Baby Rhoades is due anytime. And I know you are ready-ready-ready, but I am hoping you will wait until after your due date (the 20th)…just a smidge, mind you, and stop taking all these walks and eating all these things your friends are suggesting to get your labor going. I think when you understand my schedule, you will agree that waiting until March 21st or after will be best.
Tonight, fundraising dinner at The Stonebrook.
Tomorrow night, fundraising dinner at The Stonebrook.
Sunday-a day of rest. I will need one, don’t you agree?
Monday-plan for next week’s dinners and some meetings.
Tuesday night speak at a mommy’s group at New Hope
Wednesday night: Family Dinner for Wrex’s Wrunza’s on St Pat’s Day
Thursday night-taking some grandbebes to Annie for the last chance I will have to see it. (Dad will be performing in Annie through Saturday)
Friday night another big ministry event
Saturday night, yet another “Heaven Fest is coming!!” fancy-schmancy event-party-thing.
Whew!
So, you see, Jovan? Sunday the 21st is really the best option. Don’t you think so?
Haha. I didn’t think you would! : )
REALLY~ I can’t wait! Cannot wait!! In the midst of everything happening, there is NOTHING more important to me than the arrival of GRANDBEBE #6!!
And remember: I tried to help!
Forever 21 at Flatirons
We did a hardcore shopping marathon last Sunday: Jovan and Averi and me, Stormie, Stef and Tara and Dessa. I don’t like shopping much and Dessa hates it, but the company was delightful. And we thought if we walked Jovan all over for hours and hours, maybe labor would start. Nope. Huh-uh. Nothing. Didn’t happen. Just wore her totally out. But we tried and got some cute stuff in the process. So-that is something!
Watching and waiting and can’t wait for, you, sweet granbebe #6!!!!
5 pounds of MM Fondant (I am such a novice and not a sculptor, but people like fondant), over almond-bouquet buttercream over dark fudge chocolate cake (2-layer), filled with Oreo/chocolate-chip/milk-chocolate mousse. Created the baby’s bum and chunky legs from Rice Krispie treats because the thought of wrapping cake pieces made me hyperventilate. Averi’s feet were my inspiration.
Did it for Jovan, with love, as we anticipate new Baby Rhoades, to-be-born in 2 weeks.
Ruth 4. 15 For [my] daughter-in-law, who loves [me] and who is better to [me] than seven sons….
Neither Tredessa nor Averi could resist tickling the feet. The main cake, for size reference, is a 12″ cake, about 4″ high. So the baby is sort of a month or so old maybe, but with big feet? I don’t know…ever-so-slightly life-like in size…?
Tristan made a video for Stephanie’s birthday a couple of years ago, a re-enactment of a scene from “The Office,” where Jim is “conducting an experiement” in controlling Dwight. Gavin was “Jim” and Guini was “Dwight.” The only problem was that Dwight is an annoying jerk and Guini kept being so sweetly polite (like her Nonna).
Sometime after 11 pm last night, the views on this video went over 20,000! Isn’t that cool? My little grandbebes have brought joy to many Office viewers! If you watch it, go RATE it (no less than 5 stars, s’il te plait!).
You may as well enjoy the video my kids made me for Mother’s Day that year, too. It is my favorite Partridge family song ever.
Happy Birthday, sweet girl and totally terrific two-year-old toddler. Oh what a hilarious joy you are! Such a typical firstborn, ready to order your world, so prepared to be in charge of your new little sibling so soon. You have that head full of big, beautiful hair and are head strong and know how things should be. You have mastered the choleric-sanguine personality in your cheeky 34″ frame (with your 50 centimeter head circumference – though we suspect the doctor did not account for all the hair, or the unusually active, large and amazing brain-which runs in the family, ahem…).
Our current favorite activity, mine and Averi’s, is to watch babies laughing on Youtube together. Averi calls the shots. We have no more than laughed our heads off on one video when she has chosen her next choice from the suggested videos on the right column.
Averi: Nonna! I want that one! Do that one!
Me (seizing the opportunity for affection): Ok. You want that one? Gimme a kiss!
Averi: Ok. {smooch}
Then we watch the one she wanted. And we repeat the process. Over and over. Good times. She is my girl until Poppa walks in the door. Then I cease to exist, but it is good while it lasts!
Girl, you are princess-pink-and-polka-dots, rough-and-tumble-funny-girl and everything in between. I love you bunches!
Seventy-one years ago today Ressie Belle, widowed just weeks earlier by a tragic automobile accident, cradled you in her arms: a son who would carry on his father’s name, A. Ross Moslander.
That’s a tough start during hard times. But you have done that name proud. You’ve lived vigorously, for both yourself and the father you never knew.
No one in the world could ever doubt you were born for God’s purposes, papasan. Since you found Jesus and He found you under that starry sky on Missouri farmland when you were 15, you’ve been on an adventureous journey of faith with all the Type-A, driven energy of an Olympic runner, eyes set on the prize.
And you have spurred the rest of us along ~ thousands of friends and relatives and acquaintances and church members along the way, but especially your family, us kids. And your zeal burns hot into the next generation, your impact is just getting revved up. I am spending my life trying to keep up with my amazing dad.
You are the Psalms 127 and 128 man, dad. You are the man in Psalms 112: you are blessed and your children are mighty in the land. Your heart is steadfast, trusting in the Lord. Your family is fruitful and growing and you have received so much heritage from the Lord (talk about a full quiver!). Your sons and grandsons are like arrows in your hands – the enemy does not want to contend with you when he sees this army you have unleashed in the land! Look at your children and their children and now their children’s children: we all love you, honor you, respect you and celebrate you!
Happy birthday, holy man. Happy Birthday, my dad and my hero. I love you….Jeanie
NOTE TO SELF: Call dad. Wish him a happy birthday.
Youtube: Got together the other night for dinner and sang to you. Stephanie and Gavin weren’t there, but the rest of us Rhoades-Kelleys-Powers were.
Two days after Christmas, eight years ago, Stephanie married Tristan. The scene was Boulder Valley, with thousands and thousands of sparkling white lights, both inside the church and looking out over the Valley. An upside-down white Christmas tree (you kinda had to be there) with a sunburst of draped lighting marked the central floor for lovers dancing. Burgandy and winter white, food-laden tables and glittery woodland centerpieces. Lots of shimmery candles and traveling guests. It was beautiful and rich, it was Old World and modern. Stacks of cheesecakes instead of the usual bridal cake was the perfect compliment. Steph was dazzling, Tristan handsome. We could not have dreamed a better son-in-law for our little girl. He was the first to “join” us, but who can remember life before him?
8 Years and 3 kids later…
What I loved most about the day they were married? Tristan singing to Stephanie and watching her melt with adoration of him. What I love the most since? How they grow as a family and I still see Stephanie looking at Tristan the same way. They are cute, creative, interdependent, sufficient, lovely and unique. They are our kids and they’ve given us 3 of the 5 grandbebes. We are blessed!
Happy Anniversary, Tristan and Stephanie. Happy Anniversary and Love to the Kelley Family!
“Christmastime is a festive time – a time of parties and presents and songs that we all love, except for Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer, which I for one got tired of in approximately 1958, and which now causes me to dislocate my forefinger stabbing the car-radio button. I prefer traditional Christmas carols, such as Ding Dong Merrily on High. I am not making this carol up. The lyrics are:
“Ding dong merrily on high!”
(Something something something)
I don’t know the rest, because I never got past the first line without cracking up. This song used to absolutely slay me and my boyhood friends when we sang it in St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church in Armonk, N.Y. And no wonder: It is a well-known axiom of music, discovered in 1783 by Mozart (this was Herb Mozart), that “there is no such thing as a bad song that has ‘ding dong’ in the title.” Other examples are Ding Dong the Witch is Dead and Shama Lama Ding Dong, which is not to be confused with Rama Lama Ding Dong, also an excellent song…”
-A classic from Dave Barry’s column in 2004. You may read the rest, which is titled, “Who Named these Guys Wise Men?”, here.
Amy Jo and Damon welcomed Piper Johanna 6 days ahead of schedule.
Yeah! Baby Piper, due to arrive on Christmas Eve, arrived at 3:15 on Friday. Good tidings of great joy for Amy Jo and Damon, who were unable to join us for a little Christmas Merriment last night, but were having their own fa-la-la-la-la rejoicing! We (the “3rd Thursdays”, see above and please note the cute reindeer ornament I am wearing made by Chloe and Cody-so cute!) got to talk to new mommy on speaker phone and wish her merry merry times with Baby Girl, who is blond and, at least in this picture, looks just like her daddy. Welcome little Piper (I have a strong urge to call you Pipi ~ will your mama kill me??)!
Stormie was a Secret Santa at Work
She made an ornament from wire and old buttons and put chocolate under glass. Cute, eh?
“Christmas is coming, Christmas won’t wait. The presents need wrapping. I cannot be late!”– by me, actually, just this second. Destined to be a classic Christmas quote, I am certain.
Goody!! Jovan says we get to nominate names for baby-to-be (due in March). We each get to submit one girl’s name and one boy’s name as a back-up.
Boy name.
Even though Rocky & Jovan have already nixed it, my boy-name nomination remains: David Allen Rhoades III. When we named Rocky after Dave (not “junior,” but “David Allen Rhoades II”), we did it with an eye toward the future. Dave (the first) didn’t actually want to name a son after himself, but he was adopted and it just seemed, after Rocky was born, that it would be a nice way to leave legacy, a way for Dave to pass on something of himself into the future since he didn’t have a lot of past to give. And we did it with the thought that there would someday be a David Allen Rhoades III – never even considering that it wouldn’t be our choice to make! Haha!
We learned quickly, in 1984 (after only 10 or 11 days, I think), that having a second David in the house was going to be confusing, so new-baby-son became “Rocky” and has been known that way since. (Rocky after our favorite movie boxer, not the cereal, ice cream or TV show)
Rocky and Jovan won’t use my boy name nomination, but I submit it humbly, nonetheless. Not only is there the family-heritage piece, but there is David in the Bible and he was awesome!! So I will even suggest these possible nicknames for possible-baby-boy-Rhoades to be known by, since the family already has its’ share of Daves and Davids. He could be known as “Dusty” (an old family name), or even “Roman Rhoades.” “Country” would be interesting, or how about “Scholar?” All viable choices, I think.
My boy-name submission: David Allen Rhoades III + a nickname
Girl’s names.
Now, on the girl front, I have several I’d like to submit, but I am only allowed one. ONE! So I need help with which one! Which should I do from these three?
1.
Jericho, “Coco” for short.IF I had had one more child back in the 80’s, which statistically speaking would almost certainly have been a girl (right?), I’d have named her Jericho. That’s right: Jericho Rhoades. I decided I’d done enough to populate the earth with Godly seed, though, so I dropped out of baby-making and left that perfectly wonderful name choice just sitting there – for some one else to use.
As for a middle name on this? It could be anything, really. Maybe “Belle” because that was my Grandma’s middle name and my dad always says if he had it to do over, he’d have named me “Jeanie Belle.” Then, if we called Jericho “Coco,” she’d be “Coco Belle,” which sounds a little like “Coco Chanel,” the famous French fashion designer who so impacted the last century.
But then would little ornery boys on the playground be “Cukoo for Coco Puffs?” Hmmm…probably….but is that necessarily a bad thing?
So, that is it. My first possible nomination in the girl’s category is Jericho Belle. Or just Jericho, leaving the middle name to her parents, TBD, because I am thoughtful like that.
2.
Maisy Grace (Maisy like Daisy, or it could be spelled “Maizy). I think it is a fairly obvious reference to the song, “Amazing Grace,” and you cannot go wrong pinning a name like “Grace” on a little girl. Look what it did for Grace Kelly. I believe I even wanted Tristan and Stephanie to name Gemma “Gracie,” because their last name IS Kelley! Come on!
I have already told Jovan I am liking this name for a granddaughter of mine. So whaddya think? Maisy Grace Rhoades?
3.
Abigail, Abby for short. Can’t you just see it? Abby Rhoades.
Now Bryan will tell you he came up with this first – way back before Averi was born. And judging by blogs written, he is right. He did. I thought it just came to me like a heavenly vision one day. I was thinking of cute names that began with “A” because Jovan wanted “A” names and suddenly there it was: like Abby Road, THE faahaaa-mous record by the Beatles, based on a the faahaaa-mous Abby Road pedestrian crossing in London, England (which you can watch live on the internet). I mean, how cute is that?
For a middle name, though? Abigail Belle…hmmmmm….nooooo. That doesn’t work. So, I respectfully submit Jovan’s mom’s shortened name, Jo (from JoAnn). Abigail Jo, or Abby Jo Rhoades.
My brother Joe painted a barn in a golden field for my 49th birthday. He painted a house flanked by colorful autumn trees for my 50th birthday. He just gave both of them to me when we met at my parents’ house in Springfield in October. I have only been asking him to do something like this for me since, hmmm, the early 80s. He is pretty laid back (my total opposite, ahem*).
But I love my brother and I love my paintings. So now I am thinking they were worth the wait.
He is gentle Joe, my first best friend and partner-in-crime. He once saved me from drowning and later from something far worse. We were two peas in a pod! He grew up to be a man I admire, pastoring, then serving his community as a Police Officer, then back to pastoring. He married so well and has 4 amazing kids. I am so glad to have such a great little brother (Except maybe when we were in Springfield at church on Sunday morning, he kept introducing me to people as his ‘little sister’. I’d laugh and then say, “Actually I am his older sister.” Then he’d say, “I believe that actually went without saying I think they could tell.” And? I wanted to smack him).
He still watches over me and listens to my heart and I still pretend to beat him up (I always win because boys can’t hit girls). And I still, everytime I see him, sing Joe the song I sang to him when I was 3 and he was almost 2 and I actually thought the song was written for and about him:
Ageless Beauty walking gently upon the Narrow Path
She runs, she glides, she rests, she makes the journey her home
Eyes roam in search of hidden truths to hold, to grasp and adorn
In never-ending pursuit of the knowledge that evades the apathetic
A solid foundation rooted in love, she unites her family
Her green touch hails life in the dead garden, now fresh and new
With tasks at hand to nurture, to provide, to advise
She shifts in form to embody the need of the moment
Watch on, watch long, wholehearted devotion you will observe
She has an audience in me, I listen and absorb
May I sit beside you, Seasoned Wisdom, on the narrow path?
What will you share? What must I know? What knowledge do I lack?
Speak the words that breathe life in the graveyards of my being
Then, permit the Undeserving to leave you with a wish
Hold no more the woes from seasons Time has now retired
Ageless Beauty, age in grace, grow in love, lie down in peace.
From Tredessa Christine Rhoades, (a very wonderful daughter) in watercolor and ink, on the occasion of my 5oth birthday. At this point in life, you enjoy being described as ageless and timeless. *smile…
