The End of My Birthday Celebrations for 2008

Friday evening Ryan and Lisa and the children came for dinner. Madeline spends Friday afternoons with Auntie Lisa while Shannon is in school, so they brought Madeline too. Shannon would be coming later in the evening. Bob had made sure everything was ready for our guests. The house was clean, the table set, and the food prepared including two cakes he made from scratch.

He made my favorite cake, angel food with no icing! And then he made a new recipe, butter pecan cake. He browned the pecans in butter and added brown sugar then he sprinkled them on the cream cheese icing. It was delicious. There was a bowl of left-over praline nuts and the boys didn't waste anytime in checking them out when they arrived.

Their usual one hour trip to our house turned out to be an hour and a half. It had been snowing all day, but the lake effect snow kicked-in late in the afternoon and evening and we received some heavy snow for a few hours. Ryan thought I should call Shannon and tell her not to come because the roads were really bad. I called her and just caught her as she was walking out the door. She was disappointed. I told her that Ryan said if she tried to come she would just end up in a ditch and then he would have to come and pull her out. She wasn't too happy about his lack of confidence in her driving skills in the snow, but she said it was comforting to know that he would come and pull her out. She decided not to venture out if we would send a doggie bag home for her.

After dinner, Ryan saw my camera on the counter, and started taking random pictures.

He just wouldn't stop taking pictures, so Lisa finally got his attention by putting her hand in front of the camera and saying, "STOP"!

Then we headed to the family room to relax and visit. That's when I picked up the camera and started snapping a few pictures.

Ryan and Lisa relaxing on the love seat in front of the fireplace.

The boys worked on a jigsaw puzzle of cardinals.

The girls had fun playing with the dolls upstairs.

I couldn't believe that Gracie could go up and down the stairs all by herself.

Ryan and Lisa and the children have me a dinner bell. It will be great to have it outside the mud room door to ring this summer when grandpa and the grand kids are outside in the garden and it's time for lunch!

My birthday celebration lasted longer than I have ever had a birthday last with cards, gifts, visits, and telephone calls that made for a very memorable birthday week. I love you all. Thanks for making my birthday special in every way.

Birthday Celebrations Continue . . .

My birthday celebration has been going on all week. I missed a telephone call from one of my grandson's and he left a message to call as soon as I got home. I called to hear "Happy Birthday, grandma". It was so sweet. I also received a card signed by four little grandchildren with a gift card to one of my favorite stores. So, happy days of shopping are ahead!!! Thank you to my California children and grandchildren. (I especially liked the little giggle on the voice message.)

When I arrived at work Wednesday morning, there was a beautiful vase of flowers still wrapped in the clear cellophane from the florist. They had been delivered late Tuesday afternoon, but I had left early because of the bad weather. Finally, we have snow!!! But I'm ready for spring now. The flowers were from Natalie and Adam and brought spring right into my office. The lilies reminded me of when we lived in Oklahoma City and all the memories of trying to keep my lilies alive on the side of the house when six little children thought they were a play ground. The lilies did survive, though. In fact, when we were living in Texas, ten years later, Natalie, Francie, and I made a trip back to Oklahoma City and drove by our old house. It looked the same. The trim color on the house had been changed from green to brown, but the lilies were still on the side of the house and were in full bloom. I pulled in the driveway and got out of the car and walked up to the door. A man, maybe in his mid thirties, came to the door and opened the same glass "screen door" that I had opened so many times. He had a puzzled look on his face. I peered into the house to see what had changed trying not to look like I was checking things out. The carpet had been removed and the hardwood floors refinished and they looked beautiful. I told this young man that this had been home to my six children and I and that the flowers on the side of the house brought back many memories. I told him that after several moves we were now living in Texas and asked if I could have some of the flowers on the side of the house to plant in my backyard. I could tell by the expression on his face that he was surprised at my request, but answered, "sure, help yourself". He loaned me a shovel and the girls and I dug up several clops of the lilies placing them in plastic bags and laying them in the trunk of the car. When we arrived home in Texas, we planted them in the flower beds in the backyard and they thrived. When Bob moved us to California, I wanted to dig them up and take them with us, but Bob told me they would stop us at the state line of California and take them from us, so we left them behind. I didn't know that you couldn't take fruit or plants into California.

The bouquet of roses, lilies, and mums.

Our home in Oklahoma City. That's Lori and I sitting on the porch step. (No, I'm not fat!! I'm expecting Francie to arrive in a few days.)

Our home in Texas.

I enjoyed my flowers at work but brought them home to enjoy this weekend. I rushed home after work to drop off my flowers before heading for my women's Bible study at the church. I was afraid they would freeze if I left them in the car. It was nine degrees. To my surprise, Bob was home. He's usually gone in the evenings when I come home, but it just so happened that he didn't have a meeting. Wouldn't you know it, the one evening when he's home, and I've got other plans. He was cutting carrots, and onions, and cooking green beans, and had flour, seasonings, etc. and pans out. I quickly place the flowers on the table and turned around to head back out the door and said to him on my way out, "What are you doing?" His reply, "Just a little cooking". I shook my head and continued on my way to the car. The weather has decided to be very cold and snow a lot lately, so the roads were not in the best condition, but I took it slow and made it without any trouble and only ten minutes late. It was a great study. I did it on Abigail and her fool of a husband Nabal (I Samuel 25). The ladies had a good time with the discussion questions. And after we finished the study one of the ladies asked if we could have the study twice a month instead of just once a month. So, now we're going to have the ladies Bible study on the second and fourth Thursday of each month. When I returned home, Bob had two pot pies made. He told me that we're having a birthday dinner on Friday evening, and Ryan and Lisa and the children and Shannon and Andy and Madeline are coming. I was so excited. How can one person be so blessed? And, it gets even better. Bob told me that Friday was my day. He was going to do all the cleaning, cooking, baking, and laundry, and I could do whatever I wanted.

I had to take pictures so I could remember, because this is probably going to be the first and last time I receive this type of present. He wasn't too happy about me taking pictures of him doing this, but since it was my day, he went along with it.

It's nice having three bathrooms until you have to clean them.

So far he's not skimping.

Dusting takes a long time.

Folding the laundry.

It's not even eleven o'clock and he's almost finished. I wonder why it takes me so long?

To be continued . . .

A "New" Swimming Suit

Last week, Madeline was on winter break and was spending it with us. We enjoyed having her, but I think she got a little tired of going to meetings. She went to all of grandpa's Bible studies and prayer meeting and then she got to go to the pastors' in-service and weekend program too. She was such a good little girl. She would take her color book and crayolas, and her barbie doll and a few Barbie clothes and sit at the table and quietly play. On the weekend when we were at the hotel, we had forgotten to tell Shannon to pack her swimming suit, and Madeline was so disappointed because she wanted to go swimming. So I made her a new swimming suit out of jeans and a t-shirt. She didn't seem to mind at all and she looked adorable.

Madeline wearing her "new" swimming suit.

Madeline had lots of fun swimming!

Bogging Updates

I have been very behind in my blogging and I have finally caught-up. Well, as much as I'm going to do. I have posted a blog for Christopher's birthday, Feb 3; Adam's birthday, Feb 13; Valentine's Past, Feb 14; Katya's birthday, Feb 19; and Bob's new project, Feb 20.

Happy Birthday to Me

I celebrated my birthday away from home at a retreat. Well, kinda. It was a retreat, but it was a working retreat for me. My boss made sure that I received the best accommodations in the hotel, the executive suite. Bob thought it was great! He liked sharing the nicest room in the hotel even if it was for me. The pastors all signed a birthday card and wrote notes of appreciation and birthday wishes for me. My boss insisted that I make the announcements before lunch, which I informed him that he could do all by himself. After I made the announcements, he embarrassed me by having the pastors sing happy birthday and presenting me with a gift and card. I was keeping my birthday quiet and hoping no one knew. I certainly wasn't telling. My secret wasn't as secret as I had hoped. And then my boss told everyone that I was 30. I had to correct him with, no, I'm 29.

Five of my children called me to wish me a happy birthday and one did it in person. It really was a special day for me. When we returned home, I had several presents waiting in the mailbox, on the porch, and a note from the post office that they were holding a box for me to pick-up.

I think this birthday must be the year of the purse, because I received three purses. I love them all!!! I like purses just as much as I do shoes. I say you can't have too many of either!!

Rachael made this purse for me which I can hardly believe. It looks like it would be very complicated. It's perfect. I showed the ladies at work and they were amazed. The associate superintendent of schools wants to order one. She wants a different lining, because she doesn't want it to be exactly like mine. And, she wants the handles longer so she can carry it over her shoulder. She was especially excited to find out that her purchase will help provide gifts for children in the orphanage in Russia.

A ribbon and clip stitched into the lining holds a matching wristlet that is perfect for my camera and cell phone.

Francie gave me this patch-work quilted looking purse that will be just perfect for spring. She tucked these cute "Mary Jane" slipper socks inside and a much needed white long-sleeved knit shirt. I have some brown sandles that will look great with this purse.

My friend, Yvonne, gave me this beautiful crocheted purse. It will be perfect for dressier occassions.

Like I said, purses and shoes are a must have!! And, Shannon, the shoe queen, gave me these casual slip-on's that will be perfect to wear when I go shopping! They are so comfortable. I really wish I could wear them now, but there is six inches of snow outside with 6-8 inches more expected to fall tonight.

Lori sent me an album with pictures of Anthony - birth through three months and an invitation to come and visit which I think I will take her up on real soon!

These are beautiful white ceramic candle holders that my friends, Dore and Dore sent me. They also sent me a box of candy which I took to work (they're delicious!!) The box is so cute, I'm going to leave it on my credenza and refill it. I'm afraid the candy won't be as good as the original though. Dore has never forgotten my birthday since we've known each other. I remember the first year we had moved from California to New York, and I received a package from her with fresh live blooming daffodils and hyacinths. She wanted me to have a little early spring since I was spending my first winter in New York. She is so good to me. Dore's mom's name is Dore, too, and she and I spent many days together in front of the fireplace visiting, napping, and playing with the dog and cat while her daughter, Dore worked. Now her daughter is having all the fun!!

Dore and Dore

Bob gave me another beautiful orchid which is perfect on the wash-stand in the upstairs bathroom.

Bob also gave me this beautiful crystal candy dish. But he forgot the candy!

I was seven months old in this picture. My aunt Kate made the little dress and bonnet for me. I think that Grace and I look similar in this picture.

My aunt Kate holding me when I was three months old. This picture was taken in front of the old house where we lived in Oklahoma City.

I'm eating my breakfast in the kitchen of the old house. I think Shannon and I look alike in this picture at this age.

I think I was two years old in this picture. My aunt Kate made the little dress for me and she always made a matching dress for my doll. I think Ben and I look a little bit alike in this picture.

This is a picture of my mom and my new baby brother. I'm three and a half years old.

God had truly blessed my life with family and friends that make life special in every way.

Bye Bye Sugar Shack

Now that Bob has completed the work on the inside of the house, he has started working on the outside. However, his work outside is limited based on weather conditions. He decided that he should take down the sugar shack since last winter the heavy snows caused part of the roof to collapse and it is an eye-sore whenever you pull in the drive-way.

Bob is saving the boards that he might be able to use to repair the barn.

Bob burns the sugar shack wood that he isn't going to be saving to repair the barns.

I'm looking forward to having the trees thinned out, planting flowers, and a beautiful lawn this summer instead of the collapsing sugar shack in the circle driveway.

Happy Birthday Katya

Happy Birthday to our Katya who is eight years old today. Even though you joined our family when you were seven, grandpa and I were so excited to see pictures of you at the orphanage in Russia and to know that someday you would be our granddaughter. Grandpa loves to tell the story of when he first met you and you growled at him and he growled back at you. You are such a happy girl and you hold a very special place in our hearts.

The "Care Bear" momma and papa brought for you when they visited you at the orphanage.

We were so excited to see a picture of you with your momma and papa.

You and grandpa enjoyed reading together when you came to visit us at Christmas time. Remember how you enjoyed looking at grandpa's bird books?

You tried eating pomegrate for the first time and you loved it!

Jack and Katya at Grandma B and Grandpa Dick's Christmas party.

Sisters

Little Helpers -
Grandma, Ben, Jack, Kristen, and Katya!

Katya discovered the fastest way down the stairs at grandma and grandpa's house.

Katya showing her handmade snake.

So cute!

You love playing in the snow. Even though you got all wet and cold you still didn't want to come in the house.

Holding your new baby cousin, Anthony.

First halloween.

Your new haircut.

Katya makes 16!

Katya, her sister Kristen and brothers Jack and Ben and her cousins Hannah, Grace, Madeline, Ryan, Jr., and Matthew from New York and Grandma.

Katya and momma in Russia.

Katya and papa in Russia.

There were only three little children in a family that wanted four. We are so glad that you wanted to come to America and make this family's dream come true.

Happy Birthday!!!

We love you,

Grandma and Grandpa