Denise and Rick's Blog

Happy Six Month Birthday, Camryn!

denrick — Sun, 07 Mar 2010 23:15:52 +0000

You have grown and changed so much and each day you change even more. I’m sure your mommy has been keeping track of all the many things you’ve been doing this winter in your special book. Here are a few of the recent things you’ve been up to as you hit the six-month mark:

Trying Sweet Potatoes for the First Time

Trying New Hair Styles

Being as Pretty as Your Mommy

Thanksgiving, 2009

denrick — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 23:18:24 +0000

We had something extra special to be thankful for this Thanksgiving, 2009. Camryn has blessed this family in so many ways. She continues to grow and change daily. Even though we don’t see her often enough, when we do see her we can really see how she’s developing.

Thanksgiving day was a work day for Rick although he did get off early. We had supper at our house for the family.

But the best part of Thanksgiving was actually Friday. I got to spend the whole day taking care of Camryn while her mommy and daddy went Christmas shopping. We had lots of fun and she rewarded me with a huge grin.

Veteran’s Day

denrick — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 00:35:40 +0000

On this day of rememberance, I’d like to take a moment to thank the men and women of this country who served in the military or who are still on active duty. Too many of us take our freedoms for granted.

My dad, Noah, served as a Captain in the Army during World War II. Each of his brothers and his brother-in-law served in some capacity in the military in the Twentieth Century. So a big thank you to Roy, Noah, Arthur, Elmer, Chester, Vernon (Tuffy), Gerald (Coon), Art Juergens, Shelby and Jack. I know it had to be hard on Grandma and Grandpa to have you serving during the various wars. Thankfully, you all came home.

I’d also like to thank my cousins who’ve served in the military. Roy’s son, Robert, made the ultimate sacrifice in Vietnam. He was missing in action for many years, but his remains were finally found and returned to Illinois to his final resting place.

God bless the USA!

Happy 7th Birthday, Bryce

denrick — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 00:17:34 +0000

It’s hard to believe how mature Bryce is for a 7-year-old. He takes great care of his baby sister and he’s smart as a whip. He was sitting on his dad’s lap today just before his birthday party reading a book. Dad didn’t have to help him with very many words. If he can read, he can do anything.

Bryce has grown quite a bit just since school started. He’s active and plays football, soccer and basketball. He was showing us how to shoot hoops this afternoon.

Of course Bryce had fun opening his birthday presents.

And Camryn wore the bib Bryce got her. It says “I luv my big brother.”

A Season of Changes

denrick — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 20:58:58 +0000

Fall is always a season of changes and 2009 has certainly been no exception. Aside from the colorful trees provided by Mother Nature, there have been some major changes around our house.

The first change is the daily change in Camryn. Each day she is more alert and finding all kinds of things that she should know more about. Her eyes don’t miss much and she follows sounds. We have had the pleasure of babysitting while her mom runs errands and she’s fun to spoil. Camryn has paid a couple of visits to us and we’ve learned how to quickly set up her Pack-n-Play so she can snuggle in for a nap when she wants to.

The second change came when Rick was downsized from his job that he’d had for seven years. He suspected it was going to happen, but it wasn’t any easier when it did. He has found a new job doing the same type of work with pigs that’s much closer to home. After the first of the year, his new employer begins paying insurance and he’ll be eligible for bonuses. In the long run, it probably is a good change. At least that’s how we’re looking at it.

The third change is with my freelance writing job. The work with my previous employers had all but dried up with the economy. So I went in search of a similar job. Much to my surprise, I was hired at Demand Studios two hours after I sent in my resume. The work is similar to what I was doing and it’s an easy way to pick up extra cash.

Sometimes the thought of change can be scary. We’ve found out this fall, that with the right attitude, change can really be good.

Happy First Month Birthday, Camryn

denrick — Sat, 03 Oct 2009 21:46:30 +0000

You look like your mother! You’ll probably hear that as you grow up, and I’m sure Grandma and Grandpa Teter can say the same about your dad, but at this point you really do look like your mom. Chrissy took this picture of you:

Grandpa and I were both amazed at how much you look like your mother did at that age.

Chrissy at one month

It’s been a busy month for you and you’ve changed a lot. You’ve had a chance to get used to your home. Family and friends have been busy playing with you. You even came to vist us. I’m glad you enjoyed your new Pack-n-Play even though it took us most of a day to figure out how to put it together. We’ll be a lot quicker about assembling it next time.

You’re also more alert now. The day you came to visit us for the first time (you were about three weeks old) something outside the window caught your attention and you watched it for a long time.

And we’ve found out you’re a good little shopper. We took you to Columbia one day and never heard a peep out of you. I sure hope you enjoy your little pink Christmas tree we got you.

Camryn Leigh Joins the Family!

denrick — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 22:58:07 +0000

Camryn Leigh Teter made an early appearance on September 5, 2009. She weighed 6 pounds, 9.5 ounces. Because she was early she spent extra time in the hospital making sure her lungs were clear.

Now she’s been home for a couple weeks. And you know who rules the house! Mommy checks on Camryn every time she cries. Bryce thinks litte sis is pretty special. And of course Camryn has Daddy wrapped around her little finger.

Chrissy, Robbie and Camryn

Chrissy, Bryce, Camryn and Robbie

And Grandma and Grandpa Brown even got to babysit last weekend! Robbie and Chrissy hadn’t been on a motorcycle ride together all summer, so they left us in charge. Whew. It’s a good thing we remembered how to change a diaper and feed a baby or we’d never be asked back to babysit.

Camryn watching Grandma and Grandpa Brown to make sure they do everything right.

Our cameras haven’t stopped working since Camryn came. More pictures are coming soon.

What a blessing this child has already been for all of us. We’re all so happy for the new family and glad that everyone is healthy.

Girl Friends–Part 2: Showering on the Fun

denrick — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 00:15:47 +0000

Girl friends especially like to get together. Whether it’s in small groups or large, any excuse for a party is a good one. And when a young lady is having a baby, a baby shower is a great reason to gather girl friends of all ages to have some fun together.

Chrissy’s good friend Tamara, her mother-in-law Betty and I hosted a baby shower for Chrissy on August 30. Approximately 30 of her good friends gathered and watched her open presents. The baby received over 20 little outfits plus all kinds of other goodies that I know Chrissy and Robbie will get good use out of. In addition to opening presents, Tamara led games and we all enjoyed cake and punch.

Chrissy waiting to open her baby gifts

Friends at the baby shower

Playing games at the baby shower

Mandy, Jessica and Chrissy

Chrissy and Tamara

Girl Friends

denrick — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 23:45:08 +0000

As I was putting some stuff away the other day, I came across a wooden plaque Chrissy had given me several years ago. It says “Always My Mother, Now My Friend.” I’m pleased to say that Chrissy is truly my dearest friend. But we both also have other girl friends that have played a meaningful role in our lives. Thinking about these good friends caused me to think a bit and to hope that the new granddaughter gets to experience the great friendships that Chrissy and I both have been blessed with.

Girl friends come in all shapes and sizes and they also join in your walk along life’s path at different times. My good friends from school–Debbie, Bille, Brenda and Janet–shared many hours with me dreaming about what the future would hold. We talked about all the typical things teenage girls talk about. And then there are the girl friends from work and other activities. My close friends Diane and Kay fall into that category. They’re always willing to lend an ear and are both so much fun to be with. Other gal pals such as Kathy, Ann, Jeannie and Billie also play a big role in my life. And I know I can count on them no matter what.

Chrissy was blessed with special friends as she grew up too. Mandy and Chrissy bonded on the first day of kindergarten and were buddies all the way through school. Jessica is another classmate who has been a great friend to Chrissy. And even though I don’t know all of Chrissy’s friends today, I know she has great appreciation for all of them.

And the neat thing about friends is you never know where you’ll find them or when. Or better yet, when you’ll rediscover old friendships. With social interaction programs such as Facebook, I’ve been able to reconnect with Bille and Brenda from high school.

Read the next blog post for something else girl friends do for each other.

What’s Cooking, Kathryn?

denrick — Sat, 22 Aug 2009 17:23:09 +0000

My mother-in-law, Kathryn, was a super cook. As I look back through the photo albums to tell her story, the thing that pops out the most is the fact that most of her pictures were of family meals. I know when I was first introduced to the family, it didn’t take me long to figure out meal time meant there was something good on the table. It may have been pretty plain by some people’s standards, but it was good, hearty food.

As a farmer’s wife, Kathryn raised her own chickens. Pork and beef were also staples of their diet. She also had a truck patch where they raised all kinds of vegetables. She canned the stuff from the garden and stored it in their storm cellar. Very little went to waste at their house.

Kathryn and Emmett, Rick’s Dad, had three children: two boys and a girl. Rick is quite a bit younger than the other two. Rick’s sister, Marjorie, learned to cook from her mom, but back then boys didn’t learn to cook. Consequently, Vernon, Rick’s brother couldn’t boil water. By the time Rick came along, Kathryn made sure he learned how to cook.

Kathryn and Emmett moved to town in the early 70′s. Her new kitchen just meant she had more room to entertain family during special occasions. To this day Chrissy and I still cannot make noodles as good as Grandma’s and we still comment on it every time we make them.

Celebrating My College Graduation, May, 1974

And since Chrissy was her only grandchild, Kathryn spent a lot of time spoiling Chrissy rotten. And of course, that included playing cooking games with her. Kathryn was always ready to take care of Chrissy at the drop of a hat, whether it meant her house or ours.

As Kathryn’s health began to fail, she spent more time giving moral support to Chrissy with her education. Kathryn hoped to see Chrissy graduate from high school and she did that. She came within four months of seeing her graduate from college.

Blogging is something Kathryn would have enjoyed. She always kept a journal of her daily activities. Kathryn told Chrissy which ones were hers when she passed and I know Chrissy treasures these mementos of her grandmother.

Kathryn Outside Her House in Kirksville