Celebrations!

Father's Day & Ken's Birthday were on the same day this year! It was a weekend of celebrations...wedding Friday night, Lifewalk for Alpha Family Center Sat AM (we love walking in this each year - they raised almost $20K for this valuable ministry in our area), then we enjoyed having Dad & Mom Vanderwest over on Saturday night for dinner...Ken's request was steak kabobs - mmmm! I marinade them for many hours in a honey/soy sauce/garlic/spices mixture, add the veggies, and YUM! The dessert was not for Ken, but for his Dad - strawberry shortcake with lots of whipped cream.

On Sunday afternoon Ken opted to stay home with Seth & Aaron to nap with them. N, R, and I headed to an open house for Gideon. In addition to Bertha's wonderful food, Gideon gave a classical guitar recital outdoors. It was a charming setting - him up on the deck, chairs set up under a massive shade tree, flower beds, their black cat swaying in and out of the people, etc. They had a sound system to hear his beautiful musical well. He is SO very talented - it was soothing to the soul to listen! After that we went home and all took naps. Later we said goodbye to our friends the Gregg's at an open house for them at church. A bittersweet time - happy for them, sad to see them go. Carolyn is an awesome singer and we have had lots of sweet music memories together over the years - church praise band, offertorys, weddings, funerals, etc. They are special people and we will miss them as they 'Go Light Their World' in Nevada. We then zipped home and the Southwell's (our good friends who are living in our 'old' house for the year while they are on furlough) came over for GHIRADELLI brownies and ice cream. This was Ken's choice of dessert! :) Whew...a busy but good weekend.

This week ad next the kids (3 oldest) are taking swimming lessons at the high school pool. They are eager to go and Mom is glad they can all go at the same time! Monday night was a celebration with the Richards' side. A little basketball, soccer, banter, delicious charcoal-grilled burgers, cute nieces and nephews, chatting, etc...a fun time for all. We are eager for June 25 to come - when Bronya (sister-in-law) will give birth to our newest nephew!

Happy Father's Day to:

The Father of My Four Children - You are fun, involved, patient, godly, and admired by all of us. You are the Dad I dreamed of for our children and are my best friend.

My Dad - You motivate us to do things well, have a relationship with Christ, are full of life and fun, and we all love being with you. How grateful to have YOU as our Dad and Grandpa!

My Dad by marriage - Thank you for being so friendly (do you know half of Muskegon?), laidback, teaching us by your example, working hard for your family, enjoying life, and most of all for raising a wonderful son and father and loving all of us!

Thank you, God, for being My Heavenly Father and giving me these three wonderful men in my life!

Isn't it good to have Hallmark Holidays? They give us reasons to give cards and tributes to those who are so important to us.