What do you two do all day?

We sure do get that question a lot! Since Kerry is retired, just what do you two do all day?

We wonder how we had time to do all of the stuff we wanted to do when Kerry was working, or when we had our family here, or... Actually, our days are usually quite filled, and we are just loving it! That's probably because it takes me twice as long to get half as much done!

A couple of days this week were hot and steamy, and we just didn't do anything. It's probably the laziest we have been in a long time. The heat and humidity just completely zapped us. Toward the end of the week, it was much, much more pleasant.

Last Monday, Mr. Kerry got up early and spent the morning working in the Bishop's Storehouse in Columbus. Our ward has assignments there every few weeks, and he volunteered to go. They filled food orders to help others in need.

That evening, we went to an auction held at the Ohio Genealogical Society's old building. Everything was going quite inexpensively, and we got several things we had our eye on.

Later in the evening, we had a phone call from sister Betty. She had been at the hospital all evening with husband Pete, who had suffered a stroke. On his birthday! His right arm was numb and his face was drooping. Her daughter-in-law, Erin, rode in the ambulance on the way to the hospital, and the stroke team was in place when he arrived.

The power of prayer pulled him through, for in a short amount of time the effects of the stroke had begun to reverse. Some may attribute it all to good doctors and powerful medicines - and I strongly believe in those things, as well. Peter, Jordan's two little preemie babies, my own self and many others' lives have been preserved because of being blessed by living in this modern world.

But, that's not the only reason.

Pete came home Wednesday. He still has a bit of weakness in his right hand/arm, but he's alive and doing well.


Kerry is on the editorial board at our local newspaper, and while he was at his Wednesday meeting, sister Fern and Jim met me at the new OGS building. I had some particular success. Kerry met us at the Amish restaurant at noon, then Fern went on back for more research.

Friday found Kerry and I at the temple again. We were very busy, but in the back of my mind I was remembering the events of 27 years ago - a wonderful baby boy was welcomed into our family. Jordan Christopher Lauritzen came into this world during a very hot summer.

He was born on his due date. He was the second largest baby born to us - 10 lb. 1 oz. I had been a gestational diabetic with each baby - and I was at my worst with him, my blood sugar peaking at around 400. Kerry and I stayed with my parents in Akron for the few days before his birth, for I was a high-risk pregnancy and the care was better there.

Kerry nearly delivered him. The doctor was called in from the golf course and was coming in every few minutes to check on me. After some slow hours, he was talking with others in the hallway when Kerry decided himself to check me. His eyes grew wide, for Jordan was nearly here! Kerry scrambled out to the hall to get them in and came back to be with me. Everything was moving in slow motion up until then.

Jordan and Kerry on the day of his blessing (christening)

I've always loved this picture - just a little boy being a little boy.


Jordan at a park in a canyon Kerry's parents took us to.

He was always really photogenic.


Another one of my favorites. This was taken in our front yard. Our kids began going to the library and participating in Story Hour when they were just babes in arms, so books were a familiar extension of their arms and hands.

He was lovable and always very laid back.

My mom always loved pictures where children were smelling flowers.

He was a "middle child", but a very important part of our family. This was taken on top of Cadillac Mountain - Acadia National Park in Maine.

He and Erik were only 10 months apart.

He served in the Army.

He met and fell in love with Melissa.

And he's a really good father today.

On the day of his birthday - Friday - Kerry and Erik and I went out and celebrated it. We will be with Jordan a bit later on...

Saturday was a day filled with the bounty of the local Farmer's Market. It has nearly tripled in size since the beginning of summer. This has been a wonderful year for good and hearty produce, and we are thankful for it.

That evening found us at two different socials - the annual Corn Roast for the Clear Fork Ward, and the annual softball game and cookout for our own ward. Fortunately, they were only about a mile apart, so we went to both. Kerry was the umpire for the game. It was all a lot of fun, but I teased Kerry and told him he was the only despised one that night.

I was happy to play for Mr. Kerry today as he sang a solo in church - "Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing", and hymn and a tune universally loved by all.

It was also the day for my last column to appear in our local newspaper. It has been kind of fun writing them, but it's time to bring them to a close. If you're interested, here's the link: http://www.mansfieldnewsjournal.com/article/20100808/OPINION02/8080312/Opinion-Shapers-Solving-your-own-history-mystery

Have a wonderful week!
Love,
Miss P