Another one of those baby shots

Ok, how about another baby picture? He's started to smile now and he doesn't need too much coaxing to get a grin out of him. I will have to get a picture of the pretty cute dimple he has on his chin too. What's that called? (you know, like the one Kurt Douglas has on his chin)

It used to be that the meaning of a name was thought to determine a lot about that child's character. For instance, the name Ronald means "ruler's counselor." I think that might easily describe my Ronald. Somebody who isn't afraid to give a leader some advice! Jeremiah means the "Lord exalts" It will be interesting to see how this child lives up to his name! Of course the other two grandsons will have plenty to live up to as well. How about Isaiah: "salvation of God; the Lord helps me" or the even rarer name Phinehas: "oracle". Wow! Can't wait to watch them grow into these names.

East going south

Have you ever happily been totally and completely wrong and when you figure it out you're in such a tangle you have no idea how that could have even happened? Wonder what I'm talking about? I got lost on the way to a place I know how to get to with my eyes closed. Yikes! All of a sudden I realize as I'm driving along, that i don't have a clue as to where i am. My mirror compass says I'm going south. I thought this place was east. At least it always used to be. Maybe you really do have to go south to go east....hmmmm. Keep driving. No wait. Turn left here at least make an attempt at east. Now I really don't know where I am and I'm doing that on a gravel road to boot. How did this happen? Talk about being discombobulated!! When I finally run into a road sign that I recognize I'm 10 miles in the wrong direction! And it's not even a nice day for a drive. I have to BE THERE! How to get from this spot to that without going back the same way is my next trick. I actually have to get the map out. Bother. That was a half hour waste and I'm not even sure how it happened. I might need to pay attention when I'm driving!!

A Six week old

We had a great opportunity to see our newest grandson this week. It was wonderful! He is growing and more aware of what's going on around him. I'm sure that everytime we see him he will be so much bigger and changed than at our last visit! He is starting to smile. He sleeps longer stretches. He loves music and hanging out with his mom. But he didn't have any problem with letting his grandparents feed him, burp him, change him, or sing to him! (He got in on his grandpa's songs, even, poor kid!) But I have to say, we love seeing the big kids, too. They make the weekend just as much fun as the little one does.

Is it Fall yet?

I have been enjoying these cool mornings for walks. It does make me think a bit of fall, but the leaves don't seem to be cooperating around here. When we took our trip to Minneapolis at least the trees along the Minnesota River were beautiful. I still have flowers in full bloom. I haven't planted my tulip bulbs for next spring yet (Marigolds still look good) The neighbor's tomatoes are still ripening. I will admit that leaves are beginning to fall and soon we'll have to give in and start with the raking-just not yet. Great days out there right now!

Birthday-Again

Another birthday come and gone again. They're not quite as fun as when I celebrated my 6th birthday. This, however, is the first time I had my grandson shout "happy birthday, nanna" and drag me excitedly into the house to see the birthday cake he helped make for me. He was definitely more excited than I! It might be because he normally doesn't get cake that created such excitement in him! Anyway, birthdays are good milestones for me to check: where have i been this year, spiritually. Where am I headed? Can I make some changes and what do i need to do to stretch and grow some more. The next birthday to enjoy will be Isaiah's! He'll be the big 3!

Best things

I know the picture doesn't seem to fit but this was part of our meandering drive to the twin cities this weekend. This was so much fun. After all, what positive things can be said about having to sit in a doctor's office for a whole morning? Hungry to boot. It took us 8 months to get in to see a neurologist and we probably won't be going back. (cheer!) It seems with nueropathy it is difficult to figure out what causes it let alone how to fix it. At least we can say that neither one of us are diabetic. The nuerologist ordered a few more blood tests (3 for Ron 2 for me) and told us we'd hear back in 4 to 6 weeks but not to expect much. Ron will have to learn to live with the nueropathy he's experiencing, apparently so will I. But we did have a nice, uneventful trip to the cities. Went to the Mall of America, a wild bird store and at least 3 different apple orchards on the way up to Minneapolis. Ate at Applebees. Watched the rain from our hotel room and watched the Packers get beat by the Bears. It was a good time together. Will let you know if we hear anything interesting back from our blood donation!

Yup! That's orange!

We (well, ok. Ron) painted the ceiling in the basement washroom on Saturday. As you can see by the pictures it is really orange! Even Ron got into the spirit of the thing. He's orange too. And it smells like paint and we're no where near being done with this thing. I sure hope it turns out better than what we have right now. Yikes! It scares me. We paint the walls next, then the floor. Good thing we covered the washer, dryer and freezer or else they'd be orange too. What a job. I'm sure what ever it was I envisioned it wasn't quite like this.