A Life-Changing Spring

After Elijah's birthday, our lives went into overdrive for a few months....some parts good, some parts not so good. March was a month booked solid of activities and continuing education for us along with a 2 1/2 day trip home to Indiana to see Rob's ailing Grandpa.

We were looking forward to April so that we could breathe. Easter was a joyous occasion, as always. Having the privilege of celebrating the reason we are Christians and being able to lead worship is an awe-inspiring event. This year was no exception. Then, the day after, we received news that the 23 year-old son of my mentor pastor was dying as the result of a car accident. Saying good-bye to one so young is never the plan. The day after Hamilton's funeral, Rob's father called to say we needed to get home to Indiana because Grandpa Fry was not well. For the second week in a row, we said good-bye to one we loved.

What we realized was that even though Grandpa Fry was 91 and had lived a full life, saying good-bye was still not in the plan. No matter the age, we're never really ready to live without the ones we love.

It was after this week in Indiana, that we were able to breathe. We had scheduled a vacation for the last week of April and it couldn't have come at a better time. We rented a house from some friends off the coast of New Jersey and Elijah fell in love with the beach. The water was COLD, but the weather was beautiful and we had a restful week just sleeping and spending time together, being thankful for one another.

AND.....praising God for an answered prayer - Elijah will be a big brother in October! He is thrilled at the prospect along with us. We are so grateful to God for this second opportunity to care for one of His.

Elijah has many plans for his baby brother or sister (we will not be finding out the gender!). He took the rail off his single bed a few nights ago, but informed me that once his baby brother or sister is here, he will have to put it back up so they won't fall out of bed when they sleep with him!

Today Rob and I are celebrating 7 years of marriage. We are so thankful for the time we have been able to love each other and we are looking forward to another 70!

God of life and death, thank you for your daily gifts to us through the love of family and friends, the joyful memories of those we mourn, and the perspective in our lives to appreciate both. Amen.

Elijah Turns 3!

We had a fun party full of family and friends to celebrate Elijah's 3rd birthday on February 15. He still loves tractors, so I used the same pan as last year. This year, though, he asked for an International instead of a John Deere. So red and white it was. His other obsession right now is the Cars movie and he got many gifts having to do with that.


You can see he dressed up for his party. And he really did. The kid rarely wears clothes (although we require underwear) when he's indoors. So a t-shirt was a big deal, but we stopped at that. At least he has these on the right way....because they're all one color. Any underwear that have a picture on the butt he insists on wearing backward because he wants the picture in the front.


Most parents say, "I can hardly believe he's that old." And while that's partly true for me, at the same time, I can believe it. I've come to the conclusion that time only seems to fly for me when I'm looking back on it. While I'm in it, time moves pretty regularly and sometimes slowly. It does feel like Elijah was born three years ago, sometimes it feels like he was born six years ago! But we're having a great time, being 3 at our house. Elijah's brain is always working and he's always asking questions that make me stop and think.

Gracious Creator, thank you for allowing us to take care of Elijah for you. Thank You for his excitement about life, his loving, gentle spirit, and his sense of humor. Watch over us all as we grow in Your love together. Amen.

Row, Row, Row

Merry Christmas

Yesterday we were going to visit some of the folks in our parish who are home bound so that we could wish them a Merry Christmas. Elijah found these Diego pajamas in his closet that were in a hand-me-down box and insisted on wearing them for our visits. Coupled with the fact that he wanted ponytails in his hair like Daddy, I had to take a picture.

Thank you, God, for all our family and friends. Allow this Christmas day to stretch into a season of thankfulness for the love you have for us, the peace of Christ, and the joy of our faith. Amen.

beautiful day, every day

In Elijah's world, every day is a beautiful day. Whether we're inside or outside, whether it's sunny or storming, Elijah stretches his arms to the sky and says, "Isn't it a beautiful day, Mommy?!" And he kind of draws out b-e-a-utiful Jim Carrey style.

I'm finding that it's a great lesson for me to learn again and again. It's true, isn't it? Every day, no matter the weather, is a beautiful day. It's so easy to get bogged down in the sadness around us or within us, yet there is much to be thankful for: family and friends, warm homes, clean water, food and clothing....and all the little things that a child helps you realize are the big things in life: dancing to songs in the kitchen, having a treat like ice cream, mail, finding a lost slipper, seeing the moon, raking leaves......

Thanks, God, for every beautiful day.