Love is all you need...

Sorry to steal a line from the infamous Beatles song, but it aptly describes I have been thinking about recently - and I am going to try and dump it all here.  :) Hopefully by the end it will all wrap together and make a little sense:

I want to start with the owner of the Clippers and his comments and outcry.  When I hear stuff like this my thoughts are "Really?  We are still dealing with this?". It surprises me that people are still judgmental based on race, or religion, or size, or whatever.  I was raised in the South, south Florida, but my roots are South Carolina and North Carolina.  I am no stranger to racism.  But to my parents credit, they did not raise us to discriminate.  We were taught differently. I know not everyone is taught the same however, but it still just surprises me.

Now I need to back track, just a little.  I think that every one has prejudices.  Everyone.  Think about it.  It may not be due to color of skin, or sexual choice (the hot topics of the day).  But what do you think about religion.  If the word Mormon is said?  Jew?  How about nationality?  Russian?  African?  English?  Indian?  What about size?  Short?  Fat?  Thin?  Tall?  What about careers?  Lawyer?  Doctor?  Trash collector?  Mailman?  Construction worker?  Bus Driver?  (I HAD to throw that in there!  One time we met with some of Christian's old high school friends and one of the first things she said upon meeting me - knowing I was a bus drier - is "you're not fat!  I thought all bus drivers were fat!" - it did make me laugh... but see what I mean?). We ALL have preconceived notions that we have developed from experience, what we have been taught, or what we have seen on TV or movies.

Ever meet someone that you immediately thought whatever that preconceived notion was - judged them - then got to know that person and you were great friends?  You realized you were wrong about that religion, job, nationality, race, sexual preference, whatever!  You realized that at the heart of it they were a PERSON.  A human being that has great traits.  They laugh, cry, have fun, love just like you!

Recently I was reading the Book of Mormon, 4th Nephi to be exact.   (want to know more about what that is?  Click here). There is a story in there about a people that lived "without contention" for a couple of hundred years.  One of the ways that it says they live in such harmony is because there were no labels.  They did not classify each other.  Now, lest you think it was like some kind of commune where everyone shaved their heads, that is not true.  The people were different.  They had different opinions.  They weren't perfect.  I think what "no contention" means is they were willing to listen to different opinions.  Even be OKAY with it.  It was fine for my neighbor to feel one way and me to feel differently.  We could still live in harmony.  However, peace ("no contention") starts with the INDIVIDUAL.  They understood this.  In fact, back to the story of this people, they began to war and have contention as they again broke up into groups, labels.  They began to think that one group was better than the other and wars began... ultimately destroying them.

I have been taught my whole life that we are all children of God.  Humans.  People.  Brothers and Sisters.  We have that in common.  No matter what color, nationality, race, religion, career.  We are neighbors.  We have MANY differences... but we have that one, most important, commonality.  There is a song by Collin Raye called "Not that Different" that has the words:



I laugh, I love, I hope, I try
I hurt, I need, I fear, I cry
And I know you do the same things too
So we're really not that different, me and you.



I love those words.  I remember the first time I heard them it really made me think, we really aren't that different!  NONE of us!  Sure there are difference, but at the core.  This is what we are made of.  WE all are fundamentally the same.

This brings me to another experience this week.  I have a friend that died in a car accident.  She was hit head on as she was going to visit her grandchildren.  It was sudden.  It was heartbreaking.  She was 55 years old.  She is a mother of 5.  She has several grandchildren.  She has been married 35 years.  I was not her best friend.  I honestly haven't seen her in months.  She lived in Dunkirk, Indiana.  That is everything you picture about Indiana... rural community.  She lived in a farmhouse on a farm.  She substitute taught for the last few years at Jay County High school.  All 5 of her children served 2 year missions for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  (Mormons... 2 are currently serving). We could not attend the funeral, but my husband and I went to the viewing.  It was from 4:00 until 8:00 in Muncie.  We waited in line for one hour to pay our respects to her family.  ONE HOUR.  Her brother in law walked up and down the line once while we were waiting and chatted with us a minute.  He said it had been like that since 3:30 that afternoon.  We were there about 7:00.  It was still a long line at 8:00.  I imagine she will have over 1000 people at her funeral.  Every age.  Every religion.  Every race.  It was beyond inspiring. I tear up thinking about it now.  How could one small person, wife, mother, daughter, sister, teacher affect SO many?  How many people cancelled their plans to be there on a Friday night, last minute?  Why?

I will tell you why we did... and I would imagine it was the same for everyone there... because she loved me.  She loved us.  She made you feel like you were important, interesting, her friend.  Everyone.  Every single person she ever met.  She laughed, a lot.  She was "all in" in everything she did.  She had the best smile.  Her eyes were always lit up!  She didn't look like a model.  She was unassuming. But she served and loved every single person she met.  EVERY SINGLE person.  She recognized more than anyone that we were her brothers and sisters.  Once we went to church in Dunkirk at their family invitation and then she had our whole family to dinner.  I don't remember what we ate - but I remember that she was a fantastic host.  I remember we laughed a lot... I remember we all left feeling loved.

As I waited in line these are the things I was thinking about.  I thought about how many people wanted to make the difference in the lives of others so that at their funeral they had hundreds, maybe even thousands to pay their respects.  I thought of the lengths that people go to for that kind of fame and respect.  I thought of my friend, humble, serving, always loving others.  An unassuming woman from a small town in Indiana touching hundreds of people simply by loving them for who they are!

So that leads me to my conclusion:  "All we need is love".  Truly it is that simple.  For peace, for harmony, for all we crave, we need love.  We need someone to show us love - and we need to love others.  Not because they are good looking, rich, famous, kind, similar to us, or anything else - but because at the core we are the same.  Some get this - Mother Teresa, Thomas Monson, Ghandi, Nelson Mandela are a few that come to mind - my friend.  This will be my goal - love.  When the child on the bus drives me crazy because I don't think I can tell them to sit down ONE MORE TIME in that 10 minute ride - I will try and stop and remember love.  When my family drives me crazy because they aren't listening AGAIN - I will stop and remember love.  When I see someone that I might make the quick judgment because of some prejudice that I have - I will stop and remember love.  This is my challenge to all - love.  (kindness, charity whatever you want to call it). "Let there be peace on Earth, and let it begin with me" It begins with love.

Payne is 17!!

 

 

 

Okay, so Payne's birthday was March 20, and I am REALLY bad at posting regularly on this blog!  I set a goal and I am failing, miserably!  But, over a month late, here is ALL ABOUT PAYNE (from his mother's perspective) :):

 

Payne was born March 20, 1997.  I remember it was the first day of Spring and a beautiful day! I went to the doctor for a regular check up and left Camden and Stirling with a friend.  I didn't come home.  I had been leaking amniotic fluid and they sent me straight to the hospital.  I called Christian and my friend, who ended up watching the kids all night.  After checking in and being induced he was born in an HOUR!  It was like a TV show where everyone was running around like crazy, calling the doctor to get in STAT.  He has been in a hurry since!  He was 5lbs. 6 oz.  We couldn't decide on a name, and had two... we knew we wanted his middle name to be Thomas (my Dad's name) and we really liked Payne (after the golfer, Payne Stewart) but didn't know if that would be cruel to do that to a kid or not.  After we saw him Payne just fit. 

 

He was the most independent little baby and little kid.  Tough as anything, and funny!  We always enjoyed watching his antics.  I swear he could make popcorn as soon as he could climb on a stool and push buttons on the microwave.  He has always been ready to be "on his own"... even telling me when he was 12 that he could live on his own without any help from us.  (he gave up on that idea, thank goodness!)

 

Payne has always been his "own" guy.  He doesn't really care what others think about him, as long as he is doing what he thinks is right.  (and he isn't always right, lol!). He is just, Payne.  I love that about him.  He doesn't give up if he wants something, ever.  He is ambitious.  He will talk to anyone, and I do mean, anyone, if he wants to learn something.  He is unafraid.  He has always been fearless, jumping in with both feet to any new adventure.  When he and Stirling were little people would often turn to Stirling to see if he wanted to do something new first.  Stirling was a little more concerned, but Payne would always volunteer!  He lives life to the fullest.

 

 

Here it is a 10 degree day in the winter and Payne is building a fire, because he is so tired of being stuck inside! 

 

Payne is the best uncle in the world!  He LOVES babies.  (especially his nephew). When he was 10 his cousin Ethan was born and he was smitten.  He loves his cousin Evelyn too!  He just loves little ones.  I often have to vie for Will when we are all around.  Payne will take him off every time!

 



First time he met Will.  (one of my favorite pictures, ever)

Watching football.

 

Twins! (Payne's words, not mine)

 

Helping his cousin "ride a bike"

 

Payne is a real gentlemen.  He will joke about things often, but when it is time he can be such a gentleman.  I like seeing that side of him.  I love this picture of he and his prom date last year. 

 

Payne LOVES, LOVES, LOVES cars!  He seriously loves cars.  I think he will someday work with cars somehow.  He amazes me with his knowledge.  He knows how cars work (or he fakes it well), he knows who drives what car, he knows the stats of all cars (at least it seems that way to me).  He loves cars.  He will talk to anyone about their car.  He also has little respect for anyone that doesn't like his truck.  :)

 

Working on his truck.  He is often working on his truck.

Driving my van.  He loves to drive.  Always.

 

 

Sitting in a BMW at a golf tour. 

 

 

Last year for his birthday we got him a "ride along" on a NASCAR track.  He loved it!

 

 

First time in the Ford truck that he loves!

 

Payne is also SO FUNNY!  He always has the most interesting ideas that make us laugh.  (and sometimes shake our head). Here, after eating at a restaurant for David's birthday he walked out early, and put the candle in a hole in this railing, lit it, then waited for us to come and find it.  He was tickled with himself, and we thought it was funny too!  One CANNOT not laugh if Payne is laughing... really laughing.  He has always had that effect on us.

 

 

One year for Christmas Payne wanted a Belgian waffle maker.  He loves using it, and has even made bacon and cheese waffles for us.  (it was better than it sounds). Here he is working his magic.

 

As you can imagine, with that sense of humor, it is very difficult to get a "good" picture of Payne.  All of his pictures look like this - from when he was a little boy!  He has always had this "spark" in his eye.  When he was a toddler he had a speech problem and he said "c's" like "t's".  (So "cat" was said "tat")  He would start to do something and we would say, "Payne you can't do that!". He would look at us with a grin and say, "I tan!". I always had to say "you SHOULDN'T" do something because if he CAN do it, why shouldn't he?  I still see that in him today. 

 

I am proud of Payne and the man he is becoming.  And I love him dearly!

Shout it from the Rooftops!

 

So, as you know, Stirling is a diver.  He competed, made it to State, and placed 4th.  I was amazed at how much I was excited about this, for him.  It was something he had worked for very hard.  As a mother I wanted him to accomplish his goals.  I wanted him to "pluck the fruits of his labors".  It was SO great when he did!  I just felt so excited I wanted to shout it from the rooftops!  Seriously, I felt like everyone I talked to I wanted to say, "My son placed 4th in state!".

 

Taco Bell Drive thru?  "Can I take your order?"

Me- "Yes, did you know my son placed 4th in state?".

(LOL!  That didn't really happen, but SERIOUSLY, that is how I felt!  I wanted to tell the world!) 

 

I have had other moments like that with my children...  where I wanted to tell the world about their victories.  Many of those moments are the amazing, everyone can see, moments.  Camden getting married.  Having a grandson.  Payne getting a job.  Liam playing the cello and being first chair.  Good grades, birthdays, baptisms, accomplishments, milestones that are publicly marked.

 

Some of those moments are private though... and maybe something they didn't even knew I was celebrating.  The first time they showed a love for Jesus Christ.  When they served noticed someone in need, and unselfishly served them.  When they bore testimony.  When they hugged me spontaneously.  (okay - I know that happens when they were little ALL THE TIME.... I remember thinking some days that I didn't want someone to touch me anymore!... but now?  I miss it.  Teenagers don't hug as often!). There are those times that only a parent notices... when they are working to overcome something and they do.  Even the dumb, kind of funny things like when they shower on their own, and I don't have to beg them!  (those of you with pre-teen kids will understand!)

 

This got me to thinking, why don't we "shout from the rooftops" a little more often?  I drive a school bus.  I have 2 routes, one that is 5th thru 8th grade, and one that is Kindergarten thru 4th grade.  Kindergarteners crack me up!  They get on the bus and always are SO excited about pretty much anything that happens to them.  This is a typical exchange, every day:

 

Me:  Good morning, Clara.

Clara:  Good morning, Miss Stephanie!  LOOK, I have a loose tooth! (or I lost a tooth!, or I have a birthday coming up! or My Grandma is coming to visit! or Today I have a playdate with a friend! or I got new shoes! or It snowed! or I stayed on green today! or It is warm! .... and on and on and on.)

 

I admit, sometimes I am frustrated with it.  Could you just get on the bus so I can get you to school?!?!  But recently, I have recognized these are those shout it from the rooftop kind of moments.  They have a TON of them!  They want everyone to know!  Why do we fall away from that so much? 

 

Don't get me wrong, I know that life is hard.  I know there are many sorrows and sadness and heartache.  Not only have I had my own... I have witnessed my children's difficult times.  I know heartbreak as well as the next guy.  For example, I didn't say in the road to state post, but the Wednesday before the State meet Stirling hit the board in practice.  With his head. Hard.  I am not sure how he did not hurt his head worse and need stitches.  (I believe angels were watching over him). I was also running a fever that day... and REALLY sick.  It was a bleak day. 

 

But then we had the amazing thing happen!  The SHOUT IT FROM THE ROOFTOPS moment!  It was easy to forget the bad at that moment... actually I don't think we forgot it, I think it was sweeter because of the bad moment.

 

Life is like this, right?  There is lot of bad stuff... but there is SO MUCH GOOD stuff!  Those personal victories. (Getting the laundry done, folded and put away! Helping someone feel loved! Making dinner! Having fruit instead of a candy bar! Making someone smile! Exercising! Not yelling at the kids when you felt like it! Dancing in the kitchen! Getting a good grade! Harvesting the garden! and so on and so on!)  Those things that are amazing... EVEN if it is just to you!  I want to be more like those kindergarten kids.  I want to find joy and amazingness (yes I know I just made up a word) in even the small things. Share it with me and I will celebrate with you!   Let's do it together... Let's SHOUT FROM THE ROOFTOPS!!

STATE DIVE MEET

Sectionals

We went into sectionals nervous about it.  There are 20 sectionals in the IHSAA.  The top 4 divers from each sectional moves on to Regionals where the top 8 from those 8 regional meets go to state.  We live in an area wherSorry this morning went so poorly. Let's talk about how to solve this problem later.e diving is pretty big.  There are 6 of the top 15 divers in the state in our Sectional.  Only 4 can move on.  (A system I find crazy and one that doesn't make sense). This was a very stressful meet for Stirling.  He had to dive very well.  He did... and he was 4th!  We were so excited.  (Just to give you and idea, the diver in 7th place had 330 points and would have WON one of the other sectionals in the state... he would have been in the top 4 of EVERY OTHER sectional.  The top 6 divers all had over 400 points). We were SO excited he was moving on!

 

Giving the swimmers high fives as he walks in for his event.

The three Fishers Divers: Blake, Stirling and Austin, as they walk in for the diving event.
 

Blake and Stirling with Coach Kristy.  (I don't know what dive they were watching! :))

 

What a great pike!

 

The whole team, with the girls.  (the girls competed in their state meet the week before)

The Award stands... Stirling 4th!  Moving on!   

 

 

REGIONALS! 

 

The Top Eight moved on from Regionals to State.  It was a tough meet.  Stirling finished 6th... and was less than one point behind Austin, who was 5th.  There were just 20 points between 3rd and 6th.  That is really close!  1st and 2nd will likely be 1st and 2nd at State.  They are very good.  It was a great night!  We are gong to State!!!! WOOHOO!
 

Stirling and Austin.  Great divers, better friends!

 

 

 

Coach Kristy... best coach!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 STATE!!!!  

State was AMAZING!! Just the perfect day.  Earlier in the season, before Sectionals, Kristy had sent Stirling an e-mail that talked about how Darth Vader uses methods that are also intimidating and helpful in sports.  It became the joke that for both Stirling and Austin.  When they both made state we started the process of surprising them with Darth Vader suits, as well as Darth Vader towels and a Star Wars gift bag.  My sister and niece even madke this great sign for the front of the house:
 

 

Here they are in their Vader speedos... they even competed in them!

 

 

I was super excited he just made it to State.  My advice to him was to have the time of his life... he worked SO hard to get here, now enjoy EVERY minute.  I was so excited for him! He dove AMAZING!  It was the best meet of his life!  (and definitely the meet to do that!). He was having so much fun, and it showed in how he was diving.  He placed FOURTH!  (missing 3rd by less that 2 points!). We were SO excited, happy, and proud.  It was seriously an amazing moment!

 

One of my favorite things about Stirling is how kind he is to his competitors.  He cheers them on and he congratulates them for good dives, and helps them feel better after not so good dives.  :) There was a diver sitting behind me during part of the meet from another school.  He didn't make state, but did compete against Stirling twice during the season.  He was talking to a friend, critiquing the dives and such.  After one of Stirling's dives he commented that it was a great dive, then made the comment to his friend that he was so glad, because Stirling was such a good person.  He made the comment that Stirling deserves this, because he is such a great guy.  That makes my heart happier than 4th place!

 

 

Final Scoreboard

Austin placed 8th.  (top 8 podium) ... so it was just a great day!  Here they are with their inspiration, Vader.  :)

Here they are on the podium.  So excited for them!

 

This was the first time that we saw him after the event.  It was one of the most amazing moments of my life.  (Thank you to my friend who captured the picture!). We were all so happy we were all very tearful!  Stirling posted this picture on Instagram and said that today was the best day of his life. He commented that 4 years ago he could hardly dive off a diving board and after a lot of hard work and sacrifice placed 4th in State!  He said that he could not do it without the support of his parents.  (Love that kid!)

Stirling has been prayerfully considering what he should do in the future.  As some of you know we are Mormon, and he could choose to serve a two year mission serving others and teaching about Jesus Christ, directly out of High School since he is 18.  (There was recently a change in the age of when missionaries can serve, used to be 19, now it is 18 and graduated from High School.  Want to know more about what Missionaries do?  Check out this short video to better understand). ANYWAY - He has felt like he should pursue his diving, and dive in college.  He will then serve a mission after a year (or possibly two) of diving in college.  (depends on what the college offers, etc). It hasn't been an easy decision for him.  It is always hard to decide what to do in your future, especially if it is a little different than the "norm".  He said that after he won fourth it was a confirmation that he was making the right decision.  It was a big deal, for him, and for us. 

 

I wanted to SHOUT IT FROM THE ROOFTOPS! :)



So, Camden and David came... and here is the "eye candy" of the post.  My sister took this picture as I was saying good-bye to him.  Isn't he the cutest?!?!? :)

2-20-2000

 

Happy Birthday to this Boy!!!

 

 

(I should have written something about my children on their birthdays like this! Camden's was last week, and Stirling was December.  BUT I just thought about this today, so I will make a belated post for the two of them soon!)

 

Liam Elijah was born on February 20, 2000.  I  always thought that was a cool birthday.  He was a typical pregnancy, except I got SO much bigger.  I kept joking that I was pretty sure that I was having twins!  I was hoping for a girl to even out the family, and Camden REALLY wanted a sister.  Since she was almost 8 we let her come to the ultrasound.  When he was clearly a boy we were both sad.  She was teary about it so Christian took her to the waiting room while I met with the Doctor.  It did not even occur to me that he wouldn't be healthy.  There were some possible problems that did show on the ultrasound.  We would have to wait a month to see if it was a serious problem, or if it would go away.  It was a LONG month.  I knew that he would need to be a strong child, and I prayed and prayed that he would be strong.  However, I knew that babies were born with problems.  So sometimes I felt that I was asking too much.  Within a short time I had come to accept whatever was in store for me, knowing I would be strengthened through Christ to bear whatever burden I might have to bear.  

 

During this time we were trying to come up with a name.  When Christian and I got married we had two names, a girl and a boy, that we liked and beyond that it was really difficult to agree on a name!  Stirling shared a middle name with Christian and his grandfather.  Payne had my father's name as his middle name.  Where to go from here?  Did we play favorites among our grandfathers?  (I certainly didn't intend to have FOUR more boys to make it even!). As we thought about it we both came to the same conclusion that it should be Elijah, after Elijah Fordham, one of Christian's ancestors.  (5th great grandfather?  I can't keep track of that for some reason!). Elijah was a man of great faith.  he did many great things in his life, but the most well known story is of him being healed when he was on his death bed.  ( story here). This was a name of strength.  This was the name we were searching for!  (On a side note, Liam's favorite scripture character has always been Elijah of the Old Testament.  He has loved to hear the stories of Elijah)

 

Well, you know the end of this story.  Liam was healthy.  In fact he was well over 3 before he ever even took an antibiotic.  He was 7 lbs. 15 oz.. my biggest baby by over a pound!  He has always been big.  He has always been strong.  (REALLY strong). I think he needed that to protect himself from his brothers.  He has always been fiercely independent.  He has always been a joy.

 

Liam is a great young man.  He LOVES to learn.  (which is entirely different than loving school). Liam is often reading, or watching TED videos.  Once a few years ago he asked me what extinct animal I wish was still around.  He thinks like that.  He is insightful.  Probably my favorite thing about Liam is how sweet he is.  He chides me if he is around and I open a door.  He will take a bag from me when he sees me so that I don't have to carry it.  He is so considerate.  I love that about him.

 

I once read something that a Mom said that her favorite child is the one in front of her. I feel that way.  I can talk about all my children individually an end the conversation with he/she is my favorite! So since I am talking about Liam today I will say he is my favorite... my favorite 14 year old son.  Happy birthday, son.  I am proud of you.  I am so blessed to be your mom.  I appreciate your strength. 

 

I love you.

Driving in snow

 

Today I drove about 2 hours north to look at houses with my daughter.  (then we drove another hour to the town where we looked at houses - good thing Will is such a good baby!)  We didn't find anything promising, which was sad, but we had a good time!  I knew when I left that there was a winter storm warning for this afternoon, but I felt like it would be fine and that I should still go as planned.

 

When I woke up before I got in the shower I was checking twitter posts and there was a tweet from the LDS church which said, "If ye are prepared ye shall not fear".  (Side note:  I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints - or LDS church - or Mormons.  I like to subscribe to them on twitter) It got me thinking that I should be prepared for anything.  So I threw a few extra bottles of water in the car, a heavier winter coat, thick gloves, and a hat, oh!  and a granola bar and blanket.  Just in case. 

 

The drive up was fabulous.  BLASTING my favorite music ("Happy" by Pharell is one of my MOST favorites!... how can you listen to that song and NOT be happy?!?!) It was good for the soul.  Seriously.  I loved being by myself just to think.  The roads were clear, I could go a comfortable speed (somewhat over the speed limit) and cruise all the way up there.  It was super fun!

 

We didn't have too much success with houses.  She needs a new realtor.  (which they are finding) But it is ALWAYS fun to be with Will.  I love to snuggle him and kiss him.  He smiles SO big when you get him out of the carseat.  He cries when you put him back, so I made Camden do that. (Who wants to be the mean guy?  Not this grandma!) We ate lunch at this super cute place in downtown Nappanee... a local place. The food was fabulous and the prices were better. 

 

We got back to Christian's parents, no snow.  15 minutes later lots of snow- blowing hard snow.  I didn't hang out too long so that I could get on the road.  I knew it would be slow going and I wanted to get home.  Little did I know... it was WHITE OUT conditions after about 10 minutes.  It kind of scared me.  I was saying prayers in my head as I drove that I would be able to stay on the road because it was super hard to see anything but white.  It was strange, bright.  I felt like I was looking into the sun because it was so bright, but it was all so white.  I soon noticed there was a car behind me, and it just stayed a safe distance behind slowing down and such as I did.  I think we were going 35, sometimes 30 on the highway!  Somehow that car made me feel so much better once I noticed it.  I was no longer alone.  I kept talking to the car... "we are in this together, so we can make it"

 

Then I decided I would put on hymns and my "remember music".  (it helps me remember what is important.  Hilary Weeks, Mercy River, Kenneth Cope, Voice Male, Cheri Call... to name a few). I LOVE music.  ALL music... I really think it can soothe the soul.  Anyway, I sang along to the hymns and begin to repeat to myself, "Slow and steady will get you home".  SLOW AND STEADY.

 

Soon I began to think about how this relates to life. So often we hear "endure to the end".  We feel like this is a "grit your teeth" and "grin and bear it" kind of thing.  I don't think so.  We read in 2Nephi in the Book of Mormon that "men are that they might have joy".  We should have joy.  I thought about how my drive up and my drive back relate to my life.  Sometimes it is smooth sailing!  I get to think my own thoughts, sing loud to my favorite music, drive faster than I should.  Careening through life.  It is easy to feel joy then!

 

Then a storm comes.  I HAVE to slow down.   I can no longer go faster than I should.  If I try to it is dangerous, and could take me longer to get where I am going.  The storm definitely makes it harder to feel joy.  It is even easy to forget how good the road was just hours before.  Sometimes I feel alone, but then, as I pray I feel strength.  Whether it is a car behind me... a friend that lifts me ("we are in this together, so we can make it"), or even added strength to do what I need to do...   To drive to my destination.  I am reminded that I can listen to hymns (be uplifted) and know that I as I am strengthened I can have peace and joy.  JOY... even in the storm, singing my heart out.    I knew I would get to my destination okay. I was not afraid.  I had peace.... and I can have that kind of peace through the storms of life.  SLOW AND STEADY.  :).

 

It was a good thought for me.  I took some pictures as I got into Noblesville.... it was coming down so big and fluffy.  -- Don't worry!  I was at a stoplight both times!  I did get home, obviously. We will all get HOME someday too.  Remember, slow and steady... and you are not alone.  Ever. ("We are in this together...")

 

 

Some of my favorite pictures...

Here are some pictures... some of my favorites, recently.  I think this picture might be my all time favorite picture!  I just LOVE these boys, and I love my grandbaby being right there with them in their cool hats!

 

 

 

Will - my grandson

 

How cute is this boy?  I cannot express how much fun it is to be a grandmother!  It makes everything else TOTALLY worth it!

I took this picture while Cam was talking to her Dad.  I love how big it makes Will look, and how tiny she is!

 

Happy Grandad, sleepy baby!

 

 

Smiles!  Couldn't you just kiss him? 

  

 

Diving!

Stirling is doing so great this year!  I am really proud of him.  He has worked VERY hard to get where he is.  He is ranked in the top ten in the State of Indiana!  He also set the school record his last meet of the year.  It was pretty exciting!   He is gearing up now for Sectionals and state.  So excited for him! (Sorry about the speedo picture! I don't even think about it anymore, but forget that it is not much clothing.)  This year the High School team decided on Power Ranger practice suits.  Stirling is the red power ranger.

 

 

 

 

Eagle Scouts

 

 

The FINALLY did it! Stirling and Payne are Eagles!  So proud of them!  It was a great day to celebrate as they were awarded their eagles.  A lot of people that mean a lot in their lives came, and that meant so much!  The picture on top is BillBrown.  (no space on purpose, it is the way the boys used to say it, like it was all on word). He was Stirling and Payne's first bus driver when they started elementary school.  He has kept up with them, and often asked me how they were doing on their Eagle progress.  He came to the Court of Honor!  That is just one example of the many people that came have contributed to the growth of these boys. 

 

One of my favorite parts of the night was when they awarded the Mentor pin to their Grandfather.  (Grandy) Grandy determined that he would do all that he could to help encourage them on their path toward Eagle.  He talked with them and then told them he would meet with them once a month to have an "accountability meeting" where they talked about progress and set goals for the next month.  It made all the difference.  They love Grandy so much that they did not want to disappoint him, so they did it.  It was very touching to all of us when they both gave him the mentor pin.