Loving Our Simple Life

2014-06-29T11:02:00.000-07:00

The last day of school 2013/2014. Hard to believe that just like that 3rd grade and 2nd grade are behind you. It was another morning that I asked you both to please stop growing.

Here you are with our end of the school year surprise. I write out fun events on the driveway that we are going to spend our summer doing and you both love it. You run from word to word getting more excited about what events you have to come on your days off of school. Here's to our summer in pictures this year. I am so excited to spend summer with you!

Spending our afternoons swimming the day away!

2012-06-13T10:04:00.001-07:00

Anya this is your summer to catch up! Being the youngest kid you always see Cade do stuff first. Today you swam all the way across the deep end! You even had the courage to jump off the side in the deep end, swim up, and then across the pool. Finally you are both even in abilities in water. Yay for you catching up with Cade Anya!

Snakes...

2012-06-13T09:57:00.000-07:00

To say you are infatuated with snakes, Cade, is a little bit of an understatement. Right now you are extremely into animals, but snakes tops the list. You are constantly telling me which ones are venomous, how big certain ones can be, that if I was bit by one I would have to be taken care of for more than 24 hours, and other "vital" information. Tuesday at the Science Museum they had snakes, both real and stuffed. There was also stories of black racer sightings outside the museum. You were thrilled and spent time examining each specimen.

Today on our bike ride along the paved bike path in town, we came a little too close for comfort to the whole snake deal. I saw a black stick looking object up head while pedaling. The closer I got the more I noticed the "stick" wasn't really in a straight line. As soon as I yelled snake, I got as far away from the creature as I possibly could. Anya you on the other hand, either weren't listening, or were in la-la land went right next to the raised mouth of the BLACK RACER 6 FOOT SNAKE laying on the path. Seriously, Anya, had the snake decided to bite you it would have only had to move it's mouth up 3 inches!!!

We pedaled hard and it took a great distance before I decided I wasn't in fact going to pee my pants. Finally we stopped, discussed what to do if you see a "stick" on the bike path, and Cade you went over all knowledge about what happens when a venomous snake bites you. Put another positive on the list for Ohio. When out on the bike path, pretty sure there is not going to be venomous snakes waiting to strike our youngest child!

A Private Tour of the Butterfly House...

2012-06-13T09:36:00.000-07:00

We were the only ones at the museum the whole day. We had the place to ourselves to explore without having to worry about being in the way of others. One benefit was this lovely older man who gave us a private tour of the butterfly house pointing out all of the different kinds of butterflies and plants. What a treat!

More science museum experiments...

2012-06-13T09:32:00.000-07:00

Making Music, Exploring, and Dancing at the Science Center

2012-06-12T19:27:00.000-07:00

Too excited to sleep

2012-06-12T14:52:00.001-07:00

After a 9 hour drive, you still were not ready for bed. Instead, you hugged, tickled, wrestled, whispered, stuck your foot on the other person's side, managed to pinch your sibling, everything you could to NOT go to sleep. Bless your hearts, it was all we could do not to laugh. Finally, at 10:30 we convinced you we were serious, and you went to sleep.

Adventure bound....

2012-06-12T14:47:00.001-07:00

Daddy actually asked us to go. To join him on a work trip to Virginia. And while your mother fought with her personality about whether or not it was a good idea, we decided to go along. Here you are...ready for the 9 hour drive. You did amazing, only asking once how much longer. Thanks to some ideas from Pinterest, a video player, and wearing you out the day before we left, you were amazing. Here's to many more "adventures" our little family has in store.

*Anya you silly gooser...you refuse to open your eyes in pictures sometimes. I just *love* your independence phase. ;)

I have decided to come back...

2012-06-07T19:54:00.002-07:00

I have missed this. The writing to you. The letting you know how important you both still are to me. Mama has been fumbling, trying to find my new place in this world. You are both in school now. My days of full time caregiver have come to an end. The job I wanted more than any other in the whole world is now over. But, I am learning, slowly but surely. That I am still your mother, I guess I am just entering into Motherhood redefined. Here's to figuring out this next phase of Motherhood and what our next phase of life will look like.

Summer Reading....

2012-06-07T19:50:00.000-07:00

My goal for both of you this summer, is to make reading fun. So far you are loving it. You each have a summer reading Bingo sheet (thanks to How Does She) and you are reading in the most fun places for 30 minutes a day. Once you make a Bingo you are able to earn a reward. You are both so excited, and think that this might be the best thing ever. Truth be told, so does Mama. I love that teaching you to read is turning out to be fun for all of us. Here's to our daily 30 minutes of diving into our imaginations.....

2012-02-05T20:01:00.000-07:00

Once again the months have flown by. The funny sayings, the funny happenings, are already a memory. Christmas came and went, the week home with daddy during break came and went, and so did the new year. We are already into February. School has started again, routines are back in place, and once again the days are slipping away.....

I love this stage with the two of you. The helping with homework, the volunteering in your classroom, the friends over to play at our house, the crafting projects done together, the leading of your Daisy Scout troop, the books read, the family movie nights, the family x-box battles, the swimming on weekends, the out to eat for Mexican, and the being silly with daddy every night. These are the things that define our days now.

You are both growing so fast...and into such wonderful people. Sure there are still days where pulling my hair out is not that far away from a reality, but for the most part, we are very proud of you both.

Then you turned 5! Seriously how did you get this old already? Let the Hula Girl Party begin!

2011-11-16T18:12:00.000-07:00

Always trying to be like Mommy...

2011-11-16T18:07:00.000-07:00

I never meant to quit...

2011-11-10T09:24:00.000-07:00

I never meant to quit writing to you both. But then life happened. Anya you turned 5. You started school. Cade you now go everyday. And what I swore would not happen did. I got busy doing other things, sat the camera down, and the blog was left silent. I miss these times of writing to you my thoughts. And so I am going to be marching on. Just like the both of you in these pictures. In between Daisy Scout meetings, Cub Scout meetings, packing lunches with love notes, doctors appts, making dinner, playing "tickle fight", and doing homework, I am going to try and come back. I have missed telling you about your life.

xoxo,
Mom

Tomorrow...

2011-08-12T20:33:00.000-07:00

We celebrate you. 5 days of celebrating your arrival to the age of 5. How can that be? Just how can my last baby the one who I am just smitten by be turning 5?

Tomorrow you have your friend party. The first friend party. You are beyond excited. When I snuck upstairs to peek in on you tonight, you were still laying in bed awake. Clearly you are too excited to sleep. When I told you that the faster you sleep the faster tomorrow will come you got the biggest smile on your face.

I am excited for you too sweet pea. Excited to see you surrounded by your friends celebrating.

Here's to our little sweet one...the one who brought pink to our life....turning the big 5!

Not quite sure how he got so big....

2011-08-10T06:54:00.000-07:00

Oh how I love my Cade dude. The child God gave me that is just like me.

Pretty sure this girl has captured my heart.

2011-08-10T06:52:00.000-07:00

Growing up too fast....

2011-08-09T15:23:00.000-07:00

2011-05-21T19:06:00.000-07:00

The past 7 weeks have been a blur. Our family has experienced stress, loss, and peace at all the same time. Cade and Anya, I am posting something your Nanna wrote and sent to her Sunday School class this past week. I think she says it better than I ever could. I promise to be back after school ends to share a little of what has been going through my mind.

Love you both very much!
Mama

I just have to share with you some of what has happened these last two weeks. You know me...this will be long so feel free to stop reading right now or skip to the last paragraph. I am just overwhelmed by God’s love and provisions. Two weeks ago the song, In the Potter’s Hand, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bgXL3y9RIbI was running constantly thru my mind....almost annoyingly so. Constantly!! This was before we knew that my dad was soon going home. Then we realize something is wrong – and I am given precious time helping my mom and dad while in the hospital, finding out the news, getting them home again so dad could have his wish fulfilled of dying at home, arranging Hospice, etc. Unforgettable times of tears and laughter. Then came Thursday night (May 5th). Mom finds out that my sister and her husband are arriving on Saturday and staying for a week...at mom and dad’s home. Mom tells me when I arrive to help that evening. You could have kicked me in the stomach and it would have felt better than the pain I was in. My sister had always said she would not make the trip back here if either of my parents became ill or died. There could only be one reason...the intent was to remove me from any participation. I didn’t want to break down in front of mom so I went where I would go when there was turmoil in my childhood...the woods. I was in utter anguish. I cried uncontrollably and was physically ill. I instinctually knew what God was asking me to do, why In The Potter’s Hand had been running through my mind and what he was preparing me for. God was asking me to lay down my rights and it was pure anguish. He knows what that feels like. He laid down his rights when he went to the cross...and he was in anguish – sweating drops of blood. There isn’t a thing in this world that my sister could do to ME to keep me from being with my mom and dad during this time...but this wasn’t about me. It was about my mom and dad. I had to protect them from the stress of the situation and any unpredictable things that could happen...and the best way I could do that was to stay away during my sister’s stay in their home. You have to realize – I was all for my sister coming and spending time with my parents, but her relationship with my parents for as long as I can remember has been contentious, rebellious, full of strife, and void of honesty. The very last thing my mom needed was for them to be staying in their home. This is the same sister that is suing us and just a few months ago claimed they were fearful of me and were considering getting an order of protection against me saying I was a threat to their lives. Their motives and actions just could not be predicted or trusted. I prayed about it all Thursday night and by Friday morning I KNEW...God was asking me to lay down my rights, to give him the clay of my life and to trust him. While I wanted to spend time with my dad in his last days, there was nothing more I had to say or do for my Dad. I had no unfinished business with either of my parents. I had honored my Dad with my life. He knew I loved him. I surrendered...and God gave me total peace.

Mom and I met with Hospice on Friday morning and got Dad enrolled. Before they left they asked my mom if there was anything else they could do for her. Mom looked at them and begged them to help her. She told them she had a daughter coming from out of town and this daughter would not listen to her...could they write a letter or something to make sure she didn’t stay with them? It broke my heart. They wrote the letter but were hesitant wondering if they were going to be opening themselves up for a firestorm or lawsuit. Little did they know. I spoke with our lawyers and we discussed the possibility of me writing her to ask her to please consider staying somewhere else. We decided anything that came from me would only make her more determined - so we did nothing. I told mom I decided I would stay away and that I was okay. She hated it but at the same time was grateful to know that the risk of anything happening to upset Dad or cause additional stress would be minimized. Mom called me later that same night to let me know she decided not to use the letter...she would just somehow try to make it through the week.

Saturday morning Dad started to experience some pain. He miraculously had no pain prior to that time. The hospice nurse was called. I went to get the pain medicine. Dad was still alert and communicating. I sang to him. What a day that will be, when my Jesus I shall see. When I look upon his face, the one who saved my by his grace. When he takes me by the hand, and leads me to the promised land. What a day glorious day that will be. On the second time thru – in a strong, firm and loud voice – Dad joined my on the last line...What a glorious day that will be. Kristen came and shared in wonderful conversations with dad. Kristen at one point looked out the window and said a woodchuck was crossing the lane, and Dad said...how much wood would a wood chuck chuck if a wood chuck could chuck wood. Incredible. His humor never left him. NO one expected death to be imminent. Family was in and out all day. Precious memories. By 3:00 in the afternoon we thought dad was resting....instead he had slipped into a coma. Mom, my brother and Ron and I spent the evening hours with Dad reminiscing, sharing about all God has done in each of our lives during these last years and especially with the lawsuit. We planned for what we would do about the graveside service. 20+ years ago Mom and Dad had decided there would be no viewing for public funeral and had asked my brother to lead the service...they knew and were trying to prevent turmoil. It was decided that our kids and grandkids would not attend because of the unpredictability of the situation. My brother offered to perform the service for a second time at a separate memorial service. It was a wonderful, peaceful, family time...how it should be. At 8:15 PM my sister called. They had landed in Chicago and were on their way. My brother who lives next door went home. Ron and I told Mom we were going for a walk so she would have alone time with Dad. At 9:00 PM we came back inside. We talked for a few minutes. Mom went downstairs to fix the fire in the wood stove. I told Dad I loved him and thanked God for the Christian heritage he had given to me. Mom came back in. I felt for some reason we should pray. I ignored it for a few minutes but it wouldn’t go away. So I said...I think we are supposed to pray. Ron, Mom and I formed a circle around Dad’s bed. I thanked God for Dad’s life; I asked God to put a hedge of protection around my mom for this next week; I asked God to sustain her since she was not eating or sleeping properly; I thanked God for his promises; and, I asked God to receive Dad with the glory and honor that he was due. I said Amen...Ron went back to his chair. Mom and I sat back down on either side of Dad. And quietly...literally seconds after praying...Dad stopped breathing while we were surrounding him at 9:20 PM. It was the most beautiful peaceful thing we have ever witnessed. There were no tears of sadness. Only tears of joy because Dad was home. God DOES defend the weak and the helpless. Ron and I spent another 45 minutes with Dad and Mom, praying, calling Hospice, letting my brother know, etc. Then we quietly left and a short time later my sister arrived. God took my Dad home and gave Mom peace in a quiet, peaceful and loving way. It was such an incredible gift to my mom, dad and us. While I am incredibly sad the situation is what it is with my sister and I wish we could be of like mind and in one accord...I can not change her or the situation. I’m responsible for MY heart and MY actions. The thing is...when God asks us to put the clay of our lives into His hands and to trust Him – we have no idea how the situation will turn out. I never, ever, EVER, thought when I agreed to surrender all and lay down my rights that I would be given the opportunity to pray my Dad home in such a peaceful and loving atmosphere. What I did KNOW...is that I was going to trust him NO MATTER WHAT.

My mom would call me over the next several days to let me know how she was doing whenever she could have privacy. Because Dad was gone she could leave the house to go for walks and she was managing. She called me on Monday night and told me that by 9:00 Monday morning all of my dad’s clothes were removed from the house and given to Goodwill...within 36 hours of my Dad’s death - way to early. My sister and brother-in-law had “helped” her go thru them. Wow. The private service was held on Wednesday. My brother did an incredible job and there were no incidents. My sister and her husband left early Thursday morning.

The second memorial service was held last Saturday. My mom, brother, sister-in-law and our entire family gathered at the gravesite again. We sat on lawn chairs in a circle surrounding Dad’s grave. My brother spoke again. And then I had all our grandkids come sit on a blanket with me. They are 6,5,4 and 18 months old. This was their first experience with death. I showed them pictures of Grandpa’s casket since they weren’t there on Wednesday to see it. I explained to them what is was and showed them pictures of how it was lowered into the ground. They asked questions. I shared with them that only Grandpa Gibson’s outside of the body was in the casket and that the inside of his body, his soul and spirit was with Jesus. We talked about sin. About Adam and Eve and how Grandpa was born with sin in his heart and how Nanna was born with sin in her heart and how each one of them was born with sin in their hearts too. Then we talked about why we celebrate Christmas – that Jesus was born. And we talked about Easter – how Jesus died for our sins and was raised to life again. We talked about what sin is and how when they do something they aren’t supposed to and they ask mommy and daddy for forgiveness that mommy and daddy forgive them. And that Jesus is the same way. When we sin - we can ask Jesus to forgive us and he will. We talked about Grandpa asking Jesus to forgive him and that is why he is in heaven. I told them that Nanna and Pop Pop have asked Jesus to forgive us too and that someday they will want to ask Jesus to forgive them also. We talked about how it is okay to feel sad when someone we love dies...because we miss them. Then I told them the best way to not be so sad is to play “remember whens”. So I asked them if they remembered when Grandpa Gibson would make silly faces...and we all made silly faces. Then the rest of us sitting around the circle shared “remember whens”. It was a beautiful time. The predicted rain stayed away and the sun even came out for several minutes. After the service we went back to Mom and Dad’s. We picked up KFC like we did when our kids were small and the grandkids played and had fun. We planted a Rhododendron and Azalea in dad’s honor...and the rain began. It was a wonderful, wonderful day. It brought much joy and love to my mom’s life as she watched the circle of love continue.

And now...as Paul Harvey would say - the rest of the story. And the most important. Kristen and Chet went back home on Sunday...and Sunday night Cade told his mom and dad that he wanted to ask Jesus to come into his heart and to forgive him of his sins. Chet and Kristen had the privilege of praying and leading their son to Christ! WoooHooo!!! The Christian heritage is being passed on and dad is doing a heavenly jig.

You’re home Dad...Praise the Lord!

Pea Pod...

2011-04-26T19:09:00.000-07:00

My little pumpkin. My shadow. My forever baby.

We had a wonderful 10 days together. We played, we baked Easter cookies, we played Uno with Cade, we did art projects, we went to the Art Museum, we tickled, we laughed, we painted toes, and went shopping. But most importantly, we just were. Snuggled up under blankets, rubbing your back or your toes, whichever you were requesting at the moment. You love our time together as do I. How thankful I am to have such a tender hearted little girl who thinks that her mama walks on the moon. Turns out this Mama also thinks her little girl just might be the best little girl out there as well. I am also thankful that I have a job that allows me to spend so much time with you honey. And even though there were tears this morning when I left, and more tears at school, I know that you realize that you are the most important little girl in my life.

By the way Sweet Pea, there are only 26 more days until Summer. Yup, there might be two girls in this house counting! Love you Pumpkin!

Yet another tooth gone!

2011-04-26T18:53:00.001-07:00

Goodness Dudey. You are killing the tooth fairy! I hope you realize this!

This past week during Spring Break you had to get your other front tooth pulled. Last Fall you had hit it on Nanna's head actually and it wasn't coming out on it's own right. You were quite the trooper and didn't even cry at the dentist office. In fact you were just proud thinking that your pulled tooth looked like a "shark tooth".

We had such a great week last week Buddy. We snuggled, including me heating blankets in the dryer for 5 minutes, and wrapping you in them to snuggle on the couch. We watched Tom and Jerry and Looney Tunes, we played round after round of Uno, we did legos, we went to the art museum, we stopped at a chocolate factory, we went to the library, and most importantly we vegged at home. It was wonderful buddy! I am so thankful that I chose a profession that allows me to spend so much time with you. That we can play and hang out. That you like being with me still, and that you still think that Mama is pretty fun! I am so proud of the boy that you are turning into. You no longer seem like a little guy that needs my help. You are our independent child who day after day continues to amaze me. Love you Buddy!

Being the "Yes" mom...

2011-04-26T18:38:00.000-07:00

is so much more fun than being "rule" mom. We had just gotten home from Saturday night church. It was a beautiful evening, but we hadn't had dinner yet. You both asked if we could do the Easter Egg hunt now. The "rule" mom thought no. We haven't had dinner. We need to do other things first, and continue our scheduled life.

But it had finally stopped raining. As in the first time in DAYS. So why not. Sunday it was supposed to rain again. So egg hunt it was. You both had a blast and were way faster than we expected you to be.

Thanks for helping your mama remember that sometimes living in the moment is much better than the order the moments arrive.

The Race is on...

2011-04-26T18:32:00.000-07:00

Dressing like Emily for the day...

2011-04-26T18:30:00.000-07:00

I blinked and it happened.

2011-04-18T11:44:00.000-07:00

Cade and Anya,

I swear the whole reason I started this blog was to document. To remind myself of all the perfect yet mundane things that filled our days when you were both younger. And now, those years seem like a faded memory.

Just last weekend I decided to get out some video tapes of when you were both younger. While watching them brought smiles and laughter, and afternoon later brought tears. I tried to explain to Papa that although I know it doesn't make much sense, I am so sad that those days are gone. The diapers, the sippy cups, the needing us to bathe you. The things that at the time I was so sure I would be thankful to be rid of. Now I know how wrong I truly was. Papa asked if I wanted another baby. But it's not that I want another baby. I don't want a do over with another one, thinking that THIS time I will pay more attention, snuggle more, stop and absorb more. No, I am sad that those days with both of you have already passed. The days of our world being centered around home and family are behind us now. And some days I would give anything to go back.

This week is Spring Break for Mama, and I have decided I have one goal in mind. To write about you both. At 6 and at 4. To take the pictures that I just quite can't remember to take. To stop and absorb. To be with you both. To step away from the computer while you are awake.

Because I now realize that in 3 more years it will happen again. I will watch the home video's and once again long for the days. The days when life was more simple. The days when you were only 6 and 4.

I love you both more than you will ever know.
Mama