aunteem

Enough for Today

2012-01-29T13:44:00.000-08:00

Jeremy loses hours at work......Kellie begins to pick up more hours....out of town as a traveling nurse.....Erin grows and grows weary in her first year in the classroom....and life hurts....it disappoints...it makes us angry & afraid.

Life changes constantly, some things expected some things not. The unexpected can just stop us in our tracks. Cause us to be immobile; to wonder what's to come.

And then life changes and we realize the constants.

*the love & trust of young ones; that don't know how we provide for them, where we will be taking them that day or what new friends they will meet....but they know it's all okay...in fact even great because mom and dad always take care of them!*

**that we can't remember one time in the past when our Heavenly Father didn't provide for us.**

***that we have a surrounding of family & friends***

****and now fear turns to hope and hope grows courage.****

Just enough for today.

And that's all we need.

Fun in the Sun

2011-04-09T08:30:00.000-07:00

This weekend is beautiful; warm and so far NOT windy!
The pics here were taken Last weekend; when the sun was warm and the wind was Fierce!!!!

Here's to many more sunny Kansas days with the grandbabies!

Grandson...growing up!

2011-02-01T08:13:00.001-08:00

While at Kellie's yesterday I witnessed, what i thought to be an amazing accomplishment by my 2 1/2 year old grandson!

He has decided as of late he needs no ones help going potty and he just does it all on his own!

Suddenly he jumps up, runs into bathroom, lifts the lid, pees, puts the lid down, quietly with out banging...that really amazed me.
So I said: "Liam do you need Grandma's help to wash your hands."
He said: "No."

I figured he was skipping the hand washing.
So I say to Kellie...maybe we should get him some hand sanitizer.

No need....he walked to his bedroom, carried his little chair to the sink...turned on the Hot and Cold waited until it felt just right to him and THOROUGHLY washed his hands! He dried them off, put his chair back in his room and went back to playing!

So....any of you out there needing potty training advice for boys; I would suggest asking Kellie or Jeremy...or maybe just ask Liam!

Grandbaby Bliss

2011-01-24T07:45:00.000-08:00

A Sunday Afternoon with Babies napping, playing, snuggling.....
I am surely blessed.

christmas snapshots 2010

2011-01-04T12:02:00.001-08:00

Click here to view this photo book larger

Grandbabies in the Library!

2010-10-11T18:56:00.000-07:00

Liam and Nora came to my library Saturday. (a couple "big" kids came along too!) Liam loves playing there. With all the animals, my butterfly, dragonfly and ship kites. His new word this past Saturday was dragonfly!

Mariah was with me and it was only the 2nd time she had seen Nora. Nora loved her, laughing and smiling the whole time Mariah was holding her!

Sweet Baby Girl

2010-08-31T13:26:00.000-07:00

My Sweet Grand Babies

2010-07-27T15:08:00.001-07:00

Nora Kate Fredin

2010-06-25T18:33:00.000-07:00

June 25, 2010
1:58 AM
6# 3oz. 19 "

Nora
Meaning: Light, Honor

Kate
Meaning: Pure

Aunt Esther Petty 104 Years on Earth Forever in Heaven

2010-06-09T17:41:00.000-07:00

With Aunt Esther's journey to heaven on Sunday, June 6, our family saw the end of a generation of Zimmerman's. Aunt Esther's longing was over, her soul complete and heaven more beautiful than the moment before.

I cannot fathom 104 years; but I was privileged to have many opportunities to talk with Aunt Esther about her memories.

The drought and Dust Storms of the 1930's she said was to be one of the worst things to live through....even worse than the clouds of grasshoppers!

The many jobs/businesses her and Uncle Bob had.

Living in Dodge City when it actually was on the tail end of the "wild west!"

Talking to her about marriage, strongholds and what to let go of. So many memories.

Here are just a few of the things that were apart of her life and only known by myself through the history books:

Living through 2 World Wars and so many since

Seeing 17 different men become president of the United States. Beginning with Theodore Roosevelt and ending with Barack Obama.

The fall of the stock market and the Great Depression.

From traveling by horse and buggy to the roll out of the Model T

The Passing of the 19th Amendment in 1920...giving women the right to vote.

Witnessing airflight...including Lindbergh and Amelia Earhart....to the establishment of space travel

Seeing the rise and fall of Communism

The establishment of social security, the CIA and the FBI

The Fight for Civil Rights

Witnessing the first live television broadcast

Indoor plumbing

The invention of the radio....and so many other forms of electronics

Only to name a few.

What an amazing generation to be apart of....full of inventive, determined, courageous people.

The best of what she shared with me?

It was her heart.

So glad you are finally home Aunt Esther!

Loving Liam

2010-03-13T14:30:00.000-08:00

Februrary Birthdays

2010-02-23T16:00:00.001-08:00

Some of my Favorite People have birthdays in February!

Jeremy (world's best son-in-law!)
Chloe (my 1st great niece!)
Julie (my wonderful sister-in-law and Chloes Zamma)
And last....but certainly not least....
My Mamma!

Happy Birthday "baby" girl!

2010-01-11T10:41:00.000-08:00

"How great is the goodness you have stored up for those who fear you. You lavish it on those who come to you for protection, blessing them before the watching world."
Psalm 31:18-20

Happy Birthday Erin....May the Lord lavish you with goodness and bless you for His glory.

Merry Christmas

2009-12-29T19:46:00.001-08:00

Just a few Christmas Memories.....

Liam...Thrilled with his tricycle from Aunt Erin!

Kellie, Erin and Chloe....

My Kids!

Aunt Julie, Erin and baby Miles

Cowboy Country

2009-11-03T17:50:00.000-08:00

Read to Me

2009-07-29T19:19:00.001-07:00

More Missouri

2009-07-15T18:38:00.001-07:00

Kellie, Jeremy, Liam, Hillary, Ken and I traveled to see Erin in Missouri Sun. Mon and Tues.
It was great to be together.

Erin and Kids Across America

2009-07-04T11:50:00.000-07:00

June 27 we headed to Missouri to pick Erin up for 24 hours off. We had a chance to visit camp and see where she has been hanging out the last 2 summers.
KAA 2 is a non profit christian sports camp, associated with Kanukuk Camps. All the kids at KAA 2 are there on scholarship.

Erin is doing well; though this summer has been a greater struggle than last.
She is the women's program director. Which means she, along with 2 others on her team are in charge of all the evening events. Tonight, July 4, is a huge event at the camp. Some well known christian rappers will be there along with 2 other camps of kids!

It was ridiculously hot when we got there. Much like it has been in KS, but with 150% humidity! It had cooled down a couple of days and hopefully they are getting some cooler weather now. There is no AC at this camp!

The pictures below are of the set up for the "Hollywood party" and the end of the day flag ceremony.

Just to the left of the porch I am standing on watching the flag ceremony is a large dinner bell. When a kid accepts Christ as their Savior they go to the bell and ring it. It is heard through out the camp grounds. Everyone stops what they are doing and cheers! Two young men had just rung the bell, right before flag started!

Here is a link to more pictures on facebook, just copy and paste into your URL
http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/album.php?aid=2024614&id=1009473578&ref=nf

Liam...Actual Meaning "Protection" Practical Name: Running Boy

2009-06-22T20:28:00.000-07:00

Liam was at my place about 11 hours today! He did so many funny things! By the way...he moves ALL the time. Amazing I got these, with a constant moving target!

Grandma and Grandpa Great Great

2009-05-26T19:29:00.000-07:00

Our girls have always called Art and Margaret Grandma and Grandpa Great....so...
This would be Liam's picture with Grandma and Grandpa Great Great!

Aren't they amazing? They just moved from their home into this beautiful 2 bedroom apartment in Newton.

Kellie, Jeremy, Liam and I went by to visit them at their new home Monday. May God bless our sweet "Grandma and Grandpa Great!"

Happy 1st Mother's Day Kellie!

2009-05-10T10:02:00.000-07:00

National Tournament and Graduation 2009

2009-05-02T18:05:00.000-07:00

With Liam at a Sterling reception.

Receiving her diploma. Graduated magna cum laud and a Kelsey Scholar.

Announcing starting lineup at National tournament.

Erin...showing her constant intensity.

I'm a little late posting some pictures. But wanted to share these from Erin's graduation. Erin graduated with 2 bachelor's degrees; one in christian ministries with an emphasis in youth ministries and one in art.

Her roommate made a CD of pictures that she had taken of the basketball team thru out the season....I'm adding a couple of our favorites!

Here is a short timeline of what she will be involved in the next few months.

On May 17 she leaves for Panama with some men and women basketball players from Sterling. They will be working in sports clinics with children for 2 weeks. It has been her prayer since her Sophomore year that she could help lead some of her fellow ball players on a missions trip. There are 5 other young women from her ball team going! None of them have ever been overseas before.

When she gets back from her trip she leaves the next day for Golden, Missouri and Kids Across America Kamp. She will be at KAA 2. This is a non profit christian sports camp that is affiliated with Kanukuk camps. It is a ministry specifically for inner city kids. Last summer she was a counselor there. This summer she will be a program director for them. She will be there the full summer. Leaving before we are out of school and returning when we are already back.

After that...only God knows!

Kibera

2009-03-30T20:34:00.001-07:00

The Great Truths of God

2009-03-05T19:06:00.001-08:00

"The Great Truths of God must never be obscured or withheld under the guise of complexity, big words, or alleged spiritual depth.....Depth is about believing more and more in Jesus Christ and the truth of God."

-Leith Anderson

The Road to Senior Night....

2009-02-20T18:38:00.000-08:00

Last night (Feb. 19)was Senior Night at Sterling College for the men and women basketball athletes. It was the last home regular season game for Erin. And after 14 years of going to basketball games it's really hard to believe we are already here.
Like all roads, this one has been filled with passing lanes, stop signs, yield signs, potholes and other bumps in the road. But mostly it has been filled with express ways, free ways and good old back country 2 lanes!

Years ago...literally...at a discouraging point in Erin's basketball career we talked about how if you don't choose to let basketball help you grow into a better person, a person of character and integrity than you get out.

I can honestly say the road has not always been easy, in fact sometimes it's been down right painful. But the work and growth that God has allowed in Erin's life thru the tool of basketball has been a beautiful journey to watch.

Here are a few pictures from last night; for those of you who want to travel with us on the final leg of this journey. For those of you who have traveled with us the entire journey, thank you. Especially to Kellie, who set aside many things in her life to hang out in the gym, on the bleachers watching her little sister grow.

Next big stop along the way! KCAC tourney and Nationals in Iowa! Go Lady Warriors!

Happy Birthday Chloe!

2009-02-15T20:48:00.000-08:00

I was scanning some pictures for a project later this week and ran across these! Too fun to not share with the birthday girl!

We all love you!

Liam and Kellie....a new favorite picture

2009-02-12T13:39:00.000-08:00

Say Cheese!

2009-02-03T17:30:00.000-08:00

Liam was "hamming" it up at our place the other evening! Smiling at the camera again and again and again!

You can view a couple photos here and the rest by following this picasa link.
http://picasaweb.google.com/marchelt/SayCheese#'

The Nose Knows

2009-01-18T17:28:00.000-08:00

Just some girl cousin pictures...from both sides of the family taken during the holidays. The family resemblances are quite amazing!

Check out Melanie, Erin and Chloe...it's like the same face structure, noses, similar smiles, just all 3 different skin tones! :) They also share other comedic qualities!

Uncle Ken brought all the girls East High Heckler Club shirts for Christmas gifts. Only really cool principals allow heckler clubs!

Erin(Senior) and Annette(freshman) are both students at Sterling college this year. Checkout their "rival" cookie contests currently posted on their blogs.
Go Warriors! Erin loves having a genius baby cousin at school!

Erin's blog: http://erin-danielle.blogspot.com/
Annette's blog: http://annettejo.blogspot.com/

Happy Birthday Erin

2009-01-10T13:22:00.000-08:00

Erin is 22....January 11th.
Just some flashes from the past.

Happy Birthday to the beautiful woman you have become and are becoming!

AND....HOT OF THE PRESS! 22ND BIRTHDAY BAND!

Ho Ho Ho!

2008-12-23T05:50:00.000-08:00

Merry Christmas!

Kenneth, Kenny, Ken Turns 50!!!!

2008-12-08T18:25:00.000-08:00

We had a great weekend celebrating Ken's 50th. I surprised him with our good friends Lowell and Dianne Birkey traveling to KS for his birthday. They rang the door bell at 10:15 Friday night and he was sure surprised!

We had Sat and 1/2 of Sunday together. During that time our kids (their's and ours...except Erin and Jodi) came by had some pizza and hung out! The party pictures are with some of his favorite gifts from Justin!

Saturday evening we all surprised Erin by going to her game in Sterling!

Ken had another fun day at school today, full of many surprises and gifts!

Thanks honey for being such a great husband, dad and grandpa!

Happy 50th!

Senior Year Photo Op

2008-11-22T12:46:00.000-08:00

Erin posted these on her Facebook this morning. Thought some of you might enjoy seeing them! We have been going to ball games for 3 weekends now. Next weekend is in Topeka, KS and then we are in regular season play after that.

If we end up back at National Tournament (Sioux City, Iowa) maybe some of you can join us there!? Of course you are welcome to hitch a ride with us anytime we are headed to Sterling!

This last picture is Jacci Tinkel, the SC point guard and a SC men's player...

Wall Art

2008-11-16T13:36:00.000-08:00

We were in Sterling a while back and I took this picture of the Psalm Erin is using with her dorm group this year. It looks great on the wall of their lounge area. This is what she was referring to in a past post when she talked about how God's word should be painted on us:
"This is how the Word is suppose to be. On us. Not just some book we read every morning or every evening. But painted on us. Where we can't hide from it. Where we can't get away from it. Where it continually effects what we do."

Anyways...thought you might enjoy seeing the art.

Everlasting

2008-10-26T14:57:00.000-07:00

When you listen to a song over and over again, even though you've known it for years it can become a powerful thing in your life.

This one; Inside Out, has been the song I've meditated on coming and going to work for, oh, gee a long time. Anything Hillsong I love to listen too. I just keep coming back to the truth in this one.

You can listen to the video to the right and read the lyrics below.

INSIDE OUT

A thousand times I've failed
Still your mercy remains
And should I stumble again
Still I'm caught in your grace

Everlasting, Your light will shine when all else fades
Never ending, Your glory goes beyond all fame
In my heart, in my soul, Lord I give you control
Consume me from the inside out Lord
Let justice and praise become my embrace
To love You from the inside out

Your will above all else, my purpose remains
The art of losing myself in bringing you praise

Everlasting, Your light will shine when all else fades
Never ending, Your glory goes beyond all fame
In my heart, in my soul, Lord I give you control
Consume me from the inside out Lord
Let justice and praise become my embrace
To love You from the inside out

Chorus 2x
Everlasting, Your light will shine when all else fades
Never ending, Your glory goes beyond all fame
And the cry of my heart is to bring You praise
From the inside out Lord, my soul cries out

Liam and Lady Warrior (Auntee Erin)

2008-10-04T07:33:00.000-07:00

Liam is practicing his "yelling form" for all the upcoming Lady Warriors games he will be attending. It is still up in the air as to who we can actually trust to watch him during the games......

However, this is my last year to reach my goal of "not yelling at the officials or coaches" so perhaps Grandma should take care of Liam....I don't think I could yell with a baby in my arms!?!

If you want to catch any games Erin's Senior year, follow this link to a schedule....there are more than enough to pick from!

http://sterling.edu/athletics/teams/womens-basketball/2008-09-schedule-results

Grandpa's Boy

2008-09-07T07:01:00.000-07:00

Find Your Wings

2008-09-01T11:54:00.000-07:00

There is a song by Mark Harris, entitled "Find Your Wings" that really hits the heart of a parent.
You can listen to it by following this link.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=knm492yxMfo

I read this recently on Erin's blog:
"This is how the Word is suppose to be. On us. Not just some book we read every morning or every evening. But painted on us. Where we can't hide from it. Where we can't get away from it. Where it continually effects what we do."

Being inspired by your own children is really a powerful experience.

In loading some new pictures of our kids (and granson!) I was overwhelmed with the gift of adult children in our lives. Not just our children, but our nieces and nephews, the friends of our children. How blessed they have been to be surrounded by so many good friends and family.

Everytime I listen to Mark Harris' song I think of Kellie....taking and retaking her nursing boards and not giving up.
I think of Erin, walking on continents far away from here and pouring her life into cultures a "far cry" from here.
I think of Kellie and Jeremy raising a baby boy to be a Godly man. Surely there is no greater gift to give this world than a Godly, faithful man.
And then, again of Erin, spending a lifetime as an athlete and an artist and not giving up when "pots broke" and "balls dropped."

I think of John and Erika studying and pouring their lives into the dreams of becoming medical professionals. Of sharing their gifts and talents in so many ways.

I think of Mel and Cody and Matt and Michele doing amazing jobs of raising their children. Becoming beautiful adults and watching them grow in the grace and strength of Jesus has been a true privilege.

I think of Dathan and Elizabeth, beginning their married life. Sharing love and friendship that inspires us all.

Of course, there are our "Birkey kids" Who but God could of blessed our families to experience all the things we have together through the years?

And then watching Annette (the "baby") move to college this year, well I guess that milestone kind of defined all of us. The "last one" out of the nest and into the world.

How did it happen?
How did it happen so fast?

I can only speak for myself but I can honestly say the precious children God entrusted us with are the adults they are because of prayer. Because so many times, we took them to the cross, laid them there and walked away. (not without struggle!) Knowing that Jesus could be trusted with their lives.

So today, take a minute to listen to this song. Yeah, it's a little "folksy", but the words are powerful and true.

And if you haven't prayed; not for no suffering or less hard times, but for your children to walk in the Shadow of the Wings of the Almighty. Start today.

Pray, like you have never prayed before.

Remember, kids, no matter where Jesus leads any of you in your lives.....your hearts are rooted in ours. That goes for ALL of the "kids" in our lives.

Just a few pictures....to good to not include! With a few "past and present" on the slide show!

Some favorite new photos

2008-08-01T12:43:00.001-07:00

Kellie posted this one of Ken and Liam on her facebook....it's so cute!

I think this is an earlier "Geez mom!" look!

A cute Liam and Lili picture!

Two more too cute to leave off!

Whatever You're Doing Inside of Me

2008-07-27T06:41:00.000-07:00

This song is a beautiful reminder of God's promise of peace in the midst of chaos, of creating something heavenly in our deeply stained lives. (click top link to the right) Life has, for whatever reason, felt so very heavy lately. Maybe it's what comes after a year of family and personal struggles, older parents to love and support through such difficult stages of their lives. Or maybe it's just my own weak physical body that has gotten the best of me this summer and my poor ability to live in today and not tomorrow. Whatever it is Jesus knows, and I find hope in a Heavenly Father who specializes in peace in the midst of chaos and creating something heavenly from something that's not. Only God, ONLY GOD can do such things.

Isaiah 43 says this:

1 But now, this is what the LORD says—
he who created you, O Jacob,
he who formed you, O Israel:
"Fear not, for I have redeemed you;
I have summoned you by name; you are mine.

2 When you pass through the waters,
I will be with you;
and when you pass through the rivers,
they will not sweep over you.
When you walk through the fire,
you will not be burned;
the flames will not set you ablaze.

3 For I am the LORD, your God,
the Holy One of Israel, your Savior;

Four different times, in four different ways God has placed this passage in my path. Only God, God only Can be so personal in the lives of His children.

A Fast Update and Plea for Prayer

2008-07-22T11:44:00.000-07:00

Please pray for Ken's dad as he will be undergoing open heart surgery on Thursday. This will be his 2nd open heart surgery. (the last one was 16 years ago)
Kellie put some pictures on her blog of their visit last night to the hospital. While we were there, Matt brought Sophie and Lili up too....Grandpa was in Great Grandchild heaven!

Grandpa 80 Years, Liam 8 Weeks!

And just for Hillary...my knee is getting better every day! Still not driving, but down to one crutch and hope to lose that soon!

Generations of Love

2008-07-07T09:02:00.000-07:00

When you work in the public school system you realize that it is no small thing when a child is surrounded by people who love him.

I am so grateful for all the people in Liam's life who already love him.

Liam and his Great Grandma's

At Liam's church shower with his grandma's.

4 Generations of Love

My sweet friends who hosted the shower for Kellie and Liam.
Merilyn, Brenda, Linda, Karen and Elaine

Kellie and Kylie have grown up together, through church and some school years. This is Kylie with her 9 month old, Kaitlin and of course Kellie and Liam.

Beautiful Baby Boy

2008-06-28T09:11:00.000-07:00

Just posting some of my new favorite photos. Ken is holding him in this photo, he seems to be a grandpa's boy!

Another favorite...momma is shrinking...baby is blooming! :)

Liam with Great Grandpa Thiessen.

Baby Ace

2008-06-20T15:25:00.000-07:00

Ken just brought this onesie home to Liam recently. It has a little white hat with it too! For those of you who don't know, East High School are the Blue Aces! This little one won't spend as much time in the hallways of East High as his momma and aunt have....but who knows, maybe he will be a real "Blue Ace" someday!

The last 4 weeks

2008-06-10T08:11:00.001-07:00

WEEK ONE

The last week of school, May 20, Liam was born! Those of you who are educators will understand that! :) What a great gift in a busy time! It was a wonderful reason to slowwwww downnnnnnn!

Erin was also gone to Missouri this week as part of her training for KAA camp which she goes to next week.

WEEK 2

On May the 24th..The day after school was "officially" out, Erin, Ken and I flew with the rest of the Zimmerman family to Cabos San Lucas! It was a wonderful, relaxing time. Made only better by the sweet family we were privileged to share it with! For the first time though, our immediate family were not all there. Kellie, Jeremy and Liam were becoming a family here in Kansas and my parents were unable to come because of my dad's continued treatment for his back. John and Erika were in Galveston; Erika working and John studying for his upcoming boards. (this Thursday would be a great day for prayer on their behalfs!)

WEEK THREE

We returned from Cabos on May 28, did laundry May 29 and left for Justin and Amy Birkey's weddding on May 30th! They were married in Ottawa, KS on May the 31st. Kellie and Jeremy actually braved the trip with Liam! It was so good to spend time with dear friends and celebrate with Justin and Amy. The best part....they live in Wichita now! Yeah!

WEEK FOUR
We returned home on June 1st and got ready for Grandma Thiessen's 80th birthday on June the 3rd! All the children and grandchildren contributed scrapbook pages and Erin and I spent Monday getting that put together. It turned out great thanks to everyone's great page contributions. It was so nice to have a lot of the Thiessen family there to celebrate with Grandma.

On June 4th and 5th I took dad for his IV infusion of antibiotics. We went straight from there to the hospital in Newton, as mom was in the ER! I am happy to say that she is home and doing much, much better! AND.... Dad finishes his IV infusion today! Praise Jesus! Dad is so happy to be through with this stage of his healing process, as are all of we.
The highlight of their lives right now is their first great grandbaby!

Today is June the 10th and one place you can find me the next 5 Wednesdays is in my school library! I will be serving the Jackson Elementary kiddos there this summer!

We are pretty much home now.....ya' all come by now! Ya hear!?

Proud Parents

2008-06-04T17:59:00.000-07:00

Just sharing pics of my favorite new parents!

Our Grandson

2008-05-29T19:29:00.000-07:00

Liam Jeremy Fredin was born May 20, 2008. He was almost 3 weeks early and weighed almost 8 pounds! He is a beautiful baby boy.

The miracle of new life, it is amazing......

I heard one of the labor nurses say how they never tire of realizing what a miracle it is when a life is created.

Hope is born, love is renewed, life just breathes. Everything we "have to do" doesn't get done. Phone calls are made, pictures taken, tears are cried.

Hope is born, love is renewed and life just breathes.

I sat at Kellie and Jeremy's today and held Liam for an hour or so....to God be the Glory...the Giver of Life.

A New Year, New Places, Familiar Faces

2008-02-03T15:33:00.001-08:00

We knew Elbing wouldn't be the same with Grandma and Grandpa gone, but we had no idea they would change the name..........

(For some reason the pictures loaded fuzzy....when you click and enlarge them they are very clear...any ideas?)

So it's been the usual long time since I've updated. I've been wanting to post some pictures of when we moved Grandma and Grandpa Thiessen to their new home in Newton,KS. The ones of the truck being loaded were taken the day that we had Christmas at Elbing and our family went out early to help them load the truck and take a load to their garage.
The "moving crew" picture is from the day they actually moved into their house in Newton.
It was so fun having Melanie and Chloe there to help!
It is really nice having Grandma and Grandpa Thiessen live closer. It's only 15 min. to their house now.

Just a few more fun photos from our time together this holiday season.

Annette and Erin

Chloe, Melanie and Erin

First Christmas in our new home

Kellie is currently in the Dominican Republic on a Medical Mission Trip. jeremyandkellie.blogpsot.com.
She just updated her blog...you'll have to check it out!

Erin is watching the Super Bowl in Sterling and spending huge amounts of time with school work and basketball.
Her team is currently holding first place in the KCAC.....looking good for a trip to Nationals again this year!

Lilian Ruth Thiessen

2007-12-09T19:44:00.000-08:00

Born December 9, 2007
Parents: Matt and Michele Thiessen
Big Sister: Sophie

New Life, fresh hope, God's gift.

What could be better this Christmas season?

Delivery Nurse: Kellie Fredin

Excuse the pictures of "Great Aunt Marchel." But they were such cute ones of the baby
I had to include them! (the guy in the striped sweater holding Lilian is Uncle Ken)
God bless.

September 5, 1974

2007-09-06T04:31:00.000-07:00

34 years ago Marcia and I were adopted. I remember that day like it was yesterday. Walking from the lawyers office with adoption papers and our "new names." In a community were having a different name than your dad put you in the instant minority, this day was a gift. A community were we experienced love, acceptance and family roots.

Today I honor the man I knew best as my dad. I have thought often of how much courage it would take to marry and gain 2 pre teen daughters at the same time. I know, I know, we were not hard children....but like all kids, we had our moments. And being girls, well......what a shock it must of been at times!

I just wanted to take time to say thank you and I love you to the "best dad in the world." My dad, the farmer, teaser, quiet soul, tender heart, great grandpa and promise keeper. Lots of parents practice saying the right words to their kids, Marcia and I were blessed to have a dad that lived his love for us. Somehow, we never doubted his presence, his promise to stay and his love for our mom.

Today I say, "thanks, dad." You're still the best.

Love
Marchel

Greensburg "Gift Day"

2007-08-22T18:34:00.000-07:00

I traveled to Greensburg today with my dear friend, Rochelle Boster.
She also happens to have been my building principal for

the last 7 years, having just retired in May.

Today was "Back to school support day" organized by administrators in the state of Kansas
There were 47 different school groups there today, presenting certificates related to their donations.

My students and families at Jackson Elementary participated in a book drive last May. We held a wonderful Saturday Book Fair at Barnes and Noble in which people bought new books for the school, one of my library vendors donated 150 brand new library bound books, and all of the books donated by Jackson students were either brand new....or looked brand new. This was a great project for them to be involved in and today we had the opportunity to share the 600+ wonderful books they donated. For a school system with only 130 or so kids in K-6, they were a nice amount of books.

Greensburg Elementary Library (trailer to far right)

The other buildings are high school classrooms

As most of you know the town of Greensburg was literally obliterated by a 2 mile wide tornado last May 4. In my wildest imagination I could not of imagined 2 miles of broken trees, no houses, and a tornado actually that big. Here, in this place truth was indeed much stranger than fiction.

I know a few of you who might read this have probably already been there and were impacted like I was by the devastation.

What you see in Greensburg

Greensburg Teachers! High School Office
Van under rubble...so much to clean up

We visited with the elementary librarian for quite a while after the presentations today. She is so overwhelmed, and the pain of loss is still very close to the surface. I am posting pictures and hoping to have them labeled correctly of the temporary facilities they have. They are really nice for temporary, but let me tell you with the 35-40 mile and hour wind blowing out there, they sound inside like they will blow apart at anytime! That sound alone has to have been allot for them to learn to handle. With NO trees, the wind (according to my new library friend) seems to blow like that all the time and of course the dust is endless. They are hoping for grass b/4 long that can be planted to help with all the dust

When a flag blows straight out and whips up....it is windy!

The school year has restarted and I feel pretty safe in saying that if it were not for the people wanting their schools back, the town would cease to exist. If it were not for the teachers that stayed, they would have no schools.

Grain Elevator remains
standing, there is nothing standing

around it...with a new coop building in

front of it. Amazing......

Look closely..you see

a house number on the curb....

The people in Greensburg do not look out their windows and see beauty, every where they look they see brokenness....except in the faces of each other.

People can survive with amazingly little when they realize that the relationships we have in life are truly our best gifts.

There, 2 hours from my home, are some very brave, faith filled people, determined to survive.

Several of Greensburg School Children

Don't forget about them, they have a LONG road ahead.

Summer Time------ Family Time

2007-07-08T14:02:00.000-07:00

Grandma and Grandpa Butch and their beautiful granddaughters!

We have enjoyed many great family times this summer....thought you might

all enjoy some pictures of our times together. Erika and John were here briefly

one weekend. Even with the Thiessen visitors, we managed to get together!

Another main family event this summer was a visit with some of Ken's family.

His sister, Karen's family, all made it to Kansas and his brother Keith

brought their daughter Kristine and joined us in Kansas for a weekend together.

His dad's 80th birthday is in August and his parent's 60th Anniversary is in September.

We are fortunate to live close to KT and Julie (Ken's brother) and all

their kids' families. I am also sharing some pictures from fun times in their pool. T

he water picture of Mason is one of my favorite ever!

Mason....water boy!

Kellie with Jimmy (Ryan and Katie's baby)

Ryan and MacKenzie
Chloe, Erin and Mason

Sophie on our front porch...taking a break from the crowds!

Beautiful Mess

2007-04-16T19:10:00.000-07:00

So can you guess who was at our house on Sunday?????

I love Sophie's fingerprints and lopsided letters on our chalkboard door!

And what about these pictures with her daddy? Sorry Matt to take the top of your head; but I was a little more focused on Sophie! Could you say "Daddy's girl." Though they aren't great pictures the similarity between the two were so striking I had to share them!

Spring Break???

2007-03-29T16:46:00.000-07:00

I do believe we needed to go back to school to recover from Spring Break! Whew, did we ever get a lot into one week! All of our kids were home.....the night owls they are.

I really like this picture of Erin, Chloe and Sophie. When Chloe was born Erin was 10 years old.....when Sophie was born Chloe was ten. Such fun relationships! This picture was taken the evening the Thiessen's all came over. I miss seeing my great neices and nephew...they are beautiful, fun children!

One of the evenings that Kellie and Jeremy were gone, Erin, Ken and I went to Marcia and Joel's and watched the KU game. Erin and Annette have plenty in common being the 2 youngest at home!

Ken's special project for the week was putting together and hanging shelves in our garage. With some help from Jeremy he got them hung Saturday morning! Erin worked in her room, decorating and finishing a wedding invitation for some good friends. All of us helped Melisa move to her new house! Kellie and Erin painted most of one room for her.

Our Mosiman family came over Saturday night, along with Jerry and Rosann (Jeremy's folks) and Ken's folks. We had a pretty competitive game of Wii bowling, not sure which is more fun to play or watch other people play!

We also spent time with the Birkey's, mostly helping Melisa move; but they were able to come by the house a couple times for a little down time. The picture with the "empty space" is for Jodi. She had to be at school in Goshen and couldn't make it down.

Oh......and not to forget.....we went with Kellie to pick out their puppy! (and their house...)Must say I am slightly in love....he is darling!

Until Next Time.....................

NAIA Tournament Fun

2007-03-12T10:08:00.000-07:00

Ken and I just returned from watching Erin's basketball team at the NAIA National Tournament. They finished first in the KCAC and earned a trip to National's. They finished at the Sweet 16 level of the tournament!

A real highlight of our trip was getting to see Ken's brother, Keith, and our niece Kristine. They drove from Omaha for Erin's tournament Friday night.

The count down to Spring Break is 3 days with kids and one for a teacher work day. We are all ready, kids and teachers alike! With the beautiful weather we have been experiencing Spring Fever is in the air.

Kellie, Jeremy and Erin are all coming home for Spring Break. It will be so nice to have some time with them. Kellie and Jeremy will be house shopping for when they come home this summer. Erin will more than likely be catching up on sleep and getting some much needed home cooked food!

January on Tanner Trail

2007-02-04T15:41:00.000-08:00

Annette, Kellie, Erin Our backyard View off the deck

Been awhile, but thought some of you may enjoy seeing some pictures of a few activities from this past month.

The highlight of our month was when Kellie flew home to surprise Erin for her 20th birthday! She has had tickets for a couple of months, it was a tough secret to keep thru all the holiday activities! She flew in on a Wed evening and we took her to Sterling Thur. afternoon in time for Erin's basketball game. I wish you all could of seen Erin's face. What a great birthday gift! Kellie managed to spend 2 nights in the Sterling dorms with Erin and Hillary, they all had a great time. Our niece, Annette, stayed with us 2 nights while Kellie was here while Marcia and Joel were in Texas. We had lots of extra time with Kellie since her plane was delayed from Sun. noon to Monday evening! What a frustrating experience for her. We were greatly relieved when she called and had landed in Indianapolis.

Another major happening of the month is winter! This has been the coldest and snowiest winter we have experienced for a long time. Most of the winter pictures here were taken when we drove to Sterling one Saturday to bring Erin home for a long weekend. It has made for a very beautiful, very cold, very slick month!

We have been in our home a month now. I am including a few pics of the inside. There are still a few things that need to be completed. Our granite slab hasn't been brought out yet and my linen cabinet doors are suppose to be on their way, as well as my magnetic chalkboard door for the pantry! But it is sure wonderful to have a place to call home again!

1701 Tanner Trail....we're home

2007-01-12T17:51:00.000-08:00

After months of planning, decisions, busy, busy days we are finally in our new home! I don't have many pictures taken inside yet, but am posting a few with the kids at Christmas. And one of part of the front. The beautiful sunrise is what I see from our bedroom (on the weekends when I am still home when the sunrises!) I love the wheat field west of our house and even the pothold sand road that runs beside it. We are 10 minutes from my sister's farm and much closer to both sets of parents. I love not fighting the west side traffic going to work every day. And that Wichita is only 10 minutes away! And from the day we moved in I have felt at home.

Erin was home from the 22nd to the 1st; after returning from her trip to Disney World with the Sterling ball team. Kellie and Jeremy were here from the 26th to the 4th. They all got in on the big move and it was great to have them here!

Kellie is back this weekend. She has had plane tickets for a couple of months to fly home and surprise Erin for her 20th birthday! I wish you could of seen Erin's face when Kellie walked into the gym at Sterling...it was priceless. She spent the night at Sterling last night and is back in Hutchinson tonight going out with Erin and her friends.

I am including some other pics from more family time.

Granpa Butch and Erin
Matt and our great niece Sophie!

Our family at the Ensz farm. Kellie, Melanie and Erin

Stop by anytime!

turkey talk....christmas countdown

2006-11-25T12:27:00.000-08:00

Thanksgiving is past and Christmas is only 30 days away! Oh My! How to get it all done!!!
You can see that we spent some of our time this Thanksgiving with some real "turkeys!" Not including the little darling in pink!
Chloe and Mason were more than willing to pose for Erin's photo ops!

We spent noon with the Ensz family (Marcia, my sister's family) It was so wonderful to see all of them; each of them are special people to us. My folks joined us there for lunch that day. After we were stuffed; we left and went to KT and Julie's to see Mel, Cody, Ken's folks, KT, Julie and The KIDS! Matt and Michele stopped by on their way home from Manhattan....so we enjoyed a little Sophie time too!

This Thanksgiving was my first experience with a child far away. Kellie and Jeremy were in Huntington, b/c Kellie had to work. Besides, it is really too far to drive in a short weekend. His folks are there now!

Our new home is to be done and ready to move in to in the next 3 or 4 weeks. Ken and I have spent all day today packing and have most of the basement done.
We stopped by the house yesterday and they were laying the hard wood floors. Once they have finished laying the wood floors they will start setting cabinets.
Still seems surreal that we will be moving into a new home soon.

This Thanksgiving season I find myself in daily gratitude for the saving grace of Jesus. And for the priceless gifts of family and friends.
God Bless.

long time no post

2006-11-12T18:43:00.000-08:00

Time to update and share some pictures of our house progress.
The house will be ready to move into in approximately 5 weeks....whew! I am not ready.

This past weekend we traveled to Garden City to watch Erin play in a basketball tournament and on the way there we stopped in Dodge City to see my great Aunt Esther. She turned 100 last March 9. This is the first time that I experienced her being somewhat confused on some things. She has always been such a beautiful lady. As we were leaving she was being wheeled into the dining hall and turned and looked at us and said; "They did invite you to stay for lunch didn't they?" This is also the first time that she has been confined to a wheelchair. Until this past year she has always walked; very quickly too! The last 2 times I have visited her she has asked me "Why am I still here?" She is ready to walk through the pearly gates anytime the good Lord decides to bring her home.

Time to turn in.....not enough sleep this past weekend!

family time

2006-10-18T19:41:00.000-07:00

Kellie and Jeremy were home this last weekend! It was so great having time with them. They had not seen the house since it was a meer hole in the ground so it was fun taking them by there. They managed to see many friends this weekend and made it safely back to Indiana Tuesday evening. Erika was also here for a couple of days from Galveston.
Just writing to share a few pictures from our weekend.

Happy Anniversary

2006-09-25T19:27:00.000-07:00

Ken's folks celebrated their 59th anniversary yesterday. Several of us got to be there to share in that day with them. Erin was home for the day and was able to come along. It was great to have so much time with every one!

Erin definitely has some upcoming serious competition in the "big blue eyes" area!

Walls and Roofs

2006-09-19T19:50:00.000-07:00

Posting a few pictures so you can see the progress of our house. Once the garage doors are put on they will be able to start locking it up and do electrical, plumbing, etc.

The one inside picture is the window in our master bedroom. Everything else is outside.

Have a wonderful day!

House guests and house update

2006-09-10T18:24:00.001-07:00

Erin and several of her friends from Sterling were at our place for lunch today. They came to town to go to Asbury for church and then ate here and headed back. I got a couple of pics of the girls.
Most of them have been here before....all are really neat kids!
This is a picture of Erin and Grace in what I like to call their "cheeze wrap!"
The other picture: Erin, Grace, Michelle, Kristine (their RD), and Sarah (Michelle's little sister). John, Paul and Ben were also here.....at this time they were watching KC football in the basement with Ken!

Ken and I went to the house this evening to check progress. They should finish the framing and roof this next week. There are a few pics below.

Indiana Trip

2006-09-04T15:34:00.000-07:00

We got back today from visiting Kellie and Jeremy in Huntington. Our visit was short but sweet. It was so nice to have some time with them and see them in their home. They have a very nice apartment close enough to campus for Jeremy to walk. I'm including some pictures from our trip. The Huntington University campus is beautiful. Lots of great sidewalks for walking. And their trees are amazing.
Huge, tall and straight.
Unlike our Kansas trees!

Kellie has a lot of details about our trip on their blog. Jeremyandkellie.blogspot.com.

She has 2 more weeks of days
and then starts her night
shift in labor and delivery
at Huntington. Jeremy started classes last week.
He is taking 16 hours this semester.

Oh...and don't believe everything Kellies says about me on her blog! :)

Father Daugher Time

2006-08-27T18:27:00.000-07:00

Ken and I made a quick trip to Sterling yesterday to take Erin some things she was needing. Thought you might enjoy a few pictures Erin took of them as they were lounging on her fouton. The missing tooth? Well, Ken's tooth actually fell out at school one day and he has to wait a month before they can make decisions on what to do next. His nickname around the East High campus you ask? :) Jethro.............

One picture includes Ken, Erin and Hillary...Erin's wonderful roommate. Erin is an RA this year at Sterling and Hillary is a prayer leader....I know they would appreciate your prayers for them.

I did sneak in my most recent pic of the house progress.

Big Week

2006-08-20T08:47:00.000-07:00

Big Week.....
Ken and I have experienced our first child moving FAR away. Kellie and Jeremy moved to Indiana this week where he will finish his last year of college at Huntington University. Because of school starting a full week early we could not go with them; but Jeremy's folks were able to make the trip. We are so grateful for that! They got there safe and sound and are beginning to settle in to their apartment. Hopefully once they get internet up and running they can post some pics on their blog, since I can't seem to find my one and only picture! Their blog is www.jeremyandkellie.blogspot.com. Their new address was in my previous post.

We managed to make one trip out to our building site this week to check progress. They have almost finished framing the basement. The little girl in some of these pics is Mariah. She is a "little sister" to Erin and I through Youth Horizons, a local youth mentoring organization here in town. She is standing in front of the basement bedroom window, which will be Erin's room.

One picture is looking from the west side of the house. And the other one is from close to the back edge of the yard.

Thanks for checking in!

house update #2

2006-08-13T16:55:00.000-07:00

We have basement walls, floor, etc. They start framing our house Wed. of this week. We have picked out a few things for the house. Carpet, vinyl, countertops, doors, windows.

Kellie and Jeremy leave this Thursday for Huntington. When they are home next the house will most likely be close to done! They went to Sterling this evening to see Erin and spend time with her before th

Their new address will be:

Jeremy and Kellie Fredin
2175 Guilford St. Apt. 7
Huntington, IN 46750

moving day

2006-08-06T15:44:00.000-07:00

Ken, Kellie and Jeremy moved Erin back to Sterling today. Thought you might enjoy a couple of our attempts at family pictures! :)

Erin is an RA at Sterling this year so she had to be back extra early. Thankfully the airconditioning was actually working this year when they showed up!
Her address at Sterling is:

Erin Thiessen
Sterling College
125 W. Cooper Ave
Box 406
Sterling, KS 67579

Send her a letter or a package! She loves getting mail!

House updates

2006-08-03T19:52:00.000-07:00

Well...we have a safe place to go in tornado weather....hopefully before too long we will have a roof over our heads to keep the rain off! This is looking from the East side of the house. The back walls are smaller because the basement is a view out basement.

We move Erin back to Sterling this Sunday and Kellie and Jeremy are preparing to head for Indiana the 17th. It has been so wonderful having them all around this summer. Keep them in your prayers as they transition into this school year. Jeremy and Erin will be students yet this year and Kellie will be working as a labor and delivery nurse in Huntington.

new car and more

2006-07-24T08:17:00.000-07:00

We spent this past weekend flying to Wyoming and driving home Erin's new car. She is now driving a 2004 Grand Prix....The best part of the weekend was getting more time with family!

On the way home we stopped by our land.....they have officially started building our new house. Wow! It's amazing what has been done already.

The picture here shows the hole dug; however they have already poured footers and are setting the basement walls either today or tomorrow.

Erin and cousin, Elaina...in her new car.

Mother-in-law

2006-07-16T21:22:00.000-07:00

Did you know? I am now a mother-in-law! I am getting use to having a son for the first time in my life. It is such fun watching my daughter and "son" in this new stage of their lives.

It was a beautiful KS day when they were married in a meadow at my sister's farm. We will always be thankful for such a wonderful day in which to lay a foundation for life.