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Saturday, February 23, 2013

On the plane

Yesterday, Bethany, Hans and I FINALLY made it to Chicago.  We had about a 4 hour delay in Cincinnati, but God must've heard my prayers because we made it!  I'm so grateful; and today they are hanging out with family, hopefully having a great time with Oma and their cousins.  Here's what the flight looked like yesterday...

  

Bethany was so cute - and tired!

Well...  since I have the day to myself, I think I'll see Beautiful Creatures.  And I hope to get some time in at the exercise room they have here.  Wish me luck - you know I can get distracted!

Love to all...

Missed Valentine's...

 So last week we had Josh get sick with the Norovirus, and then kindly pass it on to Cody and I.  Miraculously... Bethany and Hans did not get sick!  By Thursday we were over our sickness, but Cody and I were still getting back to full strength (literally).  So I missed wishing you all a happy Valentine's Day!

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!  (late...)  

I was writing this yesterday as we waited for our flight out of Cincinnati to take off, and of course everything I wrote is lost.  But the good news is I have a working internet connection, and I can actually upload the pics I wanted to share from that afternoon.  It was a very practical gift exchange; Bethany got new slippers, Hans got a super-soft robe, Josh got ankle weights (which of course broke 2 days later - darn), and I got Cody the first two Twilight books in hardcover.  And socks.  I keep asking what he wants, and since that's the only answer I've ever gotten...  he's gonna be loaded with socks!  And Cody got me the new perfume from Curve - fruity and yummy!

I really wanted to say that - if you're reading this - then we love you very much, and you WERE thought of on Valentine's Day.  As you are every day...

Love to all...

  

  








Thursday, February 21, 2013

Love and other heartaches...

Bethany, Hans and I are off to Chicago tomorrow for Opa's funeral. He passed away Wednesday morning, after a lengthy duration of dialysis and a life of living with diabetes. I only mention this because now – for those of us who know he's in heaven – he will have an eternal life free of pain, with his mother and brother, and all his other family. It's still sad; I told Bethany and Hans that losing a loved one is – possibly – the most difficult thing to do in life. For most of us, we're never ready to say goodbye; even when it means a better life for that person. It's the selfish side of love; well, there are many selfish sides to love, but this one is bittersweet, and comes from a caring part of our hearts.

On the brighter side, we are extremely grateful Obachan is recovering nicely, and that God was watching over her when she needed help (and Richard and Michelle, too – what an amazing daughter!). This year has started off rather rough; people in the hospital, hospice, passing away – sickness and death. But for all those hard things we've had to deal with, so many have been miraculous blessings. My sister had a cancer scare that turned out to be a poorly read mammogram; thank you, God! Josh got terribly sick a couple weeks ago, gave it to Cody and I, but Bethany and Hans were spared – AMEN! Whoohoo!!! Obachan got the medical help she needed right away, and is recovering... how wonderful!

I apologize if this sounds a little 'preachy' (the AMEN; too much??), but it's important to remember all the things we have to be grateful for, and every one of you reading this is someone I'm grateful to have in my life. So I'll be thinking of you, sending a little prayer of love out to you, and smiling inside as I pack a black outfit to say goodbye. Because love never really leaves – it just changes location.

Saturday, February 9, 2013

Skiing Shawnee

We had a great day today - a nice family day we've needed to 'reconnect'. We took our time with the trip itself... Slept in a little, packed up the car, then had nice breakfast at Cafe 11 before we hit the road. Bethany and Hans napped on the drive up here, and then we checked in, had some lunch and got settled. Finally, we hit the slopes, and the powder was awesome! Came back to the resort for some dinner and a movie, and then Cody and I got to do some night skiing; it was like a date! And now everyone is exhausted. Goodnight...

 
  I wanted it to look like I was running into the tree, but - as Josh pointed out - it looks like I'm singing.  A skiing musical?  Could be!

Friday, February 8, 2013

The weekend...

Will be an opportunity to get away and spend some time together!  We went skiing last weekend, at Camelback Mountain, and it was very nice - but there was a snow storm that made it difficult to see, for several hours.  (Plus, skiing is NOT the easiest sport, and we weren't fully ready for more than a day.  LOL)  And it wasn't just me, due to my age!  ; )


Right now the blizzard is coming through downtown Philly; I had dance class tonight while Josh and Cody went to a play (a requirement for Josh's acting class).  The snow was really starting to come down, but just as we passed the airport, it was almost nothing.  So fresh powder in the Poconos tomorrow!  Hahahaha...

Our thoughts are with all the people further north and in Canada who are being hit by the storm.  We're praying for your safety, and that everyone is watched over.  And hi to my parents, down in sunny Florida - THIS is why you're down there!   <insert diabolical laughter>.

BTW...  I did it!  The Social Sec. Admin. acknowledged that I DID NOT have to pay back the overpayment they gave Josh.  YAY!!!!  Thanks Dad, for making me so stubborn.



            

   

       

Love to all...