Uh Oh!!

Okay, I said I would try to blog at least twice a month and today is the last day of January. So here is my blog entry.

Not much to say except that I'm enjoying the opportunity to get a little bit organized. As soon as I finish here I'm heading upstairs to clean out my gift wrap boxes and a couple of other items in the master bedroom. That will make the master happy and that is always a good idea!

January 27, 2011

Well, it is my intent to blog on a more regular basis. That would mean that I would take the time to journal and add pictures more than twice a year. I'm actually thinking that I might try for twice a month. Hmmm...that might be a bit ambitious, especially since January is almost over, but a person has to start somewhere. So, if you are actually reading this you are one of the lucky few to be prepared for all the amazing things you will read on my blog this year. Check back soon for the next fantastic entry.

Safari

Traveling to Kenya was about working at Amani and our day with World Vision. The bulk of our time was spent in those endeavors and we were all truly blessed with our opportunities to serve. In the midst of that work God gave us the amazing experience of going on safari. Over the weekend we flew to the Masai Mara which is in the south west portion of Kenya right on the Tanzanian border. Our flight took about 45 minutes and was an experience in and of itself. The rather steep landing took us all by surprise. The hotel was wonderful and the food delicious. Even though we had only been working for a week at Amani, we were ready for a break and a chance to relax. Here we are at the Wilson airport outside of Nairobi with our laminated boarding cards waiting for our flight.

We are on safari!! Notice the giraffes in the background. This is our first day out and we are having a ball. Already we have seen elephants, zebra, wildebeest, gazelle, impalas, giraffe, and lions. It is so fun we can hardly contain ourselves. This lone female lion was on the hunt. Our vehicle parked in a great spot to observe her movements. She was searching in holes and looking for dinner. We quietly watched and snapped pictures as she came closer and closer to us. Ultimately she walked within feet of my spot in the vehicle creating some consternation with some in our car. It was awesome. Another of the big cats, this family of cheetahs posed for us. They are beautiful animals with the tear marks on their faces and grand posture. We also saw a leopard crouched in a tree. My pictures of it are terrible but I do have some just to prove I finally saw a leopard. Elephants are one of my favorite animals in Africa and I never tire of observing them in the wild. When we landed at the Masai Mara there was a small herd near the runway. We first spotted them before landing and then had a close up view as we drove to our hotel. The airport is visible in the background. It's a dirt runway with a covered area to wait for the plane. Giraffes are fascinating creatures to watch. They move with such fluidity and grace for a rather awkward animal. It was great fun to be able to pet and feed them at the Giraffe center. I'll include a picture of that on another blog. This crocodile was at least 12 feet long and we were standing not more than 10 feet away. Okay, we were on top of a steep bank so it felt safe. Pretty cool.

TODAY!!!!

Today at 5:30 P.M. we leave for the airport where we will board a British Airways plane and begin the trek to Kenya. It is weird to think the time has come. Time has moved quickly to this date and I know that it will seem no time at all when we are boarding that plane to come home. Pray for us.

More to come.....

Kenya

Today is Tuesday and Thursday evening I leave for Kenya along with three other women. I am both very excited and very nervous. The excited part is obvious. Going to Kenya is great fun, I will have the opportunity to reconnect with old friends, serve the Lord as I serve the women of Amani, go on safari which is always fun and this trip is an adventure. The nervous part comes from being the 'in charge' person for our missions trip.

The other ladies going along (Nancy, Amber and Brianna) are not exactly babies that I need to care for but I am the go-to person. Doug is not coming and I've always traveled in Africa with him by my side. He is the one I normally consult with and share the experience. This is going to be so different. It is truly making me depend on the Lord in a whole new way. There is no one else to go to. That is a good thing. It is always a good thing to have my faith stretched. It is good to remember that no matter who is by my side, ultimately it is only God by my side that matters.

Be sure to check back in July for the pictures and updates from this exciting adventure.

Grandbabies

It has been quite a long time since I've bothered to blog about anything in my life. It's not as if nothing of significance has happened, I've just been too lazy to write about it. In the last couple of months I traveled to Kansas City, MO. to help Joan get settled into her new house. We had a blast shopping and decorating Jack and Joan's beautiful new house. The next week Joan came to S. Cal and my sisters and I celebrated by birthday. It was a great day all about me! Of course we had to stop at Jon and Julie's house to spend some time with them and Maddie.

May found Amy and I traveling to Washington to spend time with David and Rachel. Doug, Heidi and Josie came up a couple of days later and we had such a wonderful time all together. Washington provided us with some beautiful clear but cold days and some rain. We went for walks, shopped in the antique stores of Lynden, helped decorate David and Rachel's kitchen, played Wii, kayaked, ate out and just had lots of fun. Doug and I at The Woods coffee shop where Rachel is manager.

David taking care of a sick Josephine. She was sick with a fever for two days. Poor baby.

Rachel, Heidi and Amy enjoying bags of potato chips.

Doug, Heidi, Amy, David and Rachel went kayaking one day while I stayed to care for the sick baby. No kayaks in this picture but I thought you might want to see David and Rachel.

But what has finally made me take time to blog? Grandchildren, of course!! First let's take June 6 which happens to be Josie's first birthday party. That's right she is now 1 year old. She is a total joy in our lives and we get the added pleasure of having her and her parents live with us. That gives us lots of time to be with her and watch her grow and learn. Here are few pictures from the party. Heidi and Amy joining Josie in the pointing game. Josie likes to point at everything and then expects someone to get 'it' for her. Whatever the 'it' might be.

Heidi, Josie and Caleb looking very happy to celebrate her birthday. The other thing contributing to the smiles is finally announcing to everyone that Weston baby #2 is due in December. The family is growing. Josie, however, has no idea how her life will change. It's good to just let her enjoy being the center of attention for as long as possible.

The birthday girl and her cupcake. Turns out she didn't really like chocolate cake. I'm sure that will change in time.

Opening presents is always fun.

Great-grandparents are also fun.

The next morning, June 7, at 5:57 a.m. Henry Oliver Hammer joined the family. Julie had been in labor all day Sunday and we wondered if we would have two grandchildren with the same birthday. Henry decided to have his own day and arrived the day after Josie's birthday. Doug was in Cleveland for a business meeting so as soon as he arrived home on Tuesday we headed to San Diego to meet our newest grandchild. We spent the afternoon taking turns holding him and I think we could have continued for hours more if there wasn't a need to get home. After all, Doug was still on Cleveland time and had to work the next day.

The proud parents with their new son. We didn't get to see Maddie with her brother but look forward to seeing her next weekend when we again head to San Diego to get more grandchild time.

By the way, the quilt was my gift to Henry which I managed to finish the night before, just in time.

It's About Time

Okay, I get ragged on for not posting to my blog. Even though I'm often tempted to write, there are never any pictures to post and the pictures are the best part. Today I'm writing this to let anyone who actually attempts to read my blog know that I'm still around and able to write. Maybe after Easter I'll have some pictures and more to say. For now, just read old posts.