Elsen's Everyday

Life's Curveball's

2009-01-02T11:10:00.004-06:00

Why does life have to throw us so many curveballs? There are always struggles and ups and downs along the way. But those major curveball's of life, the ones that knock you off your feet, well, frankly, they just suck! Betsy, as most of you know, had a tumor in her spine removed on Dec. 18th. Since then everything has changed. She cannot get out of bed without help, she cannot shower without help, she cannot go to the bathroom without help, she cannot brush her own hair, or walk by herself. Her whole life has changed. I spoke with her this morning and tried to listen through her tears of grief and frustration, as she told of the occupational therapy session this morning. They had her in the O.T. kitchen and wanted her to make pancakes. I can't imagine how nearly impossible that was for Betsy. She said she couldn't hold the measuring cup and put in the pancake mix because her right hand is so weak, just standing at the counter was near impossible. I believe it will get better, I have to believe that. She says how she cannot believe this has happened to her, it seems like an out of body experience in a sense. How one day she could make pancakes and then she can't. She didn't give up on her assignment and held off the tears until she spoke with Mom. She is determined and tough through it all. She doesn't want to seem like a baby to the therapists, but I have no doubt she wishes she could curl up in a ball(which she can't even physically do) and sob. My heart is breaking for her. I think I will go curl up in a ball and sob for both of us, it's long overdue.

In Jesus' Arms
Lori

Twenty Four years and counting...

2008-11-24T08:43:00.003-06:00

Twenty four years ago I married the one God chose for me. How blessed am I? I am blessed to have been given the gift of a kind and compassionate man of God. One with great integrity, patience, a faith that I admire and a wonderful father. I couldn't ask for anything greater.

We celebrated with a day spent at the Vatican Splendors exhibit at the MN History Museum and a wonderful meal at Fogo De Chao in Minneapolis. It's been a long time since we just did something together, just the two of us. It was nice to realize that when the kids all grow up an move out, and they will(right?)that we will still have 'us' and will enjoy eachother in that stage of our life. I pray that the Lord will bless you with a beautiful life partner as well.

Joy in the little things

2008-11-13T12:56:00.004-06:00

Finding joy around us can be quite a task at times. We get in ruts where negativity and grumpiness overshadows the joy. The enemy is so good at hounding us and we are so good at allowing him to enter in. But, no more! Move out of here! The little things around us are sometimes the best things. For instance, yesterday when Grace decided she needed a pet frog, like Kalie has. She bundled up in snowpants and such, filled a covered container with water and headed out on a frog hunt. She didn't care that Mom said there are no frogs when it's cold outside, she didn't care that it was COLD outside, and she didn't care that her little friends weren't around to help her in her search. She just wanted that frog. Off and on all day, she went in search of the elusive frog. Guess what? No frogs. She moved on. No negativity, no grumpiness. Joy. May you find the same!

Perserverence

2008-11-02T19:11:00.005-06:00

Why is it that the most fulfilling of vocations are also the toughest? I believe that being a Mom is what God has called me to, but I wonder why sometimes. I find it so hard. We all love our kids so much and would never leave them or forsake them, no matter what, just as our Father will never leave or forsake us. But lately, I have been searching for strength to perservere like never before. The Bible speaks of perserving through our trials, "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perserverence. Perserverence must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." (James 1) I keep trying to find joy in the fear and worry that accompanies parenting a child who struggles. I am ready for the 'perserverence to finish its work', anytime now. I must replace the worry with trust, the anxiety with peace and the doubt with hope. I ask you to pray for me. I ask you to pray for Sara...she is on her way out of the darkest of holes, addiction and mental illness, she says she can see the light, even if it's just one little ray, she can see it now. Our family will perservere and win this race with God's grace.

2008-10-27T11:03:00.004-05:00

The "Great Hunter", Ben, came home last night empty handed and chilled to the bone. Apparently northern MN got 2 inches of snow and 60 mph winds on Sunday morning. Arrows don't hit their targets very well in windy conditions(so he says). It was an adventure every young man should have, a right of passage, to go hunting without Dad and grill steaks in the Walmart parking lot, rather than in the woods in the middle of bear country! Ben had a great time and Sady was happy to see him return home safely as well.

Sunday 16 October 2008

2008-10-26T21:29:00.003-05:00

The Gout has reared its ugly head at the Elsen household once again. Poor Larry has had a tough day. An early morning visit to urgent care to get some relief from the pain and then resting the hugely swollen knee for the remainder of this blustery Sunday. It takes alot to bring the big guy down, but the gout will do it every time. You know what they say about what baby's men can be when they don't feel good, well Larry is the exception. He really doesn't complain when he gets a flare up.
Hopefully by tomorrow there will be some relief, but maybe a sick day too. Grace and I would love to have him home with us!

We had Grandma and Jeannie, Larry's sister from across the pond, over for lasagna dinner tonight. It was a very nice evening. We rounded out the lasagna with vanilla ice cream and homemade hot fudge! Yum-O!

Grace loved her first sleepover at Nani and Papa's. She was not ready to leave and come home with me. I did well too. I told Larry how liberating it felt to know she enjoyed it and did well. It actually almost brought tears to my eyes when I thought of how good it felt to know she was fine without me. Silly, huh?

I can hear Larry SNORING from upstairs! I guess the vicoden is working. Goodnight and God bless.

Weekends

2008-10-25T21:07:00.002-05:00

Larry and I left Grace with Nani and Papa today for her first ever sleep-over with grandma and grandpa. She's only three and a half, after all. No sense in rushing these things. I think it was the thirteen months of breastfeeding, I am having a tough time letting go of this one! Anyway, Larry and I headed to Becker to watch the Tigers, and our nephew Jake, play the Bobcats(?) in Becker. We lost, but what a nice day to be outdoors and with friends. We then headed to the American Grill and Brewhouse in Waverly where my younger brother, Jeff and his wife Cathy bought us dinner! We had a great time with them. They don't have kids, but sure love ours and we really enjoy their company. Tomorrow we head to Loretto for mass with Grandma to honor and remember Grandpa Johnnie's birthday. We still miss him so much.

Anna is at a Halloween party, dressed as Daisy Duke or something like that. I wasn't here when she got ready for the party, so I hope it's not inappropriate!
Ben is off deer hunting in Ulen with a buddy from school. I hope he is okay, he won't answer his cell phone. Probably trying to gain some independence from mom! Sara is sober cab for another friends 21st birthday tonight, so of course I worry about that. I worry alot. I try to remember that the Lord tells us not to be annxious for anything, but I am only human after all, and a mom!
Betsy called and wanted my recipe for guacamole for a get together she is going to tonight. Praise God, she is feeling healthy again following her illness with meningitis.

I feel so blessed and fortunate to be where I am in life. I like to complain a bit too much about certain things that shall remain nameless, but ignore me....I love my life and I love all of you!

More about us...

2008-10-24T15:26:00.003-05:00

Thanks for your patience. It's truly hard to put nearly 28 years in short form! Once I get past this background stuff, we can move onto the everyday. Anyway. Somethings about me: I LOVE to cook, have coffee with dear friends and spend time with family. I am seriously lacking in the hobby department though. I think chasing after kids for so many years, with our oldest being 23 and our youngest being 3, it's been hard to stick with and develop any interests or hobbies. Cooking and trying new recipes is something I really enjoy. If you have a favorite recipe, please share it!

I have kids in graduate school, technical school, dual diagnosis treatment programs, middle school and preschool! Betsy is getting over meningitis and Sara is getting over a tonsillectomy. Larry is in Connecticut and I am watching a Barbie movie! Things are never dull around here that's for sure. God is constantly testing my faith and trust in Him. I will abide in Him and He in me...for as long as it takes. Bye for now.

Getting to know the Elsen's

2008-10-24T11:14:00.000-05:00

Well, here goes.....I am an average american housewife and mother. I am blessed to have a husband who works incredibly hard and provides well for our family. Larry and I married November 23, 1984 following a 3 1/2 year courtship which began as sophomores in HS. He was captain of the DHS football team and I was on the danceteam. I knew early on that he was "the one." We had our differences in background and upbringing as his parents were raised in the 1930' and 40's and mine through the 1950's and 60's. We were raised with different attitudes and styles. Larry has 9 siblings and I have 2. He was Catholic and I was Lutheran. It maybe shouldn't work so well, but it does. He led me along the way to a deep Catholic faith and a more conservative lifestyle. Larry is the love of my life. We had our first daughter, Elizabeth Margaret(Betsy) on March 20, 1985 while living in a small apartment in Delano. Larry worked the farm in Loretto as well as a saw operator for a curtainwall company in Hamel. I finished cosmetology school and began to work part-time when Betsy was about 9 months old. In June 1987, we bought our first home in Maple Lake, MN. Sara Ann was born April 3, 1988. Larry continued with the same work and I began my life as a FT stay at home mom. Benjamin John was born July 9, 1990. In February 1992 we completed the construction of our new home back in Delano where we still live today. Larry began to move upward in his job when he was asked to leave the shop and work in the office as a draftsman/designer of curtainwall systems in 1993. Anna Deloise was born August 15, 1995. January 1996, the company that had treated Larry so well, closed its doors and he lost his job with about 2 hours notice. Praise God, within a few days he had already secured another job with a well known curtainwall company in Bloomington. He continued to develop his talents as a designer/draftsman until he was lured away to greener pastures to Permasteelisa, in 2000, where he is employed currently. He has moved from the Auto-Cad, designer, draftsman to the management level. He travels extensively and oversees up to 35 technical/designers. His travels have taken him to Malaysia, Singapore, Italy, India and cities all over the U.S. This travel has been tough at times for our family, but has been so good for me in so many ways. I have realized that I am a much stronger person than I ever thought I was. On April 18, 2005, we were blessed with Grace Renee. The next few years have been joyful and difficult. We have had three miscarriages, the most difficult one at 3 months into the pregnancy, September 23, 2007, we lost John Paul, he was beautiful and I think of him and miss him everyday. Larry's Dad passed away August 22, 2007. That's all for today....I'll share with you again soon.

Blogging's 1st day...

2008-10-24T08:32:00.000-05:00

Hi everyone and welcome to my blog. I am new at this and hope you find it interesting, if not at least entertaining. I plan to share the escapades of our family with you.