To My Dad on Fathers Day

From my earliest memories of you to the present, I have always been proud to call you my dad.
I remember sitting on your lap and snuggling and feeling like no matter what you would protect me. Even though I've made choices in my life where you weren't able to protect me, I know that if you could have, you would have. I remember getting up early and going fishing, learning how to bait my hook (YUCK) and take care of the fish once they were caught. We would just fish and chat and even though I don't remember what we talked about, I'm positive you taught me several life lessons. I remember Friday night fish fries, where you'd take me along to get our take-out meals and give me your lemon so I could try to eat it without making a face. I remember packing to go camping and how much I loved it. I remember that you were the best looking, hardest working, strongest, most talented, smartest..........daddy in the whole wide world. You could do anything. If there ever was a time I didn't know something, I knew you would have the answer. And now, I just want you to know, I still believe all those things and I love you VERY much!
Lin

Time Slows Down For No Man

So, November has quickly turned to June and we are only 11 days away from the wedding. The day we welcome another member officially into our family. I am SO excited. Sarah is such a joy. They seem to have so much fun together. I have loved having things going on that have brought my family home. So next summer...... Jimmy graduates...... no weddings in the works, but with Polly having had her 20th Birthday and Peggy about to have 18, it's only a matter of time. Then I sit back and think about what a shame it is that we have to have things going on in order to see loved ones. I'm probably the worst one , because I allow my life and the things in it to consume my time and not take advantage of the time God gives me. I have seen and talked to my dad more in the past couple of monthes than I had in a couple years before that. But, why did it have to take him losing his wife of over 30 years for that to happen? There are reasons I know, but are any of them good enough to miss out on so much? I also have a brother whom I haven't had much contact with throughout the years, even though I think of him often and love him, life comes in and takes over. I have gotten to see him twice so far this year and he and his wife will be here for the wedding. I want to make a way for that to continue and add time with a sister whom I want to get to know better. Then I look at my kids and grand kids and think about how there are long stretches of time where I don't see them or even talk to them. I don't want to lose those times. Even the kids that are in town, everyone is so busy (me included) that we just lose touch and I don't want that. I guess the reason for this contemplative mood is a book I read the past couple of days. A friend of mine from northern Minnesota lost a daughter to a terrible accident almost nine years ago and has written a book about the incident. I remember her calling me in the middle of the night to tell me and feeling like I was so far away (we had just moved) that I couldn't do anything. The thing that keeps coming back to mind is, have I taken the time to be with each of my loved ones and made sure that they know how much I love them? Have I put things down and spent time with them? Not enough..... help me Lord to make that happen.

To My Kids on Mother's Day

Being a mom to all of you is the best job in the whole world. I am so proud of all of you! You make me as your mom look good. I wish I could say that the reason you are all what you are today, is because of me. But, I know that with all the mistakes I made, it is only because of all the prayers that you all turned out so wonderful. Jessica, my poor firstborn, you had to be the one that I began my learning journey on. You have turned into a beautiful woman, with a beautiful family. I am so proud of everything you have accomplished. Going back to school while taking care of a family is something not everyone could have done and you made it look easy. Your boys are so lucky to have you for their mom. Betsy, you were so different from Jessica as a child, that I had no clue what I was doing most of the time. I am so sorry for the years where I didn't understand you. I can tell that you are a wonderful mother already, even though you've only had the job part time so far. You are the most giving person I know. I want to be just like you when I grow up! Carrie, you I understood the best. I at least knew that every child is different when you came along. You were way too much like me. Sometimes that was a good thing, but other times I knew (and still know) what you were thinking. Scary! Thank you for taking all the good mothering skills I had and using them and trying to learn from my mistakes. Bob, my first son, I never understood but always loved! I still don't understand how with 3 older sisters, you could pick up any object and turn it into a car or train. You made mothering the younger kids a whole lot easier with your example. I can never thank you enough for always saying, "coming" when I would call you. It was a wonderful example to the younger kids. Jeanne, I understood you the least, but again I always loved you. Looking back I would have done many things differently. Polly, oh Polly! You have always been such a joy. You are the most encouraging person I know. I have had people come to me and ask if you were my daughter, then tell me how you encouraged them in one way or another. I will miss your bright eyes and sweet smile when you leave home. Peggy, my creative one. You have such a delightful mixture of fun and thoughtfulness, with a lot of opinion thrown in. I can't wait to see where you go in your journey through life. You brighten up so many lives with your little gifts left just when somebody needs them. Jimmy, where do I even start? You have been such a bright spot in so many lives. You are so ready with your wonderful smile. You have never been afraid of learning anything new. You have the personality everyone admires. Billy You have always been so hard to stay ahead of. Your mind works overtime, I think. I love the times when you sit and chat with me. You do so much! Bible bowl, media at church, youth group, ...... it's really neat how several people at church count on you.

I just want you all to know how very much I love you and I am so glad God chose me to be your mom!

Carrie and the kids are coming Sunday, staying for 2 weeks and I'm so excited. I don't want to go back to living in Iowa, but I really miss seeing my kids and grandkids more often. I used to see Jessica and the boys once a week during piano lessons and Carrie and I would meet and shop, or just visit. I wish that we were all closer. I know this is the way that it is "supposed" to be. Kids leave their family and have their own family, but it still is hard for this mom. I have a friend who has had her daughter and kids move in with them. In my warped mind, I'm jealous. Even though, I know that's not the way God intended a family and I would never wish my kids to go through that heartache, I want them close. Maybe, I should have had more kids! HA HA

Clothes Shopping

I hate clothes shopping. First off, I don't like trying on clothes, I don't like the prices and don't like the limited styles. I have been looking for dresses for several different functions lately and haven't had any luck. Last weekend I was looking for a dress for a banquet and didn't find anything. I've also been looking for a dress for Peggy's graduation and one for Bob and Sarah's wedding. So far, I haven't found what I wanted. I do much better when someone comes along and encourages me to try different things on. Sarah and Peggy went along one day last week, but our time was limited. I think I'll wait and see if Carrie and Betsy will come along next week!
I love spending time with my kids. (You too Sarah!) I am so blessed!

My Entryway

Well, I'm going to try blogging again. I love reading what everyone else is doing and even though the things I do aren't as interesting, I'll try to keep people posted. I've decided that one reason I have trouble keeping up with my blog, is it's too much like journaling and I have never liked journaling. I have also decided that journaling is healthy, so I'll try again.
I have had the past 2 days off and my project was my entryway. (Plus several other projects that didn't get done.) I have wanted to get more family pictures up and thought this was the best spot. I needed a cabinet/shelf above my microwave in the kitchen and also wanted some sort of saying by the pictures in the entryway. I bought an unfinished 12x30 cabinet, took the door off, turned it sideways and had Dale mount it so I'd have a shelf, but there would still be the support for the microwave. I then took the door and painted it to make the sign by the pictures. It says "together we're a family". I will just keep adding pictures. I really like how it turned out.

My Week

I have finished my first full week at Bakers Square and started into my second. I think I'm going to really love it. During training I am putting in more hours than I will after training, but it is still less than I was working. Right now I am staying about an hour longer than the manager on duty, so I can tell where my hours will be. I was told that we would get tired of pie, but I don't think they know my family very well. There is quite a bit to learn, some of it easy because of my last position.
Tomorrow is my day off, so I need to start and finish my Christmas shopping! I hope it's quite a bit warmer than it was today. It was -16 at 6:30 this morning. I really like 6:30 - 3 better than 4:30 - 3!