Happy 6th Birthday Alexis!

I can hardly believe that we have been grandparents for six years already. We had heard from others how special being a grandparent was, but until we actually experienced it for ourselves we didn't know just how wonderful it really would be. We have this little girl to thank for starting us on our grandparenting journey.

Alexis is growing so fast. She is still a little girl, but not a little, little girl. She is fast entering into preadolescence (although she still has a few more years before that). One of the things I most enjoy doing with Alexis is just talking with her. She is such a conversationalist. It's amazing the knowledge that a six year old can have. Of course, growing up in this day and age, she is efficient with technology. Often when we are together, she is now the one to take the video of whatever we are doing. I enjoy spending time with her and hearing about what she is learning and doing. She is a joy to all of us who know and love her. Kristen made a beautiful cake for her (pink is Alexis' favorite color).

 

And here is the birthday video :)

Happy birthday Alexis!!!!!

Oh You of Little Faith

As I mentioned in an earlier post, Steve and I recently purchased the old Mt. Nebo Store. The biggest reason that this property was on the market for so long and did not sell was because of the underground gas tanks. The horror stories that abound of the money that people had to spend when they had tanks removed and there was contamination of the soil found around the tanks is enough to make even the brave cringe. Banks will not give a mortgage for any property that has underground tanks and most insurance companies want nothing to do with them either. Steve watched the price on the property come down lower and lower and thought it was a chance worth taking. I protested that if everyone else thought it was too risky, why would we be stupid enough to try it.

 

The tanks came out on July 22 and the excavator told us he thought we had a 50/50 chance of passing the soil tests that DEP  required. While I'm envisioning hundreds of thousands of dollars being needed to bring the area around the tanks into compliance which would probably eventually bankrupt us, Steve was quietly confident that they would pass. He did not feel that God would bring us this far to fail us now.

 

Yesterday we received the results. Under the Site Assessment Results an x was placed in the square that read, "No Obvious Contamination - Sample Results Meet Standards/Levels."

 

More and more I am realizing that I just need to give this project up and leave it in God's hands. My faith has been very weak, but slowly I am getting more and more excited about the possibilities of this property that we have purchased. Onward we go.

 

PS: We now have a name for the business: The entire facility will be known as the "Mt. Nebo Center." The discount grocery store will be called "Martic Store," and the food bank will be known as "Martic Pantry."

How Quickly Things Can Change

One phone call can change your life in a heartbeat. This morning Steve's dad was taken by ambulance to the hospital because he had a seizure at home. He had another seizure about six hours later in the hospital and we are still waiting for an MRI that will hopefully shed some light on the reason why. As I am writing this, he is resting comfortably and chatting with family. This picture was taken about a week ago when the children from church went to Jay and Kristen's place to fish. I love the way Mark is peeking out between his great-grandfather's arms. Marlin Lehman is loved by many and we can't help but pray that he has a few more good years left to enjoy here on this earth, but if God has another plan I trust that He will give us the peace to accept whatever lies ahead.

Summer Days

Good old summer. There is always so much to do and often it seems so little time to do it. If only all of life could be as peaceful and tranquil as this picture makes me feel. We took the Kid's Club from church fishing at Jay and Kristen's place and Steve's parents were there as well. This picture is of Steve's dad and Mark. I love the way Mark is looking toward his great-grandpa. It looks like they are having some kind of a discussion. It always touches my heart to see a little person keeping an older person company and to see how much they enjoy each other. May we never get rid of inter-generational relationships!

The night was perfect for fishing and the children caught quite a few fish and some were fairly big. Here are a few pictures:

I had some grandkid days too. Alexis and Lydia spent a night and Mark and Hannah were also here for part of a Saturday. I invited Awstin to come as well so he and Mark could have some cousin time. Here are some pictures and videos of things we did. I know some of the videos are too long, and will only be appreciated by a very few, but oh well, I'm just posting this mostly for my own pleasure and I like watching videos of my grandkids. After all, there are no kids that are cuter!

The girls wanted to play with Megan's cat Fluffers. He wanted nothing to do with them.

However, when we ignored him and went down to the park to play in the stream, he showed up on the creek bank to watch.

The hammock was a big hit.

I can't believe I left Alexis videotape this one :)


Alexis enjoys videotaping now too. When did she get so grown-up?


The boys :) What is more fun than a puddle of water?


Little sweetheart Hannah!


Such a pretty little girl!

Awstin just loves to run. He must have ran around the kitchen table at least 25 times, laughing the entire time.


Till next time!

A Letter From Alexis

At Awstin's birthday party, Alexis handed me a letter. I opened it up and this is what I read.

I love when Alexis writes letters to me. I intend to write one back to her. In the meantime, I will get ready for the sleepover this Friday. I can hardly wait!

Summer 2015 Family Days

Each summer, Steve and I try to plan a family day with all of our children and grandchildren. This year we divided our time between two days as we tried to work with everyone's schedule. Even though it can seem like a chore to get a date it is always such a pleasure and so rewarding to spend time together. I enjoy watching my children chat and interact with each other and a highlight is seeing the grandchildren happy and smiling and laughing.

 

On Saturday, Steve and I, Shawn and Melissa, and Jay and Kristen took the grandkids to Cherry Crest Farm. The girls remembered it from last year and were excited about going again. We had a pleasant couple of hours just walking through everything and watching the children enjoy the animals, rides and play areas. The only stressful part was the Strasburg Railroad train that passes through the farm about every 15 minutes. It blows it's whistle loudly as it sails by and Awstin was not a fan of it. We kept an eye out for it and always warned him and Melissa would hold his ears. He would endure it and then as it whizzed by he would say hopefully "bye train?".

Our wonderful grandchildren!

 

Alexis and me.

 

Kristen and Lydia

 

The Singing Chicken Show was a big hit. Mark goes closer for a better look.

 

Taking a break.

 

Jay and family enthralled by the chicken show :)

 

Alexis and me again.

 

Melissa holds Awstin's ears as the train rushes by.

 

Even Hannah enjoyed the shelled corn barn although she wasn't quite sure what to make of it.

 

We got back from Cherry Crest mid afternoon and the rest of the family joined us for an early supper. After supper, everyone except Kristen and I went to Tanglewood to the driving range. While they all tried to hit the little white ball, Kristen and I took the children to Muddy Run Park. That is where I got the picture at the beginning of the blog of Mark and Awstin holding hands. We were walking from one playground to another one and we had to cross the corner of a parking lot. We told them to grab someone's hand as we walked through and they immediately attached themselves to each other. It was so precious! Afterward we came back to the house again and just enjoyed some relaxing time together until everyone went home. Of course Steve gave the children rides on the barrel train. Alexis and Mark and Awstin love it. Lydia will ride it sometimes, but chose not to this time. I don't think the boys would ever get tired of it. I'm not sure what is so much fun about sitting in a barrel and being pulled around but most children seem to love it.

 

There they go!

 

Last evening we all met again at the Barnstormers Game. We enjoyed a delicious meal of Hess's barbecue chicken and then Steve and I took the grandchildren to the playground and carousel while the others chatted and watched the game. Melissa and Kristen also made their way over to the play area and joined us. The merry-go-round was a big hit and all the children rode on it many times.

 

Shawn, Melissa and Awstin

 

Jay, Kristen, Alexis, Lydia, Mark and Hannah

 

Jeremy and Megan

 

Josh and Julissa

 

We told them not to climb on the rails.

 

Awstin didn't listen too well :)

 

Yes, we were practically the only ones there.

 

 

Awstin.

 

Lydia.

 

Alexis

 

Mark

 

The girls on the merry-go-round.

 

Mark waves as he and Grandpa go around.

 

Melissa and Awstin take a selfie while Grandpa watches.

 

Hannah is all smiles!

 

That ended our family time together for this summer. I'm so thankful for these moments that we can spend together. Family is such a blessing!

Awstin is 2!

This little guy turned 2 years old today! Two years isn't that long a time, but it is hard to remember (or imagine) life without him. He certainly changed the lives of everyone around him. After being married for 10 years before adding a child, I can only imagine the adjustments that Shawn and Melissa had to make.  However, this little ray of sunshine certainly made the life changes well worth the while. I have really enjoyed keeping Awstin every Wednesday. Seeing him at least once a week, gives me the advantage of witnessing firsthand all his little (and big) achievements. I love when he comes in my door and calls "maw maw!" When he sees me he comes running with arms outstretched. Such a warm welcome always melts my heart. I know how quickly these years go by, so I try to treasure all the moments that I spend with my grandchildren. I hope that when they grow up, they are still happy to see me.

 

Shawn and Melissa had a little birthday party for Awstin at Silver Mine Park. It was a nice evening together with family. His cousins were all there to enjoy the moment with him so that made it special. Melissa and a friend made a very creative cake. It was so cute! Awstin really hadn't been to a birthday party before, and they weren't sure if he would really understand what was going on. I'm not sure he did get most of it, but when it came time to blow out the candles he blew them right out. Everyone was amazed, but I'm pretty sure he knew what to do because I have videos of all his cousins blowing out their birthday candles on their cakes and it is one of his favorite things to watch when he is at my house.

Taking a bite out of one of the tires.

Showing off his black teeth.

Lydia helpfully shows him what is in the gift bag.

His cousins wait in anticipation as Awstin puts his hand in the bag to pull something out.

Mark loved the little farm toys too!

Alexis shows Awstin his new Clifford books.

Alexis, Lydia and Mark admire Awstin's presents. He is so lucky to have such wonderful cousins!

Here's the birthday video. I know it is a little long, but I am positive that Awstin will enjoy watching it again and again. 

 

It is fun to share in our grandchildren's birthdays. Next one up is Alexis' in August!