He finished strong.

A good man went to be with the Lord. He lived 93 years on this earth. He dedicated those years to service to our Lord. His life was full. I was a better person for knowing him. Many were better for knowing this man.

George Oakes. A grandfather but not mine.

Married for 51 years to spunky Charlene. They met in language school in Brazil. They had two boys. Those two boys married and each had two children. George's clan.

Never have I met a man so steadfast in his faith. He walked with God. He yearned to do His work. How blessed for his old bones to rest and for God to say "well done, good and faithful servant. You never tired in this race. Enter into My rest and enjoy your reward."

We visited with his widow, Charlene this past Saturday. I teared up so many times as she shared his last days. Even in the throes of a confused mind, he challenged his family, "I am going home to be with the Lord. You stay here and do His work. There is a man in the next bed who does not know our Lord. Share with him."

And his family did. Without a moment's hesitation.

I could go on and on b/c this man and his wife inspire me to love my God more, to fight through whatever sin entangles me and strive for the prize - Christ Jesus, who laid it all down in order to sit at the right hand of the throne of God.

I grieve, not because George is no longer with us. No man would find more joy than being with his Savior. I grieve that Shawn and I did not spend more time in his presence, being spurred on in our faith.

Friends, Christ's love compels us. His servants remind us of that.

One last thing. Charlene shared a George-ism with us that really sunk deep into our hearts. I pray it takes root in yours:

(hear these words in a wonderful deep British tongue) "If you are going to worry, don't pray. If you are going to pray, don't worry."

Simple but profound and so much more - challenging. A God big enough to save our souls from destruction is THE GOD watching over you and me...and the sparrow.

The morning after

Good Saturday to you!
Thanks to craigslist.com we have a new toy for Asher (and Avery). Thanks for your suggestions!

Right now it is residing in the playroom but I do hope Shawn will agree to moving it out back when the weather turns cooler.

I'm still alive

And busy. I admire you work at home moms. How do you get it done?

It's intermission in our movie b/c somebody's dad called for a chat and well, it's never really a chat... :-)

So I've checked my email and stopped by to at least post a little something.

I do need some feedback, gals. Because I wasn't sure what I wanted my parents to get Asher for his first birthday, they haven't yet. And for some reason I'm raring to figure out a good "thing" for my almost 14 mo. old boy. Let me say he really doesn't need anything so I'm trying to think forward to when he'll be more active (yes, it's so coming!). AND, none of us need anything with little pieces. I've got pieces comin' outta everywhere, thanks to the curse of the Polly Pocket. So, hook me up, moms! What do your young strapping males love, besides mama?

Have a great weekend!

Oh, and my wheels are spinning - when do you guys want to do Girls Night Out? Soon, right?? and what night is best (this should be the fun part...)?

Love to you all!
sim

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, SIS!

Today, a special someone turns 30!

Happy Birthday, Angie.

A sis by law, a true sister to me.

You are a joy and a treat to know.

I love you.

When I think of Angie, this is what comes to mind:

-big smile that never goes away

-encouraging words for everyone

-never meets a stranger

-honesty and transparency in life

-always looks cute

-desire to love God

-desire to teach her kids to love God

-servant-hearted, big time!

I'm a better person for knowing you, Ang!

The Final Countdown

This is the last week of travel! We are so ready to have dad home and he's even more ready to be home. C'mon Friday!

A tasty "welcome home" treat - completely from scratch. It turned out perfect and tasted even better!

Our giant pillow pit. Every pillow in the house contributed to the fun.
Just a cute pic of a cute girl.
It's been quiet around blogsville. Hope you all are enjoying your families, friends and the sunshine!

Thursday love

Two more days and my hubby comes home for a pit stop. He's been gone since 4th of July. The plane gets in Saturday afternoon, we get him for Sunday and then he's back on a plane headed to Maryland. BUT, come the 20th, he's home and done!

The end of August we are headed to the Florida Gulf Coast for a week! We found a darling 3 bd/3ba beach cottage that will be ours for 6 - count 'em, 6 nights! We'll be staying right between Seaside and Rosemary Beach. I AM EXCITED! Let's start prayin' that those hurricanes will tarry.

Natalie is initiating a wonderful project...be a part of it! I'll collect and get them to her, if you'll let me know you want to do it! An easy "teachable moment", moms! Thanks, Nat, for getting this started! You're gonna blow that "goal" away!

I'm hooked on Solitaire right now. I hadn't played it since I worked full-time in the days before Avery was born. I was watching The Office and Pam was wastin' time playin' Free Cell. Right then and there, I got my computer and proceeded to waste 2 hours. I could've been sleeping. I'm taking a break right now to write this (the kids are sleeping so I'm not neglecting them...yet).

Mindless, mindless activity.

My heart hurts b/c everytime I turn around, I'm hearing of another marriage falling apart. The pain and loneliness, not to mention the kids is just devestating. Pray, girls! The enemy is gaining way too much ground on this!

This week I've been camped out in Psalm 25. Read it, it'll do your heart some good!

Peace and conditioned air to you all!
sim

Sunny Saturday

Is it bad for me to want the clouds back? Man, is it hot or what? Bring on the high energy bills! On the other hand, my, it looks nice and cheerful inside my house.

This morning I got out and to the grocery store early with Asher. Avery spent the night with my parents last night. We picked up a few things at Market Street and I decided to go "garage sale"ing for a little while in old McKinney. There are always tons of garage sales at these great old houses. It gives me an excuse to visit our old stomping ground (even though to get to the library or the square, I take our old street, so I guess I hit the old neighborhood quite often. Way besides the point!).

I had to call Shawn this morning and confess the lust in my heart. I came upon a garage sale at a beautiful home that is for sale. Oh, what a perfect remodeled Craftsman home. Green, with a beautiful big yard, an upstairs, the big wooden door with glass panes at the top, BIG front porch. I almost got out of the van to see if I could take a tour. I wanted to see that house so I would have details to add to my daydreaming. I waffled, smelled my poopy son and pulled away...slowly.

When I got home and put Asher down for a nap, I started hunting the internet for this home, this perfect home on a good street next to other perfect homes.

$315,000 worth of perfect was that Craftsman creation, so lovingly and carefully restored.

Dang, I can't even fantasize in that price range.

CPKs

A few days ago, Sunni posted about Ava receiving her first Cabbage Patch Kid. That got me to thinking about the years gone by and my time with my "kids". I had two: Amanda, a redhead and Simon, a bald preemie.

Funny how life imitates mass production...

Thankfully my mom held on to Mandy. Avery has added her to her never-ending pile of "special" animals. I think she thinks we are calling them "special" when we are really saying "stuffed". Whatever.

When I was in the third grade, CPK love was at a fever pitch. You could not find the dolls anywhere (excuse my use of the term "doll". Back in the day, I had a few friends that would give it to you if you called them "dolls" and not "kids". I think I've finally outgrown the need to make them happy.). We lived in S. Cali at the time, but it sounds like it was a national crisis. I had a beloved JC Penney catalog that I would pour over day in and day out, dreaming of my sweet kid just waiting for me to bring him/her home. I would wonder what the name was, what they looked like, how sweet they would feel in my arms.

A dream, shattered, day after day. Are you telling me Mattel couldn't up the production just a bit?

Anytime my parents would leave without us I thought for sure they would return home with my precious cargo.

They never did.

Finally, my grandmother back here in the Lone Star state was able to get her hands on one. I think she shipped it. I don't remember if it was for my birthday, Christmas or Yeehaw, we got one!

After the craze tapered off, I added to my CPK family. Simon, the preemie came home. He was a bit special. His buttstitch didn't take, so he had a hemorroid-like string hanging, no dangling from his unsectioned rear. Not sure why I never snipped it. Also, one of his knee stitches came out so he looked like he had a club leg. That poor kid...

He did get married, though. To another preemie. A match made in heaven.

My best friend and I planned an elaborate wedding. We set up a cardboard stage, tossed flower petals and invited other "kids" to be attendents. I have polaroids of it somewhere. I don't remember if we sent them on a honeymoon. We were, what, like eight? The finer workings of wedded bliss were all but lost on us.

Praise the Lord.

I've got to find those wedding pictures.
Got any CPK tales for me?

Some of my all-time favs

In the nostalgic mood that I am, I went looking around on our desktop computer for old pictures of Avery. You just seem to take so many pictures of the first child. Anyway, here are some of my very favorite pictures of her during the first 1 1/2 years of her life. Let me tell you, if you are worn out by "big kid" attitude, spend some time looking at pics of them before they decided to exert independence. It helps put things in perspective and remind you how much you love those little toots!

Around 2 months old. This picture just makes me laugh.

Fourth of July 3 years ago! My sweet 7 month old sitting pretty.
10 1/2 months old at a pumpkin patch in Rockwall. This pic is a magnet on our fridge. I really remember how stinkin' hot it was that day.
Mmmmmm! Sweet kisses from Avery (15 months old)
This is hands down my fav pic. I can't believe I caught this moment. The complete joy of being tickled by daddy. We have this one blown up in Shawn's office.


Ya'll post some of your fav pics of your kids and leave me a comment so I can check them out!

Because no words are coming to me