Is it just me, or has January disappeared like a flash? Two more days and it will be February. The New Year waits for no one. I took the last few days to try and practice one of my life verses, "Be still and know that I am God." It is very exhausting for me to be still and not try to fix the things that I cannot fix. I wonder if I will ever learn this lesson. I really appreciate the prayers and the concern, I know it has helped a lot this past week.
My back yard was covered in pine needles and leaves and branches. Had been for over two months and so we got out over the weekend and tackled it with full force. It is amazing how much better I felt when I could see the ground again and feel I fixed something.
Having the grandkids this week was great too, as always. They lift my spirits so much and bring me joy. Corky is no longer working 7 days a week now and that is really great too. I missed him being here to just play together on the weekends, but understand that work was really demanding his time over the past two months. I am just so very thankful that he has a job and it is going well.
I am thankful to have realized over this past month that many 1st birthdays of babies gone to heaven this time last year have been bearable for their sweet families. These precious babies will always have their footprints on our hearts and never be forgotten. Many of these families are now expecting new life and I continue to pray for the health of these new babies. As reports come in, they are good reports of healthy babies. My heart is so thankful for this. God is so good. Until these moms hold these new babies in their arms, our prayers are needed for their peace and trust.
Baby Gracie needs our prayers still. Her reports are fragile with the diagnosis of Trisomy and her parents hearts are so heavy. Prayers for them are asked today. And for Maxsons parents, Dylans parents, Ruby Mae's parents, who are just a month or so into the journey of losing these precious babies. They need tender loving prayers.
My sweet friends Stephanie, Laura, Bettsie, and Nita who are still dealing with the loss of their husbands need our prayers. Nita needs extra prayer for recovering from colon surgery she just had that has left her with a permanent colostomy bag. I am so thankful she is still with us. My sweet friend Kelli who is pressing forward with hemo while waiting on a kidney to extend her quality of life she so deserves.
Yes, it is a new year, and almost February, but so many needs and issues have followed us into this year also. I know that God is faithful to keep His promise to never leave us, and I am holding Him to His promise for all needs.
I hope everyone has a wonderful day and remember the things that make us thankful. And thank you again for your continued prayers. They are still needed to fix what I cannot fix:) Only God can.
Love and Hugs, Laurie
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Saturday, January 24, 2009
Prayers and Encouragement Needed Today
I need prayer and encouragement today and would really appreciate it. I can't go into details here as I do not feel comfortable. I had a post up early and deleted it so if you saw it and now it is gone, that's why. But I truly covet your prayers for guidance and wisdom today.
Love and Hugs, Laurie
Love and Hugs, Laurie
Thursday, January 22, 2009
What We Did At Grandmas House
I know this is my second post of the day, but I have some catching up to do before I fall behind. Yesterday was great with the grandkids, as usual. I had Hannah here for 3 1/2 hours before Isaac arrived after checking out his new preschool he will be attending two days a week in the fall. I just love watching this little girl and the way she plays, so different from her brother. She's a little Bit on a mission around here. We skip her morning nap now so she is worn out for her afternoon one.
She is trying to say grandma and it is so cute. She gives so many hugs and kisses(wet slobbery ones) and smiles all the time.
After lunch and putting her down for her nap, Isaac's mission was to disassemble an old 1988 computer keyboard that grandpa found along with the controls for the pac man game. I know, ancient!! He is so good with tools, the kind the jewelers use, and some regular ones, depending on the screw size. After two solid hours of concentration and all things "computer" exposed, I asked him if he was satisfied on a job well done and he said "yeah, and gramma, this computer must have been made in China." Cracked me up and sure enough on the inside of the circut board was stamped "made in Hong Kong 1988. Holy cow, the thing was almost 21 years old! We have come a long ways. We just had the greatest conversation while he was working so hard, I was just there for support and company. He tells me I am the best company for him and it melts my heart. I love these kids to the moon and back, I have to tell you.
On another note here today, my plumbing is getting fixed. I love the sound of a jack hammer ripping through 4 inches of concrete to get to the problem. Everything has been working EXCEPT the two toilets. YES, and for quite some time now. It has not been bad unless we have company, then we have some explaining to do. Think camping portable pottys. I know, too much information but the truth. This is a very old house and the trees have grown to gigantic proportions over the 32 years of living here. So, two long time friends of my younger brother are here to save the day. They need the work, I need my throne. It's all good. And I don't mind the mess because I haven't cleaned for Christmas 08 yet. I knew there was a reason:)
Since it is Thursday, I thought I would list a few things I am thankful for today. This house that we have rented for 32 years with great landlords, being only two blocks from the Pacific Ocean, our health, Corky and his job that enables us to live a content life and share the excess with others in need, two grown and married sons that I am so proud of, two wonderful grandkids, the Lord in all of our lives, all my other family and the wonderful people I have met and continue to meet here. There is so much more, but these top my list. Tell me what you are most thankful for today.
I hope each and every one of you have a wonderful day and are blessed by the Lord who makes it all possible for us. I never forget to pray for the needs I know that you have. Asking the Lord to meet each and every need.
Love and Many Hugs, Laurie
She is trying to say grandma and it is so cute. She gives so many hugs and kisses(wet slobbery ones) and smiles all the time.
After lunch and putting her down for her nap, Isaac's mission was to disassemble an old 1988 computer keyboard that grandpa found along with the controls for the pac man game. I know, ancient!! He is so good with tools, the kind the jewelers use, and some regular ones, depending on the screw size. After two solid hours of concentration and all things "computer" exposed, I asked him if he was satisfied on a job well done and he said "yeah, and gramma, this computer must have been made in China." Cracked me up and sure enough on the inside of the circut board was stamped "made in Hong Kong 1988. Holy cow, the thing was almost 21 years old! We have come a long ways. We just had the greatest conversation while he was working so hard, I was just there for support and company. He tells me I am the best company for him and it melts my heart. I love these kids to the moon and back, I have to tell you.
On another note here today, my plumbing is getting fixed. I love the sound of a jack hammer ripping through 4 inches of concrete to get to the problem. Everything has been working EXCEPT the two toilets. YES, and for quite some time now. It has not been bad unless we have company, then we have some explaining to do. Think camping portable pottys. I know, too much information but the truth. This is a very old house and the trees have grown to gigantic proportions over the 32 years of living here. So, two long time friends of my younger brother are here to save the day. They need the work, I need my throne. It's all good. And I don't mind the mess because I haven't cleaned for Christmas 08 yet. I knew there was a reason:)
Since it is Thursday, I thought I would list a few things I am thankful for today. This house that we have rented for 32 years with great landlords, being only two blocks from the Pacific Ocean, our health, Corky and his job that enables us to live a content life and share the excess with others in need, two grown and married sons that I am so proud of, two wonderful grandkids, the Lord in all of our lives, all my other family and the wonderful people I have met and continue to meet here. There is so much more, but these top my list. Tell me what you are most thankful for today.
I hope each and every one of you have a wonderful day and are blessed by the Lord who makes it all possible for us. I never forget to pray for the needs I know that you have. Asking the Lord to meet each and every need.
Love and Many Hugs, Laurie
"Thank You-Thank You" Accepting Award #1
I received my very first award on my blog last week from my new and wonderful friend Pam over at Country Mouse-City Mouse. I love this girl and we have become fast friends. If all goes well, the picture will appear above when I get this done and if I do it right. Note to myself: Think backwards.
HONEST SCRAP AWARD
[ Honorees are to list 10 honest things about themselves-and make it interesting, even if we have to dig deep! Second, we are to pass the award on to 7 bloggers we feel embody the spirit of the Honest Scrap.]
1. I am a very insecure person and it has caused me to seek acceptance of others all of my life and
I work on this day by day.
2. Added to #1 above, I have always had a distorted and not so good self image but am learning
to see myself as God sees me, not easy but doable day by day.
3. I love people and especially children. I make friends easily and can be very comfortable in a
crowd. I know, it doesn't make sense to me either. I get lost in kids and they make my heart
soar with joy. I feel like one when I am with them. God teaches me the most about myself
when I am with kids. They always accept me as I am and I am honored to earn their trust.
4. This one is hard. If you know about me, it may make sense. I did not cry when my father
and my mother died, 21 years apart. It makes me feel dead inside to admit this here. And to
to be totally honest, I have not cried for over 10 years. My heart cries for others grief, but no
tears.
5. I am an animal lover. I have had so many cats and dogs in my lifetime. I am partial to cats
because of their fierce independence. They do what they want at all times. I have never
without at least one cat, ever. I picked up strays and brought them home. I could not keep
them but I tried.
6. When I was four years old, my mom had a box with my momma cat and her four kittens set
out for the animal shelter to pick up. I opened the box and the momma ran out. I took the
four kittens and hid with them in the shed out back in an empty refrigerator and I shut the
door. Dumb. All five of us sat in there for almost two hours while hearing my mom call for
me. When I couldn't open the door, I got scared and finally called out.
7. I can't swim, but I love to be around water. I love the sight of it, the sound of waves crashing,
the smell of the ocean salt air, I have five water fountains in my yards. Not that this matters
but I am a Pisces. So is my sister in law, both daughter in laws, my brothers second wife and
two of my girlfriends. Water, hmmm.:)
8. I am a control freak and it is so hard for me to let go and let God work in my life on me. I am
learning with each new thing that comes up that I won't win, only postpone the inevitable
that He has a better plan for me. ~sigh~ I should know by now don't you think?
9. In my married life of 40 years, I have gotten up at roughly 4:00 am to get my honey off to
work. I believe in this, for me. It is not an option to not be up with him. I may cuddle up in
my fuzzy blanket on the couch after he leaves, but I appreciate him so much for being such a
wonderful provider without complaint. He does not expect it, but I know it starts his day on
a good note.
10. Last of all, I do not "twitter" because I do not own a cell phone:) So, if anyone has invited
me to "twitter" with you and I said yes, I didn't know it required a cell phone. Does this
make me outdated? Heck, I am just getting the hang of blogging and posting pictures.
I am passing this award on to: Dawn, Karen in Apple Valley, Kristy in Oregon, Rachel Davis,
Connie, Cathy and Dee Dee.
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Another "Not" Wordless Wednesday
It has been a few days since I have been here and thought I'd better check in. Dawn asked me if I was tired from picture posting:) Good excuse, but not the case. My brain has just been on "spin cycle" for a few days. It has a mind of it's own.
I have received two awards from my sweet new friend Pam and I will get them on here soon. They require some "thought" and as soon as my brain returns, I will do them. I am not sure if I write the stuff first and then upload the award, (so that they are in the right order) so if anyone wants to enlighten me, go for it in the comments. I just don't want the award at the bottom of the post. sigh.
I have the grandkids today so I am just going to post a few prayer requests and catch up on more later this evening or tomorrow.
1. Kelli is having surgery today and needs our prayers. She is at Living in Grace and waiting for a kidney transplant. I just love this girl so much. Her situation is DIRE.
2. A baby to be born soon named Gracie. I just found out about her and she has medical issues that may be Trisomy and some other things. Prayers for her parents and for her would be such a blessing.
3. My friend Nita had surgery and is in a lot of pain and her daughter may need to have her spleen removed this weekend. They need love and prayer.
4. My girlfriend with the "Spooty Husband" continues to work through what to do about the situation. She's coming to visit next month and I want to be open to the Lord using me.
5. Continued healing for my Nieces mom who just had breast cancer surgery Monday. It went well for her and they are waiting on biopsy results to go forward with radiation and possibly chemo.
I know I am forgetting someone here but the Lord knows and He is good. Oh yeah, for me too. I need to make an appointment for my yearly mammogram and they always make me nervous until I get the results. Self confidence gets bruised when cancer has visited. I am 12 years out and still free and thankful. I just want to get this behind me.:)
Okay, I love you guys and I will be back here soon. I just can't get on here with the grandkids here, it makes me feel guilty. I would appreciate your prayers on the requests above. Blessings to you all today.
Love and Hugs, Laurie
I have received two awards from my sweet new friend Pam and I will get them on here soon. They require some "thought" and as soon as my brain returns, I will do them. I am not sure if I write the stuff first and then upload the award, (so that they are in the right order) so if anyone wants to enlighten me, go for it in the comments. I just don't want the award at the bottom of the post. sigh.
I have the grandkids today so I am just going to post a few prayer requests and catch up on more later this evening or tomorrow.
1. Kelli is having surgery today and needs our prayers. She is at Living in Grace and waiting for a kidney transplant. I just love this girl so much. Her situation is DIRE.
2. A baby to be born soon named Gracie. I just found out about her and she has medical issues that may be Trisomy and some other things. Prayers for her parents and for her would be such a blessing.
3. My friend Nita had surgery and is in a lot of pain and her daughter may need to have her spleen removed this weekend. They need love and prayer.
4. My girlfriend with the "Spooty Husband" continues to work through what to do about the situation. She's coming to visit next month and I want to be open to the Lord using me.
5. Continued healing for my Nieces mom who just had breast cancer surgery Monday. It went well for her and they are waiting on biopsy results to go forward with radiation and possibly chemo.
I know I am forgetting someone here but the Lord knows and He is good. Oh yeah, for me too. I need to make an appointment for my yearly mammogram and they always make me nervous until I get the results. Self confidence gets bruised when cancer has visited. I am 12 years out and still free and thankful. I just want to get this behind me.:)
Okay, I love you guys and I will be back here soon. I just can't get on here with the grandkids here, it makes me feel guilty. I would appreciate your prayers on the requests above. Blessings to you all today.
Love and Hugs, Laurie
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Thursday Part 3
I guess my quota on uploading is 5 pictures and I will not complain one bit!!! I'll just keep doing this until I am satisfied. More pictures, same story as Part 2.
Laurie
Thursday Part 2
I goofed and got two of the same pictures last post. One was supposed to be a view from the park so I will post it here. Other ones here are from the holidays 2007. I haven't uploaded my camera for this past holiday yet. Some of these will begin to show you my "coke addiction" and a few of them are more recent ones again. I hope you guys can hang in here with me. I am learning at your expense and will eventually get organized.
If you are new here or are just getting caught up, don't forget to scroll down for all the other pictures.
Laurie
Okay Thursday And More Pictures
Well, I feel that yesterday was a success for me and so I am going to post some more pictures today. Keep in mind that these will still be all over the place as I go back through pictures, not in order, but to give a taste of a few of us. One will be of me and my sissy at my nieces reception in the backyard garden, I am the shorter one on the right. One of Stephanie and her husband, Corky and me. One of the view from the park where the wedding was 3 blocks from here, yes that is the Pacific Ocean. And one of Corky and Stephanie. I say this all here because I have to learn how to post captions under pictures. Trust Me, I WILL LEARN. With your help of course. Let me know how in comments, I think I am a pretty quick learner for almost being 61. So, here goes again.
Love and Hugs, Laurie
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Success And A Partially Fried Brain
Okay my sweet friends, I owe you big time for all of your help here. I took bits and pieces of advice from all of you and a bit from my son at the curb this morning, and I think I am safe to say I am on my way. I love you girls, I really do. And Pam, you are welcome to come anyway, really:) I would love to meet you face to face and everyone else too. You would have to bring the kids too!
I feel like I am joining the ranks of the rest of you guys one little step at a time. Next, I need to learn how to caption with each picture so they make sense without losing everything in the process like I did today.
The kids were amazing today and in such good moods. I had so much fun with them. I hope you don't get tired of hearing about them but I love them to pieces. Thank you again for helping me through and there are plenty more to come. I am going to go put my jammies on now and keep Corky company until we both fall asleep around 8:00.
Love and Hugs, Laurie
I feel like I am joining the ranks of the rest of you guys one little step at a time. Next, I need to learn how to caption with each picture so they make sense without losing everything in the process like I did today.
The kids were amazing today and in such good moods. I had so much fun with them. I hope you don't get tired of hearing about them but I love them to pieces. Thank you again for helping me through and there are plenty more to come. I am going to go put my jammies on now and keep Corky company until we both fall asleep around 8:00.
Love and Hugs, Laurie
Trying For Four Or Five In A Row
Wow, okay. Can I tell you that I'm feelin' the photos? I am going to try and post four of five of my niece Stephanie's wedding we did here at the park and our house almost five years ago. The reception was in our backyard for 80 people, sit down dinner and very cozy. I made the wedding cake, homemade cheesecakes, and my sissy and I decorated them with fresh flowers from the garden. We did the flowers, all decorating, and cooked too. Stephanie's wedding cost her a whole $2000.00. Pretty good huh? Debt free and married:) Okay, here goes posting pictures.
Going For Three In A Row Now
I am going to try and get three up in one post. The kiddos are here but I told Isaac that I am making him famous, so he is being patient with me. Bad Gramma, I know.
More Testing
I am going to get the hang of this if it is the last thing I do before this day is out!!! This is for my benefit in learning and the pictures will be all over the place, not in order of age or anything. So, here we go again, ~sigh~
One Picture Success And Now A Standstill?
Okay, as you can see, I got one picture successfully posted. Yay for me!! So now I am trying to do a new post and add more pictures. I click on the picture icon and it doesn't go anywhere, nada. What am I doing wrong here? Do I need to start a new post to add pictures. I use Blogger and any advice is welcome. Also, when I am browsing and choosing a picture, do I have to do it one at a time or can I highlight like two or three and then add them? Remember that I am a newbee to this and really want to share with you. Thank you guys so much!
Love and Hugs, Laurie
Love and Hugs, Laurie
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Prayers Needed For Noah And Julie Roberts
Prayers are needed for these sweet parents this morning as their precious daughter, Magdalena went to be with Jesus. She is a very special little girl with Trisomy 18 who blessed her family with 167 wonderful and uncertain days. Their blog is O love that will not let me go on my blogroll. I can't imagine how their hearts are breaking right now. They need all the encouragement they can get today and in the days ahead.
Love and Hug your kids today, Laurie
Love and Hug your kids today, Laurie
I Love Mondays And Sunshine
Mondays get a bad rap for many reasons and for many people. I love them. Mom drops off Hannah between 8:30 and 9:00 in the morning before she takes Isaac to Mommy and Me preschool. I meet them at the curb to get Hannah, so that the car does not have to be turned off. Isaac always greets me with "Gramma, I won't be here this morning." I know, you have school right? "Yeah andI will be here at lunch Gramma so wait for me okay?"
This is my 3 hours uninterrupted with Hannah where I can just give her all of my attention without guilt. I love it. She used to get in a morning nap before Isaac gets here. The past two weeks have been changing as she sits in her crib singing to her animals and dolls. When I open the door, she gives me a look and lays back down, like she is going to nap. As soon as I close the door, she is right back at it. It is a waste of my alone time with her anyway so I am going to skip the morning nap and just let her take the afternoon one. I feed her lunch before her brother gets here, they play together for bit before she goes down. This gives me two hours alone time with Isaac. It works for me and I am the Boss here!
We have a third time passed down bathtub and rubber ducky sesame street toy that has been getting tired. I took it apart in the morning to see if it needed batteries. Nope, there is a music box inside. So I put it back together with the 8 screws I took out. Isaac saw the toy sitting on the counter with the SCREWDRIVER sitting next to it. Busted Gramma. He knew I had been working on it and had to ask what I did. I told him and he said "Show Me Gramma". Lunch first before work, and he jammed through his lunch in record time. For the next two hours, seriously, he removed the screws one at a time as he chanted to himself "righty-tighty, lefty-loosy until Bingo!! The insides of the mechanism revealed. His eyes lit up and we went over all the inner workings, (a ton of parts) and I thought he would be satisfied. Nope, he wants to see what's inside the inside parts. He removed another 12 to 15 screws, one at a time as he talked about how each part worked with the others. Before doing this however, we agreed that if we were going to dissect this, we were not going to worry about putting it all back together right? "Right Gramma, we are just going to see what makes it work." Okkaaayyy. Every part that would come apart, came apart. Arms, legs, ducky, Bert or Ernie, I forget who it is. Everything apart.
He even took the strike plate off that makes the music when the little nubs on the barrel hit them. I was only the Helper, he did all the work. And I was amazed to watch his little hands go to town on this so delicately. He absolutely amazes me for a 3 1/2 year old. We ooohed and aaawed over each part, springs, screws and levers, and I thought "this is it, he is satisfied. We have done well." WRONG. He now wants to put it back together. I remind him of our previous agreement. He says it will be a "challenge". WHAT?? I told him I don't remember how we took it apart, oh well. He says he remembers!!! "I'll teach you Gramma." It is about 1/4th of the way done by the time Grandpa walks in the door. Grandpa checks it out as Isaac explains it to him and he just looks at me with that twinkle in his eye and says "that's my grandson." Grandpa goes in the bedroom and takes off his boots and collects his granddaughter who is now awake and comes back into the dining room. He is working long and hard hours right now, but makes sure to get home by 3:00 on Mondays and Wednesdays to see his kiddos. I love this man. He can have the worst day at work, but when he gets home and sees these kids, the day melts away.
He usually tells Isaac to pick up and put away all his stuff before mom picks him up. The look on Isaacs face when he told him he could leave all the parts on the counter until he is back on Wednesday to keep working on it, the look was sheer Priceless!! We took the kids out on the front lawn and just let them run around and enjoy the beautiful afternoon and warm fresh air. Amos the fat cat follows Hannah everywhere and she just loves him. He makes her follow him and hides from her under the bushes. Such a good wind-down for my brain that has been entrenched in springs, screws and parts for the past two hours. And I thank God as I sit outside and watch life, our life, in the moment. My heart is full. Mom pulls up at the driveway and is so happy to see the kids. Do they notice that she is here? Yes they do, and run the other way:) They do not want the fun to end. Grandpa and I promise them that we will pick up where we left off on Wednesday and Isaac is good with that. Hannah is not and whales while mom puts her in the car. Life is good. I hope mom enjoys knowing her kids are safe at Grammas while she works, half as much as I enjoy having them here and not in daycare. Corky works hard so I can be a stay at home gramma, just as he did when I was a stay at home mom. Not everyone has the priveledge of doing this, but I am so thankful that we do. We are growing old together day by day, for as long as the Lord has planned for us. I do not take this for granted and savor every moment. Life is good and so is God.
Love and Hugs, Laurie
This is my 3 hours uninterrupted with Hannah where I can just give her all of my attention without guilt. I love it. She used to get in a morning nap before Isaac gets here. The past two weeks have been changing as she sits in her crib singing to her animals and dolls. When I open the door, she gives me a look and lays back down, like she is going to nap. As soon as I close the door, she is right back at it. It is a waste of my alone time with her anyway so I am going to skip the morning nap and just let her take the afternoon one. I feed her lunch before her brother gets here, they play together for bit before she goes down. This gives me two hours alone time with Isaac. It works for me and I am the Boss here!
We have a third time passed down bathtub and rubber ducky sesame street toy that has been getting tired. I took it apart in the morning to see if it needed batteries. Nope, there is a music box inside. So I put it back together with the 8 screws I took out. Isaac saw the toy sitting on the counter with the SCREWDRIVER sitting next to it. Busted Gramma. He knew I had been working on it and had to ask what I did. I told him and he said "Show Me Gramma". Lunch first before work, and he jammed through his lunch in record time. For the next two hours, seriously, he removed the screws one at a time as he chanted to himself "righty-tighty, lefty-loosy until Bingo!! The insides of the mechanism revealed. His eyes lit up and we went over all the inner workings, (a ton of parts) and I thought he would be satisfied. Nope, he wants to see what's inside the inside parts. He removed another 12 to 15 screws, one at a time as he talked about how each part worked with the others. Before doing this however, we agreed that if we were going to dissect this, we were not going to worry about putting it all back together right? "Right Gramma, we are just going to see what makes it work." Okkaaayyy. Every part that would come apart, came apart. Arms, legs, ducky, Bert or Ernie, I forget who it is. Everything apart.
He even took the strike plate off that makes the music when the little nubs on the barrel hit them. I was only the Helper, he did all the work. And I was amazed to watch his little hands go to town on this so delicately. He absolutely amazes me for a 3 1/2 year old. We ooohed and aaawed over each part, springs, screws and levers, and I thought "this is it, he is satisfied. We have done well." WRONG. He now wants to put it back together. I remind him of our previous agreement. He says it will be a "challenge". WHAT?? I told him I don't remember how we took it apart, oh well. He says he remembers!!! "I'll teach you Gramma." It is about 1/4th of the way done by the time Grandpa walks in the door. Grandpa checks it out as Isaac explains it to him and he just looks at me with that twinkle in his eye and says "that's my grandson." Grandpa goes in the bedroom and takes off his boots and collects his granddaughter who is now awake and comes back into the dining room. He is working long and hard hours right now, but makes sure to get home by 3:00 on Mondays and Wednesdays to see his kiddos. I love this man. He can have the worst day at work, but when he gets home and sees these kids, the day melts away.
He usually tells Isaac to pick up and put away all his stuff before mom picks him up. The look on Isaacs face when he told him he could leave all the parts on the counter until he is back on Wednesday to keep working on it, the look was sheer Priceless!! We took the kids out on the front lawn and just let them run around and enjoy the beautiful afternoon and warm fresh air. Amos the fat cat follows Hannah everywhere and she just loves him. He makes her follow him and hides from her under the bushes. Such a good wind-down for my brain that has been entrenched in springs, screws and parts for the past two hours. And I thank God as I sit outside and watch life, our life, in the moment. My heart is full. Mom pulls up at the driveway and is so happy to see the kids. Do they notice that she is here? Yes they do, and run the other way:) They do not want the fun to end. Grandpa and I promise them that we will pick up where we left off on Wednesday and Isaac is good with that. Hannah is not and whales while mom puts her in the car. Life is good. I hope mom enjoys knowing her kids are safe at Grammas while she works, half as much as I enjoy having them here and not in daycare. Corky works hard so I can be a stay at home gramma, just as he did when I was a stay at home mom. Not everyone has the priveledge of doing this, but I am so thankful that we do. We are growing old together day by day, for as long as the Lord has planned for us. I do not take this for granted and savor every moment. Life is good and so is God.
Love and Hugs, Laurie
Saturday, January 10, 2009
Growing Old Together
This should probably be more of a Valentines Day post, but it is happening now, so I will write about it now. Falling in love is easy, staying in love is a lifetime process. What lies in between will either make or break a marriage.
I truly have the most wonderful, the best and most kind-hearted husband in the world. Is he perfect? No. Neither am I. Does he make mistakes? Sure. So do I. Are we who we were when we got married 40 years ago, hmmm NO. We are better than I could ever imagine. Neither one of us has ever attended college, yet we have a Masters Degree in the School of Life. We are both 60 now and have only 17 years that we did not spend together growing up. Our love runs deep. I dislike that the term "Soul Mate" has been run into the ground and diluted. WE ARE SOUL MATES in the Lord.
My Honey Bear works harder than anyone I know. His work ethics are impeccable and he has always been this way. Right now, he has been working 6 to 7 days a week, 12 hour days to bring several jobs in by their deadlines. The company he works for is owned and run by Christians. He has earned a place of respect and high esteem and does not take it for granted. We are so blessed for this job that is going forward when the economy is going backwards. And we have more than we need. I thank God every single day for His provision.
When he got home last night he plopped himself in the chair next to mine in the office here and we just started chatting. He told me how his day went and asked me about mine. He said he had three things on his mind and they were important to his heart. He wants to take out a life insurance policy so that I am taken care of in the event of something happening to him. He wants to make a Living Will so that things are in order. He wants us to take better care of our health because he wants to "grow old together". I knew where he was coming from but could not resist telling him that this is what we have been doing for the past 43 years. He gave me "the smile" that brings the twinkle to his eyes and melts my heart. We laughed when we thought about it and asked each other where the time has gone and how did we get here. We talked about the "what lies between" falling in love and staying in love. It amazed us how we could openly talk about the "in between" times that used to cause such searing pain, and now just brings a smile to our hearts. An honest to God and forgiving smile to our hearts. Our Soul Mate smile that is born over and over again out of forgiveness and hanging in no matter what. We have learned from our mistakes and will keep learning from them as they come and go, and we know this in our hearts. We ARE growing older together and it is such a comfortable place to be.
Anyone who has read my post of 12/30/07 knows a little part of our pasts and some of the odds stacked against us. It does not work out for everyone but I am so thankful to say it has for us. If anyone asks me what it takes to keep a marriage going for 40 years and still be in love, I say that acceptance and forgiveness with the Lord in the middle is what I have learned and am still learning. There is no magic bullet and I am thankful. I wasn't thankful in going through the trials but in hind sight, I am more than thankful for the lessons learned in the 17 years before and the 43 years after. I will do my best to be thankful for the ones that are still ahead. God has always and will always be faithful to bring us through. Our marriage gets better each time we remember to not try and change eachother but to help eachother through our changes. This has been a long process but so rewarding in getting us to today. I know that someday when we get old, we will still be together:)
We have a few "road trips" we are hoping to take when these jobs are completed. We are looking forward to them and getting away for a bit. We both agree that after three or four days, we start missing the grandkids too much. So, long weekends are the plan.
So tell me, how long have/had you been married and what is/was your secret? Share it here because I really think we can learn from eachother. My sweet friends who have lost their husbands are encouraged to share too. We never know what tomorrow brings, only what we know today. We all need the wisdom shared by our "sisters".
Love and Hugs, Laurie
I truly have the most wonderful, the best and most kind-hearted husband in the world. Is he perfect? No. Neither am I. Does he make mistakes? Sure. So do I. Are we who we were when we got married 40 years ago, hmmm NO. We are better than I could ever imagine. Neither one of us has ever attended college, yet we have a Masters Degree in the School of Life. We are both 60 now and have only 17 years that we did not spend together growing up. Our love runs deep. I dislike that the term "Soul Mate" has been run into the ground and diluted. WE ARE SOUL MATES in the Lord.
My Honey Bear works harder than anyone I know. His work ethics are impeccable and he has always been this way. Right now, he has been working 6 to 7 days a week, 12 hour days to bring several jobs in by their deadlines. The company he works for is owned and run by Christians. He has earned a place of respect and high esteem and does not take it for granted. We are so blessed for this job that is going forward when the economy is going backwards. And we have more than we need. I thank God every single day for His provision.
When he got home last night he plopped himself in the chair next to mine in the office here and we just started chatting. He told me how his day went and asked me about mine. He said he had three things on his mind and they were important to his heart. He wants to take out a life insurance policy so that I am taken care of in the event of something happening to him. He wants to make a Living Will so that things are in order. He wants us to take better care of our health because he wants to "grow old together". I knew where he was coming from but could not resist telling him that this is what we have been doing for the past 43 years. He gave me "the smile" that brings the twinkle to his eyes and melts my heart. We laughed when we thought about it and asked each other where the time has gone and how did we get here. We talked about the "what lies between" falling in love and staying in love. It amazed us how we could openly talk about the "in between" times that used to cause such searing pain, and now just brings a smile to our hearts. An honest to God and forgiving smile to our hearts. Our Soul Mate smile that is born over and over again out of forgiveness and hanging in no matter what. We have learned from our mistakes and will keep learning from them as they come and go, and we know this in our hearts. We ARE growing older together and it is such a comfortable place to be.
Anyone who has read my post of 12/30/07 knows a little part of our pasts and some of the odds stacked against us. It does not work out for everyone but I am so thankful to say it has for us. If anyone asks me what it takes to keep a marriage going for 40 years and still be in love, I say that acceptance and forgiveness with the Lord in the middle is what I have learned and am still learning. There is no magic bullet and I am thankful. I wasn't thankful in going through the trials but in hind sight, I am more than thankful for the lessons learned in the 17 years before and the 43 years after. I will do my best to be thankful for the ones that are still ahead. God has always and will always be faithful to bring us through. Our marriage gets better each time we remember to not try and change eachother but to help eachother through our changes. This has been a long process but so rewarding in getting us to today. I know that someday when we get old, we will still be together:)
We have a few "road trips" we are hoping to take when these jobs are completed. We are looking forward to them and getting away for a bit. We both agree that after three or four days, we start missing the grandkids too much. So, long weekends are the plan.
So tell me, how long have/had you been married and what is/was your secret? Share it here because I really think we can learn from eachother. My sweet friends who have lost their husbands are encouraged to share too. We never know what tomorrow brings, only what we know today. We all need the wisdom shared by our "sisters".
Love and Hugs, Laurie
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
Wordless Wednesday Bummer Part 2
My girlfriend from Maryland called this morning on Skype, and we talked and talked. We talked about the holidays, about her father dying and her mother taking it horribly. We talked about the girls and how they are both excelling in college. We talked about my grandkids whom she has not yet met, we talked around the elephant in the room until she said He didn't come home for Christmas because his mom out here in California was doing so poorly with her health. She gave him the "benefit of the doubt" and said she didn't really believe him but put up a good front because she didn't want the girls to be hurt. Then...she asked if he managed to make it down to see us. WHAM!!! I was cornered at last and had to take a deep breath and quick prayer. I had to tell her the truth and it hurt to do it, and I knew I couldn't lie to her. His whole family lied to her when she called them for the holidays. No One mentioned the "girl". She's had a feeling in her heart that this has been going on over the past two years but didn't want to admit it to herself. Her youngest daughter went to visit him last spring and the "girl" was there. She thought she was the maid. My girlfriend Thanked Me for telling her the truth since no one else had the decency to be honest with her. She said she thought she was going crazy these past two years and covering for him with the girls so that they could have a good relationship with their dad. He doesn't even call or email them and yet my girlfriend has told them that he is just so busy with work to provide the nice house and college education. She said she feels so stupid, I told her she had way too much class and compassion to ever feel that way. She is a strong and wonderful lady who does not deserve to be treated this way. She said the love has been gone for the past two years but thought giving him his space would possibly bring them back together in time. She says it won't happen now, and she is glad to know the truth. Right now, I feel like the gum stuck on the bottom of someones shoe. She said she's relieved to finally know the truth. I feel like I stuck a dagger in her heart.
She kept thanking me through her tears. This sucks, and I love her and the girls, and this sucks.
She said she is going to tell the girls and it breaks her heart to hurt them. I told her that they probably have been as confused as she has been and already feel it in their hearts. They are smart and strong young ladies, like their mom. They are 18 and 22 years old, capable of making their own decisions. And they will. And they love their mom fiercly. They will be alright. Secrets are destructive and hurt worse than the truth. Don't mess with a womans heart, we have a sixth sense that God has given us that cannot be denied. For me, losing one "friend" out of four is a small price to pay if it helps her as much as I know deep down it does. It just feels so stinking rotten in my heart. I need to take a shower and wash off all the discomfort I feel for being a part of this mess. I pray I did the right thing; she did not need more lies, not from me anyway.
What a year this has been so far. I had a feeling that it would be this way and I hope the sun comes out and shines soon. It was out today but I did not feel it. Perhaps tomorrow.
Love and Hugs, Laurie
She kept thanking me through her tears. This sucks, and I love her and the girls, and this sucks.
She said she is going to tell the girls and it breaks her heart to hurt them. I told her that they probably have been as confused as she has been and already feel it in their hearts. They are smart and strong young ladies, like their mom. They are 18 and 22 years old, capable of making their own decisions. And they will. And they love their mom fiercly. They will be alright. Secrets are destructive and hurt worse than the truth. Don't mess with a womans heart, we have a sixth sense that God has given us that cannot be denied. For me, losing one "friend" out of four is a small price to pay if it helps her as much as I know deep down it does. It just feels so stinking rotten in my heart. I need to take a shower and wash off all the discomfort I feel for being a part of this mess. I pray I did the right thing; she did not need more lies, not from me anyway.
What a year this has been so far. I had a feeling that it would be this way and I hope the sun comes out and shines soon. It was out today but I did not feel it. Perhaps tomorrow.
Love and Hugs, Laurie
Not A Wordless Wednesday Today
I will post the Happy Post first. I will wait to post the other one after the grandkids go home tonight. The 50"s Diner by Step 2 I ordered online from Toys R Us arrived yesterday and Corky and I had so much fun putting it all together last night so the kids could play with it today. It is so darned cute and they absolutely love it. And they are sharing and having so much fun and I am loving watching them play with it. It is such good therapy for my heart right now. And I need it.
Two precious little boys I have been praying for on the Caringbridge website have died this week.
The first one was a two year old little guy who had been battling childhood cancer for over a year and his name is Dante. He made it through the holidays and earned his wings yesterday morning.
He was so small and the cancer was huge. The second little guy was Coleman and he just turned five in December. He battled with his cancer for over 2 1/2 years of his short life. He is a twin, and his brother Caden has been his biggest fan and most compassionate little helper. They were inseperable and I just can't imagine how hard this is hitting him. This is so close to my heart because I remember when my twin sons were little, they too had a bond that most people don't understand. I don't understand how these little ones must deal with surgeries, chemo, radiation, cat scans, and all the other mess that goes with this dreaded disease. Coleman was the most spirit filled little christian warrior I have ever met. His faith and trust in God during his battle was amazing and he was wiser than his age. He prayed the most precious prayers and never got mad at God. Jesus says we are to have this kind of faith, the faith of a little child. Boy, do I have a lot to learn still. My heart breaks for both of these families and the pain that lies ahead on this journey. They left the old year behind and face the beginning of the new year with such heartbreak. I just can't even imagine. Prayed them through the new year and will continue to for a very long time.
I feel so blessed watching my grandkids have so much fun today, and feel so guilty in my blessing as I watch these families suffer the unthinkable. So, my prediction of the new year is coming to pass, a new year from one day to the next, and continued prayers for people who enter this yeaar with broken hearts. It just does not seem fair at all. I know it is not God's fault, but it sure does suck big time.
My other post later will be about my conversation with my friend in Maryland (not Maine) who called me this morning. I knew the call was coming, and it did. See, no wordless Wednesday for me today. Hug your kids and people you love extra today, we never know what tomorrow holds.
Love and Hugs, Laurie
Two precious little boys I have been praying for on the Caringbridge website have died this week.
The first one was a two year old little guy who had been battling childhood cancer for over a year and his name is Dante. He made it through the holidays and earned his wings yesterday morning.
He was so small and the cancer was huge. The second little guy was Coleman and he just turned five in December. He battled with his cancer for over 2 1/2 years of his short life. He is a twin, and his brother Caden has been his biggest fan and most compassionate little helper. They were inseperable and I just can't imagine how hard this is hitting him. This is so close to my heart because I remember when my twin sons were little, they too had a bond that most people don't understand. I don't understand how these little ones must deal with surgeries, chemo, radiation, cat scans, and all the other mess that goes with this dreaded disease. Coleman was the most spirit filled little christian warrior I have ever met. His faith and trust in God during his battle was amazing and he was wiser than his age. He prayed the most precious prayers and never got mad at God. Jesus says we are to have this kind of faith, the faith of a little child. Boy, do I have a lot to learn still. My heart breaks for both of these families and the pain that lies ahead on this journey. They left the old year behind and face the beginning of the new year with such heartbreak. I just can't even imagine. Prayed them through the new year and will continue to for a very long time.
I feel so blessed watching my grandkids have so much fun today, and feel so guilty in my blessing as I watch these families suffer the unthinkable. So, my prediction of the new year is coming to pass, a new year from one day to the next, and continued prayers for people who enter this yeaar with broken hearts. It just does not seem fair at all. I know it is not God's fault, but it sure does suck big time.
My other post later will be about my conversation with my friend in Maryland (not Maine) who called me this morning. I knew the call was coming, and it did. See, no wordless Wednesday for me today. Hug your kids and people you love extra today, we never know what tomorrow holds.
Love and Hugs, Laurie
Friday, January 2, 2009
A New Year and Old Dust Bunnys
Nothing like the morning sun shining through the windows on a New Year to expose the dust bunnys that were born in 2008 and still remain. I'd love to say that I had a hard time letting them go, but they are a reminder of the cleaning I did not get done for the holidays. And as Isaac pointed them out to me I told him, "yeah, look at them. I am okay with them". And with his cute smile he looked at me and said" yeah gramma, we are okay with them!" And our new year started with a humble acceptance of all things not perfect:) I do plan to get rid of them this year, but without the urgency that made me procrastinate last year! It will be a treat to me when I indulge on it.
No resolutions this year to speak of. I just want to be more honest with myself and my walk, and continue to be a blessing to others if I can be. I want to be more ernest in my prayers, and honest with my heart. When I say I pray for others, it is not in a closet on bended knees, candles burning and silence. I pray (talk to the Lord) all day long as I do what I do. He is always listening and I am always chatting with Him in my mind and heart. He is quicker than the internet:) And I know He hears me. And I hear Him. We have an "Open Line" to eachother at all times and I love that. It keeps my mind from wandering to the things that might otherwise distract and "iritate me":) (USUALLY) I am working on me all the time. I don't have a religion, I have a RELATIONSHIP with the ONE who loves me unconditionally. I have no secrets with the Lord, He knows me inside and out. I am not the "Church Lady," (SNL) but I am Laurie in Ca. And He holds me accountable to myself, and to my family and to you. I just want to be the best "me" that I can be with His help. That's it!! And I want to be a blessing to you and others who find their way here.
Oh yeah, and learn how to post pictures here so I can share my crazy life of collecting and grandkiddos and animals and all things me. You all post such great pictures and I want to be able to do the same. I am not keeping it a secret here, I just don't know how to do it yet. I am amazed I got a blog up and running (by accident and fooling around), and with a bit of loving pushes from my friends.:) Any and all advice is welcome here in this department. The quicker I learn, the sooner you will see.
No resolutions this year to speak of. I just want to be more honest with myself and my walk, and continue to be a blessing to others if I can be. I want to be more ernest in my prayers, and honest with my heart. When I say I pray for others, it is not in a closet on bended knees, candles burning and silence. I pray (talk to the Lord) all day long as I do what I do. He is always listening and I am always chatting with Him in my mind and heart. He is quicker than the internet:) And I know He hears me. And I hear Him. We have an "Open Line" to eachother at all times and I love that. It keeps my mind from wandering to the things that might otherwise distract and "iritate me":) (USUALLY) I am working on me all the time. I don't have a religion, I have a RELATIONSHIP with the ONE who loves me unconditionally. I have no secrets with the Lord, He knows me inside and out. I am not the "Church Lady," (SNL) but I am Laurie in Ca. And He holds me accountable to myself, and to my family and to you. I just want to be the best "me" that I can be with His help. That's it!! And I want to be a blessing to you and others who find their way here.
Oh yeah, and learn how to post pictures here so I can share my crazy life of collecting and grandkiddos and animals and all things me. You all post such great pictures and I want to be able to do the same. I am not keeping it a secret here, I just don't know how to do it yet. I am amazed I got a blog up and running (by accident and fooling around), and with a bit of loving pushes from my friends.:) Any and all advice is welcome here in this department. The quicker I learn, the sooner you will see.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
