What's on my mind?

A couple of things on my mind this week...
Maybe I'm spending too much time on the road these days but I've been thinking I need to come up with a message board for my car.  Here are some of the messages I'd like to "share" with my fellow drivers:

•   Hey...it's raining/foggy/dark.  Turn on your lights!
•   I like a good mystery...but please signal so I know what you're doing
•   Get Off My Bumper!  I can't go any faster than the car ahead of me!
•   I like to leave a little space between me and the 18=wheeler in front of me so please don't cut in front of  me!   
• Get off your phone and pay attention!  You are scaring me!
• Got any you'd like to add?  I need to get started on the prototype.                                                                                                                                                  

This opinion will put me in the minority I'm sure...I'm fairly conservative with my money.  ( I have some blouses old enough to vote!) and I'm not a super fan but I have to say that I'm glad the State of Minnesota/city of Mpls are going to build a new Vikings stadium.  I know that most people like to grouse about paying to build a playground for millionaires but I feel like there's a whole lot more to this thing than that.  It will create jobs.  It will create excitement.  It will generate pride.  It will bring people to Mn and they will spend money.  I think about kids in purple jerseys and families that get together to watch the home town team play on those Sundays in the fall.  It adds to the sense of community.  To say nothing of all the tax revenue that the state will get from players, coaches, vendors, bars, restaurants, t-shirt shops and so on.  I am no expert on the stadium issue.  I don't really care to understand all the ins and outs of the proposed budgets. And yes, the cost is enormous. But when you think of the world class venue that will be created, the events that it could accommodate, the opportunities it will bring....I can't help but take pride in being a small part of it.  I know that a lot of people disagree with this view, but isn't this how the Twins stadium started?


I hope we never take for granted that all these great grandchildren in the Mieska family (going on 19...congrats to Beth and Barry who had a healthy boy yesterday) are healthy.  Every one of these "little ones" (including 13 year old Matthew) is a miracle.  How blessed are we?

Weekend at Bernies....er..Briggs (& Everleigh)'s

 So...Ami and Scott took a much-needed weekend away to

watch the Twins play in Milwaukee and asked me to

take care of Briggs and Everleigh...wow...Fri morning

to Sunday afternoon...how did we do?   What did we do?

Of course, sometimes..what happens with Grandma

stays with Grandma :) but here are some

highlights...  We played outside in the swing...

 Everleigh helped me water the flowers.

 I bought this Thomas the Train toy for Briggs

at a garage sale (it even whistles!) but you

can see that Everleigh has taken it over.

 We visited "Androos" and Ethan...love how

Briggs reached over to tough Ethan's hand...

 We spent part of Saturday at GA Sue's lake place

with ever-vigilant Ben watching the action at the pool...

 While Baby Ethan looks on with his "froggie" outfit

 Briggs' new favorite thing to do (Thanks Uncle Ben!)

 We threw stones in the water.  Ben makes watching

2 two-year-olds look easy, but trust me...it's not!

 It was W.I.N.D.Y. but GG and Ethan bonded.

 Andrew enjoyed his first ever ice cream cone (love this pic)

 Ev tended GAS's "garden".

 Back home on Sunday...just relaxin'

Briggs shows off his 2 lower teeth.

All in all, things went very well.  We played. We rested.

We went on a couple of adventures.  We read stories.

We cleaned up toys.  

And we were all very glad to see mommy and

daddy return!

Would I do it again?  in a heart beat.

Mothers and Others

 "Whee!"  (Andrew)

 "Higher, Daddy, higher"  (Everleigh)

 Campsite

 Auntie Ami and little Ben,,,er...Ethan

 Auntie & Godmother Jesse with Briggs (7 mos.)

 Greg fixed steaks and potatoes on the grill...yum!

 Andrew & Everleigh admire my flowers that

are already blooming!

 More swinging

 Briggs with his daddy

So, it was a lovely Mother's Day for me.  A beautiful weather

day that included picnic lunch for Scott's family and Jesse's family

(and yes, at least 2 outfit changes for Andrew),

lovely gifts and cards with thoughtful sentiments,
time on the phone with my Florida kids and

ended with supper with my own mom.

It got me thinking about all the "moms" that have influenced

my life.  Some of them were moms in their own right

but some of them weren't...still they all provided guidance,

care, support, love and were wonderful role models:

• both my grandmas were loving and giving in their own way
• my Aunts Phyllis, who always had a project to share
• my Aunts Pat and Mia who always welcomed me into their homes
• Auntie (never Aunt) Joyce who always made me feel special
• most of my grade school teachers who taught me to diagram a sentence and get along in the world
• when I was growing up some of the other moms at Sunday School who taught the lessons, planned the snacks and sang the songs
• some of my own friends who have taught me by example how to be accepting and learn to let go
•  and all the young mothers out there who may be sleep deprived or yearn for a quiet hot meal,who face their own challenges and fears...

Thanks for reminding me that being a mother

isn't just biological, it's a decision made every day.

Happy 2nd Birthday, Andrew!

 Caillou Cake!

Andrew LOVES Caillou.  He's a character

in a show Andrew watches on Sprout TV.

 Briggs has been sitting by himself for a few weeks now.

 The "big kids" table

 I tried to get all 5 bigger kids in one photo....not quite

 Andrew enjoyed his "Caillou" cake

 So did Everleigh

 Claire watches the candle blowing

 Brody gets some help from GG.

 All the big kids were helping Andrew open gifts.

 Andrew was enjoying the action.

(note Caillou on his shirt, too.)

 This doesn't really capture the chaos.

Yes, little brother Ethan was at the party, but sleeping

peacefully with Whitney & Max.

So how to describe 2 year old Andrew?
He's curious.
He loves being "outside".
He's gentle with baby brother Ethan.
He likes to eat most foods.
He loves Caillou (tv character).
He builds with legos and likes to do puzzles.
He's not big on art projects (yet).
He goes to bed at 7 pm and sleeps til around
6:30 am without a whimper.
He takes good naps in the afternoon
but the rest of the time, he's full on busy.
He's daddy's boy but loves his "mama".
He knows his colors and can say most of them.
His favorite book is usually "Brown Bear, Brown Bear"
but also likes "I'm a Big Brother".
They sometimes compete for the same toy but his
best friend is Cousin Everleigh. (I have pictures of
the hugs and hand holding.)
He recognizes most aunts, uncles and cousins and
can say their names when looking at pictures of them.
He loves his "papa".
He has the patience of a 2 year old :)
He can have a tantrum but they are few and far between.
His Grandma Bunny loves him like crazy.

Four + Four = Eight

So...I made a quick trip to Florida last weekend (planned

before the Ketcher surprise spring break trip earlier)

so in one week I was able to be with all 8 grandchildren.

The little ones and I were together at Scott & Ami's

for a birthday gathering for Scott and me.  And

the big Ketcher boys and I spent the last

few days together....a "reunion" of sorts.

Anyway, it was great to see everyone.  More

pictures to follow.  These don't quite

capture the chaos that ensues when you try

to get one grandma and eight kids camera ready.

Another year....

Yeah, I had a birthday recently and it turned into a wonderful weekend plus of time with friends and family.  From breakfast to brunch to lunch to dinner I was treated to some wonderful meals and thoughtful gifts.  So...what's it feel like to be 62?  Well...I think I'm lucky.  I tire more easily than I used to but I can still keep up with toddlers.  I grab a nap when I can but for the most part, my health is good.  I still fit into clothes I've had for longer than I care to remember, and I can still wear a size 6 shoe.  I enjoy traveling when I can, but also am fond of rainbows, sunsets and a really good biography.  I don't take any medication except a baby aspirin every day and nothing really needs replacing yet (!)  Yes, I color my hair but I am not quite ready for what I know is almost a full head of gray hair.   I am lucky to have a few really good friends who call when they want to take a walk, who remember my birthday and often provide support when I need it.  I have a partner who understands my need to be involved in my kids' lives and even cooks supper for me most of the time.  Now if I could just get him to do the laundry....   I have children that appreciate, respect and honor me.   And my children have spouses that understand my idiosyncracies and accept me anyway.   I have 10 healthy grandchildren that provide endless fun and adventure.....a pretty good life.  And Jesus still loves me, this I know....

April 16

Everyone knows that your first child changes

your life forever.  But your second child

changes your life in ways you could

never expect.  My second child, Scott Andrew,

was born on April 16 a few years ago and

nothing has been the same in my life since.

I always said that if I'm ever stranded on a desert

island and only get one person with me, I'd choose

Scott....not because he can build a raft, light a

fire or catch a fish.  But it would be entertaining!

I chose this picture because it captures some
fun with Grandpa, my dad, brother Chad
and cousin Jer.  Also, my Grandma Mieska

A Vikings fan even back then...

I didn't take this picture but I always
think it captures Scott perfectly.

Scott and me on his wedding day.  Being his
mother is always (usually) great, but this was one
of the best days.

becoming a father

His family...Everleigh, Ami and Briggs
Happy Birthday, Scott!
Can't wait to see what the new year brings...