Speeding 101

In all the years I have been driving, I have never been pulled over. I know I sometimes tend to go too fast and even asked Mike one time how fast you 'had' to be going before getting pulled over. He assured me no worthy police officer would ever pull anyone over going less than 10 MPH over the speed limit. There was even a talk portion on our radio station a few weeks ago asking if officers could pull you over for going 5 MPH over the limit. I almost called in and said, ...... 'they wouldn't'.

Needless to say, I was mortified when I got pulled over this past week while taking Edwin to see my mom. I saw those wretched blue lights and knew it was me but thought I probably had a light out or a loose plate. Nope. I remembered to keep my hands in sight and not try to flee like my BFF did several years ago. He walked up and asked for my license and registration. He asked if Edwin was my grandson and I was quick to point out that he was and that his daddy was also a police officer which made me feel even worse.

I know the only reason I got just a warning was because of Edwin. I know that now the entire world knows because Edwin can talk. He tells people that a policeman told Grandma she was going too fast....... Yep I was. Exactly 10 MPH too fast.

And Then There Were Eight

Bob comes from a family of 10 children. A few years ago, Esther passed away due to a stroke and last weekend we went to Clayton's Memorial service. It is always interesting to see all of the siblings together. Although they are a generation apart - oldest to youngest, they are still family. The older they get, the more they tend to look alike. The girls tend to be closer than the guys. The oldest tends to be the most obnoxious and the youngest the most spoiled. It is fun to hear their memories, although they were really never all together under one roof. Just as with Esther, there will be a gap with Clayton gone. Someone missing. Someone who will always be missing here on earth.......

Liars Never Prosper....

My former EMT instructor would often say, 'Liars never prosper.' I often shared that bit of wisdom with my children.....

People never cease to amaze me. To astound me. To sadden me. Life is so precious and there are so many sweet mamas who are struggling with pregnancies, with terminally ill children, with financial failure. Why would someone who professes to love the Lord prey on so many and draw attention from those who truly could use a kind word or some real intercession before the Lord?

I began to wonder about this woman a few weeks ago. I know enough about the world of midwifery to know that a reputable midwife would not deliver a high risk pregnancy at home. Wouldn't a parent of a child with a terminal prognosis do anything possible to make sure they are not suffering and perhaps give them the medical intervention they need? Many trisomy 13 children have cleft palates. This child appeared beautiful - also rather large for her small weight. This child supposedly nursed - this really got me thinking because of the suck/swallow reflex in many low weight children.

There were other red flags as well. It does bother me that she pulled so many in. What really troubles me the most is that she pulled the Holy name of the Lord into her lies. We can judge her all we want, but He will be the ultimate judge and standing before Him is not going to be 'rosey' at all.

Pondering

Today we had the opportunity to visit Clayton, probably for the last time here on earth. As we drove to Grand Rapids, I thought about how quickly life goes by. Each day is truly a gift.

Seeing Clayton in the condition he is in made me wonder. The facility that he is in has to be one of the most depressing places I have been to. So many people with physical struggles. So many. The doctors are pressuring Marlene to take Clayton off his ventilator. That sounds like a plan except he is still aware of what is happening. His brain is still active. It is a scary thought. How do you determine that your spouse will be taken off the machine that gives him breath? No, he has no quality of life. No, he will not recover. No. No. No.

God knew about Clayton's first heartbeat 70 years ago. Shouldn't He determine when the last one will be? I am really struggling with this.

Memorial Day Memories

Memorial Day always seems somewhat poignant. I never have taken for granted those who died serving our country. Serving my country. It always seems like a bittersweet day.

This year the kids all came to the cabin for a cookout. It is really the first time since Christmas that all of the little people have been together. They had so much fun. They loved running into the woods for firewood. I can't wait to see who comes down with poison ivy first. I love the fact that they are so close in age. I remember the relationship I had with a few of my cousins and hope they too develop that closeness. It was also a day of gratitude for Jordan. She had some pregnancy problems the day before and thus far, God has spared the life of this little soul.


Edwin could not get enough of the woods.



Robert fell so hard that his eye patch was scraped!



It doesn't get much better than this! The 'cousins' had so much fun together!


Some lip licking ice cream to end the day! The kids went home dirty and happy!

Dishin' on Dining Rooms

First of all, I am no blogging expert so this is not configured the way I would have liked. Second of all, I am not a decorating diva! I can see what I want but when I try to accomplish it....well....

We live in a big old house in the middle of 'the hood'. It is a wonderful mission field and I love it. We also were foster parents to over 100 children in 15 years and the dining room was the center of our house as we met together for meals each evening. It is my favorite room.


We have a lot of old woodwork. I love my bay window. The high chair in the corner was my mom's when she was a baby. I also have the candlewick china she bought before she got married. It's very precious to me and we use it on Holidays.

This is looking into the dining room from our foyer. Obviously the dining room leads into the kitchen.


The bay windows get a lot of nose prints these days. This is Tazer.

Missing. Always Missing.

Today is the anniversary of the due date for the baby that Jordan lost. He or she would be 3 now. A buddy for the triplets. A little younger, but still close. Such dreams Jordan had for this baby. Such excitement when she found out she was carrying him or her. A baby that was never tangible. A baby she never got to name. A baby she never got to see. On Holidays I look around the table and someone is always missing.

God is so good. He chose life for this baby. Eternal life. This baby never had to choose whether to accept Christ or deny Him. God chose for them. One thing we are confident of. One thing we can be sure. One day we will see this baby again. This baby is waiting for us.