Marjanen Family Reunion

In celebration of 50 years in this country and 65 years of marriage,

we had a family reunion in Minnesota last weekend.

I just uploaded 141 photos to a Google Drive (that's next on my list to learn how to use!) ...

you obviously aren't going to see them all here.

We held the reunion at the Cokato church, just as we held the last reunion 15 years ago

at the Prescott church. Worked out very well ... thanks to all the Minnesota folks

for all their hard work!

 

 

Pappa shared with everyone why this reunion was so especially important to him.

He is losing his eyesight, with 50% of it gone now, and this weekend may be the last time he

will be able to "see" so many of us.

It made me so very glad that all of our children were able to be there.

And it sort of makes me want to hop back on a plane while I'm writing this.

A human foosball game put that provided great entertainment and exercise

between all the rounds of eating!

I didn't give it a whirl.

Figured I'd need a wheelchair if I did!

 



Can you tell I'm in love with the flowers?!

Oh ... I miss them!

 

Saturday was Marjanen Family Olympics time!

This particular event was titled "Dress Like Mummu".

 



The ring toss.

 



 

Don't you just love the creativity here?!

The Long(evity) jump ...

 

  The kiddos entertainment was well planned by Tikki.

The adult visiting .... so heart warming to see folks we don't get to see often.

We were also able to meet Geoff who came from the east coast to join us.

I wrote our story of learning of Geoff a few years back.

We were finally able to meet in person!

 

Generations ...

 



With very limited moments of sleep ... we all could have perched on this picnic table!

 



The most special parents ...

 



 

who brought all these special people into the world,

and across the ocean  ...

 

so that we could in turn, meet and marry ...

and raise our own families.

 



We were sorry that Tarron wasn't able to join us for the weekend ...

otherwise, this is my growing family!

 

The photographer is still on vacation, meandering her way around the country.

As soon as I see the group picture, I'll share it with you.

We are quite the crew now!

June 10th

I would have noticed the date today when I eventually woke up a bit.

For sure when I went to work later today and started writing the date. 

We had a going away get together for Tia last night. A nice group that enjoyed eating, laughing and playing games together. 

This morning when I got up to see them off ... the 3 gals hadn't yet slept a wink. 

They were a fun kind of punchy. 

So I ignored my alarm that I habitually set for 6 a.m. on mornings I'm not working and rolled over. 

I woke later and checked our family GroupMe. Two years ago today Anna & Wylon were engaged. Wow! Time does fly! We are so happy for them. Warm snugly feelings wrapped in their car as their travel today. 

And then it hit me. 

It is June 10th. 

We all have dates that live in our hearts where caverns have been created at some time. And, although those caverns at times are filled with tears of joy, they are still caverns. Crevasses carved by our own tears. 

It doesn't matter how long it has been. 

So how fitting is it that today, on June 10th, this is the sight that greets me as I open the door to my daughters room. 

She is whizzing her way across the state of Arizona, on her way to a new life in North Dakota, fast asleep while her dad drives. 

I'm home this morning remembering another June 10th. 

Eighteen years ago on this date I lost the ability to give birth to any more children.  I lost the chance to feel them growing within me: their kicks, their arms flailing, their heart beats bounding. That day changed the course of my life. What I thought was a sure and steady path was forever altered and it wasn't an easy change. It was torturous leading up to that day and it was raw for a very long time afterward. The grieving process that began months before that day had a long way yet to go. 

And finally I was able to enjoy. To drink in and hold in my heart the growing of my family and all its changes. To appreciate the days I had with this last little cherub I had been loaned by God. 

They haven't been roads of roses without thorns. They have been the kind of road that nature winds. One that goes through mountains and valleys, gently sloping plains and rock strewn stream beds. 

Now as she leaves she will have to learn some of the things we failed in. I hope the learning isn't too terribly hard because she has every right to blame us if it is. She is our youngest and we, as her parents, held on to that. Oh, we haven't neglected everything. She will learn the rest on her own because she is also that willful type of woman. Somedays she will be blaming us. I know that. I will deserve that.

So on this June 10th I'm already crying. For that which wasn't, for that which was and for the new hill I've now to climb. At the end of the hill will be be a new kind of life that will be equally beautiful to the life of the last eighteen years ... after that other June 10th.

Just in a different way. 

Monday evening

and I start turning into a pumpkin in about 3 minutes. 

We are pitching and packing. Some things have outlived their usefulness.

Others will fill a trunk quite nicely. 

Life packed into bags and totes. And maybe a few of these suck 'em shut bags. 

If some magic genie comes along tomorrow and swabs the decks real quick while I'm at work ...

I'm ready for a houseful tomorrow evening. 

The bell tolls for the pumpkin ...

It's already Sunday?!

I was on vacation all week with the exception of a few hours on Thursday. 

You'd never know it. 

I'm exhausted. 

I did get my room cleaned. 

I've helped Tia pack up some stuff. 

Her bedroom has to be completely mucked out and ready for a visitor Wednesday evening. 

Now THAT should be the only goal for the week!

We've rearranged travel schedules a few times but I think we have it down.

One night in Minnesota to figure out yet but other than that ...

maybe we can start packing bags!

We have people traveling to Minneaota this week in 3 different vehicles and the queen bee mother is flying the red eye. 

We are heading up to some serious family celebrations!!

A few pics from whatever is left on my phone from the past week. I actually managed to clean most of it off! Add that to the miracle department. Just cuz some are priceless. 

It has rained!! A lot! Rip roaring storms unheard of in Phoenix in June. Another one coming this week they say. 

Tia got new glasses from Zenni. Ordered and delivered in four days. I got new specs from Target. Had the bows adjusted a little too much. They hurt. Like really hurt after a few hours. Maybe I'll have time to get that problem fixed. On Thursday. 

Coffee cooking when the power went out. Seriously fast cup of java. 

Water hose discovery. 

A haircut that was disappointing but looks cute regardless. 

Wyatt has his own kissing style ... might want to call it chewing instead. 

Oh my.  They are growing so fast! Our lives have changed. We are completely entertained just watching them. 

And, finally, the tomatoes are ripening!!

Which means they need to be eaten before I leave.

Good night!

Have a swell week. 

out of the heat and up to the mountains

Friday, the day after the graduation, we headed up the hill to the mountains.

Jari was directing SW Youth Days and I was taking a weekend kitchen turn for Anna.

The sun is high in the sky and rather warm in the afternoons at this high elevation,

but it was absolutely beautiful!

 

The new roof covering over the back patio will be a heaven sent.

Not only a protection for the heat of the afternoon sun, but protection from the rain.

It looks absolutely amazing now ... can't imagine when it's all complete!

 



We were there early enough to enjoy an explore of the woods for a bit.

Oh, if we could live up here!

Surrounded by the quiet and the pines.

 



A bit of selfie practice!

Is it any wonder that our children have blue eyes?!

And ... I didn't realize just how gray I've gotten until I saw this photo!

 



 Warm enough for shade with sandals and shorts.

A few minutes of quiet for rug making.

The other one is done and in use ... on to the next one!

(I had to quick like dye some of the fabric strips darker Friday morning before we left!)

And coffee by the cup .. and cup ... and cup.

 



Until our lovely young people showed up and filled the weekend with all kinds of joy!

 



Can't wait to get back up there!

graduation 2015

the ceremony.

where students from many different walks of life have overcome

incredible challenges to earn this day.

it was enough to make me weepy.

 

 

the very happy graduate.

 

 

the girls and the babies.

 

 

the family that was able to celebrate.

 

 the oh so happy parents. 

off to the graduation party.
the party was held together with 4 other graduates whose ceremony started 2 hours after ours.
it gave us an opportunity to get things set up ...
and put our feet up for a bit.

 congrats to our baby girl!