Well, another week-end. They come faster every week. Mike will be driving in from Dayton after flying in on the red-eye. He has been traveling all week and I hope he won't be too tired to enjoy the week-end. I am really looking forward to spending some time with Kerri and Eric. It isn't often that we get to have adult time, just the four of us. The little ones are going to Lake Chautauqua with Mimi and PopPop. We are going to go to Northstar for breakfast and then to the Clintonville market to pick up my first summer meat CSA. Sunday will bring a memorial service at Shepard's Memorial Garden for my dad and then out to "Jack-town" for some fried chicken with my mom. I think I'll drive out to Little Turtle and check on golf lessons for Nicole and me, it's another beautiful day to take the little blue car out. Yes, life is good. I have learned when I have all these plans, however, that I must remain open to changes. I remind myself to live one day at a time, that is how it works best. So... today, bring it on and I hope my plans are flexible enough to not interfere with His.

I've been thinking back about Mother's Day this year and find it very comforting how things change but they really don't. I remember so many Sunday afternoons on my grandmothers front porch just being family. Her porch was concrete and it was always painted and spotlessly clean. We might make homemade ice cream and my cousins and I would take turns turning the handle in anticipation. My mind then goes to many Sunday afternoons on my mothers front porch, smaller but just as spotless with that outdoor green carpet that looked like short, fake grass. We would all squeeze in and watch the kids play. This past Sunday, I have a beautiful picture in my mind of my front porch. Mom was in the wicker rocker and we took turns swinging in the porch swing my dad made me. We have more places to choose to sit, (Mike and Eric spent a lot of their time on the back deck), but it still has the same feel; family being family. I hope we have many, many more times like this but one thing's for sure - my porch is dirty so I think I'll go hose it down and get it ready for the next family get together.

What a wonderful Mother's Day. I told my husband that all I wanted was both of my children in church with me. That's where they were raised and we don't get to worship there together very often. Sitting in that service today with a child on each side of me, was heaven on earth. I felt as if we had come full circle. All the pain and struggle and prayers over the past years were worth it. We were home, together and God is good.

Dropped in on my daughter and Evan this morning to their surprise. They had made chocolate chippy cookies (Evans name for no-bakes) and I just had to have one. A couple games of Candy Land and Wiggles Uno, picking up Trey from pre-school and sharing lunch with them at Wendy's all in all made for a wonderful day. It would be really hard to ever put into words what my family means to me. I really feel sorry for the rest of the world because I have the best family known to man. I am thanking God for everyday He gives me and trying not to take anything for granted. I'm trying to put myself in the place of some very special people in my life who are going through a very difficult time. I can't seem to get them off my mind. I have trouble finding light in their situation so I turn to one of my favorite hymns. I find real comfort in these words:

Be still, my soul; the Lord is on thy side;
Bear patiently the cross of grief or pain;
Leave to thy God to order and provide;
In every change He faithful will remain.
Be still, my soul; thy best, thy heavenly Friend,
Through thorny ways leads to a joyful end.

Be still, my soul; thy God doth undertake
To guide the future as He has the past.
Thy hope, thy confidence, let nothing shake;
All now mysterious shall be bright at last.
Be still, my soul; the waves and winds still know
His voice who ruled them while He dwelt below.

Be still, my soul, though dearest friends depart
And all is darkened in the vale of tears;
Then shalt thou better know His love, His heart,
Who comes to soothe thy sorrows and thy fears.
Be still, my soul; thy Jesus can repay
From His own fullness all He takes away.

Be still, my soul; the hour is hastening on
When we shall be forever with the Lord,
When disappointment, grief, and fear are gone,
Sorrow forgot, love's purest joys restored.
Be still, my soul; when change and tears are past,
All safe and blessed we shall meet at last.

I was playing around on facebook yesterday and I came across a great picture of my dad that I was able to make into a flair button. I got many comments on it as he was so loved by so many. I looked closely at his face, his eyes, and all at once I realized why I never really have any problem accepting the fact that my heavenly Father loves me. I saw the same love, kindness, patience and understanding in those eyes that I know God has for me. So many people struggle to understand why God could possibly love them but I was blessed with a father that showed me God's love everyday. Thanks Dad.