1982

We celebrated our 41st Anniversary this weekend. We were married on August 14, 1982, Chuck was 24 and I was 21.

 

 

 It's crazy when you think back to those first years, you have no idea what your future will hold. And honestly I didn't really know him. In April I had just started attending his church and we hung out in the young singles, but we were just friends. On July 4th we started hanging out together. And August 13 he asked me to marry him. 

 

We decided to set the date for the following year, and we both felt the Lord show us the exact date: one year from the day he proposed. August 13 was a Friday that year so we decided to make it the 14th. 

 

And now 41 years later, here we are. I think the thing that defines our marriage and family the most (besides the Lord of course, He's the foundation on which our marriage and family is built) is our traveling. We know many people who put their money into their home, raise their kids, and then after the kids have moved out, mom and dad start traveling. 

 

We did just the opposite. Our first road trip was in 1986 when Sharaya was a month old. We've taken more than 40 since that time - all over the U.S. We've taken our kids to many national parks, spent a week at an orphanage in Morelia, Mexico and instilled in them a love of travel and exploration. The memories we've made with them will last a lifetime. (Some of our pictures are on my side bar.)

 

This weekend Chuck and I went to a movie at Cinnabar, a theater where you can order a meal and they bring it right to your seat. That was nice. We saw Oppenheimer, have you seen it? I'm not sure how I feel about it. There were some nudity, plus the controversy of the Project itself. My grandfather assisted in the Manhattan Project (not sure how I feel about that either) so I was curious about it. But, it's not a movie I will ever see again and definitely won't have in my library here at home.

 

On our very first date we went to see Raiders of the Lost Ark, so we watched that again this weekend too. Chuck fell asleep during part of it and I laughed when I woke him up. We're a little more comfortable around each other now than we were back then. 😂 

 

1981

 

 

1987

 

 1995

 

 2012

 

  2021

 

Stay tuned for a new family photo that includes Adelaide!

Happy, Grumpy, Scary

Today Beth and I were at Bartell's Drug store and while we're waiting in line to check out this guy runs past us and down one of the aisles. Right behind him is a police officer telling him, "J, it's no use. There's no way out of here." Then in comes another officer. And another. By the time we got to our car, there were 5 police cars in the parking lot!

 

The other two cars were to the left of the one on the far left

More often nowadays there seems to be something else happening near us. Earlier this week there was a story on our news about four people shot and one murdered in our city. The only answer is Jesus! Only He can heal and restore and bring unity and reconciliation and peace.

 

  

And you guys, as I sat down to type this I began to hear sirens. Just a couple. Maybe two or three different vehicles. And now, 15 minutes later, they are still coming! I've seen multiple firetrucks, police cars, command units... they all seem to be headed near a park about a half mile behind our house. I've been out to the backyard to see if there's smoke, is something on fire... but there's nothing. We've lived here more than 20 years and I've never heard this many sirens! I'm actually shaking. Oh Lord protect the first responders and everyone involved in whatever's happening!

 

I just uploaded the picture of the police cars and now, three more sirens! And now another fire truck just went by...

 

Okay, on to other things.

Diana sent this picture of Adelaide the other day. She's definitely not a morning person!

Diana and I Facetimed today and Adelaide was crawling and rolling and pulling herself up to her knees with furniture... so active! And talking and yelling... and not quite 8 months old! I can't wait to see her in a few weeks!

Beth and I went to Joann Fabrics and DSW and Target earlier this week. Bought a lot of stuff like a new trash can for her kitchen; a new blanket for the bed in the den, more compression socks, a new lamp for work... just small stuff that we've been putting off buying. Then stopped at Chick-fil-A for dinner. It was a fun evening!

She can never pass up markers!

This and That

 I have such a long list of things to tell you about so I'll just get right to it.

 

A month or so ago Chuck saw his dermatologist for his regular 6 month check up and on the top of his head they found what they called, 'a rough spot.' Did I already tell you this? Well anyway, they said it was basil cell carcinoma. They did a scrape biopsy and found it to be benign, thank goodness! They got it all, it's no longer an issue so we just keep watching his scalp... and praying.

 

Sharaya started back to work today, finishing up at her old position before beginning her new job.  She worked at a middle school and found out in May I think, that due to budget cuts her job was being eliminated. She was able to secure a different job in the same district (so Ally can continue at the same school she was at last year) in their transportation department. She thrived at her old position, she was so good at her job and everyone loved her! I know she's going to excel at this new one too. Her solid work ethic, creative ideas and willingness to go above and beyond what's expected of her, it won't be long before people are loving her at the new job!

 

Diana, Peter and Adelaide are coming out here the end of this month and we are so excited! Adelaide is crawling already, she's just growing so fast! I don't think I ever shared pictures of our trip to Seaside Heights at the Jersey Shore back in June. We did a little shopping, got something to eat - we actually tried fried oreos, have you ever had one? Really good, but oooh, so sweet. One was plenty! It was warm out, but it was so pretty there.

 

 

There's more to tell you but it's time to go fix dinner. I hope you're all having a great summer. Even though it seems to be flying by!

 

Keokuk

Chuck, Beth and I went to a family reunion in Keokuk, Iowa. It was a quick trip - we flew out on Friday, the reunion was Saturday and we flew home on Sunday. Got in around midnight but thankfully none of us had to be up early the next day.

 

My dad's mom was born in Keokuk, second of 7 kids. Tillie, Neota, Helen, Opal, Wayne, Harold, Joseph. Their mom died just one week after giving birth to Joseph and the kids were taken in by their aunt. She had kids of her own and after a while realized she wasn't going to be able to take care of them so they went to live at White's Institute in Salem, Iowa. Joseph was adopted by a family in the area.

 

This is five of the siblings, my GG (as us grands and great grand kids called her) is in the dark dress.

 

 I don't know the sequence of events, but eventually GG and George were married and living in San Diego, where they had my dad and his little brother.

 

At this reunion I got to see Margaret, Joseph's daughter, and Betty, who was married to Wayne's son, also named Wayne. (He's recently passed away.) Both Margaret and Betty are in their 90's and they're the ones who put on the reunion. We got a chance to meet them back in 2018 when we were passing through. We've been writing back and forth ever since.

 

Unfortunately none of the kids want to continue the reunion so there might just be one or two more. In fact this was the first one since covid and it sounds like they only had it because we were coming. There were many I didn't get to talk to so I'm hoping to go back next year and get more information on the family. 

 

Me and Betty

 

Margaret and some of her family

 

Betty's family

 

Later that evening Margaret called and invited us over to her place the next morning. They live on... gosh, I can't remember how many acres of land they have but we sat on the back patio looking out over the fields. She showed me her wedding photo and we looked at pictures of their family over the years. It wasn't long before most of the family was there, a typical Sunday afternoon for them.

We had a 3 hour drive to the airport so we said our goodbyes and headed out. I'm already looking forward to next year.

The Mighty Mississippi

Swollen Feet, New Shoes, Doctor's Appointment

We took Beth shoe shopping the other day. We've noticed her feet and ankles are swollen so we found some compression socks at DSW for $10! Chuck wears them too and his were a lot more than that! We only bought one pair. At that low price we weren't sure how good they would be. While we were there we decided to get her some new shoes. 

 

For many years she would say she liked the shoes while we were in the store but she'd never wear them. She'd eventually tell us they hurt her feet. Sigh.

 

So I learned to have her walk all over the store before buying. Thankfully she's at an age now where she does tell me if they are comfortable or not. 

 

 

She loves the compression socks and wears them every day. I'm also seeing a difference in her feet and calves so I know they're working. Now we need to go get more. She has a doctor's appointment this evening and hopefully we'll find out why her legs are swelling.

Sorry this is short. we just got back from Iowa and I'm jet lagged! I'll write more later.

Shuttle, Friendship, Cotton Candy

 Do you ever get to a place where there's so much going on, your brain kind of stops receiving information? You can't think ahead? Have a hard time processing everything that's happened? That's where I am today.

 

For no I'll just share ith you about VBA - Vacation Bible Adventure. (Oh, and the double u key on our computer has a mind of it's own. I've spent more time trying to get it to work...)

 

More than a week of 10-12 hour days

Skipping lunch

Feet hurting

Sore muscles - barely able to move by the end of each day

 

But so worth it! The theme was Shining Jesus' Light. When someone is sad; when someone is angry; when there's a misunderstanding... show patience and kindness. Shine Jesus' Light! He is the Light of the world, so everything was space themed. And our kids team did a phenomenal job on the decor!

Lot's of great testimonies ~

 

A large group of kids coming every day, who live in a place that supports single moms fleeing DV situations

 

A four year old telling her mom she wants Jesus in her heart

 

A Chinese immigrant stopping me in the foyer to tell me how grateful she is for our church

 

A group of 4th grade boys coming out to the foyer to encourage another 4th grader who was scared to go in. He decided to go in with them! And joined in every single day!

 

And we held a large family party Friday afternoon so the parents, grandparents and siblings could see and hear about the week.

 

 Testing the dry ice ahead of time

 

 

The entrance into the Sanctuary and decor around the building

 The family party had hotdogs, chips, popcorn, cotton candy, inflatables...

 

Then, when it was all over...

 Taking down the moon that hung from the catwalk. 

 

 

It was a great week.

 

Under The Sea

 When we were back in New Jersey Diana and Beth went to see The Little Mermaid. As soon as they got back Beth said she wanted us to see it when we got home. So Monday night, we did.

 

Beth is afraid of heights and I get motion sickness. When Chuck and I go we sit against the back wall. When Beth goes, whoever she goes with is willing to sit in the first two rows. 

 

So we compromised and tried to sit halfway between the front and the back. We both struggled.

 

I thought it started earlier than it actually did but it worked out for me because the Dramamine had time to start working. But I still felt dizzy throughout the movie. At one point I had my eyes closed and my ears plugged! 

 

At one point near the start of the movie I noticed Beth was gripping the empty cup holder between us and she would look to her right. She'd glance at the screen but then look over to her right. I whispered and asked if she was scared, "A liddle bit."

 

So I put my arm over hers, (the one gripping the cup holder) and put my hand on her leg, with my fingers spread out to cover more area. I asked the Lord to have her move my arm or her own arm when she finally felt safe, so that I would know she was okay. We sat like that for about a half hour and then she pulled her arm out from under mine... and she was fine for the rest of the movie. Looking at the screen, laughing, singing along. Thank you Lord!

 

And... I loved the movie! And she did too of course. I was fascinated by the technology, the way they made it look like the hair was floating in the water, all the different sea creatures, the colors... And the way the different people groups learned to live together. There's one line that King Triton says to Ariel, "I'm sorry you had to lose your voice to be heard." Wah!!! 😭 It really is a beautiful movie: visually and culturally.

 

Chocolate and Strawberries and Gels

Thank you Latane and Pamela for the suggestions about the birds nest. I took a broom and cleaned up everything the mom and dad had pulled onto the porch but a couple days later, they had pulled even more out from behind the wreath! Those nests are pretty complex structures.  

 

Beth and I went out for yogurt the other day. You get your own yogurt from their 6 or so flavors, (they change weekly) and add your own toppings, then pay by the weight. We both got chocolate yogurt with fresh strawberries on top! (I also added a few mini chocolate chips and she got mini marshmallows!) It was so good!

 

 

Then we needed to go to the drug store for a few random things: nail files, lined paper... and as we were walking through the stationary department she audibly gasped! They had the gel pens she'd been looking for for months. She took it off the shelf... and hugged it. 😊 Then she looked at me, "I don't know if I get two." When I told her she had enough money in her account, she grabbed it off the shelf so fast! One happy girl!

 As we were driving home she let out a big sigh, "I love shopping."

Jello, Storm Troupers, Gratitude

We had a quiet Fourth. Chuck, Beth and I went to the parade, then came back here for ribs and caesar salad. I love to people watch so waiting for the parade to start is so relaxing to me!

 

The color guard, the veterans in their uniforms, and the group that carries signs of those who were lost in the last year, I get emotional every time. I'm so grateful to have been born in this country.

 

 Beth's favorite part is the Star wars characters. She was telling the strangers seated next to us about her hat. As she points to it she's telling them, "I wore my hat!" They were silent for a few seconds and then, "Oh yeah! That's really nice!" Then she points to the characters. She even yelled at them, "I wore my hat! My hat!!" She absolutely loves them!

 

  After lunch we had our traditional Fourth dessert - jello and whipped cream. we've made this since our girls were little. Our town didn't do fireworks this year so we watched them on TV. Hope you had a wonderful holiday!