It's all in the way you say it!

Today he needed to talk to his mom. "Mom, Ms. Kathy always asks me if I want to sit down with her and read a book, then she gets a book and sits down with me and reads the whole thing!?"
He is looking at his mother now, searching for the answer he needs - to the question he didn't really ask. His mother is realizing he is making a statement, he is in a way telling on Ms. Kathy"
Mom answers the little guy "well don't you like it when you and Ms.Kathy read a book?"
His answer..."She asks me if I want to read a book, then she sits down and reads the whole book to me?!"
Mom says "well, are you thinking that she needs to word this different? Does Ms. Kathy need to say - how about if you and I sit down and I read a book to you?"
His answer... "Yes, I think that would be more appropriate."

I wondered as I wandered

Today I was walking the halls looking for a lady I needed to sit and talk with for awhile. They call it "one to one" and it is meant to give those that don't have much group contact some time with just one. Talking, doing nails, reading, walking, whatever you can do for them to help ease the pain of time.

I found her, she was sitting in her room in front of the window reading a menu from the kitchen. The menu consists of 7 days, 3 meals a day, and several choices for each meal. I said hello and asked her if she would like me to read to her. She stated she was reading the menu and had been for quite some time, it all looks awful...
there isn't one thing she likes.

...how many people are waking up this beautiful sunny day without a menu of choices? Where their food will be stuff that has been packaged and shipped overseas to them - water to be added before you serve it? I wonder if they think the food is awful?

...how many people are waking up this morning without a pillow top mattress? Where their place to sleep was the wet dirt, the pillow for their head was their own matted hair. I wonder if they think about pain as we do?

...how many people are waking up this morning with the chill of the damp air bringing goose bumps to their skin. Where their blanket is the clothes that they have worn for the past week. I wonder if they think about down filled comforters, about the feel of a heavy blanket snuggled around you to fight the cold?

...how many people are waking up this morning to see their children huddled together because of cold, to know there will be no cheerio's or milk for breakfast - listening to their mournful cry that they can not comfort. I wonder if they have dreams for them, I wonder?

... I wonder as I wander through this life - seeing the discrepancies between poverty and wealth, hearing my own voice give life to the complaints of every day living... if God can hear me cry for them...

as I wake up with a leg ache from my pillow top mattress, pull off the heavy comforters, rise to get ready for the day tripping over my purchases of clothes for my job, print off the menu to bring to her for next week...

God, can you hear me cry for her? For this lady whose mind no longer lets her feel the hurt of other people. The loneliness she must feel as she looks at that menu with no vision,
and with no hunger, wonders what she will have to eat.

Easter Hats

This year Easter fell on Sunday April 23rd. It was the week after Lindsey and Josh's wedding. They were moving into their new house. Conner had just had his tonsils out on April 19th and was not feeling the best yet. So, our Nola Jean and her momma came to Arlington on Sunday. We went to church together and then all went up to the Arlington Haus to eat their Easter buffet. It was $10.95 per person. It was an enjoyable meal with Curt, myself, mom, Jeff, Lacey and Nola Jean. After the dinner we came home to some of the first sunshine and warm weather that we have had all year. Remember, last week-end it was snowing out! I did a little work outside and Nola Jean, gramps and Lacey came out to enjoy the day also. It was the first time her little feet had ever touched the grass, she didn't care for it and we all enjoyed laughing together. Carol had bought the girls all Easter hats so we try ed Nola's on... she wasn't crazy about the feel of that either!
On Monday Lacey and Nola Jean took grandma to Foley so she could stay with Conner for the week. While Lacey and Chris went to St.Cloud to take care of cell-phone buisness, Emily tryed to get pictures of all four of the grandkids together. This is NOT an easy task as you can see. Conner was trying to get Jordyn to stop crying, Nola was not going to be wearing the Easter hat... she was to busy wondering what Jordyn was crying about. Maybe if Nola gives Jordyn a little push with her hand, and Conner gives the pacifier a little push that will get her to quiet down? NOT! Through the whole event, Jaci Anna was the big sister, with her Easter hat on and a big smile, holding her cousin as if nothing was wrong.
I love these moments, captured on film. I hope they will help us remember that everything was new at one time. We need to step out on the grass, take a chance, and sometimes we just need to smile no matter what!

Elegance

I needed to write a blog for this picture. You see, Carol ordered these free wine bottles for Miranda's wedding in August 2010. She put them on mirrors and set one on each table. She added some tall pink flowers, leaving a sleek, elegant party decoration. After Miranda's wedding they were boxed up and brought to my garage. On April 16th, we set them out again only this time adding some purple flowers for Lindsey's wedding. The Arlington Community Hall looked as lovely as it ever has. White table clothes, mirror in the middle with the wine bottle flowers, and a purple heart to set it off. After Lindsey's wedding they were packed up to go to Deb for her son's wedding in August.
Sometimes I can't hardly believe the beauty of a simple bottle.
The beauty of a friend.
And how the simple elegance in life is most often free.

The dance

Another important part of the wedding for Josh and Lindsey was the reception and dance. They have some dancin' friends and family that like to have fun! Over a year ago they booked the DJ and the caterer from Mankato. The meal would start at 6:00, music at 7:00 and dancing at 8:00.
Everyone was at the community hall socializing to soft back ground music and a snack bar with a cheese fountain. Liz? Well she was looking for some supports for the cake!?
A little before 6:00 the wedding party arrived and we were ready to have supper. The supper consisted of a wonderful meal of Chicken cordon blue, garlic potatoes,and beans. There was also a dessert bar and pretzels served through out the night.
After dinner was served to everyone the wedding party gave their thank-yous. It started with a "toast" from Mike, Josh's friend who was best man. He gave a great speech on how Josh is a man of few words, in fact on Saturday when they were together before the wedding, he counted how many words Josh used and it was 52! It was a very fitting, funny, and appropriate speech - getting some laughs and yet showing a true friend. Next Lacey gave her "toast" - it was a very touching speech on how she always remembered going into her sister's rooms and just loving to be there! She would help Lindsey hang up all her pictures from tiger beat of all the hunks... and now how fitting that she found her pin up guy and he was not only good looking, but smart and sweet! She talked about Lindsey always being there for her family... she teared up, we all teared up... then Emi gave her speech talking about the "perfect" child. She told a camp story about how when we dropped her and Lindsey off at camp that she was afraid to be alone. Lindsey gave up time with her friends to stay in the same room as Emi, then from bunk beds to sharing the same bunk so that her sister who was 4 1/2 years older wouldn't be afraid! I cried and laughed and I don't know if I have ever had a better moment in my life... than to see my three girls, all grown up - loving each other! Last but not least, Lindsey and Josh gave their speeches. Lindsey said thank-you to the many people that helped her to get ready for the day. She went through and thanked everyone, her Pastor, the Praise Team, Justin, Jan, the groomsmen, and attendants, her friends and family and of course Liz, her boyfriend, Amanda, and Starla.
I believe Liz was there to hear it... as the cake was out on the table and it looked beautiful.
Thank-you to Amanda the Georgia cake decorator!!
Then Josh gave his speech... he said "Thank-you" and sat down.
After Mike's speech, Josh got alot of laughs with the short and sweet, man of few words, thank-you!
Now - on with the show!
and as I always say
"if you stumble, make it a part of the dance!"

The wedding

It has arrived... the day where my baby girl will take another name and become one in Christ with the love of her life... JOSH JOHNSON!
Ann has stayed overnight at her sister Suzanne's - thus freeing up her Friday night bed for Chris, JaciAnna and Conner Dallas. Lila has stayed overnight at her sister Ann's - thus freeing up her room for Emily Jo, Jordyn Noel and Taylor (their friend who came to help with the kids). Upstairs is Lacey, K and Nola Jean. Lindsey slept in the family room on the blow up bed. Dad and I in our room - everyone had settled in for a short winters night. Yes, I said WINTER! It had started snowing on Friday night about 10:00pm and there was a beautiful covering on the ground and trees. I believe it was probably so beautiful as you know in April the snow won't be staying around to long!
7:30 am - people are up and showering already. I start to put hot rollers in JaciAnna's hair, she isn't crazy about it but we get them in. Then come's Emi's hair, a set of hot rollers in that thick beautiful hair. By 9:30 they are ready to rumble and hit the streets to the United Methodist Church. I leave for the church about 10:30am. My hair is done with just some touch ups needed. The fellowship rooms are filled with girls, girls and more girls. Veronica, the hairdresser and her friend have the bykota room filled with things for fixing hair and putting make-up on. There is: Emily, JaciAnna, Lacey, Anna, Liz, Starla, Veronica, her friend, myself and then most importantly LINDSEY KAY!! They are preparing for the wedding and it is beautiful to see all those girls together laughing! Liz is looking for a drill?
11:45am - the rest of the wedding party and some of their friends arrive in the fellowship room and Starla goes to get the sub sandwiches. We set them out along with chips, dips, pickles, and most importantly CHOCOLATE!! Josh is here now, along with his groomsmen, Matt, Mike, and Moon. Chris and Conner arrive and everyone dishes in and starts eating. It is a relaxed wonderful atmosphere... as Liz is again running for something - this time it is a hammer.
1:00pm - it is time to start taking pictures. Josh's family is now here and they all get their family pictures. The groomsmen are next, then the bridesmaids and of course our family. I really appreciate how hard it is to get a big family together. I never thought of my family as big until this moment. Dad, myself, Emily Jo, Chris, JaciAnna, Conner Dallas, Jordyn Noel, Lindsey, Josh, Lacey, K, Nola Jean, Gramma Dorius and Jeff! ZOWIE!! We have grown to 14 people soaking wet!
2:30 - pictures are done and people are starting to arrive. Justin Rierson is here also to sing "Butterfly Kisses" as Lindsey walks in. We are so proud of him for coming as he only knows me through work and agreed at the last minuet to do the song for her.It is the same song that Emily walked down to 8 years ago on May 8th!.
3:00 - everyone is being seated and things are getting ready. I have been busy praying through out the whole church for this day, for the people here and for the couple to be married! Jeffrey Allan walks mom and I into the church and we take our seats. Jan Meyer's is playing organ and comes over to the side of the church to play the keyboard for the Praise Team. The song they sing is "We all Bow Down" - it was for the gathering and the harmony that they sang was beautiful! Next Andrew starts the slide show and Chris sings "Cinderella" as the pictures of Josh and Lindsey's young life move before us on the big screen. It is now a little after three and the music changes as Jan starts to play butterfly kisses and the couples walk up to the front of the church. As Justin gets to the verse "she changes her name today"... Lindsey Kay comes walking down the church isle with her arm hooked on her dads...
It is breathtaking...
I will forever hold this moment in my mind...
3:30 - the wedding vows have started and they will light their unity candles. The unity candle set was a gift from Laura Pioske and the candle holder set was a gift from Starla... it is indeed beautiful as they go to take the two single candles and light the big one. The Praise Team is singing "The Power of Your Love" and the Holy Spirit is dancing through out the church.
4:00 - by this time the couple is married and they are ushering people outside the church. There are more pictures for the wedding party to take and the guests will go out to the Arlington community Center.
It was indeed a beautiful wedding.
When Lindsey and Josh were going to Pastor Wayne for their counseling they said the most important thing to them would be that the presence of God would be in the church and that the service would change someones life for Christ.
He was
It did!!!
Amen!!

Preperations

It is Wednesday April 13th, 2011. I have taken these days off to get prepared for the wedding that Lindsey has been preparing for the past year! Many little things have happened before we could get to this week, along with much excitement we are here... getting ready! Today Grams and I go to Walmart to pick up groceries for snacks, and for Sunday supper, to get a few things that Lindsey needs. We arrive back home and unload grams stuff and then mine... now it is to Tranquility. Kim trims and dyes my hair, when I get home for the first time in my life Curt says "Wow! you look like you are 30 years old!". Thanks Kim!

It is Thursday April 14th, 2011. Today I go to Glencoe to pick up Lindsey and my dress's from the Temple. They were being pressed there. Carefully loaded in the car I head to Coborns to pick up a few more groceries that were on sale. When I get back to ARlington I drop off grams groceries and head to church. Lindsey and Amanda will meet me there, and Liz is coming also.
Pop and chips - check
Wedding dress - check
Flowers - check
Moms dress - check
Wedding cake stuff - check
It is about 1:00pm and we are ready to start the flowers and cake!
Amanda gets settled in the big kitchen at the Methodist Church... she is happy of the size and soon her assistant Liz will be arriving.
Lindsey gets set out on the other cupboard to get moving on the flowers. They are eating subways, laughing, looking pretty and having a great time!

It is 4:00pm and mom and I leave for Foley. We arrive at the school just in time to get prime seats for the concert. Jaci Anna is preforming her 1st grade spring concert and we are so thankful to be able to get to see her! They sing some adorable songs and Jaci does some dancing with scarfs. We didn't get to see that it was her until she was done - but, we know of course that she did a great job!! We load up Conner D and some of the Harren's stuff for the wedding and head for home. Conner is sleeping when we arrive so I bring him in and lay him in bed with his papa. He is out for the night! I take grams home, and head up to the church...

It is 11:00pm and the girls are getting ready to leave the church and go to the motel in Gaylord where Amanda has a room. I finish picking up things at the church and head home myself. It is 4:00 am... time for sleep as Friday is another day! (oh I guess it is Friday)

On Friday morning the girls come and pick me up and we head to Mankato to meet Starla and get our pedicures and manicures. We do some laughing and relaxing... this was sure a good idea!

It is 1:00pm and we meet everyone at the community hall to do the decorating. Liz and Amanda will continue with the cakes and they also have recruited Liz's boyfriend Dave! He definitely adds a new dimension to the idea of how to decorate a cupcake!

It is 6:00pm time to be at the church for the wedding rehearsal. Justin is here early to sing "Butterfly kisses" with Jan for the first time - it is beautiful. The Praise Team is here and they practice their songs - they are beautiful. All the attendants, groomsmen and family members are here and accounted for and the most important... the pastor... and I couldn't feel more joy inside my soul! Everything goes wonderful with the rehearsal and we head to the Arlington Haus for the grooms supper. Julie and Jim did a wonderful job of deciding on the meals and making everyone feel comfortable. It was the end of an absolutely wonderful day.

It is 9:00pm and we all head to where we are staying. All of my family is in my home! And boy that family has grown! Lindsey takes the blow up bed in the family room. Chris, JaciAnna, and Conner are in Ann's room, Lacey, K, and Nola Jean are upstairs, Emi, Taylor and Jordyn Noel are in Lila's room - dad and I in our room.
The Johnsons and their families went to Gaylord along with the cupcake decorator, and Starla and Liz.

We turn out the lights...
Tomorrow is the day!