"Well, Mom, if you had taught me when I was young not to argue, I would have learned the lesson. And then I wouldn't be arguing now."
Just for fun, what have your kids told you lately that makes you want to say...Seriously?
Saturday, October 31, 2009
Seriously?
While talking to Ty the other day about answering me respectfully he responded....
"Well, Mom, if you had taught me when I was young not to argue, I would have learned the lesson. And then I wouldn't be arguing now."
Just for fun, what have your kids told you lately that makes you want to say...Seriously?
"Well, Mom, if you had taught me when I was young not to argue, I would have learned the lesson. And then I wouldn't be arguing now."
Just for fun, what have your kids told you lately that makes you want to say...Seriously?
Sunday, October 25, 2009
Raindrops on Roses
I don't even know how many times I watched The Sound of Music growing up. The Von Trapp family singers seemed so real to me. Maybe it's because my sisters and I sang so many of the songs from it together.
Maybe it's because Mom made us wimples and matching dresses and we competed in a 4-H talent show singing "How Do You Solve a Problem Like Maria?" and "Edelweiss" and "The Lonely Goatherd." The fact that we won that contest almost takes the sting of embarrassment away...almost. Thankfully I was too naive at the time to realize how uncool doing that was. Yodeling? At 12? (Giving self a mental slap.)
Okay, I'm better now.
Just for fun, I thought I'd post some of my favorite things....
My amazing husband. We went to a historic reenactment of French and Indian traders. The kids wanted to see the canoe races better so he put not one, but both big kids on his shoulders and held them there the entire time the race was going on. Who would've guessed he could do that a year after shoulder surgery.
Bare toes. The weather has been warm enough here to shed our shoes again. I hate shoes. Even cute ones. But if I have to wear shoes I prefer the cute variety. My kids, they prefer no variety.
Sandboxes...filled with shoeless children.
A daughter who finds it necessary to accessorize before going to play in the sandbox.
Finishing the garden season and putting things away. This past week my wonderful husband helped me yank the dead plants from the garden (actually, we had the kids do most of that) and he tilled it for me. Hope was kind enough to help rake it all out. That is until the rake made her mad.
Black and White pictures. Please overlook the unfinished parts of our house. One day, it will all be done. Or maybe someone who doesn't care will come make us an offer we can't refuse...or swap us houses with theirs being on a few acres of partially wooded land. A girl can dream, right?
No pictures of this one, but old friends. I spent the day with my oldest (as far as years of friendship go) last weekend. Our 7 children in 7 years had a blast together and I always forget how delightful a baby is. Why is it such a wonderful surprise every. single. time.
Brandi, I spilled one of my embarrassing stories. Are you going to share?
Maybe it's because Mom made us wimples and matching dresses and we competed in a 4-H talent show singing "How Do You Solve a Problem Like Maria?" and "Edelweiss" and "The Lonely Goatherd." The fact that we won that contest almost takes the sting of embarrassment away...almost. Thankfully I was too naive at the time to realize how uncool doing that was. Yodeling? At 12? (Giving self a mental slap.)
Okay, I'm better now.
Just for fun, I thought I'd post some of my favorite things....
My amazing husband. We went to a historic reenactment of French and Indian traders. The kids wanted to see the canoe races better so he put not one, but both big kids on his shoulders and held them there the entire time the race was going on. Who would've guessed he could do that a year after shoulder surgery.
Bare toes. The weather has been warm enough here to shed our shoes again. I hate shoes. Even cute ones. But if I have to wear shoes I prefer the cute variety. My kids, they prefer no variety.
Sandboxes...filled with shoeless children.
A daughter who finds it necessary to accessorize before going to play in the sandbox.
Finishing the garden season and putting things away. This past week my wonderful husband helped me yank the dead plants from the garden (actually, we had the kids do most of that) and he tilled it for me. Hope was kind enough to help rake it all out. That is until the rake made her mad.
Black and White pictures. Please overlook the unfinished parts of our house. One day, it will all be done. Or maybe someone who doesn't care will come make us an offer we can't refuse...or swap us houses with theirs being on a few acres of partially wooded land. A girl can dream, right?
No pictures of this one, but old friends. I spent the day with my oldest (as far as years of friendship go) last weekend. Our 7 children in 7 years had a blast together and I always forget how delightful a baby is. Why is it such a wonderful surprise every. single. time.
Brandi, I spilled one of my embarrassing stories. Are you going to share?
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
99
That's how many posts I've written. What do you do about post#100? Any ideas?
I have been reading my blog list the last several days. Catching up on some. Reading again some of my favorite posts from others. Blogging, I've decided, is a great avoidance technique. :)
I really don't have much to say. For some reason my thoughts are not translating well into words. I have so many conflicting emotions with all that has gone on the last few weeks. I'm really tired, really sad, really glad Mom's in no more pain, really annoyed with some of the family I had to deal with, really frustrated that people can't play nice when they're hurt.
The other night Doug looked at me and said, "This is permanent."
And I guess that's what's hard. We don't know what life without her looks like. We don't know how it's going to feel. I kind of feel like I'm trying on clothes and nothing fits or looks right. Everything is made of the scratchiest wool imaginable and I just can't wait to get it off.
But grief can't be shed like a sweater. So we wear it. Knowing it's impolite to scratch in public. Knowing we carry this around for however long it takes us to find room for the new life we are beginning to live.
I hear her voice and laughter in my mind everyday. I see her smile.
And I miss her.
A lot.
Thank you to all you who I know and love. Who have come to comfort us. You truly have been the hand and feet of Christ during this time.
Thank you the many of you who I know only through your blog for caring enough to send kind messages and pray for us. Your hilarious words, peeks into real life, and wonderful pictures have been a breath of fresh air.
Many blessings to you all. I know He will return the blessing pressed down, shaken and overflowing.
I have been reading my blog list the last several days. Catching up on some. Reading again some of my favorite posts from others. Blogging, I've decided, is a great avoidance technique. :)
I really don't have much to say. For some reason my thoughts are not translating well into words. I have so many conflicting emotions with all that has gone on the last few weeks. I'm really tired, really sad, really glad Mom's in no more pain, really annoyed with some of the family I had to deal with, really frustrated that people can't play nice when they're hurt.
The other night Doug looked at me and said, "This is permanent."
And I guess that's what's hard. We don't know what life without her looks like. We don't know how it's going to feel. I kind of feel like I'm trying on clothes and nothing fits or looks right. Everything is made of the scratchiest wool imaginable and I just can't wait to get it off.
But grief can't be shed like a sweater. So we wear it. Knowing it's impolite to scratch in public. Knowing we carry this around for however long it takes us to find room for the new life we are beginning to live.
I hear her voice and laughter in my mind everyday. I see her smile.
And I miss her.
A lot.
Thank you to all you who I know and love. Who have come to comfort us. You truly have been the hand and feet of Christ during this time.
Thank you the many of you who I know only through your blog for caring enough to send kind messages and pray for us. Your hilarious words, peeks into real life, and wonderful pictures have been a breath of fresh air.
Many blessings to you all. I know He will return the blessing pressed down, shaken and overflowing.
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
The Other Thing... Part II
Someone in our 'family' is making their blog debut today. Let me introduce Macy. She is the dog my husband rescued from outside our local meat market. She is smart, extremely loving, and full of energy. She is also destructive, not well trained, and her other name is "Beast." Here she is about three weeks ago when I was trying out new settings on my camera.
The kids and our dogs went to my parents while we were in Colorado. It's a beautiful place on a seldom used gravel road. Lots of open space, woods and a creek. We knew they all would come back worn out from all the running and playing they would do. Macy decided recently it is her job to keep all strange cars off my parents "driveway" also known as the road. And while playing guard dog she learned an important lesson. Cars always win. The poor thing was dragged by a car and managed to make her way back to Mom and Dad's. They graciously took her back and forth to the vets, gave her her medicine, put bags on her feet before she went outside if it was wet. A few more weeks and hopefully the bandages will come off, the legs will be healed and she will be wiser about cars.
And that, my friends, is the rest of the story.
The kids and our dogs went to my parents while we were in Colorado. It's a beautiful place on a seldom used gravel road. Lots of open space, woods and a creek. We knew they all would come back worn out from all the running and playing they would do. Macy decided recently it is her job to keep all strange cars off my parents "driveway" also known as the road. And while playing guard dog she learned an important lesson. Cars always win. The poor thing was dragged by a car and managed to make her way back to Mom and Dad's. They graciously took her back and forth to the vets, gave her her medicine, put bags on her feet before she went outside if it was wet. A few more weeks and hopefully the bandages will come off, the legs will be healed and she will be wiser about cars.
And that, my friends, is the rest of the story.
Sunday, October 11, 2009
Ancient Words
Holy words long preserved,
"God said to Moses. 'I AM who I AM.'" Ex. 3:14
For our walk in this world
"In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." John 16:33
They resound with God's own heart Oh, let the Ancient words impart.
"...God has said, "Never will I leave you; Never will I forsake you." Hebrews 13:5
Words of Life
Jesus answered "I AM the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." John 14:6
words of hope
"Now the dwelling of God is with men, and He will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes." Revelation 21:3-4
Give us strength, help us cope
Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you." I Peter 5:7
In this world, where e'er we roam Ancient words will guide us Home.
"The angel said to me, 'These words are trustworthy and true.'" Revelation 22:6
They resound with God's own heart
"For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him."
Oh, let the Ancient words impart.
"For the Lord Himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of and archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. Therefore encourage each other with these words." I Thessalonians 5:16-18
May the truth of God's word encourage you today each day as it has encouraged me this past week. The light does show brighter in dark times. The truth sinks deeper. I wait impatiently for my faith to be made sight.
Come quickly, Lord Jesus.
"God said to Moses. 'I AM who I AM.'" Ex. 3:14
For our walk in this world
"In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." John 16:33
They resound with God's own heart Oh, let the Ancient words impart.
"...God has said, "Never will I leave you; Never will I forsake you." Hebrews 13:5
Words of Life
Jesus answered "I AM the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." John 14:6
words of hope
"Now the dwelling of God is with men, and He will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes." Revelation 21:3-4
Give us strength, help us cope
Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you." I Peter 5:7
In this world, where e'er we roam Ancient words will guide us Home.
"The angel said to me, 'These words are trustworthy and true.'" Revelation 22:6
They resound with God's own heart
"For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him."
Oh, let the Ancient words impart.
"For the Lord Himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of and archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. Therefore encourage each other with these words." I Thessalonians 5:16-18
May the truth of God's word encourage you today each day as it has encouraged me this past week. The light does show brighter in dark times. The truth sinks deeper. I wait impatiently for my faith to be made sight.
Come quickly, Lord Jesus.
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
We're home, She's HOME!
Doug and I had a little get away to beautiful Colorado. We were blessed with a chance to go see a bit of the western state, mostly free. Good old fashioned bartering paid off. My husband worked for a day, we played for three. We saw lot of these...
We also off trail hiked in a few places and saw some amazing rocks, beautiful plants and fun wildlife (mostly birds). My only complaint with hiking is the lack of oxygen. I guess some people in our nation haven't learned that oxygen is one of our guaranteed rights. Or should be. :)
We also got to meet up with Doug's cousin, her husband and adorable son. It was so nice to see them after several years. Of course it made me miss the kids like crazy, but pushing a toy truck across the table was good mommy medicine.
The night before we were coming home we got a phone call that Doug's mom had gone Home. It was incredibly hard to hear the news while we were away. Knowing we couldn't tell the kids, be with my father-in-law, or do anything I just kind of fell apart. But God is good. His timing is perfect. As I sat weeping in a strange bed I turned to the Psalms to find comfort. I honestly can't even remember the number of the Psalm I read but the repeating theme was of God's faithfulness.
We have prayed hard for His perfect timing in these last months. Although she has suffered little physical pain, it has been difficult to watch the disease wage war on her earthly body.
Over the past few years there is an old Chris Rice song that has been a comfort to me. The final verse of this song about praising God talks about our final breath not being the end. "I'll be running to your throne, with every nation, tribe and tongue. To Your arms I'll fly. I'll gaze into your eyes. Then I'll know as I am known. And Your praise goes on."
We are mourning our loss and rejoicing in her gain. Knowing she is running, RUNNING to His throne is a mental picture that takes my breath away and brings tears to my eyes.
We may be home. But Mom. Mom's really Home.
We also off trail hiked in a few places and saw some amazing rocks, beautiful plants and fun wildlife (mostly birds). My only complaint with hiking is the lack of oxygen. I guess some people in our nation haven't learned that oxygen is one of our guaranteed rights. Or should be. :)
We also got to meet up with Doug's cousin, her husband and adorable son. It was so nice to see them after several years. Of course it made me miss the kids like crazy, but pushing a toy truck across the table was good mommy medicine.
The night before we were coming home we got a phone call that Doug's mom had gone Home. It was incredibly hard to hear the news while we were away. Knowing we couldn't tell the kids, be with my father-in-law, or do anything I just kind of fell apart. But God is good. His timing is perfect. As I sat weeping in a strange bed I turned to the Psalms to find comfort. I honestly can't even remember the number of the Psalm I read but the repeating theme was of God's faithfulness.
We have prayed hard for His perfect timing in these last months. Although she has suffered little physical pain, it has been difficult to watch the disease wage war on her earthly body.
Over the past few years there is an old Chris Rice song that has been a comfort to me. The final verse of this song about praising God talks about our final breath not being the end. "I'll be running to your throne, with every nation, tribe and tongue. To Your arms I'll fly. I'll gaze into your eyes. Then I'll know as I am known. And Your praise goes on."
We are mourning our loss and rejoicing in her gain. Knowing she is running, RUNNING to His throne is a mental picture that takes my breath away and brings tears to my eyes.
We may be home. But Mom. Mom's really Home.
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