The Good And The Bad

I feel as if someone is standing over me declaring, "Today is NOT your day."

The Good:
I was up bright and early this morning for a trip to Arizona.

The Bad:
Michael dropped me off and it wasn't until I was standing in the security line that I realized I left my phone in the car.

The Good:
The security officer told me I could get out of line and use the free public phones located one level up.

The Bad:
After finally locating those free public phones, not one of them worked.

The Good:
I found an airport employee who confirmed the phones did not work, but generously offered me the use of her cell phone.

The Bad:
Michael answered his phone, but was already 40 minutes away.  My flight was supposed to board in 30 minutes.

The Good:
I made it to my departure gate with 15 minutes to spare.

The Bad:
My flight was delayed 4 hours. I couldn't call anyone to let them know.

The Good:
 Free Wifi in the airport.  I was able to send a few emails notifying family of my current status.

The Bad:
Even though I had 4 hours to wait, I had no way to go home and get my phone.

The Good:
Southwest Airlines said they would give each delayed passenger a $100 voucher. My ticket cost $102.

The Bad:
 It is 1:30 p.m. This is the time I should have arrived at Sky Harbor airport. Instead I remain seated in Concourse C of the Denver Airport.

The Good:
I had time to get lunch.

The Bad:
Our departure time is now 3:45 instead of 3:20.

I'm waiting for more Good.

 James 1:17

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.

Words for Windy Wednesday

The wind blows furiously outside. It's a chilly 33 degrees, and a very blustery day. Fickle Fall, I don't care for you at all.


“People say nothing is impossible, but I do nothing every day.”
― A.A. Milne, Winnie-the-Pooh 

"If the person you are talking to doesn't appear to be listening, be patient. It may simply be that he has a small piece of fluff in his ear.”
― A.A. Milne, Winnie-the-Pooh  

"Fire and hail, snow and clouds;
Stormy wind, fulfilling His word" (Ps. 148:8

Life In A Large Family

Back when my kids were younger, we often had conflicts of time. Penciled in on the calendar for Wednesday would be a late afternoon lacrosse game, an early evening choir concert, and a church event the same week another child was to be on a week long pom or cheer competition (or Outdoor Lab) for which I wanted to be a chaperone. Choices had to be made as to which child to be with and where. I can't say I always made the right choices, but I made them with lots of prayer and often a heavy heart.

Recently, Michael signed up to attend a conference in Estes Park. He asked if I'd like to drive up one day during the conference for a night away together.  Of course! We've had some great memories there. We stayed at the Stanley Hotel over Valentine's Day in 2012. In April of this year we were snowed in when we foolishly took my car for a romantic getaway to Estes. I considered staying 2 nights, but knew it would be too long to be leave my mother-in-law with my girls.

My mother-in-law was invited to a bridal shower for one of her granddaughter's that same weekend. She decided she would like to go, and asked me if I would be willing to accompany her out-of-state for the event.  Well, of course.  That also happens to be where my parents and siblings live so not only could I help my mother-in-law, but I could visit with my family as well.

"Sorry honey, I won't make it to Estes this trip. I'll be going to Arizona with your mom." He was okay with it.

The morning I booked our flights, I received a message from my son.  I had previously asked him to let me know when he and Lauren would be dedicating their baby girl to the Lord. I wanted to be there. (If you aren't familiar with Baby Dedication, it is similar to infant baptism, without the baptzing part. That is saved for when an individual makes his own decision to commit their life to God.) The Dedication was to be the same Sunday Michael was in Estes and I would be in Arizona.  I almost broke down and cried.

I spent hours on the computer trying to find inexpensive flights & hotels, wondering if there was a way I could fly to Arizona, then to New Orleans, back to Arizona, then home in a weeks time. It was ridiculous.  How could I possibly spend quality time with any of my family members? I expressed my frustration to Sarabeth when she reminded me that this was the same weekend she was scheduled to watch Ethan, but was hoping for my help as she had some other events planned that weekend.  Sure enough, on my calendar I had written Ethan over that weekend.  I thought when my children became adults most of the time constraints of scheduling events would disappear. I broke down and cried.

When I finally composed myself, I did what I should have done from the start.  I prayed. "Lord, where am I needed the most? You know my heart and that I want to be with each member of my family, help me to be wise."

Having a large family, that continues to grow, it is easy to forget to maintain my marriage. My children are adults, but our home remains busy and alive with relationships. After praying, I felt at peace with not being able to go to Arizona with my mother-in-law. I knew God would be with her as she traveled.  I accepted not being at Ivydee's dedication, knowing I would be united with her and her parents in spirit & prayer. Sarabeth chose to watch Ethan at his house, so I was free to be at home with my number one man. Talk about changing things up, whew!

Friday night we had a surprise visit. Brian came over to ask for our blessing to marry our daughter, Elisabeth.  If I had been gone, I would have missed this moment.

(Congratulations Brian & Elisabeth!!!!)

On Saturday, Michael and I worked together painting doors and woodwork. We had so much fun. Mostly we talked about how blessed we are, while we waited for the phone call that the proposal had taken place.

Afterwards, we drove to Estes Park.  I stayed both nights with Michael and came home very refreshed.  I love my family and spending time with each and every one of them, but to be whole, I need time alone with my other half. I think I made the right choice.

 (This was the view from our gorgeous room.)

(The black square shows the two windows of our room, and yes, we opened one of the windows.  The weather was gorgeous.)

Truthfully,

Joanne

"For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh; so then they are no longer two, but one." (Mark 10:7-8)

"May he grant your heart’s desires
    and make all your plans succeed." (Ps. 20:4)

Where I Make A Mountain Out Of A Molehill

I debated whether to put this under the Thunk Thursday category or merely make mention of it. Instead, I am creating a new category, "Where I Make A Mountain Out Of A Molehill."

With so many serious issues in this journey called life, a lot of events take place that are neither bumps in the road, nor matters of great importance.  Yet, a mountain is made from a molehill simply because I don't want to tackle the tough topics.  The demands of life pile up.  The weight is heavy. I struggle to stack them in such a way as to save them from toppling. In the midst of it all, a seemingly inane incident happens and the balance tips.  Rather than try to upright it all,I focus on the one cube that really has no weight at all.  It neither tips nor touches anything that matters, and is so insignificant that I thrust it to the forefront, until it is bigger than life. Satisfaction.

This post won't be that dramatic of a mountain, more like an ant hill from a grain of sand.

I went to a new dentist yesterday. If you don't remember, I am in the process of getting a dental implant, you know, a fake tooth.  Part of the process is picking a color for the new tooth.  Everything in me wants pearly WHITE, the fake, bleached white everyone on television wears.  Unfortunately for me, because my two front teeth are not natural and cannot be whitened, I am pretty much stuck with matching the color of the fake tooth to the two front fake teeth. (I know I've posted this photo before, but am posting it again just in case anyone has forgotten that I once lived with shiny, silver teeth.)

As the dentist was comparing tooth colors to both my natural teeth and my two front teeth, she pulled one up and declared, "this is perfect!"  I looked into the mirror at the tooth front she was holding.  It looked rather yellow to me.  "Oh, this is beautiful," she gushed a bit more, "look how nicely it matches your hair, and so lovely with your skin tone."

It matches my hair?????  Lady, my hair is golden copper!  I do not want my tooth to match my hair.  Why don't I just get a lovely gold tooth instead? Then replace the front two with gold also, wouldn't that look smashing with my golden red hair????

Seriously, I don't know what this woman was thinking.

Truthfully,

Joanne

^"Confidence in an unfaithful man in time of trouble is like a broken tooth"

Ugh!

Those 4:00 a.m. phone calls from your college student are the hardest ones to receive-especially when you are far away and can't take her to the ER yourself.

Thanks Ryan for being there for Hilary.

Truthfully,

Joanne

"Whenever I am afraid, I will trust in You." (Ps. 56:2)

Smile

Smile. It makes people wonder what you are up to.

A smile can mask a heavy heart.

Smile. It may be an offering of kindness to a stranger.

If you smile when no one else is around, you really mean it.

Truthfully,

Joanne

"Many people say, 'Who will show us better times?'
    Let your face smile on us, Lord." (Ps. 4:6)

A Little Sleep, A Little Slumber

Ethan was here.  If you know Ethan, that is probably all I need to say.  For those that don't know him personally, let me give you a little more insight into our visit.

It was Labor Day and Ethan had Tuesday off from school.  His parents had to work, so Monday afternoon, I drove 45 minutes to the halfway point between our homes.  Danny met me there with Ethan. We grabbed french fries and a frosty, because everyone knows you gotta dip your hot fries in cold chocolate, popped in the Cars movie, and headed home.

At dinner, Ethan wasn't very hungry.  I figured either his late afternoon snack filled him up or his stomach was off.  Apparently it was the latter. He had diarrhea right before I gave him a bath.  Like the kid who doesn't realize he is about to vomit, E didn't quite make it to the bathroom.

Just before 9:00 p.m., we read some books, and it was off to bed.  Only he didn't fall asleep. This Gramma was tired, so ended up laying down with Ethan.  I dozed off a couple of times, only to have Ethan tap me on the shoulder, wave his fist in the air, asking if I'd take him to the store.  By the fifth time or so, I told him if he didn't go to sleep I would NOT be taking him to the store because Gramma would be too tired.  He lay quiet for awhile.

Believing he was close to sleep, I snuck upstairs.  A little later, I heard him trying to let the dog out. Not wanting a repeat of him putting the dog in the washing machine, I ran downstairs. He gestured to let me know what happened, but the odor was unmistakable.  He'd had another accident.

At 12:30 a.m., I was so exhausted I didn't think I could stay awake any longer.  Thankfully, one of Ethan's Auntie's volunteered to take over.  I told her that if he didn't fall asleep by the time she was ready to go to bed to come get me.  Around 2:00 a.m.,  Elisabeth was headed to bed. She had work in the morning.

Once again, I lay down with Ethan.  He couldn't seem to relax.  I dozed off, but opened my eyes to see him getting out of bed.  I watched him take a chair from beside the bed and reposition it across the room-no doubt where it truly belonged.  He crawled back in bed.  A few minutes later, he got up again. I watched with one eye as he walked down the hall.  I heard him go into the bathroom.  Good, at least he got up to use the restroom this time.

He came right back to bed with little coaxing. I must have fallen asleep again, because I awoke when the overhead light turned on.  I squinted, trying to focus my eyes when I saw Ethan ascending the stairs.  I was too tired to get up.  I waited a minute. He reappeared.  He was talking and signing that he was hungry and thirsty.  Really?  On the off chance it might make him comfortable and help him fall asleep, I was willing to get him something to eat .  He'd hadn't eaten much for dinner, and maybe his growling tummy was keeping him awake.  We headed upstairs together.

Immediately he began pointing down the hallway.  I had no idea what he was trying to tell me.  I noticed the bathroom light was on.  I pulled a box of gluten free cereal from the cupboard.  He walked down the hall, walked back and again pointed, with speech and gestures that I wasn't understanding.  Finally, I looked down the hallway.  Oh no!  His great grandmother's bedroom light was on.  Did Ethan really go back there and wake her up?

Quickly, I walked back there with Ethan in the lead.  His great grandmother was actually having a coughing fit and E had been quite concerned. So glad my own conclusions were wrong.

When we got back to the kitchen, I offered Ethan cereal.  He said no, opened the fridge and pointed to the orange chicken I had made for dinner. In a desperate attempt to get this kid to fall asleep, I heated up the chicken. It was 2:30 a.m.

 

 

He ate every bite. I took him back downstairs and we laid down again.  I pulled myself out of his bed by 3:00 a.m. He was finally asleep.  I don't know when I passed out.  I remember lying in my own bed and the last time I checked the clock it was 3:30 a.m.

Around 8 the next morning, err...later that same morning, I dragged myself out of bed.  I walk into the kitchen and who is sitting there with his Ipad?

This isn't the first time Ethan has had trouble sleeping.  This is an off and on difficulty he has had since he was a baby.  We were told this is common with kids who have Angelman Syndrome.  He was given a clinical diagnosis not proven by genetic tests. It is hard to know what sets his insomnia off.  It could have been the swelling of a mosquito bite he had on his leg that was red and hot and raised to an area of 5 inches by 3.  Or the cortizone cream I had slathered on, followed by Benadryl cream, and Neosporin. It could have been the 4 bites he had on his arms that were also raised and swelling.  Or a stomach ache, or quite simply the Bendadryl I gave him to reduce the itching and swelling.

I love you Ethan!

Truthfully,

Joanne

"Do not love sleep, lest you come to poverty;
Open your eyes, and you will be satisfied with bread." ( Proverbs 20:13)

Monday Morning Musings

My Monday morning latte didn't taste as delightful as it usually does. Over the weekend, I figured out that each one costs approximately $1.35.  I realize this is much cheaper than purchasing one from the local coffee shop or Starbucks, but it still seems shockingly high.  I'm considering going back to plain, black coffee, brewed in a regular coffee pot.

 This picture makes me happy.

So does this one.

For 10 years, Ethan was our only grandchild. One week before his 11th birthday, our second grandbaby, Ivydee was born.  Sometime in February we will welcome number 3.

I should go celebrate with a cup of coffee, or a nice latte.

Truthfully,

Joanne

"Children born to a young man are like arrows in a warrior’s hands. How joyful is the man whose quiver is full of them!" (Ps. 127:4)

Happy 1st Anniversary Christina & Danny

"He who finds a wife finds a good thing,
And obtains favor from the Lord." (Prov. 18:22)

Two Tiny Feet

Two tiny feet to kiss and hold,

Who knows where these ten toes will go.

Two tiny feet to love and touch,

In soft grass will run so much.

Two tiny feet pink, soft, and warm, 

The roads they travel will shape and form.

Two tiny feet beginning to grow,

One day will be tiny no more.

Truthfully,

Joanne

"How beautiful on the mountains, are the feet of those who bring good news,
who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation."

How Great Is Our God

The night before Ethan's 11th birthday, Hilary and Elisabeth lovingly set to work creating and painting t-shirts. Team Ethan uniforms were hung and ready to go sometime around 2:30 a.m.

I am blessed to have such an amazing family.  Everyone present was drafted on to Team Ethan and expressed love and devotion by donning a team shirt. Ethan was elated to have his own baseball team. We had a great celebration for our favorite 11 year old grandson.

 The love and support shown by all is why family exists.

How great is our God!

The same day my girls and family gathered to bless Ethan, my brother, sisters, their children and grandchild assembled together to support my Mom and Dad. Mom's brother passed away and it was the day of his funeral. I wish I could have been there, but they were surrounded by family. How great is our God.

The only members of the family absent from these two events were Christopher & Lauren.  They were with their precious, 1 week old babe, Ivydee, who was in the hospital having treatments for jaundice. They were not alone. Lauren's mom and dad were with them caring for and supporting them. How great is our God?

Thank-you Lord for the family where you graciously placed me.  Thank-you that my family continues to grow where Your love is multiplied.

Truthfully,

Joanne

For the Lord is great and greatly to be praised; (Ps. 96:4)

A New Beginning

Happy 29th Birthday Christopher! Twenty-nine years ago, I sat in a hospital room, awaiting for your arrival.  It was a tough, stressful day for your Dad.  He was terrified that you would be born without a head or that some other ghastly mishap would take place and he just wasn't sure how things would end.

Obviously, we made it through, and here you are.  Who would have thought, four days shy of your 29th, you would become the father of a beautiful baby girl?  Happy Birthday and congratulations.  You are already a most wonderful husband and Daddy.  We love you and are so very proud of the man you have become.

(I'm adding this additional video in hopes it works on iphones.  Plus I added a couple of new pics.)

Announcing the birth of my first granddaughter, Ivydee Harper.  Born July 7, 2013, at 11:05, weighing 6 lbs., 4.5 oz.  Congrats to Christopher & Lauren!

Truthfully,

Joanne

"The Lord is like a father to his children, tender and compassionate to those who fear him." (Ps. 103:13)

Game Time

The pitcher is ready,

Watching for signs and signals,

The batter is up,

She swings,

She's safe!

We need more runs.

Batter up!

Strike one!

He's ready to throw her out. We need a hit.

 Game on!

We're making progress.

 Let's not get discouraged!

We have some goofy players.

The opposing team is up

We need some assistance.

We're all in this together.

Even the dogs.

The game is close.

Strike!

We need a win.

We need a homerun.

 The hour is late.

Time to rally for the final play.

 We need everyone's help.

 I believe we are ready!

 Looks like we might have some new players.

 Maybe some interest in new players?

 It's the bottom of the 9th.

 We need a Babe Ruth, or maybe just a babe.

Our next draft pick is due in less than a week.  

Hoping for any day now. Come on baby, we're waiting!

Truthfully,

Joanne

"Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us" (Heb. 12.1)