More on Emily's birthday

When we finished Jason and Jeffrey's quilt last summer, we started on a quilt for Emily. It had been mostly set aside because of the busyness of life and school, but after my trip to MO, I determined to get it done. I finished with the quilt top the week before Emily's birthday, and it is now in MO at the quilter's.

Emily was thrilled to get a box in the mail containing a violin shoulder rest! Tim and Brenda ordered it for her birthday.

When Michael Durkee was up for the weekend, he brought Emily a BLUE bow for her violin! It is very nice!

Emily got some new Sunday shoes and a new bike helmet, but they were things she needed. For a surprise, I ordered the game "Have You Herd?" on amazon.com for her birthday. We had played it at a homeschool game day and enjoyed it.

Here Beth and Emily are playing the game.

Beth ordered the whole set of Mildred Keith books for Emily. She will have plenty of books to read for awhile! Emily loves to read!

On her birthday evening, we had two friends over for supper and games. Celeste Roller and Lily Myers are special friends. Since her birthday was on a Tuesday, of course we had Taco Salad. That's what we do on Tuesdays!

We had a great time playing Have You Herd?, The Great Aunt Marlene game, Apples to Apples, and Pit. The time went much too quickly.

Emily had a happy 11th birthday! Several people called, sent cards, and sent greetings via email and facebook, so she felt loved and remembered!

Emily's 11th Birthday

Eleven years ago tonight, I was miserable! Our 6th child was recalcitrant about coming forth and joining our family. My niece, Christy, who was living with us to help during that time, convinced me to drink Castor Oil to get the baby moving. It did work, and at 11:30 pm we called the hospital and the doctor to warn them we were coming. I was afraid the baby would be born on the way there! When we arrived, we discovered the doctor had not been in as big a hurry as we were. I tried to wait on him, but decided he had had plenty of warning to get there in time from a few blocks away while we drove to Greeley from Johnstown (about 18 miles). An ER intern was summoned and very shortly after midnight Emily Grace Albertson was born. The doctor arrived in time for the cleanup. What a joy to have another baby girl! This was when she was a week or so old:

I love this picture so much! She was almost 2 months old and is wearing the sweet outfit my friend, Lynell Kirk sent for her:

She is just over 3 months in this picture:

We have many pictures of her all the years of her life, but I will put in some recent ones now.

Emily is anxious for the day when she will be taller than Mother. It won't be long. She is a social butterfly and enjoys having lots of friends, mostly homeschoolers. She is learning to play the violin, that God, in answer to her prayers, provided for her birthday.

We are blessed to have Emily in our family for the past 11 years. Tomorrow, we will have three of her friends over for supper and a time of playing games to celebrate her birthday. Her email is Emily [dot] ggn [at] gmail [dot] com . She enjoys getting emails, and would love to have greetings on her birthday.

Johnstown Albertson Kids' Music

We are so richly blessed this year by our children's enhanced musical skills. The sounds of their music practicing makes our home an audible delight! Thanks, Janet, for your diligence in teaching them to sing, and thanks to each of the children for their faithfulness and dedication to habitually practicing. I have placed here the children informally practicing a song that they sang in church last Sunday, and Jason playing the same song on the piano. Soon I'll take some clips of Jason playing his cello, and Emily playing her new violin. I thank the Lord for each of you children!

Jeff - Tenor, Beth -Lead, Jason - Bass, Emily - Alto

More High School Friends

While I was in Joplin last week, some of the girls I graduated with 30 years ago got together at Starbuck's. We had a nice time visiting and getting reacquainted!
Pictured below: Gay Cragin Currence, me, Martha Lee Walker, Debbie Ames Restivo, Karen Patterson Hall

Karen and Gay

Pictured below: me, Judy Green Gurley, Martha Lee Walker, Debbie Ames Restivo

Musical Instrumental Endeavors

Late last year, Jason developed a desire to learn to play the cello. We greatly admire our friend, Doug Wiseman, and enjoy his music so much (which we heard up at Faith Bible School a couple of years ago, and we hear occasionally at Hobe Sound Bible Church online). Also, Rowen played the cello in grade school many years ago, so it has always been a favorite instrument in his life. We looked into the possibilities of renting a cello and taking lessons. Since Jason had a job last summer, he has money saved to do this without it affecting the family budget.

He has had 4 lessons so far from a home school student who is quite an accomplished cellist. He is using Suzuki method and doing very well.

Janet also is trying to learn to play the cello. I don't know if I can keep up with Jason, but I am trying. I am using a book The ABCs of Cello for the Absolute Beginner. I figure I am even more of an "absolute beginner" than Jason. :)

Emily has wanted to play the violin for at least a year. We told her she would have to pray for a violin and for money for lessons. She has been praying for God to provide. First, she had the opportunity to help babysit with Beth. Then, a couple of weeks ago, the lady that she babysits for asked her if she needed a violin for her birthday or if she already had one. She had one that had never been used and wanted to give it to Emily! What a huge answer to prayer!

We have a book The ABCs of Violin for the Absolute Beginner that we are going to use before she starts lessons. God has given her the desire to play violin, He has provided the violin, and we are confident He will give her increasing ability for His glory!

My Joplin Trip

Back in November when we saw a good price on airline tickets to KCI, we purchased them so I could go and help with Randy and Joy's new baby who was supposed to arrive in February. Micah actually arrived January 26, so he was already 3 weeks old when I went to "help" with him.
So on February 17, I did something I had not done for 25 years--flew alone! I rented a car at the airport and drove to Joplin. The Lord really helped me, as I usually get very sleepy just driving to Greeley or Loveland. I was happy to spend a week helping with Quil and Micah and many household tasks. I got to spend some time with my parents also. One evening was spent playing Dutch Blitz, Clue, and Password with Randy, Joy, Tim, and Brenda! We had a lot of fun. My family left here at home did me proud by keeping everything done just as if they didn't need me! :) Here are some pictures from my time in Joplin.
My sisters, Sherry and Marlene, enjoying Micah.

Randy and Quil

Joy, Micah, and the cell phone

My mother, Wanda Scoles, and Micah

Quil, 20 months old

Quil and Micah

Grandma Janet and Micah

Micah doing what he does best....

My daddy, Rex Scoles, and Quil

Our new Town Hall

Rowen, Jeff, Beth, Jason, and Emily missed having Janet along as we joined many others celebrating the opening of our new town hall this morning, Feb. 21, 2009. We have only lived in this small town for 20 years, and I was amazed at how many people, young and old, that I knew or recognized. Kind of a good feeling to live in one of the remaining safe, comfortable places in this world.

I can't resist sharing more pictures!

There's nothing sweeter than a grandson......

........

....Unless it is having two grandsons!

I can hardly wait to see them!

Pictures and prayers: all we have right now!

We haven't met little Micah in person yet, but Randy has sent us some more pictures from last week. I, Janet, am planning to fly to see him on Feb. 17 and stay for a week. In the meantime we are doing a lot of praying for him and his family. The SD flu bug flew in over the weekend and bit Joy and Quil. Today they are over the very high fevers, but are weak and coughing still. We are trusting that Micah and Randy will stay well. We are glad Joy's mother is there helping during this time.

Joy and Micah with flowers from Randy

Joy and Micah with flowers and balloons from her parents

Micah wrapped in the crocheted blanket from Great-grandma Scoles

More Micah Moments

Here is another picture of Micah in the "got milk?" onesie. Today Joy told me that his hands and feet are no longer blue and the bruising is fading on his forehead. These are pictures from yesterday.

I love this picture. Quil is looking at Mommy for permission to touch, while Daddy is looking at baby!

Quil loves his little brother. He loves to hold him and kiss him.

Quil looks so big and grown up compared to 7 # Micah! We are very thankful to God for both of our grandsons!

Some good news, for a "change". Pun intended!

I apologize for the poor quality: these are cell phone pictures, but they are all we have so far! We received this picture late last night! It is our new grandson, Micah Rowen Albertson, who was born 1/26/09 at 10:55pm CST. He weighed 7 # and measured 19 3/4 inches long. He insisted on coming out forehead first, so got pretty bruised on the forehead. This picture was taken when he was a few minutes old!

This picture was taken this morning, when Auntie Brenda was holding him. He looks very sweet and peaceful. I love his onesie!

This is when Quil got introduced to his new brother and playmate this morning. Quil had spent most of the time since Sunday dinner with Uncle Tim and Aunt Brenda, or with Great-grandpa and ma Scoles. I'm sure he was glad to see his mommy and daddy again. I hope he will quickly learn to love his precious brother.

Here Micah is all dressed up in clothes. Because his daddy drank coffee, he was born naked! So we are glad to see he has some clothes now!

We will be adding more pictures when we get more!
We are thanking the Lord for Micah's safe arrival, for His help to Joy, and the blessing of new life!