MOLLY!

This is the birthday girl.  From the day she was born people all seemed to call her "Miss Molly".  I think that suits her to a "T".  She's quite a little "miss".

This picture was taken at her birthday party.  Dennis & I gave her the dress.  Just couldn't resist it, and Linda was no help in stopping me.  She loved it, too!

I love how much joy a little child can bring to your life.  I can't think about her without smiling.  Dennis and I both feel that our lives are so much richer now.  I love grandchildren so much that I am anxious to have lots of them.  Somehow, I don't think our children are going to cooperate too much in that, though.  :(

This has all reminded me how quickly time flies.  I get melancholy when I remember how it seemed that our children started high school one day and graduated the next.  The college years went even faster, and the next thing we knew they were married!  Molly also reminds me of my children when they were little.  Things they said and did are flooding back into my memory.  Precious times!

This all reminds me to savor the moment.  My cup runneth over and joy overflows!

Happy Spring!

I don't remember a time that I've welcomed Spring more than I have this year.  I don't even care that it is windy!  The warmer weather revives me.

April this year means so much more to me than ever before also because of our precious Molly's birthday.  See my other posting to read more about that.  Just thinking about her fills me with delight.

So send on the storms, wind, whatever.  This year I'm just rejoicing, no matter what

Seiling Music Festival!

Well, it's been quite a day.  For more years than I want to count, I have gone to the Seiling Music Festival.  Seiling is a very small town, but they do such a good job of this festival.  Seriously, I have never noticed a hitch when I've gone.  My piano students through the years have performed there.  Then later I became an accompanist for the elementary and junior high students taking instrumental solos.

All of this makes for an exhausting but fulfilling day.  I start going to the school to rehearse with the children about 2 weeks in advance.  I have played the brass solos so long for Seiling and Tri-State that I sort of know them without much rehearsal.  I even have a favorite trumpet solo, "The Pedlar".  I can hum it.  Just ask me.  I'm always ready to perform it.  :D

The last  few years I switched to woodwinds so that Bev Heinrichs could play for the brass.  Her son, Matt, is a brass player.  It was a big sacrifice for me because I've had to learn new solos! :)  Some might say that trying something new is good for me, and maybe they are right.  My secret is, though, that I'm starting to learn them by heart now, too.  :)  One of them is actually a song the choir sings on one of my favorite "Andy Griffith" shows.  I can't help but grin while playing it.  It's the episode where Barney is so off-key that they get him to sing a "solo" on a special "soloist" microphone.  I'm smiling just thinking about it!

Anyway, I'm tired and happy.  It was a good day, and I am thankful that I am still able to do things like this.  Also, Larry Beeby was one of the judges for the band performances.  It was good to see him!

Tomorrow is Nicholas' birthday.  He will be 29!  I have always called him "my darling angel".  His friends have given me a lot of grief through the years about that, but "What can I say?"  :D

Nicholas has been a source of joy.  I vividly remember the day Penny Payne took the watermelon picture.  It was at our first Kusch Cousin Reunion.  The picture pretty much sums up little Nicholas.  I  particularly like the gun, holster, and flip-flops!  We have picture after picture of Nicholas as The Lone Ranger, Zorro, or his major hero, Roy Rogers!


Now he has grown into an admirable man.  I love the way he handles things in his life.  Nothing seems to rattle him.  He still maintains a lot of his bratty ways, I'm sure Brooke would agree, but they are actually what delight us about him. You never know what he will come up with.  Just check Facebook for his trivia facts if you want proof.  :D

I wish my "darling angel" son a very happy birthday.  He means the world to me!  I can't imagine my life without him.

SPRING!!!

Well, I've had a lousy week.  I try to maintain a positive attitude, but once in a while I just can't seem to do it.  The time change always throws me for a loop.  I do like having daylight last longer in the evening, but it is still an adjustment.  Another reason for my lousy week was my EGD.  I have been feeling great so I went innocently into the scope expecting a good report.  When I came out I discovered that I had 2 varices banded.  My throat hurt.  It wasn't killing me, but it was pretty uncomfortable.  The doctor told Dennis that I will have to have 3-8 more of them, depending on how I do.  They already scheduled me for my next one on June 14.  Whatever they gave me to put me out has made me sleepy for three days now.  And, you know what, a yogurt and ice cream diet gets old!

Enough with the whining.  Today was a warm day.  I saw a temperature of 85 degrees on my car!  What a delight.  You may remember how much I love the Vernal Equinox, Summer Solstice, Autumnal Equinox, and Winter Solstice.  I even love the sounds of the words.  This Sunday is the Vernal Equinox.  You know what that means ~ lovely, glorious Spring!  Just thinking about it lifts my spirits.  Oh, yes, the fact that my throat is finally feeling better helps too!  :D

38 YEARS! 1973 ~ 2011

My oh my!  Where did those years go?  It doesn't seem possible that we could be married 38 years.

When I look at this picture, I have to smile.  Those two people had no idea what was ahead for them!  It's been a wild ride.  I went from never even knowing Fairview existed to living there                                                                               for 37 years so far.  :D

Reflecting back I can see God's leading in everything.  I have loved this town.  I didn't know anything about the Mennonite Brethren Church or Fairview when I went to college.  First thing, though, I made quite a few friends from Fairview, many of whom grew up in the MB Church.  Here I was "Baptist to the bone", as they say.  Who would have guessed that I would become a Mennonite Brethren?  Of course, I always say I am doing mission work here.  :D

God has blessed us with friends.  I can't imagine our lives without them. They have been with us through thick and thin.  My mom often tells me she thinks they are wonderful.

When I look at the second picture I wonder who those old people are. They have life experience obviously!  :D  I do have to say they look happy and content.  Our biggest blessing, our precious family, is a big part of that happiness and contentment.

At this time in our lives we are praising God for all the blessings He has poured out on us.  Every good and perfect gift comes from above!

:D :D :D :D :D

March is finally here!  I feel the hope of Spring!  More later!