A Golden Twenty-Six

Today my boy is 26. It's his golden birthday! So you know that means we sent him a golden package...

 

Happy birthday, Caleb! You have always been a blessing to me.

Always.

I love you very much!

I pray you have a wonderful day!

(And that you have fun with gold stuff all over your house like we have here.) :)

Month of Thankfulness - Day 16

I have just had THE best day and I am overflowing with thankfulness.

Hubby and I are spending a chunk of time with our kids. They will both be at their in-law's for the Thanksgiving holiday so we thought we'd go hang out with them for several days.

I think the best way to recap this day is to go right into my list:

I am thankful for...
...breakfast at Chic-fil-a
...more time in the car with Hubby (I was in a very chatty mood this morning and he put up with me graciously)
...almost TWO hours at the Missouri Star Quilt Company (such a great quilt shop and I had so much fun chatting with several different people. I even got a signed pattern from Jenny. She does the YouTube tutorials. SO MUCH FUN!)
...the joy my hubby has when I am excited about buying a bunch of fabric
...my hubby's encouragement of my hobby and my obsession love of all things quilting
...lunch at Panera (LOVE their Mediterranean Veggie Sandwich)
...Peppermint Chocolate Chip Shakes from Chic-fil-a's
...an afternoon and evening spent with my son and daughter-in-law
...watching the very first Star Wars movie with my son and daughter-in-law
...celebrating daughter-in-law being 7/8 of a doctor with a yummy supper
...a new cell phone (!)
...my son's willingness to be my tech support and adviser in choosing a new cell phone

***happy sigh***

Month of Thankfulness - Day 7

A couple of weekends ago our son and his lovely wife came for a visit. I can tell you I was quite excited to have some company and loved planning the meals for the weekend. I tried three or four new recipes. (And they all turned out to be yummy!) One of my son Caleb's favorite meals is my homemade chicken noodle soup and home made biscuits. So, of course, that was our lunch on the Saturday when they were here.

When Caleb was a little boy he would watch me cut out the biscuits and ask me for a piece of the dough scraps.

He still likes the dough scraps:

See how excited he is?

 Here's a collage of him enjoying the meal:

Despite the look on his face in the bottom right photo, he really did like the meal. He's just a goof. A funny goof.

Since they were here on a Friday, Hubby took the whole day off. Well, most of the day. He did go in for one meeting. In the afternoon we went to a historical museum in town here. It was pretty interesting, especially when we stumbled upon this:

This is a photo of my Hubby. Can you see him on the bottom right? I've attempted to blur the rest of the photos to protect the innocent, or something like that. This is a photo of all the Plant Managers. Hubby is the current one. I call this The Plant Manager Hall of Fame. Oooo! (Caleb took the photo of his dad at our daughter's wedding.)

Throughout the weekend we did several things together. We shopped for a plaid flannel shirt for Caleb (what better place than rural Minnesota to find one?) and some cute boots for Amanda. I watched them all play some of our new Wii games. (I didn't play because of my burned fingers. I couldn't really bend them to hold the Wii-mote.) I made them watch a couple of episodes of The Middle I had on the DVR, because it is simply my favorite sit-com. They even laughed. We watched the movie Social Network with them. Quite interesting. I'm glad we recorded it on TV because some of the bad language was edited out.

I am thankful for...
...cool days that are made for homemade chicken noodle soup and biscuits
...my mother-in-law's recipe for biscuits
...the visit with Caleb and Amanda
...laughter with Caleb and Amanda
...my son's hugs

July Journal -- The Anniversary

Happy Third Anniversary to our son and his beautiful bride!

They are trying to look tough...

We just love their sense of humor and how they seem to really enjoy being together. We are blessed to have them a part of our lives.

Has It Really Been 25 Years?

Twenty-five and a half years (or so) ago I learned I was on the way to starting the best job I have ever had. I learned that I would be having my first baby the next spring. The pregnancy was an exciting time and a bit scary, because it was all so new. My favorite thing about being pregnant was feeling the baby move. I remember when I was about 7 or 8 months pregnant, I felt a kick into my ribs and I pressed down on my huge tummy, only to feel a little kick right back! I could actually feel the shape of a little foot! So cool!

The baby was due the second week of April. At the beginning of March I learned that I had pre-eclampsia. I had high blood pressure and was retaining a lot of fluid. I no longer had any defined ankles. Lovely. The doctor ordered me to bed rest. The next three weeks consisted of a daily trip to check the mailbox, multiple trips to the bathroom, weekly doctor visits, and my husband reading The Chronicles of Narnia to me in the evening. (He would hide the books during the day so I wouldn't read ahead while he was at work.)

On March 24th I had one of my usual doctor visits only to find out that my blood pressure was extremely high. The doctor told me to report to the hospital the next morning and get ready to meet my baby. That night, Hubby and I laid in bed and finalized our name choices. We came up with a specific boy's name, and were a little less definite on a girl's name.

The morning of the 25th we checked into the hospital and I was given medicine to start labor. Nothing much happened that day. (It was still three weeks before the baby was due.) Finally that night around 9pm they unplugged me from the drugs and let me eat supper. I spent the night in a hospital room, but I don't think I slept at all.

On the next day, we started back in with the labor drugs. Still slow progressing. The doctors kept asking me how I was feeling, did I have a headache, etc.

Me, about 4 hours before delivery.

 About 6pm I told them I was developing a headache and the doctor decided I should have a C-section. The baby's heartbeat had dropped a little and I think my headache was not a good sign. I remember laying on the table in the operating room and the doctor telling me that it had to be a girl because only girls cause that much trouble. Fast forward about 15 minutes and I heard the doctor say, "It's a boy!" I remember seeing the baby from a distance.

My all time favorite picture of my only a few minutes old son.

I guess I was pretty sick because they took me pretty quickly to recovery and I stayed there a long time (over 12 hours). Sometime in the middle of the night I felt strong enough to ask to see my son. I will never, ever forget those first moments of holding him, talking to him and having him open his eyes to look at me. What an amazing little creature he was

That little boy (who made me sick) has grown...

 

 

 

He has brightened our lives. He was the lucky first-born. The one we "sharpened our teeth" on as new parents.

 

He's a loving brother.

He is a wonderful addition to our family. He added so much fun to the adventures we have had as a family.

He has grown into an extraordinary 25 year old young man.

 A young man who loves God and loves his wife.

Caleb, you have blessed our lives. I thank God for putting you into our lives. Thanks for letting me be your mommy. I love you so very, very much.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

!!!

I am so very extremely excited to see these two this weekend:

(and of course their spouses)

You know, even though those kids of mine are all grown up and married and everything, sometimes (more than you may think) I still see them and feel them in my heart like this:

Day 3 of Thankfulness

This is a model of the city of Chicago.

A couple of days I go I mentioned something about the Chicago River having a history in our family.

Hubby's great-great grandfather, C.J., used to live in Chicago. C.J. was born in England and left there when he was 17. I think he lived in New York at first and then moved to Chicago in 1869. There he began his business of making canvas awnings and tents.

When the great Chicago fire came in 1871, C.J. saw that his "business could be destroyed by the fire, The small stock of cloth which he had on hand and the few sewing machines which he had been able to buy were all that he possessed. Wrapping the sewing machines in the tent cloth, he dumped the entire stock out of a window into the Chicago River and anchored it to a post with a rope. After the fire he drew his stock, practically unharmed, from the water and resumed business in the street. The fire had created such a demand for his wares that he sold all that he had in short order." (Quoted from C.J.'s obituary.)


A year later, C.J. became a Christian after reading the words from John 6:37, "...whoever comes to me I will never drive away." After this he gave himself whole-heartily to the Lord's service. He still ran his tent and awning business, but he spent several nights a week preaching on the streets of Chicago. I've read that he was possibly one of the first to start a mission for homeless people in Chicago, charging a nickle for a cot for the night. And if someone didn't have the nickel, he provided it himself.

In 1887 C.J. moved to Kansas City. "But business was not his object in moving. His object was threefold, First, to print and circulate all the tracts he could, Second, to give all the money he could and Third, to preach the gospel to all he could. The business was only the means to these ends." (Quoted from a copy of an article we have.)

Before C.J. left Chicago, he "selectively approached seven or eight employees and invited them to come with him to Kansas City. He wanted capable tent and awning workers, but it appears that the chief qualification for going to Missouri was their agreement with him on spiritual matters, and their abilities in gospel outreach. Several were excellent singers. One of the men's wives...was an outstanding children's worker." (Quoted from an article I found online about him.)

C.J. had a successful business in Kansas City. His factory had scripture on the walls. His catalogs had scripture across the bottom of every page. He was very concerned about the souls of the people who worked for him. He conducted street meetings. He worked hard all his life. He stated that there was plenty of time to rest in heaven.

I write this here because C.J. is our son's, Caleb namesake (C.J. stands for Caleb Jason), and I admire him and his dedication to our Lord.

I am thankful for...
...the legacy of C.J.
...for the generations of Christ followers
...for this story to be a part of our family

 (I see my husband in the kindness in those eyes.)

Anniversary

Happy 2nd Anniversary to Caleb and Amanda!

Your wedding was an awesome way to celebrate the 4th of July.

An Army in the Flood and Fire

 We got one of those phone calls yesterday evening that makes it hard to be so far from our family. Our son called to say he was heading to the hospital with his wife. She had been vomiting quite severely and they just knew something wasn't right. Turns out she has a not-very-serious (but serious enough to be admitted to the hospital) infection in her blood (sepsis). She's been getting antibiotics and is doing much better. She has an Army praying for her. (I'd appreciate prayers from my Internet friends, too!)

Our son is a music junkie. He says he turned on his iTunes this afternoon to random and this is the first song that played:



(It is basically the 23rd Psalm.)

His comment on his Facebook page was "Random song, huh God?"

God is so awesome in His tender care of His people.

This verse came to mind:

When you pass through the waters,
   I will be with you;
and when you pass through the rivers,
   they will not sweep over you.
When you walk through the fire,
   you will not be burned;
   the flames will not set you ablaze. 

Isaiah 43:2

Hopefully our daughter-in-law will be able to go home tomorrow morning.

Election Day Perspective

Today is election day in the USA.  Please go read my son Caleb's post about having perspective on this day.

Daniel 2:20-21

Then Daniel praised the God of heaven and said:    

“Praise be to the name of God for ever and ever;
   wisdom and power are his. 

He changes times and seasons;

he deposes kings and raises up others. 

October Photo Journal -- Day 17

We went to church this morning with Caleb and Amanda. I just love their church. I love to hear the truth preached from the Bible. I love how it all comes back to the cross.

Here is my boy working the sound board this morning:

 Well, okay, not so much a boy any more...

A picture of the outside of the church. They bought an old church building in downtown Kansas City. (Well, not our son and DIL. They didn't buy the church building, the church did. Well, you know what I mean...)

We sang a song called Rock of Ages (When the Day Seems Long). I was about in tears by the end. The words are so powerful. Enjoy:

Music Monday

Everlasting God

 The third song from Caleb and Amanda's wedding. Another fantastic song focusing on God Almighty.

Music Monday

Be Thou My Vision

Another song from Caleb and Amanda's wedding. This has been a favorite of mine since college days.

(I like the group singing this song, but not real sure how the pictures on the video fit with the song. Just listen to the words.)

Music Monday

As my readers likely know, both of our kids have gotten married in the past year. Sometimes I wish I could relive those wedding days. They were so special and fun and exciting. We praise God for the spouses our kids chose. It's wonderful to think that Amanda and Zach will be a part of our lives for a very long time.

One thing that really moved us about the kids' weddings was their choice of music. An 83 year old friend said she really liked the music at Zach & Megan's wedding. She liked that it focused on God and not "all that lovey-dovey stuff." I must say I agree with her.

I have a reader in Tennessee would has said she loves the music videos I post. So I thought I would share some of the wedding music with you all. Music Mondays is my cheesy title for that. So, for the next several Mondays look for some great music.

This is a song from our son's wedding. It still brings tears of gratitude to my eyes just to think about how our son and daughter-in-law desire to have Christ be the center of their marriage.

Center

It Was Quite a Day

Twenty-three years ago today was one of the most amazing days of my life up to that point. It was the day my first born was put in my arms for the first time.

Happy Birthday Caleb! Your dad and I have been amazingly honored to have you for our son.

Just love this picture. He was 6.

We are proud to watch him grow up and LOVE how happy his is with his beautiful wife. 

Most of all we are Oh So Thankful that his has chosen to give his life to serving Jesus Christ. There is no greater joy in a parent's life.

Happy Birthday, First Born Son of mine. (I wish I could give you a birthday hug.)

Daily Photo Journal - January 24

I couldn't think of anything to take a picture of today, so I think I will post some engagement pictures of Megan and Zach.

Our son, Caleb took all the pictures. It was a great Minnesota winter day with a high of ZERO!

In Kansas

This morning I flew to Kansas City to see my kids. I had a terrific lunch with Caleb and got to see my daughter-in-law when she had a break from classes. That was fun.

Tonight I went to a Navigators meeting with Megan. It was pretty awesome to see a room full of college kids (80 or so?) seeking and worshiping God. Megan sang on the worship team. Man I love to watch that girl sing and worship God Almighty. We sang a song that I had heard before and just love. It really can send you to your knees in worship. I will share the video with you. It's kinda long, but oh so worth it.

Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels, numbering thousands upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand. They encircled the throne and the living creatures and the elders. In a loud voice they sang:
"Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain,
to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength
and honor and glory and praise!"

Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, singing:
"To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb
be praise and honor and glory and power,
for ever and ever!" The four living creatures said, "Amen," and the elders fell down and worshiped.

(Revelation 5:11-14)

We have studied the book of Revelation in our Small Group. While it is a hard book to understand, I find encouragement from it. Yes, we live in a sinful world and our country has really taken a sharp left turn away from God. But you know what? In the end... The Good Guy Wins. The Lord God Almighty WINS!

Living It Up

We had a terrific weekend.

Caleb and Amanda and Megan came to visit us. Because Caleb and Amanda's wedding was 500 miles away from here, we thought it would be fun to have an open house for the people from here who weren't able to make that trip. Saturday afternoon we had about 35 friends come over to love on the newlyweds. Man that was fun.

I wish I would have taken pictures. But I forgot. Phooey.

We also got to see the 650-some wedding photos from the photographer. (starting at about 11:30pm....oh my...) It was fun to re-live their wedding day.

This morning I went to the post office to mail Megan a package to her ..... she forgot her toiletries. She'll have to survive for two days without those essentials.

I also decided to go to the bank to close out an account that Caleb has there. My name was on it too. It's one he opened when he first got a job when he was in 9th grade. The banker asked what I wanted to do with what was left. What did I do with the money? I asked for it in cash and have already spent most of it:
I just couldn't control myself. Yep. I'm livin' it up!

There was $1.79 in the account. I have 63 cents left to spend! WooHoo!! Thanks Caleb for "paying" me for all those years of raising you! It was so worth the $1.79!!!