Wedding in Sweden; Sammy and Destiny time; anointing service;

While I was cooking at Anthony and Lori's on Friday, I got a phone call from Miki in Sweden.  She said, "I thought I should let you know before you read it on Facebook, that we got married today!"  She and Ingomar were planning to get married on May 31, but the person officiating had to cancel out.  In their search to find someone else that could do it on that date, they found a friend with the proper credentials that could marry them either before he left town next week, or when he returns in July!  WELL!!  Since they are coming over here for their honeymoon in June, they decided they should probably be married first, haha!  So they hustled, got some friends and Katrina and Bjorn together, and had a quick, informal wedding ceremony at 5 pm (their time) on Friday.  She posted a little video of the ceremony, humor and all.  I just loved it, but I can't seem to figure out how to share it here.  So here's a picture I took from it. 

I'm so eager for them to be here in June.  It's been five-and-a-half years since she, Katrina, and Bjorn came over for a few weeks in October 2008.  


On Friday afternoon, after I was finished working at Anthony and Lori's, I packed up a few things and headed to Sam and Jenn's.  It was after 8:30 till I got there, and I was so afraid Sammy would be asleep.   I had told Sam that if he's asleep, I would waken him.  Sam said, "And then you can have him!"  Haha!  But no worries.  He was wide awake and still full of fun.  He helped me to eat the sub and chips that Sam had gotten for me, and then snuggled with me for a while before going to bed.

After he went to bed, Sam, Jenn, and I watched The Butler.  It was okay.  But I think I had expected it to be as good as The Help, which it certainly was not.  

In the morning I was awakened by Sammy's loud talking back in Sam and Jenn's bedroom.  And then he was singing phrases from one of his favorite songs, Sing, Sweet Nightingale from Cinderella - in tune and even with vibrato.  I was giggling to myself as I listened.  After a while he came out to me.

He even serenaded me.  I don't know where his dramatic flair comes from, but he is just a trip. 

I hung around all morning.  Sammy was so sure he would be going with me in my car, but not this time.  

From there I went to visit Dick's parents.  We had not seen them since the first weekend in January.  However, Dad Stauffer wasn't home - he was at Dick's brother Fred's place helping to take down a big tree.  Dad is just amazing!!  He is 88 years old and works so hard.  Arlene says she thinks he works too hard, and he's so tired when he goes to bed, but he likes it that way.  When he gets up in the morning he feels refreshed and ready to go again - chopping wood, volunteering at a thrift shop, soon planting a garden, etc.  And to think that three years ago at this time we were afraid he would never come home again after his surgery and resulting stroke!!  God is so good!  I had a wonderful time catching up with Arlene. 

I was hoping to stop in with Grandma Mary too while I was in the area, but I ran out of time.  At least I had seen her more recently.

I drove to Reading then for some time with Destiny.   We went to the mall, got some food at the food court, and looked at all the amazing shoes at Foot Locker.  Oh my, is she ever like her dad in that department.  I remember when he came to our family at the age of 15, I had quite a wake-up call as to the importance of having just the right shoes, the LATEST greatest shoes.  We're talking Nike's.  Destiny knows them all, wants them all.  We seriously stood in that store for half an hour as she explained all the features of this shoe and that shoe and the other shoe.  Of course, like a good grandma, I was properly amazed at each one.  I mean, really, can you imagine how cool it would be to have a pair of these Foamposite shoes?  And just a heads up - they're soon coming out with a pair of these that look like Batman.

Of course, you know I'm joking.  Shoes like this are of no interest to me whatsoever, but I love Destiny and time spent with her, even if it's in Foot Locker!

Then I took her home (forgot to take any pictures) and headed for home.  It's so nice that it stays light longer now.  I was home before 9 pm.  

This morning at Fillmore, I had the choir do The Wonderful Cross, which includes When I Survey the Wondrous Cross.  We decided at practice the other week that we miss the traditional harmonies in this version of it, so last week I arranged a new version that included some of each.  They did a fantastic job this morning.  

After our service at Houserville we had a very beautiful anointing service.  We have three people facing major medical things this week.  Dick starts chemo on Tuesday and Wednesday.  Our friend Ralph will have kidney surgery on Tuesday.  And our friend Heather, who is battling breast cancer, will be starting radiation on Wednesday.  

Austin is here with us this afternoon.  And this time he DID bring his rain boots.  Soon after our naps were over, he and Grandpa headed to the park nearby for some good splashing.

And some good stomping.  The louder the better for this boy.

One of these times I'm going to have a picture of my flowers.  LOTS of daffodils and tulips coming up, and Dick is faithfully spraying them with the stinky anti-rabbit stuff.  Can't wait for some color.  Spring is SOOOO welcome!

And while we are rejoicing in our Spring weather, look what they were doing in Florida today!

Have a great week, everyone!