I can't add a thing

Just found out that baby Jaymun, the boy I posted about earlier this month IS HOME! A long road ahead for his family, but he is home nonetheless.....here is the closing thoughts of his father' sblog today. I can not add one thing and he sums it up so well. This famiy's faith in the middle of crisis has really touched me.

"I found the quote below today--it seemed to really hit home, especially with our present circumstances. Maybe our story has prompted you to reevaluate your own perspective on appreciating your present blessings, whether they be good health, abundant material possessions, or the love of a family. No matter your situation, it's my prayer that all those reading take the following bit of wisdom to heart:

"When you arise in the morning, think of what a precious privilege it is to be alive --to breathe, to think, to enjoy, to love." -Marcus Aurelius "


Peace to you all.

He did it again

He did it again.

He melted my heart with one simple action.

Got this email from him last night. (Now mind you the kid never checks his email. This was his reply to an "I love you" email I sent him nearly a year ago) This was printed really really big.....

xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo
xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo
xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo
xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo
I Love U
From,
c -edited by mom for privacy
P.S.xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxooooooooooooooo

Damn. I love my kids.

PS This is a picture of him at Christmas with his test tube kit. He made fake snow, different colored gels and I can't remember what else. My little scientist. If he isn't building something he is doing an "experiment" somewhere.

I know there are days that go by that I don't tell them I love them enough, and definitely do not show them I love them enough, especially now that K. is older and really not into cuddling anymore. There are days that go by that I know I don't deserve them, or cherish them as much as I should. I try real hard to do the small things - such as be up with K. in the morning before school to say goodbye, I love you, and get her breakfast ready. She always tells me that daddy is up with her, it is ok if I didn't get up. Daddy leaves about 10 minutes before she needs to go out. I explain to her that I need to see her in the morning, say goodbye, I love you, remember your this or that today. From the time they have been small, and definitely from the time they have gotten on that school bus I do not feel right if I do not see them go out. Well yesterday there was a bomb threat at school. She calls me on my cell phone to tell me that they were sitting on the buses and would be home early. She must have told ME three times not to be scared. All the while I was choking back tears knowing that she was probably wanting to freak out. When she got home she did admit to about 15 min of a panic attack when they first made the announcement. When she got home, I gave her a big hug and told her, "see, this is why mommy has to see you every morning"...she didnt' understand how that would have affected the bomb scare. I told her I can't change or protect her in her day away from home, but at least I know when she walked out this morning, she knew I loved her enough to get out of bed to say so, and give her a hug before she goes. All she said was "oh". Hopefully, I pray , even when I do not "show my love out loud" with my kids, they do understand my small messages. Resolution #3 though is to "Love Outloud" a lot more often. So love your kids, or family out loud today.

Just because

Because you can not blog without pictures, I just went through my pictures and found one I liked. Actually - I think I landed on Zoey becuase her face just makes me smile. She is just so sweet and loving in a pure - "I don' t know why I love you but I love everyone and won't you play with me all the time" way. I think we humans can sometimes take a lesson from our young children and pets. They typically just love with abandon. All they want is our affection and approval, spend their days trying to please and let's face it, they know the value of play. New Year's resolution #2 was to try to remember to relax and play more. So in that, I can take a lesson from this sweet face. The world is her playground and we all exsist just to play with her, do we not?



The other night I was yet again not feeling up to snuff, and was just chilling in the chair. After a creative day on Saturday I had th eurge to get out my Big Picture Scrapbooking book, again, and look through it. The philosophy of this book is just incredible (I just realized how much I use that word. Note to self - get a thesarus). She reminds me that while my scrapbooking is an outlet for my artistic self, and I enjoy the process of creating, it really is about the memories. Sometimes I get so hung up on my type A self that has to work chronological and make sure every picture gets in the book. This reminds me of this - "It's not about scrapbooking all teh pictures - you see , you could scrapbook all your pictures, and NOT scrapbook your most important memories...."

But that my friends is not the quote that I brought with me today! Oy. I do get off track. Each time I reread this book I find something I missed. This is the quote that struck me Sunday....

Respect your fellow human beings, treat them fairly, disagree honestly, enjoy their friendship, explore your thoughts about one another candidly, work together for a common goal and help one another achieve it. - Bill Bradley

I don't know why it has stuck with me since sunday but now it is out, and shared here.

I promise to take some pictures of the kids in the next few days and get back to the real blogging.......how on earth do these posts always get so long? I honestly do not intend to start that way!

Just taking a minute to wave "hi" to everyone!

I went to a one day scrap event over the weekend, and lost count of the number of ladies who stopped me to comment about the blog, and how they enjoy reading it. I wish I had taken more names! Shocked, humbled, amazed. That was me! I guess grandparents and aunts aren't the only ones reading all of this anymore. I have been too busy since getting home to even unpack my stuff and am trying to stay off the computer. Now the pressure to be incredibly insiteful and whimsical when I post is too much! I have had a few thoughts to post, but thought, nah that isn't good enough. So I am trying to get those thoughts out of my head and go back to pretending no one else reads my babble. I really honestly do it for me, but if it is meant to be hopefully I can inspire or make someone else smile each day. Promise I will post tomorrow. I got the urge to once again re-read my Big Picture scrapbook idea book Sunday and found a cool quote I want to journal. So I think I will use that.

Nite!

Warning

You may never be the same after reading this journal. Proceed with caution and tissues.

I linked to this website/blog from another site last fall and have been following baby Jaymun's treatment since. Jaymun was born with leukemia and has basically been hospitalized nearly his entire life. I prayed and held my breath over Christmas when he was near death, and cheered and cried when he pulled out of it. What has touched me the most is how is father still can see and use humor in the situation, and the families unfaultering faith in God that this is all in His hands. This link is his letter to Jaymun on his six month birthday the other day. It really touched me, and put totallin into perspective how silly some of the things we compain about can be, and reminded me to appreciate what I have, and hug my children even tighter every day.

http://tinyurl.com/3co7v3

If you are so inclined I am sure Jaymun could use any more prayers he could get, he has a long way to go to heal.

Not so little

Dude.

Not so little anymore.

Had his check up at the pediatrician today.

He has grown 3 1/2 inches and gained ten lbs in the last year. That 56 1/2 inches and 81 lbs. (this is an amazing feat considering he had been losing weight since his medications were increased.) So much for the "chiropractors stunt your growth" theory out there.

Dude. That is nearly five feet!

I guess I can't call him "little dude" anymore.

I really marvel at how he has grown in so many ways over the last year. His personality is really coming out. He is so gentle and curious. Loves school. Secret codes. Anything "spy" related. Pokemon rules, and he can name any character you ask. Into magic right now. Building anything possible. Just got a book at the mall with pieces to put together and build space ships. He is affectionate and kind. Always thinking of others. Loves to help me in anyway possible. I truly adore the little man he is becoming. A little of me, a little of daddy. Guess that is how it is supposed to be.

He has been counting the days and making a list of the candy he is going to eat as soon as his braces come off. Lists. Just like Daddy. Sort of scares me a bit.

So here to my little dude today. Now officially just, "Dude".

Happy Birthday Darlin'!

Happy Birthday J.!

41 41 41 41 41 !

He now officially has to say he is in his "early" forties. Ugh. It was not so long ago that that sounded a million years away! Yet, here we are! Teehee - I will always be younger.

First please take a moment to appreciate how hard it is to get a decent picture of this man. One where his eyes or not half shut drunk looking, or his chin is pulled back. Add trying to get two kids to smile nicely and not cheesy at the same time.......

We as adults are not big on making a big deal out of our birthdays. Most years I am lucky if Jim reminds the kids on the morning of my birthday. I really loved this year, watching the kids decorate and prepare surprises for Daddy without any prompts from me at all. Nice to see how giving and caring they were for him. They made signs and got out some of my craft ribbon to hang from the fan in the family room. I had to remind them of the cake, but once I did, K. made it and they decorated it with a wee bit of help from me. C. even was creative enough to make a 41 on the top out of sprinkles. (he also dry embossed a happy birthday sign using some of my templates! That's my scrappy boy!)

I personally thank God for leaving you here with us for another year. I truly appreciate the growth that we have experienced together over the last two decades, and how comfortable our love has become. Can't wait to celebrate 81! And, I will always be younger!

Prayer

Those of you that know me well, know I believe strongly in the power of prayer. My sister sent me this one today. I have no idea who to credit, but it touched me. It could be nearly the perfect prayer, next to the Lord's prayer of course. Humility. Gratitude. Praise.

Dear Lord, I thank You for this day.
I thank You for my being able to see and to hear this morning. I'm blessed because You are a forgiving God and an understanding God. You have done so much for me and You keep on blessing me. Forgive me this day for everything I have done, said or thought that was not pleasing to you. I ask now for Your forgiveness.
Please keep me safe from all danger and harm. Help me to start this day with a new attitude and plenty of gratitude. Let me make the best of each and every day to clear my mind so that I can hear from You. Please broaden my mind that I can accept all things. Let me not whine and whimper over things I have no control over. Help me remember to pray, and it's the best response when I'm pushed beyond my limits. I know that when I can't pray, You listen to my heart. Continue to use me to do Your will.
Continue to bless me that I may be a blessing to others. Keep me strong that I may help the weak... Keep me uplifted that I may have words of encouragement for others. I pray for those that are lost and can't find their way. I pray for those that are misjudged and misunderstood. I pray for those who don't know You intimately. I pray for those that don't believe.
But I thank you that I believe. I believe that God changes people and God changes things. I pray for all my sisters and brothers. For each a nd every family member in their households. I pray for peace, love and joy in their homes that they are out of debt and all their needs are met. I pray that every eye that reads this knows there is no problem, circumstance, or situation greater than God. Every battle is in Your hands for You to fight.I pray that these words be received into the hearts of every eye that sees it.

AMEN

Resolution #1

Have more Fun!

Daddy gets called out to a service call.

dark winter night.

Cold outside.

So what to do??

Make cupcakes!

100% totally iced by the kids. I think pretty much as much consumed as put on the cupcakes.

It's the every day things I need to stop and inventory. Sometimes I think I live my life, one big moment to the next and forget about all the little moments in between. So here's to this little moment which I am totally taking in.

I am now listening to K. sing at the top of her lungs in the shower. Giggling knowing if she knew I just typed that here, she would freak!

Night!

A brand new year

Well - this one is already a week old, but hey, give a girl a break!

What is it about the start to a brand new year that we find so interesting, or inspiring? I dawned on me tonight what it is -

HOPE

There is so much hope to be found in a new year. What is better than a fresh empty set of 12 months full of the unknown just waiting to be filled with all the wonderful things we have planned and all the possibilities that we could dream ? I came across this tonight and thought it summed up pretty well what I have been thinking.

Hope works in these ways:

it looks for the good in people instead of harping on the worst;

it discovers what can be done instead of grumbling about what cannot;

it regards problems, large or small, as opportunites;

it pushes ahead when it would be easy to quit;

it "lights the candle" instead of "cursing the darkness." ~ anonymous

Isn't that the basis for almost every resolution ever made. We vow to change our relationships, be more positive. lose the weight, shed the negatives from the last year and start anew, take a fresh look at our problems - in each of these lies the hope that "this is the year".

Signifies that each year we hope to improve ourselves in some way be in physical or emotional.

We hope for the best or better for our family.

We hope that the struggles of the last year will leave with Dec 31st. Jan 1st signifies the start of a fresh beginning.

But does anything really truly change at the stroke of midnight on Dec 31st? No - not really. What changes is inside of us. The physical passing of that hallmark in time seems to be the impetus that many need to begin to hope, to dare to believe that something can change, to start to believe in themselves perhaps.

My prayer is that at the end of this year, we can look back and see the positive in the year, and not dwell on the bad, and that each of us can see that hope for change and possibility all year long. Not waiting until the end of the year to be able to start again. Each of us has the power to start fresh every day regardless of our situation or circumstances. (what am I channeling Oprah?) Life is a decision daily - how do we chose to live this day, shed yesterday and greet the dawn with a fresh face.

Here's to a new year!

OH yeah

I have a blog don't I?

I am supposed to write on it , aren't I?

I decided I would not spend this Christmas looking through the view finder of the camera, but actually watching, oohing and ahhing, and "being" in the moment. The result - not very many pictures. So here are the few. The group shot is all of the kids at the top of the stairs Christmas morning, at "oh my God" in the am. They "waited" til 6:30. Then there is a shot with C. and K. with each of their favorites. C. of course, Hess trucks rule. Santa scored the coveted 1997 truck, which he informed me he had to have since that was the year he was born and one he didn't have. Love eBay!

K. got the video camera she has been begging for since her birthday. She was shocked. It is a great little cheap camera but 3 mpixels, takes still shots, and also has a voice recorder. She has been having fun with it. I got a 1 gig. memory card (Cost as much as the darn camera), so she can tape a lot at one time. Otherwise the internal memory is only 2 min. She took it to her friend's 13th birthday sleep over. When she came home for batteries, I reminded her that I would watch anything that was taped. Interestingly enough, when I asked if she wanted to make her friend a dvd of her party, the camera came home with everything deleted. Hmmm...what do 13 year old girls talk about at sleepovers?

I am trying to find some cool new year's resolution and inspirational stuff online to do a NY eve post. We went to our best friend's and once again did not take the camera. we do this every year, and every year we forget it. My start to the new year was perhaps a migraine, perhaps a bit of food poisoning from the lobsters we made, perhaps a bug - we are not sure. I hope that is not an omen to the coming year! Will post more NY stuff later.

For now - I am ready for the holiday to be over. Ready to get back to "normal" and ready to de-christmas the house.