Catching Up

So, lately ~ there's been quite a bit going on.

We turned 11...

 

 

We turned 19... (19? really?)

 

 

 

We hunted for eggs... tradition is everything.

 

Well of course the E-Man is gonna hunt ~

there's $$CASH$$ in those eggs!

 

 

A tux was worn for the first time,

and a momma looked at her first son in a new light.

 

 

 

So many new things.  So many changes.  So many opportunities to laugh

and enjoy and thank God for all the good times over the years.

 

Times like these make me wish my dad & grandparents were still here.

Sister Friends

And so I really thought this...

 

might actually not happen again?

 

 

Silly me...

Gratitude, Day 18

Thankful, today, for...

*Things on T.V. other than "Duck Dynasty." Love me some Uncle Si, but WORD! Enough is enough. That show drives me nuts.

*50 years that God has given my sweet husband. His b-day isn't for several more days, but we celebrated tonight so Mem could be with us. As with many years in the past, it was good to enjoy this birthday dinner with some of our dearest friends, a tradition I hope we're allowed for many, many years ahead.

Here's this sweet man serving me by (1) cooking his own deer meat so I won't have to mess with the mess; (2) cooking down in the garage so the frying won't stink up the house!! I must say, this meat was incredible. He certainly knows how to cook it. It's definitely best that he cooked it, because I probably would've come close to ruining it.

Byron kept him company ~

 

 

Reading the card from his sweet momma ~

 

Opening Jake's present ~

 

Just sittin around, swappin stories and helping each other with the memories ~

My camera is... simple. Yeah, that's a good word for it. Red eyes abound! I use to change this girlie's diaper!! Look at the beautiful young woman she is!
And so, so sweet & fun!

 

It was just too much for this party animal. Actually, this poor guy had chosen to stay up all night last night with some friends. The pic turned out fuzzy, but it kinda matches the "La-La Land" thing he's got going on ~

*My MIL will be here for several days with us. I am so blessed to have her and am so thankful to know that there's lots of conversations over coffee coming up the next few days.

Birthday Eve Musings

I thought of you again as I lay on my bed in the early evening, taking a quick breather before moving on to the next to-do pile.

I kissed our son awake this morning and was immediately hit with the thought: This is the last day you'll be 8!

Some sadness with that, as with the other kids.

And then I thought of you.  And you've been on my mind quite a bit ever since.  And in my prayers.

As I lay on my bed a few minutes ago, I realized that ~ for you ~ he's already 9 (with you on the other side of the world).  And I wondered how many times he flooded your thoughts today.  Because I know he must.

I wish I could tell you all about him, all about his days, fill you in on how he laughs a lot; makes up really dumb jokes; is reading pretty well but excelling at math; loves to work in the yard with Dad and in the kitchen with me; is a really, really good friend to the other boys; shares everything he has (except with Joe, who has his own issues); is sensitive to others (especially me) when they're sad; loves to hug, kiss, and be held; throws a mean spiral like nobody's business, catches way more than drops the ball, and has the makings of an excellent quarterback; creates the most fantastical things out of Legos; is an incredible artist...

Comes up with some of the most breath-takingly deep observations about God, who he has learned so much about...

Has a strong sense of right and wrong, and is led by a sensitive conscience that usually opts for the high road...

Is my first child to always say, "Thank you for making our food, Mom."  In fact, he's very quick to say "Thank you" for most things...

He's beautiful and healthy, has an astonishing sense of balance and little fear of most things...

I'm hoping I can sit across the table from you someday and fill you in on the rest that hasn't happened yet.  Sharing coffee and regrets and thankfulness.  I'm longing for the day when Jake can find you and get the answers to all he desires.  And I'm hoping that you'll find peace as you see that he is loved and valued and needed.  That the selflessness of your sacrifice opened up a whole other world for him.

And for me.

I'm thankful I can wake him up tomorrow as a 9-year-old, and I will be teary-eyed (as usual) that one of my babies has moved ahead on the Timeline, and I will pray for you again.  That God will be pleased to open your heart in Vietnam and draw you to Himself.  That He will give you hope and peace and a knowing that your Bao is loved and happy and safe.  That I will try with all I have to find you when it's time.  And that you will be pleased with the job we did here as his parents when we finally meet face-to-face.