Woke up last Wednesday, turning 45. The number makes me feel officially middle aged, not a day I really wanted to "celebrate". Grateful for life- yes! Blessed beyond imagination, yes! Feeling a bit old these days, YES!!!
Husband was out of town, headed to spend the day with my 22 eight and nine year old students, blessed with a special delivery from dear friends (cake, breakfast, my favorite treats, flowers and balloons). It prompted my students to sing to me and it was so sweet!
After school, my exhausted feet were screaming for a pedicure, so I decided to drop my little one at home, call a dear friend to meet me and headed to the nail salon. Relaxing in the chair, enjoying the relaxation and I catch a glimpse of my boys with balloons. I whisper to my friend, " I think my boys are about to walk in." Shockingly it wasn't just my sweet boys- it was MY GIRL too! I couldn't figure out what was happening. Of course we both burst into tears with our," come by it honestly weepy gene", and hug the best hug I had experienced in weeks. Best pedicure I've ever had!
I must admit, I miss her terribly every day, and that day wasn't any different than any other. I didn't even feel extra sorry for myself that she wasn't going to be there, BUT the fact that she was, probably made it one of the best birthdays ever!!! No one knew (except my two sons who I still can't believe kept it a secret), not even her daddy, that she was driving home just for me!!
What a wonderful birthday dinner we had, a sad "see you later" early the next morning as I headed off for my sub job, and she headed out to make it to class, BUT having her home in her bed on MY birthday- greatest gift ever!
I am one blessed 45 year old momma!!
Monday, September 24, 2012
Saturday, September 15, 2012
Brotherly Love!
These little brothers sure miss their sissy! My 17 year old retrieved a Facebook picture of the two of them in a tight embrace when they were REALLY little, and posted it on his facebook wall mentioning how much he was missing her. It brings this mom lots of joy that my children love, value and appreciate each other. I can get so caught up in my selfish feelings of missing her so terribly that I get walloped in the gut when I see my boys so deeply affected by her move.
My little one has expressed that it is the hardest on him because we got her for 18 years and he only got her for 10, and he can't even remember most of those years.
We are all so excited as family weekend is next weekend and we can't wait to see her precious face, hug her neck and spend some time in her new world.
My baby has been exhausted and a little sick! :(
Isaiah 40:30-31 Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles;they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.
2 Corinthians
My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made effect in weakness." Therefore I will boas all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
Proverbs 22:6
Direct your children onto the right path, and when they are older, they will not leave it.
So proud of the character and integrity she exhibits at a phase of life when children are bombarded with worldly choices.
Hebrews 11:6
But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarded of those who diligently seek Him.
Isaiah 26:3
You will keep in perfect peace her whose mind is steadfast, because she trusts in you.
1Peter 1:8
Though you have not seen Him, you love Him; and even though you do not see Him now, you believe in Him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy!
Sure am missing being around that joyful personality!!!
Phillipians 2:13 It is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasures.
I KNOW that God is doing amazing things both in and through her. I am thankful He is the one in control!
My little one has expressed that it is the hardest on him because we got her for 18 years and he only got her for 10, and he can't even remember most of those years.
We are all so excited as family weekend is next weekend and we can't wait to see her precious face, hug her neck and spend some time in her new world.
My baby has been exhausted and a little sick! :(
Isaiah 40:30-31 Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles;they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.
2 Corinthians
My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made effect in weakness." Therefore I will boas all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
Proverbs 22:6
Direct your children onto the right path, and when they are older, they will not leave it.
So proud of the character and integrity she exhibits at a phase of life when children are bombarded with worldly choices.
Hebrews 11:6
But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarded of those who diligently seek Him.
Isaiah 26:3
You will keep in perfect peace her whose mind is steadfast, because she trusts in you.
1Peter 1:8
Though you have not seen Him, you love Him; and even though you do not see Him now, you believe in Him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy!
Sure am missing being around that joyful personality!!!
Phillipians 2:13 It is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasures.
I KNOW that God is doing amazing things both in and through her. I am thankful He is the one in control!
Tuesday, September 11, 2012
Surviving
Well, it has been over a week since she came home for Labor Day and of course left again. I can't express how fabulous it was to see her AND hug her precious neck. About the last hour of her drive, she called several times to report where she was. When she walked in the door, she was immediately in tears. I think she was just so happy to see us and it was the moment she realized she missed home. I am thankful she isn't homesick and unhappy while she is away, but happy to know she values "home". Our time was wonderful- just having her in her own bed was the best! She slept a lot (CLEARLY she isn't doing enough of that!), and we just enjoyed her prescence.
As much as I would have loved to just keep her home (my little one continually reminded her of the community college nearby), she seemed excited to head back. While I woke up that day with a pit in my stomach thinking about another "see you later", I was glad for her enthusiasm and excitement to get back and see the friends she missed. I remember vividly, the feeling of getting close to home AND the feeling of returning to school. Both were great, and that certainly is what I want for her!
Watching her drive out of our driveway was still brutal, and most of the day I was in a bit of a funk, but I do seem to feel a little better as a whole. In being honest, I do occasionally feel a punch in the gut of grief at least once a day. I think it is just the physical pain of missing her, and I do NOT always end up in tears which feels like progress.
I am so blessed to have a daughter who wants to include me in her life. I don't think there has been more than a day that goes by that she doesn't send me a picture of her with friends doing something fun. I even occasionally get a video clip of something she is seeing! Oh how it is my saving grace!!
Another wonderful thing is the little nuggets of God's word I send her daily, because I always get a response that allows me to hear fom her at the start of her day!!! I am SURVIVING and her wings seem to be working! THANK YOU, GOD!!!
(If you have any scriptures you think would be good to share, please post them in a comment- I would be thrilled!)
Here are some of the scriptures I have sent her in the past week and a half:
Psalm 34:7
The angel of the Lord encamped around those who fear Him, and He delivers them.
(The day she drove home)
Psalm 126:3
The Lord has done great things for us! We are glad!
(Celebrating her getting to come home, and all the wonderful collegiate experiences she is getting to have!)
Joshua 1:9
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.
(Fearful about a test)
Psalm 121:1-2
I will lift my eyes unto the hills, from where my help comes from. My help comes from the Lord, which made heaven and earth.
(a bit overwhelmed finding the balance of fun, rest and studying)
Exhaustion set in!! Isaiah 40-30-31. Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.
As much as I would have loved to just keep her home (my little one continually reminded her of the community college nearby), she seemed excited to head back. While I woke up that day with a pit in my stomach thinking about another "see you later", I was glad for her enthusiasm and excitement to get back and see the friends she missed. I remember vividly, the feeling of getting close to home AND the feeling of returning to school. Both were great, and that certainly is what I want for her!
Watching her drive out of our driveway was still brutal, and most of the day I was in a bit of a funk, but I do seem to feel a little better as a whole. In being honest, I do occasionally feel a punch in the gut of grief at least once a day. I think it is just the physical pain of missing her, and I do NOT always end up in tears which feels like progress.
I am so blessed to have a daughter who wants to include me in her life. I don't think there has been more than a day that goes by that she doesn't send me a picture of her with friends doing something fun. I even occasionally get a video clip of something she is seeing! Oh how it is my saving grace!!
Another wonderful thing is the little nuggets of God's word I send her daily, because I always get a response that allows me to hear fom her at the start of her day!!! I am SURVIVING and her wings seem to be working! THANK YOU, GOD!!!
(If you have any scriptures you think would be good to share, please post them in a comment- I would be thrilled!)
Here are some of the scriptures I have sent her in the past week and a half:
Psalm 34:7
The angel of the Lord encamped around those who fear Him, and He delivers them.
(The day she drove home)
Psalm 126:3
The Lord has done great things for us! We are glad!
(Celebrating her getting to come home, and all the wonderful collegiate experiences she is getting to have!)
Joshua 1:9
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.
(Fearful about a test)
Psalm 121:1-2
I will lift my eyes unto the hills, from where my help comes from. My help comes from the Lord, which made heaven and earth.
(a bit overwhelmed finding the balance of fun, rest and studying)
Exhaustion set in!! Isaiah 40-30-31. Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.
Sunday, September 2, 2012
Sweetest Thing....
Sweetest thing ever....my sweet girl playing "her song" - which is Taylor Swift's song for her little brother, NEVER GROW UP- for her little brother on the guitar and singing to him before he went to bed this evening. Listening from the other room blessed my heart so much. He has been so afraid that his sissy is going to turn into an adult and not want to hang out with him anymore. She is THE BEST big sister! She has made so much special time for her little brother that so desperately needed quality time with her this weekend while she has been home. Tomorrow's goodbye won't be easy, but I think it will help that she didn't appear to grow up too much for him, her first 3 weeks away.
What a gift it has been to have her home- everything just feels right in my world with her sleeping in her own bed (she has certainly done a lot of that as she seems exhausted!) and just having her here! I have even LOVED doing the mounds of laundry she brought home!
Just treasuring the minutes.....they go way to fast!
What a gift it has been to have her home- everything just feels right in my world with her sleeping in her own bed (she has certainly done a lot of that as she seems exhausted!) and just having her here! I have even LOVED doing the mounds of laundry she brought home!
Just treasuring the minutes.....they go way to fast!
Wednesday, August 29, 2012
Exhausted....but Distracted!
My feet hurt and I am exhausted, BUT my heart is full and I am officially distracted! I have been blessed to spend the past 3 days with 22 of the cutest, sweetest and smartest 3rd graders. They are darling and I have been fully reminded that I LOVE being a teacher. My house is a wreck, food is scarce for the boys (hubby out of town all week), my desk is covered with a bunch of "to do's", so I definitely haven't figured out the balance thing! There certainly isn't time to sit and create puddles of tears and did I mention that MY LITTLE BIRD is coming home in 2 days?? I am pretty sure that has helped minimize the puddles around here as well.
I am so thankful that God has given us a close relationship that enables her to communicate so well and so often. It certainly makes this transition just a little bit easier....I can barely contain myself when I think about not havinng to text her and getting to hug her neck IN TWO DAYS!!!!
Some words God has given me to pass on to her this week:
Be earnest and unwearied and steadfast in your prayer life, being both alert and intent in your praying with thanksgiving. Colossians 4:2
And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work. 2 Corinthians 9:8
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope. Romans 15:13
I am so thankful that God has given us a close relationship that enables her to communicate so well and so often. It certainly makes this transition just a little bit easier....I can barely contain myself when I think about not havinng to text her and getting to hug her neck IN TWO DAYS!!!!
Some words God has given me to pass on to her this week:
Be earnest and unwearied and steadfast in your prayer life, being both alert and intent in your praying with thanksgiving. Colossians 4:2
And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work. 2 Corinthians 9:8
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope. Romans 15:13
Sunday, August 26, 2012
My Gift of Distraction!
I have been given a wonderful opportunity for a distraction from "my baby's gone to college " blues! A precious teacher at my little one's elementary school had her first baby this summer and I am going to substitute for her for 5 weeks so she can spend a little more time with her BABY GIRL! What a sweet gift from God for me to be able to help her spend more time with her daughter while I am missing my own so much.
The teacher and I worked all these past week preparing for the students and we both had many weepy moments together- missing our precious daughters. It certainly was the longest she had been away from her infant, and for me it is just trying to discover a new normal. I was able to share this scripture with her (one that I had sent my little bird on a REAL bluesy day):
May the Lord keep watch between you and me when we are away from each other. Genesis 31:49
I think the day I sent that one, it might have been more for my encouragement than hers! She seems to be doing just fine! Loves her classes, friends, roommate, dorm, the food isn't her favorite, but all in all God is blessing her with a wonderful experience!
Me? I still get weepy everyday. You can't imagine the silly things that start the water works! Tomorrow, will be the first time in 17 or 18 years that I have had a "first day of school" as a teacher! I have those fun nervous butterflies, and am so thankful God gave me the opportunity to help someone enjoy precious time with their daughter AND to pour into 22 3rd graders who are so precious to their parents. It is a gift to me!!!
Other scriptures I sent this week:
Colossians 3:23 Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men.
Psalm 34:8. Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him.
Deuteronomy 31:8. The Lord Himself will go before you. He will be with you; He will not leave you or forget you.
Psalm 5:11-12 But let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy. Spread your protection over them that those who love your name may rejoice in you. For surely, O Lord, you bless the righteous; you surround them with your favor as with a shield.
Oh Lord, protect my baby girl!!
The teacher and I worked all these past week preparing for the students and we both had many weepy moments together- missing our precious daughters. It certainly was the longest she had been away from her infant, and for me it is just trying to discover a new normal. I was able to share this scripture with her (one that I had sent my little bird on a REAL bluesy day):
May the Lord keep watch between you and me when we are away from each other. Genesis 31:49
I think the day I sent that one, it might have been more for my encouragement than hers! She seems to be doing just fine! Loves her classes, friends, roommate, dorm, the food isn't her favorite, but all in all God is blessing her with a wonderful experience!
Me? I still get weepy everyday. You can't imagine the silly things that start the water works! Tomorrow, will be the first time in 17 or 18 years that I have had a "first day of school" as a teacher! I have those fun nervous butterflies, and am so thankful God gave me the opportunity to help someone enjoy precious time with their daughter AND to pour into 22 3rd graders who are so precious to their parents. It is a gift to me!!!
Other scriptures I sent this week:
Colossians 3:23 Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men.
Psalm 34:8. Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him.
Deuteronomy 31:8. The Lord Himself will go before you. He will be with you; He will not leave you or forget you.
Psalm 5:11-12 But let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy. Spread your protection over them that those who love your name may rejoice in you. For surely, O Lord, you bless the righteous; you surround them with your favor as with a shield.
Oh Lord, protect my baby girl!!
Tuesday, August 21, 2012
FaceTime- My New Favorite Technology!
FaceTime is awesome!!! My little one has been asking for days to FaceTime with his sissy. Unfortunately their schedules have not allowed the opportunity until TODAY! He has had a couple of weepy days and was "just needing to see her eyes!". As much as I enjoy the text messages throughout the day (contact and information), occasional phone calls (her voice), Face Time is the best of both plus we get to see her eyes and smile!! My little one was right, seeing her eyes is wonderful! After hanging up, there were a few more tears. My little one said, some were the missing sad tears and some where the happy kind of tears because he got to see her! (My tears were the contagious kind!)
Day two of her classes was good! Now she has been to all five classes. She attended what she knows will be her hardest class this afternoon, and of course it was the first and only class to already assign her some work, so now the reality of being a student is setting in!
Knowing how anxious and fearful she can get about school with her great desire to be successful, this was the verse I sent her this morning:
The Lord is my helper, I will not be afraid. Hebrews 13:6
It is hard to believe that we are only 10 days into this adventure of my first born NOT living with us. We haven't made a lot of progress, in fact I feel a little stuck in this strange space. A space where her room is empty, clean and quiet; a little bit of the chatter and joy is painfully missing; and we clearly have not discovered our new normal. Maybe it is a little bit of denial because I am not sure how comfortable I am with THIS SPACE, and am pretty sure it isn't normal!
Day two of her classes was good! Now she has been to all five classes. She attended what she knows will be her hardest class this afternoon, and of course it was the first and only class to already assign her some work, so now the reality of being a student is setting in!
Knowing how anxious and fearful she can get about school with her great desire to be successful, this was the verse I sent her this morning:
The Lord is my helper, I will not be afraid. Hebrews 13:6
It is hard to believe that we are only 10 days into this adventure of my first born NOT living with us. We haven't made a lot of progress, in fact I feel a little stuck in this strange space. A space where her room is empty, clean and quiet; a little bit of the chatter and joy is painfully missing; and we clearly have not discovered our new normal. Maybe it is a little bit of denial because I am not sure how comfortable I am with THIS SPACE, and am pretty sure it isn't normal!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)