Random June

Random bits of June

We have been overwhelmed by the kindness shown by so many.  So many wonderful people provided food for our family.  (I apologize that thank you notes have not yet gone out... but they are coming!!)  People stepped in to offer assistance with everything we could think of (and even things we hadn't thought of!).  We are so blessed with a wonderful community of caring individuals.  

I took photos of a few special gifts that came my way in the month of June.  The first part of this post will highlight those.  I couldn't take photos of everything, but these I managed to document.  They were true day-brighteners - every one.  

One morning Fed Ex knocked on our door and handed us a box.  I opened it and discovered these beautiful freshly cut flowers from Carrie and Kiersten - sent overnight from a flower truck in Nashville, TN!  I was and still am blown away by how beautiful and fresh these flowers were!  Incredible.  And so pretty.  

The day of Mama's memorial service our doorbell rang and it was a delivery of flowers from HyVee.  I looked at the card and smiled.  They were from my long-time friend, Amy in Indiana.  She and I go way back to an old homeschooling egroup on yahoo.  (remember when those were 'a thing'?)  :)   What a kind and special gesture from a dear friend. 

Also on the day of Mama's memorial, the back patio doorbell rang and we discovered these two bottles of wine.  They were left with a note saying that they were to be drunk in honor of and tribute to Mama - the name LOVE says it all.  Such a sweet gift from dear Tarasa.  

On my birthday Hannah gave me this special gift.  She knows I love Tempranillo wine - and of course chocolate goes with everything.  So wonderful and thoughtful!  I love it all!

And this was my gift basket from Brianna, Jackson, and Maverick.  Who am I kidding... this is all dear Brianna.  :)  I am so blessed with Brianna as my daughter-in-law.  She is kind and loving and generous and she makes my life so much better.  

And this was from dear Jennifer.  Dublin glass... 3 parts.  It is a small whiskey decanter and two glasses.  This is in homage to our trip to visit Jennifer in Scotland in 2016 when I was also sick and took sips of whisky (provided in our Airbnb) to help my cough.  :D  A fun memory and a beautiful set!  I absolutely love it - and especially love that Jennifer was here IN PERSON to give it to me.  

So, what does a true horseman do after a hard day of work?  Hop in the pool to cool off, then sun a bit.  But always, ALWAYS keep your cowboy hat on.  :D 

So, this was the screen that kept popping up when I was trying to order Apple watches one day in late June.  I finally just stopped, stared at the computer screen, and laughed.  Yup... seemed legit for this summer so far!

I planted basil and mint and a few other things in my containers by the front porch.  They are doing well and have grown a lot since these photos.  Now I need to remember what is what... (I am definitely NOT the green thumb in the family, am I?)  :D

Dear Dawn (we now officially call her 'God Bless Dawn' and feel that should be her new legal name)...

gave this Pie Trophy to Daddy.  She wrote the sweetest letter to go with it that referenced how happy she is coming out to this place to be with Daddy (and Mama) and that his love of her pies every Friday is worthy of a trophy - of love.  We certainly love Dawn (and her daughters) and can't imagine life without them in it.  

Zac and Hannah traveled to Oklahoma at the end of the month.  So wonderful!  Hannah sent me this photo of Zac with Abe in the OU Library.  :) 

Jackson, Brianna, and Maverick had a long planned camping trip at the end of June.  They took the Jayco fifth wheel and traveled to Lexington, KY to visit Alaina.  

Then they headed to Pigeon Forge/Gatlinburg where they took in the famous aquarium - which Maverick loved.  :) 

They enjoyed some time in the Great Smoky Mountains.  

We were thrilled to be able to FaceTime with them when they reached their campsite in Nashville at the end of their trip. (Maverick liked being in the camper!)  :D

While in Nashville they visited the Nashville Zoo. 

Brianna said Maverick loved getting to pet the kangaroo and she had to stop him from jumping on it!  He is used to his dogs at home that let him wallow them.  He is such a curious little guy and I love that!

They took a bus tour of Nashville - this photo stuck out to Marvin and me.  :)   (Jackson was born when we lived in Nashville - so Marvin and I have many memories of this fine city.)

And here is the TN State Capitol - close to where Marvin's old office building was located.  

Glad they got to see the Parthenon - a wonderful Nashville landmark. 

At their campsite in Nashville on the last night of their trip.  They had a wonderful time and we are so glad they were able to go.  

The last week of June

June 21-26, 2021

The last week of June was pretty quiet.  I was trying to heal up and so was Daddy.  Things were moving forward in that regard (mostly) but we were definitely needing the quieter time.  

Jackson, Marvin and Jonathan having a 'meeting' in the barn.  :) 

We did get to enjoy some Maverick (and J&B) time.  They were preparing for their upcoming vacation to KY and TN, loading up the Jayco fifth wheel.  (leaving on June 25)  We were all excited for their trip!

One of our big projects during this time was getting photos made and framed and hung up in Daddy's bedroom above the doors to the patio.  Daddy chose the photos he wanted of Mama and we got it all set up for him.  It really is nice - he can just look up and see her smiling at him.  

We have more photos now, ready to hang.  And we were also able to get a larger
copy of that small one on the left that we will hang.  (Thank you so much, Virginia!!)

making plans for some remodeling to the patio steps - to make them more accessible

We also worked on basic things like ordering an apple watch for Daddy (and for me and Jonathan) so that we can be connected easily.  We have his watch set up so he can press one button and it speed dials us.  That alone is reason to have the watch.  There are other features that are super useful as well - like oxygen monitor, heart rate monitor, ECG, walking and fall assessments... it is a really good tool in so many ways.  

Kerry had stayed an extra week to be with Daddy in the house 24/7, which was wonderful!  After Kerry left, Jonathan began staying in the house but after a few nights, Daddy was doing well enough that wasn't necessary anymore.  Hallelujah!  During this same time home health nursing and PT began visiting - and they have all been wonderful! 

Kerry and Daddy 

Jackson, Brianna and Maverick also dropped by to say good-bye the day before they left on their big trip.  

Maverick was a busy guy the day they came to say 'bye'.  :D

Finally, on Saturday, June 26,  Julie, Daddy, Marvin, Jonathan and I gathered to share a meal and celebrate Mama's birthday.  It was a nice meal together and we were thankful to be remembering Mama. However, I had an unexpected asthma attack that got my attention. (more on that in another post)  After dinner we were amazed to look out and see a beautiful double rainbow in the sky.  Magnificent!  It caused me to remember and reflect upon the double rainbow that we saw the night before Maverick was born - when Brianna was at the hospital beginning labor.  Back then I took the rainbow as a beautiful sign - a marker of the beginning of Maverick making his way to meet all of us - who already loved him so much.  I took the double rainbow on Mama's birthday in much the same way.  It was a beautiful and comforting sign - a marker of a life well lived and the assurance that all is going to be okay.  As Rev. Jim posted on facebook when I shared the photo... "we always knew she was a woman of influence!"  :)