One of the Perks...

... of living close to family is that moms are usually pretty adamant about doing your dishes!

Seriously, though, it was great to have my parents over, this afternoon!  They brought us dinner and finally got to see where we're living, and the kids had a lot of fun with them, as always!

I'm starting to get used to seeing Miah at the sink.  Grace is a super helpful child in many, many ways around the house, but dishes have never really been her thing.  If I work this out right, I'm going to have a dishwasher, after all, though!

L.

Impulse Buys...

This was the coolest bottled water I had ever seen... and I was thirsty... so I bought it...

3 Liters...  99 cents...  Can't beat that (well, unless you drink tap water, which I don't)!

And then there were these...  They reminded me of my Paw and Mammaw...  That's my story, and I'm sticking to it.  They were awfully good, and I didn't share!

L.

Grandparents...

… are great!

We really couldn’t have had the weekend we had without grandparents!  THANK YOU!  We love you all!

 Mmmm...  Big Boy!  We met up with Grandma and Grandpa H. for dinner on the 20th!

 Getting ready to leave Grandma and Grandpa M's.  Ian is crying, because he wants to stay.

L.

"Up"...

Seth and I went to the theater tonight. It was the first time Seth has ever been to the movie theater. He is almost 9 years old. This is proof that children can survive without constant exposure to media...

At any rate, I had been wanting to find a movie to take him to, because I took Grace to see "Kit Kittridge" and Caleb to see "Horton Hears a Who", but nothing had come out in recent months that I thought Seth would enjoy (except Earth which never came to our theater and only stayed in neighboring theaters for one week... we missed it).

"Up" looked rather intriguing to me, and after reading the review at plugged in, I felt that it would be worthwhile. I only read the review for possible negative content as not to spoil the movie for myself. If you haven't seen "Up" yet, you might not want to read this review, as there will be spoilers. My final assessment, though, is that it was an awesome movie... but probably not for anybody under 5 (intensity). Caleb, who is 5, will not be seeing it for a couple of years, and it would have been way too much for Ian.

Well... anyway... we arrived early and bought our tickets and popcorn (gosh, popcorn is expensive stuff). We chose good seats that were far enough away from the teenage population that we greeted politely but did not want to sit with. Ah... the joys of small town life! I love those kids, but this was my time out with Seth!

We sat through what seemed like hours of previews (OK... it was probably 20 minutes) and then the movie began... well... almost. The Pixar short actually began. I thought it was funny, but some people might be offended, because the clouds were creating babies, and I guess that might make them a little bit like God.

I was not prepared for the emotional impact of this movie. For crying out loud (and I did) it was a cartoon. Any adult who has been close to a parent or grandparent whom they have watched lose a spouse and go through the grieving process will undoubtedly shed tears multiple times. However, this theme was so tactfully handled that I'm not sure that Seth really understood it even at his age. It was definitely geared for adult comprehension.

If there was anything corny about "Up", it was the talking dogs. I love Disney, but the talking dogs have been done to death. I'm not sure how the plot could have developed as it did without them, and in the end I was good with it, but in the first talking dog scene I thought to myself that the whole film was going to go South. (I realize that I should have been prepared for the talking dogs, but here's the thing... we don't get any television channels, so I never saw any of the previews). In fact, "Up" did not go South but developed plot lines that I never saw coming.

It is rare to find yourself cheering on an old man who is moving his house across the continent powered by helium balloons... But if you see "Up", you will. I have to admit that I was terribly disappointed when the house fell to, what we assume is, it's demise. But even this is "redeemed" at the end of the film when the camera pans to Paradise Falls and there sits the little house (which really represents all of Ellie's hopes and dreams from the beginning), unscathed, and seemingly unbeknown to Carl who steers the Spirit of Adventure home. But I think he must surely know that "she" is safe...

I have great hope that Disney is moving toward it's next great era. In my opinion, the last great era was 1989-1996 (The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin, The Lion King, Pocahontas, and The Hunchback of Notre Dame). I realize that most people feel as if Hunchback killed the momentum. However, it is here that I will admit that The Hunchback of Notre Dame is my favorite Disney film of all time. And I also think it has to be noted that Disney has always gone in streaks of great movie eras and not so great spans. But with "Bolt", (which I also loved) "Up", the upcoming "The Princess and the Frog" (which I am just praying will be a squeaky clean entertainment option with a decent plot) and the rumored "Toy Story 3" and "Rapunzel", I hope we've hit the next great run!

From a kid's point of view, Seth loved "Up", as well. He probably didn't really understand why Mommy was sniffling through the smiles, but Russell the Wilderness Scout pretty much represents every little boy's dream to conquer the great outdoors (among other things), and Kevin the Mama bird... well, we all want Kevin to make it home!

Can't wait until it hits DVD. This one is a keeper...

Lisa

Really Could've Used Nana Today...

There are many times in which I stop and remember my grandparents. Perhaps you read the tributes I wrote to each one some months ago. I miss Nana the most at Christmas cookie baking time, each year.

Me, Julie, Amy, and Nana Making Cookies:
(I'm not sure why the quality of this scan is so bad. The picture, itself, is great.)

Every year Nan made tons of dough for all of us, and then she let us create in only the way three little (uh... sometimes devious) girls can! I'm tellin' you, we made dozens and dozens of cookies!

Today I made cookies with my kids. I made two batches of cookie dough each, but I didn't let them use it all! Instead, I saved a whole bunch for the upcoming sleepover and snagged some, myself, for the Christmas party tonight. All in all, Seth, Grace, and Caleb each made around a dozen cookies... and we let Ian carry an empty bowl around...

If Nana was still alive, she'd be 92 years old. And I would have called her. And I hope she would have come to make cookies with us. And I hope she would have brought her own dough!

I don't really know for sure if people can look back on Earth once their lives here are finished. If Nana can, she is surely laughing at me today, maybe even shaking her head and remembering the fillings that were lost on the incredible "cookie bombs" over the years. I am sure she would agree that I deserve Caleb's creation shown below, and look... his little hands are still sprinkling:

Seriously, how many sprinkles can you put on one cookie? At least there are none inside:
(Actually, the picture doesn't do this justice, either. The sprinkles are like an inch thick!)

Ah... memories... The stuff life is made of...

Lisa

Tribute to Grandparents, Part 4

Grandpa Ernie… The grandfather I never knew…

By the time I was born, Grandpa Ernie had already lived his life here on Earth and left many years before. I've always wished I had the chance to know him, but I suppose I'll just have to wait…

I don't really know a whole lot about him. I haven't heard many stories, and I have precious few pictures or other clues to help me understand the man he was…

Over the years, I have found a few things that Nana saved. One of those things was a very small gift box that he had addressed:

To: I

From: E

For some reason, I found that to be extremely endearing, and I have picked up the habit of using just my first initial to sign my name to many things…

I have often wondered what kind of grandfather Grandpa Ernie would have been. I hope he would have been the kind of grandfather that my own dad is to my kids. I hope he would have loved me a lot, and I hope he would have pulled coins out of my ears…

L.

Tribute to Grandparents, Part 3

My Nana was incredible. Her life spoke volumes as to what it is to live with kindness and class. Her death was quick and unexpected, and over a decade later, I still find myself not believing that she is gone. I have actually been a little irritated with her on more than one occasion for missing a big family event, because sometimes I still do not comprehend that she can't be there…

Nana was beautiful, even at 80. I can only remember her hair being messy one time. I'm not even exaggerating. It was in 1986. We took a family trip to Cedar Point and talked her into riding the newest ride, Thunder Canyon. Nana was drenched by every waterfall. She got off the ride laughing, and we were all laughing, too, because her hair was completely flat, and she was dripping…

Nana created fun. She would take me and my cousins on rides in the wheelbarrow and never failed to make Owl calls out the window to us when we were playing outside, no doubt laughing, when we looked around for the bird. She colored Easter eggs with us every year (even though Julie and I were mean and gave Amy all the broken ones), and she made Christmas cookies with us every year (even though we created some terrible concoctions that actually broke the filling out of one of her teeth).

Nana lived with me for the first seven years of my life in a little apartment that was attached to the back of our house. Whenever I would run through the den to visit, my dad would say, "Now don't ask Nan for anything!" So, I would burst through her door, climb up on one of the stools at her counter, and in my very sweetest voice I would say, "Nana, you make the best scrambled eggs… or milkshakes…" Nan would, of course, whip something right up, and she always told my dad that I didn't ask…

As I got older, Nana would take me shopping at Dancers for a new school outfit, each fall. When we couldn't decide which one to buy, she just bought everything. Nana always came up with very special Christmas gifts that were just what I wanted. She took me to get my hair cut. And she always brought plenty of lemon filled donuts when she came to visit. I wish I'd spent more time with her then, because I know she had much to teach that I never learned...

Nana loved to travel. Even though I don't even have a passport; I love to travel, too. One of these days (probably when the kids are grown up), I would love to visit some of the exotic places she's been. I have a hula skirt that she brought home from Hawaii, and I have a picture of her with a kangaroo. Not everyone can say that about their grandma! Even though I couldn't join her on her adventures, Nana taught me to hear the ocean in a seashell.

When I got hurt, Nana would comfort me by reminding me that it was a long way from my heart. And I know that a part of her still lives with me there.

I miss Nana. She was always there for me, even when no one else was. She cheered me on in everything I did. I often wish she could be there for my kids, too. And I always wish she was with me at Christmastime when I'm rolling out more cookie dough than I want to be…

But she's still traveling. I'll be looking for her quickly when I reach eternity, because I know she'll have a hug to offer, and then she'll show me all the most exciting places. Until then, I'll keep collecting seashells… breaking Easter eggs… and trying to exhibit just one ounce of class, so that I'll be a little bit like her…

Lisa

Tribute to Grandparents, Part 2

Below is a re-post (with minor editing) of something I wrote about my Mammaw a couple of years ago:

More than half a lifetime ago, Mammaw went to live with Jesus on this date... and I still miss her...

I wish...

That she'd taught me how to sew...

That she'd met Phil...

That she'd seen her four beautiful great-grandchildren...

I wish...

That I had that bandana and T-shirt...

That I'd paid better attention when she was "whipping" potatoes...

That I'd gotten her nose, instead of her hair...

That I'd said, "I love you" one more time... Because I could have...

I'm glad that so much of her personality is in me... even the parts that other people don't understand... because deep down, those are some of the best parts...

On nights like this, I could use a hug... or a trip to K-Mart... or some fried chicken... or a game of chinese checkers... and the list goes on and on, because the memories are good...

I hope she'd be proud of the person I've become... and the person I'm becoming...

And I know she would, because she always seemed to see past my many faults anyway...

I doubt I'll ever...

Shell beans again...

Sweep the street in front of my house...

But I'm glad she did...

Lisa

Tribute to Grandparents, Part 1...

For those of you who don't know, my grandpa (Paw) went to be with Jesus this week. Following is the tribute I gave at his funeral today:

In I Thessalonians, the Bible instructs us not to grieve as those who are without hope.

My grandpa was an amazing man, and so I have a few memories to share…

Paw was fun…

One of my fondest childhood memories comes from when he took me to King's Island. He wasn't an extreme risk taker, and he wasn't a roller coaster rider. In fact, he probably could have skipped on the rides altogether… well, every ride except one… and it was too memorable to ever forget.

There was a super slide there, at the time, that he simply couldn't resist. Mammaw and Mom and I watched as he climbed to the top, jumped into a burlap sack, and gave himself an extra push off the top. Part way down, he was going way too fast, so he put his hands down to slow his descent. He took almost all of the skin off of his palms! This would have slowed most people down, but not Paw. He took a quick trip to first aid, had his hands bandaged, enjoyed the rest of the day, and then drove home, steering with his elbows…

Paw took me, every year, to Santa Claus Train. He created outrageous Christmas scavenger hunts that led to outstanding Christmas gifts. And he carried me on his shoulders, through parking lots, until I was far too big to be riding on anybody's shoulders, and when we arrived at the storefront he always had change in his coin purse so I could ride the ponies. He took me to Frankenmuth as often as possible and splurged on the famous chicken dinner, even though it was never even close to as good as the chicken he could fry up himself!

Paw was faithful…

He adored children, and especially his grandchildren. When I was little I remember him going off to work with his packed lunches that included fruit pies of every variety. He fed me plenty of junk food, and I repaid him with Old Spice for Christmas… every year… well, every year except one… and he never let me forget it…

Paw only had an eighth grade education, but he could recite arithmetic facts in fractions of seconds, he was the only person I knew who could sing the alphabet backwards, and he taught me how to tie my shoes. And, he was a lifelong learner. If you knew him well, you know that he had many questions. But he wasn't like the average person with many questions. He was never satisfied with an answer until he had researched the subject to the absolute best of his ability, and he never just took someone's word for it… well, except for One… and I will never forget it… Paw made sure of that…

Jeremiah 29:13 says, "You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart" (NIV). And Paw sought Jesus with all of his heart… He was faithful to study the written message of God, the Bible, and God was faithful to His promise, because He was found.

Paw was fruitful…

He left a legacy for me… and for my children… and for the many generations that are to come.

There is a lot of my grandfather in me. I am stubborn… and outspoken… and loud. But there's much more to it than that. Paw instilled a love for Scripture in me. He would sit with me and read passage after passage, studying to find out how each verse related to another and fit together in the big picture… the story of God.

He sang to me, under the tree in his backyard… And he rejoiced when I learned to recite all of the books of the Bible in order, in that same place… well, all of the books except one… and he never let me forget it…

Mark 4:30-32 says, "What shall we say the kingdom of God is like, or what parable shall we use to describe it? It is like a mustard seed, which is the smallest seed you plant in the ground. Yet when planted, it grows and becomes the largest of all garden plants, with such big branches that the birds of the air can perch in its shade."

If my grandpa had a life verse that would be it, because Paw was like that. His life was not perfect. He was not flashy… or highly educated… or rich. But he taught me that choosing to live for Christ can bring transforming change, and what you do on Earth matters. And that's one lesson I will never forget.

I did miss a few very important details in the above tribute...

* I have Paw to thank for my nose... and the noses of all of my children...

* Paw didn't like to wear his seatbelt, but I always made him put it on...

* Paw had a knack for mismatching his clothes, and I enjoyed being his fashion advisor from the time I was four or five years old... imagine that... me, a fashion advisor...

* When you really love someone, 80 years is not nearly enough...

By the way, today was the first time I have ever been present for the folding of the American flag at a funeral. Paw was a World War II veteran. The experience was amazing. It's hard to describe anything as beautiful in the midst of such sadness, but this ceremony truly was. It left me feeling so very proud of my grandpa and his service to our country.

I love you Paw. I'll miss you more than I can say, but I know that I will see you again...

Lisa