Detroit Departure March 2013... #8

I am safely home in TX with fond memories of my special days in Detroit.  Following breakfast this morning, we had a few photos taken so I'll share those here.  My little hockey fan is wearing a different jersey today but it's still showing his devotion to the Detroit Red Wings.  He wears his Red Wings hat as well to complete the outfit. 

Detroit in March 2013... #7

Departure comes tomorrow morning so I savored today with my little friend.  He awakened at 8:30 AM and I let his parents sleep in and had the morning with him.  We ate, played, read stories and watched an episode of  "Jay Jay the Jet Plane" on my computer.  He loves Jay Jay.  We also spent an hour outside where it was again below freezing.  I got wood from the backyard pile to keep the wood burning stove well stocked.

After nap-time his parents were around but they had some things to do and I got involved with a little mechanic who worked on a number of his wooden toys.  He loves to pound and I have been trying to restrict the pounding to wood for the stove but he prefers other things.

Have you seen the Detroit Red Wings hockey jersey before and the Wings hat?  Yes, I think he's worn the same shirt almost every day that I've been here.  He has several but this is his favorite.  It does get laundered at night sometimes.  

The obsession with this shirt is reminding me of another little boy about 37 years ago who insisted on wearing a Mickey Mouse t-shirt every day and was convinced it never needed washing.  But if a spot appeared on the front, he wore it backwards.  He also turned it inside out to find a clean side and when a hole appeared, he put that side to the back and kept going.  That boy has nearly outgrown that obsession so I feel confident that Constantine will too.  (Maybe I'll find a photo of that boy and that shirt after I get home so that it can be placed here for proof.)

Pounding is so much fun...

Diverted properly for awhile...

Back to hot rod repairs...

Classy ride...

Loves the car...

Asked for this photo to be taken as he parked under the kitchen table...

Time for play before bathtime in Mama's studio...

Spinning really fast is very fun...

So I will finish packing in a few minutes and have my last "sleep" tonight for this visit.  As I suspected, the time has flown by and been very precious.  

 Proverbs 17:  6

Children's children are a crown to the aged, 

and parents are the pride of their children.

I know the first line of this verse is true and I pray that the last line is as well.  I am grateful for a son and daughter-in-law who trust me with their child.  It is a privilege to have these days to build a relationship that will continue to grow as God allows me days on this earth.  Praising God for his many blessings.

Detroit in March 2013... #6

As I begin this post, my son and daughter-in-law are in the air and will arrive in Detroit in about 2.5 hours.  We are spending our day as usual with books, food, playing outdoors and a nap.  Some photos from outside will give a glimpse of that time.  It's 26 degrees here today and seems colder because it's windy.  But enough bundling of clothes makes the outside time just dandy.

Our "drive" up the block found friend Finn playing outside with his Dad.

Finn was offered a chance to drive the car and he sat in the car for awhile.

Finn's Dad is getting him into their family vehicle which he will ride to the market with young sprouts to sell.

Finn's family has a produce business which they maintain year round.  Summer is more bountiful because of a large garden nearby.

A neighbor's roller is fun for awhile.

This early growth of daffodils and tulips show promise of spring being on its way.

Certainly the kitty wants to be petted at a neighbor's house.  Actually the kitty was trying to escape I think.

So we will soon head to the airport to pick up Mama and Papa.  Who will be more excited to be reunited - Cozzie with parents or parents with Cozzie?

If I get some photos of the reunion, I'll add a few later.

Parents are home.  All is well in Detroit.  

So happy to see Papa and Mama through the car window...

Telling stories...

At home and wanting to be close...

Papa gives tickly hugs and kisses...

Very Happy family...

 Thank you, Lord, for answering many prayers for safety, health, travel mercies and sweet reunion.  I am blessed and it's all from you, Amen.

Detroit in March 2013... #5

As I begin to report on today's activities, I realize we stayed in the house all day long and weren't really tempted to venture out on a dreary, cold, spitting rain, muddy day.  And Cozzie seemed content to play with his toys, have a number of reading sessions with books from his quite substantial library, take his nap, eat his meals, skype with his parents before they boarded in Singapore and play with Lorenzo who stopped by again today.

Lorenzo endures a face tackle...

Then upstairs to Cozzie's room for a jam session...

They were having fun and I was getting some things done...

N o mystery about who the conductor is of this band...

When things got a little too exuberant, I decided it was time for the visit to end for today.  As Lorenzo headed out the door, Cozzie started to cry and say, "I'm sad because my friend is leaving."  But it was supper time and we were ready to eat.  

With a full tummy, Cozzie is ready to play by himself as long as he can have everything in the kitchen very close to whoever is there.   If I ever leave the kitchen to "run upstairs" for something, he says,

"I'll go with you"

and comes along while the task takes place.

Brought the garage down from upstairs today for awhile...

Trains remain a favorite of his...

Before pj's he had fun with a couple things which provided a delay to getting ready for bed.  First was Cowboy time...

He can really get this spirited horse to gallop around the house...

Will he be a cowboy, a hockey player or...

...a drummer.  Last jammin' before PJ's...

Everybody in the room has ear protection...

My day has been productive also.  Yesterday I roasted a turkey which I'd been given permission to do.  The added space in the freezer will be welcome I'm sure though it will now have turkey meat for future meals.  I removed meat from the carcass last evening and this morning started the process to prepare a pot of soup.  That was one activity.  Another was to launder the kitchen and living room curtains.  Quite easy actually.  

But the most fun of the day happens when Cozzie and I sit and read, eat, play toys...  He is a happy child so laughs readily, has many funny expressions and is adept at negotiations.  He did have one turn on the Time-out chair which put him into overdrive for keeping dialog going between adult and child.  He had so nearly wiggled off the chair that I put him back in place and told him I was adding a minute to his time.  His response was, "Oh, come on!!!"  He has said that at other times this week but today I had to turn my head so he couldn't see me squelch laughter.  He says it with such incredulity.  But he put in his time and held no grudge.  Attitude adjusted.

Cozzie's parents are on their way home.  They skyped from the airport in Singapore before boarding for Tokyo.  It was 4am there and 4pm here.  Our connection was very poor, however, so the call didn't last very long.  Next call will be from LA as they are changing planes in the USA.  Cozzie continues to mention their coming home each time we pray but otherwise it's not noticably on his radar.  We'll all be happy to reunite to be sure.    

Detroit in March 2013... #4

I will quickly cover the past 2 days in Detroit as I lost internet service about noon yesterday and did not get it back until late this afternoon.  It has been a couple of busy days so I'm up late and will tell the story with some photos.

Looked out an upstairs window yesterday morning to view this scene on the street below.

Another view from upstairs which overlooks the community garden.

This is the view out the front door.  The family car is straight ahead.  Good thing there were no plans to go anywhere.

Cozzie could not wait to get outside so breakfast was quick and out we went. 

Lots of people and pets came out to play.

This boy loves the outdoors, snow, construction vehicles, toys with wheels...

No mention of being cold but cheeks were getting rosy.

I was shoveling while he was "helping".

Taking a minute for Grandma Lee to get her photo.

Happy, healthy, handsome...  might be biased!

The Patriarch of the Farnsworth community comes through with his snow blower to clear both sides of the whole block!

We eventually go exploring on the block and stop to check on the pigpen.

We got the car cleared off in time to get to Messiah Church for the 10:45 AM service.  Beautiful old building with a congregation that actively is at work to make a difference in Detroit.

Just a peak at the sanctuary.

Recently shopped in Kerrville at a church which was hosting the ministry of Eternal Threads

This photo should have come first but I can't seem to make that happen.

Light weight, no damage to inside the house, ministry benefits women living in poverty.  This was made in India.

Back outside today to play in the snow.

Bush in the front yard thought it was spring...

Looks like pussy willows to me.

Plowing off the snow covered trampoline...

Getting to ride on top of the firewood being moved from the backyard to the front door.

Talked to Cozzie's Papa and learned that the concerts went well in Singapore.  They have most of Monday to site see a little and start the 22 hour trip home about 3am Tuesday in Singapore.  We'll see them Tuesday evening.  I'm so grateful that we all are faring well.  That is something for which I thank God.  Cozzie prays for his parents each time he goes to bed and wants me to pray for them also.  He also mentions friends on the block.  He's making a difference in Detroit also.