Saturday, September 25, 2010

Some More Randomness


Wow, this week has flown and I see that it will take me a long time to catch up with all of the posts that I've missed! I hope I can get to them today.

Today I am 63. How can it be? I know it's all relative - some of you will say that's still young. My mother-in-law is 93 in another few days and she keeps telling me how young I am. I tell her that it's just amazing to me that I'm this age as it is to her that she's her age.

It is a beautiful autumn day. I would like to make it up to the mountains to see the glorious golden aspens embedded in with the green pines, but there will be so many up there on a Saturday that I don't know if we'll brave the crowds or not. We are celebrating very lightly this week-end since we leave for Maine a week from today. Can't wait!!

The week started well with our church service in the park. We had a wonderful time of fellowship in a lovely setting - we were told we couldn't have a sound system, so Pastor Brian supplied the accompaniment with his lone guitar. Turns out we could have had a sound system - they are protecting the neighbors from rock bands in the park, and of course nobody listened to the reason we wanted it. Oh, well, it was fine. And the view to the west was lovely (well, not counting the power lines and poles).







One of the highlights of the morning was the dedication of a brand new baby boy - his great grandfather was privileged to do the honors.




We had a wonderful dinner together after the service. One woman was riding her bike through the park, on the way to the river where she typically has her own personal church service, after having been hurt by a church situation. She heard the Word of God being spoken and decided to join us. That's what it was all about.

Monday - Ann arrived. This was such a huge event for us, since we've been trying to make this trip happen for years. The connection among my sister, Ann, and me is amazing, since we haven't actually seen each other that often over the span of our lives. We are definitely kindred spirits, as "Anne with an e" would say.

I didn't get many pictures - too busy talking! Even on the trip to Estes Park on Tuesday I forgot my camera. Ann took many to show her husband, who's never been west of the Mississippi River. We hope he can come next time. I did remember my camera the day we visited the park full of sculptures.




She fell in love with the twins, and was thrilled to win them over. She was singing an old song that I haven't heard in years - "Jewels" - anybody remember it?

When He cometh, when He cometh
To make up His jewels,
All His jewels, precious jewels,
His loved and His own.

Like the stars of the morning,
His brightness adorning,
They shall shine in their beauty,
Bright gems for His crown.

Little children, little children,
Who love their Redeemer,
Are the jewels, precious jewels,
His loved and His own.

Like the stars of the morning,
His brightness adorning,
They shall shine in their beauty,
Bright gems for His crown.




I learned so much I never knew about Ann, her life, and her mom especially. My Aunt Gen lived through a difficult childhood and youth to become a missionary. God definitely had a plan for her life, which was carried out in an amazing way. Even when she was a high school girl, running around with a fairly rough crowd, she would tell those friends that she was going to be a missionary someday. I don't even know how she knew that word, since her home was totally godless.

It was hard to say good-bye and know it will be 3 years before there is a possibility of getting together again. But I am so thankful for e-mail!


I have a new schedule of child care. Kristen has a new job that requires us to have the kids overnight on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. This means I'll have lots more time to myself in the daytime, but get the "thrill" of bedtime and getting ready for school and church. But they do get to go home on Saturday for most of the day.

The tooth fairy has been kept very busy lately keeping track of the "jack o lantern" named Care Bear. She had to check in with mommy to tell her of the middle-of-the-night loss of another top tooth. The crooked glasses are a result of an errant softball in a game with Grandpa. She zigged when the ball zagged.




The tooth fairy got a bit confused and once again, forgot to come. (Actually she went out to the car to get the money out of her purse, forgot why she was in the car, and didn't realize it until this morning when the sad little girl came in at 6:45 to inform us the fairy forgot - again!) I told her I think the fairy has way too many kids to cover these days and has gotten old and needs help. Her assistant must have gotten confused and maybe put the money under somebody else's pillow. She got a twinkle in her eye, said "Scavenger Hunt!" and proceeded to check all the pillows - finding the stash under Feisty's pillow. Whew! Crisis diverted!


One final picture - what has these two sitting so still for??





Have a wonderful week-end! And I hope to visit you today!

25 comments:

Mike Golch said...

Dawn,Happy Birtday to you and your Mother-In-Law.May they be blessed with happiness.

Linda said...

Happy Birthday Dawn!!!! I'll be 64 in November - so you're still very young:-) Besides, isn't there a saying these days that 60 is the new 30? Works for me!
I do remember that little song. We sang it in Sunday School. I hadn't thought of it in years.
Wishing you a day just filled with joy and special blessings.

Susan said...

Happy, HAPPY Birthday to you Dawn. May this year bring you much happiness and answers to your prayers.

someone else said...

Happy Birthday.

I do remember the song. It was used by my dad at every baby dedication. He loved it.

Glenda said...

Happy, Happy Birthday, Dawn!! 63 is NOT old!! I'm so glad you had a good time with your sister and Ann; I know you made lots of great memories.

Love the tooth fairy episode; oh, the things we do for our grands!! It's good to know that I'm not the only one who goes to get something and doesn't remember what I'm after!

I had not thought of the old song "Jewels" in such a long, long time, but it's beautiful.

What wonderful results of your outdoor service. I hope the lady who stopped in will worship with you again.

Have a blessed Sunday!

Devoted said...

Happy birthday, Dawn! Loved this post. Hope this weekend is the best one yet!

Michelle-ozark crafter said...

What a wonderful post and I loved the pictures! Are you sure you aren't 36 instead? Huggles.

Amy said...

A very Happy Birthday to you Dawn! So glad you enjoyed your visit with your cousin.

Karen H. said...

Good Morning Dawn. "HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY TO YOU, HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY TO YOU, HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY DEAR DAWN, HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY TO YOU"!!!! I guess it's better late than never huh? LOL. I have a great-aunt that will be 101 in December. She is a nursing home, but still gets around pretty good. My Mom usually calls her once a week and talks to her. Enjoyed seeing the pictures of the outdoor Church service and I am so glad to hear that the one lady came and joined yall. I can understand her by not going to a Chuch and by being hurt, because that has happened to me as well. I'm so glad you got to spend some time with Ann and hope yall can get together again in the future. It'a Fall here finally today. I've had my jacket on some this morning. LOL. The twins have really grown. Our girls have pretty much outgrown the Tooth Fairy and Halloween. On Halloween now they usually go up on Main Street with cans of shaving cream with their friend and shave cream each other. There is usually a police officer sitting up there and keeping an eye on them just to make sure they don't do any damage to any of the businesses up there. Hope you have a great Sunday and week ahead. Take care and GOD Bless you.

Love and hugs,
Karen H.

Brenda said...

Haha! Love the toothfairy story. The things we will say and do to keep their childhood special amazes me.
I remember one year having to put Chelsie's doll from Santa out on the front porch 'cause she was scared of him coming into the house while we were sleeping, I even 'called' him to let him know, and Chels left a note on the door.
(I know, there's so much controvesary about Santa, the toothfairy, and such but Chels, who is almost 23 turned out to be a stable, Godly young lady. No damage done by believing in Santa ;)
Happy, happy Birthday to you!

Hootin Anni said...

I missed your special day?!! Ohhhhhh, m-a-a-a-n!! Well, a belated happy birthday then sweet Dawn.

63 is the new 21 y'know!!!

LOL

I'm not with you on the 'godless' home tho, at least in my way of thinking...I feel that is all incorrect. He's there, they just don't know it. Or they refuse to acknowledge as some people oftentimes do. And she proved them all that she knew it all along.

Well, I'm in the middle of a nasty football game between the TX rivals and 'my' team is losing. So, I best get back to the tube and root 'em on even tho they're losing.

Will get to see the Broncos play the Colts when this one is done. hehehehehe I still ♥ the Broncos.

Have a glorious week, and if you leave before we make contact through commenting, have a safe and wonderful trip.

Anonymous said...

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God Bless You ~Ron

nancygrayce said...

Sorry to have missed your actual day! You're only 5 years ahead of me and I feel old too so you have lots of company! But you can't be old because you're so active!!!!

We would be in trouble around here if the tooth fairy had to remember to show up! :)

Midlife Mom said...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DEAR DAWN! If I could carry a tune I would sing it to you when you get here! Not long now! I'll e-mail you my phone number so we can finalize the plans. :o)

So glad you had such a good time with Ann. Looks like she really did win over the twinies!!! They look so cute watching their tv program. They will miss you while you are in Maine.

Loved the story about the lady hearing your service and joining in. Sounds like some hurts may have been healed that day!! Yes, that is what it is all about.

Forgot the Tooth Fairy! Sounds like something I would do but you sure came up with a good way out of it!

My sister just got up so guess I will close. Will e-mail later today.

Hootin Anni said...

No Dawn....where we lived in the mountains, it snowed almost continually. I remember one year we had a huge snowfall the week of Thanksgiving and the snow was there with many other snowstorms coming in afterward 'til May of the following year. And then, if you happen to be in the shady part of the property, there was still drifted snow. It's a lot different in the mountains than on the flatlands. And where my sister now lives, the snow is outside her door almost 9 months. They have a caterpillar snowplow on their property to get out of their drive and to the highway.

A Hint of Home said...

Oh my goodness, can I relate to the tooth fairy thing. I have a ten yr. old still loosing teeth. It can be costly.
That means I have grandkids cutting new teeth from 10 down to 2 yr molars coming in . lol
Glad you had a good time with family.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

groovyoldlady said...

Hurray! I'm so glad you got to see Ann and spend some precious time with her!

grammy said...

What a fun church service that looks like...
so glad you had a great visit. I think email can be a great thing...I talked to my kids soooo much when they were living over seas... more than now, in the same town.
I am tired just thinking about putting the girls to bed that many nights. That wears me out more than anything around here because they don't go down very easy and I am so tired by that time of day. Good luck with that (o:
Happy BD
We are going to NY on the 9th of Oct. Hope to see some color there (o:

Unknown said...

I hope you had a wonderful birthday!

I love the Autumn leaves. I hope the area you are in next week is filled with lots of beautiful colors. Will you be in the Augusta/Portland area again?

I'm so glad you had a great visit with Ann. Yes, thank goodness for e-mail and blogs!

You are so awesome to help Kristen out as much as you do! Good luck with your new schedule with the grandgirlies. :-)

Chrissie said...

Happy Birthday, Dawn! How wonderful it is to see all the sweet things you are doing! :) I remember that song, 'Jewels'! I love that song! Do you remember a cassette that was out in the late 60s - Marcy Sings or something like that? well, that song was on it and I listened to that tape all.the.time - must have driven my family crazy! :D
God bless you and your family!
Chrissie

Unknown said...

Aww...happy birthday! What a wonderful gift - to be able to be with your cousin.

Hootin Anni said...

Good happy Thursday Dawn!!! Thanks for stopping by this morning. In regards to your question: I didn't care for the season opener OR the one this week. Very disappointing so far....the first one left too many pages unturned and was too fast paced, it, I think, should have been done in two segments and this one this week...there was absolutely nothing to it. Besides, the PROBIE --McGee needs to add more weight. LOL...he looks anorexic these days.

Nancy said...

I love the tooth fairy story and the pictures are just perfect! I can't wait to hear about your trip to Maine.

Needled Mom said...

It sounds like a wonderful visit for both of you, Dawn. I am so glad that it happened.

Many happy blessings for the next year!

Carole Burant said...

Oh nooooo, I can't believe I missed your birthday!!! I'm SO sorry, dear Dawn, but please accept my sincere albeit belated Birthday wishes! Sounds like you had a wonderful day:-)

I'm so glad your visit with Ann went so well and I can well imagine all the talking that went on:-) I don't recall the song "Jewel" but it sounds like the girls really enjoyed Ann singing it!

I had to smile at the Tooth Fairy episode. Reminded me of this one time when I forgot to put money under Corey's pillow after he'd lost a tooth. He was devastated until I told him that maybe the Tooth Fairy had dropped the money on her way in...he found a dollar bill on the stairs. lol xoxo