snapshots of life.

So...life keeps rolling on. We continue to transition into a new schedule of work and life. Every week's schedule looks a bit different which keeps me "flexible" and allows pockets of time where Mark is home during the day which we all love.  Some weeks are crazy busy with Mark gone almost every evening and other weeks like this past week have been more laid back. It has been hard to keep up with pictures and blogging in the midst of transition though. I have sat down several times to write but find the words don't come or Mark has all the pictures on his camera or laptop.

But all that to say life is good. And here are a few snapshots into our lives these days....

Silas and Daddy taking an afternoon walk in the meadow with their cameras. Silas loves one on one time with Daddy and anything that makes him feel "BIG".

This is so real life....

And this too. Sarah and Silas being themselves.

We continue to potty train this little miss who  going on three but tells everyone she is five. She is quite the character and keeps us laughing with her funny stories and things she says. Last night she came to me with her pants pulled up to her chest and her belly sticking out and said, "Mom look i have a fat thing on my pants like you". She was referring to my high waisted maternity jeans. I laughed so hard. 

Hope holding a rose to place on Poppy's coffin at his funeral...a celebration of his life.

Sarah sporting her brand new haircut. She looks so grown up. 

Sarah and Hope sitting by our new stove reading books. Sarah's  reading has really taken off and she loves to read out loud to her brothers and sister. When I was pregnant with Sarah some people had prayed over me and prophesied that she would be a girl and would have a love for books and reading. It is so cool to see that word come forth.

Moses and Silas enjoying some early morning Daddy time at Central Market. Silas is holding the prize- a bag of donuts to bring home for breakfast.

An early morning walk with Daddy

Moses and Silas have been loving legos these days and can be found playing together for hours in their own world of ninjas and star wars. It makes my heart so happy to watch these boys become buddies and friends and to see them play so well together. I hope their friendship only continues to become stronger as they grow up together.

And in case you wonder what mommy and daddy are up to......

In our free moments we enjoy sitting by the fire and talking, going for walks together.... OR taking weird pictures of each other!!!

So there you have it... a little bit of our lives these days...

Busy. Full. Good. 

Snapshots of life.

a bit of life...

How is it the middle of February already? Time seems to be flying by these days...

I enjoyed an evening out with this man on Valentine's Day. It was good to get away for a few hours and enjoy a nice dinner together. A young couple that is part of our small group volunteered to babysit for us....doesn't get much better than that!  Mark and I had  a good time talking and connecting without interruptions. Although by 8:30 I was ready to be taken home. I can tell I have hit the third trimester...I am more tired and have even been having braxton hicks...crazy. And you know you are close to the end when they start scheduling your appointments for every two weeks. CRAZY...twelve more weeks to go!

We are very much anticipating the arrival of new little baby girl. Here Sarah is drawing our family including mama holding baby. Hope and Sarah have especially taken an interest in the baby. Hope lifts up my shirt and yells into my stomach, "Hey baby you want some candy!" and Sarah is now earnestly praying for the name. She faithfully interceded on behalf of the baby's life and got her heart's desire for a baby sister so now she is requesting the name. We will see....I love her childlike faith.

And I started potty training Hope two weeks ago or should I say started round three or four of potty training (i have lost track). I think we are getting closer....this little girl keeps me on my toes!

We enjoyed a surprise visit from Grandma and Papaw a couple of weeks ago. They brought pizza and the word of the Lord...just what I needed!

I have been trying to intentionally make time for rest and quiet time in my days...time to dream, be with the Lord, read and reflect. When I have pockets of those times throughout me week it is so good for me and my perspective....

 Happy Thursday...

legacy of love...part two

   This morning Poppy took his last breaths here on earth. I also finished reading the book "Heaven is for Real", the story of a little boy who had an encounter with heaven. In the book the little boy says "in heaven no one is old and no one wears glasses." I picture Poppy in heaven young and vibrant again like in the pictures, greeted by Jesus and by his sweetheart Nana. It is a beautiful thing when you know there is hope even in death. And in the midst of grieving we can celebrate the lives Poppy and Nana have lived and the legacies they have left behind.
   Writing and reflecting about Poppy and his life got me thinking about Nana...because it is hard not to think about the one without the other. One of the greatest compliments I have received is to say that I look like my grandma, "Nana". She was beautiful, thin and classy. But more than her outward good looks...her spirit was beautiful. I remember in elementary school writing how I wanted to grow up to be like her and then drawing a picture of her wearing her "PTL"  (Praise the Lord) sweat shirt! She loved the Lord with all of her heart and it was apparent in how she lived her life.
   Nana was full of joy and child like faith. She always believed the best about everybody. Last year my aunt shared a story with me how Nana refused to gossip and even if you would try to she would not participate. Whether you were the homeless person she talked to every week at the food bank or her granddaughter she took time for you. She loved to play and could often be seen getting down on all fours to crawl around with the grand children on the floor. Nana was free with her affection and I can vividly remember seeing her kiss my Poppy and sit on his lap.
   I can also remember her singing in church not because of her voice but because she sang with all of her heart. And after the service there was often a line of people waiting to talk to her. She always had a hug to share with them and a word of encouragement. Nana was a prayer warrior and had a sign posted on her bedroom door that said, "Good morning..it is me God, I will be handling all your problems today".
   Nana died five and half years ago of Lou Gehrig's disease. She is greatly missed and I know she would have loved giving my kids a squeeze and would probably be on the floor giggling with Hope. But I also know she is happy and free in Heaven embracing the love of her life as he crosses over.
   And my prayer is that more than just bearing resemblance I could live a life full of love for the Lord and others...just like Nana and Poppy.
 

 

legacy of love

   I touch my growing stomach as I peer into the room where my grandpa "Poppy" is asleep and breathing heavily as he lies on a hospital bed in my parent's living room. As I prepare to bring this baby into the world Poppy is ready to leave this life for the next one. He is dying. But though his body is weak his spirit is very much alive.
   Saturday we had a family gathering to say "goodbye" to the patriarch of our family who has faithfully loved his sweetheart for sixty plus years, raised two children, made countless memories with his six grandchildren and has lived to see nine of his great grandchildren. Mark spent some time blessing Poppy for the legacy of love that he is leaving behind. Though he did not speak or open his eyes he seemed very aware of our presence. I rubbed his arm and said "I love you Poppy." His eyes were closed but suddenly he lifted his head slightly off the pillow and with a broken  raspy voice said,  "I love you....I love you...I love you". I was undone. It was a blessing from one generation to the next. But it was more than that. I felt the Father's unconditional love coming through loud and clear. That night during church worship we sang this chorus, "I believe you move at the sound of my voice". I cried remembering Poppy rousing from his deathbed at the sound of my voice to say I love you three times so I would know. How much more is the Heavenly Father listening to the cries of my heart and hearing me, rousing at the sound of my voice. It is life changing to think about...
   Watching Poppy on his deathbed puts things in perspective. Like all of us he was not perfect but he loved and he loved well and that is what he will be remembered by. He will be remembered for the life long love story he had with his high school sweetheart and how he cared for her till she died. For the unconditional love he showed to his children and grandchildren. For the patience he showed to this little girl in teaching her to throw the line, wait and reel in the fish. For the way he took time to bless Mark and I and our children at the end of every visit. For his faithful prayers and generous heart. For his gift giving. For his example in serving the homeless and unlovable. For his love for camping, fishing and hiking. For trumpet and clarinet duets in the basement as he tapped his foot to keep the rhythm and always said how good it sounded as I squeaked along to his confident trumpet call.  And for his love of the Lord.
His legacy is love and I only hope one day the same can be said for me. Thanks Poppy.