16.12.09

Thinking of Hairy Armpits and Toys

My five year old drew this today. I couldn't hold back my burst of laughter when he added with his pen and his words, "Here's my hairy armpits." Yep, and that's a thought bubble colored in with so many full thoughts of his toys.  Should I be worried yet?


Thinking of Hairy Armpits and Toys

My five year old drew this today. I couldn't hold back my burst of laughter when he added with his pen and his words, "Here's my hairy armpits." Yep, and that's a thought bubble colored in with so many full thoughts of his toys.  Should I be worried yet?


30.11.09

A letter (or two, or three) from my baby...Please don't grow up too fast.



Dear Mommy,
I will be sad when I'm a grown up. I'm going to have to go to my new house and I want to be happy with my new family but I will miss you. I'll be excited and when I'm excited I have to drive my new car so you'll have to have your own car and you won't be able to see me. So I'll be sad and you'll be sad. Don't worry.

So Mommy,
I will come back to you, and when I come home you'll see me have a very big smile. Then I'll come back and love my mommy with all my heart and I'll love my daddy and my mommy forever.
Love,
Nicholas

Dear Mommy and Dad,
I'm sorry I'm gonna move. I will be too excited and I will never see you again until I come back home. ANd so when I come back I will have so much fun with you guys.

I'm going to go somewhere and I'm never going to see you again.  I'll cry. Then I will come back home with you guys and when I do I'll spend a lot of time with you and I will  have a big smile on my face.

Mom and Dad, I love you with all of my heart...Mitchel, Lambeau, Willy. The end.

A letter (or two, or three) from my baby...Please don't grow up too fast.



Dear Mommy,
I will be sad when I'm a grown up. I'm going to have to go to my new house and I want to be happy with my new family but I will miss you. I'll be excited and when I'm excited I have to drive my new car so you'll have to have your own car and you won't be able to see me. So I'll be sad and you'll be sad. Don't worry.

So Mommy,
I will come back to you, and when I come home you'll see me have a very big smile. Then I'll come back and love my mommy with all my heart and I'll love my daddy and my mommy forever.
Love,
Nicholas

Dear Mommy and Dad,
I'm sorry I'm gonna move. I will be too excited and I will never see you again until I come back home. ANd so when I come back I will have so much fun with you guys.

I'm going to go somewhere and I'm never going to see you again.  I'll cry. Then I will come back home with you guys and when I do I'll spend a lot of time with you and I will  have a big smile on my face.

Mom and Dad, I love you with all of my heart...Mitchel, Lambeau, Willy. The end.

24.11.09

Thankful for Grandparents: Mine and Theirs!





Grandparents-
Laps for holding that never grow tired,
Hands for helping whatever your need,
Arms for hugging tighter and tighter,
Legs for following-anywhere you go.
Voices for reading your favorite stories once again.
Homes for crowding whenever you can,
Hearts that hold a special everlasting and           unconditional love!
                                                         ~TJH 11-14-2009





Thankful for Grandparents: Mine and Theirs!





Grandparents-
Laps for holding that never grow tired,
Hands for helping whatever your need,
Arms for hugging tighter and tighter,
Legs for following-anywhere you go.
Voices for reading your favorite stories once again.
Homes for crowding whenever you can,
Hearts that hold a special everlasting and           unconditional love!
                                                         ~TJH 11-14-2009





16.11.09

Not the power of a praying wife, but the power of Obedience to God and answered prayer.


The boys and I met Daddy for lunch down by his work (no small trek-60 miles). Everyone was excited for this is a rare but fun event. After filling up at Olive Garden, I wanted to do a bit of outlet shopping so the breadwinner had to head back to work. In the middle of trying on shoes for the little guy, I was urged to the bathroom. As I scurried down the barren hallway my heart began to think about my husband's return to work and how horrible it would be to have interrupted his day for lunch with the family and to get in an accident on the way back. The Lord was urging me to pray. Pray I did. I asked the Lord to keep him safe from injury and harm and thanked Him for a good time together that afternoon. Getting back into the car I paused to answer my phone.
"Hello?"
"I just want you to know I'm ok."
Then I knew something was wrong...and was about to find out just how much was right. Honey had been heading westbound on a two lane highway separated by a tree filled gulf when a car-carrier tractor trailer  bolted out of control and tore through that median. Crunching into the guard rail set off a cannon of debri and the Jeep was its target. Bulls-eye!
The state police officer could not understand how that metal pole held back a multi-ton vehicle.  Obedience.
Very unusual for this normally busy interstate, there was only one other car traveling west in tandem and the Marine driver considered it his civic duty to pull over and give an account of the accident to the police officer. Troy was able to talk at length to this man. Seems that he is not a believer but his wife is and she's been praying and loving him as they walk life's path. Today's path make it clear that someone was holding back that tractor trailer, because a single pole could not. Mr. Marine's rightful act allowed him to see God's protection up close.
Power.
No windows were broken. No blood was spilled. No tires were mangled.  Nobody was hurt.
Answered Prayer.

Not the power of a praying wife, but the power of Obedience to God and of 
answered prayer.  Thank you, Lord.

Not the power of a praying wife, but the power of Obedience to God and answered prayer.


The boys and I met Daddy for lunch down by his work (no small trek-60 miles). Everyone was excited for this is a rare but fun event. After filling up at Olive Garden, I wanted to do a bit of outlet shopping so the breadwinner had to head back to work. In the middle of trying on shoes for the little guy, I was urged to the bathroom. As I scurried down the barren hallway my heart began to think about my husband's return to work and how horrible it would be to have interrupted his day for lunch with the family and to get in an accident on the way back. The Lord was urging me to pray. Pray I did. I asked the Lord to keep him safe from injury and harm and thanked Him for a good time together that afternoon. Getting back into the car I paused to answer my phone.
"Hello?"
"I just want you to know I'm ok."
Then I knew something was wrong...and was about to find out just how much was right. Honey had been heading westbound on a two lane highway separated by a tree filled gulf when a car-carrier tractor trailer  bolted out of control and tore through that median. Crunching into the guard rail set off a cannon of debri and the Jeep was its target. Bulls-eye!
The state police officer could not understand how that metal pole held back a multi-ton vehicle.  Obedience.
Very unusual for this normally busy interstate, there was only one other car traveling west in tandem and the Marine driver considered it his civic duty to pull over and give an account of the accident to the police officer. Troy was able to talk at length to this man. Seems that he is not a believer but his wife is and she's been praying and loving him as they walk life's path. Today's path make it clear that someone was holding back that tractor trailer, because a single pole could not. Mr. Marine's rightful act allowed him to see God's protection up close.
Power.
No windows were broken. No blood was spilled. No tires were mangled.  Nobody was hurt.
Answered Prayer.

Not the power of a praying wife, but the power of Obedience to God and of 
answered prayer.  Thank you, Lord.

3.11.09

A friend loveth at all times. I'm so thankful for my friends.

The Lord has blessed me throughout my life in the realm of friendship.  I am privileged to have some of the worlds' most wonderful people as my friends. At Mom and Dad's surprise party, two of my best friends were able to come celebrate with us as well as my cousin who I count as one of my precious friends too. Here we are-way too many years pass between our visits and yet we pick up as if just yesterday we'd had lunch together. I miss and love you girls!








A friend loveth at all times. I'm so thankful for my friends.

The Lord has blessed me throughout my life in the realm of friendship.  I am privileged to have some of the worlds' most wonderful people as my friends. At Mom and Dad's surprise party, two of my best friends were able to come celebrate with us as well as my cousin who I count as one of my precious friends too. Here we are-way too many years pass between our visits and yet we pick up as if just yesterday we'd had lunch together. I miss and love you girls!








26.10.09

A GOLDEN FAIRY TALE

 A GOLDEN FAIRY TALE
10/31/1959 ~ 10/31/2009



Once upon a time, so the fairy tale goes-
Started just about fifty years ago.


No tiara or crowns as the story unfolds
Just young love, two hearts and rings of gold.


The bride and groom became husband and wife,
Together they couldn’t wait to start their new life.


The castle was small and the prince worked a lot,
but to wait on having babies? They simply would not.


Now mother and father: their first born son had arrived,
That very moment the princess’ heart doubled in size.






And that was the start of the next twenty years,
Five sons and a daughter they would both hold so dear.


Many friends they would meet and invite to their homes-
No matter where in the country they’d roam.


So loving and generous straight from their hearts,
Any stranger met was a friend from the start.


Royal food from the kitchen was prepared in delight,
For the princess loved cooking, baking and serving it right.






Some dragons were slain all through the years; bringing sadness and heartache and too many tears.

But the prince and the princess showed themselves true, 

To their faith and the Lord and all the things that they knew.




Called to be servants, but heirs to the King,
God’s blessings upon them-His praises they sing.


Days turned to years and the castle was bare
They had no idea how they found themselves there.


Their dear little babies now grown on their own,
Brought the greatest of blessings they ever had known.


When voices call out these names, they sure stop:
Nanna and Pappa or Grandma and Pop.


All the inhabitants of the kingdom ~far and near,
Are so thankful for their presence here.


Happy 50th Anniversary; may the best be yet to come,
We love you and thank you for who you are and all you have done. 


Now we all know that fairy tales never end: 
So~Happily ever after!
(on that we depend)

  ~TJH~
10-22-09

A GOLDEN FAIRY TALE

 A GOLDEN FAIRY TALE
10/31/1959 ~ 10/31/2009



Once upon a time, so the fairy tale goes-
Started just about fifty years ago.


No tiara or crowns as the story unfolds
Just young love, two hearts and rings of gold.


The bride and groom became husband and wife,
Together they couldn’t wait to start their new life.


The castle was small and the prince worked a lot,
but to wait on having babies? They simply would not.


Now mother and father: their first born son had arrived,
That very moment the princess’ heart doubled in size.






And that was the start of the next twenty years,
Five sons and a daughter they would both hold so dear.


Many friends they would meet and invite to their homes-
No matter where in the country they’d roam.


So loving and generous straight from their hearts,
Any stranger met was a friend from the start.


Royal food from the kitchen was prepared in delight,
For the princess loved cooking, baking and serving it right.






Some dragons were slain all through the years; bringing sadness and heartache and too many tears.

But the prince and the princess showed themselves true, 

To their faith and the Lord and all the things that they knew.




Called to be servants, but heirs to the King,
God’s blessings upon them-His praises they sing.


Days turned to years and the castle was bare
They had no idea how they found themselves there.


Their dear little babies now grown on their own,
Brought the greatest of blessings they ever had known.


When voices call out these names, they sure stop:
Nanna and Pappa or Grandma and Pop.


All the inhabitants of the kingdom ~far and near,
Are so thankful for their presence here.


Happy 50th Anniversary; may the best be yet to come,
We love you and thank you for who you are and all you have done. 


Now we all know that fairy tales never end: 
So~Happily ever after!
(on that we depend)

  ~TJH~
10-22-09

28.9.09

Go Rest High on that Mountain


Autumn. With every leaf that dances from its branch to the ground below, I see God waving to me. If spring signals new birth, does that make fall a season of impending death? Why then would I look forward to all it has to offer: autumnal hues filling the horizon, cooler days, crisp nights, warm fires, simmering stews and pumpkin spice candles filling the room with pleasant aroma. No hints of doom. And here I sit waiting for the phone to ring with news of my mother in law's drawing nearer death. I've always wondered how God's goodness causes an unspoken request for a child to wish his or her parent absent from this world. At times, the thought seems  severe and inconceivable but right now it only seems gracious. And necessary.  Not my choice, as my brother would remind me, but life is over for her though her body waits in rest before the doctors can call time. Absent from the body and present with the Lord. I've heard it and I've read it. So tonight I read it some more. I know the Lord waits for us to be in His presence and for an eternity. After attending many funerals, I assuredly realize that the body is void of any life.   Often it's void of any semblance of ever living because the missing spirit leaves such a deep emptiness behind. However, I am not too convinced that though no death decree has been made, our loved ones haven't been ushered into heaven already.  Heart still beating, yet filled will the joy of angels singing. For us the symphony falls only on deaf ears as we anticipate our loved one's passing.  This earthly life is sure to break our hearts,  but our journey ends (and begins) in the Promised Land...all hurting then abandoned.

 Go rest high on that mountain, Ma-we'll see you there.

John 13:36
Simon Peter said to Him, 
"Lord, where are You going?" 
Jesus answered,
 "Where I go, you cannot follow Me now; but you will follow later."
 12/31/1915-9/29/2009

Go Rest High on that Mountain


Autumn. With every leaf that dances from its branch to the ground below, I see God waving to me. If spring signals new birth, does that make fall a season of impending death? Why then would I look forward to all it has to offer: autumnal hues filling the horizon, cooler days, crisp nights, warm fires, simmering stews and pumpkin spice candles filling the room with pleasant aroma. No hints of doom. And here I sit waiting for the phone to ring with news of my mother in law's drawing nearer death. I've always wondered how God's goodness causes an unspoken request for a child to wish his or her parent absent from this world. At times, the thought seems  severe and inconceivable but right now it only seems gracious. And necessary.  Not my choice, as my brother would remind me, but life is over for her though her body waits in rest before the doctors can call time. Absent from the body and present with the Lord. I've heard it and I've read it. So tonight I read it some more. I know the Lord waits for us to be in His presence and for an eternity. After attending many funerals, I assuredly realize that the body is void of any life.   Often it's void of any semblance of ever living because the missing spirit leaves such a deep emptiness behind. However, I am not too convinced that though no death decree has been made, our loved ones haven't been ushered into heaven already.  Heart still beating, yet filled will the joy of angels singing. For us the symphony falls only on deaf ears as we anticipate our loved one's passing.  This earthly life is sure to break our hearts,  but our journey ends (and begins) in the Promised Land...all hurting then abandoned.

 Go rest high on that mountain, Ma-we'll see you there.

John 13:36
Simon Peter said to Him, 
"Lord, where are You going?" 
Jesus answered,
 "Where I go, you cannot follow Me now; but you will follow later."
 12/31/1915-9/29/2009

26.9.09

Weekly Schedule that didn't make my planner

 * Insomnia persists *wondering how many more straws before this camel's back breaks* Finally- our getaway is planned*Mom's still sick*Sister-in-law's sister died suddenly*School starts*Wood bat league schedule begins*Mother in law's dementia unveils in a big way* Baby begins kindergarten*Husband is traveling*Brothers are hurting*Mary put in hospital and on hospice*Friend's Sweet little girl diagnosed with diabetes*Mom's still sick*Getaway is cancelled*Meetings never-ending at hospital*Boys home alone all week*7 days of laundry undone*Library books late $13 fine*  


Exodus 14:14 
 **The LORD shall fight for you, 
and you shall hold your peace.**

Weekly Schedule that didn't make my planner

 * Insomnia persists *wondering how many more straws before this camel's back breaks* Finally- our getaway is planned*Mom's still sick*Sister-in-law's sister died suddenly*School starts*Wood bat league schedule begins*Mother in law's dementia unveils in a big way* Baby begins kindergarten*Husband is traveling*Brothers are hurting*Mary put in hospital and on hospice*Friend's Sweet little girl diagnosed with diabetes*Mom's still sick*Getaway is cancelled*Meetings never-ending at hospital*Boys home alone all week*7 days of laundry undone*Library books late $13 fine*  


Exodus 14:14 
 **The LORD shall fight for you, 
and you shall hold your peace.**

18.9.09

Though I walk through the valley...

Overwhelmed. 
This week has been spent walking through the shadow of the valley.
 I will fear no evil.
 Uncertainty brushes with hypothesis and confounding thoughts with every step.
 My Father walks with me; His presence is comforting. 
My path grows increasingly dark.  
The Lord graciously guides me along, His light glowing ever brighter. 
Wishing to turn back, I trod forward.
  I know that His goodness will follow me and His love is sure.
 Staying by the Lord's side as I wade through this muck, I realize it's all going to be ok. 
I will dwell in the House of the Lord forever.
 Amen.




We wait in hope for the LORD; he is our help and our shield. In him our hearts rejoice,for we trust in his holy name. May your unfailing love rest upon us, O LORD, even as we put our hope in you.Ps 33:20-22

Though I walk through the valley...

Overwhelmed. 
This week has been spent walking through the shadow of the valley.
 I will fear no evil.
 Uncertainty brushes with hypothesis and confounding thoughts with every step.
 My Father walks with me; His presence is comforting. 
My path grows increasingly dark.  
The Lord graciously guides me along, His light glowing ever brighter. 
Wishing to turn back, I trod forward.
  I know that His goodness will follow me and His love is sure.
 Staying by the Lord's side as I wade through this muck, I realize it's all going to be ok. 
I will dwell in the House of the Lord forever.
 Amen.




We wait in hope for the LORD; he is our help and our shield. In him our hearts rejoice,for we trust in his holy name. May your unfailing love rest upon us, O LORD, even as we put our hope in you.Ps 33:20-22

16.9.09

Hallucinations, Hospitals, Hospice and Headaches, oh my!

Thanking the Lord for His faithfulness as we embark and some tough seas.
I'll be back to blog about it soon.

Hallucinations, Hospitals, Hospice and Headaches, oh my!

Thanking the Lord for His faithfulness as we embark and some tough seas.
I'll be back to blog about it soon.

12.9.09

What is a group of ducks called?

Like a kid in a candy store, I kissed my guys goodnight and headed out for a much anticipated girls' night at a friend's. I turned the key, clicked my seat belt, pulled the gear shift to R, opened the window above to bask in the moonlight and began my drive down the road that seemed to lead everywhere.  I could drive this familiar road blindfolded, winding with its ease as I go.  The cool autumn air settled in from the moon roof as my freshly brushed hair waved to the sky. This would be a good night.
Realizing the backseat was vacant, aka-silent,  I clicked on the radio. Looking ahead, I was perplexed to see headlights stalled in formation and at a standstill coming up on my left. No sirens, no flashing red or blue lights. Yet, something about the dusk's glow caused me caution as my foot pressed ever so gently and my car slowed down to a crawl.  I peered out my window to see the roadblock. DUCKS. Right there in the middle of take-me-anywhere -thoroughfare a badelynge of ducks clogged traffic waiting for them to waddle across several lanes. They have wings, don't they know? Continuing my drive forward, I chuckled aloud as I thought to myself, "What is the value of a duck?" My shoulders shrugged, but I did think that the armadillo, raccoon and squirrel wouldn't have fared so well as a roadblock. What do I value? Of course, I stopped for those ducks-and I'd like to think I'd do my best to sacrifice a hawk's next meal and stop for the raccoon, too. But I had to really think about what my life manifests as   worthy to me. I'll stop in the middle of a road for a few ducks; what else do I show I value?

What is a group of ducks called?

Like a kid in a candy store, I kissed my guys goodnight and headed out for a much anticipated girls' night at a friend's. I turned the key, clicked my seat belt, pulled the gear shift to R, opened the window above to bask in the moonlight and began my drive down the road that seemed to lead everywhere.  I could drive this familiar road blindfolded, winding with its ease as I go.  The cool autumn air settled in from the moon roof as my freshly brushed hair waved to the sky. This would be a good night.
Realizing the backseat was vacant, aka-silent,  I clicked on the radio. Looking ahead, I was perplexed to see headlights stalled in formation and at a standstill coming up on my left. No sirens, no flashing red or blue lights. Yet, something about the dusk's glow caused me caution as my foot pressed ever so gently and my car slowed down to a crawl.  I peered out my window to see the roadblock. DUCKS. Right there in the middle of take-me-anywhere -thoroughfare a badelynge of ducks clogged traffic waiting for them to waddle across several lanes. They have wings, don't they know? Continuing my drive forward, I chuckled aloud as I thought to myself, "What is the value of a duck?" My shoulders shrugged, but I did think that the armadillo, raccoon and squirrel wouldn't have fared so well as a roadblock. What do I value? Of course, I stopped for those ducks-and I'd like to think I'd do my best to sacrifice a hawk's next meal and stop for the raccoon, too. But I had to really think about what my life manifests as   worthy to me. I'll stop in the middle of a road for a few ducks; what else do I show I value?