Gideon's Friend Party

Gideon, our NICU wonder, has turned 8 years old. Today he had his friend party. We raced home from church to the valley to attend! This is always a fun time to celebrate with family and do a quick connect with dear ones from our prior church. 

The theme today was Pokemon. I would love to know where Bre gets her party planning theme making abilities. She is good at this. 

There were tattoos, face painting, games and food - all the fun elements of a good birthday party. LOL 

Joelle and Rebekah are getting good at face painting!

Stacia and Allie 

Myself and Arielle - I like this photo!

God has blessed us good with our son in laws! Luke included! 

Izaak (Trudy and Gideon in background) & Cory

Benny 

A cute shot of Jojo and Gideon playing with Ellie. But check out the little feet in the upper left corner. My guess is Trudy finally managed to climb the counter to the goodies. LOL 

Annie and Trudy! Check out that face art! 

We arrived before CoRielle. They had to lead a church service and celebrate a friend's graduation before coming to the party. As they walked in Charles sized up the room. He ran over to me very excited and screamed, "Baachan!!!! YOU BROUGHT GG!" His love of Dad is sweet. I asked if he wanted to go say hi to GG and he didn't, but he was very happy to see he was at the party. LOL  

Charles and Danny seem to be enthralled with coffee huts or drive throughs. They found all the pieces to play the game at BreZaak's as well as our yard. LOL 

CoRielle's 4 year olds

These days always fill my love tank with joy. I don't take for granted the blessing of living near adult Gherkins and the way they allow us to be a part of their families. By fall two of the girls will have moved out of state. A son is contemplating a similar move within the year...God shined on us when He directed us to Alaska instead of to Japan in 2015. We couldn't see the plan then, but we are blessed beyond measure on this end. Yes, "That'll preach!" 

Note: all photos are from BreAnne. I tried to keep children other than family off the blog....since I didn't expressly check in for permission to publish their images. There WERE lots of friends at the party. 

A Night at the Theater!

Sunday, we had the chance to relive sweet memories and make some fantastic NEW memories.

Bre contacted me a month ago (give or take) and we reminisced about me taking her and the others to plays when they were little. This happened most often in Great Falls and San Antonio, and San Angelo had the Nutcracker. She wanted to take her older three to see our local theater's production of C. S. Lewis', "The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe."  It would be their first theater experience, and she asked if I'd like to come. YES, I agreed it would be something the girls and I would love to do. The three of us were already planning to see the play.  Finding the right showing was a bit tricky. We don't like to plan things Sunday afternoon as we are often not back in the valley until 3 p.m. Bre wanted to find an easy time for her to arrange baby-sitting for her younger 2.  We agreed on a Sunday and originally were thinking December - but we were told we'd be in the middle of a trial, and we hope to have company during the trial to help with GG and childcare. We went with the first Sunday showing. Two of us were to sit in front of the rest of the row. Wow - they pack people into this little theater. 

Stacia, Allie, Gideon, Bella, Bre
Me and Annie

We settled in and were delighted when Arielle showed up with Benny. This was Benny's first play too, a late birthday gift. Benny pulled his first tooth Saturday night (bottom center). UGH... LOL 

Benny & Arielle 📷by Arielle 

I cannot tell you how much I value being able to be with the kids for these events. Yes, I thought He was withholding Japan from us, but He was graciously giving us choice blessings in being all together these past few years and being able to spend time with grandkids. That'll preach. ::wink:: 

We saw a few people we knew. We chatted. The lights went down. I was a bit teary remembering dear ones lost...but soon Annie was asking if she could sit on my lap. We weren't more than five minutes into the play when she leaned back with a sigh and said, "Grandma, I could be an actress!"  Yes, sweet girl, I can see it. 

We bought a few refreshments during intermission. Stacia and Allie stayed inside. 

Bella, Gideon, Annie, Bella 📷by BreAnne

Arielle & Bre - 📷by BreAnne

The VPA did a great job with a wonderful story. As we were leaving Annie made a break from me and got right down to the stage and began talking with her favorite characters. She was thrilled when they asked her if she'd like a picture taken with them. 

The unicorn was a big hit! She wasn't interested in Mr. & Mrs. Beaver OR Aslan. 

She was excited to talk with Lucy. I was quite impressed with "Lucy's" people skills. They chatted about the play, Annie's name and age and "Lucy" made sure to tell her they were going to be putting on a play titled, "Annie" in a few months. 

Gideon, "Lucy," and Annie

GRACE NOTES:
1. Sweet memories and the chance to make new memories. 

2. 16 Baptisms at church - season of growth and new life.

3. Rest. 

What I Learned Today

Those who know me and a bit of my story know it was a long-fought battle for this child abuse survivor to learn to trust a loving God and to forgive loving Christians who didn't want to acknowledge the abuse. I fought long and hard - when I encountered such helpful counseling techniques as imagining Jesus with me during the abuse - to quell my questions.  I finally learned Jesus was big enough for my emotions AND my questions. 

Life continued, and I learned to forgive. This broke a dam in my spiritual walk. I experienced healing. I learned to trust God with my safety and with my kids.  My anger turned into a joy that is able to trust. I still feared being on a suspension bridge in an earthquake, and I feared the thought of knowing my kids were in trouble, and I could not get to them. Many have heard how God helped me face and conquer those fears when I was on a bridge in the Great Tohoku Earthquake AND away from home without contact with my children for days afterwards. I blogged - I'm too tired to find the link. LOL 

Life continued sending plot twists, and I rested in a God who is good and worthy of trust - even when we don't understand.  

I was in a good place trust-wise.  

And then, October 23, 2023. 

Josiah is senselessly murdered. Once again, my heart screams saying God is not very trustworthy - I KNOW THE RIGHT ANSWER, I'm telling you how it feels. I've journaled around and around the issue. I know good parents allow hard things into their children's lives. I know children don't get everything they ask for. I know God is good, kind, loving, worthy of trust...but He also feels VERY unsafe. I feel He broke my trust. I know He will continue bringing good from our pain and loss. I see glimmerings of what He is doing. I'm working my way back to trust. I am. 

Carrie has shared Josiah taught Livie to live brave. That stayed with me. I observed Olivia becoming braver and more willing to take chances in the past few years. Why? How did Josiah help Liv be brave? What did he do to encourage her? 

She enjoyed a relationship with a loving father who was trustworthy. I came across these photos while prepping to blog our Sept trip to Pyrah's farm.  The presence of a father who waited patiently with arms outstretched made all the difference this day for Liv.  Livie wanted to jump but was unsure of the whole endeavor. Josiah patiently waited and encouraged her. 

 

When she was ready, she did the brave thing. She jumped. He caught her. He celebrated her bravery with her.  It was beautiful to observe. 

Seeing those memories and now knowing things were about to change in ways we could not begin to grasp is bittersweet for sure. As I look at the photos and blog, a few pieces slide into place. 

What Josiah did for Olivia, my heavenly Father does for me. He challenges me to trust Him in the scary times. He doesn't chide or berate; He loves; He waits; He encourages.  He lets me voice my doubts and fear and just keeps waiting until I'm ready to take the scary jump.  He catches me and celebrates with me.

Yes, He values my trust.  I believe He also values my authentic relationship with Him. He was o.k. when I told Him how very angry I was...first at Him and then realizing the anger should be at evil. He was o.k. when I feel he's untrustworthy and unsafe because it is better to address the relationship authentically than to pretend everything is fine. One path leads to an intimate relationship with Jesus; the other leads to bitterness and rejection - there is no peace with God if it is based in deception. Have you even READ Psalms? The one path leads to wholeness even in the mess. The other path, pretending all is well...leads to hypocrisy. That is a place I know my heavenly Father does not want me to go not-even-for-one-minute. Therefore, I will trust even here...

#CourageousJoy #superflycy #HEMAKESMEBRAVE #thatllpreach

Later in the day...GRACE NOTES

1. News of the arrival of Stephen JOSIAH born to Stephen and Kathleen.

2. Michael returned things to the church when I caught some bug.

3. A call from Kenzie - finding companionship on a journey no one chooses.

Growing a Girl Tribe

I puttered around all day...I have a baby tomato out in the greenhouse, the young chicks keep going in with the big girls - and it's not a happy place. This means I run outside at random times throughout the day to rescue hens which don't realize they need rescuing. That'll preach.  I simmered chicken broth (and faked out all in the family who thought I was cooking something wonderful), I cleaned...just putzed around. 

Stacia ran up to the Butte with Jenni and Millie. Millie enjoyed getting out. 

Women's Bible study, Life Group and Men's Ministry are taking the month of July off (maybe into mid- August). HOWEVER, youth group is still meeting. Several of our youth moms drive quite a distance (which is why we moved Ladies study to Wed nights) and we decided we wanted to hang out anyway. I don't have one photo! I don't know how those famous you tube channel creators run around with a huge video camera and mic on their shoulder out in public. LOL  

Imagine a corner booth in a 24-hour local diner (the only one in our town) four of us laughing and connecting. Two mid 30-year-olds (Melany and Krista), a late 50-year-old (me, I can say that for another year) and Joann - well I wouldn't hazard a guess but she's the wisdom in our midst. It was a sweet time. The highlight of my day. I've been praying for "all the ages." Friends a bit older than me and friends younger than me....and it's happening! Michael (and I) always says everyone needs a Paul to be investing in them and a Timothy to invest in....and it's a happy place to see this type of community growing here...it just took longer in civilian soil than it does in missionary or military soil. LOL 

My "love tank is full" as Twyla, a friend from our time in Japan, used to say. I spent hours with Jenni on Monday, family on Tuesday and these gals on Wednesday...Lindsey mentioned the girl tribe before she moved. I've been thinking about the phrase. I love the #girltribe God is building as we linger in Alaska. No, I have not felt the urge to move yet. ::snort::

Bre sent these photos of milestones in their home! Today's photos happen to be all girls - in keeping with the #girltribe theme.  Bella has been sending us updates on this tooth for some time now. It's out! Isn't this a sweet 7-year-old smile? 

 

Trudy, 7 1/2 months old, started eating "solids" today. Lady thinks maybe she'd like to share. LOL 

And Annie, this girl not only beats Grandma at Memory but today she beat MAMA!!!! She's got quite a memory. Her 4-year-old sparkle brightens up even an Alaskan rainy summer day! LOL 

Yes, it is a rainy day. I'm learning to embrace this year's odd rhythm. A sunny day to RUN, WORK, PLAY in and then a few rainy days to putz around in and sip and read...it's good. Allie says these are "gorgeous perfect days." I'm not THERE yet. I think 80 degrees is more in the gorgeous, perfect range...but 70's are delightful and the rhythm is fun. LOL 

Tuesday with the Boys

 As always...the best way to "catch up" seems to be to jump back into the present and look for moments to back post...but I have several years of back posts to work on. LOL Why do you think life moves so fast???? 

Today being Tuesday I spent the morning with "the boys." Since I last blogged, they've moved into a new home and are settling in nicely. I wondered if they'd be a bit worked up today as the 2-year-old bedtime routine was thrown off by t-ball. They were a bit "squirrely" - the 2 yo's - but I've learned keeping busy together helps lower the individual mischief quotient. 

In their previous home we would spend about 20 minutes jumping on the mini-trampoline and doing YouTube kids chases. In this house the TV is put in their bedroom, and we're forced to creative play. ::snort:: Seriously, if your children watch YouTube kids beware. Check it out carefully. Odd links began showing up.... harmless looking...click for the next chase type thing but porn sites show up. So - no more. 

This new home has a magical closet. Arielle has organized it all quite nicely and the boys KNOW - only one thing from the closet comes out at a time. In fact, today the 2 yo's wanted the bin of beans and I was relieved when Benny shared the opinion, "No! That's too messy for Bachan to have to do." 

Oh - the choices! 

First, we all took a turn bowling. Benny was certain a football would work as well as a bowling ball.  Ok, points for creativity. 

We next tried a rousing game or two of Duck Pond...but none of the boys were having the rules of the thing...so basically, they grabbed them off the ring and threw them back on. LOL They thought it was a lame game.... which will preach. Following the rules sometimes gives purpose to the game of life. LOL 

Benny wanted to do a puzzle. I knew this would work best if the twinkies were occupied elsewhere. I got the playdough bin out of the closet and set them up at the table.  Benny and I worked on his puzzle from Aunt Coco at the island behind the table. 

It bought us enough time to get the edges done and start on the middle... my plan worked well, until it didn't. The littles were ready to join in. Benny was indignant...but they really weren't much trouble....

I am impressed at how focused Danny was on the puzzle. He put together a section. Yes, Benny is right, we had to do it over, but it's all a learning experience.  We made memories. 

We were still working on the puzzle when Arielle got home from her staff meeting. We finished the puzzle, visited a bit and I came home. 

It's been a gray and drizzly day. I grabbed some soup and tea and had a chat with Allie before she had to leave. She's enjoying being off school...but has doubled her work hours so her schedule is still very full. 

Stacia came up and we had a chat too. She then headed over the CoRielle's with materials to make nightlights with the boys. 

A gray day screams for reading...which I began...and woke up an hour or so later. It was time to make dinner...Smoky Salmon Chowder , one of Michael's favorites, was on the menu. Stacia got home and made biscuits. 

I'm blogging at the table and Michael and Stacia are next to me working on the big puzzle project. I think we're going to settle in to read a chapter from, The Call of the Mild, by Tory Martin. 

And we saw this flier in the newspaper today....Stacia's name was in it...though she isn't going to use the benefits as the UA system won't prep her for her goal of missions in Japan. 

Note - it is o.k. for me to leave Little Buddy's profile per his social worker. His name is nowhere on the blog, or this post. 

Sad (me) and Mad (Michael)

 

SHOOT! We have owls, but they've NEVER given us trouble with the chickens. Today, one of them got in and killed and devoured one of our Barred Plymouth hens.  We still aren't 100% sure HOW the owl maneuvered in - but it did. Stacia found it still feasting....

This hen was a bit more adventurous than the others.  She either didn't note the danger or didn't run to the safety provided as the others did. Maybe she was the slowest. 

We're currently studying spiritual warfare and I can't help but think this is an example that will preach. 

Missing Pieces

 I hate it when a piece of a puzzle is missing. It does seem to be the condition of many puzzles.  I suppose learning to accept the reality of missing puzzle pieces is a sign of maturity.  I know there are many puzzle pieces missing in my life. That'll preach. Really. 

The girls, Grandpa and I headed to church this morning. Pastor did a GREAT job with the sermon today. The kids were in service and the sermon was interactive...we finished our series on Philippians.  ANYWAY - I was happy to have a few minutes to catch up with Kareen after church.  She shared how she had felt the need for a down day. Her thoughts resonated with me, a missing piece in my life's puzzle to consider? 

We headed for lunch and then home. Michael is fighting with a toothache/ earache and had stayed home - another missing piece of our family puzzle. He told me to sleep...and I crashed...long and hard.  Grandpa went down for a nap and I woke him up at 7:47 p.m. LOL It was that kind of day. 

I woke to a barking dog, the doorbell ringing and this sight. Ah, a table full of stalled work....but who cares??? We needed to rest and enjoy being....

Oh dear - what ever could be wrong? 

Mr. Gingerbread man has been sad on the top of a shelf at my home. The girls won - but no one claimed him....Benny took him home. He promised him adventures until the next contest....

It rained all night and all the snow is gone. It looks like fall once again. I'm thinking this will be the last week of fall. When the snow returns it will most likely stay....but tonight we had a Halloween without snow and ice to contend with - still only 2 groups at our door.  Maybe going door to door is a thing of the past...what's it like in your area? 

Recess at the Swimming Hole

 Warm, sunny days have been predicted this week. I looked over the schedule and thought Tuesday was a time we could break away to the swimming hole....Arielle and the boys joined us.  I told the girls Grandpa and I were going swimming with the boys and Arielle. They opted to get up EARLY and get their school work finished before 10 a.m. Yes, remember, we took July off and it's AUGUST now. WHAT??? 

How fun for this Baachan to be splashed again by a little guy! Being a boy mom is loads of fun. 

Swimming in Alaska is not without challenges. It isn't bad once one allows themselves to become numb. LOL 

This crazy woman made some sort of bet with her husband which required her to SWIM, as opposed to wading.....

Benny was not impressed with the immersion experience. 

As we got ready to leave I noted the floating tube thingy I bought at a Bella sale up high on a garage shelf. Arielle got it down for me. I must put the pump in the van....but it was fun. Michael has reminded me we also have an inflatable boat we could take to the swimming hole. We just need another warm day or two. 

Stacia's sweatshirt is off, Allie is in the numbing process....her sweatshirt will be off soon.

I noticed skies were blue and sunny to the left...and gray and cloudy to the right. It's all in what you choose to set your gaze on. That'll preach. 

Grandpa doesn't swim. He does like getting out...his respite. I remembered the paper today. These outings go better if I remember the paper. LOL 

Arielle was happy to paddle around the area...as far as she could go and back. 

The girls made Benny's day by making an "amazing" sand castle with him. It was a compound really...I was impressed Arielle remembered sand toys. She later confessed she grabbed them from our recycling when she grabbed the floating thingy. Allie said this was the first sand castle she remembered making....pre-schoolers are so good for us, they give us many excuses to PLAY. 

Benny provides splash assistance

Stacia attempted to convince Allie and Arielle she was HELPING them BALANCE by propping her feet on the back of the kayak and letting them pull her around. ::snort:: 

She did provide the same assistance to Allie. 

Benny introduces Danny to stick fighting...

A word about Danny....we know his crawling days are fast approaching.  In the past he has been content to sit and smile at GG. 

Not so much today...he's on the move! I'm not sure it's official crawling yet, but this guy got all over the beach...and OFF the blanket. He did NOT want to sit in his chair and smile at the activity today. He wanted in it...the rocks, the sticks, the mud....he wanted it all. And he got it all. LOL 

📷by Arielle

It was inevitable, as any boy mom knows.  Many girls enjoy building a compound and leaving it for others to play with....most boys want to destroy the compound -  at least once. It took a bit of talking for Allie and Stacia to be o.k. with it...but yep, Arielle and Benny instigated the flood of '21 which wiped out the sand castle compound. Note the fog is lifting by this time. 

Van life - it's a good life. 

It was a bit chillier than we expected. I'm glad when Arielle and I discussed it in the driveway, we decided to make the most of it.  We needed the recess...which we also labeled PE and Driving Time. 

In a truly frightening moment I noted Birch leaves turning yellow...could it mean...nah August is SUMMER.  This happened today too.... I thought the girls were moving GG to revival...singing, praying....in the end he said they are turning into  good drivers.