Beau's Bath

The flies have really been bothering our dog lately. They are taking over his ears, nose, and everywhere else they can stick to. Thankfully, Google helped me find a solution. (Blessing #1163)

I found a bottle at Orschelin's and Chad helped me spray Beau down. Did Beau like his new "treatment"? Ummmm . . . NO! The first thing he did was roll around in the dirt, which became mud on his freshly sprayed hair. But at least the flies left him alone. (#1164) Next time, we'll try a new approach and not let him out of the house til it dries.

In the meantime, Beau earned himself a trip to the Doggie Bath at our local car wash a couple days later.

He fought us, but we won!

If you've never tried the Doggie Wash, it's perfect for washing big dogs. But the best part is that the mess wasn't in my house. (#1165) It works just like a car wash, and you start with the dial on "shampoo," then you switch it to "rinse," then "conditioner", followed by another "rinse" and then "dry." And if you're dog has met a skunk, they even have a "skunk wash" cycle. And if your dog has dry skin, try the "oatmeal" cycle.

The hair dryer cycle made Beau's hair fly everywhere! We were covered with it! We tried not to breath thru our mouths, but that just meant his hair went up our noses instead. Gross!

 

Air Show

Since we live close to the airport, we often get a really early morning wakeup call when spray planes take off and land. But last weekend, we had great seats (blessing #1158) for the big Air Show that took place at our airport. (#1159) We invited our small group out to watch the aerobatics, parachuters, and even a really brave dude who walked on the top wing of a double-winged airplane.

I love when we all get together, but summer is a busy time and not everyone could make it. But those who did got to enjoy some of our homemade ice cream too. (#1160)

 

The kiddos found ways to keep busy in the shade.

Here's Suzy and baby Isaac, all snug as a bug.

 

And Jenica snuggled up in the quilt my mom made me (for my bridal shower 25 years ago - #1161) and snoozed for a couple hours. She was tired from the going-away party she had for a couple friends the night before.

It was a fun afternoon, and I'm glad we didn't have to wait in the long lines for parking, beverages, or for the porta-Pottys. (#1162).

 

When it's Cold in Nebraska, head for Arizona

My nephew graduated from high school in Tucson last week, but our family had numerous conflicts with schedules, and I wasn't sure if I'd be able to make it or not. But I did! (Blessing #1153). My parents planned to drive to Arizona, and they had room for Jillian and I to tag along for the 18-hr drive. (#1154)

The first thing Jillian did was jump in the pool to cool off and wear off some energy from the long ride. The weather in Arizona was nice and hot.

 

My nephew graduated with honors in his class of 300, and it was a blessing to be there, showing him our support. An interesting fact about his class: 56 different nations were represented in his class of 300. That's amazing to me!

One thing about Arizona, the sun rises and sets really early while the rest of us observe daylight savings time. The graduation ceremony was outside on their football field, at 7:30 pm. (9:30 our time) Even though temps reached 100+ degrees that afternoon, humidity was only 4% (a welcome change from what we're used to), and it was a beautiful evening to sit outside as the sun began to set. (#1155)

I asked Chad, "Wouldn't this be an awesome setting for a HS football game?!" If you look really close, you can see the white chairs on the field for the graduates. Here's my brother and his two little ones.

 

Jillian loves playing with her cousins! The little guy looks just like my brother at his age.

We spent four days in AZ with my brother and his sweet family (#1156). Jillian was really interested in all the cacti since she had recently learned about them in school.

Close-up of Teddybear Cholla

The saguaro cactus is an icon for the southwest, and we learned a lot about them at the National Park. They can live up to 150 years or more, and they don't produce "arms" until they're about 75 years old. So the one we stood by for the picture had to be really old.

I wanted a photo with all of us while we were in Cameron, just before we headed home, so I set the camera on the pavement, set it's timer, and quickly jumped in line, not quite sure how it would turn out. And it worked! (#1157). Looks a little like an ad for Diet Coke. Between my mom and I, we had plenty on hand.

Diet Coke & Ice Cream Break

 

Jillian did a lot of swimming while we were gone, but it'll be a while before our weather warms up enough for her to jump in the pool again here. After being in AZ, I am really ready for summer.

Two Reasons to Party

School is out for the summer! (Blessing #1150). Jenica's happy, but Jillian is sad. (Jillian loves school.) Not only is school out, but its also Jenica's 15th birthday! (#1151) I remember the day she was born like it was yesterday. It also happened to be the day she received her first helicopter ride . . . But that's a story for another time.

The girls wanted to do a little laser-taggin', and then we had a picnic courtesy of Flippin' Sweet. On the menu: Pepperoni-beef Calzone and S'More Dolcé. It was A-MAZ-ING! (#1152)

 

You've got to try this yummy dessert! It was SOOOOO yummy! I've got to find that recipe!

The party isn't over yet! We've got all weekend to celebrate. Happy Birthday, sweet Jenica!

Mothers Day Weekend

By now, most everyone knows my favorite place in the whole world to visit is Colorado. So when God gave us the opportunity to spend Mothers Day weekend in Colorado, we took it. (Blessing #1145). Unfortunately, Jenica didn't go with us because she got a better offer. . . . A state soccer playoff game in Omaha. Even though she doesn't normally play on the Varsity team she still went with the team, suited up, and got subbed into the state playoff game towards the end of the game. (#1146) I won't mention the score, but we didn't win.

Team prayer before the game

She had a great weekend with her friends, and the rest of us enjoyed a bit of Colorado. Check out these clouds! The sky was so pretty driving into Colorado. (#1147)

Of course, we had to stop at the sign for a picture. Jillian saw it as another opportunity to show off another version of her gymnastics salute.

Besides eating at some yummy restaurants, we did some hiking at the Red Rocks Park. (#1148)

 

Shall we salute?

 

Jillian shows off her salute . . . Again.

And again . . .

And again. The whole time saying, "I've always dreamed of doing this! I love it here! We should move to Colorado!" (Atta girl, Jillie!)

When the Red Rocks Amphitheater isn't being used for a concert, fitness junkies come here to get in a strenuous workout. We don't fall into that category. We got a thigh burn just walking up the 70 rows of bleachers. I'm amazed at all the people who go there for a really good (free) workout. Crazy people! But the view is awesome!! (#1149)

Celebrate!

Jillian turned 9 this month (Blessing #1139) and for her birthday we decided to try and make a balance beam for her. I found a DIY website that made the beam construction sound pretty easy(#1140), so we got the supplies (after procrastinating several days) and began construction (after procrastinating some more) 2 days before the big day. Plenty of time!

 

First, we glued 6 8-ft 6x1 boards together. Then we enlisted the help of our handy neighbor to plane the boards to make them even and smooth. (Thanks, Mr Lum!). And then Jacob and Chad attached the legs.

Next, I wrapped it with padding and imitation leather, and Waa-Laa!

This is how you hug a balance beam!

Jillian spent the next 2 days celebrating. (#1141) After school that Friday, Jillian had a party at Gutterz Bowling with 8 extremely energetic little friends (the longest 2 hours of my day).

Jacob & Jenica even found a spot in this photo

And then we picked up Jillian's special friend Marilyn and took her to McDonalds for supper. Marilyn loves Jillian and sits by us in church every Sunday. Marilyn had been looking forward to Jillian's birthday just as much as Jillian. Jillian and her friend Ava provided the entertainment for everyone at McDonalds that night....just ask the Stratton's. (#1142)

Jillian, Ava, Marilyn

The next day, we celebrated her long-anticipated birthday with our families that lives close by. (#1143) Since my nephew Adam had a birthday the same week, we celebrated his birthday also (#1144). As you can see, Jillian got into the play makeup before we lit the candles.

Jillian (9) & Adam (8)

 

Twelve Eggs

That's how many egg whites it took to make my first home-made Angel Food Cake last week. Because the 2-step Angel Food Cake Mix is easy-peasy, I never really desired to make one from scratch. But this year we hosted Easter (Blessing #1136), and since my mom is allergic to the preservatives found in the boxed kind, I wanted to attempt baking one from scratch so she could eat some too.

 

The result? It looked beautiful and tasted wonderful! (#1137) I don't think I'll ever go back to boxed angel food cake again.

It was so easy to cut, and unlike the boxed kind, it didn't get all squished up when I sliced it. (#1138).

Now, what do I make with the 12 leftover egg yolks?

He Is Risen!

He is risen indeed!

 

 

We sang this song at church today - it's one of my favorites. (Blessing #1132) Even though we face many trials in this world, we can take our eyes and lift them up. Up to heaven, where we will one day be with Jesus for all of eternity. (#1133) It's sometimes easy to get caught up in the hard things we face, but we can readjust our focus on what really matters - Eternity - and then the things that seemed so big, all of a sudden become very small. (#1134) The best is yet to come (#1135), and I look forward to the day when God restores everything back to the way it was meant to be.

No more tears, no more shame.

No more sin and sorrow ever known again.

No more fears, no more pain.

We will see you face to face. See you face to face.

And we will worship. Worship.

Forever in your presence we will sing.

We will worship, worship you.

An endless Hallelujah to the King.

An endless Hallelujah to the King.

 

Beau Joins Our Family

After Rollie died in December, we knew that it would take some time for our family to move forward and add a new dog to our family. It was a hard wait for Jillian, but the day finally arrived. (Blessing #1128) We really wanted to adopt a dog from a shelter, and after speaking to the gals at Heartland Pet Connection in Hastings, we knew we found the right place. (#1129)

We were really impressed with how they work with their pets, teaching them skills, helping them overcome adversities, and prepare them for a successful transition into their new families. And this is where we found Beau. (#1130). He's a year-and-a-half, beautiful yellow Lab. He's a bit shy, but just in the time we spent with him at the shelter, he's already developing an attachment to us . . . especially Jenica.

His favorite place to lay down is a small little corner of the living room, between Chad's lazy-boy and the couch. It must feel "safe" to him right now.

He had a big day yesterday as he was introduced to life outside the shelter. And he's gettin' lots of love in his new forever family. (#1131)

Soccer and Singing

It's spring! But the weather sure hasn't felt very spring-like lately. Tuesday, the sun was shining (blessing #1121), but the cold wind kept us wrapped in blankets during Jenica's first JV soccer game of the season. "Bundle up, snuggle-cup", as Jillian would say.  She likes to make up silly rhymes. (#1122)

Because Jenica's game and Jillian's spring concert were scheduled for the same night, about 30 minutes apart, I was only able to see half of the JV game before it was time to get Jillian over to The Tassel for her Spring Music Porgram. Chad was coaching the boys team on the adjacent field and was able to switch fields for a while so he could watch Jenica play her first half. I'm grateful it was a home game, and that Chad and I were both able to see part of her first game. (#1123)

Mrs. Butler always does a great job with her kiddos, and we could tell they were having fun. (#1124) Jillian's favorite song (and mine too) was the one called "Fireflies". Each of the 2nd graders had flashlights that they flashed on and off while singing when they dimmed the lights. It looked like fireflies were fluttering around on stage. Too cute!

After the program, Jillian searched and searched and proudly showed us her 4 pieces of artwork, which were on display in the foyer. (#1125)

Jenica's game ended just in time for her to walk across and catch Jillian's portion of the program. (#1126) The bad news of the day was that my nephew Xander (also a 2nd grader) got sick earlier in the day and missed the program. Things like that can't be avoided, but it sure creates some sad moments for both mamma and child.

As I sat watching the kids and enjoying the program, I happened to notice several of the boys yawning off and on while trying to sing. And those yawns took me back in time about 14 years to when Jacob was a little boy and yawned his way through music programs too. Flashbacks like these are always a welcome gift. (#1127)