Monday, June 28, 2010

Foto Fun Birthday Bash

June is fun at our house when we can all get together.
It is a birthday filled month!
My mom.
Our oldest son, Adam.
Our second son, Aaron.
June 11, June 11, and June 12.
Fun stuff!
Here is how we celebrated this year when Adam flew in from Washington D.C., my mom drove down from Tulsa, and Aaron came for the weekend from Denton, where he lives and goes to school.

The beginning of the spread of food...

Grandma and Grandson - the 2 June 11th birthdays...


Aaron - June 12
Checking out the xap xap (Vietnamese salad made with beef jerky and green papaya)
It is SO good!

Not playing hard yet, just chillin'

Now, here is some serious play!

Or not so serious...

Feed the bellies.


Let's dry off a bit and relax


Mother and son
(I miss him much...can't wait for him to move here soon!)

Awww, it must be sweet. Look at that smile.

Not sure what to think about the way my boys relax.
:/





Friday, June 25, 2010

Random thoughts and Friday Fill Ins

I can't figure it out.
Am I lacking time?
Lacking creativity?
Or is my life just simply so boring that I cannot think of anything to blog about?
Oh, so sad.

Dull has not been how I would describe my days as of late, but I don't have much to say about my recent laparoscopic cholesystectomy. My daughter has banned me from blogging about her since the biggest thing happening with her is her love life (that should remain private, by all means). My son, who currently lives in Washington D.C. does have a move date of August 6th! He will be moving to Texas! Hooray! Which also means his girlfriend will be moving out. That could be an entire post because I will miss her tremendously. My middle son, who firmly believes he has the curse of the middle child, does have a lot going on, but truthfully, it is fairly boring. He took a transfer with American Eagle Outfitters, who he has worked for since he was 18 years old (he is now 23) so that he could have full time hours for the summer. He made the switch and is working part time again. Hmm. A conversation ensues with his current boss upon her return from vacation, which I believe is today. I am sure that it will be straightened out soon enough. My dear husband ... work and airplane, work and airplane. Need I say more? I am thrilled that he was able to purchase the little bird of his dreams, but I am waiting (impatiently) for the "new" to wear off.

So, while I contemplate something to write about that has more depth, I will post a
Friday Fill-In!

1. On vacation, I like to relax more than sight see these days!

2. In July, I will be scuba diving in the ocean.

3. One of my favorite vacation spots is my home town, Tulsa!

4. The sky is so bright it is amazing when there is a full moon.

5. Up, up and away is where my husband goes to relax.

6. Bananas are really not something that I enjoy but I eat them anyway.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I am looking forward to going to dinner with a girlfriend, tomorrow my plans include seeing an old friend who will be in town from Atlanta, Georgia and doing a little shopping, and Sunday, I want to worship at The Village Church, rest a little, go to my counseling class, and a potluck dinner with my Home Group!

Have a great weekend!

Sunday, June 20, 2010

Daddy

Set aside this day to honor Fathers.
The man I married, a great father.
My intention was to surprise him with a new grill,
but instead, he got a card and a kiss
then had to prepare his own meal
do the laundry
and check on me while I slept
my nurse.
I am grateful.

I lay in the quiet of my room and think about DADS.
One man, biologically my father.
He passed from this life many years ago
but I never knew him.
He married my mom when they were teens
they "had" to. A boy was born and died before I came
into their lives.
He didn't know how to do "Daddy"
I think he tried, but I don't know
Memories are not there
Only what I have been told.
I am grateful.

Another man came along
before I was three
He married my mommy and he "married" me
I became his little girl.
He lifted me up so that I could touch the moon.
I hid behind his strong back when I was afraid
(of the gorillas on "I Love Lucy")
He made my breakfast early, waking me way before
I wanted to get up
on cold, winter, school days.
He grabbed me in bear hugs,
planting wet kisses on my forehead
and I was just walking by.
Only twice he spanked me...
once I was three, and then thirteen.
Both times, I took the Lord's name in vain,
the only wrong that brought swats from him.
He quietly encouraged, quietly experienced his own discouragement,
never saying
Not perfect, he or I
But Daddy.
I am grateful.

Happy Father's Day


Tuesday, June 15, 2010

Staying Awake

It is way past my bedtime. Normally, I try to be in bed by about 9:30 although sometimes it is closer to 10:00. Tonight, I am going to try and make it until midnight because I am going to have a midnight snack. And then I plan on sleeping late, really late. There was a time, many years ago, when this behavior was fun, but at my age-it is just a chore. The silence of my house bids me to crawl into the comfort of my cool sheets. And my mind screams "DISOBEDIENCE!" at the thought of a midnight snack. But tonight, I prepare for a minor surgical procedure at 1:00 p.m. tomorrow

1:00 p.m.???

(sigh)

Sadly, I have been having gallbladder attacks. My recent ultrasound showed several "free floating" stones, approximately 9 mm in size. Tomorrow, they come out - along with with little organ that houses them.

I am thrilled!

For months, my stomach has tried to express frustration, and I was deaf. So...she screamed...very loudly one night - and for hours. I heard her all right! And woke my husband to request a ride to the local emergency department. However, my time spent working as a medical coder for a general surgery practice caused me to postpone that trip until near death; and since I didn't feel as if I would die - YET - I stayed at home. An appointment with my family doctor occurred that very day. It was only a matter of a day before I learned I had developed gallstones.

Boo hoo!

So, tomorrow is the day. But since I am nearly disabled without my morning coffee, and behave like a bear disturbed during hibernation when I don't eat, I am determined to sleep until the latest possible hour. I suspect there are bets being made by my family members and close friends; the ones who know that sleeping in for me is 7:30 a.m.

Ha! We will see if I can do it.

Whether I sleep or wake, if you read this before 1:00 on June 16 - please say a little prayer for me. I appreciate it. And I will be back soon and hopefully feeling well enough to do some REAL blogging. :)



Saturday, June 12, 2010

Christmas in June?

The day finally arrived and my oldest son has now arrived from Washington D.C. area!
Yesterday was his birthday.
It was also my mom's birthday.
And today....my second son's birthday!
So, in June, we have a celebration that is nearly as big as Christmas - at least in our hearts!

This year is special! The oldest, the one living in D.C. will be apartment hunting while he is here! He and his future wife are officially moving to Texas! She has been here for a couple of months, establishing residency so that she can go to grad school in Texas. And my son, finally found a way to get here permanently. Yippee!

So this little note will be quick, since I have lots of playing to do! And lots of cooking too! The pool, the back porch, grill, refrigerators and ice-chests...all in for a lot of use in the next couple of days!

After all...it is Christmas in June!


Wednesday, June 9, 2010

52 Foto Fun - Weddings!

One of my May highlights!
One of my very best friends, the one I met in 6th grade,
we cheered together,
we spent night after night,
we ate too much pizza,
laughed until we nearly wet our pants,
went out with two best friends ('cause we were best friends),
we even got broken up with in the very same letter...
THAT best friend!
Her daughter got married in May!
And I had not seen this best friend since 1987!
Such a long story, but the part that happened in May is that we got to spend some time together!
And what a wonderful time it was!
Me and my dear friend, Pam, together again!


And with the lovely bride...

Okay, this is a tree that was on a table at the wedding.
I thought it was cool.

And me and my mom.
She, of course, knew Pam all those years ago too.
It was great to have her with me.


This is Pam and her boyfriend of 14 years!
Yes! 14 years!
And he was such a great guy.
No wonder they have been together that long.

And naturally, a picture of me and my hubby of 28 years!
Pam was in our wedding so it was fun for Fred to see her too!


What a great night!

I think I must make a trip to Riverside, California to spend time with her again.
Good friends stay good friends.


52 Fot Fun - Mystery Shots

Hmmmmmm.....
When I uploaded my first group of photos from my new camera,
I found these?
It looks like someone else has been experimenting with my camera!
And I am not posting the REAL embarrassing ones!





My life is never boring!

52 Foto Fun - Mother's Day

Yeah, yeah, yeah...
I know.
Mother's Day is long since over.
But the love still lingers in my heart.
And posting my 52 weeks of Foto Fun,
I wanted to share some of my favorite Mother's Day memories.

I think it is the most wonderful thing in the world that my 16 year old daughter still makes me home-made cards!
They are truly the best!
And this one must win some sort of award!

I love...did I say love? Yes, LOVE fresh corn on the cob that has been grilled.
We could not even wait until dinner was served before we started digging in!
My hubby and son are fantastic cooks!

Delicious!

We are all sitting down for dinner, but there is one person missing from the table...
Adam!
He was in Washington DC.
:(
So, we took this very sad photo and sent it to him via text message.
We miss you, Adam!
And we can't wait for you to move here!!!!!!

Fred picked roses for all of us and we wore them in our hair.
All of us,
even the guys!

After dinner, I was blessed to spend a little porch swing time with my two "other daughters".
Thien, Adam's girlfriend and Sofi, Aaron's girlfriend.
They are both so wonderful!

I got a new camera for my Mother's Day gift!
So, I tried it out on the flowers that I planted on Mother's Day.
Same photo, different settings on the camera.
Still learning, but these were my first two photos.


What an absolutely perfect day!
So blessed~

Friday, June 4, 2010

Friday Fill Ins!

Well, it is Friday and I am at home this morning, sipping on a cup of coffee before my pedicure! Nice time to do a fun meme!

1. The Mayan Riviera is my favorite place to travel to. It's not too far from where I live, it is gorgeous and tropical!

2. When I think about my childhood, I often remember how fun it was to play outside with my brother. We could have the most fun with absolutely nothing but a tree, some grass, a sand pile and on really hot days, a water hose. Those were good days!

3. Honesty and commitment makes for a good friend.

4. The wind in the trees, the rain on my skin, and the sun in my eyes...all good things.

5. My son is moving to Texas and it is so exciting!

6. My best friend knows she will always be the best friend I ever had.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to relaxing at home with my husband - hopefully watching a movie, tomorrow my plans include cycle, shopping and sunning and Sunday, I want to worship at The Village Church, go to Ikea to buy birthday gifts for my son, start my Counseling Class and finally finish the day meeting with my Home Group Ladies!

Happy Friday!

Thursday, June 3, 2010

My Toughest Job - Mom

The sun was bright as we lounged poolside. It was just me and my daughter. I sensed a little agitation in her mood the past few weeks and was eager to spend some time together. So, we sat, side by side in our chairs, eyes closed, yard silent all but the hum of the pool pump and I waited. I waited for a clue, a hint, an opening and it came as she read a text message on her phone.

“He’s going to the lake.

(silence)

I was invited but I don’t want to go.”

Praying, I responded,

“Why not?”

She had a pimple. She didn’t want to be in her swim suit in front of his friend.

After a little while, deeper thoughts began to surface and the reason for her moodiness.

Boy trouble.

(sigh)

Through out the day, dialogues continued on and off between the two of them; even a dinner date. By the end of the night, they decided it would be best if they were to break up.

Oh, a broken heart.

And as a mom, my heart broke right along with hers. I cried when she did. I even watched his facebook to see when he would change his relationship status to “Single”. (hers already was)

The next day, I received a text message from my son.

“I didn’t get the job.L

We had been waiting for almost two weeks in anticipation for him to hear and it was a job that he was really interested in.

Another broken heart.

And mine broke again, too.

Now, I really am a grown up and I know that these things will pass. I do know that God has a plan for my children. I even realize that my 16 year old daughter is probably not going to marry her boyfriend from the 10th grade and I know that another job opportunity will come along for my son. But, my mother’s heart had fallen to the very pit of my stomach. My mind replayed the disappointed and pained words of my children over and over, each time sending waves of pain searing through my soul. Insomnia struck in the night as I lay awake praying, tossing, turning, counting, and wanting them to stop hurting. I thought about the fact that these children of mine were no longer children. Only my daughter lives at home still, but the work of being a mother, the struggle of trying to protect them and let them go at the same time, continues.

(silence)



The moment a child is born, the mother is also born. She never existed before. The woman existed, but the mother, never. A mother is something absolutely new. ~Rajneesh

The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit

Psalm 34:18