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The JR & Lisa Wilson Family

How to Cook the Perfect Turkey

12/5/2013

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News from the North

There has always been something intimidating about preparing a turkey for guests.  This Thanksgiving I decided I was going to go the extra mile and grill the turkey on my grill.  This summer I purchased a Traeger Grill, which is a combination smoker and grill that burns wood pellets.  Food coming off that grill is delicious!  I knew a turkey grilled on my Traeger would be amazing … if I did everything right.

I studied many recipes online.  I watched YouTube videos … how to grill a turkey on a Traeger.  Then I chickened-out and decided not to grill the turkey; the traditional route was safe.  Let’s just have Lisa roast the turkey in the oven.  But as Thanksgiving approached, I suddenly was filled with a renewed spirit of adventurism.  And since spell-check didn’t correct me, adventurism must be a real word.  It was Wednesday night and I had set my mind on grilling that 16-lb bird that was sitting in our refrigerator.  All the recipes I read for grilling a turkey said I needed to brine the turkey overnight.  I went shopping to find a container to brine the turkey and came across a brining bag.  That seemed like it should do the trick.  I filled my cart with additional items called for in the recipe, and drove for home.

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As I walked in the door, I instructed one of the children to fetch the turkey, and I began to lay out all the items needed for the brining process.  I was convinced this was going to be the best turkey ever.  I placed the turkey on a cutting board and began to cut the bird free from the plastic netting and wrapping.  When I finally thought the turkey was free from the packaging, I lifted it with one hand while trying to pull the plastic wrap from under the bird with the other.  What I didn’t see was that the plastic wrapping was full of reddish turkey “juice,” which spilled from the bag, and washed across the counter and onto the floor.  Although my patience was thin, being that it was the end of a long day, I bit my tongue and with the help of two of my wonderful daughters, we cleaned it up.

Now let’s start the brining process!  I placed the big turkey into the brining bag, which was a large, heavy duty zip-lock bag.  The instructions said to fill the bag with water until the turkey was covered, then remove a few cups to place on the stovetop to boil and dissolve the salt and sugar.  Once cooled, this solution would be added back into the bag.  I began to add water into the bag a gallon at a time.  One gallon added, return to the sink - fill the container, a second gallon added - then a third – then a fourth.  As I was returning to the sink ... the bag with a turkey and four gallons of water shifted and one side collapsed.  Turkey-water began to pour from the bag across the counter, and onto the floor.  Fortunately Sophia was standing nearby and grabbed the bag, preventing an absolute disaster!!  Even so, a great mess had been created.  And this was turkey-water!  Gross!  The brining process was put on hold and we cleaned up mess number 2.

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I had learned a valuable lesson about the stability of a brining bag filled with water!  I placed the bag into a roasting pan to create greater stability.  I was also paying great care to hold the bag as more water was added.  It took several more gallons before the turkey was completely covered.  I removed a few cups of water and began boiling the water, salt and sugar.  As that was taking place I added maple syrup, lemon juice, molasses, pepper and minced garlic.  I was somewhat surprised to find that the potion in the bag, in which our turkey was going to soak all night … did not smell pleasant.  It actually smelled bad.

All of a sudden a commotion broke out in the living room.  I don’t know what the source of the argument might have been, but Gabriella said something unkind to Isabella, and Isabella in a state of rage was up and out of her chair shouting unkind words at Gabi.  I quickly interjected myself into their feud and started to lecture them about being kind to one another ………

I let my guard down!  The bag collapsed on one side and a tsunami of smelly brining solution (maple syrup, molasses, turkey juices, etc) washed over the bar counter, onto the bar stools, onto the floor, across the floor, under the table and chairs …  Sophia screamed a blood-chilling scream as she saw the disaster unfold.  I grabbed the bag and saved about half of the liquid potion, but not in time to stop a horrible, smelly, sticky mess.  Cookbooks were ruined, papers were soaked, and it took fifteen full-sized bath towels to soak up the mess.

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After a significant amount of time, the kitchen was cleaned.  The entire family chipped in, removing all the furniture in the dining room, washing the bottom of each chair and table leg.  Wiping down the bar stools, mopping the floor that was covered in minced garlic, etc., etc.  Then I returned to the turkey.  I utilized what was left of the brining mix, then sealed up the bag.  By now this had become an entire family project, and we were standing around the turkey bag, feeling a sense of accomplishment.  Then someone noted that liquid was dripping from under the bag onto the floor.  The flow started to increase.  Suddenly we all realized that a hole had formed in the bag and brine was leaking, and doing so with ever increasing velocity.  Panic set in.  I grabbed the bag and tried to reduce the flow.  Lisa suggested duct tape!  One of the kids suggested a large bucket.  Someone grabbed the bucket and Sophia took it and began washing it.  I lifted the bag up high, the bucket was moved into position, and the turkey and bag slid perfectly into the bucket.  The turkey was secure, placed in the garage to stay cool over-night.  The mess was cleaned.  Wow – that was a lot of work just so we could grill a turkey!

The next day:  Dinner is to be served at 3:00pm.  Pre-heat the grill, get the turkey out of the bag, clean it, fill it with stuffing, 4 hours of cooking time, 20 minutes required for the bird to rest after removing from the grill, 15 minutes to carve.  I had the time figured out perfectly.  At that perfect time, I went outside and clicked on the switch to the grill.  The grill runs on an electric motor that augers the wood pellets into the heating element.  Like everything these days, it is all controlled by a computer board.  Like I said, I clicked on the switch … the LED readout says “ERR!”  No way!  A grill is giving me an error message?!

I spend about an hour of researching the issue on the internet, and talking to Traeger service representatives on the phone, all the while Lisa is saying, “Let’s just put it in the oven.”  I finally had to give up on the idea of grilling my turkey!!  We put the turkey in the oven and called our guests to delay dinner by one hour.

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Just then – as luck would have it … the kitchen drain gets clogged!  Yes – completely backed up.  Draino did not do the trick.  I then emptied the cupboards under the sink.  I took apart the plumbing under the sink.  As I do, water washes mostly into the bucket I placed under the sink, but also onto my arms.  Draino on the arms stings a bit!  The trap was not clogged.  I ran a 12 foot snake down the pipes.  Still no success.  With guests arriving soon and I hadn’t taken my shower, I decided to contact a plumber.  Once online I decided upon Roto-Rooter whose website advertised 24/7, holidays and weekends same price.  It was about 1:30pm and they told me they would be at our home between 3:00pm and 6:00pm.  The guests were to arrive at 4:00pm.  It could be worse!  At least the drain would be fixed in time to clean up the wonderful meal.  But you know – that is not the way things were happening at our house this holiday.  NO!  We receive a call from Roto-Rooter as we were sitting down for dinner.  They were sorry, but there was no one available in our area, and they would not be able to come to our house today.

Well, we did the dishes – all by hand (because the dishwasher uses the same drain) in the laundry tub!

What a Thanksgiving!  And guess what ... after all that ... that turkey was by far, the best, most moist turkey we have ever prepared!  It was awesome!  Therefore, I would suggest you follow the above instructions exactly.  You will be assured of the most excellent turkey ever!  And you will have created a Thanksgiving to remember for always.


Now a couple of fun family quotes:

I was trying to help Eli with reading and spelling.  I asked him how to spell “cat.”  He was struggling so I asked him to sound-out the word.  I asked him, “What does ‘cat’ sound like?”  Eli thought for a second, and then replied, “Meow?”

We often joke about dumb-blondes given that our family is filled with blondes.  One day Gabi was frustrated by our joking and asked, “Why can’t red-heads be dumb?”

I volunteered one day at Eli’s school.  As part of that experience, I got to eat lunch in the cafeteria with Eli and his classmates.  We were sitting at tiny tables, designed with kindergarten through second graders in mind.  I had just finished my lunch and everyone else was still eating.  The following conversation took place:

    Eli:  “Daddy, you’re fast!
     Boy across from me:  “Yeah, you’re fat.”
     Girl sitting next to Eli:  “You are fat!”
     Me:  “Eli didn’t say I was fat, he said I was fast.”
     Boy across from me:  Embarrassingly – “Oh.”
     Girl sitting next to Eli:  “Well you are fat!”


I was lighting candles one evening.  One particular candle would not light.  I kept trying, but the wick wouldn’t hold a flame.  Lisa noticed what I was doing and urgently informed me that it was a fake candle with a battery in it.  It melted a little, but stills works fine!

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Eli has been ill quite a bit this year.  We had his tonsils and adenoids removed last Tuesday.  The poor boy is having a tough time as he heals.  He is a high-maintenance invalid!  We gave him a cow bell to ring when he needed something.  That was a mistake!  He rang it constantly.  Once he rang it, and when Lisa came to find out what he needed, he told her he wanted the toy that was being advertised on TV for Christmas.  The doctors feel that we will see a major improvement in Eli’s health.  They said his adenoids were huge.  They send both the tonsils and adenoids in to be tested after the surgery.  The nurse told us she had to get a bigger specimen container to place Eli’s adenoids, as the regular size was too small to hold his.

Eli has missed 9 days of school already – each time due to illness.  We received a letter from the school warning us about the importance of children attending school.  Then we received a letter from the Department of Health and Human Services informing us of a mandatory meeting that we must attend, or we will be turned over to Children’s Protective Services and the courts!  Isn’t our government and school system wonderful!  Seriously!  I am livid.  The letters treat us like children.  I think it might be time to home school.

The cold weather is really here!  Snow is on the ground, and our yard is beautiful.  I love snow on the ground – not the roads, but on the ground.  We are in the middle of basketball season.  Jake is a freshman playing at the University of MN, Duluth.  He is getting small amounts of playing time as a freshman.  Although he would like to play more, he is enjoying being on the team, and attending UMD.  Isabella is playing varsity basketball for Rogers High School as a junior.  Luke is playing on a travel team – 5th grade.  We are decorated for Christmas, but have most of our shopping left to do.  Overall, I'd say we are doing fairly well as a family.  We continue to grieve the loss of Lydia, and I'm guessing we always will.  Most days are good, but for unknown reasons a day will come along that is particularly difficult.  Knowing our precious Lydia is dancing and singing in heaven, combined with the knowledge that we will see her and hold her in our arms again one day - we can continue to have joy!

I would be remiss if I failed to mention that my favorite team (the Ohio State Buckeyes football) is playing for the Big Ten title this Saturday, and if they win, will be playing for the National Championship!  Yes I am excited … and nervous.  Michigan State this Saturday is not going to be an easy game to win.  As I’ve mentioned before, I get irrationally emotional over the Buckeyes.  I know there is something wrong with that, but I can’t help it!  Maybe someday I’ll seek therapy to correct my misguided priorities.  But until then – I am focused on the game this Saturday, and can hardly sit still due to my excitement and anxiety.  A Gopher fan just wouldn’t understand!

And of course – the last few days we have been enjoying left-over turkey – the best left-over turkey ever!

Love,
JR


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Mrs. Thunder Bottom

10/18/2013

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Eli's 6th B-Day, Gabi's 13th B-Day, and a shot of some of the family this summer at Mi Mi and Paw Paw's home.
News From The North

This is my favorite season.  I love the crisp cool air and the changing color of the leaves.  I love wearing jeans and sweatshirts.  I love the college football season; watching my Buckeyes on Saturday.  I certainly don’t mind a good NFL game!  The grass doesn’t grow as fast!  There’s a smell in the air that just makes you want to breathe in deeply.  I love fall, and wish it would go on and on.  And when the reality of what’s to come starts to enter my mind – I quickly push it out … and pretend that the Minnesota winter is really not just around the corner.  NO – this is fall, and I’m going to enjoy it.  I choose to block out the truth and only focus on the beauty of autumn.  Heck, we won’t see snow for at least a couple days!

Our family is getting adjusted to having Jake away at college and Eli in kindergarten.  We are busy as school has begun.  Jake started his freshman year of college, and is busy with classes and pre-season basketball.  Isabella is doing some pre-season basketball stuff, while she works on weekends as a waitress in a local family-owned restaurant.  She is also trying to get started modeling, and has a couple auditions.   Sophia will turn 15 years old soon, and I am in denial.  She will be old enough to start driving with a learners permit.  Oh no!  Gabi is playing volleyball, and intends to play JO volleyball in the winter.  Luke just finished football season and will start basketball soon.  Eli likes kindergarten, but he is currently struggling with reading and is getting special help.  He has a much greater interest in the social aspects of school, and learning is just something that gets in the way of the fun.

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Now for the collection of funny and interesting things the children have said recently.  I keep a running list on my phone, and when I hear something that strikes me as funny, I type it in so later it finds its way onto my Blog.

For reference, here are the ages:  Jake 19, Isabella 17, Sophia 14 (15 on 11/25), Gabi 13, Luke 10 and Eli 6.


We were at a friend’s graduation party where we saw an adorable little girl.  I made a comment, “I'd like to adopt a little girl like that.”  Luke chimed in, “I want you to adopt a boy my age.”  Luke tends to have trouble getting along with both Gabi and Eli.  So Lisa says, “So you can fight with him?”  Luke replies, “No - buy an athletic one so I can play with him.”

At another graduation party Luke had noticed some people drinking a beverage that he thought he would like to try, but was having trouble locating.  He came up and asked me, “Where are those Mike's Hard Lemonade?”

Eli got in the car on a hot day and told me, "Turn the heat on cold!"

Luke overheard Lisa and I talking.  One of us asked, “I wonder why they didn't have more children?”  Luke looked surprised and asked, "You can just have more babies if you want to?"

We were at a baseball game and after Luke scored a run Eli proclaimed, “He got a home run!”  For some unknown reason I corrected him and said, “No.  He got a triple and then scored on a passed ball.”  Eli said, “He still got a home run.”  I insisted, “He got a run, but not a home run.”  I heard Eli quietly say under his breath, "You don't know what you're talking about."

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Bella jumped in one day and gave her opinion of how Lisa and I should handle a parental issue.  Then she stated, "I should be the parent of this house.  I have a lot of good input."

We were having a wonderful desert of strawberry shortcake topped with whipped cream.  Thinking that Eli would prefer just the strawberries and whipped cream, Lisa prepared his without the shortcake.  Eli noticed and asked, “Why didn't I get one of those buns?”

Lisa was criticizing one of Isabella’s Tweets.


    Bella – “Mom you don't even know what Twitter is.”
    Lisa – “Well I know you don't twit stupid stuff.”
    Bella – “My point exactly!”

Although this didn’t come from one of my children, it is worth mentioning.  One of their friends was visiting.  I overheard amongst the laughter that their friend thought a person from South Dakota would have a southern accent.

One evening after dark I asked Gabi to go out on the deck and bring something inside.  She was afraid of the critters that lurk after dark and resisted.  I insisted and she yells, “No, there's a crab on the window!”  Bella, who is standing near says, “Gabi, we live in Minnesota!  And it's a moth!”


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Paw Paw fishing with cousin Fletcher and Luke (Summer 2013)
Luke was watching the older boys play 21 (basketball game).  He turns to me and asks, "How many points do you need to win 21?"  (For those of you who don't know ... it's 21.)

Lisa woke Eli in the morning to go to school.  He was very tired and his first words, "I want to quit Kindergarten."  It was only the start of week 3 for him!  Later we asked him why he said he wanted to quit kindergarten and he told us, "I want to get up, when I want to get up."

Luke asked me, "Why do girl's legs grow so fast?"

The school district allocated some extra money to the over-crowded kindergarten situation and hired an additional teacher after school had been in session a month.  They selected 3 kids from each class to fill this class, and Eli was one of the kids who were to be moved into the new class. When we told him that he was changing classes he was devastated.  Now one of the ways I deal with sadness is to use humor.  Sometimes my children don’t like this tactic, but I’m pretty sure I learned it from a couple of older Wilson men.  I told Eli that his new teacher's name was Mrs. Thunder Bottom.   After going to school the next day, Eli came home and notified us that he told his teacher, “My Daddy says my new teacher’s name is Mrs. Thunder Bottom.”

Luke was asking me questions such as, “How much do we pay for insurance?”  “How much is the house payment?”  “How much did we pay for our house?”  He then asked why I was smiling.  I told him it was because he was just like his big sister Lydia.  She always asked those types of questions.  Luke replied,   “I don’t like not knowing things.”

The children were enjoying smoothies they had made.  Eli heard me say “smoothie,” and he corrected me, “No Daddy, sm ooo ooo ooo vie.”


I love this big family of ours.  There’s rarely a dull moment, and it is so amazing how seven children can be so different from one another.  My children are a blessing, and I am thankful for each one of them.  People often say something like, “I don’t know how you handle seven children, and I can barely handle my two.”  The truth is - it is not a burden.  Yes – there are challenging times, but I can’t imagine life without my bevy of Wilson’s.

Love,
JR

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Jake and Timothy (my brother), the three girls (Gabi, Bella & Sophia) having fun, and Eli chill'n by the pool.
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Our Day

9/18/2013

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Just one year ago we lost our precious Lydia.  It is a very sad and emotional day for our family, but it is also a happy day.  Lydia passed away on Gabi's birthday.  God's ways can be mysterious to our human minds.  But His ways are perfect and without fault.  The way we are choosing to look at this is that the two share birthdays.  September 18th is Lydia's heavenly birthday and Gabi's earthly birthday.

We miss Lydia deeply.  As time has gone by, our emotions have changed from shock and horror, to sadness and heartache based upon the reality of never seeing Lydia again while we are on this earth.  Honestly, some recent days seem harder than the early days.  Tears flow nearly every day.  It has been the most difficult year of my life.  And the start of year 2 doesn’t suddenly make everything better.  The difficulties continue along with the intense sadness.

But through this all, we have had our heavenly father by our side comforting us.  I’ve heard people ask the question, “How could a loving God let a child die?”  I know why!  Because … God does not view death as the end.  He views death as the beginning.   For those who believe in Jesus, and have accepted His gift of salvation, it is the beginning of our lives with Him.  Lydia accepted Christ early in her life.  On April 22, 2001 (at 2:01pm) she accepted the Lord into her heart.  At the time I recorded the moment into my Bible.  I wrote down the date and time, along with the scripture reference, “Psalms 40”.  I don’t recall what led me to this scripture at the time, but when I return there I see it is the most perfect of scriptures to associate with Lydia’s wonderful decision. 

Yes I am very sad.  Yes, I miss Lydia more than I could ever describe.  But my faith in God will not waiver.  I will never be the same, and I expect that I will always miss my special girl.  I might always feel some level of sadness when I think of my loss.  But I will smile when I think of the fond memories of Lydia.   And I smile when I think of that moment when I will see Lydia again.

Now let me tell you about Gabriella – our new teenager.  Gabriella has had three heart surgeries, two of which have been open-heart.  We didn’t know if our little baby would live to be four months old.  But God worked miracles and Gabi is now a strong and healthy 13 year-old.

Just tonight I made the observation that this birthday (the 13th) was coincidentally on 20-13.  I thought that was quite a special birthday.  A little bit later Gabi came back to me and informed me that every one of her birthdays would be like that.  She would be 14 in 20-14, 15 in 20-15, etc.  It only took me 13 years to make that observation, and wasn’t bright enough to figure out that this year wasn’t unique.

During Lydia’s funeral, one of her teachers spoke.  It was a wonderful tribute to Lydia, and we learned some amazing things about the impact Lydia had on the lives of others.  One thing she revealed was about a school assignment in which Lydia had to write about her hero.  Lydia chose to write about Gabi.  Yes Gabi was Lydia’s heroine.  She admired her for her strength and resolve. 

We intend to make September 18th a celebration of Gabi’s birthday.  Please pray for us.  And wish Gabi a Happy Birthday.  She is 13 in 20-13!

Love
JR


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Lydia's 21st Birthday

7/27/2013

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Today is the day my sweet Lydia was born.  This was always a special day.  She loved to spend the day shopping, drinking coffee and eating lunch with her mother.  Then the entire family would go out to dinner.  We would then come home and sing happy birthday while Lydia blew out the candles of her birthday pie!  Yes pie ... she didn't like cake.  Last year for some reason Lydia decided she just wanted to spend the day with just she, Lisa and I.  We had a wonderful day, and a day I will always cherish.  This year we will spend the day by celebrating, not mourning.  There will be tears, but only because we miss our beautiful Lydia.  We are going to visit the cemetery, then go shopping, and then out to one of Lydia's favorite places - Olive Garden.  Then we'll come home and all share a birthday pie!  We love you Lydia, we miss you and we rejoice knowing that you are experiencing the joy of God's presence.  My step-mother CJ shared these words with me today:  "in Me, death marks the beginning of the abundant life I intended all along."  That is my comfort!  Happy birthday Lydia!  I can't wait to wrap my arms around you again!

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Isn't That Going to be a Little Awkward?

5/31/2013

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Gabi at her band concert ... Bella & her friend Adri - champions
Here is the latest edition of the News from the North.  It is almost June, and we have barely experienced spring-like weather.  Finally it is green around here, but the temperatures are staying a bit cool.  The good news - mosquito season is also delayed!  The kids only have a couple more weeks of school remaining before summer break.  Having everyone at home all day will require that annual adjustment; for both kids and parents.

It will be an especially big adjustment given my new occupation.  Many of you know that at the end of 2102 I started my own business.  I have formed a company called, “Navigatus Advisory Group.”  As it says in my website:  "I am a business consultant working alongside small to medium sized businesses; creating growth, exploiting opportunities and eliminating weaknesses.  A coach, a mentor and a source of new ideas.”  I truly enjoy the new experience, but there is extra stress as I try to build the business.  When I’m not at a client’s location, I work from home.  Currently it is quiet around here until the children return from school.  Summer is going to require some newly established boundaries.

Jake is graduating from High School at the end of the week.  We are having an open house this coming Sunday.  We have been busy getting ready and making preparations.  I did a rough design of the photo card, and sent it to the photographer for final design.  We received a proof, which I showed Jake and Lisa … receiving approval from all.  Then actual cards came, and I received a call from Lisa.  “You put an RSVP on the cards?  You don’t ask for an RSVP to an Open House!”  How was I supposed to know something like that? Well we are five days away from the big event.  Our RSVP count is … six.  Either no one is coming, or they just ignored the RSVP that I shouldn’t have placed on the card.

 
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Dad & CJ from Ohio, and Mom from South Carolina - will be traveling to help us celebrate.  Now-a-days most people get invited to graduation open houses though Facebook.  Hopefully we have a good turn-out to help us eat our two pigs we are having roasted.  If not, we’ll be eating pork for a long time!

My mother traveled to Ohio recently.  She and my step-father, my dad and step-mother, my sisters and nieces and nephews all went out to dinner in Columbus.  Both my Mom and Dad (remember – they are not married to each other) went up to the counter to pay the bill.  Mom told my Dad that she was going to visit me in Minnesota the next week.  Dad then said, “Yes, we’ll be there too.”  Mom with a look of surprise said, “At the same time I’m going to be there.  Isn’t that going to be a little awkward?”  Dad answered, “It is Jake’s graduation.”  Mom embarrassed, “Oh – don’t tell anybody I said that!”

Notice that smooth transition into the humorous family stories?  I must also make note – stories that qualify as humorous are those that I find funny.  So if you are not laughing - that is ok - because I am.  This edition is heavily weighted toward Eli stories.  You can see why he keeps us entertained.

Eli likes to come down in the morning and sit on his mommy’s lap to cuddle.  I asked him why he didn’t ever want to sit on my lap.  He told me, “Because Mom is soft and nice and always warm.”

If you know Eli, you know he is so skinny that he looks like he was just rescued from a prison camp.  Recently he sucked in his shirtless tummy and stuck out his ribs and said, “Yeah!  Like a brick!”

Eli was playing at a neighbor’s house and informed them that he wanted a skull or sword tattoo.  They thought it was funny and passed the information on to us.  I asked Eli about it, and he then explained that he wanted the sword to be black with gold in middle.  I told him he might not want a tattoo because it might not be acceptable depending upon what he ends up doing for a job.  Eli reassured me, "Oh - I'm not going to work."

Eli was playing with some boys during one of Luke’s baseball games.  After the game we got in the car and Eli informed us that a boy was mean to him.  “He pushed me down for NO reason.”  I asked Eli if he did anything first.  Eli explained further, “He was saying mean things to my friend, and I pushed him.  Then he pushed me down on the ground for NO reason!”

Gabi's was obsessing over her hair in the car.  She had a small cowlick right in front and was trying to flatten it out.  Lisa told Gabi that she thought it was really cute and it looked even better than being flat.  About five minutes passed, and Eli looked over at Gabi with a disgusted look and said, "I don't think the same thing Mom said about your hair."

Eli was in a restaurant and told me. "I'm cold, I have goose bumps."  Then he reached down and felt his legs.  Upon discovering no bumps he said, "Oh, no I'm not, I'm hot"

As I've said before, Eli likes guns.

    Eli - “Dad, are you going to watch a movie tonight?”
    Me – “Yes.”
    Eli – “Does it have guns in it?”
    Me – “No.”
    Eli – “Why are you watching it?”
    Me – “I watch a lot of movies without guns in them.”
    Eli – “Why would you do that?”

Lisa and her friend LeAnne were teasing Eli and told him that he could sit beside them if he told them they were pretty.  Eli complied by telling them, “You are pretty.”  LeAnne then asked, “How pretty are we?”  Eli answered, “Two million seventy one (2,000,071).”

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Luke & his team won 2nd place in the 5th & 6th grade 3-on-3 tourney (They are 4th Graders!) ... Eli - probably pondering his next funny quote.


Eli and I were sitting together watching a movie.  Eli for no obvious reason put his mouth on my shirt and made a weird clicking sound with his tongue.  I asked him “Why are you doing that to me?”  He looked up at me and answered, “Well I can't do it to myself.”

I’ll mix in a few Luke stories.  I asked Luke, “Did you have a good day?”  Luke inquired, “What do you mean?”  I clarified, “Did you have a good day at school?”  Luke answered, “I don't think anyone has a good day at school.”

By the way … in the month of May, Luke won student of the month for his grade.  We found out because he was wearing a t-shirt that said “Student of the Month.” 

    Me – “Whose shirt are you wearing?”
    Luke - “Mine!”
    Me - “When did you win Student of the Month?”
    Luke - “This month.”
    Me – “Why didn’t you tell us?”
    Luke – “I forgot.”

Luke’s siblings were in disbelief, unable to reconcile Luke’s “home behavior” with that of a student who would win such an award.  Jake recently won student of the week.  “It took me four years to win student of the week, and you win student of the month?!”

Luke is playing travel baseball this summer.  His team is doing well.  In a recent tournament they won the championship in a unique way.  I’ve heard inspiring coaches tell teams that there is no such thing as luck.  I’ve heard it put another way, “Luck is where opportunity and preparation meet.”  In this case I’m not sure opportunity or preparation had much to do with it.  At game-time a thunder storm moved in and the weather forecast indicated no immediate relief.  So the coaches of the two teams who made the finals flipped a coin.  The Zimmerman Thunder 10 year old boys were named the champions.  Those ten-year old boys were just as happy as they would have been with a more traditional win.  They were the champions and they had the trophies to prove it.

Bella finished her spring basketball with a championship win in the Gopher State Championship (16U–AA division).  As summer begins she will be working as a waitress and hostess at a local family restaurant.  Her varsity school team will also be playing a good bit of ball through-out the summer.

Recently Bella was irritated with boy issues.  In frustration she stated for all to hear, “I’ll never date a high school boy again.  They’re immature and annoying!”  Eli chimed in, “Like Jake?” I guess he knows his big brother!

Our dog Sherlock has a new trick.  Our kitchen trash cans are built into the cabinets.  Open the cabinet and out pops the trashcans.  So Sherlock can open the cabinet door with his snout.  He then stands on his hind legs and pulls out trash and spreads it all over the floor.  Aren’t dogs so cute?!

Well … that’s it for now.  If you’re in the vicinity – stop by Sunday between 3:00pm and 7:00pm.  Tell Lisa that you are sorry you forgot to RSVP!

Love,
JR
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Lydia and Eli during our last weekend together ... Sophia
1 Comment

Thar She Blows ..."Chicken Island"

5/3/2013

5 Comments

 
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Morgan & Jake --- Jake & Isabella
I’ve been on a bit of a BLOG hiatus.  Even so, I’ve collected thoughts and the fun things that our children have said and saved them for this big moment; the moment when I was ready to resume blogging.

As most of you know, we lost our precious Lydia last fall on September 18, 2012.  She was 20 years old, and was living in Fargo, ND while attending college at Minnesota State University – Moorhead (just across the border from ND).  Lydia had been home two weekends prior, and we had a very nice weekend.  We even went to the Como Zoo on Saturday and spent the afternoon together.  September 18th was a Tuesday, and was Gabriella’s 12th birthday.  The children had just arrived home from school, and we were preparing to celebrate Gabi’s birthday.  A sheriff came to our home and notified us of Lydia’s death.  After the autopsy, the medical examiner was unable to determine a cause for the death.  The official ruling was “Primary Sudden Unexpected Death.”  The medical examiner described it to me as the adult version of SIDS.

It has been just 7 months and 2 weeks since that horrific day.  I must admit that I have never been so sad in all my life.  I actually cry almost every day.  Tears come to my eyes just writing this.  It is actually why I have waited so long to write this Blog.  I don’t feel sorry for myself.  I am not bitter.  I am just sad … and I miss Lydia so very much.  I know that God is in control, and I trust in Him.  I’m not just saying that because it is what I’m supposed to say.  I really do!  I will see Lydia again; I know that she is experiencing the presence of our merciful God.  That is my comfort, my hope and my joy.

As you can imagine, this experience has been very difficult for our family.  We will never be the same as a result.  People say time will make our loss easier to bear.  Maybe so, but I know that I will never stop missing my Lydia!  I do not allow myself to push her out of my thoughts to make it easier to cope.  I want Lydia to continue to be a part of our conversations and thoughts just as she has for the past 20 years.  I want to heal while remembering, not by forgetting.  We ask you to PLEASE be comfortable asking us questions, and PLEASE talk to us about Lydia.

This loss has strengthened my walk with Christ.  It has improved our marriage.  It has brought our family closer together.

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Lydia
Lydia always loved the family website, and shared the stories and Blogs with her friends.  She especially loved to read, and re-read the funny things our children have said over the years.  So with that said … here is the next batch of sometimes funny, sometimes gross, sometimes weird, but never boring … quotes and stories:

Ages for reference:  Lydia 20, Jake 18, Isabella 16, Sophia 14, Gabriella 12, Luke 10, and Eli 5!

The last time Lydia came home to visit us we all went to the Como Zoo in St Paul.  We had a wonderful time together.  As we walked around the zoo we came to the zebra display.  Luke watched for a few seconds, and said, “They are boring.  They just stand there.  Someone should throw in some lions.”

Eli, the youngest of seven children, seems wise beyond his years.  Other times – he is still our baby.  One particular day he was playing with his food, struggling to eat what was before him.  I said, “Just eat two pieces and then you can be done.”  Eli replied, “I’m not up to the challenge.”

Sometimes for both fun and education I play a game with the children.  I go from one child to the next asking geography and history questions.  One day we were playing the game and it came to Sophia’s turn.  I asked, “What country is St Petersburg located?”  Sophia pondered the question, and then thought she might have the answer.  But she answered with a question, “What’s that little place with all the Irish people in it?”

Another time we were playing the same game and I asked the children to name a European country.  One of the kids blurted out, “Turkey!”  Eli, wanting to join in, exclaimed, “Chicken Island!”
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Eli & Sophia
Speaking of chickens, Eli asked “What is chicken made of?”  I said, “Chicken.”  Eli thought a second, “Oh they kill them!”

Just before the big holiday, Eli asked if we could have an Easter egg hunt on Christmas.

We have a Christmas advent box that has 25 little cubbies, each with a little door.  We fill each of the 25 cubbies with candy, and every evening in December the children take turns opening the box and distributing the candy.  Eli asked one evening, “Are we doing Advil tonight?”

Lisa bought herself batman underwear.  I don’t know why, and as I stop to think, I don’t believe I’ve ever seen her wear them.  Well Eli saw them and assumed they were his.  He picked them up and saw the size and in a frustrated voice said, “Luke - you stretched them out!”

Luke quite proudly informed me that he had double-jointed eyes.

Another Luke conversation:
    Luke:      “Dad, did you go to elementary school?"
    Me:        “Yes.  Everybody goes to elementary
                    school.”
    Luke:      “I didn't know if they had elementary school
                    back then!”

Another Eli story:  Eli came in from playing outside and was upset.  I asked what was wrong and he told me that everyone was throwing snowballs in his face.  I said, “I know, that’s what happens.”  Eli frowns and sadly says, “You can’t do that to a little boy.”

Eli asked for cereal.  According to his sister, he climbed up onto the bar with the cereal and a very little bowl.  He tipped the box of Lucky Charms all the way up and it quickly filled the bowl and spilled all over the counter.  He then sat there and ate the cereal by hand.  Shortly Lisa approached the kitchen and Eli tried to cover his mess by spreading his arms and leaning over the pile of cereal.  He exclaimed, "Mommy, don't come in here!"  That of course sparked Lisa's curiosity.  She came in to find the pile of cereal … but now without any of the marshmallow treats found in the Lucky Charms.  Eli took advantage of the spill to eat the very best part.  Now we have an unlucky box of charmless cereal!

Eli recently told Lisa, "I love you like a love song."  Then he told me, "I love you to all the moons and back."

Somehow in conversation Luke confused his shin with his heel.  I asked, “You don’t know your body parts?”  Luke replied, “I get them all mixed up.  There’s so many of them.”

Lisa went to pick up Isabella at a friend’s home.  Keep in mind that Bella is often at this friend’s home, so we have been there frequently.  By texting Bella, Lisa knew that Bella is not yet there, but on her way.  Lisa therefore sits in the driveway waiting for them to arrive.  A car approaches, and Lisa thinks that it must be them.  But no - the car goes past and pulls into the driveway next door.  As Lisa watches the girls get out of the car, she realizes that she is waiting at the wrong home!  You got to wonder what the neighbors thought about the car sitting in their driveway!

Gabi has eczema and sometimes she gets it on her back.  As Lisa was checking out Gabi’s back she says, “Bread – let’s try it.”  Gabi gives her mother a funny look.  Lisa asks, “You wouldn’t give up bread to have your back look pretty?”  Gabi exclaims, “Oh – I thought you were going to put bread on my back.”
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Jake, Gabi & Bella
One Saturday morning I was called to breakfast.  Most of the family was already seated at the table.  I was walking down the stairs, half asleep, carrying a cup of coffee.  Somehow I missed the last couple steps and tumbled down, falling on one knee then to my back.  Lisa screams and the family jumps up from the table to see if I am alright.  As I lie on my back, I mutter that I am OK.  Jake proudly observes, “You saved your coffee!”  In my hand was my coffee mug – still full of coffee! 

By the way – more than a month has gone by, and I still can’t fully squat or rest my knee on the ground.  Injuries just don’t heal as fast as they used to!

I was riding alone in the car with Eli and he asked me, What if I don’t grow up and get bigger?”  I looked back and said to him, “You will.  God makes us grow.  I used to be a little boy like you when I was young.”  Eli without missing a beat, asks, “Did you have Nikes?”

Along with his youth football team, Luke walked in the local Zimmerman Thunder Homecoming Parade.  The boys displayed their spirit by making signs on poster board and then carried them as they walked in the parade.  When Luke arrives home we take a look at his poster and point out that is says – Go Tunder!  Realizing that he just “paraded” his misspelled poster in front of the entire town ... Luke yells, “You’ve got to be kidding me!”

I asked Eli what he wanted to do when he grew up.  He tells me, “I want to go to college where Lydia went.”  I then asked what he wanted to do after he graduated from college.  He thought for a minute, and then says, “Maybe a gun store.”

Eli really likes guns.  He told us that we should get some security cameras and a machine gun in case bad guys come.  He says, “We could shoot them or call the police.  I think we should just shoot them.”

Eli recently informed me - excitedly, “Daddy – one day Luke was really nice to me!”

We were driving home from a basketball game and from the back seat Eli says, “Daddy, you’re driving too fast.”  I ignored him.  Ignoring Eli is never a successful strategy.  Eli repeats, “Daddy, you’re driving too fast.”  I then say, “Eli – don’t tell Daddy how to drive.”  Eli hesitates a second and then asks, “Can I tell mommy? “  Lisa is sitting next to me and asks, “Tell me what?”  Eli answers, “That Daddy is speeding.  I know the laws.”

… and for the record, I was not speeding (by much)!

I hope to resume more timely Blog entries, but no promises.  With our lives turned up-side-down, it seems like we don’t always get to the things we should.  There are still many “thank you’s” we have yet to write to many people who reached out to us after Lydia’s death.  For that we apologize.  But we will get to them ... eventually!  We are celebrating Jake’s high school graduation with an Open House.  It will be on Sunday, June 2nd from 3:00 to 7:00pm at our home.  You are all invited!

Love,
JR
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Lisa's B-Day ... Luke
5 Comments

    News from the North

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    Author:  JR Wilson

     

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