Shirley Vanderhoff - Happy Lilac Day

My mom - what can I say? She is amazing. The cutest little thing ever when she was little.
All she wanted to do is grow up and be a mother.
Her wishes and dreams came true. She married the same man that she is still with!

My mom taught me how to eat, spoonful by spoonful. Now, I still struggle with that dang spoon, it doesn't know how to stop. I kind of miss the airplane sounds. Today, mom struggles to eat, has to work harder to swallow and keep the food in her mouth. I will eat for you.


My mom taught me to speak. Sometimes I wonder if she worked a little too hard at that. Now, my mom can barely speak - no volume, and the words don't come out right all the time. It doesn't matter to me - I really care about what she wants to say and will work extra hard to listen. I will keep speaking as long as I can.

My mom taught me how to walk. I love walking. In fact, I am going to walk 200 miles in Spain come October. Now, she is unable to walk like she taught me how. I will walk for you.

My mom potty trained me, only to realize that we wet our pants together so many many times because we could not stop laughing. Now, my mom has to take extra measures to not have accidents. I will keep wetting my pants for you from laughter. I promise.

My mom taught me how to drive - now I drive people crazy sometimes. It is my mom's fault.

Mom - we have shared so many wonderful events together! Maui many times, Palm Springs a zillion times, Brown's Bay, Leavenworth, BUDAPEST, California to Jordan's Opera, I could go on and on.

Today,as I prepare for our annual church BBQ on Mothers Day - I remember that our very first one was in honor of you! The lilacs bloom on this day - for you! I want to call today Lilac Day - your and mine favorite flower.

I love you to death and fully in life.

The most precious gift you gave me is introducing me to your best friend Jesus.

21!

A sweet friend is turning 21 tomorrow. I asked her what it means to her - and asked her to write it to me. This will serve to document her momentous occasion. I was telling her that when I turned 21, drinking was not even on my mind at all! For me, it just felt like I was really on my own now and need to be adult.......(I promise to go wine tasting with you...instead of me tasting while you take pictures - haha) Love you Kelly!

She said, "Turning 21 means more than just being able to drink legally. It's not all about drinking, it's a starting point of a new responsibility. It's also a way to learn how to control yourself.

A lot of people depend on alcohol for coping reasons. Now that I will be able to buy alcohol at anytime, I'm going to try to remain strong and put my trust in the Lord and to never turn to alcohol for the wrong reasons.

I look forward to being able to sip on a beer with my dad, mom, sister, aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends whenever I want to. It's a way to bond, and to feel closer with them.

Turning 21 is a privilege and alcohol should not be taken advantage of. I've already gone down that path, and it didn't make me happy at all. It helped nothing, and created memories and rumors that I am not proud of.

I will also be able to rent a car from Enterprise without being charged for being under the age of 21 haha.

Becoming 21 is a whole new responsibility that I believe I am ready to tackle.

I look forward to buying my first bottle of wine all by myself. I love drinking a small glass of wine after dinner or before bed. It's good for you, it's delicious, and it's just a way to wind down from the day and get ready for the next one. I can't wait to go wine tasting and go to breweries! Learning about what you consume is important, and I feel like if you learn about it, you will have more respect for it."

Easter Song - Nothing More Need Be Said

Hear the bells ringing
They're singing that you can be born again
Hear the bells ringing
They're singing Christ is risen from the dead

The angel up on the tombstone
Said He has risen, just as He said
Quickly now, go tell his disciples
That Jesus Christ is no longer dead

Joy to the world, He has risen, hallelujah
He's risen, hallelujah
He's risen, hallelujah

Hear the bells ringing
They're singing that you can be healed right now
Hear the bells ringing, they're singing
Christ, He will reveal it now

The angels, they all surround us
And they are ministering Jesus' power
Quickly now, reach out and receive it
For this could be your glorious hour

Joy to the world, He has risen, hallelujah
He's risen, hallelujah
He's risen, hallelujah, hallelujah

The angel up on the tombstone
Said He has risen, just as He said
Quickly now, go tell his disciples
That Jesus Christ is no longer dead

Joy to the world, He has risen, hallelujah
He's risen, hallelujah
He's risen, hallelujah
Hallelujah

Happy Birthday Jason, and his requested Chinese Food

NOW I remember why I stopped cooking Chinese food - it takes FOREVER to prepare:
I have always been one to peel mushrooms - yes, peel mushrooms. Some Chinese chef told me this when I was learning to cook like this (in Maui when we were first married) I curse that day and that suggestion - but ya gotta admit, they look amazing peeled.
Jason requested Beef Tomato for his birthday dinner. He has always loved this. None of us could remember the last time I made it.....at all...they all think I have not cooked it in this house that we have lived in for nearly 15 years!
No Tolentino birthday is complete without a special ice cream cake (from my sister Janice's recipe) - they get to choose what kind of ice cream...Jason said "As always, chocolate chip mint"
I HATE pictures with ugly Safeway bags in the background...really I do.

♥ The LORD make His face shine on you, And be gracious to you ♥

You all must remember about our dear neighbors the Spencer's - Nov. 2010 Joe was diagnosed with rare cancer. He was granted much longer than the doctors predicted - but it appears the end may be near.

Please pray for Joe, Valerie, Chynna and Paxton. So thankful that Joe's mom and family from Hawaii have been here with him for a month (and were able to see snow!) Chynna is able to leave her studies for a few days to be home, and Paxton is doing a wonderful job of taking care of his dad. and Valerie remains a positively wonderful caregiver.

We love you ~

♥ The LORD make His face shine on you, And be gracious to you ♥

Dear Daddy

Dad,

I know you never planned to have anyone but yourself take care of you and mom. You have been a strong, brave, wise, gentle, and generous man all my life.

You have put the needs of your family in the forefront of your hard work. You have planned and planned and planned again for your future.

You have done everything right.

You did not plan mom's stroke, nor your Alzheimer's. Try as you may, there are things that cannot be changed.

After her stroke left her unable to do most things herself, you cared for mom for three years all by yourself. It is time to allow others to do that now, and I know how hard that is for you.

You struggled that I would go to the doctor with you - after-all, YOU once drove with me on your lap to the emergency room with a chicken bone stuck in my throat. Things are different now - only slightly. I HAD to go because you don't remember things, and Del (brother-in-charge) doesn't hear well. Remember at lunch? I explained one more time that you don't remember things too well, and Del doesn't hear well. We were talking about the soup of the day right after this conversation: and you asked Del "What kind is it?" and he replied "11:45". Yes - true story! We laughed. Please keep laughing.

I admire you so much for graciously accepting the doctor's diagnosis like the true hero you have always been to me. After way too long waiting to get a blood draw, we came home slightly exhausted and had a glass of wine. Life is STILL good and we can still celebrate life..

I want you to know, believe and embrace - that you will never ever be a burden to any of us. WE were the burden - raising FIVE strong-willed Vanderhoff children had to have been the hugest burden of history! (We won't even go there at this letter)

Knowing how strong, proud and stubborn you are - makes it even more difficult for you to allow us to help. Having been raised in a loving family, always knowing I was safe with you and that you would do anything to ensure my well being, I lovingly and openly commit to caring for you when you become unable to.

It is a PLEASURE and complete HONOR that you would allow me to do ANYTHING for you. Please bury this deep in your heart and hold it close at all times - I love you and want to help in any way that I can. To deny that is to deny my love for you.

I ask just one thing if it be possible - please do not lose the ability to laugh at my jokes. Please?

I love you Dad ~ so much.

Two by Two

Posting no pictures today. Capturing memories - holding on to yesterdays.

Since her 2 strokes, my beautiful believing mom has a hard time speaking, yet she keeps talking. She can barely walk, yet she keeps on going. (She can do the computer)

My generous and very stubborn dad has now joined the citizenship of Alzheimer's sufferers.

Talk about a deadly duo - my head is spinning and my heart is churning.

Sermon at my mom's church this morning: Faith is multiplied by His people. This is one true fruit of the spirit - faith. By His work in our lives, His faith is multiplied - to those whom our lives touch.

My sweet mom sang "Jesus Loves Me" on videos today on Facebook - in spite of how her voice and words sound.

God bless my mom.......so much......and please, save my dad so he can know this same faith and peace. (He cannot do the computer)

Snow Time

Jordan came from Maui to join us for some snow time. We stayed in Leavenworth. View from our condo

The kids went snowmobiling on a 60 mile adventure. Julianne said "take my picture! I love my brothers!"


While the kids had their fun, we went to Squirrel Tree Inn for a quick lunch.



We tried Snowshoeing for the first time while kids were on their adventure - hiked up to see panoramic view of Beaver Valley. Beautiful.

Old Dog New Tricks

You CAN teach an old dog new tricks. Super beautiful, quiet, peaceful....

Mochi Fest

Whenever our relatives come visit from Maui, they bring mochi and manju from Homemade Bakery. Al-la-la it is so delicious. WELL, Jordan is visiting and neglected to bring it! So, on a slow Saturday morning I got the idea of trying to copy our favorite bakery with these weird delicacies. I have made various mochi lots, but never filled with red bean paste - this was my goal for today.

The internet is an awesome place - I had ideas, but could not find how to do them anywhere. After reading many blogs, and tried making the soft mochi with red bean paste inside. However, I didn't want to do it the long-suffering old-fashioned way. SO, I did them in a mini muffin pan. This is how it looked right out of pan...
After dusting with potato starch....NEXT, I added a few eggs to batter, and placed them in a regular size muffin pan. These are Joseph's favorite, although he does not understand why in the world I would put food coloring in them.
Since I was on a roll, I thought, Hmm...I wonder what the difference between manju and mochi is - manju is wheat flour and mochi sweet rice flour. I did it! They actually look pretty close to Homemade Bakery too. We DID determine that the Canola oil I used had too much flavor in it - causing the manju to "taste like my mom's fried Talapia" ( which we figured out was the oil taste)
Last but not least I tried the pan kind, layering the red bean paste in it - which was very difficult to spread on warm layers. I have to improve on this one somehow. It is VERY delicious, but tough to handle. This is before the dusting - post-dusting they are beautiful but too soft.
I may have to do it the old fashioned way, but who ever has a whole day for this kind of thing?

Dances With Wolves/Singing With Whales

I cannot help but think how beautiful it is that Jordan sings with whales...I mean, WITH whales - IN the water with them. Super cool.

Dejavu

A friend of mine went through a divorce 3 years ago. Thankfully, they had no children. They parted ways because he had an affair, left her for another woman, and told her his new woman is way better than she is.

For the last 3 years, her ex has repeatedly attacked her, threatened her, told her how great his life is without her, etc.

At times, he wanted to meet with her over coffee, just to talk. He always told her that he is sorry for hurting her, but that he is a stronger person for it. He kept repeating to her some mumble jumbo that he would do it all over again. (My friend did not feel any need to meet for coffee.) THIS struck a chord with me for sure - if he says he wouldn't change the way his life went, wouldn't change a thing: then she needs to stay far away from him.

The fighting over property has been mild, yet constant. As recent as 3 months ago, he threatened to call the police on her for something that he lost in his moving around.

WELL, this week she got a wedding invitation from him! Really?

We had a long talk. Bottom line is that she is happy he has found a new family - but it will be without her in his life. She is free from wanting him back - he left her, and now that he is getting married my friend feels a certain freedom. She is more fully released from having to deal with him...in good or bad. This is a finality for her to move on and be healed.

Boundaries are OK and are healthy. Sometimes you have to move on in life without people who were a part of your life, however big or small.

There is such thing as Necessary Endings.

Super eery how I can relate to her story....NOT with my husband though. He has always been faithful.

God bless her. She has a brand new start in life and she is going to be great.

SNOWBQ

I am on a roll. One liners. YES. I coined a new term I have NEVER heard before:

SNOWBQ

- this is a barbecue in the snow. Yes. We had one tonight.

Every Friday Night

Yes oh yes - I am going to go every Friday night to this....well, at least every Friday night in February, March, April and May :)

Click to enlarge pic:

This Cannot Be!

Our last of five children, my tom boy - Julianne Grace, (the short asian-ish-looking one) is becoming a beautiful young lady! (OK OK she IS sticking her tongue out - I see that). Daddy Joseph is not handling it well - AT ALL. She had a party (high school!) to go to - the theme was to wear black and white. Daddy was HORRIFIED when she did not wear her BLACK AND WHITE BASKETBALL JERSEY!!! I mean, really, REALLY, she HAD a perfect black and white to wear!

But no, she got this adorable black and white outfit out. Oh man oh man...we are not ready for this. Brother Jaron and his "friend" Andrea said "SHE LOOKS LIKE KIM KARDASHIAN!" THIS put Daddy Joseph OVER the edge again - he exclaimed "I don't know WHY she didn't just wear her cool black and white jersey!!!!!"

I must say - at 15, she has the SWEETEST heart and most precious love and gratitude for life. Almighty, most sovereign God, please keep her close to your heart.

Yup

New family activity on the horizon. We have a trip planned when Jordan will be home from Maui. We need to rub his face in some snow to remind him of his roots.

Paleo Diet

Julianne and her friend, who does Crossfit, were going to do the Paleo Diet, which is also nicknamed the Cave Man Diet. It is an eating challenge to eat as the cave men ate.

They were excited to do this for the health benefits, since they both workout a lot.

They started Monday.

Monday - they caved in.

Tuesday - they caved in.

Julianne ate Panda Express and Kaley are Taco Time. Julianne said "Hey! There were Asian cave men too!"

I renamed it "Man you Caved" diet.

Moved to Tears at the Piano

This song, along with beautiful, loving voices raising praise to God moved me to tears as I played piano this first day of 2012.

Words by Ho­ra­ti­us Bo­nar, 1842. Bo­nar wrote these words while su­per­in­tend­ent of the Sun­day school at the Church of St. James, Leith. It was one of the first hymns he wrote, and the on­ly one he com­posed spe­ci­fic­al­ly for his Sun­day school stu­dents. It was sung for the first time on New Year’s Day, 1843. Bo­nar pub­lished it in his Songs for the Wil­der­ness the fol­low­ing year.
A few more years shall roll,
A few more seasons come,
And we shall be with those that rest
Asleep within the tomb;
Then, O my Lord, prepare
My soul for that great day.

Refrain

O wash me in Thy precious blood,
And take my sins away.

A few more suns shall set
O’er these dark hills of time,
And we shall be where suns are not
A far serener clime:
Then, O my Lord, prepare
My soul for that blest day.

Refrain

A few more storms shall beat
On this wild rocky shore,
And we shall be where tempests cease,
And surges swell no more;
Then, O my Lord, prepare
My soul for that calm day.

Refrain

A few more struggles here,
A few more partings o’er,
A few more toils, a few more tears,
And we shall weep no more:
Then, O my Lord, prepare
My soul for that bright day.

Refrain

A few more Sabbaths here
Shall cheer us on our way,
And we shall reach the endless rest,
Th’eternal Sabbath day;
Then, O my Lord, prepare
My soul for that sweet day.

Refrain

’Tis but a little while,
And He shall come again
Who died that we might live, who lives
That we with Him may reign;
Then, O my Lord, prepare
My soul for that glad day.

Refrain

(If interested in hearing the tune in Midi, my leastfavoriteformofmusicbutgivesyoutheidea - you can go to: http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/f/e/fewmorey.htm)