Blessed Be The Tie That Binds..Open House

It had been a couple of years since I had been to an Open House at the kids school.  I really did not expect it to be a really big deal.  The longer I was there, the more my mind (and emotions) collected stuff.

It was fun to see the kids classrooms and teachers, their desks and all the things they made.  They are talented and smart little buggers and I could not be prouder of them.

We went in to see Zion’s class room for next year.  He begins Kindergarten and will have the same teacher and classroom as Noah and Trinity had.  This was by Erin’s design and I think it’s great.  It was just when I walked in, my thoughts immediately went to ” wasn’t I just here for Noah?” and “this is where Trinity did her first play?” How can it be?  I felt older and of course a little sad..I want them to be smart and grow and be independant, but sooo fast???

Noah’s class was quiet, I felt that was approriate.  He works better in the quiet and organized atomsphere.  His teacher seems that way..  His state report was on Tennessee ( seems right to me).

Oops, may have made that too big…I don’t know how to change that.  Noah seemed comfortable in his class and proud of what he had completed.

This one was a little harder for me.  That is my Mom.  The grands call her “Mammo Mammo”, because she was Mammo to their Mom and Dad I’m Mammo to them,  it just distinguishes us.  Trinity had to make a report on a family member, she choose Mom.  I was proud of her.  Sad though, only because I was wishing so much she had been able to see Erin and Brody’s children.  I can see her laughing with them and at them.  Hugging and loving them the way she did with her grands.

The pillow top behind her picture there was lovingly made by Rhoda at church.  I have written about her before.  *(little story to follow)  Erin had placed a pair of her glasses, her Memorial Service bulletin, Trinity had interviewed my a couple of times, so her report was there, a blouse she had made for me that Erin now wears and a basket of one of her favorite candies (orange slices).  I looked at that for a while and the same thought arose.  “Mom, “how I wish you could see how your great granddaughter has honored you.”  So I asked the Lord to tell her.  We sampled other food from other relatives.  It was a very enjoyable, thought provoking time.

I love living here, in a small place.  I was able to run into friends, other parents I have met through Little League, Pageants, church, Bible Studies, etc.  I loved it and I am very grateful for the kids inviting me to go along.

All of this to say, Lord, you are  the controller of all.  You give and You take away,  Blessed be the Lord.  Thank you for allowing me to be a part of all the kids lives, that we can openly speak of You and Your ways, and thank You so much for the blessings we each receive from Your hand.

Just Some Thoughts…

It seems as though time just gets away from me somedays, and then I have been a little “reflective” lately..So many things have happened and not happened and that makes me just little “mixed up”.

So, this is one of my favorite trees, right outside our front door.  I love the green and that it changes color first in the fall.  Another expression of the Lord’s care for each of us.

Also, I have a nephew, haven’t seen him in about 22 years.  He is married to a sweet little thing from Bangladesh.  She called about 2 weeks ago, seems he took everything they had and left.  This boy claimed to be a Christian, and I talked with him about once a month.  This makes me sad.  My niece suffered greatly by his behavior.  I found a shelter for her in LA, she moved there until her sister could come and help her.   I have fallen in love with her.  There is just something so sweet about her voice…”Auntie, you come get me, I cooook and I cleeen for you. “  Now that’s not going to happen, but I really love her and chech up on her twice a week.  Pleae pray for her..

This little rose bud reminds me, that last week, unexpectantly one of my dear friends daughters died.  She went to school with Kristin.  My heart broke for my friend.  This is the second daughter she has lost.  The memorial service was incredible.  Her parent love the Lord so much.  Their faith and trust is completely in Him.  They chose everything, the music, the flowers and all the food, prepared it and brought it.  This was the last party she would give for her daughter.  They are an example of how the Lord gives strength when there is none.  He is mighty….

Erin and I attended our church’s Annual Ladies Tea on Saturday.  It was beautiful.  The music was very nice, the speaker was talking on Incredible Joy, something we all want.  It only comes from the Lord.  Love hearing those words.

This stuff was very fancy for Erin and I, we never do “fancy”, girly, but never “fancy”.  I just love being with my friends, and my daughter.

There are still alot of things I have on my mind.  It feels good right now to have just emptied that much.  More later…Right now I am so grateful for God making artichokes.  I think I may have one.  Mike always questions with I make them..”who thought about this..to peel back a leaf, scrap the stuff off with your teeth, scoop out the junk and eat the bottom”…who thinks of that stuff????  I don’t care..I love them…

As Requested…..my precious friends….

I know this is grainy, but it was taken from a photo I have on the wall.  Brody and Erin were downtown Auburn on Christmas Eve, had this picture taken, and then immediately went back to Erin’s and shaved his head.  They also wrapped these dreads up in a box, wrapped it and gave them to me for Christmas…that’s our kids…. (and, yes, I do still have them..I also have all their baby teeth)

I’ve Been Tagged…

My precious daughter-in-love tagged me last week with this.  She did a great job of her letter “A” of her favorite things..She knew my absolutely favorite thing in the world began with F.

1.  Father (as in God).

2. Family

3. Forest

4. Frost

5. Fried chicken

6. Friends (ok, should have been #3)

7. Fish with lemon

6. Fotos (I know thats a cheat, but “F” is hard for me !

7. Fabulous Bible Studies.

8. Flowers

9. Fajitas

10. Fairs

I tag …….

baylormum…”M”

Connie … “D”

Bridget… “B”

Pokinatcha…”H”

Pam…”K”

“Up From the Grave He Arose…”

It’s my “theme” song this time of year.  I cannot help it.  I sing it all day and I sing it loud!  I woke the children up to it when they were little and we now sing it to our grands.  They laugh, know it’s coming and laugh some more, but they know, they really know why we do it.  I want them to know that Easter is about JESUS.  That is not to say that we don’t do the “egg” thing, because we do.  I am so glad that the Lord knows my heart.  He knows how grateful I am for what He did and continues to do.  

It was a beautiful day today.  I had butterflies just driving to church.  The music was incredible.  Phil’s sermon was, as always upbeat and informational.  The place was packed and I love to see old friends, who just don’t come every Sunday, but are there on Easter.  I love them.

When the service is over, we always go to the Davis’, we always have.  We eat and have the hunt, sit, eat some more and the kids all play.  It is tradition, which I also love.

Above, Zion and Warren display “bugs” they found.

Zion finds one….

This picture of  6 of our grands is also tradition.  We started the “Easter kids” picture when there was only 3 of them and get a new one every year.  There are 3 missing, so the kids hold the signs for their “Tennessee” cousins.  Someday we will have them here.  But for now the signs tell them how we feel.

We all were pretty tired, Mike and I came home, put on jammies at about 6 p.m., watched the “Amazing Race”, and had some quiet time.

It was a wonderful day.  Easter is becoming my favorite holiday because…

“Up from the grave He arose, with a mighty triumph o’r His foes.  He arose a Victor from the dark domain, and He lives forever with His saints to reign..He Arose !  He Arose !  Hallelujah, Christ Arose……”

Some things are just sad…

I felt this for a while.  I am a people person, and I truly love most people.  I cannot say all people,  but most.

Once again, I find myself going way out here.  There are some things I just do not understand…

1.  Cruelty to people. (Adults and children)

2. Cruelty to animals.

3. Dangerous tricks. (Jumping the Grand Canyon and setting yourself on fire.

4. Ridiculous pride to belittle someone else.

5. Taking from others, and showing no appreciation and then walking away.

6. Tofu.

6.  Blaming others for not giving enough.

7. Being content with strife and hurt.

8. People forgetting what we celebrate on Easter.

That is just on my mind today.  I don’t get it.  Jesus came that we might have life and life abundantly.  He came that we may know love and acceptance of one another.  He gave us hearts and voices to communicate and work things out.  The enemy wants us to hurt and devour one another.  We must forgive, and communicate and not call each other names and hurt each other and other things.  Why does that have to be?  It’s Easter Week.  Should we be content with hurtful things…? That’s not what the celebration is about. No Tofu, Kristin, please.

Lord, please forgive me for the hurt I cause.  Let my family and I celebrate this holiday with love and appreciation.  Thank you.

PPT — Zion’s B-day #2

This is what Zion chose to do for his birthday.  Now, it had been a while since we had been to Chuck E. Cheese.  It was Erin’s 16th birthday.  She had a great time then.  Zion invited his friends and some family.  My BFF, Bridget and her husband Tim were there with their niece.  Since we were not crazy about the pizza there.  We waited and went to dinner together after.  It was very nice.  There was no tension, no stress, just being together and having fun.

This is the sweetest thing.  Seiji was invited to the party.  He is our Pastor Phil’s nephew and son of his brother Matt and his wife Yuki.  Seiji had never been to CEC before, his parents were out of town, so Uncle Phil brought him. I thought that was the sweetest thing.  Seiji had a great time.  Creating memories with his uncle is awesome.  I think I may have mentioned, that this is the same pastor who sits during our Worship set with a widow in our church when she is alone.  When I think of having a shepherd, I am so grateful for ours.. He is an example of Jesus..Loving and serving..and I am once again for grateful.

Zion Brody — Happy # 5 !!!!

This child is amazing, just like the rest of the grands.  He is vocal, demonstrative and incredibly animated.  He is smart and funny, loves McDonalds (ick)..and starts kindergarten in September.   Erin had his birthday at Chuck E. Cheese tonight.  He had a blast.  (pictures to follow.)

Happy day, our Zeeb !! We love you…

Happy April Fools Day….

Honestly, I do not know how I feel about April Fools Day…sometimes it feels mean.  In light of what my son asked to comment on his blog, I thought I would just post it on my own..(April fools !!!!)

When Erin was dating in high school, she had this boyfriend named, Tim.  They came over to the house and we all left for the Gold Country Fair.  I think I must have left a little early and I was to meet them there.

We met, ate, watched a concert, etc and then I came home early and left them there.  Mike was working… I came into the house, and as every woman does went into the bathroom.  As soon as I entered, I heard a man’s voice, laughing!!!!  It scared me so badly…I left the bathroom and looked around the house. I immediately called next door to have Matt, (son by heart) come over.  We looked all over the house and he went into the bathroom to check the shower,  there it was again, this deep laughter of a man.  We were puzzled, I was still scared, but there it was…behind the back of the toilet a “motion” thing that made that sound.  I laughed, we all laughed, but I never forgot it….Tim went on to do some other funny things, and then he disappeared from our lives as boyfriends sometimes do.

PPT — “and God Showed Up”….

I love the movie Forrest Gump”.  There is a line in that movie that I can not get out of my head.  Capt. Dan is very mad at God and he is yelling at Him.

In the midst of yelling, a huge storm begins and knocks their ship all around, and Forrest says..”it was then, that God showed up.”

I am fully aware that God is always around, He lives in me and He is always there to guide and protect.  Just for me, though, I understand that God is in the little things also.  When I see a blooming flower, the beauty of His creations, or the sound of one of our grands laughing whole heartedly.  A smile on our daughter’s face or excitement in our son’s voice when things have gone, “just right”.  Those are just a reminder.. that..”God showed up.”

Now, I am hesitant to say these things, because I am also aware that our Father shows up at hard times also, I have been there, too.  But I am in this mind set right now.

I remember a time when years ago, Mike and the kids and I went to Disneyland.  It was when “the Indiana Jones” ride had just opened.  The lines were 3-4 hours long and we could not take the time to wait.  At the end of the night, we got into line.  A man and his wife walked up to us and asked how many were in our party, we said 4 and he told us, he had “special tickets” that would take us to the head of the line…I really had questions, but Mike said okay..so we followed the man and his wife…My thinking, was “Oh my gosh, we are going to the dungeon, and he is going to kill us..”  (I know ridiculous, we are at the Happiest Place on Earth).  He took us to the head of the line, around all the other people, got on and thoroughly enjoyed the ride.

After it was over, the kids were thrilled and I needed to thank the Lord.  I went to most private place I could think of,  the restroom.  I said a little prayer of thanks…it was then, once again, God showed up…and said very quietly to my heart…”You’re welcome.”  I cried.