Off Duty

With Rachael and Derrick back from their trip to the Bahamas, I'm officially "off duty". So now I have to look around for something to do. Yesterday, we (Rachael, Lori, Ben and I) went to South Bend to do a little shopping. Lori purchased fabric to make curtains for her nursery and Rachael purchased fabric to make more items for her Etsy store.

Lori and I spent the afternoon making curtains.

The nursery is all finished and it looks so cute. Now all we need is a baby.

If you want to see more pictures of the nursery check Lori's blog.

Then Rachael and I decided to start working on some projects for her Etsy Shop . She received beautiful Russian fabric from a friend in Russia and she decided that some of the fabric would make cute stockings. I had my doubts. But, they turned out really cute.

The fronts of the stockings are cut from Russian Nutcracker scene panels. I made three stockings today and cut out six more for tomorrow's project. O.K. Rachael wants credit too, so I have to confess that she made the stockings, and I made the ruffle (but the ruffle was the hard part).

Christmas Party

I was invited to attend a Christmas party that Derrick's parents were having for their employees. The room was beautiful. There were red poinsettias, linen table cloths, a beautifully decorated Christmas tree, and elegantly wrapped presents. The food was excellent. I would tell you what was on the menu, but I don't remember the names of the various foods. I know there were green beans, but you would never picture the following presentation of green beans by the words "green beans". So, I'm not going to embarrass myself by attempting. There was also a young lady playing the piano who was amazing. I was excited to find in my gift bucket (yes, I received a beautiful floral hand painted bucket) filled with a variety of gifts one of which is a CD by this pianist. Her name is Beatriz Ritzenthaler.

The green beans were placed in the shape of a Christmas tree with a slice of star fruit at the top for the star, red cherry tomatoes scattered over the green beans for the tree ornaments, and cubed cheese with chocolate string for the presents. All the food presentations were very tastefully done and everything was delicious.

Derrick's parents, Dick and Bonnie, spend months selecting and purchasing items for the gift baskets including gorgeous baskets to hold the various items. Dick arranges the items in the baskets and Bonnie wraps them in clear colored wrap and ties them with beautiful ribbon. The gifts are absolutely amazing. Perfect in every way.

The children looked so cute and were so excited to get to go. They didn't complain once about having to put on their "good" clothes and let grandma brush their hair. Kristen even let me put two clips in her hair. The children were perfect. Auntie Francie was also invited to attend so she could help me with the children.

Jack and Ben enjoying their food.

The children especially enjoyed the egg quiche that was served as appetizers. Katya ate three.

Ben just unwrapped his gift and is quite excited. He received a remote excavator.
Each of the grandchildren received gifts that were hand selected just for them.

In this picture you can see some of the beautiful gift baskets.

The grandchildren were grandpa's helpers in delivering the gifts to the employees. The children were happy to help.

Grandma B and Jack helping to distribute the gifts.

Katya is a good little helper too! This is her first Christmas in America. She told me on the way home she loves Christmas in America. (And it's only just begun!)

Kristen helping with the deliveries.

Sometimes the baskets were extra heavy so they were placed in a wagon for delivery.

Jack and Katya are so cute.

This was the perfect party to start the holiday season. Thank you Dick and Bonnie for your invitation and for the beautiful gift. I haven't opened it yet, because I want Bob to see it before I take it all apart. But, I did slip my hand in and take out the CD!

Happy Birthday Rachael

I have been so busy entertaining four little angels that I haven't had time to post my happy birthday wish for my oldest daughter, Rachael. With all the children in bed the house is quiet and with tomorrow being Sunday, I can sleep in a little (I hope). It is so hard to pick out just a few pictures to share, so after spending several hours going through containers of pictures I carted from New York to Michigan just for this project, I finally have the selection ready with a little critiquing from Francie and Lori. And now a little history . . .

Not knowing if we would be having a boy or a girl, your dad and I spent hours talking about what our new baby's name would be. I wish I could remember some of the maybe's, but none of them are coming to my mind except the name Anastatia that your grandma Annie wanted us to consider. I do remember that a boy's name was never picked-out. I really liked the name Rachael. Your great-grandmother's name was Rachael and she was so excited to hear that her first great-grandchild had been named after her. She was a small lady, very sweet and loving who served the Lord and attended church regularly.

Your arrival on November 14, 1972 was a little bit of a surprise to both the doctor and us because your due date was December 15. However, with you weighing in at 8 lbs. 11 oz., we all knew it was a miscalculation on our part. You were such a beautiful baby. I couldn't believe you were mine. And I had no idea what to do with a baby. I was thankful to have my mother and grandmother living close by. My grandmother (your great-grandmother) would come over and hold and rock you for hours. If she was around you were always on her lap. And, you were very happy and content when you were being held.

You are a blessing to me and I'm so very proud of you. You told me before you had even started school that you were going to be a doctor when you grew up. I would make other suggestions, "how about being a nurse?" "No", was your reply. "How about a teacher?" "No", was your reply again. And on, and on. You knew what you wanted to be and you never changed your mind, or let anything get in your way of accomplishing your goal.

I wish I was good with putting what I want to say in words, but I'm not, so I'll just keep it simple and say you have made me so very proud and I thank the Lord for your love and friendship.

You teethed on green onions that your grandpa Chuck grew in his garden. You were his pride and joy and he made sure I had a fresh supply for you. You would throw a fit when I would have to take it away from you because it was falling apart. I would have to let you have the new onion in your other hand before I could take the "gummed" onion away. You would have tears running down your little cheeks, but you would not give up your onion.

Doesn't this picture make you smile? That's what you did to me when I would come into your bedroom to take you out of your bed. You were such a happy little girl. I made the curtains you see hanging and your bed is the bed I used when I was a baby.

This is your first birthday. Your grandma Nan bought you this yellow high-chair for your birthday. I made you an angel food cake with fluffy strawberry icing. I wanted an icing that you could play in and get all over your face. My mission was accomplished.


You enjoyed playing outside and this plastic play barn you toted around almost everywhere you went. You insisted that you wear the red fireman's hat whenever you played with the barn.



You always had a love for animals. These calves were on the farm in Muskogee. I made you the little gray plaid poncho with the white crocheted edging and fringe.

Here you are at the age of four. I made the little sailor outfit you are wearing.



Never too young to begin talking on the phone. Notice the pink spongy curlers that were used every Friday night.


You and your little sister, Lori. You two look so much alike!

This picture was taken in our home in Matteson, Illinois. I believe you were in the ninth grade. Francie and Natalie (front row- left to right); Lori and Shannon (middle row - left to right); Rachael and Ryan (back row-left to right).



The famous tree swing. All of you children enjoyed playing on this swing. This picture was taken at our home in Oklahoma City. I think we all have fond memories of living in this house. At least I have lots of children's stories I tell from happenings here.


This is one of DeAnn's horses that you rode when we went to visit them in Virginia. Is this the one that bucked you off?

This is Charlie, the Angora loped-ear bunny that you had for many many years. In fact you took it with you to college. You would put a collar on it and hook a leash and take it for walks.

Grandpa Chuck sure enjoyed having all his grandkids come to the lake house. He had a garden there and would always make fried okra, homemade biscuits, homemade macaroni and cheese and fried corn (fresh from the garden of course). Leftovers were unheard of.

When Rachael brought Derrick home for the family to meet, she also took him on a tour of the area. This dam is where Rachael, Ryan, Shannon, and Lori would go and slide down. Derrick was not impressed. I'm glad someone in this picture has common sense.



Rachael graduated from college and one week later married Derrick and one week later they left for Loma Linda, California, where Rachael attended medical school.

I couldn't believe that Rachael graduated from medical school on time with her class and while attending medical school, she had a little baby girl. In this picture you see Rachael at her graduation with her little 18 month old daughter.


Mommy Rachael with newborn baby Kristen.


Rachael shows Kristen her new baby brother, Jack.

Rachael with Kristen and Jack.

Another new little baby boy joins the family. Baby Ben.

This past April Rachael and Derrick adopted this beautiful little girl from Russia.

I hope your time in the Bahamas was enjoyable. And that you had time to relax and celebrate your birthday. Thank you for entrusting your children to my care. The kids were very good. I loved being able to spoil them.

To my beautiful daughter, Rachael, I love you and I pray that God will bless you with another good year and many more "Happy Birthdays!"

Love,

Mom

No School Again!

Unfortunately, no one called me until all the kids were dressed and ready for school. I was even dressed and ready to have worship in Jack and Katya's class this morning. And I was making French toast for the kids breakfast when Francie called and said, "Mom, no school again!" I thought she might be kidding me, so I had to check for myself. She was right. When I told the kids, they were so excited!!! "No School, No School, No School for Us"




Breakfast time.

The kids wanted to try pomegrates and plummalos

It took awhile to prepare this fruit. The kids liked both fruits, but Katya didn't care much for the pummelo.

After breakfast Katya and Jack were off to play with their snakes.

And, Kristen practiced her piano.

Now I'm planning the menu for the weekend and then I'm going to brave taking all four kids to the grocery store.

With the grocery list in hand we loaded the car and headed for the grocery store.

In this picture we just arrived inside the store. So far we are still doing good.

The basket is full and we just need one more item. Pepperidge Farm Herb-seasoned bread cubes. I'm planning to make Bonnie's Chicken Roast for Sabbath lunch.

The kids were so helpful. They unloaded the basket and helped put the sacks in the basket.

When we arrived home, the kids helped carry the groceries in and then hurried to the play room for some real fun. Shopping wasn't there favorite thing to do, but they were very good. There were a lot of people that would stare at me and all those kids. But, it just brought back fond memories of when I went shopping with six kids!

No School!

The telephone was ringing at 6:00 a.m. this morning. I jumped out of bed and stumbled over Calvin who was sleeping in the floor next to Kristen's bed, and continued down the stairs in the dark and discovered several items I had left on the stairs to take up the night before, but forgot. By the time I made it to the phone it had stopped ringing and the message had finished too. I played the message, and the person said there would be no school today because of no electricity at the school. This was great news!! I could go back to sleep and make up for those two hours I lost trying to fix my blog the night before. I quickly fell asleep only to be woken again by the telephone at 6:30 a.m. I repeated the same steps I had made the first time the telephone rang and played the message which was from Jack and Katya's teacher letting me know that the school was closed today because there was no electricity. I went back to bed but couldn't fall back asleep so I got up and came downstairs, started the fire in the fireplace (I just had to flip a switch - I love starting a fire like that) and had some time to relax and read before the house would soon be jumping with four lively little angels. Before the kids woke up I received two more calls to let me know that there would be no school today one from Bonnie and one from Francie. Thank you both for calling. Although I knew there was no school, I appreciate your thoughtfulness in thinking to give me a call.

Kristen and Katya worked together on Kristen's Russian alphabet. They were pretty excited that there was no school today.

The cat and the bunny were so cute looking at each other.

Carl was not happy being outside in the rain. We all took our places, Katya and Ben were by the patio door, Kristen was blocking the space between the kitchen table and the entry table, and I was by the garage door then Katya opened the patio door , I opened the garage door, and Carl and Calvin came running in and went right to the garage to dry off before being allowed back in the house.

The kids were having fun playing with all the fabric scraps their mom had given to them.

Then the kids wanted to read last nights blog.

All the children helped to feed and water "Lucky" the bunny this morning.

Then it was time for four hungry little children to have breakfast. I made scrambled eggs, biscuits and little links. The kids ate everything I had made and I had to made four more scrambled eggs before they were all full. Katya asked the blessing on the food. They are taking turns praying before each meal and she reminded me that it was her turn to say the blessing this morning. Her prayer was so sweet. She included her mom and dad and other family members as well as the food.




Here are four little piggies acting silly after breakfast.

Ben helped take out the garbage after breakfast.

Jack cleaned the kitchen table.

Ben swept the floor.

Ben wanted me to take a picture of all the dirt he sweep up from the floor.

Jack wanted a picture taken of his clean table. He not only washed it, he dried it too!

Kristen wanted to learn how to knit so she brought her yarn and knitting needles that I had bought for her the last time I came to visit and we spent some time knitting a very small scarf for her sock monkey.

Calvin follows me everywhere. If I'm in the kitchen cooking, Calvin is there. If I'm in the living room, he's there, dining room, bedroom, he's there. I never realized this about Calvin in the past.

The kids had some sewing projects they wanted me to help them with.


Kristen and Katya making a snake.


Jack made a two headed snake. I was the official button eye "sewer".

Ben wanted a button sewed on a piece of blanket scrap.

Katya liked the snake she designed.

Kristen made a poncho for her sock monkey.

Ben is quite pleased with his snake.

We took a break from our snake making for a little lunch.

After lunch, Ben took a nap, Kristen practiced the piano, and Katya and Jack cleaned their rooms and then played with the ever popular hand-made snakes.


While the kids played downstairs and Ben was taking a nap, I finished the baby blanket.

This was supper. Belgium waffles with peach topping and whipped cream. Yum!
Worship, prayer time and off to bed. The kids went right to bed and were excited to receive their little surprise.

It was a really fun day. The kids were perfect!!