A farewell

My parents have sold their house.  A good thing, an answer to prayer, but still a loss!  So we went up this past weekend for a brief last stay in the "old" house.  The kids asked, "Can't Papa take the rocks with him?"  The huge boulders and beautiful rocks that my Dad has collected have become favorite playthings when we visit.

 

 

 

 

 

  

God has blessed us all with many good memories in this place!  It was kind of a nostalgic trip, and I enjoyed thinking back to so many things, not only connected with this house, but with my childhood in Lake City, as well.  Camp cookouts at our family resort, a hoard of summer evenings outside with siblings and cousins and friends, hiking in the high country with my Dad, boating on and ice skating on and being baptized in the lake, funny stories of our many pets...and so on.  But what sticks out in my mind as I think about the two homes my parents have owned there is their amazing example of hospitality, generosity, and service.  Their home has ALWAYS been open and welcome: truly to friend and stranger, wealthy and homeless.  They don't brush anyone off, and their home has been a place of refreshment for countless people.  Their example is a tremendous gift to me! 

Here we are exploring the beautiful new place, a (very!) little rental just outside Lake City.  I have a feeling my parents will continue to honor Christ in the use of their home, knowing that hospitality doesn't have much to do with square footage!

Max turns ONE!

Look at my little munchkin!  This year went by so fast, blesssed day after blessed day.  Max is full of energy and curiosity and affection.  He crawls like a speed demon, cruises with ease, climbs the stairs, and once in a while stands alone.  He is rarely still!  He is fascinated by the dishwasher, the sweeper, the dog's bowls, lights and fans, and many other non-toys.  He has four teeth and the best smile!  He likes to be tickled and chased.  He loves all his siblings (Will can really get him laughing) and the dog, and has begun to enjoy books for more than just chewing on!  He enjoys plenty of table food and eats like a man some meals.  When he wants a drink he says "Ahh", like you or I would after taking a big gulp, so cute.   He says "DaDa" all the time and uses my name, "MaMa", mostly to mean food!  He also says "Doggie" which I think means animal of any kind.  He understands so much and is incredibly aware.  He waves at things he want or wants to know the name of.  He's still Mama's boy and I am loving it.  We are all so, so thankful for God's gracious gift of Max Henry in our lives!

 

 

 

 

 Max had his first party with cousin Audrey, who is just 9 days older than him.  It was a wonderful celebration in my brother's family's beautiful backyard, a big gathering with family and old friends.  My sister was even here from Canada!

 Celebration #2 was this past weekend with Todd's parents.  A sweet time!

Happy Birthday, SuperJack!

 

 

 

 

I can't believe this guy is 4!
Jack has an easygoing personality, a generous heart, an active imagination, and a fantastic sense of humor.  He brings us joy truly every day.
From his larger-than-life stories of Big Fat Monsters and Hopper the Amazing Bunny, to his quirky Lego creations, to memorable phrases such as "I'll take Blankie with me as a safety precaution"...he keeps us laughing!
And he is sweet.  Sweet!  Recently he squatted down next to Max and said, "Max, here are three things I like about you: God made you, God created you, and God loves you!"

Jack loves to play outdoors, read, build Legos with Will, color with Eleanor, and wrestle with his Daddy.  He loves to play all sorts of pretend games and tell me exactly what my roles are, with lots of "pause the game!" inserted when I'm getting things wrong.  :D  He loves baby Max and always wants to give him some of whatever he's eating. 
Jack likes superheroes, diggers, batteries, screwdrivers, the pool; and takes a particular interest in the clothes he wears.  He wants to be an astronaut when he grows up.

God has blessed me - and all of us - with sweet, funny Jack.  I'm so glad he's ours!

Faris Kid Photography

Jack found the big camera and the kids started snapping pictures...

 

 

 Jack took the above two...I think he's got a good eye!

 

 

 

 

Two years

  

O Heart Bereaved And Lonely

 O heart bereaved and lonely,
Whose brightest dreams have fled
Whose hopes like summer roses,
Are withered crushed and dead
Though link by link be broken,
And tears unseen may fall
Look up amid thy sorrow,
To Him who knows it all

  O cling to thy Redeemer,
Thy Savior, Brother, Friend
Believe and trust His promise,
To keep you till the end
O watch and wait with patience,
And question all you will
His arms of love and mercy,
Are round about thee still

  Look up, the clouds are breaking,

The storm will soon be o'er 

And thou shall reach the haven,

                      Where sorrows are no more

                        Look up, be not discouraged; 

                       Trust on, whate'er befall

                         Remember, O remember,

                        Thy Savior knows it all

                        © 2004 Christopher Miner Music.
                           Used by permission. All rights reserved.

This song ministered to me so much when our baby girl died, and it still does.

Lucy would have been two this past Sunday.  Mother's Day.  I wonder what she would have been like; I'm so sad I'll never know a two-year-old Lucy.  But I remind myself that my loss is her indescribable gain, and I find a sweet joy in knowing that she is with Jesus.  I think about the evil and sadness and sickness in this world, and I have a peace in knowing that she is HOME.

But I miss her.  Sometimes I look around the dinner table and feel like someone is missing.  We have "her" tiny tree in the backyard , a hibiscus of the variety Lucy, from friends when she was born.  I look out every day now hoping to see leaves, tiny buds, signs of life to remind me of the life she has now. 

On Sunday the kids and I stayed home from church.  We made cupcakes, read, played outside.  When Todd got home we all looked at our  photos.  They are so hard, but so precious.  I am so thankful we have them!!  We cried a little (Eleanor sweetly wiping away my tears) and talked about Lucy and about that day.  The kids were so little!  Jack wasn't even two.  They experienced so much and God guided them so gently.  We  visited Lucy's grave with my parents (so glad they were here), took flowers to leave and balloons to let go.  We went out to dinner and planted a hydrangea and ate our cupcakes.  Max added some humor by stealing Jack's cupcake and stuffing a little in his mouth as quick as he could!  It was an emotional day, but not a bad one.  A good day to remember not only Lucy, but also all the ways people loved us and ministered to us two years ago.  And what a blessing from God to have Max here with us this year, bringing such joy and comfort with his happy little self!

"God will grind sunlight out of your black nights. In the oven of affliction, grace will prepare the bread of delight. Someday you will thank God for all your sadness."
~Spurgeon