Well summer when by and this blog sat empty. What happened you ask, well, life I guess. Getting two kids (young men) set for college is a lot of work, for leg work, and emotional work. Who knew?
Life has now set into a little bit more of a normal rhythym. With fall being one of the most beautiful and spectacular seasons of color, it is a good time of new beginings. Time to start new routines, new normals, and finding out where life takes you when your kids become adults.
It's a fun journey, but it's emotional for a mom too. For those of you that have younger ones at home, treasure every moment, they go fast.
Monday, October 17, 2011
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
Graduation Time
Wow, where did the last 4 years go? It seems like just yesterday my kids started high school, and now they are preparing for Graduation Day!
I have twin boys, and they are very different in their likes and dislikes, just ask anyone that knows them. But in regards to gradutaios, they are in totaly argeement, IT IS TIME!!!
As a mom, it is hard to think that they are ready for the next stage of life, especially in the world as it is now. I suppose every generation has felt the same way, but now it's my turn. I have tried to teach them good manners, to be polite, to be good citizens, to respect authority, to question authority but with respect, and yet at times I wonder if it is enough. I know that my parenting was basically done a year or two ago, and it moved more into a coaching phase and now it will change once again maybe more of a cheerleader roll, I'm not quite sure.
What I do know for sure is that I love my boys and they will succeed in what they put their efforts into. Philippians 4:13 I can do all this through him who gives me strength.
I have twin boys, and they are very different in their likes and dislikes, just ask anyone that knows them. But in regards to gradutaios, they are in totaly argeement, IT IS TIME!!!
As a mom, it is hard to think that they are ready for the next stage of life, especially in the world as it is now. I suppose every generation has felt the same way, but now it's my turn. I have tried to teach them good manners, to be polite, to be good citizens, to respect authority, to question authority but with respect, and yet at times I wonder if it is enough. I know that my parenting was basically done a year or two ago, and it moved more into a coaching phase and now it will change once again maybe more of a cheerleader roll, I'm not quite sure.
What I do know for sure is that I love my boys and they will succeed in what they put their efforts into. Philippians 4:13 I can do all this through him who gives me strength.
Monday, May 9, 2011
I Love May Rain
May rain showers and rain storms are bautiful!! That is when the trees bloom and everything turns so many shades of green that only God could create over and over again every spring.
Friday, May 6, 2011
To show or not to show
Now the debate has been if the picture of Osama Bin Laden's death should be shown, or even his burial at sea.
Is this natural curiosity, or morbid obsession, just a trusts issue? As for me, I plain just trust that if a US Military person says that they were given the order "Dead or Alive" and the outcome was death, then I believe that he/she carried out their orders as planned. I have full confidence in our military as they are highly trained and follow orders as they are instructed to do.
I think that we have spent way to much media time on this already, but since the major networks are centered in New York, I can understand that, but it is time for us to move on and not give Al Qaeda an additional air time.
It is time to focus on the future of America and where do we go from here? What is the future of our presence in the 'stan countries? When do we get to pull out some or all of our men and women that have been serving tour after tour?
I know that the total War on Terror isn't over, but I think it's time for us to look in and not out. Get America strong and on top again.
Blessings to all our Service Men and Women that have and are serving in the Armed Services, without you, America wouldn't be the fantastic nation that we are today!
Is this natural curiosity, or morbid obsession, just a trusts issue? As for me, I plain just trust that if a US Military person says that they were given the order "Dead or Alive" and the outcome was death, then I believe that he/she carried out their orders as planned. I have full confidence in our military as they are highly trained and follow orders as they are instructed to do.
I think that we have spent way to much media time on this already, but since the major networks are centered in New York, I can understand that, but it is time for us to move on and not give Al Qaeda an additional air time.
It is time to focus on the future of America and where do we go from here? What is the future of our presence in the 'stan countries? When do we get to pull out some or all of our men and women that have been serving tour after tour?
I know that the total War on Terror isn't over, but I think it's time for us to look in and not out. Get America strong and on top again.
Blessings to all our Service Men and Women that have and are serving in the Armed Services, without you, America wouldn't be the fantastic nation that we are today!
Monday, May 2, 2011
Happy or Complacent
I did not have the news on last night, I did not get the lastest update until this morning. Osama Bin Laden is dead. there are people partying in the streets, breaking into song, The National Anthem, USA..USA chants everywhere, and although I am glad that he was brought down, would I have been caught up in the same fever if I lived in a larger city?
I am extremely proud of our military, and tell them all the time. I am very proud to be American, and always have been. I was very glad when Iraq's leader Suddam Hussein was also taken down and brought to trial, but again, I wasn't throwing a party in the street. Is this a little over the top? And before I am slammed, yes, I remember 9/11 and those that were in the airplanes and the buildings.
Just my thougts at the early morning hours....
I am extremely proud of our military, and tell them all the time. I am very proud to be American, and always have been. I was very glad when Iraq's leader Suddam Hussein was also taken down and brought to trial, but again, I wasn't throwing a party in the street. Is this a little over the top? And before I am slammed, yes, I remember 9/11 and those that were in the airplanes and the buildings.
Just my thougts at the early morning hours....
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Could Spring Really be in the Air
Wow, it looks like Spring! It smells like Spring! Some days it feels like Spring! Could it really BE Spring?
Most days it is still cold, and the warmth of the sun is far, far away, but each day does get a little warmer than the last and the snow is melting a little bit more. Spring really is around the corner, it's just that my corner is farther north than most, and spring comes a little latter here than for most of the rest of the country.
When many are already in shorts and flip flops in Arizona and Floriday, and maybe even Mississippi and Tennessee, we are still sporting jackets and socks with out shoes.
But I do promise that Spring is around the corner.
Most days it is still cold, and the warmth of the sun is far, far away, but each day does get a little warmer than the last and the snow is melting a little bit more. Spring really is around the corner, it's just that my corner is farther north than most, and spring comes a little latter here than for most of the rest of the country.
When many are already in shorts and flip flops in Arizona and Floriday, and maybe even Mississippi and Tennessee, we are still sporting jackets and socks with out shoes.
But I do promise that Spring is around the corner.
Thursday, March 10, 2011
Life in a Small Town
Living in a small town has it perks and its pit falls. If you have never lived in a small town, or only lived in one briefly, maybe you don't know about the wonders of it all.
The theme song from Cheers sums up a lot "where everyone knows your name"...and your business and you get the picture. It's not uncommon to go anywhere in a small town and see someone you know, either by name or by sight. Whether it is a local policeman on or off duty, the teachers, or a mill worker about town on their day off you nod, say hello and chat for a few minutes before going about your day.
High School sporting events brings out all age groups together, from elementary school age kids to senior citizens all cheering for the same team. Chances are, you sit by the same friends at each game, but those the next bench over are friends and neighbors too.
Now my small town is isolated from other communities by about 2 hours by car. That means shopping trips! As for my family, we try to shop local, but we are limited in where we can shop in our town for clothes with only one discount store, and one reasonably priced clothing store, so off to out of town malls we go. It is not uncommon there to see people from our town doing some shopping as well :)
Now some might ask, "Why would you want to stay there?” That was something my husband and I debated early in our marriage and before we had kids and we decided that we wanted our kids to have the privilege of being close to extended family. It has been such a great experience to have them grow up with all the grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins within a 2 hour radius and out of that only 2 families lived out of our town. I don't think that happens too much when you live in a large metro area and we wouldn't trade it for anything.
So when you add the pluses and the minuses, family will win every time and you can't convince me that living anywhere else is better than right here.
The theme song from Cheers sums up a lot "where everyone knows your name"...and your business and you get the picture. It's not uncommon to go anywhere in a small town and see someone you know, either by name or by sight. Whether it is a local policeman on or off duty, the teachers, or a mill worker about town on their day off you nod, say hello and chat for a few minutes before going about your day.
High School sporting events brings out all age groups together, from elementary school age kids to senior citizens all cheering for the same team. Chances are, you sit by the same friends at each game, but those the next bench over are friends and neighbors too.
Now my small town is isolated from other communities by about 2 hours by car. That means shopping trips! As for my family, we try to shop local, but we are limited in where we can shop in our town for clothes with only one discount store, and one reasonably priced clothing store, so off to out of town malls we go. It is not uncommon there to see people from our town doing some shopping as well :)
Now some might ask, "Why would you want to stay there?” That was something my husband and I debated early in our marriage and before we had kids and we decided that we wanted our kids to have the privilege of being close to extended family. It has been such a great experience to have them grow up with all the grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins within a 2 hour radius and out of that only 2 families lived out of our town. I don't think that happens too much when you live in a large metro area and we wouldn't trade it for anything.
So when you add the pluses and the minuses, family will win every time and you can't convince me that living anywhere else is better than right here.
Monday, February 28, 2011
Oh for a Generation
When my husband and I went on a vacation that took us on a cross country driving trip from the Canadian border to the Mexican border, we made a stop on Missouri to stay overnight and visit my husband’s great-aunt and great uncle. We had an incredible time with them looking at family pictures and reminiscing. Our trip was just before Christmas so we had the privilege of talking about Christmas' past as well.
The hard part of the trip was to realize that Auntie Helen and Uncle Einer have aged farther than I anticipated or imagined. With that said it brings to mind that Auntie Helen is the last of her generation left.
What goes through your mind when you know that the family stories as you know them from first hand experience will end with you? How do you prepare yourself and others that you are the last living leaf of the generational branch? This would be a very hard circumstance to find yourself in.
Do you think about it or do you just let life take its course and not let your thoughts twist and turn in your mind? I don't know what it be like if it was me, and I sure hope it isn't.
The hard part of the trip was to realize that Auntie Helen and Uncle Einer have aged farther than I anticipated or imagined. With that said it brings to mind that Auntie Helen is the last of her generation left.
What goes through your mind when you know that the family stories as you know them from first hand experience will end with you? How do you prepare yourself and others that you are the last living leaf of the generational branch? This would be a very hard circumstance to find yourself in.
Do you think about it or do you just let life take its course and not let your thoughts twist and turn in your mind? I don't know what it be like if it was me, and I sure hope it isn't.
Thursday, February 17, 2011
Good Bye Pastor Kyle and Anna
The time has come for you to go, God has called you to serve elsewhere in another ministry, and in another town. You and Anna will have new adventures, new friends to make, and new memories to create as you follow God's leading.
You will have the exciting times of the new places to explore, new bonds to make, and the anticitpation that comes from from that "new" feeling for your new ministry. God is birthing a something new in your lives and it is exciting to see how you are allowing Him to lead in your life.
With the best of memories from here, it is hard to say good-bye. Five years of memories, fun times, events, trips, Wednesday nights teens, and pranks it will be hard to think of the next weeks and months without hearing "Hey this is Pastor Kyle calling don't forget...." from the latest phone tree call.
But with you being called to a new ministry, our group is also being called to new things too. Growing pains aren't always easy, but necessay. As we seek God's guidance and leading, we know that He has great and wonderful things in store for us as well.
So, never good-bye, but instead may God bless you and your family as you continue on His path for your lives.
You will have the exciting times of the new places to explore, new bonds to make, and the anticitpation that comes from from that "new" feeling for your new ministry. God is birthing a something new in your lives and it is exciting to see how you are allowing Him to lead in your life.
With the best of memories from here, it is hard to say good-bye. Five years of memories, fun times, events, trips, Wednesday nights teens, and pranks it will be hard to think of the next weeks and months without hearing "Hey this is Pastor Kyle calling don't forget...." from the latest phone tree call.
But with you being called to a new ministry, our group is also being called to new things too. Growing pains aren't always easy, but necessay. As we seek God's guidance and leading, we know that He has great and wonderful things in store for us as well.
So, never good-bye, but instead may God bless you and your family as you continue on His path for your lives.
Sunday, February 13, 2011
Valentine's Day
Happy Valentine's Day! What a day to rejoice LOVE! Love in all aspects. Love for parents, children, friends, and especially for husbands and wives.
This is a time to celebrate who God gave you as a spouse. To find that joy that maybe has faded, or rekindle what is a smoldering coal. Time to talk, touch and love your spouse and to remind them that they are the special one for you.
Have a great Valentine's Day and take the time to let your spouse know that they are the one that you think about, and that you LOVE deeply. Don't let another day go by without letting them know.
This is a time to celebrate who God gave you as a spouse. To find that joy that maybe has faded, or rekindle what is a smoldering coal. Time to talk, touch and love your spouse and to remind them that they are the special one for you.
Have a great Valentine's Day and take the time to let your spouse know that they are the one that you think about, and that you LOVE deeply. Don't let another day go by without letting them know.
Monday, January 10, 2011
Longer and More
Well the college visit went well. My son was impressed and it was just what he was looking for in a college. There were things offered there that were weird, like, go walk a university dog if you are homesick. But then there were cool things too, like the bowling alley, and the many places to get food. Well, being a freshman, those are important.
The college is mid sized, yet has a small town feel to it, which is nice when you come from a small town, but want something bigger. I think he will be happy there. Now just for the next son to decide where/what he would like to do next year....
Now we begin the application process. I think in some ways we are behind in this, but since no one knew where or what they were looking for, we didn't want to just send out applications like birdshot and hope we hit the college they decided on. We may have missed out on some scholarship opportunities, but I guess that is a lesson learned.
With one down and one to go, we are well on our college bound way!
The college is mid sized, yet has a small town feel to it, which is nice when you come from a small town, but want something bigger. I think he will be happy there. Now just for the next son to decide where/what he would like to do next year....
Now we begin the application process. I think in some ways we are behind in this, but since no one knew where or what they were looking for, we didn't want to just send out applications like birdshot and hope we hit the college they decided on. We may have missed out on some scholarship opportunities, but I guess that is a lesson learned.
With one down and one to go, we are well on our college bound way!
Saturday, January 8, 2011
College Visit
We are visiting a college today for one of my sons. Wow, the time goes fast to get to this point! I am praying that this is where God would have him to be, and what he should be studying.
Friday, January 7, 2011
God's Blessings
God remains faithful all the time, even when we walk away or turn our backs. The start of a new year is a good time to show God that we are returning to our Faith.
New Congress
It is time to be praying for the new Congress that was installed. They have a tremdous job ahead of them, and need our prayers as they lead our country.
Thursday, January 6, 2011
January COLD
I know that there is global warming thoughts out there, but they don't live here. When we can have -30 temps, that doesn't seem like it has warmed up at all, lol.
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
Lots and LOTS of Snow
I can't believe how much snow we have, and it's only January! We have 3 months left of winter that we could get lots and lots of snow :o
Blessings to you on the New Year
Not only is it a new year, it is the start of a new decade! What a new begining! What do you have planned for the next year, and next decade?
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