Please don't kick my child out.

Dear Family,

            “I wish my driver's instructor was here to mock you.”  Seth may say this if you speed.  I may know this from personal experience, but I also, may not.  You be the judge.

            Having everyone home for a week has felt cozy and wonderful.  I believe these are my, “Good old days.”  I enjoyed watching Seth and Adriel ponder together how to make images a larger kb file.  I looked at them and felt my heart burst.  Taking a picture would have ruined the moment, sorry – they are both allergic to cameras held by other people.

            Seth continues taking drivers ed and mowed the lawn this week.  The raspberries are pruned enough that instead of having family pick raspberries Seth is clearing the land of ground fall apples.  Seth also cleaned bathrooms this week.  I love his company.  Seth is constant, good for a hug and, “I love you.”  Seth also continues to love scrambled eggs and watermelon.  I love buying and making those things. 

            Adriel is moving forward with her car and decided she needs more money.  She drew seven drawings in 3 days!  We may have another book coming out!  How fun!

            Adriel looked up how much it would cost to insure her car all by herself.  We decided to have her on our plan since it’s 10x more otherwise.  Woah!

            Bobby cooked several yummy meals this week.  He continues to enjoy the smoker his mother gave him.  Still tickled pink.  Bobby also helped me with a wasp nest that was being built INSIDE the mesh part of Adriel’s window.  That was scary!

            Bobby took some youth and leaders hiking at Pamelia Lake.  I am glad they came home safe.  Then Bobby went the extra mile and put our camping gear under the house.  NICE!

            At Church this morning I was chatting with the father of a pre-school aged child in the gym while we snacked on the wonderful treats Church provides.  He told me that his child was in the gym and hoped I wouldn’t kick her out.   I couldn’t imagine why I would ever want to kick a child out of the gym and looked at him with incredulity.  Then he mentioned he was talking about Pokémon.  Ohhhhh, I let her stay.  Thank goodness because the sermon was about being generous!  I would have felt guilty.

            Our Church is preparing for the rummage sale this coming weekend.  I was volunteering on Saturday and mentioned to the leader that I was looking at “Craigslist free” for items to go get.  She was trying to tell me they can’t take just anything.  I had to show her this. “Free Americana Chicken.  Have a year old Americana hen that went broody.  She has been pecked on by the rest of the flock.  Significant scar on her butt.”  A friend said I had to share this in blessings.  There are so many amazing and entertaining things on Craigslist Free.  The poor chicken though.  She has been through enough already – I did not get her for the rummage sale.

            May you feel so blessed you are able to give generously.  May you find God has provided over and above your needs.  May you enjoy your pastor's sermons as much as I enjoyed mine J Hugs, Cristy VanKleek

Never have I ever

Dear Family,

      For the first time in forever, I followed someone around like a puppy dog.  I’ll admit it – I missed Bobby this week.  I am very glad he is home.  I even did errands with him just to be close.  Normally I am not a clingy person.  Saturday was a different story.  I miss normal me but I am enjoying Bobby, so much it doesn’t matter. 

      I did know this week would bring a lonely tinge because both Bobby and Seth were gone at camp.  I told Adriel to give me some time with her and she obliged.  I took her out to lunch once.  She hung out at home with me one evening.  I enjoyed her company.

      I am thankful for friends who walk with me or that I have talking dates with.  God keeps me company and I do enjoy my kitty Skyra who follows me wherever I go.

      God is so good!  I felt anxiety reaching out to people our church has prayed for last year.  Asking people about answered prayer is intimidating because it is so personal.  It feels invasive.  I asked them how God answered and if I could add it to a book for Church eyes only.  I felt rewarded and uplifted in the end because the overwhelming response was, “Thanks for asking, God is at work and, yes, you may add the request and answer.”  I feel blessed because we rejoice at what God has done and is doing.

      Timothy Fairchild preached an amazing sermon.  When pastor Marcus asked us to pray for Timothy on Wednesday during prayer group I added Tim to my list.  I was thrilled to learn he was preaching.  THEN when the sermon was straight from God to me I felt humbled, awed and joyous.  Yay God! 

      How exciting to see Wally and Ginny Hyde for the first time in 10 years.  How wonderful to hug old friends and catch up.  They were at our church visiting.  Yay!!  I really enjoyed showing them our grown-up Seth.  They knew him when he was three years old.  Now he was doing the sound for church and busy with that work.

      Bobby was glad to say he enjoyed a smooth, wonderful camp experience.  He was glad to be the director and Seth was glad to be a camper.  Seth even said, “See you next year,” to a new friend at camp.  I am glad Seth expects to go next year.  Yay God! 

      May you remain content in blessings and in sorrow.  May you find God comfort, enlighten and be with you throughout the day.  May your peace come from knowing you are so very loved.

Hugs,

Cristy

     

Survival!

Dear Family,

                This week I survived so much and God protected us the entire way.   Seattle had a 4.5 earthquake – most of us slept through it.  I quietly walked under a hornet's nest – nothing happened.  Seth drove me to Kirkland, Washington, and back.  Someone almost ran us off the road.  They probably never saw us.  Seth did great in HOURS of traffic, and someone in front of us slammed on his breaks so much we thought his tire popped.  Seth has passed his Right of Passage trip!  Yay!!  I learned that Seth does not like the Cookie Monster voice on our Ways app.

                Seth also let me into his world when we listened to the soundtrack from “Gunpoint” and talked about the game. 

                Seth still had time this week to mow the lawn, pick raspberries and pack for camp.  Yay Seth!

                My parents in Kirkland were amazing hosts and even planned a guided tour of Digi Pen College as something to do.  WOW!  Imagine my surprise when I found out there is a college that sets up a team and has them complete a Video Game as part of their curriculum.  I didn’t know a college like this existed.  Seth didn’t know all colleges do not have the same model.  Wow, wow, wow.  Thanks, mom and dad!

                I also am thankful my sister took time out of her busy life to bring her four kids over for a fun walk and a great visit.  Although I have given up taking pictures of family events Anita still makes the effort and I am so blessed that she shared some pictures.  Thank you, Anita!

                Adriel bought herself a car!  Now she will have stories of her first car to tell her kiddos.  I remember mine.  I had to jump start it every time.  I would ask people if they wanted a ride.  They would say, “No, I don’t want to have to push!”  Then I would begin to beg.  I also remember changing the fuel line in class and smelling like diesel because the car was up on the hoist but still had gas in the tank (which poured out on the teacher and me).  Good times!

                Adriel continues to work full time.  I don’t see her much but I do love getting a hug when I do.

                Bobby and I went away for a night last week.  We enjoyed ourselves and Bobby was sweet enough to turn the car when I saw a rare Pokemon near.  “Ohh, turn left here!”  He was very kind and deferred to me many times. 

I enjoyed walking with Bobby and Rich last week.  They are great friends.

                May you enjoy the beautiful Summer days God is blessing us with.  May you find peace and encouragement in the tasks God has you do.  May you know I love you and God does too.  Hugs,

Cristy

Getting away!

Dear Family,

                We are free, independent and glad to be so.  I love celebrating the 4^th of July!  Bobby blessed us with his amazing ginger raspberry pie and Chili Verde.  Sooooo good!  I enjoy all the people in the neighborhood – love great conversations and doggie interactions. 

                Seeing Seth delight in the dogs playing and running brought a smile to my face.  He has always loved animals and it brings joy to my heart.  Well, except ponies – he didn’t like the smell at the ranch.

                Seth picked some raspberries, cleaned bathrooms and mowed the lawn this week.  What a great help he is.  I am blessed that he does what he is supposed to do.

                Our whole family had several meals together this week and it was super fun to banter, tease and let each other know how we affect each other.  Just in case you are wondering, Bobby does not like it when someone puts cinnamon and sugar in the pepper shaker.

                Bobby and Adriel are safely home from hiking more of the PCT.  They are definitely glad to make it home.  They hiked 50 miles in 2.5 days and were only sore for a day or two.  They hiked some of that in the snow.  Crazy to think there is snow in the mountains even in the summer!

                Adriel was kind enough to give me a ride from the Union Gospel Mission to my car at Firestone this week.  It was during her lunch break and it was fun to see her there.  She was happy to see me as well.  I love it that she is working full time and is transitioning well into adulthood.  She is even looking into buying her own car.  Go Adriel!

                I did find entertainment this week at a get-together.  Seth asked the Hostess, “Where is your recycle?” as he was holding a can.  She pointed him to the garbage.  A little bit later he came up with finished watermelon . . where is your compost bin?  Again – the garbage can.  Oh, the shame of living in Oregon and NOT following the Oregon way to clean air and fresh water.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hd_uVqEBrSk  I was reminded of this skit and had to laugh.  Seth was told to ask the host not the hostess any more of that kind of questions – she was feeling guilty enough.  Then came Adriel with a can in her hand . . .

                Bobby and I enjoyed a night over in Portland for an impromptu date.  We enjoyed a quiet stay at a bed and breakfast and a lot of nice walking.  How fun to get away and know Adriel took Seth to drivers ed in the morning.  We have great kids!  Yay!!

                May you also find joy in all those you encounter.  May your lives be blessed with peace, love, and warmth.  Love and hugs, Cristy

Ruined Summer

Dear Family,

                I may have ruined Seth’s summer.  I’m going to claim Proverbs 31:27 on this and call it good.  (She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.)  Drivers ed is usually at West High school so the poor guy gets to go to school and walk home even in the summer.  He is learning things like lane changes and backing up.  The instructor told me to have him practice this.  During some lane change instruction, I mentioned that there were a lot of cars in the lane he wanted to change into.  Seth said, “It’s an actual horde.”

                Seth has been picking raspberries.  I appreciate his help and that he is eating healthy.  I also appreciate the help of Facebook friends.  When Bobby is gone it is nice to have friends pick.  They are great company and I don’t have to do so much picking by myself.

                Adriel is back safe from Arizona.  I am tickled that she asked me to drive her home from the airport.  She said she does get a little homesick.  We had a great talk and I enjoyed the amazing lightning storm on the way home.  Adriel was marveling at the weather change (triple digits in Arizona – huge raindrops in Oregon). 

                Adriel told me she learned something new in AZ.  Dave’s Killer bread comes in White and it’s amazing!  I told her, “I would not buy such things if I were you!”  She did anyway. 

                When I asked why the bag of sugar was on the counter Adriel mentioned, “Did you know that 2 cups of sugar a day is good for you?”  I told her I have never heard that and I did not believe it either.  Her response.  “Well, this is awkward.”

                I love seeing Adriel – I get my one hug a day and maybe even some conversation.  She is beautiful, fun and delightful.

                Bobby is home from a hard week counseling Middle school camp.  God is good and I do not know how Bobby or any of the leaders do it.  I do know they do well.

                May you find the beautiful weather lifts your spirits.  May you encounter Joy in knowing God loves you.  Hugs,

Cristy