My Mom

I have been meaning to get my Mom a card but because I am in a real time crunch lately I am going to dedicate a blog post to her instead. Besides, my Mom is mostly the one that reads my blog anyway. Mom's are good for stuff like that and so much more. So here it is:

Dear Mom,
I am really proud to call you Mom for many reasons but tonight I want to tell you one. The way you take care of Grandma and Grandpa is really inspiring. I know it's hard and draining, and you could just turn your back, but you don't. You have been really selfless and I am so proud of you. You really honor God in what you do and I know He is proud of you too.

All my love,
Your dear daughter

Today I am thankful for...

1) Coffee (I should probably capitalize it or say it twice!)
2) Books (There are just two many good books to read, I may pull a muscle putting too many in my carry-on)
3) IPod (ahh....modern technology brings me the Soundtrack to Eclipse!....and some Chip I. podcasts)
4) Travel pillow (to rest my aching back from carrying all the books)
5) One great hubby (how did I get so lucky?)
6) Two great kids (I don't deserve such great blessings!)
7) That absence makes the heart grow fonder.....even before you are absent

Heading off to say goodbye to a special lady.

God Saw You Getting Tired

God saw you getting tired
and a cure was not to be
so he put his arms around you
and whispered,
“Come to Me”

With tearful eyes we watched you
and saw you pass away
and although we love you dearly
we could not make you stay.

A Golden heart stopped beating
hard working hands at rest.
God broke our hearts to prove to us
he only takes the best

Wipeout

Conversation at breakfast this morning

T-man: Mom, is today June 1st?

Mom: No, it's May 17th.

Last night my son saw a preview for the show Wipeout which starts June 1st. Wipeout is a wacky obstacle course game show that we watched as a family last summer, and it's coming back! It was one we all enjoyed and was fun for us to watch together. I think the funniest part is the commentary by the "sports" announcers. What I can't decide is if some of the contestants are actors or not. Some of them were so strange, but I guess that added to the hilarity. I also wonder whether I could do the obstacle course. It looks pretty fun but I am pretty sure I would wipeout too. The kids like to pretend they are on Wipeout in the living room sometimes, little monkeys!

Anyway, anything we all enjoy doing together, well I am excited for too.

Vacation

Best parts of our vacation:

• Riding bikes on the beach
• The sunny high 70s, low 80s weather
• Double fudge cookies from Piggly Wiggly and margaritas by the pool
• Singing campfire songs and being silly
• Seeing the kiddos jump in the pool and go under with excitement
• The Shannon Tanner show, SO FUN, what a joyful human being!
• Living through the storms on the drive home, I really thought I might meet my maker Friday night

Hubby and I talked about how to be in "vacation mode" at home. It's tough minus the beautiful scenery and great food but it can be done. As long as we "check-out" for the day and just enjoy each other's company, we might have a vacation day at home soon.......maybe.

Father Daughter Dance

Hurry Spring!

Peanut put on a seashell summer dress and said, "it's a couple months, can we go to the beach now?". She knows we are taking a family vacation at a beach "in a couple of months" so she thought she would just skip ahead a little and put the beach dress on.

I can't say I blame her. Right now I could use some relaxation at the beach. I never thought I was a winter blues person but lately I feel like I need some distractions. I know a lot of it is the hubby's job, he needs an escape right now. The stress just keeps building.

I know God will use this time for something good. We just have to make the best of it and enjoy the now as much as possible. The now is a healthy family with all of our needs met, how can we complain? We have God and we have each other, and that gives me peace in stressful times. Chocolate helps a little bit too :-)

Goodbye 09

Well it's been a LONG year to say the least. A lot has happened in the past year. Many big perspective moments to reflect on. Here is what I can piece together:

January - Chris retained job at A-B under much stress as others were let go, begins first term as an elder at our church
February - Couples weekend at the lake with friends, fun getaway
March - Gall bladder surgery
March - Sadly, we lost Fran. Her pain was finally ended and she joined Her Savior for eternity.
April - Busy month, NO growth hormones for Peanut, ended April with much needed family vacation to the cabin
May - Peanut got her echocardiogram with no sedation, go Peanut! Everything check out and no more meds
June - Gymnastics for both kids :-) Start work on backyard...bye bye pool
July - V.B.S.....need I say more?
August - Toby starts soccer, what fun! Hubby begins application process for the sem, woah
September - T-man starts preschool and Peanut starts CDO, wow they are SO big; Backyard is done, and beautiful!
October - Family and friends weekend at the cabin! Chris goes on men's retreat
November - Chris decides to wait to go to the seminary; Abby starts taking dance classes
December - Can we possibly squeeze in one more activity? All fun stuff to celebrate our Savior's birth....next up - start planning a family vacation to the beach!

It was a good year, every day we have is a gift....but definitely one of the harder ones. Thank God for our family, our health, and the prospect of another year!

My baby sis

Today I am thankful for such a loving and giving baby sister! Thanks for all you do Maynerd, you are the best!