Mothers Day

Today is a day to honor our mothers. Mothers come in different shapes and sizes. But each one of us has a unique mother. It is something we will always have whether they are still here or in heaven.
I am fortunate to still have my mother. She is an amazing woman. She has always been there for me and is always encouraging me. Even though I am an adult, she is still teaching me things. In my eyes she has been a super woman. Doing everything well. Loving her family and God above her own needs. She sacrificed for us, worked full time jobs, made holidays above expectations. Not just in materials things but the memories and the traditions she has taught us to embrace and cherish. Even my children who are growing into adults still cherish those traditions. In may ways I struggle to even get close to accomplishing the things she has done. But she has encouraged me to be myself and strive to keep my family close. Even if things do not seem ideal but it is what we do, we are still creating memories. For instance, Kevin has had to work a lot of holidays including Christmas day. I get frustrated just thinking about how that "it's not fair". But we started getting up at 3am so the kids could get up on Christmas morning and open presents. They actually get excited about that. No it isn't what I really want Christmas morning to be like but it is OUR Christmas morning, creating memories for our family.

This is just one example of the things my mother has taught me. If I can be half the Godly mother and wife she is I will be proud.
I love you mom and glad your will always be in my life.

Telling on myself

It has been 2 weeks since I had my wisdom teeth out and things are definately feeling better. Although I still have a weird taste in my mouth and periodic find food I haven't ate for awhile. My teeth still are sensitive due to the fact (according to the dr) some nerves are still exposed.
The whole experience needless to say wasn't good. I was a little nervous before but once I got in the room and got the IV I don't remember much until I got home. I don't remember getting out of the clinic and into the car at all. Kind of weird to know a period of time is missing. Once home took meds and slept on the couch. Kevin left for work around 4, Malori came home around 5, I continued to sleep. Mal woke me up to tell me she was going into Danville with a friend. (apparently watch mom sleep isn't that fun on a Friday night when your 18) So shortly after she left I started to get throwup. I continued to throwup all night. She called and I told her I was sick and she came home. In the process of throwing up the toilet seat came down and hit me on the head. I got a knot and a bruise from it. I ended up with a fever and throwup all night. So I decide it was the pain meds that made me sick.

The next few days at least went better. I still had a lot of pain but stomach was much better.
I am glad I have no more wisdom teeth because I would never do that again!!
My family did get enjoyment over the knot and toilet seat. I still hear about it.
Stuff like this always happens to me. (and Britni)

Quote for the day!

"How did you get so old without know'n anything?"

Art Award

This weekend Malori was recognized at the SWOPE ART MUSEUM for her photography "Waiting on Time". It is an honor to be selected for the exhibit. Only 65 are chosen out of 345.

We made a quick trip down to Terre Haute to see it. (I am still not feeling the best from getting my teeth pulled) Her art teacher, Mr. Wagoner, met us there. He was very proud of her. He even got choked up. Mr Wagoner has had all 3 of my girls in his art class. He is a wonderful teacher, mentor, and encourager. He puts in a lot of work for the school and we are lucky to have such a gifted art teacher. He puts the kids work in contest, and art shows to give them exposure. He is a potter at Billy Creek Village and his pottery is well known. In these days many schools are dropping art programs because of funding, I am glad our school sees the importance of this program.

So tomorrow is the day I get my wisdom teeth out. I have put it off since January. Why? I have no idea. It has been hurting, makes my ear hurt even but I am a wimp. So I am not suppose to eat or drink anything after midnight. So what do I do, scan the kitchen for any food I won't be able to eat for about a week, crunchy things, things I probably wouldn't eat anyway. Do I think I'm going to starve in a day?
Oh well tomorrow I'll be all drugged up so I'll use that as an excuse.

Wish me well!

PS Malori and Kevin better take care of me instead of just dumping me on the coach.

Easter

It seems by accident when the kids were little we started making traditions that we still carry out. Sometime you just start doing something, it works and is enjoyable, and then you blink and it is 25 years later.
Our typical Easter Sunday consists of
going to church as a family (many time sporting new duds)
taking a family picture at church
going to mom's for dinner
a mega egg hunt (including special eggs with special prizes)
hanging out and talking, playing games

So this year we did exactly the same thing. We do now have more than 6 kids. We have added 1 husband, 1 fiance, 2 boyfriends, 1 baby, 1 mother (Kevin's mom), 2 friends and a little girl. We took pictures at the church and had dinner at moms. Mom has done a fun egg hunt for the kids and each year the threat is it's the last, but some how she still does it. This year 340 eggs. Only 326 recovered. loser get cash, and then there is always candy, change, secret numbers, and duties required. (Dave singing I'm a Little Teapot) Somehow everyone goes home with stuff. A lot of the items aren't much but the kids get a kick out of it. It is also VERY competitive. When Carter was trying to state a rule, Malori informed him he couldn't make the rules until he was officially in the family. Drew even had to give stuff to Elias!
They even have 7 wooden eggs that have been in the family since the begin of egg hunts. No one dares to lose them. Plus they are always worth something great!
We sat around and caught up on every ones life, enjoyed passing the new baby around, and teasing the new fiance.
I love my family and these times even though they seem like a lot of work getting ready are so precious. I wouldn't trade it for anything.
The older kids finally off to college, and their homes out of town. I wish they could stay longer.

A place to fit into

I have been struggling with finding a place I fill that I fit into for a Sunday School class. Every since Kevin has stopped going to church I seem to be miss placed. I enjoyed going to a "couple class" with him but now find I don't seem to fit in with the other classes. I had been going to a younger couples class with a friend. The teachers are great it's a fun, interactive and down to earth class but everyone in there is young married, or young kids. There is only one or 2 who have a teenager but still younger kids. It just doesn't seem like the place I am in life. My youngest is heading to college. Just a different time and place in my life. Today I went to an older class. I was then the youngest in the class. Many of the people in the class I have know for years but as I sat there, alone, I looked around the room and thought, I don't fit in here either. Frankly, I am tired of being half a couple. I could tell everyone in the class enjoyed being there, and had a bond with each other. Sharing their lives with each other and praying for each other. I just feel like I am not like any of them. I know everyone has their own struggles, sickness, family situations. I know I belong in church and a Sunday School class but just feel like I am looking in not being there. Sort of like a dream your not in the picture just looking in on it.
After Sunday school Mal and I went downstairs to talk to my sister for a minute. They have been working hard doing some changes and it looks great. Some of the adult teachers and workers were standing in the new "teachers room" kitchen. It was really nice. They were all laughing and excited about what was going on. I though this is what I want. To be in a place I have a vision and excitement for. I was excited for them and long to join with them but knew I didn't belong their too. You can not live off of others joy in Christ. I have to find my own.
What does this mean? I have no idea. I have struggled with going to a different church, but my family and Kevin's family all are still at there and some I wouldn't see at all if I didn't go. I also stay for Malori. I keep thinking maybe when she goes to college.
I think the real problem isn't others its me. I long for God to be real to me at this moment and place in my life. Not just was, or did but is and doing.