Congratulations Esther!

Saturday was a big day for Esther. She received her Masters of Education degree from Baker University! Baker is the oldest 4-year university in Kansas. A bit of trivia from the AAA tour book ... one of the early contributors was Abraham Lincoln, who gave $100 to the university in 1864! Baker is located in Baldwin City, near Kansas City, however, Esther was able to take classes at the Wichita satellite campus, as well as online.

We are very proud of Esther and her achievement. She's completed her coursework in two years, all while mothering her four active daughters, teaching second grade (including being department chair, a master teacher, and working on specialized math teams!), PLUS being a wonderful supportive wife to Brett. And then this year she added the responsibility of being a Pastor's Wife! She's an amazing woman, to say the least!

To begin the celebration, we joined Brett, Esther, Moira, Audrey, Isabel, and Maeve, for what Brett called a "fine dining experiece - Applebee's" on the way to Baldwin City (not many choices!). The girls really made me proud with their very fine restaurant manners.

A proud family!

This day also marked the one year anniversary of the passing of Esther's father. He would have been so very proud of her! Her achievement was a wonderful tribute to him, as well.

Esther - how F.A.R. you've come since we first met in 1993!!!

We love you!

Grandparent's Day

Today was Grandparent's Day for Isabel's kindergarten class.

She was sweetly and patiently waiting for us to arrive at her classroom.

All three kindergarten classes moved to the cafeteria where we did an art project together. She had already drawn her face on a paper form that said "Here is a hug for you." Then she and Papa drew her handprints and made accordian pleated arms. It proudly hangs on our fridge and we have a ready-made "Isabel hug".

Chocolate sundaes and a very cute little program rounded out our time together. She came home with us and we made a batch of Peppermint Crunch Cookies, a new recipe for Christmas.

Precious time together!

Sunday Cuteness!!

Yesterday was Maddie's first Sunday to church. She's all dressed up and ready to go!!

Can hardly wait to see her!

An Interesting Morning

This morning I went to Wichita State University to participate in the Breast Cancer Decision Making Study. The study is directed by a graduate research assistant in the Psychology Department's Decision Making Research Lab.

Simply put, the scenario was that participants were given a hypothetical diagnosis of early breast cancer disease and through a series of patient videos and survey questions would choose either to treat by lumpectomy with radiation treatment or mastectomy. Follow-up questions were asked to determine the reasons for the decision. It was all very interesting. The data will be compiled, analyzed, and written up in a technical journal and will ultimately be printed in brochures and pamphlets used by doctors and other professionals. There were just three of us today, all assigned to a little cubicle with a MAC. Each had different information sets and videos, as will all of the 300 participants.

Over the years I've read of many different study groups, but never qualified as a participant. I've always thought it would be an interesting thing to do and I wasn't disappointed. It was stimulating to do something a little out of the norm - and hopefully make a tiny contribution to such an important topic.

Another Visit to Branson

We spent a week in Branson in mid-November. Lee, Tim, Rich study the map and discuss our route.

We hoped to get to Springfield, MO, by 4pm because we were going to eat an early dinner at Lambert's Cafe, home of the throwed rolls. We were a little late and had to wait as the place was P.A.C.K.E.D! Servers literally throw rolls across the dining room! Our seats were conveniently close.

This is a very fun place to eat, but go HUNGRY as portions are ginormous!

We spent and afternoon and evening at Silver Dollar City. For our non-local readers, let me introduce you to our friends. Leslie and Roger (she's an administrative assistant at a local care facility, he's in the paint department at a lawn mower manufacturing plant), Tim and Dorla (he's a retired farmer and equipment salesman, she does part-time home health care), Lee and Helen (he's a retired railroad man, she's retired administrative assistant). Since Helen is still recovering from knee replacement surgery, she rented a motor scooter - essential in getting around on the very hilly terrain! We are all friends from church and involved in various ministries.

We took in some wonderful shows. Some of us went to see SIX, six brothers who are wonderful! They make all their instrument music from their own voices - no background or recorded music accompanies. They are my new favorite group. They did some of their usual show, pop tunes, a Beach Boys set, and other great music then the second half was all Christmas. Fabulous!  Then we all went to Andy Williams' Christmas Show. He is 83 and was in great voice. He wears tennis shoes so he won't slip and fall, danced a little, had great acts who joined him, and put on a marvelous show. It was just like old times watching his TV specials!

Then our last day together, we went to see "Miracle of Christmas". This was produced by the same company who produces "Noah". Another marvelous show.

We loved the gorgeous red maple trees that stood outside our building!

Tim and Dorla, Lee and Helen left a couple of days before we did. On our last day we took Roger and Leslie to see Laura Ingalls Wilder's home. We toured the little musuem, watched a 10 minute film and then a very sweet docent led us on a tour through the "little house" than Almanzo built for Laura. Since Laura was just 4'11" everything about the house is "little"; height of kitchen counters, furniture, stair steps, etc.

They lived in a two room cabin while he built the house, starting with the kitchen, which you enter through the screened porch.  He built 1-2 rooms at a time, as funds would allow. It's a charming house on a wonderful piece of property.

This was a week filled with lots of good conversation, our own "church service" on Sunday, and too much food. It was a special time for Rich and me to get better acquainted with these dear people! Thanks to all of you for coming along with us!

Giving Thanks!

I've been on a little "blogger vacation" but will attempt in the next few days to catch you up on November happenings.

Our Thanksgiving was a very nice quiet day with Brett, Esther, Moira, Audrey, Isabel, and Maeve.

I think this photo of Isabel and Maeve sitting in front of the oven watching the turkey roast is my favorite! Such anticipation!

Actually Brett and Mo joined me in the kitchen on Wednesday for food prep and pie making. Loved their help! Then Thursday morning Brett, Mo, and Audrey came early. Everyone had jobs to do! I put Brett on the turkey. It was great to have him do the lifting! We made a compound butter with fresh herbs, salt and pepper that he rubbed on the skin, then stuffed the cavity with more fresh herbs, whole carrots, celery and onion. Layed it on a "rack" of whole carrots, celery and onion, poured a couple of cans of broth around and put it in oven at 500 degrees for 15 minutes. Then took it out to tent with foil and roast at 325 until timer said it was at 166 internal temp. Didn't open the oven until the last 30 minutes or so to remove foil. Juicy and moist. Perfect!

Mo was eager to learn some knife skills with my sharp chef's knife. She did a great job making a veggie plate and trimming the fresh green beans. Audrey was a little sous chef too! I don't know who enjoys these times more, the girls or me. They are so eager to learn to cook!

Ah, we're ready to eat!

Faces of contentment.

We played lots of games. In the kitchen we could hear Papa and Isabel downstairs, hoopin' and hollerin' over their games of Sorry and Crazy Eights. The adults wrapped up the evening playing Contract Gin. Rich won!

It was a great two days (actually, three days, if you count Friday Left-overs!) to enjoy each other's company and remember all the things we are thankful for.

Maddie Is Here!

Madelyn Rose Dewey arrived Monday, November 22 at 4:45 pm!! She weighed 8 lbs and is 19.5 inches long.  Jeremy was really great at texting us updates throughout the day and then this one word message, "Awesome".

All are doing well!

So far Maddie seems like a very calm baby, or as Jeremy says, a "chill" little baby! :) When he was with her in the nursery she started to fuss a bit so he put his hand on her chest and she quieted down. Hope that is a sign of things to come! :)

And a message arrived today, Day 2, with this photo!  What a sweet, healthy baby!

Our new little family!

We are so blessed - and grateful!