So, it's been a while. I need to catch up, but I'm not doing that tonight.
I just wanted to share a link so that you could check out some free tunes. Andrew Peterson, seriously one of my favorite artists - EVER, is giving away free downloads of his 2005 or 2006 album "The Far Country". (Now this is not my favorite of his albums, but I would definitely pay to have it again - so to get a free download is AWESOME.) http://andrew-peterson.com/
If I remember right, these songs were inspired by heaven thus "The Far Country". (Wow, that was impressive - thus - hahahaha) It isn't sad about death, but hopeful at what is to come. I bought this album for my mom, but I promptly stole it, I think I returned it, but I should double check that. I hope you love it.
He is a little folky, but is an amazing story teller and has an incredible way with words. I always listen to his songs and think, what an awesome way to put that, or boy that is a spin on that thought that I needed. He has a group of musicians that he works with, none of which are rich or famous, but all who I have been blessed to hear have an incredible gift with music. To be able to move someones heart and mind with the words, rhythms, and melodies that you create or God creates within you is an incredible gift. I truly hope that you are moved by his artistry and lyric driven music and check out some of his other music, maybe you will be a true fan and get it all - like me - I think I have it all :) if not, I probably will be picking it up the next time I get to a show.
Here are the lyrics to his song More. I hope that these words help you to understand the power in the music of Andrew Peterson.
This is not the end here at this grave, This is just a hole that someone made, Every hole was made to fill, And every heart can feel it still--Our nature hates a vacuum
This is not the hardest part of all, This is just the seed that has to fall, All our lives we till the ground, Until we lay our sorrows down, And watch the sky for rain
There is more, More than all this pain, More than all the falling down, And the getting up again, There is more, More than we can see, From our tiny vantage point, In this vast eternity, There is more
A thing resounds when it rings true, Ringing all the bells inside of you, Like a golden sky on a summer eve, Your heart is tugging at your sleeve, And you cannot say why, There must be more
There is more, More than we can stand, Standing in the glory, Of a love that never ends, There is more, More than we can guess, More and more, forever more, And not a second less
There is more than what the naked eye can see, Clothing all our days with mystery, Watching over everything, Wilder than our wildest dreams, Could ever dream to be, There is more
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
Monday, August 23, 2010
The end of the week of Michael
Well, this week I have been getting a bit of a hard time from my family. They have called it "the week of Michael", as if that is a bad thing :). All because each day for the past week I have asked Michael what it is that he would want to do before he started kindergarten. The list has been varied. Play checkers, go to the pool, make chocolate chip cookie pie . . . it has been a good week. All leading up to tomorrow, the start of kindergarten.
So here on the eve of beginning life as a school mom I am full of insecurity, excitement, hope, worry . . . name the emotion it is in me NOW!! Where has the time gone? How can he be 5?
We have been talking a lot about what to expect, how to act, but even though he feels excited and full of anticipation, I have evidently not been listening to my own pep talks. I'm thinking about how much I will miss of his life. I'm wondering if I have done the mom thing well enough to send him off well into a whole new life. So tonight when he told me that I didn't need him to walk him into the school tomorrow, I was both sad and happy. Happy that he feels so ready, but sad that so quickly he is independent and doesn't need me. We did decide that I would walk him in tomorrow and leave right away and then we would see how Tuesday would go. Good plan right? We talked about hugs and kisses before, not at the school.
I know that what I told him is true. This is an important step on his journey to who God wants him to be. This is where we begin to figure out what God has planned for his life. This is just the beginning. Why is that so easy to say, know it is true, and yet is so hard to embrace. I could go on about why I am blue and what I have said to him, but really said to me, but I am going to stop myself . . . HERE!
Now the plan for tomorrow. Up in plenty of time to pray, get myself ready and then get my kindergartner going. For him, shower, pancakes, pray, into the van (I know I am close enough to walk, but I want to be in the privacy of my van for the crying, not walking down the sidewalk making a scene) hug and kiss, then walk to the classroom and leave him there excited and curious as to what the day will bring. I will then return to my van, cry for a bit, head to a mom date with great friends at Olde World for some commiserating (may cry a bit more - but hoping to keep the tears to a minimum, no guarantees) then off for a walk with Sally, her Maddy, and my Adah, return home make banana bread for an after school snack, then return to the school to pick up my boy. Hopefully he is still excited. Return home and hear all about his day over his favorite snack. Good plan right?
So glad we were able to take this last week to focus on the great things about summer and family. HOORAY for the week of Michael. I think it maybe become a tradition. Not always the week of Michael, Adah may not like that when it is her turn to go to school. Oh brother, not ready to deal with that yet, so forget I said that.
The exciting thing about Michael going to school is that Adah and I will get to be together all day, just us girls. Some solid time to learn all about the daughter God blessed me with. I love the prospect of that!! We haven't had much time just us girls, so this is an awesome opportunity to figure out some of those things that are easy to miss when there is more than one person competing for your attention. I think that she will miss Michael, but we will find our rhythm. Such a blessing hidden within a change and the sadness that change brings. But isn't that one of the things God does best?
Here is what I have been praying with Michael and a verse I love when things are unknown: 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.
Isn't that a great way to send your favorite boy to kindergarten?
So here on the eve of beginning life as a school mom I am full of insecurity, excitement, hope, worry . . . name the emotion it is in me NOW!! Where has the time gone? How can he be 5?
We have been talking a lot about what to expect, how to act, but even though he feels excited and full of anticipation, I have evidently not been listening to my own pep talks. I'm thinking about how much I will miss of his life. I'm wondering if I have done the mom thing well enough to send him off well into a whole new life. So tonight when he told me that I didn't need him to walk him into the school tomorrow, I was both sad and happy. Happy that he feels so ready, but sad that so quickly he is independent and doesn't need me. We did decide that I would walk him in tomorrow and leave right away and then we would see how Tuesday would go. Good plan right? We talked about hugs and kisses before, not at the school.
I know that what I told him is true. This is an important step on his journey to who God wants him to be. This is where we begin to figure out what God has planned for his life. This is just the beginning. Why is that so easy to say, know it is true, and yet is so hard to embrace. I could go on about why I am blue and what I have said to him, but really said to me, but I am going to stop myself . . . HERE!
Now the plan for tomorrow. Up in plenty of time to pray, get myself ready and then get my kindergartner going. For him, shower, pancakes, pray, into the van (I know I am close enough to walk, but I want to be in the privacy of my van for the crying, not walking down the sidewalk making a scene) hug and kiss, then walk to the classroom and leave him there excited and curious as to what the day will bring. I will then return to my van, cry for a bit, head to a mom date with great friends at Olde World for some commiserating (may cry a bit more - but hoping to keep the tears to a minimum, no guarantees) then off for a walk with Sally, her Maddy, and my Adah, return home make banana bread for an after school snack, then return to the school to pick up my boy. Hopefully he is still excited. Return home and hear all about his day over his favorite snack. Good plan right?
So glad we were able to take this last week to focus on the great things about summer and family. HOORAY for the week of Michael. I think it maybe become a tradition. Not always the week of Michael, Adah may not like that when it is her turn to go to school. Oh brother, not ready to deal with that yet, so forget I said that.
The exciting thing about Michael going to school is that Adah and I will get to be together all day, just us girls. Some solid time to learn all about the daughter God blessed me with. I love the prospect of that!! We haven't had much time just us girls, so this is an awesome opportunity to figure out some of those things that are easy to miss when there is more than one person competing for your attention. I think that she will miss Michael, but we will find our rhythm. Such a blessing hidden within a change and the sadness that change brings. But isn't that one of the things God does best?
Here is what I have been praying with Michael and a verse I love when things are unknown: 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.
Isn't that a great way to send your favorite boy to kindergarten?
Thursday, August 5, 2010
Baby Shower :)
Today at camp I was blessed to be able to attend a baby shower of a dear friend, Sarah. We go way back, she was in my cabin when I was a counselor here, many moons ago. Now she and her sweet hubby work at MY camp East Iowa Bible Camp with my sweet sister Sarah and her hubby. What a blessing all children are, but it seems like you acknowledge the miracle more when it is a long wished and prayed for child, like this little girl is. We can't wait to meet you and tell you stories of your parents enduring faith, hope, and love for the miracle of you. See you in September :)
So, today we had to give some mom advice to Sarah as she begins to embark on this life altering journey of enlarging her family. This activity has made me think a bit about some of my mom advice. So when I begin to reflect and have the time to actually do it, I sit down and do this, blog a bit.
1) Find a way to celebrate each child's person - both the stuff you love as well as the stuff that takes some adjusting to. Strengths are show even in bad behavior or just the stuff that you don't get that may drive you crazy.
2) Do something that lets the child know that they create joy in you - just by being themselves.
3) Realize that you get to grow with your child, and praise God that they aren't born with a long memory or the ability to tell all your beginner's mistakes. There is a learning curve. Enjoy the time of learning.
4) Begin to practice hard and uncomfortable conversations, before they can talk back. I started talking about what is private and who should be touching it with Michael as a baby, so I could get past my nerves and weirdness before he could ask me any questions or remember how I goofed it up.
5) Laugh a lot and remember whether you laugh or cry you still have to clean up the mess. The laughing makes it easier.
6) Find a way to say "I Love You" so that they hear it even when you don't say the words.
7) Enjoy this time. It is short, too short.
I hope that you will find the joy (there will still be rotten days, but as a whole) in motherhood that I have found and that I saw in my mom. I knew that she loved me and loved being my mom, because she said it or showed it nearly every day of my life. That is a power that is unmet by any superhero, TMZ character, politician, or power broker. It is the power of a God loving parent who can bless their child with the unconditional love they need to grow, fall, thrive, fail, and succeed. I pray that one day even after all my mess ups my kids will say, "Mom was many things, some good, some crazy, and some that I don't want to be, but she was a person with great love for me." Today I pray that will be your story as well.
God bless you Sarah and Tyson and your growing family. I pray for an uneventful birth and a healthy child and many years to hold your entire family close.
So, today we had to give some mom advice to Sarah as she begins to embark on this life altering journey of enlarging her family. This activity has made me think a bit about some of my mom advice. So when I begin to reflect and have the time to actually do it, I sit down and do this, blog a bit.
1) Find a way to celebrate each child's person - both the stuff you love as well as the stuff that takes some adjusting to. Strengths are show even in bad behavior or just the stuff that you don't get that may drive you crazy.
2) Do something that lets the child know that they create joy in you - just by being themselves.
3) Realize that you get to grow with your child, and praise God that they aren't born with a long memory or the ability to tell all your beginner's mistakes. There is a learning curve. Enjoy the time of learning.
4) Begin to practice hard and uncomfortable conversations, before they can talk back. I started talking about what is private and who should be touching it with Michael as a baby, so I could get past my nerves and weirdness before he could ask me any questions or remember how I goofed it up.
5) Laugh a lot and remember whether you laugh or cry you still have to clean up the mess. The laughing makes it easier.
6) Find a way to say "I Love You" so that they hear it even when you don't say the words.
7) Enjoy this time. It is short, too short.
I hope that you will find the joy (there will still be rotten days, but as a whole) in motherhood that I have found and that I saw in my mom. I knew that she loved me and loved being my mom, because she said it or showed it nearly every day of my life. That is a power that is unmet by any superhero, TMZ character, politician, or power broker. It is the power of a God loving parent who can bless their child with the unconditional love they need to grow, fall, thrive, fail, and succeed. I pray that one day even after all my mess ups my kids will say, "Mom was many things, some good, some crazy, and some that I don't want to be, but she was a person with great love for me." Today I pray that will be your story as well.
God bless you Sarah and Tyson and your growing family. I pray for an uneventful birth and a healthy child and many years to hold your entire family close.
Monday, July 12, 2010
Sorry Target Shoppers . . .
Today, I was hoping to run a few errands after the stop at the Dr. for some meds to fix the strep throat I caught from my son. We were just going to run into a couple places, quick, smooth, in my typical mother of the year fashion.
The fatal flaw in my day was daring to pee.
Yes, that evidently turns children into non-obeying, personal space crashing, annoying little rug rats that get everyone talking.
I told them on the way in, a quick stop in the bathroom for me and then into the fun double cart for some bargain hunting and maybe even checking for a Lightning McQueen backpack. We walked into a beautifully empty and recently cleaned bathroom. I made the unforgivable mistake of thinking, well it will only take me 30 seconds, so instead of hogging the handicapped stall, I will just hop into a little one and the kids will wait for me right outside where I can see their little feet, surely no one will come in. Suddenly with me indisposed and the bathroom filling up there were little people coming under my door and the door next to mine. Seriously, Adah crawled under my neighbors door and under the stall wall and into my space. Mortified I said, just sit still to both the gigglers sitting at my feet. Hoping we could hide in there until everyone had left and my mother of the year status would remain untarnished. NOPE, throw that prize out the window. So there I am trying to finish everything up and holding onto people to stop them from crawling under the stalls again. Adah got her fanny backed under the next stall again and Michael escaped. I caught screaming Adah who remained in my grip, until I was all buttoned and zipped. After washing my hands and explaining why we had to leave the store RIGHT NOW!! I was able to leave the Target bathroom with two blessed howling children. No I didn't beat them, but leaving Target without actually entering the store is evidently an equivalent to my sweet angels. We were in the store less than 2 minutes, but it was quite a trip.
NO TREAT FOR YOU!!!! (Read that like the Soup Nazi would say it - if you have no idea who that is, it is sad that you have missed so much Seinfeld - I will pray that you will develop a sense of humor)
If you were in the Target bathroom with me today, I really apologize for the intrusion into your privacy and forcing you to listen to me disciplining my kids. "It is not okay to crawl under the stall or the door. . . " There was big talk about choices and consequences. But inside it was just me going - HOLY CRAP, I hope I don't see anyone who was in this bathroom and the best way to do that is to LEAVE. Sad, crying children in tow - I'm sure that didn't make a scene at all.
So tonight as I tuck in my bundles of joy, we will be having talks about bathroom etiquette. Hopefully the next time we will make it past the dollar spot. Maybe I will just hold it.
Love being a mom :) it keeps you humble.
This story reminds me of something I read last week "You can either laugh or cry, but either way you have to clean up the mess. Laughter somehow makes it easier." Don't you love that?
The fatal flaw in my day was daring to pee.
Yes, that evidently turns children into non-obeying, personal space crashing, annoying little rug rats that get everyone talking.
I told them on the way in, a quick stop in the bathroom for me and then into the fun double cart for some bargain hunting and maybe even checking for a Lightning McQueen backpack. We walked into a beautifully empty and recently cleaned bathroom. I made the unforgivable mistake of thinking, well it will only take me 30 seconds, so instead of hogging the handicapped stall, I will just hop into a little one and the kids will wait for me right outside where I can see their little feet, surely no one will come in. Suddenly with me indisposed and the bathroom filling up there were little people coming under my door and the door next to mine. Seriously, Adah crawled under my neighbors door and under the stall wall and into my space. Mortified I said, just sit still to both the gigglers sitting at my feet. Hoping we could hide in there until everyone had left and my mother of the year status would remain untarnished. NOPE, throw that prize out the window. So there I am trying to finish everything up and holding onto people to stop them from crawling under the stalls again. Adah got her fanny backed under the next stall again and Michael escaped. I caught screaming Adah who remained in my grip, until I was all buttoned and zipped. After washing my hands and explaining why we had to leave the store RIGHT NOW!! I was able to leave the Target bathroom with two blessed howling children. No I didn't beat them, but leaving Target without actually entering the store is evidently an equivalent to my sweet angels. We were in the store less than 2 minutes, but it was quite a trip.
NO TREAT FOR YOU!!!! (Read that like the Soup Nazi would say it - if you have no idea who that is, it is sad that you have missed so much Seinfeld - I will pray that you will develop a sense of humor)
If you were in the Target bathroom with me today, I really apologize for the intrusion into your privacy and forcing you to listen to me disciplining my kids. "It is not okay to crawl under the stall or the door. . . " There was big talk about choices and consequences. But inside it was just me going - HOLY CRAP, I hope I don't see anyone who was in this bathroom and the best way to do that is to LEAVE. Sad, crying children in tow - I'm sure that didn't make a scene at all.
So tonight as I tuck in my bundles of joy, we will be having talks about bathroom etiquette. Hopefully the next time we will make it past the dollar spot. Maybe I will just hold it.
Love being a mom :) it keeps you humble.
This story reminds me of something I read last week "You can either laugh or cry, but either way you have to clean up the mess. Laughter somehow makes it easier." Don't you love that?
Monday, June 14, 2010
Adah is 2
June 14 2010, my Adah turned 2 today. Oh, how quickly the last 2 years have passed.
The day that she was born, was quite a day. I was induced in the morning, I think it was around 8 am and I laid in the bed waiting for the arrival of this little person who had been making my butt ache for months and watching the news. (Seriously, I had a sore butt for most of my pregnancy - no reason they could give me - I did jokingly say that the pain in my butt was a sign the baby was a girl. But, I promised myself and Curtis that I would never be a mom to call my child a pain in the butt since before their birth - no one wants to have that running through their head for life - Good grief, you can't please that woman, I was a huge problem for her before I was even born . . . - so far I have not said that to Adah.)
It was the flood of 2008. Living in Mediapolis and having friends living in the bottoms who had evacuated their homes earlier in the week, it was a waiting game. Would the levy hold? How bad would it be if it didn't? All kinds of questions were in my mind. I hadn't been able to help anyone that week, at all, being overdue with a 3 year old. I needed to stay home. As things got serious in my delivery, the levy had not yet broken. But within a half an hour after I was blessed with a girl, (I was probably still saying, it's a girl, it is really a girl) the nurse came in and told me that the levy in Oakville had just broken. Isn't that the way life works? One family is blessed beyond measure and another is devastated at the same time.
We named her Adah, which means beautiful addition. She has lived up to that name, daily, for the past 2 years. Isn't it amazing what God does to your heart when you give it away? Suddenly that person that you never laid eyes upon, is someone you couldn't imagine living without and you pray that you will never have to learn how. This has happened to me with Curtis, then Michael, and finally with Adah. A miracle of love when a family is created.
Now, watching Adah grow into a 2 year old. Things change daily. She doesn't take her brother's stuff. Adah will let you know when she is not happy. She is really developing a will, which is great. I want a child with an opinion, but shaping how she chooses to share her wishes is the challenge. I hope I figure out how she needs to be led, directed, parented, . . . not controlled. She is really starting to talk a lot, and I think more people are beginning to understand the words she is speaking. Last week she stopped calling her brother "brother" and started calling him "Michael" actually it sounds more like Bucco, which I think is hysterical. Is there anything better than a little, bitty 2 year old hollering "Come here Bucco"? I don't think so. She loves chocolate. She chose to eat pizza tonight for her birthday dinner and when given a choice wanted to go to "azio" Mazzios. She rarely snuggles, but when she does, she tells you that it is time. She can tell me when her glasses are dirty or crooked and wants them fixed, now. She will only kiss you on the lips and if you offer her your cheek, she will chase your lips until you give in or there are no kisses.
There are so many little funny things about this beautiful addition this is just the tip of a long list. I know that you have a person in your life, with all the little things that make them too adorable for words. I don't want to be one of those mothers who thinks that my kids are the cutest, sweetest, most interesting, and smartest in the world, they just are those things to me. If you ask I will tell you that I am incredibly biased. :) I am also blessed to be able to learn all these things and watch my children go from 1 to 2 or 5 to 6. I just pray that I will always find them fun and interesting.
The day that she was born, was quite a day. I was induced in the morning, I think it was around 8 am and I laid in the bed waiting for the arrival of this little person who had been making my butt ache for months and watching the news. (Seriously, I had a sore butt for most of my pregnancy - no reason they could give me - I did jokingly say that the pain in my butt was a sign the baby was a girl. But, I promised myself and Curtis that I would never be a mom to call my child a pain in the butt since before their birth - no one wants to have that running through their head for life - Good grief, you can't please that woman, I was a huge problem for her before I was even born . . . - so far I have not said that to Adah.)
It was the flood of 2008. Living in Mediapolis and having friends living in the bottoms who had evacuated their homes earlier in the week, it was a waiting game. Would the levy hold? How bad would it be if it didn't? All kinds of questions were in my mind. I hadn't been able to help anyone that week, at all, being overdue with a 3 year old. I needed to stay home. As things got serious in my delivery, the levy had not yet broken. But within a half an hour after I was blessed with a girl, (I was probably still saying, it's a girl, it is really a girl) the nurse came in and told me that the levy in Oakville had just broken. Isn't that the way life works? One family is blessed beyond measure and another is devastated at the same time.
We named her Adah, which means beautiful addition. She has lived up to that name, daily, for the past 2 years. Isn't it amazing what God does to your heart when you give it away? Suddenly that person that you never laid eyes upon, is someone you couldn't imagine living without and you pray that you will never have to learn how. This has happened to me with Curtis, then Michael, and finally with Adah. A miracle of love when a family is created.
Now, watching Adah grow into a 2 year old. Things change daily. She doesn't take her brother's stuff. Adah will let you know when she is not happy. She is really developing a will, which is great. I want a child with an opinion, but shaping how she chooses to share her wishes is the challenge. I hope I figure out how she needs to be led, directed, parented, . . . not controlled. She is really starting to talk a lot, and I think more people are beginning to understand the words she is speaking. Last week she stopped calling her brother "brother" and started calling him "Michael" actually it sounds more like Bucco, which I think is hysterical. Is there anything better than a little, bitty 2 year old hollering "Come here Bucco"? I don't think so. She loves chocolate. She chose to eat pizza tonight for her birthday dinner and when given a choice wanted to go to "azio" Mazzios. She rarely snuggles, but when she does, she tells you that it is time. She can tell me when her glasses are dirty or crooked and wants them fixed, now. She will only kiss you on the lips and if you offer her your cheek, she will chase your lips until you give in or there are no kisses. 
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
Humbling
Sometimes children give us the best dose of humility and reality, better than Dr. Phil. (I reference that man a lot, but don't know that I have watched a show of his - um - ever or not since he left the warm embrace of Oprah's show.)
Yesterday at lunch we were talking with Michael about being left handed. Here is the conversation:
Curtis - You know Michael, if you love baseball and could pitch an 80 mph fast ball, you could play for the big leagues.
Michael - Like on TV?
Curtis - Yeah. And you would make a lot of money too. Then you could say thanks to your mom and dad by buying us cool stuff. Like a big house, and I want a Dodge Charger (maybe I have the wrong car, but it was in the Dodge family and started with a C) and you know that your mom wants a Jaguar.
Me - It doesn't have to be new, just a convertible
Curtis - What do you think, wouldn't that be great.
Michael - I'm not doing that.
Curtis - Really why?
Michael - You don't need that stuff. I'll give my money to kids who need it. Isn't that what we are supposed to do when we have extra?
Curtis - You're right, that would be better.
Love that boy. Today he brought me a cap from I think a Spray N Wash bottle, filled with change he collected, and told me that we need to get to Wal-Mart and give it to those kids who need it, because there were a couple hundred dollars there and that could make kids like Shaelynn feel a lot better and not have to go to heaven before the grow up. Now, you need to know that I don't have a couple hundred dollars in change around here, but if I did have some extra I would be taking it to Wal-Mart to donate in the Children's Miracle Network collector, to match the generous spirit of my son.
Why am I so selfish? Seriously, a convertible Jag. I would love that, but he is right there are kids out there who need help. I guess I will be rolling in my Sienna for a while and praying that my son remains generous and continues to show me when I'm not.
Thank God for matching us with the children who teach us to be better people. I love being a mom :) Back to matching socks.
Yesterday at lunch we were talking with Michael about being left handed. Here is the conversation:
Curtis - You know Michael, if you love baseball and could pitch an 80 mph fast ball, you could play for the big leagues.
Michael - Like on TV?
Curtis - Yeah. And you would make a lot of money too. Then you could say thanks to your mom and dad by buying us cool stuff. Like a big house, and I want a Dodge Charger (maybe I have the wrong car, but it was in the Dodge family and started with a C) and you know that your mom wants a Jaguar.
Me - It doesn't have to be new, just a convertible
Curtis - What do you think, wouldn't that be great.
Michael - I'm not doing that.
Curtis - Really why?
Michael - You don't need that stuff. I'll give my money to kids who need it. Isn't that what we are supposed to do when we have extra?
Curtis - You're right, that would be better.
Love that boy. Today he brought me a cap from I think a Spray N Wash bottle, filled with change he collected, and told me that we need to get to Wal-Mart and give it to those kids who need it, because there were a couple hundred dollars there and that could make kids like Shaelynn feel a lot better and not have to go to heaven before the grow up. Now, you need to know that I don't have a couple hundred dollars in change around here, but if I did have some extra I would be taking it to Wal-Mart to donate in the Children's Miracle Network collector, to match the generous spirit of my son.
Why am I so selfish? Seriously, a convertible Jag. I would love that, but he is right there are kids out there who need help. I guess I will be rolling in my Sienna for a while and praying that my son remains generous and continues to show me when I'm not.
Thank God for matching us with the children who teach us to be better people. I love being a mom :) Back to matching socks.
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
What a week . . .
Wow, it was a beautiful wedding. I loved it.
From watching Tim and Joy do cookies in the yard in Dad's Mustang all the way to them driving away, it was a blessed evening. It was one of those "Can you feel the love tonight" (are you singing) moments.
I will give you some of my highlights: watching all the children come down the aisle - let's see 12 total, Joy's 11 nieces and nephews and Grant's 1,
Grant pledging to love Joy with his WHOLE body later that night (yes that was in his vows), 
the butterfly release in honor of Shaelynn Sue the heavenly flower girl, the frequent train whistle prompting kisses from the bride and groom, the kids peanut butter buffet, the sparkler dance to "Put Your Head on My Shoulder", the flowers - have I mentioned the flowers absolutely gorgeous, and so many other moments. What a lovely evening. What a blessing to be a part of this couple, this family, and everything that surrounded the wedding and marriage. Boy, those shoes - I picked out some duds, my feet may never be the same. By the time the wedding was over and it was time to walk back up the aisle I had to tell Sarah to slow down, I couldn't feel my feet and knew I was going to topple any moment. I think that was the only bummer of the whole day, and really that was just me, I'm sure everyone else's feet were fine. Everyone knew that Joy and Grant loved each other and were truly giddy at the thought of marriage and being linked for life. Someone even told me that it was a rare wedding, they left knowing that this couple would make it, without a doubt. Don't you love how when God is in it, everyone knows it is right. Not that it is smooth sailing, but when you start solid you have a good place to build from. 
But boy was I tired. Life doesn't slow down for you just because you are tired though.
I had my wisdom teeth taken out last Thursday, which hasn't been too bad. Nothing like I feared. When I went for my consultation with the oral surgeon they made me watch a video, which the theme of went something like this . . . TAKE YOUR WISDOM TEETH ABOUT BEFORE YOU ARE 25 OR ELSE TERRIBLE THINGS WILL HAPPEN TO YOUR MOUTH. bwah, hahaha. Now, I know that most of you are shocked to know that in fact I am 25 and have been for more than a year or two. So, I questioned why they made me watch the video and prepared for the day with some trepidation (wow - that is a good word here, every once in a while I do use that education). I am sore and glad for some those 800 mg ibuprofen, but am doing okay. I have a great husband who is patient and helpful. My mom also took the kids the whole day on Thursday and then my sweet friend Natalie had them all day Friday. Don't know how people make it in life without some extra hands to back them up.
So tomorrow will be Curtis and I's 8th year anniversary. Does that make it our STAR anniversary - 8 years on the 8th? Can you believe it? I have been blessed to be legally and spiritually bound to this man for the last 8 years. Wow, time has really flown. I can honestly say that I love him more today than I did in 2002. I find him funny and charming, and cute. He is an awesome dad and a great husband. God did direct the path that put us together, there isn't anyone on Earth better for me than Curtis. Ask around, there are people who will tell you. Oh, yes, Curtis and Bek - no one else could put up with her. He is a saint :) Love that man. I am so blessed that he chose me.
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