Get ready, this is a BIG famly vacation !

 Keeping the tradition of going with Grampy to get the morning paper.  We came back with a cup of coffee and a melon smoothie

 Getting ready for swim time -

                                          Snuggle time after a long day

                                          Balancing before dinner at
                                  Lake Chelan BBQ

This was before a "big" boy was being a bully to our little man. Uncle was on his feet so fast we didn't know what was happening. But we could hear. And almost everyone on the patio could hear. Let's just say, you don't want to mess with a proud uncle. Get your own hula hoop.

                                 Hula hooping - new best friends,
                                      Rachel and Brook

                                        rolling and rolling and rolling

                                        the girls had to leave so 
                                    who can play with me?  
                     Uncle Shawnyappleseed. to the rescue again

                              We could hardly wait to try
                              at least half of the 24 flavors

                             until we found out it was not ice cream ! 
                          Whoever called soy  " ice cream"  
                                     ( ice cream in the fine print ,                                       no mention of  soy )

                         Reading and gaming with grampy

                             Blueberry HIlls Farm. 
                                     Restaurtant,  
                       Gift Shop and blueberry fields 
My favorite memory of the week happened this morning
 We had just been served our plates of wonderful breakfast delights and asked, Can we pray ?
Yes. With bowed heads Darrell gave thanks. It seemed like the whole patio became a little quieter. I glanced at my little man, Sebastian, and his eyes were shut tight.     That was a sweet moment for Grammy, she will never forget.  

                                           A group effort,
                        but Sebastian is the biggest helper

                                                Manson Market Day 
                            a perfect bouquet for our condo

                                          Danish Ebelskivers - 
                    could never be as good as Uncle Roger's

                          There is a dog at the lady's feet -
                              his bark is twice his size
                                               maybe three times his size

                                       Just your average market goers

                                            When parking under a tree,
                    make sure there is plenty of folage for shade

                          We can see the no diving sign.
                           We can see the boy diving.
                                           Can  the boy see the sign?

Campbell's restaurant, Flowers
and lodging

Mom and Sebastian 

                                                  A view from our deck

                                           Snuggle time with Grampy

                                                   Dining area and kitchen.
                        Anytime is a good time for snacks.

                                                Skyping with the Schirbers - 

                                 Wish you were here !

                                            Let's make a deal Uncle D

                                            View from kitchen window

Good Bye Chelan

                                        

What happens at Chelan
stays at Chelan

 

Three Amazing Events

                                                        Cake of Wonder

     Event:  a 60th Birthday party. Not invited, but enjoyed the photos on facebook. This catered celebration was fit for a queen, just like the guest of honor. Queen of flowers.

                                                         Dinner of Delights

Event:  A birthday party.  Not invited, but my daughter was and she can attest to the fine world of Tom Douglas cooking  ( and to  his generosity in preparing a meal for 30 guests, without a payment. )

                                                   Shower of Blessings
Event:  High Tea for the Bride to be.    Invited !   The Lord provided a beautiful sunny day. The Hostesses  provided a beautiful table and wonderful  treats, teas and coffee. 

                                                Two flavors of shortbread

                                  Strawberries, scones, devonshire cream and lemon curd.

                                           Coffee, good coffee,  very good coffee.

Serene setting for dinner

                                                           or no, probably appetizers.

 The invitation was for dinner, and when we called to get directions and confirm, it was  not dinner,  but probably appetizers.   6:00   Friday evening.

  We had been parked in the driveway for about an hour waiting for the Host and Hostess.  OH, here comes a car  and out comes our Host, but wait, he opens the back and out shoot three boys.  And I do mean shoot.  They are in the house and out of sight, but we can still hear them.  We are ushered into the beautiful home of our old neighbors and he is off to control the noise.  Though only two boys live here, one of the sons has brought home a friend from day camp so there is a little competition upstairs.
We are viewing the 6 acres and our host tells us that each of the kids has 2 acres.  So if they are not getting along, they can head out to pasture.  so to speak.   About now, that sounds like  a good idea.  But wait, our Hostess has arrived with their daughter.  And if the boys are pistols, she is a machine gun.  I am sure she said hello before she was upstairs to make sure all the boys were behaving.   Not!   Down she came and reported.
 Mom was waiting for hellos from the boys and then told the boys to say hello to their guest. Silence.  Number one pistol is out the door and Mom is right behind him.  He is back very fast and I am sure he saw me and said hello because I am sure I saw him pass by and away.
  Mom sits down at the table and motions for me to do the same. The table has a tennis shoe and some magazines in the center, but I do not see anything edible.  Commotion.  Up stands Mom and off to settle things.
By now I see our husbands are heading toward the house from the back pasture and I   tell our hostess she has a lot going on and we should probably be on our way.  ( It is 7:45 and I am sure someone else is hungry besides me-though hostess has a little bag of gummies she is snacking on  ) Her body turns  quickly toward the door and we are walking outside.  It is a few minutes before we see them come around the corner and then hostess is back in the house and we are trying to say our farewells to our Host.  He then goes back to get Hostess and we tell them how lovely their home is.  They are pleased and say we will have to come back some Saturday  and have lunch. Nice  idea.    
We get back into our car and wave.
  It is so serene.

 First word out of Tanner's mouth when he woke up... Papa

                           Later in the day, snuggling with Papa.

Little did we know that when we woke up from his nap his temperature would be up.
                   104 degree and he only wanted to be held.     Dr. visit.   Now day two and
                      still high fever.      We are praying.   So can you.

Lest I forget... We have enjoyed  entertaining and consider it a privilege  having company.  for a meal, overnight, even longer, we both like it.  Like it alot.  We asked if there were any guests coming for the wedding that might need a place to stay.    Yes.  A single man. he was a groomsman and another groomsman and  his wife.      They arrived in plenty of time to enjoy the beauty of the Northwest .    The first night they were in time for dinner and a little conversation to get to know each other.   The next morning activities started with wedding preparation, taking in some of the sights and then the rehearsal dinner.  They stayed busy throughout their stay, sometimes in our company and sometimes on their own.   They eagerly helped in the kitchen and were very respectful and easy to visit with.   One of the fellows walked around the house and with every little detail ( decor,  picture grouping, etc )  he just said, this is fantastic.   Seemed to be a favorite word.     Our greatest surprise and joy was hearing them share their love for the Lord and his Word. One of the men was a pretty new Christian and very excited about  it.    He showed Darrell how to take the carburetor out of the lawn mower and then he cleaned it.  He also cleaned up our computer ( got rid of the kind of cookies you can't enjoy with a cup of coffee )    One tux got missed on the return trip to the rental shop and  the boys were on it. We were very touched to read a card left in one of the guest rooms. Cover: .  Mr and Mrs. Tanner. Best Host ever   inside:   To: Mr & Mrs Tanner Thank you so much for hosting us. I had a great time in Bellevue. Mrs Tanner thank you for taking such good care of me, I feel so welcome by your warm care. Mr. Tanner you are so much fun to hang around. I love your outgoing personality and your hard working habit, and thank you for showing me around and driving me all over the place. Please accept this as a thank you gift.  ( $100.00 ) (signed) May Our Lord bless you for the kindness and joy you have shown to others.  I walked back into the living room to hug our new friend and tried to return the $$.   No,  he said, it is a gift.  I was hoping you would not see it until I left. Shame on me.  I should have thought it through .  The word gift holds a meaning that is very precious.       With a gift, you just accept it.      You say  thank you..  Like God's gift of salvation. You just accept and say thank you.  He had told us that he lives with his parents and has been working for some time as a carpenter.  He injured his hand, and though he had missed some work, was heading back to work soon. When Darrell took him to the airport, he chatted a bit more with him.  He told Darrell that when his parents moved to this country they did not have any money.  For many years they lived in an apartment, but now, he was able to provide a house for the family.   Darrell asked if his parents paid rent. Of course not.he said.  Not after all his parents have done for him. Shame on Darrell.  Not to see the  respect  he has for his family and the devotion  that comes with it. It   has been a few weeks now and I am still touched greatly by the example that our guests showed. Life flies by. I want to take advantage of every opportunity to follow their example

Life has changed

A day in a chapter of our new life

It was Saturday morning and after breakfast I thought it would do both of us good to just  “Escape”   .   

 So, I returned dishes to the neighbors who had treated us with goodies and then the car seemed to head toward the  mall.  

I had Darrell’s new phone with me, ready to be activated.  ( He had been using the phone I had given up about three years ago. Maybe more.  Damon found a cheap replacement online,  so he finally consented to “upgrading” )   Quick and easy.  Thanks Verizon.

 A little walk around the mall and discovered there was a sale going on.  Shoe sale.  This is something I know pretty well.  No flats. No platforms.  No pooinnnted toes.  Didn’t take long to find two pair that fit the right description. 

  I admit I should not go into Papyrus.  That was my first mistake.  The sign said 40% off.   My purchases will make nice gifts ( for me or you ).  

  You can get hungry shopping so I stopped at the Grill.  Courtney gave me fast service and sympathy.  Hard not to chat with the waitress  when you are alone.  She was pretty wild eyed with my story. She even brought  me a large stack of plastic bags. I did not tell her that I needed the HUGE  GARBAGE size to cover all Darrell’s leg, so he won’t get it wet in the shower .   But I did leave her a nice tip.

Time flies when you are having fun.  And I thought I better get back to home base.  Christian and Tanner came for a visit and stayed for supper.  I do not need to write about how adorable Tanner is – you should know that by now.

Our friends Matt and Ellie Sheer are leaving for Indonesia  soon and a farewell   open house  was scheduled for  this evening.  I headed to Westminster to give them my good wishes and was able to load up a plate with at least 7 different treats  for Darrell ( or me ). An amazing family, on an amazing journey 

It just happened that a wedding was  breaking up in the church.  I peeked into the reception door. So  beautiful .   So tempting.  I knew my kids would be a little embarrassed if I took my camera in for photos, especially since I was dressed very casually in rather bright yellow pants and rust colored jacket. So I just turned around and paused by a table with pictures of the bride and groom.   Also, a very cute suitcase was open, with little wedding favors inside.   I was positive my kids would be embarrassed if I gave one to myself. They will be happy to know, I was good.     While heading back out to the car, there on the ground… one of the favors !   So lonely and cute.  So I now have my own little mesh bag with a tea bag, sugar stick and tied with a pok dot ribbon to add to my collection. 

I do not like to pump gas, But I did it all by myself.   Picked out a pie to bring to lunch tomorrow and then one last stop at Bartell’s .  Tully’s coffee on sale. Home.  Many little chores waiting for me. Some things wait for you.

Goodnight to the patient

Darrell's Journey - starting May 17, 2013

Friday morning:  Our house guests had breakfast and were on their way to the conference in Kirkland    
 Darrell had gone to help a neighbor and I was icing my back on the sofa  ( re-injured
 Then the phone  rang, and it was Darrell

Wednesday )

“Hi,  I am in the Emergency room, I cut  my leg with the chain saw, and it’s pretty bad. 
(interpretation: very bad )
They have examined the injury and are waiting for the x-ray results.   I will give you a call when you can come and pick me up”

I asked him where  his pick up was.  Oh, he drove himself.  Only two miles, drove slow in case he fainted.
( interpretation: a miracle.  Stick shift, leg wrapped in dirty towel, very little blood loss.
We exchange a few phone calls.  I try to call all the kids except Anita  who has just left for Europe on a business/pleasure trip.  We will wait to tell her until Dad is home.

My friend Elaine arrives to take me and my salad to have lunch with friends in Seattle.  Elaine does not know how to get there. Tiffany says stay home.  Darrell says go.  Dale  to the rescue. He is in Bellevue and  heads over to Overlake to be with Darrell.
(interpretation:  another miracle of God’s timing.

So  I obey my husband and go to lunch, promising that we would all pray for the patient.
Darrell chats with Dale long enough to  get  Dale  enlisted in  picking up some  “work for Darrell to keep him busy while recuperating “
(Interpretation:  Darrell is not quite ready to  slow down and clear off his calendar.

On the way to Seattle, I get the call. Surgery at 6:30.
Wonderful luncheon. Yes, we prayed for the patient
Home for a massage.  Thank you Kristine, yes you hurt me, but I needed that.
Hospital pre op room –Tiffany and Sebastian have arrived with Damon
 Whole Foods dinner while we wait

         Dr. Nathe has reconnected   the MCL and  3 hamstring tendons. The severed nerve  was left alone. A small chip in the bone will heal itself. Countless stitches in the leg ( 5.5 inch  long gash ) and  then closing the skin . It is all wrapped up and in a long brace – keeping the leg straight for 6 weeks.  SIX WEEKS!

  10:00 Patient is back in his room.  Roger, Barb and Damon and me ,  we say our goodbyes. Nurses like                to visit every 30 minutes all night long. He is in good hands.  
   Our house guests are taking care of themselves and us.There  is nothing like the comfort of
         old friends. Good old friends
( Interpretation: miracle of God’s timing
                             Good night to a long day.

The flowers I bought at Trader Joe's for him and me . A long 6 weeks ahead.