Life with the Givans from A to Z

Hello family:
Hopefully, we can bring you up to date and share a few pictures.  It is in a different format than usual, but oh so me!  Enjoy.

A= Armadillo 

Yes, this is an armadillo skeleton that I found at the pasture, much to my delight.  Best find ever.

B=Books and Bookcases

  We are receiving some books and bookcases from a good friend.  It amounts to about 47 boxes of books but we are sharing with Pa and anyone else who might be interested in history.  Sorry, we are not sharing the bookcases.

C=Chris' Birthday

  We met Chris in Kansas City to celebrate his 21st birthday.  It was unusual.  We opened presents and ate cheesecake in a food court at the mall.

D=Days are longer. 

  I love the longer days. Although, now there is no excuse not to walk for exercise.

E=Eating Disorder Awareness Week

 Wearing purple and writing operation beautiful notes took up this week in February.

F=Fencing

  We are in the process of having a new back and side fence installed.  Hopefully, this will keep the canines in.

G=Great News.

  Our fund raisers in January and February were successful and we raised all the money for the service dog.  The dog will arrive in July 27 ad we should receive pictures soon. It is kind of like waiting on a baby to arrive.

H=Hot.

  I will admit we have gotten hot enough to turn on the air conditioner.  I know-what wimps!

I=I have become very busy at work with camp drawing near.

J=Jeni

  Jeni, my best friend for almost 40 years, came for an unexpected visit this last week.

K=Kindle Fire

  Tim joined the world of the electronic reader and loves it.  He did admit the other day that he is as hooked on new electronic gadgets as the younger generation.

L=Lovely

  I had a lovely birthday celebration.  Even received some toys.

M=Mandalay

  What is a Givan post without the pets?

N=Noel   Noel has decided that the dogs are here to stay and she might as well endure.

O=One year anniversary of Kate being home.

Kate and I celebrated by buying the second season of Glee, having a decorated cupcake and eating McDonald's.  Tim was in Colorado so missed the moment but did send flowers.

P=Packer

  This is Jeni's dog who travels with her.  He is about the size that Kate's service dog will be.  Extra Large!

Q=Quiet

  When Kate is in Wichita and Chris at school, it is too quiet at our house.

R=Read

  One of my few hobbies-I still love to read.  (to myself and any little great nieces that might be around)

S=Shona  She has no idea what is in store for her when the big brother or sister arrive in July.

T=Thomas    My poor boy has some issues.  His tummy is bare.  The consensus is that he doesn't fit through the hole in the fence and leaves a little bit of fur behind each time he goes through it.

U=U  We always love to hear what U are doing so don't forget to post when it is your turn.

V=Vacation  Once in a while we go on vacation.  To Colorado and to 

W=Washington D. C.    We had a mini vacation here when we picked up Kate in January.

X=Xtra Special People  

  You are all extra special.

Y=Yardwork

  Yardwork season is here.  We are trying to just do what we can actually maintain.  Sometimes we have a follow through problem with plants and stuff when it gets hot.

Z=ZZZZZZZZZZZ

Good night and good bye till next time.

Love Auntie and Uncle Tim

Updates from the David Johnston family

First of all, who doesn’t love this weather right now?! Adelynn wakes up in the mornings saying “Sigh? Oohs? Sigh?” (Translated: “Outside?, Shoes? Outside?”) She has loved riding in her stroller for some reason. (Odd, I know. But I do not argue.) We went on long walks nearly every morning this week. We would get home and she would say “More walk?” … so off we would go again! No reason not to! Here’s our personal updates:

Dave: Recently he and I discovered the BEST Mexican food in town. Adelynn and I met him for lunch one day at a place a member of our Small Group told us about it. It is Mexican food sold out of a truck. Sound sketchy? Yes. Want to know the name?

It’s Tacos Mary.

Even better, right?? They park on the corner of 4^th and Plum, just a little East of there on the North side of the road. It was awesome!!

His basketball season recently ended, but has one tournament coming up. They only lost one game, and Dave only had one tooth go through one lip during the season. Not bad!
He stays pretty busy with one thing or another. He’s usually fixing a computer or XBOX in the evenings. In fact, he has two for this weekend.

He has also enjoyed the Small Group we host and enjoys doing tech work at church and is looking to expand into doing the sound as well. He is on a committee called the Worship Leadership Committee. They have people from each department of church life; a pastor, a congregational feedback lady, a praise team musician, and elder, etc. Dave represents the whole tech department. Having him on that committee also has been an added bonus for me as a part of the decorating committee. He gets the handouts on each sermon series in advance, so I am able to start brainstorming ahead of time. Pretty handy!

Cassi: I’ve been busy, myself. Our decorating committee is making some major decorating decisions at the church, so we have been looking around and talking about budget, etc. We are still hosting Small Group twice a month and enjoying that. I’m still singing in the praise team and co-coordinating the nursery. We are making some big changes in the nursery as well. We are upping the security and changing some policies, just to make everyone feel more comfortable and secure in leaving their children there! That has also taken a lot of time. Since I am home a lot, I get a lot of ideas for the next things I want to do in the way of home improvement. I have so many paint ideas, decorating, landscaping, etc that I would do tomorrow if it wasn’t so expensive! There will be flowers in the front yard very soon! I picked up a short-term babysitting job that I am excited about. I will have a 3 year old girl and 1 year old boy on Monday and Tuesday mornings through mid-June. I met their Mom at Parents As Teachers. She has been staying home with them, but got a job as a youth pastor in KC. She has been travelling there on Saturday and coming back Tuesday evenings. It will continue that way until June, when they are able to move as her husband’s current job contract will end then. In the meantime, he has been working mornings and working from home in the afternoons Mon and Tues. So they get to come play at our house for a few months. I’m looking forward to it!

There’s always something going on at my blog! http://laughterandlattes.wordpress.com/. There’s a “subscribe” option on the right hand side bar if you’re interested! You get your giggles and caffeine right to your inbox.

Adelynn: is almost 2, going on 22. Sister knows it, too. She’s been busy modeling for Joy Baker, talking, talking, and talking. She has no walk speed, she just runs everywhere. She even likes to tip toe like her Aunt Sarah I believe it more every day that she looks just like her Dad and acts just like her Mom. Her baby pictures are Dave’s baby pictures and her personality is a carbon copy of my baby videos. It’s un.real. Borderline creepy. She’s been big into books, cooking in her kitchen, helping me cook or do dishes in our kitchen, Dora the Explorer, the color pink, the cats, basketballs, stickers, coloring, swinging and bath time. She’s recognizing some colors, beginning to count, and forming sentences. Her longest sentence was 6 consecutive words. Her motor skills are also improving. She’s getting good at throwing balls in the direction she is aiming, and catching when she’s prepared. She’s well rounded socially and emotionally. Although she has a mind of her own (which is good!), she is still generally very compliant and communicates well. She’s a typical toddler in that she likes to say “Mine!”, but overall is very concerned about other people. She’s also compassionate. We met a man in the mall one day who was blind (well, I knew who he was, his Mom was my former teacher – so he wasn’t a stranger). She gave him the longest hug. I literally had to tell her it was time to go and help her down. I love that her big heart shows in her life.

 

Sorry for the bombardment of photos!! It’s been a while since we have shared Joy wanted to use Adelynn as a Valentines Day model this year, so her smiling face will be used in her pamphlet next year (yay for free pictures!) She did the same thing at Christmas for us. She took Adelynn’s 2 year/Spring family pictures on Monday, but the wait time is still a couple of weeks on those. The family picture is one she did on a special occasion just for us since the church directory is going to be very casual this year with everyone submitting their own pictures. We’ve formed such a good friendship with her. She’s fabulous!

We know it’s been close to a year since we moved back to town, but we are still thankful every day that we can be so close to you all once again!!!!

Love,
Dave, Cassi & Adelynn

Tim, Vicki, Erik and Samuel

Hello all

I uploaded a picture! (It is from the day before Thanksgiving - but I'm just learning remember)

We have not had any BIG events other than Grandpa's birthday:) Southwestern is still keeping Tim busy. Right now he is having to PUSH other faculty members to recruit for next year so they can keep the person who was hired for one year contingent on how the department was doing.

He goes to New York the end of next week for a Music Teacher National Board meeting. He is on the board for this mid west region. He'll get to see Mary:)

My work was pretty slow for Jan and Feb but so far Mar is picking up. Have written new insurance for several house purchases. I'm still working with the hand bells at church. They were purchased 25 years ago so we are going to get out all 5 octaves for two pieces on April 15.

Erik says he is looking forward to spring break. We enjoyed having him home the weekend before last. He's a "new" handsome guy with his haircut. (I hope that is OK for Mom to say:)
He said there is a new baby turtle in the greenhouse. It's about the size of a 1/2 dollar. It is now in an acquarium and they are watching for others.

Samuel is also looking forward to spring break. He gets to start his this Thursday. His one big assignment is to clean his room! He is working on his violin solo and Ultimate frisbee practices are picking up. And checking fuses in his car today. It died last night two blocks from home.

Hannah and James are coming to visit the end of this week and Andrew and Katie will be home Thurs-Fri. We are looking forward to that!

Birthday celebration pictures

Bonus Pictures

We had a good lunch and enjoyed our time celebrating with Grandpa and Auntie yesterday!  Here's a few extra pictures...

Adelynn assisting with presents.

The photo paparazzi.

This piggie was a hit!

Olivia making her party favor with Great Auntie. Party favor is a purse, which was used today!

Olivia enjoying cake with Great-Grandpa.

Happy Birthday!

Today we celebrated Grandpa's 80th birthday and my 52nd.  It was a fun day with lots of family, although those that were absent were greatly missed.  Enjoy the pictures.  Following the pictures is everyone's favorite things about Grandpa.  What a nice day!

80 Things We Love About Grandpa 

(plus a few extra…)

Vicki
1. His favorite foods are popcorn, sugar cookies, and gravy bread.  (Although that might not be true now)
2. His loyalty to K-state
3. His strong faith 
4. Proud of his family
5. Also Can't think of Pa without thinking of the pasture
6. Three favorite memories are: of he and Ma balancing the checkbook,  how he always stretched how tall he was, eating popcorn in the evenings.


Tim S.
7. He is a spiritual leader for the family.  
8. He enjoys the unique qualities of the family and loves when they are together.
9. He is resourceful - especially at the pasture.
10. Tim's  favorite stories are the snowstorm for he and Ma and Korea stories.
11. He said his first thought was when we were first together and Pa was ready for church at 7:30 and it didn't start until 8:30.  Which probably impressed him because it was so different from his family! :)

Hannah and James

12. I love that all of his best stories start with "Incidentally."
13. I loved watching Gone with the Wind with his historical commentary.
14. I love that he leads by example with his faith in our Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
15. I love his commitment to family and all of the Christmases we have spent together.


Andrew
16. I always enjoyed his love for the pasture but especially how much he wants to share it with us. It’s not just for him, it’s for everyone who follows and that’s obvious
17. I have a specific memory of being next to him in church one Sunday and we were singing Onward Christian Soldiers and his big deep voice was resonant and passionate
18. His passion for K-State. My favorite memory is when K-State was destroying Oklahoma in the Big 12 title game and we came upstairs to tell him and he refused to come watch for fear of jinxing the win.
19. Finally another anecdotal example of what we’ve all already said: When I went to Tanzania he sent me the pocket New Testament Bible that he had with him during his service in Korea. He has a way of quietly supporting us that I haven’t always appreciated. 

 

Erik 
20. His knowledge and view of the world. Every time we're having a family get together, I am amazed by all the things he knows. There were several times in high school he knew things that were happening at East before I had any idea.
21. Definitely the pasture. Learning all there was to know about what our own unique nature get away had to offer and all the great history our family has from him. 
22. His passions. His abilities in craftsmanship as well as his love of history are all things I think of when I think of Grandpa. Even though these things aren't my primary interests when he would talk about them I found myself enthralled with what his experiences with them had to offer.
23. The fantastic family he has forged. Not everyone can say that they have such an amazing group of individuals with whom they can share such great times. He has provided a second home that has always been an enjoyable place to visit. His values have been a strong positive influence on everyone. Plus he raised great children, one of which is my mother who no doubt learned much of her great parenting from Grandpa, both of whom I can say with certainty, have mastered the art.


Samuel 

24. His love of history and old things.. 

25. His love for the outdoors and sharing the pasture with us.
26. All of his old stories and life lessons
27. His love of building things and working in the workshop.
 
Pam
28. Golf – I really enjoyed being able to play golf with Pa at Chase.  I especially enjoyed a time with Pa, Grandpa Al, and myself when we went to the golf course outside of Haven.  It had sand greens and was just nice to see how Pa and Grandpa Al talked and had fun together.
29. Pasture – A couple of years ago I was able to go with Pa alone to the pasture in the summer to help with odd jobs.  I enjoyed the time together and the talking back and forth.  He really enjoys the land and all it can tell and give you.
30. Faith – Probably Pa’s biggest testimony to me is his faith in God.  He has always showed kindness and understanding to all through his faith in God.  I especially remember the times he taught Sunday School at Christ and how the students he taught always respected him.
31. Charles’ birth – When Charles was born, Pa was the first one up to see him.  He was so proud and wore the biggest smile after seeing him!
Randy
32. Fat Christmas Tree –One annual event that has many different twists includes an annual trip to St. John to cut a scotch pine Christmas tree often done in the blue and white Plymouth Fury. One year in specific, a particularly large tree was chosen. “Oh my” was a typical response for anything that didn’t make sense, but probably was going to happen anyway. After donning coveralls, wielding the saw, and cutting the tree, which was perhaps bigger across than it was tall, a massive tree was being hauled back to Hutchinson to be squeezed through the front door to become a special part of that Christmas season.
33. Live Nativity – Charlie was instrumental in the tradition of producing the living nativity at Christ Lutheran. It didn’t matter how many or how few cars came or how cold it got, Charlie would be faithfully there to help with animals, parking or whatever task was needed. He was particularly pleased to expand the story with the Magnificat, and always wanted everything as accurate as possible.
34. Building the family room and fireplace – It was obvious as more outsiders were joining the family that more space was needed. Converting the garage to a family room became a project in 1974-75 where both Tim Shook and Randy helped by laying the bricks for the fireplace. Although none of us were the best craftsman, we wanted to be and tried hard. Randy spent so much time helping Tim that his side of the brick fireplace wound up not in line. Charlie did his best to express that it was “OK” but when Ned Shook came to look and pointed out which side “had to be Tim’s” Charlie jumped into the conversation saying “no, the straight side is Tim’s and a little flaw gives the fireplace character.”
35. Playing pinochle with parents Albert, Louise and family – Gathering family of all kinds, brothers, sisters, uncles, aunts and children made for wild games at the new home on the farm. “Breast your cards” would be the call for the wandering eye balls that “never cheated”. Laughter was frequently so hard that choking and white faces were particularly common.
36. Singing in Choir – Any church deserves a good choir, and when we started choir together, we were anything but good. We learned Leonardisms such as “silence reigned and we all got wet”. Since our baritone voices don’t exactly fit the traditional tenor or bass parts, we simply tried to get in the ball park of the notes. Eventually, we did sound like we knew how to sing together. We wound up sponsoring singing events at the church with the efforts of bringing in and installing risers or visiting our sister church in the city to make an appearance and sound not only respectable, but really good. Choir provided multiple good times and special moments.
37. PMS Foods – Meat, bread and potatoes were the staple diet then and now, and after a tour of the PMS Foods facility, I learned why pizza and other spiced food was never really on the diet. If Italian spice ever smelled good, it would not after working in the labs. However, the freshly baked bread as experimental loaves was a keeper.
38. Playing Church Softball – It was tough to get enough people to field a whole team to play, so Charlie stepped up to play. Arthritis was already calling before the first game, but it was a matter of much importance to play. Charlie did play so those of us who were younger got a chance to play until there were enough team members to field a team.
39. Shed building – Everyone’s construction skills improved with projects at homes and at the pasture. Building the shed in the backyard as a weekend project was a time for Charlie to supervise and be general foreman. He was able to get all of the parts needed, and keep us all working together, finishing up the loose ends once we were done.
40. Riding to the pasture – It is hard to be from the city while most everyone else stayed on the farm. However, visiting the pasture in the back of the yellow truck with Grandma Louise driving was always an experience. Riding in the back of the truck with Charlie, the girls and myself as the newcomer gave a special sense of the relationships in the Kinast family

Sarah and Dan

41. How he uses archaic phrases and expressions or at least lesser used ones- i.e. "I'll be darned." and then asks to make sure you've heard what just caused him to exclaim that.
42. How he reminds us to stay out of trouble.
43. His passion for family history and his ability to share that with us.  
44. His relationship with Grandma and how it is so loving and passionate with just the right amount of teasing and spice.
45. His smile and eye twinkle.  
46. I also agree with Chris' top one--when I think of Grandpa one of the first things that comes to mind are his hands.


Olivia
47. How he always asks for a kiss from me.
48. How much he enjoys watching me play when I come to visit.
49. The way he held me when I was smaller.
50. How he will sometimes refer to me as a rascal.

 

Mary

51. Happy Times at the state fair with Grandpa always there to give us all the good stuff that the booth had to offer

52. the ethics that he imparted to each of us as kids
53. spending time together at the pasture and the love that Grandpa has just being together in the outdoors
54. the special interest and pride that he has for K-State


Kurtis
55. His welcoming nature
56. His incites and stories about K-State
57. His interest in what's going on in our lives
58. His enthusiasm for the outdoors and the pasture


Charles
59. My earliest memory of grandpa is visiting him at work at PMS Foods.  And him giving us BBQ Sauce and letting us play with his trucks from the shipping companies he worked with
60. The adventures we would have when I sat on his lap and drove the riding lawn mower for the first time at the pasture
61. The love of trains and playing for hours with the different trains he has in the house.
62. The integrity he has maintained as he's struggled through health issues.  I will never forget him always asking me how I was doing no matter how bad he felt. 


David
63. His shared joy for everything K-State
64. How he makes everyone feel welcome
65. His always positive look on things
66. How he interacts with his great grandchildren


Cassi 
67. How you’re always in the know about what’s going on in the world.
68. Your great sense of humor. 
69. How you’re always thinking of what other people would want to know and are always prepared to share that info with them.
70. You can always find something to laugh about.


Adelynn 
71. How you play ball with me.
72. That you let me play with toys my Daddy and Grandma played with.
73. I like your walker.
74. Your hugs.


Laurie
75. His strong faith in God.
76. His loyalty to family.
77. The twinkle in his eye when he is being ornery.
78. His fairness-he always gives everyone the benefit of the doubt.


Tim G. 
79. That he is the father of the woman I love.
80. I love his love of history and being able to discuss history with him.
81. That he took time to show me how to do simple electrical repairs (without killing myself)
82. That he raised such beautiful family that I could join.


Kate
83. That you are letting me help you with the library paperwork. I know how important that is to you and I feel honored to be the one you are choosing to show it to. Also, how patient you are as you teach me to add. 
84. When I was little (and older) when someone bullied me or had done something wrong you never hid your dislike of them. You taught me that I deserved to be treated better than the percussionists and how the girls at church treated me. 
85. How you are always willing and wanting to learn about something new. You don’t want to be left behind and take a lot of effort to learn about new technology and other things. 
86. You ask for help when you need it. I really admire this.
87. You have never judged me with everything I have gone through the past four years. I always knew you loved me and your through your hugs I knew that you were supporting me. 
88. That you color! I love your pictures and how excited you are to show them to us. I’ll always take them off your hands and hang them in my apartment if you need something to do with them. 


Chris 
89. The way his hands show how hard he's worked
90. The smell of his wood-shop
91. His love of the pasture
92. His appreciation of all things Kansan