Life is good...

It has been a while since I updated...so sorry, but life's pace has been quick, but good.  What have I been up to you might ask?
Well, I'll let pictures speak for themselves. 

Trying to avoid these (in my back yard)...

Reading this...

Laughing at this...

 
Hanging out with these...

Doing a little of this...

Blessed by this...

 
Being amazed by this...

Loving this...

Praying for this (man)...

Thankful for this...

What can I say? My heart is full and so is my life.

A Beautiful Day...

Yesterday, Josh and I had our second "lunch date" since I've been out of the hospital.  We started this new thing where I go to his office (or wherever he's studying) and bring him lunch.  It's not just a date for us to hang out...it has a deeper purpose.  

We use it to discuss calendar, childcare, future plans and more.  Sometimes we dream.  Or we talk about our children's latest parenting needs.  Or we pray.  Or we talk about finances.  Or we talk about us. But whatever we talk about, we get to sit and look each other in the eye, listening and engaging...without the sweet distraction of our children.

We've tried something like this before, but it was always in the evening, at the end of the day.  The problem with that time slot is that usually we are both tired from the day and end up falling asleep before we can even start a discussion! 
 
The problem however wasn't that we didn't want to but that it was the wrong time of day!  We figured out that if we used a lunch time during the week, we both felt like we were accomplishing all we needed. 

He was in a working-mode and able to put his full mind and attention to discuss the needs at hand.  And I felt like it was a treat to be with my husband in the middle of the day, talking about important stuff...minus the kids!  And we were both giving each other and our marriage, the quality time it deserved. Not just the leftovers at the end of the day...when we're both exhausted.

So I am very excited.  Being a woman who thrives on a plan, these meetings are a boost to my confidence and a vital part of Josh & I staying connected in the midst of busy and full lives.


This would definitely be more difficult however, if it weren't for our current living situation.  Auntie Tarah (and occasionally Uncle Mac) have cared for our children in order for these lunch "dates" to happen. And we are very grateful!

So since we just had one of these "dates" yesterday, I thought I would share with you my renewed motivation to stay the course. I come away encouraged in my role, confident in my husband, thankful for my Savior and excited for the days ahead. 

It truly was a beautiful day...with many more to come, I pray.

The blessing of family...

Today my sister flew back to Oregon...to resume her busy life as wife, mother of four, social worker, friend. We have been enjoying her company since Saturday. 

My kids got some great Aunt Susan time...baking cookies, playing at the park, reading books. And I enjoyed some good "sister time"...having my laundry folded, meals prepared and dishes done. :o) She was a true blessing.  
 We even got to spend a couple hours in downtown Leavenworth...just the two of us! (Thanks Joshua!)

 Thanks again sister for all your help...for making the trip, for leaving your children to come and help with mine, for loving Jesus with all your heart, for being older. :o) I love you! And thank the Lord for your life...

Come again soon!!!

Tough questions & bittersweet good-byes...

Tomorrow we will spend the day remembering Grandma McPherson.  Josh's grandma (his father's mother) passed away last weekend, only 5 months after her husband had paved the way.  
They are now together in Glory...praising with the saints.  
Their recent home-goings have prompted some pretty interesting discussions with our children.  They have all sorts of questions and comments regarding these new concepts of heaven, new bodies, cemeteries and why we have to die.

Here's the latest...

-Ella says to me last week after she heard Grandma Mac had passed away, "Mom, what does Jesus look like?" To which I reply that I'm not sure, no one really knows. "I think I should go to heaven in about 2 weeks so I can see Jesus...I am so excited to see Him!"

-Levi says, "Is there hair in heaven?". Not sure what to do with this one... :o) 

-Our conversation tonight at bedtime was as follows. I was explaining to both the kids what tomorrow will be like...lunch with family, graveside service, then the funeral/memorial service. 
 "What's a funeral for, mom?" Ella asks.
To honor Grandma and talk about the wonderful memories we have of her, I say. 
"What is the cemetery for?" she wonders.
I explain, with some difficulty, that our bodies get worn out and that when we die, it means our bodies don't work anymore. So we bury those that pass away at cemeteries.  
She thinks for a minute and says, "So does Grandma Mac have to come down from heaven to be buried in the cemetery?"
Which leads me to explain that our spirit lives on in heaven with Jesus.
"And God too," Levi chimes in. 
And I explain that we will have new and perfect "bodies". No more walkers. No more braces. No more sniffles. No more tears. No more sadness. No more pain. No more...
"Spankings," says Ella with a smile.

"Can I talk to David in heaven," Levi adds. (from David & Goliath)
Yes, I say confidently. 
"Will he be old or young?" Levi asks. 
I am stumped.

But this I do know...we will be with our Creator in heaven someday. And that will be a most glorious celebration...in our real home.
Sing on Grandma & Grandpa...you have finished your race well. Thank you and we will see you very soon.

"For we know that if the tent, which is our earthly home, is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. For in this tent we groan, longing to put on our heavenly dwelling...so we are always of good courage. We know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord...Yes, we are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord." 2 Cor. 5:1-2, 6-8