I’ll start things off with the face of a kid who is going to be a Big Brother soon. Lots of personality in that little face!
Here is his beautiful mama and baby sister.
Meagan is on bed rest for the duration of her pregnancy. If she can make it just one more week the doctor said that the next time the contractions start, she doesn’t have to take the medicine to stop them but can go ahead and deliver the baby.
Steve, Sarah and I are on high alert, just waiting for the phone call that will signal our mad dash to Florida. The two of them will just stay a couple of days and drive back. As with Noah, I’ll stay on a few days extra before flying home. Exciting times!
It’s been a week since Sarah had her wisdom teeth removed.
She is still in some mild pain but her biggest problem is still having to chew with her front teeth because the back area still hurts. I don’t know if it’s normal to hurt a week after surgery or not; I told her to call her surgeon’s office today and check into it. But all in all, she’s been a trooper, working long days, teaching her Sunday School class and keeping up with her normal schedule.
Steve and I are still hard at work planning our July trip to Clovis, NM for his 40th High School reunion. We had talked about flying into San Antonio but have now decided we might try for Albuquerque or Santa Fe instead. I have a couple of cities on fare alerts and we’ll see which one ends up with the lowest air fare. I’m getting my camera ready for taking multitudinous pictures of the glory of the Southwest!
Saturday morning, I invited some pastor’s wives and women ministers over for a brunch. (There were several more who really wanted to be with us but had calendar conflicts.)
Several times a year I want to put together these opportunies to provide women in ministry a place to share their stories and struggles and a place to laugh and to eat chocolate. Being in the ministry can often be lonely and so what could be better than getting together with other women who understand so well our unique joys and challenges?
I hardly had to cook at all because everyone brought something. Steve’s mom, Vernie (who knew I was planning this brunch), made some delicious scones and sent them home with Steve after his visit home. I put them in the freezer to keep them fresh and heated them a few minutes just before serving. They were amazing!
Another thing Vernie sent home with Steve was this silver-plated dish which Steve’s dad’s fighter squadron gave to the family about fifty years ago when they were stationed in Woodbridge, England. I had no clue what it was until Steve explained that it was designed to hold sugar cubes. I especially love the little shovel-y thing that comes with it.
Since most people don’t have sugar cubes lolling around in their cupboards, Steve’s mom sent some mints to serve in it. Such a genteel addition to our meal!
And speaking of silver things, Steve also brought home this solid silver bud vase which was given to his mom (once again from Ken’s fighter squadron) at Steve’s his birth in Alexandria, Louisiana. A 58-year old vase!
We picked a rose from the front yard and put it out on the counter to brighten the day. (I did a little photographic editing to make the yellow even brighter and cheerier.)
So two silver pieces have come into our lives from decades past. What treasures!
What about you? Do you have any special pieces that have some history attached to them? What is your favorite?
I have my dad’s little bible that was given to my Grandmother when my dad was born. It will be 80 years old this July. My dad has been gone for almost 22 years but it is something that I will always treasure. My father had the most amazing hand writing and he signed his name in the front cover and whenever I look at that signature it brings me back to seeing his signature on school notes. 🙂
Mnadeau,
What a sweet story! I have often remarked that penmanship from earlier days was almost a work of art; such a change from now. I have awful penmanship so I truly admire people like your dad who took pride in that way he wrote.
I love that seeing his signature reminds you of your school papers. Isn’t it incredible how the smallest things can bring back the most vivid memories?
My Daddy (always daddy, never dad), also had fantastic handwriting!
I have a silver cup with my name on it that my mom’s cousin gave me when I was born – her name is Norma Jean and my name is Phyllis Jean so she felt a kinship with me. It will soon be 60 years old and probably needs a little silver polish applied to be honest.
Phyllis,
How sweet to have kept that cup all those years. Priceless! And yes, I know just what you mean about that silver polish!
been wondering how Meagan was …. praying that one more week is easily doable!
I use a variety of dinner/salad plates from Winnie the Pooh designs (no surprise), hippos, Scottish plates, and one plain white Lenox plate from my Grandmother’s china… so, right now that is the “special’ that I remember.
Mrs. Pam,
Love the thought of Winnie the Pooh dinnerware. I was just looking through my cook books last week and saw that Winnie the Pooh recipe book you sent us several years ago. That is one of OUR dear treasures.
About that table. Tiny little salt and pepper shakers. Adorable. Accordion napkins stuck in the forks? Genius. (I don’t get out much apparently)
Here’s to hoping that granddaughter of yours stays put for another week. Fingers crossed! Very exciting. My granddaughter due in October is sitting on a full placenta previa. A little worrisome. I suspect bedrest will also be in her mama’s future.
Lesley,
I’m so glad you are easily impressed! 🙂 I bought those salt and pepper shakers many years ago and love pulling them out for special occasions.
I’m so sorry to hear about your daughter-in-law’s placenta previa. As a grandma AND a nurse, I know you’re concerned. Keep us in touch!
I lived in Clovis NM! My dad was stationed there from ’90 – ’94ish. My sister and brother both graduated from Clovis High, but I hadn’t started HS yet. Small world.
Anonymous,
How cool is that? I’m sure you’ll enjoy seeing the pictures I post when we take our trip there. 🙂
I have several items such as my Mama’s wedding ring, my maternal Grandma’s wedding ring, and one of my Daddy’s rings but one thing I treasure is a picture of my maternal Granddaddy with his parents and brother. I was my Great Grandma’s favorite but was so young when she died that I do not remember her so this picture is special. It is an oval shape in an old frame and hangs over my couch in the den. I also have a mantle clock which belonged to my maternal Great Grandparents (which does not work now) that means a lot to me. Pray Sarah is so rid of the pain and that Meagan can hold out until the doctor feels it is safe. Have a fun trip when you leave for FL.
Ann,
Wow. You have a whole LIST of precious things to treasure. You are blessed! I love that you have the picture of your granddaddy and family hanging over your couch. What a wonderful thing to see every day.
Awww…Noah is just so adorable!! I bet that he will be a wonderful big brother! What an exciting time for the whole family. 🙂
Sarah looks like she feels pretty good, bruises and all. Oh how I remember the bruises. Mine hurt for a lot longer than a week so I don’t think there is anything to be alarmed about.
I have many things that are special and sentimental but a couple of my very favorites are: 1.) Two pencil drawings of little kittens that my dad did when I was just a baby. (I’m 56 now) I have them framed and hanging in my family room. He modest about his talent, and acts like they aren’t that good but they really are and I just love them! and 2.) My china hutch. It was my mom’s when I was little. It is filled with grandma’s crystal goblets and china, silver baby cups, an entire set of Petalware Depression Glass that my mom and grandma collected for me and so many other beautiful things. Mom died 19 years ago, so I am especially proud to have this and often think of the joy that it brought to her!
LeeAnne,
I love the thought of pencil kitten drawings. And the fact that they are 56 years old and done by your dad makes them extra wonderful.
And your china hutch sounds like a veritable trove of treasures. So great that you can think of your mom every time you walk by it.
Can’t wait to see Noah’s little sister – he will be a lot of fun to have for a big brother!
I have two favorite things – from my maternal grandmother and maternal great-grandmother. One is an etched gold-plated bangle bracelet – it was my grandmother’s – the other is a teapot with beautiful red and deep pink roses painted on it – that was my great-grandmother’s. Very treasured possessions.
Have fun on your trip – Santa Fe is one of my photographer daughter’s favorite places – endless photo ops!
So glad Sarah is feeling better. When my daughter had all 4 wisdom teeth surgically removed several years ago, she was concerned that the discomfort/pain was lingering several days after surgery – but all was fine – however, she did call the surgeon’s office to get that advice – so, a call is certainly warranted. However, if it was dry sockets or something really concerning, she would have to be on a lot of pain meds still – that was the advice my daughter was given.
Also, I love scones!
Mary,
You are so blessed to still have some items from several generations back. Your description of the teapot was so very lovely.
Looking good, Sarah! Some tenderness does not surprise me. As long as there is no dry socket or infection, maybe just slowly chewing back there starting with soft stuff may toughen the areas up. BUT I am not a doctor!
Yes, I have two (several, but will stick to 2!) pieces of furniture with great sentimental value. One is the mahogany secretary that was the first piece of furniture that my Mom and Dad bought as a married couple. The other is my great uncle’s aged oak rocker. The rocker is unbelievably comfortable!
Your brunch table is so cheerful and elegant! What a wonderful thing to do for all of you who minister so faithfully!
Nothing like hitting the submit button too soon! Noah has such an incredible example of being a brother! Love that white blond hair! So happy Meagan is nearing the end and soon another shining star will arrive! OK…now time to click submit!
Guerrina,
A mahogany secretary? Oh my. Sounds incredible. And I’m not surprised that that the oak rocker is so comfortable. The craftsmen of those days really knew their stuff.
Lovely post. Noah is so adorable! What a sweetheart. I am certain he will be as wonderful a big bro to his little sis as Nathan is to Sarah. I’m so sorry Sarah still feels pain, hopefully that resolves soon. In looking back to a few months when she had the possible cancer scare, even though this teeth situation is difficult, I’m so glad that its not what could have been had the January results beth different. (Not that having a sore mouth is any fun, I’m sure!)
And Becky- you inspire me with your kindness, hospitality, and community mindedness. I’m sure you must already know your gift is hospitality but let me tell you again! You are hospitable not just in how you welcome people into your home and life, like the women pastors/ wives and Dare men, but also through this blog. Amazing! You are skilled in making others feel welcomed , safe and at home.
Jenna,
Yes, we are VERY thankful to be dealing with just a sore jaw and not cancer stuff!
And your words about me making others feel “welcomed, safe, and at home” mean so much to me because that is EXACTLY how I hope people will feel–in my home and on my blog. Thanks for your always insightful, thoughtful comments.