I know it has only been four days since I published the last edition of our newsletter but it has been a most abnormal week. And with next week being Spring Break I thought I'd better grab the time to write this when I could. Just looking at the schedule I'll feel lucky if I can write again before Easter.
AN UPDATE ON AUNT MAR. I think Aunt Mar is doing much better but it did take a day or two for her fighting spirit to break through the haze of pain medication. Yesterday she was moved to NHC Healthcare in Springfield for ten or so days of rehab. From Aunt Mar's point of view just being in a nursing home motivates her to work extra hard to get back on her feet as she DOES NOT want to be there any longer than those ten days.
OUT OF POCKET. As I reported last time Vicki is out of town visiting a friend. She left Friday morning and had a good flight. From talking to her on the phone they are having a good time together and I believe the visit is just what our friend needs right now. I am glad Vicki is able to go but the kids and I sure look forward to her return on Monday.
CHOIR PRACTICE. Our choir at church is scheduled to perform a musical titled You Are My Victory next Saturday evening (March 26) at 7:00 pm and again the next day for our Easter morning worship service. Vicki sings in the choir and is also part of an ensemble for one song. Since Easter comes early this year they have been practicing really hard. I am running the sound system for the musical and my first practice with the choir was Wednesday evening. Let's just say I have a lot of work to do to be ready for our performances. Looking at the practice schedule for this coming week I'd say I'll have ample opportunity though.
SOCCER PRACTICE. The spring soccer season at the YMCA is getting started. Jenna and Ben are both playing again this year. Ben missed his first practice on Monday due to his strep throat but Jenna was healthy for her practice on Thursday. Jenna moved up to a new age division and is one of the younger players on her team. She commented to Vicki about how the other kids could do more than she could and Vicki challenged her to work hard. I haven't seen a schedule but I'd say the first games will be the Saturday after Easter.
BIKING AROUND. You may remember that Ben got a bike for Christmas. Now that the weather is getting warmer he is really enjoying riding it on Pauline's driveway. He and I rode together after supper yesterday and had a good time. A little later Jenna and Nate came out. Nate gets up and down the drive by walking his tricycle as his legs are just a touch too short to operate the pedals. Jenna has asked me to remove her training wheels. She doesn't have the hang of it yet but she is persistent.
I told Jenna the story of when I first learned to ride without training wheels. Mr. Kenneth Swann (Kenny's dad) came over and took my training wheels off. He walked around with me for a few minutes before giving me a big push down the driveway which was also going downhill. It was either ride or crash and I'll never forget him laughing as I held on to those handlebars for dear life. I did, however, pedal my way back up the hill all by myself. All along the way I couldn't decide whether to be mad at him for pushing me or happy that I had ridden my bike.
CONVERSATIONS WITH NATE. Here is a conversation we had the other night.
"Nate do you know what time it is?"
"No!" [Enthusiastically.]
"Well, It's time to take your medicine."
"Eh-sin." [Medicine.]
"And it's time to brush your teeth."
"Teef."
And then it's time to go to bed."
"NOOOOO!!!"
Nate also likes to uncouple the cars from his train. His only problem is that he cannot couple them back together. Whenever this happens he finds me or Vicki and says, "Peas fiss." [Please fix.]
Joe
