St. Louis Visit Part I

Thank you for your prayers; my drive to St. Louis was so simple and quick. Lucey did great. We only stopped once when she told me she needed to go potty. Such a big girl. Our first stop, our wonderful friends: Katie, Jim and Ben. They made us feel at home. Guess what? It was all about me again...they celebrated my birthday! A big cake with butterflies and some wonderful gifts. What a huge surprise for me. They spoiled Lucey with a lot of gifts too. We felt like princesses. :-) (Katie...the outfits are washed, pressed and ready to wear! They are adorable!)


This is Katie and I.

Katie had some wonderful toys waiting for Lucey in her living room. Lucey was in complete toy heaven.

Maybe you remember, Katie was Andrew and Christian's piano teacher. Of course she would have a toy piano for Lucey. Katie is playing "twinkle" while Lucey plays her flute.

This is Ben; Adam's best friend. Such a neat guy! We love Ben!

This weekend also happened to be Katie's' birthday. Happy birthday, Katie! I had such a great time celebrating with you.

We are lucky to have Katie and Ben arriving at our house tomorrow afternoon to spend the holiday weekend with us. Adam and the boys can't wait. My trip to St. Louis was a bit hectic. I was at Children's Hospital so Katie and I did not get much time together. We are going to relax this weekend and enjoy one another.

I'll post part II of our trip--soon. It will be all about our cranio-facial team visit. What a crazy day that was! I learned a lot. Was surprise by a few findings and totally spent by the end of the day. Lucey had a melt down and I was on the verge of one. We survived. I know The Lord was in the midst of our day but it was a challenge.

xoxoxo

Beth

Lucey's Appointment

Lucey and I are off to St. Louis in a few hours. We meet with her cranio-facial team tomorrow. It will be a full day for Miss Lucey Lu. I'm eager to talk to her plastic surgeon and start making plans for her medical future. This summer she will have the first of many surgeries and I have so many questions. Please pray with me for wisdom and clear thinking as I ask questions tomorrow. Ron and I have prayed together and feel confident in the choices we are making for Lucey but there is a part of me not at peace. I want that peace that passes all understanding. I know what that peace feels like. I experienced that peace while Ron was in Iraq. I know I need to completely surrender Miss L.L. to our sweet Lord.

Ron will not be able to go with me. He needs to be here with the boys. They have so much going on and their schedule is full. A funny thing...Ron is actually on his way back from St. Louis as I type. We are going to meet somewhere on I-70 for a cup of coffee, a hug and a prayer. This how our life is....we are passing each other a lot of the time.

Thank you so much for your prayers.

xoxoxo
Beth

It's All About Me

I guess the cake gives it away. Ha! I had a great birthday! Ron and The Troops celebrated me a few days after my birthday and it was perfect.



They picked out this cake and Andrew and Christian embellished it with love. Too cute! You know, I don't feel like the number on the cake. I just won't even focus on that.

Me and my girl.

My Troops are the best. I am one blessed Mama!

"Thank you Ron, for making me feel so special!"

Ron really spoiled me. I have my own Ip*d now and a docking station. Adam bought me some great music and he also gave me a copy of his most favorite book (he wrote a special message in it that I will always treasure). I also got a few it*ne gift cards to pick out my favorites. Ron treated me to an afternoon at the spa for some much needed R and R. The pedi and massage was fabulous. I took myself out for some lunch after that and spent time in the book store reading.

It's been awhile since I have been able to rejuvenate the way I really need to. I'm trying very hard to exercise and eat healthy meals. I want to perserve the Lord's temple. I want to stay healthy for my family. The number on the cake tells me I really need to. I don't have to focus on age but I do need to focus on remaining healthy. I have some nagging health issues that I'm really trying to work through. I'm sure there are some of you reading this and really understand what I'm saying. Ron has been supportive of me and wanting me to take time off when I can. We are working on making that happen more often. Therefore, I'm more effective to do what the Lord is calling me to do.

I hope you can also take some time to rejuvenate...pencil yourself into your day planner.

xoxoxo

Beth

Making Music

On May 12, Andrew played clarinet in his first band concert. The kids were all first year 5th and 6th grade students. They practiced before school several mornings a week. For not having a lot of instruction, they did a nice job. Andrew has a real zest for all that he does. He was thrilled to be on stage this night. I was thrilled to be sitting in the audience listening to him make music.

We were all there.

xoxoxo

Beth

A Glance at Mother's Day

Celebrations continue....

The kids spoiled me with some fun gifts and homemade cards (thank you Ron for your creativeness and sweet ideas!). Since Mom and Dad had planned to come for Mother's Day, they brought gifts for Adam (who's birthday was at the end of April) and for me (yes, it was my birthday too.)

I asked Ron to take a picture of me with each of the kids. They are growing right before my very eyes. I thought maybe, our friends and family who do not see us very often, would love to see how much everyone has grown.

Andrew and I (I hate this picture of me but I love Andrew's smile in this picture) are just about the same height.

As you can see, Christian is quite a bit taller than I. Look to the lower right and you see Lucey's bow...she loves the camera!

My little girl...I'm not sure if she will ever be my size. She is so petite.

Adam...a hair over 6'. Tall and handsome.

I loved my homemade cards. I will save them forever. Each of the boys wrote a letter to me that I will always treasure. Lucey is losing her clothes as the evening progresses.

I didn't have a very good picture of my mom and I on Mother's Day evening so I chose this picture taken on May 8th. My Mom spent Mother's Day with her Mom, my Grandma-- she will be 97 in a few months. What a blessing for both of them. We had a nice time together when they returned home on Mother's Day evening.

Finally...celebrating Adam. What a fun night together.

xoxoxo

Beth

Wordless Wednesday

A Special Birthday Celebration

My Dad had a "biggie" of a birthday and it fell on Mother's Day this year. There are several of us in this family celebrating events in May (and, we take turns having "our day" fall on Mother's Day). Every year it is a concern of mine as to how to celebrate each individual, individually, and their importance in this world. May also happens to be a month filled with so many activities. Who wants to feel like an inconvenience just because their birthday or event happens to fall in a busy month. I can understand how "Christmas Birthday" people feel. ;-)

Anyway, I decided that we would celebrate my Dad on Saturday the 8th. I wanted him to have his day...his own day. After all....it was a "BIG" day. ;-)

We had a small gathering. A simple dinner party for 10.

Ron surprised me with this beautiful bouquet (an early Mother's Day gift). Perfect as the center piece.

Lucey was happy to see her Papa and to wish him a happy birthday. We've been practicing. There have been a few birthday's and her birthday is quickly approaching. She could also tell him how old he is. Nice to be reminded of your age...yes? By a two year old.

My Dad and I..."Happy Birthday, Dad!"

What's this? The men in the kitchen? So cute! Three generations. Ron, Uncle Paul, Adam and Dad.

Yes Papa, Adam is taller! I think you finally agree to that. :-) That's exactly why this picture was taken. Dad had to see it for himself. And oh, Papa has his shoes on!

The girls-- minus Lucey who was napping. Auntie M., Me and Mom.

I wanted one picture before we sang "Happy Birthday." Lucey was being such a pickle.

Blowing out the candles.....all two of them. ;-)

A few little gifts, cake and ice-cream...A blessed day.

I was praying last week that our weekend would be filled with blessings. That each person would feel loved and appreciated. I was reading scripture and came across this verse....

"For we are God's masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things He planned for us long ago."(Ephesians 2:10, NLT)

It's encouraging to know that each of us is "God's masterpiece," "a work of art." This scripture, quoted from the Apostle Paul's letter to the early church at Ephesus, reminds us of our God-given potential. How do we treat a "Master Piece?" a "Work of art?" With respect, with love. We also need to encourage one another. Celebrating a person's birthday I feel does just that...it celebrates a new year, life.

I'm already surrendering May 2011. It will be a May filled with emotion (just thinking about it makes me teary). I'll be planning birthday celebrations and Mother's Day but also Adam's graduation, Ron's change of Command and a possible move....yikes! Life....All Good!

XOXOXO

Beth

(next post...Mother's Day!)

My Reader--

It's that time of year, the end of another school year is approaching quickly. School research projects, field trips, music recitals, award ceremonies etc...

This morning Lucey and I went to an award ceremony for students who read...a lot.

Andrew is our reader. Congratulations, Andrew!! I hope you always have a love affair with books. What a gift.


I was worried I was going to be late. I had a 9:00 appointment this morning and the award ceremony was at 10:00. Thankfully the school was running a wee bit behind schedule.

Lucey sat through my 9:00 meeting. She was so good. She sat at my feet and played with Lego's. We then raced to the school where she sat for another hour playing with my phone. (It really needs a good cleaning now and she has erased a few things off of my main page...I think she called you, Renee. ;-) ) Whatever helps keep her busy.

Poor thing is toted along to all of our events...she can climb into the car and up into her car seat with out any help. Here she is waiting to get in...again.

We got home and had an early lunch. I let her have a chocolate Newman O. What a messy face. She absolutely loved the chocolate. She has had very little chocolate in her little life. Yummo! Now it's time for an early nap. :-)

xoxoxo

Beth

A Weekend of Work and Fun

Last weekend Ron was out of town....St. Louis again. I'll just say, it was for work but,....he went to two St. Louis Cardinal Baseball games. I'll leave it at that. It's a hard job but someone has to do it. ;-)

Last Saturday I was up at 5:00 a.m. preparing these medical forms (school, sports, Boy Scouts and youth services) for this mornings physicals. It was advertised that our clinic would be doing physicals in an orderly, quick fashion. NOT! We had the first 3 slots at 7:30 a.m. The clinic was quiet when we arrived but quickly became chaotic with families showing up in 10 min. intervals. It was an assembly line. The nurse going over the boys' shot records happened to be the nurse in charge. Since no one knew what they were doing, our nurse kept stopping and helping others. Meanwhile, families were slipping ahead of us. A family of 6 kids went past us and the T.Troops were left in the dust. The boys had soccer pictures at 9:15 so we were on a time crunch. I learned my lesson....we will never do this again! Andrew and Christian got through their physicals at 9:12 a.m. I pointed them in the direction of pictures and they ran to the venue. They were a sweaty mess when they got there but they made it! I stayed back with Adam and Lucey. I fudged a little and told the doctor we would be back for immunizations. We never went back. I'll have to take them at a later time. I'm sure I will be scolded. Oh well.


The forms....I waited until the last minute to fill out at least 25 pages of paper work. I think I went through a pot of coffee. Can anyone relate to this? Why do I procrastinate? I missed a few things on the forms here and there so the doctor "got on me" for that.

We were home from soccer pictures at 10:20 for a quick change. My Uncle Paul, Aunt Marianne and their grandson, Aden, came up for a visit. My Uncle Paul took all four boys up to St. Joseph, MO. to see the Blue Angels. What a fantastic experience for my boys and what a brave man Uncle Paul was. Thank you, Uncle Paul, the boys had a wonderful time! They enjoyed connecting with their second cousin too. My Auntie M., Lucey and I had a fabulous, relaxing girls day. We visited and went out to lunch. Just what I needed!

The men came back with a little sun on their faces. Lucey sneaks into all the pictures now.

Ron arrived back home around 7:00 on that Saturday night. Just in time to have some pizza with everyone before they headed back to Kansas City.

On Sunday, we were finally able to take Adam out for his birthday dinner.

We went Chinese per Adam's request.

This is my big attempt at flowers...two pots of geraniums. I didn't even bother to replant them into nicer looking pots. I just don't have the time to spend right now planting. Lucey brightens up the front porch! She's my "Lilly" girl today. I know there are a few of you out there who love "Lilly P." as much as I do. (Renee!) I bought this little scalloped dress on Ebay for a song.

She can be a monkey girl!

Ron spent a few hours cleaning the garage. Boy, was it a disaster! It still looks a wee bit cluttered but it's 98% better than what it looked like before the picture. I should have taken a before picture...you all would feel so good about your garages! Ron is still working on purging and organizing.

Andrew was a huge help! Lucey sneaking into the picture again!

Our living area was feeling so dark to me. You may remember that I had black and gold buffalo check panels hanging in the dinning room. They looked great in a home two moves ago...not this place though. I splurged and bought linen curtains from a place I love (won't mention the name) and they are lined. They make a world of difference.

I also replaced the valances.

Added some fresh green plants.

I moved this pillow over to the couch for some natural color. I want our home to feel like our nest. We move so much and as I have said before...this place has been challenging to make homey. Adam walked in the other day, looked around and said...it feels cozy here. I think I'm getting it right. Finally.

It's teacher appreciation week and I'm sure all of you out there are also thinking about the teachers and staff this week who work with your kiddos...Andrew and Christian are in the same class (isn't that nice for me) and they took these flowers to Mrs. B. My favorite, tulips. I'm sure she liked them too. We have several other goodies for her as the week goes on. She has been so wonderful with the boys.

This weekend we have my parents arriving. It's my Dad's birthday....a "Big" birthday at that. We have something special planned. It's also Mother's Day. Lot's to celebrate!

God's Blessings to all the Mom's this weekend. I hope your day is filled with abundant love.