Labor Day 2010

Well, here I am posting on Labor Day weekend...my last post was Memorial Day weekend. I didn't plan to let so much time pass in between posts. It seems summer has come and gone without getting much done on my "to-do" list. Life happens. On June 4, my mom was hit by a car as she was walking into Walgreens. She had surgery two days later to repair a broken left wrist and broken right leg. She spent a few weeks in the hospital and rehab center, then came home to spend the summer in a wheelchair. John and I went to St. Louis in June as we had planned before mom's accident...mom had just gotten home a few days earlier. We spent most of our time with family for my Aunt Marilyn's estate sale. We were also able to attend the O'Fallon, IL Relay for Life with my cousins, Joe and Mary Beth. It was an emotional time, as a year earlier, we were there celebrating the good news of Marilyn's remission from her cancer. This time we were there celebrating her life, and missing her greatly. Not a day goes by that I don't think of her. She is still missed A LOT. John and I drove back to North Dakota, getting back on Monday night. I worked Tuesday-Friday morning, then I flew back to St. Louis to help my mom as Doug had to get back to work. The day flying home has to be one of the worst days of my life. I woke up with a terrible migraine...got sick twice before I even left home...then proceeded to get sick at the airport, the flight from ND to MN, then the flight from MN to St. Louis (twice)...then on the Metro-Link train from the airport to the station near mom's house, and then the parking lot of that station. It was horrible. By the time I got to Mascoutah, I nearly collapsed from exhaustion and dehydration. A bottle of Pedia-Lite and several bottles of Gatorade later, I was able to make it the next day to the Wesemann Family Reunion. I didn't have much energy--but I was there! I spent 10 days helping mom...by the time I left, she was able to spend more time at home by herself. She had some people come in through the week to bring her lunch, but other than that, she was able to take care of herself. We were blessed by a number of good friends, neighbors and family who brought dinner to Mom and Doug after I left. John and I spent our 2nd Anniversary on a trip to the Black Hills in South Dakota. We had a great time touring Mt. Rushmore, Custer State Park, and more. It was nice just to get away and be together...by ourselves. In August, John and I drove back to St. Louis for my 20th class reunion. It was fun to catch up with friends from the past. We were also able to spend time with the Milkert side of the family--getting together to celebrate my Grandma's 88th birthday, as well as just spending time with lots of the Milkert cousins. Once we got back, it was fast and furious for me at work to get things ready for school to start. It's hard to believe that I am into my 3rd year as Principal at Martin Luther School. Also hard to believe that this is my 17th year in education. Things remind me that time is not slowing down...I was realizing yesterday that my 1st group of Kindergarteners from my 1st year teaching are now in their 20's...several former students are married...several are starting families of their own...sadly some have passed away, 3 that I know of. Hannah several years ago in a car accident, Daniel of a drug overdose, and just the beginning of August, Caitlyn, in a motorcyle accident. That's the hardest part to accept--untimely deaths of young people who had so much life ahead of them. Our dog Kona continues to be wild and crazy---but we still love her! She spent some time at "Four Paws Inn" in Bismarck during all of our trips this summer. I never thought I'd use a kennel--but they have ended up being a Godsend! I don't know what we would have done without them. Mom couldn't handle Kona's energy this summer!!! Kona had great fun swimming in their doggy pool and playing with the other dogs there. John just started his 4th year with the Corps of Engineers. He also continues to work on projects at the house. Most recently, he and his dad installed a new front door for us. It was a huge improvement on the house! We are enjoying fresh veggies from the garden. But, I can already tell summer is ending here--fall is soon upon us--and in ND that means just a few weeks after fall arrives--winter comes and stays for months and months. I still haven't adjusted to the winter weather--and must confess I am not looking forward to it. The only good thing about it, is that John's schedule switches from working lots of weekends...to being home on the weekends. It's nice to be home together! Other than our times in St. Louis, we haven't had much of an opportunity to go to church together this summer. It will be good to get back into our routines again. I don't know when I'll post again, but until then---God Bless!!!

Memorial Day 2010

It's been a long, long time since our last post. It's been a couple of busy months for us. Summer is here, which means for John, a busier work schedule. For me, although I work all summer at school, I have a more flexible schedule, so it's a nice change of pace. School dismissed this past Wednesday. We hosted my school staff with a cookout at our house. It was a great way to end the school year and kick off the summer! The weather was perfect--not too hot and not too cold, John and Kona worked in the yard all day that day, cleaning up after a huge thunderstorm followed by a day of 30 mph + winds earlier in the week. I spent last Sunday shopping for the perfect flowers, and planting them in the yard--so the yard has some color to it. The garden will go in soon too! I'm ready for fresh foods from the garden!! We came home from our last St. Louis trip with a new (used) van...a Honda Odessey. My car had pretty much had it. John wanted something sporty, but I wanted practical! With all of our trips to and from St. Louis, I thought it would be nice to have some extra space in the vehicle when we travel. My thoughts won out! We have a couple of trips to St. Louis planned this summer...one to visit with family and be in town for my Aunt's estate sale...and another for my 20th High School Reunion. I'm looking forward to seeing my classmates--and having John spend time at Mascoutah's homecoming festivities! I love going home for Homecoming!!! Other than work at work and work at the house, not too much is new with us. It's hard to believe we are almost to our 2nd Anniversary in July!! We're hoping we can find a time to go camping this summer, we have yet to get out and camp since getting married. Our schedules in the summer don't quite match up...John is in charge of setting the schedule at work this summer, so maybe we'll have a better chance of getting a weekend away to camp! We'll let you know!!

A Beautiful Life

January 22, 2010 my aunt Marilyn Kay Hebenstreit was taken home to heaven after a valiant battle with cancer. In October 2008 she was diagnosed with Inflammatory Breast Cancer. After an initial diagnosis that was not very good, Marilyn beat all odds and in June 2009 was declared in remission. In October 2009 it came back with a vengeance, attacking her brain. Throughout all of her treatments, she remained positive and full of HOPE. She never complained, she found the good in all of it. The only thing she ever really "complained" about was only wishing it hadn't progressed so fast in the end. My Aunt Marilyn was one of the most giving people I've ever known. I told a friend today that we probably will never know about all the people she helped. We know about a few...Edward, who lived under a bridge in St. Louis, a teller at her bank...my friend's son after he went through a divorce and was trying to start a new life for he and his daughter and so many, many more. If she knew someone was in need of work, she'd try to find a job for them at her house and hire them to help out. She was a great listener and encourager. Even in her remaining weeks and days, she talked to us about how much she learned through the process of dealing with her cancer. She told us how much she loved us...in the midst of her trials, she was the one comforting us. I could go on and on and on about her. I'm so thankful to not only have had her as my Aunt and Godmother---but also as one of my best friends. I don't know if anyone still reads this blog---Marilyn was one of our faithful readers...and let us know she as still reading. I am thankful that I had the opportunity to tell her how very much I loved her. She will be missed always...never forgotten.

January 2010

Aunt Marilyn & Grandma John, Kristi, Marilyn, Grandma, Marilyn & Kristi with their

Kristi's Mom/Doug favorite Tuckers Meal

I didn't realize it had been so long since our last post! I'm trying to keep up with this more!

We were supposed to be in North Dakota with the Voeller family for Christmas this year. However, we received news shortly before Christmas that my Aunt Marilyn's cancer had spread significantly. So, we decided we should be in Illinois with the Brasher side of the family. We managed to get out of North Dakota a day before the Christmas 2009 blizzard hit. Our normal route (East to Fargo, South to Kansas City then East to St. Louis/IL) was looking like they were going to be having a significant ice storm, so we went East through Minneapolis to Madison, WI then South to Southern Illinois. The trip was going well until we got to the Madison area where there was blowing snow. Just south of Madison, it began to turn to freezing rain. A stretch of road that should have taken just less than an hour took us over two hours. Going 20 MPH on the interstate turned our 17 hour car drive into 19 hours!

We arrived at my mom/step-dad's house about 1 a.m. Thankfully, Kona, who had slept most of the trip, was still willing to sleep once we got there!

Christmas this year was different. For the first time ever, my side of the family did not get together on Christmas Eve as Aunt Marilyn was in the hospital. We had some quiet time at my folks house, then on to church for the candlelight service. Christmas Day in the St. Louis area was a bit icy, but we managed to pick up my 87 year old Grandma Milkert and get her over to the hospital in St. Louis to see Aunt Marilyn. I was surprised how much she had changed physically since our visit in November. I was thankful that she was experiencing no pain and still had her sense of humor and gentle--but strong--spirit. She wanted time one on one with each of us. Here we were, visiting her in the hospital and she's the one bringing comfort to each of one of us.

We made it back to IL a bit late, so we kicked it into high gear to get Christmas dinner on the table. Besides Mom, Doug, John and Grandma, we were joined by my Uncle Don and Aunt Lisa, cousins Chris and Kevin and Doug's mom, Blanche. I must confess it was strange to not have Aunt Marilyn walking in with her bright smile. We were all tired and a bit subdued...seemed strange to celebrate Christmas when we all felt so sad.

John & I were able to spend some good time with Marilyn the day after Christmas. After spending some time with Kristi's best friend, Connie, we went over to St. Louis, picked up several orders of Tuckers Pork Chops and Baked Potatoes---Tuckers is the restaurant Marilyn and I loved to go when I lived in St. Louis. We spent many, many hours there talking about life-happy memories about the past, contemplating the present and looking to a better future. We took Tuckers to Marilyn, cousins Mary Beth and Joe and their spouses, Richie and Sarah. We had a great evening enjoying our Tuckers together, laughing and enjoying being together.

We spent some extra time during the trip with my Grandma---who I must say, has been incredibly strong through all of this, considering what she is going through. Marilyn was moved to her daughter, Mary Beth's house and Hospice has been providing assistance to Mary Beth and Joe as they care for their mom.

My Aunt Marilyn has shown incredible strength and dignity as she has faced her cancer. I am very proud of her. I am also very proud of the fact that she is not only my Aunt and Godmother, but she is also my friend. I am a better person for having had her in my life.

It was very hard for us to leave IL--and head back to ND, but work was calling both of us! Two weeks later, Marilyn is still at Mary Beth's house. I know it hasn't been easy for any of them, but I'm sure they are blessed by the time they've been able to spend with Marilyn in the past weeks.

We continue to keep them in our hearts and prayers...

December 2009

John, Kristi & Kona Connie & Kristi... Cousin Mary Beth, Aunt Marilyn

there's a story about the coats! & Kristi in November 2009

Once again, it's been a while since we've posted something here. The past few months have been busy as usual. Since our last post Kristi took a trip to St. Louis the 1st weekend of November. About a week before her trip, her Aunt Marilyn learned she had 5 brain tumors. Kristi found a great, last minute deal on a flight/rental car to St. Louis. It was good to get home and spend some time with family and friends. John spent that weekend deer hunting with his dad, older brother, Donavan, and brother-in-law, Dallas. Kona spent the weekend at home with a puppy-sitter.

We stayed in ND for Thanksgiving...Kristi's best friend, Connie, flew to Bismarck to spend the Thanksgiving weekend with us. We had a great time just hanging out at the house baking cookies and making cut-outs for cards on the Cricut.

We hosted Kristi's staff for a Christmas party on December 4...we had a great time, as we did last year!

We plan to stay in ND for Christmas and visit the St. Louis crowd after Christmas. John's brother Tim and his family will be staying at our house for Christmas again this year...and will housesit when we head south! It works out well for all of us!!!

If all goes as planned, when we return from St. Louis, Kristi will have real walls in her office!! Up until now, it has only been a partial partian...not really an office, just an area. It will be nice to have walls up for a bit more privacy!!!

Christmas blessings to you all!!!

Fall Update

John celebrated his birthday with a day of pheasant hunting with our friends Tom and Allan. Tom & John share a birthday. I stayed at home to host our final rummage sale of the season. It was a chilly and slow start to the morning, but both the weather and the number of customers got better as the day progressed. I had planned a quiet "date night" for John and I in the evening, but one of his sisters came to town with her husband and son, so we cancelled our date night for an evening with them, along with John's parents and one of his brothers and his kids. So, our date night will have to wait for another night.

We've been doing some car shopping lately as mine appears to be a "lemon". Too many things to get into...not the least of which was water filling up the spare tire compartment in the back end of the car each time it rains. If you are considering the purchase of an Equinox...let me know before you buy it!! I'll fill you in on some things you should check out! We haven't had much time to actually go look at cars in person...we've been looking online so far, trying to do a little research.

Our dog, Kona, continues to be her crazy self...snuggly and sweet one moment, barking and going bonkers the next! My best friend Connie is trying to get out here sometime in the coming months. It will be nice to have someone from back home come visit!! I'm kind of homesick for home...especially missing the beautiful, colorful Missouri fall colors right now--especially last week when the weather here included sleet and snow! John has finally switched back to a normal Monday-Friday work schedule. It's nice to see him on the weekends again!! I'll try to post pictures the next time I post something! Take care...happy fall ya'll!

We're Still Here!

Hi-

It's been 2 months since we last posted something! At this point, I'm not even sure if anyone is still checking! We're still planning to keep the blog going...it's just been a busy couple of months.

John has kept busy at work this summer...it's their "busy season". Translation: John works every Friday, Saturday and Sunday. His days off have been Tuesdays and Wednesdays during the summer months. Yes, we still have summer weather here! We've even had some warmer days than friends and family have had in St. Louis recently! When John isn't working for the Corps, he's been working hard in the garage. He's taken down old and crumbling drywall, added insulation, and put up new drywall. He's planning to finish up next week with some texturing and painting. It's looking very nice out there.

I have been busy all summer with school. I thought things were supposed to slow down in the summer at school! This summer I interviewed people for the following positions at our school: Preschool, Kindergarten (the preschool teacher moved up to Kindergarten which is why I had to interview someone for preschool!), 2nd grade, 4th grade and 5th grade. Our 3rd/4th grades had been combined last year...this year, we decided to split those grades. The end of July, our 5th grade teacher called to tell me her husband's job was moving them 3 hours away to Fargo! We filled the position 2 weeks before the teachers officially reported back to school! On top of all of that, the end of June, my Office Manager announced she was taking a new job...so I interviewed for a new Office Manager as well! God has blessed our school with an awesome staff...both those who returned as well as the new staff!

When I wasn't interviewing school staff, it seems I spent a lot of time painting at school. It was "Institutional White" when I started there. I got the OK from the church properties guys to add some color and away we went!! We painted the bathrooms, hallways, accent walls in the classrooms, office and more. I also had a vision for a mural in our hallway...one of our moms at school is an artist and she donated her time to the cause! The result was amazing! I'll have to post some pics---it is amazing!!! We also spent a lot of time redesigning our school website. I don't have a clue how to do that...but I had another school mom who does. I'd email her my ideas, and she'd make them happen. The result is a HUGE transformation of our website. The most common word to describe the old one was: archaic! You'll have to check it out: www.lutherschools.org. I feel like I spent most of August at school...and John agrees that I did...but the results were worth it. We have 13 new families in our school this year! God is good!

When I wasn't at school, we had 2 rummage sales at our house this summer...two at John's sister's house...and at least one more scheduled for our house before the weather gets too cold. With 8 kids in John's family, there is no lack for kids clothes and toys and all sorts of other stuff to sell. We still seem to be "combining households" at our house as well. Our crazy dog Kona keeps us going a lot too. I'm convinced she's got ADHD! She goes, and goes and goes and has a mind of her own! I finally have gotten around to creating my "craft room"--a long time dream of mine to have! I still have some shelving to put up on the wall, but it's coming along!

We took a quick trip to the Minneapolis area in August on a rare weekend John had off...and I'd had my fill of school! We were supposed to go camping, but severe thunderstorms cancelled that, so we went to MN and stayed with John's brother, Tim, and his family. We had a nice weekend of doing nothing! Played video games with the kids...I got caught up on my coupon cutting/organizing and just enjoyed time with family...including being there for Katie's 13th birthday!

Please send us an email or post on here if you are still checking in...otherwise I'll think we're just typing away for nothing!!! Thanks! We'll try to post more often...and we'll get some updated pictures on here soon. John & Kristi