Name This Photo, please ; )

Notes to Self

Note # 1: Do not ever, under any circumstances, go to Starbucks for coffee, even if it's decaf, at 10:00 at night, unless you like being awake - all. night. long.

Note # 2: Do not be surprised by grief - even if you start breathing raggedly while shopping at Michael's and begin crying while signing your credit card slip. Grief is your companion and she will speak when ever she wants to.

Note # 3: You need to workout and become stronger. Start at home and get back to the gym. Being a grandma requires more and more strength as the grandkids get bigger.

See?
I was eating my dinner when a little monkey climbed on my shoulders.

Helping the little monkey down. Guard the head - guard the head!

I feel a nap coming on.

Advent Three

I've been away for a few days visiting the Odegards. I imagine I am giving Aimee a hand while Lance wraps up his semester - papers and all. But really, I went out to play, and I helped a little on the side.

On Sunday all the Klassen clan were invited out to visit Reality Church, where Lance is doing part of his internship, and over for lunch following. It was Lance's turn to preach. Lots of family came - it was great. The church is pretty informal so right away there were hugs and greetings over coffee and home baked goodness. The sermon was about the poor - God's view of the poor and calling them to things big (case in point - Mary) and a challenge to us to align ourselves with the poor. Podcasts are available on the realityvancouver.com Lance has a good spirit and a gracious gift with words.

During church it had snowed! Please note the bottom right pictures. Elijah and Auntie Courtney are sitting on different ends of the same couch, looking out the window... longing for more snow.

Part of the family gathered back at the house for soup and biscuits, homegrown carrots and pumpkin dip, and fruit crisp.

I realize having family who enjoy gathering together is a thing to cherish - and I do. I think I can speak for all of us when I say we do. Bottom right Nick, Maddy and Austin show off the train candies that Auntie Carolyn and Anna made for them.

After lunch game time. If you valued your toes, you moved to the kitchen - otherwise you grabbed a stick! Uncles and cousins took this game seriously.

And for the movie lovers - Family hockey. It's long - but it was longer! It was great watching all the goings on around the game too. Anna was teaching Anders how to use the phone, Laura was building train tracks on the edge of the ice and Elijah comes onto the ice as a firefighter and switches to a hockey player.

A Few Things

I have good news for anyone looking for a new Christmas CD - The Wiebes (Shane and Angela) have just produced a lovely one. Tuesday night, my friend Denise and I went out for dinner and to their CD release concert. It was so good for my spirit - beautiful in every way. A little bragging on my part - my son Steven did the recording of this album in his studio. He's very talented. So are the Wiebes - and tremendous folks as well.
Yesterday Cara, Sarah and Jacob came over to the house for a bit to visit and to collect some photos off my computer. Sunlight streaming into the widow, we had to take the laptop into the dining room so we could see the screen. I am NOT complaining. Just sayin'. Here's a sunlight picture.
I went out for lunch with my dad yesterday. I tried to describe the difference in how I experience grief compared to depression. Depression feels flat to low emotionally. Grief feels more sore and seems to affect my body more - poor sleep, tense muscles, a hollow feeling, ragged breaths. That's weird. One day I noticed as I exhaled that I could not do so smoothly. It reminded me of when a child has just finished crying really hard and afterward, they can only inhale and exhale raggedly for a bit. I figured some place deep inside me must be crying.

My brother arrived safely late last night for his extended visit. Whew. A friend of his was expecting him last night and he had not arrived - that was my wake up call. Shaky and afraid, I finally discovered he had changed his mind and driven straight through, not stopping in his friends town as he had missed the turn. You know I just didn't feel up to another sorrowful event. Although I do believe that God would have met me there too.

Thanks for reading. Thanks for the comments.

Family Advent Party

I love this tradition - our family Advent party. We mean to have it at the beginning of Advent - but being flexible is an important value too and it was just as special to be together yesterday as it would have been a week ago.

Those of us who could, met first at the Women's Center at my church. We each brought some warm clothes, shoes, pantry food, or baking, whatever we could. Leslie, top left, met us there and opened all the doors for us. There is a living room space in the center with rooms surrounding this. One room is the pantry. One is the children's play room. Then we have a household department, kids clothes room, clothes for moms, and a career/special occasion clothing room.

Just last week, 24 hampers were given out and the shelves of the pantry were pretty bare now. Together, we unpacked the groceries and placed them on well labeled shelves. Hopefully we did a good job. There was something meaningful in both the shopping and the stocking of the shelves. This is an activity I'd like to repeat as a family and I think it will help us remember the need continues throughout the year.

Then we met at Andy and Cara's where the group expanded. Schulzs and Odegards arrived. We enjoyed appetizers and cider while LK and I made crafts with the kids. Steven made his craft for his wife. We made Advent logs, working on the floor, drilling candle holes while surrounded by eager and interested little people who then put the candles and cedar on their logs and presented them to their parents. Elijah opted to help drill his candle holes. No kids were injured in the making of this project.

My Advent log - at home in our living room.

We had a feast of roast beef, and many delicious veggies, as you can imagine with an organic farmer cooking the meal - butternut squash, mashed potatoes, brussel sprouts, and roasted veggies. Others brought salad, dips, drinks and dessert. We were 18 of us. My mom was honored by Cara who had placed her picture, and the candle she gave her last year, on the mantel.

I took pictures of dinner - but they're on my Dad's camera. I'll update this post later and put that picture right here. Whoops - the photo's accidentally got deleted.

My cookies. It was noted by the kids that in the Christmas story there are sheep and there are stars - but there are no trains. True.

Below are pictures of wild, fun and goofy moments. Cara, upper right, is energetically keeping kids' attention for a photo with grandparents. Upper left - getting organized for that shot. Two Steve's goofing around - brothers from different mothers.

Our grandchildren and us. I can hardly believe it. Eva, Anna, Sarah and Jacob, Me with Laura, LK with Anders, Elijah (with his mom's encouraging arm). We are rich.

Decorating for Christmas

Now that the nest is empty LK and I have been building the tiniest Christmas traditions. We gave away our artificial tree and three years running have gone to a tree farm outside a nearby city, cut our own tree and then, with tree in van, headed to Starbucks for a coffee and treat. This year LK took a break in his workday to cut the tree and I thought, hey, maybe not the coffee this time. As we neared Starbucks I quietly asked if we were going with tradition. Incredulous, LK was adamant, OF COURSE. And so we did. Gingerbread cake and gingerbread latte for me.

Yesterday I finished decorating our home. Pretty little centers around the room with soft lights and candles. Some quite holy places that help me to pause with wonder at the season. Darkness. Light. The need for a Savior.

We add so much to Christmas - much of which I enjoy and warms my heart. But the best is, we needed a Savior and Jesus came.

Soon, we gather at Andy and Cara's for an Advent party and pot-luck dinner. Mostly we are the lucky ones because Andy is doing to core of the cooking. I know we're one week late, but we are making Advent logs. Above is LK happily splitting wood from our own trees for the occasion. You might notice the broken axe handle. We had to laugh, dull head, then it broke. So us. Sigh.

I hope you have a blessed weekend.

Rita's Birthday Party

She is my mother-in-law, my kids call her Grandma and the little ones call her O'ma. All the girls get a call annually to celebrate her birthday. Years ago it was Genny her daughter and how ever many daughter-in-laws there were at the time. We had lunch sitting around her kitchen table. We ordered in. Later little girls joined the party. Only nursing boys come. This year Jacob was the only boy and he was well received.

Little girls in red enjoying their icecream at the tall table.
Just about everybody who could come. Obviously we don't fit around the kitchen table anymore.
Some of the younger ones, and me holding Jacob. Sarah - super noodle sluper.

Someone named Eva blowing bubbles in her milk.

Genny had a wonderful activity for us to do together. She always does. She gave out small scrap book pages and we each drew or named a flower and said why that flower reminded us of Rita. Then Genny took a picture of each person and Grandma. Even the little ones drew their own picture (oops I think Jacob forgot but he is in a picture). It's going to be a precious little scrap book. Thanks Genny.

And - tada - my niece Janna told the story of her recent engagement. On a mountain hike in cold snowing conditions. Hey it was heartwarming.

Takin' Care of Cutie Pies

Anna and Laura's mom recently had her gallbladder out and is recovering. Carolyn has been giving props to her husband Steve and her mom and Steve's mom (yes he has two - oh yea now three) for taking such good care of the kids and her while she's recovering.
Tuesday morning was my turn to help. The day was sunny as you can see from the pictures. Anna picked books for us to read. I'd read one then she'd read one to me. Also, she directed that we should read our own books at the same time. Laura crawled into story time too with her own little board books.

Laura loves babies. Here's a little one getting some love.
Anna drew a picture of me with curly hair and wanted me to keep it. With this photo, I can always keep the picture and a picture of the artist!
Anna goes to preschool. She's got the routine down pat. Mom left a list just in case and Anna led the way to school - with options "Do you want to go this way, or that way?" I'd choose a way and then we'd come to another choice, this way or that way? This means Anna knows several ways to her school. I came in at the school for just a few minutes and watched her put her shoes, coat, and snack away and pop her slippers on for inside comfort, then she said bye and Anna and I slowly headed home soaking up the warm wonderful day.

I turned the stoller around into full sunshine. Better check how Laura is doing. She was doing like this - too bright - too bright!
I made a little blanket awning and got this response. Like Goldie Locks - she was experiencing just right.
I love these girls. They are both warm and friendly with LK and me. They are developing really good senses of humor from their parents. It is a happy home. And they have three Grandmas.
Alice, Carolyn's mom is O'ma, Steve's mom is Grandma Darling, and I am Grandma Kathy. Grandma Darling - who calls themselves that? :-) It's a cute story. Eileen is British, accent and all. When she calls the kids on the phone she says, "Hi, it's Grandma darling" she's calling the kids darling - but they hear, "Hi, it's Grandma Darling" and so she is. A good name for her in my opinion!

Have you read the comments on the past post on what contributes to a joyful marriage? It's not too late to add your two cents worth. And thanks for the great insights, even if Heidi did mention sex. :) Of course you can say sex on my blog Heidi. Now everyone will be over to read the comments.

An answer for Anniliese. Can I change the picture in my header. Not this one - at least not by myself. I'm sure in some templates you can.

Katie and Dion

Katie and Dion are married! Katie is one of my nieces. Our family celebrated their wedding a week ago Sunday. It was beautiful. The grandpa of the bride preformed the ceremony.
He also spoke at our wedding (we had two pastors) and Katie and Dion had the same text that we chose for our wedding.

"This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it." Psalm 118:24
Rejoicing and gladness abounded.

I think Katie's hands on hips stance in the cake photo is pretty cute.

Rarely do we and our adult children spend extended times visiting sans children, so this was a special time for us in this way too. Lance is absent, otherwise we are all here. Clockwise from the top - Carolyn and Steve Schulz (Steve is our beloved imported son who joined us when he was 16. The kids call them Auntie Carolyn and Uncle Schulz), Courtney and Steve Klassen (yes - two Steves that's why Schuz suggested Uncle Schulz!), Andy and Cara Abrahams, us, and Aimee Odegard (missing her husband Lance). Our original crew was Cara, Aimee, Steve, and an added Steve. Then weddings happened and we have a beautifully grown family. There's a little intro for those of us who don't know us IRL.

I have a question - it's reader participation time!
What would you say are the key ingredients to keeping joy in a marriage?

I will start us off. Spend time together. When schedules get too busy, we notice a creeping separateness. Being together, working, dating, having coffee, living in relationship brings us into a place where joy can thrive.

OK your turn :)

The Polar Fleece Coat

After a few of us had a strong emotional reactions to Mom's polar fleece coat, so much so that Dad took it home again rather than giving it away, I looked for a picture with Mom wearing it. I couldn't find any. How could it be that we had such vivid memories of helping her into and out of this coat and yet had no photos?
Today I found two. They are taken at the time of the grand reopening of our bookstore, House of James. The first is of us having a simple lunch with my brother. He was out for a visit and ended up helping us so much with building and finishing some fixtures.

The second picture is taken at our grand opening. Mom was there in the morning for this and came the next day for Lance's CD release concert. She was SO EXCITED to be there. This is a picture of her being so excited, and happy. She didn't get out much (although she sure didn't like to be referred to has being house bound) and this was a really big deal. Her expression says to me, "I'm HERE!!"It seemed in the last year of Mom's life she got strength and courage to make the effort to go places and do things that mattered to her - no matter how hard it was. I'm glad for that. Thanks for coming Mom and for being so interested and excited.

It seems so unbelievable that someone can be here one minute and 'there' the next. This verse I hold on to,

¹"Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. ²In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. ³And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am." John 14:1-3

If it were not so, I would have told you.

1 - 1 With Jacob

This afternoon Sarah went to a friend's birthday party with her mom and I got to take care of Jacob all by myself. He is such a happy guy. I cannot tell you how cheerful he is. So here is a post of mostly Jacob's smiles.

Oh, and his eyes. Aren't they just beautiful? And he really loves his thumb, and songs, and little games of peek-a-boo, and tickling. He's rather a rowdy little fellow already, talking up a storm too.

And a film clip. You know I'm just figuring out how to do this right? I know at least one auntie who will be soaking this up. Heidi - will the boys be getting together at Christmas?

When we weren't playing, Jacob supervised the beginning of my Christmas decorating. He was good at cheering me on, and then he had a little nap.

I cried once when I was unpacking decorations. It was when I came across the gift my mom carefully chose for me and the other girls from the Avon catalog for Christmas last year. Sigh. I gave the candle holder a little hug and remembered her love.

I Missheard - What Can I Say?

I bought a magazine at the grocery store because the woman on the cover had a hairstyle that I imagine would look nice on me - you know big enough for my head. Ha! Similar to mine but just a little longer. Anyway, LK was flipping through this magazine and commented that magazines helpfully call attention to good books sometimes.

"Hey", he says, "Beside Book of Beasts, we should get that for your brother."

"Beasts?" I double check.

"Ya. It's written by the same author who wrote Bedside book of Vermin." Says he.

"Vermin?" I ask incredulously.

"Vermin?" LK bursts with laughter. "Birds, Bedside Book of Birds." More machine gun like bursts of LK laughter. If you know LK you know he's sort of famous for his big laugh.

LK has a cold and I have kind of rumbly, stuffy ears today. What can I say?

A Fully Delightful Day

What a surprising and delightful day I had. LK just decided that a six day week looked too long and he wanted to take one day off and head into Vancouver. We picked up Sarah around nine this morning and headed in. It was really fun to have her with us. She is so observant and appreciative of beauty.

Our first stop was Solly's bagel shop. Sarah had learned about bagel making in her home school and wanted to visit a bagel shop but we don't have one in our town any more. Too bad we couldn't visit the kitchen - but the place is always hopping. She was wowed anyway. Grandpa LK had to lift her high up so she could see and choose some bagels for her family. She was attracted to the onion ones in appearance but later knew she would not like them. I hope her folks like them. I'm sure they will.

As usual - click to enlarge pictures.

After that we drove to see some cousins. Aimee and the kids went for a walk with us to Splitz grill where you can get many assorted yummy things on a bun. I went with bison, Aimee tried the lentil burger, and the kids? Hot dogs again. Lance took a study break and joined us for lunch. What a treat to visit with him on a random Thursday afternoon.

Sarah, Eva and I went to the used store across the street where we got Sarah two pairs of shoes and some great socks. Eva and Elijah also picked out some socks. The socks were new.

In the pictures below, check out the super cool secret passage we get to walk though on the way up to town. And look for the scary spider made of stones. I think it is a fountain that someone made, but it isn't running right now.

After lunch and shopping - the playground. Look at the size of that puddle. Elijah was determined to keep his pants dry and he did - but then he walked right in with his shoes!

Back at Odegard's, we worked on a Christmas craft, distributed some Advent goodies, had a snack when we eventually got a little hungry again, watched a little movie, and had a story.

Lastly, Sarah invented a jumping game that the girls enjoyed. The cushions are especially for jumping on. So jump they did.
My body is tired this evening, but my spirit is refreshed.
Thanks for the great day everyone.

How About Some Color

Tonight we picked up our organic vegetable box at Andy and Cara's, yum, and then headed to the mall for a quick supper date. LK went for pasta and I chose California rolls, miso soup, and green tea. After I had paid and was waiting for the soup I spotted a sign which told me that seniors, those 60 and up, would get free tea or coffee with their order. Hmm..I wondered if I had paid for my tea. So, I commented on the sign and asked about the tea. Yes, he said, I gave you tea. You had to guess my age didn't you?! Thank you for the free tea!! I am not quite 60 - and I flashed him a big smile.

Where I live, it has rained for 10 days straight. Our yard feels mushy when I walk on it, but our home is dry, unlike my mother-in-law's home whose basement flooded with sewer junk and water. Everything is being restored professionally and my father-in-law is taking my mother-in-law away for her birthday. Away from the mess. Good for him.
The Christmas cactus sits on the window sill of our en-suite bathroom. We got it as a present from Brent and Jodi, who we support a little in their work for Power to Change. We've had it a few years and it always surprises me when it blooms. Today I had to dead head it - but I still have the pictures til next time.

I hope there are some bright spots in your day. There will be in ours. We're taking Sarah with us into Vancouver and will be seeing some of her cousins. We plan to bust out the umbrellas and go for a walk no matter how wet!

PS I'm so pleased with my winter template. I got it from Shabby Creations. She installed the picture and set it up for me for only 10.00. I ordered it yesterday and it surprised me when - voila - there it was.

Sarah at Ballet Class

Yes, so I was saying that Cara phoned and invited me, us, to Sarah's last ballet class of this season. Sarah waited very excitedly for my response. I would love to come - and I am available. Can Grandpa LK come too?

We arrived just before class and I was greeted by Sarah who gave me a handmade card right away thanking me for coming to the class. I showed her that I had brought my camera - of course. Sarah and I love pictures.
Listening to the teacher.

The first circle dance. I don't know ballet terms - I should have had Sarah help me with this post.

A class favorite is pretending - pretending to be animals. See if you can spot Sarah being a snake and Sarah being a frog.

And best of all a movie! I debated setting it to music but then I think I would lose the children's voices. And mine. I was so enthusiastic. Once I caught myself sort of singing along and also, I think you can hear me laughing. I laugh when I'm delighted. I've had to explain that to people more than once as you might imagine.

Near the end of the video the girls are pretending to be ballerinas or fairies. In this section, when the music stops the dancers have to freeze. A fun game that can be played any time. Oh, the little girl to the left of Sarah in the bright pink is Sarah's friend Anilee who lives upstairs from her. Watch her too. She is very fast. Very cute. Here we go - SHOW TIME!