My heart goes out to my brother-in-law Mike. His dad's health has been deteriorating quickly and his family has been preparing for his passing. They are making the necessary arrangements and preparing the best they can.
It all brings back memories of my daddy's passing.
I don't think we ever really believed he was going to die. Even the last morning he was with us, we didn't quite believe.
I wish I could make the process easier for Mike and Kim and his family.
Please pray for them in this difficult time.
Thanks friends!
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
http://connorzachary.blogspot.com/
As long as you guys are used to me asking for prayers. Here's a little guy who could use some.
Sara is a friend of some of our friends and we had the privledge of meeting her at our Lake Champion work week a couple years ago.
Sara is a friend of some of our friends and we had the privledge of meeting her at our Lake Champion work week a couple years ago.
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Ants in my pants...
Lately I have found myself more antsy than unusual.
I think it is because I feel like I am surrounded by so many new beginnings that are just waiting to happen.
My wonderful sis-in-law Kim is 31 weeks into a pregnancy with twin boys. In a matter of weeks, I am praying that I will be blessed to hold these little miracles in my own arms! I keep reminding them that "their Aunt Marianne loves them" whenever I am within talking distance of that belly!
School is about to start again for my kids. Tessa will be returning to daycare and in November my mom will be going to Peru for six months. School for Tristan & Trinity will be great in that they don't have the stress of moving to a new school like they did last year. Tessa too will be returning to a familiar setting.
My mom will be going to Lima for the first time alone. Now that my dad and grandmother have passed, she is relieved of the duty of caretaker. She can do her own thing which is scary and exciting at the same time for her.
Jeff and I put the house up for sale. That is always a stressful time for anyone. Waiting to see if someone will see the potential in a home and not see the minor faults that you swear no one would ever be able to overlook!
Other small things are soccer practices, final summer playdates, figuring out a new work schedule for me (as my boss wouldn't mind me working even more hours) and preparing for Labor Day weekend and the memorial mass for my dad that falls on that weekend.
I just pray that the negativity stays away and that I take the time to enjoy these new beginnings and put my trust in God that all will go well!
I think it is because I feel like I am surrounded by so many new beginnings that are just waiting to happen.
My wonderful sis-in-law Kim is 31 weeks into a pregnancy with twin boys. In a matter of weeks, I am praying that I will be blessed to hold these little miracles in my own arms! I keep reminding them that "their Aunt Marianne loves them" whenever I am within talking distance of that belly!
School is about to start again for my kids. Tessa will be returning to daycare and in November my mom will be going to Peru for six months. School for Tristan & Trinity will be great in that they don't have the stress of moving to a new school like they did last year. Tessa too will be returning to a familiar setting.
My mom will be going to Lima for the first time alone. Now that my dad and grandmother have passed, she is relieved of the duty of caretaker. She can do her own thing which is scary and exciting at the same time for her.
Jeff and I put the house up for sale. That is always a stressful time for anyone. Waiting to see if someone will see the potential in a home and not see the minor faults that you swear no one would ever be able to overlook!
Other small things are soccer practices, final summer playdates, figuring out a new work schedule for me (as my boss wouldn't mind me working even more hours) and preparing for Labor Day weekend and the memorial mass for my dad that falls on that weekend.
I just pray that the negativity stays away and that I take the time to enjoy these new beginnings and put my trust in God that all will go well!
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Everytime You Go Away- Paul Young
I love when my subconsious overrules my brain and I'm just a slave to it.
I happen to be here at work having a super busy day (you wouldn't guess by my deciding to blog right this minute, but it is busy!) and this song happens to pop up and I get this goofy butterfly feeling in my stomach.
Along with the butterflies I have a tingly, goose-bump thing going.
I stop my busyness to realize that I am having an eighth-grade activity night flashback. Dancing for the first time with a boy that I've had a crush on. I can almost picture the multicolored spots of light flowing over my head.
No wonder we have such a hard time being adults... when was the last time you had a reaction like this to adult things like work and grocery shopping?
I don't believe that just because we are adults, we have to stop being fun and set aside the things that make us happy. If you have children, you know they take all their cues from you.
My goal tonight to find something that will give me that feeling again and make new memories that I will enjoy 20 years from now.
I happen to be here at work having a super busy day (you wouldn't guess by my deciding to blog right this minute, but it is busy!) and this song happens to pop up and I get this goofy butterfly feeling in my stomach.
Along with the butterflies I have a tingly, goose-bump thing going.
I stop my busyness to realize that I am having an eighth-grade activity night flashback. Dancing for the first time with a boy that I've had a crush on. I can almost picture the multicolored spots of light flowing over my head.
No wonder we have such a hard time being adults... when was the last time you had a reaction like this to adult things like work and grocery shopping?
I don't believe that just because we are adults, we have to stop being fun and set aside the things that make us happy. If you have children, you know they take all their cues from you.
My goal tonight to find something that will give me that feeling again and make new memories that I will enjoy 20 years from now.
Thursday, August 6, 2009
One year anniversary
It is coming up to the one year anniversary of losing my dad. Peruvian culture calls for a mass in his honor and a get-together of his loved ones.
The thing is that our relatives and family friends live so far away and the actual anniversary falls over Labor Day weekend. The whole thing is inconvenient for everyone. So it boils down the only ones going to the mass are my mom and our family. My brain understands, but my heart just weeps.
This has been upsetting me all week.
My dad was awesome. When I find myself wanting to ball up in a corner and cry it is because I selfishly want the world to stop and remember that someone so great is no longer on this earth.
One year ago this weekend, we went down to the farmer's market and Holland's sidewalk sales. Dad made sure the kids got treats, and I would sit with him outside while everyone else went in the stores because it was too crowded and cumbersome to bring him in with the wheelchair.
I made him buy a new pair of sandals, which he never wore. But he bought them to make me happy. We never imagined the end would ever come.... no matter what all the doctors said.
Love you Papi!
The thing is that our relatives and family friends live so far away and the actual anniversary falls over Labor Day weekend. The whole thing is inconvenient for everyone. So it boils down the only ones going to the mass are my mom and our family. My brain understands, but my heart just weeps.
This has been upsetting me all week.
My dad was awesome. When I find myself wanting to ball up in a corner and cry it is because I selfishly want the world to stop and remember that someone so great is no longer on this earth.
One year ago this weekend, we went down to the farmer's market and Holland's sidewalk sales. Dad made sure the kids got treats, and I would sit with him outside while everyone else went in the stores because it was too crowded and cumbersome to bring him in with the wheelchair.
I made him buy a new pair of sandals, which he never wore. But he bought them to make me happy. We never imagined the end would ever come.... no matter what all the doctors said.
Love you Papi!
Friday, July 31, 2009
Fellowship Blessings
It might sound weird but Jeff and I have been blessed to find a family that truly enjoy spending time with. I was about to chalk us up to being "the casual friends" but we met a family in the spring that had kids close to the same ages as ours. We met them through acquaintances and throughout the summer we have been spending more time together and realizing that we have so much in common. A camping trip together pretty much sealed the deal, and we are so thankful.
Getting to know people is always such fun. It is like the first stages of dating that you take the time to get to know them better and their likes and dislikes. All the laughter and joy is such a blessing to my soul!
We have also been making an effort to go to our church "extra-curricular" events. We tend to only go if we know that someone else is going, but we are enjoying getting to know more members of our church on a one-to-one situation, instead of the usual Sunday hussle and bussle.
It really is a blessing to spend time investing in people. I happened to miss my High School reunion because of a church function. It is hard to see all reconnections via Facebook that my friends were able to make, but I am hoping that the next opportunity to get together will be one that I can freely go to without any hesitations. I guess there is a story behind my hesitations, but I'll save that for another entry! :)
So today I thank God for good fellowship. For our friends, family, church family and old friendships.
Getting to know people is always such fun. It is like the first stages of dating that you take the time to get to know them better and their likes and dislikes. All the laughter and joy is such a blessing to my soul!
We have also been making an effort to go to our church "extra-curricular" events. We tend to only go if we know that someone else is going, but we are enjoying getting to know more members of our church on a one-to-one situation, instead of the usual Sunday hussle and bussle.
It really is a blessing to spend time investing in people. I happened to miss my High School reunion because of a church function. It is hard to see all reconnections via Facebook that my friends were able to make, but I am hoping that the next opportunity to get together will be one that I can freely go to without any hesitations. I guess there is a story behind my hesitations, but I'll save that for another entry! :)
So today I thank God for good fellowship. For our friends, family, church family and old friendships.
Thursday, July 23, 2009
50 Questions
I'll admit that I stole them... but I couldn't resist sharing them.
These questions have no right or wrong answers.
Because sometimes asking the right questions is the answer.
1.How old would you be if you didn’t know how old you are?
2.Which is worse, failing or never trying?
3.If life is so short, why do we do so many things we don’t like and like so many things we don’t do?
4.When it’s all said and done, will you have said more than you’ve done?
5.What is the one thing you’d most like to change about the world?
6.If happiness was the national currency, what kind of work would make you rich?
7.Are you doing what you believe in, or are you settling for what you are doing?
8.If the average human life span was 40 years, how would you live your life differently?
9.To what degree have you actually controlled the course your life has taken?
10.Are you more worried about doing things right, or doing the right things?
11.You’re having lunch with three people you respect and admire. They all start criticizing a close friend of yours, not knowing she is your friend. The criticism is distasteful and unjustified. What do you do?
12.If you could offer a newborn child only one piece of advice, what would it be?
13.Would you break the law to save a loved one?
14.Have you ever seen insanity where you later saw creativity?
15.What’s something you know you do differently than most people?
16.How come the things that make you happy don’t make everyone happy?
17.What one thing have you not done that you really want to do? What’s holding you back?
18.Are you holding onto something you need to let go of?
19.If you had to move to a state or country besides the one you currently live in, where would you move and why?
20.Do you push the elevator button more than once? Do you really believe it makes the elevator faster?
21.Would you rather be a worried genius or a joyful simpleton?
22.Why are you, you?
23.Have you been the kind of friend you want as a friend?
24.Which is worse, when a good friend moves away, or losing touch with a good friend who lives right near you?
25.What are you most grateful for?
26.Would you rather lose all of your old memories, or never be able to make new ones?
27.Is is possible to know the truth without challenging it first?
28.Has your greatest fear ever come true?
29.Do you remember that time 5 years ago when you were extremely upset? Does it really matter now?
30.What is your happiest childhood memory? What makes it so special?
31.At what time in your recent past have you felt most passionate and alive?
32.If not now, then when?
33.If you haven’t achieved it yet, what do you have to lose?
34.Have you ever been with someone, said nothing, and walked away feeling like you just had the best conversation ever?
35.Why do religions that support love cause so many wars?
36.Is it possible to know, without a doubt, what is good and what is evil?
37.If you just won a million dollars, would you quit your job?
38.Would you rather have less work to do, or more work you actually enjoy doing?
39.Do you feel like you’ve lived this day a hundred times before?
40.When was the last time you marched into the dark with only the soft glow of an idea you strongly believed in?
41.If you knew that everyone you know was going to die tomorrow, who would you visit today?
42.Would you be willing to reduce your life expectancy by 10 years to become extremely attractive or famous?
43.What is the difference between being alive and truly living?
44.When is it time to stop calculating risk and rewards, and just go ahead and do what you know is right?
45.If we learn from our mistakes, why are we always so afraid to make a mistake?
46.What would you do differently if you knew nobody would judge you?
47.When was the last time you noticed the sound of your own breathing?
48.What do you love? Have any of your recent actions openly expressed this love?
49.In 5 years from now, will you remember what you did yesterday? What about the day before that? Or the day before that?
Decisions are being made right now.
The question is: Are you making them for yourself, or are you letting others make them for you?
These questions have no right or wrong answers.
Because sometimes asking the right questions is the answer.
1.How old would you be if you didn’t know how old you are?
2.Which is worse, failing or never trying?
3.If life is so short, why do we do so many things we don’t like and like so many things we don’t do?
4.When it’s all said and done, will you have said more than you’ve done?
5.What is the one thing you’d most like to change about the world?
6.If happiness was the national currency, what kind of work would make you rich?
7.Are you doing what you believe in, or are you settling for what you are doing?
8.If the average human life span was 40 years, how would you live your life differently?
9.To what degree have you actually controlled the course your life has taken?
10.Are you more worried about doing things right, or doing the right things?
11.You’re having lunch with three people you respect and admire. They all start criticizing a close friend of yours, not knowing she is your friend. The criticism is distasteful and unjustified. What do you do?
12.If you could offer a newborn child only one piece of advice, what would it be?
13.Would you break the law to save a loved one?
14.Have you ever seen insanity where you later saw creativity?
15.What’s something you know you do differently than most people?
16.How come the things that make you happy don’t make everyone happy?
17.What one thing have you not done that you really want to do? What’s holding you back?
18.Are you holding onto something you need to let go of?
19.If you had to move to a state or country besides the one you currently live in, where would you move and why?
20.Do you push the elevator button more than once? Do you really believe it makes the elevator faster?
21.Would you rather be a worried genius or a joyful simpleton?
22.Why are you, you?
23.Have you been the kind of friend you want as a friend?
24.Which is worse, when a good friend moves away, or losing touch with a good friend who lives right near you?
25.What are you most grateful for?
26.Would you rather lose all of your old memories, or never be able to make new ones?
27.Is is possible to know the truth without challenging it first?
28.Has your greatest fear ever come true?
29.Do you remember that time 5 years ago when you were extremely upset? Does it really matter now?
30.What is your happiest childhood memory? What makes it so special?
31.At what time in your recent past have you felt most passionate and alive?
32.If not now, then when?
33.If you haven’t achieved it yet, what do you have to lose?
34.Have you ever been with someone, said nothing, and walked away feeling like you just had the best conversation ever?
35.Why do religions that support love cause so many wars?
36.Is it possible to know, without a doubt, what is good and what is evil?
37.If you just won a million dollars, would you quit your job?
38.Would you rather have less work to do, or more work you actually enjoy doing?
39.Do you feel like you’ve lived this day a hundred times before?
40.When was the last time you marched into the dark with only the soft glow of an idea you strongly believed in?
41.If you knew that everyone you know was going to die tomorrow, who would you visit today?
42.Would you be willing to reduce your life expectancy by 10 years to become extremely attractive or famous?
43.What is the difference between being alive and truly living?
44.When is it time to stop calculating risk and rewards, and just go ahead and do what you know is right?
45.If we learn from our mistakes, why are we always so afraid to make a mistake?
46.What would you do differently if you knew nobody would judge you?
47.When was the last time you noticed the sound of your own breathing?
48.What do you love? Have any of your recent actions openly expressed this love?
49.In 5 years from now, will you remember what you did yesterday? What about the day before that? Or the day before that?
Decisions are being made right now.
The question is: Are you making them for yourself, or are you letting others make them for you?
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