Just for Kicks

I just had to throw in a couple pictures of my Mom and I at the Creative Memories Showcase a few weeks ago. They had these "photo ops" all over, and we had to do this one with a mic and a piano. I like how she's smiling sweetly and I look like I'm screaming into the mic (as usual, right?) I love making this woman laugh. I'm so glad I grew up with a Mom who was loving, confident, sassy, and sweet all at the same time. I just keep bringing on the cheesy posts, don't I??

On another topic, could everyone who is not blogging please not start a blog??? I cannot keep up anymore. I try to see everyone at least once a week and, frankly, it's wearing me out. I'm tired, people. You keep me up until all hours of the night. My husband misses me. Don't get me wrong, I love your blogs. They make me laugh, cry, think....but good grief, where will it end?! Okay, end of plea.

And let's switch gears again...my oldest son, Greg, starts Kindegarten next week. Wow. I don't know who to pray for more - him, or his teacher and classmates. Look out - here comes the Red Wonder.

just a boy and a girl

Aaron and I were looking at pictures tonight at his parents' house...remembering days from more than ten years ago. (My husband is the ageless wonder.) Days before children and mortgages when we were old enough to be adults, but young enough to act like kids and be stupid. (Why did I have all those bangs??)

In one picture, we are sitting in a bench swing that looks out at the lake where his Grandpa's cabin is located. The picture is taken from behind us, and I have my arm around the back of the swing, around Aaron.

It's just a boy and a girl, at the very early stages of a life story together. We had no idea what kind of future God had in store for us. All we knew at that point was that we were mad-crazy in love with each other and that God was in control.

I smile to think how little has really changed. We still find ourselves gazing out a lake together, unsure of the future, but sure of our God.

And still mad-crazy in love.

I'm Dying...

If I don't sing somewhere, somehow, someway pretty soon, I am going to shrivel up and blow away.

Thankfully, next week I meet with the worship pastor here for an audition at the church we attend.

When I sing about and to my SAVIOR, it's like the sky opens up and I have a deeper, more real relationship with Him. Sigh. Miss that.

My Heroes

Thanks to Monty King, a good friend from our Texas days for these pictures. He's captured our boys quite well here. Daniel IS the man of steel, stronger than a locomotive. Check out those power abs!! (Actually, that's last year's Halloween costume he's wearing out in front of the lake.)
Favorite accessory - Superman Cape

Greg is the ultimate actor, quoting favorite movie lines and trying out different accents. He loves to listen to The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis on CD in the van wherever we go. That's his sword he's holding, but Monty put the shield on.
Favorite accessory - Toy Sword, Toy Gun, or plastic hanger (what he would refer to as his bow and arrow)

And Jonathan? He's all over the place. If he could walk 100% of the time, man, would I be in trouble.
Favorite accessory - Pacifier/Mommy

The Good Times Came First

Erin and her daughter Elise enjoyed a boat ride on this gorgeous summer day. Erin and I were humbled in a game of water volleyball by Farmer and Will. We couldn't even blame it on the sun in our eyes cause we switched sides and still got our clocks cleaned...

Will and Erin were students of mine at Heritage and it brings me ceaseless joy to watch them follow Christ, raise children, become the people they are. They make me want to throw my fists in the air and cheer, maybe even attempt a cartwheel and break my neck. My laughing partner, Connie - 4mo. pregant. Unbelievable. I just hate that I can't be with her during this time and watch her grow, hear her excitement and concern. Instant Messaging just doesn't convey that drama as well as face to face. I don't know how many basketball games she and I watched as our husbands coached during those Heritage years. She's the kind of friend who can make you laugh so hard, you can't sit upright, then turn around and have a conversation that stirs the deeper waters in your soul. She turns a prism in her hand, thinking of different angles, showing you new lights. And that is why she will be one groovy mama. Will and Erin's baby Irelyn. One happy chick. Farmer in mini-golf mode: "Go to your home!!!" I have a wonderful little brother, but if I ever had a big brother, this would be the guy. Farmer and I taught together at Heritage back in Kalamazoo. He was high school Math, me English. We watched kids come and go as we became a big sister/ big brother to many of them. He has a heart the size of Montana. His combination laugh of a weeze and a chuckle brings back all those Heritage memories. It's great fun to make a grown man laugh.

Friendship that supercedes the environment, the circumstance, is such a treasure these days. The kind of friendship that falls into such a wonderful rhythm no matter how much time passes or where you happen to be.
"What life have we if we have not life together?" -T.S. Eliot

No Pictures Necessary

I don't know where to begin on this post. I will try to explain the last week as best I can.

We were really excited to have the Farmers and Uminns visit us from Michigan this past week. They decided to drive all Monday night so Will and Erin's girls could sleep through the trip. Unfortunately, Erin got sick on the way up. And that was just the beginning...

When they arrived, all seemed good. We played mini-golf, had a great dinner, but the next day, Connie (who is 4 months pregnant!! Praise the Lord!!) felt queasy. Wait, that's putting it mildly. Connie got violently ill. She eventually went to the hospital that night for dehydration and the Dr. informed her she had food poisoning.

That's when it all came down...Gregory, then Aaron, then Daniel, then Jonathan, then Will, Will's baby girl Irelyn, ALL threw up at different intervals later that day/evening. Kevin and I were the only ones who didn't...uhm...lose it. Only God knows why. We still haven't figured out if we all got food poisoning from a certain Ice Cream/Fast Food chain, or if it was a vicious bug, but it was not pretty.

Meanwhile, I'm hoping and praying Aaron will get better in time for me to go to Minneapolis for the Creative Memories National Convention where I was to meet my Mom (and I'd already paid my registration fee, no refunds). Amazingly, I was able to leave a few hours later than what I had anticipated, but did arrive safely.

I still can't believe I didn't get sick. I mean, you Mamas know that when little people are sick in your house, you are right in the thick of it, so to speak. I guess God puts this powerhouse immune system in Moms sometimes to keep everything going. Anyway, I am so thankful that everyone recovered and we were still able to have fun with our company before the parade of puke began. (Sorry, that's what it was.)

Pictures coming of the memories at the lake (not the puke parade) when I get home!