Spring Has Sprung

Just as we celebrated His being alive a few weeks ago, the earth is showing signs of new life. I love it when Winter turns into Spring. When death turns into life. When brown turns into green.

It doesn't take special effects to thrill my soul. It takes the hand of a Creator.

Birthday Boys x Three

Dryscha had the first birthday party ever for the boys. They were so excited! She chose a farm theme and had so much fun decorating and planning. They got some great gifts including roller skates which will probably lead to their first ER visit - times three of course!





















A treat for the adults - with cow pattern ribbon.

ENGAGED!

Yesterday, in the midst of inventory, Max and Angie came into the store to tell me that they are engaged. They've been together for a long time. They've had a lot of ups and downs. It is hard to imagine them with anyone else. A beautiful ring. A Summer 2011 wedding. Time to pray. Time to hope. Time for God to work in two lives that will make an oath before Him.

"Today is the day"

Four years ago I went to work and got a phone call that I hoped would not come for a few more weeks. It was Mike. He simply said, 'The doctor was in to see Dryscha and told her that today is the day.'

Today - at 31w, three little boys would be born. Three little boys who were longed for. Who were prayed for. Who were about to be a gift from God. A gift that only He could give.

Surgery was to be at 4:3o and Mike asked us not to come before 3:30, allowing them that time alone. It was 31W 1D, a few weeks shy of what Dryscha's goal was but I knew over the weekend that she would not hold out much longer. At 4:30, she was wheeled into surgery and the rest of us waited. And waited. And waited. At 5:30, I had a feeling they were born, but no one came to tell us anything. At 6:30, the anesthesiologist walked through and said all went well and someone should be out shortly. Finally Mike came out and told us that Robert Mackenzie, James Philip, and Edwin Michael Kenneth had been born at 5:14, 5:15, and 5:17 . At almost 8:30 we got our first glimpse.

That was four years ago. Things have never been the same. We love you boys!

Locks of Love

Jocelyn got her beautiful waist length red hair cut and donated it to Locks of Love. Sandy told her how much that some little girl will love a wig made out of her hair. They took her name to send in with it.

Childhood cancer can be devastating. So often I go through life and forget that there are families really struggling with pediatric health issues. Many of them terminal.

I hope Jocelyn always has a giving heart. A tender heart.

Working It Out.

I have a whole 'nother family that I spend time with each week. My work family. I take my job as the HR person very seriously. I laugh with my co-workers. I cry with my co-workers. I pray with my co-workers. I praise and reprimand my co-workers. Each has their own story and each is a special soul to me.

F - The cleaning man. He yells at me for not wearing a coat when it is cold. He warns me about freshly mopped floors after he saw me slide across the floor once after he had just mopped it. Almost gave him a heart attack.

D - Wouldn't speak to me last weekend because she was mad at something that R had done the night before. My bubbly D. Last night she snuck into my office to steal my jumbo jelly beans and called me 'Mom'.

M - My dear M. My partner. My heart grieves for M as he struggles to hold on to a marriage with all of his heart. This week is going to be a rough one at work for M. I cannot even tell him about it yet but I am fighting for him and don't know how I will handle myself if things don't turn out. I have lost too many partners.

C- My sister in Christ. I've tried to protect her job but next week things will change. I asked if it could happen when I'm not there but was told I was the only one that was trusted to sit in on what will be a very difficult conversation.

J - My bubbly girl. Almost like my own daughter. I love her happy little voice and the fact that she will do anything I ask - always cheerfully.

E - Crazy E. So totally unlike me. We have some good conversations and he is someone I can tease with my dry sense of humor.

Some days I come home from work with a heavy heart. A lot of burdens. Somedays I come home from work excited about what God is doing. When Bob had his heart attack, I realized just how special many of my co-workers are and that they love me just as I love them. All 70.

CHUCKIE WHO?

On a cold, snowy evening, Cathy treated all of us to Chuckie Cheese! The cousins loved it! What a treat. Jocelyn was the only one that had ever been there before. I am SO thankful that the mom's went too. Keeping track of these guys was not easy. I love seeing them grow up and make memories together. The girls of course love to see each other. Jocelyn and little miss 'A' went on one ride that simulated a roller coaster. I loved hearing them squeal and scream as only little girls can do. They all wore the initial shirts that Dryscha made them for Christmas. I am blessed.













Two of my three 'J's! Jocelyn and Juliet!












The boys all had fun!! From the 'biggest' to the smallest' Of course we had to finish off with pizza!