Category Archives: memories

4 years ago

Family, memories April 26, 2013 Leave a comment
 
The handwritten note on the back of this picture dated March 1962 says this:
 
“Darlene the Sunday after Christmas we were going to church, had 1 film left. She is a doll isn’t she?”

4 years ago today my husband’s mom passed away. Sometimes I feel like life has just moved on and that no one really notices that she’s gone. I have these thoughts that if (when) I die, my husband will remarry, my kids and grandkids will live their lives and I’ll just be a memory. Be honest, you have those thoughts.

The truth is, when I die, life will continue on. Not just for the whole universe in a grand “I’m not the center of the universe” way. But in a close to home, the people I love and cherish kind of way. They will find new love, find new joy, move on and move past. Does that mean that I don’t matter? Does it mean that Darlene did not matter?

 “…whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away.”  James 4:14

Wait, that doesn’t make me feel any better. Now there is confirmation that my life is just a vapor. Hopefully a good vapor, like off a rose. Not a bad one, like off of cow poo.

Let’s try this again.

“Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?”  Matthew 6:26

Whew. That’s better. Ok, so I am valuable. When Darlene died, she had a family that mourned her. An immediate family, an extended family, a church family. Friends, past co-workers, neighbors all felt the loss of such a thoughtful, caring woman. But she was (is) more valuable to God than to any of those.

“For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.”  1 Corinthians 6:20

I believe that Darlene’s life was worth every second she was here. Through the good, the bad and the ugly, she was still valuable. She did make a difference.  She knew that she was God’s and she knew she was bought at a price, a high price. So she lived the best life she could and set a wonderful example for those around her.


Easter 2013

Family, Foster, holiday, Jonah, Katie, memories, Parker, siblings, Theodore April 2, 2013 Leave a comment

life

children, Foster, Jonah, Katie, memories, Parker, siblings, Theodore, Toddlers March 30, 2013 Comments: 2
 
Anniversary flowers from Chris.

 
Jonah busy doing toddler work.

 
Jonah (18 months!)

 
Along for the ride.

 
Grieving the world’s injustice.

 
Driving.

 
Katie on a bunny (and photo bomb of weird kid behind her).

 
Before the ride started Parker and Jonah were happy.
After the ride started only Parker was happy.

 
Foster who wasn’t going to ride the silly ride. Then found a reindeer.

 
Why slide when you can run down and slip and fall?

 
So much fun he lost a shoe.

 
Preparing for the flight into enemy territory.

 
Scoping out the enemy camp.

 
Cutest 18 month old alive. (I’m not biased.)

 
No, really, those big brown eyes are irresistible.

 
“Will Work for Worms”
 
Foster enjoying the fall. Katie, not so much.

 
Where are your little brothers?

you can’t go home again…

growing-up, memories, struggles December 23, 2012 Comments: 3

The kids and I made a trip to my hometown today to visit with my Mamaw and my Aunt Diane. 

I grew up there from the time I was in 2nd grade until I graduated from high school.  It’s officially my hometown.  I have heard many people over the years talking of their hometowns, the ones they spent their childhoods in, the ones they love to visit, to reflect and share memories. 

We live in my husband’s hometown.  He’s been telling me stories of his growing up years since we were dating.  We’ll be driving down the road with the kids and he’ll start telling them how he remembers wrecking his bike on that steep hill or be able to point out an old friend’s house. 

I didn’t leave my hometown on good terms.  I had a stormy, dramatic senior year that ended in loss of friendships that had grown since we were 8 years old.  Familiar faces, homes and families became distant and silent before I packed the first box to move away to college. I think that is one reason I decided to just shut it out. If someone asked me where I was from my outward reaction was evasive and brief, but my inward reaction was a curling of my lip and a cringing of my soul.  I had been wounded deeply by that town.

It turns out, though, that no matter what town you are in, there is going to be hurt and disappointment along with joy and success. 

I decided today that I wanted to show my kids where I grew up. My house and neighborhood, the state park where I played and swam and hiked.

Seeing it through their eyes, hearing their excitement and questions, was a healing for my heart.  As I drove around the neighborhood, past the seven tall oak trees and the neighborhood pool, I said to them “I was a very blessed little girl. I got to explore these woods, swim in that pool, ride my bike to my friends’ houses.  I had the best neighborhood”.

For the first time, in a very long time, it really did feel like my hometown.

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perspective

daddy, memories December 5, 2012 1 Comment

 
We’ve all been home with the flu and various other sickness for going on 4 weeks now.  We are trying to look at it as a blessing.  It’s given us more time to just stay home and play, watch movies or play games with Daddy. 

 
When Foster saw what I had written on our board he said “Daddy hasn’t even left yet.” I told him I knew that but I don’t want us counting the few days we have left.  I want us to focus on when we’ll be together again. Perspective is a powerful thing.
 
This I declare of the Lord:
He alone is my refuge,
my place of safety; He is my God,
and I am trusting in Him.
 
Psalm 91:2

30 days of thanks: day 29

Family, gratitude, holiday, memories November 20, 2012 Leave a comment

I’m thankful…

 
…for little boys who like to dress up…
 
 
…for a little girl who likes to pose for pictures…
 

 
…for time together.
 
 

the things I hear

children, humor, memories October 10, 2012 Leave a comment

I have to take the time to write down the things I hear in this season.  With an 8 year old boy as the oldest and a just-turned-one year old as the youngest, our home bubbles over with hilarity on any given day.

Recent highlights:

Theodore (5) to Parker (3) : “OK, I’m going to be the whole boss and you’ll be the half boss.”
Parker: “NO! I’m the whole boss!
Theodore: “You can’t be the whole boss cause I’m 5 and you’re 3.”
Parker: “OK, I’m the half-boss.”

Katie (6): “Momma, I’ve done my handwriting and last math sheet and you readed to me and I readed to you. Am I done with school now?”

Parker (3) to Katie (6): (looking at her play dough girl) “Sissy what is that?”
Katie: “It’s a person.”
Parker: “What IS it?”
Katie: “It’s a person.”
Parker: “KATIE! WHAT IS IT?”
Katie: “PARKER IT’S A PERSON!”
Me: “Parker a person is a boy, girl, man or woman. You are a person.”
Parker: “NO! I’m NOT a person!”

Me to Foster (8): “You only have to wait one more day.”
Foster: “That’s a long time. It’s 12 o’clock now and that will be 12 o’clock tomorrow so that’s like 24 hours. I just don’t think I can wait that long.”

What funny things are being said in your world today?

left-over goodness

baby, Jonah, memories, Summer June 30, 2012 1 Comment

This summer we have been more intentional about spending time with friends. One of my favorite memories from this week…

Jonah and his future wife Lucy sharing watermelon rinds.  The best part is they were enjoying what was left after all the older brothers and sisters had finished eating the good part off.  You know they aren’t first born children if we are letting them eat the leftovers out of a bucket on the ground!

I’m linked up with Homeschool Creations this week!

3 beautiful things

baby, Foster, Jonah, Katie, memories, military, Summer June 1, 2012 Leave a comment

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Chris before walking his Grandpa Grubb to his final resting place.

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Jonah enjoying his baby pool.

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A moment to read before heading off to church.

9 inches for Linda

memories May 15, 2012 1 Comment
Before (taken by Katie)

After (taken by Chris)

One of my closest friends recently lost her mom to ovarian cancer. Her name was Linda. She was a fellow church member and sister in Christ. Her kindness to my family – from taking care of Foster and Katie in the nursery, to giving Chris and I money for no reason, to being an example of a faithful wife and mother – will not be forgotten. I have been growing my hair out since she passed away in the hopes that I might donate it so it would help make a wig for another cancer patient. Linda would always compliment me on how pretty my hair was and I know that she struggled when she lost her beautiful hair. It may seem simple but this is my tribute to Linda.

If you would like to donate your hair, visit Pantene Beautiful Lengths website and help make the journey through chemo a little easier on someone else.