it's official

Playing with ancient tinkertoys.
She was obsessed with this candle...
and having everyone smell it!

Maria recieved my old doll high chair as a gift.

Ooo....play food, she didn't want to open anything else after this!

Her very own rocking chair.

Ryan and Lisa- due in Jan. with their #1

Jessica and Larry

Cousin Trey and Maria

Therese and Andrew

G-G Ringenberg(great-grandma)

Gramma Unger

Playing with cousin Joshua.

Ha, it's lots of fun to throw this doll!

Look at my cute puppy/reindeer.

Well, this doesn't exactly look like a Christmas outfit, but it's been a crazy weekend!

Yep, it's really Christmas Eve...So here are some pictures of celebrating with family.

We have plenty to praise God for; family to celebrate Christ's birth!

round two!

So, after the Christmas celebration with my family and my grandfather's funeral we headed to Turkey Run State Park to celebrate with Larry's family. All the while knowing we had yet another loss to deal with at the end of this holiday week. We were to have stayed at the park Sunday and Monday night, but as plans would have it, we only ended up being there Monday night, and we were all exhausted. It had been a long weekend, and we didn't really get to enjoy our time there. Add to the fact that the weather again turned nasty on Tuesday morning so we couldn't even go for a short walk, we needed to get on the road. So we headed to Larry's parents near Lafayette to open gifts and have lunch together. The celebration was punctuated by phone calls about plans for Nana's funeral, which made the mood somewhat somber in the midst of the celebration. We missed her presence with us as a family. Please pray as we go through yet another loss this holiday, but rejoice that she has gone home to meet her Maker, Jesus Christ our Lord.

Saunders, Irene
December 24, 2008 Irene Saunders long time Carmel resident, died on Sunday, December 21, 2008 in her home. Mary Irene Stewart was born in Lake Butler, FL in 1907 to the late Henry and Ada Stewart. She graduated from Bradenton High School in Bradenton, FL in 1925 and from Florida State College for Women in Tallahassee in 1929. Irene married Warren Saunders on June 24, 1934, in Bradenton, a union which lasted nearly seventy years. The couple moved to Indiana in 1952, following his ordination as a pastor, and together they served Methodist churches in Richmond, Leesburg and Goshen before moving to Carmel United Methodist Church in 1964. They retired in Carmel in 1982. After college, she served for ten years as secretary to the manager of Peninsula Telephone Company in Bradenton. During WWII the couple moved many times due to her husband's military service. After he enrolled at Emory University in 1947, she worked as secretary to the head of the medical service at a VA hospital in Atlanta, and then served as secretary to Atlanta physician James Paulin, the doctor who signed President Roosevelt's death certificate. Following their move to Indiana, Irene devoted her energies to church, community and family. Active in United Methodist Women, she was also a member of PEO sorority, the Entre Nous Club, and the Carmel Symphony guild. She also served on the board of the Lucille Raines Residence and taught the Fidelis Sunday School class at Carmel UMC for many years. A devoted wife, mother, and grandmother, Irene was also a wonderful cook and a gracious hostess who enjoyed entertaining. Travel was another passion. The couple traveled widely both in the United States and abroad. Over the years they spent time in Canada, England, France, Spain, the former Soviet Union and other parts of Europe and they led a tour group to Israel and the Middle East in 1976. They also enjoyed close ties with an extended family scattered from Florida to California. Their Carmel home became a hub for family gatherings for both the Saunders and Stewart sides of the family and they visited family and friends throughout the country. Her husband Warren preceded her in death on March 13, 2003. Survivors include a son, E. Stewart Saunders (wife, Margaret) of Lafayette, IN and three grandchildren, The Rev. Lawrence Saunders (wife, Jessica) of Culver, IN, M. Augustus Saunders of Los Angeles, CA and Emily Summers (husband, Justin) of Tipton, IN. She is also survived by two great grandchildren as well as nieces, nephews and their families. She was preceded in death by five sisters, Clara Stewart Towsend, Eloise Stewart, Ida Stewart Huggins, Kathryn Stewart Shaver and Lucille Stewart Powell. Family and friends will gather on Friday, December 26, 2008 from 4 to 7 p.m. in Leppert Mortuary, Smith Carmel Chapel. The funeral service will be held on Saturday, December 27, 2008 at 2:00 p.m. in the Carmel United Methodist Church with calling one hour prior to service. Interment will follow in the Carmel Cemetery.

Memorials to the Carmel United Methodist Church or the Habitat for Humanity.

round one!

Do you ever feel like you are in a boxing match, just waiting to get knocked out? As I sit here on Christmas Eve and think about how I would have described my Christmas plans had you asked me last week, I am positive that 80% (or more) of what has/will happen this week wouldn't have passed my lips. I feel like I keep getting hit with another blow even after I have barely recovered from the first.
Let's start at the very beginning, a very good place to start, so we had planned to head home last week to celebrate with my family on Saturday, which happened, just not in the originally planned manner. So we left Friday morning, in the midst of ice, snow, sleet, just plain YUCK! We made it, but on the way found out that my parents had lost power, due to the lovely ice, so we would head to my grandmother's house to stay. My parents had heat, but we wanted to be able to enjoy the luxury of working toilet facilities. Since the power still wasn't on for our planned get together on Saturday my mom brought the whole dinner over to grandma's to fix. So everyone came to grandma's house instead, which turned out fine. It was nice considering the number of years it has been since we have been able to celebrate there together as a family and not having grandpa with us it was good to be at their house.

Saturday night Larry had to head back to Culver for Sunday's church service. Meanwhile, we were unable to attend church due to the ice/loss of power at my parent's church, but we were still up at 7 am because the power had gone out at grandma's now! The temperature didn't waste any time dropping and within a couple hours my dad came over to pick us up and take us to their house, along with all our clothes for the viewing. We were unsure if the funeral home even had power, but found out later they had a generator if it became needed. After several hours at my parents the power came back on, allowing us to shower and dress for the viewing.

During this time Larry had called to say he was getting ready to head back, but that he had received a call from his parents with more sad news. His grandmother, Nana, had passed away that morning. This week was getting to be too surreal to believe.

So since the power was back on the church was a go ahead for the funeral on Monday. It was so cold (below zero with wind chill) that they had most of the service in the church and a quick prayer at the cemetery. It was hard to say our final goodbyes, but we know that he is celebrating this Christmas with his Savior, born so many years ago, come to save us from our sins. The church hosted a nice dinner for the family and friends afterward, and we were soon back on the road.

Herbert William Ringenberg, 94, died on Thursday December 18, 2008 at Hickory Creek at Hicksville. He was born on July 23, 1914 in Detroit, Michigan the son of Gideon Arthur and Jessie (King) Ringenberg. He was united in marriage to Mary Ellen Seslar on March 20, 1942 at Pioneer, Ohio – celebrating their 66th wedding anniversary in 2008.
He was a graduate of Hicksville High School with the class of 1932.
He was a lifelong farmer; a member of North Scipio United Methodist Church – Harlan, Indiana; Farm Bureau Council; Board Member – Hicksville Grain Company; and enjoyed wintering in Leesburg, Florida for (16) years.
He is survived by his wife Mary Ellen; (2) daughters: Janis (Marv) Edwards – Hicksville and Cheryl (Charles) Unger – Harlan, Indiana; a son: Bruce (Martha) – Hicksville; (10) grandchildren; (9) great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by a sister Mabel Albertson.
Funeral services will be on Monday at 11:00 at North Scipio United Methodist Church with Rev. Keith Schreffler officiating with visitation after 10:00. Visitation also on Sunday from 2:00 – 4:00 and 6:00 – 8:00 at Smith & Brown Funeral Home of Hicksville. Burial will be at Scipio Cemetery – Harlan, Indiana.
Preferred memorials to Crippled Children & Adult Society or the church.

We have plenty to praise God for; the power was restored in time for the plans to all happen.

A dreaded phone call

My mom called this morning with sad news, my grandfather went to meet his Savior this morning. He had been in the nursing home since Feb, after a scary hospital stay, when we thought we were going to lose him first. He had been back in the hospital again last week, but had returned to the nursing home. Mom said he looked so at peace as he passed and now we know he is with his Savior, free of pain, free of the hindrances of arthritis and other ailments of old age. Now we deal with this loss and remember the wonderful memories that we have of such a amazing grandfather. He was the best grandfather you could ask for...pray for our family as many travel in for the funeral Monday and as we celebrate the holidays minus a loved one. It would take a novel to tell the love that he shared with others during his lifetime, and the pain we feel only acknowledges his significance to us. He was a gift to us.

We have plenty to praise God for; God is the same today, yesterday and tomorrow.

Elf sightings

Last Christmas we received the Elf on the Shelf book by Carol V. Aebersold. The author describes how the elf came into existence this way. "At our home the elf would arrive around the holidays, usually at Thanksgiving. His sole responsibility was to watch my children's behavior and report it to "Santa" each night. The next morning after the children awoke, they discovered the elf had returned from the "North Pole" and was hiding in a different place. My children would race each other out of bed to try and be the first to spy him in his new position." The Bork Family gave it to us as a new family tradition to start. We have been spying the Elf hiding in our house this year and we must say Maria is a good Elf finder. Hope you enjoy the video of her looking for "The Elf". She is calling for him by saying "Oh, Eff".

We have plenty to praise God for; traditions to start with our family.

bye, bye crib

Well, last night we had some friends from church over for dinner as a thank you for bringing a toddler bed for Maria to have. She was SO excited, we kept noticing her missing throughout the night, and of course she was up in her room sitting on the new bed with her blanket. Needless to say she was ready for bedtime even earlier than normal, possibly also due to the cold she has come down with. She fell asleep about as fast as normal and stayed in the bed the whole night (thanks in part to being able to place the bed in her window alcove area). She is napping in it right now, although it took her almost two hours to fall asleep, maybe it's new bed excitement, or more likely just the norm for her lately. Here is her happy self this morning in the new bed!

We have plenty to praise God for; one good night of sleep in her new bed under our belts...lots more to go!

P.S. My grandfather is doing better, back at the nursing home, but at 94 things take a lot longer to recover from. Thanks for your prayers!

prayers please

My grandpa isn't doing well at all, and could we could use your prayers, especially for my grandma Mary. Herb, my mom's dad, had a serious hospital stay back in February when we thought we might lose him, but he pulled through then. He has been in a nursing home since and just isn't the same. He was admitted this weekend and though, he has made a bit of progress since admittance, he is not out of the woods yet. The doctor is surprised at the progress he has made, but at 94 you just never know what might happen.

Also Larry's grandmother, Nana, has been not doing well either. She fell back in October, not seriously injuring anything. After a short stay in the nursing home side of her living complex, she is back in her own apartment. Since then however, she has not been eating well, or getting around, and has basically 24 hours care with her. She turned 101 at the beginning of October and we think she may be just plain tired!

We pray that God's will is done in these situations even if that means a loss for us, we know that God knows best. Thanks!

We have plenty to praise God for; He is omniscient.

Oh My!

Not sure exactly how she slept to end up with bedhead like this, but thought it was picture worthy!

W have plenty to praise God for; that Maria finally has enough hair to have bedhead!

Birthday shout-out

Mom said I loved to kiss Andrew. I was almost 2 and he was about 4 mo.

Andrew and me(guessing we are 2 and 3) Don't we both look a bit mischievous! Don't ask how we managed to get in the trunk...if you ask us it was staged!

Today is Andrew's birthday and we wanted to wish him a happy one. What fun memories we have as kids.

We have plenty to praise God for; brothers.

Thanksgiving is here

Hope you are enjoying time with those you love...Happy Thanksgiving from us to you!

PS Don't eat too much! Glad I have maternity pants to wear...room to expand!

We have plenty to praise God for; "Praise the Lord. Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever." Psalm 106:1

and more snow...

Making a snow angel.
Baby snow angel.
Mommy and baby angels.

Snow cones anyone?

Some of the snow was almost up to her knees!

Which made for challenging walking.

Well, it kept snowing Thursday night, and we were left with more than the last time I think. Maria and I took advantage of the complete calm afternoon and spent about 30 minutes playing in the snow. Although Maria decided that she wanted to sample the snow. We also made snow angels...she thought it was fun to fall back in the snow, so I showed her how to make a snow angel.

We have plenty to praise God for; snow gear that keeps us toasty.

snowflakes abound

Tuesday's snow

Here is our little winter wonderland...Tuesday we awoke to lovely snowy world, and just this afternoon, it started snowing again. So since we had just gotten Maria some boots, we took her out (for like 5 minutes! that snow was blowing hard) to frolic in the snow.

We have plenty to praise God for; the beauty of seasons.

meeting Rosalia

We were able to stay with friends Dan and Anna and meet their adorable daughter Rosalia on the way home from our vacation. Dan and Larry met in college, but since they live about 5 hours from us, we don't get to see them often. It was great to hang out and catch up on things...late into the night. Rosalia was adorable, although she was feeling a bit under the weather.

We have plenty to praise God for; the generous hospitality of great friends.

A Valley View escape

We had a wonderful time on our retreat/vacation. I already explained the place on a former post, but again if you have a pastor you think could benefit, please pass along the Pastor's Retreat Network name. Here are some pictures from our time away. We were staying in the New Bedford, Ohio area, near Holmes County so there were lots of Amish farms there. The scenery was beautiful, we were able to read, relax, put together a puzzle, and take several walks through their property. Maria had a great week, being spoiled by my parents. We're not really sure she missed us at all!

We have plenty to praise God for; coming home after time away!

bubble wrap fun

My mom got a package while we were at her place last weekend, which was wrapped with large bubble wrap. Maria had a great time popping the bubbles.

We have plenty to praise God for; simple pleasures.

mission accomplished

Well, I was busy last week working on a couple of rompers for presents. My sister-in-law Lisa is due in Jan with a little boy, so I made this sailboat romper for him...hopefully it will fit next summer.

I also made this flower romper for Rosalia. She is the daughter of Dan and Anna, Larry and Dan were friends in college. We get to see them next Friday as we are going to Ohio for a retreat/vacation and they live close to where we will be. Since we haven't met their daughter yet, I thought I would make her a little gift...let's hope it fits next summer too. (Maria was so kind to model it for me, although she didn't want to hold still for a picture, hence the counter!)

This house, called the Valley View Inn, is part of the Pastor's Retreat Network, and where we will be staying for the next week. It is free for pastors and spouses, thanks to generous contributors. Our kind of vacation. Basically you get a room and food for the week and quiet so you can relax, retreat and rejuvenate. They ask that you don't bring laptops, cell phones(or at least leave them off while there), and other things that will keep you current to the world. The point is to disconnect with everything for a week and connect with God for that time. Other pastors and spouses will also be there, but nothing is structured except meals, so you can do (or don't do) as you please. Any pastor is eligible to attend. So if you think your pastor might be interested give them the info from the link I provided, they must request an invitation to be invited there. They also have a house in Wisconsin, which we stayed at about 2 1/2 years ago, and one in Texas, which we hope to make it to one day. We hope to enjoy our time away. Maria will be at my parents, and will enjoy every minute of her time we're sure!

We have plenty to praise God for; time to connect with our Creator.

ooo la la...

Maria doing her dog imitation.

Isn't that tail cute?

Well, Maria was Fifi the poodle for Halloween...although we only went to about 10 houses. We just wanted to dress her up in this cute costume I made Friday afternoon for only $3. She enjoyed making her dog imitation, panting with her tongue sticking out. We got to eat some yummy chocolate after we got back...ah, the joys of parenthood!

Enjoying some loot!

We have plenty to praise God for; an oh-so-cute poodle!