An Engagement

We knew this was coming for about a month now. My husband, son, and Paula's friend, Abby, went out one day to shop for a ring. The ring was purchased...and my husband sent me a picture on my phone. I received the picture at work....and, of course, I had to share the news with my co-workers.

The very first time I heard about Paula was during a phone conversation with my son. I was in a Walgreen's parking lot just catching up....I must have had a few minutes to call my own. He told me that he went babysitting with this girl he has been friends with for awhile. They had to take care of 4 children....he took care of the boys and she took care of the girls. They took the kids out in the snow, Phil did some shoveling for the parents, and the twosome made dinner for the kids. Paula told Phil, "You are going to be a great dad one day."

Right there....I wondered, "Who is this girl?"

We were able to spend more time with Paula over Easter break that year. She was always eager to help and we all felt very comfortable with her right away...I even had her clean our bathroom to help me out with my chores....and she did an awesome job! (Still makes me chuckle that I asked her to do that....but she was already feeling like one of the kids.)

Paula came with us on vacation up north. And our relationship with her continued to grow....if you ever get a chance to meet her you would understand. She is very sweet and funny....feminine and yet very tough. She loves to dress in pretty things....and she loves to hike in the mountains. She loves children and can't wait to have her own family. She takes care of our son....straightening up his room, doing his laundry (he tells her not to) and making him lunch before he goes off to work. (He takes care of her, too.) Christ is her Savior and she is not afraid to share that truth.....she sings sincerely in Divine Service and devoutly prayers to our Lord.

I am so glad to be moving on to that next step....where we all can discuss a future marriage out in the open. She has a wonderful family.....and I look forward to the future with another daughter.

God be with you, Phil and Paula!

Paula

Today we said good bye to a very dear girl in our life, Paula. She is heading to St. Louis to see her sister's new baby....Paula's first niece. After that trip she will head north to her home in South Dakota. We will be seeing her this summer for our family reunion....and she will be staying with us for a week, so I am very happy about that! But after that trip....I am afraid that our time being apart will be much longer.

Paula has decided not to return to CUW next year and has chosen another path for her life. We are in full support of her decision, as are her parents. It wasn't an easy decision to make....but I do think that it was the right one, for her. So while we shall miss seeing her smiling face, her always helpful hands, and her endearing laughter....we will keep her in our prayers that she will find contentment in the days ahead.

Philip will be joining Paula this summer living with her parents and working with her dad in his roofing business. I am very excited about this....he will get to spend some quality time with her family, three of her siblings (two with spouses) live nearby. He will get to see how another family operates...and have to follow their rules. : )

There is so much to this girl.....she makes me smile, she makes me cry.....because I love her like my own children. I like to hear how she thinks, I love how she is her own person...in the way she dresses or wears her hair. She is mostly happy....always giving herself to others, by lending an ear, or support, or just doing something nice...like making a home made card. She loves my son dearly, and he loves her....and she loves her Savior....and more importantly, He loves her.

God be with you, dear Paula, until we see each other again.

Easter Prep

This is at our home...and Jacob has figured out how to open the piano, sit on the bench and play. He does it at home all the time! The bench wasn't out far enough for him...so he got stuck. I love finding little people stuck in curious situations.

I think this was Maundy Thursday, before church...I walked past the bathroom and there they all were...and my heart skipped a beat.

Early Friday morning....browning the bacon and sausage for the Easter Breakfast casseroles that will be made on Saturday.

My kids have the whole process down now...they could probably run it themselves...they have been helping me for the last 15 years! Philip insisted on wearing an apron to keep his jacket clean.....what a practical young man.