Paul and I just got back from a car trip to Colorado. About half the way there I said, "Whose idea was it to drive?" (Mine) Actually, we had a good time coming and going and having plenty of time to catch up, solve the world's problems, etc!
The purpose for the trip was to attend a good friend's wedding (Tommy Johnson and Emily Jorgensen for those who might know them). The wedding was as sweet as could be...a real testament to their Christian lives. Tears filled my eyes the entire time watching my "Little Tommy" taking his vows to be a wonderful mate for Emily. It seems like just yesterday he was just a little bitty kid at church. Our family has been so blessed to know Tommy and his family almost his entire life.
The great bonus to the trip was getting to stay with my sister, Kay, and her husband, Gary. We had a wonderful time visiting and just hanging out. We got to see Gary's most recent play, Wizard of Oz, which was a real treat.
Another bonus was the beautiful weather. Granted it did get into the 90s during the day, but that is nothing compared to our heat wave. Also, it was so pleasant in the mornings and evenings. On the way home we went from 57 degrees in Trinidad to 106 degrees in Waco! We definitely enjoyed the break from the extreme heat.
It was a great trip and we are blessed to have the time to go places and do things that bring us so much joy.
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Saturday, July 30, 2011
A Camping We Will Go, A Camping We Will Go....
I didn't think I would be going back to camp at 52. When Hannah asked Judy and me to go to ACU Camp as group leaders, our first response was "aren't we too old and out of shape?" Of course, Hannah assured us we were neither and we naively believed her!
Actually, we found we weren't too horribly old and out of shape (for camp, that is). Although I think our plan for next year (if we go), is to be thinner and in better shape, we did just fine this year. I'm actually proud of us. We were able to keep up reasonably well with 24-year old Hannah and definitely functioned better on less sleep.
The week was wonderful! It wasn't perfect but it was great. Our little "color group" (consisting of 17 sixth graders) started off a bit quiet and timid, but by the end of the week most of them had come out of their shells. Meal times seemed to be a great opportunity to get to know the kids. We were able to interact with them in a more relaxed atmosphere and that helped in our classroom time.
My favorite part of the week was the blessing time on Thursday night. The group leaders write an individual blessing to each of the kids in their color group. We included a scripture for each child that we had chosen especially for him or her. Then one by one we read their blessings to them. The kids seemed to enjoy hearing words of praise and encouragement. We spray-painted little wooden boxes gold (treasure boxes) and put a "gold" one dollar coin in each to remind them that they are "God's Special Treasure." It was a blessing for us as much as for them.
At the first of the week I might have told you I wouldn't be going back. I was definitely out of my comfort zone working with kids older than I am used to teaching. However, by the end of the week I was hooked and was already thinking of ideas to incorporate next year! It's kind of one of those things where one year is just enough to really understand what it's all about and the second year would be building on that knowledge.
So, I guess I'm proof that a 52-year old CAN go back to camp!
Actually, we found we weren't too horribly old and out of shape (for camp, that is). Although I think our plan for next year (if we go), is to be thinner and in better shape, we did just fine this year. I'm actually proud of us. We were able to keep up reasonably well with 24-year old Hannah and definitely functioned better on less sleep.
The week was wonderful! It wasn't perfect but it was great. Our little "color group" (consisting of 17 sixth graders) started off a bit quiet and timid, but by the end of the week most of them had come out of their shells. Meal times seemed to be a great opportunity to get to know the kids. We were able to interact with them in a more relaxed atmosphere and that helped in our classroom time.
My favorite part of the week was the blessing time on Thursday night. The group leaders write an individual blessing to each of the kids in their color group. We included a scripture for each child that we had chosen especially for him or her. Then one by one we read their blessings to them. The kids seemed to enjoy hearing words of praise and encouragement. We spray-painted little wooden boxes gold (treasure boxes) and put a "gold" one dollar coin in each to remind them that they are "God's Special Treasure." It was a blessing for us as much as for them.
At the first of the week I might have told you I wouldn't be going back. I was definitely out of my comfort zone working with kids older than I am used to teaching. However, by the end of the week I was hooked and was already thinking of ideas to incorporate next year! It's kind of one of those things where one year is just enough to really understand what it's all about and the second year would be building on that knowledge.
So, I guess I'm proof that a 52-year old CAN go back to camp!
Friday, June 24, 2011
KAYLA AND DARBY VISIT--JUNE 2011
We had a wonderful visit with Kayla and Darby when they came to Texas recently. We talked, played games, celebrated birthdays, got pedicures (okay, not Darby), ate out, etc. Hannah was here for several days and Matt was able to leave his job and come up for an evening. We enjoyed having all four "kids" home. One of the highlights for me was watching them play Just Dance on the Wii. I laughed so hard as they tried to mimic the moves on the screen (see pictures below).
Although it was sad to take Kayla and Darby to the airport to return to Illinois, we had a great day on the way. We left about 10:00 in the morning and stopped by Fort Worth to see Clint and Whitney and their newborn son, Finn. He was a precious little boy who cooperated fully being passed around and loved on! Whitney and Clint seem to be doing well and we enjoyed visiting with them and catching up on their lives.
After a quick lunch at McDonald's (you can tell I'm a big spender), we were off to the next baby! We went to my niece's house to see baby Samuel. With a 4 1/2 day old baby, Amy and Matthew were still very sleep-deprived. Little red-headed Samuel is absolutely precious but seems to prefer sleeping during the day and crying at night! I held him and loved on him and gave him great-aunt to great-nephew advice on how things were going to work. I'm sure he gave Amy and Matthew a great night's rest after our little conversation! Matthew and Amy are going to be great parents and I look forward to watching Samuel grow up.
Finally I couldn't put it off any longer and I dropped Kayla and Darby at the airport. We said our goodbyes and I didn't even have time to cry before I was caught up in the Dallas traffic. It was a wonderful trip, as always. We are so blessed to get to see them every few months and to have wonderful in-laws who share them with us so freely.
Next on my agenda is a visit from my sister, Kay, from Colorado on July 6. Can hardly wait!
After a quick lunch at McDonald's (you can tell I'm a big spender), we were off to the next baby! We went to my niece's house to see baby Samuel. With a 4 1/2 day old baby, Amy and Matthew were still very sleep-deprived. Little red-headed Samuel is absolutely precious but seems to prefer sleeping during the day and crying at night! I held him and loved on him and gave him great-aunt to great-nephew advice on how things were going to work. I'm sure he gave Amy and Matthew a great night's rest after our little conversation! Matthew and Amy are going to be great parents and I look forward to watching Samuel grow up.
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| Little Samuel |
Next on my agenda is a visit from my sister, Kay, from Colorado on July 6. Can hardly wait!
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
Mother's Day/Birthday--May 8
It was a great weekend! Hannah and Matt came into town to celebrate my birthday and Mother's Day, which happened to fall on the same day this year. We had a great time visiting and playing games. I had just seen Kayla and Darby a couple of weeks ago and we celebrated my birthday and Mother's Day when we were together. So...I felt very loved and very special. My cards from the kids were wonderful, especially the hand-written sentiments on them and Kayla's handmade cards.
As always, Paul made sure my birthday and Mother's Day were special. He took us all out to eat (which is always fun) and made sure I didn't lift a finger (except when I insisted). Paul gave me a camera to replace the one I left in Belize so I'm excited about that!
Matt, Hannah and I (and to an extent Paul), got hooked on the Monopoly Card Game. We played many hands of it and had fun turning against one another and ganging up on anyone doing well! We love playing games together, visiting and acting silly while we do. It's great family time.
Sunday afternoon, of course, Hannah had to head back to Dallas and Matt to Abilene. It always leaves a little lump in my throat to see them go. I am so blessed that Kayla, Darby, Hannah and Matt all make special time for me!
As always, Paul made sure my birthday and Mother's Day were special. He took us all out to eat (which is always fun) and made sure I didn't lift a finger (except when I insisted). Paul gave me a camera to replace the one I left in Belize so I'm excited about that!
Matt, Hannah and I (and to an extent Paul), got hooked on the Monopoly Card Game. We played many hands of it and had fun turning against one another and ganging up on anyone doing well! We love playing games together, visiting and acting silly while we do. It's great family time.
Sunday afternoon, of course, Hannah had to head back to Dallas and Matt to Abilene. It always leaves a little lump in my throat to see them go. I am so blessed that Kayla, Darby, Hannah and Matt all make special time for me!
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
Our Trip to Illinois
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.
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.
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 :-)
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