April in Escalon

After a long and gloomy winter, we are beginning to experience sunshine now, but the wind has been blowing like it does in Iowa. Good drying weather for the dairy, but not great "walking" weather. I have been able to walk around the place occasionally and enjoy watching the crops change. The winter crop has been harvested and soon they will begin preparing the ground for corn.
It seems like the month of April has been very busy. I taught for a week early in the month. I also finished up this season's Bible Study at church. On Saturdays I went to a couple of little league games. Dylan invited us to his second grade program and then to Grandparents' Day, which is always fun. He enjoyed the special attention, especially when we told him that next year he would have to "share" us with David and Dayna. I babysat all of the local grandkids at least once during the month and enjoyed seeing how they had matured since the last time I watched them. What a blessing healthy minds and bodies are!
Easter Sunday was spent first at church and then at my sister Bev's house. We enjoyed a nice day with Danny and Kristi, Kenny and Erin, Tom, Laura, Kara and Trevin and a lot of extended family. The Easter egg hunt was cute with lots of "first timers" searching the ground for treasures.
The day after Easter, Ken and I took off for Southern California. We first visited Steve and Alyona who had moved there the week before. They are busy trying to find a house and they took us to see a couple of homes they are looking at. We enjoyed our time with them very much and are very happy for the opportunities that have opened up for them. Then Ken took me to Oceanside to spend a couple of days with my friends from the Chino area while he took his mom on several errands. I had a very nice time "catching" up, enjoying the beach, looking at flowers, and playing games.
Yesterday we celebrated my mom's 85th birthday and are very thankful for her good health and clear mind. April's been full! Next month we plan to see Melanie and Jay and kids. We are excited!

Fun Times

It seems that the month of February flew by. I can't really say what occupied our time, but the month seems a blur. We got to celebrate the first birthday of three of our grand kids- Krista, Kylie, and Trevin. As we watched them all toddle around during their birthday party, we realized how blessed we are with nine healthy grandchildren. We do not take their health for granted!

Last Saturday I went to watch Dylan, Dayna and David play baseball. I'm still laughing at the difference in intensity between Dayna and David when it comes to the game. Dylan, like David, seems to love every minute of the game. Dayna seems to enjoy looking around and taking in every detail of the crowd, the surrounding orchard, and everything but the game. I took my camera along to snap a few pictures, but wouldn't you know it, the battery died before I got pictures of David and Dylan. I'm posting one of little Dayna, but I'll have to take some of the boys for my next post.

This week Ken and I traveled down south to watch two games of the Pac-10 Tournament. We both love to watch college basketball and our kids gave us tickets for the quarter finals. We thoroughly enjoyed the experience which was a new one for us. The kids will be happy to know that Ken had such a good time that he never even suggested leaving before the game was over to "avoid traffic". Unfortunately, both teams we were rooting for lost, but we still had a great time. Now with March Madness about to begin, we are looking forward to the "family NCAA" game we play every year.

How boring life would be without family!

Searching For and Finding the Sun

After nearly three months of rain and fog, we decided to go searching for the sun. For several years, when we camped with our friends from Chino at the beach, we would say "We should go camping some time in the winter". This year we decided to do just that.

We went to Pismo Beach where there is a lovely campground, restaurants with delicious food, and best of all - SUNSHINE! The couples from Chino did not need this quite as much as those of us who have moved to the Central Valley, but it felt so good to actually see blue sky.

The theme of the weekend can probably be summed up with the words "Nature Study". We got in the cars and drove up to San Simeon where thousands of elephant seals come ashore in December and give birth in January. When the babies are around four weeks, breeding takes place and the female seals go back to sea. We were there at the perfect time. We got to see every aspect of the process. I figured that we would drive up there, take a look for about 20 minutes and leave. It was so fascinating that we stayed for several hours and I would love to go back another time. Another day we walked from our campsite to a natural Monarch butterfly sanctuary. Here we listened to a nature guide describe what the breeding process consisted of for the butterflies, and then we walked through the "woods". Again, we were able to see everything the guide had described! Very fascinating!

We spent the rest of our time together playing games, including 18 holes of golf, and visiting some delicious eateries in town. It was the first time I ever went camping that I never turned on the stove or barbecue! We did, however, use the microwave a couple of times. This was my kind of camping!

Joys Amid Sorrows

I read my last few posts and it seems like the days of autumn were a long time ago. Since Halloween we have experienced both joys and sorrows.

The first weekend of November Ken and I traveled to Santa Barbara to spend some time with Ken's mom and siblings. The highlights of the weekend were going to Solvang, having a nice dinner together, sibling "bonding" time in our hotel room, and playing games together. Ken's mom loves Pit and Yahtzee. Fortunately the concierge gave us a room away from other guests so that we could be as noisy as we wanted. We also traveled south to spend Thanksgiving with Ken's mom. It was a quiet day for the three of us.

The first week of December began with a phone call from my sister Joni saying that my dad was taken to the hospital with weakness on one side and fluid in his lungs. As the week progressed it became obvious that Dad's health was precarious. His kidney function was minimal with dialysis necessary; he suffered from several mini-strokes, and his heart was stopping for several seconds. Dad chose to have dialysis and the second treatment caused another stroke so that had to be stopped. Then the doctors suggested that a pace-maker might help both his kidney function and his heart rhythms. Dad had a pace-maker inserted and for a few weeks he seemed to rally. He went home with 24 hour nursing care on December 21. This gave our out-of-town children and grandkids a chance to see Grandpa when they were home for Christmas.

We were blessed in so many ways during the Christmas season. The kids and grandkids, for the most part, were able to get together on the day after Christmas. Steve's wife, Alyona, was unable to come to California because of her parents' visit from the Ukraine so our family was not quite complete, but with a large family we understand that we can't always make it work for everyone. It was great fun to see all the grandkids enjoying each other. Despite a virulent stomach flu going through the family, we enjoyed our time together. With the exception of Kenny, our children, Jay, and Shelly spent a day snow-skiing. They came home laughing and planning an "annual trip" to the mountains. I had fun babysitting! Then we took all the grandkids to the Children's Museum in Stockton where they enjoyed much freedom to explore!

On December 30, my dad ended up in the hospital again. This time however, it was obvious that his time on earth was coming to an end. Dad decided he didn't want anymore "treatments" and that he just wanted to go home. Hospice was called and we watched Dad grow weaker with each day. God was good to him. Dad had no pain; he retained his mind, his sense of humor, and most importantly his faith. On Friday, January 7, Dad joined his Savior Jesus, my sister Thel, brother-in- law Jim, and nephew John William in heaven. I miss my dad already. I know I have been greatly blessed in having him for 61 years of my life. But, death brings temporary separation and I miss him.

I wrote a poem for Dad's funeral service which Sheri and I read. I included it in this post for anyone who wants to know what made Dad so special to us.

Remembering Our Dad

We thank our Heavenly Father for the years He gave us Dad

And though we grieve his passing, our memories make us glad.

John Vander Schaaf was special to his friends, his kids, his wife

And we’d like to take a moment to tell about his life.

Our Dad was born in Friesland, and two pounds was all he weighed

And since he was so tiny, in a shoebox he was laid.

His father and his mother thought it best, when Dad was two

To settle in the USA where skies are always blue.

His father bought a dairy and our Dad soon learned the trade

He liked the cows,the flies,the smells; his future now was made.

Dad grew to be quite handsome; there’s no doubt he was a catch.

He dated several girls looking for that perfect match.

One day he met our mother who was pretty, smart,and kind

And was working in the milk house! He knew she was a find!

Dad wanted to impress her on the first real date they had

So he took her to a res’trant where the food was not too bad.

But when it came to paying, Dad soon realized his err’

Because reaching for his wallet he found it was not there.

Our mother had to wonder if this guy was awfully tight

Dad must have done some talking to make that whole thing right.

They dated for a long time; five full years to be exact.

And once they broke up briefly. Dad was foolish, that’s a fact.

Now it seems there was a fellow who planned to date my mom

When Dad heard about this rumor, well, he blew up like a bomb!

Dad threatened this poor fellow, said he’d like to knock him down

And tie him to his roadster, then drag him through the town.

Whatever was the problem, they patched things up again

Dad knew she was the girl for him, her hand he vowed to win.

They both professed their faith in Christ when they were just nineteen

They loved the Lord,His Word, the church where oft’ they would be seen.

Both finished school and went to work. Mom started in a bank

And Dad took upmost pleasure watching milk go in the tank.

They worked so hard, saved a lot, looking toward a wedding date

Their parents thought they were too young and said they had to wait.

Our parents were obedient, but when Dad turned twenty-one

They said their vows, tied the knot, their single days were done.

Their honeymoon was splendid ‘til Dad was caught for speeding

The cop just wrote a ticket, despite Dad’s fervent pleading.

They settled into married life as quickly as could be

And only twelve months later, they became a family.

The first born was a daughter who was as good as gold.

The second girl soon followed and ‘twas naughty I’ve been told

The third one was a darling child who was pretty and so bright

And Dad enjoyed his daughters who brought him joy and light.

But with the growing family, it was time to move the dairy

For Bev would soon be joining sisters Thel, Corrine, and Sheri.

Dad loved his little girls and was proud of them indeed.

So he had a sign put on his barn which everyone could read

“John Vander Schaaf and Daughters” only hung there for a year

As soon as brother John was born that sign would disappear.

And though Dad was excited, thought a son was pretty neat

It was the birth of Joni, that made his home complete.

There is a little story that we like to tell with mirth

About the Friday morning on the day of Joni’s birth.

When Mom went into labor and told Dad ‘twas time to go

Our Dad told Mom she had to wait ‘cuz first he had to bowl.

We had a happy home life where love and joy were found

No doubt we were a noisy bunch but laughter did abound.

Our Dad was always funny ... the things that man would say!

And when his work was finished he would find the time to play.

Dad felt that sports instruction was a duty for a dad

He usually showed us patience, he occasionally got mad.

He showed me how to dribble and to throw just like a boy

And when he watched us play a game his eyes would shine with joy.

When we were only children, Dad taught in Sunday School

Kids liked his sense of humor, most thought him pretty cool.

But the lessons that he taught us were displayed in his own life

In the way he treated widows, his kids, and yes, his wife.

He said it really mattered that we live our lives God’s way,

He taught us Bible stories and he showed us how to pray.

Some of the things Dad taught us, didn’t go just as he planned.

When Sheri tried to feed a calf, she kind of broke her hand.

When Dad said “Pull the wires”, things would get a little tense.

He said “Go drive the tractor”, and I promptly hit the fence.

Johnny liked to ride up high, inside the tractor scoop.

Out he fell, cut his tonsils out, and landed in the poop.

The girls learned to cook and clean, play piano, and to sew

Dad taught his son to dairy, sharing all he’d need to know.

And through it all he taught us we should always give our best

And when a job is finished, well, that’s when we get to rest.

The years flew by, the kids grew up, “Too fast” our parents said

For one by one the kids found mates and soon they all were wed.

But what could be much better, than to watch the family grow

With lots and lots of grandkids, twenty-six in all, you know.

When the grandkids would excel, “It’s Genetics” Dad would claim

But when they made mistakes of course, the in-laws got the blame.

Dad had some special nick-names, and the kids replied with joy

When ere’ he called for Brown Eyes, Princess, Squirt or Johnny Boy.

The nineties saw great changes, Mom and Dad would make a move

This time they moved to Ripon where they fit right in the groove.

The scenery changed completely, for they left behind the smog

And traded in the dusty winds for frigid, ugly fog.

It helped that Bev and Joni were already living here

And Dad soon started making plans to bring the others near.

For Dad believed in family; ‘twas important to be close

And being by those he loved was what Dad wanted most.

The grandkids soon would marry and the family really grew,

Thirty little great grandkids are now part of the crew.

Dad liked to spend vacations with his kids and grandkids too

So cruising to Alaska was what we all would do.

It’s been fun remembering all the moments we have shared

Knowing that, no matter what, our parents really cared.

In all they did they tried to be a faithful dad and mother

And though they loved us children, their first love was each other.

And most of all we’re grateful for the godly home they gave

The message that was foremost was that Jesus came to save.

The Lord’s Day was respected, they taught us how to pray,

And when our worlds crumbled, they helped us find the way.

The last five years were difficult, Dad’s faith was surely tested

By loss of Johnny, Jim and Thel. Yet in God’s grace he rested.

Dad tried to still stay joyful but his eyes would fill with tears

And as his heart grew weaker his face was etched by years.

Dad trusted in his Savior and in the midst of loss

He found a calm assurance clinging to the rugged cross.

Dad showed us by example, what it means to love the Lord

Instruction in our family was based first on his Word.

Because of all Dad’s taught us through his actions, words and love

We know we’ll see our father when we get to heav’n above.

Though down here on earth below the life of Dad is o’er

We know he lives eternal on heaven’s blissful shore.

And though we feel like grieving we know we have been blest

And we thank our heavenly Father for our Dad; he was the best!