Brigitte Turns Seven!

On Wednesday, March 25 we headed to Dixon to celebrate Brigitte's 7th birthday. Brigitte's parents have been smart enough to record the children's height on a yard stick. That way if they move from one house to another they can take the yard stick with. It's a lot easier than trying to pull a beam out of the wall that has their height on it.This year Brigitte's height is 3' 11". That's the same height that Andrew was when he was six year old. We think Andrew may end up being tall. Her party, which included her classmates was held at McDonalds. And indeed they plan it all.

And our sweet Brigitte showing off her shirt...GIRLS RULE!!!!


She enjoyed opening all her gifts. That is such a fun part at any birthday party. The kids had more fun throwing the beautiful pink tissue paper at each other.

No party is complete without the birthday cake. And it was sooo delicious.

Hale, Hale the gangs all here.

She had so much fun with all her friend and of course both sets of Grandparents. Her gifts should keep her out of trouble for awhile. She is into making crafts and got several. Plus some of her girlfriend got her dolls. After eating, game time, opening gifts, eating birthday cake....they all ran to play in the playground of MacDonald.

Happy Birthday Brigitte! It was such a fun day to spend with you and your family!

Dawson Turns One!

As I have mentioned on other ocassions, I love birthdays! Especially when someone turns one. After church on Sunday, Gary and I headed for The Coliseum in Oreg0on, IL. What a beautiful day for a Sunday drive. When we arrived the place was packed with family and friends. Isn't this a great Pinate!
Cupcakes for Dawson and his little friends.

The gift table

Proud Grandparents!


After talking with family and friends we had a great luncheon. Then came the fun part for all any one year old...opening of gifts. He got such great gifts! But the one below is the first gift he (well with the help of Mom and Dad) opened and got upset when they tried to hid it so they could open up the other gifts. Didn't work. He saw where they put it and away he went to retrieve it.

He truly enjoyed riding it !

Grandma and Grandpa Berg gave Dawson this beautiful highchair!


Then came the surprise of this whole event. Kari and Dave had the grandparents come up while they opened the very last gift...the picture below tells it all.

Yes, you read the T-shirt. "I'm going to be a BIG BROTHER." What a neat way to let the grandparents know that they will have another grandchild.

Time to sing "Happy Birthday"

What a delicious cupcake.

I have so many more photos, but I think these photos tell the story best of Dawson's first birthday. Just enjoy another birthday with me. And the way my family keeps growing, I'm sure we will have more first birthday! Samuel for one!

Congratulations Jeffrey!

My nephew Jeffrey and his brother Justin have always been great at doing track and cross country running. So good that today Jeffrey, a senior at Rockford Christian School, was signed on by Mount Mercy College in Cedar Rapids, Iowa to participate in their programs involved with track and cross country running.

My brother, Tim with that short guy Jeffrey next to him, wife Judi, his other son Justin and of course their beautiful daughter, Elizabeth. (You owe me one Elizabeth for that comment.)

Here we have him with his proud father joined with one of his many proud aunts and uncles. Gary said he felt like a midget standing next to Jeffrey.

Congratulations to you Jeffrey!

And The Results Are In!

It been such a great day! Gary and I met Ann-Marie and Brett at her doctor's office to find out the sex of their baby. Oh, I wonder what will it be?

It's A Boy

During the ultrasound, it was so neat to see the baby's nose, hands, arms, etc. We especially loved the one where Samuel Robert Allan is sucking his thumb. That truly was so precious.

Congratulations are in order from Grandpa!


Here we have the proud mother and grandmother.

We of course had to spread the good news. So one of the places we stopped to tell friends was at Annie's at Edgebrook. I've worked there for almost 17 years. Some of my friends weren't working that day, but I did get to tell my old boss and her daughter. They were so happy for all of us. Since Annie's has a baby section, Ann-Marie and I just had to take a look. Would you believe that they had what usually are called oneies but these were called bunsie. And when you turned it to the back, it has a little white bunny tail.

For my daughter who is a rabbit lover, I just had to purchase this for Samuel.

Thanking the Lord that the baby is doing fine. And looking forward to holding our grandson.

What Do You Think? - Twins?

My brother Scott is the one in front to your left. His birth name is Bradley Scott.

In this photo, I'm holding Scott's son, Bradley Scott.

On the Road Again - Birthdays!

Like I have often told you, since my family is so large, we are always celebrating someone's birthday. In the years gone by, my Dad and Jan use to celebrate their birthdays together since his was the 25th and hers is the 27th. My sister-in-law Venita birthday is February 20th. S0000, we decided to celebrate both Jan and Venita this year by going to Watertown, WI. Because of weather and sickness, it got put off several times. But finally last Friday with the sun shinning brightly we (Mom, Venita, Louise and I) headed for Watertown. We had lunch at the Cobble Stone.

Great Salad Bar

As you all know, we always enjoy shopping. Since the Cobble Stone is located inside where the shops are, we just had to browse. After looking, we went back to Jans for our dessert.

My sister, Louise had made a homemade carrot cake. Our birthday girls above couldn't wait for us to sing "Happy Birthday" so we could cut the cake. (Sorry that Venita's eyes were shut when this photo was taken.)

I of course, wanted to add some ice cream to my piece. It was so delicious. Thanks Louise for driving us to Watertown and making the cake. It was such a beautiful day! But like all our trips, they go too fast and we had to head home.

A Tribute To My Brother Tim

I've got five brothers. They are as different as night and day. (You can stop repeating "Praise the Lord!") And I truly love them ALL. In the picture above, are Scott, Bruce, Ron(He must be the oldest. He can't even stay awake for this photo.), David and Tim.

My brother Tim is the baby of our twelve sibling family. There are sixteen years between me and my brother, Timothy James. There is a photo I just love somewhere, where he is sitting on my knee. I'm probably about nineteen and he is three. Tim may have told you that we other siblings were adopted and that he is Wayne and Agnes's only real child. Ha!

When I look at my calendar planner that I keep records of all events that happen in my family for March, it's a lot. For instance on March 2, 1983 our dad passed away. Tim was only about twenty-three. You see he was born March sixth. On March 3, 1999, my husband passed away. When that did happen, I believe I heard Tim say something like, "I'm beginning to hate March. I perhaps need to mention that our sister Kathy, who Tim was close to was also born in March. God took Kathy home when she was only forty-five. The picture above is Tim at my wedding ...almost seven years old.

Dave, Mom and Tim
Being the baby of our large family had some advantages and disadvantages. Tim probably knew our dad better than any of us. But Mom had just told me recently that because he was the last one at home, it could get lonely. I'm glad that I was here to attend his high school graduation.

There are many things I love about my brother, Tim. Here are some things: When he married Judi (Good Choice Award.), one day they asked if they could take Ann-Marie out for her birthday. They spoiled her. They both love and wanted children but since it was happening, they took in foster children. Now that another story for another time. But after ten years of marriage, on March seventh, Jeffrey was born. A year later in September, they had another son, Justin. Then several years later on March sixteen, they had beautiful Elizabeth. Last but not least, they adopted a son, Anthony. I must mention one of their foster children they truly consider their son, Steve Crowe...on March 24, 1996 he had been living with them for three years.

Tim like all my brothers is a very hard worker. He has a heart of gold. He truly will do anything to help out. Like if Santa gets sick, he will fill the gap. If you want him to sing at one of our crazy Rehfeldt Christmas Eve gatherings, he'll do that too.

Darryl, Ron, Scott and Tim

Like all couples, Tim and Judi have had their share of trials, but they get up everyday and by God's grace start another day.

As you have read, the month of March has had it's share of sorrows, but tomorrow will be one of it's joys. It's my brother Tim's birthday. Yes we will all celebrate the birth of our youngest sibling.

"Happy Birthday" Tim. Not only from me, but from ALL of us.

Remembering

Memorial Day is set aside for remembering. Well that's what Ann-Marie and I do on March 3rd. We remember and reflect on Robert Lawrence Trotter's life. I love the fact that even on his grave marker it says, "Remembered Always."

While driving to Scandinavian Cemetery on Rural Street, we both made the comment about it being ten years ago that God took Bob home."Ten years. It seems just like yesterday." were my words. "Then there are days it seems so long ago." were Ann-Marie's words. Perhaps it all has to do with our relationship. I was his wife for 32 years, and she was his daughter for 20 years.

There are many things I adore about our only child. She is a lot like her father in soooo many ways, and that has always been a blessing and comfort to me. One that stands out so much for me is her sense of humor. Like the picture above. While I'm taking the picture, she tells me that I can entitle it, THREE GENERATIONS.

As mother and daughter we had a great time together. God has been so faithful to us and blessed us. To even think that He takes one life and then turns around and give us another life in return.

On one of my daily inspiration calendars (yes, I have several) it said for March third, "The world is round, and the place which seems to be the end may only be the beginning."