The birthday goes on!

Jim really wanted to get an elliptical machine for his birthday. So after searching at a couple different stores, we finally found what we were looking for. Fortunately, Jamie and Krista had gone thru this same experience a short while ago, so he was alot of help to Jim in assembling the machine. Now it is time for us to get back in shape again--and wow, do we ever need to get back in shape!
It was great to have Jamie and Krista here for the weekend and to enjoy a short time together with Mark, who arrived on Sunday evening. In the excitement of all being together, I forgot to take a picture! (can you believe it???) I guess that there will be other opportunities.

Mark is studying hard, all day--every day, for his first national board exam. He arranged to take the test here in CA instead of IA, so that he could come home two weeks earlier. We are happy to have him with us for a longer "vacation" from school. He begins clinical rotations in Iowa the end of June.

Guess who came to visit?

Yesterday we got a call from my cousin Charlie. I had forgotten my conversation with him and his wife back in Minnesota, saying that they would be coming to California to visit their daughter the end of May. What a wonderful surprise to have them visit us here in our home!
My father has always referred to Charlie as his "little brother" but I am proud to say that he is my cousin.

I had not seen Charlie and JoAnn's children (Paula and Jeff) since they were little kids, so it was fun to meet them again as adults. It still seems strange to think that all of us "Minnesotans" were together this afternoon here in southern California! Thanks so much for visiting us!

Happy 60th Birthday Jim!

Today I celebrate you, Jim! You are the man that I thank God for creating and bringing into my life. The more that time goes by, the more I can see the reasons that God brought us together.
You are the man that I will always love, the wonderful father of our sons, the best friend that I could ever have. Happy Birthday to you!
Even though it has been a difficult day in some ways (Jim performed his first funeral here at church), it has been a wonderful day of phone calls and well-wishes from so many family and friends. Sixty is a milestone, you know!
This past Sunday, our church family helped us celebrate by a special "birthday song" (all about aging gracefully...)and a big birthday cake!
Thanks to all of our church family for the cards and birthday wishes, and also for your presence at our home for the potluck fellowship. We love you all!

Friendships are treasures

The afternoon that I arrived in MN, my sister-in-law picked me up at the airport and took me out to eat, before we drove to Fergus. At supper, we were joined by several other family members, including little David! It was the first time that I had met my great nephew and it was such a pleasure to hold this little one. Thanks to all of you for sharing this precious joy with me!

Another highlight of going back to the Midwest last week to visit, was re-connecting with friends.

On Friday morning, I surprised this group of dear friends that meet weekly for Bible study and prayer. It was so fun to catch up on some of the things that God is doing in their lives and in the lives of their family members. Later in the weekend, I got to spend some more time with some of these gals, but the time is never long enough! Won't eternity be great?
At noon, I had lunch with my dear friend Barb at this cozy little restaurant downtown. After working together in chemo for over five years, we formed a close relationship. Even though she had a busy weekend lined up, she still gave me several hours of her time. Thanks so much Barb!
A stop at my former workplace was also a priority for me. The time went all too fast, but it was fun to catch up on some of the news from my former co-workers and to reminisce about the past. Thanks to all of you for letting me interrupt your work day!

On Friday evening, I had a wonderful time at Donna's house with her and Nancy. We became close friends through our group Bible study that met on Wednesday evenings. Staying overnight with Donna gave us a little extra time to share and pray with each other. Thanks for the great time together, girls!Oh the wonderful memories of all the times that I've spent at Kari's house! It was sad to think that this was the last time that I would be visiting her there, because now she is moving on to another job and new adventures. Thanks Kari, for the bed and breakfast, and all the good times we've had in the past--and for all the exciting things that we'll be able to share in the future!My time with Jewell always goes by too fast! So much to talk about and so few hours. Thanks for the great time that we spent together and for the way that you always challenge me!

The morning of the day that I left MN, I also spent time with another dear friend. Unfortunately, the battery on my camera was dead and I had neglected to bring the battery charger along, so I did not have a photo to mark the occasion! but I just did what my husband always tells me to do...took a mental picture of the day and cherished the moments together! Thanks, Margie for taking the time for lunch together!

Springtime in Minnesota

After the birthday celebration on Sunday, my sister Becky and her husband Chuck, and I went out to our brother's lake cabin for the evening. We didn't know before we left that a thunderstorm had downed several power lines in the area. When we arrived at the cabin, there was no electricity! So we truly had a "camping out experience" in the woods. Rebekah and Chuck stealing a nightime kiss (by flashlight) during our cabin adventure!
After gathering up the branches that had blown down the day before, we made a little fire in the morning and enjoyed watching a couple of loons gliding across the lake. It was nice to see the trees greening up in the springtime weather. We appreciated the hospitality of my brother and his wife. Seems there is always so much to talk over and laugh about when we get together! Our time together went all too fast!

One last picture of the folks in front of their cozy little home. I never know when I'll get back to the midwest again, so I savor each visit there. I love my parents and miss being so far away from them again, but I do appreciate being able to call whenever I need to hear their voices.

Mom's 80th Birthday

Last week I had the privilege of traveling back to MN to visit family and friends. The occasion was my mother's 80th birthday, but I also visited several other friends and family members. I enjoyed many hours together with our son Jared. Even though our Saturday was rainy and windy, we loved the time we had together talking, shopping, and watching a movie.
After church on Sunday, Jared and I joined other family members and friends at the local community center in my parents' home town to help celebrate my mom's 80th birthday. We decorated in red and white and used geraniums as the center pieces on the tables. It was very fun for my sister Becky (also living on the west coast) and I to see our parents for the first time when they walked through the door and into the colorful room!
We missed having our youngest sister at the party, but were happy that so many of the rest of us were able to celebrate with our folks. Four of the ten grandchildren were present and all of us were excited to treat mom like the queen that she is.
Grandma and JaredGrandma and the three grandsons that were at the party.

Following the party, many of the family members gathered at mom and dad's cozy little house to have supper. One of mom's sisters and her brother and their spouses drove many miles to help my folks celebrate. We enjoyed visiting with them for awhile before us kids headed out to my brother's lake cabin.

On Monday afternoon (after a night at the lake cabin), my sister Becky and I helped mom plant the geraniums all over her yard. It will be fun to see pictures at the end of summer when all the plants have grown and added splashes of color all around the house!