Windchill -40 degrees...

January 30, 2008



Batten down the hatches
A blizzard's coming through!
Pay attention to the scratches
at the door of doggy, do!

Here it comes, an icy blast;
Beware the great barrage!
Of bitter cold and windy gale
And frozen pop in the garage!

I cannot stand this winter cold;
It’s 57 in my kitchen.
Is it me, am I just getting old?
Can YOU cook in a mitten?

They called and said no work today.
Didn’t let it get to my head.
I surely can’t go out to play
So I’m going back to bed!

Playtime...

A busy boy comes to my house to play,
and he keeps me running all the day!


He runs, he jumps, he shoots the ball!
And he plays at the easel in the hall.



He loves his collection of matchbox cars;
The red and the black and the shiny blue.
He shares the fun with Tazzie, his dog,
Did I hear him say "Doggy, you play too!"



A little boy comes to my house to play,
and we love to hide and seek!
His giggle and laugh keep the "blues" at bay.
...here he is, take a peek!

Rocky Mountain High...

We thoroughly enjoyed our visit to Todd and Julie's home in Colorado last week.

Here is their ranch under a spectacular blue sky on one of the many lovely days we spent there. This is their house, garage and newly constructed horse barn. The home is beautiful with its vaulted ceilings, brightly painted rooms and unique open staircase. (All appropriately decorated with photos of its occupants engaging in a variety of "extremely" dangerous sports as well as an antiquated pair of Phil's zebra-striped-skiis from the 70's.)We celebrated Thanksgiving Day by watching the Packers win at the neighbor's home. Mimi was so rowdy that she attracted the attention of several other "neighbors".

Our Thanksgiving Dinner was on Friday and included all of the customary dishes.

The best part was sharing the day with not only Julie, Todd and Mimi but also with Amy DesRochers, Shane and their puppy Jasper. While we feasted Caleb and Jasper wore themselves out with all of their their playing. Phil and Todd installed their new dishwasher while Amy got some knitting tips from Mimi.
Saturday included a hike in the fresh mountain air with Mimi setting the pace and Phil snapping photos on his new digital camera! Saturday evening's full moon was one more gift from God; The One Who put this entire beautiful scene together... Suitably, we spent the evening under the moon soaking in the healing mineral waters at Sulphur Springs. What a way to mellow out...Our visit ended as it began with Phil planning his next trip to Colorado..... and another Rocky Mountain High.

Where's the baby....?

Where did Owen go?

He was right here a moment ago!

There he is!

He's right here in Gramma Mimi's backyard!

We put a basket out on our front porch...

...and nothing happened.

...but we had rhubarb in the freezer and flour in the pantry, so we made a delicious rhubarb pie!

Then we called up our Pastor and invited him over to share it with us.

mmmmmmmmmmmm

DesRochers Family Reunion - July 28, 2007

Here we are. The DesRochers kin and the people that love us! Nearly sixty of this widely scattered family gathered together from places far and near to reunite, reconnect and remember. This reunion found four generations of us in one place; from the octogenarian to the weeks old infant. Wouldn't Grandpa and Grandma "D" have been amazed at this gathering of their many offspring!

Could it really have been 40 years???

We attended my 40th class reunion in Evansville this summer and renewed many acquaintances and high school friendships. For once, Alice (Oregon) and Diana (California) and I were all at the same reunion! I am thankful to the faithful organizers that put this on every five years; the constants of our now middle-aged ranks who still remember everyone's name and face: Bo and Kenlyn, Nancy, Karbet, Steve...

Here we are, still smiling after all those years. Many are retired, but many have reinvented themselves and have launched businesses and new careers. Most of us straddle a similar place, stationed between the needs of our aging parents and the needs of our adult children; but glowingly in love with our grandchildren.
It was fun.

DesRochers Family Reunion...

Images from the DesRochers Family Reunion
July 27-29, 2007
North Prairie, Wisconsin!

A year's gone by
How time has flown
We can't believe
How Owen's grown
He is such a joy
and so much fun
Oh my! Our Baby's
Turning One.
(adapted from Hallmark card)

A busy little boy...

Josiah liked Uncle Phil's big blue truck! (There is just something about little boys and their trucks!)

By the way, Uncle Phil really likes it too.









Josiah played the piano for us....
and he showed us how he plays ball.
He certainly has a happy smile that he is very willing to share!














Taz liked going for walks with Josiah...
and he was a good little dog for him!
(...Taz sure got worn out and fell asleep as soon as Josiah left!)













All of us, including Lori, decided that he is a really cool kid, and so
we hope Josiah will come and visit us again soon.

Two and a half hours later...

It was worth it after all!
Thanks, Mom, for not letting me quit when I wanted to!

Thanks to my many faithful supporters!
(...some of whom were willing to sit for two hours
while 1400 names were read,
only one of whom they knew!)

Special guests came to our house on Saturday to celebrate the graduation and to enjoy the lovely
Saturday weather.

Nothing quite like a spring afternoon on the porch!

Commencement...

Five years ago I began a journey.

One week ago I completed my last final exam.
On Monday I stood before my professors to present my action research project.

Today we celebrate the completion of my Masters degree!

I am thankful for supportive family and friends and colleagues who have all helped along the way. I praise the Lord for this privilege and opportunity. God has been so good to me!