Happy Birthday Mom!

We had a celebration on Friday night! Bob's Mom turned 80 in March, but she was in Florida at the time so the party had to wait.
The party was at a place called Noel. It's in an old church, and has been decorated in a Victorian Christmas theme. It's not like a regular restaurant, as you can only go if you come with a group and make reservations. They are usually pretty busy, so you have to plan ahead to come here.

I think these big wooden entry doors are pretty.

One of the stained glass windows.

This is the birthday girl! She doesn't look 80, does she?

There were lots of people there - uncles and aunts, along with sisters and brothers. This is Bob's sister Karla with his Uncle Jack. It was nice to see some of the relatives we hadn't seen for a while.

Here's one of the guest tables, waiting for supper!

There is lots of stained glass, as the church was left the same structurally.

Some of the decorations inside.

The front of the building.

Mom and Rog

Bob's Dad passed away before I met him, and Mom married Rog almost 22 years ago, so he has been a Grandpa to our kids.
We are so blessed to have both of them, blessed to have a wonderful Mom and Grandma, and blessed to have had her for these years.
Happy Birthday Mom!

Remembering my Mom

Tuesday marks 6 years since my Mom passed away. I was talking to my sister Terri about her recently and we remarked about the fact that neither of us remember her ever getting really angry with us. Yes, she would punish us but she was able to remain remarkable calm in the middle of it. (We did think maybe that was because we were such easy kids!) I can only hope my kids have such good memories of me!

I grew up on a farm and my Mom worked hard. I remember all the canning and freezing she did. I remember all the laundry hanging on the line and the ironing that needed to be done. She had a good sense of humor, which was a good thing because my Dad loved to tease her! Most of all she loved her kids. I never heard her complain about bringing us to any activities or going herself to support us. She was always proud of us and when the grand kids arrived, I think they were even better than us! She loved spending time with her family.

Mom was only 69 when she passed away, but she was a Christian so I can be secure in the knowledge that I will see her in heaven!

My Mom

May 19 marks the 5th anniversary of my Mom's death. She was only 69 when she died, unexpectedly of a heart attack. She was a great Mom and Grandma. She was always so proud of us kids. She loved to introduce us to her friends at church or her work. And - if she thought we were good, she thought her grand kids were even more remarkable! She just loved those kids. I hope her friends didn't get sick of seeing the pictures or hearing about them!
God blessed me with a Mom who was not only a mother, but she was my friend. She wasn't afraid of disciplining me, but we also had fun together. I remember many evenings, when I was a teenager that she and I were up late, just talking. She had a good sense of humor and was good natured about the teasing she endured from my Dad and us kids.
She had a lot of different roles, as I grew up. My Dad was a dairy farmer, and his crazy hours meant lots of juggling with meal times and preparing lunches to go out to the fields he was working in. She did a lot of work gardening, canning and freezing produce. When I was in Junior High she started working part time as a nurses aide in the local nursing home. She later worked full time as a secretary until she retired. I wish I had been able to have more time with her, and I wish she could see her grandkids now. She would still be so proud of all nine of them! I know she was a Christian so I'll see her again - in perfect health!

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This day also marks the death of a friend from church. Tyler also passed away unexpectedly of a heart attack one year ago. I know this day will be a hard one for his wife and 2 young daughters, so please remember Debi and their daughters in your prayers today.