Things That Go BOOM In The Night...

I am the official night owl in the VanDyke home.  I have always stayed up late to just do nothing.  When I was first married (even when I stilled lived at home), I would get the "cleaning demon" around 11pm.  Then I would be up to like 3am getting stuff done.  Now, that I am 41, I just stay up to watch TV or read.  Bo will every so often holler downstairs, "Kimi, you coming to bed?", and I answer, "Yeah".  Then I get up and go to bed.

Last night was no exception.  It was midnight and I was watching TV, thinking to myself, go to bed you are so tired.  So I pick up the remote to turn the TV off when everything goes black and a huge BOOM (loud enough to wake the dead) shatters the silence and darkness.  It scared me so bad that I just sat there for a minute waiting to see what happened.  About that time, Bo comes booking down the stairs using his phone flashlight.  He's saying "Kimi, Kimi, are you alright?"  I am now walking in the dark and then it happens, I walk right into the wall.  The picture I had framed for him is now being held up by my right side and knee.  It's pitch dark and I can't see where to lay down my glass so I can move and not bust up the picture or the house.  Bo comes around the corner and I say, "Help me please."  We get the picture on the kitchen table and that's when Jake comes out of his room checking on everyone. It was so crazy.

Darkness fuels fear.  Everything seems off when the darkness settles in.  My heart was pounding so hard because I couldn't see what was going on…darkness.  I was in the dark literally and I didn't know what happened.  What caused that huge boom that sounded like an explosion?  Did someone hit a transformer? Did a tree fall down on something?  Darkness hides the truth from us, reality becomes altered.  But light, no matter how small, defeats darkness every time.  When Bo came around the corner with his little iPhone turned flashlight, darkness disappeared.  Light always wins.  There is a lesson there.

Be the light for someone today.  Show them the love of Christ.  Jesus is the light for a sin darkened world.  It's all part of living a BLESSED LIFE.

Lanterns the kids made at
Friday Night Light

Accountability & Best Friends

I am going to out myself today.  Make myself accountable to you.  I have started exercising this morning.  I have done this before but I stopped.  Today I started again.  No, I didn't last very long but I had to start somewhere.  Unfortunately that somewhere was in my dirty cold basement.  Where all the extensions cords were missing.  I am starting with riding a stationary bike and it needs an extension cord because the outlets are in the ceiling and near the stairs where the bike just won't fit.  So the first 10 minutes of my "workout" was running around the house and in the garage looking for the missing cords.  We needed two because my best friend Sarah is working out with me and the treadmill needs power.

We worked out from February to August of last year and even though I didn't lose much weight, I felt so much better.  When August rolled around, I went on an 8 day vacation to Sonoma, California and then my son was coming home and I was just done.  I told Sarah that I was not going to be getting up so early to exercise and I just needed a break.  Well 5 months later, my body feels awful.  I need to exercise.  Monday morning I sent my friend a text and asked her if she was up to exercising three days a week and she said yes.  However, when the alarm clock went off at 6:30 this morning, only my right eye opened.  I think my left eye was saying, "Really, are you serious.  It is too dang early!!!".  But I knew I must get up because my friend was coming.  Accountability!!!!  I have to be accountable to someone.  I have to know that my actions are going to impact them or my big bottom was staying put in my comfy, warm, cozy, inviting, snugly bed!

Me and Sarah in Fenwick

I guess we are like that in most things.  We have a great idea but no follow through.  It isn't until we find someone that will keep us focused, motivated and we know we have to answer to them, that we really do what we say we are going to do.  I am so very thankful for my friend, Sarah, who keeps me in check. She encourages me to exercise and not drink Diet Coke (my favorite).  I am proud to say that yesterday I only drank 1/4 of a can of Diet Coke.  Yes, it was like sweet burning nectar to my soul…lol.  I love soda and I will probably not give it up 100% but I can cut down on how much I drink.  I drank more water yesterday and I felt better.

Us on New Years Eve 2012

Sarah has been my friend since childhood.  She was a bridesmaid at my wedding, I babysat her son and she babysat my 3 children.  She is not only a good friend to me & Bo but to our family.  When my sisters and I go away, Sarah goes with us.  She is one of us…she is part Estep.  Well the part that matters the most, the heart.

Us on Ocracoke Island in October 2010

So here we go back down this road that we traveled before but left too soon.  Kimi & Sarah are exercising again!  I guess it's all part of that change that I have been talking a lot about in 2013.  I know this change will add (probably years) to my BLESSED LIFE!!!

Reevaluate

On Tuesday mornings, the leadership team of Christ the King Church meet at Denny's for breakfast, devotion and meeting.  This puts me behind to write my blog and today has just gotten away from me.  So it is almost 2pm and I am just getting the chance to sit and write. 

 

Presley organizing the baby nursery at church
Jacob dancing

Sometimes things come up and we have to reevaluate the situation and see what is working and what is not.  Like this morning, I am finding that writing on Tuesday mornings is difficult so maybe I should write on Monday night when it is quiet and I have time.  I just realized today that I have 2 whole closets in my house that are almost empty.  This is what I call, A GREAT OPPORTUNITY!!!!  

Henry making a phone call…

This realization has ignited a desire in me to clean the other closets and reorganize our home.  It makes everything feel new and clean.  I love the new & clean feeling.  I love when things have their place and are there when I need them to be.

One of my pet peeves is the silverware drawer in my kitchen.  I have two sets of silverware and I do not like them to be mixed.  I do not like the big spoons in with the little spoons.  If this is not done correctly, things just don't fit well and it can set me off.  I know, what is the big deal? Right?  The big deal to me is that when you go to open or close the drawer it catches or gets stuck and the drawer will then get weaker.  How many find it very annoying when you go to open a drawer and something is stuck half up?  I DO!  One day this happened and I sat down to reevaluate the situation.  I decided that I had to change things up.  This was just not working anymore and I was tired of being frustrated.  I needed to be able to work in an organized kitchen.  I went to work on it.

I took out all of the silverware and started organizing.  Guess what, I have to do this every so often because I am not alone in the home.  Last night, I had to remind some of the home occupants that the mixing bowls don't go where the pots and pans go and I had to sit down on the floor and reorganize.  But when I was done, everything fit and the doors and drawers closed well and I was a happy Mama.  

Don't be afraid to look at things and see what needs fixing.  It will make us all happier in the end.  

Children…CHOOSE LIFE

For years, many many years, I wanted more children.  I had my children when I was 18, 20 & 21 years old.  I was tired and so my husband did something about it, with my full support.  I regretted that decision for many years.  Even to this day, I regret that decision.  Don't get me wrong, I appreciate the children I was/am blessed with.  They have been full of energy, love, surprises, challenges…everything children possess and bring into the lives of their parents.  But I wish we would have had more.

I am now 41 years old and my youngest just turned 20, my older daughter and son are each married and I have 1 grandson.  I look around at people my age and some are just getting started on having families and I am going through, Empty Nest Syndrome.  Unfortunately, Empty Nest = Empty Pockets because we are still recovering from the wedding and we are still paying for college.  I think Empty Nest would be more fun if it came with full pocketbooks…lol.

It is a strange place to be, a mother to grown children.  You don't feel like you are that much older but when you look at your children, you realize that you must be because they are.

Juliana pregnant with Henry

Bo has been watching a documentary over and over again about the declining population in Hungary and Eastern Europe due to abortion.  It states that for a population or race to survive, the people of that nation need to have 2.1 children per family.  For over 40 years, in Hungary, they have had 1.3 (around that number, cannot confirm because of an inept memory).  There are more old adults than young people to support the older generation because of the population decline.  Abortion has been legal in Communist countries for Population Control for 50 years.  Now they are seeing the consequences of these actions.  Hungary has done something very courageous about it, they have written a new constitution which outlaws abortion.  They have put Christ back in the center of their constitution and even the words, GOD BLESS HUNGARY are written in their pages.  It can be done America.  This documentary has given me hope for America.

America is on the same track as Hungary was.  We have killed over 55 million babies since 1973.  55 million workers, loves, leaders, scientists, explorers…Possibilities.  Our Social Security problems are rooted in the fact that we are killing our future every time we say it's OK and even encourage abortion.  One minister said to me that Islam isn't growing because of how right it is, it is growing because Islamic parents are having babies, lots of them.  Christians need to have children, teach those children about Jesus.  I hope and pray that Hungary becomes a beacon to the world to choose LIFE.  John 14:6 NKJV "Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life…".  When you choose Christ, you choose LIFE.

One more thing, it was stated in the documentary that Europeans are choosing things over children.  They may have one child but then decide that they would rather travel, get a new car, have a couple of homes or even just one great home, so another child just won't fit into the lifestyle they are trying to have.  A lifestyle isn't a life.  A lifestyle is fleeting and it won't comfort you in old age or make you laugh with great delight.  A lifestyle won't be a life affirming friend to your 1 child.  Choose life over a lifestyle.  In choosing LIFE, we are the ones who reap the benefits.

I will forever wonder what greatness we cut off 20 years ago when we decided not to have more children.  I can only just imagine because I will never know.  But my first three are pretty great so the possibilities are endless.  I encourage my MARRIED children to have children, lots of them.  I won't mind my home being full of grand babies, as a matter of fact, I can't wait.

Children add to my BLESSED LIFE!!!

To be an Original...

I often wish I was one of those Mom's who has beautiful words of wisdom for her kids.  Words that will inspire them into greatness.  Words that they will quote to their children and bring clarity and direction.  Little tidbits that could be made into a magnet or poster.  I guess you could say that I would like to be an original, profound speaker.  But, instead I come up with, "That is a lie from the pit of hell" or "I'll knock a knot on your head".  I can quote a movie, "He doesn't know whether to scratch his watch or wind his but" (Steal Magnolias) or I can quote someone else, "Don't uncover what God has already covered by the blood" (Lori Willey).  Sometimes I feel like King Solomon when he was a teenager, "That which has been is what will be, That which is done is what will be done, And there is nothing new under the sun." Ecclesiastes 1:9 NKJV

Found this on Pinterest or someone sent it to
me, not sure which but it rings true

When I sit down to write, I can hear many voices floating around in my head.  I hear my mom, dad, husband, teachers, friends, children, siblings and things that I have read or watched on TV or in a movie.  All of these things influence my thoughts and my writing.  I question, "is this truly an original thought?" I am so much like my Mom that there are times that I don't know if I thought it or if Mom said it.  My sisters and I talk over each other when we are together that I am not sure who said what.  My father is very profound and I will quote him until the day I die.  "God has never given us a license to be unkind."-Bishop Ronald Estep, and one of my favorites,  "You can give without loving but you cannot love without giving"-Bishop Ronald Estep.  Now I don't know if these are an original Bishop Ronald Estep and I don't care.  They spoke to me and that is all that matters.

Dove Chocolates make me sound profound
and artsy..lol

I would say to my children before they would leave the house with friends, cousins or each other (cousins and each other can be more trouble than friends), "Remember WHO you are and WHOSE you are."  I wanted that to get into their spirits.  Did it help?  Not sure, they got themselves into a whole heck of a lot of trouble but I don't know what those words kept them from either.  I am just left to wonder.

So I guess it doesn't matter if I am an original or not.  I still would like to be profound with wit and grace but I am what God has made me.  I will continue to grow and some days I may sound profound to others and some days I will sound simple minded.  I guess the most profound things I can say are found in the WORD of God.  That is always appropriate and gives us clarity and direction.
 Micah 6:8 NKJV "He has shown you, O man, what is good; And what does the LORD require of you But to do justly, To love mercy, And to walk humbly with your God?"

Changes…POSSIBILITIES!!!

I have two empty bedrooms right now.  A very small bedroom that was Henry's room and a much larger room that belonged to Juliana.  I know that I have to designate these two rooms for something or they will become a catch all and nobody wants that.  Without a purpose, junk just begins to build up and then I will have a real mess.(Now that would preach wouldn't it)

So in my mind, I would love to make Juliana's old room into a classy, beautiful, girly office for me!!  I am thinking beautiful furniture, a chandelier, a place for me to create and write that is comfy and of course pretty.  I love painted furniture and I would love to have a small ornate sofa or maybe a small classic sofa with a chair that pops.  The choices are endless.  I might have to call my fashion/wedding/interior design guru, Lauren Niles to help me.  I know she would be willing but I may need to give her a break since she helped so much with the wedding.

My dream room/office would have a wrapping center that is easy to get to and very organized.  It would have a small desk for my computer and a small place for my printer (when I get a new one.  Mine is still broken).  I would or should I say, WILL have a comfortable desk chair.  No more office throw aways.  I use an office throw away at my vanity and it is a back killer.  Henry calls it his chair and he loves it because it spins.  Grammy/Dammy is not as impressed with it…lol.

Henry asleep on the sofa last night.  He
was sick and just kinda passed out.

I think I will keep Henry's room a bedroom.  A place for the grand kids.  Since Henry will be coming here at least 3 days a week, I think I will make it his play room and nap room.  And when more grand babies come along, it will belong to them all, that is unless Pop has other plans.  Kelcie said she was going to make it a TV room for herself but we will see about that.  I like my idea the best.

Well, here's to changes and POSSIBILITIES!!  It's all part of my blessed life.

Sadness to Gladness

Honeymooners are back, Henry and Juliana have moved out and our house is super quiet.  Henry did not like when he went upstairs to his room and his bed was gone.  He said to his Mama, "Where's Henry's bed?"  She told him it was at Henry's house and he told her NO.  She told him that they were moving and he said, "No, I not."  This kid is too much.  We face timed last night after they got home and discovered that it was too early for that.  He was crying, I was crying…too early for sure.  But we both got through it and today is a new day.

So today, I will focus (as much as I can) on the good things and leave the sad alone.  When the sadness tries to creep its ugly head up, I will be thankful for the good things.  I don't believe that being sad about Juliana and Henry moving out is wrong but I don't want it to rule my day and infiltrate my every thought.  I can not control what thoughts pop up in my head but I do control which ones I give a place to.  I will sing while I clean and finish my laundry.  Singing about the goodness of God always changes my attitude because it changes my focus.  My focus goes from me to Him and that's always better.

Don't let sadness rule your life.  Don't let disappointments control your thoughts and emotions.  Find something that gives you joy and peace and love.  Find something that you are thankful for and focus on that.  My husband sent me this scripture as I was writing this post…God has a way of speaking to us.  I Thessalonians 5:18 NKJV "In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you."

Process for change…sneaky change...

Changes, my word for the year.  I am in the middle of a life change right now.  Knowing this change was going to take place, helped me choose my word for the year.  Today my daughter comes back from her honeymoon and guess what, she's not coming here.  Big change!

Henry asleep in the chair next to Grammy

Her stuff is still in her room, Henry's stuff is still in his room.  It's like they live here but they don't.  So in reality, we are in limbo of the change.  I haven't walked by an empty room…I have walked by two extremely messy rooms (because of the packing).  In the middle of a change, things do seem to get very messy.  Things are going in all directions until you get organized.  Henry's dresser has drawers without clothes in it and drawers that look like they threw up with the clothes coming out…process for change. There are bins of toys going to the town house and bins of toys staying at Grammy's…process for change.

Henry in December

If you are not watching, change can sneak up on you.  Jake said to me last night, "This is Henry's last week living here."  I had to tell him that last week was Henry's last week living here.  He got so sad because he thought Henry had one more week…sneaky change.  I did inform him that Henry will be here for dinner tonight with his Mommy and Step daddy.  That seemed to help.

Me…long time ago

Everyone living here is going through changes.  But not all of us are going through the exact same changes.  I look around and feel the absence of my little girl who has lived with me all her life, I feel the absence of my grandson who has spent countless hours cuddled up in my arms for the past 21/2 years.  I listen to hear him call out but he's not here.  Changes for me are different than the change for Scovia or Jake.  Although they will miss Juliana living here, they truly miss Henry.  I call them BFF's.  Henry, Scovia and Jake watch TV together every night.  He likes going into their bedroom to watch Team Omizoomi which he calls Omimuffin.  At night they feel his absence in the quietness of our home.

Where I want to be

Where I am…lol

However hard this change is, it is good.  My Juliana has embarked on the best journey of her life.  She has found the one to spend her life with, to build a family with, to love and cherish.  I am so happy for her and for Henry.  So as sad as I can get thinking about how life is changing, I am excited for her.  I remember my first days of marriage and the building of my family and home.  I want that for her and all my children.

I will be writing about other changes that are happening around me and in me throughout this year.  I hope you will find strength in my writings.  Change is inevitable and it is necessary.  It means we are growing and our children are growing.  We need to be mindful that we have the power to guide and direct the changes in our lives.  Some things are out of our control but our reactions and emotions are the things we can control.  How we respond is up to us.  Today, I choose to laugh, love and enjoy my blessed life and all it's changes.

found this on my phone, don't know where I got it but I love it.

Weddings…Ravens…Weekend Amazing

Ahhhhhhhhhh…that is a sigh of relief.  The wedding is over, it was a huge success.  I knew my Juliana would make a beautiful bride but when she put her dress on with her black fur shrug, I was breathless.  She no longer looked like my little baby, she looked like she had just walked off a photo shoot for a magazine cover.  She was glowing and enchanting.  Juliana has always had exotic eyes, so dark and perfectly shaped.  The makeup artist accented Juliana's natural beauty and the results are amazing.

I stood when the music changed to signify that the bride and her father were coming.  When they appeared in the doorway, my breath caught in my chest and my eyes filled with tears.  This is the moment that always made me cry whenever I thought about her getting married.  The closer they got the front of the church the quicker my tears came.  And then, she started crying…I said to myself, "Kimberly Hope, control yourself.  This is a good day, no more tears and defiantly, no ugly crying".
It was a beautiful ceremony.  Yes, the flower girl came running down the aisle screaming, "Mommy, my shoe", her shoe fell off like Cinderella when she took off running.  Henry did amazing.  He dropped his pillow a couple of times but when he walked up to Aaron at the altar and reached for him, it was a special moment.  Halfway through the ceremony, Jacob (my great nephew 3 years old) came running to the front of the church and stood laughing.  These things didn't take away from the wedding but they added to it.  Children bring life into any situation…they are always welcomed.

We had a great time at the reception.  We laughed, cried and danced the night away.  Our beautiful Melody Amber caught the bouquet and our soon to be nephew caught the guarder.  We had a marriage dance and the last couple dancing was my in laws who have been married 52 years.  I was amazed at how many couples were still on the dance floor after the 10 year mark and even up to the 20 year mark.  I looked at my brother in law and said, "We have some longevity on the this dance floor and in this family".  It was a good sign for the marriage of Juliana and Aaron.

3 Ravens fans 1 Patriots fan…before the game

So, today is Monday and it was a very busy weekend.  Our little girl is married and THE RAVENS are going to the super bowl.  It was an amazing weekend.

After the game…Superbowl

One last thing, we had a photo booth at the reception and our photo guy was awesome.  His name is Nic China and he runs Get Pixilated in the Baltimore area.  If you need a photo booth, call this company.  His website is www.getpixilated.com.  It was something that everyone enjoyed no matter the age.

I wish a lifetime of happiness for my Juliana and Aaron.  I pray that they will always cherish their Blessed Life.

Wedding Planners…Gifts

I didn't think that I would write today but since I am still up at midnight, I thought that I would take this opportunity since I have someone to thank.  Yesterday I wrote about the importance of marriage ceremonies.  The importance of showing honor and giving it all the pomp and circumstance that it deserves.  Well, there is someone who does this for a living that I want to acknowledge.  She was 6 months old at my wedding 23 years ago.  It was even before she had hair.  That bald beautiful baby grew into a a marvelous, gorgeous Woman that I am so very proud of.  If you know us, you know who it is I am referring to, my niece, Lauren Noel Niles.

Lauren has given of herself without getting anything in return.  She is a wonderful wedding planner.  This is her career but she has not asked for one dime for herself.  The time and effort and expertise that she's given, freely to us, is just beyond words.  Bo and I are so very thankful for Lauren.  No matter what, if she had charged us or not, our love is unconditional.  She didn't have to do this for us.  To be a giver is not usually a born attribute, it is a taught one.  She did learn from the best, Ronald and Lorraine Estep…really the whole Estep clan and of course her Uncle Bo.  Thank you Lauren.  You have touched our hearts and our lives.

If you are getting married in Maryland or near Maryland and you need the best wedding planner, call Lauren Niles at K&B Bridals in Bel Air, Maryland. http://www.kandbbridals.com/bridals

 Her ideas are endless, her enthusiasm makes you feel like your wedding is the only priority in three states, she is beautiful inside and out and her work is just as beautiful as she is.  Not to mention, this is the most organized wedding planner or planner of anything that I have ever seen.  Every moment is accounted for and everyone knows what they are to do and where they are to do it.  She is amazing.  No matter how big or how small of a wedding you desire, she will make it a special day.  She can do it all with grace and class.

Here are two pictures from her wedding in 2010 that I swiped from her Facebook (as her Auntie, I can do this).  The pictures were taken by the photographer who is photographing Juliana's wedding on Saturday, Jennie Campbell http://jenniecampbellphotography.com.  Breathtaking...

My beautiful niece, Lauren Niles

Lauren & Peter Niles…Fabulous couple

Trousseau Tea…Love…Weddings…Marriage

I wish I had the forethought to have hosted a Trousseau Tea for my daughter.  I have been reading about this and it would have been an intimate, special occasion for us.  I have to keep this in mind for when Kelcie gets married…YEARS from now.

Jake & Scovia 2011

I love the idea of a Trousseau Tea.  It's a dainty, girly, tradition.  I think we should get back to the sacredness of weddings and marriage.  It seems to me that so many wish to make a wedding as casual as going to Walmart.  Nothing is special anymore.  A wedding/marriage is so much more than a piece of paper.  It is a ceremony in front of your family and friends but more importantly it is a man and a woman, standing before God, VOWING to spend the rest of their lives together.  Vowing to walk together in love and living in the presence of God.  It's saying that God, we acknowledge your authority in our lives and we choose to obey you and each other.

Christian & Patrick 2009

I have been told that all the "hoopla" surrounding a wedding is unnecessary, but I have to disagree.  When you make a forever decision, the "hoopla" is the honor that says, "this decision matters to me".  When things matter, you put all your effort, money and time into it.  You make sure that everything is perfect and that everyone is aware of how you feel and how much this means to you.

Cecilia & Matthew 2010

We have to stop dumbing down the important things.  Marriage is important, weddings are important, that's why they happen in the House of God.

I am looking forward to seeing my little girl dressed in her beautiful white gown, walking down the aisle on her daddy's arm.  I can't wait to see all of our friends and family, dressed up with smiles on their faces and love in their eyes.  I am looking forward to the ceremony, the communion, the pictures, the food, and the dancing.  This will be a day that Juliana and Aaron will never forget.  You need the special days to help you get through the hard times.

My Daddy & Me 23 years ago 1989

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend and that God blesses you with a weekend full of love.  It is the best part of a BLESSED LIFE…LOVE.

http://www.greylikesweddings.com/the-archive/trousseau-tea/

Calendars and Changes…

For the past three years, I have made a picture calendar and given it out to Henry's Mommy, Great Grandparents and I hang one up in my kitchen.  It has pics of Henry throughout the year that just passed.  I make it in December because I want to use the most recent Christmas pictures.

This year, I went to make a calendar using iPhoto which I always do but my computer was messing up so I went online and made it there.  I am not a happy camper.  My calendar won't stay together, it won't hang flat and I am just not happy with it.  I have used this online company for Christmas pictures, canvas prints and books and I have always been pleased but their calendars just fall short of Apple's.

Yesterday, I decided that I was not going to fool around with this calendar all year.  I got on my iPhoto and made a new one just for myself.  I gave out the others already and I do apologize to the ones who received one as gift.  Next year, I will not make the same mistake.

I always have a lot of fun picking out the pictures I am going to use for my calendar.  When I made the new one, I changed a couple of pics and I am very pleased with the outcome.  I cannot wait for my new calendar to come in.  I like using my computer calendar but I like having a calendar hanging up in my house so that I can write things down that the whole family might need to see.

Some changes are good and some are not so good.  I was thinking about that this morning before I began to write.  Changes…my word for 2013.  I changed my calendar company…bad decision but not a life altering one.  This Saturday, my daughter will make the change from single to married…definitely a life altering one.  It will not only alter her life but Henry's, Aaron's (groom) and ours.  I asked her last night if she was totally sure.  I said that this decision is a forever one.  Marriage isn't something you can just walk away from.  She looked at me with her huge chocolate brown eyes and said, "Yes, Mom, I am sure.  I love Aaron and I cannot wait to be married to him."  You may ask why I would ask her such a question three days before her wedding.  My answer is this, I want my daughter to be 100% sure that she is doing the right thing and marrying the right man.  It is not my decision to make, it is hers.  I needed to look in her eyes and see her surety.  I got what I was looking for.  I am so happy for my daughter and her groom.  They truly love each other and I that is what this Mama needed to see and hear.  CHANGES…

Even when our changes do not work out the way we expected I have a place to go for peace.
Psalm 27:5 For in the time of trouble He shall hide me in His pavilion; In the secret place of His tabernacle He shall hide me; He shall set me high upon a rock.

My Babies, Where Has The Time Gone?

This is the last week that Juliana and Henry will be living with us.  Only 4 days until the wedding.  Last night I was feeling very much attached to my grandson.  I asked him if he just wanted to live with Grammy & Pop, that Mommy could come over when ever she wanted to see him.  Well, that was a no go.

Juliana looked at me and said, "Don't do that.  He's going with me."  I told her it isn't fair that I have to deal with both of them being gone and since it was her decision to get married, that Henry should be able to stay with me.  Of course she said NO!  As you might have guessed, this was all said in jest and I wouldn't really try to take my grandson from his mommy.  But it will be an adjustment, both of them being gone.  They are both my babies and I am going to miss them living here.  Juliana said that they will be visiting all the time but as you know, it's just not the same.  Of course, she doesn't realize that because she hasn't lived away from home before but it will become very real to her later.

Juliana Kimberly VanDyke and Henry William VanDyke both have added to my blessed life in so many ways.  Here's some pics of them around the same age.

Juliana...PERFECTION 

Henry...PERFECTION

Juliana, almost 2

Can you see how much he looks like his Mama

Grammy & Henry…our first picture together.  Special moment
in my life

Gosh, look at that face

Failing Printer Does Not Equal Happy Mom!!!

We are still in full wedding swing around here.  I have been trying to get all the place cards printed and guess what?  My printer has decided to stop working.  Half way through the printing process.  Happy? NO! Frustrated? YES!  It has been a good printer but it decided to stop working right when I am in great need.  Now I must take all the printing I need to do for this wedding, to the office.  I know it is not a big thing but when you are having a wedding in 5 days, little things become big things.

There, now I feel better.  I know this is not the place to vent my frustrations, but I have been trying unsuccessfully, to fix the printer for about an hour.  I thought I had found a solution but it was a no go.  I think I will fill up my humidifier in the family room and watch a show with Henry.  He is my good place.

My posts may be a little on the emotional side this week.  I always get emotional when I have been sick or am sick and my daughter is getting married and my daughter and grandson are now on their last week living in our home.  Yes, I know they will be here a lot but I am also aware that it is not the same.  I love waking up to little feet running down the hall to see Dammy & Pop.  I love when he comes in from outside and says, "Dammy, I'm home".  These are things that are on my mind today.

I am also thinking about how Jake has lived away from home and Kelcie has been in college for 2 1/2 years but my Juliana has never lived away from home.  Then my mind starts thinking about the Father/Daughter dance at the reception…gotta make sure I wear waterproof mascara.  Yes, I am a bag full of emotions.

I want my baby girl to be happy in her marriage and always feel loved and wanted.  As a mom, I get caught up in the planning of the wedding but in reality, I am always thinking and praying for my girl to have a life full of love, peace, contentment, joy, laughter and all things good.  I know trials will come and life will at times feel like it's falling all around her but I want for her to feel secure and safe in the arms of her husband, family and God.  Some may scoff at the safe and secure part but I will tell you, that is a big part of what makes me happy.  There is nothing better, when I am feeling scared or insecure, than for Bo to hold my hand or put his arms around me.  I know that in the embrace of those arms, I am loved and safe.  I want that for Juliana and Kelcie(when the time comes).

My prayer is for my daughter, Juliana Kimberly VanDyke to live out her Blessed Life with the knowledge that she is blessed.  Some see it and some don't.  It's always better when you can see the blessings that God has given you and appreciate them.  It makes life so much better.

So Happy Monday to you all and I hope you are embracing the Blessed Life that God has provided for you.

The heart God allowed me to see on my walk this past spring
Just etched in the asphalt on the road with little white pebbles
So glad I took a pic…Jesus Loves Me, This I know

Happy Birthday JAKE!!!!!

Bo & Jake on this day 23 years ago…1-11-1990

My beautiful boy

Sucked his thumb

Aunt Cheryl, Jake and his first friend, Lauren (Hurst) Niles

At Jake's dedication his Aunt Cheryl sang this song for me to him, "You are a masterpiece, a new creation He has formed.  Your as soft and fresh as a snowy winter morn.  I'm so glad that God has given you to me, little Lamb of God, you are a masterpiece."  I still feel the same way about him.  Even though he is 23 years old, married and all grown up, he is still my little Masterpiece from God.  

I am so very Thankful for this man that God gave me the honor of raising and loving.  I know I did not do everything right but I did it with love.  Now he has brought us a beautiful daughter in love.  We are extremely blessed.  

My Handsome Son…Jake VanDyke
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!

What Makes You Feel Better On A Sick Day???

Pictures that make me smile on a feeling poorly day

When I am feeling sick or bad, I like to look at things that make me feel better.  I love magazines about decorating or home styles, I love to look at pictures of my family in the summer or at a holiday.  When you are feeling bad, like I am today, it is important to find something to make you smile.  Like what is going on right now.  I am laying in my bed with Juliana next to me and Henry next to her, watching The Lion King.  I know these kind of mornings are coming to an end with Juliana getting married in 10 days.  But I am going to enjoy this moment as much as I can.  Yes, I am sick but that does not take away from My BLESSED LIFE!!!!!

To my left this morning

To my right…much better view

Henry, Juliana and Jake at the beach