Blessed Indeed!

I can't believe I have to wait a month to see the professional wedding photos. I can't wait to share them.

As the mother-of-the-bride, I didn't have a chance to take pictures myself, except when I grabbed Michael's phone and got this one.

I felt unbelievably blessed at the wedding. Not only was the bride beautiful and everything perfectly lovely, but I realized once again what an amazing family I have.

As I looked around the room,

 I saw 20 family members who had flown in from out of state to celebrate my daughter's wedding: my daughter's grandparents, cousins, aunts & uncles.

I looked at my own 5 children, their 4 spouses, and my 3 grandchildren;

I felt abundantly blessed.

Yet in that moment, I realized an even greater depth to our family.

Danny's parents were at the wedding. Lauren's parents were not only present but helped set up for the reception. Brian's mom was in attendance, as were Travis' parents. All 7 parents of my inlaw children were joined together as family to celebrate the wedding of Sarabeth & Travis. I  am blessed indeed!

Truthfully,

Joanne

 

(P.S. I hope to share pictures of everyone once we get the wedding photos back.)

"Behold, how good and how pleasant it is
For brethren to dwell together in unity!" (Ps. 133:1)

Happy Mother's Day

Mom's come in all varieties.  Some have babies, like to travel and have adventures. 

Some are good at juggling more than one child, while working a full time job.

 

Some have twins,

 some space their children 5 plus years apart.

 Some moms have grown children and younger ones too.

 Some have children while young, then add more when they are a bit older with grandkids older than some of their own children.

Some have lots of children who are all grown up with kids of their own, and since the grands are so far away, they collect dogs and puppies. 

Some moms manage to find time to see their grandchildren, in spite of having big families with adult children getting married, having wedding showers, baby showers, graduating/going to college.

And some moms have the privilege of being a mom/grandma to all of these other moms. 

Happy Mother's Day Mom, see you on Friday in New Orleans!

Truthfully,

Joanne

"May the Lord give you increase more and more,You and your children." (Ps. 115:14)

Three Things I Learned

I learned a few things the first week at my new job.  In random order:

1.  When traveling, DO NOT put hair products and face products in the same type of container when they are both white.

The first day on the new job went well, but I noticed my hair seemed very dry.  Like me, my hair is very sensitive to change of environment.  Consequently, the second day I decided to take out my deep hair conditioner in an attempt to rectify the dry hair dilemna. When I scooped out a gob and rubbed it into my hair, I noticed it felt different.  I figured that I had left it in my travel bag too long and it evidently dried out a bit.  When I noticed it didn't spread very well throughout my hair, I applied my regular conditioner as well.  This isn't uncommon, as I do have dry hair.

After my shower, I attempted to blow dry my hair, but it didn't seem to dry.  When I finally finished, I realized that my hair was dry, just extremely oily.  I looked back at the container. I realized I had just used half a jar of greasy face cream used to remove makeup to condition my hair.  It was too late to rewash it.  I spent the day looking as if I hadn't bathed in a week.

2.  Some people don't care if your hair looks dirty.

3.  Bringing gifts to the people you work with is very rewarding.

These are the people I worked with:

 

Neither one seemed to care whether or not I had greasy hair. 

I brought Ethan a guitar. He had indicated he wanted one.  He goes to music therapy twice a week for a total of 2 1/2 hours.  Before I even had a chance to tune the guitar, Ethan began playing it. 

The next day, Ethan had the day off of school, so I had promised him I would tune his guitar (even though he had already broken a string.)  After I fulfilled my promise, Ethan made me and Josiah sit on the couch.  He began strumming and singing his heart out.  After his first song, he folded his hands and began to pray.  He then gestured for me to stand up, and he began singing again.  He paraded across his pretend stage, singing and strumming. He paused, then bowed his head and loudly began praying. I finally asked him, "Ethan, do you want to be a worship leader at church?"  He immediately responded, "uh huh!" nodding his head up and down.

I wish I had his "performance" on video. It made me cry.  I had a great first week on the job.

Truthfully,

Joanne

"Jesus said, 'Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” (Mt. 19"14)

A New Job

I have a job!!!  I start tomorrow.  My new job involves traveling 1-2 overnights every week.  I don't know how long this job will last or how long Michael will tolerate me being gone every week, but for now I am a working woman. Can you tell I am excited?

Truthfully,

Joanne

"She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks." (Proverbs 31:17)

No Greater Joy

What are the greatest joys a parent can experience? 

An exhausted one might say a sleeping baby. (Josiah is on the left, Ivydee on the right.)

An older parent might say the blessing of grandchildren is their greatest joy.

I do agree about grandchildren, but one of my greatest joys as a parent came this past month.

On Sunday, April 6th, I had the privilege of worshiping at the church my daughter & son-in-law attend.

 On that day, my youngest grandson, Josiah, was dedicated to the Lord.

 Elisabeth, Sarabeth, & Travis also joined us.

On Sunday, April 13th, I had the privilege of worshiping at the church my son and daughter-in-law attend.

For 9 days I took daily walks with these two.

On Good Friday, April 18th, I attended church with Hilary, who had invited Ryan & his family.

We watched the Easter Drama of the death & resurrection of Christ.

There is no greater joy than being able to worship alongside my adult children & and their children in a church where they have found a home. Or watching my grandson Ethan, grasp the hand of everyone around the table to pray and knowing God understands every word he says.

Truthfully,

Joanne

“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. Keep these words in your heart that I am telling you today. Do your best to teach them to your children. Talk about them when you sit in your house and when you walk on the road and when you lie down and when you get up.” (Deut. 6:5-7)

Thirty-three

Thirty-three years ago, I became a mom to this sweet, baby girl.

Happy Birthday Christina!  

This was taken on the day you were baptized. Tomorrow you will dedicate your second son to the Lord.

I couldn't be more proud of the daughter you are, 

 a sweet older sister to your brother and sisters,

 a fisherman,

a loving mother, 

and a dedicated wife.

 

 You earned your degree,

and furthered your career opportunities by graduating as a R.N.

I remember when I turned 33.  All I could think about is Jesus ended his earthly life when he was 33 years old.  I felt I hadn't accomplished much by that age. But you sure have! I am so very proud of you, Christina.  Happy 33rd birthday!

Gifts

I received the best gift ever.  I've mentioned before that I journal. This is what I received in the mail today:

How awesome is this?  A journal with custom, hand drawn artwork, created by my very own mom.

Here are a few of the pages:

A blessing and a reminder of how very much I am loved, each and every, single day.

What a beautiful gift!

I have the best mom ever!

Truthfully,

Joanne

" 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." (James 1:17)

A Merry Heart

Laughter doeth good like medicine...unless you have a broken rib.

Looking Back

Six years ago, this weekend, something happened. My son, Christopher, flew home for the weekend. He had graduated from college 3 months prior, and was a working man. His visit wasn't because he was homesick, and it wasn't just his family he came to see.

Christopher's goal was to meet with Lauren's parents and ask for their daughter's hand in marriage. We couldn't have been happier or more excited for him.

(This guy was happy to see his uncle.)

A week after his trip, Christopher proposed.  Lauren said yes.

Feeling very thankful for the blessings that emerged from that weekend, six years ago,

Not only do we have a beautiful daughter-in-law, but they have a daughter of their own. Our sweet granddaughter, Ivydee.

Truthfully,

Joanne

"Your wife shall be like a fruitful vine
In the very heart of your house,
Your children like olive plantsAll around your table." (Ps. 128:3)

Out Of The Mouths of Babes

Before Josiah was born, every other Wednesday, I picked Ethan up from school and took him to music therapy.

Each and every time, he would ask if he could go to Grandpa's house. I reassured him, "when the baby is born Ethan, you can come and stay at Grandpa's." (I'm not sure why our house is "Grandpa's." Either it is an easier word for him to say or else Grandpa is his favorite.)

The day Josiah arrived, we drove down to see him. Ethan enjoyed meeting Josiah,

but was ready to go to Grandpa's. I ended up staying the entire day at the hospital with the new family, so Hilary, Elisabeth, and Grandpa went back to the house to pack a bag for Ethan to spend the night.

At home, Ethan grabbed two huge trash bags.  He emptied his clothes into one, and his toys in the other. He packed up his suitcase and all of his pull-ups.  He was taking all of his belongings and moving into Grandpa's house. He even had his bedroom picked out. Ethan believed me when I said that when the baby was born, he could come to stay at Grandpa's. I don't recall saying permanently or indefinitely, but I must not have said a couple of days either.

I guess I need to be more specific when making a promise to Ethan. He'll hold me to it.

Truthfully,

Joanne

"When I was my father’s son,
Tender and the only one in the sight of my mother,
He also taught me, and said to me: 
Let your heart retain my words;
Keep my commands, and live. 
 Get wisdom! Get understanding!" (Proverbs :3-5)

Perspective

It was a lovely, warm day.  I sat on the porch soaking up the warmth.  My next door neighbor came out.  I waved hello.  She was walking to her mailbox, but began walking to my house. I told her I was sick, but she continued walking.  In spite of not feeling well I got up to meet her. She told me "don't get up," but I told her I needed to give her a hug. We met in the middle of the yard. 

As we embraced, she broke out in huge sobs. She whispered to me that her only son had been taken to jail that morning...for at least a year. I began sobbing with her...uncontrollably.  She told me not to cry as I would start coughing. I told her I needed to cry because I love her son as my own, and was heart broken for them both.

Truthfully,

Joanne

 ^"Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep." (Romans 12:15)

What's Up

I began feeling ill the day before my birthday, but made the most of it.  Michael had made special plans for Saturday to celebrate: dinner and a concert with two of my favorite people, Rick and Dee (my son's inlaws.) I took lots of medicine and made it through.  By Sunday, I was feeling much worse. The fifth day, Monday, I went to the Dr.

My doctor and the pharmacist warned me that some of the medication could cause me to become aggressive, angry, and agitated, so I should warn those closest to me.

Funny, I think I was too sick.  I had no energy for anger, agitation, or aggression. That was 8 days ago.

I went to the doctor again yesterday.  I was told I am not well yet and should spend another week resting and continue taking the meds. I have a bit more energy now and lots of free time.

I probably shouldn't be posting, but what's a mother to do? When someone says unkind things about one of her children, the Mama Bear comes out-and this one is on steroids. ROAR!

Truthfully,

Joanne

 "So I remained utterly silent,
    not even saying anything good.
But my anguish increased; 

     my heart grew hot within me.
While I meditated, the fire burned;
    then I spoke with my tongue: 

 “Show me, Lord, my life’s end
    and the number of my days;
    let me know how fleeting my life is." (Ps. 39:2-4)