Sooooooo.....

So it's been a while again. I've wanted to blog many times but was too sad and emotional-I still am. I'm sure if anyone that has read our blog at some time probably knows that my dad passed away July 5th. I've got lots of things to write about that. I'm still not quite ready for that yet so I'll just blog about what we did today.

We started the day with some unexpected news that our names were being used in a online scam. I'm not going to say anything more about that since it's still under investigation.

The kids and I did some things around the house after that-Aleah made a chocolate zucchini cake-her second in a week. It's so good.

Gerrit got ready to go to visit his grandparents at the farm for a few days. It's strange only having three kids around.

The day was mostly cloudy and cool until about four and then the sun came out and it was nice. I took the kids swimming-the first time this summer. Wednesdays it's only a dollar (compared to $3.50) for the second session. We were very surprised to find out that it was free swim tonight so that was very nice. They were so hungry after swimming.

Quick Updates

The last month has been so crazy. The school year has ended and the kids are enjoying summer vacation-Samantha is currently going to JumpStart Kindergarten for two weeks and loves it. She has also learned to ride a bike without training wheels and rides like a pro.

I was in Sioux Falls with the Girl Scouts last week to see the "Little House on the Prairie" musical and LOVED it! We also stopped and saw Laura Ingalls Wilder's home in DeSmet, South Dakota-more on that later.

Mostly I've been visiting my dad in hospitals-Williston, Minot, and for almost two weeks now-Bismarck. He's a very sick man and the plan is to do surgery on Thursday the 10th at noon. He needs his gallbladder removed but it's very risky and if it weren't making him so sick the doctor wouldn't even attempt to remove it with his current problems. He's recovering from blood clots in his lungs and is on Cumandin so that's a big risk plus the shunt he had placed in his brain and abdoman is a problem. Please pray that it goes well. He was running a high temperature today and has gotten so weak in just the last couple days.

Anybody out there?

We certainly have not been good bloggers this year. Our lives aren't boring-just busy!

Aleah turned eleven almost two weeks ago!! She had a sleepover and she got roller blades for her birthday. She really does love them-she wears them a lot and she takes Sadie around the neighborhood-or rather Sadie takes her around the neighborhood-who knew a 12 pound dog is so strong!

I've been subbing a lot lately. I'm hoping to pick up some sub days for Camp Edventure this summer too (summer school) as they are only half days. Tomorrow I start four days in a row for Kindergarten. I'm in this class a lot so I already know the routine and the kids. It's really hard to believe there is only 16 days of school left and the last week of school I'll be in Rochester with mom for our yearly pilgrimage to the Mayo Clinic for a checkup. We'll be able to stop and see Loren, Kelly, and Luke. I'll have to bring Luke's birthday present. It's hard to believe he'll be a year old in June and he's bigger now then Donovan and Samantha were at that age and he weighed almost four pounds less at birth-way to grow, Luke!

Bruce is in Iowa for meetings. He'll be home tomorrow. I hope he beats the snow home. I guess we're under a winter weather advisory-hard to believe it's May!

It's only Wednesday but the week has been so busy. I subbed Monday and Samantha had her spring dance show that night. It was really cute. Yesterday I didn't sub (although I could have) but I got some errands and laundry done and Gerrit had a doctor checkup after school. He still is having sinus problems and will continue with the current treatment and see what the ENT doctor says in June. I pray this will not involve surgery of any kind!! As soon as we got home (Aleah and Donovan got home from school while we were at the clinic) Donovan was crying from ear pain so fifteen minutes later I was on the way back to the clinic. Luckily Aleah's friend gave her a ride to soccer.

Donovan does have an ear infection. We made it home just in time for me to make sandwiches and then we were off to Gerrit's orchestra concert. Normally orchestra concerts aren't that long but last night's was an hour and a half since there was a popular rock violinist there that the kids played with-Mark Wood. He was really good but it went on too long especially since I still had to pick up Donovan's antibiotic. Tonight there is only a piano lesson and church.

My parents were going to come visit this week but my dad ending up having some cysts on his kidneys that needed to be drained. Hopefully he's on the mend now.

We have no activities tomorrow night-usually there is soccer but Aleah's coach wisely moved the practice to last night so the girls wouldn't have to run around in the possible snow.

Tuesday Evening Musical Interlude

Rocket Man

Gerrit has a Tech Ed class in school and a couple of weeks ago each student put together a rocket kit. At home they had to paint the rocket and apply the decals. His ended up gold because that was the color we had left over in the garage from building a previous pinewood derby car. He said his is the only gold one. The majority painted theirs yellow. I think it looks nice, though. He was excited that the rocket is reusable. It is - if the parachute works!

They still haven't shot them off, though. There were no launchings last week because one student kept forgetting to take his/hers to school. Yesterday they did put the engines in the rockets, so maybe it will happen this week.

Uncle Donald

I was woke up by a phone call early this morning from my cousin Candy. She had called to tell me her dad (my Uncle Donald) had passed away very early this morning. Donald was my mom's brother from Minot. His wife Loreen thinks it was a heart attack. He was 77. Donald (known as Don to those outside the family) was quite a character! It was his nature to complain about pretty much everything and that's just who he was. I know everyone will miss that now that he's gone. He was a super hard worker and still worked full time. He worked part time at KMart and part time driving the bus for seniors in Minot. He loved to garden and he didn't even go sell his produce at the farmer's market anymore-he had built up his customer base and they called him. He was a salesman most of his life and he was very good at it. My dad says he could sell ice to an Eskimo. Donald leaves behind his wife of 56+ years, two daughters, one son, five grandchildren, two brothers, and one sister.

Dad's surgery, Easter, and the past week

Last Friday, Good Friday, my dad had surgery here in Bismarck. He has had problems with fluid accumulating on his brain and it affects his walking. He had it drained two or three times the past year but it always came back and there were risks with the draining. The neurologist said putting a shunt in was the best option. He had the surgery on Friday morning. They put a shunt in his brain and there is a long tube that goes behind his ear and neck through his chest down into his stomach. The doctor told us that they'd have to shave a little hair on his head. Mom and I were surprised when we saw him after surgery and almost half his hair was gone. He did very well. He only had to stay overnight in the hospital. He came to our house to recuperate. We could tell almost right away the difference in his walking. I did take him to the barber on Monday so he could have the rest of his hair shaved off so he didn't look quite so silly. He had a bunch of staples in his head and stomach that need to come out next week.

Bruce took the kids to his parents on that Friday and stayed overnight. They were home by supper time on Saturday and they dyed eggs that night. We went to church Sunday morning and had a ham dinner. We were all really lazy that day. All of us adults napped-I think Donovan even fell asleep for awhile. It was relaxing. Bruce hid eggs in the yard for the kids to find-mom supplied the quarters for the plastic eggs.

Monday I did laundry ALL DAY LONG! I got behind from going to the hospital all day Friday and a good chunk of Saturday and I had subbed a couple days that week before and got ready for Samantha's birthday plus completed my resume to teach summer school.

This week was super busy as well. I subbed three out of the four days we had school. Mom and dad stuck around until Thursday morning so mom watched Samantha for me. Bruce went to Montana on Wednesday until tonight. During my "day off" yesterday, Samantha and I got haircuts and I took Gerrit to the doctor. The poor kid has pretty much been sick all school year. He has yet another sinus infection and ear infection. He's been prescribed three weeks of antibiotics plus a nose spray and an inhaler and then if the x-ray shows he still has problems he's going to have more tests.

Fifth Birthday

Samantha "our baby" celebrated her fifth birthday yesterday! We managed to get a birthday party in yesterday and it was so nice out that she and her friends were able to play outside most of the time!

The thing that stands out the most to me about yesterday happened very quickly and I was so fortunate to see and hear it happen. I was doing some dishes (our kitchen faces the street and the window was open) when Gerrit was getting off the bus. Samantha went outside to greet him. Gerrit came up to her and put his arm around her and asked her if she had a nice birthday party. She replied yes. He then told her, "I remember the day you were born. I was in the second grade."

I just thought that was really precious and he really is a very good big brother to Samantha. Gerrit was exactly eight years and two weeks old when Samantha was born and by then he was use to the role of big brother. He has a special place in his heart for his littlest sister as does she for her biggest brother.

Songs For Old Rock Stars

John Wayne is alive and well

John Wayne is alive and well and living in Bismarck-really! I subbed yesterday in a school I had not yet visited-that leaves two public elementary schools and one middle school that I haven't visited. There are 15 public elementary schools and three public middle schools just in Bismarck. Anyway there is a second grader that is named John Wayne. That is what he is called. I'm not sure what his last name is but I think it's pretty funny. Actually when you think about it the kids his age probably don't know that there was a famous actor named John Wayne although since one of his parents was probably a big fan he probably does.

My mom really liked John Wayne and still enjoys watching his movies. I just checked about John Wayne and he died in 1979! Wow! That is over 30 years ago! I actually remember we were visiting my uncle and aunt here in Bismarck when it came on the news. I would have been Donovan's age.

Happy 13th Birthday Gerrit and we're terrible bloggers

I admit it-we are terrible bloggers this year. I don't know that we're anymore busier than we have been in the past but neither of us is using what little spare time we have to blog-sorry to Bruce's Uncle Vernon-we will try to be better! Like you said there are two of us to keep up the blog!

Anyway this past week we were busy with Bruce's parent's 50th anniversary which was really great, my brother and his family's visit, all the normal activities, and Gerrit celebrated his 13th birthday! We now have a teenager living with us!

Happy Birthday to you Gerrit. There is no way you are already a teenager-that is simply not possible. We just brought you home from the hospital on that spring day back in 1997 after the worst winter on record, and now you're in middle school and going to movies with your friends without us. We love you!

Gerrit's birthday was on Wednesday and he opened his presents in the morning and I drove him to school. He wanted hamburgers for supper and had confirmation at church that night. I made the usual shamrock shaped sugar cookies as I have since he's been in school-he didn't take any to school for treats like he's done in years past (he's way too old for that now) but he did take some to church that night. Friday night Gerrit had his best friend sleep over and they went to "Diary of a Wimpy Kid" after we had Pizza Hut for supper. They proceeded to stay up late and played on the Wii and watched another movie.

Update coming soon!

Sorry to those who actually read our blog. We've been extremely busy getting ready for Bruce's parents 50th anniversary this weekend. We will be better at keeping the blog updated soon-we'll have lots of pictures to share of the big day and just our busy lives in general! I believe my brother, sister-in-law, and nephew are also going to visiting us in Bismarck this weekend on their way back from Williston. Have a good weekend!

Sadie and Aleah

The other evening I came up from the basement and grabbed my camera to get the above picture and several more. Aleah was reading in the recliner with the footrest out and Sadie was sleeping next to her. It was so cute and they looked so comfy.

Like most dogs, Sadie loves to be on the furniture. We are working to train her to only go up when invited but that doesn't always work. I really need to get a picture of this, but once in a while when I have the kitchen shades open I'll find her on the table sleeping in the sun!

Meters and Regulators

This KELOLAND news segment is about keeping gas meters and regulators clear of snow and ice. Those in my family will probably recognize someone on the video!

Sad week

This week I had three people that I have known my whole life pass away. I've heard it said that deaths come in three so I hope this is it for a long time. After mom and dad went to bed on Monday night I got on Facebook and a distant relative had written that she had just had a relative pass away. I'm not sure why I immediately thought of my dad's cousin and his wife but it turned out that it was my dad's cousin's wife-Stella Anderson. Stella was 92 and even though she was older her death was unexpected. My parents had just seen her and her husband Alvin at Golden Age club a few days before. Alvin is 98. He still drives and he and Stella had just moved into an assistant living home! They would have been married 70 years in October. Stella was a wonderful lady and she was always helping others. She adored her six children, 19 grandchildren, 37 great-grandchildren, and three great great grandchildren with all her heart. She lost her mother when she was only 17 and her dad died when she was 20. She helped raise her younger brothers and sisters as well as taking care of nieces and nephews when they needed her. I want to be like Stella when I grow up!!

Thursday night my parents good friend Bill Thompson died. He was 84. He had found out after Thanksgiving that he had terminal cancer. It's a blessing Bill passed away. Mom had stopped to see Bill and Geraldine a week before he died and she said he looked worse than anyone she had ever seen that was near death. We're happy Bill is now at peace. He was a great guy. He was married to my mom's good friend Geraldine. He was full blooded Native American and he grew up on a ranch near Havre, Montana. He fought in World War II and helped liberate the concentration camp at Nordhausen. He had been married before Geraldine and he had four children and many grandchildren. We use to get together with Geraldine's family (she has two nephews that are my brother and my ages) at Christmas time for many years. I'll miss Bill.

I called my mom after lunch today to see how my nephew Luke was doing-he has RSV but seems to be on the mend now. She told me that she had just gotten a call from her niece Joni that my aunt Harriet (my mom's sister-in-law) had just passed away. This was not unexpected. Harriet was diagnosed with brain and lung cancer in late November. Harriet was my uncle Joey's wife-Joey passed away almost twelve years to the day that Harriet did. Harriet was a great person that rolled with life's hard punches. She made the best of the situation. My mom talked to Harriet Thursday night. Mom had said that she had this feeling that she should call her that night. It's so nice that she did. Harriet took a turn for the worse less than twelve hours later and was pretty much unresponsive after that. Her two daughters were with her when she died. We are really going to miss Harriet. She was such a funny lady and so positive.

Don't Be So Corny

I don't know why, but lately I've had the craving for corned beef sandwiches like my Mom used to make. So yesterday I stopped in at Wal-Mart to pick up a can of Hormel's finest.

Looks delicious! Mmm Mmm Good. Lunch preparations have begun.

You just mash together the meat and 1 cup of cream along with about 1/2 to 3/4 of a pack of dry onion soup. If you were to use a whole pack it would probably be too salty.

I suppose it depends but I had to simmer it for a while in the pan to thicken it up for the bun.

Nancy, I think the dog got on the table and threw up on my bun! Seriously though, I would recommend not putting it on so thick - the processed goop has good flavor but is fairly strong. I had another half of a bun with a thinner layer and the flavor was a lot more balanced.

I am on a canned meat kick because I also bought a can of deviled ham spread.

On a brighter and probably more appealing note, I fried pork sausage for supper tonight while Nancy made french toast. That concludes my day of consuming salty meats. Thank you.

This evening Gerrit went with one of his school friends to see Avatar. They went to the 7:30 show so they probably won't be back until at least 10:30.

Weekend Wrap-Up

We're in the middle of a four day weekend-very nice. We haven't done a whole lot though. Aleah had a birthday party she went to yesterday and Bruce took me out to Paradiso for lunch a day early for Valentine's Day-we thought it would be too busy today. We got pizza for the kids. Last night we watched this week's American Idol and we had watched Thursday's Survivor on Friday night-we do love our DVR!

Today we got ready for company. My parents arrived around four today. The kids and I were going to go up to Williston after Aleah's party got over but the weather was too bad yesterday and we would have needed to leave Monday so mom and dad came here instead. Thanks mom and dad! The kids helped mom clean up her farm on Facebook and showed her how to keep her horses and chickens from wandering all over the place. I do not play Farmville of Farm Town. I have a hard enough time keeping my real house clean and things done around here.

I'm sure we'll do some shopping tomorrow and the kids will enjoy a trip to the library at some point. We'll have to play some games besides Farmville or Wii tomorrow too. We got caught up watching the Olympics tonight.

Friday Morning Musical Interlude

San Antonio Rose:

A Goofy Picture for Thursday

I think Sadie is trying to say something like, "Will someone please help me?"

Another week gone and another baby....really

My friend Heidi had a baby boy on Friday. Bridger George weighed 7 pounds 11 ounces and he joins three older sisters! I got to see and hold him yesterday-very precious. I've visited the hospital three times in three weeks-I think that's it for now!

The week flew by. Bruce was in Fargo and Grand Forks and we were are usual busy selves around here. Aleah has started her volleyball schedule again that will go through the end of March after which she'll start soccer. She's also selling Girl Scout cookies for another week.

Samantha had her post op checkup and the doctor said she's almost healed. She is eating better and is more herself-her voice sounds normal again. I also subbed a day and a half last week and Sam enjoyed herself at Tricia's house. I've got two full days scheduled this week and unless I get a Friday morning that will be it since Wednesday and Thursday I have things scheduled and Friday afternoon I'll be driving Aleah's class to the ice skating rink for their Valentine's party.

Of course the full day I subbed it was snowing and the roads weren't nice and I had to get Sam up to Tricia's and then I had to get back to the kids' school. At least it was a very good day of subbing and Bruce got home that night.

Donovan also had a doctor appointment-so I was at the clinic twice last week-so tired of going there. He's still itchy and has gotten some bad sores from itching so they doctor prescribed a few medicines, took blood, and Donovan is having an allergy test this week.

Gerrit has a cold now. Hopefully he doesn't get any worse so he won't miss anymore school and hopefully we don't get sick!!