O, Happy Day!

Yesterday was a happy day of celebration in our family, the twelfth wedding anniversary for our son and daughter-in-law. This is always a special time of year, wedding anniversaries following Mother's Day; these two chose to be married on the same date as our DIL's precious grandparents, so many years earlier, such a sweet tribute! I thought you might enjoy this side-by-side update of the happy couple. 💗 These people bring such happiness, joy and pride to our lives, we are truly blessed.

Adapting in an upside-down🙃 world: 

There was reason to celebrate within our church family yesterday too. With all special precautions for personal safety through distancing, it was outdoor voting day for our congregation to issue a call to a prospective pastor on otherwise a glorious sunny day. Provisions were made for drive-thru voting from one's car or for walk-up balloting. We've all missed each other so much that it was hard to get everyone to leave the parking lot after the ballots were tallied and the results announced. The exciting news is that a call was issued, and he said "yes"; O, happy day! Hopefully, before too long, in-person worship can commence once again on the inside of the building, we can sit in pews, sing hymns of praise and listen to live music. We're working our way through this process by phases, one day at a time; and yesterday was a BIG day for our family of faith (small in number, huge in faith)! 

Thanks be to God!

His master said to him, "Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master."  Matthew 25:21

Life is Good!

Birthday Boy, Then and Now

This little boy turns 39 today! 

Fast forward to this morning.
Our wish for him is the same today as it was 33 years ago:

"Here's hoping that you have the happiest of days 

surrounded by all of the things (and folks) that you love most!"
Happy birthday, son!
💗

Life is Good!  

Four Words...

... that strike fear; straight to my heart: "can you hem these"? Sigh. Of course, I say "yes".  And yet, as far as I am concerned, these four words compose the scariest question I know. "Why?" you may ask. They are men's dress slacks, and they're cuffed. That seems like reason enough. A few weeks back my son and his family were here after church, that's when the fear-inspiring question was posed. My son stood on an elevated surface and I pinned the hems to the proper length... and hung them in the closet... where they remained... until yesterday. I took them out, picked up the scissors, drew a deep breath, and set the scissors back down. I repeated this three times. Then, I took an even deeper breath and went to work. They were done, to pinned specifications, in less than an hour. I delivered them to my daughter-in-law yesterday afternoon. I pray they're okay, please join me in that prayer. Again, you may wonder why this is such a daunting task; that fact that they're cuffed dress slacks might not be enough of an explanation for you. Yes, there's another reason: way back when, maybe 25 years ago, I set to work hemming a pair of dress slacks for my son. I pinned one leg, I cut it off, I hemmed it, and did it again... unfortuntely to the same leg! Yep, it's true. Now you know. I guarantee that did not happen this time!

Life is Good!

This week's Advent word is love...this post may seem unrelated; it's not, I love my son.

Status Update

This was the view from the waiting room chair for most of my day yesterday; I spent the time reading and visiting with/supporting my daughter-in-law. Since the last time I waited out a surgery the hospital has installed a patient status board on the wall.
Much like a status board in the airport that keeps track of flights this one keep track of surgical patients. It was encouraging to be able to watch the progress, albeit slow, from Pre Op to the OR to Post Op. Kyle did well and your prayers on his behalf are most gratefully accepted and deeply appreciated. The surgery was fairly straight forward and, thankfully, there was no additional damage to the ligaments. He and his crutches will be best friends for the next six weeks and then he will progress into a walking boot. He gave me a smile yesterday afternoon before I left him, even though he felt sick as a dog (sorry, Hannes!) from the combined effects of anesthesia, pain medicine and an empty stomach. His sense of humor and wit were no worse for the wear; and when this mother's heart was aching for what he was going through he managed, in his very own signature way, to cheer me with a smile and a quip despite the circumstances.

The very best view: the patient resting at home;
wearing the ultimate status update: his smile.
Hang in there, Kyle; 
Y you!

Life is Good!

Two For Two

There's another two-year-old birthday to be celebrated soon; and sew, there's a second Picture Play Quilt underway! This is Gregory's soon-to-be quilt as it appears on the design wall; I will be adding another round of borders, scrappy pieced ones, before loading it onto Sundance for quilting.

Gregory's Daddy (our son, Kyle) is facing surgery today to repair a spiral fracture in his right fibula following an accident that occurred two weeks ago. He will be receiving internal fixation. Some of you, those who have been reading this blog for a long time, may recall (click) that he is no stranger to this procedure, he had a similar (albeit more extensive) surgery almost exactly six years ago after he shattered the tibial plateau in his left leg following a fall. I am requesting prayer; for God's healing touch, and for patience in the process. I posted this scripture passage back then, for Kyle, it's appropriate to post it, to read it, once again today!

Trust in the Lord with all your heart,

and do not rely on your own insight.

In all your ways acknowledge him,

and he will make straight your paths.

Be not wise in your own eyes;

fear the Lord, and turn away from evil.

It will be healing to your flesh 

and refreshment to your bones.  

                     - Proverbs 3: 5-8                                                    

                                                                                                                                     

     Life is Good!

One Word Wednesday

Proud!

Life is Good!

Our Son, His Son

Our son is a Daddy now; you know that. He is our baby and sometimes I forget that he is a man. Well, you know what I mean; I don't actually forget that fact, my head knows that he's a grown man but this mother's heart of mine knows him as a little boy. This picture was taken in the car last Sunday, on our way home from the Capital City. My baby boy and his: notice Gregory's tiny hands and Kyle's pinky finger... this photo melts my heart like nothing else!

Life is Good!

Reflections...

... on a busy weekend.

Last evening I finally sat down and put my feet up to relax, really RELAX. This weekend was a busy (but GREAT) one:


A date Friday night to see the Dash (minor league local team) play in their brand-new, beautiful, ballpark...

Helping our son and daughter in law move into their new home on Saturday...



















Finishing up the prep work on the last of sixteen high school quilts to be presented next Sunday to the graduating seniors at church...
Plus, a little machine quilting sandwiched in for good measure...
Last evening my husband shooed me out of the kitchen as I finished up the edge stitching on that very last of the afore-mentioned graduation quilts to make me a surprise; he's the best... homemade strawberry shortcake (piled high with whipped cream)!

Yum.
Life is Good!

Worry, Replaced

To say I've been worried this past week would be the understatement of the century. Kyle has moved, it's official. He has an address. The worry began (on my part) when he drove, without much rest, from Pittsburgh, PA to Marble Falls, TX. and his new life there. I don't know when I've been happier than the moment he called and said he'd arrived safely. I figured, then, that my worry was over. I was wrong. He sent photos of a place he'd found to stay, let's just say there was only one direction to go from that place and it wasn't down; an entirely new dimension of worry descended upon me. Among those photos of where he was living was this scene, his view, I found this picture both calming and hopeful; it spoke to me quietly, like a reassuring whisper. I decided to concentrate on this vista and pray for my son's safety, for his well being and for his happiness. He called yesterday afternoon, it was good to hear his voice, as always. He started off by saying that he thought he might be moving; I smiled, I knew then, God had intervened! We got a few updates throughout the afternoon and evening as he prepared to pack up. He has, indeed, moved to a wonderful place, close to work. He's happy, he's safe, and he's excited about both his living arrangements and the challenges of a career in a great, new setting. I'm going to keep this photograph on my desktop to remind me. Thanks be to God!

Philippians 4:6 ~ Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything.
Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.

Life is Good!

Graduation Day

Kyle's graduating this afternoon, but he won't be in attendance at the ceremony; no, he has a seat elsewhere today. We are grateful for a wonderful employment opportunity that has come his way, he's flown to Texas to explore his options there. I do admit to being disappointed about the cap and gown thing, and the celebration party here afterwards. I wanted those photos to frame, but the larger picture is so much more important, my head knows that and my heart will surely follow. I need to get used to something else now too; our son, and eventually our daughter-in-law, living over 1300 miles away! That will be hard for us, but good for them in the long run. We've never traveled to, or researched, the treasures of the Texas "hill country", there are new adventures awaiting all of us! Congratulations, Kyle, Happy Graduation Day; we love you and wish you all the best as you begin this new chapter of your life!

Life is Good!

Today's The Day!

For my dear son and his bride,
on this, your Wedding Day:

Love grows deeper, stronger,
and more beautiful
when it is planted by God
...Kept in His Will
...Nourished by His Word
and warmed by the sunshine
of His ever-abiding presence.
May you always walk together
in the happy ways of love
Trusting in the grace of God
To lead you from above.

Life is Good!