Sunday, October 5, 2014

Andrew's Accident

Last Tuesday, our son, Andrew, took a load of hogs to the slaughtering plant, which is approximately 80 miles north of here. This is something that happens almost weekly here, and has for at least fifteen years. Usually the hogs are delivered in the morning, requiring the driver to go through Des Moines during drive time. Right now (and the last two years, for that matter) the road is under construction with a barrier dividing the north and south bound lanes. The north bound lane actually goes down to one lane for just a bit.

Andrew was on his way home, and was just getting south of Des Moines when he noticed a semi swerving in the north-bound lane. The next thing he knew, the semi crashed through the barrier and hit a south bound semi, and laid over on its side. The cab pretty much just fell apart. Andrew was following the south bound semi, and he had to stop. He doesn't really know what he hit, but his truck is totaled. The front is all smashed up, and thankfully, his air bag inflated. The gooseneck crashed up against the back window of the truck and broke it, but fortunately, did not go further. I like to think that the angel of the Lord stopped that trailer from going further. Andrew crawled out of the window. He walked over to see if he could help the trucker from the first truck get out, but he was already out. As far as we know, he was okay. The driver of the second semi suffered a collapsed lung. There was one other car involved also, and we don't know that he was hurt either, although all of the other drivers went to the hospital. Andrew declined, but later went to the doctor because his knees hurt so much. The x-ray showed they weren't broken. I guess they slammed up against the dash during impact, which caused the soreness.

The interstate was closed for nine hours following the accident. Andrew and Nicole went to Des Moines Thursday and saw the truck and trailer. Nicole's comment, "It's sobering." Andrew's comment, "I don't see how anyone got out of there alive." There are certainly a lot of miracles associated with the whole accident. God is faithful. And good. It is a loud reminder to celebrate the people in our lives.

There are photos at the following link if you want to see them.
http://whotv.com/2014/09/30/semi-rollover-completely-blocking-i-35/

Sunday, August 3, 2014

Sibling Retreat

Last week Noah's siblings and spouses met in Northern Illinois for a sibling retreat. We are scattered from Pennsylvania to Colorado, representing six states. We stayed at a resort on the beach of Lake Michigan.
 
 
We enjoyed strolling along the beach and took couples' pictures.






 
Every family has a clown, right? Sam showed us that he is still able to stand on his head.

 
Some of the men sitting around the fire ring and chewing the fat.

 
Later we all hung out in the lobby.

 
At 5 a.m. the next morning twelve of us went fishing on the lake.

 
Coast guard regulations require no more than six on a boat, so we split into two boats.

 
Israel displays the king salmon he reeled in.

 
Our catch of the day ~ some rainbow trout, lake trout, and one king salmon.

 
After a delicious meal, which included part of our catch, we all gathered in front of the resort to have group photos taken. There are ten siblings, so with us spouses, we totaled twenty.

 
A hug from our sweet server, whom we sweet talked into doing the photo shoot.

 
This group came from Pennsylvania and Virginia in this motor home.

 
Noah and I enjoy wading in the shallow waters.

Sunday, June 15, 2014

A Wedding in the Family

 

The Rehearsal

 
 
Nicole and her dad

 
I love how happy Andrew looks on here... and his dad doesn't look unhappy either.
 
We were able to have the rehearsal dinner in a nearby park. 

 
Enjoying the food.

 
Signing the marriage license.
 

The Wedding Day


 
Nicole's mom did all the decorating.
 

 
Each table was done in one of these three settings.


 
A large picture of Andrew and Nicole adorned the mantel.

 
Reception overview.

 
Ready for the ceremony, which was outside, on a beautiful June day.

 
Nicole's mom did these decorations also.

 
Karen buttons a few of the many tiny buttons.

 
And then I take a turn while Nicole's mom looks on.

 
Stunning bride.

 
Dave and Jana pose for me.

 
Karen takes responsibility to attach the boutonnieres.

 
The wedding was held at the Iowa State University Alumni Center.
 

 
The departure. (I let the photos in between up to the professional.) It was a lovely wedding, and we have gained a sweet daughter.

Sunday, May 18, 2014

Homespun Stars

When I asked Nicole if she wanted me to make a quilt for her and Andrew, she promptly said, "Yes!" She paged through several of my quilting patterns and books. But her search ended abruptly when she came across this pattern. Her words were, "It is so me!" And what fun I had putting it together for them!  
 
 
The wedding is less than three weeks away! We are all getting so excited!



Thursday, May 15, 2014

One College Graduation...After Another...After Another

This spring three members of our family received their college degrees.
 
 
The first graduate was our daughter, Carla, who graduated with a Business degree from Ohio State.
 

 
There were 10,200 graduates at OSU, but less than 8,000 walked. They just kept coming and coming!

 
They walked all the way across the stadium to their assigned places.

 
They had quite the pattern, but it all worked out!

 
They pretty much filled up that side of the stadium.

 
Soldiers ready to raise the flag.

 
And she flies!

 
Carla is waving to us in this photo. The business graduates were seated in a section below us. (There were over 1000 of them.)

 

 
The graduates filing to get their diplomas.

 
Congratulations, Carla!

 
Carla poses in front of the buildings where her education occurred.

 
 
 

 
Five days later we attended Ryan's graduation from Southwestern Community College in Creston, Iowa. In contrast to Ohio State, there were less than 100 graduates, which was nice because the ceremony didn't last longer than one hour.

 

 
Ryan majored in Ag ~ Crop Production to be exact.

 
I actually got him to pose for me!

 
Filing out. Can you find Ryan? Pretty much in the center.
 

 
An informal pic with his dad, Andrew, and Nicole.

 
The next day we went to Ames, Iowa, to attend Nicole's graduation at Iowa State University. The first two rows are filled with her cheering committee. ;)

 
I don't know how many graduates there were. Just guessing maybe 3000. The first ones to enter were the Ag students, which was Nicole's major.
 

 
There were over 600 of them.

 
We spotted Nicole early on. She is at the end of the next to the last row.
 
 
More graduates enter.

 
They pretty much filled up the floor and sides.

 
Hugs from her brother, Brody, while other brother, Blake looks on.

 
Andrew and Nicole.
 
Congratulations to all of you!