I hate flying. I hate knowing I am in this big hunk of metal suspended in the sky. You can talk physics all day, but I just can't believe this thing is going to stay in the air. Add turbulence and I am an absolute wreck! HOWEVER, when it means I get to see Kayla and Darby in Illinois...I am much more willing to take the chance!
We had a great visit. I arrived on Tuesday and Paul joined us for the weekend. Kayla and I had such a good time cooking, shopping, getting pedicures and talking, talking, talking. We got caught up on so much and it just felt good to be part of her everyday life for awhile. Then Paul came and we had a great weekend, too.
Darby was studying for a test and a big presentation. He was able to join us, though, for a couple of games, a little Wii Winter Sports, and a movie. He did great on his presentation (we knew he would). Darby and Kayla are both working hard in school and we are proud of both of them.
We are so blessed to have great kids and enjoy the time we get to spend with them. We are looking forward to seeing them in Texas in June and hopefully having all the kids together for a little while.
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
Saturday, April 23, 2011
Remembering Rod
He would have been 86 this month. It's hard to believe he's been gone for 3 1/2 years. He wasn't just my stepdad, he was my friend. You become friends when you spend every Wednesday together eating lunch, running errands, buying groceries and looking at tools at Harbor Freight! You become really close when you share life's struggles.
The diagnosis, colon surgery, liver surgery, lung surgery, chemo, final stages of life. It was a tough but meaningful time in our lives. We shared laughs, tears, hugs and heartaches. We celebrated victories and endured defeats. We made the most of our time together.
I watched him slip away. It was an intimate, sacred time. I will treasure it always. But I will never forget his love for life and the part of it he shared with me.
The diagnosis, colon surgery, liver surgery, lung surgery, chemo, final stages of life. It was a tough but meaningful time in our lives. We shared laughs, tears, hugs and heartaches. We celebrated victories and endured defeats. We made the most of our time together.
I watched him slip away. It was an intimate, sacred time. I will treasure it always. But I will never forget his love for life and the part of it he shared with me.
Saturday, March 12, 2011
Ski Trip -- Spring Break 2011
This was our 15th or 16th year to go on the church ski trip! In Paul's devo, he talked about various ski trip memories and it's amazing how the years have played out. One memory was of the year we decided to ski an extra day with the Gaines' and the Lamberts. It ended up to be a bitter, bitter day but Dave, Barney and Paul toughed it out! We didn't know that the next year we would be taking Debbie alone without Barney. We sure do miss him.
It was a great, but different, trip this year. It was much smaller (about 25 in all). We only had two teenagers and two elementary age children. It was still the same wonderful time of traveling together, skiing, fellowship, playing games, etc. We had two new families join the trip this year and I think they will be on board for next year!
I could actually tell a difference having done Jazzercise for the last year. I could climb the hill to the ski lodge and navigate the stairs without almost passing out. However, I am still a big chicken when it comes to skiing! I won't let myself go "fast" enough to be a decent skier. I am terrified at the thought of losing control and really don't want to fall since it takes me forever to get back up!
So....I have a few goals for next year:
1. Take a private lesson
2. Weigh at least 50 pounds less!
3. Be able to move in my ski clothes without cutting off my circulation (see #2)!
4. Maybe take along at least one of my children :-)
It was a great, but different, trip this year. It was much smaller (about 25 in all). We only had two teenagers and two elementary age children. It was still the same wonderful time of traveling together, skiing, fellowship, playing games, etc. We had two new families join the trip this year and I think they will be on board for next year!
I could actually tell a difference having done Jazzercise for the last year. I could climb the hill to the ski lodge and navigate the stairs without almost passing out. However, I am still a big chicken when it comes to skiing! I won't let myself go "fast" enough to be a decent skier. I am terrified at the thought of losing control and really don't want to fall since it takes me forever to get back up!
So....I have a few goals for next year:
1. Take a private lesson
2. Weigh at least 50 pounds less!
3. Be able to move in my ski clothes without cutting off my circulation (see #2)!
4. Maybe take along at least one of my children :-)
Monday, February 28, 2011
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
RECIPE FOR FUN
Ingredients:
9 dice
score sheets
pencils
1 bell
1 Bunko crown
women (all ages)
When I had kids at home I never seemed to have time for Bunko....just couldn't make it a priority. On the rare occasion that I did play, I thoroughly enjoyed it. I just couldn't commit to a regular group. A few months ago I had the opportunity to begin playing again with a group of women from church.
The conversation is so lively and it is fun to hear bits and pieces of conversations from other tables. Sometimes I have to catch up with someone and have them fill me in on the "rest of the story." We talk and laugh and fight over the Bunko crown (ours happens to be Dora the Explorer)!
The neat thing about "our" Bunko is that it is open to everyone. One month we may have 6...the next month we may have 16. It is all about fun and fellowship and the atmosphere is "the more, the merrier!" No cliques....no gossip....just great fun with my Christian sisters!
9 dice
score sheets
pencils
1 bell
1 Bunko crown
women (all ages)
When I had kids at home I never seemed to have time for Bunko....just couldn't make it a priority. On the rare occasion that I did play, I thoroughly enjoyed it. I just couldn't commit to a regular group. A few months ago I had the opportunity to begin playing again with a group of women from church.
The conversation is so lively and it is fun to hear bits and pieces of conversations from other tables. Sometimes I have to catch up with someone and have them fill me in on the "rest of the story." We talk and laugh and fight over the Bunko crown (ours happens to be Dora the Explorer)!
The neat thing about "our" Bunko is that it is open to everyone. One month we may have 6...the next month we may have 16. It is all about fun and fellowship and the atmosphere is "the more, the merrier!" No cliques....no gossip....just great fun with my Christian sisters!
Monday, February 21, 2011
Sing Song
We had a great weekend in Abilene. We got there about noon and went to Sharon’s BBQ with Hannah and Matt. It was wonderful to visit with them. After lunch, Hannah went to hang out with friends and Matt went back to his apartment to work on pressing homework. Paul took a nap at the hotel and I got to spend some time with my sister, Lea. I treasure any time I can get with each of my sisters.
We got to see Matt’s apartment and to my delight, it was a little better than guy clean! Matt had picked up and cleaned up (I am assuming the apartment isn’t always in the shape that I saw it!) and I was even able to use the restroom without a terrible Mom-urge to clean. I’d say I have a pretty good guy on my hands. Of course, I have a pretty good guy on my hands for lots of reasons. Sunday morning Hannah, Paul and I got to go to church with Matt and meet some of his youth parents and teenagers. You can tell they really love and appreciate Matt and that’s a great feeling!
Seeing Sing Song through Hannah’s eyes is hilarious! When watching with Hannah, it is the most exciting, expertly critiqued experience you can have. She is definitely an interactive participant in the whole evening of entertainment, especially when her dear Siggies take the stage. I am pretty sure the woman sitting next to Hannah had a unique Sing Song experience as well!
We ended the weekend with lunch at Texas Roadhouse. I love eating out with our family. We have so much fun talking and laughing and no one has to worry about preparing the meal or doing the dishes—just pure enjoyment.
The down side of the weekend? Not having Kayla and Darby with us. Anytime we are together as a family they are missed. It’s just not the same without them. So…Kayla and Darby…how about Sing Song 2012?
As usual, I come away from time with my kids with mixed feelings. There’s always a tug at my heartstrings knowing they won’t be coming home with me. I love interacting with them as adults, though, and my heart is also full of joy and pride because of the rich, meaningful lives they are living. I guess there will always be a part of me that wants to be the mommy again and a part of me that absolutely loves being Mom.
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
New Beginnings
Well, this is my first blog post ever! I love to read other blogs and have several that I follow daily. Let me tell you a little about myself. I am a 51-year old (soon to be 52!) wife and mother of three adult children: Kayla and her husband Darby, 26; Hannah, 24; and Matt, 22. I always wanted to be a stay-at-home mom and I was blessed to be able to do just that. Now I find myself with no children living at home. Paul and I enjoy the empty nest, but I am just a little lost without children under foot, their activities to be involved in, the daily excitement, etc. I volunteer a lot at church and stay busy being a homemaker, but I have to admit I feel a little aimless without kids at home.
As I said, Paul and I are enjoying our empty nest. We still have a lot of fun together and I'm very blessed we have stayed close over the 31+ years we have been married. It's not easy to nurture your marriage while raising children, but evidently we did enough along the way because we are doing great now.
I am investigating some areas of volunteer work that might use my God-given talents now that I have more time on my hands. One of them is with a Chaplaincy program. Volunteers make hospital visits to people who have specifically asked for visits. The purpose is to listen and encourage those who are suffering with illness. I think I would like this ministry very much and am anxious to hear back from the program.
Well, I feel like this has been a pretty boring post but I will try to be more creative in the future!
As I said, Paul and I are enjoying our empty nest. We still have a lot of fun together and I'm very blessed we have stayed close over the 31+ years we have been married. It's not easy to nurture your marriage while raising children, but evidently we did enough along the way because we are doing great now.
I am investigating some areas of volunteer work that might use my God-given talents now that I have more time on my hands. One of them is with a Chaplaincy program. Volunteers make hospital visits to people who have specifically asked for visits. The purpose is to listen and encourage those who are suffering with illness. I think I would like this ministry very much and am anxious to hear back from the program.
Well, I feel like this has been a pretty boring post but I will try to be more creative in the future!
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