It's almost here...

I love the changing seasons.  Probably because I get bored. Right now...I'm bored with winter.  While it was beautiful this year...not complaining at at...but I'm sooo ready for Spring.  The buds on the trees, singing birds, more daylight and, of course, chick days.

For those of us in the country chick days are when the local feed mills have hundreds of baby chickens for sale. They are so cuddly and soft...and boy can they be noisy.  Also with spring comes better egg productions for the full grown chickens.  During the winter they don't lay very well...except for Black Giants...they lay all year round.

One of my favorite things about spring is to be able to drive without a coat on, woohoo!!!  When I went to the swap meet today (another sign of spring) with my hubby it was nice to only have to wear my sweater,  no bulky coat to lug around inside when it got too warm.  No gloves either! After the swap meet we went to a little stamping store in Zoar Ohio.  We saw several signs of spring there. One of the cutest was a chipmunk who had taken up residence in a bird house.  He sure was cute poking his head out watching us watch him.  And last but not least.  My favorite sign of spring is being able to stand outside and chat with friends, family and/or neighbors.

It's almost here...

Silent bowl...

As many of you know Morgan took American Sign Language (ASL) classes this summer at Kent State University.  She absolutely fell in love with it.  It paved the way for her decision to study Speech Pathology this fall.  She has also developed several friendships in both the deaf and hearing communities. Morgan's dear friend, Emily, is sooo sweet and full of energy. They met in ASL. Emily is deaf and helped during the classes. She also made fast friends with Jessica.  As you can see the 3 of them enjoy time spent together. Morgan is behind, Jessica is on the left and Emily's on the right.

 We were invited to an ASL silent bowl this evening.  While I understand the name (since to most of the participants it was "silent") we were anything but silent.  We had an absolute blast!!! 

When they turned the regular lights off and the black lights on and cranked up the music...that's when things got really fun. 

 One of the songs that came on was the Village People's YMCA.  As you would expect, Mo & I (and 1/2 the alley) started singing and dancing.  This picture shows Emily, Kevin, Adam & Morgan (L-R) dancing to YMCA...keep in mind Emily cannot hear the song but she sure had fun following along with her friends.  FYI, they also played MICKY...you remember..."oh Micky your so fine, your so fine you blow my mind, Hey Micky"...we sang and cheered to that too!

Forgiveness...

This has always been something I've struggled with in my faith and life. According to the dictionary forigve means to cease to feel resentment against or to pardon an offense or an offender.  Seems simple enough, but putting it into practice is another story. 

Is forgiveness a conscious choice, a physical act involving the will, or is it a feeling, an emotional state of being?  If your a Christian, as I am, the bible tells us in Colossians 3:13 to forgive one another as He has forgiven us.  As humans we think it's our place to judge, convict and correct "bad" behavior.  And while that may be true in order for us to live in a civilized community removed from anarchy, forgiveness IS also a necessity.

Think about all the times your child has done wrong. Bad grades, broke curfew, didn't make their bed, back-talked...whatever the offense.  And as parents, we judge that it's bad behavior, convict that they are wrong and correct the "wrong" with the assumption they will learn how to behave properly.  But we also forgive!  We do not feel resentment toward them...we pardon them for their offense.

As the offenses get bigger our forgiveness becomes more difficult.  When a parent abuses, a spouse cheats, a child betrays you...that's when your faith and ability to forgive is tested...really tested.  You have two choices...forgive and rebuild or don't forgive, stay angry and let the offense destroy your life.  Believe it or not, not forgiving is just as hard on you as it is on the offender.  But how do you forgive?  You're angry and hurt!  A dear friend of mine told me sometimes you have to take a "leap of faith".  Forgiveness is not saying that your ok with whatever the offense was...we forgive out of obedience to the Lord. It is a choice, a decision we make. However, as we do this "forgiving," we discover the command is in place for our own good, and we receive the reward of our forgiveness - freedom.

Everyone has the desire to be loved and accepted. If you look back in the history of broken families, drug/alcohol addicts and serial criminals you will find it all began from the desire to feel loved and accepted.  They made a mistake (big or small) and didn't receive forgiveness from those they loved...so they lost hope/faith and ultimately became lost. From the little child who exhibits bad behavior to get Mom & Dad's attention, to the spouse who cheats because they feel unloved/lonely, to the drug addict who gets high to numb the pain of loneliness.  Love your friends, parents, children and siblings! We ALL make mistakes.  Forgive as you would like to be foregiven.  Love as you would like to be loved.  Look beyond the offense at the reasons "why"...love without reservation or condition.

That's my boy...

Just when you think you're gonna hang 'em up by their toes...they start growing up!

Jonathan has certainly been a loveable challenge from day one.  When he was little he cried...A LOT!  Of course the doctor said "oh it's just colic"...isn't that always why babies cry?!  He didn't sleep through the night until he was 9 months old.  And he would not drink his formula...any kind.  Oh almost forgot...he hated riding in the car...screamed from the second his bum hit the seat until you released him from his car seat prison.  As he got older things became much clearer about his behavior.  He does NOT like milk...still not a big fan, chocolate milk occasionally...but loves ice cream and cheese.  Therefore, his tummy was never really full until he started eating solid food.  He's also a pretty light sleeper, until recently, if you walked in his room he was awake.  We had to be very creative about leaving his baby teeth in places the "tooth fairy" could find them without waking Jon up :)  And he still gets bored in the car...thank goodness for iPods and GameBoys.

He is very head strong.  If it's what HE wants to do he is devoted and determined.  However, if he doesn't want to...he won't!!  No matter what begging, pleading or threats take place. He enjoys all the typical "boy" things.  Likes guns and hunting, going fishing, playing outside with his friends, racing his junior dragster and loves eating junk food.  He still doesn't like to sleep anymore than necessary.  He's a great baseball player, too!

Jon likes to "know what's going on" but is starting to learn to sit and watch and listen...requiring much more patience than just asking/demanding to "know"...a sign of maturity.  Yesterday was a busy, rewarding and healing day.  We took 2 hours as a family to clean!  Everyone pitched in and worked steady for two hours and the house definitely looked much better.  Then his buddy from school came over...much to Dad's dislike.  This young man has been a friend of Jon's for years and at his birthday party a couple years ago was quite a handfull...therefore Frank was not happy about his coming over.  But thankfully he is growing up too...(Mitch not Frank...ok I guess Frank too hehe).  They had a great time playing and were very well behaved..I'm sure there will be many more play dates.  Dear friends of ours who have had an extremely difficult time came for a visit...felt like old times.  A little tense at times, but it felt great to be together again laughing and telling stories.

Jon has been working hard back at his old/new school.  He is starting to enjoy reading and I've had alot of good reports from his teachers.  After everyone left last night Frank and I were sitting in our respective chairs and Jon came to us and said he had something to say.  With a tear in his eye he said how thankful and lucky he was to have a roof over his head and parents who loved him.  He said we probably wouldn't take it but offered us each $5 as a thank you "from his heart" for all we do.  We refused his money but said we would accept a hug and a kiss as "payment".  Yep...our little boy is growing up!  And just in case your not sure...a hug and a kiss from your 12 year old little boy (young man) is worth soooo much more than $5.

My partner...

I met Frank when I was 17 years old. I had just graduated high school and was out with a friend. When he walked in the door I noticed him immediately! He had just returned home from serving 4 years in the United States Marine Corp. He also noticed me that night and asked me to dance...woohoo! We have been together ever since. I believe we are meant to be together...honestly.


After a 4 year courtship (do they still use that term?)we were married and we celebrated 18 years of marriage this past October . We have had some rocky times in our life together. I don't suppose that could have anything to do with both of us being stubborn, hot-headed and the need for control?! We found out early on we couldn't wrestle. You know how some couples wrestle around playing? Oh no, not Frank and I...someone was going to get hurt! It would start out innocent enough then one would hurt the other accidentally then the other would hurt them back and so on and so forth.


There was actually a time when we almost split up. Our daughter was very young and we were struggling with being a young couple who had both been working and no children, come and go as you please, to only one income and an extra mouth to feed. Thankfully my amazing step-dad wouldn't allow me to "come home"...he said we needed to stay and work it out, not just run away. He was sooo right! We did "work it out"...which by the way means lots of yelling and crying.


We have grown up alot since that time, and continue to grow. One thing is certain....we are meant to be together!


Like most people do we get caught up in everyday life...taking the kids to their events, working, chores, etc...and we forget to tend to the romance part of our marriage. Recently some very dear friends of ours found themselves "fighting" for their marriage. This has made of reflect on our own relationship and decided it was time for some "us" time. We are very active as a family. Always doing something together. But we wanted time for just the two of us. So we planned dinner and a movie.


We actually went to a "real" restaurant...no wings, no Micky D's. And planned to watch a "real" movie (rated R) no animation, no computer graphics. Although I must admit while we are standing in line to get our tickets to 'It's Complicated', Frank noticed the 'Chipmunks Squeakwal' was playing...I told him NO (but assured him we would bring the kids another day to see it :)). The movie was very nice...funny...perfect! Dinner was excellent...we were supposed to have a 50 minute wait but managed to swoop in on a couple leaving the bar area where it was first come first serve about 15 minutes into our wait. The entire evening was absolutely PERFECT! We walked into the movie just as the previews were playing and we were home by 10pm. I can't wait for our next date!!!


So why did I feel compelled to post about my hubby? I guess because we live in a time where we are the minority...married this long to our first spouse, children living with BOTH natural parents, and still very much in love. For young couples I wanted to say...it's not always going to be fireworks and shooting stars...and that's a good thing. For older couples going through the motions of a life together...take time to reconnect...remind yourself why you fell in love in the first place. Take time to hold hands, hug and snuggle...feel the connection! Don't let the toilet seat or toothpaste cap ruin your relationship. Ask yourself how you would feel if your partner was gone tomorrow...it could happen. So love those in your life like this was their/your last day on earth!

Beautiful...

Beauty is all around us...if we take the time to look. My children are beautiful! I know...nothing new...a mom saying her children are beautiful. But I'm talking about on the inside, too!

Jonathan's compassion and beauty is still masked (for the most part) behind being a 12 year old boy. I see glimpses when he holds the door for an elderly person, rushes to give me a hug when I come home but most profoundly is his love of animals. While he certainly enjoys hunting. If an animal is in need...he's there. He has a lassie vision in his head...even though I don't think he's ever seen the show. He loves that when Sidney is tired she curls up on his bed to sleep, and sleeps there every night.

Morgan's beauty has been shining brightly for sometime. Not only her stunning outer beauty when she's ready for a dance but her inner beauty when spending time with challenged friends. Most of you know she loves her sign language and has a good friend with CP. Well thanks to her Christmas gift from Nana and Pap Pap I get to show you a glimps of another side of Morgan...perhaps HER favorite side. We all know how much she loves her drag racing. Well Dad has also thought it was important for her to be able to take care of herself. I agree! She knows how to change her own oil. She's played a part in changing many engines, big and small. And now she knows how to change her tires. And no I don't mean a flat. I mean CHANGE her tires. Her grandparents bought her new tires for Christmas...I detect a little worry of a young girl on the snowy roads of Ohio. So Frank and Morgan went to his shop the day after Christmas to put her new 'boots' on. (that's racing talk) She loved it..really! She takes great pride in being a prima donna one minute and then going in throwing on her jeans and hoodie and getting dirty.

We were blessed with a beautiful snowfall this morning. I have always said "if it has to be cold...it better snow". The maple and oak trees are all ladden with snow on every branch. The pine boughs are almost touching the ground. It's that squeaky snow...the kind that the snow balls hurt.

So you see...beauty comes in many forms...if you take the time to look. I would like to wish everybody a very Happy New Year! Bring on 2010!!!

Merry Christmas...

It's Christmas Eve! Wow...I should be stressed beyond repair! My wrapping isn't done, the puppy ate all the gingerbread last night (and Christmas cookies), and I have to go to the store to get food for Christmas breakfast. But instead I'm feeling rather relaxed enjoying a cup of java posting to my blog looking forward to heading to the gym with my dear friend Jack. What is wrong with me?! Well actually...it's what is 'right' with me. The peacefulness I feel is because God is with me...and I accept Him.


Don't misunderstand. I want my family to have a wonderful Christmas with gifts and goodies. And they will! It will all come together. And if I'm wrapping and watching Ralphie at midnight, it won't be any different than in years past accept for one thing...the smile on my face. Laughter, peace, friends and family...life...those are the best gifts.


I thought I would share a few pictures and thoughts before I "get busy". This past year has been a rough one...and to be honest I can't wait for 2010. But as I was looking through pics to post I realized 2009 was a good year too.


We said good-bye to a dear friend whom I miss beyond measure (as does the rest of my family...mostly Momo). But, we welcomed in a new friend. And believe me, she is providing lots of mischief....but love too. We ventured to a new school and realized the grass was a beautiful shade of green right where we had been...and we're going back (can't wait). I remembered what a beautiful land we live on...and what amazing friends we are blessed with.


As Christmas approached this year our hearts began to open! Jon has begun singing the hymns in church and soaking in the sermons. I peaked in Morgan's room the other night and she was laying on her bed reading her Bible! Wow! We have always been Christian's. But I'm really beginning to feel Him. And it is amazing. Frank went hunting last weekend. While he walked through the ankle deep snow he also talked with God (something he's been struggling with as of late) and thanked Him for all his blessings. He is ALWAYS listening...even when your not talking!





My Christmas wish is for Peace and Love! I know, corny...but true. For all the little children to rest easy. For our soldiers to be safe. For the homeless to be warm. For the troubled hearts to be calmed. And most of all...for everyone to have a very MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!