Tuesday, April 23, 2013

Catch Up

We bought a camper/5th wheel trailer last week. I think our family will make a lot of memories camping. The kids were so excited to take it out this past weekend, Willem probably being the most excited! There's lots of storage, lots of room, a toy hauler for our bikes, motorcycles or golf cart. We ended up "camping" at Grandpa Vic's.


Fun in the 5th wheel!




Back at home...
So fun to have green grass again!

Natasha has her ICD now. She is in the process of recovering. Prayers for a speedy recovery would be appreciated! Also, her throat feels raw from the breathing tube and she is having some muscle spasms. She is brave. She has proved this time and time again. I ams so thankful for her and although it makes me sad she is faced with these heart issues, it is good she now has this life saving device.

I have been looking through garden centers lately. This time of year I just love browsing through these centers, looking and planning a bit. Hazel likes this activity too. :) We need to keep things pretty simple this year with planting and gardening. With a May baby on the way, we know we will be busy with a newborn and with other busy kids. But it is fun to look and so often I am reminded of people when I look at plants and flowers. Fuschias always remind me of my Grandma Dorothy, tomatoe plants remind my of my Grandma Ken. Geraniums and full, thriving hanging baskets remind me of my Grandma Alma and my mom. Nasturims, petunias and marigolds also remind me of my mom.
Papa Stan and Gramma Adie always have a beautiful garden.
Gramma Kris always has fantastic succulents and fun grasses.

When Lesha and I were little, our family lived on the Sunrise Road in Custer, WA. My mom didn't plant much then, but I do remember her planting yellow and orange marigolds.
Different flowers remind me of different "seasons" of my life.

The last weekend I saw my mom we bought tulips together for a bridal shower she was hosting.
She was looking forward to making her front porch cheery and full of spring and had plans to plant lots of flowers again.

Flowers always provide some cheer.
Yesterday my friend Katie gave me a fun spring bucket of flowers! Again, a piece of cheer!

When I have this baby boy, I would love for my mom to be able to be at the hospital to meet this new bundle and to help watch over these three great kids of ours! I wish she could be in Kodiak right now taking care of Natasha's kids as Natasha recovers from her difibrillator procedure. I would love it if she could celebrate her 58th birthday this month... but really, deep down I know - God knows what He is doing. Trusting Him is the best plan. I also think that being faced with loss and hardships makes us stronger and more appreciative, or at least it can. THINGS don't matter, PEOPLE and RELATIONSHIPS do.

And I need to be thankful that God always places people in our lives that can help us get through what we are going through. Natasha's mother in law is in Kodiak now with Lane and Estelle - it is great she could go up there! And I have been so blessed to be offered lots of help when baby #4 arrives.

We have a busy Tuesday in front of us... I better run!


3 comments:

kelly said...

Michele, I wish I could give you a big hug right now! Love seeing you cherishing and enjoying every moment in pictures with your beautiful family and reading your words. Praying for Natasha!!! And for all of you. I think it's such a blessing that you can remember those flowers that mean so much to you and remember the good times.

Leah said...

You and your family have been on my heart so much! I love reading the stories and seeing pictures of your mom, I wish I could have met her. Also, that 5th wheel sounds SO fun!

Debra said...

Flowers remind me of certian people too. Red geraniums (especially the smell of them) & white/lavender hydrangeas reminded me of my great grandma. We spent many summers with her & we lived with her for a yr. while my parents were separated. Until I was 10 yrs. old when she passed away. She was the best thing that happened to me at that time in my life. She ran her house like a drill Sargent up everyday at 6:30, bfast at 7:00, lunch at 11:45, & dinner at 4:30. Lawrence Welk Show on Sat. night. Her husband was in the navy. And I think that's how households were ran back then in time. She had the most beautiful flower garden. Her lawn was like a golf course. Marigolds remind me of my mom now. She didn't plant flowers when I was a kid. Continuing to pray for all of you. Sounds the trailer will be busy making memories for the people in it...how fun! Someday we hope to get one too. This camping in a tent & sleeping on air mattress makes it hard for this old lady to get up...Lol Love you girly!

Wednesday -

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