Daniel is home from college for the summer, working a construction job. He has had horses since he was 11 years old, but being he had to leave, he sold them. Anna has always dreamed of having a horse, but Daniel’s horses had a lot of energy, and she wasn’t sure about handling them. Yesterday they went to a friend of ours who has a lot of horses, with the intention of bringing one home for Anna to ride over the summer. It is a good exchange, the horse eats our pasture, we get to ride it! Well, they came home with TWO horses! They are both old, but the one is very, very old, and needed a home for the summer. I laughed when I saw the trailer pull up, as these two kids were smiling from ear to ear. It always feels good to do something nice for someone else! They knew it was the right thing to do for the horse. I was proud of them. It was so fun to watch Daniel teach Anna what he knows, and observe her drinking in all the instruction. As she came trotting up the driveway on her sweet, old horse, we were filled with joy to see her dream come true!

Yesterday Christie came over with Samuel and Elaina. Elaina will turn one on March 22, and Samuel will turn 4! It was so fun to sit outside with the puppies on such a gorgeous day. When I watch how each of my grand-children interact with the puppies, I think I am the luckiest person on earth! I love kids and I love dogs….the two together doesn’t get any better! Last year at this time our son David had just gotten married, so we had a new daughter. Their wedding was so amazing. It was such a powerful moment when they said their vows. I felt so proud of the man he has become, and the choices they have made. Two weeks later Nate and Kelly gave birth to our first grand-daughter, Avery Evelyn! What a miracle. Perfect eyes, heart, fingers! Then four days later Sean and Christie had Elaina Evelyn. Well, I am the happiest grandma in the world!! Both girls are named after my mom, one of the most giving and loving people I have ever known. To see her legacy of love live on in my children, and now grandchildren is so amazing. This week the work really steps up, as the mothers take less care, and we take on more….but in all the business, I love taking time to drink in the moment, and watch my grandson run around screaming in delight as the puppies chase him. Life is grand.

My father in law passed away yesterday morning from a brain hemorrhage. He has spent a lot of time in our home, recovering from stokes or surgery, and has lived in Litchfield Bethany Home for the past five months. He longed to live on the farm he was raised on. The farm he milked cows on for 75 years, yet he understood the changes life brings and was thankful for the good care and friendships he made in Litchfield. As his care giver, we spent many hours drinking coffee, and discussing all the issues of life. I am so thankful he did not suffer in his death, and that I could be with him as he passed from this earth into the arms of his savior. We all know death will come, but when it does, I don’t think we are ever really prepared for it. Death catches us by surprise. Life is so precious. I see it as I hold a newborn baby, and as I watch an elderly man breathe his last breath. I am blessed to have known John, and cherish the memories I have with such a gentle, sweet man. It is not always easy to care for the elderly, and takes a lot of time to go to all the medical appointments, and meet the needs of someone who can’t care for themselves anymore. But it is also very rewarding. The gratefulness and appreciation for help in doing the simplest things. The hugs. What my children learned from John about life and respect is priceless. He was a kind man that impacted my life in many ways. He will be greatly missed.

We celebrated Amy’s birthday on Friday with 16 friends from school. Each of Amy’s friends have a special relationship with her, and accept her and love her. It is a dream come true for us. We all need friends. We all need to feel accepted and loved. It was so fun to watch the girls go from the pool to holding puppies, to the tramp, into the hot tub, back to the puppies…..we had a water balloon fight which was A LOT of screaming, especially when Russ brought out the garden hose and started spraying everyone…they got him back with a few buckets of water! All in all, it was a great celebration of life. A day doesn’t go by that I don’t thank God for giving Amy to me. She brings a whole new dimension to our family. It is not always easy, and battling leukemia was probly the hardest part of having a child with downs. Now that we have conquered that, life is grand. I am blessed to have her in my life.

I had a wonderful Mothers Day enjoying my family, and reading out loud to them, which is one of my favorite things to do…we are reading “The Shack” and I really like it! It changes your religious thinking and lets you see God in a different, more personal light. The puppies enjoyed sitting by the campfire as much as Delilah!

Christie Evelyn & Elaina Evelyn and Kelly Marie & Avery Evelyn. All four girls are named after my mom, Evelyn Marie Kalenberg Finken, who passed away ten years ago. Mom was a wonderful woman who never stopped encouraging others. She always had a smile and encouraging word for you. She never came over empty handed! Always a jar of jam or even a roll of paper towels. She called it her “love gifts” She left us with a legancy of love, and it is my dream for that legacy to live on in my children and for generations to come. Love is so powerful. It can turn the worst circumstances around. It never fails!! Love endures forever. The love my mom shared with all of us lives on, and now, in her two adorable great grand daughters. When there are such important events in my life, like David & Missy getting married or Avery and Elaina being born, I miss mom. I wish I could share these wonderful moments with her. She would be so proud and happy. But I try really hard to live on the way she would want me to….enjoying my life and my wonderful family, appreciating all that I have. I want to be a giving person like Mom was. Even though she lived through hard times and tragedy, she was a very happy person. I think that is one of the secrets to happiness….giving. As I feel myself being spread very thin in being a wife, mother, grand-mother, care giver and puppy raiser….I find my happiest times are when I am giving. As Easter Sunday approaches, I think of God our Father, and how he gave his son Jesus Christ, to save us. That is true giving!! Love unconditional.

Samuel was here yesterday and couldn’t get enough of the puppies, or I should say they couldn’t get enough of him!

We are so happy to announce the birth of our second grand daughter, Elaina Evelyn! She was born March 22 and weighed 6.14 oz! Our oldest daughter Christie, her husband Sean and their little boy Samuel are very happy to have a healthy little girl! I meant to post this earlier, but it has been very busy here at RollingOaks with a litter of puppies, these two new babies, the wedding, and boarding lots of dogs over spring break! It snowed here today to turn Minnesota back to winter just a little longer!

Our daughter Kelly gave birth to a beautiful baby girl, Avery Evelyn this morning at 3:12! She weighs 6 lbs.14oz. We are so happy to have one baby here! Christie was actually due LAST Saturday, so it won’t be long and we will have another addition to the family!! Lots of excitement here! Grandma couldn’t be happier!!