Author Archives: Ellen

The Swallows

Birds have been very active in our back acres and we’ve enjoyed watching them fly and sit for a while, too.

We have a couple electrical wires that run the length of our back yard and birds perch there.

The colors on this bird are so pretty.

Thank you for sitting pretty little bird.

I’m pretty sure this is a Swallow and they seem to really enjoy flying and they are so fun to watch. Tree Swallow or a Violet Green Swallow?

We’ve been working hard outside and the temperatures are getting warmer everyday. We have a forecast for Saturday in the upper 80’s. We’ve started draining our pond and will have our work cut out for us to pull out the liner. It is a man made pond and the liner is huge and thick and after being covered with water it is very slimy. We rented a trash pump and two 50 foot 3″ hoses that emptied the pond at 400 gallons per minute. We stopped with a few inches left in the pond and will let that naturally evaporate. We plan to fill in the area with material we have on hand and then we will have to bring in fill dirt to finish the space off.

The pond could be pretty but that requires a lot of work that we do not have the energy for. It’s enough work for us to mow and weed and clear brush. We also are concerned about attracting too many mosquitoes or worse yet breeding them in the pond. Last but not least, I don’t want to worry about my little grands falling into the pond.

How’s your May coming?

We’ve Been Quiet…

Our Daughter-in-law posted these words on Facebook this past Friday, the 3rd of May, two and a half weeks after our little JJ was born.

“We have been a little quiet on the social media front lately so felt it was time to fill everyone in.
Jaymison was struggling to gain weight and despite many trips to the Doctor, lactation appts, breastfeeding, syringe feedings, SNS contraption he just kept dropping. Friday after another drop in weight our Dr sent us to Spokane to be admitted into Sacred Heart NICU for further testing. JJ was a mystery to the Doctors when we arrived and all the performed tests came back NORMAL!! After 2 days the little one we shared a room with tested positive for the Rhino virus (common cold) so JJ was tested as well, that came back positive. He has shown no signs of a cold and has started gaining weight. On Monday we were discharged. JJ has continued to gain weight and today is over his birth weight!!

We really want to send a huge shout out to our doctor, nurse staff, friends and family for your prayers and help through the rough times. We really wouldn’t of made it through without all your support. We love you all so much!”

We stopped by our kids home on Friday morning the 26th of April and were concerned that our grandson was very lethargic and our kids were exhausted from trying to get him awake enough to eat properly. Later that day our grandson had another appointment with his doctor and because he continued to lose weight instead of gaining any weight she had him admitted to the NICU ward at Sacred Heart Children’s Hospital in Spokane. Spokane is 70 miles from where we live. Addy’s granny came to stay with her on Friday night when the kids traveled to Spokane with JJ and stayed the weekend with her while her mommy and daddy stayed at the hospital. Our DIL, Laura, flew in from Seattle on Sunday to help watch Addy so that Addy’s Granny could go back to work on Monday. It was all hands on deck between Addy’s care and visiting at the hospital. This was also the weekend my sister Vera was visiting so she got to help, too.  Needless to say blogging was put on a back burner.

I asked some of my blogging friends, family, our church family, the Mennonite Girls and other dear friends to pray alongside us and I’m thankful for all of you. Jaymison is eating better and so much more alert. We are praising God for his improvement. We thank God for prayer warriors who come alongside in times like these.

Our son Josh arrived on Thursday the 2nd of May to be another pair of hands to help and encourage us all. Jaymison has a good namesake.

Addy had the best of care during the hospital stay and the week after with all the doctor appointments since.

Mommy and Daddy are happy with Jaymison’s progress and more at peace.

We all wash our hands a lot and we don’t kiss or touch JJ’s face.

Baba has talked with her God and Savior a lot about our little guy.

Walks with Addy, who’s favorite question is, “go outside?”, have happened while someone besides mommy or daddy is holding JJ.

Laura has kept these special times documented. We took this shot just before Josh and Laura left to the airport to go back home today. I know their extra hands and encouragement will be missed this next week but Dan and Jamie are strong and courageous and will do a good job. We’ll continue to help when and where needed. Addy’s Granny and Great Aunt Rhonda and Uncle Scott are always on call, ready to help, too.

In times like these it is difficult to stay up with dear blogging friends but I know you all understand and have been in difficult situations and different seasons of life that make it hard to keep up, too. Thank you for your understanding.

 

Hallelujah! Christ is Risen

Hallelujah! Christ is Risen

Hallelujah! hallelujah!
Heart and voice to Heaven raise,
Sing to God a hymn of gladness,
Sing to God a hymn of praise;
He who on the cross a ransom
For the world’s salvation bled,
Jesus Christ the King of glory
Now is risen from the dead.

Now the iron bars are broken,
Christ from death to life is born,
Glorious life, and life immortal
On this holy Easter morn:
Christ has triumphed, and we conquer
By His mighty enterprise,
We with Him to life eternal
By His resurrection rise.

Christ is risen, Christ the firstfruits
Of the holy harvest field,
Which will all its full abundance,
At His glorious advent, yield;
Then the golden ears of harvest
Will before His presence wave,
Rising in His sunshine joyous,
From the furrow of the grave.

Christ is risen; we are risen!
Shed upon us heavenly grace,
Rain and dew and gleams of glory
From the brightness of Thy face,
That we, Lord, with hearts in Heaven
Here on earth may fruitful be,
And by angel hands be gathered,
And be ever safe with Thee.

Hallelujah! hallelujah!
Glory be to God above!
Hallelujah, to the Savior,
Fount of life and source of love;
Hallelujah, to the Spirit
Let our high ascriptions be;
Hallelujah, now and ever,
To the blessèd Trinity.

Words: Christopher Wordsworth, 1862.

May Flowers

While we were in Spokane with my sister Vera last Sunday we swung by Manito Park in the South Hill area of town. South Hill has beautiful stately homes on streets lined with huge old trees. It reminds me of San Marino in Southern California.

We walked through the Japanese garden and then hiked over to the Perennial garden. We’d like to go back when the large rose garden comes to life.

Have you ever seen a Fernleaf Peony? Such an interesting plant. The crowned Lilies were fun, too. (Fritillaria Imperialis)

April showers do bring about May flowers! What’s blooming in your neck of the woods?

The next paragraph is for my historical context and if you are very sensitive you might want to look away and not read it.

While Dear was tending the ashes of our burn pile early yesterday morning he had a nature experience he’ll never forget. He was stooped low to the ground and around the corner, at lightning speed, came a quail being chased by a hawk. Dear stayed very still and watched as the quail lost the chase. The hawk bounced further away from Dear and started to pluck the quail with it’s beaks, looking around every few seconds. The hawk kept looking all around and at Dear while it was on the ground. Eventually the hawk took flight with the plucked quail in it’s claws. You know you live in the country when… (fill in the blank).

Mowing Season

Mowing season is upon us. I’m so thankful for our riding lawn mower. We finally were able to start the burn pile today.

Addy had a good view from the inside.

We were outside to see our water feature before Addy had to go home for her nap. After Addy left with her auntie Laura, Dear and I tended to the burn pile and did a lot of weeding.

 

My sister Vera was here for the weekend and she was a hit with Addy. Addy couldn’t say Vera and calls her Sarah. Too cute.

We managed a selfie at Douglas Falls with Vera and enjoyed some meals out on our drives to and from Spokane.

Tuesdays With Moisi ~ Wildomar

In 1983 my parents followed a dream that our Pop had to build his own home in a country setting. On April 9, 1983 after our last Easter in La Mirada, they moved to Wildomar. They had purchased some land in the town of Wildomar.  They lived in a travel trailer on the property while they built their new home. Our pop built a sort of lean to off the trailer to serve as an outdoor kitchen of sorts. Any of us who were able to drive out to help in any way we could with the building process. They lived in Wildomar until 1987. Our youngest brother and sister were still living with our folks and they found this move a tough one being 60 miles southeast of their previous home. Both Leonard and Lana ended up living with family closer to their colleges and employment opportunities, especially during the building process.

The house building progress in late August or early September.

We even enjoyed a very rustic Thanksgiving 1983 in the house before it was completed.

These two photos are current photos of the property that my sister and niece took while in the area a few months ago.

Easter in Wildomar in 1984.

The Easter Egg hunt in 1984.

Vera, did you and Nick make this hot tub happen for mom and pop?

Christmas 1984.

Christmas 1985. I was pregnant with Katie at this Christmas and she surprised us all coming early 2 days after Christmas. Two grandchildren were added to Moisi and Nadia while they lived in Wildomar bringing the total to 12 at this time.

There were many fun adventures for cousins on this property. Our boys were 2 and 4 when Moisi built this home and they were 6 and 8 when our folks sold this property and moved to Yorba Linda, Katie was 2. In 1984 we moved from Huntington Beach to Ventura which was 145 miles from Wildomar so trips were few and far between from 1985 until 1987. Katie was born in Ventura and she was not a good car traveler which made the drive to Wildomar more of a challenge. It was easier for us to get to Yorba Linda for visits when our folks moved back to Orange County in 1987.

Moisi and Nadia made friends in a local church during these years.

Many changes in our family dynamics would unfold during the Yorba Linda years from 1987 until 1997 and beyond.

As more photos become available from our folks’ time in Wildomar I will add them to the post.

At Home

JJ came home from the hospital on Wednesday April 17th.

Great Uncle and Auntie got to see JJ for the first time and hold him on Thursday.

Uncle Andrew arrived and got some cuddles, too.

Addy had lots of memory building time with her aunts and uncles.

The sweetest!

Many hours of good family time during JJ’s first week of life outside the womb.

More news to share as the week progresses. We had a good weekend with my sister Vera visiting us from Southern California. Busy, busy times at our Country Bungalow and beyond.

Come, My Soul, Thy Suit Prepare ~ Hymn

Come, My Soul, Thy Suit Prepare

Come, my soul, thy suit prepare,
Jesus loves to answer prayer;
He Himself has bid thee pray,
Therefore will not say thee nay.

Thou art coming to a king,
Large petitions with thee bring;
For His grace and power are such,
None can ever ask too much.

With my burden I begin,
Lord, remove this load of sin!
Let Thy blood, for sinners spilt,
Set my conscience free from guilt.

Lord! I come to Thee for rest,
Take possession of my breast;
There Thy blood bought right maintain,
And without a rival reign.

As the image in the glass
Answers the beholder’s face;
Thus unto my heart appear,
Print Thine own resemblance there.

While I am a pilgrim here,
Let Thy love my spirit cheer;
As my guide, my guard, my friend,
Lead me to my journey’s end.

Show me what I have to do,
Every hour my strength renew;
Let me live a life of faith,
Let me die Thy people’s death.

Words: John Newton

ht: credit for the wallpaper on the photo of our dear Pop praying goes to my sister Lana. Our niece Melissa took the photo.

Meeting Little Brother

24 hours after JJ was born he and his mommy were released from the hospital. When we arrived at the hospital, Addy was happy to see her Granny and Granny Great in the waiting room. Addy’s Granny works next door at the clinic. We went upstairs to the OB ward and waited outside the doors. It was a sweet reunion for Addy and her mommy, then she got a peek at her new brother for the first time.

Addy wanted to help her daddy with JJ’s carseat.

Another milestone in the books.

Today the weather has changed with some clouds and precipitation. Hope we get a sunny day while my sister is her this weekend. A busy weekend ahead for us. What’s in store for you this last weekend of April?

The Cuddling

On Wednesday morning we had an opportunity to visit and hold JJ before we headed to Dan and Jamie’s to spend time with Addy and get her ready for the big reveal.

I had to add a photo of Daddy with JJ, too, from the homecoming.

We’re having a great stretch of weather here in Colville. There’s been some lawn mowing and weed pulling and other things going on. Hope all is well in your corner of the world. My sister Vera is coming to visit this weekend so our weekend will be sandwiched with trips to the Spokane airport. Spring is a busy time in the country.

From Taste and See, the John Piper devotional, my reading for today included this suggested prayer:

“Oh, Lord, thank you for my faith. Sustain it. Deepen it. Don’t let it fail. Make it the power of my life, so that in everything I do you get the glory as the great Giver. Amen.”