Friday, August 28, 2009

Steal Away

Steel away we did thanks to Tod and Craig! Mike and I celebrated our 21st anniversary at the Gaylord for a night. Atrium view....door to patio was opened immediately to the scrumptious sounds of the many waterfalls. How I wish we could recreate that sound in our own home!
So relaxing. So needed. So happy.
Thank you, God.

Friday, August 21, 2009

First Day of School

You know it's been a rough first week of school when it takes us until Friday to post the pictures! As frantic/hectic/spastic as it's been, I still feel a sense of peace about where my family is. And I love it...






Reed is at a new school. He was a little nervous the first day, but seems to fit right in.





Cole got the teacher he wanted, Miss Griffin, "the cute one".




Kim is teaching 5th grade this year. A little change from the 3rd grade she has had for the last couple years. She has taught 6th-8th, 3rd and 4th, so 5th should be a breeze. It'll take some time to get ahead on lesson plans and to learn the bell schedule, but there is NO DOUBT she will succeed and be a blessing to her students and her new school. Thanks to all our friends who have made this transition easier and who have given their unwavering support to my lovely bride. She is not a big fan of change, but sometimes...it's time.

Friday, August 14, 2009

Happy Birthday, Mom

Mom
August 15, 1936
4:23pm
Summit, New Jersey
7lbs. 21in.


Mom's birthday is such a happy day for me! I am so thankful for the blessing of her life, and even more thankful that God chose her to be my mom. She gave my father, Karen, Kris, Brad, and I all that she was. The amount of joy that she brought to us then, and continues to even today brings a Grinch-sized smile to my face and happy "tears" flowing from my eyes.
She loved with her whole heart and self. She knew no stranger and her love had no limits.

I still hunger and thirst for her touch, her smell, and her voice.
I still ache from missing her.


Happy 73rd Birthday, Mom.
I know it will be Heavenly.

Wednesday, August 12, 2009

Happy Get Married Day!

When I look at Mike in this photo I still feel the butterflies that I felt twenty-two years ago when I first noticed him at Mama's pizza in Arlington. I remember telling Wendy, one of my best friends in high school, a sorority sister, and, lucky me, Mike's little sister in Sig Ep, set me up with your big brother!! I was actually in a long distance relationship at the time but she quickly dragged me over to him to introduce me. Dreamy. I knew and so the chase began! I will never forget Greek Week that year, spring 1987. Delta Zeta was paired up with Sigma Phi Epsilon. We, Delta Zeta actives, had to nominate a Sig Ep as our "Mr. Greek Week." Hands down Mike "whatever his last name was" won! We ran around the sorority house looking for a Sig Ep composite of any DZ Sig Ep little sister. Because I was President, I had to fill in the name on the nomination form and....how in the world do you spell THAT last name?? Trust me, it only took ONE look and I had it memorized. Couple of nights later a bunch of sorority sisters and I ATTEND the Mr. Greek Week competition....of course...to see Mike. You see, I wasn't the only DZ that had the hots for him. There were several of us! Well, Mike replaced his name on our form with one of his fraternity brothers!! Chicken! And what the heck??? You went with a few frat guy's opinion over 110 women's opinions???? Typical guys! God had great plans, that night however. I remember him coming up to me...I even remember what we were both wearing. We talked about all sorts of things and I distinctly remember him mentioning "not getting" something...I immediately volunteered to "tutor" him....truthfully I just remember gazing into his intensely blue eyes....dreamy. Anyway, the rest is history! Twenty one years of history..on 8/13! Seems like only yesterday that we were walking down that beautiful aisle at St. Luke Catholic Church in Irving! Mike wrote a song for our wedding which Paul and John sang...and he said the most amazing prayer as we placed a beautiful flower arrangement at Mary's feet. Everyday I thank God for the oneness in our marriage and for the way it still is today....dreamy.
Happy Anniversary Michael. Thank you for loving me the way that you do for these twenty-one years. I know God has amazing plans for us ahead.
Ily

Thursday, August 6, 2009

High-lights and low-lights

Summer 2009
Highlights in random order:
Tod coming home
spending time with my men
Craig's acceptance into Jesuit
Soccer/Tennis camp
Ellis' letter of Acceptance
Mondays with Kim & Ashley
Swimming at the Arringtons
Fourth of July parade with Arringtons, Ms. Amy & Kimberly, & Kelly& kids
Fireworks with the Armatos
Cold Play
Playing & walking outside
Spending time with family and friends
Girls nights
Playing golf
Sleeping in
No homework
Re-financing our home
grillin' out
having Georgia
a new job
21 years of marriage on the 13th of Aug!!


Low lights in random order:
few dates nights
summer school
Metalrite (nightmare glass order at work)
mosquitos
no family vacation
no beach
Mike's dad's news
leaving friends from work
not finishing home repairs/improvements


Amazing to me that I am closing in on my last day of summer, which will actually be spent at a workshop! I have spent every single day of summer with my boys and my man...which truthfully could have fallen into BOTH hi and low lights on BOTH sides...but it is time that I am so thankful for and loved. I absolutely love them with all that I am. They complete me.


A close friend of mine, Misty, sent me an article that has really touched my heart and that I am attempting (but more often failing at) to embrace. I won't burden you with the entire article but will share the title alone, which will be enough.... "Make Friends With Whatever's Next" .... "Change" and Kim are not good friends. But, I know and believe, that God is leading me...actually he's draggin' me with Mike and family pushing...down a new path. He would never send me unequipped, right? I feel unequipped. So many have shared very humbling words about my teaching, and moving on...my head knows all of that, but why in the world is it so hard to convince the heart?


I am blessed to be married to a man that is so able to look beyond. Mike sees the roses, always. That's not to say that he doesn't see thorns at times...but even in the visible thorny time, he sees the roses. Ahhh. The peace he brings to my soul is like the sounds of the waves at the ocean...refreshing, healing, powerful, God-sent.


Here's to the blessings of summer and change.

Sunday, August 2, 2009

pensive...

"I'm finding myself at a loss for words, and the funny thing is, it's okay.
The last thing I need is to be heard, but to hear what You would say.
Word of God, speak. Would You pour down like rain, washing my eyes to see Your majesty,
to be still and know that You're in this place? Please let me stay and rest in Your holiness.
Word of God, speak."
~Mercy Me