Super Bowl Broncos

Winners in so many ways!

Grandsons

The Family Fans of the Denver Broncos

Truthfully,

Joanne

Numbers 6:24-26

‘May the Lord bless and protect you; may the Lord’s face radiate with joy because of you; may he be gracious to you, show you his favor, and give you his peace.’

Abstract Saturday

What's in today's tile?

Maybe we need a close up of the top tile:

See the cute little puppy?  Something like this?

Dreaming

Can't remember if I've shared this before. I dream a lot. I also have nightmares. Sometimes I know I am dreaming and know if I can yell, I can wake myself up. It works. When I don't realize I'm dreaming I might yell because I'm scared or whatever. I've told Michael that if he hears me making noise, trying to scream to please wake me up. It works.

Sometime this morning, after the sun was up, I tried to fall back asleep. I was so tired. For some reason, (most likely because I recently told Elisabeth about a terrifying incident with a peeping Tom) I looked up at the window to check if it was open. I saw a shadow. I stared for a moment longer and saw a hand reaching to open the window further.

I yelled to Michael that someone was at the window. He didn't wake up. I thought the shadow might disappear, but it didn't. The hand reached into the window. I began screaming. I felt Michael shaking me to wake me up. I screamed, "I AM NOT SLEEPING!!!! THEY ARE COMING IN THE WINDOW!" I continued to scream and he continued to shake me.

I finally woke up.

I lay there a moment trying to get my bearings as I truly thought I was awake in the dream. Finally I turned to Michael, "thank-you for waking me up. Please don't ever believe me if I scream I AM NOT SLEEPING."

Dreams can be so weird.

Truthfully,

Joanne

"But I will give you many wonderful gifts and honors if you tell me what the dream was and what it means."  Dan. 2:6

Abstract Saturday

What do you see?

A Norseman, Viking?  Something like this:

That's what I see. Next time you are looking at my tile, see if you can find him.

Truthfully,

Joanne

Your eyes will see strange things. (Proverbs 23:33)

What A Wonderful World

I have posted about this song before, here and here. Over the weekend it was running through my head. As the lyrics formed, something didn't feel right. As I suspected, I was singing it wrong, lol. Not the first time this has happened. It truly is a wonderful world.

I see trees of green, red roses too (The next line was what I had wrong.)

I see them bloom for me and you (Icing in blue, for me and you....)

And I think to myself

What a wonderful world

I see skies of blue and clouds of white

The bright blessed day and the dark sacred night

And I think to myself

What a wonderful world

The colors of the rainbow

So pretty in the sky

Are also on the faces

Of people goin' by

I see friends shakin' hands

Sayin', "How do you do?"

They're really sayin'

"I love you"

I hear babies cry,

I watch them grow

They'll learn much more than I'll ever know

And I think to myself

What a wonderful world

Don't you think Satchmo was right?

What a wonderful world

You were right, Pops

Truthfully,

Joanne

Psalm 89:15 Blessed are the people who know the joyful sound! They walk, O Lord, in the light of Your countenance.

Abstract Saturday

I've been wanting to try this for some time. I hope you all don't think I've lost my mind. I love abstract art. I tend to find faces and people while studying a piece. I also find faces in woodwork, tile, anywhere a design can hide people. If I was paranoid, I'd swear these were done on purpose. I could be one of those people who finds Jesus in a pancake, or at least his perceived likeness.

In our new bathroom tile, I have found many interesting characters. One night, when the light was dim, I saw a lady in a bathtub, wearing glasses, and smiling. I wanted to snap a photo but didn't have my phone. The next day, no matter how hard I looked, I couldn't find her again. That's the problem with not capturing it when you see it. But even a photo doesn't show the image quite the way I see it. I was browsing through the many photos I've taken and can't for the life of me remember or see a face, nothing.

In light of photos not being able to capture it quite the same, (or maybe it's the photographer) my goal is to share them with you, my readers, what treasures I find, and ask if you see the same thing that I do. Maybe you will see something completely different. Please share. Welcome to Abstract Saturday.

Do you see him? He's in the center tile. He's wearing a hat and has a beard. I don't know if this photo will help, but here is a similar photo next to it to give you an idea what I see.

I look forward to sharing more finds with you. If you happen to be at my house, I welcome you to study my tile and see what interesting things you find.

Truthfully,

Joanne

 "What is hidden he brings forth to light." (Job 28:11)

Happy First

Mr. Beckham it's hard to believe you are a one year old!

You came into this world a little peanut, 

and didn't waste any time growing into the sweet boy you are. 

You are happy all of the time. I don't remember any baby as happy as you.
You took your time crawling, waiting until 10 months, because you are generally content with whatever is going on around you. Now you are trying to stand by yourself and moving all over the place. You are a jumper. You will jump for 15 minutes straight. I wish I had your energy.

You are very expressive and love being center of attention. You aren't thrilled when Gramma has another baby in her arms and crawl or stretch to get to me. It warms my heart that you are genuinely happy to see me and hold your chubby little arms out for me to pick you up. How could I not? 

You used to love when I rocked you to sleep, but now you enjoy the world around you so much you get a little distracted and forget how nice it is to cuddle. But you will snuggle when you are tired and even sit quietly in my lap for a very long time. Oh, but you love to jump.

Happy Birthday Beckham!

Truthfully,

Joanne

"Happy are those who are strong in the Lord, who want above all else to follow your steps."(Ps. 84:5)

Forever Mommy

This post goes out to Mommy. I don't know you. You don't know me. I can only guess the story behind this.

Here is my best guess. Your little girl, such a sweetie, wanted to give you a special present for Christmas. Daddy helped her pick out just the right beads. Your daughter strung each bead, a heart, a butterfly, the letters of her mommy's name, another heart, more beads, mom's favorite colors. She carefully placed it in a box, wrapped it with love, and placed it under the tree.

Christmas morning she presented you with her sweetly wrapped box. You were filled with joy as she tied it around your wrist. You thanked her. She beamed with pride and joy.

Her first day back to school, you took the dog for a walk. Later, when your daughter came home from school, she noticed your bracelet was missing. You assured her you had not removed it. It must have fallen off when you were walking.

Tears filled her eyes. You comforted her and felt sadness that you lost this precious gift she worked so hard to make. You promised to take her to the store to buy more beads. Possibly you suggested she make matching bracelets for the two of you.

Now I want to tell you the rest of the story. Another mommy took her dog for a walk today. Her heart hurt deeply, tears with every step. Three months ago, this mommy lost her only son. He was 28.  Her pain is unimaginable. Her grief is overwhelming, the tears uncontrollable. Every day she waits, watches, looks for a sign from God that her son is okay. She needs to know He sees her broken heart. Today, in the midst of the rain, she found her sign. There it was lying in a mud puddle: A bracelet with the word MOMMY.

I hope you have recovered from your loss. Your loss became a precious gift to someone very dear to me. I don't believe it was an accident. Thank-you to the one who strung those letters together. Your mommy may have lost it, but it was found by another mommy and will be cherished forever.

Thank-you God!

Truthfully,

Joanne

“Take heed that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you that in heaven their angels always see the face of My Father who is in heaven."(Mt. 18:10)

A New Year

I love the beginning of the year. It feels fresh, new, full of possibility. I love the cold, the snow, wearing boots. Many complain about how crazy busy the gym gets, but I enjoy the enthusiasm of those with new memberships. They push themselves, they sweat, they struggle, they high-five when they finish. January is a time for new beginnings.

I'm ready to push past my comfort zone. I'm ready to embrace the new. I'm ready to walk on water...well maybe the frozen kind. I sense I've had a year of rest, a year of reflection, a time of births and new beginnings for my children. They will continue to experience growth, maturity. So will I.

The beauty of newly fallen snow is a timely reminder of God's grace and goodness. Though are sins be as scarlet, he will wash them white as snow. We have a clean slate, a fresh start.

Let's get up, step up, and look up.

Truthfully,

Joanne

“Come now, and let us reason together,”Says the Lord,“Though your sins are like scarlet,They shall be as white as snow; (Is. 1:18)

End Of The Year Review

At the end of 2014, I wrote: "This year could be summarized as the year of additions to our family, or the year Michael and I became empty-nesters. We began the year with 6 people in our residence and ended it with just the two of us. We started 2014 with 11 in our family and ended with 14+.

This year, our 32nd year of marriage, was also a year of family additions. We added 3 more grandchildren, with the announcement of an engagement, and another pregnancy. Every one of our children gained a member! This video is a short recap of our year.

https://youtu.be/BQmiiJo_adY

It's His Birthday

Happy Birthday to this guy! I don't know how life could be any better, because with you, every day is fresh, new, fun, and filled with surprises. I love the journey we are on together. This year has been a great one with so many new beginnings.

I want you to know how much I appreciate all you do, like scraping the snow off your daughter's car-and you have the confidence to do it while wearing a hat with pompoms.

You have a unique, creative ability that inspires me. Your parents would be so proud.

I couldn't be more proud as I watch you play and interact with Ethan. You've helped him to be creative and resourceful. You encourage him to grow.

Your patience, your kindness, your thoughtful, loving words overwhelm me. Thanks for giving me a new master bathroom this year and going out of your way to make sure it was just what I wanted.

Look at those two sweet granddaughters! You can't miss Ivydee's face, but I love the smile on 2 week old Jolie.

Thank-you for being the father and grandfather you are. We have a pretty amazing family.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY! Looking forward to this next year of blessings with you.

What Love

Late in the evening, December 21st, 2009, my father-in-law was in excruciating pain. The doctors explained that medication to alleviate his suffering, would lower his blood pressure to a place where he could no longer sustain life. It would cause him to fade into a coma. It would be the end. He understood the choice before him. He chose to be out of pain.

As he became more comfortable and relaxed, we began our good-byes. We told him how much we loved him. We thanked him for being an incredible father and grandfather. He had spent his life well.

Michael held his father's hand.  his wife cupped his face, and spoke tenderly. She thanked him for 60 years of marriage, and for their 5 children. Stroking his cheek, she told him how very much she loved him.

Knowing he was about to close his eyes for the final time, I fumbled with my phone. I did not want to intrude on this most intimate, sacred moment. Unsure how much time was left, I snapped this grainy photo as my mother-in-law leaned over and gave her beloved one last kiss. True love.

He passed into the next life the following day. On March 15, 2015, my mother-in-law joined her beloved in Paradise. I would like to have witnessed that reunion, met with a holy kiss.

Truthfully,

Joanne

Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.” (Luke 23:43)

Elves or Fairies

Wanting something different, I ditched the tattered artificial Christmas tree. It was bought in 2006 when there were no trees to be found . I didn't want to go back to buying a ridiculously expensive, fresh cut tree either. I decided I wanted a fabulous, fake tree all in white with clear lights decorated in silver and blue.

Seeing as how Christmas is less than 3 weeks away, I ran to Walmart last night, bought a white, prelit tree and was ready to go.  To my dismay, when I opened the box, I realized my mistake. I had purchase a white tree with multi-colored lights.

Two of my girls were here and encouraged me to just put it up. I felt defeated. No, I was not going to settle for something because I had made a mistake. If I was going to do something different, I was going to do it right. It was late. I went to bed.

This morning I woke up to Christmas.

Not sure if it was fairies or elves, but someone must have returned the tree I'd opened, bought the right one, came home, put it up, and placed ornaments on it.

Thank-you! What a wonderful surprise to wake up to.

Truthfully,

Joanne

"Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!" (1 Cor. 9:15)

Thanksgiving Memories.

I know a few people who have their Thanksgiving tables set. (I began this post a few days ago.) Many are busy baking and cooking today in preparation. Some are crazy busy cleaning their homes as guests arrive later. Me? I'm just relaxing. We aren't having anyone over for Thanksgiving.

Earlier in the week, my sister-in-law made the suggestion that instead of having the kids juggle spending Thanksgiving with both sets of parents/family, why not have Thanksgiving on Saturday so there is less stress. Done.

For some reason, this seemed a little too familiar. Had we done this before? Why yes, yes we have. Last year, I cooked the turkey on the Sunday following Thanksgiving. On Thanksgiving, I grilled salmon for Sarabeth, Travis, Michael, and I. On Friday, we went to the Springs to celebrate with Christina and family. Christopher and Lauren were in California. Hilary was in Chicago with her soon-to-be inlaws.

I switched up the day in order to save my children stress. But maybe it adds stress tacking on a second Thanksgiving Day?

I better get busy planning Christmas.

Since we are home alone, I am reflecting on past Thanksgivings and am so very thankful!

Thanksgiving 2011

This was the first Thanksgiving spent without my husband and girls. Thankfully, I spent it with the rest of my family: my parents, sisters, brother, their families, my son and his wife. I flew with my mother-in-law to Phoenix so she could spend it with her daughters. Since I took the photo, it seems like I wasn't actually there, but I was.

Two days later, the family joined me in Arizona for my nephews wedding. Happy Anniversary Nick and Laura.

Thanksgiving 2003

This was our first Thanksgiving we celebrated away from home, and our first without Christopher. Thankful to have cousins who live nearby and who are so much fun.

Thanksgiving 2004

The year grandson Ethan brought back memories of son Christopher eating the middle of my pumpkin pie.

Thanksgiving 2006

The year I set my table with name cards and everything...but didn't get a single photo of our family.

Thanksgiving 2008

The day with the cousins and inlaws, all 16 of us. (Trying to figure out what everyone is doing in these pics.) 

Thanksgiving 2009

Shortly after celebrating my inlaws 60th anniversary, we spent our last Thanksgiving with my father-in-law.

Thanksgiving 2010, somehow I don't make it into the picture yet again.

Thanksgiving 2013

Thanksgiving 2015

Before spending it by ourselves, Michael and I went to a movie with Hilary, Ryan, Beckham, Elisabeth, and Brian.

Truthfully,

Joanne

"Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place."