On our way out of town today, we stopped to see Great Grandma C!  We had a great chat with her!

When we arrived Aunt Arlene and Uncle Bob were visiting. We talked about the kids and grandkids and school and summer and the 'Busco school.  

When we told Grandma that Annah drove us here and was driving us home to Illinois, she told us how she never wanted to drive, but drove for 53 years because Grandpa needed her to.  She talked about having 13 people in a car one time! She told us about a time when Grandpa was driving a wagon full of corn and someone in front of them made a split second decision to turn and how Grandpa could've lost that whole wagon of corn all over the road!  She told us about a time when she and Grandpa had to get under some kind of farm equipment and lie in a bunch of mud to repair the thing.  She said, "That's what it is to be a farmer's wife!"

Arlene and Bob left, and soon after Uncle Butch showed up. Grandma talked about how much she liked staying at his house when he lived at Lemon Lake. She said she loved sleeping on the daybed on the porch, and she remembered 3 neighbor guys who were lots of fun. 

We had such a great visit with Grandma today, and I'm so thankful!!!

We stopped at Grandpa Lopshire's butcher shop to get some things Jeremy requested--burgers, brats, and lots of cheese.  It was great to talk with Grandpa and Uncle Eric too.

It was pretty hot out today, and Sylvia was a little too proud that she drank her whole water bottle before we got home.

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Such gifts

 Though it's not finished, this morning Sylvia tried on the dress she and Gram are making.  

Sylvia chose a stretchy knit that is very difficult to work with, so Gram is going to finish it and bring it with her when she comes to visit us next weekend. She also made the necklace and earrings with items she and Sylvia chose together at JoAnn's, and they look so nice with the dress!

Uncle Earl visited last night and was chatting with Caeden about what he is learning at school, since he taught 6th grade for over 40 years.  This morning before we left, Earl dropped off this Roman keystone arch. He had made several of these for his class when he was teaching, and he told Caeden to give it to his social studies teacher.  When we got home, I looked up instructions and Caeden learned how to build it before he gives it to Mr. Kennedy.   So cool!

Treasures of this life

The Lord blessed me with a few minutes with two of my lifetime best friends today.  Marci's stepdad, Wil, passed away this past week, and Mom and I were able to attend his burial service. Although I had not known Wil personally, it was so touching and inspiring to hear Marci speak about the ways he had been such a wonderful part of her life. We were all glad to share the time celebrating Wil's life, share hugs and prayers with Carol and her family, and see many of our 'Busco Naz' family there to support this family we love so much. Amy, Marci and I discussed the fact that we feel too young to only be having reunions at funerals, as the last time I saw Amy was at her dad's visitation this past Thanksgiving.  Life is definitely bittersweet.  I'm so thankful to be blessed with these two darling friends. They are some of the greatest treasures of my life! 

This afternoon, Mom and Sylvia went to JoAnn Fabric and picked a pattern and materials to make an Easter dress for Sylvia.  They set up a table in the basement this evening and started cutting it out.

 Sylvia loves to sew--especially with her Gram!

Home

This morning we went to church at 'Busco Naz'.  It was a fantastic sermon about listening to God.  I'm going to be reviewing for some time.

After church, I needed to get gas in the car, and run some errands at CVS and IGA.  As I was pumping gas, I had to smile and take a quick picture in my little hometown that doesn't change too much over the years.  

We had a lovely lunch together with Gram and Krampa, Uncle Travis and Tessa, then we packed up and headed home.

The trees along the way are starting to change colors for fall.  

When we got home, Annah got out her violin and played it with her good bow.  It sounds so beautiful.  She said, "It's pretty cool to think of her [Great Grandma] playing it too." She gets it.  (I sure wouldn't have understood the history and legacy and emotion behind something like that when I was a teenager.) She also says she still can't believe that it is actually hers.  She loves it.

Great Grandma's Violin

Before my Grandma Mc passed away, she told my dad she wanted Annah to have her violin when she was old enough.  

(Photo: 4 days after Annah's first violin lesson--July 2006.)

Sylvia began playing violin too, and the very last time the girls visited with Grandma (June 2009), they both played for her.  I remember her tears.

For a while, we worried about letting Annah have Grandma's violin, since Sylvia played too.  But, since Sylvia decided to stick with cello, and Annah was ready for a nicer, full-size instrument, we recently decided it was time.  

Mom and Dad had the violin repaired and appraised, and this evening they asked her to play it to see how it sounded.  They've had her test it out before, so she didn't think anything of it, even though we were all gathered in the living room watching, listening, and recording her.

Annah was very surprised when Krampa told her that her Great Grandma wanted her to have the violin, and Gram said, "It's yours, Annah."  There were lots of tears.

It was a precious moment.  What a beautiful gift, and a beautiful giving.  

"Music is enough for a lifetime, but a lifetime is not enough for music." - Sergei Rachmaninoff

Funfrawl

Some of the Ridgeview Wrestling Club wrestlers participated in the Gibson City Funfrawl today.  Unfortunately, Jeremy doesn't have his coach's card yet, so he couldn't be down on the floor with his wrestlers.  That was really stinky and tough for him, but fortunately there were 6 other coaches who were able to help our kids.  There were several hundred people at the meet, but it was really well run.

Caeden tried on his new headgear...but ended up wearing Daddy's old gear he wore in high school.

These 2 are more than just a little bit alike.

It was a tough morning.  As Caeden stepped on the mat for his first match, Jeremy realized his opponent was a girl.  I was not happy.  

I love the sport of wrestling, but I don't understand why parents would let their daughters participate.  Is it just to prove the point that "girls can do anything?"  Fine; girls can do anything they want...But that doesn't mean they should.  I can understand teaching daughters to defend themselves, but I don't agree that this is the place to do that.  What does that teach my son, when he has to step on a mat and try to beat a girl?  That he is supposed to dominate her?  Not okay!!  How do I teach my son to never give up, but at the same time teach him to be gentle with girls and never fight them or hurt them physically when one is staring him down across the mat?!  Why would anyone put their daughter in this situation on purpose?  And why don't they think about what it's teaching the male opponents when they are going against one another?  

Jeremy might disagree with me, but I believe the gentlemanly thing for the male opponent to do would be to shake her hand and explain that he respects her too much to wrestle her.

However, we hadn't discussed the possibility of this situation, and Jeremy wasn't on the mat with Caeden.  So, he didn't know what to do, other than to wrestle.  My heart broke watching it.  Fortunately, Caeden was not hurtful.  Neither did he win.  He was very upset afterward and wished that he hadn't had to wrestle a girl.  He was ready to quit and go home.  We did not allow that.  

He lost his second match as well, which Jeremy said was because he wasn't in it mentally.

After his second match, I got Caed some lunch and some of his energy was restored.

His third match was right in front of us, so I was finally able to get a few photos.

Caeden was feeling much more confident by this time.  He  said he "had the fire."

And he won.

And even though it nearly killed him not to be at the side of the mat for each of his little guys, Jeremy was still Coach.  

This little kindergarten guy, Jhett, pinned all 3 of his opponents while smiling through every match.  It was really fun to watch him have his heyday.

All the Ridgeview wrestlers learned important things today.  So the tournament ended well, and we are grateful for learning and growing.

Mc Fam Thanksgiving

Mom's best friend Donna told her this is the only kind of k-cups she buys, and we discovered why today when we tried it!  Who knew it was so good!?  Well, Donna did!  Yummo!!

Caeden wore his new Lopshire University sweatshirt today!

The McEowen family gathered at Mom's & Dad's house today for Thanksgiving.

My cousin Scott made this beautiful and delicious chocolate ganache cake.

The cousins played together.  

I'm sure they enjoy each other's company, even when it sounds like they're about to kill each other...

And, of course, the McEowen family band rehearsed/performed the annual Christmas music...

Clayton on tupperware drum

Caeden on kazoo and tambourine...

Travis and Jeremy on trumpet, Scott on sax...

Cathy on kazoo was declared the most in-tune of all the instruments today...

Aidan has switched from trumpet to tuba, so it was nice to have a low end added this year.  He and Annah kept up very well!

Wendy on flute, Juanita on clarinet....

Marcia on bass clarinet...

It was a raucous hour or so they lasted, and it's always fun and funny to share this family music legacy and tradition!

I almost forgot I'd made Grandma's Graham Cracker Fruitcake!

2 2/3c. graham cracker crumbs

1/2 c. mini marshmallows

1 1/2 c. chopped dates

1/2 c. chopped walnuts

1/4 c. candied cherries (NOT maraschino)

2/3 c. carnation evap. milk

Mix all ingredients together.

Press into greased bread pan.

Refrigerate overnight.

Cut and serve.

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Mamaw and Grayson

The kids asked Gram to read them a bedtime story.  She always says yes.