A Really Great Grandma

 Hubby's Grandma Gert passed away last week at the age of 99.  I had posted the picture of the boys with Grandma on instagram and face book without knowing that she had died in her sleep very early that morning.  I had just been thinking about her and I had this picture to share.

Grandma made every grandchild and great grandchild afghans.  The blessing of her afghans was that she thought about and prayed for that child as she stitched.  The boys are wrapped in her love.  These were their second afghans from Grandma.

Grandma's love for her family was very real.  But to Grandma what mattered the most was her love for the Lord.  Her only wish was that each of us knew Jesus.  That we would know, love, and serve Jesus.

She loved to visit and she liked to hear about our lives but our worldly success and accomplishments did not really matter to Grandma.  She only cared about our salvation.

Harry and Gertrude De Groot's Wedding

Grandma had a wonderful sense of humor and Hubby could always get her to laughing.  She made us laugh too.  When we were dating she told us about when her and Grandpa were dating.  One time they rode with another couple and went to Lynden to visit family and friends.  Since they were in the jump seat and it was small, Grandma had to sit on Grandpa's lap on the drive from Everett.  She kept asking if she was too heavy and Grandpa, being a gentleman told her no, that he was fine.  When they got to Lynden, Grandma jumped out.  Grandpa followed but fell right over.  His legs had cramped up but he didn't want Grandma to feel badly about sitting on his lap.  I think she wanted us to know that things aren't always as they seem when you're dating.

Grandpa and Grandma at our wedding

After we were married she told Hubby and I stories about when her and Grandpa were first married.  She loved to read and would prop, Jane Eyre on the wood stove so she could keep Grandpa's dinner from burning but still enjoy her favorite book.  She shared stories with us about their first house when we bought our first house.  Those DIY stories with a low budget that we had in common.

Four Generations 

She shared stories about when she had her first baby, Hubby's Mom, Esther when we started our family.

Grandma's stories always had some humor and usually a lesson for us.

  

Once we had Sam she babysat for me if I had a dentist appointment or a haircut.  Our families didn't live in Marysville so this really helped me.  She had us over for Sunday dinners.  After we moved to Lynden we sometimes went to our church in Marysville to catch up with friends and then to Grandma's house for dinner.

She always sent us home with homemade cookies out of her freezer.  When she turned 90, two of the Jubie girls made cookies with Grandma to record her recipe and method exactly.  A treasure, for sure.

Until last year Grandma lived in her house that she'd built with Grandpa.  It was hard for her to move but she'd gotten so frail.  Now her last move, which was her deepest desire, to the presence of her Lord and Savior.  Until we meet again, Grandma, we love you lots!

HOOAH

 On Friday Hubby and I and Angela drove to JBLM (Joint Base Lewis McChord) to watch Sam's promotion to sergeant.  Since Sam has spent most of his military career in the south or on the east coast we haven't been at some of his graduations or promotions.  Once he got stationed at JBLM this mama was thinking we'd get on base for some kind of ceremony.  Sam's promotion to sergeant was coming up and I had told him that if his mama wasn't there to witness it that the U.S. military would have a war like they haven't ever had in their history.  They change dates and times sometimes without much warning and I was worried I would miss out.  But everything went as scheduled, Sam even got input since his was the highest ranking promotion that day, on the time and the ceremony.  He preferred no Class 1 uniforms,  a smaller group and Friday afternoon.

 I don't really understand why but sometimes they were at attention and sometimes they were just waiting.  I felt bad for one soldier that got in trouble and had to do burpees to the door.  But Sam told me not to feel sorry for him, he shouldn't be so stupid.  Okay.

 We saw where Sam works everyday.  We couldn't  see his ambulance as it was locked up some place where we weren't allowed to go.

 Angela pinned him and Hubby put on his new hat with his new rank.

 The old ranks get thrown on the ground and the new rank literally gets punched into place.  Angela just couldn't punch Sam but later on others gave him a punch.

There were four or five others getting promoted that day.  Sam had helped one of the soldiers so he asked Sam to pin him and Sam spoke about him.  I'm not sure of the rank of the soldiers that spoke when Sam was promoted but very nice things were said about Sam.  Two of his superiors came and talked to Hubby and I and told us such nice things about Sam and how much they appreciated our parenting.  It warmed my heart.  It's what every mama wants to hear.  Our soldier is a good soldier.

Then everyone offers their congratulations to those who were promoted.

 After the ceremony we looked around where Sam works.  We saw his cage.  It is full of gear because of Iraq and Afghanistan, and needing different gear for those places.  Sam didn't go to Afghanistan, that was a case of you're going, you're not going, X20, so he has all of the gear.

 Hubby and I are so thankful that we got to be part of Sam's promotion and so happy he got it.  

I'm pretty proud of my kiddo and all he's done.  Hooah!

Around Here

Hubby has been working on our '57 Aloha travel trailer.  Mostly just taking things apart.  We needed to find out if the ice box and stove can be restored or if there is just too much damage.  I asked our local Vintage Aloha Travel Trailers on facebook.  Their feedback was that yes they can be saved but no one knew who could do it for us.  If you know of someone that can help, let me know.

 I think with some sanding and paint I can fix up the ice box myself but the stove needs a sand blaster, powder coating and a rebuilding of the mechanics.  I'm hoping that they can be saved.

 My favorite patch of little white flowers are blooming under the fig tree.

 It's raining this morning but we've had some nice days to work in the yard.  There is always a lot of clean up in the spring and the grass is really growing.

The blog turned into a travelogue for a bit but that is over for now.  We are playing catch up at work and at home.  It's all good, though.

Easter 2014

 Sam was home from JBLM (Joint Base Lewis McCord) and Max was home from Walla Walla for Easter.  It was so great to have them in church with us for Easter morning services.  Hubby was working midnights so instead of sleeping he went to church and dinner.  Mark and Karen came for coffee and scones after church.  We had dinner at Uncle Darryl and Aunt Judy's house.  They have moved off the farm to a beautiful setting in town.  We had a delicious dinner.

Since there aren't many little kids left Aunt Judy decided to include the teens and twenty somethings in the Easter egg hunt.  They were a little ho hum about it until they heard that they each had an egg with their name on it.  A rumor of cash and the excitement started building.  So then, since we had their interest, they were required to have a group shot prior to the hunt.

Sam got sidetracked by the unmarked eggs since they were filled with candy.

 Sam and Angela had a short discussion on "what is yours is mine".  Not until July 5!

I cracked up when I downloaded the pictures.  

Angela was having a little fun and our photographer took a selfie.

We had a great weekend.  Max brought home tamales from Country Mercantile, so I didn't really cook.  We played some cards, we visited and I did guy laundry.  As we left to go to Easter dinner I put a ham in the oven so Max could take some back to school and we could have leftover ham this week.  

Because you all know how my guys love a BAH (big a** ham).

On My Nightstand

When I take a trip I like to read a book that takes place at my vacation destination.  I had read Molokai by Alan Brennert and so I saved Honolulu for my next trip to Hawaii.  I'd consider it to be historical fiction.  It was a good beach read about the picture brides arriving in Hawaii.

I also read The Girl You Left Behind on the beach.  It's the story of a painting and its owners.  The story went between World War I and current time.  I enjoyed this story.

The All Girl Filling Station Last Reunion by Fannie Flagg is a fun, quick read as usual with Fannie's books.  Having gotten a glimpse, I think I'd like to know more about the women pilots from World War II.  

I'm currently reading Packing Light by Allison Vesterflet.  It's nonfiction story of her trip through the United States and her story on becoming an author.  In the beginning she writes about living in Portland, OR as a young Christian woman.  Portland takes great pride in being open minded and  accepting of everyone, but really the city isn't very accepting of Christians.  She has some good thoughts for believers and for letting go of things.

I checked out A Year With Six Sisters' Stuff.  The recipes look delicious and the photography is beautiful but I'm just not cooking as much as I did when the guys all lived at home so I didn't try any new recipes.  Though everything looked yummy.

Martha Stewart has a new book, Living the Good Long Life.  I checked it out but haven't had time to peruse.  Martha is getting older and so am I, she may have some words of wisdom for me.

I'm always looking for a good read.  I purchase very few books.  Most of my reading material comes from my local library.  I don't really like the accumulation of books or the cost.  For me the best part of using the library is that if I start reading a book and am not enjoying it I just return it.  Life is too short to muddle through a book that I don't enjoy.  

I don't own a kindle but after my last vacation I am seriously considering one.  I ran out of books in Maui and so I hit the resort's book shelf.  I read a romance by Debbie Macomber.  Painful.  I knew the outcome by the first paragraph.  UGH.

What are you reading?

and

Do you have and use a kindle?

Happy reading!

Maui Adventures

 On our trip to Maui we had two days off the beach.  Our first was a snorkel cruise on the Trilogy V.  I was hoping to run into Kai (Sam's friend) but he was on a different Trilogy cruise.  We have snorkeled but not ever taken a boat out to snorkel.  I took my trusty Rugby Meclizine HCl 12.5 mg USP Antiemetic Caplets to prevent getting seasick.  I was fine.  I am a bit paranoid about boating.  I generally go on boats that are tied up at the marina, visit with friends and enjoy a cocktail and then get off the boat prior to departure.  When I signed us up for the snorkel cruise I was thinking about the fish I'd see, the fun we'd have and wasn't really thinking about the boating(usually fraught with danger) I'd be doing.  Turns out, I did better than some others in our party.  The seas were rough, my friend.

 It was a wonderful day.  I saw coral gardens and sea life that was so beautiful, I was in awe.  We don't have an underwater camera and I did regret that because it would have been fun to identify the fish we saw under the sea.  The captain and his crew were fun and took good care of us.  They fed us fresh fruit and cinnamon rolls in the morning and a delicious lunch with salad, rolls, chicken, rice and ice cream sundaes.

I kind of have a hankering to watch the Little Mermaid again.  Or Finding Nemo.

 The next day that we spent off the beach was the Road to Hana.  I took my trusty Rugby Meclizine HCl 12.5 mg USP Antiemetic Caplets to prevent getting carsick.  I was fine.  The scenery was beautiful.  So many people had told us that we HAD to take the road to Hana because it was so gorgeous, and we'd see amazing things.  Blahblahblah...  I'll admit I didn't really want to go since I get motion sickness and it meant missing a day on the beach.  But if nothing else I'm a good sport and I jumped in the car with a fairly good attitude.  All those years of preaching to my guys about peer pressure and I totally caved and went on the Road to Hana.

 We stopped at Ho'okipa lookout to watch the surfers and 

 in Paia for coffee.  Everyone was having fun.  At this point it was all good.  

And then we headed up the road.

Beautiful scenery, for sure.

 We saw waterfalls, lush forests and many other tourists.

I gave up the front seat because I felt pretty good.  Someone, who shall remain nameless, started to feel pretty rotten.  His skin tone matched his t-shirt and he was practicing his Lamaze breathing but we drove on BECAUSE everyone that's been to Maui told us we HAD to go on the Road to Hana.

 More water rushing through the forests and many more tourists.  Everyone in the car starting to feel sick.

WHY?  Because we fell for the peer pressure and HAD to take the RoadToHeck!

 Let's get off this crazy train and go to beach?  Hello!  Yes please, let's turn around, get off this road, get off   this mountain and get back to the beach where we belong.  On our way home we slowed down to see the rainbow trees, deferred getting out the car and shot a picture from the car.  Why waste anymore time in the car when we can be on the beach where everyone is happy, the sunshine can reach us and no one feels like they might have to throw up?

Yes, it's pretty, yes, it's a mountain, yes, there are waterfalls, yes, the road is curvy and yes, I can get all that at home.  If you like being tortured take the Road to HanaHeck while in Maui.

 As for me and my toes, we will stay on the beach.  Aloha.

 This is not a paid ad for my trusty Rugby Meclizine HCl 12.5 mg USP Antiemetic Caplets to prevent getting motion sick.  I don't get paid to write this blog and have no sponsors.  BUT I don't leave the house without my trusty Rugby Meclizine HCl 12.5 mg USP Antiemetic Caplets to prevent getting air sick, motion sick or sea sick.  They are sold over the counter and cost about 4 buck.  Worth. Every. Cent.  Mahalo.