Nana, Nina, Grandma Mary - Grandma Klepac!!!

2nd Birthday for our twin beauties

2010-02-05T05:57:00.000-08:00

Here's Molly, John, Bobbi, and GeeGee at the celebration! A big chocolate chip cookie cake.
Judah and Elijah playing battle ship. They look so excited about blasting ships out of the water.
Samuel and Sullivan's dog Sydney. Sammy always has a smile for us.
I thinking I'm singing happy birthday. I guess I'm really getting into it. Oh well I guess I can't always get pictures with my mouth closed. Aren't the girls precious.

Snowy days in Asheville, not Chardon, Asheville!!

2010-02-05T05:48:00.000-08:00

So you've been wondering what our street looks like!. Well this is the bottom of our little mountain. At least the kids are having fun with no school and a new playground!!
Here are our icy cars. Okay so not as much snow, but lots of ice thick on the roads. No school again. Mark got our kerosene heater going so we will manage if we lose electric. Marky never made it home from practice. The grocery stores are doing a booming business. Every time they say snow or ice the stores are jammed worse than christmas rush.

All nine together!

2010-01-11T12:23:00.000-08:00

So I've been sitting on this picture because I now see why we all need to sit up in our chairs (sorry mom), but I couldn't resist you seeing all nine of our beautiful grandchildren together. What a bunch! All that God given love and potential for the kingdom of God. I am truly a blessed woman. Just in case you don't know the top row is Judah, Eli, Grace; next row Samuel, Simeon, Faith, and front row Aliyah, Ariel, and Abram. You would think we were Jewish! Well completed jews anyway. Thanks to Jesus!

Blurry christmas pics

2010-01-10T22:28:00.000-08:00

Well these are blurry and I guess someone needs to learn how to use the camera better, but you get the idea. My manger which my aunt made the main nativity pieces and our friend Georgia Monroe who at 82 lived with us added the rest. (she made them almost 100 years ago now) Some angels and things people have given over the years.
Above our china cabinet is my little village. The places vary, but the characters are the same.
Here was our beautiful centerpiece mom and Ruth sent us. It was much enjoyed for the holidays and it still has a great fragrance. It's the only Christmas left. (oops I did leave up the christmas cards on the door. I didn't think I was going to get any and at the last minute so many arrived. I especially loved the pictures of the families we love. Thanks everyone.

Vineyard

2010-01-10T22:20:00.000-08:00

Some more pictures of our new Vineyard building. Lots of love, prayers, and generosity. Today someone left Mark a box with his name on top of his guitar and it was a Ipod. It has a pedometer he can use while running and takes videos, radio, lots and lots of music that Marklar has already downloaded. What a blessing.
Our pastor's wife, Beth, Cleaning the front windows.

The band guys came to pick up Mark and thought they'd throw a few basketballs around first.
The girls found the perfect place to roller blade. Eventually they want to have an indoor play area for the kids. This works for now.

Babysitting at Isaac and Molly's

2010-01-10T22:09:00.000-08:00

Well here are the beautiful girls! Can you believe it they will be 2 this month. They are so much fun. As soon as they drank their milk they ran it over to the sink and threw the cup in. It seemed liked there reward for drinking it all up.
They love to smile and find pretty much everything funny. They also know just before the video game music is going to start because they start dancing. Good instincts.
Here's Samuel. Not sure what he was looking for, but he loves school and he loves looking cool. (which he does all the time)
Elijah eating an orange. He loves the oranges. He's still as sweet and loveable as always.
Here's Judah getting himself a hot chocolate. Judah is growing up fast. He became one of my Mary Kay customers, with his hard earned money, as he wants to smell good. I won't say for who.

Vineyard potluck and Storehouse work day

2010-01-10T21:59:00.000-08:00

Here's Josh and Marklar putting together a clothing rack getting ready for clothes for those in need. The Lord has blessed us with a fantastic building for our services and ministry. A large part is great for now for running around and ministry storage. We had a potluck after church and then worked on hanging pictures and in the finished side and putting up storage and places for household items, etc for those in need.
Here's the guys putting together shelves. It only took about 3 or 4 of them to put them together?? One of the blessings of being a body.
Pastor Tom and his son hanging the stain glass in our front window
Our one baby! He's waiting for some fellow babies to join our new church.
Our worship team getting ready to lead us in to the presence along with Daniel who plays the drums.

2010-01-10T16:44:00.000-08:00

Not a very good picture of our tree, but I wanted Ruth to see I really had one. This is in front of our back window which faces the mountain and Lake Julian.
Here's happy Marklar with his christmas hat in his usual spot by the computer.

2010-01-10T16:31:00.000-08:00

Okay so I have been away from my blog a long, long, time, but thanks to the generosity of some sweet angels I have a digital camera again!! So here we are trying to learn some more about healthy eating. It was informative and interesting. We are probably not going to do this extreme, but want to learn all we can and pray and make good choices. Thanks to Larry and Teresa for taking us and loving us even when we disagree some!!
A big surprise was that we ran into our old friend Krissy from Washington DC soon, but we were friends in Ohio. She is expecting no. #2 baby and is giving her kids a great start nutritionally. It was great seeing her and catching up a bit. Of course the down side is it always makes me lonely for all our friends and family in Ohio.
Larry and Teresa, our good friends.

Pretty birds family

2009-05-30T15:53:00.000-07:00

Wilds of North Carolina

2009-05-30T15:50:00.000-07:00

So this is a typical day here. Turtles and turkeys every where. It is a place of beauty and many surprises. We also have a birds nest in our bookcase on the back porch on top of Oprah magazines. They are smart since we have some big crows flying around looking for some fun or food. The babies are born now. You can see there little beaks.

Visit from Connie

2009-05-30T15:43:00.000-07:00

Well here is my handsome husband in front to some weird wheel in Asheville. Not exactly sure what it is. Connie treated us to Mellow Mushroom it's where all the cool people go and sit outside and enjoy the atmoshere of mountains and people.

Weekend with the boys

2009-05-30T15:39:00.000-07:00

This is our weekend with the boys. Mark had them make boats and then took this to the river to float them. They really enjoyed themselves. We also went to the Feed and Seed to dance and listen to blue grass. Judah and Samuel really like the dancing (clogging).

Jumping for Joy

2009-05-30T15:35:00.000-07:00

So only one week left of school. Jumping for joy or maybe Photography Class. He used to be called gazelle in his karate class when he was young.

My first recruit!!

2009-05-03T18:54:00.000-07:00

Well here's a pic of a Mary Kay party! The ladies had a good time and the lady in stripes is going to become a Mary Kay beauty consultant. When I came home my sweetie had made up this table on our back porch and had cooked me a great dinner. It kind of has the feel of being in a tree house. You can't see the ground.

Eve of Redemption

2009-04-27T20:19:00.000-07:00

Here's a little taste of Marklar's band.

New house

2009-04-22T16:00:00.000-07:00

I finally found some pics from the new house. The first one is our living room. There was no oil in the furnace so the fire place has come in handy in this unseasonable cold season. Mom that's your little oval pic there. the top shelf now has all the wedding photos from my sisters and kids, grandma, mom and dad. The next pic is Marky snowboarding in the back yard. That is our back porch that now has a tent on it. The snowy picture of the front of the house and my car in the snow on final moving day.

Two bedrooms or three??

2009-04-22T15:50:00.000-07:00

Okay so the new house has only two bedrooms, but Marky and marklar have managed to put a tent on the back porch which goes the whole length of the house and part of the side. The tents in the corner. this is his good friend Dylan and marklar playing video games in our new "room"

The blessings of a good man

2009-04-22T15:45:00.000-07:00

So here's Mark at one of the job sites. He has been working hard and been such a blessing to me. It was a little hard imagining our new house as a home, but Mark has worked very hard to make it our own. He has painted the kitchen and our bedroom. (mark kept the gold paint in his) He redid the ceiling to floor bookcase so it is very beautiful. He painted the front porch and put up a railing so I have something to hold on to in the stone steps. He is a blessing from God. He's also been so supportive of me in starting my business. He'd like to have a men's party if any of you are interested!

Holiday blessings

2009-04-22T15:43:00.000-07:00

Okay so this is the float where our church gives away 1000 stuffed animals in the Christmas parade. It's amazing what a little stuffed animal can do to the hearts of little and not so little ones.

Christmas 2008

2009-04-22T15:38:00.000-07:00

So if you're saying to yourself. Why is Mary posting Christmas pictures. Is it because she thinks it still feels as cold as christmas, no. Is it because she is slow, (well yes and no) It is because Mark's camera is broken and we couldn't empty them, but through help from CVS we got got these downloaded. This is the gang opening gifts on Christmas.

2009-04-22T15:29:00.000-07:00

So Ohio is moving to North Carolina! Isaac has been commissioned to be an elder at King of Glory church and the recent carolinians Eric, katie, and three boys and The McNabb crew who were here visiting came to the service to lend their support. We have unsuccessful tried to get together with the McNaughtons, but I'm sure despite sleet and snow, and sickness we will prevail. It's so good to see familiar faces.

Feed and Seed

2009-03-13T11:03:00.000-07:00

Well I have a funny feeling I've already posted a pic of feed and seed, but can never remember if I just thought about it or actually did it. In case not this is our church. It's an old feed and seed store. They have added a cute little lamb, but one's physical and one's spiritual. Kind of cool. They have bluegrass and country concerts every friday and saturday night and sometimes thurs and sunday nights. Mark is now helping with the worship and has built doors for the ladies room which was much appreciated by all.

Eve of Redemption

2009-03-13T10:57:00.000-07:00

Well, encouraged by sister Ruth. I will try to write a little, but with everything going on right now it's hard for my brain to function well, but here's my Marky. This is the name of his band the Eve of Redemption. He is very excited because they have booked two shows in the next couple of weeks. I of course have to be one of the groupies to drive around that hughnormous speaker he has.

Fun and beauty doubled

2009-01-01T06:42:00.000-08:00

Couldn't resist these photos. Thought you should see how beautiful the girls are getting and big. I'm sure they will be running the household before long.

Too old

2008-12-31T18:33:00.000-08:00

This is what happens when you have teenagers in your old age they walk or maybe sit all over you and put strange hats on your head and make you listen to strange sounds they call music and allow there underwear to show. Oh my what a life we lead!! I guess I'm missing Marklar because he's at a Christian Conference called the ramp at least that's the story I get, but what do I know.

Lunch at La Posada

2008-12-31T18:29:00.000-08:00

Here's the gang enjoying lunch.

The Best Birthday Ever!

2008-12-31T18:22:00.000-08:00

Simeon was determined that I would have my best birthday ever. The original plans included a tent! His mom said he couldn't be in charge of everything, because she knew this would include fireworks. Simi went hard to work at making I love you signs and getting up at 5:30 am to put these huge spectacular balloons in my room. We did have a great day. It was a smashy splashy birthday as the boys said. We went to feed and seed for church and Isaac's gang all came too. We then went to a mexican restaurant afterwards. Monica had actually made a beautiful lunch, but she said we could postpone it to dinner. It was great. Joel and Monica went on a little adventure of their own and so we watched the boys for a couple of days. They made it well worth being alive!

Christmas with the Klepac boys and a first christmas for some of our girls!!

2008-12-31T16:39:00.000-08:00

There are Judah, Eli, and Samuel having a laugh sitting on our fire place. Abram loving that money great grandma sent, Simeon hard at work putting together his pirate ship, and of course Aliyah and Ariel just having fun and looking beautiful. It's always good to be with family.

Some more beauty

2008-12-05T18:09:00.000-08:00

God's handiwork

2008-12-05T18:07:00.000-08:00

Thought you might like to see some of the fall color around Asheville. I wish we had it back, it's been so cold here this year, but at least we don't have Chardon's snow.

Feed and Seed

2008-12-05T18:04:00.000-08:00

Here is our church believe it or not. They have couches in the back for people to sit on. Simeon, Judah, Elijah, and Abram are taking advantage of the soft place. This was the Sunday Joel and Monica shared about Romania and the ministry they've been doing there the last 8 years! People really seemed to enjoy and learn from what they had to offer.

Like father like son

2008-12-05T18:01:00.000-08:00

Here is Joel and Abram in the garage at our house playing away. Sweet melodies.

Pics at last of Klepac visit

2008-12-05T17:59:00.000-08:00

Here's sweet Abram on his violin. He plays and sings his heart out. It is a sight to behold.

Thanksgiving at the Sullivans 2008

2008-11-28T08:30:00.000-08:00

We had a beautiful day at the Sullivan's, great meal, good company, a skit to remind us of the way Thanksgiving really was, and a time to appreciate our families. We are blessed. I love and appreciate each and everyone, those who were with us and those who weren't.

Nina and the twins

2008-11-28T08:25:00.000-08:00

I've been wanting a photo with the girls. Too bad I had to be in it! Aren't they beautiful. They are so sweet and really moving along. They did really well with our big crowd. It's going to be fun to see them grow.

Pretty faces in pretty leaves

2008-11-25T13:37:00.000-08:00

I know this is on Monica's blog, but it is so cute I didn't want anyone to miss it. This is when they visited Ohio and the leaves are always a plenty at the owens house.

Opening for the Showdown

2008-11-25T13:27:00.000-08:00

This is the concert Mark used his vocal cords in a totally planned out, but very loud way. It was an experience for us old people, but the younger version seemed to have a lot of fun. He is starting to play his guitar in the group also. And here they thought the two mark's weren't alike.

Marklar catch up

2008-11-25T13:23:00.000-08:00

so how hard is it to be a youth pastor? My back hurts just looking at it. Marklar of course is the one on top. I believe this was in sweden, but maybe not. The other pic is of a Catalpult which mark goes everything month. They do discipleship stuff, teaching, worship )Remix (Mark's been playing his guitar the last few times - no screaming though), usually outreach and fun.

Cold Grandbabies

2008-11-25T13:06:00.000-08:00

Okay, I've been complaining about how cold it is in Asheville this winter, but then I saw these??? wow. It puts it all into perspective.

Slippery Slope

2008-11-21T07:55:00.000-08:00

I know I usually have cutesy pictures of my beautiful grandchildren, and my one remaining wild child, but I am so saddened by what seems to be an escalation of our walking away from the things we know to be good and true. It becomes confusing unless we keep our eyes on the creator of our lives and world as to what is right and what is wrong. How mean of us to want to deny people who love each other the status of marriage. It was getting very cloudy for me. There is no sin in being kind and loving and having good relationships, but where it gets murky is when we chose to go outside of God's design in our sexual relationships. We can see people together who treat each other well and say that can't be wrong, but we all know very kind people who have also chosen to have relations outside of marriage or who do things behind closed doors that are not so kind. I believe that God created and ordained marriage. He did it to be a daily visible picture of Christ and the church. Gay marriage can not reflect that, when God Himself has ordained that marriage is between one man and one woman. We have seen slowly, but surely gay relationships are becoming very mainstreamed in our media, our lives, our conversations. It is very uncomfortable to say that we don't approve of someone else's choices and lifestyle, but it has become necessary. Recently two shows on tv that I have to admit I love have entered into there storyline gay relationships. You say what's new. To me what was new was the very sexualized scenarios. Earlier in one of the shows two coworkers got together (also not God's thing), but I can't remember them showing big love scenes between them. I think this is enticing the senses, making this common place, and provoking us to blur the lines. Unfortunately I don't think this was a one episode thing it looks like it will continue to be a storyline, so I feel that I don't want to support this kind of "entertainment." We need to be careful of how we listen to the news. I remember being in Wichita during the big pro life rally's in front of abortion clinics and would go home at night to see something totally different on tv. We are told now that this is a right, but in my mind rights are what God gives us, not the workings of men's minds.

All dressed up

2008-11-13T07:46:00.000-08:00

Well it's been a long time since I have blogged. I've been thinking about writing more, but until this picture I couldn't get inspired enough. To see more, click on to molly's blog. I know they are my grandkids, but I can't help it. They are so cute. I haven't been able to get any pictures off of mark's camera from our visit with simeon and abram, but I still always have hope.

New do

2008-08-27T16:52:00.000-07:00

Well after picking Mark up from college (weird) he got a haircut. I guess it's a family trait that they can't just look normal, like smile. It's different, but looks cute in person.

Friends

2008-08-27T16:49:00.000-07:00

Here's Marklar and good friend Josh. Not sure where they are or what they're doing, but they look happy. Josh is going to be a famous baseball player. He's graduated and playing ball and is a good friend to Mark.

Work space

2008-08-25T05:28:00.000-07:00

I thought you might like to see where I work everyday.
That is a window to the right which looks into our backyard
It is a nice view. Many pretty birds and butterflys come and
tap on my window. (Many bugs too)

Just add water and presto a house

2008-08-09T22:13:00.000-07:00

So this is what happens when you blink. A house is born. This is next door. They took out most of the trees, build a basement, laid pipe, and delivered the house. It was up in a day. Pretty wild. I brought the boys over one day to watch, but it didn't happen. They snuck it in when I wasn't looking, but Mark must of been home. So some finishing touches and we'll have neighbors in a couple of weeks.

Some wet and wild fun

2008-08-09T22:07:00.000-07:00

These pictures almost make me want to be there. If I didn't know how cold it probably was up in the mountains. They do all look like they are having fun though

Day out for the Guys-Slippery Rock

2008-08-09T21:56:00.000-07:00

So this is what happens when grandma is at church all day. The guys go out for some real adventure. It was an hour trek in the car, then a mile walk, then fun at slippery rock. Then grandpas favorite the blue grass concert at Seed and Feed, an old Seed store renovated as a store front church. They have free concerts every friday and saturday night in the summer. You can be sure they were all sound asleep when I got home.

Blood and guts

2008-07-28T16:36:00.000-07:00

Well here are the wounds of loving your music. He was at a concert with friends and got wacked. Fortunately Ethan was there to clean it up and butterfly it. He is normal again (at least in the eye department. It's weird because two other of my kids got cuts in the same place. Marklar thinks I'm weird, because I think it's weird.

Tie Dye

2008-07-28T16:32:00.000-07:00

Marklar got a little bored so his creative juices got going on 3 tie dye shirts. He looks a little mesmerized by them. Maybe it's all the hippie juice in the air.

Bikers unite

2008-07-28T16:30:00.000-07:00

Not sure if this was before or after there climb for 100 miles, but they do look in pain.

Chardon is everywhere!

2008-07-28T16:28:00.000-07:00

Here we are at the Mellow Mushroom with some Chardon neighbors, the Krolls and ethan's hiding somewhere. Tom was working in Asheville and his wife and daughter came for a visit.

Ethan playing in the drum circle in Asheville

2008-07-28T16:20:00.000-07:00

Mark and Marky took Ethan to the drum circle in downtown. It's pretty wild and fun.

Sopenski Visit

2008-07-16T18:34:00.000-07:00

Peggy, Jayne, and Ethan came last Saturday for a visit. Ethan is a cycler so Mark and him have gone on a few rides. This is Marky's room where they can be heard talk at all hours!! Peggy and Jayne were taken on a hike in the mountains by Mark while Marky, Ethan, and I went to church. We all met up at Doc Chey's Peggy's favorite Asheville restaurant afterwards. Now the girls don't look like they're hiking do they??? Ethan's staying the week and Peg will be back to pick him up after there trip to Atlanta. So here I go with all men, oh my, oh me.

Weekend with the Boys

2008-07-16T18:25:00.000-07:00

I just realized I am out numbered with boys again. Where did all the girls go??We went to our favorite Fletcher Park and had all your cookout foods and uncle Mark did some stunts helping the boys reach the ceiling of our pavilion. Then they had a contest to see who who could stand on the post the longest. Fishing was a big feature, couple places, many times over the weekend. Don't have a picture of it, but camping on the deck.

He's back!!!

2008-07-03T12:22:00.000-07:00

Well, he's back. Hopefully many of you got the letter he sent from my email since I have all the addresses. He had a good trip and God moved among them in salvations, baptisms, and healings of the heart and body. The picture I couldn't get to be in the right direction is some kind of thing they did as a challenge where they were on this crates and then kept adding them. Mark was on top of 14 of them. I think this picture about 10, so kinda high.

Beauty doubled

2008-07-02T13:40:00.000-07:00

Aren't they incredible. They are just beginning to eat food. I've been coming the last three Tuesdays at 6 Am to let Isaac go to a prayer meeting. What a blessing to be able to spend time with them. What great parents Isaac and Molly are and wonderful big brothers the boys have become. Neat to see how God forms families.

Biking on the Parkway

2008-06-24T08:42:00.000-07:00

Well I thought I should give you a glimpse into living with an athlete. He goes for a bike ride, why not it's beautiful out and beautiful views to boot. Now at this time of our life you'd think a nice stroll around the neighborhood, but no because we had the boys this weekend he felt the need to ride 75 miles up the mountain. He doesn't want too many days to go by for those legs of his. By eight at night I'm think he's gone off the edge of one of those mountains, but (I almost said alas again)(what's up with that?) but he says around nine he strolled in. I do try to find out at least which direction he's heading, I've put our address and phone numbers in his pouch and sometimes he remembers to bring his phone just in case it could help track him! I got to say he is in very good shape. Which is a good thing.

Quiet House

2008-06-19T19:37:00.000-07:00

Do you know how quiet it is with out Marky here? I keep trying to drive him to work or wake him up or make him cinnamon rolls, but alas only these two old people who don't scream when they sing or jump around because they have more energy then there body can contain. Alas we are going to have the three Klepac boys this weekend. That should liven the place up a bit.

Airport

2008-06-15T19:06:00.001-07:00

Here they are in front of security at Asheville Airport. You can see how big it is (ha ha). They are very excited. Mark called from Atlanta and they had arrived safely there without losing anything or anyone. The leaders four year old is missing from the picture.

Sweden send off

2008-06-15T10:41:00.000-07:00

Wow we had a visitation from the Lord in church today. This is Robert sharing about their trip to Sweden. We are on our way to the airport in a minute. These are most of the group going. Here is a pic of everyone praying over the team. You can see Isaac behind Mark. He spent a year in Sweden so had a powerful prayer. Pray for Marky and all his team members that they will be used powerfully by God. I am feeling the impending future of my last birdie flying the coop. It's a strange feeling.

Catching up with friends

2008-06-13T07:10:00.001-07:00

We got to see some of our old friends. I had lunch with Karen, Sandy G, and Jan. Mark saw his good friends, Jack, Bob Dasher, and his sister Tina. We both went and visited his brothers family with a few of their grandkids thrown in for Faith to play with. Mark Stone stopped by as you can see on the porch steps. (He faithfully mowed our lawn when the house was empty) We went to our old church the Vineyard in Wickliffe where we were really loved on and Marklar shared at two services about his mission and a word he believed God gave him on His love for them. (By the way he got exactly how much he needed to finish paying for the trip!Halleluia) They made us a card telling us how much they missed us. Dann and Dixie's crowd came too. Several of my friends were out of town, Peggy- Maine, Barb-Phillipines, Teresa Chicago, Joanne - mom's surgery. We managed to squeeze in a visit with Brent and Teresa late on Sunday night. Good to have friends and family. The Lord has blessed us abundantly with both.

Graduation 2008

2008-06-13T06:53:00.000-07:00

Here's the big day. The pictures are backward (I'll have to remember that) Joey walking in, The gang in the very hot gymnasium, throwing of the hats, hugs all around and a group picture. Neal is back there and Becky. We needed something to stand on. We all went to a park and had chicken and salads and caught up. I'm sure you all know Joe will be going to Akron and be cheerleading. Pray for his continued success.

Family get together at Owens! Food and Fun

2008-06-13T06:45:00.000-07:00

Here we are at Mike and Jo's new home. Having a little pre graduation party. Dogs and burgers on the grill. Guitar Hero in the living room, and plenty of smiling faces. We're happy to be together and to celebrate Joey's success. Dann and Dixie and Zach, Gage, and Danielle came down on Saturday and returned on Sunday. God bless them for there devotion to being with Joey and Lynn on their big day. Thanks Jo for hosting us.

Traveling to and from Ohio

2008-06-13T06:31:00.000-07:00

Well I'm not sure why Mark was so fasinated with pigs on the way to Ohio, but here you have them a triple decker truck with wall to wall pigs. This is also a beautiful electrical storm we went through on the way back to North Carolina

16 at last!!

2008-06-13T06:29:00.000-07:00

Marky finally hit 16, hard to believe only two more years. I'm missing him already. He had some of his friends over. I won't describe all of their fun activities (remember they're teenagers!), but they did go on a scavenger hunt thing where they try to trade up. They bring something go to neighbors and try to get them to give them something better. What ever team has the best thing at the end wins. I got a set of pots and pans out of the deal and one the guys got a cooler. Normal fare, pizza, wings, chips, and pop. We now have driving to look forward to.

Purity Banquet

2008-06-13T06:01:00.000-07:00

Mark was involved in a study on purity from a biblical point of view this year. The guys got together once and week at one place and the girls another. The studied a book and held each other accountible. They had a banquet at the end of the course to make vows before God and their parents and peers. You can see us here reading the vow and Mark saying it after me. It was a very nice time. They also recieved rings to remind them of their commitment to stay pure until marriage. (Not sure if that means you become impure after??? Only kidding!)

Amazing how old everyone else is?!?!

2008-05-22T07:00:00.000-07:00

Well here's Mark with his friend Jordan in their red pants. Believe it or not he turned 16 yesterday! Two more years and after we will be empty nest after a mere 36 1/2 years! Wow that sounds wild.

Flowers in our yard

2008-05-02T15:42:00.000-07:00

I thought you'd like to see some of the beautiful flowering bushes and trees in our yard. I am so happy to see all this beautiful color. This is truly a beautiful place to live. I am blessed to have a window by my desk at work and can see the back yard. I have seen the most beautiful red cardinal and vivid blue bluejay just have a time in the yard.

Aprons from Romania

2008-04-23T06:38:00.000-07:00

Thought you'd like to see the aprons, monica made for all the cousins. This was on one of our Bible study days. Where we do a lesson, kids play, sometimes do projects.

Family dinner before Owens move

2008-04-23T06:29:00.000-07:00

Well we had a family dinner before Owens took off for colder places. Anyone here believes no one moves from North Carolina to Ohio. The price of the truck was half the price when we moved from Ohio to North Carolina. It's just not done, but rumor has it that they are very happy in their new home. Girls start school tomorrow. Mike hasn't been seen much because he's taken up residence in his 3 car garage where he's built shelves and a work bench already. Ah life it is constantly changing, moving, growing. Hard, but sweet at the same time.

Dance

2008-04-21T08:02:00.000-07:00

Twirling, twirling. Grandpa's going to miss his girls. But our loss is Chardon's gain. By the way. They have moved in, got the truck back, probably all unpacked knowing Johanna. The girls slept soundly in their own rooms. Other than the oven door not opening and a few mousey gifts, they sound pretty snug.

Dance

2008-04-21T07:57:00.001-07:00

Well, not it's Mark's turn to get in the fun!

Watch them dance!!

2008-04-21T07:55:00.000-07:00

Our Ymca had a dance for dad or grandad's and daughter, granddaughter. Faith wanted to go, because Grace had gone with Mark at a similiar function at our Vineyard Church in Ohio. So as you can see she's really dancing up a storm.

Bazan visit

2008-04-21T07:51:00.000-07:00

Jack and Ginny came and visited us a while back. (Remember I'm a speed limit now), Mark took us on many high adventures. Some too scarey for me. We had a very nice visit and really are blessed by friends still coming to see us.

Great grandma's christmas book

2008-04-21T07:45:00.000-07:00

Yes, I know it's April, it is spring around here, but I knew great grandma would like to see Faith reading her Christmas book, that's Sam by the tree. We finally got a cord to work so we could download all the pics on Mark's camera, so sorry I'm out of order. Love me anyway

Elijah the flying man

2008-04-21T07:40:00.000-07:00

I just came across this pic of Elijah flying in his uncle Mark's room. (The advantage of having a teenage uncle.) He has just had a birthday and we are all so in love with him. He is the best hugger and such a man of God and faith. I am blessed to know him and have him in my life.

Goodbye's and Hello's

2008-04-20T16:09:00.000-07:00

Well we had to say goodbye to Mike, Jo, Grace and Faith. They have moved to Chardon. They seem very happy about it, but grandma is happy for them, but sad for herself. Two girls gone, two girls come. This is the gang with Aliyah and Ariel on their last day. I am very grateful to God that the cousins got to know each other and we were blessed to have them here for 14 months. I pray God's blessings on their new adventure.

Mother

2008-04-03T05:21:00.000-07:00

I don't want anyone to be under the impression that I am only a grandmother. It sometimes hard to believe, but I still have a very vital teenager in my home. He has been God's blessing to us since the day he was born. God knew our crazy diverse family needed a baby to unite us and that we'd need his creative, young, God thirsty presence when all our other kids had long gone to make lives of their own. I am very grateful to God's wisdom and foresight into our lives.

Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

Poem by Mark

2008-04-03T05:11:00.000-07:00

I do not understand

why an infant's life is taken for science

why ignorance is bliss

why being loved is often times hard to accept

But most of all I do not understand

why people always take what they have for granted

I've seen people rich with money longing for a happier life and people with happy lives wanting to be rich with money

What I understand most is my God's love for me

Even though I screw up

He is by my side

Even when I turn my back on Him

He pursues me.

Aliyah and Ariel

2008-03-28T12:33:00.000-07:00

Aren't they beautiful. They got a good bill of health from the doctor. Aliyah, the one, who was in the hospital has grown the most and is 6 lb 13 o, and Ariel is 6 lb 6 o. They are sleeping a little better through the night. Two hours instead of half an hour and being more awake during the day. It's hard work being born, growing, changing several time zones.

Farewell to the boys

2008-03-28T12:24:00.000-07:00

Here we are in the hotel room after 4 hour train ride. It was fun. Ella, Joel, and I walked to a food place to bring back food to the room. It's always interesting seeing new places, foods, smells. Funny I don't really remember seeing Abram with a pacie. Ella just sent me this pic so I thought I'd add it. Note you can go to Ruth's blog now. Finally figured it out. (well Marky came down and said move over).

Aliyah and Mark

2008-03-24T13:38:00.000-07:00

Proud grandpa gets to hold Aliyah on her Good Friday arrival. He was so happy to hold her after all the anticipation. He was hoping to take her on his bike race next weekend, but too many objections. (Ha Ha) He kept the company going and worked on some projects around there new house to get ready for the new arrivals.

Elijah and Ariel

2008-03-24T13:32:00.000-07:00

The pure amazement and love for their sisters is great to see. We teased they needed triples so each of the boys could hold one. But alas we will learn to share. Elijah faces just lights up. I don't have a picture of Samuel, but he was sitting up on the table holding a bottle for one of the girls in her little sit and he said, I just can't believe I'm doing all this. (He had earlier helped his mom get a great burp) He's really liking being a big brother for the first time. Isaac and Molly really have an incredible testimony and so many wonders to tell in this great journey God has taken them on.

New grandgirls!!

2008-03-24T13:26:00.000-07:00

It's hard to believe I could have more grandkid news, but the latest, greatest is that through God's wonderful provision, our new little girls Aliyah and Ariel are home safe in Asheville with their three big brothers and travel weary, but very blessed parents. I spent the night Friday when they all came home and Judah woke up at 6 am, I tried to convince him sleep was a good thing, but he really wanted to be with his new sisters. He was so sweet and so helpful. He has already become a very protective big brother looking out for his girls. What a blessing to have such grandchildren.

Sad farewells

2008-03-24T13:13:00.000-07:00

The time went by very quickly. The whole gang took the 4 hour train ride to Bucharest where we stayed at a hotel because our flight out was very early. Simeon and Abram liked having a tv in their room. One of my hopes was having time to really connect with my grandsons so far away. Simeon and I had a wonderful morning where we made faces and imitated each other and had some great conversations. Simeon at one point said grandma mary I've been trying and trying, I've really been trying to figure out how God can have no beginning and no end. OK wow. This is not something I've thought a lot about let alone tried hard to figure out and I have 50 years on Simeon. I can only say they are a wonderful family who God has blessed and they are a blessing to many. It appreciate God allowing me to go to Romania and see another part of His miraculous work.

Violin

2008-03-24T13:01:00.000-07:00

Joel, Simeon, and now Abram are learning to play the violin. Ella and I got to listen to Joel play a few pieces that he said were for young players, but you could of fooled us. We really enjoyed it. We were also surrounded by some of Joel's lastest art pieces. He has done a series of paintings for the chapel at the drop in center. They each depict a bible story representing the nine lifestyle celebrations of the Word Made Flesh community: intimacy, obedience, humility, community, service, simplicity, submission, brokeness, and suffering. (for more go to the website, www.wordmadeflesh.com) Abram's love for the violin could give you joy and bring you to tears.

Plane etiquette

2008-03-24T12:47:00.000-07:00

One of our fun stories of the trip was that after I traveled by bus from Asheville to Lexington so I could leave from there with Ella we got a call from Monica and Simeon. While talking to Simeon he said, " Grandma Mary, if your plane crashes will you be sure and call me?" We enjoyed that line throughout the trip and beyond. My bus was late coming back to Asheville and when it turned 11:00 Ella said to Chuck, well Mary hasn't called yet, but I know she knows what to do if the bus crashes!

Space travel

2008-03-24T12:42:00.000-07:00

This was a day of travel to space. We packed there little John Deere lunch boxes with food for the trip with a few surprises and ate our lunch on the porch Joel built on the side of their house whoops or a space landing. Though we thought the weather was going to be cold we really had great weather. It was nice to be able to walk in nice weather. We took the boys to the park and stopped at the grocery. We did need Simeon to tell them milk, because our version didn't translate well. We made it successfully!! Grandma Hunter did a lot of Easter egg hiding and it took the two of us to keep up with Abram's rides down the slide.

Rice fun

2008-03-24T12:37:00.000-07:00

Here is Abram playing with his rice. This was a fascinating activity most days. I watch Ella clean up afterwards and thought it was a snap, but I managed to get rice everywhere. But we did have Joel to sweep up after the rest of us tried. This is a very cool activity with noises, textures, creativity. Enjoyed it. This is their kitchen and the steps up to more rooms for others living here.

The new home

2008-03-24T12:30:00.000-07:00

Well for all who've asked about Joel's and Lau duplex. Here it is!!!. They have made the foundation walls and while Ella and I were there were able to lay pipe for electric and plumbing. They were happy to be able to get a couple extra days in while the grandmas where doing boy watch. Please pray for grace to accomplish this project in His time and for provision for all that is needed. Pretty cool to literally build your home from scratch. Glad we could be a little help.

Traveling Klepacs

2008-03-02T11:33:00.000-08:00

Well, I'm going to have a pictureless blog. Because of privacy issues we can't post pictures on blogs I discovered. Isaac has traveled to Ethiopia to see Aliyah who is in the hospital and Ariel too!! We are happy to report that Aliyah is doing better and should be out of the hospital soon. I will be leaving for Romania on Wednsday. I am really looking forward to all God has in store for me. Your prayers are desired!

Joey all grown up

2007-12-30T16:45:00.000-08:00

Well here's Joey, if you haven't seen him in a while. He will be going to college in the fall. Can you believe it. It seems like yesterday that he was in our room in his crib waking us up at night. He was and still is an incredible kid (man?)wow time flies. We hope to all come down for his graduation then travel to Asheville for a sister reunion. Pray for Joey that he gets into the school of God's choice and gets lots of scholarship money or grants. He wants to be a lawyer. Our family could probably use one!!!!

Visiting Romania

2007-12-30T16:41:00.000-08:00

This was Simeon's reaction when he heard his two grandmas were coming to Romania in March. (or maybe it's a picture of him this summer playing with cousins). At least in my mind's eye this is it. If you haven't heard I will be traveling to Romania with Ella Hunter in March. I am very excited and picking up on my treadmilling to get ready for all that glorious walking we do there. I'm so grateful to God to let me go. It will be fun. I won't get to stay long, but it will be God's perfect timing. Pray for us. Thanks.

Finally pics from Faith and Sam's Day

2007-12-17T13:09:00.000-08:00

Faith and Sam spent time with Grandpa. They went to a couple of parks, river, and of course the important dollar store. They love having there pictures taken as you can see.

My car

2007-12-13T15:55:00.000-08:00

Well for those of you just dying to know what replaced my faithful van, here it is. It wasn't what I would imagine, but it's been growing on me. It has a lot more play in the steering than I'm use to, so that's scarey, but it's getting me around. It can't fit all my grandkids at once, but it can fit some so for now. Marky will probably inherit it when he gets that license he's chomping at the bit for.

Arden Home

2007-11-30T08:08:00.000-08:00

Here's a picture of our new house. It's in a nice neighborhood with a lot of older people (like us), but there's plenty of young ones too. Lots and lots of trees and beautiful plant life. We have a deck in the back that we really enjoy eating on or just looking out our glass door to see our beautiful back yard. Very peaceful. It amazes me that I live in such a beautiful place.

Summer wedding

2007-11-30T08:03:00.000-08:00

Here's Andy and his beautiful bride. They met at college. We got to see Tina and John, all Sandy's family, and all the other Klepac kids it was fun for us. We pray God's blessings on this union.

Andy's wedding

2007-11-30T07:59:00.000-08:00

I just found a whole stash of great pics from my nephew Andy's wedding this
summer. It was a beautiful outdoor wedding. We took Grace and of course Marky with us.
Grace doesn't like getting her picture taken, but I was happy to see a picture with the two of us.

Thanks be given

2007-11-26T20:56:00.000-08:00

Here's th whole gang. You can see our whole dining room too.
To the left is a big sliding glass door. Straight ahead the kids
are looking into the kitchen. To the right is the living room.
It is truly a blessing to have 7 beautiful grandkids with two
more on the way. Grace and Faith and I are really glad
it's two more girls. The boys really outnumber us.
The cups you see we made so the kids would have something to drink
in when they're over (that won't be so easy to spill)
They have the Bible meanings of all their great names and some original
artwork on them.