The Last Day of 2009

I heard someone say, "From now on we will say twenty and the year instead of two thousand and the year." This is too much change for me!

I won't cover all the changes that have occurred in the last ten years, they are too numerous to list so I just wanted to reflect on some of the highlights! The main four being my wonderful, adorable, incredibly brilliant, hilariousness funny, loving, caring, beautiful grandchildren. While I could have lived a perfectly fine life without them, they add such a joyous dimension to an otherwise mundane daily existence! Thank you Emmett, Wyatt, Eisley and Icyle for bringing Papa and I such joy! We love you SO MUCH! You are the apple of our eye!

I did also get a fulfillment of a small dream I always have had since we moved into our house - a fireplace. I have enjoyed it so much! Small thing but much joy.

May the new Year be filled with as much joy as the last. And as always may this be the year of the Lord's return.

And Then There Was One

We had our pictures taken for the church directory this week. Our last picture for the church directory was with Eric, Amber, Andrew, Peter and I. We even got a fun one with Eric's girlfriend(now his wife) Alyssa. Now, two marriages and 4 grandchildren later, it is just Andrew, Peter and I; our last picture with children (actually child, if you can count someone almost 20 years old a child). Last night we celebrated Peter and Eric's birthday, Eric turns 30 on the 22nd. THIRTY! Three oh, Where did the time go! I am so grateful that we spent a lot of time together as a family when they were growing up.

Just a recap of the last 6 years since the last picture was taken (Just the high lights):

• January, 2, 2004 - Eric and Alyssa were married.
• January, 18 2004 - Peter and I went to Hawaii to celebrate our 25th anniversary. (Oct. 13, 2003)
• February 29, 2004- Amber talked on line to her husband-to-be, Chris Hughes, for the first time
• April, 2004- Chris came up from Texas to visit Amber.
• Middle of June, 2004- Amber went to Texas to meet Chris' family.
• End of June, 2004- Chris moved to Minnesota, he lived with us and Amber lived at Sturm's house that summer (while it was being remodeled) and then at Crown.
• July, 2004- Celebrated my parent's 50th anniversary with all the family at my brother Mark's house (the Barn was just beginning to be worked on)
• November, 2004- Amber and Chris got engaged
• July 9, 2005- Amber and Chris got married
• March. 2005- Eric and Alyssa announced they were expecting
• September, 2005- Andrew went to public school for the first time
• May 13. 2006- Amber graduated from College and found out she was expecting. (They announced it on Mother's day)
• July 14, 2006- Amber and Chris moved to New Braunfels, TX taking my unborn grandchild with them (boo hoo)
• August 8, 2006- Bought Town and Country van
• Mid-August , 2006- Went to Virginia; Glenda, Phil, Chelsa Haaland, Andrew, Peter and I drove there and back. So fun!
• August, 2006 - On the vacation Andrew's foot was hurting, went urgent care as we arrived home because of HUGE ABSCESS on the bottom of his foot.
• Mid- November, 2006 - Went to Oklahoma for Dane and Dianne's wedding; Eric, Alyssa, Andrew, Peter and drove down in van; Amber and Chris drove up from Texas.
• November 22, 2006 - Celebrated Thanksgiving at Mark's with my mom and Dad, Mark's family, Cheryl's family, Andrew, Peter and I. Eric and Alyssa celebrated at home with her parents.
• November 24.2006- Our first, precious, grand son is born! Emmett Peter Daniel Theisen. We arrived at the hospital from ND shortly after his birth.
• January 18, 2007- Our second, precious grand son was born! Wyatt Moses Hughes. I flew down to TX and arrived hours after his birth.
• End of March, 2007- Drove to TX for Easter. First time Peter, Andrew, Phil and Glenda saw Wyatt.
• August 6, 2007- Started working as a nanny caring for Mary, Libby and Will.
• September 6, 2007- Sad day! Our 3rd precious grandchild went home to be with Jesus but Alyssa's life (and one ovary) was spared.
• December 25. 2007- First Christmas without Eric or Amber home, didn't hardly decorate!
• March, 2008- Emmett writes on his tummy I'm a Big Brother! (actually Eric wrote it)Alyssa is pregnant!
• June 6, 2008- Andrew graduated from Armstrong High school
• August, 2008 - Amber and Chris come for visit, We meet Andrew's girlfriend, Nikki, for the first time.
• September 5, 2008- Dan and Alisha Theisen get married.
• September 6. 2008- I wake up with a stomach ache by midnight my appendix is gone!
• November 10, 2008- Our first precious grand daughter arrives! Eisley Cyanne Theisen. We were actually at the hospital when she was born.
• December 18,2008- Peter had knee surgery on right knee to repair torn meniscus.
• December 25, 2008- All my kids and grand kids were home for Christmas! Best present ever!
• March 1, 2009 - Change nanny position, now caring for boys 8 yrs,, 5 yrs., and 3 months.
• May 5, 2009- Our second, precious, grand daughter is born! Icyle Jean Hughes. We are unable to go to see her until end of month.
• May 6, 2009 - My dad, Phill Haaland, has both knees replaced. He is in the hospital for a week before going to a nursing home for almost 3 weeks.
• May,2009- Peter and I fly down to TX to finally meet Icyle!
• End of June, 2009- Peter and I drive to TX. We celebrate 4th of July with Amber, Chris, Wyatt and Icyle in there new (to-them) home in San Antonio.
• July 26, 2009- Amber, Wyatt and Icyle come to Minnesota for visit. We find out my dad, Phil, had fallen the night before, breaking his pelvis in two places. 6 weeks of bed rest prescribed.
• July 29, 2009- Peter bought his first new car, a Scion XD

The Disappearing Pie

I made a peach pie tonight. I had been promising to make one since Tuesday but I didn't get started on it until about 7 p.m..

My mom, my sister and I had go to see The Time Traveler's Wife this afternoon and we went for coffee afterward. When I dropped my mom off at home I had to run in to see my dad and that lead to a few games of Kings in the Corner. So by the time I left their house and got to the store for the ingredients for pie it was already 6 o'clock.

I had the crust baked and cooling, the mixture for the bottom mixed up and the glaze cooling when my son and his girlfriend arrived with the game Blockus. We started playing the game, which was easy to learn and fun to play, until I had to drop out to peel and slice the peaches. They were SO juicy and slippery, I knew they were going to make a great pie. The peach slices were piled high and the glaze covered them and I put the pie in the fridge to cool. Everyone was waiting to have a slice of pie but I said that it need to chill for awhile.

Finally, it was time! The pie sliced perfectly and I topped each piece with a generous swirl of whipping cream. My husband pour fresh coffee and we lifted our forks. The first bite was an explosion of flavors! It was like heaven! By 10:10 my son was licking the pie plate. Luckily, I have enough ingredients to make another one, this time to share with others!

Beautiful Summer Say

It was such a wonderfully, beautiful day yesterday and the boys I watch were into Legos. Moe wanted a batman cape for one of his Lego guys and kept asking me for architect paper. His dad is an architect so I thought maybe it was graph paper or the thin paper used for blue prints but I didn't know where any of that was. He was very insistent that I get some architect paper for him and frustrated that I was not complying. Finally his big brother, Qwerty, saw I was clueless! "Do you mean construction paper, Moe?" "Yeah, construction paper!"

After the cape was made I bribed the boys into a walk, stroller, scooter, bike ride around the lake. Little Guy was in a delightful mood (before he fell asleep) and was getting all sorts of attention and comments about what a happy baby he is. (A true statement) He just started squealing with delight and it is such a joyful sound it makes you laugh. Then came the hard part, the bribe was a treat at the store (we were going to pick up some needed groceries) but Qwerty decided it had to be Jelly Bellys. You know they are everywhere when you don't need them! We FINALLY found them at Target. (The Southdale Target has a nice assortment of them if you are a Jelly Belly fan!)

After LG's nap (and dinner prep) the boys' friends came by and we all went for a walk with their mom so I had some time of adult conversation!

The day was topped off with a soup and salad supper with some dear friends, SO FUN!

Are You a Daddy?

I was grabbing my grandson, Emmett as he ran by me and throwing him over my shoulders, holding him by the ankles and pretending I couldn't find him. Then I would pretend to sit down on him and 'find' him. Of course the moment I put him down the game would start again. After a few time Emmett came up to me with excitement and asked, "Are you a daddy?" I laughed, I knew exactly what he was saying and was pleased that I had managed to cross into the PLAY ZONE. That fun, rough, play that daddies excel at, the play the kids long for and mommies don't usually have the time and energy for in their busy day. We played a few more rounds before I tagged Papa. I made it into the PLAY ZONE and I was exhausted!

We were watching the kids while my daughter-in-law Alyssa was putting the finally touches on the wedding flowers and then she went to deliver them. In the meantime Peter, the kids and I went to a garage sale where we picked up some cars and a monster track for Emmett. Eisley would try to get the cars as they came down the track. This was not the way Emmett wanted it to happen so we found some cars for Eisley to play with also.

Peter decided McDonald's was the lunch spot so we loaded the extra car seats in Peter's new car and took off.

Emmett was a little tired after all the fun we had!

Eisley was a little chow hound, she ate everything we put in front of her and when it was gone she rested her chin on the table, so cute!

We ended our morning adventure by taking a flying trip up to the place where Alyssa was delivering wedding flowers, she called when she had discovered she was missing the corsages. The kids fell asleep the moment we started the car! We enjoyed every minute!

Play date fun

Cara has been a friend of my daughter's since they were three. I have always liked Cara but over the last two years I have come to appreciate her as my friend as well. Today we had a play date. The kids had fun but I think I had more fun! Cara treated us to Jamba Juice and we talked and watched Little Guy while the big boys turned into Batman, Transformer and Power Ranger. We laughed at the funny things they say and do. We went for a nice walk by the lake and enjoyed a great lunch (if you like PB & J's) It was sweet fellowship and I miss doing this every week like we use to do.

Grandkids

Grandkids are WONDREFUL! I have been blessed to spent quite a bit of time with all four of my fabulous grandchildren in the last month and my heart is full of love and laughter. Someone once told me a part of your heart is closed until your grandchildren come along and then it opens and expands with each new person. I can enjoy each smile, each stage, each accomplishment without the worries I had as a parent. I enjoy watching my children as parents, they and their spouses are doing a wonderful job in raising their children. But most of all I love when their eyes light up and their faces break into this wonderful smile when they see me!

A Typical Summer Day

My favorite time of life was when my kids were young. I enjoyed being with them and watching them grow and develop their own personalities and interests. This is why I am a nanny now

Summer days are the best, we are not so structured or rushed. Today was one of those days at least parts of it was. Qwerty, the oldest, had sailing lessons so I got him there by 9 am then we picked up a friend of Moe's and took them to a Sports camp. Little Guy was hungry by then so it was back home to eat and then time to enjoy watching LG practice going from crawling to sitting. Within one day he had perfected the move. He looks up at me with a proud smile. At the same time all this is going on I am working on the laundry. LG and I have just enough time for a 2 mile walk before we need to pick up Qwerty and friend from sailing class. Such a lovely walk... I chose to walk through the neighborhoods and look at all the wonderful gardens. It is so quiet and peaceful Little Guy dozes off.

The older boys just get home for lunch when one of their friends wants them to come out and play which allows me to get LG feed and down for a real nap. Then it is back to finishing up the laundry, unloading the dishwasher and straightening the house. We have a play date at 3:30 and I know I will not have much time after we get back before parents arrive.

The play date is with friends the boys had not seen for a while and they had so much fun at the kid pool in the park. The time passes quickly and soon it is time to go home. The day was so full there was not time for our usual read aloud or games but as the boys call out, 'See you Monday!" I know there will another summer day next week.

Reality

It seems like we were just down in Texas but the reality is that we have been home almost two weeks ! In those two weeks I have not written on my blog once, I have not dusted, nor made significant headway on my diet or my new exercise regiment. Where has the time gone?

I often contemplate on the fact that each of us has the same 24 hours in a day and yet some people accomplish so much more than I do. And then I think of the things I have done in the past two weeks, I had a wonderful time at my sister-in-law, Mary Lou's, house as we visited with many of Peter's siblings and families. We have had the opportunity of being with our in town grand kids three times in the last two weeks. I was able to spend unhurried time with my mom one day and enjoyed a dinner with both my parents. I had leisure time to play games, walk and talk with my husband. I enjoyed a fabulous evening with some of my favorite girl friends as well as a wonderful brunch with some other favorite friends. All of this on top of having the daily delight of caring for Qwerty, Moe and Little Guy. LG learned to do SO BIG last Thursday to his mom's and my delight.

All of these things remind me how much God has blessed me and how grateful I am for every 24 hours given to me!

The Beach

The day at the beach in Corpus Christi whas wonderful! Check out the middle video of Peter and the jellyfish!

Grandma knocked me down!

Peter and the Jellyfish

My winter happy place

Ice Age @ 100 degrees

Mornings are always fun with family,

even a bowl of cereal!
Every morning Wyatt would come down with a menagerie of toys,
Peter and I would spend time cuddling Icyle
and, of course,

get kisses whenever we could

Wyatt caught on to the kisses!
Amber would blog and I would try to keep up with her .

Every day we would wake up to temperatures in the 80's and it would quickly go up from there, every day was at least 100 degrees. So unless we were in water it was too warm to be out long. So this day we headed to the movie theater to watch the new flick Ice Age 3. We had learned from a previous movie experience with our other grandson, Emmett to forgo the 3D experience with 2 year olds (they don't keep the glasses on) Wyatt was enthralled anyway. With eyes glued to the screen he would slowly bring his piece of popcorn up to his mouth. He would ask, "Oh, no! What happening?" at the exciting parts. Icyle slept through her first movie experience, we, adults, laughed and laughed, so all in all it was a great movie experience for all.

For dinner we went to a burger and malt shop that Amber and Chris had wanted to try. The onion rings where WONDERFUL and everything else was good.

I had forgotten what an experience it was to eat out with a two year old,

Wyatt discovered that the pie tin that held the ketchup and mustard came out and his head fit perfectly through it. so Wyatt was our centerpiece though out our meal.

He even got his mom to fed him french fries and milk .

The days are passing quickly now so we treasure every moment!

New Braunfels Fun

Sunday in Texas

We had a delightful Sunday at Amber and Chris's. After a leisurely breakfast Chris had to go to work and we headed for their church, Believers Fellowship.

Wyatt looked very sharp

and Icyle was adorable !

Chris arrived home just as we were getting ready to go swimming so we were able to get this family picture!

Don't they look great!

We spent a fun filled time at the pool
Wyatt wanted to swim with Mom at first,

While Icyle hung out with Grandma.

Papa was taking the pictures.

Nothing better

than chilling with a babe in arms!

Wyatt finally got brave enough to jump in and them there was no stopping him!

The evening ended with a SPECIAL treat from Daddy, ummmmmmmm!