Giving Blogger a Rest

For the New Year, I am swearing off of blogging. I think I've ranted, raved and shared enough with the world in general. It's been therapeutic, and I'm glad I did it, but it's time to bring it to an end.

Those of you that I've met through this site, I'll stay in touch with you on FB, and I'll still be reading and lurking on your blogs. You all are gifted writers, and I enjoy your insights.

Blessings, and have a wonderful 2010!

Realizing How Blessed I Am

We celebrated my parent's 50th wedding anniversary last weekend. While mom and dad didn't really care for all of the attention, they loved being able to see old friends and sit around discussing their stories they had with each other. Some stories I had heard dozens of times (which I love...those stories become the fabric of my children's history as well) but there were a few I had not heard, either. I had forgotten about going to Detroit to be in my Aunt and Uncle's wedding, and about putting my foot in the center of a cake when I was little. That's the joy of having family around. You get to recall more of your childhood. Collective memory is so much more accurate than a single memory!

But as I was there, I was looking around at my kids and my husband, and realized how blessed I am. Em jumped in to serve punch and cake to those that were there. Tim, Timothy and Christopher helped set up chairs and tables and decorate before the big event. Nathaniel welcomed people to the event and acted like such a little gentleman, introducing himself to people and just being a good host. Tim had people in stitches, which is usually the case, and everyone had a wonderful time.

Seeing everyone together, it was easy to see the mannerisms and humor that has been passed down through the generations, even though we've not lived around each other that much.

On almost every account, family is a blessing that should be valued and cherished. I am blessed.

50 Years

Mom and dad are celebrating their 50 year wedding anniversary this Saturday. Wow.

I have such wonderful memories growing up in the house that they built. The house was always warm and welcoming. We always felt secure. Mom and dad were a united front, and we knew it. If we were dealing with one, we were dealing with them both. And dad had the best ways of celebrating mom's birthday. One year, he bought some empty capsules from the pharmacist, and typed out 52 messages and put one in each capsule. Every week after Sunday dinner, mom would get to open one capsule, and it would be a gift from dad: he would make the beds for that week, or cook meals. But there was also her sapphire ring, necklace and earrings in there, too. It was the gift that gave all year long, and we loved it!

There was a lot of laughter in their home, and there still is. They always have funny stories to share. And they don't take themselves too seriously. They enjoy life. And they enjoy it together.

God has blessed their faithfulness with long and happy lives, with much more to spare. And their children have risen up and called them blessed.

28 Degrees

Yes, that's the current temperature.

Thank God for heaters and fireplaces. And hot chocolate.

Baby Girl turned 20!

Wow. My mind just can't grasp the concept. It was just a little while ago that she was born. I remember the first time I heard her crying desperately, and I couldn't get to her fast enough. I picked her up, and she immediately stopped crying. I just held her and said to myself, "I love her so much!" It was a true bonding moment.

Em has lived so much in her two decades. She was in the paper when she was in elementary school for being the friend to an autistic girl in her class. Em helped her with her language board and played with her at recess. When she was in second grade, she hand drew valentine cards for her entire class. I didn't even know she did it until she was putting them in her backpack the night before.

She loves animals. We used to watch Wild America on PBS, and she could name every animal in the opening credits. She would even say, "That's a Marty Stauffer."

Em has always been a good and loyal friend. That has had it's ups and downs, especially in middle school. She tended to be in the position of being used, because they always knew she would be there. But it was a good learning experience for her. She's since learned boundaries and she's quick to recognize when others get in touch with her just because they want something. That in itself has given her a strong core of friends, one that is healthy and supportive. Middle school is always rough, isn't it?

In high school, Em showed her althletic side. She became keeper on the high school soccer team, and started all four years of high school. One day we heard that the other team was scared of her. We had to laugh at that. All they would have to do was talk to her and they would know she was a big softy! But she played tough, and helped her team out along the way.

Now she's in college. She's always struggled a bit in school, except when she had to write. She's a good writer. That is playing to her advantage now. She's made the Dean's list, and was invited to join Phi Theta Kappa, an honor society for two year colleges. We are so proud of how far she's come! I can't wait to see where this next year takes her. She's got some big steps to take, and she's up to the task.

I love her so much!

Snow...

...makes me happy.