Meeting the newest Westra, part I

We've waited so long to meet this new little man of the Westra clan.  Cousin Ethan is already 9 months old and crawling and pulling up, so we were so thrilled to meet him finally.





Ethan with his mom Julie











Mackenzie, Ethan's older sister, watching a movie with Colton.








We spent a casual night hanging out and got up and left for Grandpa's and Grandma's at the lake.








I just knew when I first saw this field just a few miles from the lake, we'd be stopping.














Rick's brother Matt, and his daughter Mackenzie.  Out of 30 pictures I attempted to take of her, I maybe got her 3 times to look at me... but I am posting these anyways.  She has to hold her own being the only granddaughter in a group of boys and that spunk in her is just the ticket.


Uncle Matt tubing on the lake.  Despite Rick's attempt to dump him, he proved a worthy opponent and hung on the whole way.


Rick's sister's boy, Gunnar.  Bravely getting back on a second time after a massive wipeout.   Where is that zoom lens when you need it?


The crew preparing for a bonfire.  Even though there were tornado warnings sounding in the distance and unbelievably humid conditions, we wouldn't be denied our s'mores.


The next morning, with more hot and sticky weather due for the day, we started off with a trip to the logging camp for breakfast.



The logging camp is a summer tradition, nestled into a rustic setting that takes you back to the days that timber ruled the area.  The food is served family style and we actually polished off two of these huge platters.


Almost a smile from Ethan... he was firmly attached to mommy's hip, even though we all attempted to snatch some snuggles with him.   If he wasn't so darn cute...


Knowing we had maybe a minute before Ethan would realize he wasn't with mom or dad, we grabbed a quick photo of all 5 Westra grandchildren.


Left to Right: Colton, Mackenzie, Nolan with Ethan, and Gunnar.

part II coming soon...

Olympic Silver Medal Lamoureux Twins

If you followed the Winter olympics in Vancouver this past year this pair might be familiar to you. They are the Lamoureux twins, Jocelyne and Monique. They are the first identical twins to play women's hockey in the Olympics. They both attend the University of North Dakota and grew up in Grand Forks, ND.

For the last week Nolan has been attending a hockey ISO clinic put on by Frank Burggraf. He has a long list of hockey standouts that he has trained. But he emphasizes that hockey is just a game and that his goal is really to turn out "good people" first, hockey players second. He commands respect, and makes the kids work hard, but also encourages them on and off the ice.

The twins, have attended the Burggraf clinic for the past 5 years. How lucky were our boys to not only meet the twins, but also meet the twin silver medals they earned in the Olympics.

                                            
                                           Jocelyne on the left and Monique on the right.



The girls said when they were 8 years old they wanted to go to the Olympics and win a medal... and then they worked hard to earn it.  Hard work, a dream and a belief that they could is what has gotten them where they are today they told the boys.  That and having 4 older brothers who also played hockey and were competitive.














They're heavy.  As solid as they look and I was a little surprised the Lamoureux twins simply handed them off for the crowd of boys and girls to hold.   Although, I guess one never knows, they may simply have handed it to an Olympian in the making.  




I am playing catch up again this week. We were so fortunate that Rick's brother Matt, his wife Julie and their two kids came for a visit these past few days. I have plenty of fun things to share.

Even when I can't see...

The day I found this necklace, was just a few days after we buried Dad.  It speaks to me, varying its meaning depending on the day.  As in...

"I will"...  I will go through it.  I used to think "I can't."  I simply don't know how.  I know now, you just do it, without knowing how.  Through it, is the only way.  And its sorrowful, and messy, and gut wrenching, and beautiful, and life affirming, all mixed together.  But the only way, is through it.

"walk"... I will walk.  I'm leaning in, instead of running away.  I am moving, walking through.  Sometimes crawling, sometimes uncoordinated and faltering, but walking nonetheless.

"By Faith"...  where would I be if I didn't believe in something bigger than myself?  If I didn't believe Dad is in a far better place, not gasping for air, tied to a machine, purple in the face.  The words of the bible have taken on new meaning, even though I've read them numerous times before.  By Faith, when my human mind can't make sense anymore, and my broken heart can't bear any more pain.  When my eyes can't see, and my ears can't hear, and everything tastes like the salt of my tears.  By faith.

"even when I can't see"...  Like the day I found this necklace.  I was walking the street fair feeling, blunted, stifled, preparing for my eyes to fill with tears at any moment.  Walking around feeling like my insides are on the outside... exposed, raw, and wide open.  I ran into friends, I remember talking briefly, and suddenly I was standing alone.  I don't remember saying goodbye... or most of the conversation.  Maybe it was still shock, maybe it was preservation for a weary mind and body, but "normal" things like conversations and going to the street fair, aren't so normal right now.

Because instead I am focusing on the smell of the roasted turkey legs and they remind me of how much Dad loved it when we brought them home to him from the fair.  Or how at one time we would have walked from the fair to visit him at his wood shop just blocks away.  And when I keep these memories close to me, I keep a little piece of him still here.  Even when I can't see.

So "normal" is a struggle.  I forget dates, times, and what I am talking about in mid sentence.  I am like the surface of the river, on the outside I appear calm with a steady flow.  But below the tranquil surface, the undercurrent, like grief, runs deep, with a mighty pull that drags you under at times.

"I will walk by Faith even when I can't see."  I realize the phrase probably means, faith is what we can't see. But on a day when I couldn't see, this little necklace was the first thing I "saw" that made any sense to me at all.   So I keep my chain close as a reminder, so that I know...

I am walking,

by faith,

even when,

I can't see.

"12 weeks of summer in two days"

The party invite was pretty much every 10 year olds dream of a party... swimming, tubing, jet skiing, boating, fishing, and sleeping over-night. Add in pizza and ribs and fruit and chips and dip and birthday cake and you'll know why my son almost didn't sleep the night before he left for the party. I think our host Jeff put it best "we're trying to pack 12 weeks of summer fun into two days."

But the best part of the party? Was when WE, the parents got to go to the lake and spend the day.  Rick brought along his zoom lens and got these fun photos of everyone tubing.

Alex and Riley, the birthday boy who turned 11.

Ryan and Alex

                             Kate, the brave, was excited to go with her Dad, Thad.

                                                               Nolan taking a turn by himself.

And then there's Kate's mom, Bonnie.  The only kind of water she likes is filled with chlorine, surrounded by cement.  Her "yuck" radar was on high alert as this was her first time spending time at the lake.  The best way to get her acquainted with the lake?  Why tubing behind the boat of course.

Thumbs up means go faster.   Thumbs down means slower, I'm ready to get off...  ummm Bonnie, they haven't even started yet.  C'mon Snooks, you can do it.

Head first into the water?  

Oh no...

... that was a close one.  Faster Kate?  Sure thing...

... the scream heard round the lake.  

Thumbs up and thumbs down... classic mother and daughter.   But guess who said they are ready to come back to the lake?  

They started as friends.

    Two days later, after swimming, tubing, jumping, fishing, in the hot summer sun, they left as friends.

    

                                                                    Sam and Colton

Thad and Bonnie






Nolan





Kim and Kenzie

We barely got in the car before this little light was out.  

Thanks to our amazing hosts, Kim and Jeff.  They welcomed us to their little slice of paradise and we all left feeling rejuvenated from sunshine,  good food, amazing friends, and blessings overflowing.  
Same time next week?  *wink* *wink*

Sneak peek

After...



... two different hard drives were installed and failed...

... umpteen hours were spent waiting... for things to load, spin and then still crash...

... a bunch of new software installs... that went nowhere...

we finally solved our computer woes.

And all it took?

Was a brand spankin new Imac... now why didn't I try that in the first place?





Here is a sneak peek of where we spent part of our weekend...  at a beautiful home, on a lake, with good friends, fun and food.  So much more to share soon...

My first time alone...

It was the sky yesterday that reflected my inner turmoil the most. In the midst of blue and sunshine and warmth, dark clouds formed and rain poured down from that one spot overhead... while the sun streamed all around.  Its exactly how I have been feeling... sunshine around the edges of the thunderstorm of grief.

It was a rough week...

Monday, the 19th, two weeks after my Dad passed away, his older brother Marvin joined him in his heavenly home.

I felt ripped open even wider.

On Wednesday, my computer hard drive crashed. Locked within are all of my photos from Dad's funeral and the week or so before that.

On Thursday, our internet stopped working which actually is kind of funny when you think about it. What isn't funny is how slow it is now as the provider tries to fix it.

On Friday we drove to Marvin's funeral which is almost 4 hours from where we live and is the place where my dad grew up.



The tidal wave of emotion that flooded over me as the "big cow" loomed in front of us... caught me off guard. You just know, don't you, that we played "who will be the first to see the cow?" back when we drove an old brown 1970 Ford Galaxy 500, the speed limit was 55 and it felt like we drove to the end of the world to get to New Salem.










My senses were flooded.  The sweet smell of wheat ready for harvest.  The sea of purple, otherwise known as flax, carpeting the sides of the road.  The red scoria rock covered gravel roads that leave a rusty film of dirt on your car as you travel out in the country.  The friendly waves from every car you meet on the road.  The smell of candy mixed in with wooden floors and medicine at the drugstore my other uncle used to own on the main street.

Everywhere, I turned, I was reminded of Dad.  I realized at some point this was my very first time ever visiting New Salem, without my Dad.  Although, I am sure he was with us most of the day.

During the sermon at the funeral I had to remind myself they were talking about Marvin because I've heard the same words said about my dad.  They were gentle, quiet, trustworthy, faithful, hard workers, who loved their families.  I also heard the word "sentimental."  I think they portrayed Marvin "just right."

While Dad's casket had tools inside, Marvin's had tractors wedged into the flowers on top.






The funeral was held in town, but burial took place out behind the old Bethel country church. We used to attend church out there when we visited Grandma. I was entranced with its simple beauty as my cousin gave us a tour inside. Its in some disrepair, but still used on occasion.





Whenever we came to visit, Dad was in his glory and loved socializing after church with all the people that were always so happy to see him. He would have loved knowing his grandchildren got a chance to see the church.





Marvin was blessed with 13 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren.  My own two boys were even given balloons to release as well.  And do you know where those balloons headed?


... as we held our breath, they flew up over the trees, into the sky and headed collectively... straight to the family farm... there were lots of chuckles as they hurried on their way.


A kind gentlemen showing the kids where the farm is at, after reassuring them there are no snakes in the grass.


After driving past the farm that was recently sold to another family, we headed for home.  I left with a sense of knowing where I come from.  I gathered a couple of wild sunflowers from along the road... just call me sentimental.



On our way home, we stopped by Valley City, where my dh's family farmstead resides. The boys enjoyed standing in the wheat fields.




I shouldn't have been surprised to find a few pieces of wheat tucked into the back seat of the car... they're learning as well.  Their Grandpa would be so proud.