The days that pass....

Yesterday, Erin and I were talking, and in the background Liz was playing. Sweet little sounds of music, banging, laughing and a few whimpers filled the air as our conversation continued. Erin was telling me all the things that Liz has begun to do in the 2 months since I saw her last, and it made me even more anxious to get to Houston this weekend. I think the thing I am most in a hurry about is, I want Liz to KNOW me; to recognize my voice and anticipate my coming to see her - I want to be real to her, not someone who shows up once a month ( or longer!) that could be just anyone. I am ready to be her NANA. Hopefully, with the frequency of visits in the upcoming weeks, she will begin to put it together. I know it will happen soon, but I am impatient.... come on, Friday!!!

Rain, rain, and more rain!!

My God can really answer prayers!! After many months of dryness and absolutely horrid heat, He came through and has blessed us with the most beautiful rain showers and cool temperatures! It has been such a beautiful sight to see it fall, and to feel the refreshing air when the opportunity comes to be outside - hopefully the cycle will continue for a while, but if it doesn't, we will take what is given to us.

Thank you, Father, for hearing us and sending us such relief! You truly bless us!!

The weekend that wasn't

This past weekend was a bust. I had a dentist appointment on Friday afternoon, so that means I was "drugged" all evening. I'm getting better; it's taking less of the happy pill to get me in the chair, but I still have my moments of anxiety. Drat that Dr. Byrom of my youth!!

Andy did a great job on the yard on his birthday. Problem is, by Saturday, he was really stiff and sore, so we didn't go out to eat like we planned. Fallback plan; supreme pizza with extra cheese from Pizza Hut. That, plus Reba dvds made the day do-able.

Yesterday, he was still stiff and sore, so he stayed home from worship. We had delicious left-over chicken for lunch and then stayed in. He finally let me rub him with Theragesic and use the vibrator on his back, so he is much better today.

It's no fun to have him down; I miss the corny jokes and playful picking on me that he does when he feels good. I'm waiting to have that back asap!!

Hope your weekend was better!!

Andrew

Today is my husband's birthday. He is 55; for a few months a year older than I. Last night, we joined the Jr./Sr. High School class at church to "share our story." He let me go first, we shared about finding each other all those years ago, and how being with a Christian mate makes life and faith so much stronger. He talked about having God in his life - being his life.

So, today, on this anniversary of his birth all those years ago, I look back a little, to the fun and adversity we have faced, but mostly I look to the future. What does it hold for us in these next years? Will Pleasanton remain our home in our "retirement" - will retirement come in time to truly enjoy it? Will our home be filled with lots of little ones to pass on the stories to?

Whatever we face, as long as Andy is there, I'll be fine. He is my stability and my future.

Happy Day, Andrew!!

A week gone by!

It's hard to believe it's almost been a week since I last posted! Lots of busy days, and now, my latest addiction - Farm games on Facebook!! It just seems not to enter my mind to post here, but I want to continue this so I'd better get busy!

The highlight of the week was RAIN! Praise God - we've had showers pretty much since Wed., some with wonderful, loud thunder! Over 2 inches, which doesn't seem like much, but we will take it and be greatful! This morning, I looked out during breakfast, and my wisteria is breaking out in new growth!! Amazing...

___________

Yesterday in Bible Class, a woman was talking about the urgency of time in our lives. The discussion had been along the lines of patience, and most of us had stated that being more patient is a benefit (one of the few!) of growing older. The perspectives shift, and what used to "hurry us up" just doesn't matter now. She is a little younger than me; her sons are still at home, and she told us how she is always encouraging them to make the most of today. Now, I don't think we should waste days, but this lady is over the top! She toldus that she has "less than 1500 days" until her sons leave for college. Now, that pretty much got everyone's attention - I think several of us were feeling pretty bad for the boys at that point!

So, as I close this post, I think about Liz and Bladen; I hope to enjoy each day - moment - I have with them and think of this poem that was popular when my babies were babies:

Cleaning and dusting can wait till tomorrow,
For babies grow up, we've learned to our sorrow.
So fly away cobwebs, dust go to sleep!
My baby's a baby, and babies don't keep!!

I know a precious girl....

I know a precious young woman who is struggling right now. She is full of life and talent and has a loving, caring heart. Her home is full of little children who give her such pleasure and love, and she is learning to express herself beautifully through the art of photography. She has a full life ahead of her, and lots of people who love her.

Right now, things are rough. She is working very hard to straighten things out, and correct mistakes she has made. It may take a while, but I feel sure she will pull out of it. All of us fall to the depths of sorrow and regret that she is in right now, and we know where she is coming from. The hardest part will be forgiving herself - and accepting that Her Father has forgotten whatever she has asked. She will never be the same, but her life - it can be better than ever.

I'm pulling for her that all will be well soon -

There comes a time....

It's a parent's reflex to want to protect your child. I am/was no different as a Mother - when Dana and Erin were exposed to something or someone that I saw as a threat, I jumped right in there to take care of them. Those instincts don't go away even when your baby girl has a baby girl, or is in the 7th year of teaching. You want them to only see pretty things, or know nice people, or so on.

Andy and I have always felt like you need to let children live their lives and face their challenges on their own in order to grow into well-balanced adults. So far, so good.

Now, I'm having some issues with the parents of today. Our school district, like those evidently all over the nation, is being inundated with calls from parents not wanting their child to hear the President's address to school children on Tuesday. All the big heads got together and decided not to show the speech live, but to tape it for parents to watch with their children later if they choose. The big threat to damage the all-important Average Daily Attendance by parents keeping their children home that day was the deciding factor, or so I suppose.

Now, I am NOT an Obama fan. I was not a Clinton fan, a Nixon fan, or even always a Bush fan. But I would not keep the girls home from school to prevent them from hearing what the President of the United States said in a speech to school-aged children. As the girls grew, we would make them sit and watch the speeches with us, and discuss the content of the talk afterwards. I know that this is different in that it is during school when parents cannot likely be with their child, but this just doesn't feel "right" to me - what is it that we are teaching theses kids? Is this man truely going to say things to indoctrinate a bunch of kids that blatantly? I find that really hard to believe, but maybe I just don't want to believe it.

Tuesday will tell. Right now, I'm giving him the benefit of a doubt. If he blows it, I'll come back here and apologize to you all. I really, really hope I'm wrong. Really.

Rolling with the punches

No matter how organized the beginning of school looks on paper, there are always glitches. Those who are homeroom pretty much get priority, because - well, they have the hardest job. The kids show the first day, and they are needing routine, so those of us who are "support staff" line up for our wishes.

Since I'm in two different rooms at Elem., that means I need two stations. No biggie; except when you need furniture swapped out and arranged. Luckily, the custodial staff likes me, and two weeks into it, I'm set and ready to go. Now, if the old dinosaur computers hold up, I'm good!!

Hope your day is going as well....