Return to Posting

I am ashamed when I looked at the date of my lasting posting. We have had so many wonderful moments this year, but also some very difficult ones. I was afraid if I started blogging again, my postings would be negative and full of self misery, not very apt for a blog entitled "Living a Blessed Life." You can be thankful I knew my limitations!

We have been through the fire these last 12 months - health, work, church, finances and our precious children and the things impacting their lives. But God has been faithful to Brian and I - so much beyond that which we deserve. He has held our hearts throughout the rough times this year, wiped our tears and wrapped us in His love . . . all the while gently reminding us that He is in control and that He will never leave us. It has been a learning experience this year, a testing of our faith, a refinement of our lives. Even though we are still not through the fire, we can see more clearly His promises and how they are impacting our lives (and His Promises are always Good - that was a lesson relearned - relearned through our path this year with a little help from a Beth Moore study I was blessed to have been a part of).

I don't want the entire year to be absent - as I said so many wonderful things happened this year! I want to share those, so some of my postings will date back a while. But I also want to share some of the fire and refining we have been through - I will try to share more the lessons learned than the fire that prompted them - I promise!

Photo Box for a Friend

One of our women from our church family - Deborah - amazes me. She is in charge of the gifts for our annual women's retreat and does most of the sewing and crafting herself. She sets out to serve others and does it well. I wanted to make her something to remind her of our retreat, so I made her an Explosion Box. It is my first one with so much bling on it - borrowed the idea from another friend. I think it really makes it pop. Hopefully, Deborah will like it and that it will be a memory keeper from the retreat.

Surgical Gloves: Alternate Ways To Use Them

Although I couldn't find a photo of Brian with the surgical gloves on his feet, I figure he probably had something to do with Meg and Clint having them on their feet! It looks like Meg and Clint kept everyone entertained - maybe they didn't want anyone being bored if they weren't holding the baby?

Sisterly Love Plus

While looking through photos to post, I realized I have a great example of Sisterly Love. When Casen was born my two sisters, Sharlene and Brenda along with my niece - Annie, my great niece - Megan and my great nephew - Clint drove to Oklahoma to see him and his parents. I was so thankful they were able to go especially since I couldn't. It did my heart so much good to know that my sisters and reinforcements were there doing the things I wish I could have being doing. Now that is Sisterly Love Plus!!!!

Favorite photos of Bunny and Casen

Thought I would continue with my favorite photos. I love these of Bunny and Casen. Brian is so happy to be holding his first grandbaby and it just looks so right to me! The one of Casen on Brian's lap is when Brian was "helping" Casen lead a song, "Everybody Oughta Know." Guess Bunny is prepping Casen for songleading in a few years. I have a sweet photo of Mandie and Brian sleeping in our bed when Mandie is an infant. Both of them have their arm slung above their head, just like Casen. I need to get out a copy of that photo and post it too I guess.

A Gramma married to a Grampa

While driving around town the other day, there was a little old man obviously confused on which lane to drive in. Brian says something along the line, "Easy Grampa, pick a lane." I looked at him and said, "I'm a Gramma now." He smiled and said, "Yeah, I know." I smiled back and said, "And you're a GRAMPA!" We both started laughing. I guess people can now tell us: "Pick a lane, Gramma/Grampa!"

Sisterly Love

Recently in Bible class, we spoke of how God blesses us by giving people to care for us. Trying to help the children apply this concept to their lives, I asked each child to name a way each person in their family show that they care for them. I expected the usual, "Daddy goes to work for money," "Mommy cooks breakfast for me, and "Brother shares with me." But, I did not expect, "She (her older handicapped sister) just loves me. Oh, and she finally stopped poking me in the eye!" Nothing like sisterly love!!!

Ah . . . Ha! Moment

Wednesday evening in Bible class we had an Ah . . . Ha! Moment. David and Nathan started out by reviewing their Memory work:

John 20:31, "Jesus is . . . the son of God." &

Psalm 147:5, "Our Lord is great and very powerful."

They both knew their verses and so we progressed onto the lesson, it was a review of Sunday's lesson on Jesus walking on the water. I asked them how could Jesus walk on the water and not sink like we would - they both sat there thinking and Nathan shouts out Psalm 147:5, "Our Lord is GREAT and VERY POWERFUL!" Davey joins in and shouts out the John verse, "JESUS is the SON of GOD!" How is that for an Ah . . . Ha! Moment?

Blessed by Two of Our Arizona "Grandbabies"

Yesterday, Brian and I were blessed by watching two of the little ones from church. Nathan arrived about 10:30 and his mommy left with promises from him that he would be a good brother and would behave for us. We immediately began playing - out came the dragon, knights and the castle. He had lots to say while he played - just sharing random thoughts. And for the first time yesterday told me that he loved me. Soon it came time to pick Ashlyn up from school and Nathan gave me a little tour on the way. I learned where his doctor's office is, but that Dr. Brown's office is not there (Mommy and Daddy's doctor). This reminded me of the fact my children couldn't remember how to get to our house (from our town's main highway) when their Kansas aunts were bringing them home from a summer visit - let's just say they were older than 3!! : )
Then we came upon Ashlyn's school. I was reminded that Nathan loved me and to not turn on the first street, but into the next street (school entrance), so that I would be where the mommies park.
The kids were so happy to see each other and Ashlyn told us how her teacher copied her head shadow to make her take home poster.
When we arrived back at the house, Ashlyn immediately wanted to do her homework - reminded me of my kids again, very responsible about school work! After lunch they made cards for their daddy - then Ashlyn wrote a song - how creative is that? She told me she likes writing books and songs. This reminded me of Jordan - always writing books and stories.
We had a fun afternoon. Seemed like we packed a lot into a one day- storytime, rest-time, a trip to the park, DQ for ice cream and watching for different types of cars (we now know Nathan LOVES VW Bugs), a teaparty (Brian did this with them), and then onto church, and reminders throughout the day that Nathan loved me.
What sweeties they are - they made our day fun - we were blessed to have them! Their Mommy and Daddy are doing a good job raising them to be loving and caring people!
I cannot wait until Casen comes see us - what fun we will pack into his visits! Makes me think of another blogging idea . . . hmmm . . . things I want to do with Casen when he comes for a visit!

Photos

I wasn't sure where to begin with my blogging, so I decided to add a few of my favorite family photos.

I love the picture of Jordan, Mandie and Casen sitting on the sofa. It was good to see both of our children happy and together along with our grandbaby!

Next the photo of Josh and Casen laying across Mandie's lap. Pure joy on Josh's face - love that picture!

Getting Started - Again

I am starting a new blog since becoming a Grandmother - my old blog title (wife-mother-grandmahopeful.blogspot.com) just doesn't fit anymore. Our grandson, Joshua Casen is wonderful and I am thankful to God for this blessing of being a grandparent.
Proverbs 17:6a,
"Children's children are a crown to the aged . . ."