Posts Tagged ‘family’

A Summer’s evening at the Neighborhood School Ball Park.

Baseball is summer’s game. We didn’t have a TV most of my growing up years, but the radio was tuned in to St. Louis Cardinal’s games as the sun went down on summer nights. The cracking sound of the bat hitting the ball and the crowds going wild, along with the rev-the-crowd organ music drifted through the open windows mingling with the sounds of playmates and I chasing fireflies and whirling hoola-hoops around our waists. The screen door slammed, as in and out we’d go and beer commercials would ring out between innings.

Tools of the trade.

We don’t do it enough, but now and again, Rocky will get a group of us together to run up the street and play softball at the elementary school. And each time we say, “We have to do this again soon,” because even my grown children, now, have become nostalgic as they remember the years they played ball all day every day with the neightborhood kids.

Uncle Rocky pitching to Gav-at-bat. The cheering crowds. DP up to bat.

When I feel the morning grass I let down my guard

Because love comes from the dirt in my own backyard

Everytime I think I’ve finished being young

I catch myself having fun

My husband, Dave, up to bat.

Recently, on one of those lovely evenings that make you wish summer could last forever, Rock got us all together, the fam and some good friends. There is just nothing like some bats, a good, broken-in leather glove and bases to run around. Good times!

Pepler. Guini and Nonna (me). Gavin hits it!

But the moment passes as the sun moves on

So I turn myself back to you…

And it’s depressing that I can’t forget the tune the organist played

La – da da da da da da, la – da da da da da da…

Dave at bat. The boys taking a breather.

Everytime I think I’ve finished being young

I catch myself having fun

But the moment passes as the sun moves on

So I turn myself back to you

Is our season over? No four leaf clover?

The boys of summer: just coming down “Front Street,” as DP likes to say. Shirt by Stormie

Hunter and Gavin will climb anything. Tristan swinging the pipe…as a lefty!

I feel it’s getting colder…

But can you still remember?

April to November

You and I were members

Of the best team in baseball

So we play our games…

Rocky…Serious about pitching.

Lyrics: Baseball

All of these pictures: by Stormie!

Tags: baseball, family, memories, rocky rhoades, softball, summer
Posted in Memories/Melancholy, Mi familia, Photos of the Fam, Songs I am singing, Stuff I actually think, TV, Movies, Books, and Entertainment | 3 Comments »

Such devoted sisters~

Tuesday, August 3rd, 2010

“I do not believe that…birth makes people sisters and brothers. It makes them siblings. Gives them mutuality of parentage. Sisterhood and brotherhood are conditions people have to work at. It’s a serious matter. You compromise, you give, you take, you stand firm, and you’re relentless…And it is an investment. Sisterhood means if you happen to be in Burma and I happen to be in San Diego and I’m married to someone who is very jealous and you’re married to somebody who is very possessive, if you call me in the middle of the night, I have to come.”

-Maya Angelou

S I S T E R S ~ A song I adore! Dedicated to Tamara Dawn Moslander Ayento!

BTW – I am definitely the Rosemary Clooney (blue eyes/Bing Crosby) of this scenario, and Tami is Vera Ellen (brown eyes/Danny Kaye). ;p

The Preacher’s Wife

My little sister (both little at barely 5 feet AND younger by 6 years), Tami Ayento, is a preacher’s wife. They recently took a pastorate in the heart of Chicago, so the neighborhood reminds you of the movie by the same name starring Whitney Houston and Denzel Washington (The Preacher’s Wife, 1996). I think it is cruel and unusual punishment that I got her when I was almost 6 and we shared a room for many years and then suddenly, we both marry and move thousands of miles apart. She knows my faults, my secrets, the worst of me. And has yet to disown me. She is and will always be the sister of my family heritage, and the sister of my heart.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, SQUAMPI-DOODLES {a.k.a. Tami Ayento}

Tags: birthday, chicago, family, maya angelou, sisters, the preacher's wife, white christmas
Posted in Birthdays/Anniversaries, Mi familia, My most unforgettable people, Songs I am singing, Stuff I actually think | 2 Comments »

My Funny Valentines

Sunday, February 14th, 2010

NOTE: To be able to view and pause photos a little more slowly, click on “View All Images.” You can control it from there.

GAVIN, HUNTER, GUINIVERE, GEMMA, & AVERI ~

I love you my little Grandbébes.

Happy days and love and kisses from your Nonna!

You light up my life. You are my sunshine. All I ever need is you.

Why do stars fall down from the sky everytime you walk by?

Just like me they long to be close to you.

I need you like the flowers need the rain.

You made me love you and I’d be lost without your love.

I can’t stop loving you. I will always love you and I won’t last a day without you.

Unforgettable-that’s what you are. It’s impossible, I wish I had more than words to tell you…

And I love you so. I don’t want to miss a thing.

Somewhere out there, I must have done something good.

I believe in you, my little grandbebes. God only knows where I’d be without you.

Don’t make me go on…because I could!

Love.

From NONNA!

(There are 89 images in the slide show…I can’t help it. My grandbebes are soooo cute!)

Tags: averi, family, gavin, gemma, grandchildren, guini, hunter, love, the grandbebes, valentines day
Posted in Grandkids, Mi familia, Photos of the Fam, Songs I am singing, Stuff I actually think | 2 Comments »

Guess what Tristan surprised me with today?

Friday, December 25th, 2009

He re-vamped my blog site! I have to learn new things! Meanwhile-you can click on any of the photos and see them bigger!

Tags: christmas, family, gifts, tristan kelley
Posted in Keep Christmas, Stuff I actually think | 1 Comment »

2 Days until Christmas ~Too Delightful, Too Sweet!

Wednesday, December 23rd, 2009

Keep Christmas.

“I will honor Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all year.” Charles Dickens

I have a whole blog category called “Keep Christmas” inspired by this very quote. Keep: to continue, maintain, look after, maintain possession of. Provide and nourish it. Maintain, preserve and enjoy it. And what are we keeping anyway? The Christ Mass, the worship of Jesus Christ. Of course I will Keep Christmas. With all my heart!

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The PJ Party

Of all our social engagements during the festive holidays, there is none so important nor more desirous for which to be invited than the PJ Party with the Grandbebes. The Little Prince himself called for this royal celebration this year, already having deemed it a most regal tradition.

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This year’s soiree included “Ice” skating at The Orchard where Gemma promptly fell on her “buns” and did not like skating at all after that, telling every stranger who cared to engage her, “I can’t skate anymore, I am too little,” while Averi went at it as if she were born on ice and Guini fell if anyone skated past her within a 20-foot radius, presumably the wind itself knocking the little featherweight down. But she would laugh hilariously and get right back up and the boys? Well they were boys!. Then there was Taco Bell and these 5 can put away the chips and Nacho Cheese like nobody’s business.

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Dave had the 2 little girls while I drove Gavin, Hunter and Guini home. We decided to sing Christmas carols at the top of our lungs, in between theologiocal discussions about how God could be everywhere at once and what God looks like and how God was right there in the car blessing Hunter and holding his hand that very second. Somewhere between “Let it Snow” and “Jingle Bells,” just after the kids had happily spotted the giant star atop the Christmas tree at the Brighton City Hall as we passed, Guini, moved by the true meaning of Christmas, led out a strong, rousing rendition of “Oh no, You never let go.” Yes. The Matt Redman song. And they worshipped their little heads off.

Oh no, You never let go
Through the calm and through the storm
Oh no, You never let go
In every high and every low
Oh no, You never let go
Lord, You never let go of me
Yes, I can see a light that is coming for the heart that holds on
And there will be an end to these troubles
But until that day comes
Still I will praise You, still I will praise You

Then…

The annual Reindeer prints: footprint for the head, 2 hand prints for the antlers, the forefinger for eyes and a thumbprint for the nose. These were created to take home for mommys and daddys – a reminder of how much they have grown since last year. Colorful paint and water flew in every direction, but voila! Art!

Then hot chocolate for all and we got in our jammies and pulled the couch close to the TV for watching Sprout and Elf while munching on popcorn.

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The Party lasts all night and into the morning.

At exactly 6:13 this morning, I heard the rumble of small feet tear through the house and shrieks of naughty glee and giggles pierced the sweet sleep I so longingly clung to. Capt’n Crunch Christmas Cereal, helping Poppa wrap presents and place them under the tree and early morning screenings of the classics: Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer, and Frosty the Snowman, our very own film festival! They are making tents of blankets and Baby Jesus is missing. We have sent out a search party, but Gemma announces from the top of the stairs, in that particularly little-lamb voice of hers, “I can’t find Baby Jesus, Poppa. I don’t know where He is?…”

Sandy-the-Dog endures being placed in swaddling clothes, but does enjoy the crumbs and treats the grandbebes leave around the house.

Hunter informs me before leaving that we did not do the PJ Party “correctly” because there were no balloons and cake. He believes with all his heart that a PJ Party must have balloons and cake. {you try, right?}

“Two more ’sleeps’ until Christmas,” the measurement Gavin and Hunter give to any upcoming event for which they can hardly wait.

Christmas is, after all, coming. In only 2 more sleeps!

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Will Baby Jesus be found in time for Christmas?!?

Tags: christmas, family, grandbebes, ice-skating, Keep Christmas, pj party
Posted in Grandkids, Keep Christmas, Mi familia, My most unforgettable people, Photos of the Fam, Songs I am singing, Stuff I actually think, TV, Movies, Books, and Entertainment | 7 Comments »

Three Nights Before Christmas

Tuesday, December 22nd, 2009

Three nights before Christmas and all over town, there is much to be done and so many sounds…

1. Christmas with my family is pretty loud.

“Christmas at our house was like a Donny and Marie TV Special” (who said that?).

That cracks me up because it is like that for us, too. Rare is the quiet tree-lit silent night, or a room full of heavenly peace for pondering and reflecting. Even now, as I write this (on Monday night to be posted on Tuesday), it is late. And yet, the rooms are brightly shining and daughters have materials and supplies spread everywhere, working on Christmas projects and finishing last-minute gifts. They tease and cajole. They drink coffee and break out into song, filling the air with movie quotes and remembrances in a thoroughly unpredictable rhythm. Just now they are singing selections from the musical “Oklahoma,” for what reason, I do not know. I’d like to tell them to go to their rooms and get to sleep, but am reminded they are here now by choice, a gift to me, something I treasure. Let the madness remain.

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2. I really do not like to shop. But at this point, I have no choice.

I power-shopped for more than 10 hours Monday. {sigh} I organized each person’s list according to every different retail establishment I would need to hit. I mapped out a plan, gathered coupons and those “free money” cards I have collected from said establishments (like $10 off a $25 purchase at JCP, $10 off any purchase at Kohls!) into a folder. I made sure to have my Starbucks giftcards for needed strength (did you know there is a company-wide shortage of caramel due to the popularity of the new Caramel Brulee Latte??!?) and most importantly, dedicated myself to having a good hair day because when you are going from morning to night, not having to worry about hair in imperative. Then I told Dave: this isn’t a pleasure trip, you know. The objective is to cross things off my list: quickly.

Several of my girls have asked for vintage/antique-type things so I added 3 thrift stores to my list, all within a short get-it-done radius. When we arrived at the first one and I leapt from the car with notebook and pen in hand and started bounding toward the door at break-neck speed, Dave commented, “There. See, honey? This store was created just for you.” For the big sign at the entrance read: ARC Thrift Store ~ Shopping with a Purpose.

Yes, I am a purpose-driven shopper.

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3. I will continue to complain about the weather.

It was too stinking hot. It didn’t feel like Christmas with the weather in the 50’s, which is seriously impeding my glorious songs of old. But today, the temp has dropped! Here is what I want: Maybe the low 40’s with some big pretty snowflakes falling, but not on the streets-just along the sides so everything looks pretty and children can build men…and women. And just cool enough so you can wear the cute hat and adorable scarf set some one has given you (along with the coordinating fingerless gloves), but you don’t really need bulky coats. You know-cool enough that you’d look all New-England-wintry and Christmas-card-ish if you made a quick stop and took a few spins around the ice-skating rink while you were bustling about shopping, but not so cold no one can recognize you due to the outerwear overkill when, if you should fall, you would not, in fact, be able to get back up. Is this really too much to ask for???

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Three movies that are not usually considered Christmas movies, but have great Christmas scenes in them:

[1] Funny Farm with Chevy Chase. [2] About a Boy with Hugh Grant and [3] While You Were Sleeping with Sandra Bullock (omygosh, I LOVE this movie!).

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Three nights before Christmas, 3 French Hens, Three Wise Men, and three wishes from me to you: peace, joy and love!

pictured: DP, Tara and Hunter’s tree farm adventure a couple of weeks ago.

Tags: about a boy, arc stores, christmas, family, funny farm, movies, shopping, weather, while you were sleeping
Posted in Garden/Food/Seasons, Keep Christmas, Mi familia, Stuff I actually think, TV, Movies, Books, and Entertainment | 4 Comments »

Buttery-Sugary Goodness just 11 Days before Christmas

Monday, December 14th, 2009

Baking Day @ Our House

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We scaled way back this year. We have been scaling back yearly, it seems. But we still mananged to get some of our favorites made and even a new thing or two, keeping that oven hot and hopping for hours. There are the wildly popular “Thin Mints,” a shameless and absolutely amazing rip-off of the Girl Scout cookies. The sugar cookies for decorating are made and await a coating of royal icing in delightful Christmas colors. Jovan used her new Pampered Chef cookie press to make the lightest most buttery press-cookies, dusted in colored sugars.

Stephanie has perfected peanut brittle. There are Mexican Wedding Cakes and Gingerbread Men, along with Peanut-Butter Kisses-Cookies and Chocolate-Covered Peanut Butter Balls heaped next to our chocolate-dipped pretzels and “Strawberry” cookies (which have no relation whatsoever to strawberries, other than how they look, but really are made from dates and pecans and coconut and Rice Krispies and fashioned to look like a strawberry – a Rhoades family fav from the 1950s and 60s). And more, yes, there is more.

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Things change.

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One interesting thing this year was computers. Looking around the kitchen and seeing 3 laptops (2 Macs and a PC) open to recipe sites – that was funny. So much for cute recipe cards, huh? It was also quieter and we missed Elise-the-Niece…Well, it was quieter, that is, until the boys and daddies joined us and a chaotic-Christmas-cheer ruckus ensued, fueled, undoubtedly by the pure sweetness of the ‘cane hitting the bloodstream.

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The girls swarmed poor Santa

The guys show up for dinner at 6:30

The boys played cards with Aunt Dessa while the girls took our “food orders” for chicken nuggets and muffins, coffee and salad (their imaginary menus were limited and they are sort of pushy as waitresses, these granddaughters of mine). The ‘bebes chased each other, snuck sweets from piled-high trays of goodies and pushed Rudolph’s paw, making him sing the Rudolph song veeeeeery loudly, at least 172 times (that Rudolph nose was flashing like a traffic light, non-stop for hours!). I seriously wished for some one to decapitate Rudolph. But the grandbebes? Find him delightful.

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Gemma was particularly artistic in her interpretive dancing, inspired by her viewing of “Frosty the Snowman.” Averi’s great joys were bringing handfuls of cookies to everyone, or unrolling toilet paper into the, shall we say, “bath bowl”, and I just hope there was no criss-crossing of these activities.

And at one point, so warmed by both this season of good will and by the way they’d been running like banchees, all five grandbebes ripped off their shirts and flung them like confetti into the air, thrilled to be set free from the confines of clothing so they could fully enjoy the twinkling lights and the Christmas music. “We’re nakey! We’re nakey!” Averi exclaimed with glee and they laughed as if it were the funniest thing they’d ever experienced.

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Rocky and Tredessa interact with Santa as well.

Ah. It is the little things.

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It took awhile to find every shoe and sock and coat amd mitten (and shirt) when it came time to go home with their large trays of cookies and candies. {Sigh}. But we did it…almost. I still have to make the marvelous butter-cookie dough from which will emerge Raspberry Ribbons and melt-in-your mouth Candy Cane Cookies, among other delights, and the Peppermint Bark awaits me this morning. But most of the holiday baking is complete for another year and it is way too much and more than enough and truly not as sweet as the time I got with my girls. And the whole bunch.

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With Love from the Gingerbread House….Jeanie

NOTE TO SELF: Prep more next year.

Tags: christmas, christmas baking, cookies, daughters, family, grandbebes
Posted in Garden/Food/Seasons, Grandkids, Keep Christmas, Mi familia, Photos of the Fam, Songs I am singing, Stuff I actually think, TV, Movies, Books, and Entertainment | 10 Comments »

One Week Later

Thursday, December 3rd, 2009

We gave thanks. And we ate…a lot.

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Today is trash day and I threw away enough leftovers this morning to have fed the whole group again! Tsk. I mean that gravy? Was a.m.a.z.i.n.g. Really. Amazing! If I do say so myself. Lots of other wonderful food, too, by all the great cooks who came to the table. Stef & Wrex’s famous Red Hot Jello, and Tristan’s homemade bread (o the toast I have enjoyed this week) and Dessa’s corn casserole and Tara’s o-so-creamy mashed potatoes and Leah’s Mexican Pasta (the woman cooked like it was all in her court) and Stormie’s fabulous, fabulous pumpkin pies and so much more. It was 6 or 7 meals in one!

We sang karaoke like maniacs.

Wrex reeeeeeeallly loves to sing those country-boy-tractor-woman-lovin’ songs! Us girls all did a rousing rendition of “You make me feel like a natural woman!” And songs by the Monkees were popular!

The people who got the “wear black” memo.

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Left: Dessa. Leah, Stef, Ali, Stephanie, Dave, Stormie. Right: three cooks in their aprons.

Those Thanksgiving boots were made for walking.

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Ali, Stormie, Jovan, Stef, Tara, Tredessa

Boots were definitely the fashion footwear of the day.

We played the arguing game* and Wii.

And a certain rather large contingency disappeared into the basement for XBox 360…or something? Dave even brought out his childhood electronic football game so the kiddos could see an antique toy. : )

*The “arguing game” is actually Cranium Party Play-Off, available at Starbucks.

Sweet children ran and tumbled and jumped and spinned round and round.

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Gavin and Guini, Hunter and Gemma, Averi and Samuel and Moses. They got along so well and were so sweet!

Family, by blood, by the Spirit, by choice.

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Tredessa and Tara; Andy and Leah

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Leah and Tara; Tara and DP; Stefanie and Wrex (aka “Sexy Wrexy”)

Thankful.

Tags: family, thanksgiving
Posted in Garden/Food/Seasons, Grandkids, Mi familia, My most unforgettable people, Photos of the Fam, Songs I am singing, Stuff I actually think, TV, Movies, Books, and Entertainment | No Comments »

Happy Birthday, Jovan Marie!

Saturday, October 31st, 2009

Jovan is turning 23!

Happy Birthday, sweet girl and amazing mommy. Happy Birthday to the one daughter God gave me who was not a moment of work for me: just a gift! Happy Birthday to the wife of my son’s youth, the daughter-in-law, who like Naomi’s daughter-in-law, Ruth in the Bible, is better to me than seven more sons could ever have been. I am blessed among women. I am blessed that you are mine by the choice my son made.

I am so pleased with you, Jovan, so proud of the young woman you are becoming. I know God chose you from way back when for Rocky. And though I did not give you birth, you are my beloved daughter. I thank God for you and I am so glad He chose you for our family. I love that you say you wanted to marry Rocky since you were 14. I love that the long, winding road of life brought that to pass. I love that the two have you have brought us Averi and soon her sibling. You are a life-giver in our midst!

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In thinking about your birthday, I got to remembering that about 23 years ago I was asked to join this sweet group of people (the band, Parousia) as a vocalist. They played at Catholic masses, community events and on college campuses around Nebraska. The the first song I did with them was by Wayne Watson and it got a lot of play. Rocky was just a little guy at the time. He was climbing walls and sliding down banisters and making life exciting. And I was asked to sing this song frequently and I think the reason it was very well received was because when I’d sing it, I would purpose singing it over my own children and it was a prayer of my heart. So, in a way, before I ever knew you existed, I was singing this song over you, too:

Somewhere in the world today
A little girl is going out to play
She’s all dressed up in mama’s clothes
At least the way that I suppose it goes
Somewhere in the world tonight
Before she reaches to turn out the light
She’ll be praying from a tender heart
A simple prayer that’s a work of art

And I don’t even know her name
But I’m praying for her just the same
That the Lord will write His name upon her heart
Cause somewhere in the course of this life
A little boy will need a godly wife
So hold on to Jesus, baby, wherever you are

And often I’d change the words the last time through:

Cause somewhere in the course of his life
My little boy will need a godly wife
So hold on to Jesus, baby, wherever you are

And Jovanie? I know for sure that God heard that prayer and began even then to prepare you for our family, to get you ready to be one of us. You were born to be a Rhoades, sweet girl, my daughter and my friend. And I love you so much.

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Jovan loves her sweets…and so does her daughter and her nieces and nephews (the five little monkeys)!

Twenty-three wishes for Jovan on her 23rd Birthday:

Look at the sun shining today! It is for your birthday. It is so you can have a happy, happy day!
I wish for you to have a great pregnancy all the way until baby-number-two is born. I hope these months will be full of fun and laughter and anticipation and your memories warm and happy of these days. You are so cute pregnant, girl!
Enjoy crazy-romantic-love with your man. These are baby-days and busy-days, but keep the fires burning. May Rocky love you like a real man should and may you receive it with unabashed joy!
I wish for lots and lots of happy mommy-daughter times with Averi…Gilmore Girls reruns and Cinderella watching!
Jovanie, I pray for you to know Jesus in a closer way than you ever have.
Let this year be a year of discovery: finding out who God really created you to be and what He has really called you to.
I am wishing for a gazillion kids, but no multiple births, as you wish. But you guys make beautiful babies!
May God enlrage your heart with an even greater capacity to love and be loved.
I am praying for deep relationships for you. I am praying the connections and relationships you have, both friendships and family, will develop and grow and be life-giving and true. And I pray God sends you many new friends and puts people in your path both to bless and be blessed by.
I wish sweet times of scrapbooking for you. Those will be hard to come by right now, but I am going to wish for suprise pockets of time for it, anyway. I know you love it.
My wish for you is to find your own beat and to be unapologetic about marching to it.
Jovan, I hope you will understand that you were called to us and will never be afraid to change us and impact us. That is why you’re here!
I am believeing God for financial blessing. They always say you can’t get rich in ministry, but the Lord is your Provider and you guys are rich, but I pray for sufficient funds for planning for the future and raising your family.
I want you to get the house you want, too!
May your creativity continue to blossom and sprinkle color and light and life on everything you touch as you create home and memories for your little family.
I wish for those traveling adventures that you and Rocky love so much to happen a lot over the next year.
I also wish for special days, holidays, holy days and romantic nights to be festive and memorable.
I pray you’ll find the ministry you were born to do and that the ministry things you and Rocky were created to do together will be fulfilling and sweet.
Girl, let me hang with your babies so you can go out without a diaper bag sometimes! Shop. Or whatever you want. I love Averi! Can’t wait for the new little bundle!
Happy Birthday, Jovanie. May there be great and growing joy-of-the-Lord in your heart. It will be your strength!
I am wishing for long nights of sleep, and happy days of rejuvenating living for you.
I am praying for the enemy to have to flee as the perfect love of the Lord drives out all fear and trepidation in your life. You are strong, Jovanie, in the Lord. Don’t be afraid.
And? May heaven hear and answer your prayers as you call out to the God who loves you greatly. You have His ear, my sweet. He is attentive to your heart’s cries.

Happy, Happy Birthday, Jovan. You know I love you, right?…Mom (Jeanie)

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Chicken and dumplings at Jovan’s family party, her request. Stef and Gemma, 2 pinkies in the pink and white decor; the pumpkin spice cake with 23 candles.

NOTE TO SELF: Me. Jovan. Creating our legacy books with scissors-in-hand, tape and glue and piles and piles of photographs.

About the party from Facebook:

Tara Powers Status Update: Truth or Dare for Jio’s bday tonight [using Rocky's I-Pod Touch]. Outcome=Rocky tasting soap, Dessa talking for 3 minutes straight, Steph trying to tell each person one good and one bad thing about themselves {editor’s note: she kinda chickened out – it was her great chance in life to really get us all and she couldn’t do it!}, Tristan speaking with an Italian accent, Jovan describing her first kiss with Rocky, Stormie wearing items from everyone, Mom acting out… Lion King, Me NOT sitting on Rocky’s lap, and Dave telling everyone who he would marry in the room..ME=)

Stephanie Rhoades Kelley: You forgot the best part – when Tristan HAD to kiss me – thank you Lord that I was sitting on his right and not someone else! *smile…

Tags: birthday, family, jovan rhoades
Posted in Birthdays/Anniversaries, God's Word, Stuff I actually think | 8 Comments »

Scenes from a Good Summer or “Reunited and it Feels So Good”

Sunday, September 20th, 2009

Ode to the Family of my Summer, for I shan’t and mustn’t acknowledge an autumn which does not truly begin until the September (or Autumnal) Equinox, on the 22nd day of this month ~ yes, just a couple of days from now, but still. Despite the fact that my sweet daughters, Stephanie first and then Stormie, have brought me a pumpkin spice latte from Starbucks each (how sweet are they??), I won’t purchase my first until it is truly autumn. I must sing of my love for the summer until the last verse fades softly…

Ross and Norma with grandkids and great-grandkids

Dad and the brothers visit

Press close, bare-bosomed Night! Press close, magnetic,
nourishing Night!
Night of south winds! Night of the large, few stars!
Still, nodding Night! Mad, naked, Summer Night!
~Walt Whitman

Joe’s wife, Robin with my dad; hanging on “Moslander Mountain”

Ross the Boss, Mrs. Moss, and all the Little Landers (Jeanie, Joey, Timmy, Tami and Danny)…except Tim didn’t come this year, but the rest did – with their spouses and children.

It was a divine time, full of remembering and creating new memories. Cousins kidded and cajoled. Siblings sought to reconnect. Dad told us where we came from and gave us insight for our futures. Mom cheered us all on and hugged the stuffing out of us. Love was in the air and in our hearts.

Gerron, Jordan and Austin being dudes

Tredessa, Grandma Moslandr and Uncle Joe

Sister-in-Law, Dawn.

Dawn and Dan Moslander of Hobart, Indiana

Dawn and Dan share family secrets

Just the other morning my sister-in-law, Dawn, whom I have known and loved since she was 14, emailed me these beautiful sentiments about The Moslander Family Reunion:

“I took you all in during our time spent together. Kinda like a wonderful meal! I feel full, but want to take in some more. Good memories, but missing everyone.”

Cousins Rocky and Corbin having fun at the Phipps farm

Riding horses at the farm.

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Brothers telling fish stories, no doubt

So blessed.

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Me with little sister Tami and her husband, Gerron; Jordan and Rocky-best cousins forever!

I love my family. I am so blessed by wonderful parents and amazing siblings who have married so well. They have gifted me with extraordinary nephews and nieces. And everytime we are together, all is right with the world.

Aunt Tami with her nieces; Aunt Tami pulling me into silliness.

“In every conceiveable manner, the family is link to our past, bridge to our future.” Alex Haley

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Mom and Dad.

Whom I have also sometimes (with great affection) called “Mammogram” and “Pap Smear.” Not sure how they feel about that! This is the result of these two people.

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