Monday, September 22, 2008
(insert Twilight Zone music here )
Go check the comments about Grama's address book-- I have a great story to tell when I get the time to type it out. Very cool; you will think so, too.
Saturday, September 20, 2008
An unexpected blessing (or two)
A couple of weeks ago I was worrying about the kids' education. Was I getting everything in that they need? Were we spending enough time in the right areas? After a bit, I realized that worrying would do nothing to help, and I prayed that God would guide us and bless our little school at home. I wanted reassurance that we were following His will, I guess. Then I went on with the usual business (and busy-ness) of our family life. A few days passed and I was feeling better; not worrying because I knew that as long as we do our best to do God's will for us, we will be fine.
On Friday, we went to the dentist for T and I. The girls and M sat in the lobby and quietly played cards. When I came out, a gentleman was talking to the kids, and he started to talk to me as well. We talked about going to Wal Mart to shop after the dentist visit. After a few questions, I thought "How nice. Not the usual "questions" about adoption and home schooling. Just a nice guy." He complimented me on the kids' behaviour, and wished us a nice day as we left. It was all very pleasant.
Everyone piled into the van and the girls said they had a surprise for me when we got to Wal Mart, but they couldn't tell me until then. I was thinking maybe they were planning to buy me a candy bar or something like that, because they were discussing their penny collection. When I parked, girls rushed up to the front of the van and said "That man put this in your purse and told us not to tell you until we got here. He said to spend it on the stuff we needed. Mama, he gave us $10.00!" Sarah uncurled her fist, and at the same moment all three of us realized it was not a ten, but a hundred dollar bill! I was flabbergasted. They were shocked to see me so speechless. Truly, I didn't know what to say. Finally I was able to speak and asked them if they understood how big of a deal this was. (They did not). Only when I said "This is nearly a week's worth of groceries, you guys" did they understand what a blessing we had received. Knowing we could not thank him, the kids and I said a prayer for the man, and thanked God for this wonderful surprise. We discussed how this was truly God working in our lives; letting us know how much He cares for us and that nothing is impossible with Him. I still feel a bit amazed when I think of it.
Sunday at mass, we had to sit in two rows because we were a bit late. Matt and the boys were in front of the girls and I, to our right, on the aisle. A lady gave something to Matt and said something that I could not hear. He handed it back to me and it was a holy card with this verse "Let nothing disturb you. Let nothing frighten you. All things pass away: God never changes. Patience obtains all things. He who has God finds he lacks nothing. God alone suffices." Wow. After mass he told me that all the lady said was "This is for your wife." We don't know her. Also after Mass, the man behind me tapped me on the shoulder and thanked us for being at there. What?
Apparently, God wanted to really let me know that everything is indeed alright. Isn't He awesome?
On Friday, we went to the dentist for T and I. The girls and M sat in the lobby and quietly played cards. When I came out, a gentleman was talking to the kids, and he started to talk to me as well. We talked about going to Wal Mart to shop after the dentist visit. After a few questions, I thought "How nice. Not the usual "questions" about adoption and home schooling. Just a nice guy." He complimented me on the kids' behaviour, and wished us a nice day as we left. It was all very pleasant.
Everyone piled into the van and the girls said they had a surprise for me when we got to Wal Mart, but they couldn't tell me until then. I was thinking maybe they were planning to buy me a candy bar or something like that, because they were discussing their penny collection. When I parked, girls rushed up to the front of the van and said "That man put this in your purse and told us not to tell you until we got here. He said to spend it on the stuff we needed. Mama, he gave us $10.00!" Sarah uncurled her fist, and at the same moment all three of us realized it was not a ten, but a hundred dollar bill! I was flabbergasted. They were shocked to see me so speechless. Truly, I didn't know what to say. Finally I was able to speak and asked them if they understood how big of a deal this was. (They did not). Only when I said "This is nearly a week's worth of groceries, you guys" did they understand what a blessing we had received. Knowing we could not thank him, the kids and I said a prayer for the man, and thanked God for this wonderful surprise. We discussed how this was truly God working in our lives; letting us know how much He cares for us and that nothing is impossible with Him. I still feel a bit amazed when I think of it.
Sunday at mass, we had to sit in two rows because we were a bit late. Matt and the boys were in front of the girls and I, to our right, on the aisle. A lady gave something to Matt and said something that I could not hear. He handed it back to me and it was a holy card with this verse "Let nothing disturb you. Let nothing frighten you. All things pass away: God never changes. Patience obtains all things. He who has God finds he lacks nothing. God alone suffices." Wow. After mass he told me that all the lady said was "This is for your wife." We don't know her. Also after Mass, the man behind me tapped me on the shoulder and thanked us for being at there. What?
Apparently, God wanted to really let me know that everything is indeed alright. Isn't He awesome?
Friday, September 12, 2008
A memory found
This week we found the key to the old sewing machine's drawers. Apparently, they have been locked since the girls were little and the sewing machine sat beside the door on Walnut St.. We used it as a place to put our keys and such when we came in the door. I remember locking the draweres on one side because the girls would take everything out and I would spend days looking for things. For some odd reason, they never bothered the keys, so the left side drawers never got locked. Last week, some 9 years later, I found the key and found some treasures, too. Here is one of them:
This little book was on the stand in Grama Smith's kitchen for all the years I can remember. I loved to look at it and the names and dates inside. Along with this book, there was always an old envelope on Grama's table with the month's birthday people written on the back, in order. Grama would walk uptown and buy all the birthday cards she needed for the month, according to her birthday book and her envelope. Everyone is in the book. I recognize almost every name.
See, here's Bee Be Wahlaub.She was one of Grama's friends who was a real kick. She went against the grain, but was still a lady in every sense of the word. I liked her. Many of the names have "deceased" written next to them. Grama lived longer than a lot of her friends.
I tried to make one of these books once, after I found a version at Hallmark. I filled it with all the names of family and some friends, too. I stuck with it for about a year. I"ve figured out why it didn't work for me, after thinking about it for a while. Grama lived in a time when she fully expected to have these people in her life for her lifetime. Grama was born in her house, and lived there for all but about 4 of her 94 years. She was friends with her friends for a lifetime. This seems so foreign now, in a time when everything is instant, or disposable. I miss Grama. I wish she would have had the chance to write my children's names in her book. For now, I will keep the little book and remember how she always remembered. I want to be that kind of person.
This little book was on the stand in Grama Smith's kitchen for all the years I can remember. I loved to look at it and the names and dates inside. Along with this book, there was always an old envelope on Grama's table with the month's birthday people written on the back, in order. Grama would walk uptown and buy all the birthday cards she needed for the month, according to her birthday book and her envelope. Everyone is in the book. I recognize almost every name.
See, here's Bee Be Wahlaub.She was one of Grama's friends who was a real kick. She went against the grain, but was still a lady in every sense of the word. I liked her. Many of the names have "deceased" written next to them. Grama lived longer than a lot of her friends.
I tried to make one of these books once, after I found a version at Hallmark. I filled it with all the names of family and some friends, too. I stuck with it for about a year. I"ve figured out why it didn't work for me, after thinking about it for a while. Grama lived in a time when she fully expected to have these people in her life for her lifetime. Grama was born in her house, and lived there for all but about 4 of her 94 years. She was friends with her friends for a lifetime. This seems so foreign now, in a time when everything is instant, or disposable. I miss Grama. I wish she would have had the chance to write my children's names in her book. For now, I will keep the little book and remember how she always remembered. I want to be that kind of person.
Baby shower knitting
I knit this set for a baby shower gift last week. At Wal Mart, I found an orange onesie with a Jack-o-lantern face on it, and added it to the gift. Turned out pretty cute, no matter what Mindi says about fruit hats!
First Day of School
When the girls started kindergarten, I had the foresight to take their pictures by the china cabinet, knowing we would always have it. This way we can compare each year's pictures and see how they've grown.
First Communinion pictures--again
A few pictures from the reception we had on Sunday, the 31st.
I wasn't happy with this cake, but it was eaten with gusto, and reported to taste very good. I guess it was the decorating I wasn't so happy with.
A and S--out of the dresses and back to themselves.
With their gifts. They received several really nice things, and were tickled with them all.
I wasn't happy with this cake, but it was eaten with gusto, and reported to taste very good. I guess it was the decorating I wasn't so happy with.
A and S--out of the dresses and back to themselves.
With their gifts. They received several really nice things, and were tickled with them all.
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
War Songs
I used to love to listen to the war songs from the 40's. I enjoy Glen Miller music, too, so that just fits. Lately I have noticed that there are quite a few songs that refer to the war in Iraq. They are showing up in all kinds of music. Many of them make me cry whenever I hear them, but all of them make me sad for obvious reasons. I am sad because it's another era, and war songs are part of it--again. Around here they hit way too close to home, way too often.
Our neighborhood is predominately military and we have several families waiting for someone to come home. I pray for them when I hear these songs because I can't imagine how hard it is for them to hear these songs. Pray for our country.
Our neighborhood is predominately military and we have several families waiting for someone to come home. I pray for them when I hear these songs because I can't imagine how hard it is for them to hear these songs. Pray for our country.
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