School Night at the SK8 Center

Last night was C's skate night for her elementary school, and I got to take E, C, and Hugger to roller skate. It was great fun -- seeing C with her school friends for the first time, and sharing E's first skating experience. Their different personalities showed in their skating styles - and I enjoyed every minute.





Warming up in the children's area.







Pairs skating

Everything's more fun with a friend!

Do the Hokey Pokey and you turn yourself around. That's what it's all about!!

Future speed skater!

As for me . . . it hasn't been too long since I've skated, but I decided since I was the designated driver it would be safest to keep my shoes on. :-) All in all, a wonderful night!

Safety Nicknames, Part 2

Referring to this earlier post about nicknames, the results are in!

Ladies and Gentlemen . . . the envelope . . . please. After much consideration, thought, meditation and flipping of the proverbial coin, the virtual nickel is awarded to Tracy, who suggested 'Hugger' as a nickname for D. Strem earns two virtual pennies for second place with 'Bear Hug.' From this day henceforth and forevermore, D. shall be known as Hugger, for obvious reasons.

There were no suggestions for thefatherofthemall (which looks more like The Father of The Mall, instead of The Father of Them ALL), so he will be called 'Father.' How's that for originality?!

Wunnerful, Wunnerful, Wunnerful!

I've started several times to write about Liz and George's wedding last weekend, but have had lots of interruptions. We've had post-wedding chores, meetings and such put off until "after March 3rd," and then a virus that brought Teenager down and is working quickly on Whistle as well.

But - back to the wedding, and trying again. The final details were in place, and family and friends gathered from several states to witness the vows, and give the newlyweds their blessing. It was a Spirit-filled ceremony according to one observer, and I think others would agree. Both Liz and George feel blessed in God's provision for them in bringing them together, and their families have welcomed their 'new child,' feeling blessed in how they've come together. It's truly a circumstance where we can see that two have become one, and in bringing them together, God has made each of them complete.

As a mother, one of the riches blessings there is, is seeing our children grow up and knowing them as the wonderful adults they have become. When they are small, it's hard to visualize the next stage before it arises, but we must remember that every day has an impact on the future, and that we are ordained by God to care for HIS children -- they are not our own. Our work is set out before us before they are born, and it is a privilege and blessing to have the honorable names of Mother and Father. (Needless to say, it's not always easy, and none of us are perfect, but we'll save that for another post on a different day!)

Thanks to each of you who came to be with us, and those who were not able to come, but were praying. We love you all.

Virtual nickels to those who recongnize the phrase, Wunnerful, Wunnerful! It helps to be of our generation or older. :-)

Other Unsung Heroes

Cousin Jeremy, Videographer












Best friend since 1st grade, Kerry, who took care of all the fresh flowers. Special thanks to her parents, Steve and Anne, and sister Sadie and her fiance, Blake, for ALL they did for the reception. You are amazing!


Hairsylists, (nephew-sitters, pressers, and servers), Becka and Susanna.









If you'd like to see more photos from the wedding, Ben and Julie have posted a link on their blog to the pics they took. Under the heading Mother's Others on this page, see Count Your Blessings. Thanks, Ben and Julie for sharing!

Unsung Heroes

Elder Richard H, (Uncle Dickie), who came from Texas to take part in the wedding ceremony.

Tracy, Wedding coordinator, Seamstress.

Chris, Parking coordinator

Dan,, Trumpet fanfare (pictured with Miss Hannah)

Other unsung heroes include Uncle Victor and Aunt Elaine H. for their wildflower honey, Michelle and Lydia for helping with the bubbles, and Earlene for her help with the cake and cake table. Also - the members and friends of New Liberty Primitive Baptist Church, who finished the renovation of the church building in time for the festivities. I'm sure there are others I'm not thinking of - but we appreciate all who attended, helped, and prayed.

And, a photo of the youngest wedding guest, Preston. Welcome to the world, Preston!

February Showers Bring March Flowers!

Sadie, Kerry, and Liz

That's not exactly the way the saying goes, but in our family, it's true this year. We're on the final countdown to George and Liz's wedding. According to Liz, George has moved from counting days to counting hours. As for me - I'm counting things crossed off my to-do list (or to be more accurate, counting things still ON my to-do list)!

Just over 4 days from now, they will be Mr. and Mrs. George York. God has blessed them both, and all of us, in their 'togetherness.' It's such a wonderful blessing to see how God's plans for her are being fulfilled. It's truly a case of two becoming one, as we see how George makes her complete. We look forward to the future, as we wait to see what God has in store for them as a couple, a family, and as children of the Heavenly Father.

Last weekend, her friend Kerry hosted a bridal shower for her, and it was great fun to be with Kerry, her sister Sadie, and mother Anne again. Liz and Kerry became friends in first grade, and they were very sad when we moved away just before 6th grade. The girls stayed in touch through junior high, making summer and holiday visits to each others' homes. In high school, they were busier with school and work, but both sang in their high school show choirs, and they looked forward to competitions where they could catch up again with the latest news. When college time came, they were reunited, and spent 4 years as roommates and housemates. Liz went to grad school, Kerry married, and two years later, with Liz's move and new job, they're happy to be together in the same city again. Life brings changes, though, and although George and Liz will be settling there, Kerry's husband, Dan, is being transferred to Florida! They will be moving away at the same time the newlyweds will be settling in. Thankfully -- friendships like theirs withstand the tests of time, and when they do get together, they just pick up where they left off. Today, being across the country is not much further than next door, when you have cell phones and the Internet. Thanks Kerry, Anne, and Sadie for such a nice evening. We really enjoyed being with you!

I'll Give You a Nickel . . .

When the B.maidenname children were very young, our paternal grandfather was a Nebraska farmer several hundred miles away. They couldn't get away often, but as I remember it, Grandpa and Grandma B came about once a year to visit. He was from the old school, and had some peculiarities, but they endeared him to us. He was one of a kind. When he came to visit, we could count on three things. [In the style of top ten lists, saving the best for last, we'll start with #3.] 3. He wore his 'good' (probably felt?) cowboy hat, which he carefully set on top of the lampshade when he arrived, and we knew not to touch it. 2. He carried his toothbrush in his front shirt pocket when he traveled away from home. 1. The most interesting thing to his 3 young granddaughters: He was the only man we ever knew of who wore sock garters. Sock garters! We couldn't imagine such a thing. If you aren't familiar with them you can see them at The Vermont Country Store . When they came to visit, he arrived, took off his hat, and sat down in the living room. We couldn't wait to get to him to see if that was a REAL toothbrush in his pocket, and to lift his slacks to check and see if he had his garters on. He would let us look, touch, and giggle for a few minutes, then he'd reach into his pocket and say, "I'll give you a nickel to leave me alone . . . . "

It could be that you had to be there to understand it, but those are such sweet memories to my sisters, brother and me, that to this day we still say, "I'll give you a nickel if . . . ." When Grandpa died, one of my sisters had the forethought to ask Dad to save us one of his nickels from the change on his dresser, so we each still have one of Grandpa's nickels. A nickel; only five cents; but a lifetime of childhood memories contained within.