Our Special Child

   Taylor has had some difficult months dealing with back pain.  She is special. She is our "special child".

The Special Child 

The Child, yet unborn, spoke with the Father, 
"Lord, how will I survive in the world? 
I will not be like other children, My 
walk may be slower, my speech hard 
to understand, I may look different. 
What is to become of me?" 

The Lord replied to the child, 
"My precious one, have no fear, I will 
give you exceptional parents, They 
will love you because you are special, 
not in spite of it. Though your path 
through life will be difficult, your 
reward will be greater, You have been 
blessed with a special ability to love, 
and those whose lives you touch will 
be blessed because you are special." 

Author/Source Unknown 


You have Taught Me
By Anne Maclellan 
March 1998 

You have taught me patience 
to rejoice in small gains which others take for granted. 
You have taught me tolerance 
to accept that your perspective is different 
and deserves respect. 
You have taught me courage 
to fight for you when no one else will. 
You have taught me endurance 
to go on when I feel I can't any more. 
You have taught me humility 
to accept when I can't make things better 
but can only be here for you. 
You have taught me to love 
at a deeper level than I ever thought possible. 

SLOWLY

I wrote this on an earlier blog  but want to incorporate it all on one blog.

SLOWLY.....

I feel the drawing in.....
My body and mind being pulled slowly in....
Helpless as time relentlessly robs me.....

What will the next 10 years bring......
Will I make it to retirement.......
Who goes first.....

Never thought I'd be at this place in time....
Never thought there would be limits.....
Never thought about loneliness.....until now

There are lists to help the memory...
There are pills to help the pain....
There are pains, just to remind you.....

I'm tired of being the problem solver...
I'm tired of worrying about the bills.....
I'm tired of always being busy.......

I feel the drawing in.....

by Betty Thorsvig
July 2005

Kris Alan Thorsvig D.O.B. 2-13-74

Today, 37 years ago we were blessed with our second son.  Kris Alan Thorsvig.   Oh, I finally had a baby born with "hair"!!  What a beautiful baby boy.  He was named after Bill's Grandfather: Christian Thorsvig.
Kris was a lovey boy; to be hugged and rocked.  He has a heart of gold for others.  Kris does not talk much like his father and grandfather.  They are deep thinkers.  But, they all love children and animals.   Kris always wanted to please and be helpful.   I remember once he performed a Noah's Ark comedy skit from Bill Cosby.  He wouldn't do it in front of us; so we had to go into the kitchen and listen to him.  It was hilarious!!

Kris grew up to be a very handsome man who loves his family (of SIX children) and all their pets!!  We taught our children to love nature and everything in it - and he does.  We are so proud of you son and we love you more than life itself.  Here are just a few pictures that remind us of the time God gave us with you..

Slideshow from Webshots

And Sew it goes...

After writing the previous blog on the "old sewing machine"; I had a flood of memories that I wanted to write down...such as:  taking many trips to Grand Forks to buy material, patterns, thread.....

Sharon and I loved to go with Mom and look through pattern books.  Look up the number like #8755 and go to the big drawer and pull it out in your size.  Take it over to the bolts of material:

Then get the thread, zippers if needed.  I can't tell you how many times we did this.  And we all sewed on the same machine. LOL   I think of taking the thin paper of the pattern..lay the material out on the kitchen table, pin the pattern to the material (the right way!!)  Trace areas with that colored tracing paper and that cute little rolling tracing thingy.   Carefully cut and fold till sewing begins.   What an accomplishment when the last touch of ironing is done.  *smile*   My mother was SO talented in sewing.  She sewed just about anything people asked of her.  Lining a coat was always hard for me and doing collars!  Yuck.   I got pretty good on zippers tho.   I still like to sew but now it is just mending; but I am glad I have that talent - as it saves a lot of money. 

Above The Earth I Dream

 

 

Above The Earth I Dream

 

 White majestic clouds

   Soaring the heavens above

   Fresh clear air

   With freedom in my heart

 

   The glow of the sun

   Warms my wings

   Spread wide

   To greet thee

 

   I know no greater

   Freedom

   Then the sky

   Solitude

 

   Peaceful

   Dreams beyond imagination

   Rush over me

   Passion rests in my soul

By BJ Thorsvig

 

The Old Singer Sewing Machine

It's quite a sight, isn't it?  I love it.  If this could only talk - as the saying goes.   My mother sewed all of our clothes on this machine, mended and sewed for others around town.   Sharon and I sewed many of our high school clothes on it as well.
Today I mend and do little projects.  I wanted to cover my beautiful Viking Mixer that we make bread in plus baking and my toaster.   So I got to thinking one night - why not use some place mats my mother made - that I never use and design my own cover.  So, I did.

My first memory of a sewing machine was my Grandmother Fitzpatrick with a pedal machine.  I loved that one and I still kick myself to this very day.  Why?  My mother wanted me to take it and I was young and stupid and did not.  A cousin in Illinois I believe has it today.  I do have other cherished pieces from her that I will post at a later day.