Multitude Monday

Counting my way to 1,000 blessings...

#281...Baby bunnies in our courtyard.
#282...Extended weekends with family.
#283...Really, really good Natalie cooking.
#284...Lots of reminscing...
#285...Spending all day in my comfy clothes.
#286...Old videos and pictures of our niece and nephews.
#287...The beauty of a new day.
#288...Time on the bus to read and think.
#289...Hangin' poolside with the Barntsens.
#290...Hearing Brookie say my name *smile.


Call it a clan, call it a network, call it a tribe, call it a family. Whatever you call it, whoever you are, you need one. - Jane Howard

Dear Heaven...

Dear Heaven,
When I think of you, I visualize the perfect setting.
Hosting extraordinary people whose memories will never be erased.


I hear you have mountains, rivers, valleys and fields.
Beautiful landscapes with all the time in the world to explore.


And to behold the largest choir singing worship and praise...
I am sure no words would be able to express the awe.


I bet there are parties with all the things we love.
Big feasts of thanksgiving with endless joy and laughter.


And then there's God with Jesus seated at His side.
Ready to bestow His grace, forgiveness and protection.


I know it is far better than my imagination can even comprehend.
It is eternal - the weight of the world lifted forever.


I think of friends and loved ones who are already there.
I wonder if they see our tears and hear our heartfelt prayers.


I speculate what they would share if they could relay a message.
I bet they would tell us that Heaven is far better


Than any earthly things we could ever believe we need.
I am certain that after hearing of your glory, no doubt would be cast.


For it is not this life we should live for.
No, this life has pain, heartache and suffering.


It is the next one - in Heaven - that should have our attention.
So we can anticipate arriving with no fear or trepidation.


I often dream of seeing the angels and looking in the face of God.
And imagine experiencing daily, his abounding adoration and grace.


There are countless things we will not understand this side of you,
but Heaven, I trust that God will always see us through.


Until then,
Sarah

In loving remembrance,

on this day and all days...

Shannon Jacob Smith

12/16/82 to 5/24/09

Multitude Monday

Counting my way to 1,000 blessings...

#271...Wedding showers with church women.
#272...Unexpected text messages from old friends.
#273...Raspberries that remind me of my grandma.
#274...Vivid, happy memories on instant repeat in my head.
#275...Lots of pretty colors in our courtyard.
#276...Falling asleep with my hand in his.
#277...Girl's weekend up north.
#278...Working together in the yard.
#279...Protection for my brother and his motorcycle accident.
#280...Reflection on a year of sorrow, healing and growth.

Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail.  They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. Lamentations 3:22-23


Although the world is full of suffering, it is also full of the overcoming of it. - Helen Keller

Multitude Monday

Counting my way to 1,000 blessings...

#261...The smell of fresh cut grass.
#262...Saturday mornings spent treasure hunting at garage sales.
#263...Finding treasures.
#264...Summer wardrobes that feel like new.
#265...Waking up before my alarm and catching a few more zzzz's.
#266...Perfect weather for photo shoots.
#267...Holding hands with the hubby.
#268...Learning from experience.
#269...Sunday lunches with church family.
#270...Nine baby ducks swimming as fast as they can.

For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It teaches us to say "No" to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope—the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good. Titus 2:1-14

Mother's Day and Happy Retirement

Last weekend, we kids pulled off something spectacular - surprising my mom with an intimate retirement party. You know I love surprises so keeping this one a secret and actually pulling it off with so many different emails, conversations and schedules was quite the challenge. She didn't suspect a thing and I know she loved having everyone home. After teaching for 30+ years, we thought mom deserved something special and a special Mother's Day weekend it was. She has touched so many lives over the years! 
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I had a nasty cold and Becca has nasty allergies. So what do you do?! Try the Neti Pot! It worked wonders, and we looked pretty much like the guy in the pictures on that link except our eyes were watering and there was some laughing going on.

Sore throat/chest (hard to explain but it hurt), ear ache, congestion, constantly running nose. HOT!

"Weston, don't touch the kitty. She'll bite you."

"Weston...."

Poor Mober put up with a LOT *smile.

I love babies in wrestling singlets!

He loooooves newspapers.

Mom with her four grandsons and her yummy cake and frog shaped mints. (She decorated her classrooms in frogs.) Noah is 9, Hayden is 4, Jacob is 2 and Weston is 10 months. 

Jacob thinks Noah and Hayden are way fun and cool.

Becca doesn't do "serious" very well.

Awwww.....sisters by blood and by marriage but sisters nonetheless.

Sinclair family photo!

So basically the story is that Mom only knew I was coming home Friday night. Becca, Robert and Weston drove from Omaha and surprised her at school on Friday for "Mother's Day." She would have been pleased as punch with just that. But we didn't stop there. Saturday morning comes and Mom, Becca, Weston and I go out to my aunt's house for a visit. Meanwhile, back home...food, cake, balloons are being delivered from Hy-Vee, and Brent, Sara and the boys and Scott, Nikki and Jacob are arriving and getting into position (both families drove over 2 hours.) We end our visit and communicate via text that we're close to home. They all hide in the kitchen. Mom goes in first. Perfection!

Happy retirement, Mom! I know you'll love the freedom and joy that this new phase in life will bring. You have put every thing into teaching, and your efforts are shown in the number of lives you have impacted and changed for the better. I can't wait to see what God has in store for you.

What a fun weekend!

Multitude Monday

Counting my way to 1,000 blessings...

#251...Sunday morning coffee and donuts on the deck with the fam.
#252...Being unloaded and unpacked after a weekend away.
#253...The smell of lilacs.
#254...The joy in little boy giggles.
#255...Pulling out the sweaters again.
#256...Days filled with so much work, the hours fly by.
#257...Focusing on the positive.
#258...Peaceful road trips.
#259...Watching second cousins laugh and play together.
#260....Being with my wonderful mom on Mother's Day.

"Most of all the other beautiful things in life come by twos and threes by dozens and hundreds. Plenty of roses, stars, sunsets, rainbows, brothers and sisters, aunts and cousins, but only one mother in the whole world." - Kate Douglas Wiggin

Let's meet in Okoboji!

I hadn't seen one of my best friends from college, Liz, since July 2009. She even had her 2nd child last August and aside from pictures and many stories, I can't believe I hadn't met her yet. We had tried to get together in December, but that didn't end up working out. So over a month ago we decided we must get together and MAY it was. Okoboji is about 2 hours for her and about 3 hours for me so we met there last weekend. Finally! I loved, loved, loved spending time with the kids even though Max (her 2.5 year old) thought my name was Erin most of the weekend. We're still best buds though. And sweet baby Anna.....talk about a perfect baby. So easy going, relaxed and content. I got lots of baby snuggles in! My favorite! And of course, it was so great to catch up with Liz and just hang out for 24 hours. We really needed about three more full days.....maybe someday we'll live in the same neighborhood *smile. (My life would be complete.

A baby photo shoot? Don't mind if I do!

I swear her hair is looking red....

Those socks?  skjf;kajsfsl;dfjdsfkfjweorwj

We went out for lunch and the kids did great!

A trip to Okoboji wouldn't be complete without a jaunt down to Arnold's Park. It was completely empty aside from two bikers who volunteered to take our picture. After I asked them to.

Ohhh, Max. He's something else. He is SO smart. He can count to 100, knows all of his letters - not just the order they're in in the alphabet, and knows numbers like 26 and 39 if you point to them and ask him what number it is. Oh, and Max can also spell.

Max: "E-X-I-T. Exit."

Me: "Um, did he just spell "exit?"

Liz: (laughs) "He loves spelling exit."

He also looooooves bubbles. "More bobbles, please." Over and over and over.....we had a lot of fun with his new bobbles.

He was a bit hesistant to get in the pool but once he did, he loved it. His suit was just adorable.

We also did a little shopping and both of our husbands loved our purchases (Er, not. They don't know what looks good *smile. Plaid capris are in, Tom!) It felt just like the old days when we would go to the Ames, IA mall...except we were each holding a child. I wish everyone had a Liz in their life. She is a beautiful person inside and out and has so many qualities that I strive for. It was a wonderful time!

And speaking of Ames, IA....I graduated from Iowa State 5 years ago TODAY. Where does the time go?!

Multitude Monday

Counting my way to 1,000 blessings...

#241...Blowing hundreds of bubbles with a 2.5 year old.
#242...Comfy hotel beds and not having to wash a load of towels.
#243...Hearing "I miss you" when I haven't even been gone a day.
#244...Baby giggles and sweet little girl smiles.
#245...Getting to know a new friend.
#246...Sharing and listening.
#247...Weeknight patio chats.
#248...Patience when needed.
#249...Mental preparation for a new week.
#250...Spending 24 hours with one of my best friends. So wonderful!

A faithful friend is a strong defense, and he that hath found such an one hath found a treasure. Ecclesiastes