It has been a long time since I blogged .... but I have some thoughts that I just have to get down on paper.
Where is God when we are crying ?
We have a wonderful young couple who are dear to our hearts who found out their unborn baby has died.
Where is God when we are crying?
Parents lose their babies.
Children lose their parents.
Sisters and brothers lose their siblings.
People feel despair and take their owns lives.
Marriages crumble.
Disease occurs.
Where is God when we are crying?
Well .... I have an inside answer to that.
Read on ....
I was sexually molested the summer I was 9. There was an old man who lived on a farm. My parents would leave me there for the afternoon so I could ride his ponies, They only problem was .... they didn't know what he was doing to me in the barn.
But ... ya know what happened?
God held me. He held me as we watched what was going on. He held me and told me I did not need to hate the man .... I did not need to plot revenge against him. He told me the man was a dirty old man and that He would deal with the man when he died. The man would be punished for his action. He would take care of it.
I was not at fault. I had done nothing wrong.
But God was there ... He held me .... He comforted me .... and He consoled me.
Bad things happen. Some are caused by the decisions and action of others. Some are the results of some action on our part. Most, like disease and dying, are the results of our fallible bodies. We are created so that our bodies mutate. Otherwise we would all be carbon copies of each other and there would be no special person to attract us. Everyone would be the same and that would not be good.
Do we pray for miracles? Absolutely! And God still grants them on small day to day scales. But ..... we ALL deserve big miracles! We are ALL worthy of them!! And if that is the case then how does God decide who to grant them to? He loves us ALL! To grant one prayer and not grant another would be wrong. No one would understand why one person was worthy and another one was not. So he holds our loved ones, and comforts them and longs to comfort us as well.
So ....
Where is God when we are crying?
Where is God when we are angry?
Where is God when we are inconsolable?
He is holding his arms out and He is waiting to hold us ... on his lap .... above the turmoil going on down below.
And ... He is crying ....
Tuesday, March 20, 2012
Thursday, February 17, 2011
Why Do I Love You .... Let Me Count the Ways!
I woke up this morning to my husband grumbling ..... "You owe me big time"!!
Here, while I was still sleeping, Steve let my beloved house dog Kasey out, put on his own coat and boots, followed Kasey through the mud and snow as Kasey roamed the yard, waited patiently while Kasey did his "job" in a snow bank, dug it out of the snow bank, bagged it in a plastic bag, and brought it inside so I can deliver it to the vet's office this morning as Kasey's poop sample during his annual check-up!!
No other person that I know of would have done that for me!!
Yes, my darling Steve, I owe you big time!
And I think I know a way to repay you!!
;)
Here, while I was still sleeping, Steve let my beloved house dog Kasey out, put on his own coat and boots, followed Kasey through the mud and snow as Kasey roamed the yard, waited patiently while Kasey did his "job" in a snow bank, dug it out of the snow bank, bagged it in a plastic bag, and brought it inside so I can deliver it to the vet's office this morning as Kasey's poop sample during his annual check-up!!
No other person that I know of would have done that for me!!
Yes, my darling Steve, I owe you big time!
And I think I know a way to repay you!!
;)
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
Out of Control
Ok .... my weight gain has gotten out of control ..... :(
I guess there are a lot of things that have contributed to it. Jeff's cancer and death. My cancer and clinical depression. Medication issues. Career changes. Midlife changes and my hysterectomy. I know the weight started creeping up when I had to put my last boxer dog to sleep, and I purchased my little Boston Terrier, Kasey. I had visions of hopping in the car with him and going to city and state parks and walking and hiking all over the place. But .... the combination of his short legs and his short muzzle leave him winded after 1/2 mile. And that short of a walk does nothing for me. So ..... we have developed into this relationship where we spend hours ..... and I mean hours..... with me in my recliner and him on my lap snuggled under a blanket. It is so awesomely incredible to do that with him! But .... my health is paying the price for it.
My weight has yo yo'd for years, so I have very little muscle mass left. I know .... I need to lift weights. And I used to do that when Craig had his 3 station Weider weight machine on our porch. But that has been replaced with grammie's toys for her little boys.
Part of me says .... I am a Grammie now .... and grammies are supposed to be soft and plump. But the other part of me says .... NO!! I want to be able to get on the floor and play with my grandsons without being totally winded when I try to get up. And I want to be able to take them in long stroller rides without having to stop to catch my breath.
In 1990 I lost 40 lbs and got down to 124 lbs. In 2000 I lost another 40 lbs and got down to 117 lbs. At Brian's wedding I was 130 lbs and felt great! When I left the bank and started at the insurance agency I was 140 and still felt good and my clothes fit well. But since then ... the combination of a sedentary job and middle age have caused me to become the heaviest I have ever been in my life. And it has to stop.
So ...... since nothing else I have tried lately has worked .... I opened an online account at livestrong.com/myplate last night. There you put in your height, weight, and activity level. For me it's 5'4, 174 lbs, sedentary. Then you plug in your weight goals ..... for me - to lose 2 lbs a week .... and then it gives you the amount of calories you can eat each day in order to meet that goal .... 999 calories for me. Then there is a place to record everything you eat, and the number of calories each item contains. And it keeps a running total of what you have already consumed for the day, and how many more calories you can eat in order to meet your stated goal.
Today is day 1. We will see how it goes.
All I know is .... something has to change. And I am the only one who can change it.
I guess there are a lot of things that have contributed to it. Jeff's cancer and death. My cancer and clinical depression. Medication issues. Career changes. Midlife changes and my hysterectomy. I know the weight started creeping up when I had to put my last boxer dog to sleep, and I purchased my little Boston Terrier, Kasey. I had visions of hopping in the car with him and going to city and state parks and walking and hiking all over the place. But .... the combination of his short legs and his short muzzle leave him winded after 1/2 mile. And that short of a walk does nothing for me. So ..... we have developed into this relationship where we spend hours ..... and I mean hours..... with me in my recliner and him on my lap snuggled under a blanket. It is so awesomely incredible to do that with him! But .... my health is paying the price for it.
My weight has yo yo'd for years, so I have very little muscle mass left. I know .... I need to lift weights. And I used to do that when Craig had his 3 station Weider weight machine on our porch. But that has been replaced with grammie's toys for her little boys.
Part of me says .... I am a Grammie now .... and grammies are supposed to be soft and plump. But the other part of me says .... NO!! I want to be able to get on the floor and play with my grandsons without being totally winded when I try to get up. And I want to be able to take them in long stroller rides without having to stop to catch my breath.
In 1990 I lost 40 lbs and got down to 124 lbs. In 2000 I lost another 40 lbs and got down to 117 lbs. At Brian's wedding I was 130 lbs and felt great! When I left the bank and started at the insurance agency I was 140 and still felt good and my clothes fit well. But since then ... the combination of a sedentary job and middle age have caused me to become the heaviest I have ever been in my life. And it has to stop.
So ...... since nothing else I have tried lately has worked .... I opened an online account at livestrong.com/myplate last night. There you put in your height, weight, and activity level. For me it's 5'4, 174 lbs, sedentary. Then you plug in your weight goals ..... for me - to lose 2 lbs a week .... and then it gives you the amount of calories you can eat each day in order to meet that goal .... 999 calories for me. Then there is a place to record everything you eat, and the number of calories each item contains. And it keeps a running total of what you have already consumed for the day, and how many more calories you can eat in order to meet your stated goal.
Today is day 1. We will see how it goes.
All I know is .... something has to change. And I am the only one who can change it.
Sunday, November 14, 2010
Catching up!
It's been awhile since I have been on here. All is well .... just been very very busy!
Brian, Kelly, and Ty moved into their "new" home last weekend. They bought a fixer-upper last Fall and Brian spent the year gutting it and rebuilding it from the studs in. He created a downstairs bedroom, laundry room, and 2nd bathroom, and he totally redid the wiring in the kitchen, built a pantry, installed new cabinets, and repositioned the sink to an outside wall! The house has a huge vaulted ceiling living room in the rear of the house that gives them so much more room than they had before. He still needs to finish some trim work downstairs, gut the upstairs, knock out a wall to make an open den and separate bedroom this winter, and next summer he is removing the enclosed front porch and pouring a cement floor to make it an open porch with pillars and an overhang. I am just so proud of him for all he has accomplished! And I am so proud of Kelly for living through all of the renovations and changes. They have created a wonderful home for their family. And I am so happy for all of them!!
Ty is growing by leaps and bounds! He is 20 mos old now, and his favorite word is "no". :) He has a fairly large vocabulary, but he has discovered that this word has immediate consequences so he has latched on to it. The only trouble is, he deprives himself of some things he probably would really like to have because his constant answer is "no" when we offer him things. Oh well ....terrible twos ...here we come!!
We miss Craig, Jesse, and Rocco so much! Rocco is 8 mos old, crawling everywhere, pulling himself up, and standing alone for a few seconds at a time. His daddy walked alone the day he turned 9 mos old, so we'll see if Rocco is gonna be able to match that. He is such a happy and delightful boy! But .... he seldom ever sleeps! He is a real night owl. He seldom goes down for the night before midnight, and usually is awake a few times between then and morning. Jesse is so exhausted! They have talked to their Dr about it, but she said some babies don't get their sleep patterns regulated until they are 10 mos old. And for some, they don't get regulated until they are two yrs old! Let's pray he is in the first category instead of the last!
Most of you know that Steve is selling his cows. With a grandson 16 hrs away he just decided that he is tired of being tied down with them. We want to be able to travel more. And as he ages he is having more aches and pains that twice daily chores don't help. Anyway, since this blog entry is titled "Catching Up" I have to share a scene with his cows I observed the other day....
He has part of them sold already, but not delivered. So he has been running them in two different pastures. Well .... the other day I looked out and noticed that the two herds are now positioned nose to nose over the fence. It was so interesting seeing how all the cows were "chatting" over the fence with their long lost pasture mates. I could just envision them catching up with each other.
"Hi Myrtle! How the heck have you been? How is the fodder on your side of the fence? Good! Wow! That's great! Ours is getting a little stemmy now, but is not too tough yet! How are you feeling? I have been having a little bit of morning sickness ... and this calf has just started to kick a little .... but otherwise ... I am feeling fine! Just tired as usual! Oh .... dear ... I am so sorry to hear that .... yes .... well ....that sometimes happens. Well, Myrtle I hope you get over that indigestion thing real soon. The nice green grass should help to clear that up! Well ..... It's sure been nice catching up with you! I'm gonna go munch a bunch. Let's catch up again soon!"
:)
Brian, Kelly, and Ty moved into their "new" home last weekend. They bought a fixer-upper last Fall and Brian spent the year gutting it and rebuilding it from the studs in. He created a downstairs bedroom, laundry room, and 2nd bathroom, and he totally redid the wiring in the kitchen, built a pantry, installed new cabinets, and repositioned the sink to an outside wall! The house has a huge vaulted ceiling living room in the rear of the house that gives them so much more room than they had before. He still needs to finish some trim work downstairs, gut the upstairs, knock out a wall to make an open den and separate bedroom this winter, and next summer he is removing the enclosed front porch and pouring a cement floor to make it an open porch with pillars and an overhang. I am just so proud of him for all he has accomplished! And I am so proud of Kelly for living through all of the renovations and changes. They have created a wonderful home for their family. And I am so happy for all of them!!
Ty is growing by leaps and bounds! He is 20 mos old now, and his favorite word is "no". :) He has a fairly large vocabulary, but he has discovered that this word has immediate consequences so he has latched on to it. The only trouble is, he deprives himself of some things he probably would really like to have because his constant answer is "no" when we offer him things. Oh well ....terrible twos ...here we come!!
We miss Craig, Jesse, and Rocco so much! Rocco is 8 mos old, crawling everywhere, pulling himself up, and standing alone for a few seconds at a time. His daddy walked alone the day he turned 9 mos old, so we'll see if Rocco is gonna be able to match that. He is such a happy and delightful boy! But .... he seldom ever sleeps! He is a real night owl. He seldom goes down for the night before midnight, and usually is awake a few times between then and morning. Jesse is so exhausted! They have talked to their Dr about it, but she said some babies don't get their sleep patterns regulated until they are 10 mos old. And for some, they don't get regulated until they are two yrs old! Let's pray he is in the first category instead of the last!
Most of you know that Steve is selling his cows. With a grandson 16 hrs away he just decided that he is tired of being tied down with them. We want to be able to travel more. And as he ages he is having more aches and pains that twice daily chores don't help. Anyway, since this blog entry is titled "Catching Up" I have to share a scene with his cows I observed the other day....
He has part of them sold already, but not delivered. So he has been running them in two different pastures. Well .... the other day I looked out and noticed that the two herds are now positioned nose to nose over the fence. It was so interesting seeing how all the cows were "chatting" over the fence with their long lost pasture mates. I could just envision them catching up with each other.
"Hi Myrtle! How the heck have you been? How is the fodder on your side of the fence? Good! Wow! That's great! Ours is getting a little stemmy now, but is not too tough yet! How are you feeling? I have been having a little bit of morning sickness ... and this calf has just started to kick a little .... but otherwise ... I am feeling fine! Just tired as usual! Oh .... dear ... I am so sorry to hear that .... yes .... well ....that sometimes happens. Well, Myrtle I hope you get over that indigestion thing real soon. The nice green grass should help to clear that up! Well ..... It's sure been nice catching up with you! I'm gonna go munch a bunch. Let's catch up again soon!"
:)
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
Craig, Jesse, and Rocco come to visit!
I don't know if anyone is still reading this blog or not .... but I just have to share this anyway!
We just had the most wonderful visit with Craig, Jesse, and Rocco! They came from VA to spend a long weekend with us. We had 26 friends and relatives over to our house on Sunday evening so they could bond with everyone. The group included 4 little guys under the age of 2yr .... so a good time was had by all!
I tell ya ..... Rocco is just the most adorable little guy. He is not fond of sleeping .... he is a real night owl .... but when he is awake he is the happiest most jovial little guy around! He is so much like his daddy was when he was little. Not that he isn't still a jovial and happy guy! ;)
Following are just a few pics from the weekend. There is one of my mom with him, one of Steve and I with him, and the last couple are of Ty and Rocco together. We have discovered it is impossible to get a pic with both of them smiling at the same time .... but we tried!
Oh, for the record ..... Ty is 17 mos and Rocco is almost 6mos.
Enjoy!
We just had the most wonderful visit with Craig, Jesse, and Rocco! They came from VA to spend a long weekend with us. We had 26 friends and relatives over to our house on Sunday evening so they could bond with everyone. The group included 4 little guys under the age of 2yr .... so a good time was had by all!
I tell ya ..... Rocco is just the most adorable little guy. He is not fond of sleeping .... he is a real night owl .... but when he is awake he is the happiest most jovial little guy around! He is so much like his daddy was when he was little. Not that he isn't still a jovial and happy guy! ;)
Following are just a few pics from the weekend. There is one of my mom with him, one of Steve and I with him, and the last couple are of Ty and Rocco together. We have discovered it is impossible to get a pic with both of them smiling at the same time .... but we tried!
Oh, for the record ..... Ty is 17 mos and Rocco is almost 6mos.
Enjoy!
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
Released!
I got released from the Doctor!
I got to lift my grandson, Ty!
I am back at work earning a paycheck!
Yea!
Life is good again!
:)
I got to lift my grandson, Ty!
I am back at work earning a paycheck!
Yea!
Life is good again!
:)
Saturday, July 31, 2010
Catheter Removal - Soon!
Two days left until the Foley Catheter is removed!
Please pray that everything starts working again like it is supposed to.
It's been 7 weeks since I have held Ty! And 5 weeks since I have seen him!
And that is way too long a deprivation for this Grammie!
:(
Please pray that everything starts working again like it is supposed to.
It's been 7 weeks since I have held Ty! And 5 weeks since I have seen him!
And that is way too long a deprivation for this Grammie!
:(
Sunday, July 25, 2010
Free Piano!
Anyone want a free piano!
I have been trying for weeks to find a new home for it.
I even called the local nursing home to see if they wanted it for their rec room. Nope.
The piano came into my life when I was in first grade. My grandparents bought it new for Jeff and I so we could learn to play. And I have spent hours and hours on it! Playing .... composing ... singing.
But now that I am a Grammie ... my priorities are changing. I want the room for other things. Learning things for my grandsons. Space for riding toys and building blocks and other little boy toys.
I still have a tiny keyboard I can peck out my parts for our praise band. And some day I hope to get a smaller electronic keyboard I can put in the den.
But for now ... the big piano needs to go... to make room for instruments of new memories!
Anyway want a free piano!
:)
I have been trying for weeks to find a new home for it.
I even called the local nursing home to see if they wanted it for their rec room. Nope.
The piano came into my life when I was in first grade. My grandparents bought it new for Jeff and I so we could learn to play. And I have spent hours and hours on it! Playing .... composing ... singing.
But now that I am a Grammie ... my priorities are changing. I want the room for other things. Learning things for my grandsons. Space for riding toys and building blocks and other little boy toys.
I still have a tiny keyboard I can peck out my parts for our praise band. And some day I hope to get a smaller electronic keyboard I can put in the den.
But for now ... the big piano needs to go... to make room for instruments of new memories!
Anyway want a free piano!
:)
Thursday, July 22, 2010
Liberating Realization! No One Cares! :)
Due to complications from my surgery, I am still walking around with a lovely catheter, and the huge hideous bag that accompanies it.
Because of that ... I have been staying close to home, and feeling rather housebound. No church, no restaurants, no social engagements. I'm just too self-conscience to let anyone see me with the darned thing.
But today ... that all changed! I got up my nerve (actually I was out of chocolates and needed a chocolate fix BAD!) so I stuffed the bag and as much tubing as possible into a green plastic grocery bag, hooked it all to my pants pocket, and set out for Aldis and Wallyworld ... in a town far far away. ;)
And ya know what? I discovered a liberating realization. No one cared! :)
The older folks who saw me all gave me sweet understanding smiles. The middle aged folks were all too harried with their own lives to even look at me. And the younger folks were all too worried about who was looking at them to bother to look at me. And even the WalMart greeter (who I was afraid would want to check the contents on my bag - but she didn't) wasn't offended. She just gave me the sweetest smile and wished me a truly good day.
Wow! All these weeks I have been staying home cause I was afraid I would shock or offend people! And no one cares!
But seeing how I still care, I'm still gonna stay home from church, restaurants, and social engagements until I get the danged thing out. But it is so liberating to know I CAN go out ... in a town far far away ... if I so choose!
Guess I'm not as housebound as I thought.
Because of that ... I have been staying close to home, and feeling rather housebound. No church, no restaurants, no social engagements. I'm just too self-conscience to let anyone see me with the darned thing.
But today ... that all changed! I got up my nerve (actually I was out of chocolates and needed a chocolate fix BAD!) so I stuffed the bag and as much tubing as possible into a green plastic grocery bag, hooked it all to my pants pocket, and set out for Aldis and Wallyworld ... in a town far far away. ;)
And ya know what? I discovered a liberating realization. No one cared! :)
The older folks who saw me all gave me sweet understanding smiles. The middle aged folks were all too harried with their own lives to even look at me. And the younger folks were all too worried about who was looking at them to bother to look at me. And even the WalMart greeter (who I was afraid would want to check the contents on my bag - but she didn't) wasn't offended. She just gave me the sweetest smile and wished me a truly good day.
Wow! All these weeks I have been staying home cause I was afraid I would shock or offend people! And no one cares!
But seeing how I still care, I'm still gonna stay home from church, restaurants, and social engagements until I get the danged thing out. But it is so liberating to know I CAN go out ... in a town far far away ... if I so choose!
Guess I'm not as housebound as I thought.
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Millie!
My younger daughter in law and I have developed a close relationship. But we have struggled with what she should call me. "Sue" seems too impersonal. And she is very close to her own mom, so calling me "Mom" doesn't seem right. And "Mother-in-law or Mom-in-law" is too much of a mouthful.
So! I suggested she call me "Millie", which I shortened from MIL (mother-in-law). And she is! It is an affectionate term she can use for me, the other mom in her life.
So! I suggested she call me "Millie", which I shortened from MIL (mother-in-law). And she is! It is an affectionate term she can use for me, the other mom in her life.
Saturday, July 10, 2010
Pain ... And the Journey of Healing
Well, I'm 11 days post operative now, and still in a lot of pain. I guess I thought the recovery process would be like this ... I would be a little bit better every day until ... Viola! ... I was pain free.
But I am finding this journey of healing to be a lot like the journey of life. We may have a day or two of smooth sailing ... but then the storms begin and we may get blown sideways or backwards for awhile ... or the winds die down and we just drift along in a sea of sameness.
But it is all a journey none the less. And each day is a new day to embrace. So we sail on ... doing the hard work required ... while keeping a watchful and hopeful eye on the horizon.
And someday ... hopefully soon .... we will arrive at our destination ... which is a port full of wholeness and health ... from the physical ... spiritual ... mental ... or emotional pain we are working to heal.
But I am finding this journey of healing to be a lot like the journey of life. We may have a day or two of smooth sailing ... but then the storms begin and we may get blown sideways or backwards for awhile ... or the winds die down and we just drift along in a sea of sameness.
But it is all a journey none the less. And each day is a new day to embrace. So we sail on ... doing the hard work required ... while keeping a watchful and hopeful eye on the horizon.
And someday ... hopefully soon .... we will arrive at our destination ... which is a port full of wholeness and health ... from the physical ... spiritual ... mental ... or emotional pain we are working to heal.
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
Surgery!
After spending 8 weeks being worn down by heavy bleeding, I was finally able to have surgery to remove the offending feminine body parts. Complications arose ..... but I am now on the road to recovery.
The hardest part of the process is that I can't hold my grandbabies for 6 weeks. I have seen Ty a couple of times since then, and he keeps reaching his arms out to me and tugging on my pant legs so I will pick him up and hold him, and I can't. And I cry. He finally toddled over to where I was standing, took me by the finger and led me to where he wanted me to go. I was so overwhelmed that he figured out a way to keep me in his life in spite of my restrictions. He is truly my special buddy! I only hope I can have as close of a relationship with little Rocco. Just hard to do when he is 16 hrs away! :(
All in all ..... the surgery will be worth it in the end. I am already feeling stronger now that the bleeding has stopped. Just gotta get over a few more hurdles ... and I will be better than ever ... in a few weeks!
The hardest part of the process is that I can't hold my grandbabies for 6 weeks. I have seen Ty a couple of times since then, and he keeps reaching his arms out to me and tugging on my pant legs so I will pick him up and hold him, and I can't. And I cry. He finally toddled over to where I was standing, took me by the finger and led me to where he wanted me to go. I was so overwhelmed that he figured out a way to keep me in his life in spite of my restrictions. He is truly my special buddy! I only hope I can have as close of a relationship with little Rocco. Just hard to do when he is 16 hrs away! :(
All in all ..... the surgery will be worth it in the end. I am already feeling stronger now that the bleeding has stopped. Just gotta get over a few more hurdles ... and I will be better than ever ... in a few weeks!
Monday, May 17, 2010
Missing Others
Do we ever stop missing the ones we love .... and have lost?
My brother passed away 5 years ago this Memorial Day .... and I still miss him like it was yesterday. And my parents still miss him as well.
Their dilemma now is how to divide their estate. They have one remaining child and five remaining grandchildren. How do you divide one estate to make it fair for everyone?
You can't. Not unless the remaining child drops out of the line-up.
And that is OK with this remaining child. No amount of inheritance .... no amount of estate .... will ever bring my brother back.
And that is what I would treasure the most.
Money comes and money goes.
But loved ones are only here for a while.
I miss Jeff.
I love Jeff.
But I know his love will stay with me ...... forever.......
Long after estates and inheritances are gone.
My brother passed away 5 years ago this Memorial Day .... and I still miss him like it was yesterday. And my parents still miss him as well.
Their dilemma now is how to divide their estate. They have one remaining child and five remaining grandchildren. How do you divide one estate to make it fair for everyone?
You can't. Not unless the remaining child drops out of the line-up.
And that is OK with this remaining child. No amount of inheritance .... no amount of estate .... will ever bring my brother back.
And that is what I would treasure the most.
Money comes and money goes.
But loved ones are only here for a while.
I miss Jeff.
I love Jeff.
But I know his love will stay with me ...... forever.......
Long after estates and inheritances are gone.
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Rocco at 6 weeks!
Craig and Jesse just sent us some new pics of Rocco! We haven't him since he was 2 weeks old! My! What a cutie he is! Enjoy!
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Near and Dear .....
I can honestly say there has only been one man who has ever been near and dear to my heart!
Oops! No .... I guess there have been three!
Um .... no ... uh .... four! No ..... five!
Ahhhhhhh ...... no seven!!
Whew!
Yup! I can honestly say ....there have only been seven men who have ever been near and dear to my heart .... !
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Steve
Brian and Craig
Dad and Jeff
Ty and Rocco!!
Tee hee!! :)
Oops! No .... I guess there have been three!
Um .... no ... uh .... four! No ..... five!
Ahhhhhhh ...... no seven!!
Whew!
Yup! I can honestly say ....there have only been seven men who have ever been near and dear to my heart .... !
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Steve
Brian and Craig
Dad and Jeff
Ty and Rocco!!
Tee hee!! :)
Saturday, April 10, 2010
Grammiehood!
You know ...... I have always considered myself to be a youthful soul .... a little bit adventurous .... and a little bit rebellious. :) But there were times in my life when the role I had to play did not fit comfortably with my soul.
The stay at home farm wife early in our marriage was disastrous for my emotional state. We had no money, so I could not go anywhere. And cooking and cleaning all day were not compatible with my adventurous spirit.
Then the babies started coming ... and I started to feel a little bit more comfortable in my role. I could play with them ....take them for walks along the creek ... be involved in their school activities.
Then the empty nest stage occurred. And even though I love my boys dearly, I loved having an empty nest as well! Now I had time to take off and explore the things I had been missing out on in life. And I was working, so I had a little bit of extra income to be able to afford some nice vacations! And I had the enjoyment of seeing our sons become the men I always hoped they would be.
But .... you know .... as good as that stage was ...... I think this stage of Grammiehood is the best of all!!
I get to love my babies .... and not be tied down by them! I get to play with them ... and be adventurous with them! And I get to see the amazing parents our sons and daughter-in-laws have become! And that is the best part of all!
Yup ....... life is good. I finally fit my soul. Even though on the outside I am a plump, gray haired, matronly, middle aged woman. On the inside, my soul is still a kid!
And that is good!
The stay at home farm wife early in our marriage was disastrous for my emotional state. We had no money, so I could not go anywhere. And cooking and cleaning all day were not compatible with my adventurous spirit.
Then the babies started coming ... and I started to feel a little bit more comfortable in my role. I could play with them ....take them for walks along the creek ... be involved in their school activities.
Then the empty nest stage occurred. And even though I love my boys dearly, I loved having an empty nest as well! Now I had time to take off and explore the things I had been missing out on in life. And I was working, so I had a little bit of extra income to be able to afford some nice vacations! And I had the enjoyment of seeing our sons become the men I always hoped they would be.
But .... you know .... as good as that stage was ...... I think this stage of Grammiehood is the best of all!!
I get to love my babies .... and not be tied down by them! I get to play with them ... and be adventurous with them! And I get to see the amazing parents our sons and daughter-in-laws have become! And that is the best part of all!
Yup ....... life is good. I finally fit my soul. Even though on the outside I am a plump, gray haired, matronly, middle aged woman. On the inside, my soul is still a kid!
And that is good!
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Another grandson!! Yeah!!
We have another grandson!!
Craig and Jesse became the proud parents of Rocco Aaron Florschuetz on 3/2/10. He weighed in at 7 lbs 10 oz, and was 20" long! We are going to VA to see them in a couple of weeks! Can't wait to get my arms around all three of them!
Craig and Jesse became the proud parents of Rocco Aaron Florschuetz on 3/2/10. He weighed in at 7 lbs 10 oz, and was 20" long! We are going to VA to see them in a couple of weeks! Can't wait to get my arms around all three of them!
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Fun in the sun .... porch!
I stayed home from work today to take care of Ty. Brian and Kelly's babysitter's little guy has the flu, so we are taking turns staying home with Ty this week.
Today he got to inaugurate our new high chair! I tried using a booster chair with him last week, but that didn't work out too well. So viola! We have a new Winnie the Pooh highchair! He is now eating the second step of baby food ..... the wonderful blends. Kelly said he did NOT like the chicken and noodles one .... but he did well with his fruit and rice for breakfast.... the peas and something or other for lunch ..... and the mixed veggies for supper. He is still getting 3-4 bottles of formula a day, and usually has two naps at Grammies ...... tho I understand he doesn't sleep that much at the sitter's. But ....... she probably doesn't play soft baby music and have the curtains drawn and the lights down low for him. We Grammies know how to encourage a nap! :)
In between mealtime and naptime .... we soaked up the sun on the sunporch. I even moved Kasey's daybed out there so he could soak it up with us! It has been such a gloomy and rainy Fall that it felt soooooooo good to sit in the sun. And I am hoping the extra Vitamin D we absorbed will help Ty ward off the flu bug.
Finally .... here is a video clip of him playing in the bouncie turnie thingie. As usual, he was laughing and grinning at me ..... before I got the camera! He has such a quick sly smile that it is hard to catch on film. Oh well, as long as I get them in person .... that is all that matters to me!
Today he got to inaugurate our new high chair! I tried using a booster chair with him last week, but that didn't work out too well. So viola! We have a new Winnie the Pooh highchair! He is now eating the second step of baby food ..... the wonderful blends. Kelly said he did NOT like the chicken and noodles one .... but he did well with his fruit and rice for breakfast.... the peas and something or other for lunch ..... and the mixed veggies for supper. He is still getting 3-4 bottles of formula a day, and usually has two naps at Grammies ...... tho I understand he doesn't sleep that much at the sitter's. But ....... she probably doesn't play soft baby music and have the curtains drawn and the lights down low for him. We Grammies know how to encourage a nap! :)
In between mealtime and naptime .... we soaked up the sun on the sunporch. I even moved Kasey's daybed out there so he could soak it up with us! It has been such a gloomy and rainy Fall that it felt soooooooo good to sit in the sun. And I am hoping the extra Vitamin D we absorbed will help Ty ward off the flu bug.
Finally .... here is a video clip of him playing in the bouncie turnie thingie. As usual, he was laughing and grinning at me ..... before I got the camera! He has such a quick sly smile that it is hard to catch on film. Oh well, as long as I get them in person .... that is all that matters to me!
Saturday, October 24, 2009
Mothering .....
Ya know ..... now that my chicks have flown the coop ..... I have more time for self-reflection. And I have come to a realization that has been very self affirming.
I am maternal ...... but not domestic!
So, what the heck does that mean??
Well ....... I love to mother, and nurture, and encourage, and teach, and provide all of those little experiences that help ones to spread their wings and discover who they are.
But ... I HATE to cook and clean!
Hmmmmmmmm, maybe that came from marrying a man who, for the first several years of our marriage, only wanted boiled potatoes and hamburgers without a bun for lunch. :)
Or, from raising a darling little boy who wanted the same meal every day for 2 weeks and then when you started to serve it the 3rd week said "Why did you fix that? You know I hate it!!" :)
Or from raising another precious little pumpkin for whom I literally had to hide 3 peas in a huge mound of mashed potatoes in order to get him to eat them. :)
You young moms have sooooooooo much to look forward to! :)
But through it all, I have learned a lot of important things ..... gold carpet does not show straw ..... bugs ..... fawn boxer hair ..... or a myriad of other assorted things that get drug into a farmhouse from the outside. Keeping the curtains closed and the lights low does wonders for hiding dirty windows and dust. And burning candles before company comes is a miracle worker for stale doggy smells!
So, when you start to get down on yourselves cause you don't think you are filling all of the shoes in your closets (or filling all the roles you feel expected to play) ..... just remember ..... you can be maternal but not domestic. Or, domestic but not maternal. Whatever combination you happen to be. God made you with the skills you have for His purpose. So use those skills to the best of your ability and wade your way through the other stuff. My boys are strong, intelligent, hardworking ....... and slender! :) So I guess I didn't do too bad after all!
I am maternal ...... but not domestic!
So, what the heck does that mean??
Well ....... I love to mother, and nurture, and encourage, and teach, and provide all of those little experiences that help ones to spread their wings and discover who they are.
But ... I HATE to cook and clean!
Hmmmmmmmm, maybe that came from marrying a man who, for the first several years of our marriage, only wanted boiled potatoes and hamburgers without a bun for lunch. :)
Or, from raising a darling little boy who wanted the same meal every day for 2 weeks and then when you started to serve it the 3rd week said "Why did you fix that? You know I hate it!!" :)
Or from raising another precious little pumpkin for whom I literally had to hide 3 peas in a huge mound of mashed potatoes in order to get him to eat them. :)
You young moms have sooooooooo much to look forward to! :)
But through it all, I have learned a lot of important things ..... gold carpet does not show straw ..... bugs ..... fawn boxer hair ..... or a myriad of other assorted things that get drug into a farmhouse from the outside. Keeping the curtains closed and the lights low does wonders for hiding dirty windows and dust. And burning candles before company comes is a miracle worker for stale doggy smells!
So, when you start to get down on yourselves cause you don't think you are filling all of the shoes in your closets (or filling all the roles you feel expected to play) ..... just remember ..... you can be maternal but not domestic. Or, domestic but not maternal. Whatever combination you happen to be. God made you with the skills you have for His purpose. So use those skills to the best of your ability and wade your way through the other stuff. My boys are strong, intelligent, hardworking ....... and slender! :) So I guess I didn't do too bad after all!
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
It's a ..........
Craig just called to let us know ... they are having a little boy!
Well ... at least that is what it looks like for now ..... :)
The due date is still 2/28/10. Course, he's hoping it'll pop out a day early!
I told him I was gonna call it Henry until I get told otherwise!
Well ... at least that is what it looks like for now ..... :)
The due date is still 2/28/10. Course, he's hoping it'll pop out a day early!
I told him I was gonna call it Henry until I get told otherwise!
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