Cookie Baking Night 07/31/17

Tonight was Cookie Baking Night. In attendance this evening: Ethan, Carissa, Allison, Rylar, and Enzo (and Larry, Clara, and Greg). Tonight was Larry's birthday choice. For supper, he chose scrambled eggs, toast, bacon, and peaches (this was probably an all-time hit for everyone as choices go). For his "cookie" he chose haystacks (aka bird nests without the eggs, aka chow mein noodles, chocolate/butterscotch, and peanut butter--Larry's favorite treat hands down).

After supper, Enzo hitched a ride to the kitchen

There is too little summer weather in Minnesota to waste it indoors. We took a walk to the local gas station for a summer time treat. 

Aww. Cousins helping cousins. 

On the way back, some walked on the brick wall, some walked on the path. 

Some danced. 

I like to call this one "graduation picture board"

It was a lovely evening and a fun Cookie Baking Night, and, as usual, a good time was had by all. 

Cookie Baking Night 07/17/17

Tonight was Cookie Baking Night. In attendance this evening: Ethan, Carissa, Allison, Rylar, and Enzo (and let's not forget Larry and Clara). Tonight was Clara's birthday choice. For supper, she chose french toast (her favorite), bacon, and strawberries. For her cookie, she chose oatmeal cookies.

We were so busy tonight, I didn't take many pictures. 

For our Bible lesson tonight we read from the book "God's Names" by Sally Michael. Our lesson tonight was the name Helper. We learned about God the Holy Spirit in this lesson. 

But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you. John 14:26

We talked about the part that the Holy Spirit plays in our lives.

"Neverthless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away. for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you. And when he comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment." John 16:7-8

Good Bible lesson, and a fun time was had by all. 

Caregiving-Changes 12/14/2017

 In the past couple weeks, I've really seen my Mom's cognition change. It's much harder for her to form full sentences. She's having a hard time remembering what she did earlier in the day or even 5 minutes ago. I find it very hard to watch. I try to keep it together while I'm with her, and then I start crying when I leave her sight. Even things she's always known and been adamant about are not that important to her. We don't think she has a bladder infection right now, so it's hard to know if this is a downward spiral into dementia or an illness in her body that we need to have checked out. I find the mystery of aging to be the hardest part. You're in charge of the care of someone else's body, but you can't feel what they feel, and they can't communicate exactly what they feel either. Aging doesn't get better, it only declines.

Lately, I find myself missing both my parents when I'm gone, wishing I was here, but also dreading being home again because I want it to be better. I feel helpless.

I'm constantly counseling my mind to trust in God. I'm so grateful He knows what I do not know, and He will take care of us.

O LORD, my heart is not lifted up
My eyes are not raised too high
I do not occupy myself with things to great and too marvelous for me
but I have calmed and quieted my soul like a weaned child with its mother
Like a weaned child is my soul within me
[O Israel] hope in the LORD from this time forth and forevermore.
Psalm 131

Cookie Baking Night 07/03/17

Tonight was Cookie Baking Night. In attendance this evening: Ethan, Carissa, Allison, Rylar, and Enzo. Tonight was Carissa's birthday choice. She turned 12 years old just a couple days ago. For supper, she chose macaroni and cheese, tator tots, strawberries, and peaches. For her "cookie" she chose dirt cups (chocolate pudding, cookie crumbs, and gummy worms - mmm).

While I was putting the finishing touches on supper the kids (and Clara) colored flowers to use as decorations in the dirt cups.

The finished product. Pretty cute. 

In honor of Carissa's birthday, we walked to the local gas station for a treat. Uncle Greg joined us for the trip. 

We took the long way back and walked along the brick wall for a ways. 

It was a night full of activity and, as usual, a fun time was had by all.