Patience

Be patient...

The other day my husband and I were talking about the times in our past that were'nt so easy. Being parents, struggling financially, and other stresses can weigh down on a marriage. But Tom said to me, "our relationship now is our reward for sticking it out". Yeah! He gets it! And so do I. I just hope that all of those in my life who are struggling with the every day struggles will be patient, and as my sister always says, "and this too shall pass". I have learned that if we don't struggle, then we won't continue to grow.

Our Greatest Failure

We just had an election, and boy are things crazy around here!  It seems like there are millions of people divided in two. It makes me so sad. We have the conservatives and the liberals, the democrates and the republicans, which isn't new, but what confuses me is the Christian Right and the Christian Left. My iPad even knew to capitalize the "Right" and "Left". It's a thing. I understand that people have their spin on the Bible, but how can we be either literal or non-literal?  I'm naive I guess, I just don't get it. To me, we're not smart enough to pick out what's literal and not literal. Sure, there are parables, we know the difference. Also, for those that can't be literal because some things are just too hard to believe, i.e. Parting of the Red Sea, Noah and the ark or Jonah and the whale, well I say, isn't Jesus coming to earth from heaven, dying and rising again, plus the fact that we exists and so does everything else we see around us, aren't these things "hard to believe" for our wee minds?  FAITH.

Anyways, I digress. Abortion, how can any "Christian" be pro-abortion?  I get not telling people they can't do this or that, but to a baby!?!  I truly don't understand. Or maybe I kinda do. Rebellion, anger, sin. People say, "well, I personally would never have one, but...". Cop out!  I remember when I had to explain to my son, Jon, what abortion was. We were driving down Bouquet Cyn.  He was about 9 or 10, and he asked me what it was. I remember the shame I felt, as a mother,  just explaining it to him. It was like saying "our kids are really not that important to us". Even telling him that I would NEVER do that, I still felt the shame. Like all of motherhood let him down.

I've been thinking lately that I would like to ask my "pro-abortion" friends and family, "what if you knew that a baby felt the pain of abortion, would you still be pro-abortion?"  But I'm afraid to ask. If they said they would still maintain their position, then I don't think I could be their friend. And I'm afraid they may be too proud to change their position based on this question.

Trust me, I know people who have had abortions. People I love dearly, and they all regret it, deeply. When is our world going to open their eyes?  This is not to say that I have a handle on all of life's problems, but this one, I do.

Yesterday, March 5, 2009, was a glorious day. While it was sad to say goodbye to my lovely mother, knowing where she was brought so much peace and joy to my heart and the hearts of many of her loved ones.

Today as I walked past her picture on my wall I couldn't help but stop and tell her how much I hoped I would be like her, knowing it was for me that I did this. After Jesus, she is my hero. All of the testimonies spoken of her at her memorial service was true and fitting. She was the Proverbs 31 woman and I desire to live up to her legacy. Obviously she wasn't perfect, but as close as one could be in this world.

My mother had 6 children who gave her 19 grandchildren who gave her (to this point in time) 49 great grandchildren and 5 great-great grandchildren. So many of them were in attendance at her graveside and memorial. What a blessing and tribute to a wonderful woman. She was loved by many.

The posting is a picture of the grandchildren, great grandchildren and great-great grandchildren that were present. Only a few could not attend.

I will miss my mother, yet would never want her back as I know she is at peace and living the life that we all, hopefully, will aspire to. I can only imagine her eternal life right now and I have so much joy in knowing she is with the Lord. Better by far!

Precious Moments

It was a great morning...I had some of my favorite women to share a cup of Joe and muffins with! Brenda is a gracious hostess and has become one of the girls, along with Tamara! I am so blessed that those who are added to our numbers (by marriage) are such a wonderful addition to our clan. What a gift it is to be able to share these days together. I don't know if others in the family realize this but we are so fortunate to be able to be together! Most of us don't work and can be there to encourage, assist and enjoy one another. WOW! I believe that God "puts" us together and we need to be thankful for the gift we have in each other.

Here are some pictures of our morning at Brenda and Tom's house.

Exhausting, yet rewarding!

After having lunch at "Chipotle" with Tom today before he had to leave for work I picked up 3 of my grandkids...Gage, Kaden and Camryn. The 4 of us went to Kelly's and played in Avery's playroom for a while. A 7 year old, 5 year old, 3 year old, and two 1 year olds with 2 pushover adults in a small room is "exhausting, yet rewarding!" How blessed I am to have all of my kids and grandkids so close. It was fun to watch Camryn and Colton interact with each other. You can already see who is going to wear the pants in the relationship! Later Kaden, Camryn and Jonny and I had dinner together. I am so spoiled to have 2 meals out in one day. Better start my diet tomorrow!

A Great Day with Loved Ones!

Today Katie, Tom, Bonnie, Debbie, Dave and I took my mother to visit her sister Betty and Betty's husband John. They are a dear couple and wonderful aunt and uncle to us kids. Oh, I guess we aren't kids anymore. Mom was very weak and confused, but I know that just having her there made Betty very happy. It must be difficult knowing that this may be the last time they are together and saying goodbye each visit must be hard. Knowing the uncertainty of life I suppose we should always think this way so as to appreciate our time together. It was also good to have cousin Bob there too. I can see he cares for his parents very well. Mom is in the later stages of Alzheimer's decease, but our Lord has blessed her through this. She has had what some call "pleasant demensia". The posted pictures are from about a year or so ago.

My big "love bunnies"

Being a mother is a great gift (and sometimes joke). God knew how to teach us women and that is through our mothering. I am fortunate to have 3 lovely children who bring me great joy.

Jesse is the busy one. Father of 4, he is either working, camping, watching kids or making improvements on his house. I am proud of the man he is becomming. I think he would agree with the statement, "kids can humble us and bring us great joy all in the same moment", right Jess? I think Kelly, Pat and Tamara would agree with that statement too. Jon will just have to find out.

Kelly is a caretaker. She is kind hearted and has decided that that is one of the most important qualities she hopes to see in her kids. I already see it. She is always thinking of others and has a tender heart towards old people and animals.

Jon is tenderhearted. I hope he doesn't mind me saying that. He is insightfull and is a great uncle. The kids always love when Jonny shows up. He is also very talented in cooking, and art.

I love being a mother. I have learned a lot from my children and I know I will continue to learn. I believe that they are just on loan to me while on this earth. I hope I have done well with God's children. Tom and I must have done something right cuz just look at them!