Westward Ho!

Yesterday, Sept. 27, Emilie-Rose's 17th Birthday (eldest grandchild) we left Elkhart IN around 3 in the afternoon. We celebrated a year of retirement, living in the MH full time by having it get needed repairs and upgrades (new captains chairs) for three weeks.

We visited my parents and made use of the guest apartment at Rest Haven. Dad and mom are doing as well as expected for both being in their 90 s. Dad is an involved resident as he keeps up with staff, prays with them and participates in the programs. Mom is about the same in the memory wing. We had one good time with her when she was alert and talkative.

From there we traveled to Cedar Campus, the sight of our family camp. We attended the Cross Cut Loggers weekend. We are a group that donates time, money and prayer for the staff and programs. Without the MH, we were housed in Beach cabin which was the first housing we had when our family camp years began. The deer still come in the evening to chomp apples from the trees outside the window.

Returning to Elkhart we found we could sleep in the MH. During the day, they did the repair work.
We spent the days with Dave,Cathy, Anna and Aunt Alma (Dave's mom and Jim's aunt) Some of our favorite people! While there, Alma suffered a heart attack and was in inrensive care for the rest of our time. She is bright and chipper though we are still finding the extent of the damage done to her heart.
As we leave for Western lands, our prayers will continue for her.




We drove into a gorgeous sunset wondering what adventures await us on the journey.

THE REASON FOR IT ALL

Amara-Lise Beatrix, this sweet little bundle weighed only 2 lbs., 12 oz when she arrived in this world at 30 weeks gestation. Yesterday, when I held her she had topped the 7 lb. weight mark. She's been in the NICU since birth on April 2. By the time she is discharged, it will be almost three months!

Easter Sunday, I drove Christelle (strong Mama She-bear) to the hospital for a consultation that lasted longer than expected. I was able to spend some quality cuddling time with Amara-Lise. I thought about how this Little One has never seen or felt sunshine on her face - or a gently flowing breeze - has not seen her wonderful siblings for more than a brief visit - has had tubes and monitors on and in her body all the time - these come with a myriad of caretakers who must check and monitor all the monitors - prodding and poking as they must to keep her safe. She has heard all the alarms going off, at all times, day and night and the commotion that all this entails. Such a life we never imagined or wanted for her. We are grateful for all the professionals who have kept her safe with care and technology that was not possible in earlier times.

Mom, Christelle, has been her only consistent presence. She has had to disengage dramatically from day to day life with Chris and the children in order to be the engaged nurturer for Amara-Lise. She's allowed us and Gram and Pups Kallio to watch over and care for the children at home.  I think she has had the harder role to play. She has had to witness the trauma that a NICU baby endures. She's had to speak her mind to the professionals who dismiss her years of wonderful mothering and teaching as a prenatal instructor and certified lactation counselor.  She has had to comfort and console Amara-Lise after procedures and interruptions. She is one remarkable woman.

We all just want AMARA-LISE TO COME HOME!  Maybe next week!

DREAMS REALLY DO COME TRUE

Five years of planning is what it took for us to realize our dream of retirement. Grandchildren in the MOTORHOME for extended time. So lovely to see the dream in reality.

LIFE ON CLARET FARM

Once again, I can't believe I did no blog updates while at the farm with Christopher's family! Currently, we are on the road heading for Chicago for a week of annual medical appointments. Also hoping to touch base with good friends. These next posts will highlight some of the wonderful things that farm life allows us to experience.

The first is the quiet. Only the best sounds invade the space: Birdsong, hollow wood pecking, goat bleats, roosters crowing, hens clucking, frogs croaking, pheasant calls and children playing.

Gram Kallio is the homeschool teacher while Christelle spends the day with Amara-Lise at Children's hospital. Gram Kallio has many talents. One day, we happened on the scene to see Gram's hair salon!

 

BERM BUDDIES AND CROIX STUDY

Boys and water mix together in a variety of ways. They burn up energy with all out play - berm busting,  boogy boarding, digging holes, sand castle building and searching the tide pools for ocean treasures.

Sweet Croix-boy 

Study

CAMPGROUND AND PLAYGROUND

Two nights ago, we camped in Las Cruses, NM. I talked about it in an earlier post. These pics are the view we enjoyed, in daylight and at night.

D

When in Ojai, go to the playground. It's a great playground and a great place for 'posed' portraits. 

DAMAGE ASSESMENT

On facebook, I posted some about the recent storms. A day later, we walked the roads in the campground and were surprised by the damage. Here's a few pics. The eucalyptus trees, we learned, have very shallow roots and are vulnerable in areas where the ground is saturated.