Driveway Repairs

Too many pot holes on the driveway so a load of gravel was ordered. Jon was excited to see the big truck arrive. He knew something was about to happen.

The truck box started to lift up..

And then the gravel started to pour out..

Goodbye pot holes..

Then Dad arrived with the tractor to smooth out the gravel.

And where was Jon while Dad was scraping the driveway?? Rolling rocks by his shed.

Jon's Jobs..

Looks like Jon is getting the jobs done. Cutting grass, cleaning the car..
It may look like that but I just happened to get shots of him walking past the mower and standing beside the car with my dishcloth in hand:)

Flower Pots..

These flowers in the pots had just started to bloom nicely.. until Jon threw them. Three down..thank goodness I caught him in time, he was heading for the rest. This evening really did start off very well..
He has apologized..case closed.

Working on Jon's Yard

Dad is trimming around the fire pit. Chain saw is waiting to be used..Jon kept looking at it, in anticipation of a tree coming down.

The tree has come down and Dad is cutting it up in pieces, ready for the bonfire. Jon is safely behind the tree.

Every job site needs a supervisor!

The job is almost done.

After all the hard work Dad and Jon are barbecuing burgers for lunch.

Mother's Day

Jon's Mother's Day gift to me! He just thrust the 'plant in the boot' into my hands and started to walk away. I called him back and said "thank you Jon, what a great gift"..he gave me a shy smile and nodded. How very sweet..

A New Ball

Jon usually will get his ball from his room to play catch with us when he is home. The old blue ball was looking a little 'worn and dented' so we bought a new one! He wasn't much interested in the new ball and only allowed a quick photo before he threw it aside. I guess he still has some attachment to the old one. I think he likes the fact that it has a nice dent to grab onto:)

More muffins..

Oh boy, the muffins I sent along with Jon last Thursday were scarfed down just like that!! So here is another batch for him..carrot/apple/raisin muffins and banana, poppy seed muffins.  He loves eating them crumbled in a bowl with milk..would that be muffin cereal??
Jon came to vist us tonight. Shortly after supper he had a 7 minute seizure which was quite intense. Felt so bad for him. When it was all over he relaxed in the rocking chair for awhile. After his rest he was so happy, almost like a pressure had been lifted from him.
His sisters came to visit and he enjoyed their company.
Enjoy your muffins Jon!

Muffin Man!

Muffins are one of Jon's favorites, he has always liked them! When he comes to visit us, I usually send muffins home with him. And that is what he usually chooses for breakfast the following day. This time was no different..he took home a dozen banana/peanut butter with chocolate chip muffins and a dozen lemon coconut muffins. Should keep him happy for awhile although I do think he shares with his caregivers:)

Wrapped Surprise Package!

Dad and Mom went on a little holiday, known as 'meetings' to Jon. I had promised to bring him a little something. Of course I remembered and wrapped it up..it's always more special when a gift is wrapped, right?  By the third photo frame you can tell he was getting anxious and is working really hard at ripping the paper.
I love that little sideways look he gives me when he sees the camera.
With a little help from Dad the rubber snake comes out of the package. Both the rubbery frog and snake were a hit. The t-shirt not so much:) That last photo..trust me, he is really happy but likes to show a stern face for the camera.

Valentine Cookie Bouquet

 Isn't he a sweetheart..he surprised us with a 'cookie bouquet' today. He's a bit early for Valentine's Day but who cares. Thank you Jon, that is so sweet of you! Love you!

Whatever..

Sometimes he just goes along with whatever, although I really do wonder what his thoughts are on this..
Maybe he is thinking.."if it makes them smile, I can wear these silly glasses".

"Love you, goodnight.."

When Jon comes for a visit he brings this well worn jean bag along, which holds his meds. When he lived in a home with three other men this little pocket had his picture in it so everyone would know whose bag it was. Since he lives alone now (with 24 hour staffing that is) the photo has been switched to Mom and Dad. Every night when Jon goes to bed, he places this bag with our photo 'just so' on the pillow. He then snuggles up close to it..as if to say "I love you, goodnight Mom and Dad". (at least that's what I'm guessing he is thinking:)

Jon's Scanner Headboard

This is Jon's headboard, staff did a great job!! Can you guess what the scanning code is?

Organizing Jon's Closet

Organized Jon's closet tonight and packed up clothes and stuff he didn't need!

Now this looks neat!  And look at all those empty shelves..wonder what they will get filled with?? The orange bag is full of stuff I cleared out of his closet. Every once in awhile Jon came to see what I was doing..hope I didn't take any of his favorite things!

Curious Jon

 Jon is very curious, he couldn't resist trying to see what could be behind the wall in the storage room. Onto the chair and then the bin..a little support, a little stretch and he managed to peer over the edge.

"Oops..Mom found me! And how did Dad get here so fast with the camera?"

Jon's New Kitchen Cupboards..

Jon has new cupboards in his kitchen! Oh how he loved watching the old cupboards being ripped out, he was right there in everyone's space making sure not to miss a thing!
More changes happening in his house..he will be so pumped!!

We couldn't figure out what Jon was doing on the roof of the truck..we watched him for a bit before calling him down. It appears he wanted to get at the light bulb..he loves to turn out bulbs whenever he is able to..he is very quick at it too. He is the first one to notice when a bulb is missing.
Other than that we had a pretty normal type of evening. Oh there was one other thing..cake throwing..he was very quick with that too. One quick handful and there was cake spread out on the floor!

Jon Loves Trucks!

Even as a little boy Jon loved riding in the truck box, I think he liked the feel of the wind whipping by on his face. And of course a truck box usually carries interesting things. When someone arrives on his yard Jon quickly makes his way over to check out the truck box. And if he finds anything to his liking he will most likely try to claim it as his own.
Here he is checking out Dad's truck and found a tarp strap. I think he is trying to negotiate with Dad.
Note: It took till photo #7 before he would look at me:) Dad is out of the picture so I think a deal was struck..Jon wins again:)

Mennonite Boy

I thought Jon's kitchen should have an apron and who better to model it than Jon himself! He was quite willing to pose for this photo. This is most likely the only time he will ever wear it:) Maybe staff will be happy to wear it while cooking Jon's meals.

Jon did allow a few more photo shoots so may as well share them too.

Our local museum is selling 'Mennonite Girls Can Cook' cookbooks and  they are now sewing and selling aprons as well.

The Fair

Jon loves going to Fairs and it's mainly for the rides. He likes the crazy rides best and I don't think he has ever indicated that any ride scared him. It's a matter of which rides the staff will be brave enough to try:)
He also likes to try his hand at some of the games for a chance to win something. And if he doesn't win he will try to sneak a prize to walk away with!
He's off to the Red River Ex this week..he will be smiling!

Siblings??

Can you tell these two covering their ears are siblings? Methinks one of them is being a little silly:)

Balloons

One might ask, what is it about balloons? Why are they so appealing to Jon? Why, after 36 years, are they still timeless to him?

And I think, I know the answer. 

Balloons are romantic. They are mysterious. They infer adventure, childlike enthusiasm, and wanderlust.

From the Beatles, to kids and clowns...

They are the great love of Jon's mind..

His love affair with balloons began long ago, way back when...

"Nobody can be uncheered by a balloon." - Winnie the Poo

The Farm

We have taken Jon to the farm a few times. The first time he was interested only in the barn fan. Next time he did look around at the animals. We will continue to take him until he is familiar with the surroundings and be able to enjoy his visits.

This farm has horses, cows, sheep, lambs and a cat. The lambs were born this month, in fact the little white one was born just a few moments before we arrived. The cutest little thing..Kaila named him Peter.

Eating Outdoors

Jon loves to eat outdoors! He doesn't mind even when it's windy or cool, in fact he is usually eating outside even before the snow has melted! He is a bit of a messy eater so we don't mind when he heads out!

Oh yes and then there is always the shirt protector..sometimes I think there is almost as much food on there as what has gone into his mouth.

Things that amuse Jon..

 Jon heads to the washer..I think the swishing sound alerted his attention.

 He loves to watch the clothes washing. He knows to shade his eyes because of the reflection.

Walks away satisfied that the washer is doing its job.