A mother's pride

I had just minutes left on the battery in the camera and the charger was at work. I saw the sun peek its face and I knew I’d be able to catch some creative and colorful shots of my boys during this fall season.

I rounded the boys up, moved the colorful mum’s basket near the tree and encouraged the boys to smile for the shot.

I managed to get this…










It pretty much sums up my life these days…

Oddly enough, it’s the picture I put on my screen-saver at work and I was so proud to show it off today. Although I scolded them from behind the lens, today it brings a smile to my face.

Happy Birthday J

I only remember one fight in all of our childhood years. It was when we were teenagers and it was over who got to use the phone for the night. That’s it. Anything you liked, I liked. You had a way of telling me about the stories of Wayne Gretzky, Steve Yzerman, Axle Rose, Kurt Cobain, Rocky Balboa, MacGyver,John Loftquist and Tori Amos that made me feel like I knew them and needed to like them. (I really just cared because you did).

As we grew older our bond grew stronger. We always seemed to be in the same circles, I’m sure it was because we intended it to be that way.




When trials came my way, I knew you would always be there and you were. In the most recent days, it’s been overwhelmingly hard to see your path traveled. Although, it’s been tough, I’m so thankful to have been around while you walked it and have enjoyed each visit and cherished each conversation. Yet another bonding experience for us.


For some reason God has brought some distance during this next journey for you and your family. I’ve opened your recent email with pictures of your family and their smiling faces over and over. It fills me with so many different emotions, both good and bad.

It’s your birthday this week and I can't ship the cookies, (sorry).
I miss you already. I’m praying for you. I believe in you.


I love you.


Happy Birthday to the best Big Brother in the world!
xoxo

my sweet boys

I've been fighting a cold for a few days so when I got home from work last night I was pretty tired already. I started the nightly routine of checking homework, doing some laundry and normal house cleanup stuff. The boys sensing that I was tired then suggested that I go take a bath. They said, "mom, we'll do the laundry, you go relax". Andrew even went and started bath water, found the bath beeds and bubbles and threw them in there for me. He turned the lights off and put a small candle on the shelf. He took my hand and said "go mom"... (haha). He wanted to go get his cd player for me for some "soothing music" - (his words) but I assured him what he had already done was enough...

Andrew did knock on the door a few times to check to see if I was "relaxed". You mother's can appreciate this! :)

When I got out of the bathtub, both Andrew and David had put together stuff to give me a pedicure and manicure, including a large bowl to soak my feet in. Blare picked out a movie for us to watch.
The sad thing is that although I appreciated it, I don't think I truly thought about how sweet it was until I came to work today and thought about it more. I just have the sweetest boys EVER!

New Year

David and Andrew are now old enough to join their brother at Fusion. It's the youth group for Spring Lake Wesleyan church. Last night was our first night there and I'm so excited to see how God will move in their hearts. I'm believing in Great things!

Just like yesterday

You had me captivated from our first date. I can't believe its been 2 years already.

I'm forever yours...


(our very first date) ... Oh what you do to me...

Happy Father's Day!

So father's day came and went... And I almost forgot to post something. :(


Tonight I finished packing for my 3 boys who will be leaving in the morning for a "father/son" camp out with my dad's church. This is something the church does every year and my boys always look forward to it. This year is extra special because my dad got another kayak (now has 5) and believes the boys are old enough to take this adventure with him down the river... The camp out is supposed to be Friday night up north but they are going up one night earlier to float down the river to their camping destination...

My dad isn't getting any younger but God continues to give him this amazing child like enthusiasm that I pray never goes away...

I love you so much dad!


Thank you for:


Spending your life loving others and never giving up on them...
All the daddy/ daughter dates we've had...
Taking all 4 of us girls out for Mother's day every year to buy new dresses and dinner...
Being willing to go to the prison at 1:15 (our family lunch time) on Father's day... (I love you for it!)
Never giving up in ministry...
Organizing the "happy quartett"... (unbelieveable talent!)...
Hosting "kids camp" for over 25 years...
Loving me undconditionally...
Still picking mom flowers and taking her on dates...
All the times that I call and you drop anything and everything just for me...
For building that deck half way up your hill just in case someone would want a "coffee break"...
Taking us on family vacations every year when we were so poor...
The trip you took me on to South Bend Indiana when I was 14...
Fearing God...
All the homeschool field trips, I now know that you really were just teaching us kids how to love each other the way we do...


I love you so much dad! I'm so proud of you and the family I've come from. I'm so Blessed...

Happy Father's day...
~your little girl <3