Summer Season

My last post, over 2 months ago, was about changing seasons.  This post comes as I walk in yet another season of life - the loss of my mom.  The summer was a blur as from January 2014 to the end of July my weeks were increasingly full with taking my mom to doctor appointments, blood and platelet transfusions, setting up in-home hospice, and caring for her daily the last week of her life.  Every prayer I prayed for my mom was answered, in fact, every detail of her passing reflects the love and mercy of God.  And I was blessed to be with her as she took her last breaths.  

Joan Elizabeth Blondell Barger Roberts

2/4/38- 7/24/14

A few days after the funeral we headed to our camp in the Adirondacks for a much-needed week of rest and family time.  It was the first time we'd ever spent a full week on Otter Lake, but Wayne was all for it.  So in one way or another, most of our family was there through-out the week.  On Friday night Wayne and I headed up with Jordan and Slava.  On Sunday, Wayne Jr., Kerri, Iona, and Kerri's parents - Tom & Linda, arrived to stay in a rental camp a few doors down from ours.  Monday morning brought Andrii and my dad and Monday evening brought Sierra, Anna, and Shannon (Kerri's sister).  Curtis arrived on Friday night to spend the last couple days with us.

Enchanted Forest-Water Safari, Old Forge, NY

 While the men all went golfing Linda, Kerri, and I took all the kids to Water Safari for the day.  

Grammy & Iona selfie!

Linda, Kerri & Iona on the Lazy River

Slava navigating the Lazy River

 Back at camp we enjoyed the lake, boating, kayaking, fishing, camp fires, and lots of eating.  Iona enjoyed her jumper out on our porch.  Most early mornings as I enjoyed my coffee and quiet time, Wayne Jr. and Iona would arrive to join me on the porch before anyone else woke up.  My precious perfectly-timed granddaughter brings me much joy during this difficult season of life. The Lord giveth, the Lord taketh away.  Blessed be the Name of the Lord.

We all took a day trip to the Adirondack Museum at Blue Mountain Lake.  It was a beautiful day and the kids enjoyed the hands-on activities.

Slava & Jordan

Sierra, Andrii, and Anna - my teens!

 Blue Mountain Lake in the background.

Jordan & I

Friday night fish-fry at Van Auken's Inn in Thendara

 l-r:  Curtis, Shannon, Linda, Tom, Wayne Jr., Iona, & Kerri

Saturday we hiked Bald Mountain.

Andrii with 4th Lake in the background.

Up in the Bald Mountain Fire Tower

 l-r back row:  Andrii, me, Linda, and Shannon

front:  Jordan & Slava

On top of Bald Mt.

 Andrii, Wayne, me, Anna, Curtis, and Sierra

Slava & Jordan in front.

Uncle Curtis, I want the guitar.

I love this pic with Curtis, Iona, and her other Grammy.   

Curtis often has a guitar in his hands - even while on the boat.

Iona was intrigued and kept reaching out to touch it.  

The week at camp flew by and it was wonderful, but returning home meant returning to the reality of my mom's passing.  It also meant it was time to get Sierra ready to leave for college, prepare for another home school year,  and celebrate Jordan's 11th birthday.  My next post will feature these events.  Seasons change.

Seasons of Change Are Upon Us

To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven...Ecclesiastes 3:1

As the days, weeks, and months fly by I find myself in a new place - a new season in so many ways.  We are still walking through my mom's illness which has me at the doctor's and hospital many times each week.  Presently she's stable and in pretty good spirits all things considered.  I am so grateful for my husband and children who are supportive, helpful, and on top of things through this exhausting time.  And so many people from my sister-in-law to my mother-in-law, to my daughter-in-law's mom, to my church family have all been praying and bringing meals to my parents.  Above all, the Lord is faithful to guide us through this difficult season.

One thing that brings joy to my heart and a smile to my face is this precious little one.  My granddaughter, Iona, is almost 5 months old and such a joy.  The Lord certainly knew I'd need this bright spot during this season!

She does smile!

 Uncle Slava, Grammy & Miss Iona rocking the yellow swim suit!

 We cannot get enough of this baby!  We love on her, smush her, smell her, kiss her, cuddle her, stare at her - you name it, we just soak her up!

Iona with Grandpa!

 She fell asleep in Grampy's arms at church a few weeks back.  I couldn't resist taking this pic.  We are all in love with this baby!

Luci, Wayne Jr., Sierra, and Andrii

 We made the 4 hour trip to Rochester for the annual home school convention and graduation commencement.  With my mom's condition I wasn't sure if we would even be going.  But things worked out for Wayne and I to leave on a Thursday evening so we could enjoy the convention on Friday.  Friday afternoon Anna arrived with the Anderson family as Sierra's best friend, Luci, was graduating as well.  By 10pm Wayne Jr. arrived with Sierra, Luci, and Andrii.  Saturday morning, the day of the commencement, Curtis and Jordan arrived with the rest of the Anderson family.

Luci & CC - Class of 2014

 It seemed only fitting that we were all mixed in with the Anderson's as they are our next-door neighbors, dear friends, and home school veterans.  Luci & CC have been best friends since they were 5 years old.  I can't believe these 2 are high school graduates!

Most of us!

 Andrii, Jordan, Me, Wayne, Sierra, Anna, Wayne Jr., and Curtis.

Kerri opted to not make the trip with the baby as Iona isn't very fun to ride in the car with.  "Miss Cranky Pants" has become a term of endearment.  Slava is also not too fun to ride on long car trips with, not to mention sitting through looonnng commencement ceremonies!  Kerri stayed at our house with the baby and Slava, and her sister Shannon stayed also to lend a hand with the kids and some hay to Anna's horse.  It made things a bit easier on all of us.  

Anna, Slava, and Avalon

 Things are going pretty well with having the horse on the homestead.  Anna is thrilled and is doing a good job taking care of the horse.  Somehow she managed to talk her dad into getting a barn cat, next thing we knew a kitten has taken up residence with Avalon - and our new baby chickens.  It appears we're turning into farmers!  Seriously, we're considering getting a beef cow.  Now that we're set up for it, and with the food prices the way they are, even Wayne is beginning to see it's a good idea.  We'll see if I post a picture of a cow on the next blog update!

Victoria on fife & Andrii (back right with serious face) on drum.

 Andrii is still part of the Jubilee Fife & Drum Corps through our church.  Victoria also comes to our house each Thursday to help me homeschool the little boys and brings Slava to services at the local elementary school when I'm at the hospital with my mom.

Wayne Jr. & Curtis circa 1994

 Talk about seasons changing!  These guys are now 25 & 22!  They took me to dinner the other night as Wayne, Andrii, Jordan, and Slava were all away on a camp-out and the girls were at a youth group event.  I tried taking their picture to post on Facebook and they refused to cooperate.  I had to resort to posting this picture instead - it got over 80 "likes"!  It's one of my favorites too!  It seems like a lifetime ago that they were this little.

Surgery Time Again!

 About 5 years ago Jordan had growing rods placed in his back to help straighten severe scoliosis.  When we adopted him at age 3 he had a cork-screw curved spine, we suspect from alcohol exposure in the womb.  Since the rod placement he's had to have the rods revised and lengthened about every 6 months or so.  I've lost track of how many times we've done this.  This brave boy is such a trooper.  He endures this procedure without complaint every time.  We hope to be getting to the end of it as he's almost 11 and once his torso stops growing it will be time for the next phase.  Depending on his growth and how his spine responds the next step could be permanent rods and spinal fusion, spinal fusion only, or nothing at all.  We're praying for a miraculous healing so he will not need anything more done.

If you were brave enough to make it all the way to the bottom of this post, first of all - thank you! And second, would you be willing to become a follower?  Just check out the right side of the blog and click where it asks if you'd like to follow.  It would be a great encouragement to me!  My goal is to blog at least monthly, if not weekly, but presently life is not cooperating with that plan.  So I blog when I can!  Thank you!

April Action

Ahhhhh April has finally arrived!  I'm so thankful for the warmer weather.  The kids have been outside more and sleeping a bit later in the morning.  We're all feeling a bit more energized, and it's a good thing - the next 7 weeks are going to be busier than usual!  

Grammy with Iona!

 I snapped this shameless selfie during my first official baby-sitting gig with my granddaughter!  Being a grammy is the most wonderful thing in the world!

Poor Slava had a touch of the stomach bug.

 While I was out with my mom for a doctor appt, Sierra called to tell me Slava threw up.  She took good care of him as you can see and he enjoyed a Curious George marathon.  Thankfully it didn't even last 24 hours and no one else got it!

Happy Birthday Curtis & Andrii!

 We celebrated their birthdays last Saturday.  Curtis here was getting ready to blow out his candles.  I can't believe he's 22!  Next we sang to Andrii.  It also amazes me that he'd already 17!

My Mom enjoying her coffee at Cracker Barrel!

 My mom was supposed to have a blood transfusion last Friday, but on Wednesday the doctor's office forgot to send her blood sample over to the hospital so they could match it and have it ready.  So, since it wasn't ready and Mom didn't want to wait 4 hours for them to get it ready, she opted to go out to breakfast instead!  We went back on Monday and she got her transfusion, unfortunately her blood work on Friday indicated she needs another transfusion this Monday.

Miss Iona

 My weeks have been crazy, but I look forward to Wednesday evenings when I get to spend a couple hours with this precious little one.  The highlight of my week!

Construction Project

Wayne promised Anna that when spring arrived he would break ground to make ready for her horse to come home.  He ordered a pre-fab 2 stall barn which should be delivered any day and just needs to fence in the corral area.  The little boys have been having a great time helping daddy!

This coming week will include Mom's transfusion, a homeschooling moms' luncheon, an advisory team meeting for the Sound of Life radio station, and a trip to look at another college.  Sierra has been accepted at Gordon College in Mass.  After we tour their campus on Thursday she will have to make a decision by May 1st!  Jordan will also get his cast off this week to be ready for surgery next week.  We are in a very busy season of life.  I'm not sure there's anything we can eliminate that we are currently doing. Thankfully, the Lord is faithful to carry us through each day.

The Calendar Says It's Spring

Well, the calendar says it's spring even if the upstate NY weather hasn't sprung!  It's still cold, but our days are busy and full.  Recently I enjoyed a little escape with Sierra as we headed to the western part of NY to visit Houghton College.  She loved it - even if it is 4 1/2 hours away.  She's already been accepted there for the fall, but we're looking at a couple more.  I guess that means more road trips are pending!

Houghton Or Bust!

The little boys are getting cabin fever.  They keep escaping to Daddy's garage and dragging various items of interest into the house.  The other day Jordan actually used plexiglass and wood dowels and built this little table.  Slava decided to enjoy his snack on it.

Great Grandmothers with Iona!

 I love this pic of my mom (on left) and my mother-in-law (on right) holding their great-granddaughter!  This is a precious picture to me.  My mom has been ill and my mother-in-law had a hip replacement the same day the baby was born!

Legislative Day in Albany, NY

 Crystal Langdon, of Crystal Clear Finances invited me to share her table at Leg Day 2014 so I could represent Justice For Orphans there.  Crystal is responsible for me being on the radio for the very first time a few years ago.  That led to our radio show on The New Light WDCD in Albany, and then the Lord opened the door further for us to be on The Sound of Life also.  Two exciting radio developments:  (1) all of our past Orphans No More shows are now on our website  http://justicefororphansny.org just click on "Events" and then "Radio Show"!  (2) WDCD just added another time slot for or show!  We are now on 1:30pm Fridays, 10:30am Sundays, and 1:30pm Wednesdays!

Miss Iona & Aunt Sierra

 This little blessing is getting bigger! She's almost 2 months old already!  She's looking around and checking everyone out - and there are a lot of us to check out!

Uncle Curtis!

 Iona would like to announce that her Uncle Curtis made the Dean's list at RPI this quarter!  

Grammy & Iona

 Wednesday nights are my "date nights" with my grand baby!  I love this special time to visit with Wayne Jr., Kerri, and the baby.

Grammy Love!

Can you tell I'm loving being a grandma?  

Christmas Day at Flach Manor

Merry Christmas from Flach Manor!  Keeping up with blog posts might be a bit easier now that I got this handy dandy Mac-book Pro for Christmas!  Yup, I got the best hubby and family in the world!  We enjoyed a couple wonderful family celebrations the last few days.  Christmas Eve we traditionally spend with Wayne's family.  The evening includes delicious food, my mother-in-law reading from the Bible about our Savior's birth, my father-in-law sharing a word, prayer, gifts, and family fellowship.  It was a good evening.  

Rita, John and Victor on the right.

Christmas morning started peacefully.  I was up at 6:30am enjoying some quiet time, coffee, and Luke chapter 2.  Then Wayne joined me for coffee at 7am.  I think it was the first Christmas morning ever that we were up before any kids!  Jordan was the first kid up at 7:30am, then they all started rolling out.  

 Wayne watching Jordan opening his stocking.

We let the kids open their stockings until everyone is up, then Wayne reads Luke 2 and everyone has to share something they're thankful for.  I pray and then presents begin flying!

Wayne and Slava enjoying some cuddle time!

 Breakfast includes Christmas Quiche, which I make the night before, and our newest tradition - home made cinnamon rolls.  Seven years ago when we spend Christmas in Ukraine, our precious missionary friends, Joey & Laura Stoltzfus, welcomed us into their home on Christmas morning.  Laura made home made cinnamon rolls for us.  Missy and I decided that if Laura can pull that off in her kitchen in Kiev, we could pull them off in our kitchen here in NY!  We've had them every year since.

Awe...Kerri opened a blanket for Iona!

 Our kids pick names among themselves to exchange gifts.  This year Sierra got Kerri's name and sewed her a baby blanket.  She stitched a Bible verse (Let the little children come and do not forbid them for such is the Kingdom of Heaven) and stitched Iona Elizabeth in the corner.  Kerri was tearfully happy with this special gift!

Slava aka - Little Drummer Boy!

 All Slava could talk about was getting a drum set for Christmas.  Every gift opened from under the tree he scrutinized to see if it could possibly be a drum set.  The poor little guy, we made him wait until the last gifts were opened, then Andrii carried the big box up stairs.  He was soooo excited!  It was the perfect gift for him.  Slava has incredible rhythm combined with his sensory processing disorder which drives him to bang on things - I'd say he's destined to be a drummer!

Jordan and Officer Andersen!

 Jordan wants to be a policeman when he grows up.  Our good friends and next-door neighbors - the Anderson's surprised Jordan on Christmas morning.  Their son, Elias who lives in Vermont but was home for Christmas, came over to arrest Jordan!  The hand cuffs fell off and he tried getting away, so Officer Anderson had to taser him - only kidding.  But Jordan was thrilled to see a real taser!  Elias just completed police academy a few months ago and is an officer with the Rutland police.

Poppy Ken

 After the police left, Christmas morning returned to normal and my parents arrived.  They opened gifts, ate dinner with us, and spent the day visiting.

Annual Mom & Curtis dinner date.

 Curtis and I enjoy an annual dinner date around Christmas - just him and I.  We don't get to spend much time together since he's a busy college student and works when he's not at school and I'm busy with the little kids all the time.  Pretty soon Curtis will be moving into his own apartment.  It won't be far away since it's nearby, but it will be different.  Bittersweet.

Missy, Anna, me, Sierra and my mom!

 My girls love to take pictures of themselves.  They decided that on Christmas day the tree and their grandmother made great props!  Seriously, I love this pic with my mom.

Andrii & Jordan - Lego Maniacs!

Jordan is now our official Lego maniac.  He got 3 sets for Christmas from various family members.  He was on a building mission all day and thankfully, Andrii was his helper.

All in all it was a quiet, blessed day.  Wayne Jr. & Kerri spent the day with her family, so they are coming over on Saturday and we'll do Christmas all over again!  I am so blessed!  Thank you, Lord!