Celebrating Lorrie

I've really been avoiding blogging about this, but it's time.  We lost our friend on August 12.  Very honestly...I am still in denial.  I spent days going through photos and putting together videos (like the one below) for her celebration of life. In every photo there is such joy and laughter and hilarity...It just seems like it can't even be real that she is not in the world anymore.  I haven't come to grips with the fact that I can't just ask her that question I have, or look forward to hearing a story form her the next time I see her at church.  

Lorrie Klem was joy.  

The first time we visited Bloomington 1st Church of the Nazarene in September of 2001, Lorrie and her family were part of Pastor Todd's sermon illustration, and sat at a table on stage and played cards during the service.  They were fairly new christians at the time, and Pastor Todd talked about how they were "working it out--" this christian life and what it all means and looks like and how it works.

The first life group we were part of, Tom and Lorrie were part of too.  It was an intense time of friendship, meeting weekly, and intentionally doing life together during that 2+ years.  When it was time for the group to divide and multiply, couples gave the others favors or photos from their weddings to show how connected our lives are.  We also pulled some really hilarious shenanigans during that time too.

I have so many memories of Lorrie, every one of them beautiful.  She was so funny, fun, kind, direct, thrifty, creative, warm, giving, accepting, joyful, and wonderful.  

I remember when our Life Group took a weekend trip to a bed and breakfast in Washington, IL.  Lorrie found the place we stayed (An old corner bank building, which was awesome!) and made all the arrangements.  

I remember that she also forgot to pack her underwear for the trip, and told us all.  So hilarious.

I remember Lorrie and I spent most of that Saturday together, just the 2 of us.  We were the only ones who wanted to check out the huge antique store and scrapbooking/craft stores.  We had the most fun just browsing and chatting and laughing all day.  

We saw some beautiful 3-D glittery paper flowers in the scrapbooking store and were fascinated by them.  We stood there looking at them for a long time, trying to discuss how they were made.  I came home and searched the internet and learned they were mandalas, made with stamps, embossing, and layering pieces of the stamps with foam tape.  Of course, I had to try it out.  

I remember when Lorrie planed many, many, many events she made the decorations look like a million bucks, but always did it on an amazing shoestring budget--I mean seriously, like $50 or less for an entire incredible event!  She was a miracle worker with tissue paper, card stock, and her creativity.

  

I remember our shared love and collections of The Wizard of Oz.

I remember the time we all cracked up when Lorrie wanted to tell us about a dessert she'd tried on her family, but was embarrassed (at first) to tell us that they'd dubbed it "Pants Crappin' Good."  

I remember chatting with her every Sunday in the conference room at church while she helped count offering and I put away supplies.

I remember trying to find time to get together for crafting days and never making it happen.

I remember when Lorrie started a water balloon fight at a life group picnic.  

I remember how excited Lorrie was to do the hard work that was planting our church.  

I remember how Lorrie always went out of her way to love on kids, and how much happiness they brought her.

I remember how sweet and surprised Lorrie was when she won the Cookies and Carols baking contest.  No one else was surprised.

I remember when Lorrie was diagnosed with cancer in March, how great she thought it was when our church did this to help her have some fun...

I remember Lorrie telling me about etching cream and how it works.  (Still need to try that sometime!)

I remember how Lorrie prayed for her adult children and coworkers and asked others to join her in those prayers.

I remember that every time I got my hair cut, Lorrie noticed and complimented me.

I remember how she never judged others, showed God's grace, and at the same time made no secret of her faith.  She did this in a more real way than probably anyone else I've known.

I remember when Lorrie and Tom came out to our house for chili one night.  She complimented the crystal collection I have in our built in china cabinet in the kitchen, and I told her to pick out what she wanted.  She thought I was crazy, but I didn't ask for any of that crystal and never use it.  She picked out a candy dish with a lid and took it home.  

I remember how open she was about struggling to enjoy reading God's word.  She asked for help and kept after it until she found ways that spoke to her.

I remember how Lorrie always spoke about Tom (her husband) with genuine love and respect.  Always.

I remember receiving Pinterest pins from Lorrie every so often, when she would see something she thought I would enjoy making.  

I remember visiting Lorrie just a few days before she died.  At least half a dozen people were gathered around her hospital bed talking with her, but the moment I walked in the door she said my name and smiled at me.  

She told me about how it took Suzy 3 days to do her nails for Nick's wedding.  

She made sure Pastor Ang and I knew where all her craft and party supplies were, and that she wanted us to use them for church events or have a big sale and give the money to the church benevolence fund.  

She joked that she would catch herself asking people who visited her in the hospital where they got some item they were wearing and then catch herself and tell them nevermind...because she realized she wouldn't be going out to buy one herself.

I remember her laugh.  It was one of those lovely, contagious laughs she shared so often.

I could go on and on.  I have wonderful memories of Lorrie.  I'm so thankful God allowed me the blessing of her friendship for nearly 13 years.  I didn't always realize it at the time, but I learned so much from her.  Her positive attitude was unwavering.  She was joy.  Lorrie Klem was joy.

I can't wait to see her again in heaven.

Relaxing Saturday mornings are back!

For the past couple years, I have been teaching voice and piano lessons on Saturday mornings.  This has meant that our family has no day to sleep in and snuggle up and just relax at home together.  I usually wake up early to finish picking up and doing last-minute cleaning around the house, forbidding the kids past the kitchen.  I haven't had time to make them pancakes or some other yummy breakfast.  And, we have just missed having that family day together.

Although we miss having our Monday night Life Group, now that it is completed, I've been able to switch my students to Monday afternoons!  So our relaxing Saturday mornings are back!  Today we enjoyed sleeping in...Jeremy required the kids to stay in their beds until 8:00a.m.  They almost made it.  Once we were all awake, Caeden had drug his trains box out from under his bed...

I built a big track, and the kids played and played.

We stayed in our jammies until late afternoon, didn't eat lunch until 2:00, and just enjoyed being at home for a whole day as a family!!  What a blessing!!!!

A Weekend in the Windy City

Woohoo, Valentine's weekend in Chicago with our Life Group! My mom came over on Thursday, and took care of the kids all weekend. We met Andrea at the church Friday morning and drove up to IKEA in Bolingbrook. Jeremy had never been to IKEA before, and we enjoyed the whole afternoon there, mostly looking around. We bought a few little things, and picked out some shelves for the living room and den for the future.

Our hotel was very nice--the Embassy Suites in Lombard. We checked in and spent some time driving around the 'burbs. I forgot my socks and wanted to shop for a few other things, so we were looking for a Wal-Mart, Meijer, Target, or something. We found Kohl's, and Jeremy bought me some socks and all the other things I was looking for; great sales!

Our whole group convened at Cheesecake Factory for dinner, oh yum! (Minus Todd and Jennifer, who didn't get to come because she was sick. SUCH a huge bummer, and we missed them tons and hated that they had to miss the trip!!!!)

Saturday morning {Valentine's Day} we all enjoyed a great breakfast at the hotel and hopped on their shuttle to the train station in Downer's Grove.


We were just in time for the train, and took the Metra right into Union Station in the city!


(us being goofy on the train)


We're in the city!!!


We're in the city!!!
(on the bridge over the Chicago River)


These dudes were rowing right along, enjoying the unusually beautiful weather for mid-February in the (not-so-)Windy City!





We took the Chicago Trolley/Double Decker Hop On Hop Off Tour, and hopped off at the second stop--Millenium Park.
A ha-ha-funny man we asked to take our picture by Cloud Gate pretended to walk off with my camera, and I was ready to chase him down if he wasn't kidding. He was.


We walked through the park, then decided to split up. We went with the Keller's and Davis' to The Art Institute of Chicago. We spent most of our time in the Impressionist Galleries, which I absolutely loved. (Jeremy wasn't so thrilled about the museum, though I could have spent a whole week there gawking.)

So awesome to be there among these amazing works of art!
Here, people admiring Gustave Caillabotte's Paris Street, Rainy Day.


One of my favorite paintings of all, Claude Monet's Water Lily Pond. I wouldn't know enough to properly photograph any kind of art, but just love this. I used to have a cheapy poster of it hanging in my college dorm room. It, like many of the paintings we saw, is one of a series. He painted this series in his own garden.


The Drinker's, by Vincent Van Gogh, wasn't one I was familiar with, but was very intrigued to see and read about! The four male figures are to represent the different stages of a man's life, and the blue-green tint to their skin is to represent the destruction alcohol brings.


Others we saw that were particularly intriguing or memorable:

• http://www.artic.edu/aic/collections/artwork/65811
• http://www.artic.edu/aic/collections/artwork/80607
• http://www.artic.edu/aic/collections/artwork/16584
• http://www.artic.edu/aic/collections/artwork/111318 (much of the series was displayed)
• http://www.artic.edu/aic/collections/artwork/16600
• http://www.artic.edu/aic/collections/artwork/25825
• http://www.artic.edu/aic/collections/artwork/27992 !!!!!!!
  

We also spent some time in the American Galleries, admiring:

• http://www.artic.edu/aic/collections/artwork/93798
  
• http://www.artic.edu/aic/collections/artwork/100858
• http://www.artic.edu/aic/collections/artwork/111629
• http://www.artic.edu/aic/collections/artwork/156600
• http://www.artic.edu/aic/collections/artwork/125660
• http://www.artic.edu/aic/collections/artwork/59820
• http://www.artic.edu/aic/collections/artwork/93811
• http://www.artic.edu/aic/collections/artwork/62452
  
• http://www.artic.edu/aic/collections/artwork/117266
• http://www.artic.edu/aic/collections/artwork/53501
• http://www.artic.edu/aic/collections/artwork/186682
• http://www.artic.edu/aic/collections/artwork/56682
• http://www.artic.edu/aic/collections/artwork/191556
  

(I'm sorry to list them like that, but I don't want to take the time to post photos and details of them all...just want to be able to remember what I saw. It was thrilling (for me) to be there, and I wish I could have taken in more. I really wanted to see the Munsch exhibit, but time didn't allow.

After a little walk to get some Starbucks, we hopped back on a trolley and learned some more about the city. We heard President Obama was at his home in the city, but didn't go visit him...ha ha ha.


We hopped off the trolley at Navy Pier, and Lisa, Todd, and I spent our $6 for a 7-minute ride on the big Ferris Wheel above Lake Michigan. It was cold, but really not any colder than it was on the ground.


The Sears Tower and other skyscrapers--a Ferris Wheel view.


after our ride


We had to pose in front of the huge new (Dec. 2008) statue called, "God Bless America," which is obviously based on Grant Wood's American Gothic painting. Some other dude wanted in our picture, apparently.


I am a geek, I know, but I totally love to check out all the beautiful ornate buildings.
So gorgeous. Don't even know what building this is.


This is inside part of the filling station under the original Chicago Water Tower Water Works. It now houses the Lookingglass Theatre. We discovered just a bit too late that David Schwimmer (one of the founding members of Lookingglass, and star of my favorite show ever--FRIENDS) was playing in a production of Our Town there this week. Would have loved to have seen it!


We had lunch at Buca Di Beppo at the Pope's Table, which was hilarious and yummy at the same time. We visited the Hershey Store quickly, and stuffed 6 of us in a cab back to Union Station. We hung out in the lovely hotel that evening, and order in Giordano's pizza--Chicago style, of course, SO good.

This morning, we tried to sleep in a bit, had breakfast at the hotel, then all went up South Barrington for a great service at Willow Creek Community Church. Their former teaching pastor, John Ortberg was the guest speaker. He spoke about how "when the game is over, it all goes back in the box." Very inspiring! It was a beautiful place, and a fantastic experience!

On our way home, we traveled with the Schuneman's and met the Keller's for lunch in Schaumburg at Webber Grill.

What an absolutely enjoyable weekend!

Fall Westival '08!

We had such fun at our church Fall Westival (No, I don't mean Festival, it's a Westival!) today! Jeremy and I were part of the Boot Scoot and skit in the sanctuary for most of the evening. Jeremy played Black Bart the bad cowboy, and I was sort of a cross between Charlie Chaplin and the ol' guy playin' the piano in the Wild West town establishment. (Not the salloon.) Since we were involved in the drama most of the night, the kids got to experience all the
other activities with Miss Pat.

Before everything got started, we did get a family photo:


And I did get to take the kids around Trunk 'R' Treating at the beginning though...

Leanna had a great Wizard of Oz trunk! The kids played a ski-ball like game that determined whether they got courage, a brain, a heart, or a home. Leanna gave them a card with a picture of whichever one they "won." They thought it was super cool!

These guys are in a Life Group that did this neat-o covered wagon for their trunk.


Art helped Caeden lasso the "cow" to win some candy!


Noah had a hockey game at his trunk. Caeden had never seen or heard of hockey, and was a bit challenged trying to figure out how to use the stick and puck.


Caeden, Sylvia, and Annah with their friends Caleb and Kelsey,
who had a cool trunk full of horses!


And a real saddle on a "horse" that Annah got to ride!


Pastor Todd as "Sheriff Self" the Mexican sheriff, running the iPod giveaway game.


The face painting ladies and balloon maker guy were amazing!!


Andrea the clown, who decorated the church beautifully for this huge event!


Brian Bill & The Be Right Backs--our own live band entertained all evening long in the gym.


Annah got the "Queen's Lizard" face. The girls didn't want to wash it off, it was so pretty.

Winding Down

Summer is winding down here for us. The girls go to school on Friday! As a mommy, I tend to feel bad that we haven't "done enough," so I am trying to think about all that we have done.

There has been a lot of bike riding. Now all 3 kids have bikes, and they love to go up and down the sidewalk in front of our house.

This week, Annah learned how to ride her bike without the training wheels!!!! She had tried with Mommy and Daddy's help one evening a couple weeks ago, and yesterday decided to try on her own in the grass. Today, she got on the sidewalk and went back and forth until she had it! We are proud of her for doing it on her own.


Sylvia actually asked to have her training wheels off a few weeks ago. She is not comfortable trying on her own, but is eager to have one of us help her!


So, other than ride bikes, we have...

...spent hours playing in the "tree house" (under the pine trees in our sideyard).
...spent hours swinging on the new swingset in the backyard.
...made 5 trips to Indiana and back, including LOTS of adventures there!
...all 3 kids gone to the dentist, and doctor.
...gone to State Farm Park.
...played at the sprinkler parks.
...attended VBS in Arrowsmith.
...had lots of fun with our LifeGroup every Monday night.
...watched lots of movies we had never seen.

Speaking of movies we'd never seen... I would have to say, in our house, the "official" movie of the summer has definitely been Scooby Doo 2: Monsters Unleashed! I picked it up in the $5 bin at Wal-Mart at the beginning of the summer, and the kids have absolutely loved it! I'm sure they've probably watched it more than 10 times, and loaned it to friends, watched it with every friend that came over. It is pretty cute, and they now quote their favorite lines from it all the time. They love Scooby!

Jeremy's Birthday #33!

We celebrated Jeremy's birthday tonight with our Life Group friends!

Here he's fake blowing out the candles since I missed the actual moment while my flash was auto popping up. But it's pretty much what his face looked like when he was actually blowing them out too!

This was the saddest looking cake. I will preorder one next time! They were very busy at DQ when I dropped in to pick this up, and it took the girl 10 minutes to do THIS! Sorry Honey!!


Yeah, we're getting older, but we're still happy!


The kids enjoyed watching Daddy open his presents.


Birthday Daddy and his 3 exhausted kids made time for a little snuggle.

Shopping Trip!

Over the weekend, I went up to Schaumburg with 5 girlfriends from our LifeGroup for a shopping trip to Woodfield Mall! We went up on Saturday morning, spent the night, and came back Sunday afternoon. We had a wonderful time together!! It was so fun to get to know each other better, and just to spend time relaxing, having fun, and being with girlfriends!
We had lunch at the Rainforest Cafe, which was a fun first for me. (The kids would LOVE it!) We each found something we were hoping to purchase, and some good deals too.
When we got to our hotel, we hung out, snacked, ordered in Giordano's, went to the hot tub, and chit-chatted until 1:00 a.m. So, we were pretty slow getting all of us around in the morning, but managed to get in some more shopping before heading home. Some of the girls went to IKEA, and we also made a stop at Trader Joe's.
Back at home, Jeremy took the kids to Krispy Kreme for breakfast, and to Chuck E. Cheese's with another LifeGroup dad & kids to play and have lunch. He got them all to church by 8:00 a.m. and got them lunch and naps before picking me up at church in the afternoon.

Preschool Olympics?

Tonight our LifeGroup had our own "preschool olympics"! Obviously Jeremy took it very seriously. 

I, however, was beaten by some very complicated plastic building squares. Pathetic. ;)

Life Group trip to Washington B&B

We spent a wonderful, wonderful weekend in Washington, IL with our dear Life Group friends.

We stayed at the absolutely lovely Cornerstone Inn Bed and Breakfast.

I spent a good part of the day antiquing with Lorrie.

(No, I didn't buy the hat. In fact, I ended up not buying a single thing, but we had a great time!)

We also visited the Paper Moon scrapbooking store. The store overall was not as great as I expected, but we discovered some really great stamps: Medallions by Holly Berry House, and Mandalas by Outlines. I ordered some online when we got home, and can't wait until they get here!

I was surprised with a beautiful cake Saturday evening. Of course I cried. 

I have such wonderful, thoughtful friends!