Garin had his first bloody nose tonight. He was fine in less than two minutes, but I fear his father may never recover. We were at church, and he was playing by the steps. Karl looked away for literally just a second to respond to someone, and in that second, Garin decided to go down a step head first. He had one good gush of blood out of his nose, and then it stopped right away, and he seemed to have forgotten it ever happened before I even got him cleaned up. Of course, Karl is still beating himself up over it. I can't seem to convince him that sometimes accidents happen no matter how careful and conscientious we are. We are human, and we do the very best we can, but we can't do everything. And this little stinker is a busy one! It's been weeks since he didn't have a bruise or scrape somewhere. Nothing major, mind you.....just small stuff that is typical of a cruising baby....but he goes for it with gusto!
Karl is leaving again tomorrow on a mission. I don't know when it will ever become routine for me. I still hate it every time. I don't mind being alone with Garin, really. It's nice to have more time for myself now and then and not to have to cook, but I just hate the being apart. It doesn't feel right to be so far away from each other. And knowing where he's going doesn't exactly ease my mind. But I know WHO is going with him and WHO is looking after him every moment of every day, no matter where he is, and that does settle my spirit. Keep him in your prayers, please.
Tomorrow is the rheumatologist for me. I think it is supposed to be rainy but still warm. It was 70 and gorgeous here today.....not exactly Christmas weather. Where's our snow???
Update: Nevermind, I just checked the weather and found our snow. Apparently it all went instead to our FORMER home in St. Louis/Southern Illinois! And while I'm rubbing in the fact that you're all freezing your butts off while it is currently 63 degrees here at 10:30 pm, I'll mention that my family in Texas is also below freezing. I know this little ha-ha fest will come back to haunt me soon, but for now I'll enjoy my open windows and short sleeves.
Thursday, November 30, 2006
Wednesday, November 29, 2006
The Joy of Mud
I surprised myself tonight with the creation of a rather spectacular pot! I grabbed a hunk of clay and threw it on the wheel and didn't realize until I looked down at it how large it was. My sweet and very talented instructor amazes me because she is almost completely deaf, but she reads lips and can hear a little bit if you yell loudly. She and I had a very noisy, well enunciated debate over whether or not I had the ability to handle that much clay. She won and convinced me to at least give it a try. After showing me some new techniques which are necessary when the pot gets too large to manage in the way we had been taught, she let me loose with my creation. Mind you, it isn't the size of a toilet bowl or even a punch bowl, but it was big for my experience. It turned into a very nice-looking something....I haven't decided what yet....but it would make a nice, big flower pot. It is by far the best thing I've ever made on a potter's wheel, and I can hardly wait to fire it and glaze it and see how it will turn out. I'm confident that it will be the first thing I won't want to hide away in a closet somewhere and pull out now and then for a good laugh, like the sad little clay roses I made in elementary school.
The thing I'm appreciating most about pottery is the sensuality of it. The clay just feels good. When it comes out of the bag, it is soft and gooey and ready to become something on the wheel. You can slap it and punch it and mold it into the perfect ball. Then you SMACK it onto the wheel. You bury your hands in a bucket of water and drench the clay. Then it gets slimy....soaking wet and spinning and making slurpy noises as it throws drops of muddy water all over your clothes. After it sits for a week or so, and most of the moisture is gone, it is cold and smooth and still rather pliable. It goes upside-down on the wheel for trimming, and the little bits shave off like milk chocolate curls. From the moment I walk into the studio until the moment I walk out, I am enjoying myself. Even cleanup is fun because there is such a big, nasty mess, but it disappears quickly with a sponge and water. I appreciate that I can enjoy all of the steps in the process. It's not like sewing, where you have to pin and cut patterns forever before the actual stitching begins.
Hmmm....well who knew I could write so much about dirt and water?! Suffice it to say that I enjoy being a potter. I highly recommend pottery class to anyone who has ever stood there at a demonstration, as I have many times, and been fascinated, wishing they knew how to do it.
The thing I'm appreciating most about pottery is the sensuality of it. The clay just feels good. When it comes out of the bag, it is soft and gooey and ready to become something on the wheel. You can slap it and punch it and mold it into the perfect ball. Then you SMACK it onto the wheel. You bury your hands in a bucket of water and drench the clay. Then it gets slimy....soaking wet and spinning and making slurpy noises as it throws drops of muddy water all over your clothes. After it sits for a week or so, and most of the moisture is gone, it is cold and smooth and still rather pliable. It goes upside-down on the wheel for trimming, and the little bits shave off like milk chocolate curls. From the moment I walk into the studio until the moment I walk out, I am enjoying myself. Even cleanup is fun because there is such a big, nasty mess, but it disappears quickly with a sponge and water. I appreciate that I can enjoy all of the steps in the process. It's not like sewing, where you have to pin and cut patterns forever before the actual stitching begins.
Hmmm....well who knew I could write so much about dirt and water?! Suffice it to say that I enjoy being a potter. I highly recommend pottery class to anyone who has ever stood there at a demonstration, as I have many times, and been fascinated, wishing they knew how to do it.
Tuesday, November 28, 2006
It's been a good day! Karl passed his annual air-refueling checkride with flying (hehe) colors, and we celebrated at Olive Garden. He'll be leaving near the end of the week to go on a mission, which doesn't thrill me on a personal level, but I'm glad he'll be able to get another trip under his belt and another step closer to Aircraft Commander.
Garin and I did some grocery shopping this afternoon and loaded up on candy-making supplies. It's always fun to do the Christmas goodies!
I got some of the sweetest emails from Joan, Chris (Dickenson), Kim (Marks) and Karen yesterday and today. I am so thankful for friends and family like you all, and I promise to write each of you personally soon.
Please, everyone, keep Kim and her family in your prayers. Her dad died just a few months ago, and her mom has been diagnosed with terminal cancer. Kim expects that she may lose both parents within a year of each other. She seems to be okay, but it has to be so hard. Also, my high school (and lifelong) friends, Debi & Peter, need prayer. Peter also has recently learned after exploratory surgery that he has cancer and is facing treatment. They're waiting for a spot at MD Anderson and having a gazillion tests done right now. My next-door neighbor, Julie, is suffering through the last of her chemo....YAY! One more treatment, and she is hopefully done forever. The doctors believe she will fully recover. Cancer just seems to be all around me these days. It's so scary, but it's exciting to see people fighting and surviving!
I don't have much to report today. It was mostly boring, which is not an altogether bad thing. Thank God for plain-jane, nothing-eventful days!!!
Garin and I did some grocery shopping this afternoon and loaded up on candy-making supplies. It's always fun to do the Christmas goodies!
I got some of the sweetest emails from Joan, Chris (Dickenson), Kim (Marks) and Karen yesterday and today. I am so thankful for friends and family like you all, and I promise to write each of you personally soon.
Please, everyone, keep Kim and her family in your prayers. Her dad died just a few months ago, and her mom has been diagnosed with terminal cancer. Kim expects that she may lose both parents within a year of each other. She seems to be okay, but it has to be so hard. Also, my high school (and lifelong) friends, Debi & Peter, need prayer. Peter also has recently learned after exploratory surgery that he has cancer and is facing treatment. They're waiting for a spot at MD Anderson and having a gazillion tests done right now. My next-door neighbor, Julie, is suffering through the last of her chemo....YAY! One more treatment, and she is hopefully done forever. The doctors believe she will fully recover. Cancer just seems to be all around me these days. It's so scary, but it's exciting to see people fighting and surviving!
I don't have much to report today. It was mostly boring, which is not an altogether bad thing. Thank God for plain-jane, nothing-eventful days!!!
Monday, November 27, 2006
Another Loss
We lost another baby yesterday. We found out we were pregnant just a few days earlier. I had been having symptoms and was curious. Now I wish we'd never done the test. Maybe we wouldn't have figured it out, and it wouldn't be so hard. After we lost the baby in July, I could at least think maybe it was a fluke. Now I realize that it is probably the lupus anticoagulant in my body, which increases my risk for miscarriage. I had a major meltdown last night. It's one thing to believe that the baby had something wrong and something else entirely to believe that the baby was fine, but my body wouldn't allow it to live inside me. Although Karl clearly disagrees, I feel like my body is letting him down.
On the plus side, I suppose, is the knowledge that we certainly aren't having a problem getting pregnant, just staying pregnant.
I am seeing the rheumatologist on Friday. I have been having a 'flare' for weeks now and am hurting more, like I did back in 2004. Hopefully, he can help me come up with some sort of plan for a healthy pregnancy. I think maybe I need to get Garin weaned and get back on the daily aspirin regimen. It certainly worked for him!
I never used to understand why people who'd had miscarriages kept later pregnancies a secret until the fourth month. I thought surely it would be better to have the prayers and well wishes of friends and family and that if anything went wrong, a person would need the support of others to get through. After the last baby, I began to understand. It's not a desire to suffer alone or quietly. People who hear the news of your pregnancy don't always get news of your loss. When you run into them, sometimes weeks or months after the miscarriage, they congratulate you and want to share your joy. It blindsides you, as you are reminded once again and are unprepared for the conversation in which you must tell them the bad news. Then they feel terrible and awkward, too. That's the hard part. Or in their desire to help or to make sense of it all, they begin to share their theories as to why it happened, often unintentionally placing blame on you, not realizing that you have already been through every possible scenario in your mind and wondering what you should have done differently.
I am not one to question God. I have never doubted that He knows better than I do. I am certain of His plan for my life, and I am certain that He loves me and wants what's best for me. I do, however, wonder where this is all leading, what I am supposed to learn from it, how such heartache is supposed to benefit us. Regardless of faith, there is still that part of me that wonders at times like these why the pains of this life aren't divided equally among people, so everyone gets a fair share. Then it dawns on me that I don't want my fair share. Compared to most of the people in the world, I don't know what it is to suffer. Thank God for His grace and mercy, even in the hard times!
We are doing okay, but please keep us in your prayers this week as we wade through this and try to move on.
On the plus side, I suppose, is the knowledge that we certainly aren't having a problem getting pregnant, just staying pregnant.
I am seeing the rheumatologist on Friday. I have been having a 'flare' for weeks now and am hurting more, like I did back in 2004. Hopefully, he can help me come up with some sort of plan for a healthy pregnancy. I think maybe I need to get Garin weaned and get back on the daily aspirin regimen. It certainly worked for him!
I never used to understand why people who'd had miscarriages kept later pregnancies a secret until the fourth month. I thought surely it would be better to have the prayers and well wishes of friends and family and that if anything went wrong, a person would need the support of others to get through. After the last baby, I began to understand. It's not a desire to suffer alone or quietly. People who hear the news of your pregnancy don't always get news of your loss. When you run into them, sometimes weeks or months after the miscarriage, they congratulate you and want to share your joy. It blindsides you, as you are reminded once again and are unprepared for the conversation in which you must tell them the bad news. Then they feel terrible and awkward, too. That's the hard part. Or in their desire to help or to make sense of it all, they begin to share their theories as to why it happened, often unintentionally placing blame on you, not realizing that you have already been through every possible scenario in your mind and wondering what you should have done differently.
I am not one to question God. I have never doubted that He knows better than I do. I am certain of His plan for my life, and I am certain that He loves me and wants what's best for me. I do, however, wonder where this is all leading, what I am supposed to learn from it, how such heartache is supposed to benefit us. Regardless of faith, there is still that part of me that wonders at times like these why the pains of this life aren't divided equally among people, so everyone gets a fair share. Then it dawns on me that I don't want my fair share. Compared to most of the people in the world, I don't know what it is to suffer. Thank God for His grace and mercy, even in the hard times!
We are doing okay, but please keep us in your prayers this week as we wade through this and try to move on.
Saturday, November 25, 2006
Weekend Update
We're having a great weekend! I've spent a lot of time in the kitchen. A 14-year-old boy eats as much as Karl and me combined! It's been so nice, though, to be able to cook for them. A nice, lazy weekend has allowed us to take our time in the mornings and have a big breakfast together, then spend the rest of the day hanging out, playing games or doing whatever.
We got in at 2:30 am Thursday morning from the airport, as Matt's plane was late getting in, so Thanksgiving dinner was at 5:30 pm. That gave me plenty of time to get it cooked without getting up at dawn.
Yesterday, we got all the Christmas decorations up, inside and out! All that's left is putting ornaments on the tree. We had to make a run to Wal Mart, as we were out of dog food and had a bad string of icicle lights that needed to be replaced. We were very pleasantly surprised to find that the crowds weren't too much worse than normal yesterday afternoon! Once we got everything lit up and got Garin to bed, we had a Thanksgiving-leftover dinner by candlelight, accompanied by Christmas music. Afterward, we played Trivial Pursuit and drank mulled cider. Such fun!!! I love the holidays!!!
Today was just the usual - vacuuming, laundry. It is beautiful (but chilly) outside, so I did clean out the flowerbeds finally this afternoon, and we're going bowling in a little while just to get out of the house and do something fun. Tonight we'll hang the ornaments on the tree, finish off the cider and probably play another game before heading to bed.
Matt has to leave tomorrow, so we'll miss church yet again. But we don't have to leave here until 10:30 or so at least.
Hope you're all having a great, happy holiday weekend!
We got in at 2:30 am Thursday morning from the airport, as Matt's plane was late getting in, so Thanksgiving dinner was at 5:30 pm. That gave me plenty of time to get it cooked without getting up at dawn.
Yesterday, we got all the Christmas decorations up, inside and out! All that's left is putting ornaments on the tree. We had to make a run to Wal Mart, as we were out of dog food and had a bad string of icicle lights that needed to be replaced. We were very pleasantly surprised to find that the crowds weren't too much worse than normal yesterday afternoon! Once we got everything lit up and got Garin to bed, we had a Thanksgiving-leftover dinner by candlelight, accompanied by Christmas music. Afterward, we played Trivial Pursuit and drank mulled cider. Such fun!!! I love the holidays!!!
Today was just the usual - vacuuming, laundry. It is beautiful (but chilly) outside, so I did clean out the flowerbeds finally this afternoon, and we're going bowling in a little while just to get out of the house and do something fun. Tonight we'll hang the ornaments on the tree, finish off the cider and probably play another game before heading to bed.
Matt has to leave tomorrow, so we'll miss church yet again. But we don't have to leave here until 10:30 or so at least.
Hope you're all having a great, happy holiday weekend!
Wednesday, November 22, 2006
Thank you to the Troops
Below you will find a link to a Thanksgiving e-card from "The MilitarySupport Group". If the site says it's temporarily unavailable, refresh your page a time or two.
Happy Thanksgiving!!!
http://www.cpmsglife.org/tg/2006tdm1.html
Happy Thanksgiving!!!
http://www.cpmsglife.org/tg/2006tdm1.html
PERFECT day for staying in and cooking!
We awoke this morning to clouds - the kind that look like they could drop several inches of snow in no time if it were just a few degrees colder. They have just begun to empty themselves in the form of rain. It's dark outside and so cozy in here! And it's beginning to smell like Thanksgiving! Garin is already down for his morning nap, and I will soon follow suit, but first I had to start Thanksgiving dinner. The turkey breast is seasoned and roasting in the oven, and the clove-studded, molasses-coated ham just joined it in there. I figure I can sleep for about an hour before the ham needs to come out. I'd really prefer to curl up on the couch with some hot cocoa and a good book, but I have a late night ahead and should try to rest. I still need to bake pies, make cornbread for dressing and get the cranberry-apple chutney going, but those can wait until Karl gets home this afternoon. He can watch Garin while I cook...or maybe I'll just do it now. The sleepiness seems to have left me. That usually happens when I have a few minutes to myself. I'm always torn between making the most of my precious free time or catching up on some long-lost sleep.
Either way, I guess I should choose and get to it! Happy day before Thanksgiving!!!!
Either way, I guess I should choose and get to it! Happy day before Thanksgiving!!!!
Tuesday, November 21, 2006
Lovin' the new steam-cleaner!!!
I cleaned the kitchen and den rugs today and am very pleased with the results!!!
I also did the whole-house cleaning and laundry, so I can devote tomorrow to cooking and resting. It will be a late evening for us, as Matt's plane doesn't land here until 11:30 tomorrow night.
I'm still not feeling great today, but not awful either. Of course, I always feel better after I get the house spic and span!!!
Garin has been hiding behind anything he can find today to play peek-a-boo. It's so funny to watch him crouch down or tip his head way over until he can't see us, then spring back up and grin from ear to ear. He can stand on his own now, but he doesn't know it yet. Karl and I both, at different times, eased our hands off of him today, and he stood for a few seconds on his own before realizing that he wasn't supported. Then he promptly lowered himself to hands and knees. He's walking all over the place holding our hands, and I suddenly noticed how tall he's gotten! I don't have to bend over nearly as far as I used to to help him walk.
I have watched parents and grandparents arrive at my neighbors' houses all day today. Hugs and kisses in driveways....I'm so jealous. But I'm thankful to have had time with them this month, and we are looking forward to Matt's arrival. Our Thanksgiving will not be simple, exactly, but we'll have the standards: turkey, ham, mashed potatoes and gravy (Karl hates sweet potatoes), green beans, Memaw's cornbread dressing, cranberry-apple chutney, Big Mama's rolls, pumpkin pie (for Matt) and pecan pie (for Karl). I love Thanksgiving! And I'm ready to decorate for Christmas! Matt says he'd rather I wait until next week, but I'm going to try to talk him and Karl into helping me this weekend.
Well, I'm off to bed. Hope you're all dreaming of heaping helpings of all your favorite dishes, too!
I also did the whole-house cleaning and laundry, so I can devote tomorrow to cooking and resting. It will be a late evening for us, as Matt's plane doesn't land here until 11:30 tomorrow night.
I'm still not feeling great today, but not awful either. Of course, I always feel better after I get the house spic and span!!!
Garin has been hiding behind anything he can find today to play peek-a-boo. It's so funny to watch him crouch down or tip his head way over until he can't see us, then spring back up and grin from ear to ear. He can stand on his own now, but he doesn't know it yet. Karl and I both, at different times, eased our hands off of him today, and he stood for a few seconds on his own before realizing that he wasn't supported. Then he promptly lowered himself to hands and knees. He's walking all over the place holding our hands, and I suddenly noticed how tall he's gotten! I don't have to bend over nearly as far as I used to to help him walk.
I have watched parents and grandparents arrive at my neighbors' houses all day today. Hugs and kisses in driveways....I'm so jealous. But I'm thankful to have had time with them this month, and we are looking forward to Matt's arrival. Our Thanksgiving will not be simple, exactly, but we'll have the standards: turkey, ham, mashed potatoes and gravy (Karl hates sweet potatoes), green beans, Memaw's cornbread dressing, cranberry-apple chutney, Big Mama's rolls, pumpkin pie (for Matt) and pecan pie (for Karl). I love Thanksgiving! And I'm ready to decorate for Christmas! Matt says he'd rather I wait until next week, but I'm going to try to talk him and Karl into helping me this weekend.
Well, I'm off to bed. Hope you're all dreaming of heaping helpings of all your favorite dishes, too!
Monday, November 20, 2006
Bathing Babies and Cats...
....funny how differently they react!
Garin was fussing this afternoon, so I decided to give him a bath early. As soon as I reach for the faucet, he always perks up! He loves, loves, loves bathtime.
Later tonight, I decided to bathe Harvey. He had gotten several knots in his fur this fall, so last night after I brushed him, I cut tangles out for what seemed like hours but was probably only 30 minutes. I thought a bath would do him good tonight. He used to like them, but it's been awhile. Boy! I was exhausted from trying to pin him down! He's clean, though pitiful-looking with his hair all matted down. He just needs to finish drying and have another good brushing, which I'm about to do now.
I did some cleaning today....mostly getting rid of the boxes of craft show crap cluttering our den! I'll do the real cleaning tomorrow, in preparation for Matt's arrival, and start cooking on Wednesday, so I don't spend all day Thursday in the kitchen. We're so excited to see him, and he is eager to see us, too. I'm so glad Karl will be here for at least one holiday this year! We're crossing our fingers for Christmas too!
I'm so tired. I have no good excuse. I'm not sure if it just goes along with all this joint pain, thanks to the flare-up I'm having right now, or if I'm fighting a little bug of some kind. My stomach has been a little weird the past couple of days too.
I'd better go brush Harvey and get to bed!
Garin was fussing this afternoon, so I decided to give him a bath early. As soon as I reach for the faucet, he always perks up! He loves, loves, loves bathtime.
Later tonight, I decided to bathe Harvey. He had gotten several knots in his fur this fall, so last night after I brushed him, I cut tangles out for what seemed like hours but was probably only 30 minutes. I thought a bath would do him good tonight. He used to like them, but it's been awhile. Boy! I was exhausted from trying to pin him down! He's clean, though pitiful-looking with his hair all matted down. He just needs to finish drying and have another good brushing, which I'm about to do now.
I did some cleaning today....mostly getting rid of the boxes of craft show crap cluttering our den! I'll do the real cleaning tomorrow, in preparation for Matt's arrival, and start cooking on Wednesday, so I don't spend all day Thursday in the kitchen. We're so excited to see him, and he is eager to see us, too. I'm so glad Karl will be here for at least one holiday this year! We're crossing our fingers for Christmas too!
I'm so tired. I have no good excuse. I'm not sure if it just goes along with all this joint pain, thanks to the flare-up I'm having right now, or if I'm fighting a little bug of some kind. My stomach has been a little weird the past couple of days too.
I'd better go brush Harvey and get to bed!
Sunday, November 19, 2006
Age, Growth and Maturity
I've become increasingly aware in recent months that the aging process does, in fact, affect all of us. I have watched loved ones grow old and pass into eternity in recent years, and then I've gone back and seen video of times that seem like yesterday in my memory but which are almost foreign to me because everyone looks so different...so young...myself included. It's a harsh realization.
When I allow myself to consider the nearness of the age of 40 and then compare it to how recent the age of 18 seems, it frightens me. As my 20-year high school reunion approaches in 2007, I am baffled by the fact that I have been out of school more than half my life. How can this be? My oldest 'baby' is 14 already, and I realize that he'll be grown before I turn around. Life passes by all too quickly. I want to drink it all in and miss nothing, but somehow the everyday of living takes up way too much of my time and attention. I have spent the past few days stressing out that my house smells too much like my pets and trying to find the perfect steam cleaner for my carpets to erase the evidence. Then suddenly today, I wonder if I've missed precious moments.
I spent most of today in the floor with Garin, soaking up his joy and curiosity. He is on right on the edge of toddlerhood. He lets go of the furniture just long enough to take one step and lose his balance. He's imitating words and sounds and learning so many skills all at once. His comprehension fascinates me. He is learning to influence the world around him so well. Today, Karl put him down for a nap, and after listening to a good bit of his fussing, I went to get him and let him sit with us while we ate. The very moment that he saw his daddy, he grinned from ear to ear and chuckled. It was clearly one of those "Haha, Daddy, my Mama rescued me, and I'm not in bed" moments. I knew then that Karl should have been the one to go get him. It's just obvious as we watch him that babyhood is almost gone. On one hand, it's a little sad; on the other, it's such an exciting and blessed thing to watch him grow!
I look forward to the future, to experiencing the blessings and wisdom that life will bring. But I think I should like to experience them with the total abandon of childhood. You know....no worries, no concern for the limitations of time.
When I allow myself to consider the nearness of the age of 40 and then compare it to how recent the age of 18 seems, it frightens me. As my 20-year high school reunion approaches in 2007, I am baffled by the fact that I have been out of school more than half my life. How can this be? My oldest 'baby' is 14 already, and I realize that he'll be grown before I turn around. Life passes by all too quickly. I want to drink it all in and miss nothing, but somehow the everyday of living takes up way too much of my time and attention. I have spent the past few days stressing out that my house smells too much like my pets and trying to find the perfect steam cleaner for my carpets to erase the evidence. Then suddenly today, I wonder if I've missed precious moments.
I spent most of today in the floor with Garin, soaking up his joy and curiosity. He is on right on the edge of toddlerhood. He lets go of the furniture just long enough to take one step and lose his balance. He's imitating words and sounds and learning so many skills all at once. His comprehension fascinates me. He is learning to influence the world around him so well. Today, Karl put him down for a nap, and after listening to a good bit of his fussing, I went to get him and let him sit with us while we ate. The very moment that he saw his daddy, he grinned from ear to ear and chuckled. It was clearly one of those "Haha, Daddy, my Mama rescued me, and I'm not in bed" moments. I knew then that Karl should have been the one to go get him. It's just obvious as we watch him that babyhood is almost gone. On one hand, it's a little sad; on the other, it's such an exciting and blessed thing to watch him grow!
I look forward to the future, to experiencing the blessings and wisdom that life will bring. But I think I should like to experience them with the total abandon of childhood. You know....no worries, no concern for the limitations of time.
Who ME????
Here are a few photos of our little 'angel' that my parents took while they were visiting.
Saturday, November 18, 2006
Airport Delays & Christmas Shopping
Well, the last few days of my time in Texas were spent enjoying family and trying to relax a bit. When you're eating like a queen (thanks to Mom and Memaw's cooking and Daddy's wallet), it's easy to gain weight and get lazy! It's always hard to say goodbye, and even harder in a situation like this. The parking lot was full when we got to DFW on Wednesday, and it was just over an hour until my departure, so Mom and Dad ended up having to drop us off at curbside check-in. This was traumatic for them, which I hated. The kicker, though, was that when I got inside I learned that my plane was delayed by an hour. In the end, we took off 2 hours late. Let me tell you, there's nothing more fun that three hours in an airport with a busy little 9-month-old, followed by three more hours on an airplane with a busy little 9-month-old on your lap, squirming and fussing. Thankfully, the lady in the seat beside me was a kind grandmother who misses her grandbabies, and she was very understanding and helpful!
I've been home now for three days and am trying to get my life back in order. I had so much to catch up on after the craft show, and then I blew out of town right away. Fortunately, things are starting to come together! Karl, Garin and I went out this afternoon and finished our Christmas shopping, with the exception of a few stocking stuffers and toys for the boys. That's a huge load off, as I don't enjoy gift shopping under pressure and surrounded by cranky last-minute shoppers in crowded malls. I love buying gifts and like to have time to find just the right thing. Who knows if I have? But I like to try. Christmas is about the gift of Christ and the joy, peace and goodwill his birth brought to us. I like to be able to really focus on that gift and enjoy the season rather than rushing around in a panic and dodging mad drivers.
Things they are a'changing around here. Lots of reassignments here on base. Karl's boss and office-mate are about to change at the Wing office, and his squadron commander changed this past Monday. You never know how these things will affect the office dynamic. A little prayer wouldn't hurt!
Garin is growing up SO FAST! He learned to say 'light' last week. Well, he actually says "ite", but he looks right at the light when he says it, and if I say 'light', he looks at it, too. He knows. He's also starting to wave bye-bye. It's a crude wave, still, and it's reserved for use at his discretion....not always on demand....but he does it. Sometimes he'll say "ba-ba". I don't know if he understands what it means or if it's just imitation, but it's good!
We're doing lots more finger foods now. He's getting impatient to be a big boy at the table, so we've worked in crackers, chopped green beans, chicken sticks, banana, french fries (at restaurants only), cut-up lunch meat, etc. He's eating at least one meal a day with his own hands now and loving it! Not walking yet, but he sure is working hard at it.
Well, it's late and I'm tired! I'm off to dreamland.....
I've been home now for three days and am trying to get my life back in order. I had so much to catch up on after the craft show, and then I blew out of town right away. Fortunately, things are starting to come together! Karl, Garin and I went out this afternoon and finished our Christmas shopping, with the exception of a few stocking stuffers and toys for the boys. That's a huge load off, as I don't enjoy gift shopping under pressure and surrounded by cranky last-minute shoppers in crowded malls. I love buying gifts and like to have time to find just the right thing. Who knows if I have? But I like to try. Christmas is about the gift of Christ and the joy, peace and goodwill his birth brought to us. I like to be able to really focus on that gift and enjoy the season rather than rushing around in a panic and dodging mad drivers.
Things they are a'changing around here. Lots of reassignments here on base. Karl's boss and office-mate are about to change at the Wing office, and his squadron commander changed this past Monday. You never know how these things will affect the office dynamic. A little prayer wouldn't hurt!
Garin is growing up SO FAST! He learned to say 'light' last week. Well, he actually says "ite", but he looks right at the light when he says it, and if I say 'light', he looks at it, too. He knows. He's also starting to wave bye-bye. It's a crude wave, still, and it's reserved for use at his discretion....not always on demand....but he does it. Sometimes he'll say "ba-ba". I don't know if he understands what it means or if it's just imitation, but it's good!
We're doing lots more finger foods now. He's getting impatient to be a big boy at the table, so we've worked in crackers, chopped green beans, chicken sticks, banana, french fries (at restaurants only), cut-up lunch meat, etc. He's eating at least one meal a day with his own hands now and loving it! Not walking yet, but he sure is working hard at it.
Well, it's late and I'm tired! I'm off to dreamland.....
Sunday, November 12, 2006
Hello from Texas
Garin and I flew down here Thursday and had a great ride home from the airport with my brother-in-law, Greg. It was so good to catch up with him!
Friday, we went back to Memaw and Papaw's house and spent the afternoon with family before going to the funeral home for the visitation. It was overwhelming to be back in that house again with all the wonderful memories of being there with my grandparents. Isn't it funny how a house that seems so big to you as a child looks so small when you go back? The huge rooms we played in suddenly seemed so crowded with just a few people in them. It felt so good to be there and to look around at all of their humble but well-loved and fondly remembered possessions.
So many people came from all over to the visitation and funeral, and we were able to reacqaint with family we hadn't seen in years. I am so thankful for such faithful family and friends. It means so much. There were flowers and plants everywhere, and so many kind words spoken.
Before the funeral, I spoke to Papaw's only surviving brother of seven, Herbert. They looked like twins, and when Herbert spoke to me, I fell apart. His voice sounds just like Papaw's. I felt so sorry for him. He sobbed through the funeral. It must be difficult to be the only one left.
The funeral was tough but sweet. The flag-draped coffin and the sound of Taps at the graveside were a bit overwhelming for this Air Force wife. Papaw was a bomber pilot in Europe during World War II and was very proud of his service to our country. He would have been as pleased as punch about all the patriotism at his funeral. Even the flowers were red, white and blue.
As we did for Memaw's funeral, Marci, Greg and I had the privilege of singing at the funeral. We did acapella, three-part harmony versions of two old hymns, 'Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus and How Great Thou Art, which was Papaw's favorite. It sounded pretty good, if I do say so myself. My voice always sounds better with Marci's because our voices complement each other's so nicely. We were made to sing together. But I think the fact that we were really just singing for an audience of two - Papaw and our Heavenly Father (who are together!) - made it sound even better.
Today, we skipped church and slept in. We made pancakes and bacon and had one of those really special, relaxed breakfasts with my parents, my sister's whole family, Doug (my cousin), Garin and me. Susan, my mom-in-law came down to spend the afternoon and have some time with Garin. My grandparents came from next door, too, and we all played a game that lasted for an eternity...one of those that makes you start trying to help the competition just to end the game. But we had a great time joking around and being together.
Karl's really missing us and misses being here with us. I hate that. We miss him too! Hopefully, the time will pass quickly for him.
Tomorrow will mean more time with extended family; then things will settle down for Tuesday. We fly back Wednesday, and while I hate having to say goodbyes, I look forward to getting home to my hubby and Matt's arrival for Thanksgiving next week.
Friday, we went back to Memaw and Papaw's house and spent the afternoon with family before going to the funeral home for the visitation. It was overwhelming to be back in that house again with all the wonderful memories of being there with my grandparents. Isn't it funny how a house that seems so big to you as a child looks so small when you go back? The huge rooms we played in suddenly seemed so crowded with just a few people in them. It felt so good to be there and to look around at all of their humble but well-loved and fondly remembered possessions.
So many people came from all over to the visitation and funeral, and we were able to reacqaint with family we hadn't seen in years. I am so thankful for such faithful family and friends. It means so much. There were flowers and plants everywhere, and so many kind words spoken.
Before the funeral, I spoke to Papaw's only surviving brother of seven, Herbert. They looked like twins, and when Herbert spoke to me, I fell apart. His voice sounds just like Papaw's. I felt so sorry for him. He sobbed through the funeral. It must be difficult to be the only one left.
The funeral was tough but sweet. The flag-draped coffin and the sound of Taps at the graveside were a bit overwhelming for this Air Force wife. Papaw was a bomber pilot in Europe during World War II and was very proud of his service to our country. He would have been as pleased as punch about all the patriotism at his funeral. Even the flowers were red, white and blue.
As we did for Memaw's funeral, Marci, Greg and I had the privilege of singing at the funeral. We did acapella, three-part harmony versions of two old hymns, 'Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus and How Great Thou Art, which was Papaw's favorite. It sounded pretty good, if I do say so myself. My voice always sounds better with Marci's because our voices complement each other's so nicely. We were made to sing together. But I think the fact that we were really just singing for an audience of two - Papaw and our Heavenly Father (who are together!) - made it sound even better.
Today, we skipped church and slept in. We made pancakes and bacon and had one of those really special, relaxed breakfasts with my parents, my sister's whole family, Doug (my cousin), Garin and me. Susan, my mom-in-law came down to spend the afternoon and have some time with Garin. My grandparents came from next door, too, and we all played a game that lasted for an eternity...one of those that makes you start trying to help the competition just to end the game. But we had a great time joking around and being together.
Karl's really missing us and misses being here with us. I hate that. We miss him too! Hopefully, the time will pass quickly for him.
Tomorrow will mean more time with extended family; then things will settle down for Tuesday. We fly back Wednesday, and while I hate having to say goodbyes, I look forward to getting home to my hubby and Matt's arrival for Thanksgiving next week.
Thursday, November 09, 2006
Papaw is in Heaven!
It's a happy day for him! Back with Memaw, whom he's missed SO MUCH! As Mom said, she probably had a roast waiting in the oven for him. She made the best roast! Right now, they're catching up on the last six years. He's telling her about the four new grandkids she didn't meet, and she's introducing him to his son, grandson, and two great-grandchildren that never got a chance to live here on earth.
Garin and I are flying down to Texas today and staying a few days. Karl can't get leave, so he'll be holding down the fort here. I am eager to see family but hate leaving him behind. We haven't had a normal family life in weeks, and he'll probably be leaving for another mission about the time we get back. God knows what He's doing, though. We just have to trust that.
Garin and I are flying down to Texas today and staying a few days. Karl can't get leave, so he'll be holding down the fort here. I am eager to see family but hate leaving him behind. We haven't had a normal family life in weeks, and he'll probably be leaving for another mission about the time we get back. God knows what He's doing, though. We just have to trust that.
Wednesday, November 08, 2006
Generations
Papaw is going quickly. I just got word that he is now unconscious and his vital signs are very weak. It's odd how hard it hits you when you know it's the end, no matter how long you've known it was coming or how prepared you thought you were. I'm so relieved for him and thankful that his suffering is almost over, but it's hard to know that this earthly life is slipping away from someone who has been a part of your life from the very beginning.
I was looking at pictures of Papaw from our visit in July and ran across this one of him with Garin. I love the way they are looking into each other's eyes. Garin will not remember Papaw, but the man Garin will grow up to be will be influenced by his great grandfather, the faith he held onto and the love he had for his family.
This and That
It's been a crazy but very enjoyable few days with Mom and Dad here. I'm still not caught up on my sleep, but I will get there soon! Mom and Dad left this morning, unfortunately just after receiving bad news from Papaw's nurse. He is very near the end. Please keep him and our family in your prayers in the coming days. I really do plan to get on and write a short novel about the adventures of the past week, but now is not the time. Talk to you all soon!
Saturday, November 04, 2006
Hi! Remember me???
Well, the craft show is officially over!!! We had a great turnout, and it was definitely a success, but it was exhausting and not without its share of problems. I'll explain more when I'm not sleep-deprived and exhausted. Overall, though, it's been a great experience because I've made some great new friends!
Karl is on his way home as we speak, at least as far as I know. I'm so ready to see him!
Mom and Dad have been amazing. I don't know how Garin and I would have survived the last few days without them. But survive we did, and none the worse for wear.
I'll catch up more later when I've slept. Love to you all!
Karl is on his way home as we speak, at least as far as I know. I'm so ready to see him!
Mom and Dad have been amazing. I don't know how Garin and I would have survived the last few days without them. But survive we did, and none the worse for wear.
I'll catch up more later when I've slept. Love to you all!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
