History Lesson

DH's (then BF) penchant for pictures and posing  and all things that looked good on the outside when in reality things weren't so great on the inside, was evident back then.  Under a tree in Dawes Park, no kids, no worries, just us ...what could be better, right?  Right.  If I had only known then what I know now...  But there is forgiveness, and the Grace of God, and the passage of time.  Memories remain, especially the good. 

Behold, thou art fair, my love; behold, thou art fair; thou hast doves' eyes within thy locks:  thy hair is as a flock of goats, that appear from mount Gilead  (Song of Solomon 4) 

 Located closeby was our future first home as a married couple.  Across the street was the Ramirez's home (future spouse of my sister lived there). A couple of blocks down was my childhood home.  Romy lived with his sister's family, a couple of blocks away in the opposite direction.

Lee & Eddie's Caterers: Food Glorious Food!

Okay, on to the important subject of food.  Baby Benjamin's Birthday party was catered by Lee and Eddie's Caterers. Everything was hot, and looked freshly-made. I was impressed.  I will keep them in mind for any big parties we might need to cater.  The rest of the food was the usual, delicious Filipino fare.  I heard no complaining, just lots of re-fills by everyone.  Plenty of laughter and smiles all around.  We lacked for nothing.  Thank God for the abundance. 

Party Room.

Centerpiece: plastic bathtub toys to take home, topped by a B-Day decor

Gourmet Bowtie Pasta Italiano (delish!)

Pancit

Mini Eggrolls

California Blend Vegetables

Rotini with Broccoli

Macaroni and Cheese

Penne Pasta Marinara

Garlic Bread

Lee and Eddies Famous Fried Chicken

Roast Beef Au Jus

Polish Sausage

Hot Dogs

Birthday Cake

From "Oliver"

Food, glorious food

 Hot sausage and mustard!

While we're in the mood --

Cold jelly and custard!

Peas, pudding and saveloy!

What next is the question? ...

First Birthday: For the Love of Benjie!

After church worship services last Sunday, we rushed to Baby Benjamin's first birthday celebration at the V Barn, located a few miles away from us, and run by a local Park District. The barn/building, complete with silo, looks non-descript on the outside, but the inside was festive and well-lighted. The grounds also had a beautiful, inviting, red playground-set that Farrah and AJ enjoyed.

Baby Benjamin was a preemie, born months before his due date. To have us enjoy and celebrate his first birthday with him is a gift from God. Thank You, Lord Jesus for the privilege.

Benjamin and Mommy Roanne

Farrah, Jessica, Romy, Rey, AJ, Moochie, RoAnne, Benjamin, Jannette

The K Family arrived with Grandma Glenda!

The party theme was along nautical lines

The boat-Cake reminded everyone of the Philippine flag's design

Another view of the boat-cake's sails

Party Favors for Children with boat-like containers

View of the Barn's interior

Getting ready to blow out the birthday candle.

Note the harmonica accompaniment on the left.

Happy Birthday to You!

Benjamin reaching for his birthday candle

Yum!

God Bless Benjamin!

Lo, children are an heritage of the Lord: and the fruit of the womb is his reward. ~ Psalm 127

A Bug's Life or Honeymoon Adventure in Hawaii

... lasts approximately 2 hours

Jim was fast asleep with his wife, Tessie, on their hotel bed in beautiful Hawaii, enjoying the best honeymoon ever, when he felt something creeping up his right cheek. He batted at it, but the "Ipis", in its panic, honed in on the closest place of refuge --- Jim's right ear! Deeper and deeper into the ear canal the cockroach burrowed, despite Jim's screams of terror and pain, and his frenzied attempts to extricate it. Jim's two hours of torture finally ended when the cockroach floated out of his ear --- dead, from drowning -- with the help of an emergency room doctor plus some mineral oil.

Whew.  Thank You, Lord for your care of Jim and Tess.

the Perp, Cockroach (courtesy of flickr.com)

the Victim, Jim
Rowena, Jim, Tess, Jannette, Jessica

Jim Jr and Grant