Hark the Herald Angel Came

WELCOME to our family little Gabriel Sky Roepke. We are happy to meet you!

And to my readers... May God bless you richly in this new year with His joy and peace. Seek more of Him. He is an awesome God!

It's all about Katherine

My oldest daughter who goes by many names...Katherine, Katie, Kat (and never reads my blog) was sent a link to it by a co-worker... not sure why, and finally went to check it out and noticed she wasn't highlighted, but her sister had been. Well... sometimes you get what you ask for!

So, here in living color, you can enjoy the many faces of Katherine Anne Dawson!

Merry Christmas to us a little early

Gabriel Sky Roepke decided to come a little early into the world, sleepy and breathing a bit too fast. I am sure there will be many more photos coming, but let's just take in the little man that we have waited on so eagerly. A Man child! Momma is fine, but baby had to take a detour after his calm, natural water birth to high tech hospital monitoring until his breathing get's settled. Pray for this baby and his parents as they wait on him being able to come home.

Do You Know Anthony?

Please meet Anthony. He is a friend and co worker of my daughter. He happened to check out my blog (man, he so needs to get a life) and sent the link to my daughter who never reads it. (uh, rude) So, I would like to honor him today. Here's to You Anthony someone. Hope you have a fabulous day!

Congratulations #2!

My daughter, Rebecca Elizabeth "Izzie" Roepke, just graduated from nursing school! She is also expecting her second child in the next few weeks. She has accomplished so much this semester and we are so proud of her. Way to go Iz!

Congratulations!

My daughter in the Lord, Mollie Guillemette, has graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts. Way to go Mollie! We are so proud of you.

The In-between Time

Thanksgiving and Christmas should be farther apart. I have always felt like this, but no one has listened to me. I need more time in-between. Things I need to do before Christmas:
1. Go to physical therapy.
2. Find a wonderful gift for Dean.
3. Clean my apartment for guests coming.
4. Prepare emotionally for a new baby coming which will change the family dynamics.
5. Find wonderful stocking gifts that will cause my family to cry out with joy. (I have issues)
6. Clean my lakehouse for guests coming.
7. Put up tiny tree at apartment.
8. Put up real tree at lakehouse.
9. Celebrate 2 daughters graduating from school.
9. Go see my parents in Abilene.
10. And much more, but this is getting a bit boring and all about me...

So, Thank you God that I have the opportunity to go to physical therapy, buy a gift for a great man, have an apartment to clean, have a new baby coming, have kids who want to be together for the holidays, have a lakehouse to clean, have two daughters coming to visit and two daughters who are thrilled to be graduating from school after lots of hard work, have a tiny tree and a real tree to put up with fun stuff to decorate, and most of all, that I have two sweet parents who love me and are happy when we get to visit. amen.

East Texas Thanksgiving

We had a wonderful time at the lake for Thanksgiving. The leaves were so pretty, it looked like we were on the East Coast. Thank you to Aaron for cooking the turkey. He wanted to learn how (and I was excited to let him) and he did a great job. Thank you to Meredith for making me a chocolate pie (her first meringue) which was delicious. We got to sit around the fire pit and enjoy the cold weather and then it was so pretty on Thursday we were able to eat outside. Thanks to Izzie and Meredith who spent the day decorating the deck and yard for the holidays. We are going to have a wonderful season.

Looking for a way to be more "green" this Christmas?

Happy Thanksgiving all! I will post Thanksgiving at the lake photos next week. Man, I have so much to be thankful for. I am going to start with being thankful for the pie that Meredith is going to make me!

Got Pie on my Mind

Would someone puleeze make me a chocolate meringue pie like my momma used to make? Yes, I want the whole pie. Yes, I want it to have those little beads of syrup after you put it in the fridge for awhile. Yes, cook it till the tips of the meringue are medium brown. hmmm... oh, and hurry.

Just for Fun

Thankful it has been a bit cooler the past few days. I am ready for fall and fires and even socks! Since I got me "the menopause" I have been looking forward to being "cooler"!

Planning Ahead

My daughter, Izzie and her husband Aaron are expecting their second child in about 8 weeks. They went to their birthing class today and came home with new instructions for me, the appointed caretaker of Ilon, their daughter, when Izzie goes into labor and the appointed food bringer. Apparently, they were instructed by the new midwife to leave me a list of what to bring them to eat after the birth. I don't know if I can handle all the stress of taking care of Ilon and waiting on the new baby and picking up the correct food depending on the time of day the new baby decides to come. :) Thankfully I won't be the only one involved. We are all getting used to the idea of this new baby coming soon. It has taken awhile to really believe it is happening. We have enjoyed having Ilon so much and it will be an adjustment for all of us with the new baby, whom Ilon has named "Roger". And she wants a sister. Go figure.
So let's get into the serious matter at hand. What will they really name this child? I am still hoping for Georgia after my grandmother. She was one awesome lady and her name needs to be carried on. Not sure about Ilon's choice, Roger Roepke.....too many rrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrs.
over and out.

Miscellaneous

Just read a book that I loved by Robin Jones Gunn, Gardenia's for Breakfast. A book about mothers and daughters and how God loves us through each other.

Two months till our next little baby comes into the family. A bit nervous about how our number one and only grandaughter will respond. She has been the center of the world now for two years. Can't wait to meet this new little person. (have had two dreams that it is a girl)

Went to the Orthopedist today and have to go start physical therapy as my "range of motion" is not quite where he would like it to be. Hope it isn't painful. I already have plenty.

Thankful for Aaron today. He is my son-in-law, a brother in the Lord and a co-worker! He is a great daddy and husband and is always up for family time. That is pretty awesome!

Days of Yore

Man, has anyone else noticed that life is flying by? I used to be so young and bouncy and now...well... you saw the hand. I obviously didn't bounce very well that day. There is an old photo of me in my parent's stash where I am probably around 8 or 9. I am very thin, very stick leggy, with lots of freckles and long red pigtails swinging. You can tell in the photo that I am in motion and just jumpy with joy. I can still see this photo so clearly in my mind. I love it because it is what I long to feel like, full of energy and joy. So, Lord, it is up to you. I am ready to have energy, bounce and joy.

There Goes My Dream of Being a Hand Model

Watch Out Grackels!

We had a great trip to Taos and a side trip to Colorado.
This is a tiny view of Casa Courtney, our little house in the desert, that was covered with purple and yellow sage. We spent our anniversary in Pagosa Springs Colorado at the Hot Springs Resort. After a great dinner overlooking the river, we went to the springs for an evening soak in the pools. Got up early and dipped again and enjoyed the relaxing waters and the views.

Stopped for a picnic on the way back to Taos at a small lake in a state park. So pretty and there is nothing like home made bread,fruit, salami and cheese in the mountains. (really pretty much any food is good in this setting) More than once I heard the phrase "Look at that color!" It was definately one of the prettiest fall seasons we have gotten to experience. If leaves can change into these glorious colors now, can you imagine what the seasons will be like in heaven?
Our last night was spent at one of our favorite places in Taos, The Blinking Light. (yes, there really is a light that blinks) We enjoyed our first night of cooler weather and ate out on the patio by the fireplace. Very delicious and fun to eat wrapped up in Indian blankets. Thanks Laurene! Thanks Don and Gay for sharing the wonderful trip. Don your the man at driving and seeing wildlife at the same time. Gay, I loved the Mountain Bluebirds and your home was definately a 5 star place to stay. (except maybe for the lady out back shooting Grackels)

The Time Has Come!!

After three years, Dean and I are actually going on a real bonafide vacation!

I will still be in my lovely purple cast, but ready and able to enjoy the delightful destination of Taos, New Mexico. Our good friends, Donna and Zack are loaning us their lovely Taos House, Casa Courtney, and we are eager for temperatures that should be 40's in the evenings and 70's in the day. We are delighted to once again have my brother and wife joining us on our adventure. We have made this trip with them a few times before and love the traditions we have in traveling together, such as margaritas in the hot tub, picnicking by a mountain stream, eating at the Apple Tree, walking through the many art galleries (my personal favorite) and shopping (looking) in the plaza.

We also drive to Pagosa Springs Colorado and stay at the resort there: http://pagosahotsprings.com/pools/pools.htm for a night.

The doctor told me I should soak my hand and that a hot tub would be great for it....so I am following doctor's orders!

So Thankful for this opportunity to celebrate my 30th anniversary in such a beautiful place. God, you are awesome!

Life Goes On

I am still in a wait and heal season, but seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. One cast off of my right hand and three more weeks on the left. I have permission to try and drive and hoping to be off of pain meds soon. Since my life is fairly boring at this time, I thought I would share a photo of the family having fun at the lake before I fell off the boat.

Patience is a Virtue

Learning to be patient with my circumstances. Fell off of a boat and met the concrete resulting in a broken wrist on one hand and a broken thmb on the other. This has left me at the mercy of others. My husband has been Jesus to me in many many ways...just imagine all the things you can't do without using your hands and you will understand. Thanks to everone who has blessed us with calls, food and friendship. Hope to post with more fun news soon. this too shall pass.

oops

fell down and broke my crown. typing is a bit difficult and really can't do caps.

ooh and oh yeah

Totally got busy last week and didn't get to blog at my normal time. Now that our bi-annual church directory is printed, all my thoughts are toward our First Annual Forced Family Fun Hatch Green Chili Cookoff this coming weekend. There will be around 16 people coming to our 850 square foot lake house and there is rain in the forcast! Going to have to start making "what if" plans. Dean has been busy practicing his recipe and I have been his taster. (sad as I don't like green chilis) I will be competing of course. There might be a good prize. I am in charge of bringing said prizes and will surely bring something I would love to win! Looking forward to Katie coming for the weekend. Yea firstborn child is coming home for a visit! And, our first baby girl just turned two and we had a wonderful time celebrating her birthday. We are enjoying her new vocabulary skills and learning to put words together. Her parents taught her to pray over the food at meals.

"Jee-sus, Thanks. Aaamen!" She is delightful and loves her Elmo panties!

Song of Songs

I was at a conference four nights this week taught by Gary Weins on the extravagant love God has for YOU (and me) from the Song of Songs. One of the favorite quotes I heard, "Don't make sandwiches God didn't order." Man, it is good to be taught and reminded and encouraged and exhorted to imagine how much God loves us, his bride. Calling us, wooing us, delighting in us. Pretty awesome. A friend just bought me thebook, Bridal Intercession by Gary Wiens
("Bridal Intercession: Authority in Prayer Through Intimacy with Jesus" is a book for such a time as this, approaching the topic of intercessory prayer from the perspective of the Church's place as the Bride of Christ. Through exploring the Biblical paradigm of God's relationship as the Husband of His people, Gary Wiens draws his readers into an understanding of intimacy with Jesus as the foundation of effective prayer.) I am looking forward to reading it soon.
May God open our eyes to see, ears to hear and our hearts to his calling us to live our lives in extravagant worship of Jesus.

T shirts

Doesn't this shirt look like it needs some color and a cool phrase and artwork?

We are planning a Chili Cookoff at our lakehouse this summer and decided to have some t- shirts made for part of the hoopla. Found a website where you can design your own shirts and have had alot of fun deciding on the perfect design for our event. Try it out!

But beware...it can draw you into it's web of fun and you will lose track of time. You can design your own, or use their ideas, like the shirt that says "I poke monkies". We all need one of those.

CustomInk.com

I created my own churchlady shirt! Check it out. return to your design: churchlady

BURN

I was able to attend a BURN event last night in Dallas. It is a ministry of people who love the Lord passionately and want to make room for Him to come. They want our cities and nations to be transformed by God. They offer 24/48/52 hour prayer and worship sessions all over the world. People praying and praising and calling for more of God. http://theburn247.com/dfw/updates/ and click on listen to Burn Radio...good worship music to listen to while you are working or in your quiet times. They are headquartered in Dallas and I am hoping to attend another event soon. Really encouraging to be around brothers and sisters in the Lord who want more of HIM. It excites me. It opens me up to new vision and hope in God. We can all use that. Check it out.

Need Something to Do?

Every once in awhile I end up with some free time on my hands and have found a couple of sites that I enjoy for different reasons. Try them out and see what you think...
For my brain and memory: http://www.freerice.com/index.php
where you can give rice to help feed the hungry while working on your vocabulary!
For my creative side: http://www.miniusa.com/#/build/paintShop-m
Go to the Mini Cooper web site and you can not only build your own car, but you can custom paint it any way that you desire.
To enjoy my daughter Katherine's designwork and creativity:
http://www.myspace.com/truthorange

So I am off to work out my brain, feed the hungry and dream of driving the cutest mini cooper that designed for the day!

Fun at the Lake for the 4th!

We had a great time at the lake with the family! Lot's of good food, sitting on the deck and playing on the water. Aaron and Ilon went on a tube ride! Izzie skied pregnant! Meredith looked great on the knee board and of course we had a little bit of badminton competition. Dean and I both tried the tube, Dean with success, me, not so much. It was fun to just be out on the water.

Someone is always left holding the cat(s)

We are off to the lake for three nights! yippee! First time to stay multiple nights in our little lake house with our family. Looking forward to grilling out, floating on the lake, looking for turtles with the baby girl and drinking a cold beer on the deck after dark. We have heard that the fireworks will be beautiful all over the lake and looking forward to sitting out on the boat and watching the celebration. Thankful to those who are covering for us at LHC so that we can be away on Sunday and thankful to sweet Mere, who is getting to stuff the cats into a carrier on Friday and bring them down...meowing loudly all the way. Your the best Mere! (hope you make it unscratched) Also thankful for American holidays! So, readers...I exhort you all to go forth and relax, play and celebrate the 4th of July. Free at last, free at last...thank God almighty we can go off for a few days and be free at last with a paid holiday! We are so blessed.

Good News!

A friend of many, Amy Bessire, died this past week. She was a delightful woman of God. Years ago, she put music to scripture and this song has been sung by believers ever since. The words are good news. Her life was good news. She will be missed, but her song sings on and on.
"The Steadfast love of the Lord never ceases.
His mercies never come to an end.
They are new every morning.
Great is thy faithfulness.
The Lord is my portion says my soul.
Therefore I will hope in Him.
Therefore I will hope.........in Him." Lamentations 3:22-25

and then there is verse 26: it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the LORD

What is Fun?

My daughters have fun.

Nuns have fun.

Why aren't we having some fun?

My elspouso and I are on the quest to have more fun. I remember having fun. It is fun to have fun. But, as we have gotten older, fun seems to be a bit too much trouble... and often just out of reach of the chair. So we are going to get out of the chairs and back into the fun. Now we have to remember what that is and go find it. Any ideas?

Poetry for All Seasons

I am in a season of loving my parent's as a caretaker and daughter. It is a difficult and emotional journey. I have found that many people have written their feelings and thoughts on this disease of their loved ones in verse. I found this poem written by a man who has Alzheimer's disease.

Far Longer than Forever

Far longer than forever,

Cross the distance we’re apart,

Feelings of warmth and comfort Etched your image in my heart.
Far longer than forever, Beyond the journey’s end,

I’ll think of you with fondness,My special caring friend.
Nothing’s a greater challenge Than the present endeavor,

To remember you past memory Far longer than forever….
Tim Brennan 1997

I also found this interview on NPR of a poet who received a grant to take poetry into senior centers for people with Alzheimers disease. It is not a long interview and is really delightful if you have time to listen.

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=1832793

Jesus Saves!

In case you want to share this message in a gift...go to a fun website and check out the cool coin purses

for not too much moola. http://www.patinastores.com/index.cfm

Ya Either Love Them or Hate Them...

Yes, we are talking about SPIDERS today. At our lakehouse in East Texas, we have spiders everywhere. If you set anything down on the deck, turn around, and then turn back, there is a web now attached to the item. I am trying to be more environmentally conscience, and have recruited ideas from my favorite "greenie" Mollie Guillmette, who writes a blog with ideas and items that are more environmentally friendly: http://one-change.com/blog/

and she gave me some suggestions for trying to keep the critters away without killing off all of the bugs and pets and small children with harsh chemicals. This weekend I am trying a diluted mix of lavendar, citrus and water that I will spray around the windows and doors which is supposed to keep them away as they don't like these smells. Did you know that spiders smell with their feet? I know that spiders have a place in our eco system that is essential, but when they are lurking in every corner, making messes with their cobwebs and possibly biting us with their poisonous venom..well, they just need to go away. Now. Hope this suggestion works.

Paradise Found

Every once in a while, something happens to bring a moment of true joy, a spendid rush of pleasure and excitement that brightens and colors your life in a new way. I had one of those moments recently and still have a smile on my face. I accidentally found a website that is completely devoted to the color turqoise. And, to just click and find that you are not alone... there are others out there that love what you love, and understand you in ways that no other does. sigh...wish I had thought of it. What a great outlet for my inner color. Enjoy my joy:

http://www.everythingturquoise.com/

What Time is It?

It's time to buy new spring and summer shoes!! yea! (yes I am this shallow and inspite of the ugly shoes I have been seen wearing, I do love me some pretty shoes) I found this article about pretty shoes that don't hurt your feet: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/14021821/

Here is a pair that I would like to have for summer>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Every year my mom would take me to buy a new pair of patent leather church shoes, white for spring/summer and black for fall/winter. I loved the squeaky new shiney shoes (except for the black mark that I would get on them as I left the store wearing them against my mother's advice.) and couldn't wait to wear them to church. I had to clean them each Saturday night and shine them with vaseline for Sunday morning. I still like patent shoes. They give me that "happy" feeling from my youth. So, enjoy going out and finding that perfect pair for spring to make you smile and to make your feet happy!

Hospital Time (not bidness time)

It's that time again. Sleeping and staying at Baylor Dallas with my dad following his bypass surgery last week. He is doing okay, but still coming out of a very difficult heart surgery.
So in case you want to know, Baylor ICU nurses were great and ICU waiting room very nice. Now that we are in a room, well, not so sure. Staff is nice, but just has a different feel from my stay with my mom in Hendricks Hospital in Abilene last week. Everyone there went out of their way to be helpful and informative and it made a hard time easier. Hopefully it will get better.
Have I mentioned that I can't eat in a hospital room? I think it is the medicinal or cleaning smells, but I even tried to eat a pretzel for dinner last night and it was not wanting to go down. Makes me gag to think about it. Hope I don't have to go and stay as a patient any time soon or I will starve:)

Machines and Life

On Fridays there is often a little copier demon that likes to come into our office and frustrate the poop (excuse my language) out of me while I am trying to get all of the bulletins, notes etc. ready for Sunday. We will have a season of everything working great, and then, pow! in it comes. Today, is one of "those" days. So I am remembering to praise God when things are not working as well as when they are. I am gritting my teeth while I am saying it but, I am saying it, "Thank you God even when my machines are not working." Did I mention that this particular demon likes to invite his printer, fax and folder demon friends to join him? So I have thrown away reams of paper that jammed in the copier and page after page of a document that was asked to print one copy and decided to print hundreds and will try to leave before my computer goes down:) Very thankful for our copier repairman who comes with a smile each time I call. "Thank you Mark the Ikon Man!" So, off to the lake for a little boat lesson 101 and then...well stay tuned, next week my dad is having by-pass surgery. Keep David and Jodie in prayer if you have a moment. Later.

Thought for the Day

When you are tired and feeling blue...eat a cookie.
( thats all for now...I am going to get a cookie)

This Friday's Random Thoughts

• It is really pretty in Seattle in the spring on the street where Mollie and Kendall live.
• You can have too much of a good thing. (Dough Monkey's Cream Cheese Brioche)
• Thankful to not be flying American this week.
• You shouldn't use the title "Girls, Girls Girls" on your blog site.
• God is good.

Girls Girls Girls

Katherine's home for a few days!

Meredith is 26!

We all went out for Asian Fusion for Mere's bday celebration. Sushi=yucky, Japanese beer=Yum

Izzie, so you won't feel left out...good job with school! It's almost over for the semester!

Yesterday

1. I spent $23,000 and got a jar of hot sauce that says it was made in Gun Barrel City, TX (I don't believe this) and a small lake house without any utilities as apparently everyone is at home for Good Friday/Easter weekend eating hot sauce instead of at work providing me my utitilites. So much for spending our first weekend at the lake.
2. When you are at Children's Medical Center in Dallas in the wee hours of the night, do not believe the signs that tell you how to get back to the green parking garage. They are not accurate and will lead you on a long journey down the halls of nowhere. (and it is a lonely place)
3. I did happen on a fun new web site for those who have a few moments of free time:
Picturedots is “the only place on the internet to make, share, and print dot to dot puzzles.” It lets you upload a picture from your computer or another website and makes it easy for you to turn it into a dot-to-dot puzzles.The finished product is a PDF, meaning you can use it with popular applications (Photoshop, Illustrator, even Microsoft Office). And even send it to contacts through email. You can also use Picture Dots for other things. Enjoy!

Be Prepared

In my quiet time a few weeks ago, I heard the Lord tell me that I needed to be prepared. My first response, "Oh Lord, what now? It had been a difficult year, and I wasn't wanting more. As I sat, gritting my teeth as I waited, I heard him tell me, " be ready for ...JOY." I immediately thought of the scripture, "joy follows suffering" and began to pre worry about what else was coming. Then I realized, the joy was following the suffering we had already been through. He was just letting me know that it was time for JOY! Within a week's time, three major prayer needs in our family had been met. I was able to share joy with a friend in her own time of trial. Just sharing my thankfulness. God is faithful. He sends the rain on the just and the unjust. He gives good gifts to his children. He adores us. He loves us. He speaks to us and he gives us JOY!

Just Like on TV

For any of you HGTV fans..."We Got The House!"

Close in two weeks. Wahoo.

Changes are Coming and the Big Deck

Dean has a new job!
Meredith has a new job!

We bought a lake house with a big deck!



Thank you Lord for the abundance of blessing in the past few weeks.