Counting on the last day of June 2015 #1121-1125

1121. Grateful to have spent 3 weeks taking care of my older brother, Tom

          Before he choose to shave his beard off

1122. grateful he decided to shave off his beard, he looks so handsome

                                 After he shaved!

1123. grateful for the safety the Lord has provided in the midst of several falls, bruises, bumps and cuts for Terry, Tom and I these past few weeks

1124. grateful that He has intentionally choose me as His friend
"I am a Friend of God."

1125. grateful for a bed, soft, warm that I can retreat to tonight

gratitude = grand parenting times 4

Easter Break was spent in Dallas Tx this year loving on my three granddaughters and new grandson Jacob Michael Jr. tagged now on instagram as #threesistersandamister. It was the best trip ever to visit Jacob, Carrie and the kids.

You can see by these pictures that these 3 big sisters are loving this new brother. There were so many highlights of this trip I am not sure where to begin however I will say that a 3 hour late night time hearing my daughter Carrie's heart and my early morning time reading and listening to the Word during Holy Week with Eden were a couple of my favorite times .... Thank you Father for the gift of children their spouses and grandchildren. 

I am so Blessed.

gratitude = grand parenting # 1113-1120

1113. 27.5 degrees outside in Minnesota

1114. extended time to read and write

1115. 23 days until I arrive in Texas

1116. the gift of hearing the train in the background

1117. an opportunity to pray

1118. family and Friday night pizza

1119. clean clothes fresh out of the laundry

1120. a new grandson Holden Arthur Pederson

Tradition, Tree, and Truth

Glad my intention more than 4 months ago was a loose intention to blog on Mondays. Since my kids set me up on instagram I have been using this more than blogging however it is still important for me to write and post pictures. Blogging presents itself an opportunity to write more than the brief things written on instagram.

Christmas Tree Cutting 2014

So .... as I was looking back at pictures I found the below picture and compared it to the above picture!

Christmas Tree Cutting 2013

It's how we start the beginning of our Christmas Season. Tree Cutting. It's often about family, traditions ... things we love to do and things that bring us together as family! 

The tree cutting then leads to advent, which leads to Luke, Chapter 2 and Unwrapping the Greatest Gift ever, Jesus! It's how I was raised (me above on my dad's lap) and how we raised our children and how our grandchildren are being raised. 

So grateful for the lineage of my family and the 

lineage of the Lord Jesus Christ!

I'm Glad Nora is 3!

Today I am glad and rejoicing that God has made this day, 

this birthday, 

October 20, 2014

This 3rd Birthday to celebrate 

Nora Lynn Davis

Happy, Happy, Birthday Nora

Nana loves you more however

Jesus Loves you most!

May Nora be built solidly on the foundation of Jesus, and grow in Your grace with a conscious sense of Your presence. May she continue to be built up with Your wisdom, favor, truth, love, life, faith, strength, and thankfulness.

Autumn

 Autumn ... pumpkins ... hot cider ... and leaves, maple, oak they fall, they fall then the leaves are raked into the street and raked into the street and burned in the street in front of the house at 3804 Thomas Ave So

No longer being burned in the street in Minneapolis but rather raked and piled up, and raked and piled up for the then littlest, only child at the time to jump into at the house in Minneapolis
6025 4th Ave So

No longer being raked up in Minneapolis but rather being raked up in Maple Grove and the littlest only girl, now the oldest is joined by the younger sister and brother and they rake and they pile and they throw the leaves in each other's hair all the while the mom watches from the deck at the house off Sunnyslope Drive

Then finally the dad and mom come help in Plymouth after the now older children all five from the littlest to the oldest rake the leaves and throw the leaves to bag the leaves, and bag the leaves and bag the leaves will the job ever end? after the trees shed their leaves and shed their leaves only to bag the final bags of leaves. 

The bags are then dragged by the children to be put around the house to keep the cold of winter out at the house on Nathan Lane


This was the piece I wrote at an Explore Spoken Word night at New Hope Church

Monday Blank Page on Tuesday

I think I indicated my intention was to write at least once a week on Monday's and here I am, already having missed one week and even a day as it is Tuesday, September 23 ...

I'm OK with this as it is the beginning of a new school year and it tends to be a busy time for me .... however some things that I find myself grateful for today are:

The end of one season and the beginning of another:

Last Summer Friday morning donuts

Back to school shopping at MOA with Girls Group (that's Catherine under that bear costume)

A new school year at Edinbrook Elementary serving alongside of several teachers in the area of EL (English Learners)

A new part time job at LifeWay, Maple Grove

A new ministry at NHC Life Groups (an opportunity to serve with the golfer)

The color of the leaves changing as I walked home from church this past Sunday reminding me that He never changes

The good health of all of my family members and the eager anticipation of two new grandchildren this winter

Another birthday celebrated; Sid turns 7

The start-up of a new ministry year with HopeWatchers 

The continued discipline of growing in prayer, the word, and the fellowship of believers

Just an overall gratefulness for Who He is and how much He loves me!

It's Monday

Yep, It's Monday and now that it is fall and school has begun I have a loose intention to blog on Mondays ... we will see how this goes!

My check list 

1. week six of a second job (check)
2. week two at Edinbrook Elementary (check)
3. week one of Sunday School (check)

Since I am still getting used to this new schedule and I am extremely tired this post will be a Monday favorite pictures post ...

I love school supply season!

Two Birthday's Celebrated

Kelley Catherine Larson born August 9, 1986 

Ashley Laura Rode born August 6, 1988 

... celebrated their birthdays this year together at the Grosser"s cabin on West Fox Lake in MN. These two girls have shared birthdays every year of their life except one year when Ashley was at boot camp and another year when she was stationed overseas. Although they are very much individuals this is a highlight for both of them to share this time together. This year was especially fun for us as a family to celebrate during our vacation time.

(except for missing the Davis family in TX)

We had a great time of opening gifts and eating cupcakes made by the little hands of Sid, Pru, and Lenny.

 

Since Baby Beckett was asleep during the party time he 

enjoyed his cupcake the next day.

Dear Kelley and Ashley I am so proud and grateful to 

call you my daughters.

I am praying that this coming year of 2014-2015 is a year of great blessing from the hand of God!

I love you both so much more! mom

Baby Beckett Turns One!

Hard to believe this little guy turned one on July 28th .... His dad and mom planned an awesome 1st birthday party at a nearby park.

Let the Celebration Begin!

First a lot of food was eaten by all Beckett's family and Friends

Then the games were played ... loved this game where all the party friends tried to convince Beckett to come to his favorite toy

Then it was time to open presents

Finally a homemade monster cupcake (specially crafted by Beckett's mom)

Happy Birthday Beckett! Your life has been a testimony of God's grace, peace and healing. I am praying that God continues to use you in a mighty way. I love you more, however Jesus loves you most!

July 27th .... The Golfer's Birthday

70 Things that I love about you, 

from the one who loves you more, 

for your 70th birthday

1.         I love that you love the Lord
2.         I love that you me well
3.         I love your faith
4.         I love how you care for me  
5.         I love how you are the best daddy in the world
6.         I love that you are the best father-in-law in the world
7.         I love that you are the best bumpa and love your    grandchildren so much
8.        I love that you rejoiced in my healing of M.S.
9.        I love that you are full of faith
10.         I love your generous heart
11.         I love how you love others
12.         I love your persistence
13.         I love that we have laughed together
14.         I love that we have cried together
15.         I love that you are a good friend to many 
16.         I love sitting on the couch with you
17.         I love hearing your voice on the phone
18.         I love your selflessness
19.         I love your thoughtfulness
20.         I love your devotion to your family
21.         I love that you promised your life to me on August 10, 1973
22.         I love watching you walk by faith
23.         I love your sincerity
24.         I love that you love me no matter what
25.         I love when you have showed me His way through His words
26.         I love that you are my encourager often
27.         I love that you are humble
28.         I love that you are compassionate
29.         I love your wisdom
30.         I love your kind heart
31.         I love how you are at times open with your emotions
32.         I love hearing you pray aloud
33.         I love your love for serving
34.         I love that you are teachable
35.         I love your smile (without your 2 front teeth)
36.         I love your encouraging cards to me ( I have saved every one)
37.         I love your hugs
38.         I love how you have prayed for me often
39.         I love that you are a book-lover
40.         I love that you are honest
41.         I love that you are available
42.         I love that you are a thinker
43.         I love that you are a person of integrity
44.         I love that you are positive (most of the time)
45.         I love that you are enthusiastic (some of the time)
46.         I love that you are intentional
47.         I love that you love to help others
48.         I love that you are comfortable sharing your life with me
49.         I love that you are not afraid to share your values
50.         I love that you find joy in the simple things
51.         I love that you are gentle
52.         I love that you are self-controlled
53.         I love that you are strong
54.         I love that you are confident
55.         I love that you show your love for me by running errands
56.         I love that you will kiss me at red lights
57.         I love when you sleep by my side at night
58.         I love when you fix me steak and baked potato      
59.         I love that you fill my car up with gas
60.         I love when you mute the TV just to hear what I have to say
61.         I love that you are willing to vacuum every week  
62.         I love when you rub my feet
63.         I love that you were willing to teach me how to play cribbage
64.         I love when you read aloud to me
65.         I love that you fix, super glue, and replace anything that is broken
66.         I love when you get take-out for dinner and bring it home for me after a long day at work
67.         I love that you drive me around
68.         I love that you buy me candles, and Caribou and coffee lovers it like-it ice cream from Cold Stone
69.         I love when you bring home daisies
70.         I love that it is your 70^th birthday and my wish for you is that you will be blessed by this gift of all that I love about you!  Terry you are my best friend and the love of my life and I love you so much more!

Here's pictures of the 6 course meal that Adam and Kelley prepared for their dad.

Carrie flew in to surprise Terry and we enjoyed a dinner with adults only. After 2 and 1/2 hours of eating, drinking, laughing and overall fun we were off to the living room at Adam's. 

We watched as Terry opened a few of his 70 letters from friends and family, (a gift Carrie planned) his photo book of pictures of him from ages 1-70, (a gift Kelley planned) and other gifts given. He stated this was the best birthday celebration ever!  

#70neverlookedsogood

Lenny turns 4

It's already August and I am a bit behind however I believe in writing late rather than not writing at all. So I want to tell you how proud I am of my granddaughter, Lenny. 

She is the youngest of 3 with an older sister and an older brother. She often does not have to speak as her sister and her brother "go to bat" for her. In fact, this nana sometimes has to ask the older sister and/or brother what she has just said to me. In spite of the fact that I love this girl she is a Bumpa's girl. She prefers the love and the lap of her Bumpa.

Lenny May be the littlest in the Larson family but .... she is in love with baby Beckett. I love to watch her take care of his needs, play with him and watch over him. 

Lenny you have an amazing spirit ... I pray that some day you will know Jesus Christ in a personal way. I love you more however Jesus loves you most! Happy 4th year of life ahead!

May, June, July Highlights

On May 23rd He ...

Gave her ....

... over to Him

What a blessed day we were able to celebrate as a family on May 23, 2014 with our youngest daughter marrying Dustin, our newest son-in-law. As the story goes they met in the army and spent months getting to know one another overseas in Afghanistan and were engaged in October, 2013 with the celebration of a wedding in May, 2014.

In June we had a couple of birthday celebrations but I don't have pics downloaded  yet so on to July .... 

In July we celebrated a visit from the golfer's sister from Washington. As the golfer and his sister headed to their all-school reunion in Bagley, I headed to the Red, White, and Boom 1/2 marathon to see my only son at the finish line! Awesome running and so much fun with the family too!

Then I had my first bath time with Beckett along with my first date day Friday for the summer with him. It was supposed to be boy's date day but Sid was with his cousin ....