Words from Bishop Robert Barron

Friends, in today’s Gospel we meet a prudent steward who serves his master wisely. I would like to say something about prudence and wisdom. In the Middle Ages, prudence was called "the queen of the virtues," because it was the virtue that enabled one to do the right thing in a particular situation.  Prudence is a feel for the moral situation, something like the feel that a quarterback has for the playing field. Justice is a wonderful virtue, but without prudence, it is blind and finally useless. One can be as just as possible, but without a feel for the present situation, his justice will do him no good. Wisdom, unlike prudence, is a sense of the big picture. It is the view from the hilltop. Most of us look at our lives from the standpoint of our own self-interest. But wisdom is the capacity to survey reality from the vantage point of God. Without wisdom, even the most prudent judgment will be erroneous, short-sighted, inadequate. The combination, therefore, of prudence and wisdom is especially powerful. Someone who is both wise and prudent will have both a sense of the bigger picture and a feel for the particular situation

Children of God

Children are exhausting to me, but I get them. For some reason I can connect to them. In Felicity’s class there is a boy named Logan. He’s always happy and smiley. He doesn’t take life seriously, and I like that about him.  He’ll have plenty of time to be serious. He was my field trip partner one year. We held hands for 5 blocks as we walked to the firehouse with the whole class. Since he’s become my buddy-always giving me high 5’s or a squeeze in the hallway. And always flashes me a smile!

Yesterday was school picture day. Eva is 4 and someone mentioned they knew her mom. She was just about to have her picture taken and immediately started crying due to missing her mommy. She was red-faced and inconsolable...not a good pic to hang on the wall. The helper apologized since she didn’t know how sensitive Eva was about missing her mom. I’ve seen Eva cry everyday her mom drops her off. I get it. I gave Eva a hug and reminded her that she’ll have her picture taken (smile nice so Mommy has a beautiful picture on her wall!), she’ll go have snack, play, have recess, eat lunch, have quiet time and then go home and she’ll have 6 days off until she has to go back to school (MEA wk). I told her I’m nearly 40 and I still miss my mommy, and that’s ok.  She quit fiddling with her necklace, dried her tears, and took a beautiful picture.

Sadey wanted to play on the monkey bars, but couldn’t reach. Her parents were present and I asked if I could help her. With a “go ahead” I lifted her and she monkeyed all the way across. Ever since she gives me a wave and a smile each time we pass.

VBS kids are always sad to leave their moms. But with a kind word, reassurance, a hug (always visible to the crowds so you aren’t violating any rules), and usually a snack, kids feel the reassurance they needed at that moment. They don’t quickly forget it. I find it weird my kids’ friends like me to have lunch with them. They have the funniest conversations and I always get dragged into them. I don’t just visit my child, I visit the whole lunch table, and they love it. Weirdos! 😆

Who was that person when you were a child?  Who listened to you when you needed to be taken seriously, who reassured you when you were down, who gave you a squeeze when you felt empty? Be that person you needed as a child.  It takes a village to raise a child, not just to teach or discipline, but to make them feel loved and special.  I appreciate it when my children express admiration for other adults.

These kids don’t know my name. I’m either Felicity’s mom or Elizabeth’s mom. That’s ok. As long as they see the love of Jesus through me I need no title.

F Lost Her 1st Tooth!

While the rest of her cousins & classmates her age are looking like jack-o-lanterns, my baby kept wiggling her loose tooth. I finally gave it a tug while distracting her with the story how I met her daddy and out it popped. She cried because of all the stress & emotion. I cried because my baby is growing up. She no longer that little squishy thing that likes to cuddle with me. She’s a skinny, leggy thing that runs away from my hand to the school doors or to gymnastics with a “see ya mommy!” Ugh, times like these are tough; sad for me, but so happy for her.

F - 1-handed Cartwheel

Sunday, Oct 13th Updates

I love my blog. Sadly I’ve mostly ignored it since it became more difficult to get pictures from my phone onto the website without having to download them onto the computer first. Plus there’s no blog app any longer, so that’s an inconvenience. BUT I think google did an upgrade because I can now post pics from my phone directly to the blogger website ... so here’s hoping. I like being able to look up some of my favorite recipes or when we changed something or watch the kids grow through my blog. FB just isn’t the same.

Anyhow this pic represents our first snow of the year (thanks to “global warming”), our new motion night lights on the attached garage I’ve been wanting for a while, and the gone garage. David took this summer to take down the garage and break apart the concrete in order to lay down 12” of sand to prep for the new building. We were hoping to have the slab in place by this time, but EVERYTHING in life seems to take longer than expected.

Women’s Beaver Hockey

Giving High 5’s to the players as they came out 

Fizz loved the hockey game! 💚 Asked a LOT of questions though! 😁

Verne Treyton Parks baptized

Jen & Jr asked us to be God parents to baby Trey. We are also his big sister, Ady’s, God parents as well and is a huge honor. We’ve been praying for the little one for months preceding his birth and for good health for his mommy. Pregnancy and labor is never easy, but is well worth it. This little fella is such a good baby. Welcome to the church, little one!

Suffering

I threw my back out this wk. Ever since my second pregnancy my SI joint can slip out of place and I’m in agony for weeks-even with chiropractic care and self stretching. Last time this year was when I caught a falling patient. 

One thing I’ve learned as a Catholic is to “offer it up”. You can pray for healing, but while you’re in the midst of suffering you more deeply understand the suffering of the Passion of Christ. 

“Pain and suffering have come into your life, but remember pain, sorrow, suffering are but the kiss of Jesus – a sign that you have come so close to Him that He can kiss you.” -Mother Teresa

Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am filling up what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ on behalf of his body, which is the church (Colossians 1:24).

St. Mother Teresa of Calcutta

"The fruit of silence is prayer, the fruit of prayer is faith, the fruit of faith is love, the fruit of love is service, the fruit of service is peace."

— St. Mother Teresa of Calcutta

Bye Bye Baby

My babies are growing up.  I celebrate the little milestones with them, but mourn the loss of their youth at the same time, especially with the youngest.  We have been giving away a lot of “stuff” to our church’s ‘store’ who give all proceeds back to the community.

*When we moved here we had two stools in front of the bathroom sinks. Now there is none to trip over as both girls can reach their tooth brushes and sink. 

* No more training wheels or baby bike seat. Those went to a friend of mine last month as Felicity is now 40# and that’s the limit. She took one more ride with me and looked HUGE compared to last year.
* No more barrettes.  The girls don't want the colorful, cute barrettes they once loved.

I’ll finish later. Someone needs morning snuggles and breakfast. 💖

MOLD!!!

Window frame after spraying with bleach mix, before scrubbing . 

Bleach, scrubbed, air dried over night. 

Elizabeth has been coming upstairs every morning with the sniffles. She insists on an allergy pill. Last summer she was tested for allergies and found one of her allergies was mold/fungus, mild, but still present.

The last ppl who owned our home didn’t take good care of it or know how to use the air exchanger in the wintertime apparently. The basement bedrooms get a build up of condensation in the corners in the winter. Every morning we turn on the exchanger, open the drapes, and it goes away. I truly believe the previous owners didn’t do this.

Anyhow, I checked her sleep number bed for mold (common per the internet) and didn’t find any. Shampooed her mattress and carpets. Vacuumed like crazy. Still - sneezes and scratchy throat in the morning.

I opened the windowsill and this is what I found. It became darker once I sprayed it with a water/bleach mix. I scrubbed all 4 windows, ledges, hinges, etc like crazy with a toothbrush and rinsed with clear water. I’ll let dry fully today and repoly everything. I’m hoping this helps her sniffles. I didn’t tell her what I did so as to assess her allergies w/o her knowing. But already this morning she sounded better, less blowing of the nose and watery eyes.  I’ll also wash her drapes as well to rinse away any lose spores, but I pray that we found the source. I know I needed to get this done before winter so I could work inside and outside the window and allow it to open and air dry before doing the polyurethane. Now to check Felicity’s today. I may just end up putting plastic on their windows this winter to avoid the humidity all together!

Glad we caught it now, but totally feel like a MomFail that I didn't think of this before now!

Saint Monica-Pray for Us

Saint Monica (c.331/2−387)^[1] (AD 322–387)^[2], also known as Monica of Hippo, was an early Christian saint and the mother of St. Augustine of Hippo. She is remembered and honored in in the Catholic and Orthodox Churches, albeit on different feast days, for her outstanding Christian virtues, particularly the suffering caused by her husband's adultery, and her prayerful life dedicated to the reformation of her son, who wrote extensively of her pious acts and life with her in his Confessions. Popular Christian legends recall Saint Monica weeping every night for her son Augustine.

On my right hand I wear a simple gold band my husband bought for me. 2 years ago I was able to see a relic of St. Monica.  Her constant dedication to her abusive husband and wayward son inspired me as she prayed for them and thy both came to love Christ. It gives me hope that if she can do it in her situation, I can become the wife and mother God wants me to be. I rarely take this ring off as a constant reminder of my devotion to God and my family and hope that St. Monica prays for us wives and mothers in our very important jobs here in earth. Thank God for a woman like St. Monica. 

Prayer

"A soul which does not practice the exercise of prayer is very like a paralyzed body which, though possessing feet and hands, makes no use of them."
— St. Alphonsus Liguori

Quote

“He who does not count on God, does not know how to count.”

Quote by Elizabeth Ann Seton

“The accidents of life separate us from our dearest friends, but let us not despair. God is like a looking glass in which souls see each other. The more we are united to Him by love, the nearer we are to those who belong to Him."
— St. Elizabeth Ann Seton

Goodbye Father Don

Last night we went to a prayer service (wake) for our friend, Father Don Braukmann.  He was diagnosed with ALS December 2017 and (thankfully) died of a heart attack July 17, 2019. He told us he watched a friend/parishioner die of ALS and prayed that, of all things he would die from, that God would spare him from this disease. Well, he got it. BUT he was spared that last leg of ALS that is the worst; mentally cognizant but physically trapped in your own body. He was in a power wheelchair, able to type on his weekly caring bridge post, in a nursing home due to his level of cares needed. We brought him lilacs (his favorite) and chocolate milkshakes. He blessed Elizabeth’s first communion crucifix. He loved dogs, but was also fond of our chickens. :) Last night singing “I’ll fly away” and closing prayer, we did a group rosary with the knights of Columbus. Felicity finally saw his body in the casket and it hit her hard—this was her friend.  During the rosary I had a vision of Fr Don in heaven, Mary’s hand on his shoulder and Jesus’ scarred hand holding Fr Don’s. Fr Don always had a quick remark for everything and I heard him say, “wow, that sounds great up here,” referring to the acoustics of our rosary heard up in heaven.  Fr Don went to seminary with Bishop Robert Barron. Here’s the bishop’s email I received today: “Friends, today we celebrate the feast of St. Mary Magdalene. Our Gospel says that Mary came to the Lord’s tomb early in the morning on the first day of the week. Let’s place ourselves there: it is still dark—just the way it was at the beginning of time, before God said, "Let there be light." But a light is about to shine, and a new creation is about to appear.  The stone had been rolled away. The stone, blocking entrance to the tomb of Jesus, stands for the finality of death. When someone that we love dies, it is as though a great stone is rolled across them, permanently blocking our access to them. And this is why we weep at death—not just in grief but in a kind of existential frustration. Undoubtedly, Mary Magdalene thought that a grave robber had been at work. The wonderful Johannine irony is that the greatest of grave robbers had indeed been at work. In the book of prophet Ezekiel, we hear this: "I will open your graves and have you rise from them." What was dreamed about, what endured as a hope against hope, has become a reality. God has opened the grave of his Son.”

New Fav: COLD BREW COFFEE

3 Key Steps to Better Cold Brew at Home

• Get the grind right. Cold brew requires a specific grind. A larger grind — something closer to the coarseness of raw sugar — keeps the brew from getting bitter overnight. If you’ve got a small home grinder, it’s best to grind the beans in batches.
• Use a higher ratio of coffee to water. This recipe uses a ratio of 1 ounce of ground coffee to 1 cups of water — making it easier to scale this recipe up or down. Drip coffee uses about 1/2 ounce of coffee per cup.
• Strain slowly. The Toddy System that Starbucks uses to brew and strain their coffee relies on gravity to gently remove the cold brew from the grounds. To replicate that at home, you’ll need to strain the cold brew gently through cheesecloth and a strainer. Avoid pressing or squeezing the coffee grounds, as that extracts bitter flavors. Work in batches to strain as gently as possible. You might be asking yourself, Can’t I just strain the coffee with a coffee filter? You could, but it slows the straining process and occasionally the paper filters tear, creating more of a mess than anyone should have to deal with before coffee.
  
  Beyond the fact that this method makes for a longer-lasting brew that can be prepared in big batches, cold brew coffee also tastes downright incredible. The cold steeping process makes a smooth, mellow cup of coffee that has very little acidity or bitterness.
  
  I make mine in small quantities often - 2 cups @ a time - so I use my French press.

Meditation if the Day

"If we do not risk anything for God we will never do anything great for Him." — St. Louis De Montfort

MEDITATION OF THE DAY

"An excellent method of preserving interior silence is to keep exterior silence. . . even in the world, each one of us can make his own solitude, a boundary beyond which nothing can force its way unperceived. It is not noise in itself that is the difficulty, but noise that is pointless; it is not every conversation, but useless conversations; not all kinds of occupation, but aimless occupations. In point of fact, everything that does not serve some good purpose is harmful. It is foolish, nay, more, it is a betrayal to devote to a useless objective powers that can be given to what is essential. There are two ways of separating ourselves from almighty God, quite different from one another but both disastrous, although for different reasons: mortal sin and voluntary distractions—mortal sin, which objectively breaks off our union with God, and voluntary distractions, which subjectively interrupt or hinder our union from being as close as it ought to be. We should speak only when it is preferable not to keep silence. The Gospel does not say merely that we shall have to give an account of every evil word, but of every idle thought." — St. Alphonsus Liguori, p. 44

Locks of Love!!

Oh these girls!!  We went in for hair trims and they both decided to chop off their pony tails to donate. F: 6.5". E: 7.5".  Not enough for a wig, but the uncolored hair would be good to make extensions out of to cut the costs of the prosthetic wigs.  Good job, girlies!

A Lesson About Life

An elderly Cherokee man was teaching his grandchildren about life.
He said to them, "A fight is going on inside of me; it is a terrible fight and it is between two wolves.  One wolf is fear, anger, envy sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority and ego.  The other is joy, peace, love, hope, sharing, serenity, humility, kindness, friendship, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion and faith.  This same fight is going on inside of you and inside every other person too."  

The grandchildren thought about it for a minute and then one child asked his grandfather, "Which wolf will win?"  

The old Cherokee simply replied, "The one you feed."

October: the Month of Miscarriage, Stillborn, and Infant Death

October 15th a day of remembrance for pregnancy loss and infant death, which includes, however is not limited to, miscarriage, stillbirth, SIDS, and the death of a newborn.

Tonight, October 16th our Catholic Church celebrated our little saints in heaven, including our boys, "Darren" & "Baby Brooksie".  Darren left our home, but not our hearts, 11/18/2016.  The following month we lost a baby to miscarriage.  Even though we took nearly 2 years to name him, we officially named him this month: "Gerard". Gerard is the patron saint of unborn babies & expectant mothers.  

Every year our church celebrates this day.  I've never allowed myself to go, so this was our first as a family.  Last night at mass each family lit a candle and brought it forward for their babies.  It was a beautiful way to celebrate and grieve together.  

Father Chuck (father of 7 children himself) made these points in his homily: God's mercy is beyond our understanding.  Jesus tells us, "trust me."  Our Lord's ultimate goal is to bring us all home, some just make it home sooner than others.  

Helen Keller said, "The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched - they must be felt with the heart."

Until we meet again...

Letting Go

If you lend only when you expect to receive, what kind of graciousness is yours? For sinners also lend to sinners, expecting to receive something in return. But love your enemies and do good to them, and lend when there is nothing to expect in return. Then will your reward be great and you will be sons and daughters of the Most High. For He is kind towards the ungrateful and the wicked. 

»Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful. Don't be a judge of others and you will not be judged; do not condemn and you will not be condemned; forgive and you will be forgiven; give and it will be given to you, and you will receive in your sack good measure, pressed down, full and running over. For the measure you give will be the measure you receive back.

This passage came at just the right time. This summer I gave away a majority of my baby stuff to a friend who was surprised with a beautiful addition to their family and to the Pregnancy Lifecare Center. I did hold on to my cloth diapers (because they were SO expensive and also held sweet memories of diapering my babies) & strollers (because Felicity can still fit in them). When I found out two friends of mine were in need of some items I still possess I hesitated. These were mine, my memories, my just-in-case-there’s-another-one.  It’s hard. These are MINE. “No they’re not,” I hear in my mind. “They’re mine. I let you use them and now you share.” Is it God speaking or my guardian angel? Likely. But I bought them with my money. “I gave you the money,” I hear. OK God. You love a cheerful giver. But what if they don’t appreciate the gift? What if they’re misused or not use at all. “It’s just stuff. Gifts are given w/o strings attached.” 

Why let material possessions rot away for just-in-case when they could be used by some little bundle now?  I can always buy more if I need. Why not bless others? Thank you, God. Let me be a blessing to others are you are a blessing to me. 💗

Quote from Pope St. Gregory the Great

"When we attend to the needs of those in want, we give them what is theirs, not ours. More than performing works of mercy, we are paying a debt of justice."

— Pope Saint Gregory the Great

Time Marches On

I work with people of all ages, and the conversations I have with them m got me thinking about ‘time’ and how fast or slow it goes.  To a child summer is SO LONG that they’re ready to go back to school.  In my minds eye I see a child, bursting with energy, running full speed ahead whilst time is dragging them down, holding them back as if a grandfather clock on a string, tied around the child’s middle.

To an elderly person the seasons and years go by so fast they can’t recall the year. This isn’t always due to dementia...sometimes it does go by so fast.  My minds eye again sees an elderly gentleman, cozy in a recliner, as a cartoon alarm clock like something you would see in Looney Toons show, bouncing around the room with its second hand spinning like a top.

So where is it, where we are actually living our timeline equally, marching at a steady pace neck and neck with our time clock?  While raising my young children many people tell me, “the days are long, but the years are short”. Or “these are the best years. Enjoy them!”  Are we so caught up in like and busyness that we forget to live, to pray, to just be?  I don’t know the answer. Maybe all my many questions will be answered when I get home someday, but then again once I get there will it matter?

What is Pride?

What is pride? It is the inordinate love of oneself at the expense of others and the exaggerated estimation of one's own learning and importance.

Well that's humbling!  Praise the Lord!

Felicity is Five and Feelin’ Fine

Gifts

The important thing is that each believer discern his or her own path, that they bring out the very best of themselves, the most personal gifts that God has placed in their hearts, rather than hopelessly trying to imitate something not meant for them. - Pope Francis in Gaudete et Exscultate

Report card

No mosquitoes

School

:)

Goodbye chickens, hello play house

I'm rocking my babies and babies don't keep

New fireplace top created by my father-in-law

From chicken bath to head and chicks

Mother's Day card from number two

Words from a saint

If I had to advise parents, I should tell them to take great care about the people with whom their children associate. Much harm may result from bad company, and we are inclined by nature to follow what is worse rather than what is better. - Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton

Miscarriage matters

https://thatsinappropriate.com/why-miscarriage-matters-when-youre-pro-life/

Jesus:

If you loved me,
you would rejoice that I am going to the Father;

Words of wisdom

1 PT 4/5-14

Reading 1 1 PT 5:5B-14

Beloved: 
Clothe yourselves with humility
in your dealings with one another, for:

God opposes the proud
but bestows favor on the humble.

So humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God,
that he may exalt you in due time.
Cast all your worries upon him because he cares for you.

Be sober and vigilant.
Your opponent the Devil is prowling around like a roaring lion
looking for someone to devour.
Resist him, steadfast in faith,
knowing that your brothers and sisters throughout the world
undergo the same sufferings.
The God of all grace
who called you to his eternal glory through Christ Jesus
will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you
after you have suffered a little.
To him be dominion forever. Amen.

Homily

The word homily is derived from the Greek word ὁμιλία homilia (from ὁμιλεῖν homilein), which means to have verbal communion with a person.

So Long Washer & Dryer!

Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me for nearly 3 years--you're out the door! ;)

My washer finally bit the dust.  The last 3 loads I've been having to bail water out by hand since it seemed like the pump was going bad.  David can fix just about anything, but I didn't even ask him to this time.  The drier lets everything come out either slightly damp or fried.  Stick a fork in me, I'm done.  The washer looks modern, but it is 17 yrs old.

Luckily Home Depot was having a "black Friday" in April the wk I had had enough.  I was bummed that I couldn't take my washer/dryer from my old house when we moved, so there are no hard feelings here.

Good bye, you two.  My frustration with you has now come to an end.

It's Beginning to Look A Lot Like...Spring?

04/12/2018

I was raking out the chicken coop and decided to take a picture of this winter wonderland.  I don't mind.  The garden-planning is in my head, the kids are still having fun in the snow, and the comfort foods are still being baked inside.  It'll melt quickly.  It can't be winter forever...can it?  Maybe we've walked into the Lion, the Witch, & the Wardrobe!! :)

Spring Conferences

My baby is growing up!!

Rock candy

Homemade rock candy!

D E-L J

Obituary for Darren Earl Lee Jackson

Darren Earl Lee Jackson, 23 months old, of Red Lake, MN died on Tuesday, January 2, 2018 at the Red Lake PHS Hospital in Red Lake, MN.

Funeral services will be held at 1:00pm, Wednesday, January 10, 2018 at the Red Lake Community Center in Red Lake, MN. A wake will begin at 2:00pm, Monday, January 8, 2018, at the Red Lake Community Center and will continue until the time of the service. Interment will be at the St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery in Red Lake, MN under the direction of the Cease Family Funeral Home in Bemidji. 

He was born on February 7, 2016, in Bemidji, MN, the son of Nicole Buffalo. He enjoyed playing and chasing his cat, playing house with his sister, playing basketball, watching football and “The Lazy Song” by Bruno Mars. He loved to eat and play outside. He spent a lot of time with his Grandma Kathleen and Grandpa Curt. He loved being picked up and held, and would be jealous of Grandma holding any babies or even the cat.

He is survived by his: Mother, Nicole Buffalo,
Brothers, Jameson Martin, Gary Jackson Jr., and Jason Jackson,
Sisters, Andrea Martin, Melvina Martin, Cassidy Jackson,
And Chloe Jackson,
Grandparents, Kathleen Buffalo and Curt Desjarlait,
Roselyn Johnson,
Aunts, Michele Buffalo, and Marlene Buffalo, 
Special Cousin, Miranda Buffalo,

He was preceded in death by his cousin Nicholas Benais Buffalo, grandfather Patrick J. Long, great-grandmother Margaret Johnson, great-grandmother Rose Goodwin, great-grandmother Leslie Ann Buffalo Sayers, and great-great grandmother Mary Sayers.

DJ

Obituary for Darren Earl Lee Jackson

Darren Earl Lee Jackson, 23 months old, of Red Lake, MN died on Tuesday, January 2, 2018 at the Red Lake PHS Hospital in Red Lake, MN.

Funeral services will be held at 1:00pm, Wednesday, January 10, 2018 at the Red Lake Community Center in Red Lake, MN. A wake will begin at 2:00pm, Monday, January 8, 2018, at the Red Lake Community Center and will continue until the time of the service. Interment will be at the St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery in Red Lake, MN under the direction of the Cease Family Funeral Home in Bemidji. 

He was born on February 7, 2016, in Bemidji, MN, the son of Nicole Buffalo. He enjoyed playing and chasing his cat, playing house with his sister, playing basketball, watching football and “The Lazy Song” by Bruno Mars. He loved to eat and play outside. He spent a lot of time with his Grandma Kathleen and Grandpa Curt. He loved being picked up and held, and would be jealous of Grandma holding any babies or even the cat.

He is survived by his: Mother, Nicole Buffalo,
Brothers, Jameson Martin, Gary Jackson Jr., and Jason Jackson,
Sisters, Andrea Martin, Melvina Martin, Cassidy Jackson,
And Chloe Jackson,
Grandparents, Kathleen Buffalo and Curt Desjarlait,
Roselyn Johnson,
Aunts, Michele Buffalo, and Marlene Buffalo, 
Special Cousin, Miranda Buffalo,

He was preceded in death by his cousin Nicholas Benais Buffalo, grandfather Patrick J. Long, great-grandmother Margaret Johnson, great-grandmother Rose Goodwin, great-grandmother Leslie Ann Buffalo Sayers, and great-great grandmother Mary Sayers.

My Heart Hurts

I just found out that a friend of mine had her baby, breech and baby got stuck.  Baby was born brain  dead.  The family of 6 decided to donate baby girl's organs and somewhere a 1 month old little girl got a new heart.

At church we have 2 priests, both middle aged and full of wisdom.  We love them both dearly.  This wkend one priest made the announcement that the other would like to let the congregation know that he was just diagnosed with ALS.  He's going to the Mayo for a 2nd opinion.

Just when things seem to be going so well, you're given more to pray for each day, either in thanksgiving or lifting those up in prayer around you.  Time to just slow down and live.

Dec 10, 2016

2017 US Tragedies

* Donald Trump became our 45th president, beating out Hillary Clinton.
* Wildfires: California, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington; so far this year, more than 8 million acres have burned
* Hurricanes: Harvey (Category 4, Tx), Irma (Category 5, FL, British Virgin Islands), Maria (Category 5, Puerto Rico). "In just three days, Irma, Jose and Katia have produced as much as energy as about half a normal six-month hurricane season."
* Las Vegas Shooting: 59 killed, over 500 injured.
* Tornadoes:  There have been 1,423 reports of tornadoes in the United States in 2017 so far.
* Earthquake: Mexico 8.1.

Master Bedroom Renovations

My helper! :)

Our basement is white, and I think I'll leave it that way because it will prob be too dark otherwise since it is a 1/2 buried basement with little windows/sunlight.  However we have lived in our home 2 yrs now and while I painted over the bright white upstairs (entryway, living room, kitchen/dining room, office, hallway, & bathroom), the master bedroom was still left.  So after painting the outside of the house, the inside upstairs, stripping and staining the 2 decks, and finishing up the garden...my bedroom finally made it to the top of the to-do list!  It's hard to tell in the photos, but the top is a very light, pastel pink and the bottom was mauve with a very frilly, flowery border.  YUCK!!!  Now I go to bed with a boring, mellow brown lulling me to sleep and that suites me just fine.  

That being said our house is DONE being painted...for now!

Before! ARG!!!

Ahhhh...after!