What a great week-end.  I love celebrating milestones and this weekend my friend Jen Leonard celebrated just that.  She became an ordained minister in the Church of the Nazarene, but more than that I feel like we were  celebrating the evidence of God's amazing grace in a beautiful life.  There are some places that are only attainable with His grace working in our lives.  It has been a wonderful thing to watch and I'm sure it is only the beginning for her.  Then I spent the week-end with my beautiful daughter.  Fun and relaxation were the themes of the week-end.  I tried to spoil her rotten and I think I came close to accomplishing that.  I hope she had as good a time as I did.  Love you Kerri.

I went to Kerri's house yesterday.  She needed to go to the doctor and I stayed with Evan and Cora and Scarlet.  Evan's laugh is so contagious.  It comes out of him completely out of his control.  And of course the toothless smile makes it all the better.  Then Cora wrinkles her nose and her giggle seems to ooze out of her twinkling eyes.  Reminds me so much of somebody......who is it....oh yes, her mother when she was her age.  I drove away yesterday while they were all out in the yard playing basketball, riding bikes and running around the house exercising the dog.  What a happy family.  I drove away slowly, up on the main road, needing to take it all in.  It was like food to my soul.  My kids and grandkids are happy and healthy today.  What more could I ask for?

I haven't blogged for such a long time... not sure why. We are having a very strange winter. As I get older my opinion of winter seems to be changing but I would still prefer soft, white days to pounding, cold pellets of rain. My grandkids continually amaze me. They are such wonderful, little people. Riley and Trey did something truly astounding for their little brother when he found himself in a very scary situation. We could have so easily lost our little "pickle" if his older brothers had responded differently. Evan was in serious trouble in the pool and two big brothers literally saved him. So thankful for the way God uses whoever He has at his disposal. Riley and Trey are growing into "fine young boys" as my mom and dad would say. Kerri called to share some wonderful comments she received on their report cards. I couldn't be more proud. Evan is one of the sweetest little kids and I love to see how he plays with his little sister. He has taught her so much. Austin continues to spread his joy to everyone he meets. He is loving his "school" on Sundays and Wednesdays. He truly loves people and has such a sweet spirit. Then we have Cora. I am convinced I am watching myself when I was her age. She loves to go and go and go some more. She can be loud and bossy and sweet and charming all in a matter of minutes. Watching her and her mommy interact as she grows older is going to be very interesting to say the least.

I often wonder what the plan is for these extraordinary children. Only God knows but I'm sure it will be very special. I pray everyday that they will follow that plan, it will be beautiful.

2012

Another holiday season comes to a close. Lots of fun, food, a basketball tournament, food, a movie with my daughter and daughter-in-law, food, presents, chaos and food. I wouldn't change any of it we had a beautiful Christmas but...... I'm fat. I feel horrible. I am determined to get my house organized this year and hopefully, if I have a long term project that will take lots of focus, I will stay busy enough to eat only when I'm really hungry. My knee is doing great and thanks to a wonderful chiropractor, I am getting my body straightened up. So..... 2012, bring it on, I'm ready.

Happy Birthday to my second grandson. What a special boy, inside and out. He touches my heart every time I'm around him. I feel like I am watching something special, growing inside this child. He has captured my heart and it will be so exciting to see how he is used in this world. He has brought me so much joy to our family. His sensitivity to those around him is beautiful to watch. I love this boy and I am so thankful God saw fit to place him in our family. Happy Birthday Trey.

What a wonderful weekend. I hung out in Nashville Indiana with my beautiful daughter and my handsome husband. Food, shopping, relaxing, reminiscing, laughing and making memories. I purchased a new "Life is Good" shirt and truly, it is. Looking forward to more of God's rich blessings in a new year. I have far more than I deserve.

Here's a few pics about my last post

Thanksgiving 2011.... what a great weekend. I notice more all the time that I have learned to really embrace the moments. Kerri, Riley Trey, and Jen ran in a race Thanksgiving morning. Evan ran a mini race which was absolutely priceless. He was running for more than the love of running, he was running for the cookies and when the cookies didn't appear.... well let's just say Pickle was not happy. The medal and the coloring book didn't quite make the grade. But never fear, we located the real prize and all was well. Next was the 4 miler. Evan and I went to the car for awhile eating cookies and listening to Christmas music. Just a simple moment in time but one I have etched on my mind. We got out of the car and began walking toward the finish line. I wanted to see them cross. There is something about watching runners, even those I don't know, that moves me. I won't elaborate because I can't seem to find the words, it just is exciting to watch them nearing the goal. Kerri spotted us first and began waving along side Riley who seems to be a natural born runner. I'm sure she will remember this first race with her first-born forever. Mother and son, running side by side, finishing together. We cheered them on and waited. We waited and waited and here they came. Jen and Trey. Trey doesn't run as fast as he would like but his determination is what gets him there. We cheered and they smiled and we cheered and they smiled and at that moment I was totally embracing the moment. You see, sometimes I can be ahead of the moment in my mind and realize at the end of the day, that I have missed so much. I wish I had learned how to do this earlier, but I am so glad that I have finally figured it out. Truly living in the moment means not thinking about past regrets and not rushing to get started on the next big event. It's soaking up everything around you so you don't so easily forget as you move on through life. Life travels so quickly but they only way I have found to at least try to slow it down is to relish, embrace and really live every moment.

Wrapping up October

It seems like I went to bed October 1st and woke up and it was October 25th. How did that happen? I love October and I don't know where it went. I didn't get to do a lot of the things I like to do, specifically the pumpkin show or at least a pumpkin patch with the grandkids. Oh well, they'll be more Octobers. I am excited however at how it is ending. I'm leaving today to meet Mike at market to see the new showroom and catch up with some old friends. Then we will drive to Pinehurst, the golf capital of the world and play a little golf and let Mike rest and relax after a very successful market. While I'm gone I will be getting a new bathroom complete with a bubble tub! Yahoo!

I've been slightly emotional lately. Not sure what that's all about. My oldest grandson is really growing up and I am struggling with that a little. He is such a special guy and he seems so old lately. I remember him being born like it was yesterday. I'm struggling a little with 4 of them being an hour away. I know, I know... I need to put on my big girl panties and get over it. My gosh, they've been there for a while now. It seems like I am having a delayed reaction to them moving. I love visiting them though, what a great place for them to be. I really am happy for them.

Mom seems to be doing pretty good. She has her days but overall she has kept a pretty good attitude. Talk about big changes! I hope I do as well as she has. Well, off I go to celebrate the end of October. You'll find me on the golf course!

It has been so long since I have posted a blog.  I'm not sure why.  However life has been very busy. Mike and I went to Florida for a few days over Labor Day Weekend.  It was fun to go somewhere new and different.  We have had a beautiful fall season so far.  Its really nice to be able to keep the french doors open to the porch this time of year, not too hot, not too cold.  Mike will be leaving for market Sunday and I am flying down to see the new showroom and then we will drive to Pinehurst for some relaxing fall golf.  It's a great way for him to unwind after market.  My sister just left after spending a few days with us.  Always good to see her and it does mom so much good.  I know my mom misses her, wish she was closer.  The grandkids are all growing and loving life.  They are such happy kids, my life would be so quiet without them.  I am thankful everyday for all five of my wonderful blessings.  Trying to start on some gift projects for Christmas, I better get hoppin'!

What a fantastic day..... you know, one of those days that you will always remember. For most it would just sound like another fun summer day. But for me, and I won't be able to convey why, it was a day I will always cherish. It's been a somewhat disappointing summer, hurting my leg and unfortunately taking so long to rebound. It has really slowed me down. But today, I spent the day at the Columbus Zoo with four of my grandkids and my daughter. I had purchased memberships for both Kerri and Mikey's families, and I had yet to visit this fun Columbus spot. They spent the night which is always a treat and then we headed out bright and early this morning. We hit all the environments of the wonderful animals and took in Cora's squeals of delight as she experienced her very first trip to the zoo. After a fun lunch, we headed to the rides. The year before I had watched Trey leave heartbroken because he was too short for the log ride. Riley decided not to ride either as it would leave his brother watching from the sidelines. So needless to say, they were bursting with excitement. I felt like a kid again. I was giddy. We were drenched and the smiles on their faces were PRICELESS!!! Cora even got into the action and we road the flying elephants together. I'm not sure she knew what to think but she really thought she was something special. Then I rode one of my childhood favorites... the swings that glide around, high in the sky with your feet dangling in the air. Next to me was my Evan, looking at me with that toothless smile and saying, "this is my favoritest ride, ever".
At that point I realized that this was a day I will always remember when I think of one of my happiest. It really isn't about the breaths you take, but the moments that take your breath away.

One Fantastic Day

I love the book of Isaiah. It is my favorite book of the Bible. Beginning around chapter 40 and going through to 50. I find so much comfort in it. It reminds us of who is really in charge; something that I find very important today amid all the economic strife. It also reminds me just how big He really is; something our finite mind could never truly grasp, but Isaiah helps us to try. It points out how He has chosen us and we are more important to Him than anything. If we ever wonder which way to go, all we need do is ask (and we can trust His answer to be right) Read these chapters for yourself, He will say to you exactly what you need to hear. These are just a few of the wonderful, rich words that have seen me through a lot of difficult times. I have note after note scrawled all through these pages. It's fun to go to my ipad and read these verses from The Message. (I've downloaded The Message, what a wild and crazy world) I like to mark certain scriptures as prayers for people in my life. Isaiah 46:3&4 was marked for my dad and it remained true for him until God took him home. The Message says this: "I've been carrying you on my back from the day you were born, and I'll keep on carrying you when you're old. I'll be there, bearing you when you're old and gray. I've done it and will keep on doing it, carrying you on my back, saving you." It truly blows me away to realize, as I read Isaiah, that the God, the one and only God of the universe holds my hand on this journey and won't let go all the way to the end. And that is just the beginning.

I just realized today how quickly (once again) summer is passing by. We had a great vacation but it won't be long until the start of a new school year. I really hope I can spend some time with the grandkids (pool, zoo, creekside, ice cream etc. etc.) just enjoying summer. I am trying to take better care of my knee this week so maybe that can happen. I'm trying not to get frustrated but if its not better by the end of the week, I'm going back to the doc. This is one of the tough times of the year with Mike's travel schedule. Hope I can do some fun things to pass the time.

Thirty seven years. It's hard to believe. I'm not sure what I ever did to deserve a man like my husband. He loves me unconditionally, supports me in whatever I face and believes in me when nobody else does. Thanks so much for being everything and more than I ever dreamed of. You make me a better person. At the risk of sounding really sappy, you complete me. Yea, that sounds pretty sappy but oh well, too bad. It's a perfect description of my relationship with my husband. Happy Anniversary Mike!

My Dad built this snowman for me. Yes, that adorable little girl is me! As you can see, whatever my Dad did, he did it all the way. He had no time for doing something halfway. But I'm not referring to just the building of snowmen, how he kept his yard, or or how serious he took his job as an usher at our church. You see, my dad had a heart bigger than the grand canyon and he filled it up with love. Unconditional love for his God, his wife, his family and his friends. Oh yes, and for life in general. He loved every minute of every day. My dad .... words just fail me. I still feel him here with us, that great big smile and that great big heart. Simply the best!

I became completely overwhelmed tonight as I was turning out the lights. I have pictures of my 4 grandsons hanging on the family room wall. They are all from younger days. Time sometimes feels as if it is literally slipping through my fingers like sand. The feeling of love for those four boys was almost stifling. I have often reminded young mothers to take time with their little ones because it all changes so quickly. I was reading from one of my books by Bob Benson and as always, he was able to say exactly what I so often feel.

Skipping Rocks

It was a bright, sunshiny morning -
the first of ten days off for me -
and I was out in the yard early, working on a wall down by the lake.
Knee-deep in pleasant, warm water
I could hardly have been happier or more at peace.
Patrick came down and began to throw rocks in the water.
You don't have to teach little boys to throw rocks - they just seem to be born
with the skill and the desire.

He wanted me to stop and play with him.
"Teach me how to make them skip."
"In a little while," I said, "let me get a little more of this wall built."
After a while he got tired of waiting and started up the hill to the house.

I figured he'd be back in a few minutes,
but later in the morning when I went up for a drink he was in the bed with a high fever.
It turned out to be a very serious illness
that was to spread through the whole family -
not to mention my vacation.
It took some of us to the
hospital and all of us to bed.
Fortunately for us it was all over in a month or so,
having run its course with no lingering effects.
And there have been other days and other chances
to skip rocks with Patrick.

But I can still see him trudging up that hill -
a long pull for his short legs and I'm reminded that you never know
they're coming back -
there aren't any guarantees,
and the only time you really know you can skip rocks is when you're saying
"in a little while."

Ten years ago, my son reached down as I lay on the couch, and gave me a big hug.
He was leaving for the evening, out with friends.
A few hours later the phone rang and the hospital told us to "hurry".
I can honestly say that my kids and my grand-kids are never in my way. They are always my #1 priority. Because I've learned......
you never know.

It is amazing to me that life is such a circle. We start out so dependent on our parents. Mommy and Daddy clap as we take our baby steps and we smile. We are excited about our accomplishment. We grow up, learn how to take care of ourselves, hold jobs, have children and grow older. My mom was always clapping for me. She was one of my biggest supporters, along with my dad. She called me this morning. She was facing her first morning of getting ready for her day by herself. Six weeks of hospital and re-hab and now she was alone to shower and dress and get herself to her meals. She was feeling a little fearful about the shower and wanted me to come and be there in case she struggled. She did great. I think she surprised herself. I found myself telling her how proud I was of her and it made her smile. I stopped short of clapping for her but I was clapping inside. Baby steps are part of every chapter of our lives. I'm glad God has blessed us with people that are willing to clap for us. Without that it would be a very lonely way to live. She has almost come full circle and I'm going to clap for her til she reaches her home.