A Few Memories From 2008

We could write epic volumes about this year. It has held some of the most challenging, disappointing, and frightening moments for us as a family, but, as these pictures show, these emotions have been punctuated by joy, beauty and routine.

Maybe when we catch our breath, we'll write the sort of long holiday missive we're (in)famous for, but here's a brief (?) imagistic take on 2008.

We miss you. We hope to see more of you in the New Year.

A time to weep and a time to mourn...

My dad has died.

I'm not ready to say much more of substance right now. I'm finding my constantly evolving emotions difficult to pin down with words. My dad's death has dramatically re-shaped my life, and I'm sure it will continue to do so. He was a gregarious man who reveled in life as he understood it and shared it with many others.

Until I have more words, here is his obituary. It's concise,without a lot of 'posturing' language, just like he would have wanted it.

COSHOCTON - Garry G. Leindecker, 63, of Fresno, gained heavenly healing at11:35 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 13, 2008, at Coshocton Memorial Hospital.

Born April 6, 1945, in Coshocton, he was the son of the late Myron Henry andCora Catherine Zimmerman Leindecker. A 1963 graduate of West Lafayette HighSchool, he served in the U.S. Army Reserves from 1965 to 1971. A lifelongfarmer, he was an employee and bus driver for Ridgewood School District,retiring June 30, 2008. Garry was an active member of Fresno Bible Church,serving in numerous leadership roles throughout his life time. He served onthe board of Tennessee Mountain Mission Ministries, was a member of theCoshocton County Farm B ureau and a Ridgewood sports fan. Garry enjoyed theoutdoors and sharing activities with his grandchildren. He was known for hisvivacious and positive outlook on life.

Surviving are his wife, Helen I. Erman, whom he married June 16, 1967; adaughter, Lynn L. (Andrew) Rudd of North Canton; a son, Brian E. (Kristen)Leindecker of Fresno; four grandchildren, Keith and Marcus Leindecker ofFresno and Jaelyn and Addison Rudd of North Canton; twin brother, Larry L.(Sally) Leindecker of Coshocton; two sisters, Maxine (Tom) Geese and MaryEllen (Sam) Wyler of Fresno; and several nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, Garry was preceded in death by an infantbrother, Myron Edward Leindecker.

Calling hours will be 4 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 16, at the Free FuneralHome.
Funeral services are 10 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2008, at the Fresno BibleChurch, with Pastors Chris Cutshall and Max McCullough officiating. Burialwill follow in South Lawn Cemetery.

Memoriums may be made to the TMM Ministries, Inc., P.O. Box 455, Dayton,Tenn., 37321-0455 or the Fresno Bible Church Memorial Fund, P.O. Box 67,Fresno, Ohio 43824. Envelopes will be available at Free Funeral Home andFresno Bible Church.

Welcome Ellie Rae!

After a lot of prayers, Ellie Rae Mrozinski made her entrance into the world on August 4. Jan and Adam are very sleep-deprived but enthralled with her. Ellie's name is a combination of Adam's mom (Ellen) and Jan's middle name (Rae) that she shares with her mom, Sally Rae. (I love family histories built within names!)

Welcome Ellie!

Granpa's Bridge

Great story.  

Click here to read about Garry & Larry.

Saying goodbye to BG

Jaelyn and Addison found a turtle at Grandma and Grandpa Leindecker's about four months ago. They did pretty well with their first foray into owning a pet....with a lot of support and reminders from Andy. Despite their well-intentioned efforts, BG began showing signs of a skin disease, so we all decided to release BG back into his natural Coshocton habitat. There were some tears, but when they saw BG's exuberant swimming in the creek, they were extremely pleased with their choice.

Jaelyn and Addison believe they can now choose their next pet; Andy and I believe we will now adopt a picture of a rabbit and see how we do...

Beginning Skateboarder + Asphalt + Vulnerable Human Flesh =

Grandpa Garry

Many people have recently asked about my dad and his battle with the insidious disease we call cancer. He continues to fight the pain and fatigue that the chemo and its side-effects bring to his daily life. Currently he is still recovering from a blood clot in his leg. The pain is overwhelming at times and has been on-going for almost three weeks. Breathing continues to be difficult for him, especially on windy and humid days. He still gains great joy from his friends who come to visit frequently. He's always been very social and that has not lessened, although he gets tired even from socializing. His spirits seem to be as good as can be expected at this point in the process.

Prayers are appreciated.

Summertime memories

Summer is the BEST! It's always been a time to catch up with people we love and to spend extra time on new adventures with our kids and our extended families. This June/July we were able to spend two weeks in MI. During that time we had many family events, time with aunts, uncles, cousins, and grandparents. Some events surrounded the greatly-loved swimming pool while others were at beautiful Lake Michigan. We are also able to take the train to Chicago with the Livermores. Great urban adventures ensued there.

Cousin Emma at the beach.

Aunt Gigi. If you look closely you can see the Virgin Mary in her earring.

The annual Rudd cousin picture gets more complex and entertaining every year.

Isaac's look of wonder at the firework display on July 4th.

Jaelyn completes a complex pose in Millennium Park in Chicago.

The Rudds and the Livermores leave the Shedd's Aquarium. The parents are exhausted. The kids wanted to stay longer, but a wonderful dinner in Chinatown awaited.

The Livermore and Rudd kids.

The exhausted adults. But, of course, the conversation never lagged.

Addison runs down the dune to Lake Michigan.

I don't know why we don't visually document our Canton lives during the summer. It has felt rich and delightful so far. There have been many afternoons spent at Dogwood Community Pool, catching up with friends. We've had good meals and conversation with friends and many trips to Ros for ice cream.

The fall horizon looms closer and closer, but we're squeezing all we can out of this wonderful season.

First Friday...Experiencing the Arts in Canton

Each First Friday begins with an art workshop for children, followed by a 'Critter Parade'. Jaelyn and Addison LOVE it! This month we stopped by the new sculpture completed by Timken students and a local artist. It's a fascinating piece that captures quite a bit about Timken Company and the school.

Scott & Christina's wedding

"Lovers must not, like usurers, live for themselves alone. They must finally turn from their gaze at one another back toward the community. If they had only themselves to consider, lovers would not need to marry, but they must think of others and of other things. They say their vows to the community as much as to one another, and the community gathers around them to hear and to wish them well, on their behalf and its own. It gathers around them because it understands how necessary, how joyful, and how fearful this joining is. These lovers, pledging themselves to one another "until death", are giving themselves away, and they are joined by this as no law or contract could join them. Lovers, then, "die" into their union with one another as a soul "dies" into its union with God. And so here, at the very heart of community life, we find not something to sell as in the public market but this momentous giving. If the community cannot protect this giving, it can protect nothing. " -Wendell Berry.

Creating Garden Memories

In an attempt to create a meaningful learning experience and memory for our family, we decided to begin a small garden with my parents. Despite his chemotherapy treatments, dad is able to drive around on his 'Big Country' and provide hours of entertainment for Jaelyn and Addison. He does tire easily and has trouble breathing when it's too windy, but he still loves to be outside and is as active as possible. He was officially the CEO of the garden planting endeavor.

The site was Grandma and Grandpa Erman's garden, which unlike other childhood memories, has grown in size rather than diminish. I don't know how they took care of that vast garden throughout my entire childhood. We only planted a few rows before exhaustion set in.

Planting the onions, carrots, snap peas, and tomatoes was very romantic for us all; however, we'll see how we do with the more mundane tasks of weeding in the upcoming weeks.

British Humour

Katie turned us on to this youtube that's been keeping us laughing all day.

Recent life in Canton

A visual update as we face the much-anticipated season of summer!
















Our friends Scott & Christina are getting married...
















A recent family outing to KC Glass to watch glassblowers and their craft.















Andrew guest taught in classes at Timken High School during the all-school-read that Lynn heads up.



















The whole family frequents ROS often.


The seasons off Pentecost and Ascension in full swing at our church...















Jaelyn having a sideline drink mid-soccer game...















Addison breaksaway.















Jaelyn's new braids...















This is what happens when you tell Noah & Addison to "Smile!"

Addison Responds to the Movie We Watched Friday Night

Caleb Moves On

Caleb was my student course assistant for two years, and has gradually become a grafted-in member of the family. For the last year, he's lived in our basement, eaten with us, built amazing air-forts for the kids, improved the ball skills and math skills of both of our kids, played some amazing games of Settlers of Catan, and talked and listened and shared life. Today he moves out; he'll be moving to North Carolina where he has an apartment and a job waiting for him as a tax accountant.


Kara came from South Carolina for Caleb's graduation

a typical Caleb moment -- enthusiastic, talking

So many people to thank...

I realize as I post pictures and thoughts from Easter that there are so many other people who are on this journey with me. I want to thank so many of you who have written, called, and prayed for me, my husband and kids, and for my parents. I wish we could all spend a lazy Sunday afternoon together, talking and laughing!

Thank you for your support and love. Thanks for pursuing me even when I don't feel like answering the phone calls and emails. They ALL have meant so much.

A special thank you to my in-laws who took Jaelyn and Addison to Michigan for four days so that Andy and I could spend time re-stitching our emotional selves together. Thanks to my generous sister-in-law, Marianne, who became the Mother Theresa of the vacation by facilitating all types of adventures. They had a blast; they didn't want to come home. Andy and I had a wonderful time together; thanks to everyone there!

Happy Easter

Every year we celebrate Easter with friends from church. It's one of my favorite holiday traditions. This year was even better because our kids were celebrating with their family in Michigan, so Andy and I could concentrate on the adult conversations. And, what a blast that was! We covered a lot of ground....our love for Obama vs. our ambivalence for Clinton, the virtues of being Canadian, the tragedy of war, and many other topics not completely suitable for a family blog.

Laughing on Resurrection Sunday felt really good; this year's Lenten season was pretty rough, but it does help to journey through it all with these people. I'm really thankful for the stories that were shared and how these people have integrated their lives and stories into mine. It was a very rich day.

Jaelyn's Birthday Party

On her actual birthday, Jaelyn got breakfast in bed and the usual royal treatment, but finally yesterday we celebrated with a party.



We took Jaelyn to the Cuyahoga Falls Natatorium with three friends to celebrate her birthday; all had fun.



Even Addison who on the drive north had mourned the absence of any other boys on the trip, turned to me as we ascended the staircase to the top of the waterslide and said, "This is the best Birthday Ever!" For Addison, (usually *so* attuned to fairness standards) for him to not be registering a formal complaint on his own behalf, but instead to just be entirely caught up in the joy of the moment, that means that it was really a success.

Happy 38th!

On Wednesday, March 5, we celebrated this amazing man in our lives. There will be other celebrations to come, but it was nice to have time with just the four of us.

Addison made a treasure hunt, Jaelyn chose the long, dangling streamers, and I helped drink the wine after a hectic OGT-prep day. I was excited to give Andy a piece of Michele's art. It's a great symbol to commemorate our lives at this point.

More than anything else, I'm extremely thankful for my husband. He's an amazing partner, father, friend, and artist!