These Were the Special Times

This past week, as I was decorating this house one more time,

I had the chance to reminisce ...

and look back at the years that have flown by.

 We moved into this home 1987
Julene was nine, Kristal seven and Benji four years old.
(in the family room)

There were the years of trains, table hockey,

maple town and barbies.

Moments of pure anticipation ...

sparkly eyes and mittens.



Christmas was always a time for extra practices.
whether it meant playing an instrument, singing or page turning.

And this photo just makes me smile. 

How the room has changed since 1994.

 The teen years snuck up on us.

as well as the last Christmas before college days.

We welcomed Chris into the family in 2000.

I was so proud to set the table for my growing family of six!
It felt official.

Christmas break 2002 we welcomed Shaun,
and he and Kristal made their home in California


 Christmas 2004 we celebrated early,
as Chris and Julene with two babies left for Indonesia
It now sounds easier than it was -  15 years ago.

Shaun and Kristal came home for Christmas 2005

with a wonderful precious cargo.

 And Ben brought home a special girl ... Kari

 The photo couch in 2005 

with a message to our Indonesia family

The following year our Indonesia kids had a Christmas furlough

  but we missed our California family.

 The beginning of cousin times in 2010

Shaun and Kristal moved here and Chris and Julene took a break.

And so ... for a few years, all the cousins were home.

Hanging out in the family room that has seen some changes.

We initiated a gift opening chair, 

so that the gift opener could have some space.

 The kids' table

and the adult table

And back to one full table in 2014.

Christmas 2016, just days before Jack came along.

I left all of the tree decor in the box and decorated with blue bulbs.

Little concerts before opening gifts

have become tradition,

as well as cousin photos,

 taking turns facetiming across the ocean

and we can't forget Papa's overflowing lap and stories.

How very blessed we have been in this home ...

it brings me to happy tears of joy and gratefulness

(For all) the special times

Times we'll remember
the precious times ... the tender times
we'll hold in our hearts forever...

These are the sweetest times
These times together
And through it all, one thing will always be true
The special times are the times I share with you,

(Celine Dion)

♡♡♡

Dreams Growing from the Ground Up

 When we began drawing up scratch plans and designs, I kept looking for ideas of slanted roofs.

I also wondered how they would frame it.

But they are professionals.

So, needless to say, when the day finally came that this roof became visible,

I was very excited. We happened to get there just as the framer was working on the arch. 

I said to my H, this center part of the house is like the tiny house I'd want to live in ...

but for now we will make room for more ... and share the space.

 The inside of the slanted roof ... the dining room.

Are you surprised?

View from the kitchen window.

 Back yard ... from the family room. Lots of work.

 View from the guest room.

I will have to curb my desire to post pictures of Mt. Baker.

These days there are so many decisions to be made

but we are enjoying it a lot!

Over 30 years ago we built for our little family,

filling this home with life and memories to cherish,

but it's time to move on.

A future retirement and

grandparent's home is a new season to embrace.

Feeding Mom

Recently I was talking to mom's doctor about the surprise changes that came about last month. At the beginning of October she had a seizure and resulting set back, having us all think that her time to go had possibly come. The doctor put her on palliative care for about a week, with the care aides monitoring her closely for any positive changes. The changes came and they slowly were able to feed her again and get her up. Caring is what they do.

In the meantime, I feel so sorry for mom having to sit there day after day with no knowledge of what is going on. Her doctor said to me that obviously there is a reason for God still keeping her here. She noted that the staff sees our visits, our care for her and what we can bring into the equation is something we possibly do not realize. I wish so. 

When I sit down to feed mom I will often quietly say a familiar German table grace with her. One that I know she knows but cannot say anymore. This will usually bring a smile of recognition from her. We do what we can to bring back a memory and to do what we know she would do. One resident, sitting across the table, said to me, "Can you do that to me too?" I asked her what she meant and she said something like, "tell me what you said to her." I told her that it was a prayer of thanks for the food.

Slowly I am realizing that mealtimes are a good time to interact with residents and care givers. Some of them still can carry a conversation while others just show a nostalgic kind of recognition at the mother / daughter bond. I laugh with the care aides about the antics going on, also noticing how patient they are. How can I make a difference? And then I realize how my mom is doing just that, a witness of the peace she has even in her silence. While other residents complain, don't eat, look miserable, play with their food and shout, she quietly eats every bite given to her. She goes through this hardship with such grace ... It's as though even unconsciously she lives and breathes the faith that has sustained her through life. It's amazing, humbling and something for me to grasp. God has a reason. 

Special After School Pick Up

Papa dates don't usually get documented here -

mostly because he does not think of taking pictures -

but this time there were others who made sure 

these smiles got captured.

Now the reason for this date was because

during the summer  all of the older cousins 

got a ride with Papa in his "cool car" ...

while Jade and Evy had to hold on to a promise ...

At the time this promise was made we did not know 

that they would end up at the same school!

And when the day came,
they were giddy with excitement!

They even came by the house so Mimi could see them ...

but not for long ... they were on a mission

... off to Starbucks with Papa in his rumbling "bird of fire"!

They didn't even invite me.