the title of this post...It's Tuesday!

Hello Mr. Obvious, it's Tuesday.  Nothing too special about today.  Just gonna take this time to get some things outta my head.

I was excited that I had a message from Kat this morning.  In addition to buying a biscuit, she bout shoes.  Really expensive shoes she said!  Leaving her enough money for her 1 meal a day (she thinks).  I feel partly responsible for this.  You see the shoes were Lacoste and only sold in Paris thus mandating the purchase.  Some how without having ever purchasing for her any Lacoste items, as they can be hard to come by and expensive, I have managed to share with her my love for ALL things Lacoste thus I'm sure without a doubt causing her to see the value in the shoe and desire to have it!  I've never had nor seen a Lacoste shoe but am sure it's splendid!  (think I'll google a pic as soon as I am done here) Ok, couldn't wait on the google, and no matter the style they're GONNA ROCK!  I can't wait to see them!  *Ahhh the finer things!*

Later today Matt & I are gonna go to the movies!  What a blessing to have time to be with him daily.  I've learned so much about my son.  However, I had to go through pics from 5-10 years ago for Andy and in doing so I noticed (sadly) that as the years passed it seemed as though the joy in my sons eyes did too.  Heartbreaking.  I called Andy in to show him what I was seeing, asked if he noticed it too and he did.  He attributed it to just being a boy and growing up.  I wasn't so convinced.  It really caused my heart to ache.  The upside, I think I see the joy returning.  Matthew is certainly a special young man who is wise beyond his years and probably one of the most gentle tender-hearted young guys I know.  Qualities that can be difficult for his peers to appreciate but will certainly pay-off in life.  He'll be a great husband and father someday for sure!

So glad it didn't freeze last night.  I bought a hanging flower for Moms grave on Sunday and was worried a frost would do it in.  I need to get one for Grandma & Grandpas too!  It seemed weird not to have something on theirs.  Perhaps this weekend.

I get overwhelmed at times when I think about what it would be like with my grandparents still around.  Man would they ever love my kids!  I feel certain that Matthew and my papa Ike would be the best of buddies!  And Kathryn would've been the one to learn how to make grandmas pie crust and noodles.

As I think about the future and reflect on the past of this journey - being a wife and mother, I often find myself giving great consideration to both the past examples and future opportunities.  When it comes to being a wife, I feel as though I'm floundering.  Garnering from examples set I: avoid nagging, arguments, and being the boss.  I take a back seat, offer my opinion and respect his and I love.  When it comes to the mom gig I just try to do what I can and love love love.  It is for sure the easiest and hardest thing to do all in one.  There are many areas in which I feel I've dropped the ball but other areas that I feel I've been quite successful.  I've learned over time that the most important thing for me is to be real and to be real about the things in this life that really matter.  ie, our relationships - with God and each other.

Some times I panic when I think about the years and how they fly by.  There's so much I want to do and do with my family and I feel as though in no time at all it'll be tomorrow and time and opportunity will have fleeted away.  I hate that feeling.  For it was just yesterday or so it seems this journey was just beginning.

Spring has sprung

Well it has happened, my least favorite season...Spring.  And it has come on disguised as Summer!  We did the abnormal 'spring forward' with the changing of the clocks and without fail this left everyone additionally sleepy.  And then it happened.  Record breaking high temps in the mid to upper 80's for over a week!  Temperatures that shattered a 106 yo record!  For the hour lost of sleep Mr. Sun decided to perk everyone up and shine shine shine!

March is flying by.  Kathryn has been in Europe, Paris to be exact for 4 days now!  I've spoken to her once (she bought a biscuit), and creeped endlessly on the pictures she and her schoolmates/tripmates are posting.  If they're smiles are any indication they are having a fabulous time and the weather seems to be beautiful.  And she can check "Paris in the Springtime" off her bucket list if it was on there!  (jealous!  but glad we could send her) In addition Kathryn will be taking on a J O B! when she returns.  She'll be working at Culver's in Marion and is so excited to earn her own cash!  I know the feeling and must admit I miss earning my own also.  When she does return she has a big week ahead of her.  Cheerleading tryouts will take place M-Thurs. with the results on Friday (i assume).  She's hoping to make Varsity for both football & basketball since her group of girls decided to tryout for both.  It's bound to be interesting.  On the 29th while in Heidelberg Germany Kathryn will turn 16!  This will make for her 2nd international birthday! 

Matthew has started a new past time.  Golf.  He'll be a part of the OH golf club team.  And, he loves it.  I am so glad.  I totally don't get it which might be one reason for his growing passion for it, but I do know I'll be supportive of it!  We can officially be done with his schooling soon!  But he has decided, if it's OK with me to start reading the Biology text book I bought for him and to continue doing some math stuff!  I secretly think he's bored!  He'll be returning to public school in the fall.  It was never our intent to home school but as a parent sometimes you have to take a stand, make a statement and sometimes it has to be a dramatic one.  It was an easy choice.....1) it was for my son, & 2) it was the right thing to do.  Preaching intolerance to bulling is one thing, to practice it is another.

Yesterday was a somber one as it would've been my moms 75th birthday.  Golly I miss her a ton.  And this coming Sunday 4/1 will be the auction of my moms estate.  This has all been so emotional.  And like always I keep everything in (for the most part) smile, say it's all OK and go on.  Truth....not so convinced or sure I'm all that OK.  I just don't know.  I wish I knew what/how to feel.  I know I'm off my game because I feel out of touch with me.  Thank goodness for my big God who knows me well.....for I feel as though I'm walking on faith alone.

I'm anxiously awaiting summer.  Not sure why exactly other than I look forward to the time with my kids.  I love and enjoy them so.  I forecast a lot of trips to the golf course and to Culver's this summer.  And if it is to be I'll be setting up house, starting anew in our new home.  My God has this all under control.  Even when I'm mad as a hornet at Him, He manages to gently remind me.....He has a plan.

Well, to day is Monday, Andy is up north for the next few days and today I am doing NOTHING of importance just taking some me time.  Tomorrow, my son is taking me on a date and I think I am having lunch with my Aunt Phyllis, sister-in-law Kim and Betty Hurt in celebration of Kim's 50th birthday that was on Saturday.  A year ago, we were out with mom doing the same.

Times.....they are a changing.

Happy Spring all!  .....I think it's the season to be a little "sprung".

God Bless.
kel

I can only imagine...

I can only imagine what a birthday in heaven is like.  And in doing so many visions come to mind worldly and out-of-this-worldly.  What it must be like to be with those who have gone before and your heavenly Father all together.  I hear a choir of angels singing a rousing rendition of Happy Birthday, and envision the very breath of heaven extinguishing the candles.  My vision goes back and forth from something very animated and sweet as thought it were from the movie Bambi or Snow White, to Mtv's Sweetest, Blingiest birthday bash ever! And is she celebrating number 75 or 1?  I think 1. 

No matter the details I do know today you are without pain.  Today you are not alone.  Today you are remembered here.  Today you are missed. 

If there's food in heaven I hope you're enjoying the finest steak grilled by the master!  If there's a celebration of you in heaven today I hope you know that one day I too hope to join in that celebration.  But since I'm here I'll take today to remember you, privately celebrate you and thank God for you as my Mom, and my friend.

Happy birthday Momma,

I love you loads!  Miss you bunches.

kel