When I'm a parent.......
I really hope when people ask how my kids are doing, I don't respond with a long synopsis of, "well, she has a 98% in AP biology. She's the only freshman in the class and her teacher just thinks she is great. In Math she has a...."
Yes, this happened to me the other day when I ran into a former students parent. I politely asked how her child is doing and she responded with her grades.
I don't want to be the parent with an honor roll sticker (maybe because I never got one) but I just don't want to capitalize on my childs intelligence and exclude their CHARACTER.
2.15.2012
2.12.2012
Love Stories and Such
I begged and begged (which was more like me asking once) for John to take me to see The Vow, a movie based on a real life couple. In the movie (and real life), the couple meets, marries, and after a car accident she loses her memory of everything involving him.
I wont give away the ending because most women will want to see it, but I will say, it was sweet. This man LOVED his wife and was willing to do everything to keep her. John and I came home from the movie and talked about what our life would be like if the same situation happened to us. I drilled him asking what he would do, how he would get me to remember him if I lost my memory (his response: I'd make you fall in love with me just like I did the first time. To which I responded: I more like stalked you....there wasn't a lot of falling on my part--more like aggressively pursuing!) One of my favorite parts of the movie was their "spot." They had a cafe they always went to....the same one...it was their thing. Well, I of course drilled John over this one too. We don't have a spot! In fact, we have vowed this past year to try and eat at a new restaraunt every time we eat out (which isn't much) just to force ourselves to be crazy (real crazy right?).
The movie ended differently than I expected but in reality the ending made sense. What a cool couple and what an awesome story they have to tell!
So, after this compelling love story, we are now working on 2 things:
1. get a spot, find a spot, make up a spot
2. video tape ourselves telling eachother how we met, married, etc. so that if one of us ever loses our memory--we have proof! (see the movie and it will all make sense)
2 things I don't need to work on from the movie:
1. An amazing husband (got it!)
2. Having bangs like hers (I did that in High School and it is never coming to that again)
2.08.2012
Welcome to the Family!
After 9 years of dating my brother popped the question this weekend and my family couldn't be happier! Thankfully, his fiance stuck it out (I'm not sure how, for that long) and they have the cutest story to tell!
I dont want to brag but I think I will, just for a minute. Andy had called me about a month ago saying that he needed proposal ideas. We threw several back in forth but I think he chose the perfect one. My mom and I helped with the details and Andy was kind of along for the ride as we naturally tried to take over the fun part :)
Andy has an employee that works for him and also works at an Italian Restaraunt. He was explaining the proposal plan to her and she kindly volunteered her services as well. She offered to organize the restaraunt end and mom and I took care of the rest.
Andy's birthday was last week so when Cherie came to visit him for the weekend, he told her that some work friends wanted to take him out to dinner for his birthday. She agreed and off they went to the Italian place! When they entered he asked the waitress (his employee) for their reservation of 6 and she claimed it was made for only 4. So, she seated them and said she would figure something out to seat the additional 2 people that were on their way. Andy walked Cherie to the table and told her that he needed to use the restroom before everyone arrived.
Once he was away from the table, a stranger approached Cherie at the table and read from a card that Andy had written. The stranger then gave her the card and rose and walked away. After 20 strangers read her cards with reasons why Andy loves her, and gave her a rose for each one, Andy then approached the table and got down on one knee.
My mom was there to pre-organize all of the strangers and I was able to hear the excitement after. Sounds like it went off without a hitch!
Now....onto planning the wedding and such!
Cherie--you are already welcome in the family, but now we are lucky enough to say it's official. Thank you for loving my brother and my family...no questions ask. Nothing matters more to me than knowing you will support Andy.
You are loved :)
I dont want to brag but I think I will, just for a minute. Andy had called me about a month ago saying that he needed proposal ideas. We threw several back in forth but I think he chose the perfect one. My mom and I helped with the details and Andy was kind of along for the ride as we naturally tried to take over the fun part :)
Andy has an employee that works for him and also works at an Italian Restaraunt. He was explaining the proposal plan to her and she kindly volunteered her services as well. She offered to organize the restaraunt end and mom and I took care of the rest.
Andy's birthday was last week so when Cherie came to visit him for the weekend, he told her that some work friends wanted to take him out to dinner for his birthday. She agreed and off they went to the Italian place! When they entered he asked the waitress (his employee) for their reservation of 6 and she claimed it was made for only 4. So, she seated them and said she would figure something out to seat the additional 2 people that were on their way. Andy walked Cherie to the table and told her that he needed to use the restroom before everyone arrived.
Once he was away from the table, a stranger approached Cherie at the table and read from a card that Andy had written. The stranger then gave her the card and rose and walked away. After 20 strangers read her cards with reasons why Andy loves her, and gave her a rose for each one, Andy then approached the table and got down on one knee.
My mom was there to pre-organize all of the strangers and I was able to hear the excitement after. Sounds like it went off without a hitch!
Now....onto planning the wedding and such!
Cherie--you are already welcome in the family, but now we are lucky enough to say it's official. Thank you for loving my brother and my family...no questions ask. Nothing matters more to me than knowing you will support Andy.
You are loved :)
2.04.2012
Foster Care
It's so strange when you step out of something, your awareness for it seems to slip. The old saying, "out of sight out of mind" can be so true! We have been out of the foster arena for a few months and this weekend we stepped back in. We got a call on Wednesday asking if we could keep a boy while they straighten out some issues within his placement. (honestly...we were just relieved we weren't black listed for our skills on the last placement) They sent us information on some of his issues and the heartbreak for these kids just never seems to subside. We haven't been involved in meetings or seminars for a few months and I think we forgot about the pain and hurt that is out in the world. I think we stepped out of fostering for a minute and put in the back of our minds the absolute demonic behaviors that people have to hurt kids.
Last night he spent the night with us and he was GREAT! What a sweet heart this kid has! John was carrying his stuff up to the house and he stopped him to say "thank you" for carrying his bag. I was immediately impressed with his manners.
Today we were driving to the dollar theater to see a movie and we passed a Salvation Army. He said out of the blue, "Salvation Army isn't your family center, Wal-Mart is." HA! Couldn't agree more!
It was a refreshing night to hang with this amazing creation of God's. With some kids you can just tell they will turn out ok--he's one of them. He has kindness in his heart and that goes a long way!
Last night he spent the night with us and he was GREAT! What a sweet heart this kid has! John was carrying his stuff up to the house and he stopped him to say "thank you" for carrying his bag. I was immediately impressed with his manners.
Today we were driving to the dollar theater to see a movie and we passed a Salvation Army. He said out of the blue, "Salvation Army isn't your family center, Wal-Mart is." HA! Couldn't agree more!
It was a refreshing night to hang with this amazing creation of God's. With some kids you can just tell they will turn out ok--he's one of them. He has kindness in his heart and that goes a long way!
1.30.2012
Hurt on Happy Days
A friend of mine linked her friend's blog on facebook, I couldn't help but become instantly attached. I started reading their blog when their daughter Lydia became weeks away from her final days on earth. Her mother writes the most incredible, beautiful and vulnerable blog I have ever read. I check the blog daily which also means I cry daily!
It's so strange because I've never met these people. There is something universal about pain though. Something that unites people together, which is maybe why we often feel the need to complain about the pain we go through, it connects us to one another.
My dad's birthday is upon us and although he has not yet experienced his final days on earth, sometimes it feels it for those of us waiting out here. I can't call and wish him a happy birthday, or send him a package or give him a hug. It's a matter of waiting and I'm trying to wait as patiently as possible. I don't want nor do I need sympathy...it's different than that. It's just a longing, not in a bitter way but a deep black hole kind of way.
Lydia's birthday is today too! As I read her mothers anguish over missing her daughter I cry thinking of her pain. Imagining what it must be like to actually lose your own child after 8 short years. I know the pain I feel in missing my dad and I know that it doesn't come close to her pain but yet I feel connected. It's a bond of longing for a parent or a child.
Somedays hurt. Somedays are just fine.
I have to rest in the peace God has given us that the calling he has for my father in there, is greater than my hurt out here.
Philippians 4:7
And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
It's so strange because I've never met these people. There is something universal about pain though. Something that unites people together, which is maybe why we often feel the need to complain about the pain we go through, it connects us to one another.
My dad's birthday is upon us and although he has not yet experienced his final days on earth, sometimes it feels it for those of us waiting out here. I can't call and wish him a happy birthday, or send him a package or give him a hug. It's a matter of waiting and I'm trying to wait as patiently as possible. I don't want nor do I need sympathy...it's different than that. It's just a longing, not in a bitter way but a deep black hole kind of way.
Lydia's birthday is today too! As I read her mothers anguish over missing her daughter I cry thinking of her pain. Imagining what it must be like to actually lose your own child after 8 short years. I know the pain I feel in missing my dad and I know that it doesn't come close to her pain but yet I feel connected. It's a bond of longing for a parent or a child.
Somedays hurt. Somedays are just fine.
I have to rest in the peace God has given us that the calling he has for my father in there, is greater than my hurt out here.
Philippians 4:7
And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
1.29.2012
We continued in the book of John today at church....I love preaching that is expository. Verse by verse is the most effective method for reading the Bible in context! Love it!
In today's passage, Jesus is preparing his desciples for when he leaves this earth (the crucifixion is about to happen) and he will send the Holy Spirit in his place to guide us. In the passage, the desciples grow uncomfortable and Jesus acknowledges their "sorrow" about him leaving.
The desciples wanted Jesus to stay, they wanted the direct teaching, they wanted communion with the Savior.
Later in the passage Jesus explains that he must leave so that the Holy Spirit can come to convict them of their sins.
This is the point in the sermon when I started to feel restlesness in my seat. God was clearing stating in this passage the reason for the Holy Spirit = conviction. I daily thank the Lord for the guidence the Holy Spirit gives me, but in actuality, he is opening my eyes to the sin in my heart. The main question I have to ask myself is....Do i reject what he shows me or do I repent?
Often I feel the "guilt" of my sin and try to correct it or who I sinned to, but I lack in repentence. I grieve God's heart more than man but my focus is always on man. I think the Bible uses the term "helper" in reference to the Spirit because without the Spirits help......as sinful and selfish, prideful human beings, we can't see our sin.
We can't repent for something we can't see. The Spirit gives sight to our sin.
Time to open my eyes and repent!
In today's passage, Jesus is preparing his desciples for when he leaves this earth (the crucifixion is about to happen) and he will send the Holy Spirit in his place to guide us. In the passage, the desciples grow uncomfortable and Jesus acknowledges their "sorrow" about him leaving.
The desciples wanted Jesus to stay, they wanted the direct teaching, they wanted communion with the Savior.
Later in the passage Jesus explains that he must leave so that the Holy Spirit can come to convict them of their sins.
This is the point in the sermon when I started to feel restlesness in my seat. God was clearing stating in this passage the reason for the Holy Spirit = conviction. I daily thank the Lord for the guidence the Holy Spirit gives me, but in actuality, he is opening my eyes to the sin in my heart. The main question I have to ask myself is....Do i reject what he shows me or do I repent?
Often I feel the "guilt" of my sin and try to correct it or who I sinned to, but I lack in repentence. I grieve God's heart more than man but my focus is always on man. I think the Bible uses the term "helper" in reference to the Spirit because without the Spirits help......as sinful and selfish, prideful human beings, we can't see our sin.
We can't repent for something we can't see. The Spirit gives sight to our sin.
Time to open my eyes and repent!
1.25.2012
Looking Back
I had a close friend in high school that I spent all of my time with. She was the cooler one between the two of us, all the guys liked her and I was her sidekick. The relationship was unique because we were nothing alike. I was reserved in my choices, I was a little dorky, and she was edgy. Of course time does something to all relationships by either deepening it or breaking it. Time went on and as years passed in high school, we naturally grew apart. We began to have nothing in common other than our history as friends.
College came and went and now we are 10 years out of high school-crazy! Thanks to facebook we have re-connected but I havent actually seen or spoke to her in a decade.
It's crazy what time can do, she's married and has a baby. She moved to Florida for her husbands job and has "settled" down. Now, ten years later, we finally have life in common again. Our lifestyles (although I am still childless) are similar in several areas and our perspectives seem to be aligning with what's important.
I can't wait to see this girl. We will be in her area visiting my grandma soon and I eagerly anticipate seeing her. It will be such a sweet moment to see ourselves all grown up.
The seasons of life are so intentional. God brings and takes people out of our lives and we just never know when he will bring them back. No matter what the season people are in our lives for, the reason is intentional!
College came and went and now we are 10 years out of high school-crazy! Thanks to facebook we have re-connected but I havent actually seen or spoke to her in a decade.
It's crazy what time can do, she's married and has a baby. She moved to Florida for her husbands job and has "settled" down. Now, ten years later, we finally have life in common again. Our lifestyles (although I am still childless) are similar in several areas and our perspectives seem to be aligning with what's important.
I can't wait to see this girl. We will be in her area visiting my grandma soon and I eagerly anticipate seeing her. It will be such a sweet moment to see ourselves all grown up.
The seasons of life are so intentional. God brings and takes people out of our lives and we just never know when he will bring them back. No matter what the season people are in our lives for, the reason is intentional!
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