Saturday, July 30, 2011

Two New Grand Babies in Two Months!

Today our grandson  Emmet Charles was born!  Our son Daniel and our precious DIL Jess are the happy parents and Emmett's two big brothers are Sam (3) and Eli (11/2).

Little  Emmett decided to arrive a week early weighing in a 9 lbs. 1oz. and 21 1/2 inches long.  Yep- we grown 'em big up here:)

Here he is!
This picture was taken by his mommy Jess.

We are so thankful for such a healthy little guy and his healthy mommy.  God is so good!

I plan to be back blogging very soon.  Thanks so much for sticking with me sweet friends.

Lots of hugs,
Linda

Friday, June 3, 2011

She's Here! Our little "June Bug"

Little Hazel June has arrived!  She waited until the crack of June to enter the world and we are so glad she is here!   After 48 hours of labor with midwives and home birth, her mommy and daddy welcomed their little girl into their family.  Our  son Tim and our dear DIL Brooke are the proud parents.

(Photo by her Gramma Wendy)

Hazel weighs 9 lbs. 7 oz. and is 21 1/2" long. She's a keeper!  Can't wait to see her- She is in Grand Rapids --we are six hours away.

(Photo by her mommy)

 Doesn't it look like she is cracking a little smile?   What a sweet little face.:)

You are so loved little one.



Love, Grammy    (I am lovin' this season of life... )

Tuesday, May 10, 2011

My 25 Things

I went back in my Facebook notes and reread something that I wrote over two years ago.  This list of My 25 Things was very popular on Facebook- just make a list of 25 things about yourself.  I was brand new to FB and decided to get my feet wet and/or jump in with both feet-- anyway it must have involved feet.:)

I haven't blogged for a while so I thought  I would post this list along with updates.  Isn't it wonderful how life doesn't stand still?    Sometimes, I wish someone would turn off the fast forward button of life for just a little while though, don't you?:)

Anyway, here they are.

1. I am one of seven siblings --5 boys, 2 girls. I was the only girl for 15 years.

2. Our family lived in an old farm house, no indoor plumbing until I was a teenager. It really wasn’t so bad. We had a little red pump by the sink – the water came from a cistern- you didn’t drink that water. We had a water bucket, for drinking water, that was refilled from the pump on the porch. So in a way, we had indoor pumping. My dad added running water and a bathroom. That old farmhouse was bulldozed into a big hole about 12 years ago. It is sad to know that I can never see it again. Our childhoods lived in that house.

3. I know this for sure…to grow up without much money, but with a lot of love is better than the reverse. ( I want to give honor here to my parents, who made a wonderful life for our family. They were models of hard - working, loving parents who raised us in the church and lived out their faith in front of us.  Of course,not perfection, but with God's grace --always pointing us to Him.  Thanks Mom and Dad for laying down a foundation of faith for generations to come.)  ( Dad passed on into Heaven in 2006, and Mom is still a steady prayer warrior for her family and friends.)

4. I am a cable news junky. (Actually have cut way back on this)

5. My husband and I would probably win the “Stay Calm, We Have This Under Control” award—if there was one. One time, a fire started in a skillet on the stove—I was startled, but put a lid over it and put it out. I said-“ whoa I just about had a fire here”….my husband who was sitting at the table reading the paper with his back to me, and without turning around, said, “I thought I smelled something”, and went on reading.

The other time I started a grease fire, Lon and the boys weren’t home and I called the fire department after I put it out- to make sure I had it out. Never leave the stove with a wok of oil on the heat “for just a second” just to get a crying baby out of her crib- especially when you realize she has a fever and you forget about the wok getting hot and start to change her diaper. I forwarded an email the other day regarding kitchen fire safety and my sister questioned my authority to give advice on that subject…

6. I am amazed at and grateful for the sacrifice of the adults in my life when I was growing up. Their time was a precious thing that they gave to me, to enrich my life, and I didn’t realize it back then.

7. I have prayed for my daughters-in- law since they were little girls. I heard from Dr. Dobson on Focus on the Family in the early 80’s to start praying for your children’s future spouses and I did. Oh..my.. goodness –my sons have married wonderful young women.

8. There are still three more young people out there that I am praying for…(update:  make that two- we've had a wedding since then- and yes another wonderful young woman came into our family:)

9. I won the Betty Crocker award in home economics (and it was a trophy!) my senior year in high school. The teacher decided who received it.
I wish I still had that. I would have set it on the shelf in my kitchen and said to my kids, “What do you mean you don’t like it? I have won an award for my cooking! See?”

10. I am so thankful for the love that my sister has showered on my family all these years. For my kids, she has done everything from sewing Superman capes to making Jell-O jigglers to spell out their names –back when their names had not been shortened- and with the cousins visiting that day -seven kids! She has stayed up into the night talking with them about everything under the sun. She introduced us to the funniest movies. Princess Bride etc. She has come to my home and run my household with six kids, (including home schooling) when I had surgery or broke my ankle and cooked lovely dinners every night—better that I would have in good health!--this was before she was married or had kids of her own!
I could fill up the rest of the 25 things right here.

11. I love my brothers. It was fun growing up with them. I wish we all lived closer so we could visit more often. They all still crack me up and I love spending time with them!

12. I have lived near state capitals in all three states that I have lived in and yet, have never been to a state fair.

13. I was in a church singing group called The Lamplighters when I was in high school. I played tambourine. Six teens from our church youth group made up the group- my two brothers and three close friends and me. We girls had matching long skirts. We were semi-well known in our area churches. We were invited to sing at several church revival meetings- one was a week long. We once sang at our high school assembly- I mean we were the program for the assembly-can you imagine. And then in the summer, we also sang at the Concord Burgoo (our annual small town community celebration). My son Jonathan now uses that tambourine in recording his music.

14. One food that I hate is sweet potatoes- in any recipe. I just don’t like them.  (update:  my dil Jess introduced me to sweet potato fries and dil Brooke added them to a baked, spiced veggie mix- and they are great!  You CAN teach this old  mature grammy new tricks!)

15. During my senior year of college, I worked at a very small taco “restaurant” with 5 seats at the counter--that was the total number of seats in the place. It was owned by a really old man called “Pop”. He paid his employees (3 college girls) in cash. One person at a time worked a shift. It was called “The Rocket”—there was a big rocket pointing toward the sky on top of the building. My kitchen is larger than that building was.

16. I can’t believe my own age—I don’t feel this old in my head.

17. But I love being a grammy!!  (We have 3 grand babies on the way in May, August and December!:)))

18. Amanda and I could hold our own in a Gilmore Girls trivia game. I would also want Jess on my team.
( I  would have Jess as captain of our team- she "schooled" Amanda and I with her GG references last summer on a vacation weekend .:)

19. I don’t care what you say, --I love puns. Like: I’m ironing out the chaos in my laundry room. Come on…

20. I am a big believer (and receiver) of God’s mercy and grace—I don’t deserve it, but He gives it. I am still learning to give both like I should…to make it my first action and reaction.

21. I didn’t think I would enjoy Facebook like I do.  ( I still enjoy FB- a great way to keep up with family and friends.)

22. When we were raising our kids, there wasn’t a community of mothers to laugh and cry and rant with like on blogs and facebook. I think my generation felt like we were the only ones going through it most of the time. Two people who helped me the most were Dr. James Dobson (and the guests on his radio program)… Also Erma Bombeck’s humor of imperfection got me through a lot of days. I have an autographed copy of one of her books that my husband gave me for Christmas in 1984. Godly teaching and laugh out loud giggles—a good combination.

23. I love blogging and the community of really cool ladies that I have met there.  Nothing to update here- just a hearty AMEN to what I said back then- Bloggy friends are some of the most amazing women I've "met"!:)

24. I wish we had a dog. A really lazy dog.

25. Or a cat – one that was allergen free.—goes without saying that the cat would naturally be lazy.

  Below, I've included  comments from my kids, because I was touched by them and it made me realize how it is important to tell your life story to your kids-- I thought I had, but there were some details and things from my heart that were new to them.

So I encourage you, dear bloggy friends to tell your story- especially your journey with Jesus.-- But also your growing up years with your children.  It helps them to get to know you even better.

I heard this the other day and I want to pass it along.   "God is always up to something good."     No matter how our lives are going, God will take the bad days and make something good from them and help us grow and bless us so we can praise him...He takes the good days, draws our attention to his Goodness and  Mercy so that we can praise him, too.   It's  about giving Glory to God.
 Have a blessed week, dear friends. 
FaceBook Comments:


    • Jess Collier - linda, number 7 made me cry... and number 9 made me laugh. :) thanks for sharing these - i learned a few things about you that i didn't know before!
      February 7, 2009 at 8:37am ·

    • Lisa Collier    these were so fun to read! #19 cracks me up--you do like puns and i think this is hilarious! awe, i want you to keep going and tell us more about yourself! #7 also made me cry.
      February 7, 2009 at 9:18am ·

    • Ben Collier   thanks for sharing Mom, it was wonderful to read!
      February 7, 2009 at 11:50am ·




    • February 7, 2009 at 4:19pm ·

    • Amanda Collier
      ‎1-25. i love you!

      more specifically...

      2. and you have no fear of spiders!
      ...4. not me! haha
      8. whoa!
      10. where would we be without missy? and zoolander?
      16. in my mind ive been 17 for the past four or five years, so when im 18 (in a month!) i wonder how ill feel.

      18. maybe i could invite emily, allie, and hilary over and we could battle... colliers vs. others!
      im so glad we understand each
      other!
      24-25. me too :( especially 25)

      February 8, 2009 at 10:04pm ·

    • Jess Collier just saw #18... i would definitely want you both on my team too. we would absolutely kick some gilmore girl butt!
      February 9, 2009 at 8:02am ·

Friday, April 22, 2011

5 Minute Friday

I am linking up with Gypsy Mama in 5 Minute Friday.   First time in and Friday is almost gone, but jumping in with both feet.


Let’s just write and not worry if it’s just right or not. Here’s how we do it:

1. Write for 5 minutes flat with no editing or tweaking.
2. Link back here and invite others to join in {you can grab the button code in my right side bar}
3. Go and tell the person who linked up before you what their words meant to you. Every writer longs to feel heard. {And if you love us, consider turning off word verification for the day to make it easier for folks to leave you some encouragement}

The Hard Love...
 

Hard love is loving someone- a mess- who throws it back in your face, doesn't trust your love, doesn't believe you want the best for them...   God love.

What a mess am I - my sin--- filthy rags--couldn't enter in His home.   On the road to eternity with only death in my future.   What future?  Who could love this?

God love- Hard love...

His only Son--Hard love.    He did it for me...and you...

Jesus- Hard love.   Suffering for me.  Why?  He wanted to clean up my rags- to make them white-- through his blood.

Death on a cross- Hard love.

Rising again!- Changes everything.

 Thank you- Savior, Son of God for loving me with a  hard and forever love. For new Life.

Teach me to love.

Stop

Monday, March 14, 2011

The Simple Woman's Daybook

Peggy over at The Simple Woman's Daybook is the gracious host here.  Join in any day of the week.




For Today...March 14, 2011

Outside my window... Oh my, I am so happy to report that the sun is shining and birds are singing-- I said the birds are SINGING!!:)   The snow is melting and some of the birds are back. Yippee!  Here is our 7 day forecast- 50's- it's going to reach into the 50's!   We get excited up here when our normal high temps turn into our low temps.:)



I am thinking... that it has been much too long since I have blogged...and I have really missed it.  AND my bloggy friends.  I have stopped in and said hi along the way, but I want to be a better bloggy friend and get back with it.  I miss you!!

I am thankful for... all of our blessings- Seeing the devastation in Japan and the destruction there- my heart goes out all those families.   I just can't take it all in.

From the kitchen...I made roast beef with potatoes and carrots last night for dinner.  With just DH and I here tonight, we will just use up the leftovers.  This was hubby's request for his birthday dinner for last week, but  a flat tire got in the way of that on his birthday.  Life happens.

I am wearing...my jammies. 

I am hoping...that hubbies back feels better this evening after his chiropractic adjustment.  He came home Saturday with a "crick" in his back and stiffness.   So thankful they could get him in for an appt. today after work.

I am hearing... the morning sounds of people off to work and school-- and the birds!  I just heard the one that sounds like they are saying "you hoo".--so you know that one?:)

I am remembering...what Spring feels like-- I am so loving hearing those birds this morning!:)  And wasn't that great how it didn't get dark so early last night?--I sympathize with those of you with young children.  I know that the time change throws sleep schedules off.

I am praying...for my hubby on several counts ( one of them with exciting possibilities:)- especially his back today.   Also, of course, for the people of Japan.

For Amanda who is "Spring Breaking" in Michigan with a visit to Tim and Brook's house.  They are expecting  a little girl in May- so exciting!!
AND- oh yes!!  I haven't had the chance to tell you that we are expecting ANOTHER grandchild in AUGUST!!  Yes!  Daniel and Jess are going to have another little one- a little brother or sister for Sam and Eli!   Can you stand it?  I know I can't!:))

Around the house... Sorting and purging some of my clothes.   With my weight loss ( a little over 40 lbs. since last summer:),  there are a lot of things that don't fit anymore- in a good way.:)   I still have more to lose, but am very happy with my gluten free way of life.

On my mind... my 26 yr. old nephew,Andy died suddenly two weeks ago.  My thoughts are with my brother Wayne and his family so often throughout the days.  Our hearts are all aching from this and I'm so thankful that the Lord is so near with comfort. 

A few plans for the rest of the week...enjoying having Amanda back by midweek and spending time with her on her time off from school.  Oh -and her 20th birthday (how can that be?) is on Saturday, along with our little grand daughter Sophie's 2nd birthday (in Pittsburgh)- who was born on Amanda's birthday.
 


Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you... the birthday girls:

this is an older picture-- (not many pics are stored on this computer)
Happy Birthday Girls-- We love you!!

Thanks friends for stopping by and saying hi-- I'll be over to visit you, too!:)

Saturday, February 5, 2011

GO PACKERS!

Don't know is you've heard the news that our Green  Bay Packers are playing in the SUPER BOWL tomorrow!:

Yeah, we're pretty excited up here in the frozen tundra--but I guess after last week's blizzard, a lot of the country can claim that name- frozen tundra.:)

Anyway, just wanted to pop in and say "GO PACKERS!"

Tuesday, January 25, 2011

A Pain in the Neck...

usually is followed by a headache.   Man, oh, man--I have been through a week of maladjustment- literally.   I got up Tuesday morning...LAST Tuesday and after eating my oatmeal started feeling a headache climb up the back of my head and move into my neck.



Okay, this feels really different- first I usually get sinus headaches, not back of the head headaches.  Then it stated to really be painful just to hold my head up- like the weight of my head was too much. 

So I took some ibuprofen and went to lay back down...it will be better later, I told myself.   Not so.   In fact until yesterday, I was not upright for longer that 20 minutes at a time because of the pain.  I am not proud to say it, but my daughter's left over wisdom tooth removal meds helped get me through it.  I am familiar with them because of  my own other surgeries and knew how I react to them, so no mysteries or dangers here.

I think that the origin of my problem began the night before when my hubby feel asleep while hugging goodnight- he relaxed and feel asleep- the weight of his head onto mine...I  remember thinking okay that's  quite a bit or pressure on my head, but he'll wake up in just minute and he did.   No judgments here, he had been working long hours for two or three weeks- I would have fallen asleep, too.  Anyway, I think that must have moved something in my upper spine.   When I sat down in the hard kitchen chair the next morning, hello- more pressure on the lower spine and away we went.

Even with all the pain, I will not cease from hugging my husband- ok for a week I did.;)  Just will avoid the extra head weight from now on.

Yes, I knew a chiropractic adjustment was needed- but the thought of someone even touching my neck would do me in.   So I opted to rest it and hope the muscle would relax rather than go out into below zero temps and let a chiropractor even touch my neck.

Saturday and Sunday I started to see improvement and Amanda and my hubby gave me deep muscle massage on my neck and spine.    Yesterday, (Monday) was amazing- I was up most of the day- even got out my pj's.   Today is the two days in a row!!

Yes, I know a chiropractic adjustment is in my near future...please Lord let him adjust it- I don't want to go through that again!

No appetite.   I was sustained on applesauce and Sprite- the Aldi brand...  Thank you Amanda for taking such good care of me.   Sweet daughter.
I  lost about 10 pounds...I do not recommend this method of weight loss.

One thing I did get done while lying in bed, with light and sound hurting mostly too much to watch tv-- was praying...relaxed, slowed down, now think of others' needs,...praying.    First the thankfulness- what a God we have.   In the comfort of his hand, knowing that He knows all about my problem, and any other thing that is going on in my kids and family's lives and I ask him to watch over, and guard their hearts and eyes and ears, and build a hedge around...and bless them, and send angels to guard their cars as they drive.   And let them see You at work in their lives and give You glory.

And those grandkids, those precious grandkids.   For their health and safety.   So thankful for the introduction to Jesus and Love that they are receiving at their young age.

Thank you Father, for your Love,
Thank you Holy Spirit for coming to live in us.
Thank you, Jesus.   The Great Physician, the Great I AM, Counselor, The Beginning and the End, Most Holy, Mighty to Save. Savior, Prince of Peace, Comforter... so many more.  Thank you for the talks we've had day and night...thank you for prayer and and for being our Intercessor.

This Tuesday, I am better.  I am careful when moving or sneezing...sudden movements can be dangerous.:)

Anyway, I hope your week has been good.  Mine is getting better now.:)

Tuesday, January 11, 2011

The Simple Woman's Daybook

Peggy over at The Simple Woman's Daybook is the gracious host here.  Join in any day of the week.




For Today...January 11, 2011

Outside my window... it is lightly snowing and it is 25 degrees.   Just a beautiful winter day here in Wisconsin.  So sorry to hear that the South is so entrenched with snow and ice. 

I am thinking... that except for some deep freeze temps lately, this has SO FAR been  winter with very little heavy snow.   Most winters give us at least 3-4 inches of snow every few days and the shoveling is non-stop.
It seems to have hit hard in other places, and it just feels weird not to always be in the middle of the big snow storms...but I'll take it!

I am thankful for... the wonderful time we had with all of our kids and their families (grand kiddos!!) at Christmas.  It was so good to be together.   All three grand kids are up and walking/running and playing together now --so fun to watch.  Warmed this grammy's heart...

From the kitchen...Something with chicken- haven't fully decided yet.    My journey with gluten free eating has been going good, and I really don't feel deprived.    I made plans to not go strictly gluten free for the holidays ( gotta have my stuffing with the turkey- and some pie- even had a cookie or two over a few days;).
And didn't gain  any weight - yay!   In fact, have lost another pound since then!   So now I have lost 28 lbs. since July, when I started eating gf.  The weight loss an added benefit of eating more healthy.
My birthday is coming up on Thursday and I will have a gluten free cake- thank you Betty Crocker.:)  But I have been craving some Chinese food (most soy sauce contains gluten) from my favorite place and I think it is a good time to have that. What do you think?:)

I am wearing...blue jeans, black sweater and some of my very pretty nonskid socks that I received from Nathan and Kristen. :)

I am hoping...to get back into blogging more regularly.  I really miss it and staying close with my bloggy friends!

I am hearing... the tv in the kitchen that I forgot to turn off...and going- home traffic outside seems to be moving right along thanks to our hardworking street/highway crews.

I am remembering...that today is my brother Wayne's birthday and wishing him a wonderful day.

I am praying...for safety for all those in the South with the treacherous weather conditions- stay inside if you can!:)   And I saw on Facebook earlier that schools are closed in my hometown in Illinois today, too.
And of course, I'm praying for the Arizona shooting victims and their families.

Around the house... Regular cleaning and straightening, taking the tree down.  Raise your hand if yours is still up!:)

On my mind... how wonderful it is to be living in the watch care of our heavenly father.  How much He loves us and cares for every detail of our lives- I've had some answered prayers in the past week and His timing blows my mind every time.


One of my favorite things... I have been watching more and more football with my hubby this winter, and am enjoying it a lot- especially spending the time with hubby!:)  Only a few game left ( and our Packers are still in the playoffs!:)... I'm thinking there's still plenty of basketball left!;)

A few plans for the rest of the week...wanting to try some new GF recipes.



Here are some picture thoughts I am sharing with you...

What fun watching little ones open gifts.

A very musical Christmas with Sam and Sophie playing their harmonicas...

...and playing their duets on the piano.


Sophie loved her fabric dolls to dress-made by her Auntie Jess.




Eli up and walking this year enjoying the unwrapping.


A Grammy doesn't have a chance with that smile...:)
Happy New Year!

Photos by Brooke C.