Blog Book

August 6, 2019 I remember when my children were babies and we had frequent back-and-forth moments when they cried to be picked up, then - after what felt like mere seconds in my arms - they wiggled and cried because they wanted to be put back down. Up and down. Up and down. Finally, with a sense of exasperation, I would say, "Child! Do you want to be up or down???" Then they turned into toddlers who would grunt and point at objects which I would pick up and put into their pudgy little hands. In the blink of an eye that toddler would throw the desired object onto the floor, and grunt and point. So I'd retrieve it again and give it back, only to watch it be thrown down again. And, surely, the grunts would follow. Eventually I got tired of the game and I would ask, "Alright. Do you want it, or not?" When they became small children with more autonomy I was cut out of the game, but the yo-yo nature of things continued. However, this time the offense was the slammi...

July 23, 2019 So, the other day I made a quick stop at the store on my way home from work. (Just had to pick up a few things.) When I got home I guess I made some noise as I set the bag and my purse on the counter - because Matthew came jogging into the kitchen where I was standing, taking the few items out of said bag. I looked up, a bit startled by his sudden appearance, and saw an equally confused look on his face. He must have made a quick assessment of the scene and determined that I didn't need any help because he said, "Oh, you don't have more bags to bring in?" At which point the light went on for me, and I understood Matthew's actions. For many years I have tried to instill in my kids a mind-set for service. Such as, when I get home from grocery shopping it is thoughtful, kind, appropriate, and courteous for them to help unload the van. But sometimes when I come home from the store Matthew is in his room and doesn't hear me enter, thus I unload all ...

August 28, 2018 Adventuring. I thought I might have just made up that word, but a quick check with Google indicates "adventuring" is a legitimate word. In fact, I found this definition for it: the act of doing adventurous things or having adventures . And that (doing adventurous things and having adventures) is precisely the act I was trying to describe with the word I "created". #win Because I wanted to tell you about this: I took this picture Saturday evening of my sweet adventurer and her willing daddy. What you can't see from this angle are the maps they're consulting in an effort to plan their biking route from Okemos to Holland. Yes, you read that correctly. They were sitting on the swing planning a route to bike from our home to Brian's mom's home. With a stop at his brother's on the way. That is, yesterday they left our house on bikes at 7am and rode to Grand Rapids. And today they're making the rest of the trip to Holland. (I...

August 9, 2018 I heard a funny story several years ago - which I think I enjoyed so much because of how true it is. It goes like this: There was a job to do, and four people available to do it. Their names were Anybody, Everybody, Somebody, and Nobody. Anybody could have done the job and Everybody thought Somebody took care of it. But, actually, Nobody did the work. And in the end - Everybody was mad at Somebody, because Nobody did what Anybody could have. Are you recalling times these four people have gotten involved in the jobs around your home??? Ohhhh, they came over to my place yesterday, and I was so ready to be Everybody. Know what I mean? I walked into the kitchen in the morning and saw that the dishes hadn't been done Tuesday night. And, OK, we didn't eat dinner as a family because Brian and I went out for our anniversary - so I know activities didn't feel "normal". But we all used dishes throughout the day, and they weren't going to "do...

July 17, 2018 So yesterday morning I was getting ready to do laundry and I checked in with Matthew to see if he had any. I knocked on his door, heard some sort of groan, and opened the door. He was still in bed, and his hamper was empty (But there were clothes all over the floor...) so I told him I was about to do laundry - and invited him to bring any clothes downstairs which he wanted to be washed. I proceeded to sort the laundry and put a load in the washer and took care of a couple other tasks which needed completing. And moments later Matthew and I crossed paths in the kitchen. Our conversation went like this: Matthew: I took my dirty clothes downstairs. Me: OK. Did you sort them into the loads I had already made? Matthew: Yep. I did that. Me: Great. Thanks. Matthew: You're welcome. Oh, that'll be $5. Me: Blank stare. Matthew: Five bucks. I charge five dollars for sorting my laundry. Me: OK. Cool. I am charging $5 for washing your clothes today. So I guess we can call it ...

May 31, 2018 Yesterday Matthew and I were standing in the kitchen looking outside at a very cloudy sky when he asked, "Do you know if it's going to be cloudy all day?" I had looked at the weather forecast previously, but information like that only stays in my head long enough for me to decide what I'm going to wear that day - so I had to tell Matthew I didn't know the answer to his question. He kind of *hmphed* and said, "Well, I hope it gets sunny so I can mow the lawn." And I had to pause at that comment, because I didn't understand what the sun had to do with mowing the lawn. Hmmmmm? Last I knew our lawn mower ran on gasoline. I certainly wasn't aware of us buying a solar powered machine. And I'm guessing my ponderings showed up on my face as confusion. Because after a moment of silence Matthew explained his need for sunshine. That is, he wanted to mow the lawn with his shirt off so as to even up the "farmer's tan" he'...

August 9, 2017 At least, that's what I'm telling myself. That is to say, I'm allowing such a line of thinking to assuage my guilt. What I mean is, Monday was my wedding anniversary. (Twenty-four years!) Brian and I had plans to go out to dinner - alone - and as I was making my menu/grocery list for the week I found out both of the boys were going to be working Monday night. So I didn't plan anything for dinner at home. Because why should I make something for nobody, right? Even though Nobody does so many things for us around here. Like, Nobody changes burnt out light bulbs. Nobody picks up clumps of dirt that Somebody brings into the house on their shoes. Nobody wipes crumbs or splashes of water off the counter. And Nobody ALWAYS turns the lights off in the basement. (Which must be why "he" always changes the brunt out light bulbs, too. Very concerned about our light usage, that Nobody is!) Anyway, where was I??? Ah, yes, I was not making dinner Monday nigh...

September 24, 2015 Me: (as Matthew is picking up the fruit bowl for a second serving) Uh, make sure you leave enough for Josh to have some. Matthew: (groaning) But he isn't here. Me: Leave enough for Josh. Matthew: He doesn't even have to know we had any. Me: Matthew, if you were the one at work and Josh was going for the rest of the fruit, wouldn't you want me to stick up for you? Brian: Yeah, Matthew. What would Jesus do? Matthew: (shrugging) Make more fruit?

June 30, 2015 ...doesn't mean it isn't chicken liver. Yeah. I discovered this truth the hard way. That is, I have - in the past - used a cup or two of tomato juice from a large can. And - not wanting to waste the rest - I put it into a plastic container and put it in the freezer. The plastic container was an empty cottage cheese or sour cream container ('Cuz I didn't want to waste that, either. *wink*) and I wrote "2 c. tomato juice" on the lid, so I would know what & how much it was when I needed it in the future. Smart thinking, right? I thought so. Well, the future came Saturday. I needed that tomato juice for a recipe. So I took the container out of the freezer in the morning, and set it on the counter so the contents could thaw. Every now and then when I walked past the counter I would stop and give the container - whose lid was labeled "2 c. tomato juice" - a little shake. You know, just to help the thawing process. I don't really ...

April 7, 2015 A few weeks ago, I went into Matthew's bedroom to say "Good night" and found my son hunched over his desk, distraught, with tears in his eyes. He looked up at me and asked, "Do you know how to write a sonnet?" Seems it was an assignment from his English teacher, and he hadn't the first idea where to start. (Funny how my kids think writing a couple of books makes me knowledgeable about all kinds of writing. Matthew's question was not the first of similar queries my children have thrown at me over the years. *ahem*) Anyway, I confessed to him that I wasn't even sure what a sonnet was (I mean, besides some kind of poem) - let alone how to write one. But I sat down with him to see if I could help. At that point I realized Matthew knew what a sonnet was, and what he needed to do. He simply was under pressure and felt despairing. All he needed from me was moral support and an idea, or two. So I thought for a minute, What does Matthew like...

October 21, 2014 Josh is presently on the hunt for a car. He has been busy searching the internet for just the right vehicle: *not too old *good condition *at least 22mpg *big enough to carry a canoe on top *kinda sporty and, of course, *low cost. And one evening last week...He thought he'd found it. A 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee; 92,400 miles; body looked great in the photo; $2,500 It almost seemed too good to be true. Brian began a conversation with him about that very real possibility. You know, perhaps the side of the vehicle NOT shown in the picture had a big dent in it. Or maybe the brakes were shot. Perhaps it had been totaled in an accident and given a cheap make-over. Matthew asked, "Are you sure it has an engine?" So, Josh contacted the seller, and this is the response he received: Hello! I'm emailing you about my 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited I have for sale. It has all books, complete set of tools and keys and 92,400 miles. The price was redu...

August 19, 2014 ...I found a sweet note. It was on the fireplace mantel behind some pictures, and has to be at least four years old. I'm not sure WHY that was it's location, because until Saturday - when I was dusting - Elizabeth was supposed to be dusting every Saturday. And the way I have always told her to clean is to take all the items off a shelf (dusting each as you take it off) and then dust the entire shelf before returning the items to said shelf. I'm sure she never cut corners with her chores because she wanted to get on to bigger and better things. Yet, somehow, this dusty note was hidden behind some picture frames. *Hmmmmm* Anyway, I read the note and was filled again with love and delight for my girl. This is what it says: Elizabeth, You are a shining star girl! Thanks for being such an example of Philippians 2. I want to specifically congratulate you on your simple obedience to Christ last Wednesday at Impact through baptism. I am convinced that the obedie...

August 5, 2014 Dear Lovely Young Lady, I am so thrilled you have decided to marry my Josh. Er, I'll really work on putting an end to calling him "mine". He has chosen you, and I will honor both of you in that choice. But, before you speak your vows and make the marriage final, I feel obligated to give you full disclosure regarding what you are getting yourself into. I know. Josh is charming. He's funny. He's handsome. I'm sure you think staring into his gorgeous blue eyes is the best way for you to spend the rest of your life. You love him. I get that! But, dear young lady, I would not be a good mother-in-law if I didn't tell you everything I know. I must be honest with you! Before Josh met you, long before he knew the feelings and desire he has for you were possible, he committed himself to another love. I remember one night when Josh was 16 years old and we sat around the dinner table listening to him talk about this love of his. He had spent years c...

July 15, 2014 So, we're in the airport in Cancun, going through security on our way home. And Elizabeth gets "flagged" for a random search. I know it had to be a random search, because, really. If you looked at my sweet daughter, there is no way you would think she's a terrorist. First of all, she was carrying a bright pink back pack. And the back pack had two key chains on it. One was a cute little squirrel in a sleeping bag. The other simply said, "Trust." Not very threatening so far. The security officer unzipped the back pack, reached in, and produced two stuffed animals. Still not threatening. Then he reached in and pulled out a rectangular box-y object which was covered in flower-y material and lace. I could see him asking Elizabeth to explain the item. And I wanted to call out, "Careful! It's sharper than a double-edged sword!" (The item in question was her Bible.) The officer unzipped the cover and flipped through it a bit. At tha...

December 3, 2013 I had a rotten, horrible, no-good day yesterday. I'll spare you the details. It's enough to know my afternoon involved a lot of tears. And then I had a prince come to my rescue. Josh - my 15 year old son, who often wears me out with his teenage angst. First, he offered to finish making dinner for me. (So I could go be alone or "whatever", he said.) I told Josh I was OK to finish making the meal, but I readily accepted his help with the process. We finished quickly, then I went into my bedroom. I turned on my Kathy Troccoli worship CD, got down on my knees and poured my heart out to my Father. I shed many more tears, and I received the love HE was willing to pour over me. Then I got up, sang "Somewhere Over the Rainbow", and decided it was time to face the world again. When I turned to walk into the kitchen, there was my prince again. Several inches taller than me, standing in the doorway with open arms. He bent down, hugged me, and sai...

September 12, 2013 Elizabeth has Expository Writing this semester, and her first assignment was to write an essay about her favorite word. As soon as I read it, I knew I had to share her essay with you here. So, go ahead and read. And, um, I dare you not to cry! Daddy. What a spectacular word! You can say it in whatever tone you want, and it still sounds right. You can say it in a deep, comical voice. Or you can say it in a high pitched, excited voice. You can whisper it or scream it. You can state it or sing it, bellow it or burp it. You can say it when you’re crying or when you’re laughing, and it will always sound meaningful and reassuring. Chirp it at the dinner table, and you get a listening ear, ready and interested to hear you tell about your day. Cry it out at night when you are scared, and suddenly there are sheltering arms around you. It is a word full of love and hope and butterfly kisses. It is tenderness and protection and friendship. It is wisdom, it is insight, an...

June 11, 2013 I witnessed the cutest interaction a couple of nights ago. Matthew was sitting at the table playing games on the computer when Elizabeth came up from the basement. (She had been down there working on a project all evening.) Seemingly out of the blue, Elizabeth asked Matthew if he wanted to come downstairs and play his video games in the basement. A bit confused, he looked at her and asked, "Why???" "Because it's cooler downstairs. You'll be more comfortable...And I don't want to be alone. My imagination is playing tricks on me." She probably flashed him a puppy-dog look at that point, too. Matthew is a very accommodating guy, and it didn't take him too long to agree to Elizabeth's request. So she turned and bounded back down the stairs. Looking up from my place in the kitchen, I said to Matthew, "She needs someone brave and strong to protect her. And you're just the man for the job!" I only wish I had a camera re...

March 26, 2013 I know. No major revelation there! *wink* But I surprised myself recently at how s-l-o-w I really can be sometimes. It was the weekend of the Among Friends Conference - and I had been a busy girl. Was pretty much away from my house from Thursday at noon until Saturday at 3:30. Yes, I slept there Thursday night, but that doesn't amount to much in terms of family interaction time. Ya know? Anyway, as I was walking in the door Saturday, Elizabeth was walking out to spend time with a friend. But she was back within an hour or so. And I said, "Wow! That was quick!" She said her friends were going to a movie, but she didn't want to miss dinner because I had been gone all weekend. So she decided to skip the movie. I thought that was sweet. But didn't think much more of it. I made dinner and we ate together as a family. Then I sat down to work on some Among Friends accounting, and Elizabeth washed the dishes. Elizabeth was finished with her chore long...

January 17, 2013 Saturday night I went to bed and forgot to turn my phone off. When I picked it up Sunday morning I noticed three text messages and started to read them. They were really one message. One very long message - a late-night prayer request which had been sent by a friend. As I stood there reading, I was feeling sorry that I hadn't seen the request Saturday night when my friend was experiencing her deep need. Though I know God is not bound by time, and my prayers for her Sunday morning would still be heard. But just about the same time I had that thought, Elizabeth said something which made me smile. She'd heard three text messages come in Saturday night and wondered if it may be some sort of emergency. So she picked up my phone and read the messages. And she - my dear daughter, who didn't even know the woman sending the text - paused to pray. Because she knew God was listening, and He could do something about this woman's need. What a delight to know my...

January 10, 2013 Many days it feels like the majority of my communication with Joshua begins by him asking, "Can I have...?", "Will you take me...?", "Will you get me...?" or in some other way asking for something. Yet, when I have asked him to do something to help me around the house, my request has usually been met with scoffing, pouting, or simple refusal. Such that I began responding to his requests in a different way. I began saying, "You know, Joshua, you're very good at asking for things to be done for you, but not so good at doing things for other people. You need to work on giving, not just taking." And, for the longest time, it seemed like my words went in one of his ears, and right out the other. However, in the past week or two I have noticed something happening in Joshua. Sometimes he opens his mouth and starts to ask a question, but then stops. One day when he did this stop-mid-ask-thing, he proceeded to ask me if there was a...