A Christmas Gift from Mom and Dad

Because we live so far away sending and receiving Christmas gifts is always a problem. In the beginning you shop early and pay the shipping...and because I'm always waiting until the last minuate to ship stuff I usually pay a premium by shipping express so that things arrive on time, ha! But over time we've given into common sense and sent cash, ha! It's fast, it's simple and it has the added advantage of giving the receiver exactly what they wanted, ha!



This year while John and I were in San Antonio we were looking for something special to remind us of our trip but it would also be our gift from my parents. We wanted it to be something we would always have and always treasure....we might always remember a fine meal but once it's over..well, it's over ya know?


The Riverwalk was hosting an artists show that weekend...among the various paintings and pictures there was also a local potter....I love pottery and his work was really lovely. After much debate we decided on a lovely vase. The workmanship is incredible and we have just the spot for it in our living room...far from the dog's tail, ha!



Thanks Mom and Dad....it's just what we wanted! Ha!

San Antonio

John and I have visited San Antonio over the Christmas season every year for the last 3...this will be our 4th.

We love the riverwalk with all the Christmas lights. This year we stayed at a B&B about an hour north. It was just wonderful.

We explored some new areas like Fredricksburg and enjoyed our old favorites. Driving in hill country is lovely but next time I think we'll avoid it after dark due to an abundance of deer, ha! We were careful though and the deer stayed off the road, at least while we were passing.

We shopped, visited the WW2 museum, the Alamo and the Riverwalk. We ate at our favorite restaurants and strolled along paths and creeks. It was a relaxing and wonderful weekend and our Christmas gift to one another...lovely

THANKSGIVING

We had a great Thanksgiving. Our friends joined us for a huge feast…we had the traditional turkey but we also enjoyed the non-traditional but historically accurate Thanksgiving lobster, ha!. Food and company was great.
After the holiday we began pulling out all the Christmas decorations. The boys did the Christmas tree. We moved it from its usual location in the family room to the entry of the living room. We spend more time there and it’s nice to see the tree as we enjoy an evening coffee. It is however in a busy traffic area…which is not a problem for anyone except the dog. He doesn’t understand “slow” or “careful”. So the boys were careful to not put any important ornaments at “tail level” and to securely anchor the ones they did put there. So far the tree is holding up well under tail attack.

I took a couple of days of vacation after the weekend so that I could get the decorating done and get a head start on some baking. It was time well spent and it has really made it nice to enjoy the season without feeling a little overwhelmed.














We cut way back on the outside lights this year. John and the boys just got busy and then they got lazy, ha! I think the thought of taking it all down after the holidays was just too much for them, ha! But the house still looks nice.

Eighteen

Our son is eighteen…and everyone says that means he’s an adult…old enough to make his own decisions….that we no longer have the right to tell him what to do. Although it can be argued, that he never did do what we told him to do, whatever his age. And although the government says he’s still not old enough order a beer, they believe he’s old enough to choose whether or not he gives said government 8 years of his life to serve at their discretion. Did I mention our son is thinking about joining “The Few, The Proud, The Marines”. Although if you were to ask him he would tell you he IS going to sign up…it’s simply a matter of when….

I’m conflicted….part of me is very proud that my son, who has all the options in the world, wants to serve his country. I am a strong supporter of our military and a strong believer that we, as a nation, reap the benefits of their sacrifice. I never really thought of how great a sacrifice it is for their families….sad, but true.

In theory it all sounds good…but I never thought that we, as a family, would ever answer that call to serve and sacrifice with anything more than our money. And I know it’s not fair to say “Not my son…” But I’m feeling very fair right now because this is my son…

Alex is a wonderful young man…strong, confident, and capable. He loves to talk, to laugh and to make others laugh. He has firm beliefs about right and wrong and often steps in to defend those who seem unable to stand up for themselves. He’s generous with his time and money. He is reliable and strong and responsible. He works hard at whatever he is doing and takes pride in caring for his apartment and car and himself. He wants to excel at everything he does. He’s often cocky and yet if you get to know him you realize he’s also kind. He possesses all the qualities of a wonderful human being….and yes, he would make an excellent Marine, if he can curb his “attitude”….but I’d still rather have him home, safe…going to school, getting a job, eventually giving me the daughter I’ve longed for and the grand children I hope give him as hard a time as he’s given us.

I know that the percentage of marine’s to die in combat is relatively small….I don’t think that matters if it’s your son whose life is lost. Even more than that is the fear that he won’t come back the same happy young man we gave them. That he’ll spend years of his life doing something he didn’t sign up for….like digging ditches or checking in cars at an embassy gate.

On top of the usual worries and fears, I don’t want to lose my son to the demands of the Marines. Christmas and Easter and Thanksgiving and birthdays, even Jacob’s high school graduation…those are family times and the government will rob me of those memories….and I already resent it even though Alex hasn’t made up his mind yet, ha!

But he’s eighteen. And his life is his to live…and to give…any way he chooses. Pray for all of us, for his safety and our peace of mind. He thinking long and hard about this decision…we want him to be safe but more than that we want him to be happy… I expect there is no right or wrong choice in this situation. It’s just choosing a path and it’s Alex’s choice….at eighteen….

Mom

The Facts…

Mom went into emergency on Friday,Oct 17th. They determined her heart was beating too slowly…medication could keep her heart from racing but a pace maker would have to be put in to keep her heart from “stopping”

Sunday evening they put in a pace maker.

She was in the hospital until Saturday so that they could mess with her medications and be sure everything was functioning properly

It’s not unusual for me to get a phone call from home with disturbing news and yet I never get adjusted to it. I’m usually calm and matter-of-fact …when faced with bad news some people react emotionally…I prefer reason and logic….I want to know the when’s, what’s and wherefore’s….I suspect I sound cold and uncaring but I prefer to process all the information without dwelling on any the of terrifying possibilities that come to mind. And regardless of events…there’s nothing I can do. I wonder how I’m perceived by my family thousands of miles away. I wonder if they know that I pray…a lot….that I can’t sit down and relax because then I think too much…that I want to give into panic and fear and cry my eyes out but it would serve no purpose so I just keep busy. I wonder if I should catch the first plane north…I weigh all my options…the cost, the convenience, the predictions, the need I feel, the need they feel. If I were independently rich, well, no doubt I’d drop everything and be on my way…but I have a job and I’m not wealthy in terms of cold hard cash

The control freak in me wants to be there…taking care of details, talking to doctors, fixing non-existing problems. I want to make jokes and tell funny stories to help relieve some of the stress for others.

But I’m thousands of miles away…running errands, cleaning or cooking…probably cooking because it has to be really bad for me to clean, ha!

Eventually someone will call. I try to exercise patience and understanding. They don’t have the type of cell phone plans that allow them to call from wherever they are….and they don’t spend money carelessly….I understand that but it’s difficult knowing they’re all getting information as it happens and I’ll get a phone call when it’s all over. If I dwell on it I get frustrated and angry…so I keep busy, stay calm, pray and wait.

I try to be nice on the phone…not to betray how scared I am, not to add to their stress by demanding attention…in my heart I know they’re doing their best….yet I wonder if they even have the tiniest comprehension of how it is to be on this side….I expect they wonder if I have the tiniest comprehension of what it’s like to be on their side, ha

Some day I know I’ll get the phone call letting me know there’s nothing more to worry about…that I just need to come home to say those final goodbyes…and when that call comes I’ll deal with it…it’s not like we have a lot of options, ha….but you can’t plan for that day and think it will make any difference at all….it will be what it will be and in that day, that hour God will provide all that I need.

For now…well, mom is recovering. I pray a lot, think of her and Dad often and wonder what I can do to brighten their day or make their life easier. I am not there to cook a meal or go over and do a couple of loads of laundry. I can’t rent DVD’s or work on a jigsaw puzzle over cookies and hot chocolate. I call, I send emails and care packages…well, I will if I ever get to the post office, ha….I can even send the occasional bouquet of flowers…but I can’t be there and I can’t stop wanting to control everyone who is. And yet I know that this feeling will pass…that suddenly days will go by and I realize I haven’t called. The phone will ring and I won’t feel sick with dread….that all will return to normal and be good.

And for now I’m blessed to still have my parents with us…oh they’re older, patched up, threadbare in parts. They rattle when they walk from all the pills, they groan and creak a bit more than they used to and they’re a little frail in body but certainly not in spirit. As I age, and feel it, I can’t help but be aware that we’re all aging. So I’ m grateful for the good days….and there is still a lot of those…I love you mom. I love you Dad. Thank you for leading me to God and helping me to be the person I am. I am sorry I’m not close by but I am so glad that I know God watches over you and you are in His safe keeping….and that even if the only thing I have to offer is a prayer….I also know it’s the only thing that can actually make a difference….isn’t that amazing?....

Election Day 2008

So...before heading to work today I stopped to vote in the election. I'm proud to have a say in who leads this state and this country....and I wonder what the outcome will be. And I wonder how long it will take until we know, ha.... I've been around for a bit so I've seen my candidates win and I've seen them lose. And I'm not convinced that it's made all that much difference. (with a few note-worthy exceptions, ha!)

I know we all think we know what's best....but the issues are often so complex, so twisted around with other issues and policies...and so often hidden in a fog of dishonesty and corruption (often initiated by the previous administration or the administration before them...) that I'm not convinced there is a right answer....just different shades of grey....so in the long run, no matter who the guy at the top is you just have to hope they're smart enough to listen to the guys who really know what's going on and make good decisions. We can only pray that they care more about the country and less about their own egos.

And for the next 4 years we'll continue to work, be responsible and make the best choices we can, and be of serve to our fellow man.....the government will continue to take a portion of the money we earn to do whatever it is they do...that's true no matter who's in charge...we can only pray they don't mess it up too badly.....before the next election....

In the mean time, I'm truly looking forward to a little peace and quiet on the policital front...aren't you?

Halloween

We've always celebrated Halloween with dressing up and handing out candy and sometimes with fun foods and parties. And even though the kids are too old to dress up any more we still decorate the house for the neighborhood kids and pass out handfuls of chocolate

Alex even came home for the weekend...the whole weekend...normally he's not even home for 24 hours. But he had some stuff he needed to take care of at home and he surprised us by coming home on Halloween. We also had friends over for dinner and then we watched a couple of the first season episodes of Dexter.....

Actually...they watched....I had door duty. Although someone always had to get up and deal with the stupid dog every time someone came to the door. Porter, being the brave watch dog that he is, charged the door with each and every ring of the doorbell....barking, snarling, snapping at the outlines of small children through the glass panels....several which are still cracked from past warnings of "DANGER!!!" from our dear pet....once we convince the dog to retreat to the dining room and sit he'll obediently sit until told he can go play.....still, we're careful to have him until control because I don't want the kids scared. Of course one group of kids asked "Can we see the puppy?" I'm thinking "The puppy? The one who just attacked the door showing you his best Kujo impersonation....the puppy with the snarls and snaps and big teeth? That puppy? Jeez, children have no sense of self preservation!!" But I smiled and said "O.K....." and invited Porter over to meet the kids.....and he grinned happily as they all petted him and coo'd at him....stupid dog. Eventually John got fed up with him and locked him in our bedroom....ahhh...peace.


I made a Lady's finger cookies and stuck them in a dirt cake....the fingers got a little thick but overall it looked cool....

Our spider is always a big hit!!!

Story of the Invisible Mom

I really like this....it was sent to me by my neice and I have often felt the way the mom in the story feels....John thought it was incredibly sad and hoped I had never felt that way. But both of us have worked hard being the best parents we knew how to be....we've spent countless hours working to provide for the boys...we've done crafts, planned projects and parties, we've worked with scouts and soccer and baseball, we've appaulded and smiled and encouraged and cheered and yes, sometimes we've wondered if it made any difference at all....but it's true that with your kids you work towards a goal you can't see, and you get no points for.....but God does see and so does your partner.....that's one of the reasons single parents have it so hard....they don't have the other parent there to smile and say "you did a good job today....our child may not ever know what you did for him today but I do and I'll tell him one day how lucky he is to have you as his dad/mom..." I hope all you parents know that all the hard work really does pay off and that there is someone in your life who reminds you that all your efforts are not invisible.....


It all began to make sense, the blank stares, the lack of
response, the way one of the kids will walk into the room while I'm on
the phone and ask to be taken to the store.
Inside I'm thinking, 'Can't you see I'm on the phone?'
Obviously, not.
No one can see if I'm on the phone, or cooking, or sweeping the
floor, or even standing on my head in the corner, because no one can
see me at all.
I'm invisible. The invisible Mom. Some days I am only a pair
of hands, nothing more: Can you fix this? Can you tie this? & Can
you open this?
Some days I'm not a pair of hands; I'm not even a human being.
I'm a clock to ask, 'What time is it?' I'm a satellite guide to
answer, 'What number is the Disney Channel?' I'm a car to order,
'Right around 5:30, please.'
I was certain that these were the hands that once held books
and the eyes that studied history and the mind that graduated suma cum
laude - but now they had disappeared into the peanut butter, never to
be seen again. She's going; she's going; she is gone!
One night, a group of us were having dinner, celebrating the
return of a friend from England ..
Janice had just gotten back from a fabulous trip, and she was
going on and on about the hotel she stayed in.
I was sitting there, looking around at the others all put
together so well. It was hard not to compare and feel sorry for
myself.
I was feeling pretty pathetic, when Janice turned to me with a
beautifully wrapped package, and said, 'I brought you this.'
It was a book on the great cathedrals of Europe .
I wasn't exactly sure why she'd given it to me until I read her
inscription:
'To Charlotte , with admiration for the greatness of what you
are building when no one sees.'
In the days ahead I would read - no, devour - the book. And I
would discover what would become for me, four life-changing truths,
after which I could pattern my work:
No one can say who built the great cathedrals - we have no
record of their names.
These builders gave their whole lives for a work they would
never see finished.
They made great sacrifices and expected no credit.
The passion of their building was fueled by their faith that
the eyes of God saw everything.
A legendary story in the book told of a rich man who came to
visit the cathedral while it was being built, and he saw a workman
carving a tiny bird on the inside of a beam. He was puzzled and asked
the man, 'Why are you spending so much time carving that bird into a
beam that will be covered by the roof? No one will ever see it.'
And the workman replied, 'Because God sees.'
I closed the book, feeling the missing piece fall into place.
It was almost as if I heard God whispering to me, 'I see you,
Charlotte. I see the sacrifices you make every day, even when no one
around you does. No act of kindness you've done, no sequin you've
sewn on, no cupcake you've baked, is too small for me to notice and
smile over. You are building a great cathedral, but you can't see
right now what it will become.' At times, my invisibility feels like
an affliction. But it is not a disease that is erasing my life.
It is the cure for the disease of my own self-centeredness.
It is the antidote to my strong, stubborn pride.
I keep the right perspective when I see myself as a great
builder. As one of the people who show up at a job that they will
never see finished, to work on something that their name will never be
on.
The writer of the book went so far as to say that no cathedrals
could ever be built in our lifetime because there are so few people
willing to sacrifice to that degree.
When I really think about it, I don't want my son to tell the
friend he's bringing home from college for Thanksgiving, 'My Mom gets
up at 4 in the morning and bakes homemade pies, and then she hand
bastes a turkey for three hours and presses all the linens for the
table.' That would mean I'd built a shrine or a monument to myself. I
just want him to want to come home. And then, if there is anything
more to say to his friend, to add, 'you're gonna love it there.'
As mothers, we are building great cathedrals. We cannot be seen
if we're doing it right.
And one day, it is very possible that the world will marvel,
not only at what we have built, but at the beauty that has been added
to the world by the sacrifices of invisible women.

Hurricane Ike

We’ve lived here for 5 years….and we quickly learned to carefully watch the weather during hurricane season.. We were probably a little more cautious than the natives….because it was new to us. 3 years ago when Katrina hit New Orleans we watched liked everyone as everything went to you know where in hand basket. Shortly afterwards Rita was headed for us and reported to be a Category 5 hurricane. We, along with countless others packed up our stuff and left. Rita turned out to be a non-event but we learned a thing or two from the experience. This year it was Ike. Now Ike was not forecast to be Category 5 like Rita had been forecast. We’re inland quite a bit so we decided not to leave. However, stay or go it’s a lot of work preparing for a hurricane. We dug out our emergency stuff…flashlights, radio, batteries, tarps, duct tape and all the various tools you may need…you buy food supplies, drinks, store water. You keep your cars gassed up, pack away photo’s in water tight containers. You clear your yard of anything that is moveable. You fill your tubs with water, use up the food in your frig, turn your frig and freezer to their coldest settings, even fill water bottles with water and put them in the freezer (days before) so that your freezer will stay colder for longer. You make sure all the laundry is done, that you have wet weather gear, that the dog has enough food for a month….you put towels in the sill of every window, close blinds and curtains in case the window breaks…and then you wait and see. Hurricane Ike hit our community as a category 2 hurricane around 2 a.m.. We slept on and off as we listened to the wind and the rain and the occasional “thump”. We lost power around 5 a.m. Once it was light enough to see we got up to check out the situation. First thing we noticed was the tree leaning against the living room window but it was top part of the tree..leaves, small braches but since it was pressing against the window we knew we had to clear it back before it settled or shifted and broke the window. So John and Jacob armed with trimmers and saws made their way through the debris to trim back the tree. We also lost a 60 foot tree in the back but it fell away from our house and took out a couple of fences but missed any structures. The mess was incredible. By noon the rain had mostly stopped…neighbors where out checking on one another, and on damages…everyone had some damage…everyone lost trees…some on fences, some on houses but even the ones on house seem to have slowly drifted down until they leaned against the house…cars and fences didn’t fair quite as well….Our road began to build with water around 11 a.m….we knew the drainage system was clogged with debris but the grates are under the road level. Water rose and than began rushing downhill to our neighbors house across the street….we were all out there discussing options and ready to head into Scott’s home and begin moving furniture upstairs when someone suggested driving a truck through the water at speed. They figured it would act like a plunger drawing the debris out and then allowing it to flow through. So another neighbor got his truck and ran through the water 4 of 5 times…with 15 minutes the water had drained. Neighbors helping neighbors was everywhere. John and I got into our little truck to go check out the area and check on friends. There were trees down all over the roads…and where there were trees there were people getting through in their big trucks armed with their chainsaws clearing the road….Water made some roads impassable but the trees and debris were cleared from roadways by late afternoon just by ordinary people taking care of their neighborhoods….Texans are good people….
It rained and rained some more all night Saturday. On Sunday we began clean up. Roads were now being blocked and down to one lane because of the piles of branches and logs and leaves and trees. . On Monday we drove to College Station to visit Alex…actually, Alex had power and the gas stations up there had gas…so we really wanted to recharge our phones, maybe pick up some ice for us and some friends, and check out the news. We had been listening to the radio but the radio stations were broadcasting the news stations who would say things like “Wow! Would you look at that….that’s an incredible picture depicting the damage done by this hurricane…” Not helpful!. On Tuesday the man who cuts our grass showed up to help us clear the yard and he even hauled away our debris and downed trees…we had the nicest looking yard on the block, ha! We also got power back…we even had our friends over because she just couldn’t miss the season premiere of “House”, ha! And shortly after House we lost power again, ha!

Wednesday various places began to re-open…grocery stores, restaurants…John was one of the limited personnel they asked to come back to work on Thursday…My company re-opened Friday. And we got the power back on Friday at the house. We had phone service starting on Wednesday….One of John’s friends got through to us Wed. afternoon but it was a rough connection. But Wednesday night my sister took a chance and got through to me to let me know Dad had suffered a stroke that night….fortunately he seemed to be doing well and there was no permanent damage. There are just times in your life that there is absolutely nothing you can do except pray. I was wondering if I can even get a flight out of Houston should I need to but knew I’d cross that bridge when I got there….and well, PTL at least the phone worked, ha!

Since Ike things, for us, are back to normal. We learned a few things though….first…we’re not staying if they call for a Category 5…no way, no how. Second, the most important food you can have in your cupboard is chocolate. Third, there is nothing like a cold drink. Most importantly we learned that you can depend on your neighbors and your friends and that after a few days without power everyone has a huge BBQ and everyone is invited, ha!

August

For us, August is back to school month…don’t ask me why but I think it’s probably too hot for anyone to do anything so you may as well be in school….And this year it meant moving Alex into his own apartment. For weeks before I made sure he had everything he’d need…and probably a bunch of stuff he didn’t…I bought used dishes, glasses, a vaccume, an iron…I gave him used bowls, an old mixer, flatware, knives…I bought him new towels, a cheese grater cookie sheets. And for weeks I told him to start packing. We were driving with him up to College Station on the 18th….Alex packed on the afternoon of the 17th. I would like to believe he was putting it off because he didn’t want to face the reality of leaving home…isn’t that sweet?....but unfortunately it’s more likely that he’s lazy and he puts things off until the last minute…can’t imagine where he picked up that bad habit….

Anyway…we loaded up both cars and set forth. Because we were moving him on a Monday there were no lines, no crowds of students waiting to go over all the paperwork and pick up their keys. In no time we were hanging clothes, filling drawers, setting up his computer, filling the kitchen cupboards and making up the bed. His apartment is fully furnished so we’re saved the hassle of lugging furniture. Before we knew it we’d moved him in, went out for lunch, bought him a new desk chair and finished the first grocery store run…and Alex wanted us to leave. Ha! He didn’t say that but you could see it in his eyes…and we understood. He wanted to soak it all in…his first apartment…no parents, no brother, no dog…no one to ask him to clean the pool, or walk said dog…no one to say “Go to bed!” or remind him the dishes go into the dishwasher not on the counter. If he wanted ice cream for dinner than he’d eat ice cream for dinner. He had one week before classes started. A week to explore, get set up, buy school supplies….eventually his roommate would move in but just then he was on his own and loving it! So we hugged him good-bye and said we’d see him in a couple of weeks (he had a dentist appt scheduled. and an eye appt).

As we dove home we felt pretty good. We were providing a good start for our son…all the comforts of home and none of the bills, ha! I knew he was excited to be on his own, starting his own life but I was certain he’d really miss us and by the time he was home for his dentist appt he’d be happy to be in the family home for the weekend….I was sooo…. Wrong….

Two weeks later on a Friday morning Alex was headed home…he had a dentist appt at 3 and an eye appt at 12:30. I was excited to see the boy…looking forward to having dinner, chatting. I had missed him and in spite of the lack of phone calls I was convinced he missed me. I’m at work, the boy calls to say he’s done his appts and has picked up the stuff he forgot at home and now he’s heading back to college…..what?

Apparently he wanted to be with his friends at his own place…if I hadn’t been so mad at him I might have calmly talked him into staying for dinner and the night….but I was mad so I said “Ya, fine…whatever!!!” He told me he had to see the dentist again in a couple of weeks so he’d stay the night then… In the coming weeks Alex happily lived his life while I….. fumed and plotted his demise. He didn’t call me,...ever....and if I called him the conversations were very short and to the point and when he did come home it was a “fly-by” visit. He flies in, eats, spends one night and zooms out of there at first light…which for him is around noon. I didn’t handle the disappointment well. First I cried, then I got mad and then I threatened to redo his room and paint it pink. He responded with “Do whatever you want mom, I don’t live there anymore!” Ahhhh!!!! It was like a knife through a mother’s heart…and once I stopped crying I cleared out his room of all his “stuff”, re-arranged the furniture, put down a lovely new flowered rug in browns and blues, hung new curtains and new pictures and I’m going to paint the room a lovely….well, blue…but he didn’t know that….

So on his next scheduled fly by he called on his way home to give his approx time of arrival…he asked what I was doing and I told him I was out buying accessories (new lamps) for my guest room…he said What guest room?” and I said “Well, your old room, which I’m changing into my guest room.” And he said “MOM! Do NOT paint MY room pink!!” Ahhhh….it felt so good to hear him call it his room….Now a nice mother would have said…not to worry, I wouldn’t do that…it will l always be your room….but I am not a nice mother. I said “Your room? Alex you told me…and I quote…do whatever you want mom, I don’t live there anymore…end quote” I admit I gloated in the following silence….Finally, in a quiet voice he said “Well, it’s kind of my room…I mean, I just don’t want it pink, o.k.?” And I said “o.k….how about mauve or a nice lavender?” to which I got a “MOM!” I relented…told him I had hung brown curtains, rearranged things a bit and planned on a nice blue/grey for the walls. The room would be nice, calm, smoothing but still masculine. He actually likes the new room better. I call it my guest room…just to bug him. I told you, not nice…..


August – Jacob

Jacob started school in August as well. The dynamics in the house have changed without Alex here. Jacob now has, more or less, sole use of the truck. He leaves for school around the same time we leave for work…he gets home and has a few chores but can pretty much do as he pleases…with John and I sharing transportation it’s sometime 6:30 or 7 before we get home. By then he’s often made his own dinner, finished his homework, even put on a load of wash….Sometimes he eats dinner with us, sometimes he doesn’t but he sits with us and tells us the events of his day. Jake is doing well in school, is a great help around the house, enjoys getting together with his friends. He’s changed, grown, matured. Without Alex to compete with constantly he just seems more out going, more confident. In spite of the fact I’ve been somewhat of a basket case with how I was feeling in losing Alex I felt really good about Jacob. In one of my fits of angst with Alex I even offered him Alex’s old room. Jacob politely declined…I think he was being careful to stay out of the line of fire, ha! And I’m sure that Jacob, having witnessed first hand how it made me feel when Alex so clearly didn’t want us to bug him will make every effort to call me and re-assure me he misses me when it’s his turn to move out (yes, I know…. but hope springs eternal in a mother’s heart…)

Graduation

Graduation night finally arrived. There are over 900 students in Alex's graduating class....do you have any idea of how long it takes to get to "Thiessen" with over 900 students?

But we got there...and he graduated...sigh

All those young people....so excited to leave High School behind them and begin living their own lives....making their own choices. Yet for a parent it's such a mix of emotions. But overall you see them so happy and you just can't help but be happy for them

Celebrating Alex

Because we don't live near "the families" we gave Alex the choice of having an open house and inviting friends or having a nice dinner with just family. Alex choose to have the dinner. So...I rented a limo, made reservations and away we went....

I had never been in a limo before....Alex had...a number of times for homecoming dances, et....he's spoiled....and I decided that I deserved to be spoiled too....The best part was that we could all ride together, wouldn't get lost and could enjoy a nice bottle of wine with dinner. It was a very nice evening as we celebrated Alex and his accomplishments.

Circle of Prayer...or that was the idea...

I wanted a picture of us in prayer...we're a family but first and foremost our lives are centered in God...I wanted to have a picture that reflected that....a memory to end our day. I asked John to lead us in prayer.

Now I admit it was hot...we'd been taking pictures for well over an hour now. Everyone was pretty tired of looking happy....it didn't matter to me that my loving family was about to mutiny...I didn't care if they thought it was a stupid idea...John was even making fun of me and my inspiring idea but I glared, they sighed and John started off with..."Dear Lord please forgive Kathy for not having a sense of humor and for thinking you don't have one either..."

o.k..... mom is trying to stay serious...Dad is clearly enjoying himself....the boys, well, they think their father is hilarious....I'm resigned.

The prayer went on....and on....something about hastening the day when we'll all be in heaven and won't have to listen to any more of my crazy schemes et, et....even mom is losing it at this point....

I would just like to say that he's not funny! Oh, he thinks he's funny and his sons...who are just like him think he's funny...and my parents are not laughing at him, they're laughing because the boys are laughing so hard they're hardly able to stand....but they don't think he's funny. Because it was not funny!!!!

I was very unhappy with him afterwards.....but then I saw the pictures. It's not the picture I thought I wanted but it's us and it's life with us...and I think even God was smiling .

And o.k.....maybe John's just a little bit funny....