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Thursday, March 7, 2024

February
We started out the month with a trip to see the California kids.
While there we went to see the first showing of season 4 of The Chosen. The best depiction of the life of Jesus ever. I really love this series, but season 4 really hits a lot of buttons, especially the topic of why God decides to work a miracle or not, why are some allowed to suffer while others not. It is a tear jerker for sure.
And while I am on that topic, I also read a book on that same subject. 'Suffering is Never for Nothing', written by Elizabeth Elliot.
Of all the books on grief that I have read, this one satisfied my questions more than any. I knew it was the perfect book to pass on to Mom, who still struggles with Cyndi's passing. She felt so much better after reading it. I don't know if it is only because so much time has passed and she was more
open to what she was reading, or if it is really the book. I think it is the book. The book is now making the rounds in Dan's family and mine.
I love listening to Gabe and Daniel practice their violins. Both are so professional. When they are practicing, I like to sneak in and sit behind them and listen. They seem so happy to discover me there when they are done and turn around.

While we were there a huge rain storm went through, leaving snow in the higher areas. I don't think I have ever seen snow in the Grapevine as we went home before this time.
All that rain is making a difference in the Shasta area farther north too. The water levels are really coming up. The water was so low the past few trips through that you could barely see the water in some areas.
I took both boys birthday shopping for Gabe's birthday. Afterwards we went for lunch. I can't believe he is 14 now!

This month's baking challenge on Sally's baking website was Napoleons. I don't think I would have ever tried them. It was fun, for sure a challenge with so many steps. I broke it into two days to make them, one to bake and one to assemble. They turned out alright, but I doubt I will go to all that work again. Her alternative challenge was paniers. Again, a lot of work and nobody was very impressed with them.

I made a Valentine box for all the kids, taking Gabe and Daniel theirs when we went down. It was fun. I bought square boxes at the Dollar Tree, cut the sides, then glued candy on the sides. Then you pull the sides back up and hold them all up with the lid. When they open them, the sides fall down showing off all the candy and a gift card to Baskin Robins. I think they all really liked it.

Mom and Dad came for Valentine dinner. It was the night I made my napoleons.
Arianna and Lina (and school friends) are really into skin care. Their biggest thrill is going to Sephora and wandering around. It really tops it off if they get to buy something!

Once home, they like to practice on Grandma. Here is my view of the process. 

Meanwhile, Josiah prefers to stay with Grandpa while the girls shop.
Last summer I ordered some special pink crocus from Holland. I had never seen pink ones and pink flowers are my very favorite. I am really disappointed to see that they are not really pink.
The robins have returned and love the bird bath.

Sunday, February 11, 2024

January
The month started out with a trip to the beach to celebrate John's birthday.  (we had a little celebration with the kids before we left.) Mom and Dad joined us at the beach. We had a nice time with dinner out and sitting inside by the fireplace, as it was cold and windy and rainy outside. 

A week later, we should have celebrated Dad's birthday with dinner at Country Kitchen, but the predicted ice and snow appeared.  We all stayed home until the roads were clear again and celebrated a week after that.

We didn't get much snow, mostly ice. It so amazing how each item is completely encased. The worst part is you can't get outside for anything.
I did manage to keep the bird feeders filled.
I was completely surprised with how the ice and snow affected my primrose. I would never have guessed it would bleed out the color like that!
We got to have Lina on a sick day. She made bracelets for me.
Josiah's basketball games started.  It is really good to see him playing and how much he likes it.
We were given awesome news that a great-grandson will be joining the family in May!
The girls found me some special Cheerios.
Arianna is playing league volleyball. Josiah does not want to spend his whole day watching, so instead he stays the day with us every couple of weeks. I took him fishing one of those days. It is such a process for him. I think he likes fixing up his line as much as the actual fishing part.
My amaryllis was out of this world gorgeous! Two stems with 9 blooms all at one time! 
The two year mark for the horrible accident came and went. It isn't a day that any of us want to remember, but we have no choice.  It will be marked in our minds forever. The shock of it all is fading, but the emptiness and disbelief remains. It is so weird how one day you can think of a memory or see a photo and smile, and that same photo or memory will gut you and bring on the tears the next day.

Thursday, January 4, 2024

December
The month was full of all the usual Christmas things. 
Along with a 9th birthday for Lina! My youngest grandchild! 
and volleyball for Arianna. She joined a new league and they won their first tournament!
I have posted about the humdinger before, but since the tradition continues, here is the updated photos of the kids ringing it.  Lina is the only one who still can't reach it.  And Josh...well, he kinda looks down on it now.
The Christmas season almost came and went and I was sure that Arianna had forgotten all about the nativity.  But she didn't let me down. Just in time, she rounded them all up so they could all see Baby Jesus.
Christmas gifts and dinners.  
We had Christmas Eve here and then Christmas dinner at Mom and Dad's. The group was pretty small this year. So many have moved away. It was the first holiday dinner Mom and Dad have made since Cyndi and Dan's accident. I know it was super hard for her, but she powered through it. We were happy to have Josh and Alexis up here on leave from the Marines.
 Gabe and Daniel had plenty of concerts in California.  I sure wish we lived closer to be a part of their performances. They are both doing so well!
When we sorted out Jimmy's house a few years ago, I found this sweet nativity set he had made. I asked him how old it was, but he could not remember. I asked him to sign his name on the back. Sure glad he did, since he was no longer with us. It has become one of my favorite decorations. I love their cute little faces and the real leather donkey ear. 
The girls had school Christmas concerts this year, but Josiah has outgrown them. They don't have them in middle school unless they join choir.


Josiah came all decked out for Christmas and put his own twist on the J-O-Y letters.
I love how the widows triple the lights!

Lindy from Colorado
Matthew, Emily and Beau from Texas
Fall and winter in one frozen shot.
I love hellebores, normally the only flower in my yard that blooms in the winter. 
Remember last month I posted about the daffodils in bloom? Well, that same bunch is still blooming! Even in the springtime they don't stay blooming this long. Very strange.
Winter sunrises are so colorful! I was too lazy to get my camera and go outside for a shot, so this is from the living room window with my cellphone.

My cousin Michele called from Madras and said they wanted to come visit. She and her husband Floyd and her sister (also my cousin), Darla drove on over.  Mom and Dad joined us for lunch. The reason for this unexpected visit was that she had a surprise for me.  A Huge Surprise! She had made me a quilt! I was shocked! Still am! It will be a treasure for always! Thank you so much Chele!!!!