October

Seems like it is the last rose of summer...and where did it go? Some days it makes me very lonesome to look over my life amd see just how fast time goes by. A lot of things happened this summer. We have been to Lebonon Mo. we have been to Branson we have been to Tulsa Ok. to Kansas City a couple of times, we have been to Colorado and in a week and a half we are flying to Chicago. I became a greatgrandma this Sept. I can't wait to see that little girl.

Our band has been playing out a lot more...it has been fun....God has given us some beautiful fall days...

Found out this past week my oldest sister has cancer....it saddens me to think that now I am in the generations that my parents were in when I was younger and that time seemed so far away....but young or old we are not promised tomorrow....and again we never know what tomorrow will bring...

On a brighter note....God is good, He provides our every need....the roses that bloom, the sunsets and sunrises....baby's cry.....I love where I am in life....go and come when the urge hits...bike riding, the grandchildren....so I am saying we need to stop and smell the last rose of summer....inhale the sweet, sweet fragrance...admire the beauty of the changing colors of autumn..get out your warm cozy blankets and snuggle up....drink up some pumpkin spice coffee...and enjoy and be thankful for what we have....

Things I have Learned

Recently again changes have taken place in my life. I have become a Greatgrandma or as I am going to be called by the little one GG. This in all reality does not bother me one bit. Some women cringe at the thought of becoming a Grandma. I did not...I was a grandma at the age of 38. It was one of the most blessed times of my life. I remember the day just like it was yesterday and now my first grandbaby has a little girl of her own.
Lucy Irene...named after me...now I have always not like the middle name Irene...don't ask me why, but I would have rather had, oh, maybe Ann, Sue, Jo, Nicole, but Irene???? My sisters named me...my dad wanted Rose Irene I have been told, but my sisters wanted Evelyn....but now that my first GG is named Lucy Irene I love it.....yes you read right I really do....

So here are some things that I have learned......not in order and not everything but some that come to me right now...

1. Nothing EVER stays the same....you go on vacation, you have to come back to work...you get older each day you live and your body changes...etc....

2. Never say Never....because that just does not stand...( remember I said I would never like the name Irene and now I love it....Never say you will never do anything or could do that....as long as you are breathing it could happen....

3. Friends you thought would be your friends for life, through thick and thin...and no matter what you could share everything with them....they would always stand by you...hey, it just doesn't happen...maybe once in a blue moon...but it doesn't happen often...especially if people are honest...

4. Families part, they move, they have there own families wanting to start their own traditions and somewhere someone gets left out....

5. The older I get the more changes there are....things that were so cotton pickin important no longer are...

6. Things that I use to fear and kept me at times from doing something that I really wanted to do I want to fear no more...one of them is flying...and I am flying to see my new GG in 2 weeks and I can't wait...

7. You can not hang on to anything...the only thing we can hang on to is Jesus...He is always here for us....and someday we if we believe will be with Him forever and ever....

8. You can not make some people like you or be nice to you no matter what you do for them or how you try if they don't like you they just plain don't like you .....and to try after you have tried and then to fret about it is just a plain waste of time...

9. I don't know everything and never will.....(at one time I thought that I did)...

10. The days go by faster then a speeding bullet....and what I do today will affect my tomorrow.....one way or the other....

Love like you have never loved, laugh as you have never laughed, pray like you have never prayed...take in the beauty that God has surrounded you by and thank Him for it....a new baby's cry, a beautiful sunset, a beautiful sunrise, a slobbery kiss from a 2 year old, a "I love you"....

Seasons

I love the the transition of the changing of the seasons. This past week with all the cooler weather has made me excited for fall. Getting out the hoodie sweatshirts, sweaters, jeans etc. The snuggling up under a blanket in the coolness of the night or morning. Love it....the changing colors of the leaves, bond fires....

It is like the seasons of our lives. Going from being single to married to being a parent to having your children start school to graduation to them getting married and then the empty nest. Everett and I have been had the empty nest for quite a few years now. We are used to it now. This season in life is more carefree then any other one we have had. God has blessed us. We have a lot of freedom to do things we like to do or do nothing at all. The stress level has dropped. We can enjoy each other and our family. Since Everett has retired and I only work 4 days a week instead of 5 we have more time and I have more time because he pretty much does all the work in our home.I have read more books this past year then I can count. And I thank God that I have made it this far and that we have this time. Growing older right now has not been bad.

I am ready for the start of the next season which for me will be retirement. Down the road a little ways yet.
But what God has in store between now and then I don't know. I know the seasons are getting closer together and things will probaby happen that will not be as easy to cope with.

I think in this blog today what I want to say it that looking back and ahead most of the things that happen to us are out of our control. Yes there is a lot that is in our control, our choices in life that we make will make a big differance in the end. One of the best choice we can make is to accept Jesus as our savior and follow Him! I now rest in the promise He makes that He will be there for me when things that happen are not in my control to see me through. So through the seasons I have left I am going to trust Him to lead me.
I am heading for the winter of my life, maybe even have started it, but winter is good, there is not as much work to do...more time to relax and read or whatever...the cozy fires..and laying in my sweet baby's arms..

Whatever

It's been a long time since I have been here. A number of different reasons I guess. First of all since I had my computer updated haven't figured out how to get back on here..but my wonderful son came and fixed me back up. Then I really haven't had anything worth while to say..oh I could talk about getting older, I could talk about the heat, but then I think that everyone already knows that it has been hot..I could talk about all my grandkiddos and how I think that all of them are the smartest and cutest but then I think all of you already know that...I could share that I am going to be a greatgrandma...(GG) in Sept but then those of you that  don't know me would thing "man that must be a old lady writting this blog and those that know me already know that I am going to be GG in Sept to a little girl and that I am so excited about it and can't wait...this 1st grandaughter of mine is having the baby along with her hubby and daughter Stella...I could talk about my job but there might be one or 2 might read this and I can't really write what I really would want to say..so I just haven't been here. I am not quite as witty of writer as my daughter and some of her friends whom I love to read their blogs but maybe I will come up with something witty soon..

I have missed blogging...really have but one thing that has not changed for me is the fact that God has been faithful..and even though things are happening all around us and tradgey still happens He is still faithful and even though we don't understand all that is going on we know that He has a plan....

Until next time...

Chow...

It is Now

I am finally coming to a place in life when I realize it is now or never.

1. It is now when I need to start taking one moment at a time and thanking God for each and every day He gives me.

2. It is now that I need to not let the little things in life stir up my blood pressure.

3. It is now that I need to realize that everything and I mean EVERYTHING is under God's control...that nothing can happen w/o Him allowing it to happen.

4. It is now that I need to realize that now matter what I will never on the side of Heaven be perfect..not a perfect body, not perfect hair, not a perfect singing voice, and not a perfect boss at work...etc...

5. It is now that I need to start to realize how much God loves me and if He loves me that is enough. I do not need to let those people that don't like me and defianitly don't love me, bother me and let it ruin my day.

6. It is now that I need to start to realize that God has put so many wonderful people in my life..and especially my family that I am blessed beyond measure.

7. It is now that I need to put the past totally behind me, old friendships that have been lost...all the bad choices that I made and all the bad things that I have done...I need to go forward, onward...not to put my hand on the plow and look back...

8. It is now that counts. I am going to be a Greatgrandma soon and how much better does it get then that??

9. It is now that I need to let go of things that are not in my control and not feel guilty.

10. It is now that each day I am going to take God at His word..He says "Never will I leave you or forsake you." He says that I can cast All my anxity on Him because He cares for me..and that His love is for Always!!

A week of Celebrations

We had a week of celebrations this week. First on Tuesday the 4th we celebrated Steph's birthday. Went out for coffee then met up with the rest of the family for Dairy Queen. Then on Friday the 7th we all met first at Abe's ballgame and then to Chad's (although he had to miss the celebrations because he was off in Nashville...) for an evening of games, food and lots and lots of laughter...

Family, they are so wonderful...in all the diversity of personalities. God makes each and everyone of us different...and how we can all blend together in love. I am so thankful for each and everyone of my children and their spouses and all my grandchildren. WE have so much fun together.....

Happy Birthday Everett and Stephanie...may God bless you this year and always...

JOY

Nehemiah 8:10 says Do not grieve, for the JOY of the Lord is your strength.
Psalms 43:4 Then will I go to the altar of God, to God, my JOY and my delight.
I will praise you with the harp, O God, my God

Psalms 96:12 let the fields be jubilant, and everything in them. Then all the trees of the forest will sing for JOY.

Proverbs 10:1 A wise son brings Joy to His father

Isaiah 35:10 and the ransomed of the Lord will return. They will enter Zion with singing; everlasting JOY will overtake them, and sorrow and sighing will flee away.

John 15:11 I have told you this so that my JOY may be in you and that your JOY may be complete.

James 1:2 Consider it pure JOY, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kind..

I Peter 1:8 Though you have not seen him, you love Him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious JOY.

The Word of God talks so much about JOY

Philippians 4:4 Rejoice in the Lord always, again I say REJOICE!

I wonder sometimes " where is my JOY"? Do I have the kind of joy in my heart that the Bible talks about?? Am I rejoicing in the Lord..?? Jesus tells me to...we are to have JOY in our hearts...have a JOYFUL heart...

I will tell you when my heart is not joyous...when I am harboring sin..talking negative about someone.. not being obedient to the Holy Spirit when He lays on my heart something that I need to do and don't...we are to lift others up...this is what the Bible says to encourage our brothers and sisters in Christ...

No doubt about it today's life is hard, there are so many things that are happening..but not everything that is going on is bad we just need to look around us and see the brightness that God puts in our life...

This last week here are some of mine..not in any particular order

Celebrating the Resurrection of my Savior

Being able to fix Easter dinner for my children...
Getting hugs from each and everyone of my kiddos big and small
Health
Job
Being able to skype with my granddaughter in Chicago
Sitting and talking with a dear friend today
Sharing another birthday lunch with a dear co-worker of mine
Now listening to my hubby play his guitar and singing
The love of my family that surrounds me...
The Love of God that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believeth on Him shall have everlasting life...

Roots

I have worked at Rama going on 33 yrs this coming July.
Many, Many things have changed in those 33 years including me.
When I started there Chad was not even in school yet, just getting ready to start pre-school. It is so hard to imagine I have been in one place that long. I started out working with Evi and her and I became life long friends. We worked together for 28 years she was from Germany and I learned a lot of things from her. When she retired 6 years ago I missed her so...others have came and others have left..but there is still one there that has been with me for 19 years and another one for 10 yrs.

Talk comes up every now and again about Everett and I moving to McPherson since after all the kiddos and grand kiddos are all there...12 miles away...if we were all in Wichita or KC 12 miles would be nothing but since our drive takes us out in the country 12 miles seems like everything sometimes..it really isn't..

Today Sarah called and said " a tragedy has happened the little white cottage across the street from them has a 4-sale sign up and we didn't buy it...they have wanted us to buy it ever since they knew it was coming up for sale...

Now then, I have lived in my home here in Ridge since 1971....done a lot of work to it, raised all my kiddos here...grandkids have memories here...I was born and raised here...our oldest Granddaughter got married in our back yard...

Let's see.....39 years in the same house....Everett was at his job 38 years...I have been at mine 33 years and we have been married 46 years

Now does anyone get the picture...I don't like change...very well...
It almost makes me shiver to think of going through all my stuff and packing it and moving it...even though I know that one day I probably will...I can't stay here forever....

Alive

Some of you that read my blog are probably wondering if I am still here or
if I have just up and left...nope I'm here...seems as though I am going
through a season of my life that is yet bringing another change...not sure
just what it is..but I know that it will be something special, because you
see I have totally surrendered all of my life to my one and only Savior
Jesus Christ...now I have done this before...but there were parts that I was
so unwilling to surrender and now I have let go..from here on out what He
wants is what I want...takes all the questions out...now I know I will still
mess up...but I know that He is there right away to forgive and hold me
again...things just seem so uncertain in the world today..and I think that
if we all knew really what is going on we probably couldn't sleep tonight,
so I am glad I don't know it all and have my trust in someone that
does..that is where I will rest...

In my life...broken relationships have been mended recently....accepting
things that are and can't be changed...watching and waiting...embracing
God's blessings...thanking Him for them...Filled...overwhelmed sometimes at
what God has done in my life...if anyone has doubts that He is real give me
a call..I will tell you just how real He really is!!

Upon God's care I lay me down, as a child
upon a Mother's breast...
No silken couch, nor softest bed could ever
give me such deep rest!

Reflecting

I have been here, sat down to blog and before I can even get half finished writing what is on my mind I delete it all...can't seem to get my thoughts down here...

Seems as though lately I have been reflecting on where I have been, where I came from and where oh where am I going..sometimes when the days run into each other and not much is happening out of the ordinary I start to wonder if I am really doing what I am suppose to be doing here on earth...I lately have ran across some other blogs of young Christian women and mothers and I start reflecting on my own life and where I have been. I start feeling so ( lack of words) regretful...of how I lived back then, how I was as a Mother and wish that I could go back just for a few years and do some things over...there are so many things that I am so sorry for..never could understand when my mother always use to say I wish that I could do this or that over she always seemed to live in the past..I don't want to go there and so I have been doing a lot of soul searching and praying and asking God to put the right attitude and His will in my heart...I then reflect on Joel 2:25...I will repay you for the years the locusts have eaten...

Today I again want to focus on now and never ever forget that when God forgives He completely forgives as far as the east is from the west..and never to remember anymore...and even though I won't forget..here...unless old age takes care of that for me...I can learn and become better because of it..and also cherish the forgiveness of those that I love so much here....and be so thankful for that...

One lady wrote about the thorns....and how we can either look at inconvenience in our lives as thorns..and then remember that Jesus also says "My Grace is sufficient for you" and the best and favorite verse Romans 8:28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him / who have been called according to His purpose...

So when I wonder if I am where He wants me to be..that I am...and if I wonder am I doing all that I can be ...probably not...but my desire is to.....do exactly what He wants of me...and to serve Him totally....and bloom where He has planted me..and be content....

LOVE

Love is Silence----------When your words would hurt
Love is Patience---------When your neighbor's curt
Love is Deafness---------When a scandal flows
Love is Thoughtfulness---For other's woe
Love is Promptness-------When stern duty calls
Love is Courage----------When misfortune falls

Unknown

Life

This morning I came to work and things were pretty much the same as when I had left yesterday..we were working along and one of the girls got a phone call from her husband and she went to the floor crying...I said Kali what is wrong and she said one of their friends had been killed in a dunebuggie accident...this friend of theirs wife is pregnant with twins....so sad...and a person wonders why...

Again a true reminder that we are not promised a tomorrow or even the rest of today...

My heart goes out to this family....this is so sad....

Thank you God

Thank you God for this day that you have given me, even though the sun wasn't shining and the sky wasn't blue you provided me with a wonderful day.

I first was able to get up out of bed all by myself, didn't need any help..I got to go to my job where it was warm inside..all the girls were in a good mood today, I had new help come in, wonderful coffee to drink...breakfast to eat...lunch waiting for me when I came home at noon....had a treatment on my back and neck...had supper out with my wonderful husband and now I have a cozy warm home and a cozy warm bed awaiting me...I had the blessing of talking to all of my children..and my wonderful Abby in Chicago...

If I have grumbled or complained please forgive me...there are millons out there that do not have what I have....be with them too....Thank you for giving us your Son who so willing gave up His life for me...with out Him I am nothing and because of Him I am everything...

I AM HERE

1.By God's appointment

2.In His keeping

3.Under His training

4.For His time

So many times I do believe we forget what we are here for and who brought us here. All of are here for a reason...to give Glory to God to witness to the lost and to prepare for eternity

If we spent half the time preparing for our eternal home as we do keeping our earthly home what a place this would be...and what joy we would bring to our Father in Heaven.

Where did they come from????

You know that I was raised in a simple home with older parents, kinda serious most of the time although my father did have an off of the wall kind of sense of humor.They were not parents that believed in getting a higher education and did not encourage even going to high school because of religious beliefs and just believed that you could get messed up and worldly ideas if you were to go and hang out with the world in that kind of setting. Never did I get help with homework or get any kind of encouragement in any kind of projects or any school activities outside of the everyday class rooms...my parents never took part in anything that had to do with us children other then providing us with a home and food and clothing and love.. that was pretty much it....so in return I probably raised my children that way to some degree..because in all reality I didn't know better...so going on to say what I want to say is I don't know where my children got all their smarts...although Everett is pretty smart...smart is an adjective that I never placed in front of me...not to many times in my life have I said "Oh boy am I smart" no, no, no.....

So where did everyone that I supposedly gave birth to and whom they gave birth to get it?????? My oldest is a go getter...she doesn't stop, not for a moment and has never ever let me forget or feel bad about not pushing her to go to college....I feel bad....I really do...but in my eyes she has done GREAT..she has never given up...and is so talented and smart in so many areas it amazes me..I personally think that she is doing terrific and it wouldn't make her a different person had she had that college education, but wished she did so she could feel better and I could too...but for whatever it is worth I think she is very smart.....and Witty and gifted in so many areas...self taught and has done a terrific job raising her 3 children..

My 2nd child, my first born son...there just about isn't anything in the electronic field that he can't do...here too, he wanted to go to college..we had him enrolled at Pittsburg State even had a down payment made...and believe me when I tell you for us at that time it wasn't easy to get...and then when we went to apply for a student loan we were not approved because we made to much money...what ....where on earth is it then....so we had to tell our dear son that he was not going to be able to attend..now I know for a fact that if he would have had 20 yrs of schooling he probably couldn't do any better then he is now...he owns his own computer business and everyone rants and raves about his brilliance....he builds them, repairs them, sets them up and teaches you how to use it...with little or no effort on his part..a natural...self taught and doing a terrific job raising his 4 children..

Our youngest..( our baby) too, is a very smart and talented young man...he started the computer business now that his brother runs...he got involved with a company when he owned his business that wanted him on board with them to take care of all their computer cares and problems..he has been to Germany several times and different places here in the states, taking classes and has moved up very successfully in this business...he in return did go to 2 years of computer tech school in Manhattan...I am sure he could have done it on his own, but I am sure the school helped him in a bunch of different ways...he is a very talented man too...musically like his father...drums, bass guitar and now mandolin and is doing a terrific job in raising his 4 children....

Now my grandchildren...the ones that are in school...and I now have a granddaughter getting her Master...her Master she has graduated from 4 yrs of college and is going on...a very smart young lady...so proud of her...her sister is in her 2nd year and is doing great also....an art major...now where did she get that???

I have a grandaughter in middle school...straight A's my others that range from 4th on down to kindergarten...all are right up there with their cousins and sibblings...

So now where do they get this from...not from me...but as I can see it, God He is the giver...and when He gives and we apply we can not fail...if we don't use excuses as a crutch to not go foward...He gives all of us gifts and talent and when we use it for His Glory and not our own..and take our focus off of the would of beens and put them on today..and go forward and do our best with what He has given us...that is all He asks of us...I am so thankful for what He has given me....my family..I love them all!!!

Great Wolf Lodge 2010

Great Fun was had by all!!

Great Wolf Lodge

This is Great Wolf Lodge week-end for our family. I think that this is the 3rd year..I am looking so forward to it and am very excited..getting all the family together for the week-end to have a blast..we head there on Saturday, swim go and eat and then head back and swim some more...linger around...and just hang out..the kiddos love it..On Sunday morning swim and then hit the game room before we leave and the kids get to play all the games....

Tonight as I sit here I have to thank God for the gifts He has given me..the life of each and everyone of my children and their spouses and all the grandchildren..I am blessed beyond measure...to think of all the trouble in this world..the killing the terrorist threat, the great earthquake now and all the dead and all the rubble...and here I sit in this warm comfortable home..a loving husband...all the family, the time we are looking forward to spending together...if I have complained today Father forgive me...we have health...food...clothes...I have a good job...friends...church family....a decent car...what do I have to complain about...nothing...and above all I have a savior...Jesus Christ...and you have a savior too....He died for each one of us....the whole world....Thank you Father..Bless my family, friends...keep each one in your care...

What????

This seems to be my favorite word lately...along with my hubby's and some other people that I know...

It reminds me of this story..about this guy that got a new hearing aide...he was telling his friend about it. He told his friend that he had just bought a 3000 dollar hearing aide...his friend then asked him " what kind is it?" which to the guy replied while looking at his watch oh it's about 12 o'clock...

This is what I feel like I cannot hear people..it bugs me...I want to know what others are saying..(maybe I shouldn't) but when they are talking to me I want to hear and I am always saying HUH??? What???? One of these days I am going to take notes on what is said and what is heard and it is not just me...it is others too, that I am around..it can really be pretty funny....so if you happen to be talking to me and I don't answer I am not trying to snub you I just can't hear you...maybe it's time I get me one of those 3000 dollar aides....