My Moms

I think God knows that some of us require more than just the two eyes of Mom watching us. I certainly did. I wasn't purposely naughty; I just lacked the ability to forsee upcoming trouble.
So I had three moms.

Peggy was Mom. She loved me with all she had. She taught me how to love with all you have. I was her Suzy-baby and she always treated me like her baby. I know my lack of timeliness drove her nuts. I am not sure I was on time for dinner my entire school years. I also spend most of my elementary and middle school years grounded because of my blindness to trouble. But my favorite moments (from age 5 to age 24) were laying on her lap while we talked and she stroked my hair. We would fight, get it out there, and get over it. I am very certain she gets quite a chuckle from her spot in Heaven as she watches me try to parent my stubborn boy.

Pearl is Grandmom. She teaches me how to life by faith; how to find strength in the tough times; how to do work worth doing. My dear grandma allowed me to grow up in my own little world. It drove her crazy that I would speed through my cleaning duties so I could go outside to play in the playhouse, in grandpa's pickup, in the field, or wherever I could find space. When I got bigger I got out of cleaning (I still hate cleaning) because Grandpa discovered I was an excellent riding lawn mower operator. But I always had time and she always made time for tea at 4:00. It was tradition: Black tea, sugar, milk, and cookies. We would talk about the day, her childhood, how she met Grandpa, and pretty much anything else. It is such a joy to get to share the adventures of motherhood with her and hear her advice and stories.

Sara is sister-mom. It must be a birthorder thing. Sara, who I thought was bossy, spend our childhood trying to steer her sister away from troublesome situations. She did do her small part in getting me into trouble too; nobody said she was perfect. I will never forget the time she pushed me out the garage window, then let it slam shut, then run out of the garage declaring she didn't do it when Mom came racing out of the house to see what had shattered. I am not sure I can articulate all that I learned from her. I think the most important lesson was how to live a life of integrity and genuiness. My sister is nothing if not genuine with people. I always struggled with that (what if people didn't like the real me). Our phone conversations have become the highlight of my day. We trade mom stories, husband hillarities, and solve the world's problems.

Thank you, God for these moms who have helped raise me. Thank you for giving me three sets of eyes to watch over me. May I pass their wisdom on, may I always find time for those who need it, and my I always show love the way these moms have loved me.

Amen

For Ashley

It was my greatest pleasure to get to see my little sister graduate from college last Saturday. We didn't get the pleasure of growing up together but over the past few years we have learned a lot about each other. Probably the one thing that I love the most about her is that she introduces me as her sister; no explanation, no step, just her sister. I smile everytime and thank God that she thinks of me that way. She is a woman wise beyond her years, often counseling me in matters of faith and life. I am so excited to see what journey God has for her and to see how she grows along that journey.

My Husband

I love my husband, always have. He reminds me a lot of my Grandpa Myron, whom I always wanted to marry. Last July he switched from a job that was very secure to a job that requires a daily leap of faith. Along with leaping he is also quite the traveler. Being the director of a national ministry requires him to go to events, meet with people, and support the Team. A better wife would probably remember all these things but I sometimes fail to. The travel often irritates me and causes some strife in our lives. The blame for my irrational irritation falls on my pregnancy hormones, which are raging right now.

Chris just returned from Boise, ID where FCA Endurance became an offical bike club with an big cycling organization by holding a bike race/time trial. On Wednesday, Chris leaves for California for the Wildflower Triatholon, one of the biggest in the country, where he will minister to athletes and run as part of a relay. On May 12, Chris is off to KC for FCA meetings.

I am sure you can imagine our conversations when things pop up on his schedule that take him away from home on the days he is in the same state (like an all day expo on Sunday). Friday night we had a hot date sorting through books and college notes in the basement (the nesting has spread to Chris too). During our date he mentioned, "Well you have plans for nap time tomorrow." I had no idea what he was talking about but said, "Oh." Imagining another nesting project.

At 12:15 Saturday I was seated in the waiting room at a massage clinic. The receptionist said, "Was it your husband who scheduled this? He was so cute, he said, 'She really needs this.'" She is right. He is really cute and I really did need it and the fact that he knew that made it all the more relaxing.

I love my husband, not because he bought me something but because even after 8.5 years he romances me.

Super Reader

Elijah is in love with the show Super Why. It is really too old for him but I let him watch it since it is all about reading, spelling, and letters. This is what he has been up to the past few nights.

The Room Love Created

This past weekend my dear sister drove 3 1/2 hours through rain and cold to create a room of love. It was time to get things crossed off the list and baby room and spring cleaning was on the top of the list for the weekend.
First on tap was a trip to the store to buy the paint. My sister's eye for color and knowing what I am talking about when I don't meant the color would be perfect (and it is!). Then we had the arduous task of removing the old-lady border. It was tedious, messy, wet, and time consuming.
We still managed to get one coat on Friday night. Sara cut in and I rolled, sort of. Around 10 we needed a snack. Sara made the wise choice and had Kashi cereal while I stuck with my nightly ritual of ice cream (mint chip was the flavor of the night).
After a sleepless night (thanks Elijah and Isaiah) we were up by 6:30 and working by 7:30. Sara painted and I cleaned vents (gross!). Then it was a room by room attack of the neglect I had allowed for months. Floors were mopped by hand, window sills cleaned, appliances de-finger stained, furniture dusted, and bathrooms sanitized. At about the time we thought we were done we noticed that there was still green showing through our butter color. Coat three was on tap as soon as Chris could run to the store and get more paint. When it was all said and done the room is exactly what I pictured in my mind: a warm, bright sanctuary.

I never could have done this without Sara. Her sacrifice of time with her family, time to herself, and sleep are so amazing. My brother-in-law, Andy, sacrificed vacation time and spent the weekend trying to coach Josiah on the intricacies of using the potty. It warms my heart to know this baby is so loved already.