The World According to Laur

...and then she was five

2009-06-25T13:23:00.000-07:00

We celebrated Dalaynie Jo on Monday...it was grand. She wore a crown and played the role of Princess Dalaynee quite nicely. One thing I noticed....when the brother's are around, Auntie Laur is only needed for her camera..but that is as it should be. They sure all look like thier dad when their faces are together....he would be so proud. I'm hoping he can see them and smile. We missed him at the celebration. But God is good and we are blessed....look at the faces of those Nord kids and you'll know why. Note the pic of the sisters...I'm almost not the biggest one anymore. I'm at 49 lbs and counting...wanted to lose 50 by the reunion, looks like I'm gonna make it...I'm a work in progress. Aren't we all?

The Elgersmas Gather....

2009-06-25T13:11:00.000-07:00

Rob and Jessica were in town so we sojourned to a nearby park with a wading pool. Never has so many little kids had so much fun in about an inch of water! At least they all got wet....even those that were a little over 7 years of age. It's always good to gather with the cousins...

It's Carnival time again...

2009-06-11T11:29:00.001-07:00

Laynee Jo is done with preschool and moves on to Kindergarten next year...she'll be 5 next week! Yikes. Anywhoo, once again we had to attend the end of the year carnival, whoo whoo. Here's some lovely pics...

2009-04-23T14:19:00.000-07:00

Dad had all of his teeth pulled last week...he's getting dentures. I was taking care of the young lass and asked her if she had heard that papa had all his teeth pulled. Her eyes got real big and she thought about it a minute. Then she softly said. "whoa, papa is gonna be so rich"...

I'm Starting to Suck at the Blogging thang....

2009-04-22T13:53:00.000-07:00

I don't know why I've not done this...concentrating too much on my new eating habits, I guess. How boring is that? I've lost almost 26 pounds! Yay. I can fit behind the wheel better, i'm not getting breathless walking from my car to my office and I can feel that I'm carrying around a lot less...so it's all good. Still hard with the eating and stuff...sometimes I'm still hungry, sometimes I'm too full...still trying to get a handle on it. But overall, I am good. Thanks everyone for the prayer support etc. It's appreciated and felt. Easter was good. No chocolate for me, darn it, but it was fun anyway. We also went out for Jaynie's birthday. She got a new car with an automatic door in the back. It was supposed to have a sensor, so after dinner we gathered around and tested it. Here are some pics of Susie and Sam, the only ones brave enough to try. ...and assorted pics of the dinner and Easter. Dalaynee sang with her clas in church that morning, so it was a good day. Hope it was for all of you. Ok, I promise I'll do better...and then when I've done that...I'll try to tackle Facebook....yikes!

Well...I'm back

2009-03-24T18:07:00.000-07:00

Surgery is finally done...now I just have to wait around to get thin. It's very strange to take 1 or 2 bites of something and be so full. I'm still wrapping my brain around the whole thing. I know I've lost some, not sure how much. I go to the dr tomorrow, so I'll let you know. This last weekend we sojourned to Hanford to celebrate the 60th anniversary of Uncle Case and Aunt Birdie. It was great to catch up with thier branch of the family. There were 8 uncles and thier mates in attendance. As a group we just migrated from someones house to a restaurant to church and then to someones house. They uncles played at Uncle Mart's church on Sunday night. It was a jam-packed weekend, but lots of fun...here are some of the photos. Thanks to everyone who sent an encouraging email while I was recovering....it was greatly appreciated. I'll keep you updated with the transformation....such as it is....K?

Jim or John...whatever..

FOUR GENERATIONS!

Big News

2009-02-06T17:29:00.000-08:00

....so the deal was...Jayne would buy a laptop, I would pay for half and we would share it. I'd use it at my house, cuz I don't have a computer at home and she would use it on vacations etc. I think I touched the keyboard once. It never got to my house. Jayne and Layne are digging having 2 computers in the house...so, suffice to say, the deal is off. So, I bought a MAC book. I am not sure I know what I'm doing, but I'll learn it I guess. So, here we go....

Yes, yes, I'm here

2009-02-06T17:09:00.000-08:00

Ok, I have received harassment and threatening notes from cousins I won't name to get on here and post, so here I am. I don't have any new pics to show, so thought I'd share some old ones. I may have posted them before, so if so, sorry 'bout that. This was back in the farm days. Were we not a group of stylin' folks? Yes, we were. Especially my "getting eggs" outfit. Thank God we lived 4 miles from town so nobody saw how we dressed....course, we did have to go to town once in a while...yikes, I shudder to think what I wore on those trips....

another dalaynee-ism

2009-01-07T17:38:00.000-08:00

so i'm talking on the phone with the tiny chick yesterday...we often have long phone conversations if she's not too busy, you see. i asked her how all her dolls and animals were doin'. she said, well ok, baby tracy 2 has a fever - sometimes, auntie laur it's so hard to take care of all my kids ya know. i said, i get it, babe, but what are ya gonna do? she says, well, i'm afraid i might have to sell some of my kids!

i am sure all moms feel that way once in a while. mom would have done it years ago,but she wouldn't have got hardly nothin' for danny....

that little girl makes me smile.

and a merry merry it was...and loud

2008-12-27T12:14:00.000-08:00

mother gave all the kids and danny some kind of pop gun that shot ping pong size balls. at times it looks like a blizzard in the living room. brought great joy. i'm hoping your holiday was as bright...may God bless us everyone...

Calvin getting shot while trying to open a gift (by Jayne and Dalaynee I think) finally firing back

Yup, that would be Jayne and Dalaynee firing at uh, Calvin

Danny's crew - Judy was able to come home from work and be with us on Christmas Eve. 1st time in 6 years. She's happy cuz I was able to find the dog that she wanted. I was happy cuz I got it on sale...

More photos of the T-day Journey

2008-12-05T10:28:00.001-08:00

Kathy and her crew

The first cousins group shot in front of the Heilkema's tree

Lisa working in the chocolate shop..and Dalaynee purusing the merchandise

Don't ask

A nice shot of Auntie Joan

What a lovely couple...a couple of turkeys that is...

What a guy, huh? Does he do this at home, Michelle?

Jayne and Dad making the Police report in Oregon

Lynden Christmas Decos

Faces to be Thankful for....

2008-12-04T18:49:00.000-08:00

We traveled to Washington, and for the small exception of the car being broke into in Grants Pass, OR and the video camera and the Nord's shoes being stolen, it was a good trip. The shoes were recovered, which is good, cuz it was cold and the girls were wearing flip flops. We had a wonderful time with the family...the cousins even bumped up thier Christmas party so that we could be there...what a gracious thing that was to do. There are many more pics to follow...but here are the faces from my Thanksgiving...that I am giving thanks for this year...thanks cousins....we do have fun, don't we?

Ladaynie Jo

2008-11-18T14:10:00.000-08:00

She gets mad when I call her that...I mean really upset...so I don't do it...very often. On Saturday, I had her with me because Jaynie worked in Compton all day. She fell asleep in the back seat and I couldn't get a hold of Jayne on her cell, so I headed for church. Laynie woke up we got out of the car. Jayne's car was there, but she wasn't around. Laynie says I know we'll never find her again..we have to look for her....we better split up. Better split up???...who are we Starksy and Hutch?

I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry....

2008-11-10T20:28:00.000-08:00

Ok, it's been a while...it's been terrifically busy, but that is really no excuse. So, here you have pics of Dalaynee's Halloween parade, Trunk or Treat and Dad's birthday and Dan and Judy's anniversary...in no particular order...see I told you it was busy...enjoy, my friends, enjoy!

Dalaynee and her friends at Trunk or Treat...there were waaaaay too many princesses there! Big sale at the Disney store... here's her highness at the parade at preschool A lot of our staff dressed up like our senior pastor, that's him in the front..it was quite funny

Happy Anniversary Dan and Judy

Happy Birthday, Dad

Dalaynee and her teacher, Mrs. Teri

love those faces...no really I do!

Great way to end the day, huh?

2008-10-28T18:03:00.000-07:00

So, we went on our "joyride" on Sunday night...me and the boys. Half the time we didn't know where we were...we were just heading for the ocean. We finally ended up there and ate Taco Bell by the pier. And the time between here and there was a lot of fun. I do love having conversation with those two...yup, we'll have to do it again sometime. Everybody needs a little "joyride" now and then....

Yesterday....

2008-10-24T11:05:00.000-07:00

...so I'm working reception and "Cinderella" dropped by. Seems there was a sale at the Disney store and Miss Dalaynee and her mom went shoppin'. Auntie Laur, she says, you just look for the big mouse ears ...and you walk right through them! Suffice to say the kid doesn't get to the mall much. She has a costume parade at her preschool...and then Trunk or Treating on that night, so she is good to go....I bet y'all didn't know we had royalty in our family didja? Well, we do...at least in this little girl's imagination.....

...and just like I promised...

2008-10-23T15:23:00.000-07:00

Here are the pics from last weekend...I fooled with the backgrounds for the fun of it...

when the evening was over and we were walking to the car, Cal says to me, "c'mon Lauri, let's just go for a joyride" He didn't have any destination in mind...just put the top down and go. Well, I had to bring the grandparents home, but this Saturday night, that's what we're gonna do...go joyriden' Not sure where, but I'll bet there will be food....ha. I'll let you know....

life is just a chair full of bowlies

2008-10-21T14:22:00.000-07:00

We went to dinner to celebrate Danny's birthday and Bill's birthday and Bill and Susie anniversary. There are pictures to follow...still on the camera, I'm ashamed of myself!. Anywhoo...we went to a place called Ruby's..kind of a fifties diner type joint. They have cherry cokes that are really good. Cal was able to tie the stem of one of his cherries in a knot with his tongue. I said, that talent is gonna make you very popular with the girls ( am i right or am i wrong?) Jayne says, Lauri, don't say that to your 16 year old nephew...Calvin, who still had the stem in his mouth, held up 7 fingers...Jayne doesn't miss a beat..."i mean your 17 year old nephew"......she can't tell me what to do, she doesn't even know how old Calvin is! It was a fun evening...I promise pictures...really I do!

....ain't he cute?

2008-10-08T17:07:00.000-07:00

Here's some pics I got from Danny today.....you'll see from the one where he is a little younger he hasn't changed a bit....mom and dalaynee and jayne are in havasu having a great time. there are times of remembering jeff too, which is good for them. the boys are there too, so it's good for them all to be together...but life here is sure quiet...

Just a quick note

2008-10-02T16:45:00.000-07:00

I went to the doctor this morning and for the first time in a long time, I feel like this is really gonna happen. I met the surgeon. I liked her a lot. She has a very firm handshake. She's done 1700 of these things, so that makes be feel pretty good. They have sent in a request for re-autorization, cuz mine runs out in January, but the dr. told me that all my test results should still be valid, thank goodness...I don't want to do that heart speeding up test thing again! She also told me that once they get the authorization, they'll schedule the surgery and meanwhile, I have to lose as much weight as I can....so there is a light at the end of the gastric bypass tunnell, oh joy. Have a great weekend y'all ...pray for Jayne, first time to Lake Havasu without Jeff. We just seemed to miss him an extra lot this week...I couldn't get to sleep last night, had like a slide show of the past year just going through my head....but pray for Jayne..and Drew and Zack and Laynee. It's gonna be hard for all of them. Thanks you guys, you are the best...but you already know that, right?

and here's the latest on the surgery....

2008-09-30T16:15:00.000-07:00

Last Sunday, i get a message from the surgeons office..."lauri, are you still interested in the surgery"! Idiots. I called them back and said yes, but I'm trying to lose 50 pounds! So on Monday I spoke to another lady who said, well, you don't weigh over 500 pounds do you? I looked down and said, uh no, I don't. She says, ok, with your BMI(mass body index) you would probably have to lose about 15-20 and then we could get your surgery done. WHAT!?! So, long story short, and less cussing, I have an appt with the surgeon on Thursday. They gave me a website for a liquid diet, which I sent for already, cuz it's way more affordable...and then hopefully we will get this show on the road! I keep wondering what God wants me to learn here, I can't figure it out. But I hope I've learned it cuz I am ready to get this done already! I'll let you know what happens after Thursday.....keep praying!

...oh yeah, Cal's cast

2008-09-30T16:12:00.000-07:00

I've yet to get a hold of the young man to see how the big date went. He's not returning my calls.....anywhoo, on Saturday when I brought Sam home he showed me what his dad had drawn on his cast....with a Sharpie...in about 10 minutes. Don't ask me how Danny does it....he's such an idiot with everything else...anyway, here's a shot...

Quite the weekend....

2008-09-30T15:55:00.000-07:00

Well, it started darn early, I'll have you know. Our church went on another Compton workday. The coordinator asked me to be here at 6 a.m. to take pictures of the loading of the trucks etc. Jayne is kind of her volunteer assistant, so she had to be here at 5. I took Sam along to help take pictures and Dalaynee wanted to go if Sam was going, so they both stayed "over the night" at Mom's and I picked them up (bright eyed and bushy tailed) at 5:30 a.m. We drove to 7 different sites (there were 31 altogether) and took shots of people working etc. Sam was a little nervos cuz we took my car and red is a Crip gang color, who knew. We survived. Then I took a group shot with the home owner. Laynee thought she should probably be in every shot...so here's a bunch of Emmanuelights, a Compton resident, and Dalaynee Jo sitting in the front row. On Sunday I went to all the services (3 of them) and took pictures because we welcomed 21 new partners in mission and about 10 kids from our Life Hurts, God Heals (a Celebrate Recovery for teens) were baptized. It was a great day...but somewhere, somehow, I want triple-credit for time served or something, cuz 3 sermons in one day is 2 too many! I took over 500 pics in the weekend...so for this photography nut, it was a good time!

All the folks in the church parking lot....I think we had 1200 volunteers altogether!See what I mean? She had to be right in the front row....When I brought Sam home...Coco wanted to hitch a ride....you can see we have the same haircut

I love my nephews

2008-09-24T16:32:00.000-07:00

Cal broke his hand in football the other day. He's outta football for 6 weeks and has a cast up to his elbow. However, on a lighter note, he does have a date for homecoming. He won't be able to put his arm around her without possibly giving her a concussion, but hey a date is a date, right? Last weekend, when Cal wasn't there, we squeezed the information out of Samuel. He made us swear to secrecy. Then that night, when we met for dinner for the birthdays, Sam slid in next to me and said, don't say anything about the girl, but he might tell you about it anyway, but don't let on that you heard anything from me. So, being the sneaky and manipulative aunt that I am, I grabbed Cal's cell phone and started going through the address book...asking him about several girl's name listed...were they friends, something more, didja ever kiss her etc. Finally, I got to the S's. There it was, the name I was looking for...I said, Cal, what about this Sara chick? His face got all red. Well, actually, he says, I just asked her to homecoming. The table erupted with shock and suprise (just like Sam wanted us to)...I looked over at Sam....he was smiling, just a little bit. Typical Van Hofwegen. So, anyway, Calvin Daniel has a date...and a cast for his first homecoming....life is good, huh?

D and D

2008-09-24T14:31:00.000-07:00

Dalaynee has a great little dog tradition already. When she comes home from school she runs to the back door to let Dayzee in. She puts her hand on the door knob and says to Jayne, "mama, get ready for the exciting part". Then she lets in the dog which proceeds to lick her from head to toe...and she loves every minute of it. So many people ask me how she is doing after losing Jeff etc. I think she is doin ok, we're hopefully handling everything right. One night when she was spending time with me in my office while Jayne went to a meeting, one of my co-workers came in. Laynee said, "hey, did you know my dad died?" When my friend said yes and we miss him, Laynee said, "well we would rather he lived with Jesus so he can be all better and if he lived with us, he would have to be sick some more". My friend asked her what she thought he was doing in heaven with Jesus...."well, said my dear niece, "I think he is fishing and watching fireworks and watching me at my dance receital". Sounds about right to me.

Advice from Doctor Dalaynee

2008-09-19T15:55:00.000-07:00

So, I've got a head cold. I hate head colds...I would rather have a bleeding wound somewhere....a monumental headache....an arthritic thumb.... than have to deal with a head cold. I got a call from the youngest niece last night...she asked me how I was feeling...I said, not great, kid. She said, "well take your medicine and you have to keep taking your naps and maybe you should stay home from work for about 3 days". I told her I'd just work today and then take the next 2 days off. She said "that should be ok".

Did I tell you how much I hate head colds???

Yup, it's the big five-oh

2008-09-18T16:37:00.000-07:00

Yikes, it's true. I'm 50. I don't feel that old, however old that feels. It was a lovely weekend. Mine was on Sunday, mother's on Monday. She baked cinammon rolls, really she did, and all the Elgersma cousins came over and we chowed down. When they sang happy birthday laur, someone said, we wish you many more, don't go out that door, be glad you're not 54...then Danny says "aren't you glad you're not a wh___" Rhyme it out people. Suffice to say, my little brother is an idiot. I'll have to come up with a good rhyme for Danny before October 9. On Sunday, I tried to keep the HB on the down low...and then my friend Theresa announced to all those standing around me at church that it was my birthday...and again with the singing. Very embarrassing. Then at work on Monday, there were signs all over and many well-wishers stopped ..all in all tho, it was kind of fun...thank goodness i have a whole year before I have to suffer through that again...and Happy Birthday to Nate Heilkema, who celebrated his day on Saturday! Us September folks are special ya know...

....at days end

2008-09-11T16:41:00.000-07:00

We made our way to Seal Beach, my cousin wanted to walk on the pier. Whilst they did that, I stayed at the car and photographed whatever caught my eye....

And this weekend...

2008-09-11T16:32:00.000-07:00

My cousin Rob and his family came to visit from Colorado. We gathered at Auntie Carol's for breakfast...in the a.m. mind you. Mighty early on a Saturday morning. We were sitting outside and one of my cousin's kids comes out and tells her mom that Dalaynee is selling rides in her Auntie Laur's car! Kid reminds me of her father a bit...or maybe her grandfather. Anywhoo, I didn't need much convincing to load them up and move them out...twas a grand day...ending at Seal Beach at sunset...but that's another posting...

I know, I know....it's been a while

2008-09-11T15:17:00.000-07:00

Well, it's just been so cotton-picken busy! I'm learning a new part of my job and i've not had a chance to update...I know, I suck. But I am back with pictures to share. This is last week, Miss Dalaynee had a dance receital. She was a flower, don'tja know. She was the best one up there, but I could be a little prejudiced....just a little...

She had to wear a little lipstick....she had to...A little rehearsal time with Dayzee

poor baby

2008-08-21T15:30:00.000-07:00

Laynee got sick yesterday. She had a temp of 104 at one time and started throwing up last night. But the first thing she said to Jayne is "mama, I'm not super-duper sick, am I?...cuz daddy was super-duper sick. Poor little thing thought she was as sick as daddy. Pray for Dalaynee and her mom. There are good days and bad days. Yesterday was kind of a bad one....

we called it a dog warming

2008-08-21T15:02:00.000-07:00

....altho Danny did tell Jayne, "I ain't gonna warm your dog, just so you know". Everybody brought their dogs. Susie and Bill brought Jackie and Gracie. Dan and his troup brought Coco and it all took place at Dayzee's house. There was only one incident where Jackie and Dayzee fought over a chicken bone, but there was no bloodshed. The humans all got along too. Dad even participated by bringing a small stuffed pink poodle in his shirt pocket. It was also a "welcome home from scotland" party for Cal. He showed up wearing a kilt. Very cute. Finally he said, "has everyone seen it...i'm changing into pants". He did say it was comfortable tho. It was a good day and the food was delish and the dogs were a kick in the head. What better way to spend a Sunday, huh?

giddy-up

2008-08-21T14:47:00.000-07:00

We did the pony rides on Saturday with Laynee's best friend, Karissa and her dad. They had such a time, they did. Here's a few photos of the event. Keep in mind, I didn't have my own camera, it's still in the shop, doggone it! I borrowed one from church and it worked ok, but I miss mine. Heard from my doctor and she said yup, it does look like I'm gonna have to lose wieght before the surgery. A big plus tho, is that she can give me a liquid diet of free samples. I won't have to spend the $130 a week like I was doing, so that is a good thing. I'll probably get that next week, I've yet to get a hold of her. So, here we go again....pray hard, people. I appreciate it.

a tiny bit of progress.....argh!

2008-08-14T17:00:00.000-07:00

so many have asked about the status of my surgery...thanks so much for your concern. i finally just got so frustrated and i wrote a long letter to my primary care doctor. explained that i had done all the testing and that they were ready to schedule it...yadda yadda yadda. she called me today. she has this real thick russian accent. she asked how i was, i said ok...she says, i don't think so. she got all the details and then said she would call the surgeon and talk to her directly. so, maybe we are heading into the home stretch. my goodness i hope so...it's enough to make a chick cry, i tell ya. so, i'll let you know what happens.

meanwhile we gather this sunday to welcome home calvin daniel from scotland and celebrate his birthday belatedly and welcome also dayzee nord the dog to the family. everyone is bringing their canines along. pray there is no dog fight in jaynies front yard. hopefully i'll have photos on monday...happy trails folks....

a very profound Laynee-ism

2008-08-07T16:49:00.000-07:00

So they got home and we hugged for a long time. I missed that little kid. We were sitting in Jayne's house and she says suddenly...wait, it's the ice cream man! Jayne and I didn't hear a thing...she ran outside to wait by the tree with her money in her little fist. I waited on the front step and said, I don't hear anything, Laynee...she says, you have to listen real hard for the music. Still, all I could hear was an airplane overhead. I don't hear it, said wise old auntie. She said, looking at me very carefully, "well, see, I have really loud hearing....I guess you don't"

Uh, Nope, I don't.

Good to have her back in town.....

...it sure is beautiful over there...

2008-08-06T17:34:00.000-07:00

Here's the nephew in Scotland. He's only called once, but his church youth group has a website and we got these pics, so we know for sure he's there...ain't he cute?

This is on his birthday...Kryna is that what you call a party hat in Scotland?????

...so it felt like a 7.5

2008-08-05T13:26:00.000-07:00

I made a "little" mistake there on my richter scale reading for the earthquake..it was a 5.4, I think, thank you Becky and Tim..but the sucker did rattle and roll, and that's the truth!

Happy Birthday Calvin

2008-08-05T13:05:00.000-07:00

He may be in a foreign country right now, but we celebrated him just the same. I remember when he was born, it was a day before the Arkansas Family reunion. We didn't know if we would be able to see our first nephew before we left, but God in his infinite wisdom and

timing, let us meet him before we left. He was my first...and what a doll he was. The first

name he said was Lor Lor and we all rejoiced when he said it. As he grew older he would

say he wanted a pair of towboy boots and a towboy hat...when he threw the ball it

was eddy eddy dough!...and we'll ne're forget the famous song he wrote Rex the Fire Dog.

I was so proud...and still am...can you tell? yup, I know. HBCD!

...and they're off

2008-07-30T15:34:00.000-07:00

Mom and Dad and Jayne and Dalaynee are on their way to Minn. for Uncle Dicks and Auntie Mary's anniversary. I just spoke to the niece and she says "Auntie Laur, we drive and drive and drive and then we stop at Motel 6 and then we eat supper at Old McDonalds and then we put on our jamma's and then we sleep and then we get up and have breakfast at Old McDonalds and then we drive and drive and drive". That about sums up a road trip for a 4 year old... Don't think Mom and Dad have made that trip with a little kid in quite some time...should do them good, don'tja think?

And dear Calvin left for Scotland today. He flies for 10 hours to London, then another plane trip to Glasgow and from there takes a train to Edinburough. He's on a mission trip with kids from his church to work at a VBS in a church there. He'll turn 17 while he's there. I told him I want a picture of him in a kilt...He's a good kid. Someone told me just lately, he is just dreamy...yup, that's our Calvin. Oh yeah, we had an earthquake yesterday too...7.4. God's just trying to get our attention, that's all.

Hey there friends and neighbors...

2008-07-17T17:25:00.000-07:00

I know, I know, I have lacked in the posting department. But here I am. We went to a Jana Alayra concert (she sings songs for kids about Jesus) a couple of Saturdays ago. We spent most of the afternoon slouching around Danny's pool, so Laynee's cheeks are sunburned...so here's a couple of pics of that....they aren't the best cuz, oh woe is me, my camera is in the shop and I'm not used to Jaynie's...so here's what I got....

...and then last Friday, we were able to get free passes to the Long Beach Aquarium and for a belated birthday celebration for Dalaynee, me and mom and Jayne and Dalaynee and her friend Karissa "did" the aquarium. It was quite a good time...we were definitely worn out by the end of the day...and we never want to see another fish in a tank..but we all enjoyed the day...as you can see....

...our week

2008-07-01T12:46:00.000-07:00

We had family in town when Jeff passed away...and more arrived for the service. Gerritt and Vonner drove out from AK and Rick and Monique and Gina and Uncle Butch and Aunt Ev came from the midwest. What a wonderful thing. At a time like this you really appreciate all the family around you...I know it helped Jaynie tremendously...and we are thankful. Here's a assortment of pics from the past week...many family gatherings and much fellowship. It was good....

Jeff's service

2008-06-30T16:14:00.000-07:00

It was really cool. Sad, but cool. We think at least 500 people attended the service on Thursday. There were about 50 people at the graveyard and about 80 at the viewing. Jeff would have laughed out loud. Cal and Sam read scripture, they did a great job. Andrew said a word about his dad...Danny helped lead singing and sang 2 songs and Jayne gave an invitation to accept Christ at the end...telling everyone that Jeff was waiting for us...and wanted to see everyone there...it was a mercy-filled day and we were blessed. We'll try and send a DVD of the service to cousins that ask for it...here are a few pictures.....

The Birthdays

2008-06-30T15:24:00.001-07:00

On Sunday was Laynee Jo's 4th and on Friday was Uncle Butch's whatever..( I don't know how old he is) We celebrated with much family on both occasions. On the 22nd Uncle Bob and Dee and their Australian companions were able to join us. Mother served 41 people for lunch that day. Twas a great day for Miss Dalaynee...the uncles played and the children danced. Samuel Joseph joined the uncles and his dad in the circle in the front yard. Three generations were out there strummin' ....it was quite a cool thing. On Friday we converged on the Chicken House at Knotts Berry Farm for Uncle's Butch big day. Dalaynee was concerned about the big roller coaster there and "maybe we should rescue the people that are screaming on there". The kid has roller coaster issues. Both celebrations were grand....

Three men and a cake....ha

The Wedding

2008-06-30T15:15:00.000-07:00

Andrew and Fatima got married on Saturday. They were hoping to do it before Jeff passed away, but didn't make it. It was a lovely day and now they are hitched. Here's some pics of the day. God Bless the New Nords!

a triple celebration

2008-06-19T13:17:00.000-07:00

last weekend we gathered to celebrate mom and dad's 53rd anniversary, fathers day and sam got promoted to high school. lovely to celebrate, hard on the pocketbook. but it was fun. we have sadness overshadowing all of our celebrations because of Jeff, but we try to rise above it...sometimes we do, sometimes we just cry. such is life for our family right now....but God is good and we are blessed...

the dance

2008-06-11T13:59:00.000-07:00

We went to a dance recital for Claire this past weekend. They had 39 numbers. Claire was 21. Dalaynee loved it at first but after Claire was done, she was ready to go. It was fun, but I couldn't get a good shot of Claire, cuz they were moving so much. I finally got this shot at the end. That's her in front with the long blond hair. We were proud! God bless Claire.

hats hats hats

2008-06-09T15:11:00.000-07:00

They have a place in Shoreline Village called The Mad Hatter....this is the side of the building. The characters are painted on the building and the straw hat is nailed to the wall

that little blond head tried on almost every hat in the store...

she is "arghing" on the pirate hat picture...

...and this is Dalaynee's 4 year old photo session...

she'll be 4 in 2 weeks.

at the shore....

2008-06-09T14:37:00.000-07:00

My job during this time with Jeff is to try and give Jayne and Dalaynee a way to escape the sadness for a bit. I took the day off on Friday and we headed for Shoreline Village...right there beside the Queen Mary. We ate hot dogs, fed birds, ate ice cream, played arcade games, sat by the water and (Dalaynee's favorite) rode the carousel as many times as she wanted. All in all, a good way to spend the day. God is good.

Life's a Carnival, My Friends

2008-06-04T17:46:00.000-07:00

Preschool celebrated the end by having a carnival last Friday night...Miss D. was all excited..she never went to a real carnival before. Jeff's boys were able to stay with him, so us chicks "did" the carnival. Face painting, a jumper, a maze, limbo and cotton candy. Not a bad way to spend a Friday night, huh?

a brush with greatness

2008-05-21T13:14:00.001-07:00

Our senior pastor...and his son our pastor have a grandson and nephew that plays for the Utah Jazz. His name is Kyle Korver. His dad is a pastor at a Reformed church in Pella, IA.The Utah Jazz were in the playoffs with the Lakers last week, but they lost the last game last Friday. Bummer drag. But our local paper here interviewed our pastors...along with a picture of the family in the Lakers business office....this is us looking at the article on Sunday...kind of interesting....I always did like basketball....

a very dalaynee day

2008-05-21T13:04:00.000-07:00

I took a vacation day last week to stay with Dalaynee while mom and jayne took Jeff to LA for treatment. The fun we had. We played t-ball, hide and seek, "pinano", did a couple of magic shows....I was totally wiped out, I don't know how Jaynie does it. She says it's because all I do is play with her. All. The. Time. Well, that's my job, ya know. We ended the afternoon by playing in the water. I got wetter than the chick in the pink bathing suit, what is up with that?

Suffice to say....every once in a while, ya just got to have a very dalaynee day.....

mothers day, yeah, i'm a little late

2008-05-21T12:46:00.000-07:00

Just remembered these were on the camera yet. Me and mother took Dalaynee shopping for her mom for mother's day. She walked in the store and says, "hmmm, I need something very special for my very special mama". This big guy standing next to us smiled when he heard that...I just said.."hmm, if only you had some of that special money in your pocket,huh?" We got a candle and flip flops and a ring holder for her dresser...all stuff she picked out. It was a nice day....we all brought whatever fast food we wanted and danny's brood brought cookies. at least mother was happy...that's what it's about, right?

poor baby

2008-05-16T16:25:00.000-07:00

My dear Dalaynee went to Adventureland for a field trip today. It's a kiddie amusement park. Well, I just got a phone call..."Auntie Laur, me and Karissa (her BFF) went on a roller coaster and it was the scariest thing and we prayed and prayed that it would stop and it finally did and me and Karissa are never ever gonna go on another roller coaster...ever!"

Karissa's mom, who went along as a chaparone, said that when the two of them got off, Dalaynee said, "thank you God and Jesus for rescuing us from that terrible roller coaster"

I'll second that.

oh...and speaking of glasses..

2008-05-09T16:58:00.000-07:00

I found a very cool website where the sunglasses are only a penny a pair. The postage is 6.99, but hey, it's still a pair of sunglasses for 7 bucks. They are very cool and not cheaply made. I've ordered a couple of pair...summer is comin people....ya gotta stock up!

http://www.freereplicasunglasses.com/

Check it out!

The "eyes" have it

2008-05-09T16:41:00.000-07:00

Mother needed new glasses. She always wants us to go along, because she can never tell what they look like on her because, uh, she needs glasses. This time I got the bright idea of taking my camera along, taking a shot of her, then letting her see what they look like. It worked really well...and thank goodness Layne Jo was there to help. Mom wouldn't let me post any of the pictures of her in frames...she made me delete them. She is no fun at all...but here's what I did get... I wonder if Dalaynee knows that boys don't make passes at girls that wear glasses...hmmmm

...A Sunday Stroll Down Memory Lane...

2008-04-29T14:47:00.000-07:00

My cousin, Linda Wind and her husband adopted a little girl named Rylee Grace and she was baptized on Sunday. She is a doll. It was great to see Linda and her sister Sue and reiminice about the old days...as Jayne and I left there she said to me...man, those guys really know alot about us...and all the crazy, stupid things we used to do when we were young....and yup, unfortunately they do...but it sure was fun. Susan, leave a comment now...I know you're out there!

a sittin by the pool....from Walmart.

2008-04-29T14:33:00.000-07:00

Got a call on Saturday...Auntie Laur, it's hot outside (90 degrees for heavens sake) and so I know that it's summertime you know...and we went to Walmart ...and me and your majesty got a new green swimming pool...and a balloon named Fran...and now I gonna put on my bathing suit...and I think you should come and take pictures (all in one breath, little kids have big lungs)...so, I of course got right in my car and made my way to the house of the swimmer...and these are the results....yup, it's summertime.

I got there a little early...she was cleaning out the bugs in the pool...in her birthday suit....

A Stitch in time....and all that stuff...

2008-04-16T11:26:00.001-07:00

This is one more shot of LAX on Saturday. Between Becky and Michelle and Mandy and I we had 4 cameras that were all very similiar. Anytime you can spend time with people with four different cameras...hey that is a good time in my book. I was showing them the stitching feature on my camera..and this is what I ended up with. Kinda cool....

Jaynie's birthday

2008-04-15T18:20:00.000-07:00

Last Wednesday when the Nord chicks joined me for lunch...I snuck Dalaynee into the kitchen and we came out with this little bitty birthday cake. Mom and Dad were there too. Dalaynee loves chocolate birthday cake..well, any kind of cake will do..but she loves the celebration that goes along with it most of all...can't you tell?

Saturday @ LAX

2008-04-15T12:37:00.000-07:00

Well, we went to meet up with the Bob and Dee branch...and it worked out perfectly...we walked in...I got out my cell phone to try and call and find them...this tall blond guy walks past...I glanced at him....I recognized Gary..he recognized me..and we both said.....Hey! From then on it was party in the luggage department. Greg went and got pizza for everybody. I found out later that he bribed the cop in front of the airport with a whole pizza so that he could park right in front. Doesn't that sound like Greg? Uh huh, it does. It was great to see them all, chat for a bit and take some photos....and them bid them farewell. Good times,huh?

...a little ed n beck

2008-04-15T11:48:00.000-07:00

I'll post more later from our rendevous on Saturday, but this sequence is a favorite...aren't they a cute couple? Yeah, I think they are....

...afternoon, Beck

2008-04-14T13:55:00.000-07:00

I was so excited to see you guys that my shot got blurry! But I did get some good ones...I'll post them later. It was great to see you all...wonderful way to spend a Saturday afternoon!

Easter Sunday

2008-03-31T18:00:00.001-07:00

I took a lot of pictures that day, but I like this one the best....

Dalaynee and her BFF

2008-03-31T17:53:00.000-07:00

Dalaynee is tight with the daughter of our Youth Pastor. Her name is Karissa.

They have long quiet conversations with their heads close together. They hug

each other in greeting at Preschool and they hold hands on the playground.

Here are a few shots of them at the Easter Egg Hunt we attended...

Goldy the fish

2008-03-21T14:36:00.000-07:00

While Dalaynee's parents have been in Illinios, she is staying at Papa and Grammy's house. On Monday they went to get a fish. This is the kind she picked out and she named it Goldy. As you can see, it ain't "goldy" at all, but I've been told, in no uncertain terms by the young lass, that Blackie is a boys name. Today she wants to let Goldy go so that she can go back to her family. Mom said, we're her family now...I'm her Grammy, you are her friend....Dalaynee cried in great despair...but you can't be her Grammy...you're not a fish.

You just can't argue with that kind of logic.....so why try?

Brother in Law

2008-03-19T09:26:00.000-07:00

Just a quick update to those family and friends that check this thing. Haven't had time to email and Jayne can't get to a computer right now. They are in Illinois and met with the oncologist yesterday. He said that they have already done every chemo and radiation possible. But he mentioned gamma nite (spelling???) That had been mentioned here at the beginning but they said that the tumor was too big. But the dr told him yesterday that thier machine can do it to bigger tumors. So, that is a possibility. The dr mentioned that if they were able to do that, that might put him in remission for 2 years and then maybe there will be something else to try. So, we are encouraged a bit by that. Jayne said the people are wonderful there....they have been talking to a lot of patients, a lot of them are Christians and that part has been great. They will be there until Saturday. She says it is freezing! Poor child. So, that's where we are right now...not great news, but not totally hopeless either. Keep praying...we serve a huge God, he could snap his fingers and that tumor could be totally gone. Wouldn't that be something???

Thomas

2008-03-10T14:47:00.000-07:00

Thomas is one of the guys that Jeff helped when he got out of jail. He met him at a place called Civigenics. This is a half-way house for guys that were formerly incarcerated for usually drug crimes and are trying to get thier life together. Thomas was one of those guys. He had tattoos of horns on his head...which he has since had removed. He is going to school, has a job and is real involved with the Celebrate Recovery at our church...and he attends Emmanuel now too. He has always had a soft spot for my niece...and she thinks he is quite something too. Here they are at Danny's gig at CR Friday night....God is good, huh?

A Day at the Park

2008-03-10T14:21:00.001-07:00

We ventured to the park a few weekends ago, Miss Dalaynee had a time, that's for sure. She calls Jayne "her majesty"..and Jeff "king daddy". And she is Princess Lulu. Don't ask me where she comes up with this stuff. When she saw the pic of her pushing Jayne, she says, that is me pushing Her Majesty. I said, well, who am I then? She says, uh, let me think about it....hmmm. I know, you are Auntie Laur The Great....and folks, don't you forget it!

You Are Not Going to Believe This....

2008-02-29T15:41:00.000-08:00

I get frustrated all over again, just writing about this, but here goes...so, I've been going through every medical tests known to man...and I was talking to the scheduler chick to get a date for my surgery. She was going to schedule it for March 17 and then said, oh wait a minute, I think the doctor is gonna require you to lose 50 pounds first. It seems that now, when you are as heavy as I am, they are requiring that you lose that weight because your liver is so enlarged and they are afriad there might be problems during the surgery. Well, damm. So, hopefully I will be able to go on something called Optifast which costs 130.00 a week and is a liquid diet. They are gonna find out if Insurance will cover the cost. All of my test results are good until July 2, so I have 4 months to lose 50 pounds. Yikes. So, pray for me dear people, I'm gonna need all the help I can get....and once again, we continue on....

She's a dog-chick

2008-02-26T13:51:00.000-08:00

Ever since she was a baby, Laynee Jo has loved dogs. Some of them are smaller than her...and some are way bigger...but she is just drawn to them. We get our hair cut at the home of a girl that goes to our church. She has a dog named Ginger...beautiful thing...but she's bigger than Dalaynee and lives to jump...and my little niece loves it. We finally got them settled on the back step and I got these few pictures....I don't know who is cuter...Laynee Jo or Ginger....

Friday....

2008-02-13T14:39:00.000-08:00

We went to the Valentines dinner at church put on by the Junior High Ministries. They always have a theme....this year is was outta of this world..and they do a skit and take actors from the audience. Jayne got pushed up there because she is our resident drama queen...she played The FORCE in the Star Wars drama...it was a great evening for a good cause...

Saturday...

2008-02-13T14:21:00.000-08:00

We have something out here called Lightshine. It's a big choir made up of people from the different churches in area...they do praise and worship songs and some drama. Jayne used to be in it every year, but quit when Laynee was born....and Laynee loves it and hasn't missed one since she arrived...My cousin Nichole still sings in it....it was cool

Sunday....

2008-02-13T14:09:00.000-08:00

We did the big lunch bash at mom's with all the cousins, so that was fun for a change...nice to see everyone...and the kids thought it was great...oh and Danny's dog was there too. Nice way to spend an afternoon....Here's a shot of some of Gramma Josie's "greats" as she called them...

I've got a good heart...whew!

2008-02-08T14:00:00.000-08:00

So, yesterday, finally, I went and got the stress test for the surgery. It was lovely until they had to put an IV in my vein and couldn't find one. I have this problem all the time. I tell them, I swear there is blood in there, I drove a car, I walked in here..you need blood for all of that right? They poked me in the top of my hand 5 times before one guy took it out of the back side of my wrist. Looks like I tried to kill myself. ..and it hurts like a son of a gun today...but at least they found it. They sped my heart up to 145 (normal is 89 I think) and then checked it...and all is good. So, I think that's it. Just lab work and then we get this show goin...yipeee. I'll keep you posted!

it's addictive...

2008-02-08T13:47:00.000-08:00

I have a new favorite snack...it's called Pirate's Booty. Have you heard of it? Yeah, the name is wierd, but it's really good! I heard some moms at work talking about it, said they're kids love it...so I bought me a bag..and it is very addicting...but not too many calories...so it's all good...

...ok so I'm cheap

2008-02-01T16:56:00.000-08:00

I have a space on the wall in my office at work that desparately needed some decoration. I got a gift certificate from Danny for Christmas for Micheals and got a good deal on a frame and matting...and last night in bed it hit me as to what would be good to put in it. There is a stained glass window in the back of our church with Jesus the Shepherd. I have always liked it, so this morning I went over there and took a couple of shots. This is what I ended up with. I blew it up to an 11x17...and 12 bucks later...I've got something to hang on the wall....cool, huh?

...a little on edge

2008-01-31T16:43:00.001-08:00

I'm still trying to get an appointment for a stress test so that I can get this surgery off the ground, as it were. I keep calling, they say oh, yes, they will call me back..a week goes by. I just talked to them again..she (the lovely office assistant that I'd like to strangle in her sleep) says, can I reach you at this number in the next 15 minutes? Yup, say I, dubiosly believing that she will actually call. What a fool I've been...by the old clock on the wall, I can tell it's been 45 minutes now...and counting. I have a job...people to see...friends to ridicule..I don't have time to chase after this damn appointment! ARGH! Ok, thank you...I've vented...I'm gonna try and call again...everyone, get ready to cross your fingers...1....2...3...GO!

Easy Rider...uh huh

2008-01-23T11:24:00.000-08:00

Got this pic from my little brother today. He's having waaaay too much fun with that bike. Looks cute tho, don't he? Hey, my church..and where I work, has a new website and they have used a lot of pictures that I've taken at various stuff going on around here. Check it out at http://www.erc.la/

Finders Keepers

2008-01-22T14:13:00.000-08:00

My dad find "suprises" for Dalaynee all the time. I think he digs through the big dumpster out in back of Toys R Us. He's gonna land in jail one of these days and Ma said she ain't bailing him out! Anywhoo, he came home the other day with a dinosaur head. Said he saw it on the side of the freeway and killed it and brought home the head for Laynee Jo. So, what else do you do with a dinosaur head, but pose for pictures with it...so we did This one looks like a dinosaur with a bad headache...and no pants. Very scary!

Visiting family

2008-01-22T14:02:00.000-08:00

Cousin Lisa and Auntie Joan came to Sunny Cal this weekend and we had a great time. For those cousins who were traveled to Canada and on the camping trips with us, Jayne and Lisa and I were laughing about our adventures again on those trips. It's always fun to review. So, here are some of the photos taken. It was great to see them...makes me lonesome for the rest of you up north....

Jaynie and Lisa and Auntie Joan wearing one big red top

It Was a Good Day

2008-01-16T11:54:00.000-08:00

We got some good news about Jeff yesterday. The tumor has shrunk a little bit. Check out Jayne's blog for more details. And here's a shot of the women in his life...they don't look alike at all do they?

2008-01-16T11:39:00.000-08:00

When you make a big purchase at Bill and Trac's house, there is always the obigatory going out and looking for it, find out how much it's gonna cost and then report back to Dad. Well, last Saturday me and Jayne and Mom went looking for new couches and a chair for her living room and a new couch for the den. We went to a place called Living Spaces and found some great deals. So, mom dared to call dad from the showroom and ask him to physically come down and look at them. She kept saying "the girls" think these are good and "the girls" would like you to come down here...and on and on. So he came and as he drove into the parking lot, Ma said, Lauri, do your thing. So I proceeded to tell Dad what a good idea they were and that they really needed something new...and he really needed something nice to sit on while he does Word Search etc. He hemmed and hawed about it a bit and then said, ok, go ahead. We are still in shock over here...how on earth did that happen? But here's what she got. The couch up on top there, a matching love seat. This chair

and this couch for the den. It's like a whole new world at the folks place...and we still don't know how the hell we did it!

Rainy days and Sundays....

2008-01-08T11:31:00.000-08:00

It's been raining here...a lot. These poor California people..every weather man is on "STORM WATCH" or "STORM TRACK"...it's rain, people, water falling from the sky, for heavens sake. Here's how Dalaynee Jo handled the "STORM WATCH" at church on Sunday....

and the testing goes on...

2008-01-04T16:17:00.000-08:00

...not a great way to start a new year, mind you, but my doctors office made the appointment so I had to go. Bright and early on Wednesday morning, I went to Fountain Valley hospital to have an Upper GI...I thought it was a high ranking soldier...preferably single...but nooooo. I had to drink this chalky milkey crap while the tech took pictures of my insides....now I hate to have my picture taken...especially when it's inside-out. I got through it. Now I think all I have to do is a stress test, oh joy, and then maybe we can get this thing goin...so, maybe I'll be thin before I'm 60...don't laugh..that is sooner that y'all think! Ok, I will keep you apprised of the sitch....pray I don't get too "stressed" for the stress test...ya know?

Christmas Eve

2007-12-26T15:22:00.000-08:00

Danny and his kids joined us at the 2:30 Christmas Eve services at our church. Dalaynee sang with her pre-school class. It was a wonderful way to start the evening. Don't know where Mom and Dad were for this shot, I think they headed for home to warm up the dinner.....

This was Cal's idea. The four of us with our baby pictures. The most humorous thing was when Cal handed Danny his picture and Danny looked at it in horror and yelled, Calvin, this is Lauri! This one is wearing a dress! ...and look how much Laynee Jo looks like her mama.

Here's Danny telling one of his stories...in other words entertaining himself most of all...nuthing changes.

Cal wanted to prove how buff he has gotten from working out for football that he lifted Mom right off the ground. Mother screamed so loud, we all thought she was dying! Quite impressive, really.

It was a great evening. It even seemed like Jeff was remembering a little more....so we are hopeful and blessed. And that was Christmas 07...God bless us everyone!

Oh Christmas Tree...

2007-12-20T14:01:00.000-08:00

Jayne invited me over to help decorate their tree...and now I know why. Her and Jeff set the sucker up, but me and Dalaynee had to decorate the whole thing (you'll notice the truckload of Laynee level ornaments hung on the front of the tree) while the mom and dad sipped their wine. Laynee said when we were done, "It's so beautiful and magical"....and you now what? It was....no thanks to the parents!

I'm still here...

2007-12-20T13:58:00.000-08:00

I know, I've been dropping the "blogging ball" as it were. Busy days, my friends, busy days. We had our staff Christmas Party on Tuesday at the Home Town Buffett. Was a good time. I asked everyone to gather together for a group shot...and they made me get in it too...I hate when that happens!

Silent Night....not

2007-12-11T14:50:00.000-08:00

Last night was Dalaynee's preschool Christmas program. I had my Canon in one hand and the video camera in the other. It was a kick in the head. Our girl did us proud...and I think she was the only one wearing a hat. I got to sit in front because I was taking pics for our new website at church. When she saw me there, she whispered real loud, Hi, Auntie Laur. It was great! Gloria in excelsis deo!

Yup, We Built a House...

2007-12-11T14:45:00.000-08:00

Have you ever done this, made a gingerbread house? It was a new holiday festivity for me. We had a kit and everything, so it was really cheating, but I can't tell you how many times the stupid thing "imploded" on itself. It would not stay standing! Finally, I let it dry a bit and it seemed to work. Dalaynee kept licking icing off the roof, saying, I just need one more little taste. When we finally finished, she clapped her hands together and said, "Our work here is done" Nuff said.

Fa La Flippin La

2007-12-11T14:35:00.000-08:00

...so Sam is our "man on the inside" and we took him to the mall the other day so he could tell us what to buy for Claire and Cal and uh, him. I hate malls at Christmas.....too much fa and not enough la. But, we were able to see Santa Bill. He is working the Lakewood Center Mall this Christmas and was able to take a break while we were there. Little kids kept coming up to him and many a phone pic was taken....illegally, because they are supposed to pay for that...but Bill was able to sneak a few in...and we got the shopping done, so that is good....but I'm glad it's done!....and I am not even driving by a mall until late January!

it never rains in southern california....baloney

2007-12-03T17:39:00.000-08:00

Yeah, I let her play in the water...and yeah her mom wasn't too happy about it...but I got some awfully cute pictures out of it....that's the bottom line...

...and then we made Rice Krispy things

2007-12-03T17:11:00.000-08:00

Since Jayne and Jeff are watching funds this year, we made Rice Krispy treats for thier neighbors and for Dalaynee's teachers. We wrapped them all nicely in Christmas cellophane and then I made tags for them with a picture of the Nord's etc. Here's some of the pics of those that cooked. I didn't help in that area, I entertained the neice. Like I said, my job. We made just enough for everyone, we didn't even get to taste one! There is a nice shot here of mother licking off the wax paper (she'll hate that I put that here) Ok, enjoy!

Danny's family plus Coco

2007-12-03T17:04:00.000-08:00

Here's a picture my little brother sent me today...thier annual Christmas shot. Nice looking family, huh? Danny and Judy are ok, but look at those nephews and niece of mine! Aren't they gorgeous...well I think so, it's my job....and no, I don't know who Rob and Big are...I think those are the relatives we don't talk about....

...and the testing continues...oh joy

2007-12-03T16:57:00.000-08:00

On Friday I had an EKG, had to climb up on this stupid table and lay flat. Getting up and down from tables is not easy for a chick with too much width and not enough length, but I got her done. The doctor says my heart looks like it's in good shape and I'm still relatively young (thank you very much), but he would feel better doing a stress test, so, 4 days before Christmas I go back to lovely Fountain Valley and take some sort of medication that will speed up my heart ( I prefer liquor or a cute guy) and then they will see how strong my heart is. Good grief, let's get this show on the road already!

The Cook is "in"

2007-11-29T11:58:00.000-08:00

I gave Laynee one of her Christmas presents early on Thanksgiving. She always wants to get in between you and the counter when you are trying to cook. She says, Can I help? and then pushes a kitchen chair across the floor and shoves her way in so she won't miss a single stir....often banging into the shins of certain aunts. So, my belief is that any good cook should have an outfit...and here is her's. Oh Joy, I just remembered, we're makin' Rice Krispy squares tomorrow...ouch

Thanksgiving

2007-11-26T16:44:00.000-08:00

It was a hard day this year. The day was sad because Jeff kept forgetting why we were together, what the day was. And poor Jayne had to keep telling him what was going on. He kept forgetting that he was sick and that his mom died 2 years ago. It's a hard thing for her to do once or twice, but try every 15-20 minutes. It's heartbreaking to see the shock and fear on his face over and over and the sadness in Jaynie's face as she does the telling.....it's not fair. We give thanks for blessings and answered prayer....even when we don't see the answers that we hope for. Dalaynee was a bright light in the day. She had celebrated a Thanksgiving feast in school, so she called everyone to the table etc. She was Miss T-day, that is for sure. We hope for a happier Christmas day. Keep praying.

a little t-day levity

2007-11-19T16:43:00.000-08:00

Don't tell Dalaynee I put this on here...Big Bird was alway one of her favorites. Have a great Thanksgiving everyone!

...so we went to Malibu...whoo whoo

2007-11-06T12:27:00.000-08:00

it was a christmas gift from the yargers...so we had to go. it was a lovely place right on the water...with a great patio. the bird ate right outta ma's hand. she was the only one who dared to let them. not a bad way to spend the weekend....

...and then last night...

2007-11-01T16:07:00.000-07:00

Handing out candy...Papa's favorite thing to do....

We did trunk or treat at church. Laynee Jo made the rounds and then helped me hand out candy. I don't know how many kids there were, but the line went on for miles it seemed like. But it was great fun. Notice our wonderful decorated car. Courtesy of 50% sale at Micheals, thank you very much! Jayne made the ghosts....all together a busy scary day....boo.

Preschoolers on Parade

2007-11-01T15:49:00.000-07:00

So Friday Dalaynee finally got her parade! And what a parade it was. She waved at everyone and said Happy Halloween....and looked darn cute doing it. We were proud!