Thank you for all the kind words concerning my blog. I am so happy that you all are reading and enjoying it. I have to say that I didn't think I would post so often, but I seem to usually come up with something to share by the end of each day.
This is one of those days that I have to say, "Thank you God for the treasure of this normal day!" Life is good.
One thing that has excited me in the past couple days is the recent advances in MS Research. I hope and pray that someday--sooner than later--my mom & all others with MS will be CURED. What a wonderful day that will be. Please say an extra prayer tonight for all those affected by MS and those researching for new treatments and ultimately--a cure.
I may not post for a couple days as I am going on a shopping excursion with my sisters-in-law, but I promise I'll be back soon!
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Happy Holidays!
This morning Landen was getting ready to go outside to help Daddy feed cows. As he was leaving, he signed "I Love You" (they have been learning some signing in school) and then said, "Happy Valentine's Day!"
An hour or so later as Nathan was walking out the door to play, he turned back and said, "Happy Halloween!"
An hour or so later as Nathan was walking out the door to play, he turned back and said, "Happy Halloween!"
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
"On For Cresbard High"
Continuing on my spring fever cleaning kick, I took on the office this morning. It is still a work in progress, but I have thrown out two bags of old catalogs and magazines, so at least I lessened the fire hazzard in there! It is still unfinished because I got caught up on one section of the room.
One of my projects was organizing newspaper clippings, etc. from my teaching days. I saved news from oral interp contests, plays, and some other activities the Cresbard kids participated in. It was fun to look at the pictures of smiling high school students with big dreams, remember the sound of the Cresbard Rouser, and thank God for those teachers with whom I formed lifelong friendships. By now the students have graduated college or will be soon, have become parents, or are planning weddings. The teachers have moved onto new adventures--one as far away as a tiny village in Alaska--and sadly, one lost her battle with cancer. What filled my eyes with tears, though, were the thank you notes I had saved from my students and their kind words they wrote as they left to go out into the world.
Cresbard school was such a special place. It was what I pictured when I had dreamed of becoming a teacher for my entire life. Respectful students, involved parents & teachers, and (my personal favorite) fresh baked bread or cinnamon rolls EVERY day made my three years there among the best of my life. What made it especially hard to say goodbye to those years was that I knew how good they were WHILE I was living them.
Of course, I have done alright in the years since then and now actually like being a stay at home mom (most of the time). But I did grieve the school's closing for a long while after I walked out the doors for the last time.
Recently I learned that several Catholic churches in our Diocese--5 in our area alone--will close in the next few years. Of course, it makes perfect economic sense and needs to be done due to numbers, etc. But, there is always the deep emotional hurt that comes with those closures. As these churches prepare to merge, there will be tears from those forced to say goodbye to the special people and places they have loved.
My little sentimental journey through my office reminds me that we are always moving onto new chapters in our lives--some better, some worse, some longer, or some shorter than the previous chapters. Once in awhile, though, it is OK to flip back through the pages of our lives to revisit those favorite chapters and smile--or perhaps let a few tears fall.
One of my projects was organizing newspaper clippings, etc. from my teaching days. I saved news from oral interp contests, plays, and some other activities the Cresbard kids participated in. It was fun to look at the pictures of smiling high school students with big dreams, remember the sound of the Cresbard Rouser, and thank God for those teachers with whom I formed lifelong friendships. By now the students have graduated college or will be soon, have become parents, or are planning weddings. The teachers have moved onto new adventures--one as far away as a tiny village in Alaska--and sadly, one lost her battle with cancer. What filled my eyes with tears, though, were the thank you notes I had saved from my students and their kind words they wrote as they left to go out into the world.
Cresbard school was such a special place. It was what I pictured when I had dreamed of becoming a teacher for my entire life. Respectful students, involved parents & teachers, and (my personal favorite) fresh baked bread or cinnamon rolls EVERY day made my three years there among the best of my life. What made it especially hard to say goodbye to those years was that I knew how good they were WHILE I was living them.
Of course, I have done alright in the years since then and now actually like being a stay at home mom (most of the time). But I did grieve the school's closing for a long while after I walked out the doors for the last time.
Recently I learned that several Catholic churches in our Diocese--5 in our area alone--will close in the next few years. Of course, it makes perfect economic sense and needs to be done due to numbers, etc. But, there is always the deep emotional hurt that comes with those closures. As these churches prepare to merge, there will be tears from those forced to say goodbye to the special people and places they have loved.
My little sentimental journey through my office reminds me that we are always moving onto new chapters in our lives--some better, some worse, some longer, or some shorter than the previous chapters. Once in awhile, though, it is OK to flip back through the pages of our lives to revisit those favorite chapters and smile--or perhaps let a few tears fall.
Monday, February 9, 2009
A Mother's Love
I've been watching parts of the Miracle on the Hudson special on The Early Show this morning.
They interviewed a wheelchair-bound mother and her grown daughter who were passengers on the plane. After they landed in the river and were preparing to evacuate, the mom told her daughter, "Leave me." Maggie Rodriguez laughed and asked, "Why would you tell her to leave you?" Her response did not surprise me, but it did make me cry. She responded, "Because she is more important than I am . . . ."
When so much on TV is young celebrites saying "me, me, me," this mother showed America what a mother's love truly is. She told the daughter to leave her behind because she is a mother. It is as simple as that.
They interviewed a wheelchair-bound mother and her grown daughter who were passengers on the plane. After they landed in the river and were preparing to evacuate, the mom told her daughter, "Leave me." Maggie Rodriguez laughed and asked, "Why would you tell her to leave you?" Her response did not surprise me, but it did make me cry. She responded, "Because she is more important than I am . . . ."
When so much on TV is young celebrites saying "me, me, me," this mother showed America what a mother's love truly is. She told the daughter to leave her behind because she is a mother. It is as simple as that.
Rainy Day
I love rainy days! We are having an unusual rainy February day today. As long as the temp stays above freezing, it is all good.
I have always been a mostly inside girl. My ideal outside temperature is about 75 degrees with a slight breeze. If it deviates from that too much, I am either too hot, too cold, or too windblown. I much prefer my house with consistent temperature control. Rainy days take off the pressure to get outside and enjoy the fresh air. I can complete my inside work, or work on a hobby (if children permit) without feeling guilty about missing the too hot/cold/windy day outside.
There is something about a cloudy day that inspires me to complete long put-off projects. I started organizing a couple of closets yesterday, so I will probably finish that project today. Maybe we'll finish baking the ready-made Snickerdoodle cookie dough in the fridge. I would also like to scrapbook and maybe finish Nathan's knitted scarf, but I know those things won't happen until after bedtime tonight.
Rainy days have become even more of a treat since I married a farmer. As every farmer's wife knows, when it rains, you get to see your husband! During the summer, a rainy day can mean a rare trip to Aberdeen together. Even if it means just seeing David in the house more during the day, I am happy. Summer days can be very long when David is gone from morning until night. I am always thankful for the rain--not only for our fields--but also for our family. Having Daddy around more during the day makes everyone happier. It refreshes our family life as well.
So, enjoy the rainy day! Bake some cookies, clean a closet, read a book, or watch a movie when you get home from work tonight. Rainy days don't come often, especially in February, so take advantage of it while it's here!
I have always been a mostly inside girl. My ideal outside temperature is about 75 degrees with a slight breeze. If it deviates from that too much, I am either too hot, too cold, or too windblown. I much prefer my house with consistent temperature control. Rainy days take off the pressure to get outside and enjoy the fresh air. I can complete my inside work, or work on a hobby (if children permit) without feeling guilty about missing the too hot/cold/windy day outside.
There is something about a cloudy day that inspires me to complete long put-off projects. I started organizing a couple of closets yesterday, so I will probably finish that project today. Maybe we'll finish baking the ready-made Snickerdoodle cookie dough in the fridge. I would also like to scrapbook and maybe finish Nathan's knitted scarf, but I know those things won't happen until after bedtime tonight.
Rainy days have become even more of a treat since I married a farmer. As every farmer's wife knows, when it rains, you get to see your husband! During the summer, a rainy day can mean a rare trip to Aberdeen together. Even if it means just seeing David in the house more during the day, I am happy. Summer days can be very long when David is gone from morning until night. I am always thankful for the rain--not only for our fields--but also for our family. Having Daddy around more during the day makes everyone happier. It refreshes our family life as well.
So, enjoy the rainy day! Bake some cookies, clean a closet, read a book, or watch a movie when you get home from work tonight. Rainy days don't come often, especially in February, so take advantage of it while it's here!
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