Another weekend comes to a close. We had a good one. Had some good friends over Friday night just to hang out. Saturday I got to hang out with two of my favorite guys, Riley and Trey while Mommy and Papa went to visit Mikey. My Mom and Dad came over to catch a glimpse of the little ones. Papa taught Trey how to open the bird cage and try to catch the bird. Not a good thing!! Then Mike and I had a date night with Meet the Fockers and some refreshment at Max and Erma's. Sunday brought wonderful worship and a great sermon. A new small group is starting in Gahanna, will probably check it out, think I might be ready. Eric and Chan came over and we caught up, made some plans for our family night and Easter etc. I am so looking forward to March 7th. Won't be long now til Mikey will be moving to re-hab. I am very proud of my son; the way he has faced his punishment and the progress he is making. Looks like it could be a wintry week ahead. Hope spring is just around the corner. A month til we leave for Florida. Lots to look forward to. God is so good to us. Today at church I was somewhat overwhelmed with love for Him and His love for all of us. May that always be so in my life.

We talked to Mikey last night and he said that things have not been quite as cool in his cell lately. He really can't talk about it much on the phone but needless to say I'm a little nervous. Just calling for all prayers. He gets out a week from Monday. Continue to pray for his protection.

Investments

That's what I heard in the sermon at church Sunday. I have tried to invest myself in people all my life. I'm sure there have been times that I fell very short, but I've tried. I love people and I love my family. At this time in my life one of the things I believe I should really invest in is my family. You can live in the same town and life goes by and you don't even see them for far too long. Sooo,
the matriarch of this family (me!, self-proclaimed) has declared a once-a-month family night. It will be quite a group; the Wolfe's, Pressley's, Stetler's, Line's and of course the newest additions, Jen and Ken, Cindy and Sarah. Should be fun;poker, Balderdash, May I, food, food, food and cook-outs and basketball when this weather breaks. Sounds like some Kodak moments to me and a new scrapbook to begin. I remember fondly the times that Kerri, Mikey, Eric and Ryan had together. I want those kind of memories for this generation. Traditions, that's what I want them to remember. Our first family night will be quite a celebration. We will celebrate three birthdays in one Doc-Doc, Eric William and Jen. Can't wait!!!

PTL

I just really need to take a minute and thank God for the way He is carrying our family right now. I was talking to a friend today and she said she could tell that I was doing well. I told her it was only through the strength that God was giving me. I really didn't think I would be able to carry on with much of a normal life during these 30 days. I know myself and often during high stress I just shut down. So it is not my own strength but His that is allowing me to enjoy my grandkids, shop, clean house etc., etc., etc. I don't find myself in old-fashion testimony meetings anymore but I think God still likes to hear us share what He is doing in our lives. So today I am going on record to say that I love Him more today than yesterday for His faithfulness, mercy and grace. His blessings are new every morning.

I miss my son !! Love and prayers go out to you tonight Pup.

Good Times

What a great start to my week-end. Dinner Thursday night with my all time best friend lunch (including Godiva cheesecake) with another good friend on Friday and then a cheap movie (Shall We Dance?) with my all time best buddy - my daughter. I am truly blessed. I really think dance lessons are exactly what our marriage needs to put a little pizzaz into it. However I will never look like j.lo and Mike I love ya but you'll never be Richard Gere. But that's really o.k. I wouldn't trade places.
As of tomorrow Mikey is half way through his time in jail. God is still taking such good care of him. Thanks for all the prayers. He had a rough day today but he's fine. I will just be so glad when he can move on to re-hab.
Time to hit the sack. This old lady can only take so much fun.
P.S. I highly recommend the movie especially if you're looking for a "feel good". It's really good, it will make you smile. And we all need to do more of that.
Good night.

Well, we are into the second week of Mikey's incarceration and it is so good to see how God is taking care of him. When we hear about things happening in other cells we realize that prayers were answered by placing him in the dorm he is in. He has had no days of fear and for that I am so grateful. He calls often and he sounds really good. He loves getting mail and he appreciates finally having a bed. Mike is at market and I am here holding things together like getting the gutter fixed that is falling off the house. We've lived here long enough for things to start wearing out. I have made sure to plan things to look forward to this week because I still get along best by keeping busy. But God is so good. Because of Him I can experience joy even during times of my life that joy doesn't seem to make sense. His love for me is totally overwhelming so on that note - good-night and God bless.

Mikey finally got a bed yesterday. He said it helps his back slightly. I'm just glad he's off the floor.

Too sweet for words!!!

O.K. I was the world's worst Nana today. I stopped by Kerri's to pick up something she had borrowed and Riley presented me with the most beautiful handmade valentine a child has ever made!! He was so proud. After eating some lunch, watching Trey act like a clown in his high chair and giving Riley several smooches I decided it was time to head home. Riley went dowstairs to watch Bear and I went home WITHOUT my valentine. He then, upon hearing how upset I was from his Mommy, called me to tell me all about the valentine I had forgotten, he would bring it to my house tomorrow and "I love you so much Nana". No Riley, I love you more than words can say. You are so sweet it hurts. Sorry if this is too mushy for some but it is Valentine's Day afterall and I am a nana. I can be as mushy as I want!!!

What an experience

I just returned from visiting my son in jail. WOW that's all I can say. What an eye-opening experience. But I looked right in his eyes and the light is still there. I can't explain how much I love him. He is simply counting the minutes til he can move to re-hab. He is growing up by the minute. I would say more but it's really hard to put my feelings down on paper. I miss him so much and the last couple of days I have realized that the only way I'm going to get through is to stay extremely busy. Thank God for my job. I wasn't scheduled today but they let me go in for a few hours. I'm really tired, think I'll hit the sack.

Love Goes On

A shooting star tumbles down, its flame cannot endure
A scarlet rose withers brown, to lose its fragrant lure
The moon illuminates the night, to vanish at the dawn
But love, love goes on.
Fortunes fail and disappear, like castles in the sand
Power spoils and causes fear, but yields to stronger hands
Fame lasts for a moment, then in a moment it is gone
But love, love goes on
Beauty fades, passion wanes and faces show their years
Death steals a lover's touch away but time dries up the tears
Tunes are soon forgotten and singers lose their song
But love, love goes on
A baby boy, a starlit night, kings on bended knee
Healing hands giving sight then tortured on a tree
A woman sings, rejoicing "He is risen, He is gone"
Because love, love goes on

Mikey's Address

I just thought I would post the address where Mikey can receive mail. Please use his real first name when addressing.

Gary Pressley
2460 Jackson Pike
Columbus Ohio 43223

We have talked to him often and he is doing fine. He still has his great sense of humor and a really good attitude. Thanks for all your thoughts and prayers.

The day after

I feel like I need a t-shirt that says I survived Friday, Feb. 4th. Delivering your son to jail and then coming home and getting a stomach flu rates right up there with one of the all time suckiest days you can have. I wouldn't wish what I went through with my son on anybody. I left him sitting in a dirty waiting room with a bunch of strangers, his new underwear and his Bible on his lap and looking very anxious. When I walked out, I couldn't look back. But we have talked to him three times and he is doing o.k. It is definitely making him pay his dues. Amazingly enough he still has his sense of humor. He is a great kid, quickly turning into an even greater young man. I appreciate everybody's prayers and would ask that you continue. We can't get by without them. I am feeling better (just a 24 hr. thing) and I'm going to meet Kerri at the mall. Just can't sit around here all day. My wonderful daughter stopped by last night with popsicles and flowers. What a sweetie.

Things I know

Things I know:
This road wasn't God's choice for Mikey but He did know it was the one he would take
God prepared this road ahead of time
We have prayed for Mikey for 22 years and this (even though painful) is God's answer to our prayers because this is taking Mikey to where God wants him to be
God has and will continue to watch over him and protect him
God is in control
I love my son more than life itself
God loves him more

What more do I need to know? Now I just have to rest in these truths. One day at a time.

Wednesday morning and I am struggling. Part of me wants time to stand still so we don't have to go forward and part of me just wants to get on with it. I feel very weak this morning but I know that won't last. I know where my strength is. Think I'll go see two beautiful gifts from God today in the form of Riley and Trey. I am so blessed to have them close they always fill me up with so much of what I need.

Higher than my ways

I haven't blogged for a while because I just can't seem to get my thoughts together. So today I will borrow some thoughts.

You said that nothing could tear us apart
Your ways are higher than my ways
You said forever and that's who You are
Your ways are higher than my ways
You make the sun and the rain to fall
You take me through it all

I can't see over the mountain
Your ways are higher than my ways
I can't see myself around it
Your ways are higher than my ways

So many times I want to give up
Your ways are higher than my ways
And you remind me of your unfailing love
Your ways are higher than my ways

I can't see myself around it these days but may I never forget that His ways are higher than my ways!!

Doin' Fine

Yes, we are all doin' fine. I am finally starting to feel "normal" again. Finishing the anti-biotic has helped with that. Time is marching on. My Dad seems to be struggling more and more mentally, the day Mikey will have to leave is getting closer and closer, Eric and Chan will be moving to their apartment this week-end and I will start back to work next week. Time just keeps moving. I was able to get my husband to slow down this week-end and I think it helped. He can fall into his work-a-holic mode so quickly if I'm not careful. I was able to get back to church yesterday and boy did that feel good. We went to Kerri's for lunch after and soaked up the grandkids. It was a really good day. Thanks to everybody for all your prayers lately. I read a lot of your blogs and know that I pray for a lot of you often. Some of you I've never met but I feel as if I know you. Guess that's all for today. Have a good one.

Sorry for two posts in one day but I just wanted to share these words with you.

O the deep, deep love of Jesus,
Vast, unmeasured, boundles, free!
Rolling as a mighty ocean in its fullness over me!
Underneath me, all around me, is the current of Thy love
Leading onward, leading homeward to
Thy glorious rest above!

O the deep, deep love of Jesus,
Spread His praise from shore to shore!How He loveth, ever loveth, changeth
never, nevermore!
How He watches o'er His loved ones,
died to call them all His own
How for them He intercedeth, watcheth
o'er them from the throne!

O the deep, deep love of Jesus,
'Tis a heav'n of heav'ns to me
And it lifts me up to glory, for it lifts me up to Thee!

Words and music by Samuel Francis and Thomas Williams

Shock and Awe

I know I shouldn't be but I am. I am standing back and watching God's magnificent grace lift my son to someplace I don't think he has been before. Has anyone ever asked you to think back on a time when God's grace was so real in your life there was no denying it? I am sure this will be one of his times that he will be able to point to. We are always in need of God but sometimes we are more keenly aware of that need than others. It seems everybody close to me right now is very aware of that need and we are becoming increasingly more aware of God's hand at work. It looks like Eric and Chan have found an apartment and she has an interview Thursday. The kids continue to come home smiling and I can honestly say my son seems more happy and content than I can remember. (Thanks to my nephew for being there for him) I have really been lazy today. I know I' m not 100% yet because I'm not too antsy about staying in. I will really be glad when I feel like myself again. The babies have remained fairly healthy for awhile(knock on wood) and my beautiful daughter is her beautiful self. She has become such a constant in my life I don't know what I would do without her. I love you Kerri!!

I'm Back

Well, here I am. Last night about 3:30 I wasn't too sure I would be. I had a pretty rough night in the hospital. ( oh yea, pneumonia!!) Pray for my roommate, Betty. A sweet little lady who's favorite word is "shit". She's so sad and confused and not at all in the right place. She get's plenty of "Honey's" and "can't you eat a little?" But not what she realy needs. I'm not quite sure what hit me or why but I know I don't want to go through that again. Once again, what would I do without family. The best medicine I received were the little ones and my babies coming to see me. The support of my mom and my daughter as we listened for the news from Mike about Mikey. Of course my husband, words don't even work there. Then Eric and Chan doing more than just keeping things together. My house is cleaner than when I left. I am so blessed. I got home tonight to a little redhead jumping up and down at the door pleading for Uncle Mike to carry up the giat Gardfield Mikey gave her. I took a shower, climbed into a warm bed and listened as each member of my family returned home. The kids love school. Eric and Mikey returned from a business trip and the laughter was so comforting.

Mikey goes to jail in a month for 30 days and then to in-house re-hab for 90 days. Last night I was quite sure I didn't have the strength to face it. I wish you could all see his attitude. If I try to describe it you will think I am exagerrating or seeing what I want to see. Trust me I'm not, I'm gaining strength from him. Right now he is downstairs helping his cousin with her homework. I'll pause here just for a moment so that picture can fully come up on your screen. He told me today that his best friend, Joel, had called and he told him the court said he could take one friend to jail with him and he had been picked. You really have to know Mikey to understand, he isn't making light of his situation, it's just how he copes. Frankly I wish I had a few more of those coping skills. We have a long road ahead of us but I feel like he has turned a corner. A more positive attitude on his part would be impossible and a bigger God on our side would be far more impossible.
Thanks for all your prayers . I'm going to take it easy for a while so my blogs may come a little more frequent than any of you would like. Feel free to not read them all!!