Church At Minnehaha Falls

On Sunday, June 15, Sarah and Dave invited us to an outdoor church service their church was holding at Minnehaha Park. It was a lovely warm morning and a beautiful setting to worship in. The day before Davey called, and as we talked about meeting up for church the next day, he gave me a very important message to give to Joe. He said, "Grandma, tell Joe he has to be verrrrrrry quiet!" I said, "I will tell him, Punkin." And, I did. Joe understood the rule and assured us that he would indeed be very quiet!

Now, I expect you all might be smiling just as I am. It was pretty cute, and if any of you think any of us were verrrrry quiet during what was supposed to be the quiet time, you might want to think again.

You see, it seems the park benches we were sitting in were being shared with lots and lots of caterpillers, which Derek called caterpiddows. There is no way the pastor could compete for the children's attention once they discovered the caterpiddows. Between the setting and the beauty of the children's excitement it was the nicest church service I have been at in a long time.

Below are some pictures from that beautiful day!

Church at Minnehaha Park

Children young and old came that day

Joe and me at the picnic lunch following the service

Grandma, LOOK!

Davey and one of the plentiful caterpiddows

Derek showing Joe one of his caterpiddows

Here Joe, this one is for you

Minnehaha Falls.......how beautiful

Beautiful setting .. the falls were great due to us having so much rain this spring

Tom took this picture of me holding Davey not knowing he was also getting the statue of Hiawatha holding Minnehaha in the background..I like it a lot

Dave, Sarah, Davey and Derek going for a family bike ride...well sort of! Dave is training for a marathon and decided to pedal for all of them. Sarah got off after a while and waited in the car. Even with just the two boys I am not sure Dave would sign up to do this again!

We had such a nice day!

Brunch With My Dad

Joe arrived late on Wednesday, June 11. Friday morning, June 13, we drove out to Chaska to pick up my dad for our now traditional meal at Perkins. (In my family, if you do something once it becomes tradition) Perkins is my dad's favorite restaurant and it is also Joe's favorite restarurant. Going to Perkins with my dad is one of the things Joe looks forward to and this time was no exception.

My dad gave Joe what has also become his traditional greeting. "Hi, Joe! You're still a good lookin' guy!" The first time my dad saw Joe on webcam he said, "Hey, you're a good lookin' guy!" To which Joe replied, "Not as good lookin' as you Al!"

The nice story about this particular meal at Perkins is that my dad had just had some dental work done the day before. That is why he looks a little bruised around his mouth. Because of the work he had done my dad had to eat soft foods. This meant he could have his traditional pancakes but couldn't have his side order of four slices (not three slices) of bacon. Out of sympathy for my dad Joe refused...I mean he simply would not..eat bacon either.

I thought that was really nice!

My dad and Joe at Perkins

Me with my dad and Joe at Perkins

Take Me Out To The Ball Game

Joe, Tom and I went over to Sarah and Dave's yesterday to spend some time with everyone. We did good sharing with Jackson. Yep, all of us took turns holding Jackson who settled into each of our arms with minimal disturbance to his sleep. Watching Jackson sleep I think I understand what people mean when they say they slept like a baby. Except for a few wrinkled brows and grimaces as he stretched and yawned, his little face was so gentle and peaceful. I wonder if babies dream? Davey asked me if Jackson has nightmares. I said, "I don't know."

Later in the afternoon, we went outside to play. It was a beautiful day and as we took turns pitching to the boys, we learned how good both boys are at hitting the ball. Below are some pictures from our day.

Grandpa Tom pitching to Davey

Joe pitching to Derek

Derek and Davey had a nice day playing outside

Mommy, Daddy, Jackson, Derek and Davey

Grandpa Tom Holds Two Boys

We went to the hospital to visit Mommy, Daddy and Jackson every day. The hospital hallways were just long enough to pretend they were speedways for Derek in particular. Grandpa Tom found a pretty fun solution to keep Derek from running and crashing and sticking close to us. Derek announced from his perch....."I am taller than Joe!" I love children!

I am taller than Joe

Grandpa Tom holding Jackson for the first time

Jackson Toby Gets Held And Held And Held

(To hear Child Of Mine by Anne Murray, click the play arrow)

Daddy Derek and Jackson

Derek kissing his new little brother Jackson

Davey holding his new little brother Jackson for the first time

Gramma holding Jackson while Davey looks on in amazement

Davey and Derek help feed and entertain Jackson

Joe holding Jackson with Davey close in hand

Jackson right at home in Joe's arms

Jackson's great grandpa holding him for the first time

I love you Jackson,

All my love, Great Grandpa June 18, 2008

And The Phone Rang At 4:00 A.M.

I was sound asleep when the phone rang. The words were out of my mouth before I even answered the phone. "Oh, my God!" I knew this was it! I knew he was going to be born before his scheduled time. He was scheduled to be born on June 23rd, and it was only June 18th. He couldn't wait. I told Tom, "This is it! Sarah and Dave are going to the hospital and we need to meet them there. I am going to go wake Joe and get ready to go!" It was 4:00 A.M.

Joe and I got to the hospital just as Sarah and Dave arrived. (Tom arrived a little later) Dave dropped Sarah off at emergency and I dropped Joe off at emergency so he could walk her to her floor. Dave parked his car and I parked my car. I was in the elevator heading up to the Maternity floor and saw Dave running down the hall. I held the elevator door for Dave and in minutes we were all together as it was confirmed that this was the time.

How does a person say what this moment is like? You wait and wait and wonder and wonder what this little baby is going to be like. We had seen the ultra sound pictures and video and this little baby had his own little presence before he even entered this world. Even in utero he had a peacefulness that could be seen and felt.

Grandpa, Joe and I waited with your daddy little baby until it was time for him to go be with mommy. And, it wasn't long until you were born! How very beautiful you were!






(Tom recorded gramma meeting baby for the first time)

Welcome to my world Jackson Toby!

The Castle In Eagan While Sarah Slept

The day after Joe arrived Joe and I went to visit Sarah and the boys. Sarah, being almost ready to have the next little baby (another little boy) meant she was off to take a nap, and that left Joe and me in charge of Davey and Derek. We had such a good time!

At one point in the day Davey and Derek decided to bring ALL the blankets and pillows from the basement upstairs so they could build a castle. Then they decided to add the blankets and pillows from their beds to make an even bigger castle. By the time their castle was built it was the biggest castle in all of Eagan! It was probably bigger than all the castles in Ireland too!

We learned that castles were not just for living in or looking at. Oh no! We learned that castles were for jumping in going as fast as a little boy can go. The boys took a moment to negotiate how they would do this (with a little help from gramma and Joe putting down some guidelines).

It was decided that each boy would take a turn and the next one couldn't run and leap and land in the castle until the other one was up and out of the way. That worked pretty well for a long time and it was so much fun! Joe's and my job was to keep the castle fluffed up and plenty soft for the landings.

It was a great day!

Derek and Davey negotiating the plan

Davey taking his turn

Davey going faster and faster

Davey going in for the landing

Derek approaching the castle with his sunglasses on his head

Derek wearing his sunglasses for added effect

And, Derek heads into the castle

Believe it or not, Mommy slept through all this fun. She got a nap and Joe, Davey, Derek and I got to have a lot of fun. I am not sure who had the better day!

Joe Is Here

Our friend, Joe from Ireland, is here. He arrived Wednesday night at 10:34 p.m. amidst the threat of high winds, rain and hail. But, just as the mail arrives regardless of the weather, so did Joe!

As Tom and I drove to the airport to pick him up we seemed to be right ahead of the storm and Joe's plane seemed to land safely right after the storm had passed. He noticed no unusal turbulance and in fact pretty much slept through the excitement and concern Tom and I had on the ground.

All I know is it was wonderful to see him and we found each other with the use of our cell phones. We easily got his luggage and were home by midnight. Joe had been up and traveling for 24 hours by the time we settled in for the night.

Yesterday Joe and I went to visit Sarah and the boys which I will post about later today or tomorrow. We had a wonderful day! This morning Joe and I will go out to Chaska and pick up my dad and take him out to lunch. I learned he had surgery on a tooth yesterday and is still on a somewhat soft diet. He thought it would be ok to go to Perkins and just eat the pancakes and skip the bacon today.

So that is it for now! Welcome to Minnesota Joe! We are so glad to have you here. We love you!

Oh Hail!! Just A Little Excitement On A Saturday Afternoon

Yesterday started out as a really beautiful summer day. It was 77 degrees, blue sky and huge wonderful white clouds. We have waited a long time here in Minnesota this year for spring to arrive and walk us into summer. Yesterday felt like the first REAL summer day to me.

I was out and about for the afternoon and about three hours after arriving home I was sitting in my basement talking to Joe in Ireland and his niece, Maria who is visiting him from London, and out of the blue I heard sirens going off.

I looked out the window and the sun was still shining, the sky was still blue and the clouds were still floating lazily in the sky. I wondered what was up and why was I hearing sirens?

Tom came to tell me that a storm was rapidly approaching our area. (It was coming right down the road I had been on three hours earlier). There was wind, rain and hail. I turned the TV on and saw that our county was in a tornado warning.

Usually you can see these things coming. Usually there is a change in the way the air feels, the sky gets green and there is an eerie and ominous feeling. Not this time! I gathered my things that I like to have with me in case of a tornado....my purse, some cash, my phone, bluetooth, phone chargers and of course my ID.

Within minutes the hail starting pounding the house. Some of the hail was an inch to an inch and a half in diameter. It lasted maybe ten minutes and when it was over the decks and yard were strewn with hail and leaves and twigs and little chunks of wood. Below are some pictures of the front and back of the house and one of the big balls of hail. I have also included a video that Tom made while it was happening.

My Mother's Day (A Week Ago Now)

I had a nice Mother's Day. My daughter, Kara, came to church with me. There was a special performance and we were awestruck by the beauty of the service. I will tell you a little about the service below. Following church Tom, Kara and I went to lunch at The Olive Garden and talked and talked.

Just so you know I invited Kara and her whole family. But, the funny part is Kara didn't. She said, "I wanted to just have my mother's day with you and get you all to myself. Otherwise, I don't get to talk with you." So, Kara temporarily left her family to share mom's day with me.

My daughter, Sarah, gave me a beautiful bag with pictures of her boys on it. I will put a picture of that up too as soon as I take it. And, my son Adam, called from SC to say Happy Mother's Day. Tom gave me a digital photo frame which I have to put some pictures in yet. I am looking forward to doing that.

I think my family has me figured out. Every one of them knows how to make me feel loved!

Kara and Mom on Mother's Day May 11, 2008

Below is a portion of the Cantata, "The Weaver", performed at our church on Mother's Day. Tom sings in the sanctuary choir and Kara and I sat in the pew, listened to and watched the beautiful story of "The Weaver".

Ken Medema, the composer, is a musical storyteller with degrees in music and music therapy. He has been blind since birth. He plays the piano and sings what he sees with his heart.

I wish I had a video of the entire cantata. Watching Ken as the choir sang his words and the orchestra played his music was like watching him watch the music inside his darkness. His body knew every note and every word. It was magical to watch him hear and sing his own composition.



My favorite words sung by Ken start about halfway through this video. Here they are so you can read them if you want while he sings.

I see you, I hear you, I speak to you, I know you.
And the sound of your voice can bring tears to my eyes,
and the sight of your face can bring music to my breast, for I know you.

(How I wish I had been able to capture the rest of this part. I just wanted to cry the words and music were so beautiful)

Mother's Day Reflections

It is going to be Mother's Day when I wake up in the morning. I have had a mother. I am a mother. And, I am a mother to two mothers and a son who is married to the mother of his children. I am thinking about three generations of mothers as I look forward to tomorrow. I am also watching a movie on the Hallmark channel about a young mother who will not live to see her child grow up.

I am fortunate. I had my mom for almost 87 years and I learned so many things from her. Most of all, I learned how to be strong and independent without sacrificing my humor, softness and femininity. I learned how to trust my feelings. My mom was a wonderful role model for how to be a mother and a woman in the world.

As I was going through a drawer today, I found these pictures and scanned them in. They made me smile and go back in time. Don't ever open a drawer when you are trying to get something done. You simply cannot stay in the moment when you look at pictures.

My Mother Margaret

My mom holding a little clown I gave her and a potted plant my sister, Linda, gave her

My son, Adam and daughter Kara, with my mom and me in about 1985 in the house I grew up in and all of us loved

Me lying in my mom's hospital bed with her and watching some tv

Mom wearing her coca cola shirt, drinking a cup of coffee and just being her good natured self

SO...................

For those of you who are great moms, those of you who plan to be great moms and those who have great moms...

REAL MOTHERS

Real Mothers don't eat quiche; they don't have time to make it.

Real Mothers know that their kitchen utensils are probably in the sandbox.

Real Mothers often have sticky floors, filthy ovens and happy kids.

Real Mothers know that dried play dough doesn't come out of shag carpets.

Real Mothers don't want to know what the vacuum just sucked up.

Real Mothers sometimes ask 'Why me?' and get their answer when a little voice says, 'Because I love you best.'

Real Mothers know that a child's growth is not measured by height or years or grade...It is marked by the progression of Mama to Mom to Mother...

THE IMAGES OF MOTHER

4 YEARS OF AGE - My Mommy can do anything!

8 YEARS OF AGE - My Mom knows a lot! A whole lot!

12 YEARS OF AGE - My Mother doesn't really know quite everything.

14 YEARS OF AGE - Naturally, Mother doesn't know that, either.

16 YEARS OF AGE - Mother? She's hopelessly old-fashioned.

18 YEARS OF AGE - That old woman? She's way out of date!

25 YEARS OF AGE - Well, she might know a little bit about it.

35 YEARS OF AGE - Before we decide, let's get Mom's opinion.

45 YEARS OF AGE - Wonder what Mom would have thought about it?

65 YEARS OF AGE - Wish I could talk it over with Mom.

The beauty of a woman is not in the clothes she wears, the figure that she carries, or the way she combs her hair. The beauty of a woman must be seen from in her eyes, because that is the doorway to her heart,the place where love resides. The beauty of a woman is not in a facial mole, but true beauty in a woman is reflected in her soul. It is the caring that she lovingly gives, the passion that she shows, and the beauty of a woman with passing years only grows. (This is an email my daughter, Sarah, sent me this week. Thank you Sarah!)

My special message to everyone..........Don't forget to enjoy every single day, love your mothers and your children. Reach out your arms because you are the link betweeen your past and your future.

The movie was Candles On Bay Street.........it was wonderful if you run across it!

A Simple Phone Call From A Little Boy

When the phone rang yesterday I said, "Hello!" The little voice on the other end said, "Hi Gramma!" I said, "Well, hi Punkin. How are you today?" And, then I melted. Punkin had called to say just one thing. He said, "Gramma, I wish you would come over to my house everyday and live here forever!" And, then he went off to play. His mom, Sarah, asked him if he was done talking to Gramma. He was. That is all he had to say. I am still smiling and feeling ever so wanted!

What Are Friends For?

So, I was talking to my friend, Joe from Ireland, tonight. And, he said to me, "You know what is wrong with you?"

Now, what kind of a thing is that to say to a friend I ask?

So, I said with some apprehension, "What?"

He said, "You're normal!"

I laughed.

The deal is I had my annual exam today and while I came away from it with relief and happiness with the results, I recognized I had been thinking about it for weeks. You know the part I hate the most?

Being weighed! I hate being weighed! I said to myself on the way over to the clinic, "Why do you always want to be different than you are when you go to the doctor?" I always think I should weigh less than I do. The doctor has never once told me I need to weigh less.

Joe told me everyone feels that way. There is always some apprehension when you go to the doctor. So, my friend broke the news to me..............

"Judy, you are normal!"

And, by the way, my blood pressure was 110/70 (nice and low) and my cholesterol was 172 overall (desirable is under 200) and my good cholesterol was 69 (desirable is 40 and above) and the ratio was 2.5.

Oh, and I didn't shrink!

I was told I was boring (in a good way), extremely healthy and to keep doing whatever it is I am doing.

Just think....I heard all that good news and it was topped off with being told I am normal. What a day!

Thanks Joe! You made me laugh. I also have been reading that laughing burns calories so I guess I also got my exercise in for the day!

The Last Ten Minutes

Sometimes, it comes down to the last ten minutes.

I was watching American Idol tonight and the phone rang. It was my son, Adam, looking for Tom. But, Tom wasn't available.

So, Adam asked, "Are you watching American Idol?"

I said, "Yes."

He wanted to know who was in the bottom three.

I said, "We don't know yet." I was upstairs getting some chips.

He said, "Do you want to watch the last ten minutes with me?"

I said, "I do! Just let me get my chips and take them down."

So, that is what I did. And, my son Adam and I, watched the last ten minutes of American Idol together. He was in South Carolina and I was in Minnesota.

I loved the last ten minutes!

So, Here's A Question

I was talking with my friend Joe from Ireland today, and he used an expression I had not heard before. I didn't know what it meant.

He said to me as he was playing Spider solitaire, "I just won two games on the trot"

I said, "Did you say on the trot?"

He said, "Yep!"

I said, "That was a new one. What does that mean?"

He said, "One after the other. I won two games one after the other."

So, that was a new one for me. Did anyone know what it meant?

I love hearing expressions we don't use here, or do we and I just haven't heard them. In fact, I have a list of words that they use in Ireland that are different than we use here. I think I will put those up too. Yep, I will. I will put those up soon.

Happy 18th Birthday Josh!

Our grandson, Josh, turned 18 years old on March 31 and almost simultaneously finished up his high school career on March 20. Today, Josh, along with his family and Tom and I, celebrated his birthday and finishing his classes.

We had a good time and I wanted to make it fun for him and just a little exciting.

See if you know what his gift was!

The video is long but oh such fun! I hope you are able to view it and laugh along with us.

Spring Meets Winter

Yesterday, March 31, was an amazing day. It snowed all day and into the night. There were over 100 car accidents due to the snow and today, April 1, showed the beauty of the storm. The trees glistened with the icy snow as the sunshine promised today's melt.

When I stepped outside my door today, the contradiction I felt as spring met winter was worthy of making some videos.

Below are two videos I took of the sounds of the stillness of winter and the song of spring.