Roses

I hope they will always have this freedom with each other.  To stand in the middle of the day by a flower bed of roses and not have to say a word.

PENCILS

Emily told me a beautiful story.  I hope I can do it justice by writing it out, I believe it will make a difference for generations to come on how teachers use their time with children.  The story so warmed my heart that I cried, adding to the tears I had been crying all day for one reason or another.  I think it was just one of those days where everything was so clear to me in the Heaven-lies.  I seemed to understand how much what we do here on earth really matters to God. 

I also believe that one minuet given to a child's benefit will have a ripple effect for generations to come.  I believe it will make a difference in their life.
We cannot claim that the Scriptures are unclear on how precious children are to our God Almighty.  He not only loves them with a love we cannot begin to understand, but he respects and believes in them.
Okay, on with the story...
Emily Jo (Mrs. Harren) is a Kindergarten teacher.  She often times can tell us wonderful stories about what happens in her job.  Today she gets to tell me a story and I can know who she is talking about...  it is our Jaci Anna.
Jaci Anna is a great speller.  She has her spelling test on Friday's and her mom lets her buy a pencil on each Friday before her test.  They call it her "lucky pencil".
Today she is searching all over the room looking for something...
"What are you looking for Jaci"
"I am looking for all the pencils, I want to have a lucky pencil for each person in my class, I want them all to do good on their spelling also"
... well, momma gets right busy and helps her find enough new pencils for her class.  While she is doing this she explains to Jaci that her teacher may not have time to have each student get a new pencil and to sharpen it before the test.  She explains it in a way that only a teacher who knows the rush of the day can do.  Jaci seems understanding but is determined that she would like to do this, do it for her class...
so she finds 23 pencils and brings them with her.
Jaci explains to the teacher that she has a lucky pencil for each one of the students.
I imagine right about now her teacher could have blew a gasket, thinking of all the extra time this would take, knowing that she has government rules to follow and guidelines that don't inlcude extra time for things such as this.
But, she didn't...
instead
she graciously helped Jaci give each student a lucky pencil, and let them all sharpen them before their spelling test.
And each student did better because of it...
because a teacher took the time to let a little girl give of herself to others.

The Moon

I walked 600 times down the 600 wing today...
punched papers, read emails, read the newspaper, talked, rubbed backs, smiled, laughed, cried,          walked 500 times down the 500 wing...
charted, played lawn dice, got sheep-head players gathered, feed the birds,  loaded up the car to go home, got the mail, stopped and got some milk, picked up the snap towels, put them in the washer, changed my clothes, grabbed a plastic bag and the dog, put Nola Jean in the stroller...
and we walked
and she took her little finger and pointed to the moon

and in her excitement she said in her beautiful voice that melts my heart
"the moon gramma, look at the moon"
suddenly nothing else mattered to me at all
except the beautiful evening
the moon shining full in the sky
and the voice of my baby girl rolling over the rushed places of my heart
slowing me down, bringing me to a peaceful place where the moon shines and little girl voices sooth your soul.
And I pray for each of my grandchildren now.  Lord, when they look at the moon that they will know even if I am not with them - I am looking at it too. And I am praying that they know the love of Jesus Christ, that they will be filled with His joy.

TURTLE TIME

Nick and Heather got married on September 1st, 2012.  Nick is Conner D's God parent and thus the little guy was in the wedding.  I took Friday off from work and mom and I went up to Foley to watch the kids on Thursday while she had open house for her Kindergarten class.  We had a wonderful day with the kids, doing laundry etc...

***the little guy was tired, maybe a little apprehensive about going to the open house and starting kindergarten himself in a few days.
I did manage to get him dressed, out the door, and to the school by 6:30, even though this was not on his time scale - we got it done!

That night after everyone got home Conner D. came home with grams and I.  He was sleeping by the time we backed out of their driveway.  Just another reinforce r that this little guy needs his sleep. If he doesn't get it you are going to notice a few behaviors.
On Friday we woke up after sleeping in and got all of our stuff ready to go to NewUlm.  Practice is at 6:00 and then a little supper gathering after.  Lila, Conner and myself are in the car, all things packed, and off to see if we can find some new school shoes, check in the motel, meet Lindsey and get a bite to eat. 

***the little guy was ready to go (with new shoes on) by 6:00.  He may have been a little apprehensive about getting to a  place where he had never been, and being with people he hasn't seen in a long time... it wasn't on his time scale - but, we got there!

After the practice Lindsey took Conner D to the motel for a little swim and sleep. Lila and I went to Lafayette for the "grooms supper". It was a wonderful time and the food was the top!  When we got home he was sleeping peacefully.  So, to bed with us also... we have to have Conner D. to the church by 11:30 for pictures.  We all slept until about 9:00 am.  Hopefully that was the 12 hour slot he needed to make it through a long day in a tux!  In the shower we go, get the hair washed and combed and the new spider man undies (see an older blog, they take care of a lot of things!) on  Now the tux pants, and shirt... and...
WHAM OH!  He has decided that he doesn't want to wear a  tux, everyone is going to laugh.  He doesn't want me to help him and low and behold if he doesn't want his mom and dad who are still in Foley.
WHAT IS A GRAMMA TO DO?
I get him dressed as far as I can and pack up the rest - deciding that someone at the church will help me coax him on how much fun this is going to be.  The other ring bearer is there and his dad is helping him finish up his last details also.  Thanks Rick for making this much easier on gramma.  Rick and Tiegan help Conner get ready and soon

***the little guy is ready to go and he is on time!

Everyone did excellent on the picture taking and it was a beautiful day! We went to the park where everyone did a perfect job of smiling for the black box...  - the whole wedding party was absolutely stunning - and my little guy was no exception. He was adorable and perfectly behaved.   Mom and dad, along with Jordyn and Jaci arrived at the wedding in time to see their perfectly groomed, and behaved son walk down the isle before the bride and groom.  It was a perfect wedding on a beautiful day and it was the best time I have had in NewUlm sense the last Hacker wedding!

***the little guy had his timing right on, everything else from my memory bank fell away!

The next day we all got our stuff ready at the motel and packed up to go home.  The wedding couple would be opening gifts at the Keggle and we were invited.  Emi, Chris, Jordyn, Jaci, Conner, Lila, Grams, Curt and myself went.  We had some lunch there and watched as they opened gifts.  The kids did great but it soon showed that it was time to go.  Momma called to "pack up the van!"  So after many good byes we all went outside to see my baby girl and her wonderful family get into the van, ready for their trip back to Foley.  Everyone in their car seats?
Jaci Anna - check
Jordyn Noel - check
Daddy - check
Mom - ????

Oh, it seems mom is in the back seat trying to get a hold of Conner D.  She tells him to get in his car seat and to do it now.  He explains that he will but he needs to...
Mom cuts him short, "you need to get in your car seat right now!"
"but, mom I have to...."
"You need to get in your car seat right now... I am not talking about TURTLE TIME, I am talking now.

***the little guy is working on TURTLE TIME?!

And finally the whole week-end of gramma time comes together for me.  I realize we did not have any problems getting going where we needed to go.
I was just working on a different time clock that my guy!

And I take this moment and thank my God above for the love of little boys.  For giving me the time that I have had to spend loving him here on earth.  And,
I let out my breath
and smile...
just thinking about "TURTLE TIME"

SHOES

SHOES

Wouldn't Elvis be proud?

UNTIL WE MEET AGAIN

MAY 2012

Because our eyes can not see what is beyond the veil...
I choose to believe.
I believe this is an earthly good bye.
That she has met her Savior face to face.
The awe
it ignites a joy with in me that brings me to my knees.
The precious gift of love.
All the world falls away...

A BEAUTIFUL PINK DRESS ON A SATURDAY AFTERNOON

I never had a sister.
My mom has a younger sister, Shirley Loy.
My girls have sisters, Emily Jo, Lindsey Kay, Lacey Lynn.
My grandchildren have sisters, Jaci AnnA and Jordyn Noel.
I think now about the bond of sisterhood.
How can I do that?
I never had a sister.
When I was young I remember only wanting one thing...
to get married'
and have a family.
I did not have many "boyfriends", many boys who found me worthy of dating and I became worried about if I would find someone. I knew at this time there was a God, I knew He loved me but I didn't know who He was...
so I went searching, looking for love (in all the wrong places).
I developed relationships during this time with Carol and Robin and other girls our age
and we went searching, looking for love (in all the wrong places).
We did eventually find our Savior.
We eventually found earthly partners and started our families.
I have sisters.
I think again of the bond of sisterhood.
....How when you are thinking -
You can reach out and touch them and not have to say anything and they know what you said.
They love you for all of your failures, all that you are searching to be, all that is behind you.
I see them snapping a picture of their three faces, remembering the years gone by and seeking the love they will have for each other when I am gone.
I see a kiss from a baby to her sister, trusting her care, knowing her love with out words.
I wonder if I could put all these pictures together, make them one
That is how I feel.
But, it is that we are only one in Christ. He pulls the threads of our heart and weaves them together
We are each a separate piece of His grand design and yet worked together for the beauty of the finished person, the person never being finished, living eternally with Christ.
Individual and yet one.
And I know that the whole earth is filled with His Glory
this beautiful Savior of ours. He fills the sky, the land, the sea
fills the hearts of my sisters and me.
And there you have the beautiful mess of sisterhood.
The life that you have lived together and yet apart,
keeping your breath held at the beauty of a pink dress on a Saturday afternoon...

SISTERS THREE

LOVE OF A SISTER

THREE OVER THE YEARS

SISTERS THREE

SISTERS WITH MOM

SISTERS THREE

A PINK DRESS ON A SATURDAY AFTERNOON

SISTERS BOWLING

SISTERS DANCE

SISTERS WALK

and you give thanks for all that is within you for the wonder of a sister.

BABY GIRL BUBBLES

Tonight she waits for me to get home from work.  What could be so important you wonder? So important that we nap and we tell the TJMax lady about it.?
Well, Nola is going to her "papa's house", and she has bubbles!
When we go outside to blow them, her excietment is welling up and spilling out all over the place.
She takes the tiny plastic want and slips it into the container of liquid,
...puts it up to her lips
and blows as hard as she can -
and there it is raising up ...
a tiny bubble in the air
rainbow colors showing in the afternoon sun
the beautiful sound of baby laughter

and the feel of the adults around her
never
never
wanting to let this moment go.
And then it is gone, just like the tiny bubble
but our hearts are bigger
and the memory lingers on
of the sound
and feel
of a beautiful afternoon on a small deck in a small town
blowing bubbles with our baby girl.

The Wedding Date

Where are you going my little one, little one,
Where are you going my baby my own,
Turn around and your one
Turn around and your eight
Turn around and your with daddy
Going out on a wedding date.

Who's hand are you holding my little one, little one
Who's hand are you holding my baby my own,
Turn around and I'm holding you
Turn around and your walking
Turn around and your dancing with daddy
Going out on a wedding date.

Jesus loves you my little one, little one, little one
Jesus loves you my baby my own,
Turn around and your born
Turn around and your grown
Turn around and your a young girl
With plans of your own.

PRAISE THE LORD

PRAISE THE LORD!!

This is Jordyn Noel on September 1st, 2012.  We are at the Catholic church in NewUlm, Mn. celebrating the wedding of Nick Hacker and Heather Battcher.  When I first looked at it, I found it to be breath taking...
now when I look at it...
It takes my breath away.
The sweet innocence of a child, Praising Jesus!

CHOO CHOO........................ TRAIN

This is a Christmas picture of our Nola Jean.  I will be adding a newer one shortly...
but, this picture kind of states what I want to say.  You will notice she is holding a "blanket".
It is indeed her favorite and it goes with us most places.  Nola has gotten to go on many walks with me this summer.  Most of the time we take Cloe and we go to our special place out behind the old cement works.   The best thing about this area is that I can unleash Cloe for a bit, and let Nola out of her stroller to look at rocks and whatever else she can find.  One day Missy was with me and we walked.  We had Nola in the stroller and suddenly there was a very loud train whistle.
Nola got so excited, to see her face is something  I will never forget.
I told her it was the cho cho train and if we stayed right where we were we would be able to see the big train.
We waited and the whistle would blow, each time her excitement growing as she is waiting to see what kind of machine is making this great noise.
Finally he was close enough that we could see it coming down the tracks towards us, I took my baby girl out of the stroller and held her...
she was so happy looking at me and then the train, her blanket squeezed in her little hands, she lifted one and waved...  "gramma, choo choo            train,   choo choo                      train...
and then the most wonderful thing happened...
the man driving the train blew the whistle for her and turned the lights off and on, off and on...
we all just stood there
our happiness spilling out all over the place, filling all the cracks of the old cement...
filling the place in my heart that only a gramma can know.

STREAKS

I got to have my "little guy" quite a bit this summer.  He would come to stay with his grammie Pammie and then grandma Doris would help if I had to work.  I found this wonderful place to walk Cloe, and found it to be a wonderful place for the grandkids also.  Through the summer, we took many a walk to our special place.  It is an extension of the old cement works that was owned by Jim O'Brien.  He sold it all off some years ago and now owned by a city company.  The area is all cement and runs between the railroad tracks and the baseball field. 
One day when Conner D and I took Cloe for a walk we went the long way home.  Cloe decided to do her do on someones yard.  I always carry a bag a long with us so I can pick up any trash, and of course any dog dodo.
I reached down and picked up the evidence with the bag.
... there was Conner starring at the ground I had just freed.
"Gramma, they are going to get really mad that Cloe pooped on their lawn"
"Well, that is why gramma brings along the bag, I pick up the poop and then it isn't on anyones lawn, I will throw it in the trash when we get home."
"You didn't get it all gramma, look at that, it is just like when you wipe your butt and you don't get it all...
it leaves STREAKS."
...  OH MY!!!, what can a gramma walking a dog say to this???

So, this is happiness...

This is what we got in the mail today.  Our middle baby girl gave us the news a while ago that they were going to have a baby!  She found out right about the time we were in South Dakota for gramma Fisher's funeral.  At Nicks wedding you can tell that little baby Johnson is growing and Lindsey has that pregnancy glow.  It was funny, as her brother in law Chris is known for being able to "pick" out if it is a boy or a girl.  On Saturday night he told her she was going to be having a boy.  On Sunday when we were all out in the parking lot of the hotel he stood by her, put his hands out in front of her, put his ear by her stomach then waved his hands in front of her and said "I really wanted it to be a boy so I told you that last night, but, I am getting definite girl vibes today".
"So that is it Chris, your saying it is a girl?"

"Yes, Lindsey, it's a girl."
When I opened the letter...
I could hear Him say "it's a girl".
Thank-you Sweet Jesus for all the Blessings you have given me through my life.  Of all of them being a grandma has been something that can't even be described.  It is something that has grown in my heart starting on February 10th, 2004 and has continued through...
June 21st, 2007
June 25th, 2010
January 11th, 2011
and now the pulse in my heart will beat even deeper waiting for...
January 23rd, 2013
A circle of love surrounds me, dates, births, memories...
I smile
A droplet forms on the window, reminding me of His Grace...
This child, this time, this day, we are all here, grace, all grace, and this fountain of Great Grace falls all around and it could flow through me and out into the world.  I am energized, a torch in the new fall damp...
I am blessed.
So, this is happiness. (AV)

JORDYN NOEL TURNS ONE! ( January 11, 2011)

This is Jordyn Noel's first cupcake! (it will not be her last)  We celebrated her baptism and her birthday along with Jaci's birthday on the 29th of January.  Her official birthday is January 11, 2011 - she came into the world looking for life! Jesus, protect her and love her all the days of her life! Amen

JACI ANNA TURNS EIGHT!

This year for Jaci Anna's birthday we celebrated again the whole week-end.  First was Jaci's birthday cupcakes (February 10th, 2012 Jaci Anna turned 8 years old.  I believe the best part of her birthday is to see the joy she has in giving to others.  She was so happy to be able to share her birthday treat with all that were there!  God Bless you Jaci Anna Harren!

NOLA JEAN TURNS TWO!

HELPING GRAMPS GET THINGS READY FOR THE BIRTHDAY PARTY!!

THE JOY OF THE DAY WAS GREATLY SHARED WITH JORDY!

Nola Jean celebrated her birthday at our house the same week-end we celebrated Conner D's.  She took her nap during his gift opening and cake and then we went outside to celebrate her day also.  Nola turned 2 on June 25th, 2012!  We had a wonderful time and ended the day with mores's in the open fire.  Everyone was here and it was a very fun, very good day!!
May Jesus continue to bless her life as she grows and learns each day and goes through this second year of life.

THE 4TH BIRTHDAY

THIS IS CONNER D'S 4TH BIRTHDAY - OVER BUT NOT FORGOTTEN!

Meyer family reunion

On July 1st, 2012 we had a Meyer family reunion in Slayton, Mn.
I remember when I was a young girl and we would have the family reunions in a hall somewhere in Lavern.  Grandma and Grandpa Meyer were still living during the first ones I remember and there was a lot a lot of kids!!   One time it was over the 4th and we met at the park in Lavern.  It was a beautiful park and lots of food, lots of kids...                                                                                       We would always go staying overnight at either g and g's, or one of dad's brothers or sisters.   Dick lived on a farm and his family was big - it seemed us four added to the mix never bothered anyone.  He would let Jeff help with the chores, Dick isn't around anymore or I would ask how much help he actually got.  I know that Mary was one of the kindest, prettiest most humble women I had ever met.  I was never afraid of not being in my own home when she was around as she made you feel like wherever she was, it was home.
Staying at Marilyn and Ron's was always extra nice also as Rhonda and I were the same age and we got along well.  Their houses were always big and beautiful! They lived for awhile in the large brick house with the wrap around porch that had been g and g's when they first moved to town.  It had a large foyer with a fireplace and a big open stairway that led to an upstairs that I never saw.  The upstairs was usually a rental unit.  Ron was never fond of dog's (or so he told us)...
we always had a dog.  Ron also had the wonderful capability of barking like a dog and his bark was well known through out the family.  They all said his bark was louder than his bite!  He had about the softest heart of anyone I ever knew (it just took me awhile to understand it).  One time he scared Coco our dog at the time, and yes, the dog peed right on his floor! Oh my! I remember laughing about that for many years once I figured out he wasn't going to make hamburger out of him!
I do remember a few times going to Maxine and Doug's.  They lived in Slayton and also had a house full of kids.  There house was huge and had a fireplace and a large kitchen with an open sun porch where everyone hung out. 
Through the years Maxine and Doug stayed in Slayton and then they moved for awhile out to lake Sheteck.  They had a house on the lake and I remember a family reunion there in about 1983.  It was the year that Dung got a picture of Emily Jo standing by the lake with her hands down the back of her swimsuit.  He saved that picture for 18 years and gave her a large print for her graduation!  This year, 2012 the family reunion was again in Slayton with Maxine and her grand-kids leading the way.  We were so thankful to all get together again.  Out of the 10 Meyer kids there is only 4 left.  Dorothy, Maxine, Gene and Marilyn.  G and G Meyer's kids went in two's boy, girl, boy girl, all the way down to Marilyn being the baby.  Maxine was one year older than my dad and they always had their picture taken together.  The one set of pictures grandma had of them was on the silent auction at the reunion.  Holly (LeAnn's daughter) won it.  They were beautiful mounted in two oval frames...                     JOY, PAULINE,       ROBERT, BETTY,        RICHARD, DOROTHY,      MAXINE, DALLAS,         GENE AND MARILYN.
For the reunion this year my whole family went and we stayed and a wonderful little motel on the edge of town.  We arrived on Saturday afternoon.  Chris, Emily Jo, Jaci Anna, Conner Dallas, Jordyn Noel, Josh, Lindsey, Lacey, Krzyztoph, Nola Jean, Grams, Jeff, Curt and myself.  We enjoyed the night exploring the town, and went for a swim at a great pool with a splash pad.  Curt had to work and made it on Saturday evening to the motel. Chris, K, Curt and myself sat outside for awhile and talked about life.  The beauty of a little town tucked in to the back of Minnesota, bluffs ahead of us with the sun going down behind us.

The reunion started on Sunday at 11:00 at a bar and grill at the edge of town.  It had a huge outdoor deck with a bar and waterfalls and land for the kids to run and play.  It was HOT!!!  The breeze blowing through helped a little and then you could go inside and see the slide show that Dung made of all the pictures through the years.  Gramma Doris has a copy of this CD that can be played at anytime we want to see it again.
We had chicken and the works, lots of conversation, and a whole lot of love.
It was a wonderful week-end.

I am thank-ful to God for all I have been given, for my past that has given way to my present and for the future that He hold in His hands.

5 years old

It seems that every "little guy" must have a birthday eventually.  Here he is, my favorite boy opening his presents at our house.   He turned five years old on June 21st, 2012.  I can hardly believe it myself. It seems like yesterday I got the news on the cell phone "IT'S A BOY!".  He came in to the world in a wonderful way, perfect child of God...
now, here we are loving him with all we have...
wondering when does it happen?
When do the coo's change to hello's?
The diapers to spiderman underwear to stripped boxer fitted ones?
The little romper onesies to jean shorts with pockets?
...and the dark little hairs on his perfect scalp are all blonde now, sticking up with gel to be cool like his dad.
He still lets us hold him, and he gives love when needed - now, it is however mixed with bough-ts of
energy and yes, some aggression.  He has a big ole elephant and a bear, that get to box with him....and his little legs that were once quite slow to move and covered with a brace,
are now open to the air
running
exploring
loving
boxing
carrying him through life like the wind
... and when the day ends and the air flow slows
he lays his head down on the pillow, you tickle his arms and back -
and he in a land where God can touch and renew him so he is ready for another year.

ORGANIC STUFF

O

Of my three girls, Emily is the most like me - doesn't like cooking, figures why make it if you can't eat it. Lindsey is like her gram-ma Doris, loves to bake and give it away to people.
Lacey is most like the "organic good for you cooker" that I always wanted to be but never quite made it.  The girls have stories of when I went "organic".  I did try and did real well for awhile. I joined a food co-op at the 7th day advent church, took some classes there also.  Got magazines, bought groceries in St.Peter... took some more cooking classes.                                                               Lindsey had been on antibiotics for almost a year because of what they were telling me was strep throat.   She was only in 3rd grade.  You worry when your kids get these infections, you worry when they are on to many antibiotics.  I had heard of a chiropractor from Gaylord who would help me through to the other side of wellness for our girl.  He was and still is a big help to me.  A very smart man who has done alot of studies to help his family and others to lead a full and healthy life.  It was a long road with many steps...
1. Chiropractic care
2. Take away all milk and dairy
3. Only use organic fresh foods.
I am proud to say that although I wasn't perfect ...
1. After the first bought of sickness (strep throat - she missed 2 full weeks of school with temps and was so sick I was scared - but we did it!) with out antibiotics, Lindsey never got it again.
2. The kids did drink their breakfast. They were natural protien shakes that I made for them -                and they were all healthier because of it.
3. I never lost my passion for wanting to be as healthy as I could.  Always going back to organic,
    fresh cooking.

I don't know if any of us will ever get it all down, but it is nice to know that each day we try to learn more about Jesus, more about what we are doing here and how to care for ourselves.   I am so happy He loves us no matter what goes on down here.  That we can call out His name and He will fill our mind with the good things in Life.
My prayer is that we will all keep trying to learn and change to be more like His son Jesus.
That we will see our bodies as a temple of the Holy Spirit, and when the world trips us up - we won't be afraid to get back on track.  We will never give up...
We can do all things through Christ Jesus.
So,
when I saw these pictures of our little Nola Jean, you can tell she is enjoying helping her momma do some cooking...
along with a little taste here and there to make sure it is good!