Friends from far away and memorials

Becky with sweet Grace

Soooo great to see you after all these years, Shellee. Such a comfort and encouragement you've been to me, even from across the globe. Please pray for this dear one and her sweet baby girl, Grace, who is pictured above with my sister...as they fly back to Japan next week.

I didn't expect to see this today but what a ?pleasant? surprise. as far as surprises go...and all. I mean, I'm still pretty surprised that my baby isn't here. the ultimate surprise.

Today was a wonderful day...I woke up early (for me) and headed to Sbux to meet Shellee, Grace (her first daughter after 8 strapping, handsome young men), Denise, her beautiful kids, Levi and Ema. The effort that was made for that meeting was not of this world. Shellee, you may not read this for a time but seeing you was just amazing, such comfort and joy to me to get to see you after all these years. So glad to get to hug you and meet your beautiful baby girl! Denise, thank you so much for facilitating the get together....you two have been such a blessing to me anyways, but in the past few months, since Jack left, your encouraging words and prayers have held me up. God is good. all the time. We will be praying for safety for you and Grace as you head back to your men.

I was out running errands and thought, "Hmmm, since it is such a lovely day and it's been so poopy outside all week, I shall go visit Jack's grave." As I walked up the hill to his site, tears hit, as they do...and then it hit me...his stone and bronze plaque are here!! After a few moments of tears and prayers, I cleaned up his spot and headed to the Forest Lawn office to retrieve his temporary marker. I was so excited to get to put it in JOY's garden.

They can't find it.

what?

Jay, the guy that helped us on that July 1 day...told me he'd order a replacement. Somehow that didn't console me like it maybe should have. He said he'd look thru the 200 stones in their garage and let me know but a new one is on order.

nothing like a punch in the gut, ya know? it's bad enough my little guy isn't here, could you at least make sure you hang onto our temporary for us? and hey, maybe even call us to tell us his official stone was in? yeah, no call.

I'm trying not to be peeved about this because in the whole scheme of my life, this is small.

it really just makes me chuckle.
because if I don't chuckle, I will cry again.

Thanks Mom, Dad, Jen, for coming down to sit with me Wed. night.
Thanks to all of my people, all around me, who find ways to pray, encourage, remember JOY, find things that say JOY on them and just plain ol' loving me and letting me talk about my sweet boy and the situation that has changed my life forever, and the lives of Jack's dad, and siblings, cousins, aunts, uncles, grandparents and relatives and friends.

I have soooo many thank you notes to write. I've gotten started and I just want all of the people that fed us, sent us remembrances etc in the past few months, to know just how much we love and appreciate your thoughtfulness.

I am still blown away.

praising God for the gift of people.

Happy Weekend to You!!

Sully

Sullivan

This little cutie pie is Sully. There is a long story associated with him and I am not at liberty to share.

Here's how I know of Sully.

I married David Young, who grew up in Danville, Illinois. He went to church at Calvary Baptist. He was friends with Sandy and Jamie R. When I married him in 1993, I acquired some great friends, though it's been way too long since I've seen Sandy. Jamie is her older sister. I did not know her while I lived in Illinois for 8 short months from December 1993-August 1994. We may have smiled at each other at church, and I may have met her but I've lost lots of brain cells since then. and I was struggling to keep them even then.

Jamie was this little guy's momma. He left this earth and went to Jesus on January 11, 2011.

Tomorrow, September 19, 2011, would have been his first earthly birthday. Instead, he celebrates and worships the Lord Jesus Christ. I'd like to think he's hanging with Jack Oliver. Showing him the ropes and in's and out's of Glory. You are missed, sweet Sully boy. I will get to meet his momma, Jamie, officially, sadly, joyously, this coming Tuesday and we will talk of our sweet boys. We share a sad bond but one that I know the Lord will use and has used.

To bring comfort, peace, JOY, and encouragement.

God bless you and give you big hugs, Jamie.

Finding JOY in the Unexpected...

I got this necklace from my friend, Ewa (pronounced Eh-vah), who is from Poland. She goes to Calvary Chapel with us. Her husband, Jason, is our worship leader. He played guitar at Jack's Celebration. They have 3 beautiful homeschooled kids. I love them. She presented me with this beauty on Sunday.

She was a little worried because it is a necklace that she's worn faithfully for a few years now. She thought I'd think it was weird to give me a "hand-me-down". Oh Contrar (how DO you spell that??)...I was speechless. Still kinda am. Thank you, so much, Ewa. I just love it.

I get a welling in my gut when I think on Jack's initials, the attribute that we prayed God would bring us with Jack's life. And all the kind things people do for us to show us they too are seeking JOY and remembering how special it is to have JOY and just how important Jack's life was.

I stand in awe.

Happy Trails, friends....

G kids with Y kids...

Ethan, Ian, and Will...Three Musketeers...I know it hasn't sunk in that their friend is moving...

Mel and Hannah, Ian's younger sis.

awww, this is sad. for us!

We met the G family (Mom, Dad, Gabe, Ian, Jonah, and Hannah) a little over a year ago (well, I did...I think my boys have known Ian for a bit longer than that). They are moving to Minnesota, relocating with their dad's new job. Good for them....sad for us and all of their friends here in Indy.

We will miss you, guys! God bless you and know that you always have a place to land if you are in this area. sniff sniff.

this girl...

is, by far, one of the kindest girls you'll ever meet.

This is Rachel. We know her from our previous homeschool group. We've also had the pleasure of getting to know her better at Phos Ontos.

She came down to hang out with us. We visited, she gave Mel a bunch of amazingly handy, helpful tips for babysitting. We introduced her to Telestrations, ate salsa, swiss cake rolls and mint truffle Hershey kisses. She was caring and patient with all of us, even Levi when he got all questiony, Molly when she got all Molly, and me when I got all cranky with the two little whiners.

Rachel is a rare breed of girls today...I'm so thankful for her influence not only in my kids' lives but in mine as well. God Bless you, young woman of God.

Flying Circus

• I love that Tom caught this with his Nikon....it just made my year.

• I have proof that she is a handful.

• Where DID she acquire such gracefulness?

• Love that David's eyes are fixed on the TV and he is missing the amazingness that is about to descend on our couch. this is my life. ha ha!

This girl wants to be Spidergirl...look at those calf muscles!!

today I am praising God for reconciled friendships, healthy kids, adorably intense husband, beautiful bright sunshine, an opportunity to pray with TK today, a good yet quick visit with 3 of my favorite people (Randy, Uncle Frank and Aunt Nan) and the freedom, gas, health and ability to go to the YMCA with my sister and most of our kids. Well, all of her kids but 3/5 of mine.

I am not worthy. I stand in awe of God's orchestration.

Gotta run...Happy Wednesday to you and yours! I love YOU!

Photo Credits: Tom G Photography. It doesn't get any better!®

P and T

fun shots of Patrick and Teresa...and David's noggin...

there ya have it, the proper sides of our dear friends!

Greek cuisine, chocolate decadence and friends we haven't seen since before they had their first kid 16 months ago!

I do believe that John was putting the bear's paw in his mouth...and David is pretending to have the bear eat his crown...(as usual, these pix are slightly out of order)

this is the belly dancer that entertains the guests at Santorini's. The food was really good and the atmosphere was festive and boisterous.

this is our waitress, Denise...and the flaming cheese...forgot the name...Spanakopita? help me.

David was really enjoying the dancing gal...she was actually getting on my nerves (j/k)...I like to see my hubby laugh like this.

John and Wendy are LOADS of fun...Wendy is tiny, so when we take our 4 person self portrait, she usually gets swallowed up. We had a blast guys, thanks for the fun evening!!

I'm kind of at a loss for what to say...I think after the past whirlwind week, I'm just fried.

Seems like things around the place are falling apart...the people are hanging in but the house and vehicles are causing, er, trouble...van tire was flatter than a pancake Saturday morning before soccer. ha ha. joke's on us...jump in the Rendezvous. Our shower handle is broken clean off...so I must resort to using the lower level bath...which is actually the kids' bath. so ewww. (Van got two new tires today, before Daveyboy left us for the week. whatta guy. Shower repair on tap)

All that to say, I'm realizing how comfortable we are. to be able to have a vehicle to transport us when the main one is fritzing or another shower to bathe in when the main one goes ka-pow...I'm very thankful for my husband...he is so good at taking care of us and making sure there is a back-up plan. Thanks David. You are non-stop and taking care of business...the kids and I appreciate you.

Aside from the appreciation I feel for my husband, this is quite a boring post...

Downsizing....An update...

The kids and I were lucky enough to be able to get out of town two weeks ago, to visit David on his Fort Wayne job. Conveniently, our nieces, Abigail and Alexandra, live their with their awesome family. We know their dad well but had not met his wife, Teresa her daughter, Tyra and their little boy Levi, yet. Teresa is one cool chick and we are so blessed to have witnessed their family life together.

Abigail, Melanie, and Alexandra...

Chow time....Patrick prepared a delicious spread of grilled salmon, steamed veggies, tossed salad...yum!

Mel and Levi were glad that they got to have the girls to the hotel for some swim time.

#1-3 with A and A...

and a few days later, it was time to celebrate the late February, early March birthdays...Randy stopped by just in time...he could smell the Boyden's cake from Peoria...

Beck: Feb 27. David: Mar 6. Tom: Mar 9, which also just happens to be tomorrow....and if that wasn't enough...the ol' dude is turning FORTY! couldn't have happened to a nicer fella.

We usually try to just lump all of their birthdays together. They seem to be ok with it. which is good, because none of us need 3 different cake occasions. EVER.

We had a hard time keeping Becky off of the cake...she's all about Boyden's cakes...and apparently, Molly and Nora are as well.

Happy March to you!

We had a sunshine-filled day today...and man, was it nice. I got to take Will to the Y with me before his guitar lesson...we had windows down in the van. amazing. smelled so clean and fresh. After our strength and 3-mile cardio session, we came home and I took Moo out for a 2 mile walk...she fell fast asleep. Fresh air is so good for that!

My hubby is so excited to have Randypants, our oldest boy, working with him on their big install in Michigan City. I really hope that Randy comes to work for us for good...but he's slightly nomadic and newly snagged so that may be difficult to do. So glad that D. can be on an out of town job with one of the coolest cats on the planet.

Otherwise, my next post shall include pix from our quick trip to Champaign-Urbana, Illinois this past weekend. We enjoyed meeting Matt's lady friend, Katrina and hangin' at Crane Alley with an eccentric group of humans.

If you were wondering why my pics are so small...it's in an effort to save MB space...I used up all my free space so I had to buy more. It's so worth it. so glad to be able to keep blogging. WordPress is too new and skeery to me.

Until then, sleep tight and sleep in heavenly peace.

Whirlwind Weekend...

The February birthday brigade...Ethan won't get his birthday party till this coming weekend, due to illness (my poor momma has been super duper sick)...so we had a little impromptu party, since our good friend, Bobby, turned the big FOUR-OH the weekend before. Sandwich ring, Hawaiian bread with spinach dip, champagne, strawberries (mmm mmm good Tam), hummus and pita chips, and Valentine cupcakes rounded out the evening. You really get to know your friends with a round of Apples to Apples too...We love our fun friends! Thanks for the 2 volume set on the American Revolution you got for E!

Birthday Boy Bobby...

This was the group of kids that David and I served at the Kaleo (Invite) Broken Hearts Banquet. We thought we'd have 8 kids, but apparently E can rustle up a crowd and we had 10 kids. 16 pieces of fried chicken didn't go very far with 6 teenaged boys...

Gotcha mid-bite, Mel. sorry 'bout that...just noticed it.

It's safe to say we had the coolest table...

Phos Ontos Broken Hearts Banquet. I forgot my cam so this mobile shot will just have to be enough...We served Chinese food since the Persecuted country we chose was China. Panda Express worked for us!

Whew! glad that weekend is over. Maybe now David and I can celebrate our own Valentine's Day.

But I wouldn't have it any other way, from celebrating with the kids' fellow youth groups to celebrating Ethan, Valentine's Day is never dull. We are so thankful for Mike and Pam...they do such an excellent job ministering to middle schoolers, jr highers, high schoolers. One cannot help but want to get involved in the amazing work they do for Jesus Christ.

Up next, the kids finally were all well enough to take advantage of the powder outdoors. I sent all five kids out to play and boy, is it nice and quiet in here. nice deep breaths.

Peace!

Blessed to have you

My beautiful, amazing friends....

Christmas Day 2009

Summer 2009

Want to focus on two girls that have been an important part of my life for 1.) the last year and a half and 2.) the last 31 years of my life.

Tammy, there is no one like you. The Lord brought you into my life when I least expected it or thought I needed someone like you...

Levi was up sick allllll night Wednesday, which meant I was up all night with him. Poor fella. Didn't make for a very productive Thursday (though it did end up being a pretty fruitful day). This amazing lady made a double batch of cheesy potato soup & cornbread, braved trekking down our slick driveway on foot, to bring my family some sustenance for dinner. Really, who does this kind of thing? besides someone amazing and thoughtful, unselfish and caring. This is just ONE of the caring things this chick does.

We were blown away. Thanks, K family. Because, in the midst of our trying day, Tammy had taken two of her girls to get teeth pulled and other awesome things that fill up a homeschool mom's day. I love you, Tam! You are a definite gift from God. Thanks for making my life and the life of my family so much richer!

Becky boo, Beantzy, Peanut, whatever other horrible nicknames we gave you...you know what I'm talkin' bout...

Shouldn't everyone have a sister like you? I think so. I take you for granted, that much is true. I just assume that not only will you always be around (and you'd better be), but that everyone I know has someone like you in their family or life.

You do things for me that no one else can...I mean, you've been with me for almost all of the babies' births (remember how scared we were of the "unknowns" surrounding Will's?), barely missing Molly's entrance because she came so fast. You were the person sniffing and crying on Mel's birth video when the midwife announced that we got our girl!...I'm so blessed to have shared that with you and to have been with you for Pipe's and Bean's deliveries.

So many good memories with both of you. I'm also so glad that you guys like each other! I love that we can all be goofy together. Priceless...

You know just how to make me laugh when I'm losing it and I love that we lose it together. I love that when we go places together, people actually think we are twins. ha ha. do we really look and sound that much the same? love it. I really do.

Thanks for bringing me three Hershey kisses when I most needed them yesterday. for that other stuff too! You rock. I love you, Beck.

I love my contemporaries fiercely. I am not perfect but I am loyal. I've got your backs. Thankful for the lessons learned over the past year...and praising God for HIS perfect wisdom in all things, including friendship. He knows that I need these females in my life...and He's given me some keepers!

I love you so much, Tammy and Becky!

(I'm getting to you, Mom!)

It's the most wonderful time....of the year!

We went downtown with our friends, the P family...and I will not post any of their pix here, since I forgot to get their permission to post....but they are cool, have 5 kids, and homeschool their cool kids also. not to assume that my kids are cool but ya know what I mean...James took this pic...I'm amazed that we are all looking at him...but honestly, I think we were frozen in this position. it was COLLLLLD baby.... whassat smell?

here are 8 of our 10 kids...blurry, but you get the idea...

O illuminated Christmas tree...we enjoy thee.

I could stare at this most of the day....sooooo cool. every year.

yes, we are stupid.

I always forget how short I am....

time to head back to the van...unthaw...

Banshee...with a lethal load in her pants, that we didn't smell till we were just getting out...sorry for that, Moll.

I'm really holding out that hope too...that it's the most wonderful time of the year...

A few things come to mind, and I'm just rambling here so bear with me...

-2009 has been an exceptionally challenging, trying, growing year so this season of good cheer is especially important to me.

-But I'm really being convicted to be JOYFUL all the year thru...yeah, we will have our down, bummer times and as a mom of 5 and wife to one of the most INTENSE guys I know (self-employed I might add), I find myself in the miry clay a LOT! The Holy Spirit has convicted me to find my peace and joy in Him. He will give me rest. (I will not expound but wanted to share that)

As I sit here and type, Will and Ethan are having a Nerf gun fight right outside of the office. and they just shot Mel in the face. Levi is whining because he wants to join in or do whatever they are doing....I will CHOOSE JOY. immediately. ...... sputter..... ......failing.

-My 37th birthday is 2 weeks from today. I can't believe I can even say 37 in relation to ME. I've really gotta dig those pix out from my Sweet 16. That is how I still feel. most of the time. Thanks, Mary Beth, herb lady, for getting my nervous system in check. oooh, that crik in my neck is NOT cool today.

I feel old. I have a crazy, busy life...but I am so blessed and thank and praise the Lord that we have the freedom to celebrate the gift of Jesus Christ, not only in December but all the year thru.

I told you I was rambly. now do you believe me?

Ok, gotta take Will to David....long, busy weekend doing lots of work around the great state of Indiana.

The rest of Co. Springs...also on 10/14/09

Watch out, Will, this guy looks like he wants to stick his big ol' tongue in your ear....ewww.

Giraffes have really long tongues. My favorite animal by far. This zoo has a bunch of 'em!

The wandering Peacock..

Orangutan's are so weird...I'm just not that excited about the Primates...they are just kinda strange.

This gorilla was not happy.

This orangutan wasn't either.

this is the guy who hears no evil...his see no and do no friends were missing.

ho hum, the life of a hippo. so boring.

The zoo's Komodo Dragon was a blob and rather lazy...unlike the one that visited our zoo in Indy...memba him? stalkin' around, wanting to eat us? yeah, this guy did no such thing.

we all voted and it was unanimous that we all wanted to take a dip in this hippo's water. ewww. yuck.

This is a crane. He was a noisy fella.

Levi and I got sick of waiting for everyone to finish in the hippo/fish/penguin/Komodo Dragon bldg, so we found a nifty bench and plopped down on it.

this peacock was quite cool. We ran into him a few times. He was just running loose, walking with people and stuff

these pix are just to show you how cool the view is from the J's living room window. Breathtaking, huh?

our adorable and gracious hosts. I got more pix, like of their kids and such, but they are in my phone. and I need to figure out how to retrieve. Maybe I'll go to Carrie's Facebook page and lift. Thanks guys...we had a great time in your city...it was our fave!

We actually visited the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo on the same day as Pike's Peak...but wanted to break it up, so as not to overwhelm myself.

It was a busily overwhelming yet strangely satisfying day! If you ever get a chance to visit Colorado Springs, you must! It is absolutely gorgeous there! Such a clean and unique city...

Ok, hope your Monday was more spectacular than you could've ever thought possible. I'm taking my sick bum and going to bed. Peace out.