As far as funerals go...today's was definetely one of the nicest I've been to...a celebration of a lady who was so well loved, there were between 800 and 900 people who showed up to remember her at the visiting hours yesterday...and her oldest son's speech today brought such respect and love and emotion to the room, everyone was in tears, I'm sure. This family has been in my life for so long, and to be a part of their celebration and grieving today, just brought back so many memories, so much emotion from a time when life was just simpler...hanging out in my friend's basement, with his mother peeking her head in the room periodically to be sure we were all 'behaving' (which we always were!!), and family dinners, and just...being teenagers...I love that I have friends still to this day like this family of 4 boys, who lost their very well-loved mom today...and friends who have been in my life so long, they are like family to me. I am grateful to have had such a wonderful childhood and adulthood full of love and full of relationships that matter. I am blessed. And aware of the gift it is today to have my own mom, just minutes up the road, who was able to hug me and love me today...its a gift...I was reminded today, as I saw these 4 boys grieving for their mom, of how fortunate I am to have mine...
So...today, as I mourn for their loss, and count my own blessings...I say to you, as my pastor said to us today: TELL the ones you love how much you love them, what an impact they've had on your life...you do not know how many more times you will have that privelege.
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Saturday, February 19, 2011
a sad day
Well...today was a sad day. One of my very good friends lost his mom today to cancer. It was a long, long battle for her, and they were relieved to see her go peacably this morning, and not have to suffer anymore, but...there's still such a sadness there, losing a parent. Aren't we too young to be having funerals for our friends' parents? And how many of our current friends, do we even know their parents? There's something about old friends that just makes your bond so much stronger than a new friend. So much history, and really knowing a person from having spent so much time together over so many years, and being in so many different phases of life together. You feel their pain and sadness differently than someone who hasn't been around as long. Nothing against new friends, 'cause I love new friends - most of the people I spend time with are new friends...but the safety and familiarity of an old friend...is not replacable. So...I am feeling the sadness with my friends today who are grieving the death of a parent. Something I don't know from experience what it feels like. What you can possibly say or do to 'help', I don't know, but...my heart is aching for this family we have known so long who lost such a huge part of their family...
Friday, February 18, 2011
Pine Sol fresh
I had a house FULL of kiddos this morning -- 4 momma's and 7 wee ones...and they all had to leave in a hurry after they were fed lunch...(thanks again, girls!) - hahaha...so, Jonah thankfully helped me clean up the toys before his nap...then I spent a good part of the afternoon cleaning the kitchen...and my floors...it was long overdue, anyways, so...a good excuse to mop and have my house smellin' like Pine Sol...I do love it...and something about clean floors makes the entire house just feel so much cleaner. So, now, for a few moments before the boy wakes, I will relax, catch up on my blogger friends and write a short post myself...
I was supposed to go away this weekend with some girls, but it got cancelled at the last minute, for a couple of different reasons...so, looks like we'll be staying on our Island on this "Islander weekend" -- there's a holiday on Monday called "Islander Day" -- isn't that great?! Jason doesn't have to work, and we will be relaxing at home, and then going on a sleigh ride and having a potluck with our small group - and we're just excited to have the weekend together after a busy week...I don't even WORK (really) and I seem to run out of days...I don't know how people work 40+ hours a week and still look after a home and kids and have any sort of social life....i hope I don't have to experience that...I love being home. I love having people in my home, and...I'm just happy I get to be the one to raise our boy.
Who, by the way, is getting to be wwaaaaaaay too big. He's changing so much these days, just learning and communicating so well...and he's just so much fun to be with...beside the little 'tantrums' he has occassionally, he is a joy. I'm so proud of him...he did so well this morning sharing his toys...his very, very favorite toy was snatched from him by a girl bigger than him, and he got soo, so sad, but...other than that moment, he did awesome...he's a bit of a people pleaser and loves playing, so he does a pretty good job of endearing himself...
Okay. I don't even know why I'm writing, I certainly don't have any lofty 'points' to what I'm writing, so...I will sign off. Happy weekend, everybody!
I was supposed to go away this weekend with some girls, but it got cancelled at the last minute, for a couple of different reasons...so, looks like we'll be staying on our Island on this "Islander weekend" -- there's a holiday on Monday called "Islander Day" -- isn't that great?! Jason doesn't have to work, and we will be relaxing at home, and then going on a sleigh ride and having a potluck with our small group - and we're just excited to have the weekend together after a busy week...I don't even WORK (really) and I seem to run out of days...I don't know how people work 40+ hours a week and still look after a home and kids and have any sort of social life....i hope I don't have to experience that...I love being home. I love having people in my home, and...I'm just happy I get to be the one to raise our boy.
Who, by the way, is getting to be wwaaaaaaay too big. He's changing so much these days, just learning and communicating so well...and he's just so much fun to be with...beside the little 'tantrums' he has occassionally, he is a joy. I'm so proud of him...he did so well this morning sharing his toys...his very, very favorite toy was snatched from him by a girl bigger than him, and he got soo, so sad, but...other than that moment, he did awesome...he's a bit of a people pleaser and loves playing, so he does a pretty good job of endearing himself...
Okay. I don't even know why I'm writing, I certainly don't have any lofty 'points' to what I'm writing, so...I will sign off. Happy weekend, everybody!
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Jesus fixed it
The first thing -- the very FIRST THING -- Jonah said to me this morning when I went in his room to get him was: "Jonah's nose better...Jesus fixed it."
I mean. Seriously.
Monday, February 14, 2011
Valentine's Day
...seemed kinda like a normal day up until by hubby got home from work, but - something about a special 'love day' to make you feel a little more inclined to go 'the extra mile'...which, I didn't today. not for lack of wanting to, mind you, but...I didn't have a vehicle the last several days, so...no store-bought goodies...my mixer broke, so...no home-made goodies...no groceries, so...really no goodies at.all. but...Jonah and I made some pretty little cut-out hearts to decorate the windows:
And we did make cards...(Jonah gets very, very excited to do 'crafts', but...loses interest pretty quickly, and wants to play with his Chuggington trains...usually after I've just gotten everything out...but) - we did manage to get a card each for Daddy/hubby....
We also thought it would be a good idea to shovel the driveway this morning for Jay for when he came home so he wouldn't have to do it. So we did. Every bit of our enormous driveway...and then an hour before Jay got home...it started snowing again. but...I couldn't bring myself to go do it again, so...when my poor little hubby came home after working all day, he had to shovel...poor little fella. We almost didn't go out, 'cause we were so tired at the end of a long, 'normal' Monday...but...I'm so glad we did...
It was nice to go out, just the two of us...and we went to a really great restaurant with absolutely delicious food. Both had French onion soup for an appetizer, I had prime rib with roast veggies and twice-baked potatoes, and caramel cheesecake for dessert. And coffee. Oh my soul, it was soooo delicious. Jay had a seafood platter and adored it...So - it was a lovely day - and another reminder of how blessed we are, for even having love in our lives...I am happy to be married to this man who has been my best friend for so many years...my life would not ever be the same without him...we are true, true soul mates, that's for sure...so. Happy Valentine's Day...(not really directed to jay, since I'm pretty sure he never reads my blog, but...) to you, my faithful 2? 3? readers... :) Hope it was a special day for you.
Also - a special shout out to my little sister, Erin...for not only babysitting for me sooo much, but for loving my boy so much...that's the most amazing thing to have someone who loves your kid so much...even if she is his aunt...she goes waaaaay beyond her call of 'duty' in loving this boy...they are so close and have so much fun together...i don't worry one bit when Jonah is with Erin...she's part of our little family, for sure...we love you, Erin....
And we did make cards...(Jonah gets very, very excited to do 'crafts', but...loses interest pretty quickly, and wants to play with his Chuggington trains...usually after I've just gotten everything out...but) - we did manage to get a card each for Daddy/hubby....
We also thought it would be a good idea to shovel the driveway this morning for Jay for when he came home so he wouldn't have to do it. So we did. Every bit of our enormous driveway...and then an hour before Jay got home...it started snowing again. but...I couldn't bring myself to go do it again, so...when my poor little hubby came home after working all day, he had to shovel...poor little fella. We almost didn't go out, 'cause we were so tired at the end of a long, 'normal' Monday...but...I'm so glad we did...
It was nice to go out, just the two of us...and we went to a really great restaurant with absolutely delicious food. Both had French onion soup for an appetizer, I had prime rib with roast veggies and twice-baked potatoes, and caramel cheesecake for dessert. And coffee. Oh my soul, it was soooo delicious. Jay had a seafood platter and adored it...So - it was a lovely day - and another reminder of how blessed we are, for even having love in our lives...I am happy to be married to this man who has been my best friend for so many years...my life would not ever be the same without him...we are true, true soul mates, that's for sure...so. Happy Valentine's Day...(not really directed to jay, since I'm pretty sure he never reads my blog, but...) to you, my faithful 2? 3? readers... :) Hope it was a special day for you.
Also - a special shout out to my little sister, Erin...for not only babysitting for me sooo much, but for loving my boy so much...that's the most amazing thing to have someone who loves your kid so much...even if she is his aunt...she goes waaaaay beyond her call of 'duty' in loving this boy...they are so close and have so much fun together...i don't worry one bit when Jonah is with Erin...she's part of our little family, for sure...we love you, Erin....
Thursday, February 10, 2011
discipline
While disciplining my CHILD is a daily occurrence in my home, I have been realizing my lack thereof in my own life these days. I still love the Lord, my husband, my little boy, my friends, I still go to church, don't worry...its just so many, many areas of my life are not up to the potential, or even disciplined the way I've been in other moments before...ways I've experienced certain disciplines, and am aware of how beneficial they can be to my life...and I am left wanting...
So, we are attempting to give ourselves some little 'goals' to see if we notice any difference in our daily lives...some to do with eating, physical activity, sleeping...i.e. - we go to bed waaaaay too late...and are trying to give ourselves a 'curfew' of sorts, at least on weeknights...there really is something to be said about having a good night's sleep...so, we're going to give 'er a go and see if it helps...so, I've given my self some personal goals as well, and I feel excited to strive to be challenged...
Back in Bible school days, there was waaaay too MUCH discipline, in my opinion...but there are some things I miss about having someone tell you what to do, so you can check it off your list...without even thinking about it sometimes. But when you have hardly any accountability, and a church who preaches 'grace' and no responsibility...you can tend to go too extreme. And I'm being challenged to be pushed a little harder. Even if it is just by me. Or perhaps its the Lord. Either way....this is an area I've been thinking about lately...please don't hold me accountable...
hahaha. just joking.
So, we are attempting to give ourselves some little 'goals' to see if we notice any difference in our daily lives...some to do with eating, physical activity, sleeping...i.e. - we go to bed waaaaay too late...and are trying to give ourselves a 'curfew' of sorts, at least on weeknights...there really is something to be said about having a good night's sleep...so, we're going to give 'er a go and see if it helps...so, I've given my self some personal goals as well, and I feel excited to strive to be challenged...
Back in Bible school days, there was waaaay too MUCH discipline, in my opinion...but there are some things I miss about having someone tell you what to do, so you can check it off your list...without even thinking about it sometimes. But when you have hardly any accountability, and a church who preaches 'grace' and no responsibility...you can tend to go too extreme. And I'm being challenged to be pushed a little harder. Even if it is just by me. Or perhaps its the Lord. Either way....this is an area I've been thinking about lately...please don't hold me accountable...
hahaha. just joking.
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