Bringing HIM Fame

I am reading my fourth book since Christmas! I am proud of myself, because if I had my way, I'd read non stop. I finished reading a book a couple of weeks ago called, "God Knows My Size". Kathlyn gave it to me for my birthday, and I absolutely loved it and have been digesting it ever since. It was about a young Romanian girl, being raised during Communist rule. It has given me so much to think about. The title came from the fact that as an 8 year old girl she had prayed that God would prove His existence by giving her a pair of shoes, a sweater, and a coat-all things that she did not have. She recognized the God of her parents, but asked Him to allow her to see Him personally. Within a few days, a box came with those three things in the box, all her size. Now, 50+ years later, that moment is the moment that sealed her faith in our God. It caused me to think that when things get rough-and they do, I always go back to that moment in my life when I called out to God and He wanted me to know Him so desperately that He proved Himself to me. The moment that sealed my faith. Personal. He wanted to give me a moment all my own that would be big enough that I would base the rest of my life on Him. As I was walking this morning I heard the words of a song that I suppose I just had not really listened to before. Part of it was this: Nothing brings Him greater fame, than when broken people call His name. That seemed to sum it up for me. Broken and calling out to Him, He proves Himself and lives are changed forever...to bring HIM fame. THAT is the cry of my heart, the reason I live!

Sunday Afternoon Entertainment

Carissa provided our entertainment yesterday. All of the family, except Carissa, were sitting at a table at Friday's, right by a window where we could see people coming in. She came in with her friends, we all saw them enter. Then, Carissa went back outside and was talking to this elderly lady and her husband. I could not IMAGINE what she was doing, Carissa is the shy and quiet one and I was pretty sure they were strangers. Suddenly, the man reached behind the lady and tore off about a three foot stream of toilet paper and wadded it up in his hand. Carissa walked away. I almost fell in the floor-I could NOT believe that she had told the lady! Of course as she and her friends entered the restaurant they were making a bit of a scene too! I was glad that she told the lady, but stunned, none the less!

Homecoming 2008

Yesterday was Kaylee's homecoming. We went to court and the homecoming game on Friday night, then the dinner and dance was last night. I picked the picture that best shows all of her dress, rather than a close up. She and a few other girls all got ready at a friend's house and then the parents came for pictures. Actually, it wasn't just family...she had quite a fan club that showed up to see her off!

Tucker's Visit

Tucker has been here for a visit. Carissa went to Gainsville for a game, so we got (or begged for) puppy duty. We picked him up yesterday from the groomer-his first visit with the groomer. He was supposed to be ready to pick up when we got there, however, they were a bit behind and we ended up watching most of the procedure. He was not thrilled, to say the least. He did not like the sound of the clippers and he cried. He did not like having the clippers so close to his eyes and he yelped. He did not like having any part of his nail cut off and he whined. Poor little thing. However, when the job was done, he looked real cute and we could actually see his eyes! He has chased Spike all weekend-as usual. And, he even found a shoe to chew on for a moment before he got caught-as usual. The dear little ball of fur is nothing short of a handful. Cute, but a handful!

2 Years Ago...

It was two years ago today that mom went home to Heaven. Today has been a blessing, God planned the day for me. Last night we were in church and it was so wonderful to stand in worship, knowing what today would bring. Today, I woke up to rain, I love that-and it is rare around here! I really have nothing on the schedule today, so I just stayed in bed and read about Heaven and listened to the rain! I don't often give myself permission to be so lazy, but one of my favorite things is to stay in bed and read! So many blessings have come as a result of mom's death. Even just this week-an unexpected gift. When I was growing up in Phoenix, there was a family I was close to. She was my GA teacher, and I spent a lot of time at her house, with her family, while she helped me learn my stuff for GAs. When mom's funeral ended up being in Phoenix, she showed up-it was like no time had ever passed. We have stayed in touch since then. I loved her kids-especially her little boy, David. I carried him around like I owned him. This week I checked my email and there was an email from David! I could not believe it! I guess I was surprised he would even remember me, to tell you the truth. We have been emailing all week. Of course he is grown, married, and has four children! He has served our country and seen more than anyone should. What a blessing to be in touch with him, and his mom! I'm not sure that would have happened except through mom's death. I've been thinking about my siblings today-the bond that we have that we didn't have before spending those months taking care of mom. I've been thinking about the precious nurses that we were so attached to-and they were to mom. We were so blessed to have them be a part of our lives and to watch them care for mom in ways we were not able to. I'm still surprised at how I can be overcome with missing mom at the strangest times, and it has happened a lot recently. Just the other day I was making a cake and suddenly I felt like I had been hit in the stomach. I have the bowl and measuring cup that was moms-I am sure they are older than I am since I cannot remember a time without them! Most of the time they bring me comfort and happy memories, but that day they caused me to miss the times we had shared in the kitchen. I'm sure I'll always miss her, but I have so much to be thankful for. I've said a lot of prayers of thanksgiving today.

She Did It!!!

Kaylee drove to school this morning, in all the traffic! I am in one piece-I took Spike along to hold my hand. She did a great job! The best part is that I told her it wasn't even an option if she was running late, so we got out of here on time!

I also need to tell you that I decided to pass on the jazz class. Thanks for those two votes of confidence, but I just didn't want to give up one night a week for it, or be out the money. Since I am still walking most every day, I thought I'd go with the free exercise! I'm doing good-I've been at it since August!

Kaylee's Driving

Kaylee has had her permit for about four months now. She has been practicing a lot on back roads, but today her dad let her drive to church on the BIG roads! They made it there fine. On the way home from church, she wanted to drive with me, and I let her. She did very well! It is hard because we live in such a high traffic area, and even though SHE may be doing the right thing, others aren't always! But, I think we just might survive this process!

Just 3 Months!

Only three months from today I will become a mother in law! I keep thinking about the excitement of becoming a mother, and in a lot of ways this is just the same. When Joshua was born, we were entering the great unknown. We wanted to do it all right, yet knew we would make mistakes. We prayed God would protect our little boy from us and honor the desire of our hearts and bring healing when we failed. We had no idea what the journey held. We only knew it was a commitment for life. Somehow, I feel just as chosen, picked out, as I did then. Honored and humbled to be blessed and to be a blessing to a very wonderful young lady. Chosen to do this life together, no matter what. Committed to the journey, wherever it takes us. I have the most wonderful mother in law and I do pray that Jen will be able to say the same. I KNOW that God chose Jen for Joshua. With all respect, He even chose her before Joshua was a thought in our wildest dreams! I love how we have been able to watch Joshua and Jen prepare for their marriage. They have invested a lot. Today Jen and I worked a little bit on the wedding. We did a little shopping and a lot of talking! Part of me wants this to all be over, to be able to say that Jen is my daughter in law. But, another part wants to enjoy each moment of the process, take it all in, enjoy watching this relationship grow. I always wanted either three boys or three girls, but I was no less than thrilled with what we got! I don't know why, I just thought three would be perfect. Recently, we had family portraits done. In one of the pictures we did just the girls, and in that moment I realized that God had given me my three girls. Maybe one day I will have my three boys too, but for now, God has provided my girls! I had not thought about that in years, and right then, as we posed for that picture I told Jen that I had always wanted three girls! I'm still investing in my boy. We had to have a pow-wow just before Christmas. It seems he told Jen that she couldn't have a particular pair of red shoes. We had a little chat about never telling the QUEEN no, and then I bought the shoes for her, wrapped them, and told her to ask ME if she ever got told no again! They were real cute shoes. Son, you gotta pick those battles! Oh, we're gonna have fun! God is so good!

Tucker Update

I am sure you have been waiting for an update on the grand puppy! Well, he is growing, you can almost see it happening before your eyes! He is so very cute and we love having him visit! He came over on Monday night, along with a few of our college kids. They were looking at photo albums and Tucker decided it looked like a great place for a tired puppy to rest! I am pretty sure he's the cutest thing I've seen in about 13 years! That is when Spike came to live with us, and, just for the record, Spike does NOT think he is cute!

Jazz Class

Let me tell you about the perks of being involved with young lives! Last night, I went to a jazz class. Shannon and Steph talked me into it. Now, I've always wanted to learn to dance, so I was a bit intrigued with the idea! The first class was free, and I knew that doing it with these girls would be a hoot, so I figured I had nothing to loose! We got there and the lady at the desk gave both of them papers to fill out. Not me. I finally realized that the dear one thought I was their mother, just along for the ride, I guess. She gave me a paper to fill out after Shannon told her I was doing the class too. Let me just say, it was an "adult class"...not a college student class-I was legal! So finally we enter the room for the class and the teacher introduced herself and the other three students and asked for Shannon and Steph's names. Not mine. Good thing I don't get my feelings hurt easily! It was a lot of fun, and great exercise. We DID laugh a lot! Now, I have until next Monday to decide if I can take the humiliation and if I want to commit the one night a week to it. Stay tuned!

Happy New Year!

Yes, I know I have had a LONG vacation! We had a great Christmas, and a Happy New Year! We had a couple of "down" days after we returned from Cary's mom's, and that was wonderful. We have done a lot of reading and relaxing. We had a party with the college kids for New Years. We have done our share of baby sitting the new grandpuppy, and that has been a joy! Tucker is really cute and very smart...he's catching on quickly! However, he IS a FULL TIME job when he visits! Cute as a bug, but he does like to chew, so we are never more than a minute behind him! Cary was off quite a bit over the holidays, but back to work now. Kaylee went back to school this morning, so things are getting back to normal. We are now in "wedding mode" and working on our list of things we want to get done before the wedding. I'll try to do better about checking in!