July 5, 2009
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Finally!
..the date arrived we were so looking forward to seeing on our calendar!!
This is a memory tucked away I think I will remember forever. Last year (June 2008) as we came down this road, we noticed two small figures far ahead. As we got closer, here it was Bradley and Brent..waiting for us! Since we were in a rental car, they did not recognize us until we were very close! They waved, put on their white cowboy hats, climbed on their bikes, and took off ahead of us to the house.
To my joy and surprise, this year they were doing the very same thing. BUT we approached their home from a different direction this time; they both had their backs to us! So we had the privilege to surprise them also! It brings tears as I relive this scene. They waved, rode in the lane, one hand in the air calling "Whoo! Whoo!" getting the attention of the rest of the family that we had arrived. What a precious welcome! Soon we were able to give our hugs and kisses. Two years in a row now, maybe this bike episode will become a tradition! It's not a clear picture but just had to share the memory with you.
My Mother had called Donna before we left home and asked, "What food are you hungry for?" She answered, "Oh Grandma, the shredded potato salad from where you work! I'll sit in the bathroom and enjoy it all by myself!!" Those of you who have tasted this know it is just so yummy! Xanga friend, cerwin/doris, say it's the best in the county!! Mother really wanted to send it for Donna so we took a small insulated bag along - and even after all those hours (leaving at the wee hours of the morning,) it stayed cold! It was a joy to deliver this for Mother and for Donna.
Father and Son - I have a very grateful heart to be here!
I miss these four so much; I miss the joy of having all seven of our grandchildren here together! I miss the relationship that develops with cousins. I miss all of us adults being together. I better start listing what I'm thankful for...
I am thankful today we could take Bradley, Brent, Tori, and Kelly to Focus on the Family. We also did this last year and they were into doing this again. We had about a 75 minute drive so we listened to Odyssey stories in that time.
I hope you can hear Mr. Whit and his wisdom on the Odyssey stories where you live! We spent most of the day here in Colorado Springs at Focus on the Family as there are many activities for the children. One of the favorites - the BIG slide! Tori is outgrowing some of these fun things so she had permission from her parents to spend time in the book store with money she had earned. I loved watching her making decisions what to buy with the amount she had. That evening I was presented with one of her precious purchases!!
To use the slide you have to go up several flights of steps until you reach the top of the slide, sit in a bag, and soon are on your way back down....fast!! Kelly would call, "Grandma!" loudly from the top so I would be ready to watch her! This was her first year to be able to enjoy the slide as you need to be a certain height to use it! She met that requirement this year and was up those steps time after time after time!!
Back home again...the children are eager to show us their new things in this year's time. This is "Fort Courage" that Brian and his friend, Doug, built over a year ago. At Doug and Julia's home in PA., their children have a zip line and our grandchildren have really enjoyed playing on that when they were home to visit. Some months ago Brian made this zip line for the children - to their delight! Oh my, it goes fast - and far!I The line is 150'! The rule for Kelly at this point is that someone helps as she gets started....so she doesn't zip too fast!! Brent is patiently helping right now.
At this point, she may go on her own! Their feet hit the ground - running!
That first leap......I took a short video clip to show our three grandsons back home. It is quite a thrill! No, I didn't try it! I had enough thrill just watching!!
Playing store - price list for pot holders Tori made last year. Only after we were home and Nevin and I were looking at these pictures did I see the note, "Donations appreciated!!" I think they would still be accepted if sent by snail mail!
I had quite a colorful selection!
I'm not sure what Brent is admiring; Tori had other things available for purchase also.
Because their home is so small compared to the one they had in PA., Tori's closet (behind her) has a double purpose; it is her own little study also. I love seeing it each time we visit as she wants to show me how she has decorated with drawings, pictures, etc. I cherish these times she wants to spend with me!
~I'll continue later
Comments (11)
What wonderful memories! I so enjoyed all the pictures. Blessings.
All of my kids and my self have made those cute little potholders. She did a good job.
I see that your page is a little wide. I don't know if you want any help, but if you do, all you have to do is go to your look & feel page See where it says" Page Width and Alignment" See the percent box just change the number to 80 or what ever with you want it then hit save it and the bottom.
Aso If you want to hide your search bar Go to that box and at the top just click on the arrow and it will say hide search bar and save.
I hope that helps. I hope you have a blessed day and thanks for your sweet comments!!! Sharon
@SHARONS_PLACE - Hi Sharon! I was so delighted to receive your information as to how to make my xanga page normal again!!! But....I feel like I'm in elementary school asking you this question: where do I go to find my look and feel page??? I'm on my xanga...looking...and cannot find those words to even get started as you suggested. I think I have LOTS to learn on here. Thanks so much for your kindness and your helpfulness! ~Cordy
Another year of memories to treasure... wonderful! Your joy & delight in your family shines through every sentence & photo!
Oh, what fun to read this. I am listening to Odyssey everyday right now, as Lydia listens to it on the computer next to me in the office. And I remember the BIG slide. I thought I would die, but I would do it again.
Yes, the potato salad and tapioca at Hilltop is the best.
@homesteadingtess - I am soooo eager to "talk" more to you but first - is your town near an airport??!! I thought earlier you said you live close to the large church that is not too far from where I live??
Yes, I was at the reuseit shop on a Friday eve. about a month ago...it was FULL! I'll look forward to hearing from you - and then tell you what Nevin said!
)
For some reason your latest post didn't come on my site, so I didn't know it existed. So you were to see your grandchildren just lately or are the pics from the visit you had a while ago? We hope to come to PA in Aug. for my nieces wedding, but don't know our plans yet, nor where we'll be when, except the wedding the 22nd.
@houseintheprairie - We were with them nine days - the end of May. I can't believe I'm only now getting the pictures on
but I've had some frustrations with my entries.....you probably noticed everthing "went wide." Dear xanga Sharon is trying to help me; she is sooo patient! It was so very special to be with our Colorado children. I would just love to meet you, Ruth - just a quick hug or lunch! But I am very sure you are busy when you come in to see family but IF it would be possible just to see you quickly, I would love it! I remember awhile back you weren't sure if you would be coming. I'm thankful for you that it sounds more promising!
so good to hear back from you
Ken loved Nevin and everyone at work ,It was the hardest decision he said he ever made ,No I was not there at the Picnic ,I was going to surprise you at Hershey Park this Aug!,I will met you sometime I am sure 
I have been going to the thrift store every fri at 5 ,when they have everything half off,sometime you plan on going to the thrift store Let me know! 
It is a small world ,When I met you onm here I had no idea who you were ! not till months later when I was on your site ,Ken was like I know him he is my boss!!!!!!!! I thought hummmm ,I want to surprise her somehow ,So I was going to wait ,were were going to go bowling earlier this year with the company ,then his Mom had physical issues ,so we didn't go ,we help take casre of his elderly parents ,so I was going to wait to Hershey Park Picnic ,we were going to bring the whole family! ,Trust me we will met sometime!!! 
Love Teresa
What lovely photos....It looks like very happy times to me! : )
Oh the hotpads are wonderful! What pretty designs and color combinations. : ) My dds loved making them and still do when they are able, and those hotpads are the best ever, they last and last, and so much more dependable than the store bought ones. They really do protect! The little kits to make them are a favorite birthday gift I like to give little girls. : )
We visited Focus once on a vacation to Colorado and it was so enjoyable, the bookstore there I remember being so wonderful, I found a very neat book on homeschooling on a shoestring and still have it!
The sky and mountains in the background of the "zip" photos is awe inspiring... So speaks of the Lord's beautiful handiwork.
Darling, darling family you have there!
Well, as you can probably tell, I thoroughly enjoyed my visit her. : ) I will certainly be praying for Glenn, my heart was so touched by the testimony of the Lord's Peace.
Thank you for being such a sweet encouragement, your smiling face is just adorable and makes me smile from ear to ear. : ) Blessings and a sweet evening to you! ~Amelia
@setapart1979 - @thats_italian - I just wanted to drop a short line and thank you for your kind thoughts. I thank the Lord so very much for a daughter and her family near by but it is hard for me to have loved ones at a distance. If anything, it keeps me praying!! I look forward to placing more memories on here about things we did with our family ...just helps me to relive our time there!!
But this xanga site has been a bit frustrating!! Dear "Sharon's Place" is helping me try to solve the problem...sometimes it centers correctly...next time it's off to the right of the screen. I'm waiting to post - hoping to soon correct this.~Blessings to you both!
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