Winter Wonderland

The view from every window of our home is quite enchanting today, as long as we're standing INSIDE the house! I LOVE Winter with it's crisp, clean and fluffy first snowfall. I do NOT love driving in it. Along with so many blessings in my life; being 'retired' is one of my most cherished. But, since "Idle hands are the devil's workshop", I'd better start checking off my "to do" list for the day!

THANKSGIVING COUNTDOWN:

Day 1: I am thankful to be cancer free!

Day 2: I am thankful for my amazing, selfless husband, Jack.

Day 3: I am THANKFUL for our 6 amazing, unique children and 4 beautiful grandchildren. What a perfect blessing they have been to our lives. I love them each more and more every single day.

Day 4: I am thankful for my amazing parents; George (92) and Elaine (86) who have been married for 67.5 years, and raised 5 of us on a farm in ND where we learned valuable lessons of life while attending church every Sunday morning and eating 3 meals each day together at the table. What a blessing to have them. ♥

Day 5: I am thankful for my faith, my Savior, and God’s arms that hold me up through thick and thin.

Day 6: I am thankful for my family: 3 brothers, one sister, and 17 cousins (and their significant others;), and a huge boatload of nieces and nephews and 2nds, 3rds, and greats!

Day 7-I am thankful for the privilege of teaching for 22 years, losing my hearing, (yes…that in retrospect has been a blessing), and learning to teach again-Christian Yoga, this time around!

Day 8- I am thankful for Daisy, my hearing dog. I call her my “GoddoG”, and if you’ve watched her alert me to my phone, doorbell, or timer, you understand why. She’s an amazing little rescue Rat Terrier, and I am very grateful we found each other.

Day 9-I am thankful for my fleece sheets, warm house, warm car full of gas, and seat heaters on this snowy day as I get ready to drive over the river and through the woods to Jaxon’s house to babysit (another blessing I’m thankful for).

Day 10-I am thankful for the 12 step program.

Day 11-I am thankful for ALL of these amazing, selfless, men and women…those before, those now, and those in the future. Thank you and God Bless you all.

Day 12-I am thankful for the "Winter Wonderland" view from every room inside the warmth of our home. (get ready, AZ, I'm coming soon!!!)

PRAYER WARRIORS:

Please continue prayers for Steve and Sylvia Hammer,  Becky and family/Mom, Jim and Marilyn Erdman, and all who are hurting, suffering, fighting the good fight, hungry, cold, and/or lonely.

PRAISE and More THANKSGIVING!!

Well, I apologize for this being a few days late. I believe most everyone knew this wonderful, exciting news, however, as I shouted back to the many faithful prayer warriors via the e-prayer chains! God worked His powerful miracle again with my cousin, Dawn! She heard back from her doctors that there is NO CANCER!!! PRAISE GOD! I know and believe HE is a most powerful, amazing God, but, His works continue to amaze me beyond belief each time He gifts us with another miracle. Talk about strength and power….continues to solidify my faith as I grow and strive to walk HIS path, not mine.

We're enjoying a bit of God's miraculous beauty today with the first snow of the season. The snow kissed pine trees are magical and mystical this morning. Lovingly grateful for my daughter's warm and cozy house to snuggle little Jaxon in as we watch from warm side of the window.

Along with thankfulness for my cousin, I've been keeping up with my daily statements of Thanksgiving on Facebook….here they are:

Day 1: I am thankful to be cancer free!

Day 2: I am thankful for my amazing, selfless husband, Jack.

Day 3: I am THANKFUL for our 6 amazing, unique children and 4 beautiful grandchildren. What a perfect blessing they have been to our lives. I love them each more and more every single day.

Day 4: I am thankful for my amazing parents; George (92) and Elaine (86) who have been married for 67.5 years, and raised 5 of us on a farm in ND where we learned valuable lessons of life while attending church every Sunday morning and eating 3 meals each day together at the table. What a blessing to have them. ♥

Day 5: I am thankful for my faith, my Savior, and God’s arms that hold me up through thick and thin.

Day 6: I am thankful for my family: 3 brothers, one sister, and 17 cousins (and their significant others;), and a huge boatload of nieces and nephews and 2nds, 3rds, and greats!

Day 7-I am thankful for the privilege of teaching for 22 years, losing my hearing, (yes…that in retrospect has been a blessing), and learning to teach again-Christian Yoga, this time around!

Day 8- I am thankful for Daisy, my hearing dog. I call her my “GoddoG”, and if you’ve watched her alert me to my phone, doorbell, or timer, you understand why. She’s an amazing little rescue Rat Terrier, and I am very grateful we found each other.

Day 9-I am thankful for my fleece sheets, warm house, warm car full of gas, and seat heaters on this snowy day as I get ready to drive over the river and through the woods to Jaxon’s house to babysit (another blessing I’m thankful for).

PRAYER WARRIORS:

Please continue prayers for Steve and Sylvia Hammer, as Steve battles cancer and Sylvia finishes her radiation treatment and healing from her surgery; Becky and family/Mom, Radene, as Becky fights cancer, and Jim and Marilyn Erdman.

Well….it's about time, I know! Nearly 3 months since my last post here-and I was just thinking last evening that I need to write a post and start a "I am thankful for…" countdown. My feelings all changed drastically when I received a phone call from my dear cousin, Dawn, a few minutes ago. Dawn is a breast cancer survivor going on 3 years now, and during her annual mammogram, they found a suspicious area, did a biopsy on Wed., and now she waits…….. This news was another "kick in the stomach" for me. Dawn's husband, Ike, had surgery a few months ago for prostrate cancer, and has had good number reports since. Those two wonderful people have had about 3 months of breathing a sigh of relief, and now-here they go again.

PRAYER WARRIORS: Please join me today on our knees lifting Dawn and Ike up in prayer. We're asking for a miracle-for absolutely NO cancer, and results known SOON. 

As an example of how out of control this breast cancer is-Our dear friend, Sylvia Hammer, was diagnosed with breast cancer about a month ago, a few short months after her husband, Steve, was diagnosed with esophageal/lung cancer! 
My former teacher friend, Radene's, daughter, Becky, from Laurel/Billings, MT, is battling breast cancer. Becky is a young mom of two beautiful little girls. Is this not just NUTS?!?! WHERE is it COMING FROM!?!!?  I'm beginning to think like my sister-in-law, (another breast cancer survivor-21 years) we need to not only find a cure, but find the CAUSE and PREVENT it from happening.

I've avoided blogging for the past 3 months for various reasons-the main one, of course, being time spent caring for our little grandson, Jaxon. What a blessed excuse to have (and it IS an excuse, since I don't care for him 24/7!) We've also been busy with company for several weeks! We've spent the past couple months singing, celebrating birthdays, anniversaries and baptisms, playing, kayaking, visiting, trick or treating, and of course-EATING! 


We had a blessed event on September 29th. Jaxon Hans Nagle was baptized on the Spokane River. (same place big sister, Tatum Georgia was 4 years ago) It was a beautiful ceremony with Aunt Linda officiating and Ryan's sisters; Beth and Angie standing as his sponsors. Jaxon wore his Uncle Kyle and Curtis' baptism tuxedo that Great Grandma Elaine made 35 years ago.

Baptized boy, Jaxon, and Mommy

The baptism

Papa Jack, Nana GG, Tatum and Jaxon

Aunt Linda, (Jack's sister) and Jaxon 

God-Mamas, Aunt Angie and Aunt Beth

Ryan, Mom, Gayle, Jill and kids

Star of the day, Jaxon, and his adorable family

My parents flew to their Winter home via Spokane, and spent 5 days with us! We had such a great time, and enjoyed a couple family dinners with them, Curtis, Jen, Hannah, and Matthew from Butte, Jill, Ryan, and kids, and our niece, Amber and Mike, and kids; Kendall, Declan and Sterling, from Tigard, OR. 

Great Grandpa George and Grandma Great Elaine
posing with Jaxon 

Great-Grandpa's Hands
So many stories and messages from these hands….
….my Daddy's Hands.

A table full! L.O.V.E.

More love from the other end...

Young "Blue Eyes", Declan, loved Nana's buns!

Grandson, Matthew taking in the dinner table conversation

Granddaughter, Hannah, explaining something to Mike.

Great Grandpa and Mike solving all the problems of the world, I'm sure.:)

The Birthday Girls-Grandma Great, 86….Kendall, 6
Hope all of your wishes came true!

Aunty Jen getting in some snuggle time with Jaxon

Grandpa George and Curtis George
Two Handsome Dudes!

The three youngest grandchildren
Tatum, Matthew, and Jaxon

Grandma Great and her little girls

Me and my Daddy-Love this man so much!

Adorable little Sterling banned to the kitchen (by his Daddy) to eat his ice-cream cake.

Great Grandma and Grandpa with Jaxon and Tatum

The best shot we could get of these busy little munchkin cousins!
Declan, Kendall, Sterling (on the move), Jaxon, and Tatum

The Fielders with Great Grandma and Grandpa

The two little diva cousins-BFF

Tatum, 4 years old, and headed out on her own-she was on a mission-paddled straight out to the middle of the lake with Mama and Nana holding their breath on the bank!

Granddaughter, Hannah, making her maiden voyage around the lake.

Jennifer and Hannah-L.O.V.E.

The Queen of Hearts and White Rabbit

The Madhatter aka Ryan

Our very own "Alice in Wonderland" cast.

Exciting news: Our son, Kyle, took an adjuster job with Armtech, and he and his wife, Kelli, will be relocating to this area soon!

Monday, the 15th, I drove Mom and Dad to Pasco, WA, where we flew Allegient air to Mesa and got settled into their home in Apache Junction. I attended a training retreat for my new endeavor: Christian Yoga Leadership Training, and visited former Glendive good friends: Cathy and Terry Lobdell, and Jackie Higlin and Joanne Gray, before returning home on Monday the 22nd. It was so warm and toasty in AZ,  it took me a few days to thaw out upon my return to the North country. But, we've had beautiful, warm, Autumn weather since, so I can't complain. Today, after trimming the shrubs in the yard, it started to rain. Looks like a good day for baking, quilting or NAPPING!!

So…..getting back to my motivation for blogging again yesterday: I'm writing something I am thankful for each day of the month of November. I've been posting them on Facebook as well (not sure who or where that started; but I jumped on the bandwagon).

I AM THANKFUL FOR:

Day 1-Being cancer free.
Day 2-for my loving, selfless husband, Jack.
Day 3-for our 6 amazing, unique children and 4 beautiful grandchildren. What a perfect blessing they have been to our lives. I love them each more and more every single day.

*PRAYER WARRIORS: Please pray (see above) for my cousin Dawn & Ike, Becky and family/Mom-Radene, Steve & Sylvia, Jim & Marilyn, and all who are suffering, fighting the good fight, hungry, cold/wet, lonely, struggling with mental or physical illness, and/or developmental challenges.  

I'm leaning heavily on the Lord today, and especially soaking in "my" verse: 

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God." Philippians 4:6

My walk this morning

I'm basking in the joy of caring for my little grandson, Jaxon. He is the sweetest little guy, and spends much of his day napping and smiling. As I was walking this morning, I couldn't help but soak in the many blessings I've been granted. God is so good and so amazing, He overwhelms me often with his beautiful creation and many gifts. 

I'm feeling a bit melancholy and seem to be experiencing more "mood swings" than I usually do. I'm not sure it's my age, my hormones all being shut off, or simply "life on life's terms", or….all of the above! Whatever is causing this hormone dance; I am very grateful for the upswings that follow…(at least they have been so far!) About the time I'm wallowing in my pool of self-pity, God reaches out with His hand and pulls me out. He never fails me, thank goodness! 

When I was all snuggled in bed this morning and Daisy woke to go out-

I thanked God for my sweet, brilliant hearing dog.

When my hands and hips were achy and stiff (possible side effect of hormone stopper drug)-

I was thankful for a drug that will possibly save and/or lengthen my life.

When Jack wasn't beside me in bed to snuggle-

I thanked God for his great job-'feast or famine', as it is.

When I drove through rush hour traffic on the freeway-

I thanked God for the privilege of being alive and healthy, and able to drive to care for my grandson.

When I went to Bible Study last evening, lamenting about my aches and pains-

I counted my blessings as I listened to prayer requests for the wife of a 50 yr. old man who died from brain cancer.

I have countless blessings to be thankful for. One is being in this place to experience our granddaughter's 4th birthday tomorrow! Seven years ago today, I would have been preparing my classroom for 30+ 4th graders, and my excitement and enthusiasm would have been on overload! Today, thanks to God opening another window when my teaching career door closed; I will be here with our granddaughter to spend another moment in our "Secret Place". It just doesn't get any better than that!

When I came up to visit Tatum in the past 4 years, I stayed in our camper trailer several times. It's parked across the Nagle ranch in the far corner of their property. The breathtaking view includes an old pine tree stump surrounded by other towering whispering pines and a hillside covered with wildflowers and native grasses. When Tatum was 1 year old, we started visiting the stump and christened the area around it our Secret Place. We made many trips on the path across the field to our Secret Place. Together we gathered dead branches and pine cones and created our very own "house" in our Secret Place. It will always be special to Tatum and Nana-a place for prayer and meditation, watching butterflies and catching lady bugs and simply sitting. 

"He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall
abide under the shadow of the Almighty." Psalm 91:1

Tomorrow our little princess celebrates her 4th birthday! I will be posting a new "4 Year Old" picture soon. Here is a recent picture that I've posted earlier. Tatum will also be getting her very first haircut tomorrow (just a trim), and I look forward to experiencing another blessed milestone. Most certainly there will be pictures of that as well!

PRAYER WARRIORS: Please continue prayers for Steve Hammer-for healing and less chemo side-effects, and praise for Steve and Sylvia's new grandson, born to Sacha!  Please pray for all those who are struggling with cancer, hunger, homelessness, mental illness, developmentally delayed children and/or family members, and/or unhappiness. 

GOD BLESS ALL THE MEN AND WOMEN SERVING and PROTECTING OUR COUNTRY!

6 Month Check = CANCER FREE!!

I had my 6 month follow up mammogram and ultra sound and everything is progressing as it should be in the healing department! Praise God! It was another day of relying on my own personal scripture verse: Philippians 4:6-7. Even though I wasn't anticipating any bad news; after experiencing that "road" once, I guess it's easier to have anxiety about it again. As I nearly passed out and broke into tears twice during the procedure; the extremely professional and sweet technician assured me that this happens often times with many women. Amazing what one's mind can do. And, once again, I leaned heavily on the Lord-and He pulled me through it all with His calming peace. God is so good-all the time!


After swinging by the clinic and getting my Shingles vaccination, I walked into the kitchen to find these:

My sweet hubs surprised me with his unspoken encouragement and praise. 

It's been a busy and fun few weeks beginning my "Nana the Nanny" job, and it's easily the most rewarding, exciting, heart-warming job I have ever had! Jaxon's the cutest little guy, with a sweet smile everytime he sees me. 

Honestly…this is what I see every time I go to the crib to pick him up after his nap. I am blessed!

We bought a "Grandkids" kayak, and Tatum gave it a trial run yesterday. She took to it like a duck takes to water, and was an instant natural. We had so much fun, we went back out twice. And, the best thing is: her Mama's hooked, too! I am loving living on Shelley Lake!

We've been having gorgeous weather for the past week or so. This little gal has taken a liking to my bird feeders. She visited the feeder right on our patio before having baby, and now stays a bit further away. 

My friend reminded me that Fall weather is right around the corner. I still have a hard time adjusting to that after living in Northern California for 9 years. In my head, it's going to be wonderful weather for months yet! I imagine I'll "get my head on straight" when the thermometer drops in the evenings!  I know one thing….I'm having a hard time staying off the lake with the bright moon we've had the past few nights! Nothing like moonlit kayaking! 


Well, I guess I'd better sign off for tonight. Need to get extra rest as I'm fighting a cold, and also begin watching Jaxon full time next week! 


PRAYER WARRIORS: Please continue prayers for Jim and Marilyn; (Jim is battling lung cancer), for Steve and Sylvia; (Steve is going through chemo for esophageal and lung cancer), and all others who are struggling, suffering, or fighting the good fight.


"And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you." Ephesians 4:32