The Fort

Lunch on the new stair landing. After lunch the stairs were built. It's quite a structure!

Getting close to Christmas

The decorated tree is not ours but we thought it was nice enough to show in a picture. Its in a lovely neighborhood close by. The green stuff Martin is holding is his favorite vegetable, a stalk of Brussel sprouts. We had them for thanksgiving! The girls are sticking cloves in oranges for a centerpiece and the family picture is from yesterdays visit to our home by Aunt Lois and Nancy from Arkansas and uncle Irving and his son Steve from Wisconsin. We are on our way to Canada for Christmas on monday and today is Ted Vandenbroeks birthday in Santa Barbara. Have a great Christmas everyone!

Summer to LA

After a few months back home in Bethany we took another drive to California. Visited the children, grandchildren and friends and took some side tours on the way there and back. We always manage to find some new place off the interstate to explore and relax. Trader Joe's usually keeps some of our money in CA and we come home with our goodies and our memories. Next on our 2010 schedule were short family get togethers, a visit to Queen Wilhelmina State Park in Arkansas and in December we will travel to Ontario for Christmas with the Canadian family members.

Holland Reunion

In May we travelled to Holland for a family reunion.

Meeting all Martin's cousins was fun and we spent two weeks seeing as many of the sights as possible. Ag and Ian joined us for a week of fun, food and family. Museums, bikes, walking, windmills and the neat countryside were pleasures we will remember always.

Missing Mom

I love this picture of our granddaughters, Claire and Emily! It was taken in February when they came all the way out to Oklahoma from California with their mommy and daddy to see their great grandmother for the last time. They may never remember the visit, but I will never forget how comforting their presence was for us. And their great grammy, Phyllis Sidwell, was filled with joy in seeing them, as she was with all her children, grand children, and great grandchildren. We miss her so much! I don't know who reads this, but I just need to write here once in a while. I saw this picture of the girls and am so thankful for them. They are love personified! Thank you, God, for their precious family.

This little comic describes the last few days in Oklahoma. The daffodil picture was taken outside on 3/19/10 when it was 70 degrees. The pic on right looks out our window at the snowfall of 3/20/10 with temp of 32 degrees. We spent all of the first day of spring inside with a roaring fire and some good reading. Today is a little warmer and the snow is melting.

Reunion in Bethany

Posted by Martin while Pennie is busy.

A month has passed since the last posting and our world has changed. In January mom Phyllis began to weaken and finally was admitted to hospital. After many tests and serious discussions with many physicians she has elected to return home. Mom is now bedridden and her prognosis is not good. She has had visits from many of her 10 siblings, everyone who loves her wants to take time now to say goodbye. Pennie and Peg, and Johney and Lois are taking turns caring for mom 24/7 and even though it is taxing on all they are gaining wonderful insights, hospice is providing them wonderful guidance. Mom is a courageous and loving patient and is accepting the final indignities with grace and humor. Today she is even having her hair permed. The accompanying photos show some of the family gathered to bring comfort. It was quiet a crowd and felt like a reunion, including singing from some of mom's siblings.