New Dreams

It's time for new dreams, or maybe time to dig up old dreams I put aside. Pieces of myself I stashed away because there were more important things to do. It's kind of like getting to know myself again. And, I wonder, if I find those dreams, will I find my old spirit too? I replaced drive with patience, spunk with acceptance. There's so many dreams, I'm not sure which to start with, and maybe which I have missed the boat on. Time to move from the backseat to the front. What do I want to be when I grow up?

The difference

Today we had my Aunts service to celebrate her life and share what we will miss about her. And, I must say, there is a startling diffence in the service of a person who loved, leaned on and made Jesus their Savior. We did shed a few tears, but the conversations all center from knowing where she is and how wonderful that is, and mostly what a servants heart she had. Not a day of regrets. Not a day of anger or confusion. We are sad, but also filled with hope that we will see her soon, and how amazing beyond comprehension that will be.

I really want to run away with this boy. We need a vacation. We need to be that couple you see in the photo. Just happy to be together, not caught up in stress. Isn't he adorable when he's not stressed out!!

The boy I married

I would have put up a better picture, but he's asleep now, so I don't want to go rummaging for old pics and wake him up! Even though it isn't even February yet, I'm getting the jump on celebrating God's gift to me of love and romance. We were so young. Dave was 21 and I was 20. We have grown together while we have finished growing up together. We aren't who we were then. So much has happened to us. We left some of our own dreams behind, as they were replaced by the dreams God had for us. We have been bless richly in experiences and probably have many more coming.

Dave is best described as a passionate person. When he works, he works hard. When he plays, he plays hard. He throws himself fully into all he does. He loves passionately.

Dave is the guy who bought a big suburban to drive neighborhood kids to Awana
He's the guy who rushed out repeatedly, in the middle of the night, to help my grandpa up off the floor.
He's the guy who will watch a neighbors baby without hesitation.
Dave is the guy who volunteers to drive to Caldwell and pick up my grandma for family get togethers.
He's the guy who has slow danced with me in the kitchen.
Dave is the guy who goes on school field trips.
He has always taken his kids to work when ever he could.
Dave volunteered to carpool other small kids to therapy when there transportation services were cut.
He took tender care of his mommy.
Dave sold his boat and bought me a bigger house.
He is never daunted by a confrontation, a hurt, a difference.
And he plays me love songs on the guitar.
Dave will get down on his knees and pray for anyone at any time.

Thank you Lord for this gift you have given me.

Washing the phone

Want a sure sign you are stretched to thin and need a mental break. I had that sign. A big, flashing, neon sign from God. Over the Christmas vacation, I did a lot of laundry, and I am meticulous about checking pockets. Missed my own this time. I pulled out the load to find my cute little pink cell phone. Later that same night, While removing another load, I found one of my house phones had gone through the wash in the pocket of my bathrobe. The next day, Game boy found in the dryer. I think there is a beach somewhere calling my name....

Want for Christmas?

We have this conversation often this time of year, so it's not surprizing that Joey brought it up last night at the dinner table. He goes to each of us in turn, and asks us "Want for for Christmas, Daddy? Want for Christmas Stine?" ect. He asked me a few times. The first time I told him perfume. The second time he answered for me and said I needed a vaccuumm.(anyone who knows him well knows this is really what HE wants)The third time he asked me it went like this:
Joey:Want for Christmas mom?
Mom:Umm..
Joey(very quietly)Some sewing.
Mom:I don't think I need any sewing stuff. I already have a sewing machine
Joey: Ummm...Mom want some blue
Mom: Blue what?
Joey:Want for Christmas soft blue sewing.

THEN it dawned on me!! Joey is taking Home Ec this semester! What a terrible mom!

Mom: you know I would love it if somebody made me a present. I really like the color blue. It's so cool when people sew presents.

He smiled so big. Poor guy was trying to feel out the situation as covertly as he could. I almost missed the boat! I am really looking forward to opening that gift. You may all see me sporting something blue. Don't know what it is, but I'll find a way to show it off!!

Robby's paper

I thought I'd share Robby's paper he wrote or school. He didn't like the topic(He said there was no way for it not to sound dorky), but I like the voice he writes in.

Wow!

There have been many times I have said “Wow” to something amazing. From the sight of the wilderness, or the sound of birds chirping, I’ve been amazed by these things time and time again.

The things that amaze me enough to say wow are most easily found in nature; manly animals and landscapes. There are too many amazing things in the world around us to count. Things like tigers, Niagara Falls, and the creatures living in the bottom of the ocean are amazing sights. Well, let’s face it the sea creatures are ugly and weird, but they’re still amazing.

Simple things can be amazing too, like a good book or movie. One thing to say "wow” to is a scene from the movie “Iron Man” when he flies in his prototype armor around the coast of California. Science class, or even an event in life can be amazing things. I’ve seen many things considering I’m a 12 year old, with a possible 88 years to go, I’m in for a lot more. Wow!

The amazing things in life are often overlooked, ignored, and trashed by people who don’t care or just don’t seem to notice these things. So open yourself up to the amazing things in life.