The truth of James 4:14 was made very real to us these last few weeks:
You do not know what tomorrow will bring.
What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes.
What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes.
Saturday morning after they got home, my parents received a call from the nursing home that my Grandma (my Dad's mom) had taken an unexpected, serious turn for the worse. After a rather discouraging visit for my parents on Saturday, we were all encouraged when the nursing home called on Sunday saying that she was doing much better; in fact, she seemed back to her normal self. So late Monday night we were very surprised to receive a call that she had passed away. We are so thankful that she had a clear testimony of trusting Christ as her Savior. She is rejoicing in Heaven now, and for that we rejoice. And even though she no longer knew my Grandpa in this life, she followed him just seven months later in death. We rejoice that they are together once again--they know each other and are both healthy and whole. So thankful.
As you can imagine, my Grandma's Homegoing changed our week quite dramatically ...
Day 309. Both boys were home with colds on Sunday--Daddy captured this picture of Mommy enjoying some snuggle time with them. :) As a side note, I'm so thankful for the Lord's timing even in something as simple as drippy noses. Both boys were better before we began traveling, and my own bout with the bug was very brief, allowing me to also be feeling well for traveling.
Day 310. The coaster instructions have been put away, but the Knex creativity continues. :) The kids completed about 80% of the design for this ferris wheel, and Daddy tweaked it the necessary 20% to allow it to work. :)
Day 311. My Grandma and Hannah in 2005. We love you, Grandma!
Day 312. Let the travels begin ... a certain young man was quite excited to be sleeping in a hotel this night. :)
Day 313. Our crew making our way from long-term parking to the shuttle ...
Another certain young man was very excited to be riding a plane. Things weren't quite as smooth on the way home, but the trip up to NY could not have gone better.
And here's Hannah on the plane--she was about 18-months old for her last plane ride, so she was quite excited to be able to have a ride that she could remember. :)
Day 314. Riding the plane allowed our travel time to be cut about in half, which gave us a day to be able to visit with Great Grandma and Grandpa! What a wonderful visit we enjoyed! I'm so thankful that my kiddos are enjoying the privilege of knowing them like I do. :)
One of my sister's and my favorite memories from visits with Grandma and Grandpa were Grandpa's milkshakes ... another generation has now been hooked! :) Thanks, Grandpa!
Lunch time ... pretty rough to enjoy dessert right along with the carrots ... ;)
Yep, milkshakes are a sure winner ...
And they make just as much mess for this generation as they did for the previous one when the drinking thereof gets a bit too enthusiastic ... ;)
And guess who we discovered looks quite a lot like her Great Grandma did at that age?!? So special! :)
Of course, the cousins all enjoyed getting together--the adults were thankful that Richard Scarry's What Do People Do All Day? held the interest of all!
Day 316. I love being able to sing at the piano with my mom when we go to their home for visits!
Chris and I and my parents have a tradition of playing Euchre after the kids are tucked into bed ... the ladies were quite excited to finally win ... it's been too. long. :D
Day 317. It's a Grandpa Tackle! :)
We enjoyed a three-hour delay in Rochester, complete with The House on Pooh Corner, multiple rounds of Uno, most of a box of Girl Scouts' Thin Mint cookies, and front row vistas of arriving and departing planes. In Matthew's opinion, life could hardly be better! ;)
Day 318. Katy and the Big Snow is currently one of Matthew's favorite books. He definitely surprised me, however, when he proudly announced, "I match letters, Mommy!" I glanced at the fridge and thought he was matching them by color, something he does pretty regularly. I certainly wasn't expecting to see what I saw! :)
And you have to love self-taught Geography lessons! After putting together the puzzle, the big kids spent about 15-minutes "traveling" around the map together, naming the various places they wanted to visit and determining how they would travel there--whether by plane, train, boat, car, or camel caravan!
Day 319. Geography extends to the back yard these days. Our crew has an amazingly intricate system of pathways extending from one corner of the yard to the other--all swept neat and clean by their energetic brooms. :)
Day 320. This young man is definitely at home in a Carhartt coat. :)
Had to laugh when I saw this one ... yet one more benefit of homeschooling ...
Day 321. Thoroughly enjoyed a great afternoon of fellowship with our friends ... and you really can't beat leftovers from a school's Thanksgiving lunch as payment for the easiest. babysitting. job. ever. (The little guy was asleep when he arrived and sleeping still when his mom arrived with his big brothers for some playtime!)
Day 322. So thankful for my hubby's mechanical skills!
Day 323. Heaven has become so very precious to me this last year. This Sunday, one year ago, we first realized the Lord was taking our fourth little one Home. Even with the heartache, I am so thankful for the gift of their precious life. It's hard to imagine that one so tiny could change your life so profoundly, but I will never be the same, and I am so thankful. It is with great anticipation that I look forward to the day when I can hold him or her in my arms! I must say I'm a wee bit envious that my Grandma got first dibs! ♥
Overwhelmingly thankful for the truths of Psalm 23:
The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures.
He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul.
He leads me in paths of righteousness for His name's sake.
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil, for You are with me;
Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;
You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life,
and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD forever.
He makes me lie down in green pastures.
He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul.
He leads me in paths of righteousness for His name's sake.
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil, for You are with me;
Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;
You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life,
and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD forever.
Thankful that He is with me. Always. And forever.
Crayons ...
We appreciate your prayers. There have definitely been many tears and I'm sure there are more to come, but our God is Good. All the time. And we are so thankful to know that even this is part of His perfect plan for us. 