My Mom's FamilyPapa, Mom, Uncle George, Aunt Ann, Grandma
All in Heaven
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
Our Little Drummer Boy
My Third Grade class play, "Everywhere, Everywhere Christmas Tonight" was last Friday. I had Reed play the part of the Little Drummer Boy and he stole the show! I hid behind the Christmas Tree on the table to work the remote for the sound system...and instead of playing his drum (at first), Reed decided to go and get a kiss from Mommy! Thanks Misty for sending these precious pictures! And thanks, Reed, for all the sweet kisses you still give to Mommy!
Sunday, December 21, 2008
5 seconds
On Wednesday night Tod called. He was originally planning to come home on Friday afternoon, but told me he was going to come home Thursday instead. A bunch of friends were having a party in Coppell on Thursday night and he only had one class on Friday. He cleared the absence with his professor and wanted to let me know he was coming home a day early. I told him not to tell Kim, these little surprises mean the world to her.
So, at about 2:45 Thur. afternoon I got a text, “I’m on the road.” I smiled as I thought of Kim’s reaction to seeing him and said a little prayer for a safe trip. Tod headed westbound down I-20 and was making pretty good time. He was driving down the 2-lane freeway in east Texas, about an hour or so from Dallas, in the middle of a line of cars in the left lane that was passing an 18-wheeler on the right. Tunes jamming, cruising along at 75 MPH, looking forward to an evening with friends and a chance to relax for a couple weeks at home.
As the cars in the left lane passed the truck they moved back over, but the car directly in front of Tod moved over pretty quickly. Tod looked ahead and saw a car that looked stopped in his lane. He looked again and noticed that the car was actually coming toward him. He noticed police cars with lights flashing speeding down the eastbound lanes. There was an 18-wheeler beside him, cars behind him and a high speed chase bearing down on him. He cut the cruise control and slowed as much as he could, which was to about 60. The car was coming right at him. His mind raced, a flash, “I’m going to die”, another, “There’s nothing I can do”, thoughts of God and family, of the worst Christmas ever. All of this transpiring in about 5 seconds. Tod resigned himself to the inevitable and prayed. Seconds before a head-on collision, the car moved over onto the shoulder and whizzed by about 6 inches away from the little black Lancer. Tragedy averted. He was shaken up and wanted to talk to someone, but wouldn’t call home because that would ruin the surprise for mom (what a guy), so he called his Aunt Karen. He calmed down, missed his exit and spent an extra 20 minutes on the road, but he made it home in one piece. By the grace of God, he made it to our home instead of His home that day.
We hugged him after he told us, told him we loved him. (In fact tonight at Mass I noticed Kim’s hand reach for Tod’s hand as she whispered, “Thank God you are here.” Tod’s response was, “When would you have had my funeral, after Christmas?”) I hugged all my boys that day and told them each I love them. I sometimes forget how fragile life is and how difficult it is to live deliberately. I’m not waiting for the new year, I’m making my resolution now. Live deliberately.
So, at about 2:45 Thur. afternoon I got a text, “I’m on the road.” I smiled as I thought of Kim’s reaction to seeing him and said a little prayer for a safe trip. Tod headed westbound down I-20 and was making pretty good time. He was driving down the 2-lane freeway in east Texas, about an hour or so from Dallas, in the middle of a line of cars in the left lane that was passing an 18-wheeler on the right. Tunes jamming, cruising along at 75 MPH, looking forward to an evening with friends and a chance to relax for a couple weeks at home.
As the cars in the left lane passed the truck they moved back over, but the car directly in front of Tod moved over pretty quickly. Tod looked ahead and saw a car that looked stopped in his lane. He looked again and noticed that the car was actually coming toward him. He noticed police cars with lights flashing speeding down the eastbound lanes. There was an 18-wheeler beside him, cars behind him and a high speed chase bearing down on him. He cut the cruise control and slowed as much as he could, which was to about 60. The car was coming right at him. His mind raced, a flash, “I’m going to die”, another, “There’s nothing I can do”, thoughts of God and family, of the worst Christmas ever. All of this transpiring in about 5 seconds. Tod resigned himself to the inevitable and prayed. Seconds before a head-on collision, the car moved over onto the shoulder and whizzed by about 6 inches away from the little black Lancer. Tragedy averted. He was shaken up and wanted to talk to someone, but wouldn’t call home because that would ruin the surprise for mom (what a guy), so he called his Aunt Karen. He calmed down, missed his exit and spent an extra 20 minutes on the road, but he made it home in one piece. By the grace of God, he made it to our home instead of His home that day.
We hugged him after he told us, told him we loved him. (In fact tonight at Mass I noticed Kim’s hand reach for Tod’s hand as she whispered, “Thank God you are here.” Tod’s response was, “When would you have had my funeral, after Christmas?”) I hugged all my boys that day and told them each I love them. I sometimes forget how fragile life is and how difficult it is to live deliberately. I’m not waiting for the new year, I’m making my resolution now. Live deliberately.
Friday, December 19, 2008
Will You Marry Me?
21 years ago today I asked this beautiful woman to marry me. And to my surprise, she said "Yes." Of course, I did not remember this fact until she so lovingly pointed it out to me this evening. I think it was the suspenders that sealed the deal for me. Quite stylish. We were rushing around getting ready for her formal... we were meeting some other couples for drinks and were running a little late. But we stopped, I held her and asked her if she would spend the rest of her life with me. Seems like yesterday.
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Breath of Heaven
Like so many others, I absolutely love this time of year. And we so enjoy all the things that everyone does… driving around looking at Christmas lights, putting up decorations, reading Christmas books to the boys every evening, baking sugar cookies for Santa, opening everyday’s window or box on their Advent calendars, opening Christmas cards and letters received….all of it warms my heart, and prompts me to focus on the real meaning of this beautiful Advent season.
I love the word Advent. More importantly, I love what it means (“Coming”) and the season even more. I ask myself almost everyday of Advent, “What are you doing to prepare for the coming of the Messiah?” (No need to mention what my answers are…I’m sure yours are better!) I love the way our church celebrates Advent. The first two out of four Sundays of Advent our church prepares us for Christ’s return to us, while the latter two Sundays prepare us for the birth of Christ. And it is in that most Holy Birth that I dwell most of this season. To me, the word “awe” comes from that night. Perhaps it is the mother in me, or the fact that I have been so blessed (although I wasn’t feeling that at 5+ centimeters dilation) to have been given the gift of experiencing childbirth, but I find myself in these days of advent thinking about Mary, mostly, but also about Joseph. I cannot even begin to imagine, riding on a donkey…while in labor. No comfy saddle to sit on, no warm blankets brought to you, no nurse, no ice chips when you are thirsty, no bed to sleep on between contractions, no epidural. I say that again, no epidural. They traveled EIGHTY-FIVE miles…laboring…on a donkey! I can just imagine Joseph’s elation as Bethlehem’s city lights could be seen. Home, finally. Mary must have been so ready to just get OFF the donkey and lie on something besides the hard, dirty ground.
Home, but no home.
Home, but no room.
Poor Joseph. He must have felt so incredibly frustrated as he tried so desperately to find a comfortable bed for his wife, and the Mother of God. When the inn keeper suggested the stable out back….again, I am thrown back to the “I can’t imagine.” A dirty stable, hay, the smell of animals, empty troughs, dusty, ….did I mention dirty? It had to be worse than Lady's kennel! I don’t know how Mary did it?!!! I couldn’t do it. I would have to vacuum first!! Not to mention...clean, yes, with BLEACH. And can’t you picture Joseph frantically trying to clean it up a little for her…and Him? You wonder…did Joseph help Mary in delivering Jesus? Was he scared? That alone, to me, is awe. She gives birth to the King of Kings in a dirty, cold stable…surrounded by ALL that she needs: the love of God and her sweet husband. Joseph wraps the Babe in swaddling clothes…NOT a pre-made swaddle blanket….and lays him in a manger…pillowed softly on fresh HAY. No crib, no plush, cozy blankets, no mattress, no 400count cotton sheets!
WOW.
I love Amy Grant’s words…
Be with me now, Be with me now…
Breath of Heaven, hold me together, be forever near me, Breath of Heaven
Breath of Heaven, light in my darkness, pour over me your Holiness, For you are holy.
You know, we spend an amazing amount of time and money on the things of this dark world. This Most Holy Night reminds me that all I really need came to me 2008 years ago in stable in Bethlehem.
May the AWE of His Birth complete you.
I love the word Advent. More importantly, I love what it means (“Coming”) and the season even more. I ask myself almost everyday of Advent, “What are you doing to prepare for the coming of the Messiah?” (No need to mention what my answers are…I’m sure yours are better!) I love the way our church celebrates Advent. The first two out of four Sundays of Advent our church prepares us for Christ’s return to us, while the latter two Sundays prepare us for the birth of Christ. And it is in that most Holy Birth that I dwell most of this season. To me, the word “awe” comes from that night. Perhaps it is the mother in me, or the fact that I have been so blessed (although I wasn’t feeling that at 5+ centimeters dilation) to have been given the gift of experiencing childbirth, but I find myself in these days of advent thinking about Mary, mostly, but also about Joseph. I cannot even begin to imagine, riding on a donkey…while in labor. No comfy saddle to sit on, no warm blankets brought to you, no nurse, no ice chips when you are thirsty, no bed to sleep on between contractions, no epidural. I say that again, no epidural. They traveled EIGHTY-FIVE miles…laboring…on a donkey! I can just imagine Joseph’s elation as Bethlehem’s city lights could be seen. Home, finally. Mary must have been so ready to just get OFF the donkey and lie on something besides the hard, dirty ground.
Home, but no home.
Home, but no room.
Poor Joseph. He must have felt so incredibly frustrated as he tried so desperately to find a comfortable bed for his wife, and the Mother of God. When the inn keeper suggested the stable out back….again, I am thrown back to the “I can’t imagine.” A dirty stable, hay, the smell of animals, empty troughs, dusty, ….did I mention dirty? It had to be worse than Lady's kennel! I don’t know how Mary did it?!!! I couldn’t do it. I would have to vacuum first!! Not to mention...clean, yes, with BLEACH. And can’t you picture Joseph frantically trying to clean it up a little for her…and Him? You wonder…did Joseph help Mary in delivering Jesus? Was he scared? That alone, to me, is awe. She gives birth to the King of Kings in a dirty, cold stable…surrounded by ALL that she needs: the love of God and her sweet husband. Joseph wraps the Babe in swaddling clothes…NOT a pre-made swaddle blanket….and lays him in a manger…pillowed softly on fresh HAY. No crib, no plush, cozy blankets, no mattress, no 400count cotton sheets!
WOW.
I love Amy Grant’s words…
Be with me now, Be with me now…
Breath of Heaven, hold me together, be forever near me, Breath of Heaven
Breath of Heaven, light in my darkness, pour over me your Holiness, For you are holy.
You know, we spend an amazing amount of time and money on the things of this dark world. This Most Holy Night reminds me that all I really need came to me 2008 years ago in stable in Bethlehem.
May the AWE of His Birth complete you.
Monday, December 8, 2008
Christmas Magic
I started putting up the Christmas stuff last weekend, finished this weekend. The outside lights were hung, but I couldn’t find the electrical cords I normally use, so off to the store. I went to Lowe’s (which I think is cleaner, brighter and friendlier than Home Depot) and picked up the necessities. While doing this I found a neat little toy. It’s a deal that you plug in between your lights and the outlet and it has a remote, so you can turn the lights on and off from inside the house. I looked at it and thought of all the times I walked outside in my pj’s in the freezing cold to turnoff the damn lights. Hmmm, 9 bucks, SOLD.
So, I get home and finish the outside lights, everything looks good. At halftime of the Cowboy game, we all pile in the car to run some errands. Grocery store, return videos, buy basketball shoes. As we drive home down our street it is dusk. I stop in front of the house and tell Reed to come up to the front seat. I tell him that we have magic Christmas lights this year and say “Abra Cadabra” as I push the button on my new little toy. The lights miraculously illuminate. Reed is astounded! He is smiling and looking on in disbelief. I recite the magic words again and the lights are extinguished. He looks at me like I am Merlin himself. I suggest that perhaps he can conjure up the magic too. He looks at the house, swings his arms around and says, “Agra Badagra” and the lights blaze. He is smiling and laughing in disbelief. And of course, he must test his magical powers, so he does it again and off they go. On. Off. On. Off. On. Not off. What happened? I told Reed that his magic must have worn out and that he would have to try again tomorrow. This seemed to satisfy him. I was very pleased with myself for this little Christmas magic.
This morning Kim left for school (in the dark, still) with Reed and she called me about 2 minutes after she was out the door. (I was sure she had forgotten something and I would have to make a detour by her school.) She was laughing and told me that as they were driving down the street Reed looked at the houses that still had their lights on, swung his arm and said, “Agra Badagra”.
So, I get home and finish the outside lights, everything looks good. At halftime of the Cowboy game, we all pile in the car to run some errands. Grocery store, return videos, buy basketball shoes. As we drive home down our street it is dusk. I stop in front of the house and tell Reed to come up to the front seat. I tell him that we have magic Christmas lights this year and say “Abra Cadabra” as I push the button on my new little toy. The lights miraculously illuminate. Reed is astounded! He is smiling and looking on in disbelief. I recite the magic words again and the lights are extinguished. He looks at me like I am Merlin himself. I suggest that perhaps he can conjure up the magic too. He looks at the house, swings his arms around and says, “Agra Badagra” and the lights blaze. He is smiling and laughing in disbelief. And of course, he must test his magical powers, so he does it again and off they go. On. Off. On. Off. On. Not off. What happened? I told Reed that his magic must have worn out and that he would have to try again tomorrow. This seemed to satisfy him. I was very pleased with myself for this little Christmas magic.
This morning Kim left for school (in the dark, still) with Reed and she called me about 2 minutes after she was out the door. (I was sure she had forgotten something and I would have to make a detour by her school.) She was laughing and told me that as they were driving down the street Reed looked at the houses that still had their lights on, swung his arm and said, “Agra Badagra”.
Saturday, December 6, 2008
Who loves you?
A.J., Jake, Craig, Preston, AdamEighth grade Lip Sync at Mary Immaculate was quite a show! Craig and his buddies chose "Who loves you" by Frankie Valli and the Four Season! This year marks Mary Immaculates 50th anniversary...so their theme was fifties! Hopefully someone will YouTube it so you can see it live!! Boy, did we find out that our #2 son has got the moves!
Who loves you pretty baby???? We do......and someone else too!!!! :)
Better Late than Never
Weekend in Seattle!
Great company, great view, and an overall great weekend!
Like father...like son!
Mike's Dad, Paul, Mike, John, Steve, and Tod-o
Three generations!Tuesday, December 2, 2008
DOG FOR SALE!
Photo by: David LeaserLet me just say this, David Leaser is a saint. This would be what our day was like while trying to include LADY in our family photo! Believe it or not, and I know Karen has NO trouble believing, we have never had our family portrait taken. And, since Tod is now going on 19, we figured it was time! I had this clever idea that we should include Lady...after all, she is part of the family. Mike even agreed. Well, notice the stance she has. Can you say TWO HUNDRED dollars of obedience class??? That is correct. Would she sit? No. Would she just stand still? No. Did we have treats to bribe her? Yes. And, were we covered in dog hair? Yes. David not only dropped his entire family agenda to come out and shoot our picture, but he was so patient with us, and our 95lb PUPPY! If you are looking for an amazing photographer...who captures moments and "looks" so well...he is your man! This picture is proof! We can't wait to see the others! Don't worry...we gave up on including Lady!
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