A winter's tale

OK, one more post and then I have to get back at re-organizing my house!  Why didn't I do this when the snow was blowing?? I can't put it off any longer.  I've started and made messes and half done projects in every room in my house, and I've got to get back at it when this post is done.  I must say I have made great progress in the areas that you probably wouldn't even notice, but on to this last winter's tale.

Buddy's Semi Sleeping Peacefully

I have to add that my husband, my buddy of 33 years, does not share the same love for winter that I have, and here are the pictures to show you why.  On this particular day, we drove into town, not realizing that we were in for a treat.  Half way there, we agreed that we were out of our minds for getting out on a day like this.  These days are best viewed from the comforts of our home with a fire going and a cup of tea in hand!

My little house on the corner.

Maybe this has something to do with the reason he does not like winter!

Icing at the Woo

You probably don't want to remember the ice storms from this past winter, but I don't look at them as negative happenings because I got to spend the night in the dorm with my daughter.  I miss that! Because she is married and gone, I will never get to experience that again.  We'll see how I like this winter when I'm driving home in snow, and ice, and sleet.  Will I still love winter?  You'd better believe it!

Have you ever seen anything more beautiful?

The Beginning of my 2011 Journey: Ari's First Birthday

My new July resolution is to blog more so post a comment and let me know that you're looking in on my story from time to time!  I love interacting with people and get plenty of that in my job, but it just doesn't hold a candle to hearing from family and friends. That being said, I'm going to attempt to recapture some of the more memorable events of 2011 starting with the birthday of this little guy. This little guy is something else.  He is one of the most serious little guys that I know and I love him dearly. Say "cheese" Ari Lee!!  

Dust Storm in Arizona blows in talk of the past

Thirty Three years ago I got married in the backyard of my parents amidst the cactus and palo verde trees.  There was a young one right outside my parents bedroom window where we stood to take pictures.  This now 40+ year old tree was blown over yesterday by the 80 mile an hour winds as they swept through the valley on their way to Phoenix.  The winds blew up quite a dust storm.  They say that it was a mile high and 100 miles wide.  It created quite a havoc in the old Sonoran desert.
I called my dad tonight to see if they had the dust at their house (they didn't...just the winds), and the conversation took him back to his childhood on the prairie in Nebraska during the dustbowl days.  He said he remembers the first dust storm he experienced as a 1st or 2nd grader in a one room school house.  There were only about a dozen students at his little school in the 1930's. As the huge black dust cloud approched the little school, the teacher turned the sandbox upside down and covered the students to keep them safe.

Message From My Hubby

Marlin amuses me by sending me message on his iPhone when he is on long trips!

Robert Frost: The Road Not Taken (1915)

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth.

Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim,
Because it was grassy and wanted wear;
Though as for that the passing there
Had worn them really about the same.

And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way,
I doubted if I should ever come back.

I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I--
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.

Arizona Momma & Poppa

This picture was taken on Father's Day, and I can't think of a better place to spend it! I had a GREAT time visiting with my folks in Tucson, Arizona. It was too HOT (above 100 everyday topping out at 109 degrees) so that left us plenty of excuse to just "be together" inside where it was cool!! I miss them already and can't wait until Emilie's wedding so I can see them again. These are the people that gave me roots and instilled the importance of family in my every being. Thanks Mom & Dad for everything...life lessons taught well, allowing me to go all by myself to a church camp in Jamestown, North Dakota where I first truly met Jesus Christ, visits with family in Nebraska and Colorado, hugs and kisses, military adventures to far off lands, stories from your past and an example of a life of servanthood! I have learned much from you both! I will love you forever!!!

Engagement for Emilie & Logan

On May 18, 2010, Logan Ross Hoffman asked Emilie Kate Schrock to marry him. Here they are telling us their engagement story. Emilie thought Logan was still at Princeton finishing up his first year at Seminary, but he actually finished up early and snuck into town so he could surprise her, and surprise her he did! He sent her a text telling her to read their blog which outlined their journey as a couple. At the end of the blog, he told her to meet him at the park where they first talked in depth and he says he knew right then he wanted to date her. He planned the whole thing to take place at night so he could set up luminaria along the side walk. What he didn't know is that there would be a track meet that night and the field lights were so bright it was like daylight. He said he was really nervous, but had to proceed with the plan because he had already texted her telling her to read the blog. When she got there, she stepped out of the car into a water puddle, and the lights immediately turned off! Logan said it was almost like he clapped his hands right on queue! Logan and Emilie are planning a wedding for May 2011.

Favorite Photographs of 2009

These are my two favorite photographs of the three eldest grandchildren. I wish we had more opportunities for "cousin times", and I cherish the times that we can all be together!

Ari is our youngest grandchild. Here he is pictured laying in the bouncer on a quilt that the Aunt's (Linda, Bonnie & Joyce) made when I was pregnant with Ben. I used this quilt with all of our children when they were small, and I have carried on that tradition with all of the grandchildren that come to my house as babies!

Moses, or "Moshe" as we sometimes call him is a very happy little guy! We were blessed by having his presence in our home for the first three months of his life. Watching him in the early months brought so many memories back of when our children were small!

Haley is priceless in this picture! She is the rose between the thorns as the only grand-daughter in this team of boys. However, don't be fooled. She may appear to be quite shy, but she can hold her own!

These are my favorite pictures of Daylen for a couple of reasons. We lost Clancy, our beloved Australian Shepherd in the fall of 2009 and this was probably one of the last series of pictures I took with Clancy in the picture. He loved to go on walks with us. I also love this exchange between Poppe and Daylen as they walk north on the road toward our house.Daylen thought he would run in the corn and hide from me, but I found him anyway! He is wearing the blue jean jacket that Marlin wore as a young boy! It was handed down from his Colorado cousins so it has been worn by several Schrock kids including my own. They don't make clothes like they used to, do they?? And...let me mention by the way that it was American made!!

This is Alex in the apple tree in our yard. Every little boy needs an apple tree to climb, don't you think?

Generational Visit

In the summer of 2009, I drove my father and mother up to Ben's so we could take pictures and visit for the day. Ben & Monica live in Chesterton, IN in the northern part of the state.

Ari Lee Schrock

In January, we added Ari Lee Schrock to our brood. He was welcomed into this world by his parents, Joe & Mallory, and his big brother, Daylen. He looks a lot like Daylen, but has a personality all his own! It is going to be so much fun watching the "brothers" experience life together!

Moses Levi Schrock

In October 2009, we added Moses Levi Schrock to our fold. He was welcomed by his Momma, Julie and his Poppa, Curt.

Moses began his life in Marion, IN but now lives with his parents in Warsaw, IN.

SCHROCKAPALOOZA EXPLOSION!

Looks like it's been a year since I've added to this blog. We've seen a lot of changes in our family in the past year! We now have five grandchildren and they are the joy of our lives! I guess you could say that they are the gift that keeps on giving! The five are Alexander Dale (Age 4 1/2), Daylen Samuel (Age 3 1/2), Haley Ann Marie (Age 3 1/2), Moses Levi (Age 8 mo.), and Ari Lee (Age 5 mo.).

Fish & Chips

Hi Beautiful Family!

I wanted to make a short post about what's going on:
I am in England! I'm studying abroad at Oxford this summer, but currently am traveling until my program starts this Friday. Logan is with me, and we're absolutely loving it. We've seen the most amazing, strange, and wonderful things. We've taken a spin on the Eye of London, toured through St. Paul's, witnessed Trooping the Colour (meaning we saw the Queen TWICE), relaxed in parks, and visited the National Gallery (just to name a few).

I hope all is well, and I'll continue to update when I can.
For a few pictures, I've posted them on facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2016679&id=1160070086&l=689672392e

Love,
Emilie

Emilie & Logan go to a Lakers Game

Rebecca just sent me these photos. These photos were taken last Friday when Emilie and Logan went to work with Rebecca. I believe the picture above of Rebecca, Emilie and Laura was taken outside of Rebecca's office in Santa Monica.





Clay and Rebecca treated Emilie and Logan to Chinese and a Lakers game. They were even on the Jumbotron at some point during the game so that was exciting as well. What are the odds of Emilie getting on the Jumbotron? When she went to see the Cinncinati Reds play, she was on the Jumbotron there as well.

We picked them up at the airport yesterday. They left LA at midnight Saturday night and didn't get here until 12:45 pm (our time). They didn't get to sleep much on the first leg of the trip because they were on opposite sides of the aisle and in the middle. Emilie sat next to some guy that was around 6 foot 10 inches tall. She said she felt sooo sorry for him because he was squished in there like a sardine. Logan said they came through quite a bit of turbulence and one lady ahead of them was freaking out because she said the plane was going to crash. They had a lay over in Minneapolis and I think they misunderstood the term "layover" because they said they both laid literally on the floor and slept until a plane landed and people started coming through the door right by where they were sleeping. haha! They had many great stories to tell of their adventures. I will try to get Emilie to sign on here and post some of her stories of their time bonding with their California cousins.

Thank you Rebecca and Laura for taking such good care of my gal and her beau!

For more pictures, check out this link:
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2049651&id=161502582&l=7411e.
Once Emilie gets me her photos, I will post them for all to see.

Emilie & Logan in California

Emilie and Logan are spending their Spring Break week in California with Rebecca and Laura. Reports back are that they are having a GREAT time bonding with the California cousins! They have laid on the beach, spent many hours riding bikes, went boogie boarding (Emilie says she wiped out but Logan did quite well), ate wonderful California food, and tonight they are going to a Lakers Game thanks to Clay. I'm pretty sure that these first two pics were taken at Rebecca's place. I don't have any of Laura and Ted yet, but will try to post some when they return.

They leave to fly back home tomorrow night at midnight and won't get into Indy until Noon on Sunday. The funny thing about that is that they will be in the air when Daylight Savings takes place so they will not only lose the time change coming home, but an additional hour thanks to Daylight Savings. Logan says that he is getting plenty of reading time as he is an early riser. Sounds like he enjoys his early morning times of solitude on the beach. Emilie sent me this pic live via her Mac just before they left for one of their 8 mile bike rides. She says she sunburned her knees that day. I can't wait to hear about all their adventures when they return!

An Idaho Christmas

hello family! this is a bit late, but i wanted to share with you all a smattering of moments from our idaho christmas! above you'll see the ever-faithful Buddy, dad's favorite companion and mom's new "child." in his mouth you'll see one of about 1,000 chew toys/bones/snacks he owns. he also owns my parents and owned me during my 2.5 week stay at the old farm.

apparently, no christmas was complete without playing "rockband" on the x-box. matt brought his set over and we jammed away for several hours. i also played this with friends on new year's eve, as did many of my ohio companions. this was the game of '08!

my cousin cassidy (from the janzen side) stopped by for a pre-christmas visit, and we made the traditional batch of sugar cookies in fun, festive shapes. from this i learned that a 7-year-old is better with icing than i'll ever be.

dad's friend lolo from church was in san francisco and was nice enough to bring us 3 fabulous just-caught crabs. he picked them up, drove through the night and delivered them to our kitchen, where we enjoyed them heartily in the janzen style.

i have been LOVING my new camera, (thanks to lou for help picking it out) so i spent much of my break playing around with it. i had a great time snapping scenes of the farm in it's rare blanketing of snow.

i was also able to take a few drives and catch some mighty beautiful sunsets. the cow shots were for dad...

lynn and mike had us over for a pre-new year's dinner, and during our conversation the similar hats were modeled.

this was a wonderful christmas for the janzen family, and we wish you all a spectacular 2009!