Today, August 8, has now been two years since my brother-in-law Jacob passed away. It is still hard to believe he isn’t here anymore. He was only 48 when he died, leaving sister Emma a widow at age 47. Our thoughts and prayers are with her and the family as another year passes by without him. Rest in peace, Jacob! You are greatly missed!

Emma’s sons Jacob, 23, and Steven, 16, both have muscular dystrophy and use mobility scooters mostly. Son-in-law Tim’s brother and his family took Jacob and Steven along with them on a trip to Colorado. This will be an enjoyable trip for them to get to see the West.

Son Kevin always dreamed of getting to see the West. Maybe someday! He fell again and bruised his knee and also scratched his face up again. I’m so fortunate he didn’t damage the part where he had stitches, though it was the same side of his face. He’s having a hard time bending his leg and has been sleeping down on the couch since. Kevin is taller than his brothers, and I think growing that fast doesn’t help the muscular dystrophy any.

Now I will tell you about our highlight of the week. Daughter Loretta and Dustin welcomed another son into their family. Byron Liam was born on August 7 at 8:37 a.m., weighing 6 pounds 7.8 ounces, 20 inches long. He is also welcomed (well, maybe haha) by “big” brother Denzel, 13 months.

Loretta was at a bigger hospital an hour away to deliver Byron because she was at high risk due to some complications. The natural birth went well, but Loretta has preeclampsia now, so she will have over three days at the hospital to be treated for that. Other than that, mother and baby Byron are doing okay. He is a sweetie, and I’m already so attached to him. Denzel hugs the baby for a while but then decides he doesn’t want him close.

I was able to be at the birth and help the midwives at the hospital along with Dustin. Such a miracle to see, and I’m so glad I could be included in such a precious moment.

Daughter Verena, Denzel, and I are headed to the hospital with our friend Beth to see how Loretta and Byron are doing today and take more things up that they need. Denzel is in his car seat beside me as I write my column. I completely forgot that I needed a column out today. I had Denzel in a crib beside our bed for the night. He needed a bottle and woke up for that during the night around 3 a.m. I think he would have slept through the night, but I think he missed his daddy and mommy. Poor little boy has to get used to sharing his parents. He and Byron will be best of friends someday.

Right now, Denzel’s pulling his blanket over his face and playing peek-a-boo with me. He giggles and giggles and does it over and over.

Joe and I have 11 grandchildren now, ages six and under. We feel so blessed!

Church services were held at daughter Elizabeth and Tim’s on Sunday. It rained lightly off and on but otherwise went pretty well. They served a good lunch to everyone. The menu included homemade wheat and white bread, ham, cheese, peanut butter spread, pickles, red beets, hot peppers, blackberry jelly, butter, iced tea, coffee, and four different kinds of cookies. Popcorn was served after lunch while the women washed all the dishes and packed them up for the bench wagon for the next church service.

Until next week… God bless!

Banana Bread
1/2 cup butter, melted
2 eggs
1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
2 cups sugar
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon salt
3–4 ripe bananas
2 cups milk
3 cups all-purpose flour

Mix the first six ingredients. Mash the bananas and beat them into the first mixture. The batter will be thin. Alternately add flour and milk. Pour into 3 greased loaf pans. Bake 45 minutes to an hour at 350 degrees or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.

Lovina’s Amish Kitchen is written by Lovina Eicher, Old Order Amish writer, cook, wife, and mother of eight. Her newest cookbook, Amish Family Recipes, is available wherever books are sold.  Because Lovina is Old Order Amish, she does not have email or a telephone in her home. Lovina does not respond to comments on this website, if you would like to contact her directly, click here.