I'm Back!!!!!!!

I was told today by someone who read my blog that I ought to write something new. She said my blogs were quite insightful and honest. That was nice to hear. So anyway, I'll try to be interesting. The newest thing in our lives is an empty nest. Our daughter moved out with a girlfriend about 3 weeks ago. It all happened very quickly. I sort of didn't believe it would happen until it did. It's quite strange when all the sudden the house is very empty. It does stay alot cleaner and the quiet is nice, but the quiet can also be quite deafining. Ashley is the kind of child that enjoyed being home, enjoyed her home, and so she was here quite a bit. I miss her. I miss her presence. Her and I spent alot of time together and I am lonely without her. There were many times I couldn't wait for her to leave, and it's really not that I want her to move back, it's just VERY DIFFERENT. I still see her alot, today we spent the whole day together, but it's still different. Home feels different. It's almost as if it's home but not really anymore. Having been a homemaker and stay home mom both her and Matt's whole life, thanks to Jesus, it forces me to find myself again. Not a bad thing, just different. Who is a mom after she's done her thing and the nest is empty? That is the goal of my life right now to find out who I am and what God's purpose is for me now. Strange, yes, scary, yes, exciting, absolutely, and very very different!!!!!!!!!!

Does anyone really care about this Blog?

It seems as if this Blog stuff isn't as popular as say "My Space". Maybe there isn't enough flamboyancy or sexual inuendos to make it interesting. Or maybe I should really take it personally and assume that no-one gives a rip about what I have to say?! Come on son you encouraged me to talk more, here I am doing it and have you posted anything on my Blogs? Anyway, I won't post anymore if I don't get any feedback. I don't want to waste mine or anyone else's time. :(

My Son's new place

Well my son Matt finally has gotten his own apartment. He has had many roomates over the years and decided to go it alone. It helps with hygiene and all thos important things! We all helped him move in last night. My daughter Ashley, his girlfriend Jade and I all went to get him a few things. It was SO MUCH FUN buying towels, rugs, and shower curtains that all match. The best thing of all though was the pride in him. I know he feels so good abouth the fact that he can do this. He went to school, got his degree, and found a great job, and now his own place. There is a sense of pride in a mom as well to see her first born thriving so well on his own. God has been SO GOOD to all of us. Russ and I are so blessed to have such great kids and to see all they are doing. Thank-you Jesus. Back today to get some groceries and help "Refine" the place. This is all such a good thing!

Is the grim reaper near?

Well, this month is a mind blower. Russ turns 50 tomorrow and Ash turns 20 next Tuesday. At brunch on Sunday Russ told the kids that 50 isn't so bad but 60 will be the killer. You know wrinkles, gray hair if you have any at all, bad eyes, knees, hips and breath, all the good stuff?! I must be in Never, Never land but I thought 60 is when we would be in our rarest form. No more kids in the house (hopefully), retirement, grandbabies, and a lot of other blessings, to many to count. Iv'e thought so much about teaching my Grandchildren about life and the Lord who provides it all. I want to see the excitement in their faces when I teach them about Noah, Moses, Adam and Eve and all the other characters that make up the most important book in the world. I hope Russ was just kidding,I feel like our lives are beginning again, and boy what a ride it will be! Anyone have any thoughts on this, let's talk about them.

MEOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Well, it was GREAT as always!! Ashe's reaction was a little different than I thought. She thought there was going to be more of a story line with a plot. I tried to explain that it was just about Cats, a night in the life of. Although she loved the music, she had trouble understanding the words. Oh well, bubble slightly burst. Like so many other things in life the thought of what it could be like is always better than the reality. I loved it though. It always takes me to a different world and I am so amazed by the talent people have. I believe the most beautiful voices in the world are never heard on the radio, but thank God there are other ways to enjoy them. I am now waiting for the musical "Dogs" to come out. I'm sure the star of the show will be a Bichon Frise!!!!!!!

Cats, cats and more cats!!!!

Well, today is somewhat of a milestone for me. 28 years ago Russ and I were able to attend the opening of "Cats" in San Francisco. It was a magical evening filled with many surprises. When we got there we found out by pure chance that we were in the front row! When the curtain rises on the "cat town" so to speak there are holes in the front of the stage. Much to our surprise the cats crawl through them. Before we knew it we each had a cat pawing us and meowing frantically!! We both laughed so hard it made the evening that much more enjoyable. In fact it was so great we went and saw it again in San Jose. The seats weren't as good the second time but the cat magic sure was! I can remember dreaming that I hoped some day I would be able to share this experience with someone else, possibly my child. Well, tonight that dream is becoming a reality. The Lord is so faithful in remembering the prayers of our hearts. I get to share the experience with my beautiful daughter Ashley. She is a Vet Tech and obviously animals are her passion. Her first pet was our cat KC that she got for her sixth birthday and he still blesses our lives with his meows and purrs. I can't wait to see her face when the stage curtain goes up and the magic begins! So today, while I am home and Russ and Sammy are off hiking, and Ash and Tim are at Multnomah Falls. and Matt is doing his Matt thing, I can sit and dream about the likes of RumTum Tigger and Mr. Mestapholies and know that tonight will be a special and magical evening. As Martha would say," It's A VERY GOOD THING!!!!!!".

What does a Christian look like?

I've wondered so often how Jesus feels about our politically correct, perfection focused world of today. Does it make Him as sad as it makes me? I've truly come to the conclusion that know matter how hard I try, or don't, I just can't cut it in this world. I will never be good enough to really make it. There will always be someone who chooses to make me feel less than, or just imperfect enough to not fit in. My Mom is in the last stages of Altzheimer's. If you aren't touched by this disease thank your heavenly father because it is evil in it's primal form. She doesn't remember who anyone is, can't feed herself and doesn't even remember how to swallow, and all the other horrible things that come with this enemy. But she dreams. In one of her dreams she woke up saying, "They are singing praises to me, I am goin home, I am going home". You see, she finally knows she'll make it, she's accepted. Throughout her life she struggled with self worth, and now she know's, I'M IN!!!!! Only Jesus can make us feel accepted and unconditionally loved.(Although my puppy Sammy does a pretty good job of making me feel that way!) I'm posting this because of what my son Matt and his lovely girlfriend Jade have been going through. Please remember my loved ones, they are singing your praise's, you are going home!