Back to Work

Last week I went back to substitute teaching which I haven't done in about ten years. I did it to earn some extra money, but now I'm not sure that the money is worth it! Things surely have changed since I was in an elementary school! Of course, subs don't usually get good lesson plans. They are usually quickly done and something that can be carried out easily. BUT, they are usually boring plans that don't interest the kids. I was told that substitute teachers must carry out the teacher's plans, so I was stuck with them. The kids were hard to handle and their names!! - I didn't even recognize some of them as being names of boys or girls! IIlyia - a boy, Jazmin - a boy, Verrin - a girl! And they are insulted if you can't pronounce it or remember it. I came home very tired and ready to just quit both days I subbed. But I decided to try it again this week to give it a fair chance. I went in with a good attitude both times and both times came home discouraged and very exhausted. But maybe those experiences were just a fluke! I hope! I know that the Lord can get me through and help me to be uplifting to the kids that I have in class. They are so needy! I'm not promising anything yet!

Grandpa and Grandma Babysit

         Last Saturday night Terry and I got to babysit for Matthew together. It had been a while since we had done that. Shelley and Bob were going out on a "date". :) So Terry and I had the pleasure of having Matthew all to ourselves. We had fun playing with trains, going grocery shopping with fake food, etc. Grandpas will go to any length to get a laugh as you can see when Terry put the track on his head. The only problem is that he can't stay awake long enough for Matthew to notice him. He actually fell asleep on the couch when Matthew turned his back for just a minute! Matthew was a little disgusted and tried to wake him. The really good thing about having grandparents take care of you is that they let you eat white sugar donuts!! Mmmm!! Grandpa said he could have a chocolate one after he finished the white one, but Grandma put the cabash (?) on that! After Grandpa fell asleep again, Grandma was the one who got to get Matthew ready for bed and then cuddle with him while reading ALOT of books. I wouldn't trade that time for anything! He is my sweetie.

Our Son-in-law, BOB

It has recently been pointed out to me that I have left a very important person out of my blog so far. (Although I did mention that I have two very special sons-in-law!) So anyway, I want to say a few things about one of the very special sons-ln-law now. God just seemed to drop Bob into Shelley's life quite unexpectedly at a crucial time in her life. When they fell in love, it happened fast (maybe on the phone from Florida! - he called her while she was with us on vacation and they talked for hours) and things progressed quickly after that. We are so happy that they have a happy marriage - they seem to treat each other in a very loving way and Bob obviously loves his wife and son! We appreciate him so much not only as a son-in-law, but as a friend! :)

Great Grandpa turns 88!

Today Terry's dad turned eighty-eight! He is doing well and seemed to enjoy the little party we had tonight at Logan's. Aunt Shirley was there, so were Barb and Ron, Sandy, Shelley and Bob, and Matthew, and Terry and I.    Here is a picture of Dad blowing out his candles. 

We had a very cozy room with a fire going. The other picture shows four generations - Dad, Terry, Shelley, and Matthew.

A New Grandchild on the Way

Here is our first glimpse of our new grandchild! Shari and Mark are due September 1 and the baby is progressing nicely. They heard a heartbeat already! It is neat to see them so excited. We can't wait to have another baby to love.

A Play Date with Matthew

Today was special because it was a "play date" with Matthew. I haven't been babysitting much lately because Shelley isn't teaching a class this semester and I have been sick. So I have missed playing with him so much!! When I got there he was all excited to see me and said," Grandma, you play with me?" So we played with the big train upstairs and then went downstairs to play at his train table and with numerous other toys. I had a great time with him. What a sweetheart - he loves to have someone pretend with him! Then he, his mommy, and I went to Baker's Square and had some lunch. I couldn't think of a nicer way to spend my day. Thank you, Matthew! (and Shelley)

Two Christmas Surprises!

It was a wonderful Christmas! Shari and Mark flew up from North Carolina for a couple of days, and we had them all of Christmas Day. Terry and Shelley didn't know they were coming, so Bob and I had to keep it a secret. (At least from them - just about everyone else knew!)

Terry was reading that morning, expecting Shelley and Bob and Matthew to be at our house soon. I knelt down by him and told him that I had a little surprise for him for Christmas. He just grunted!! Then Shari and Mark were coming up the walk and I told him that the surprise was coming up the walk. I think he was really shocked. Cool! Then Shelley, Bob and Matthew came. Shari wanted to meet Shelley at the door. It was a good surprise. I think that it was Shelley's secret wish for Christmas - one that she thought was impossible. We all had a very nice, quiet Christmas Day. Then after opening presents together, Shari and Mark handed us each a small bag and told us to open it at the same time. None of us got it at first - it was a baby bottle. We were so dense - it took a minute to sink in. They are having a baby!! What a wonderful Christmas surprise for all of us!

Church Bookstore

I love working in our church bookstore! I've always loved books and reading. I have always wanted to have a bookstore of my own. How great that the Lord has provided a bookstore for me to work in and manage and serve him at Cornerstone at the same time! This is our Cornerstone bookstore, called the "Book Rack". I love ordering all the books, opening the boxes when they come in, and arranging the shelves! I love planning for Christmas and ordering for all of our classes and just trying to provide a good choice of books for a good price. What fun!! :)

At the same time, I am trying to get to know some new people, their names, and something about them as they come in to order books, buy books, use the library, or just look around. I know that it can be a great ministry to make people feel welcome and loved. I am very happy to have this spot to serve and I must keep in mind that it is not mine, but the Lord's.

Boys Love Their Toys!

I think that most men never really grow up. I guess that is good. They all seem to have certain toys that interest them no matter how old they are. Now I like to play with toys also, but I don't buy them for myself! This Christmas Terry saw a toy that interested him so much that he just had to go buy it for himself for Christmas! We saw these remote controlled helicopters at Brookstone. On the box it said that these helicopters could be flown - in the house! A man wrote that! The first one he brought home just went in circles in the air and crashed into everything. The blade broke and it had to be taken back. But, of course, Terry had bought an insurance package on the helicopter, so he got a new one for free. He did much better with that one, but still had trouble controlling it, and it still crashed into walls and furniture. The best part about it was that he took it to church and flew it in the Gathering Space (better idea!), and Matthew got to come and watch. I just love the look of wonder and awe on Matthew's face in this picture!! Terry ended up taking that one back also and finally got one that worked!

An Unexpected Love

Isn't this just the sweetest face you've ever seen? I never ex-pected this feeling. It is an overwhelming love. Matthew Owen Johannes is our first grandchild. He is Shelley and Bob's son, and he couldn't be dearer to me. I can't explain my feelings, but I could just watch him all day - with a smile on my face. He is two years old now, and the feeling hasn't worn off. I love being with him, around him, listening to him, holding him, feeling his soft skin and hair. I love to read to him and hear his cute voice. One day he said, "I love you,Grandma, I love you!" I actually got him saying that on video and I love to watch it. It is so amazing that he would love me back. He is such a special little boy - he remembers everything! I have never felt so awed by another person. God has given me this wonderful grandson to love and I want to be the best grandma ever!