To Be Determined

Golf

noreply@blogger.com (Lori Wilson) — Wed, 06 Jul 2011 01:03:00 +0000

Day 11 - a picture of something I hate

Yep, it's official, in case you were wondering, I hate golfing.

On vacation in Montana two years ago my Prince Charming and I decided that we would take up golf. It all sounded so magical and romantic. Finally a sport that we could do together, anywhere in the world.

We talked my parents into watching the kids for us (it wasn't too hard. They love to spend time with their grand kids from out of state) and we headed into Missoula, to the U of M driving range. We purchased some tees, paid for a bucket of balls, borrowed a couple drivers and headed out to the driving range. I was feeling gorgeous and romantic standing beside my Prince putting our tees in the ground.

Other than the miniature and video game versions I have never golfed. The first couple of swings were not just bad, the ball never left the tee. My prince cheered me on and proceeded to smack a couple balls down the fairway. I tried again to hit the ball. Nothing. Again. Nothing. Again. And still nothing.

I was not going to give up. I may not have mastered any sports in my life but I can at least participate in any sport I have ever attempted. Growing up with a dad who was athletically minded I have had many opportunities to try many different sports. Golf was not going to be the first sport I completely failed at.

My husband saw that after trying for 15 minutes and still not hitting anything I was getting frustrated. He offered me some advice as well as some encouragement and a hug.

Reminding myself to breath, relax, and pay no attention to the young college guys driving ball after ball I started again. My prince was already in his own little world again. Swing and miss, swing and miss, swing and miss...etc. This went on for another 30 minutes. My prince was nearing the bottom of the bucket and I had still not connected my driver with a single ball. I was in tears and so angry that I sat down on a bench and forced the tears not to fall in front of everyone there. My prince looked up and noticed my heartbroken state and decided that driving any more balls was not a good idea.

He gave me another hug, turned in our drivers and what was left of our bucket of balls and drove me to the HuHot Mongolian Grill for some stir fry and sake.

My mother told me to never say never, so I do not anticipate ever trying golf again.

Way Behind

noreply@blogger.com (Lori Wilson) — Wed, 29 Jun 2011 20:02:00 +0000

I haven't forgotten, I promise. I have been living life instead of just writing about it. So, to get things back on track for the 31 day photo challenge. Here is day 10- a picture of someone you do the most messed up things with. Finding a picture of this person proved to be harder than I imagined. You would think with all the technology at my fingertips it would be a lot easier. But it turns out that neither of my scanners is currently compatible with any of my computers. So I was forced to locate a digital image of her.

This is my best buddy, Manda. We met as young girls at summer camp when we were 10. I'm not telling you exactly how long it's been but I will say that I have known her for more than 20 years. She has seen me at my best and at my worst. She has counseled me through many a broken heart. She knows things about me that I have forgotten. And she knows the me that is silly and has no responsibility.

Manda is beautiful, loyal, sweet, thoughtful, hard working, busy, playful and fun. She lives in what feels like another world. I miss her dreadfully, but I love that we can always pick up right where we left off.

You may have heard the saying, "make new friends but keep the old; one is silver, the other gold." That's my Manda, she's pure gold.

Through it all

noreply@blogger.com (Lori Wilson) — Fri, 25 Feb 2011 04:36:00 +0000

Day 09 – A picture of the person who has gotten you through the most.

This would have to be my best friend. The one person who has been there through it all: death, birth, new friends, old friends, loosing friends, depression, bi-polar disorder, crazy family, no money, car accidents, revelations, children, surgeries. I wonder if he knew what he was getting into when he said, "I do." He has seen me at my best and my worst and he's still here. God bless my best friend and lover, E.

Bug makes me laugh

noreply@blogger.com (Lori Wilson) — Tue, 22 Feb 2011 16:42:00 +0000

Day 08 – A picture that makes you laugh.

This is my daughter, Bug. Pictures of her always make me laugh. She cannot make a nice, smiling, posed face to save her life. Bug makes funny faces in all her pictures.

Bug and I struggle with our relationship because we are so much alike. I want to save her from all the mistakes I made, the things I don't like about her are the things I don't like in myself.
* lack of focus
* penchant toward silliness
* unmotivated to get work done
* has a hard time taking responsibility for her own actions
* overly dramatic

But the things I love about her are also the things I love about me.
* loves people
* creative
* can talk about anything
* mischievous
* willing to try new things

And the thing I love the most about Bug? That she genuinely cares about other people. She is a nurturer at heart and will not only make a great mom someday, but she will make a great adult in whatever her chosen field is because she really does care about people and taking care of them.

A picture is worth a thousand words

noreply@blogger.com (Lori Wilson) — Mon, 21 Feb 2011 01:51:00 +0000

Day 07 – A picture of your most treasured item.

I need to have a talk with her

noreply@blogger.com (Lori Wilson) — Thu, 17 Feb 2011 05:01:00 +0000

Day 06 – A picture of a person you’d love to trade places with for a day.

Though I often complain about my life there is no one else I would rather be. Life has taught me that no one has it all together no matter how good they look. If someone isn't in the middle of a major life lesson than they are on the cusp of one. We are always growing, learning, and changing. But if I were held at gun point and told to pick one person to trade a day with it would be myself at 15.

First things first, girl, that hair has got to go. The 80's are over, deal with it. Embrace who you are, and stop trying so hard to fit in. The best thing about you as an adult is that you don't fit into a mold.

Work harder. It's worth it. You will regret not going out for the basketball team, joining track, and staying on the fringes. No guts, no glory. Don't be afraid to try new things. Take an art class, trust me, you'll regret it if you don't.

None of the boys you thought you loved in high school will be any part of your adult life. God is going to bring you an amazing man who completes you in every way. Stop wasting your time thinking about boys and focus on your dreams and your interests.

You are going to make a lousy teacher, but a great Mary Kay consultant. You will never, ever, truly be organized, but you will always find time for people. You will learn to like mushrooms. Keep an open mind and an open heart. There are so many things you are going to learn to love that you don't even understand right now.

There are so many things I wish I could go back and say to me at 15. I need to have a talk with her.

Death

noreply@blogger.com (Lori Wilson) — Wed, 16 Feb 2011 04:38:00 +0000

Day 05 – A picture of your favorite memory.

I know, I know. Death is not usually what you think of when you think of favorite memories. But this is truly one of my very favorites that I will treasure forever. My husband's grandmother passed away 2 years ago. She was loved by many and even today my breath catches in my throat when I remember her and her love of people and how she made everyone feel welcome. Grandma Chris adored her grandchildren and her great grandchildren. And they all adored her.

There was a large memorial service for her where all those who loved her could gather and remember her and celebrate her life. But before that we had a small graveside service that was just for family. Everyone was sharing things that they loved about her or wanted to say. My son, Cale, who was only 8 at the time, quoted his favorite bible verse without any prompting from me or my husband. In a small, sweet, clear voice he said, "For God so loved the world that he gave his only son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life."

Having Asperger's syndrome, Cale does not do well in social situations, especially when he doesn't understand all the emotions involved, which is often. I will never forget his sweet voice as he chimed in to remember his great grandmother. He put all fear and anxiety aside to be a part of something bigger than himself. May I have the strength and determination to be more like that.

Tradition

noreply@blogger.com (Lori Wilson) — Tue, 15 Feb 2011 04:15:00 +0000

Day 04 – A picture of your night.

Every year on Valentin's Day we have a big spaghetti dinner for our family. We take turns going around the table and telling each family member what it is we love about them. I look forward to it every year and no matter how jaded I become about chocolates, flowers, and cards this is one night I look forward to. I love it's simplicity.

The Good Guys

noreply@blogger.com (Lori Wilson) — Mon, 14 Feb 2011 00:23:00 +0000

Day 03 – A picture of the cast from your favorite show.

Ah, The Good Guys. Cop shows have always been pretty high on my list of must-see tv. The old, retro, "bust me some punks" kind of cop and the new, young, hip, follow procedures rookie make me laugh, cry, and not think about my troubles for an hour a week. This is my favorite show to watch with my honey.

She knows me well

noreply@blogger.com (Lori Wilson) — Sat, 12 Feb 2011 00:16:00 +0000

Day 02 – A picture of you and the person you have been closest with the longest.

This distinction has to go to a women who did not give birth to me, a women who embraced me with open arms and made me her own. She is a woman whom I have said hurtful things to and many bitter words and yet she still loves me. This woman has seen me on my best days, my worst days, and the days that I couldn't even find myself. She makes me feel smart, loved, strong, brave, creative, and beautiful. She has taught me what it means to be a mother and what it means to be a wife. She has dried tears, caused giggles, and knows more about me than even I know. I don't tell this woman often enough how very special she is to me and just how lost I would be without her. I thank God often that I have her around still to talk to nearly every day. We often don't see eye to eye, but that doesn't stop us from sharing our lives with each other. This woman is more than just a friend, this woman is my mother.

a new challenge for a new year

noreply@blogger.com (Lori Wilson) — Thu, 10 Feb 2011 22:04:00 +0000

I don't have a good reason for this blog other than that I love pictures and I love participating in challenges with my friends. Several people I know are doing this on facebook, but I wanted to do it somewhere it wouldn't just be burried with all the other junk. This blog is a much better archive, I believe. Another challenge I have given myself lately is to go deeper in my life. To dig out the stuff that is there, hang on to the important life changing things, and release the crap that is holding me back. So this is my response to my friend Emily's blog. I am taking up the challenge for 31 days of pictures.

Day 01 – A picture of yourself with ten facts.

1- I love the rain and everything to do with it.
2- I am discovering my inner artist.
3- I am learning to slow down and stop hurrying.
4- Honesty and vulnerability are important to me.
5- The older I get the harder it is for me to stick to the values I grew up with.
6- I am a scientist at heart. I love to know how things work and why they work. I am most intrigued by biology.
7- I am not as brave as I seem sometimes.
8- I have taken a 12 step class and I don't care what you think of me when I say it was one of the most eye opening experiences of my life.
9-I am weak, I cannot live life on my own. I need the people God has given me to spur me on to love and good deeds.
10- I am tired of living the Metroville, suburbia lifestyle. I want adventure. I want to save the world, or at least my little corner of it. I want to be a super hero. I want to live the abundant life that Jesus came to give.

Mary Kay

noreply@blogger.com (Lori Wilson) — Sun, 28 Nov 2010 02:19:00 +0000

Hey all! Guess what! I'm a new Mary Kay Independent Beauty Consultant and I'm really excited! Mary Kay is a great company that stands behind their product. I have been a customer for more than 20 years now and thought it was about time I did something more. I've been challenged to facial 30 people during the first 30 days of my business. Is there any reason why you couldn't be one of the 30 faces for me? All you have to do is show up. If you'd like to have a couple of friends come with you, you may be able to get some free products! Doesn't that sound great? I would love to share more with you about why I did what I did and why I love what I do. Let's talk soon. What day works best for you?

...you will step out alone

noreply@blogger.com (Lori Wilson) — Mon, 22 Nov 2010 04:22:00 +0000

The family watched Alice in Wonderland (the new one) this afternoon. It's one of my favorites and every time I watch it I am intrigued by some new thing I notice. I believe I have seen this movie close to 10 times, but I"ve lost count. Today, I was struck by the following quote.

"Alice...you cannot live your life to please others. The choice must be yours, because when you step out to face that creature...you will step out alone."

"That creature" is a horrible, dragon like beast that is terrifying to everyone who sees it. Alice didn't know this yet. She knew it was not going to be easy. She knew that what she was doing could not be done by anyone else. It made me think about all my creatures; all the things in my life that are monstrous and horrifying, but only I can fight. Things like depression, loss of a friend, my need for everyone to like me, my weight, and all my other insecurities are the monsters I deal with. As I thought about this I realized that I am not alone in my battles. I have a champion of my own, my Savior, Jesus.

In Deuteronomy 31 God gives Moses words to speak to the Israelites as they prepare to do battle with all the monsters (i.e.the nations around them). He says to them "Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you."

When I go to battle my monsters I do not go alone, I go with God. And I can trust Him to be my champion because he has promised to NEVER leave me or forsake me.

10 years

noreply@blogger.com (Lori Wilson) — Sun, 03 Oct 2010 18:48:00 +0000

In May of this year my knight in shining armor and I celebrated 10 years of happily ever after. Like everyone else we have had our ups and downs. Some days were white horses, kisses beyond compare, and riding off into the sunset, but most days were tarnished armor, blisters from those glass slippers, dirty diapers, and sweeping up the ashes. When we celebrated our 10th anniversary we made a list together of things that helped us get through that 10 years. I have been encouraged to make my own list. So here it is:

Things I've learned in 10 years of marriage.

1. Find your rythm. Everyone has a rythm at which they live life. What is your rythm as a couple? As a family? Are you quiet, artistic, contemplative? Are you laid back, Sunday afternoon football, and chilli? Are you a hike, a party, fast paced? Find your rythm as a couple and live it.

2. Give your best to your spouse; your best smiles, your best words, your best work, and your best love. Don't stop trying to impress them. Don't stop being your best self. Put your best face forward.

3. Learn to be content with what you have. Proverbs 27:15 and 16 (NIV) says, "A quarrelsome wife is like

a constant dripping on a rainy day; restraining her is like restraining the wind or grasping oil with the hand." Another translations uses contentious wife.

4. It's the little things that make a marriage unique. You know those little things that you do for each other that you don't do for anyone else. It's those little things that matter and make a difference. That being said...

5. Don't sweat the small stuff. Find out what's important and don't worry about the other stuff. The laundry, dishes, cleaning will still be there tomorrow.

6. Respect your husband. Allow him to be the head of the household. Sure, you are perfectly capable of taking on the role and probably do a better job. But that's not how it was intended to be. Your husband needs to know that he is the king of his castle. He needs to know that there is at least one place where his word is heeded and where he can be a man. A place where he is not questioned about everything he does. He gets enough of that out in the world. He doesn't need it from his family. If you want him to step up and take care of things then you need to step down and make room.

7. Take it one day at a time. Yesterday is past, tomorrow will never come, but today is a gift. That's why it's called the present. Don't hold grudges. Clear the air. Get over it. Allow for change. Today is all we have. We have to make the most of it.

8. Make intimacy happen. It doesn't happen on it's own. You have to nurture it. You have to protect it. It doesn't take long, just a few minutes a day. What you put in is what you will get out.

9. Encourage each other's passions. They will change, you do. Make room for the passions of your spouse. Their passions are a part of them, a God given dream if you will. Something that makes them who they are.

10. Only God can meet all your needs. Don't expect your spouse to be able to do it. Put God first in your marriage. He is the only one who can hold it all together when it feels as though it will come tumbling down.

Colossians 1: 16-18 says, " For by him all things were created (you and your spouse): things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities (or marriage); all things were created by him and for him. He is before all things (even your spouse), and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church (your marriage); he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything (even your relationship) he might have the supremacy." (emphasis added by me)

Getting ready for the Beast and Anticipating the Summer

noreply@blogger.com (Lori Wilson) — Sat, 10 Jul 2010 16:33:00 +0000

We are getting a dog. And not just any dog a St. Bernard. He is for my son Cale. The hope is that the dog will go a long way toward given Cale a companion and a way to socialize with others. The dog will hopefully be loyal to Cale for all his life. That gives Cale someone to love and be loved in return without the Asperger's getting in the way. Cale seems to really be looking forward to getting the dog. So here's hoping.

We are also anticipating sending both Cale and Ila to summer camp this year. Not quite sure how we going to afford it, but I am not going to worry about it. Summer camp and camping are really on my mind of late because of the great time I had last summer with the Cale and Dante. My hope is that for Cale and me that camping can be our thing. Dante will have many things like sports, girls, and guy stuff. Cale for me has been a struggle. I want to have a thing just he and I do, but I don't want it to be a technology thing. I think Asperger's kids get wrapped up to much in technology. My dream is that camping will be something that cuts through the issues Cale and I have to get us to really know one another.

*originally posted by Eric Wilson 1/23/10

Welcome to Holland

noreply@blogger.com (Lori Wilson) — Sat, 10 Jul 2010 16:31:00 +0000

I have come to love this poem by Emily Perl Kingsley

Welcome to Holland

I am often asked to describe the experience of
raising a child with a disability -
to try to help people who have not shared that
unique experience to understand it,
to imagine how it would feel. It's like this...

When you're going to have a baby,
it's like planning a fabulous trip to Italy.
You buy a bunch of guidebooks
and make your wonderful plans.

The Coliseum.

The Michelangelo David.

The gondolas in Venice.

You may learn some handy phrases in Italian.
It's all very exciting.

After months of eager anticipation,
the day finally arrives. You pack your bags
and off you go. Several hours later, the plane lands.
The stewardess comes in and says,
"Welcome to Holland."

"Holland?!?" you say. "What do you mean, Holland??
I signed up for Italy! I'm supposed to be in Italy.
All my life I've dreamed of going to Italy."

But there's a change in the flight plan.
They've landed in Holland and there you must stay.
The important thing is that they haven't taken you to a horrible,
disgusting filthy place full of pestilence, famine and disease.
It's just a different place.

So you must go out and buy new guidebooks.
And you must learn a whole new language.
And you will meet a new group of people you would never have met.

It's just a different place.

It's slower-paced than Italy, less flashy than Italy.

But after you've been there for awhile and you catch your breath,

you look around...

and you begin to notice that Holland has windmills...

and Holland has tulips.

Holland even has Rembrandts.

But everyone you know is busy

coming and going from Italy...

and they're bragging about what a wonderful time they had there.

And for the rest of your life, you will say,

"Yes, that's where I was going. That's what I had planned."

And the pain of that will never, ever, ever, ever, go away...

because the loss of that dream is a very, very significant loss.

But...if you spend your life

mourning the fact that you didn't get to Italy,

you may never be free to enjoy the very special,

the very lovely things...

about Holland.

photos were found via google search engine

*originally posted on String of Pearls 11/14/09

GI Joe

noreply@blogger.com (Lori Wilson) — Sat, 10 Jul 2010 16:29:00 +0000

As we're watching GI Joe tonight Dante says to me, "Did you know they based this movie on me?"

"They just changed my hair color and made bigger eyes." At least we know he doesn't have any self esteem issues.

*originally posted on String of Pearls 11/9/09

Support network

noreply@blogger.com (Lori Wilson) — Sat, 10 Jul 2010 16:28:00 +0000

I am pleased to announce that Lori and I are now going to share in writing on this blog about the kids. We discussed that one of the most important things we can write about is not only the cute things that the kids do, but document our on going efforts to raise Cale, our son with Asperger's Syndrome, and the things we are learning.

On that note, I want to tell you about the conversation I had with Cale when I was putting him to bed last night. Cale asked me, "Who is the God of evil?" I answered him that there is no god of evil. We then went on to have a discussion of Satan, Hell, and how Jesus will come back to throw all into the lake of fire. Cale is very intelligent, and amazingly can keep up very well when we start talking about spiritual matters. He needs to see it written in the Bible but once he sees it he will believe it. This is at the heart of what I need everyone in Cale's support network to understand.

Cale's perception of spiritual and realistic matters is based on what he sees, reads, and hears from others. When he watches a movie, even a cartoon, he starts to believe that it is real. He asks questions about monsters, dragons, and other make-believe animals as if they are real. Cale sees magic as portrayed on television and believes that it is real. We have to dissuade him of the reality of television on a daily basis.

What does this have to do with you? Imagine if Cale were to get the idea that there are other gods in the world, and no one in his family dissuades him from this belief. Cale will hold on to that belief until his death or until someone shows him the evidence that there is no other gods. As a child that can be rather simple. As Cale grows older this will become more and more difficult. So, as a support network please be conscious of what you let him see and hear from you. Lori and I are planning on curtailing any further "magic" things in our house such as Harry Potter. We also want everyone to understand that if you hear Cale espouse something you think un-Biblical correct him. It may sound like harmless child's fantasy, but you must remember that Cale thinks on slightly different level. Additionally, don't tell him things you yourself don't believe as a spiritual matter.

I am not trying to put the burden on anyone singly but as Cale's support we need to be on the same page so please consider what you are doing in his presence.

*originally posted by Eric Wilson on String of Pearls 10/26/09

Cale is 9

noreply@blogger.com (Lori Wilson) — Sat, 10 Jul 2010 16:25:00 +0000

9 years ago today I met my sweet little peanut, Cale, for the first time. In honor of his life I have assembled a small, recent collection of my favorite photographic memories of his life. Here's to you Cale! *originally posted on String of Pearls 10/12/09

Low Fat

noreply@blogger.com (Lori Wilson) — Sat, 10 Jul 2010 16:23:00 +0000

The other night I was sitting watching television with my son, Cale. After a commercial for some type of food product Cale turns to me and asks, "Mom, do you want to be low fat?"

"Yes, Cale, I would like to be low fat."

"Well, Mom, you have been high fat for many weeks now."

LMBO...no, I wasn't offended for three reasons.

1. Cale is a very truthful little boy.
2. Cale does not make value statements, he makes observations.
3. Cale has a unique way of saying things.

I love my Cale!

*as posted on String of Pearls 9/24/09

Parenting classes

noreply@blogger.com (Lori Wilson) — Sat, 10 Jul 2010 16:22:00 +0000

Last week Eric and Cale were having quite an argument. Cale was very frustrated with Eric and shouted at him, "You're teaching me to be a bad parent to my kids." LOL...It certainly diffused the situation and Eric apologized to Cale and admitted that Cale was correct.

Cale talk often about being a dad someday. He wants to have 16 children; 8 boys and 8 girls. And he wants to let them each have a horse of their own.

*as posted on String of Pearls 6/16/09

It's official

noreply@blogger.com (Lori Wilson) — Sat, 10 Jul 2010 16:20:00 +0000

We have spent a lot of time pursuing a medical diagnosis for Cale. We found out a couple of weeks ago that he officially has Asperger's Syndrome (AS). Now we just sit and wait for the autism team at children's hospital to send us their reports and figure out what we do from here.

Cale has really been struggling with sleep issues since the beginning of the year when we put him on concerta. It was heartbreaking to every night hear him pray, "God, please make me sleep tonight." Yes, it really was that bad. There were many nights that he never went to sleep. It was not only exhausting for us but for him as well. About 1 month ago he started taking atterall. This seems to be helping the sleep issues significantly. Two weeks after he started he asked Eric if we were giving him a sleeping pill. Poor Cale is finally catching up on all that sleep. He's even put himself down for naps a couple of times. Wahoo!

It's so nice to know that there are always answers out there if we are willing to ask the questions.

*as posted on String of Pearls 6/16/09

Post cards from heaven

noreply@blogger.com (Lori Wilson) — Sat, 10 Jul 2010 16:19:00 +0000

I'm always amazed at the times my children pick to learn life lessons.

On the way to school this morning the kids were talking about death. Dante told me that he's afraid to die. I told him that if he loves God, believes that Jesus died for him, and lives his life to please God he will go to heaven when he dies and he doesn't have to be scared of death.

He excitedly said, "Will Big Grandma be there?" (Big Grandma is his great-grandmother who passed away in October.)

I told him that yes, she would be there to give him a big hug.

He said, "Mommy, when I go to heaven I will send you a postcard to tell you how much Grandma and I love you."

I wanted to cry, but I just said, "thank you. I can't wait for a postcard from heaven."

*as posted on String of Pearls 2/19/09

More pearls

noreply@blogger.com (Lori Wilson) — Sat, 10 Jul 2010 16:18:00 +0000

This year I thoroughly enjoyed being with my kids for Christmas. Because of my husband's work schedule my in-laws invited the kids and I to stay with them for a few days so that my sweety could get plenty of rest and I'd have some help. We had a blast.

Among the kids' favorite activities were:
ice skating
going to the reptile store

roller skating
laying around watching cartoons with Muggy
going to McDonalds for lunch
going to Old Chicago with Uncle Danny to see Aunt Katy at work
and sledding

I am blessed to have family around who are interested in the lives of my children and who care to help me out with them. Having the extra adult help enabled me to spend time with my kids one-on-one. Getting the extra time with them really helped me to get to know them and to treasure them for new reasons.
A few of the pearls that I've collected for my string this Christmas are:

Cale is more athletic than I give him credit for. He has incredible balance on the ice.

Dante is incredibly persistent. He really is listening to what I tell him. When he was ice skating and roller skating he wouldn't let anyone help him. He wanted to do it all himself. Every time he'd fall down you could hear him say, "try, try again. Try, try again. If at first you don't succeed, try, try again."

Dante pays attention to the little things and loves to please the people he loves. Papa bought him some candy and Dante made sure that they also got some for Scotlynn, but not just any candy, her very favorite. And in his words, "momma, I wanted to get you a Mountain Dew, but Papa wouldn't let me."

Ila is full of adventure. She loved being on the ice even though she wasn't very good at it. And she worked really hard to learn to roller skate well. She was all excited to try ice skating again.

As a new year begins I am excited to collect even more pearls for my string.

*as posted on String of Pearls 1/2/09

Prayers

noreply@blogger.com (Lori Wilson) — Sat, 10 Jul 2010 01:05:00 +0000

I love bedtime prayers. It's one of my favorite times with my kids. That's when they seem to ask the big questions and when we really get to talk about God. It's such a sweet time.

The night before I flew to Montana last week was no exception. When I tucked Scotlynn into bed I told her that "mommy is going to fly in an airplane to see Grammy and Papa." She was intrigued. She told me she would make me a paper airplane to fly in. She wanted to fly with me in her paper airplane. I wondered out loud where we would fly in this airplane. "We'll fly to AWANA," was her immediate reply.

A few minutes later I was with Ila. She asked God to keep mommy safe and warm on the airplane. Then she asked God to let me have lots, and lots, and lots of fun. I don't know what she thought I'd be doing, but I loved her sincerity that I have fun while I was away from her.

*as posted on String of Pearls 11/6/08