Valentine's Day

Happy Valentine's Day!  Many of you know, Michael is not the most romantic person in the world.  I've mentioned it here, more than once before.  He is just not hard-wired that way.  (Will say more on  this in a later post.)

Last week, he sent me a message.  It said he had a surprise for me.  (Is it still a surprise if you tell someone you're surprising them?)  I believe I responded, "I don't believe you could ever really surprise me."  Looking back over previous posts, I realize he did surprise me once.

Michael disclosed that the surprise involved an overnight in the mountains and dinner at a nice restaurant.  Did he just divulge his secret?  He assured me, there was more and that we absolutely had to arrive at our destination for a 2 o'clock appointment.

I actually did a google search for romantic mountain destinations in Colorado to appease my curiosity.  I knew he hadn't scheduled us for spa treatments, a massage, or a pedicure.  Eventually I gave up my search, opting instead to enjoy the element of surprise.  And surprise me he did.

Our two o'clock appointment was a wedding ceremony where we, along with about 10 other couples, renewed our wedding vows. 

I don't recall crying when we got married, but I couldn't hold back the tears this time.  I could hardly choke out the words.

We exchanged stones, symbolic of wedding rings,

And a few kisses.

Following the ceremony we shared these beautiful cupcakes,

And champagne.

Not only was I surprised, but this by far was my best Valentine's Day ever!  And there was more...

Cleveland

I arrived in Cleveland last Sunday. I'm headed home this afternoon. It's been a remarkable week. It's most likely the longest amount of time I've ever gone without feeling the warm sunshine on my face,the blustery wind in my hair, or feeling soft, wet snowflakes melting on my cheeks. I don't know if it's warm or cold. I sit in a climate controlled room, walk down windowless corridors, and eat food made by the outside world.

Walking off the plane, I was greeted with a new text message, "welcome to Cleveland?..we are at baggage claim Richard & Siobhan" I gathered my bags and wondered how I'd recognize them. I clicked the green icon on my phone. The man in front of me, reached for his pocket, looked at me holding the phone to my ear, and reached out his arms. "You must be Joanne," he said as his arms wrapped me in a hug. Strangers met me at the airport, but I immediately felt a connection.

(I was typing this on my ipad.  I wasn't finished, but accidently posted it.)

Half Full Or Half Empty

Is the glass half full?

Or is it half empty?

I don't recall when I first heard this or when it was explained to me that optimists are positive, while pessimists are negative.  Optimists are praised as positive thinkers who see the best in situations while pessimists are regarded those who see the worst in a situation-the doom and gloom person.  It isn't as if the optimist is right and the pessimist is wrong.  Both are equally correct.  What I'm proposing is that we do away with the positive/negative connotations regarding individuals and their respective perceptions.  Let's embrace both views as perfectly accurate descriptions expressed on the basis of how God has hard-wired each of us.

Negative isn't always such a bad thing.  The person who gets a negative report from his cancer biopsy is thrilled and happy.    A positive report would be bad.  It isn't as if the pessimist is wrong to say the glass is half empty and the optimists view is right. I'm not sure why so many people insist we all have a positive attitude towards everything.

The person who is hard-wired by God with the gift of encouragement, looks at the glass and sees it is half full.  She merrily goes about enjoying her half full glass.  The what-some-people-refer-to-as pessimistic person looks at his half empty glass realistically.  Realizing it is half gone, rather than go about enjoying the last of his milk, goes to check in the refrigerator to make sure there is more.  Seeing there isn't, he sets the last half of his glass in the refrigerator and runs to the grocery store for more milk.  Blissfully ignorant, the optimist finishes her glass and knows everything will work out for good, as it always does.

I have more to say on the subject, but am woefully out of time.  Today, as I look at this glass, I compare it to my life.  In just 50 days, I will be celebrating my half-century birthday.  Since I plan on living to be 100,  my life is half over, or half begun.  I'll take both.

Twins?

I realize

that this is Sarabeth's dog...

But,

are these

not

  two peas in a pod?

(same faces in each pic)

A New Year-Expect God To Surprise You

I can't believe it is already January 4th 9th, 2012.  Two thousand Eleven, it seems, was a year of travel, moves, and visitors.  I never realized our home has a revolving door, or that traveling could be so much fun.

I took 7 trips, including the around-the-world flight.

I had kids move away or move home 7 times.

Not counting the kids and their friends, I had houseguests on 9 separate occasions.  We never had more than 11 here at one time.  Large groups for dinner I lost count a long time ago.

Last year's theme could be summed up as Travel To Gather With Family.

I am looking forward to seeing what 2012 has in store.  The theme this year:  Expect God To Surprise You.  I can't wait to see what God has planned.  I'm looking forward to seeing where God takes each of my family members, our growth, stepping out into new territory, going deeper, and living out the Abundant Life.

December 29th, 2011

Barely awake, eyes still closed, Michael whispered, "Are you awake sweetie?"  I smiled answering, "not quite," to which he responded:

"Happy Anniversary."  Startled, I struggled to open my stuck shut eyes.  I could hardly believe it.  Today is my anniversary?  I, the romantic in our relationship, the one who has never forgotten an anniversary and works hard to make sure he doesn't ever forget, apparently DID forget.  OMG!

Twenty-eight years ago we said "I do."

In fairness to me, a lot has happened this past week.  We had a snow storm,

Michael's 58th birthday,

Christmas Eve,

 a niece to share Christmas with us,

and an engagement...

yes an engagement!

Christina

& Danny

The cute couple

Congrats to Danny & Christina.  

Happy Anniversary Michael.

The Christmas Story

I can't remember the last time our church had a Children's Christmas Pageant.  It might have been 1995.  Christopher played a shepherd, Elisabeth was Moses.  No, that isn't a mistake, she really did play Moses, white beard and all.  (It would take too long to explain.)

This morning, I watched the children perform the Christmas Story.  I was a little surprised to hear Mary and Joseph sing so off key.  I cringed more than once.  Who cast these children in the part as the Virgin Mary and her beloved Joseph, when it was clearly a musical part?  I did realize, the chosen songs were very difficult.  I was distracted.

I looked hard at each of the children, trying to figure out who they belonged to.  Not a one of them was familiar.  I thought back to when my kids performed.  I recognized each and every child or at least the family they belonged to.  The choir director's daughter sang the solos, my best friend's son was the one picking his nose.

Today was different.  I felt removed from the children.  These were elementary students.  The parents might be young, like I was-early 30's or even late 20's.  I didn't know a single one of them.

Joseph began screeching....I mean singing again.  I wondered how old he was.  Most likely he was 10 or so.  Tears filled my eyes.  These are Ethan's peers.  He is nine.  Under "normal" circumstances, Ethan could be a part of this performance.

What I wouldn't give to watch him play Joseph and hear him singing off-key.  Oh to see him dressed as a shepherd, bringing gifts to the baby Jesus, or the angel who forgot her line.  If Ethan lived here, and was a typical child, I'd know these children as Ethan's friends, the kids in the choir.

Instead, this song seems more appropriate:

Silent Night.  Holy Night.