My Husband

What I Was Thinking . . . was how much I love my husband. I have known him since I was 16 years old. He has been my best friend for almost 30 years; boy, that's a long time! He has never left my side all of these years. He has worked so hard to provide for his family which allowed me to stay home with our children for 11 years. I am so grateful to him for that. He's work so hard sometimes even 60 hours per week, with little sleep and with little complaint just for us. He has always put me and the kids first and foremost and has always done without to make sure his children never did without. He is a wonderful, Christian man. He is the best daddy ever to his children ... just ask them. Chris even chose his dad to be the Best Man at his wedding ... how often do you see that? I am extremely blessed to have a man like that by my side ... that's what I was thinking.

Packing

What I was Thinking ... was that I have mixed feelings today. My daughter is packing tonight for college. Helping her take her clothes out of the closet into a suitcase was sad for me but also exciting. My daughter is going to be gone. I just heard her laugh ... I'm going to miss that laugh =( . I'm excited for her and proud of her for going to Bible College. She has so much to look forward to. I've always told my kids, "Just make one good decision after another and your life will be great." Many decisions will need to be made by her in the near future; "just make one good decision after another" .... that's what I was thinking.

Heaven

What I was Thinking ... was how real Heaven is to me today. Grandma Bare died this morning. She is actually an "extended" grandma to me~ she is my sister's husband's grandma. My sister has been her caretaker for several years now, taking on the burden of caring for an elderly woman until she was 96 years old. My sister is a very special lady! Grandma loved my children, she loved her "preacher boy" Chris. She was a dear, Christian woman who everyone would just sit around and listen to her wisdom. I have never known a woman like her before. Grandma Bare's health has been failing for sometime and Hospice finally came in a couple of weeks ago to help my sister. On Saturday night my sister awoke from a dream that seemed so real to her. She dreamt that Grandma Bare came into her room and was standing there and just said, "I am so tired of lying in that bed." (it's been a long time since Grandma has been out of bed). My sister said it was just so real; Grandma never spoke after that, she just laid there with a blank look. My sister told me this morning that she truly believes that on Saturday night is when Grandma went into the presence of Jesus! Her frail body, barely breathing layed in bed for 2 more days, but her soul had already left. Isn't God so good ... that is what I was thinking.

Hurricane Fay

What I was thinking ... was that my daughter is over 3,000 miles away from home and in the midst of a category 1 hurricane. I don't want to be thinking about that, but I am ~ I have been all day ... that's what I was thinking .... all day.

Paycheck Job

What I was thinking... was how wonderful it is to get a call out of the blue from your grown children. I got two today...hmm... they both called, they both wanted to know how I was doing, and they both told me about their day and the best part was they told me that they loved me. I don't want to sound arrogant and I don't mean too, but I feel like such a success when it comes to them. I don't know if that is a bad thing or not but it's the most fulfilling I've been in such a long time to know that my children have grown up to be such wonderful people who want to serve God with their lives. I believe I do my job well at Travelers, I mean, I get excellent reviews, etc. but it's just not the same as it is with your children. The feeling is just unbelievable and hard to explain. No "paycheck" job could ever take the place of just being a mom. Being a mom is the best thing ever; that's what I was thinking.

Transition

What I was thinking was that trying to figure out what's best for your teen while going through the transition of becoming an adult is very difficult. Every child is so different and nothing works the same; it's like a new adventure (or should I say battle) every time. What part do you let go? What part do you still hang on to? Do you let them make bad decisions and let them fall or do you get involved and tell them the answer? Where does end? I wish I had a definite answer but I don't.; even after going through this transition twice, I don't have the answers. I make my decisions knowing I'm doing the best I can do as a mom who loves her children more than life itself. I think I'm a good mom; I mean, I have good kids... so doesn't that make me a good mom? I want my children to be happy and I want them to be successful in the ministry. I'm striving and I'm praying for that ~ daily. The hardest stage in raising your child is between 12 - 14 because if you lose their heart during that time, you have lost them from 15 - 20; they just won't care what you think. The next hardest stage is this transition period. It's probably harder on them than me, though. Can I just say how much easier it was to warm a bottle, change a diaper and pick up toys?

I love Sunday

What I was thinking was that I love Sunday. It's the day we go to church and just get refreshed from the long week and the inspiration for the week to come. Phil. 4:10 "But I rejoice in the Lord greatly, that now at the last your care of me hath flourished." This was our verse for Sunday School this morning. Our SS Teacher said, "Do I have enough trust in Him to get me through the day?" Hmm.. do I? Can I completely put my trust in HIM? I think this is a daily question for all of us; we should all address this every morning, don't you think?

Midlife

What I was thinking was that now that my children have grown up it seems like such a big part of my life is over. My children were and are my life. I have poured my entire heart and soul in their lives. As parents, we only have 18 years to make it count and to raise young adults to be successful in life. Not necessarily a financial success, but just a success in life... a life that pleases God and a life that makes them happy. If I could only express to all of you the feeling you have when you can look back on your life and know that you have raised successful children. Make every day count with your children. Help them, be there for them. Make sure they know that you would do absolutely anything in the world for them. Make every decision based on your children .. you only have 18 years to make it work... it's not very long; believe me. But the battle is definitely worth it. I love you so much Chris, Staci & Kelsi and now our newest addition our daughter-in-law Sarah. Thank you to my loving husband who is the best daddy ever!

hmmm it's Saturday

What I was thinking was that Saturday is just not long enough. Can't we have two Saturdays in a week? It's my day to have fun, clean, and get caught up on everything that was ignored during my busy week. I can't do everything ... but with my personality... I have to do everything.