neat witnessing Jose's growing confidence. He became more bold at each game and started taking more shots. His defense under the basket was strong. Again, fun to watch him play.
JP and Julie traveled to the Twin Cities last weekend for the state wrestling championships. Julie's brother, Jesse, and 8th grader at Perham, was part of the school's wrestling team. The lost in the championships but Jesse had an opportunity to wrestle two matches at state. He's had a phenomenal year. He was a teammate on the football team and, over winter, on the wrestling team. Was fun to follow his success through reports from Julie and JP. We're proud of you, Jesse. You've had such success in your 8th grade year. Can't wait to see what sport Jesse will take part in this spring and the opportunities that await him his freshman year!
This is a busy month. Doug, Jose and I will be visiting Mexico. Jose wants to spend a few days at the orphanage especially touching base with his friends and with Papa Ed and Mama Rosa who operated Lily of the Valley. Andy will be on Hillcrest band tour this month, too. A busy month for all!
Nancy called the other day and said Breiden was wondering why he hadn't seen his Grampa and Gramma lately. That Breiden! We know he's smart but he has a special relationship with his mom, obviously. When he talks to us it's more of a goo goo gah gah speech but with Nancy, he's putting together these full sentences! We enjoyed the visit, Nancy. Anytime Breiden wants to come over, you know all of you are welcome!
And so another week starts. Will write more of our trips later.
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
Another year older
Doug turned...another year older! On Monday night, I made two batches or more than 48 cupcakes and frosted them so Doug to take them to work.
Andy was teasing Doug that it was nice his Dad could take goodies on his birthday to share with his friends. Seriously, everyone enjoyed the cupcakes. At least I assume they did. The cake container was empty, anyways.
A day after Doug's bd., Wayne and Nancy and Breiden and JP and Julie came over for some pizza and cupcakes. Nice to get everyone together.
Happy birthday, Doug!
Andy was teasing Doug that it was nice his Dad could take goodies on his birthday to share with his friends. Seriously, everyone enjoyed the cupcakes. At least I assume they did. The cake container was empty, anyways.
A day after Doug's bd., Wayne and Nancy and Breiden and JP and Julie came over for some pizza and cupcakes. Nice to get everyone together.
Happy birthday, Doug!
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
basketball junkies
We are once again in the throes of basketball viewing as parents. Andy plays on the Hillcrest Junior Varsity team and Jose, its Junior High team - particularly the seventh grade.
Tonight, Hillcrest played Underwood and all games, including Jose's, were at Hillcrest. That doesn't happen often. Usually if Hillcrest JV and Varsity play at home, Jose plays the same team but its an away game for our kids. Doug and I have split our time...I attend Jose's games because I usually start my work earlier in the mornining and take off in the afternoon to make Jose's games which start at 5 and Doug works until 4:30 but can make Andy's games more easily.
tonight, however, we got to watch both...together!!!!
Jose made his first basket tonight! Yay, Jose! Keep up the great work.
He's a tough defender, too.
Andy scored 9 points in his JV game. Way to go, Andy!
We're proud of both of you!
JP and Julie were able to be at the games. (JP had a business appointment during Andy's game though) and they saw Jose's first basket. Pretty neat. And they sat with us and cheered on Hillcrest. JV and Varsity both won.
Wayne was taking an evening college class and Nancy was assistant dean at the girls dorm to help the head dean for the evening. Breiden, Nancy said, was a bit adventurous, crawling like crazy and getting near the steps :-0.
So she called and asked if we'd watch him during the game. OF COURSE!!!! So we got to watch Breiden with JP and Julie nearby and Nancy's sister Suzanne, her husband, Eric and their children. Breiden loves his young cousins and his face beamed as they came by to say hi. Such a neat family.
And Breiden enjoyed "brushing" Julie's long, thick black hair.
A fun evening!
Tonight, Hillcrest played Underwood and all games, including Jose's, were at Hillcrest. That doesn't happen often. Usually if Hillcrest JV and Varsity play at home, Jose plays the same team but its an away game for our kids. Doug and I have split our time...I attend Jose's games because I usually start my work earlier in the mornining and take off in the afternoon to make Jose's games which start at 5 and Doug works until 4:30 but can make Andy's games more easily.
tonight, however, we got to watch both...together!!!!
Jose made his first basket tonight! Yay, Jose! Keep up the great work.
He's a tough defender, too.
Andy scored 9 points in his JV game. Way to go, Andy!
We're proud of both of you!
JP and Julie were able to be at the games. (JP had a business appointment during Andy's game though) and they saw Jose's first basket. Pretty neat. And they sat with us and cheered on Hillcrest. JV and Varsity both won.
Wayne was taking an evening college class and Nancy was assistant dean at the girls dorm to help the head dean for the evening. Breiden, Nancy said, was a bit adventurous, crawling like crazy and getting near the steps :-0.
So she called and asked if we'd watch him during the game. OF COURSE!!!! So we got to watch Breiden with JP and Julie nearby and Nancy's sister Suzanne, her husband, Eric and their children. Breiden loves his young cousins and his face beamed as they came by to say hi. Such a neat family.
And Breiden enjoyed "brushing" Julie's long, thick black hair.
A fun evening!
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
update of an update
Just to update a few things...
•Jp and Julie have named their new puppy Abby. Welcome, Abby! She's a cute little one but I don't get enough play time with her!
•Jose and I are planning a trip to Mexico right after Easter. Andy is on band trip for Hillcrest in the Midwest around that time, Doug is home, driving bus. Wayne had considered going with to Mexico...for a very brief time...but Nancy is due in April. He is needed at home especially since often babies determine their own arrival times!
•It's now 60 degrees in my office! Heat wave! (It's this new heater I have)
•Jp and Julie have named their new puppy Abby. Welcome, Abby! She's a cute little one but I don't get enough play time with her!
•Jose and I are planning a trip to Mexico right after Easter. Andy is on band trip for Hillcrest in the Midwest around that time, Doug is home, driving bus. Wayne had considered going with to Mexico...for a very brief time...but Nancy is due in April. He is needed at home especially since often babies determine their own arrival times!
•It's now 60 degrees in my office! Heat wave! (It's this new heater I have)
Brrrrrrrr
I didn't anticipate Andy's anxiousness when I picked him up from school yesterday. He threw his backpack in the car, quickly got into his seat, slammed the door and hollared, "Let's go!"
I felt I was driving a get-away car.
Much to his dismay, I sedately moved the car into traffic (I'm The Mom, I drive only sedately, mainly to irritate my young) and asked, "What's the rush?"
"It's COLD!" he said.
He has no concept of cold. Yesterday, I drove to Morris to cover a Beef Quality Assurance meeting and then hustled back to town to cover an R-CALF event at the Fergus livestock auction. You want cold? Just try sitting on ice-cold seats in an equally cold livestock barn! Kid, THAT'S cold.
I didn't let on to the chill I'd felt most of the day. Afterall, I AM The Mom and I drove sedately home.
No one left the house last night. We heard the numerous times the furnace came on as we faced close to 50 below (with windchill) temperatures. We knew it was the furnace because of all the cha-chings we heard when the furnace came on....actually we could almost see the dollar bills go out that natural gas tube that vents out near my kitchen window.
My heater was on in my basement office. Doug bundled under the blanket watching something with a ball in it on TV. Andy and Jose were equally wrapped against the chill.
Doug plugged in my car and, in the morning, informed me I'd have to drive him to work. His car wouldn't start. I figured that would happen today. Doug's car does not have a tank heater. A car in Minnesota that doesn't have a tank heater. Go figure. So, I drove him to work, got the kids off, and spent a day in the house working.
Doug was concerned that the special ed bus he drives might gel up. Yep, it was cold but not enough for that to happen. Thank goodness!
Everyone enjoyed the meal I made thanks to my oven that was also heating my kitchen (there was a reason for my meal choice and it had more to do with staying warm than making hot dish...and why do they call it a casserole anyway? It is, afterall, a HOT DISH!!!!)
Jose was at Youth Group and was brought home by Jason, a great worker for the Lord who mans Hillcrest's technical needs and was working at Bethel when Jose was at youth group. I made him refried beans and heated the tortillas on the stove.
I looked at Jose as he left the stove armed with a plateful of the bean burritos with no queso (cheese). He was wearing a t-shirt and jeans. I shivered. How can he wear a t-shirt? Brrrrr. But there's something about that age. Do teens wear jackets? Very few do. Do they wear sweaters? Nooooooo. They claim they are warm with their t-shirts or light jackets.
Andy usually has a coat on and I count myself lucky. No, he doesn't wear gloves, as a rule, but at least the coat is covering his body and, if it's cold enough, the hood is up. Jose? He's the Mexican child who seems to defy the cold. Bring it on is almost his mantra against windchill. Oh, don't think I've cajoled and threatened. He often will grab it as he goes out the door to apease me but he doesn't always don it. Today he surely did.
But why doesn't this child, used to 70 plus degree temps in Mexico, button up and bundle up against the cold? And why do they, Andy included, insist on wearing t-shirts but no sweaters?
I MUST be getting old (duhhhhh). And I really don't care. Give me my well insulated winter coat. Give me two pairs of socks. Let me grab my thermals (underwear) and woolen slacks. I'm not afraid to put on my gloves and wrap a scarf around my head.
But how do the kids survive? Why only the t-shirts in the cold?
Go figure.
I felt I was driving a get-away car.
Much to his dismay, I sedately moved the car into traffic (I'm The Mom, I drive only sedately, mainly to irritate my young) and asked, "What's the rush?"
"It's COLD!" he said.
He has no concept of cold. Yesterday, I drove to Morris to cover a Beef Quality Assurance meeting and then hustled back to town to cover an R-CALF event at the Fergus livestock auction. You want cold? Just try sitting on ice-cold seats in an equally cold livestock barn! Kid, THAT'S cold.
I didn't let on to the chill I'd felt most of the day. Afterall, I AM The Mom and I drove sedately home.
No one left the house last night. We heard the numerous times the furnace came on as we faced close to 50 below (with windchill) temperatures. We knew it was the furnace because of all the cha-chings we heard when the furnace came on....actually we could almost see the dollar bills go out that natural gas tube that vents out near my kitchen window.
My heater was on in my basement office. Doug bundled under the blanket watching something with a ball in it on TV. Andy and Jose were equally wrapped against the chill.
Doug plugged in my car and, in the morning, informed me I'd have to drive him to work. His car wouldn't start. I figured that would happen today. Doug's car does not have a tank heater. A car in Minnesota that doesn't have a tank heater. Go figure. So, I drove him to work, got the kids off, and spent a day in the house working.
Doug was concerned that the special ed bus he drives might gel up. Yep, it was cold but not enough for that to happen. Thank goodness!
Everyone enjoyed the meal I made thanks to my oven that was also heating my kitchen (there was a reason for my meal choice and it had more to do with staying warm than making hot dish...and why do they call it a casserole anyway? It is, afterall, a HOT DISH!!!!)
Jose was at Youth Group and was brought home by Jason, a great worker for the Lord who mans Hillcrest's technical needs and was working at Bethel when Jose was at youth group. I made him refried beans and heated the tortillas on the stove.
I looked at Jose as he left the stove armed with a plateful of the bean burritos with no queso (cheese). He was wearing a t-shirt and jeans. I shivered. How can he wear a t-shirt? Brrrrr. But there's something about that age. Do teens wear jackets? Very few do. Do they wear sweaters? Nooooooo. They claim they are warm with their t-shirts or light jackets.
Andy usually has a coat on and I count myself lucky. No, he doesn't wear gloves, as a rule, but at least the coat is covering his body and, if it's cold enough, the hood is up. Jose? He's the Mexican child who seems to defy the cold. Bring it on is almost his mantra against windchill. Oh, don't think I've cajoled and threatened. He often will grab it as he goes out the door to apease me but he doesn't always don it. Today he surely did.
But why doesn't this child, used to 70 plus degree temps in Mexico, button up and bundle up against the cold? And why do they, Andy included, insist on wearing t-shirts but no sweaters?
I MUST be getting old (duhhhhh). And I really don't care. Give me my well insulated winter coat. Give me two pairs of socks. Let me grab my thermals (underwear) and woolen slacks. I'm not afraid to put on my gloves and wrap a scarf around my head.
But how do the kids survive? Why only the t-shirts in the cold?
Go figure.
Sunday, January 27, 2008
Possessed learning puppy?!
I'm looking in closets, checking under the couch and chairs and looking behind curtains these days. I'm sure Rod Serling is lurking somewhere in my house!
This search for the boogeyman started after grandson Breiden's birthday. Oh, the party at Wayne's and Nancy's house was great! We had pizza, a bear birthday cake, saw the birthday boy squish his cake and then suck the icing from his fingers and open presents. Doug wasn't able to attend the party :-(. He had to drive bus and, by the time he arrived, Breiden was in bed. But he got grandpa time the next day. Thanks, Nancy!
One of the toys we gave Breiden was a Learning Puppy. Battery operated, learning puppy talks when you touch his ear...he'll say ear. When you touch his foot...he'll say foot. Touch his paw and sings the abcs. pretty cool learning puppy or at least I thought he was neat until....
I watched Breiden one day complete with a birthday balloon (he LOVED his balloons) and learning puppy. I needed to attend a function that day so, when Nancy arrived to pick him up, we were all in a rush. Nancy was getting his coat on with help from Doug and I was getting my stuff ready to head out the door. Later that day I found Learning Puppy on the couch.
"Shoot," I thought. "Have to give that to them tomorrow."
I put learning puppy on the seat of Breiden's walker and went about my evening activities. Later, I laid on the couch to watch a tv show and fell asleep.
Everyone else went to bed as I was "watching" my show, snuggled under the blankets. Didn't see the show, obviously and woke up with a start hours later as I heard...
"Let's play!"
It was a childish voice that surely didn't belong to anyone in MY house! Andy's voice is already several octives lower than it was a few years ago and Jose, too, is getting a deeper voice.
"Give me a hug!" was the next missive. I sunk lower in the couch cushions. My eyes were like saucers.
I slowly rose my head over the couch's huge arms to see the walker. There was learning puppy, head barely visible over the walker tray.
"A B C D E F G" Learning puppy started to sing.
Now, I KNEW this was a VERY sensitive toy. We experienced that at the birthday party when Nancy merely sat him on the floor after Breiden saw it and learning puppy, without any touch, started in on a learning lesson. That didn't matter during my 2 a.m. encounter. When the toy finally shut up for awhile, I snuck around it and ran up the stairs! I snuggled in the bed and put the blankets over my head.
When I got up the next morning about 5, I let Mocha the beagle up for a bit while I got her leash ready for our walk. She moved by the walker and, yep, Learning Puppy went into his next lesson. Mocha stood completely still. Her head cocked to side, she listened to this machine and started to whine. That was it. I picked up the learning puppy and put it on the porch!
Doug told me later there was an on-off switch on Learning Puppy's back. I didn't care. I very gladly gave it back to mom and dad.
Next time I buy a toy, I think it will be a car or blocks. I won't my any more automated toys.
Shades of Chucky!
This search for the boogeyman started after grandson Breiden's birthday. Oh, the party at Wayne's and Nancy's house was great! We had pizza, a bear birthday cake, saw the birthday boy squish his cake and then suck the icing from his fingers and open presents. Doug wasn't able to attend the party :-(. He had to drive bus and, by the time he arrived, Breiden was in bed. But he got grandpa time the next day. Thanks, Nancy!
One of the toys we gave Breiden was a Learning Puppy. Battery operated, learning puppy talks when you touch his ear...he'll say ear. When you touch his foot...he'll say foot. Touch his paw and sings the abcs. pretty cool learning puppy or at least I thought he was neat until....
I watched Breiden one day complete with a birthday balloon (he LOVED his balloons) and learning puppy. I needed to attend a function that day so, when Nancy arrived to pick him up, we were all in a rush. Nancy was getting his coat on with help from Doug and I was getting my stuff ready to head out the door. Later that day I found Learning Puppy on the couch.
"Shoot," I thought. "Have to give that to them tomorrow."
I put learning puppy on the seat of Breiden's walker and went about my evening activities. Later, I laid on the couch to watch a tv show and fell asleep.
Everyone else went to bed as I was "watching" my show, snuggled under the blankets. Didn't see the show, obviously and woke up with a start hours later as I heard...
"Let's play!"
It was a childish voice that surely didn't belong to anyone in MY house! Andy's voice is already several octives lower than it was a few years ago and Jose, too, is getting a deeper voice.
"Give me a hug!" was the next missive. I sunk lower in the couch cushions. My eyes were like saucers.
I slowly rose my head over the couch's huge arms to see the walker. There was learning puppy, head barely visible over the walker tray.
"A B C D E F G" Learning puppy started to sing.
Now, I KNEW this was a VERY sensitive toy. We experienced that at the birthday party when Nancy merely sat him on the floor after Breiden saw it and learning puppy, without any touch, started in on a learning lesson. That didn't matter during my 2 a.m. encounter. When the toy finally shut up for awhile, I snuck around it and ran up the stairs! I snuggled in the bed and put the blankets over my head.
When I got up the next morning about 5, I let Mocha the beagle up for a bit while I got her leash ready for our walk. She moved by the walker and, yep, Learning Puppy went into his next lesson. Mocha stood completely still. Her head cocked to side, she listened to this machine and started to whine. That was it. I picked up the learning puppy and put it on the porch!
Doug told me later there was an on-off switch on Learning Puppy's back. I didn't care. I very gladly gave it back to mom and dad.
Next time I buy a toy, I think it will be a car or blocks. I won't my any more automated toys.
Shades of Chucky!
Friday, January 25, 2008
getting directions
Last night was Ottertail Coaches Christmas party and we met with our good friends, Brian and Elaine at the event.
We shared our latest news and ate a fabulous meal before one of the business owners, Mike and his wife Dawn announced the employee winners of the door prizes. Every employee was given two tickets they had to sign and put into a jar next to the prize they wanted to win.
One of the prizes was a digital frame and the other, a Garmin, which gives directions to whereever you want to go. Those were the two he picked and ones I would've wanted also. so we waited. Obviously he wasn't named to the first two prizes offered but when it came to the two he'd chosen for his tickets, we all held our breath. His name wasn't called for the digital picture but Elaine said there was one left and Doug ALWAYS seems to receive a door prize at these functions.
Of course, as you can tell by the title of this blog, Doug's name was called for the Garmin. I thought, finally I can have something in my car for some of my trips but to no avail. As soon as we got in the car, Doug was putting in addresses for it to find. While I was getting Jose's cereal at SunMart, Doug put in the address to our home. As we traveled home, the voice on the machine told Doug when to turn and how far we needed to travel to the next turn. When we took a short cut to our house, the machine seemed irritated. Turn left now. Turn left now. It meant nothing because we really knew the most simplest way.
Recomputing. Recomputing. was it's next message.
We finally got back in its good graces when we turned where it told us to turn on our street by our house.
He took it in the house and sat in his chair for some time looking at this techno piece. He's a guy. He's in heaven playing with it.
I suppose now this machine with a female voice will be given a name. Lola? Lucy?
And why doesn't it come with a masculine voice? I think I'll get that model next.
We shared our latest news and ate a fabulous meal before one of the business owners, Mike and his wife Dawn announced the employee winners of the door prizes. Every employee was given two tickets they had to sign and put into a jar next to the prize they wanted to win.
One of the prizes was a digital frame and the other, a Garmin, which gives directions to whereever you want to go. Those were the two he picked and ones I would've wanted also. so we waited. Obviously he wasn't named to the first two prizes offered but when it came to the two he'd chosen for his tickets, we all held our breath. His name wasn't called for the digital picture but Elaine said there was one left and Doug ALWAYS seems to receive a door prize at these functions.
Of course, as you can tell by the title of this blog, Doug's name was called for the Garmin. I thought, finally I can have something in my car for some of my trips but to no avail. As soon as we got in the car, Doug was putting in addresses for it to find. While I was getting Jose's cereal at SunMart, Doug put in the address to our home. As we traveled home, the voice on the machine told Doug when to turn and how far we needed to travel to the next turn. When we took a short cut to our house, the machine seemed irritated. Turn left now. Turn left now. It meant nothing because we really knew the most simplest way.
Recomputing. Recomputing. was it's next message.
We finally got back in its good graces when we turned where it told us to turn on our street by our house.
He took it in the house and sat in his chair for some time looking at this techno piece. He's a guy. He's in heaven playing with it.
I suppose now this machine with a female voice will be given a name. Lola? Lucy?
And why doesn't it come with a masculine voice? I think I'll get that model next.
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
Welcome to our blog!
Hopefully this will provide information to our families...namely that yes, we are still alive! I'm hoping the blog will be like e-mailing to me. That's so much easier than mailing something. Oh, I'm a great letter writer, I just seem to have a disconnect with putting a stamp on the envelope and finally, putting it in the mailbox!
We are making plans to go to Mexico with Jose. Actually, it might be me and Jose. Andy has a band trip over Hillcrest's Easter vacation and Doug's time off from work is very limited and he'll have school bus to drive again.
Wayne and Nancy will be staying close to home over the next few months. Nancy is due with No. 2 in April.
JP (Julius Patrick) and Julie are busy too. While Wayne and Nancy have a growing family with Breiden and No. 2 on the way, JP and Julie are also growing their brood...of dogs! They have Jada, a birthday gift from Julie last June, and now have... puppy! Puppy (as yet, unnamed) is the same breed as Jada and will be a good companion. I visited JP and Julie on Sunday after JP said they had a surprise for me. What fun! Jada is still adjusting but she seemed to be doing okay!
They've taught Jada to ring a bell when she needs to go out. How clever they are! I've just taught our beagle, Mocha, to sit!
Jose and Andy are busy with basketball...oh, and school, of course.
Andy is a freshman and Hillcrest Lutheran Academy this year and is on the JV team. His first game he made many shots, all nice shots, but nothing went in! His coach told him he'd surely remember this first JV game for the rest of his life! His scoring is great now. He's made several baskets at each game and even a few threes! Way to go, Andy! Keep up the good work!
Jose is playing team basketball for the first time in his life. At the orphanage, they would play more for fun and would quit when they wanted to....now he has to keep playing until coach takes him out. He played soccer this fall and did quite well. He wasn't going to play basketball until he went to his first game to see his friends play. Then he wanted to join the group so the next day, he joined the team. Thanks Craig for the opportunity for Jose!
Wayne is ministries director at Hillcrest. He is a spiritual advisor for the students and heads chapel and local and global missions plus the peer ministry group. And he's a great dad to Breiden!
He operates The Stu or student union. He opens it about an hour before classes start. Students can visit, play board games, work on computers or purchase goodies or a mocha latte. I visited Wayne once last year and had a mocha latte. He makes a mean latte!
Nancy's mom has been visiting and helped us celebrate Breiden's first birthday! What a night that was! Nancy made a special cake decorated like a baseball. Breiden seemed to enjoy squishing the cake and frosting although when someone put his hand in his mouth, he just kept sucking his fingers. Ahhhh, sugary frosting! Despite the sugar, he went to bed on time after thoroughly enjoying time with his cousins, aunt, uncles, grandmas and mom and dad! What a party! Too bad Doug missed the celebration but he came for a while after he finished a bus trip and dear Nancy, ever so thoughtful, brought Breiden over for a special visit with Grandpa the next night.
JP and Julie are busy with their puppies and work. JP is at Thrivent. I keep meeting friends who say they've met JP who is talking to people about their Thrivent plans. He's doing a good job and is finding just how many people know his mom and dad! Several of my old CC buds have said they've talked to him! Neat.
And Julie continues studies and working at Applebees. JP and Julie are a great uncle and aunt pair. Breiden lights up so much when they come! But I can't figure out how they can get Breiden to sleep so long at their place!
Doug keeps busy with his bus driving. I don't think people realize how much time he takes mapping out his longer road trips. He enjoys driving. Me? I sleep once the car is moving!
Well, welcome to our blog and welcome to our family.
Hopefully this will provide information to our families...namely that yes, we are still alive! I'm hoping the blog will be like e-mailing to me. That's so much easier than mailing something. Oh, I'm a great letter writer, I just seem to have a disconnect with putting a stamp on the envelope and finally, putting it in the mailbox!
We are making plans to go to Mexico with Jose. Actually, it might be me and Jose. Andy has a band trip over Hillcrest's Easter vacation and Doug's time off from work is very limited and he'll have school bus to drive again.
Wayne and Nancy will be staying close to home over the next few months. Nancy is due with No. 2 in April.
JP (Julius Patrick) and Julie are busy too. While Wayne and Nancy have a growing family with Breiden and No. 2 on the way, JP and Julie are also growing their brood...of dogs! They have Jada, a birthday gift from Julie last June, and now have... puppy! Puppy (as yet, unnamed) is the same breed as Jada and will be a good companion. I visited JP and Julie on Sunday after JP said they had a surprise for me. What fun! Jada is still adjusting but she seemed to be doing okay!
They've taught Jada to ring a bell when she needs to go out. How clever they are! I've just taught our beagle, Mocha, to sit!
Jose and Andy are busy with basketball...oh, and school, of course.
Andy is a freshman and Hillcrest Lutheran Academy this year and is on the JV team. His first game he made many shots, all nice shots, but nothing went in! His coach told him he'd surely remember this first JV game for the rest of his life! His scoring is great now. He's made several baskets at each game and even a few threes! Way to go, Andy! Keep up the good work!
Jose is playing team basketball for the first time in his life. At the orphanage, they would play more for fun and would quit when they wanted to....now he has to keep playing until coach takes him out. He played soccer this fall and did quite well. He wasn't going to play basketball until he went to his first game to see his friends play. Then he wanted to join the group so the next day, he joined the team. Thanks Craig for the opportunity for Jose!
Wayne is ministries director at Hillcrest. He is a spiritual advisor for the students and heads chapel and local and global missions plus the peer ministry group. And he's a great dad to Breiden!
He operates The Stu or student union. He opens it about an hour before classes start. Students can visit, play board games, work on computers or purchase goodies or a mocha latte. I visited Wayne once last year and had a mocha latte. He makes a mean latte!
Nancy's mom has been visiting and helped us celebrate Breiden's first birthday! What a night that was! Nancy made a special cake decorated like a baseball. Breiden seemed to enjoy squishing the cake and frosting although when someone put his hand in his mouth, he just kept sucking his fingers. Ahhhh, sugary frosting! Despite the sugar, he went to bed on time after thoroughly enjoying time with his cousins, aunt, uncles, grandmas and mom and dad! What a party! Too bad Doug missed the celebration but he came for a while after he finished a bus trip and dear Nancy, ever so thoughtful, brought Breiden over for a special visit with Grandpa the next night.
JP and Julie are busy with their puppies and work. JP is at Thrivent. I keep meeting friends who say they've met JP who is talking to people about their Thrivent plans. He's doing a good job and is finding just how many people know his mom and dad! Several of my old CC buds have said they've talked to him! Neat.
And Julie continues studies and working at Applebees. JP and Julie are a great uncle and aunt pair. Breiden lights up so much when they come! But I can't figure out how they can get Breiden to sleep so long at their place!
Doug keeps busy with his bus driving. I don't think people realize how much time he takes mapping out his longer road trips. He enjoys driving. Me? I sleep once the car is moving!
Well, welcome to our blog and welcome to our family.
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