Away for the Holiday

CELEBRATING FREEDOM

As I sit here thinking about the marvelous weekend we just enjoyed with my sister Barb and her family, I have to reflect on just how much I appreciate all the military families who have sacrificed so much and continue to sacrifice for our benefit.  We live near and associate with so many people in the military, and though Joseph does extensive traveling with his job and has lots of time away from the family, I don't have the same worries that others have.  I know that he is in a safe place and that all of his basic needs are being met, it doesn't make the separation any more wonderful, but my worries are different. I really try not to complain when he is gone for long stretches- I just remember my friends and the fact that their difficulties are far greater than mine and that I can carry on just fine.  Joseph hates being away and missing all the family commotion- some moments we would both rather trade spots, but in the end I am grateful for the moments to ponder and realize and count my blessings everyday.  We have so many friends and family members who have had some really difficult challenges to overcome during this last year and I just hope to be able to bear the burdens placed on me with half as much grace as I have observed them displaying!

Fireworks at Big Cedar Lodge in Branson

We were lucky enough to be able to celebrate the 4th with Barb and her family and friends from Nixa, MO.  We did a kid swap a week or so ago where I kept Wyatt- her oldest, and she took Bella and Eli down with her.  It was weird to have it so quiet around here- we accomplished a ton of stuff! 

Zach, Kaija and Wyatt painted a fence for some friends at church- they did a great job and survived working in this nasty heat!!

I miss my kids dreadfully when they are away, but we joined up forces again in Nixa and spent the whole weekend partying! Swimming everyday, hanging out with friends and eating tasty food, and going down to Branson for the fireworks display at the Big Cedar Lodge (Bass Pro resort). 

After the fireworks- Spencer was still a little gun shy- he loved the sparkles, but was a little suspicious of the sound!

Classic Zach waiting for the fireworks to start

There was plenty of loud music for us to enjoy since we were pretty close to the front of the party! The lodge was gorgeous and you just can't go wrong with Branson, the whole area is so beautiful- I would love to go down and soak up the scenery a little more... in the daylight!

Spencer didn't so much like wearing the goggles- he would have rather been eating them!

Eli was cracking himself up by leaving the fish patch on the goggles.  I think he became a fish on this trip!

We were able to help out and take a friend up to the airport on our way home- so we took advantage and stopped at the temple for a few minutes.  It wasn't nearly long enough- we will do that again when Joseph comes home!  I can't wait, the whole area is going to be so gorgeous- I want it to be done now!!

Not only is the temple beautiful, but they have made my joy even more full by lining the streets with Ginko trees. It is a bizarre fetish I have, but I think the world would be a better place with more Ginko trees! I fell in love with the tree at BYU then was consumed by love of Ginko in Japan, and reinforced living in NYC where the streets are lined with them.  I have spotted I think 5 locations in Warrensburg that have giant Ginko and now the temple...  ah, life is good, now I really just need about a hundred in my yard!!  I would make room- perhaps next year!!

 Also a big thank you to all the people who take Joseph in under their wings when he is out on a job, you help make being apart a little more bearable! You are an answer to prayers!

It really helps so he isn't lonely and so I don't worry as much!

Hannibal

One of the cool things about Joseph working for Quimby Pipe Organs, Inc. is the fact that he gets to see a lot of new places and meet a lot of wonderful people. Sometimes we even get to join him, as was the case a couple of weeks ago when we accompanied him to an organ concert in Hannibal.

It was about 5 1/2 years ago when they installed an organ in the home of the Colberds in Hannibal Missouri; the Colberds happen to be the owners of the Mark Twain Cave as well as organ enthusiasts.  Anyhow, we attended the dedication of the organ 5 years ago and had a tremendous time there exploring the area a little bit and they were gracious enough to let us go through the cave at that time. 

These pics below were from that first trip out there.

This was one of Joseph's favorite jobs and these were a few of the pics that they took during the instillation of the instrument.

Kaija took this picture of the organ pipes reflected in the mirror on this trip.

Anyhow, Mr. Colberd passed away this last year and the organ is now being donated to the William Jewell College in Liberty,  and this was the final concert to be held in their home.  The kids loved being there again, they are so fond of their house, and the view of the Mississippi is glorious. 

(We got to listen to the concert from the best seats in the house- the bedroom in the balcony- perfection!!)

 Joseph tuned the organ, and Linda offered for us to go visit the cave once more. She is such a kind and generous person, and wasn't even scared (well maybe she was, but she didn't show it) having our entire family be a part of the moment- a saint indeed! 

 Let me just say that we had a lovely time and we were amused by some select items in the gift shop. 

We made it through a portion of the cave in peace, then we became alarmed as Spencer felt it necessary to scream for the remainder of the tour. Remember here that it is a lengthy tour- over 45 min. I think and oh my, how embarrassing!! It really made it hard for the young tour guide to deliver his memorized slightly lame jokes through an echoing screaming baby. 

I don't think Spencer cared much for the 52* temperature, though I enjoyed it immensely- it was a little steamy that day and the cicadas were enjoying their summer heyday!

So anyway, many apologies to all those good folks that were on the same tour with us that day- he really is generally a very happy baby... but when he gets mad he wants things fixed that minute! It makes me frightened for any road trips in the future!

Mr. Colberd was a firefighter- among the many other hats that he wore (dentist, organist etc.) and they have all the bells and whistles to attest to his interests, like the fire pole in his office (along with the hidden door behind the book shelf) and all sorts of fun things on the interior and exterior of their home . 

This cool fire truck was used to serve the refreshments following the beautiful concert.

I love to be able to see and do wonderful things, but I'll tell you what, there is nothing better than doing them with my little family that I cherish more than life itself!!

Tornado Weekend

We were staying at Amy's down in Ozark (on May 22) for a last minute visit with the cousins (and Amy and Joe's mom), we were getting ready to leave on Sunday when the tornado sirens went off and the skies blackened. Here are some of the pics from Ozark right after the tornado devastated Joplin. 

We only saw the beautiful side of the storm gratefully. 

This is the storm as it is rolling in...

Eli helping Grandma sew while we were all in the basement shelter.

The kids trying to pass the time playing the Great Dalmuti.

The storm breaking in the west.

Rainbows appear in the East along with a lot of lightening. 

Mitchell was so excited that he captured a picture of the lightning- there was definitely electricity in the air.
The lightning would spread across the horizon behind the double rainbows. It was quite a sight.

When all was said and done, you have to just respect the power and majesty.

 Our hearts really go out to the people of Joplin and everyone who has been experiencing natural disasters across the globe. We have been trying to redouble our efforts to be prepared in every way physically, mentally and spiritually, because we never know when life will change so dramatically.

Random Moments

Eli was cracking me up with this message:

"Mother cut up the house LOL Tuf one"

Someone needed a hair cut.

He is such a ham- he loves getting sprayed by the spray bottle!

The kids always want him to have a fohawk- he doesn't usually need any help because that is how his hair works, but they do help it along periodically- in this case it is an off centered one!

And some spring happy that just didn't last long enough- the rain came and ruined all the peonies- boo!

So it is June

Well, here I am playing catch up again! Pathetic, I know! Wow, what have I missed??

To start with we missed recording Kaija's birthday, May 7th. 

She is 13, I now officially have two teenagers in my home and somedays it can be a wild ride, 

though most days I really do love it.  My kids are so much fun to be around.

Kaija with her cake from her school teacher Mr. Rosine- he thought it was weird that she didn't want a cake for her birthday.

Kaija invited her friend Kristin to our house on friday and I think we overwhelmed her- she is a quiet girl, but I am glad that Kaija suggested to have her come over to celebrate.

She also had all of her dreams come true...

A very blurry picture of a happy Kaija getting a sewing machine, finally!

This has to be one of my favorite pics of all time- I love Joe holding the girls hands at Powell Gardens!

We came across these beauties at the gardens- they give me the creeps but it was cool to watch them slithering along in a pack one on top of the other!

The Jurassic Garden- who knew that I brought along my own dinosaurs! Bella is our  resident impersonator, and Eli likes to join in on the fun periodically!

Spencer loves feet- he thinks they are wonderful, and he likes to suck on his big toes! Delicious!!

Final band concert for the year, Kaija on percussion and piano and flute, and Zach on trumpet.

Kaija's Winter Guard Banquet (a "formal" event).

All the gals from church at the banquet- they are all so beautiful!

So many things going on in May! It was hard to keep up with, 

but alas school is out and we are ready to get into the summer!

Eli is 6

Before I get too backlogged, and have more birthdays and life tid-bits to catch up on, I must shine some light on young Master Eli!!

Eli made his grand debut 6 years ago on April 14th. That is quite simply hard to believe; so much has happened in 6 years! And to celebrate we spread the activities out through the week- why only celebrate for one day? Joseph was out of town, so on a whim I decided to start the celebrating the night before with bowling at UCM.

That was a good time, and I especially liked it because they have $1 bowling at 8pm on Wednesdays, and I did what any really amazing mother would do on a school night and we stayed out late!

On Thursday for his actual birthday, I did the standard take treats in to his class and had lunch with him, then I picked him up a little early and we raced out to Powell Gardens. Now when I say race, I mean just that because they still close at 5pm and it takes 20 minutes to get there. We met up with our friends and had some high paced enjoyment at the gardens!

Right now they have Fairy Houses on display and can you guess what my children have been doing since then?? Yes, it looks like we will have a summer full of creating houses from the earthly treasures around our home- I love to see their creativity!

Oh sweet flowering Japanese Quince and vibrant tulips- you make me happy!

Looking Back

So as usual the time just keeps flying by and we have plenty of catching up to do! 

This year Kaija joined the winter guard team at school. 

She had so much fun learning some new skills and has found a great new talent.

In addition to guard Kaija was inducted into National Junior Honor Society and elected as Treasurer. 

We are proud of her accomplishments this year.