Fall Changes

These kiddos are bigger now....

I've been feeling a bit melancholic the past week or so. Part of the melancholy is that summer is waning.

In a sense, change is good. I'm getting tired of watering plants, making sure the grass stays green, keeping out the weeds and slugs. Tired of monitoring open and closed windows. Watching out for fleas--a kitty who goes in and out of the house brings those critters with her!

No, that change is fine. It's that the school year is coming and with it brings excitement and a more set schedule. Even for those of us who aren't involved in school anymore, either as an occupation or parent. What's sad is there will be only two little ones needing my assistance in the homeschooling experience. The boys are taking more outside classes and need more time to stay at home to complete their studies. While I love having the girls, it's just another indication that all of my grandies are growing up and away from their parents--and me!

I read this morning in Jeremiah 10. This phrase stood out to me: The LORD of hosts is His name. That was a comfort to me, for He is over all. Even these fall changes and growth.

I will attempt to shake off the melancholy, for it's all part of the change of seasons. And I will recall that phrase, The LORD of hosts is His name. And I can call on Him because He loves me.

Fall, 2012

Sisters---Seesters---Sweaters

There are four of us. Joyce, me, Eileen and Betsy. We fiercely love each other. Though we may be quick to criticize each other, we also would defend the other if someone outside our group of sisterhood did. Being with my sisters is just like going home, For in a sense we are home to each other.

Two weeks ago, we had a sister week. Joyce came down from up north. Betsy came up from the hot southwest. Eileen and I were right here, in the middle. We stayed at my house.

Eileen, Betsy, Joyce, Shirley

I warned my facebook friends to watch out--for there might be uncontrollable laughter from four women who looked somewhat alike. I should have also warned my friends that one or all four of us might break into song! For we also like to sing and have a habit of singing just about anything.

We did laugh for sure. We sang. I didn't mention there might be crying, and that happened too. Why did we cry? Sometimes it was in anguish or frustration as we discussed our children. Sometimes there were tears about our situation--financial, alone-ness, fears. There were tears about our mates--because of them--or lack of them. We were equally divided. Two were married. Two were not.

We played dominoes. Learned some new rules while playing. Were quietly competitive.

We cooked together. Made the wonderful mouth watering delight of watermelon, eaten with krullers--the delicious confection a bit like a doughnut, but not as sweet. We celebrated a birthday and prepared her requested meal. German style homemade noodles with onions and pork, topped off with fresh glazed peach pie. A dish made by Mom long ago.

Preparing krullers

Yum, watermelon and krullers

Cutting watermelon

Using family cookbook for krullers

We drove together to re-visit places where we lived. We went to our grandparents' adopted home town where we drove around until we found both sets of grandparents' homes. We could see remnants of what we remembered the houses looked like. The train track was still there. Then we drove to their graves. They were wonderful grandparents.

My Grandpa Quiring's marker

My Grandma Quiring's marker

What was formerly Haley Baptist Church

We visited the country church where Dad was pastor during our growing up years. The church has a different name now. The lot where the parsonage and church sits seem so small. We posed in front of the elementary school three of four attended. The front of the school was unchanged, in all those years.

We all attended here

Why did I mention "sweaters" in my title? Well, that came up in our messages to one another during the week. One sister was texting another and the helpful speller thought "sweaters" was a better choice than "seesters". It is now the new family joke: the four sweaters: sweater #1, sweater #2, sweater #3, sweater #4. All unique, but woven from the same cloth: Mom and Dad,

I'm so glad God has blessed me with my family--God is good --and certainly has a sense of humor when He placed us together in our family.

Happy Sister aka Seester--err--Sweater Week! May they continue!