Under His Wings

There's no place like home! I guess that phrase has gone through my mind a lot watching the Wizard of Oz the past few days, but it really means to me that there's no place like the house I spent nearly 24 years living in..the place where my parents have lived since 1972. Looking out the back door I remember sitting under the big Maple tree and writing in my journal. I also spent hours back there playing baseball and kickball with my neighbors and sledding down our next door neighbor's hill. One year I hit my face against a tree. Going up to what is now my mom's craft/computer room I reminised formulating many hopes and dreams for my life. In the living room, I remembered all the Christmas dinners that we had with my mom's parents, my dad's mom, my great grandma and grandma's aunt Emma. Looking out the front door while waiting for Jason to show up, I became sad looking at my grandparents' house. Memories there could fill another blog entry. I rea...

Growing up, my dream was to have a little girl I could do "girl things" with. Today I could fufill that dream as Anna and I went to a church bridal shower together. I remember going to showers with my mom growing up. Anna joined in the "hot bouquet" game like all the adults. It was a hot potato/musical chairs mixture of a game. Anna actually won! She looked beautiful as she posed with her purple bouquet :) She won't be the next bride as she is not even 6 yet. I love having boys too. Don't get me wrong there. I enjoyed watching my oldest son this morning playing football. Today's shower brought back many wonderful memories. Many of the same ladies who were there today was at my own bridal shower 13 years ago. The lady who introduced my husband and I was sitting right next to me. She was the organist for our wedding. Anna told me on the way home from the shower that she enjoyed going with me to have some girl time together. It's just ano...

It is very unusual that my 7 year old, Nate, is tired and whiny in the morning. He's been a lot better about getting up and in the bath tub in the morning this school year. Therefore, I kept him home from school this morning. He was complaining of a sore throat and ear ache. I got him home after taking Anna to school, and we just cuddled on the couch in a blanket. He read to me and I read to him. He told me he loved me and that I was a good mom. I wish he wasn't sick, but those special moments meant the world to me. After school, I was sitting here at the computer desk looking at my 5 year old, Anna was reading the directions to her homework and doing what it said...counting dots and writing down the number. My kids are growing up WAY TOO FAST!!!!! A year from now, I'll be a mom of a teenager. YIKES!!!!!! The prospect of the teenage years honestly scare me a bit, but Elijah is growing up to be a very talented, smart young man. I know he'll be fine. I'm so proud of h...

It's been a year since I updated my blog. Wow! Time does fly when having fun! I was out for a walk today. It was a perfect day to take in the warm early fall air. This is my favorite time of the year. I love observing the hills around me transform into a wave of multi colored beauty. I also love the smell of freshly fallen leaves. Of course, I know that that means winter is close behind, but hey that means that the time of beautiful flowers will follow. I have a lot of neat plants in mind to try out next year. I'm planning on taking a lot of walks in the next few weeks. I signed up for a free county health program. I'll be able to measure how far I'm walking and get nutrition tips. I'm looking forward to the end of 6 weeks to see the results. I'll keep you all updated and share the treasures I find in my walking adventures. PS I've never really shared this blog before, so feel free to go back and check out my previous posts.

I love to sit by water. There is nothing more relaxing to me than to sit by the water and think. Even during a bit of rain like in this picture. The pitter patter of raindrops... ahh I could have spent hours sitting by the lake, but with 3 active kids, that wasn't possible. I came away from our recent nature vacation with a new appreciation for God's creation and also an appreciation for what wonderful blessings God has given to me. I wish Green Lakes State Park wasn't 2 hours away. Guess where I'd be if I lived closer. I loved the chirping of the birds, the pounding of the woodpeckers, and the sunshine hitting the lake first thing in the morning.  The peaceful moments sitting by the lake added to the wonderful experience. I'd love to be there in the fall when all the leaves are changed. That would be a breathtaking view!

It has been a while since I have blogged, but now that I have some quiet time to think, I will start writing again. Yes, quiet time! It is hitting me pretty hard today that I am the mom of a KINDERGARTENER, 1st grader and 6th grader. Yes, my oldest child is in Middle School! I know I shouldn't be, but I'm really emotional today. I guess it's just the fact that my last child is in school. I guess from the birth of my daughter nearly 5 years ago until now the reality of no more children really hit me this morning for the first time. No more buddies to keep me company during the day. Sigh! To be honest here, I've been struggling with some very strong emotional stuff the past few weeks and I've been at my wits end literally. I lost perspective on my blessings. See my beautiful family below? They are truly gifts from God (as our middle son Nate's name means) I was fed up with the kids fighting, my house always being a mess and many other things. I was to...

I shared these thoughts with my MOPS friends in the newsletter"The Announcer". It sums up my feelings of the tragic shooting in Binghamton NY, near my hometown and all the other violence and unrest in the world today. The shooting really shook me up. My mom drove past the Civic Center less than 24 hours before the shooting. I walked around the area countless times throughout my life. The teacher killed was the wife of one of my former doctors (a ear/nose throat specialist). My thoughts and prayers are with the victims families, the surviors, the emergency personnel who responded and the whole community. What a shock! Adventures in Mothering Because He Lives "How sweet to hold a newborn baby and feel the pride and joy he gives, but greater still this calm assurance this child can face uncertain days….Because He Lives" Bill and Gloria Gaither Copyright 1971. As I sang that song on Sunday in church, those words brought tears to my eyes. I chose the song in ...