Monday, January 6, 2014

JEAN'S FIRST POST OF 2014

I hope that everyone had a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.  I also hope you enjoyed the Christmas recipes.  Would you like them again next year?

We have taken down our Christmas decorations.  Katie's great-grandparents brought their Christmas gifts on Christmas Eve.  All talking from David, Bishop Joseph or myself could not convince them not to bring so many gifts.  When Grandmother Olive saw all the gifts she was really upset.  She said this has to end.  I was told to make a pot tea, bring some cookies, and invited Katie's great-grandparents into the dawdy.  They were in there a long time.  At one point Grandmother Olive came out and wanted the bank books that we had for all the children.  I asked her why and she said just give them to her, which I did.  Bishop Joseph, David and I waited and waited.  They were in there about two hours, when they finally came out.  What she and Grandfather Albert said I don't know.  When they came Grandmother Olive said a compromise had been reached. 

As this was Katie's first Christmas at our house - many presents were to be allowed.  All of the presents that were not allowed in our home were to be removed.  This ment us opening some presents to see what was inside and rewrapping them.  The great-grandparents were to return the items we didn't allow or give them to a charity.  After this year, they were to buy just a few gifts and put any other money they would spend on Katie, in her savings account. 

The children, while this was going on, were over at Bishop Joseph and Martha's house and didn't know what was going on.  On Christmas morning, everyone got more gifts than we would usually have, but we wouldn't argue with the compromise.  All of us had a very Merry Christmas. 

Bishop Joseph asked Grandmother Olive and Grandfather Albert how they did that with the Great-Grandparents.  Grandmother Olive told him, he is a great Bishop - very kind and understanding.  But some things he will learn, come with age and experience.  We all had to laugh, she was right.

Michael and Edward are now out of the public school.  They have sheets, they must fill out every month, telling what work they are doing.  In addition to his farm work, Michael, is learning how to work on farm equipment and every once in a while a car.  Edward in addition to his farm work, is doing painting jobs with David.  David thinks that Edward should take some courses in accounting.  Edward is really good at figures.  He can figure things before they are even written down.  As the Old Order Mennonites and Amish must keep accounts and file taxes every year just as the Englishers, it would be a great job for Edward.  Edward had never thought of that and said he likes to work with figures so we are seeing if he can take some courses.  David told him to take one and see if he likes it or not, but that there is a need for people keeping records and doing taxes.  But, Bishop Joseph did not approve of Edward taking courses in the public school system especially after we just got him out of one.  Edward spoke with one of Elmer's sons who keeps books for some of the Amish and does their taxes.  He took a correspondence course, which we are entering Edward in.

Grandfather Albert also can do figures like Edward without writing them down.  Grandfather said it runs in our family.  Edward laughed as he was a foster child and now our adopted son.  Also, Edward thinks it is funny because Grandfather Albert is white and Edward is black.  Grandfather told Edward that the day he came into our household -Grandfather Albert became Edward's great-grandfather like he did Michael's and Katie's and Grandmother Olive became their Great-grandmother. Grandfather never took any courses in accounting and also agrees, it would be a good idea for Edward, if he wanted.

Susan is back to our school, so Katie and David Jr. are the only little ones at home.  Katie has made herself big sister over David Jr.  She is a great help in entertaining him and watching him while I do chores in the house.  Katie is a big help.  We are still teaching her the language, reading and counting. 

Please remember to keep the Christmas Spirit not just in December, but all year.

Be With God,
Jean









12 comments:

New York State Of Mind said...

Good Morning Everyone.
It is windy today and suppose to snow tomorrow. Right now it is 44 degrees outside. Suppose to drop.

Marilyn

Countryside Reflections said...

It sounds like things are going well with Jean's family. I'm so happy that Olive and Albert were able to come to a compromise with Katie's great grandparents. It must be such a relief for Jean and David, and hopefully the rest of the year will continue to be a good one.

Such good news all around regarding Michael and Edward. They sound happy and hopefully will find a job that suits them.

Thank you for giving us an up-date.

The lake effect snow band is suppose to sit right over my house until Wednesday. They're predicting two to three feet of snow for us.

Doreen

Vickie said...

God bless Grandmother Olive!
It is positively frigid here. Poor Mabel and Henry! It is currently -16º with a -45º windchill. Our bathroom sink pipe is frozen. Brian has been working on that. I am praying.

Anonymous said...

i've had right hand surgery so it is hunt and peck. bless grandmother olive for her help.
here in mo it is 8 below wind chill 22 below. afraid of pipes freezing
try to stay warm vickie
jodie

Paula Osborn said...

I just LOVE all the updates about the children and LOVE reading this blog. May 2014 be a wonderful year for everyone.

New York State Of Mind said...

Hi Folks,
I am glad you all enjoyed Jean's post.

It is 26 and dropping right now with some light snow coming down. I don't know how bad it is suppose to get here. Some weathermen say over a foot and some say less than that. Only time will tell.

Marilyn

New York State Of Mind said...

If you live in New York brace yourself. It is 18 degrees but with the wind colder than that. I know the Buffalo area Doreen is getting it worse than I am. Take care folks. Bundle up when you go out. If you don't have to go out, stay inside.
Marilyn

Countryside Reflections said...

We're in a state of emergency today. Everything is closed down including the major highways and thruway. Thank goodness we didn't loose our electricity, so we're warm. My house is well stocked with food and supplies, and I plan on spending the day weaving.

My poor dogs! I have to force them outside to do their business, then they run back in.

I hope everyone is safe and warm.
Doreen

New York State Of Mind said...

Oh, Doreen, you got it bad !!! We didn't get hardly any snow here. It is minus one, windy and cold. Glad you are staying inside.

Poor Pierre hasn't done his business. He won't stay out that long.

I hope everyone is safe and warm, too.

Marilyn

New York State Of Mind said...

It's a whopping 9 degrees above zero right now, but the wind factor makes it so cold. Finally got Pierre to go his business.

Part of the outside paneling of my building came off in the wind last night.

Hope everyone is safe and warm right now.

Marilyn

Anonymous said...

Hi Marilyn, Jean's post was great. I'm so glad her G'parents were able to work things out with Katie's Great G'parents. Jean's G'parents seem to have been blessed abundantly with God's wisdom, understanding, discernment,patience, and love. Jean, Thanks for letting us know that everyone is doing well in your household and that Joseph+Martha are well, too. Blessings, to all! Be wise, stay warm! In Christ, Carol

New York State Of Mind said...

Thank you so much for your comments, Carol. I will see that Jean gets them. Her Grandparents do seem to have been blessed with God's wisdom. Grandmother Olive says it comes with age.

Blessing to you and yours,
Marilyn