The Crazy Aunt Enjoys Heavenly Music

Two of my nieces have been away at a Bible School in Pennsylvania for months, so I was very excited for the opportunity to see them last week when their choir tour brought them to Halsey just down the road. I sent a text to my brother Doug, asking if he and his lovely wife would like to ride down with me. His response: "She's afraid you will stay too late :)"  "Oh pshaw!…….Save me a spot," said I.  Arriving with about 10 minutes to spare (yay me!), I was so pleased to spot my cousin Gwen and Aunt Norma Jean crossing the parking lot toward me. This was just fine. I knew my brother was saving me a seat, but I'd ditch him in a minute for my cousin and my aunt.  But lo and behold, I spotted him and his lovely wife about three rows ahead of where we sat, and they were hemmed in on both sides by other friends and loved ones.

So I sent him a text, "Where are you? I'm all alone and scared." He responded, "Failed at saving seat. We are wildly popular." Gwen and I giggled as he casually glanced around looking for me. So I sent him this pic.

 He and his wife whispered a bit but were too polite to spend much time looking around to see where I was. So I sent him this, just in case he was feeling mournful about neglecting me.

He turned around and spotted us giggling like teenagers. "You better have Aunt Norma Jean sit between you two," was his texted advice.  Not to worry, Gwen and I instantly snapped into our best behavior once the program opened with a congregational song. May I mention what a marvelous pleasure it was to sit next to Gwen and harmonize with her rich alto voice?  (Cousin Cyndi, how I wished you had been there too!) We thoroughly enjoyed the beautiful a cappella choir program. It was also really fun to watch the dynamic director bring out the best in the choir as they sang their hearts out. Did I mention the choir director was the Graham Lichti, the husband of my niece Adrienne (Hope's daughter). It's just the best when you see people you love who are outstanding at doing something they are passionate about.

After the program, my nieces were surrounded by friends, and I was talking to my sisters as I waited for an opportunity to speak to the girls and of course to Davie, the special friend of one of the nieces, who was also in the choir and in fact is the tour director. Since my niece is an extraordinarily wonderful young lady and deserves only the best,  when I met him in December, I felt it my duty to test his sense of humor  (one of the most essential attributes in my opinion). He met with my approval, putting up with the crazy aunt with laughter and just a bit of giving it back at me.

In December when I insisted on an "us-ie"

Back to the present: I told my sister that I needed to go give him a big hug and make sure he felt welcome. Hope thought she'd be content to keep her distance. So I headed over to the group of young people and when I got near him I shouted his name and how wonderful it was to see him, while grabbing him in a spectacular bear hug. I might have rocked him back and forth a little, and got completely carried away when I let go of the hug, grabbing his face and maybe saying how cute he was, I'm not sure. He politely said hello and that he really needed to go check on a bus, really he did, so sorry, he'd see me later, and then he sorta made a beeline away from me. But I got a high five from a relative who had observed the scene and some laughs from observers. I hope he felt welcome. I didn't see him for awhile so I told Camille to be sure and apologize for me if I seriously embarrassed him. It was all in good fun. Before long he showed up, remarking seriously that he heard I wanted to apologize to him. But there was a twinkle in his eye. For some reason I kept hearing the phrase "crazy aunt", and I don't think they were talking about my baby sister Jean.  Although I could tell you stories…

My refined, well-mannered sisters and I. Interesting, apparently I'm the only one who
figured out how to keep the blondness we were all born with.
(Hope's nephew and Jean's cousin took this picture of us and shared it with us. He is the same person.)  How's that for a riddle? But I digress.

I enjoyed visiting with my nieces, sisters and various other family and friends. It was nearly 10 pm by the time I finally left. When I got to my car, I sent a text to my brother Doug, who was long gone, courteously thanking him for not making me ride with him. Just think of all the fun I would have missed! I probably wouldn't have found out about the cool thing happening the next morning!

My nieces are big fans of Dutch Bros. Only a few of the choir members were from the Pacific Northwest, so they were not familiar with this local favorite.  They talked their tour director into a planning a stop there on their way out of town at 9:00 the next morning, delivering their written orders the day before. Guess who was in the parking lot stalking them when they got there? Yep, the crazy aunt! It was quite a thing to see 50+ orders delivered out the window, with Davie calling out names and the recipients receiving them with delight. I behaved with dignity, and apparently he forgave me for my unseemly display the night before, because he insisted on buying me a coffee. Such a nice young man.  I also got to see my three nieces, including the director's wife and their three darling boys.

When all the drinks had been delivered, the choir sang a song before they loaded back into their bus.

Click here to see it.
Please let this video work


It was just awesome!  Jesus-loving young people making beautiful music for him in the sunshine. I loved it so much! 

Praying many blessings on them as they continue their tour and bring joy to the hearts of many more!

Thank you Jesus for extended family and for all the love and laughter and enriching experiences they bring into our lives!

And thank you for letting me be the crazy aunt!

Family Weekend at the Oregon Coast

Empty nesters spending a weekend with the whole family in a beautiful house with an incredible ocean view:  happy happy happy!! It was indeed a special way to celebrate the 30th birthdays of Craig and Christina.

This place was so wonderful, no one wanted to leave. The weather was gorgeous most of the weekend.

 It was a terrific opportunity to take some pictures of the
expectant parents in our midst.

 Of course it got a little breezy!

 Oh the anticipation of the first-born child! (The first-born granddaughter!)

These two. So sweet.

 Molly is just a little excited about this baby too!

 So relaxing!

 So enjoyable to hear the boys play their guitars.

 Kam absolutely loved the marvelous kitchen!

 Kam also loved all the attention from the aunts and uncles and grandparents!

 The beach. So much fun to watch a toddler discover all the possibilities of sand.

 A responsible grandma probably wouldn't let the kid throw sand. But there was no one around and he took such delight in it. There's plenty of time to learn that sand shouldn't be thrown around.

Fortunately he loves baths.

 More time to relax.

 I love playing games. That was my spot right there by Eric.

 The girls were lined up on the couch, looking so cute.  I tried to get a quick picture.

 I learned that it is impossible to get a sweet picture when a pregnant lady is about to snack on her cheese balls! Steph has never glared at me like that!

 But she was very generous about sharing!

 Kam is so fascinated with Aunt Stephie's tongue ring!

Pretty funny!

 Our three sons. Middle, youngest, oldest.  I remember a few times as they were growing up when I feared they would not be friends when they were adults. It is beautiful to see how much they love and respect and admire each other now! It was also wonderful to spend time with and grow closer to the special girls we love so much whom they have brought into our family.

 Molly shows Will a cool collage she made from his face in a photo she took.

Christina made a seafood boil for Craig's birthday dinner. Yum. Amazing. 

So Delicious!

 Better than any restaurant!

 A beautiful evening.

He loves his mama, and he loves Aunt Stephie's special pillow!

 He also had lots of fun playing on the big deck….

 and running up and down the ramp, and sending the truck down the ramp…

and driving the truck here.

Picnic table benches also make excellent roads!

 

 And before we knew it, it was Sunday afternoon and time to blow kisses at the departing family members.

 I, of course, wanted some family pictures with this fabulous backdrop. Molly brought her tripod and we were going to take them Sunday morning when the light was right. I did not realize until that night at home as I was downloading my pictures that we completely forgot to take family pictures. Oh so sad! I guess we'll just have to go back another time!

We are so blessed, and I treasure every moment of health and happiness with this family God has blessed us with. I am so grateful. Thank you, God!