Goodbye Miss Katie

Remember the same stars that shine in Arizona we can see here in Michigan. If you look up and say , "Goodnight Mr. Tim, Good night Ms Kelley." We will hear you.

Remember Santa Claus visits everywhere...he can fly so he doesn't really need snow.

Don't forget home is any house where Mommy and Daddy are.

Don't forget the University of Michigan is the BEST College EVER! (Can you hear Mr. Tim singing the fight song?)

But most of all never forget for a short time , you lived right across the street from a family who fell in love with you.

Arizona will be such a great place to live and grow up in.... It's another Katie Adventure

We're blowing you kisses right now:)

How Does Your Garden Grow?

What does a women born with a green thumb do when her husbands buys her a house surrounded by "Shade Creating" pine trees, soil covered in pine needles, roots that attack lawn mowers and deer that roam the neighborhood eyeing our plants as their personal Salad bar??? What to do...What to do?

After the first year here where I left behind my full sun home with 38 garden beds, a pond, waterfall and a rose garden, I experienced my first gardening challenge. How in the good Lord's name was I going to get anything to grow, and when and if I got someting to grow, how could I keep the 4 legged "Bambi's" from eatting it?

Rake, rinse, repeat....
Fertilize and fantasize....
Plant and Pray!
And don't spare the Liquid Fence.

This is my third summer and this is how I am doing so far!

Shhhh... don't tell....that big hole I am digging in the back is going to be a pond!!!!!!!!

22 Years and Counting

You guess it...Tim and I have been married 22 years today as of 7:00 EST June 28th. Back in 1985 we were both much thinner, Tim had more hair and my blonde was natural. Together we've weathered the loss of my parents and of his father. The birth of our children, potty training, drivers training, job training and the dreaded time of "boyfriends" for our middle daughter.

There have been numerous soccer games, swimming lessons, tutoring, and even baseball...snooze snooze. We watched graduations, first teeth, lost loves, and twice annual parent teacher conferences. We've managed to raise 2 children to adulthood ('cause you know after age 18 THEY know everything...tongue in cheek), and the last one at age 9 keeps us young.

Along the way we have managed a few vacations, a couple of get aways, and loads of laughter and tears. Through it all we have grown together. We've reach that place where at times we can finish each others sentences, and yet at other times still be surprised by the others reaction. We have at the very least kept those promises we made at the altar all those years ago! To Love, honor and Trust!!!!!!

I have no idea what gift is assigned to year 22-for us it is the year of rubber Coleman boats to cruise down the river on, and a lovely vase of roses from my dearest husband. When I look into his eyes I still see the man I love..can any women ever ask for more?

22 years and counting!

Chocolate Bags

When some are sad they eat, others cry. I sew. Here are a few of the bags I made with my on-line Quilting Support Group. We exchanged fabric and were all sent directions. After determining that I was over thinking how to make them- they came together quickly. They are adorable gift bags to put coffee, hot chocolate, or candies in.

I am thinking these would also make great little bags for kids to put sunglasses, goggles, and sunblock in for those trips to the pool. My son thought they would be a great bag to carry his Gameboy and games in as well-so I think I will be making more of these bags in other fabrics as well.

HUGE thanks to my fellow quilters who are so kind to this beginner-especially since I often forget to sign my name to the posts.

Grandpa Bob

Click on picture to enlarge

For 23 years this "gentle" man Robert R.C. Smith was such a part of our lives. He and Grandma June lived across the street from us. My parents passed away when KayLee was around 4 , and her Bumpa lived in Alaska, so Grandma June and Grandpa Bob were the closest thing to grandparents my children ever had. Bob and June had 3 children of their own 12 grandchildren and many more greatgrandchildren. Yet their was room in their heart to love three more. There are not words to express what a precious gift this was and is.

Click on picture to enlarge

Grandpa Bob retired after 37 years with Michigan Bell. I remember when I was first married and we needed to make a long distance call we really couldn't afford, we made them down at their house. He fought in World War II as a radio man on the planes that flew to Tokyo., and was later recalled to serve during the Koran Conflict. Grandma June taught me to garden and how to cook, and Grandpa Bob was the Mr. Fix It of the Neighborhood. He had a workshop of tools that my husband enjoyed using with Bob. My children played with hand carved wooden cars, and Timmy and KayLee both enjoyed hand made rocking horses from Grandpa. Jamie learned t0 play pool from Grandpa and all the teenagers loved to hang out in their house on the river.

June and Bob traveled round the country in their RV and took trips on Giant Ships to places like Alaska, England , Austraila and more. Seeing their pictures was almost like being there with them. Grandpa Bob and I also shared a love of lawn mowing, and their was more than a few times he had to fix mine because I had tangled with a rock or two.

KayLee and Timmy would spend afternoons they were to sick to go to school on grandpa's lap in his blue chair. They learned to love the smell of his pipe he smoked occassionaly, and I now have those pictures to treasure . We said goodbye to this gentleman on Monday. The wake held on the lawn of his house in sight of his beloved river-over 125 making time during a 90 degree evening to come and share their stories of love and affection for this gentle soul. He now lies with Jesus so as he rests....we remeber. Until we meet again gentle soul...remember you made a differene in the lives of the DeBoer Family!

Click on picture to enlarge

Friend and Neighbors gathered

Change

Have you ever noticed that life can follow a predictable pattern for a long , long time, and then suddenly-change occurs. Whether it is positive or negative, it affects our very comfort level. It requires adjustments, some subtle some large. I have to admit as I grow older that I am not as comfortable with change as I used to be. However-there it is-and now adjustments will be made.

So far both Tim and I are having a change in job status. He has left J & H Oil to look for work else where, and I will be serving different schools next year as well. Jamie left for California, and we lost a dear friend in Grandpa Bob as he now rests with Jesus. Our dear neighbors are moving back to Arizona and we will miss seeing our little "Miss Katie" grow up.

During this time of change we have experienced some happy moments. My favorite cousin got married last week and if I can judge by the look on her face she is really happy. The weather has been a blessing and I have gotten in a lot of pool time. Timmy did very well in school and is taking swimming lessons and going to rocket camp.

I am grateful that there are a few things that remain constant in our lives. I have a husband I will have been married to for 22 years on June 28th. I have 3 great kids whom I love dearly, a wonderful sister-in-law who I can always talk to, friends who garden with me, an aunt who quilts with me, and a loving God who watches over me.

So during this time of change- pray for us the accept God's will and embrace this changes!
In His Love,
Kelley

Schools out for Summer!

Amazing that 190 days have passed, computer keys have been tapped, papers have been typed, graded and discarded. Computer classes are over for a year! Those keyboards will now get a well deserved rest.

Servicing 2 schools and hundreds of students is a little like juggling on roller skates. On some days the performance is outstanding, other days I may get through a few too many balls to juggle and I may wobble a bit. However as I take off the roller skates for 9 weeks, I have to admit that I will miss the time on skates.

Attending the 8th grade graduation and being brought to tears by one of the songs the children sang reminded me, that every now and then it is okay to stand back and just enjoy. There is nothing quite like the feeling of seeing a children aspire. It is in the end, worth the time, effort, skating and juggling, just to see them reach out, aspire, and achieve.

While my keyboard may not be getting it's usual workout, and my sewing machine will. For a few weeks I will not aspire for much more beyond a straight seam. Rest assure I shall return...to the job I love.

Meanwhile we have lots to do this summer. To begin with Timmy will be taking Swimming lessons at Orchard Hills . Then Bible camp at Camp Moose Feather Falls at St. Mark Lutheran.

The following week is Mad Science Rocket throught Forest Hills Summer Recreation activities. Writers Workshop every Monday with private Tutoring for Writing skills. We hope to take in the zoo, the gardens, a basebal game or two and soccer camp to finish off August. Along with the organized activitries we will be spendiong many hours soaking in the nioce warm pool! So come back and visit often to keep up with my adventures as a stay-at-home mom for the summer:)

Orchard Hills Pool Timmy during Bible Camp