Walk on the Canal

We took a stroll down the C & O Canal on Saturday, minus one child.  (She has a broken toe/broken toes and is wearing a boot that she didn't want to get dirty! Someone please tell me how to wrap my children in bubble wrap to avoid all these injuries?).

I'm so glad we got outside to soak in the sunshine this weekend before all this cold, rainy weather rolled in!  It was a very relaxing walk...except for the part when I stepped on a baby snake!

Lock House #28

Check out this creepazoid millipede!

After our walk we rewarded ourselves with ice cream from the new creamery in town.  It was so good!  I wasn't able to get a clear shot of this next picture because we were driving down the road.  This is through my windshield and the dog was turning his head constantly.

If you can't see- he has goggles on.  Only in the country...

Mom & Son

What they say about the relationship between a mom and her son is so true.  There's just something special that takes place between them.  Jared and I have many ways we bond and it takes little effort. 

We are both early birds.  Many times we snuggle together early in the morning in my favorite chair by the window and talk about anything, listen to the birds, watch the sun come up or simply say nothing. 

Or, we talk about waking up with a song of praise on our hearts.  Music is something we both love.  We have a couple of "our songs" that are special just to he and I.   One of them is Glenn Miller's "In the Mood".   Jared loves Big Band/Swing. Another is a silly one called "Let's Rub Noses, Like the Eskimoses." 

We like to read together.  Many times I read books outloud to him, and neither of us move on to the next chapter without the other.  Sometimes we both fall asleep before we can finish a page.

We share a love for nature.  Whether it's sitting in the sunshine and soaking it up, bird watching, taking in the beauty of plants and flowers, a walk in the woods, or the simple excitement of having bunnies come right up beside us in the yard---we love it all.

Mostly, we share a love for our Creator.  I love the talks we have together about our God: thankfulness for all He's done, His beautiful creations, the song He puts in our hearts, His word,  answered prayers and prayers that are currently on our hearts.  It blows my mind how Jared can find the spiritual application in almost any situation.  I can count on him to share in a burden or excitement and take them both to prayer. 

Then, there's Chess.

It's a game that sits on the shelf, untouched, until he and I play together.  I taught him how to play a few years ago and ever since, it's been our thing.

The End.

I Found My Little Girl

The transition from girlhood into adolescence often leaves me stunned, baffled, scratching my head and asking "Why me?"  I am thankful that God is helping me to embrace this natural part of life...today anyhow! 

I wrote this poem today:

I Found My Little Girl

There was, once upon a time, my little girl so amiable and nimble
climbing trees, skipping rocks, running through the day
"Look, Daddy and Mommy, I made you this."
she'd say

A missing tooth, a scratched up knee
stitches, bandages and casts
a tromp through the creek, overturning rocks
in search of obscured crawdads

Riding bikes, sweaty face
prayers in bed, a sweet embrace

Bedtime stories, stay-up parties
hair-dos, massages
pedicures and manicures
laughter and surprises

A kind word, a kiss on the cheek
a tattered skirt and stained up sneaks

Days, weeks, months, years
all too quickly flee
holding hands and bear hugs
now distant memories

Where could my little girl be?

I reach for her hand
but get a cold shoulder
and a "Maybe later, Mom."
oh, how I'd long to hold her

"Want to play a game?" I ask
"Maybe later, Mom."
"Is this the standard response to all?"
"Maybe later, Mom."

Ipod, music, ooVoo and Skype
talking all day and into the night

"Time for bed, and turn that thing off."
a look of disgust and dismay
"Do as you're told, young lady
otherwise, I'll take it away."

"Can I go here? Can I go there?"
anywhere but home, it seems
I catch a glimpse of her in the mirror
she's ready to spread her wings

Like a butterfly, she emerges
from the chrysalis of love held so tight
security, confidence
and beauty take flight

Determination, goals
dreaming about tomorrow
reaching for new heights
wanting to be let go

I stand on the side lines
with guidance, love, correction
cheering her on
with discipline and affection

She's growing up, pulling away
searching for who she is
she looks within, stands on the Rock
and knows that she is His

With prayer and perseverance
patience and trust
I look to the One
who is faithful and just

Take her and mold her, I pray
shape her and form her
with talents and unique gifts
and Truth of Your Word

Let her be one of a kind
let her be free from this world
let her shine as a light
let her be transformed

At His feet, in humble service
walking in love and liberty
making her stamp on this world
that's where my little girl will be!

The Family of the Long Good-bye's

My family often refers to ourselves as the "family of long good-byes".  Whether it's Christmas or a drop by visit during the week at my Grandma's we can't seem to just say "good-bye" and walk out the door.  It goes against our nature.  Maybe it's because we don't really want to go.  Maybe it's because we're procrastinating. Or, maybe we're just plain weird.  Whatever the reason- it's just what we do.

My kids never believe me when I say, "Ok, kids.  It's time to go."  They give me a nod but I know they're thinking "Suuuuuure."  Winter, Spring, Summer or Fall- it doesn't matter. Coats can be on, keys can be in hand. We may move another couple of feet closer to the door.  Then a conversation about something else will start up.  I'll call the kids again and tell them it's really time to go.  They find another place to sit closer to the door.  Eventually we lose them again. Finally, cars begin warming up outside- for 10 more minutes.  It just never ends!  We'll finally inch our way out the door, shrug our shoulders and say- we're the "family of the long good-byes!" 

I went for a visit this week to my grandparents.  My grandad, 94, is getting ready to move into a nursing home.  My mom, her two brothers and my Grandma have been taking diligent care of him around the clock for the past several months. With dementia progressively worsening (he doesn't really recognize any of us now) and the need for constant care it was decided that this is what's best for him and the family. 

So, this was my chance to see him for the last time in his home that I have had 34 years of wonderful memories with him there:  sleepovers with root beer floats and pancakes and bacon in the mornings,  riding lawn mower lessons, golfing, bike rides, fishing trips, hours and hours of video taping of my "fashion shows" and me and my brothers "levitation acts", and much more. 

After lunch my Grandad got comfy in his bed and we gathered around his room to watch some family videos of the good old days:  my little brother's 2nd birthday, one of my fashion shows, Christmas '87, the family famous stroller crash video that we still debate on sending to Funniest Home Videos (**will explain later) all taken by my Grandad.  He was always the one behind the camera capturing every moment of our family get togethers.

In the midst of our laughter, hoops and hollers Grandad soon drifted off to sleep.  My Grandma glanced over at him sleeping peacefully, slowly looked at his frail body, then tuned back to me and said, "This is the "long good-bye", you know.  We're always the family of long good-byes." 

With moist eyes we squeezed hands, cherishing the moment as we reflected on the years of good memories.

Two Things

I learned two things yesterday.

#1- I can scream like a rooster. 

Seriously.  Have your kid dash behind a car that's backing up in a parking lot and see if you can too.  It's amazing what can come out of you in a split second of panic. It sounded something like "OHJAREDJACARR!"

#2- Buying sidewalk chalk in the store really is the way to go.

We decided to do an art project: making our own sidewalk chalk.  Wasn't as easy as I thought it would be. I realize it would have been cheaper and easier to just buy our own but we wanted to experience making it ourselves. We also learned about exothermic reactions when we noticed the mix was warm after pouring it.  Pretty cool.

The downside: people on the videos and tutorials I watched really made it look like a piece of cake.  Probably because they were all making ONE piece of chalk.  Was I over ambitious to think we could make TWELVE? Apparently so.

We stopped after making 6 sticks and 2 balls.  Here's how they came out.  Don't laugh.

If you'd like to try to make your own, here's how we did it.

You will need:
plaster of paris (I bought a 4 lb container)
wax paper
tape
plastic cups
plastic spoons for mixing
food coloring
toilet paper rolls
water
cookie sheet or covered surface

First, line your toilet paper rolls with wax paper.  Roll it up, slip it in and cut off excess. Tape to secure it.

Next, cover one end of the tube with scrap of wax paper.  Tape down.  This will be the bottom of your tube.

Repeat with all of your tubes, turn upside down and place on your cookie sheet.

Mix plaster of paris, water and food coloring.  You will have to play with the amounts. I never did get exact measurements.  Use about 8-10 heaping teaspoons of plaster and a little less than equal amount of water.  You want the consistency not to be runny, but not as thick as peanut butter.  You will get a feel for it when you try to pour it in your tube.  Add food coloring and mix well.  Pour into tubes immediately after mixing- it will harden fast!

As I mentioned above, you will notice the mixture becomes warm as it's turning into a solid.

Let dry for 24 hours.  Cut a slit in your tube and peel off wax paper. 

Have fun!

What Are Little Boys Made Of?

Frogs and snails and puppy dogs' tails!  That's what little boys are made of :)

I was baking in the kitchen this morning when Jared runs inside.

He says: "Mom! A snail!"


I grabbed my camera and went out to get a glimpse of this snail.  Sure enough, he went back into his shell right when we got there.  We hovered over him and waited for him to come back out.

Did you know that little boys are also made of silly puddy and Garfield comics?  Yep, they are...

...And puzzle balls...

He disassembled this puzzle ball and spent a good part of the day trying to get it back together.  It was quite the challenge.  He had to set it down a couple of times and walk away.  Then came back for a few more tries.

Success!

This is what little boys are made of...and so much more!

Happy 4th of July!

Celebrating 14 Years Today!

Today marks the day my sweetheart and I got hitched 14 years ago!  What a journey it has been.

Here's where it all began:

Please pardon the cheesy dress.  This was us back in the day.  My prom night, 1995- where he proposed to me.  He was so fidgety and nervous and little did I know he had a ring in his pocket.

Actually, our journey began years before this.  I met Joe when I was 14 going on 15 years old!  I was going to Pizza Hut with my mom to pick up our pizza and there he was.  Standing outside leaning against a pillar with some kind of fedora hat, smoking a pipe!  For a moment I think everything moved in slow motion as we gazed into eachothers eyes for the first time! Ha!  My brother also worked at this Pizza Hut and told me Joe began asking about me in the days and months following.  From then on it became a very regular thing for my mom to order pizza and make me be the one to go inside to pick it up!  We began dating when I was 16 (that was 18 years ago!---Yikes). 

So, he proposed to me at my prom in 1995.  I was so shocked and not expecting it AT. ALL.  I think my response was: "Um, yes, I think, well...I need to ask my parents." HA!!

So here we are at our "Engagement Party":

We had great plans to move together to Charlston, South Carolina.  We felt like we needed a "fresh start".  We went down for a visit to scout out places to live and for me to go to college.  I was so excited to move away and start our life together in a new place.  We started collecting boxes for our big move.  Then one day Joe comes to me and says he doesn't think it's a good idea for us to move. 

WHAT?!  My heart broke into tiny pieces.  I asked him why he had changed his mind.  He said he was driving down the road listening to some song thinking about our upcoming move when the lyrics jumped out and said "...It would be the biggest mistake of your life..." 

This changed everything.  I remember sitting in my room crying- but it didn't make sense.  I had everything going for me.  What was there to cry about? 

Little did we both know, we were actually longing for a newness in our hearts-longing to be reunited with our Creator.  We were hoping to move to start our lives fresh- hoping for a change, when what we needed could only take place in a relationship with Jesus Christ where "old things are passed away" and "...all things have become new".  That's where new life and forgiveness and cleansing take place!

Not long after, we both had our own personal experience and were born again "of the water and Spirit" (John 3:3-5). We are so thankful for a merciful God that brought us out of darkness into His marvelous light.  Now our lives had meaning and purpose, and what we were searching for we found in Jesus Christ.

We had previously made arrangements to elope to Negril, Jamaica at a Sandals resort.  So that's what we did!  The day of our wedding arrived and there was torrential downpours!  The kind of rain where if you stepped outside for- one second- you would be completely drenched. We were supposed to get married on the beach.  So much for that.  They tried to get us to cancel our wedding and move it to another day that was sunny.  We told them we "WERE NOT canceling our wedding".  They were not happy with us.  I'm pretty sure from that point on they had it out for us.  They gave us major attitudes. 

As our witnesses were walking us to the room to get married, in the pouring down rain, they were making up a song (thinking we couldn't understand...or not caring if we did) with lyrics that sang "What's the rush?"  What's the rush?  Um....sorry but we want to get married on the date we have on our wedding announcements going out and this is the day we've been waiting years for!  Sheesh.

Anyways, we were married in a small room with the rain pouring down outside.  The minister made mention of the fact that our determination to get married and not wait another minute was symbolic of the bond we shared and the determination to work hard at our marriage.

The minute we finished our little ceremony we opened the door and the sun was shining so bright.  There was still rain dripping off of all the palm trees! It was so magnificent and breathtaking!  This is the very moment we stepped out:

Our "friends" that we made on our trip from the airport to our resort, the scariest ride of my life, were there to congratulate us and took the picture above.

The party boat in the distance adds a nice touch, doesn't it? Ha!

Our Honeymoon

We came home and had a little reception with friends and family.   

Joe's Grandpa & I dancing

Newlywed days!

I'm so thankful for the years we've been blessed together with and the years that are to come!  I love you Joe!!!!!

She's 12!

In two days my baby girl is turning 12 years old!  I can't believe how fast the time has flown by. 

We have been through so much together. I remember clearly the day I found out I was pregnant with you, the day I found out you would be a girl, the day I went into pre-term labor and was put on bedrest for 7 weeks, wondering if it would ever end, and the very minute you were born (May 21, 1999 at 12:14pm).  I'll never forget you screaming your head off just after you were born and the way you came to complete silence in recognition of your daddy's voice.  He talked to you and read to you while you were in my belly and I'm sure you knew just who he was. 

What a journey it has been over the past 12 years! I thank God for you every day.  I love who you are~ a follower of God, strong, independent, fun, a leader, beautiful, inquisitive, daring, playful, humorous, out-going, smart, sensitive and caring.  I have watched you grow and change and mature into the godly young lady you are today.

Happy Birthday Jenna!