This has been a great week indeed! On Monday Cole & I heard our first Christmas song of the season, "White Christmas" on the way home from picking up our picture CD from Mrs. Julie's house! The music has started!!! Bah Humbug to those who think its a shame to hear the tunes before Thanksgiving. The weeks before Thanksgiving are about my favorite weeks! Delilah, John Tesh...they are like distant friends returning to me. The pictures, by the way, are amazing. I love the feeling that a season of our family's life has been captured for all time on film. I never journal as much as I'd like, and I'm often sporadic about pictures.
Tuesday night I went over the Clark & Liz's to do some web-page work, which really means we laugh, hang out and look at old pictures 90% of the time. When I saw the photos of Lily and Cole as babies, I had this weird conglomerate of emotions: pure joy at our lives, the fresh realization that we are sooo blessed, happiness that my kids are the ages and persons they are now....all mixed with this deep lump in the throat of I-will-never-have-that-little-cheek-to-kiss-and-hand-to-hold- moment back again! EVER. Such blessing and finality. Life is so short. I am thinking of doing a "YOU KNOW YOU ARE OLD(ER) WHEN..." section for this year's Christmas card, and the list has grown frighteningly easy! Anywhoo, I loved the time with Liz and Clark. My Satellite friends have been so full in my heart lately. Liz, Angel, Susie & Joe, & new Mama for the 2nd time Wendi,... its been so long since I have spent quality time with each of them (and even since I've talked to some of them), but they are as prominent and precious in my memory as they ever were. So, if you are reading this...I totally love you all! I am so proud of you and your families!
One may now ask..."are you sensing a finality in your life?" No, quite the contrary. I have actually been having the feelings lately that there is so much I still have left to do in my life list: finishing my Lullaby Cds, having them be heard and enjoyed :), preforming live, writing a few books, mission work, seeing the finality and supporting Tim's dreams, growing old, old, old with him and him alone. Seeing my children grow up into who they were created to be...having them love God, others, themselves and enjoyinh their lives to the max, traveling and speaking, seeing more 'miracles' as a result of my prayers, and experiencing the joys, sorrows, and daily life with those I consider family and friends. That sometimes feels a little bit bigger than the capacities of my own heart & time frame...but I am only 31!
So the next question someone may now interject, "Are you PMSing?" well, to be quite honest I think so! But PRAISE GOD for the Thyroid medicine that is changing the quality of my life lately. I am only sentimental, not depressed with a dark gloom of hopelessness! Seriously this week I have spent most of it with overwhelming energy (like when I turned our cast iron bed 45 degrees by myself... it took 25 minutes moving it 2 inches at a time...it was about 500 lbs.), and homeschooling the kids with patience and joy and productivity! So, really who can complain about a sentimental day?
Let's see...I spent most days this week cuddling Owen on my newly turned bed in the afternoons. He told me he doesn't want to get married but grow up and live in a house with Grandma, Grandpa, Cole, Lily, Mommy & Daddy. Fine by me :) Just kidding. Cole reluctantly agreed to get married last night when I told him I would like some gran kids one day..."Okay, Okay" he answered.
Another HUGE FACTOR to this week's joy was the arrival of my precious Bobbi & Chuck's new daughter: Olivia Paige. This week was a very clear reminder that we serve a redeeming God who is GOOD at HIS very nature. Bobbi and Chuck have really waited and fought for their children. I have seen Bobbi heart-broken numerous times, yet still remain in complete faith & trust to God's goodness. Well after a lot of bumps and turns in the road, Olivia Paige, their newest reward, was born on Tuesday November 17, 2009! What a good day indeed.
Bootcamp was COLD but fun this week. 40 degress COLD! The first 10 minutes of each session was pretty raw...but it feels so good to be consistent and not worry about this area of my life. I love hanging out with the girls in the morning. I have been overwhelmingly blessed by my bootcamp ladies. I consider each of them a friend and they all bring joy and friendship to my life. I really feel grateful for each of them!
I got to see Lily dance for a few minutes during Thursday's class (shout out to Suzy Dean and Wendy!). Lily- you are such a gift, a flower, and a princess-ballerina-bride to me! I love you and you have the most graceful arms and hands I ever did see. Dance for me always!
Today I went to Dr. Ford to get my yearly skin look over. I have been 100% cancer-free so far. I still get a little panicky at the Dr.'s...you would think after 3 babies I'd relax...you would think.
Kristen also was named the 12th sales rep for Park Lane Jewelery in the NATION! She is amazing and has such a gift for all things beautiful. I admire & appreciate that about her and am grateful for that in her.
Ok, that about wraps up my week. Its nice to free-write, hope its just a nice to read. I need to use my own advice to Cole and get a Thesaurus and never use nice again, ever. Satisfying! That's better.
Until next time-
Jennifer,
ReplyDeleteI can't believe how great this is! Since you have grown up I frequently feel I don't know the goings on of your daily life. There were many times when you were in school, I wanted to be a fly on the wall, so I knew what you were really like when Mom wasn't around. Now that you are married, have children, a wonderful husband, a business or two, or three, and numerous God given talents there are still many, many times I wish I could be a fly on the wall. Your blog has answered my prayers and I'm not a fly, not even a skeeter. LOL
Years from now, when Cole, Lily and Owen are all grown up you will be able to look back on these blogs and relive each day with them. They may be able to share your life and theirs with their spouses and or children. Can you imagine the joy of knowing what their lives were like with you, what your life was like and most importantly how loved they are by you and how loved you are?
You truly are a very special person and I am in such awe of you. I can't begin to tell you how much I respect you and love you - I cherish the life I have because you are my daughter.
I will not forward anything - my lips and forward key are sealed. LOL
Can't wait for the next installment. Love Mom