The Circle of Love

For the past two days I have been home with the flu.  So, since I'm not treasure hunting in second-hand stores for the lamps I need for our bedroom, or Christmas shopping at the mall, I have been spending some of my spare time listening to my thoughts.

This morning I reflected on a question Kody asked me last night. He had stopped by to unload our new stove from his truck.  Later, while enjoying a "Dad's Burrito" he asked, "Why do you still worry about us kids, Mom?  You should be enjoying yourself, these are your golden years."  I chuckled nervously and he kept looking at me like he was waiting for an answer.  I didn't have one then but today, after giving it some thought, I think I do.

Because I'm your mom.

A Giraffe in the Barnyard

Several days ago my niece, Abbey, and I spent the afternoon watching my two-year-old granddaughter, Sharlet, play with a toy barn and miniature farm animals.   Abbey commented that there was a giraffe in the barnyard.  We both chuckled and I thought out loud that Sharlet probably didn't realize that the giraffe, belonging to a circus-train toy, didn't belong there.  "It's adopted," I said.  "I'm adopted," Abbey quickly responded and I instantly felt shame having connected adoption with not appearing to belong.  I stumbled through an apology and she said I hadn't offended her. We changed the subject of conversation and that was that.  However, I have been asking myself some pretty deep questions since that day.  I will soon become a grandmother through adoption and I desire a heart-felt understanding of it.

Where does the longing to belong come from?  What makes the sensing of it happen or not?  Must we look alike or be from the same race or background to possess the feeling that we belong?

Maybe the longing is from God and only He can truly make us sense it.  I was adopted many years ago into God's family through His grace and His gift of faith in Jesus Christ.  I look like Him when I surrender my heart, humble my spirit, and replace the passion of my soul to belong to the masses of this world with a passion to look and feel like a giraffe in the barnyard as I journey through it.

GOOD JOB!

Today began normal enough.  It is our week with Jack Jr. and Sharlet so after our morning routine we piled into the car and arrived at Jack's school right on time, as usual.  Teachers and adminstrators were directing a terribly messy traffic jam and we were right in the middle of it.  We learned that the furnace in the very old school building had come on and set off the fire alarm which brought firetrucks with their sirens screaming. I inched my way down the street to Jack's house and parked in his driveway.  I retrieved the stroller from his garage and quickly loaded Sharlet and Jack's backpack, realizing that I wasn't prepared for a stroll and my  house slippers and sweatsuit would just have to do.  I hate to admit this, but I took the time to grab around in my purse for my lipstick and quickly applied it before we hurried off to join the hundreds of other students and their families on the sidewalk in front of the school.  Soon, Jack excitedly filed inside with his friends and Sharlet and I strolled back to the car to begin our morning together, which I hoped would be just a bit less exciting.

Sharlet has started to call me "Marc" sometimes, probably because Jerry does and it tickles me.  When we arrived home she announced, "Marc, brush, brush!"  She loves to brush her teeth and I dedided I could probably take a 5 minute shower at the same time.  I shut the bathroom door tightly and moved her little stool to the sink.  I pulled up her sleeves and handed the toothbrush to her.  "Ank u", she said with a grin and I dashed behind the shower curtain to undress and get started.  When I finished I poked my head around the curtain to announce, "All done!"  She looked surprised and taking her toothbrush out of her mouth she exclaimed loudly with a great big smile, "Good job!"  I needed that.

Campfires and Bike Trails

On Labor Day weekend Jerry and I camped in Noblesville, Indiana which was the first stop on our trip to 8greattowns.com.  This is a picture of the prettiest bike trail we have ever ridden, it winds along the White River all the way to Noblesville and beyond.

One beautiful 70 degree day began with a huge home-style breakfast at Bub's, a restaurant just off the trail on our way to Broadripple, a quaint little neighborhood on the outskirts of Indianapolis.  After talking to several other cyclists we decided to trailor our bikes back to Broadripple the next day and ride the trail into the city.  The canal that runs through downtown was our main destination and a very fun bike ride!

Camping, being outdoors all day, and exploring new places on our bikes all added up to a perfect weekend!

Summer Memories

I have spent a lot of precious time with our grandkids this summer.  I have noticed bugs, butterflies and the sound of crickets like never before.  I've been hugged, kissed and smiled at more times than I could ever count.  I've touched baby-soft skin and held small hands of various sizes.  I've kissed scraped knees, pinched fingers and sun-warmed hair. 

Recently, as I washed the beach sand from one of their little heads, I recalled as I have countless times before, my own children when they were small.  For a moment I stepped back into a treasured time when the days of summer were a blur of beach towells, bicycles, and picnic lunches in the yard.  Back to the excited sound of children's voices and enterprises like club house building and lemonade stands.  As you can see that was quite a long time ago!

Out of Control

In this photo, Sharlet and Zion are patiently waiting for their turn to fish during a family picnic at Kody's farm a few weeks ago.  Sharlet seems to be saying, "It's out of our control, Zion, our older brothers are fishing first and we just have to accept it."  I have been learning a lot about acceptance this summer. 

As our time with Kayla and her family ticks away and the dreaded "good-byes" loom just around the corner, I am reminded how difficult acceptance can be.  We have had so much fun, made so many precious memories, and loved every minute that we were all together!  I will miss them all terribly, but it's out of my control, we have to say good-bye.  I know that God, who is in control, will continue to keep us all "heart- to-heart" close until our next reunion, just like He has always done before!

We are home!

A few months ago we sold our family home; the one in which we raised our three children, welcomed our first grandchild home from the hospital, and gathered our growing family together as often as we could.  As we searched for our new home, a condo seemed like the best idea.  But it had to have enough room for our whole family, a yard for the grandkids, and an extra bedroom on the main floor for their over-nights.  We were quite sure we had found the perfect one when we moved in, but we are very certain now because...well, see for yourself!

There is plenty of room for wrestling with Uncle D!

The pool has gotten smaller..but no complaints, yet!

The hill in the backyard makes a great slip and slide! 

The cul-de-sac was fun before, but when cousin Nate brought this truck over it became a "kids highway"!

Timbertown is just a stroll away!

We're close to the beach...

...and downtown Holland, where we were on the 4th, for the fireworks!

Kayla, because you're home, we now know for sure that we are, too!