Happy Birthday Elisabeth

Happy 29th Birthday Elisabeth!

Same beautiful smile you've always had. What a joy it is to watch your journey into motherhood this past year. I see so much of you in Beckham, his smile and laughter.

He has that special, cute way of drawing others to him, bringing joy everywhere he goes. 

As a mom, you have multiplied your gifts and talents. The nurture and love you so freely give shows that you walk as it says in Galations 5, "when the Holy Spirit controls our lives he will produce this kind of fruit in us: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness, and self control." 

Thank-you for the joy and love you bring to all of the family.

I could not be more proud of you. Happy Birthday!

Truthfully,

Joanne

 "I ask the Father with his great glory to give you the power to be strong in your spirits. He will give you that strength through his Spirit. I pray that Christ will live in your hearts because of your faith. I pray that your life will be strong in love and be built on love.  And I pray that you and all God’s holy people will have the power to understand the greatness of Christ’s love—how wide, how long, how high, and how deep that love is.  Christ’s love is greater than anyone can ever know, but I pray that you will be able to know that love. Then you can be filled with everything God has for you." Eph. 3:16-19

Happy Birthday Dad

Growing up in a family with 4 kids, I didn't get to much one-on-one time with my dad. Whenever I had the chance to tag-a-long on an errand, especially when my siblings chose to stay home, I jumped at the chance. My parents owned a laundromat for awhile and one afternoon Dad and I headed out to take care of the chores. We worked hard. 

We filled the dispenser machines with product, and emptied the coins. While dad filled and emptied the change machine, I cleaned out the lint trap on each of the washers.  Everything was wiped down and cleaned. Dad let me mop the floors with the big string mop and wringer bucket. I felt so strong flinging it back and forth. He locked up and I climbed up into his old blue pickup truck. As usual, he set the big metal coin box between the two front seats next to the gear shift. As a reward for our hard work, we each had a cold soda pop we wedged between our legs for the 20 minute drive home, a Pepsi for him, Mountain Dew for me. He started the engine, but before shifting, he leaned over and opened the metal box. He pulled out a 50 cent piece and handed it to me.

"Here. You worked hard today and I'm glad you came with me." I took the shiny coin. It felt like a million bucks, mostly because of the pride with which it was given. As we drove home, we listened to country music and sang. No, we jammed. The tin box became our snare drum and the handle of it made a tambourine sound. Dad would slap the side with the back of his hand, tap the top to jingle the metal together, beating to the rhythm of each song. When it was my turn, I was a little shy as I knew I wasn't as good as he was. Dad encouraged me to just feel the rhythm. By the time we got home, He turned to me and said, "we make a pretty good harmony team." I felt like a master drummer.  Getting out of the car, I don't remember feeling tired, but I believe I walked a little taller.

(I know I've shared this memory before, but was thinking about it and thought I'd share it again.)

Truthfully,

Joanne

For he gave his laws to Israel and commanded our fathers to teach them to their children, (Ps. 78:5)

Abstract Saturday

Here is this weeks tile:

There's a lot going on, so I'll zoom in so you can see where I am focused.

I see an old man, no teeth with one eye squinted shut. Something like this:

Truthfully,

Joanne

"But there is a God in heaven who reveals secrets"

Two

Josiah, today you are two.

You are an inquisitive, smart, happy boy. You love to play with trucks of any kind. Big Hero 6 and Cars are your favorite movies. Mickey Mouse is your go-to tv show and doing the Hot Dog dance with your dad.

(I'm sorry you weren't feeling well and running a fever when we celebrated your birthday)

You enjoy playing with your big brother Ethan, but also like space to do your own thing, without his help.

You love to run, and sometimes this rambunctiousness leads to bumps and bruises. In those moments, mom's arms of comfort are the best.

You haven't taken much interest in your baby brother, Elijah yet, but it won't be long before the two of you and Ethan will be the best of friends.

Whenever we visit, you act a little shy, but then a grin breaks out and you run to me and let me scoop you up and hug and kiss you. I'm so glad you will snuggle with me.

Love you to the moon and back. Happy 2nd Birthday Josiah!

Truthfully,

Joanne

You have taught the little children to praise you perfectly. May their example shame and silence your enemies! (Ps. 8:2)

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.