Th Hokey Pokey. . .

My husband used to have a bumper sticker on his car questioning us all. . .

"What if the hokey pokey really is what it's all about?"

Because of that. . . a friend of mine sent us this sad news. . .

With all the sadness and trauma going on in the world at the moment, it is worth reflecting on the death of a very important person which almost went unnoticed last week. . .

Larry La Prise, the man who wrote "The Hokey Pokey", died peacefully at age 93. The most traumatic part for his family was getting him into the coffin.

They put his left leg in, and then the trouble started. . .

Why would you dread this??

I am a Grandmother!! What a wonderful time of life to be in! Just got back from spending time with our son and his family. What a great time we had! I was officially called Nannie with out having to coax-- "Say Nannie" . I thought my kids saying Momma was great, but this is just as wonderful. Probably better because we can sit and hide our laughter when a temper tantrum is thrown and not have to deal with it. (we put our time in with his daddies tantrums!)

Jackson is such a joy! He has this great little personality. Nothing brightens my day like seeing him, next best thing is seeing his pictures, with that huge grin. Tara had a calendar made for us. Each month has pictures of Jackson, we love it!

I have one question to ask - -

Why in the world would anyone NOT want to be a grandmother or grandfather????
It didn't make me any older than I already am. . .Just alot more grateful for the life I have and for my precious children. Seeing them grown up and starting their own lives is really a joy. You always wonder if you 'got it right' - -I don't think any of us 'get it right'. But it helps to know the ONE Who can make our mistakes right! I give God all the credit for the way my children turned out. They are both very loving and caring. . .Willing to learn and change. . .eager to love and be loved. . .they have both found someone special to spend their lives with and I am so happy for them!

I remember my father-in-law saying over and over again, when I was pregnant with TJ (the first grandchild), he would tell me "He will not call me Paw Paw or Grandpa, he will call me Jim!" Until the day he held TJ in his arms. I had never seen such a big, strong, independent man melt as fast as he did that day - -He giggled and grinned and said "Come to Paw Paw!!" He was Paw Paw from then on. . .

Don't fight it! Enjoy the fruit of your labor. . . and their labor!! ;o) enjoying theirs is much better!

Christmas Memories

My favorite childhood memory of Christmas was going home to Denver to see ALL the family. Since we lived so far away that was the only time we could spend with all the cousins and my grandparents. They would set up long tables in the basement and we would all gather round and eat, talk, laugh and my uncles would always play tricks on all of us. Before that we would spend the days prior to Christmas at my grandparents ceramic shop, painting and helping grandpa pour slip into the molds. I guess that is where my love for arts & crafts began.

As an adult there are so many great memories with my children. . .but last year was the first with my grandson! He was not old enough to enjoy it, but we had alot of fun. It was a very simple Christmas, we scaled back and just enjoyed being together. This year we are headed to my husbands family in Mississippi! If it is one thing they know how to do there it is have huge family gatherings during Christmas. He comes from a very small town up there and so we will be very busy seeing everyone.

I love Christmas. . .it seems as though everything takes on a magical feeling with all of the christmas lights and music. What does it matter if they say in the stores "happy holidays" or "Festivus for the restofus" (sienfeld episode)- As long as we know and are passing on the real meaning with our children and friends. . .that is how it will stay the focus of the holidays. Protesting has never softened a heart. . .Christ love does that!

Coming home. . .

They say you can never go back. . .

I say it is wonderful to go back home. . .

Spent 2 days at 2 of our former churches this weekend. What a joy to be able to go back and see such special friends and basically family.

Was able to see one of "My Girls" get married to a wonderful young man and continue their road into ministry together.

Was able to spend time with one of my dearest friends, just picking up where we left off and seeming like we haven't been apart. Time flies so fast . . . her girls are growing like weeds, each with their own personalities. She is a true friend.

Witnessed my daughter join a church with her boyfriend & without me. That is hard and joyful all at the same time. Cool part is, it is at our first church we were on staff at. Felt like I was back at home with my family, visiting there. What wonderful people they are. Just a group of people who love God and are living life in community with each other. I am glad Linsey and Keith are going to be a part of that family. They all seem to be thrilled to have them there. What a genuine group of believers.

I am spending a few days with Linsey. I love how our relationship has grown and is becoming a friendship. She is so special to me and such a wonderful young woman. I will treasure this time for I know it will be changing soon. As hard as it is to see your kids grow up and move on, it is such a joy to see God working in their lives and see them become adults. It is different but fun.

I miss my son. I am so joyful knowing he is happy and learning to be a husband and father. But, I miss him coming and sitting down and just talking about life with me. I treasure those moments we had. . .I look forward to more down the road.

Coming home. . .around the holidays that is alot of fun to do. Get back in touch with family and friends and enjoy being together. I hope you have a wonderful Christmas and holiday season!

I am Thankful!

I love the holidays! Everything seems to take on an excitement - the briskness in the air (Ah, yes even down here in S FL!). . . Poeple tend to be more joyful. . .families getting together. . .I am sitting here awaiting the arrival of my family, tomorrow night. It will be good to have them all pile in here and spend some time with us.

I love to cook and have all those smells roaming through the house. That is one of the joys I have - having my family looking forward to the meal. It's fun.

I am so thankful for so many things, but mostly for my wonderful husband, Jeff! Who thankfully isn't going anywhere, anytime soon. I love him so much! He is my best friend, my own personal comedian, my encourager, the one I am looking forward to spending the rest of my life with, we have made it through almost 25 years and I am looking forward to the next 25.

Funny how when you get married you believe your life will be complete when you have your kids. . .and they are a wonderful part of marriage. But, I don't think we ever stop to consider that the time you spend raising them is not very long (looking back of course). That there is life after they are grown and living their own lives! We are coming out of that phase of 'wondering how we got here and what do we do now?"

I am so excited about the rest of our lives! We plan to enjoy ourselves, do things we have always wanted to do, go and see things and places of interest, play with our grandkids as much as we can, live life to the fullest. But most of all we plan to spend this time doing whatever it is God wants us to do. Not caring what anyone else thinks about how much we move or anything like that. Just wanting to please Him and make Him known.

What is down the road? we do not exactly know, but we are confident in Who is guiding us there. "We aint Skeered!" as Jeff would say!