G-ma

My Aunt called me today to let me know that my Grandma passed away last night. They found her sitting on her couch this morning. They think she had a heart attack last night. Thankfully, I had just spoken to her last week after they had to put her 16 year old Toy Poodle, Daisy, to sleep. G-ma had sent me an email just a few days ago. She had finally gotten her computer up and running again and was able to read both this and my Oregon blog. She was excited to see pictures of the kids.

Grandma was 82 and lived in Tremont, Illinois. She had 8 children and my mom was one of them. Seems my mind is flooded tonight with memories. My parents moved to Illinois from Guam when I was 8 months old. They tell me I loved G-ma immediately. Went right to her as if I'd known her the whole time. I loved going to G-ma's house. The only time I ever asked for my mom was when I had a 104 temperature. Everyone wants their mom then.

My uncle died in a construction accident when I was 3. I was at her house after the funeral. G-ma cried and cried. I remember climbing up on her bed and saying, "Be happy, G-ma. Be happy." G-ma never forgot that. She reminisced about it not too long ago during one of our phone conversations. She sent me a plaque with that saying on it when I was little. It hung in my bedroom for years. I'm sure it's around here somewhere.

I got angry with my mom once when I was about 4 and I packed my little play suitcase, put my coat on over my pj's and went to the front door. When my mom asked where I was going, I firmly announced that I was "going to G-ma's to stay 2 weeks."

We moved to California and had flown to see G-ma for a visit. The night before we were supposed to fly back home, I came down with the chicken pox. Dad had to fly home without us, but I was excited because I got to stay another week!

I remember G-ma coming to stay with us for a few months when we lived in Hawaii. Mom was having surgery and G-ma came to help out. We were cleaning the upstairs bathroom and came across an ugly Cane Spider. They are furry and as big as your hands but absolutely harmless. Except to give you a fright. G-ma and I both screamed and ran like little girls. What a sight!

She was there when I graduated from high school. She came to Florida and we all went down to spend an entire month at my Uncle's condo in Naples. G-ma and I would go to the pool and lay in the sun together and just talk.

I remember going through old black and white photos at her house after Grandpa died and telling stories. I remember laughing until we cried. We did that a lot. G-ma was so funny! We always had so much fun together.

I remember a big chunk of our family going to Disney at Christmas time. There were 18 of us. We stayed together the entire day and would take up entire rides. I think we all fit in a Small World boat, and a huge section of Thunder Mountain Railroad. But I can not ride Space Mountain to this day without thinking of her. She was 70 years old and got on Space Mountain for the first time. She rode the car in front of us with Marc and my cousin. Russ and I were in the car right after them. When we rounded the corner to where you get off the ride, G-ma was on the floor. My heart sank as I just knew she was having a heart attack. Come to find out, she was laughing so hard that she fell on the floor when she got out! She was perfectly fine!!! We all laughed until we cried.

She was at my wedding. She worked so hard making homemade mints for the reception. They didn't work out because of the humidity here in Florida so she went out and bought a bunch of Fannie Mae's instead.

She met Jarod about 5 years ago. That was the last time we were up there. It was shortly after my mom died and we were traveling to Colorado for a Campus Crusade Retreat.

All families have their "stuff" and ours is no exception. But no matter what has happened, I've always known that G-ma loved me. Even though we lived far away, she is a vibrant person who played a big role in my childhood. I am so very thankful to have had her in my life. She will be greatly missed.

Trick or Treat!

My cowboy and Cinderella. Anne wanted to be Cinderella again this year. So - we let her. How easy was that? Nothing new to buy and she was pretty as a princess. Jarod brought home the boots, belt, hat, neckerchief, and rope from camp this past summer where he learned about being a real cowboy. This was the easiest Halloween ever!

Every year, for the past 3 years, we have gotten together with the same group of friends and taken our kids Trick or Treating. It has been so much fun to watch the kids grow over the years and to have that fellowship time together.

Jarod and his best friend Zander (Zorro), then Ambury (the monkey), Maddie (the Tooth Fairy), Anne (Cinderella) and in the corner is Will (our favorite little Ewok from Star Wars)

Could he be any cuter? I don't think so!!!!!

This is my charming, yet nerdy husband. Like I said in earlier blogs, they were dressing up all week at school and today was "Smarties Day" - or better known as Nerd day. Now, I got this photo at the end of the day - but at some point he had tape on his glasses and a sign that said, "Bill Gates for President" What a character! Of course he talked in a high pitch nasally voice as well. Gotta love him.......Is this what I have to look forward to when he's 70?

Is there a Dr. in the house?

Can she be any cuter???

Just thought I would share my Dr. Anne. When asked if she was going to be a Dr. when she grew up, she said, "No, I'm going to dig holes." Hee! Hee!

Enjoy!

Home Sweet Home

Well, we've been cooped up for the last three days. Jarod developed some sort of rash from head to toe and we have been home bound since Sunday. Not sure what it is or where it came from. It has the Dr. baffled as well. It started on his arms and face - no itching, no fever. He just didn't feel well. By Monday, he was itching like a mad man and it was all over from head to toe. Still no fever or any other symptoms. The Dr. didn't know what it was, we just had to treat it with Benadryl and oatmeal baths. We would get about three hours out of the Benadryl before he was climbing the walls. He is doing much better today. He actually slept all night last night. He'll be going back to school tomorrow. No one else in the family has gotten it so it remains a mystery.

It's actually been a nice break. I love being at home. Russell laughs at me - I can stay in the house for days - I don't even go out to check the mail. It's so cozy! I never have liked running here and there, being gone all day. When we lived in Opelika, and Jarod was a baby, we only had one car. Russ would take it to work and I would stay at home with Jarod. It was so nice. But, those days are over. So, the Lord gives me a few days together here and there. It will be over in a few hours as I have a Bridal Open House tonight at The Wedding Party.

Not too much else is going on with us. Russ is having Red Ribbon week at school and has had to dress up in some weird way all week. Monday was Mis-matched day - what a site! Yesterday was Rock Star day and today is Camouflaged day. Tomorrow is 70's and 80's day. I guess I should be taking photos......

Well, I guess I will go finish my laundry and pick up a bit. Until next time......

Living In Midian

Cami is studying the books of Moses this year in Bible Study Fellowship. One of the many good materials they produce is the Home Discussion Guide, which we have been going through as a family after supper. We have had many good conversations and prayer times doing this together. Last week we talked about how Moses ran to Midian after he killed the Egyptian. He knew God had a plan for him, but he would not see it for forty years. During this time, he kept his father in law's sheep. Then, without warning God spoke to him through the burning bush and off he went to Egypt to deliver God's chosen people from bondage.

I realized that I am also living in my own Midian. I know that God has called and gifted me to serve Him in His church, but I am still waiting for the what, where, when, and how. In the mean time, God has placed me in the field of a junior high school as shepherd. I do not know what God has planned for me, but I am learning everyday to trust Him. He has put the desire to preach His Word and make disciples deep within my heart - It just won't go away. So, I pray that I will be ready when He speaks to me from a burning bush. That I will be willing to go wherever He sends and do whatever He says.

Make me know Your ways, O LORD;
Teach me Your paths.
Lead me in Your truth and teach me,
For You are the God of my salvation;
For You I wait all the day.

Psalm 25:4-5

On the Path,

Russell

Camping Out at Fort Clinch

Jarod and Russell spent Friday night camping out at Fort Clinch with the Cub Scouts. They sure did have a lot of fun. (Jarod is behind the boy in yellow in the center) The only major problem they had was being woke up by raccoons in the trash cans.

After breakfast, they got to tour the Fort.

Jarod discovered the bathrooms - of course, being 9, all he could do was giggle.

They also got to watch them fire the cannons. How fun is that?

We are finally settling into normal. Russ and I are done taking weekend excursions by ourselves. At least until our next anniversary. What fun it was though! Report cards go home next Friday. I can't believe the first nine weeks of school is over already. The holidays are upon us.

I have taken on being a Discussion Leader at Bible Study Fellowship this year. So my Tuesday and Wednesday mornings are busy. It's proving to be such a blessing though. I was so concerned about my time management with all that being a DL entails but God has been so gracious, and so far, so good. I am able to stay on top of my house, my business, my kids and do BSF. It's quite exciting to be a part of it all. I know that God honors studying His word and He will make it all work out.

Russ is busy with School and Cub Scouts as he is the Assistant Cub Master this year. He loves it. I was a big grumbly last night having to sew 7 patches on his uniform, but all is well. I did not inherit my mother's love or talent for sewing. I have no patience for it. Now, my brother, on the other hand. He has the talent for it and is creating an entire workshop in his home so he can build his puppets. I guess I'll ask him to sew the patches on next time.... Hee Hee! Sewing is definitely one thing I took for granted as far as mom was concerned. I just always figured she would be around to do it. I can't believe that this December will be 6 years since her passing. Where does time go? I miss her.

Until next time.......

She Surprised Me!!!!!!

Yes, it is true that I am not so easy to surprise. I have an irritating way of figuring things out - But not this time. A week prior to our anniversary, Cami and I enjoyed a childless weekend at Disney. That alone was great, but Cami was plotting another weekend away during our anniversary.

Sometime before, Cami did a calligraphy job for a friend who happens to own a beach front Condo. Instead of the regular form of payment, they bartered out a deal. Yes, the job for two nights in the condo. So I came home from work on Friday and she says "Get in the van. We're going to dinner in St. Augustine." I kept asking what's going on. She only smiled in return. After dinner, we went over to the beach area. We kept driving down A1A all the way to Crescent Beach. When we did not turn to go back, it all came together! Then she pulled into the complex confirming everything.

Cami is sweet and all, but she is also devilishly sneaky, and I love her for it! We had yet another great weekend reconnecting with each other. I guess we are due two weekends alone after six weeks with our kids in a pop up!