4th of July

This year we did something out of the ordinary for 

🧨 the 4th of July 🧨

We went to a Demolition Derby!

I knew we were into something exciting when there were

a lot of young men wearing these brightly colored shirts!

The idea in a demolition derby is to hit 

and wreck, smash, crush

 and disable your competitor.

It was very hot, extremly loud (ear plugs are a-must)

and very dusty but FUN!

We were out in ALL the elements!

We went with our friends,

 who make this a family tradtion

every 4th of July.

 

As the sun was setting, 

this Red White and Blue stripped car was the winner! How appropriate that he was the last car standing!

~~~~****~~~~

“Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances;

for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.”

1 Thessalonians 5: 16-18

 

September is Suicide Prevention Month

Suicide is something we don't talk about, 

here in blog land.

We talk about grand kids, recipes, 

gardening, crafts, etc.

BUT SUICIDE!

Shhhh don't talk about it!

But it could happen to any family.

Yes, I know it's the end of the month 

but I have something to share.

Here's a link about Suicide Prevention Month

In this link it talks about resources and stories.

Many of you know about my friend, Didi.

We met when we were 3 and 4 years old.

Went to Kindergarten together.

Maids of Honor in each of our weddings.

Pregnant at the same time.

Talk to each other, everyday.

Best Buds! More like sisters.

We even send selfies, asking if 

"this outfit looks good".

Which is the picture below.

Last Christmas Eve, Didi's middle child, 

Beau (35 yrs old, no family)

took his own life.

We didn't find out until the day after Christmas.

Didi tried calling him, 

but thought he was out hunting or fishing.

Not a clue!

It has been such a emotional time for us.

I say us, 

because suicide doesn't effect

 just the immediate family.

****

I spent last weekend with Didi, going through 

things that were hard to look at.

For nine months now,

 we have prayed, talked, and cried with each other.

Last Sunday we 

went to church together.

We reminisced about the first time

we went to church.

Two, 6 year olds,

Bibles in one hand and holding the other hand.

On our way to church

As we walked into church, this time,

we held each others hand!

 Fog on the Lake, 

Sunrise in McCall

It was a good day!

But I know there will be some,

 not, so good days ahead.

But today... it was good.

God is good!

~~~~****~~~~

And He continued by questioning them,
"But who do you say I am?" Peter answered and said to Him.
"You are the Christ."




Matthew 8:29

Seattle Trip and a 4th Birthday

Tom and I are back from our visit to Seattle!

We kissed grandchildren.

Went to the beach.

Celebrated a 4th birthday.

Hugged family members.

Watched Trey at karate practice.

Went to two concerts.

Had our annual Doctor checkups.

Visited with high school friends.

And now we are back, resting!

💗💗💗💗

This is Scarlett wearing her 

tutu that I made for her.

She wore it to her birthday party.

She even wore it to bed that night, haha

(And I'm guessing she is still wearing, it today.)

This is my brother helping Scarlett

on a rope line, during her party.

 

It was a bit chilly but a fun outdoor

birthday party.

Our sweet, three, Seattle, grandchildren.

Trey, Scarlett and Huxley

~~~~****~~~~

"The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice theses things, and the God of peace will be with you."

Philippians 4:9

While Waiting...

This summer,

I didn't plant any vegetables or 

put out Humming Bird food.

Because we planned on being gone most of the time.

But my garden surprised me.

These Lilies have popped out!

It's been fun to give them out to family and friends.

  

Speaking of giving.

My friend Mary (her blog) made these

 Lip Pouches,

 for all our grandchildren!

I can see these being used for so many things.

They'll have fun picking out which one they want.

This is how thoughtful she is!

She even made me a crossover bag.

Which I'm going to use for 

all my Doula tools, when we go to Seattle.

PLUS, she made a Tag Blanket for our newest 

grandson!

This week Tom and I have been on a Juice Fast for five days.

(as of this writing, we are on day 2  😲 )

So far, so good.

The idea is to get healthy and stay healthy,

 When we get back from Seattle,

we'll be traveling to Salt Lake City 

for Nathan's surgery.

Grandma and Grandpa NEED to be strong and healthy.

Vegetables and fruits only!

All washed.

Tom is now a pro at this juicing thing.

We juice a full days worth of drinks and have them

labeled, in disposable coffee cups.

Grab and go!

When I was at the check out line,
buying all our produce,

the store had a different idea of

Grab and Go.

~~~~****~~~~

"The Lord is my strength and shield; my heart trust in him and he helps me. My heart leaps for joy and with my song I will praise Him."

Psalm 28:7

Last Day of School

For 180 days the school bus has picked up and 

dropped off our neighborhood,

 elementary school students.

There are about 14 students 

who line up to get on board.

All this takes place in our backyard.

The bus stops right behind our fence.

Everyday!

I love it.

Today, was the last day of school.

I had to do something for the students to 

help them celebrate.

We always have chalk around, for our grand kids.

 I raced out the back gate and began to draw and write.

  I left pieces of chalk  on the cement, 

so they could add their art work.

 Here I am busy at work.

Then the kids started to come, one by one.

I hurried back into our yard and closed the gate.

I peeked out a knot hole in our fence and

 took a picture.

This little girl got busy adding to the  

sidewalk chalk artwork.

 Ooops!

Here's the bus!

When the coast was clear and the bus was far down the road,

I went out the gate to see what 

was drawn.

HEARTS !

She's a heart girl, just like me.

Happy Last Day !

💕💕💕💕💕💕💕

"Peace I leave with : my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid."

John 14:27

More About the Double Decker Bus

Another Saturday at the 

 Farmer's Market.

 So much to see.

 
But we went for one thing...

 COFFEE!

The fun starts when you spot the bus from a distance.

And look, there is already a line forming!

And it's 10:00 in the morning.

Come with me and I'll
take you on a tour of the bus.

You step into the open door.

Downstairs is the kitchen where you can order
your drinks or
you can order from the outside window.

The owners are the sweetest people.

Their six kids help out with the business.

(well, at least the four older ones)

 Once you have gotten your drink, you can head upstairs
to the dining area.

The stairs are on the left of the kitchen.

 There is plenty of room for everyone!
And each seat has a view.

(facing the front of the bus) 

You can sit at a table or at the bar,
opposite the stairs.

(facing the back of the bus)

Grab a pack of playing cards, or a game.

Sit back and relax. 

Or do what Tom and I do, start talking to someone.

You meet the friendliest people here!

This lady was in front of us while

 we were walking around.

She's packing her dog!

Cute!

☕ ☕ ☕ ☕ ☕ ☕

Angie, the owner mentioned,
that the boxes for the playing cards were getting pretty messed up.
 In fact, she threw all the boxes away.
She was using a rubber band
 to keep the cards together.

 IDEA!💡

I could sew little bags that hold all those cards.

I went on line and ordered some
Double Decker material.

Easy!

Click here for instructions
on how I made the bags

Now when you go upstairs, you'll
see little bags of playing cards.

~~~~****~~~~


"Carry each other's burden's, and this way you will fulfill the law of Christ."

Galatians 6:2

Double Decker Bus in the Parade

For those of you who are new to my blog,

this is the Double Decker Espresso Bus!

It's a mobile coffee shop, that our friends own.

Today we "caught" the bus, to be in the 

Parade America,

honoring ALL who have served our nation.

This is Nampa's 52nd year of celebrating.

The owners:
Driver Dustin and hostess Angie

First, we lined up in the staging area.

Our son-in-law, Mark is explaining 

to our grandchildren, Silas and Ila May,

what they are looking at.

Isaac wasn't to sure about the loud music.

Thousands of candy pieces were ready to be handed out.

Lulu, Silas and Ila May have their pails 

full of candy, and headed out the door.

The bus was serving coffee for us.

Looks like Kimmy and Nathan are ready.

This is the view from the door.
looking down the street.

Here I am, walking beside the bus to

 make sure that kids didn't run 

in front of this huge bus.

The bus came all the way from England.

 So, the driver's

seat is on the other side.

Papa Tom and Nathan rode

on the top of the bus.

This is the coffee shop area.

Hi !! up there!

Mark and Kimmy did a great job
waving to the crowd.
Isaac is now a pro at this waving stuff, too.

View from up top during the parade.

This picture is a snap shot from the TV station

that televised the parade.

There were thousands and thousands of people!

End of the line!
Parade is over,
Someone is tired.
Hey Silas, me too!

~~~~~*****~~~~~


"Let the word of Christ richly dwell in you, with all wisdom, teaching, admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God,"
Collisions 3:16



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