We just got back today from a big trip Pete planned in the spring! He said if he sold the little blue house (where we lived while building the big house), he wanted to take us on a cruise. We did sell the house and checked on different dates. Christmas seemed to be the best time to go! We celebrated Christmas with our families early this year; and on Andrew's 17th birthday, we took off!
We stopped at Chuck E Cheese in Winston to have a late lunch after the boys got out of school. Meg met us there with sweet Sarah and precious Alice. Sam loves Chuck E Cheese ~ it was his request when he was in the hospital so sick last year. So there was meaning behind going there to have a little fun and eat pizza! We are so thankful he is doing well.
We spent the night in Greensboro before flying out the next morning to Florida! We had no trouble with security and Sam's diabetes stuff ~ just some sympathetic looks. We drove to Cape Canaveral and spent the night before boarding a ship for the Bahamas and Cocoa Cay. It was cold, but we knew it would warm up on the cruise! We boarded the ship on Christmas Eve.
We had a fun time on the ship even though it was cold, and Cocoa Cay was canceled due to rough waters! It was too cold to be on the beach anyway! We did get off at Nassau on Christmas Day and walked around a bit. The boys bought some dvd's from a street vendor, and Pete got me a new pocket book that reminded me of the one I bought in England over 18 years ago when I visited Cindy for two weeks! We walked a lot ~ from the second floor to the 11th where we spent a lot of time. We certainly did not gain the pounds a lot of people do on cruises! He also bought me a new necklace with our ship "credit card", so we had fun doing those things that we never do!
After coming back to Florida, we went to Disney ~ something I had always wanted to do with the boys. The older boys loved it until it got crowded. It was in the low 30's, and Sam had a great time ~ even riding some of the big rides with the boys. Watching my boys at Disney, I realized once again that it does not take much to make them happy. And I am thankful for that! Our neighbors know they can take a small plastic sled and have more fun for hours than doing something elaborate!
The boys played in the pool at the hotel and then got in the hot tub ~ there don't seem to be many indoor pools in Florida! They played arcade games and cards with Daddy.
And we shopped! Well, Andrew and Pete went to a movie. Will and Peter checked out Bass Pro Shops. So Sam and I went to a few outlets ~ and yes, we were able to fit five pairs of shoes (unreal deals) in our suitcases!
We flew back this morning and were surprised to see the snow on the ground from the air - in Greensboro! We were happy to get back home!
We had a special time as a family and were so thankful and fortunate to enjoy such a vacation together. Andrew is going to be a senior next year, and Peter is right behind him! Time is flying by too quickly!
In the time away, we were able to put away some of the day to day worries of being home. I know I am not supposed to worry, but the change of scenery did us all good.
We all loved watching Sam on the plane ~ no big deal to him at all! He loved it; but I see that even though he may not want to be near Santa or a Disney character, he still loves to do fun things that I would think he would be hesitant about. Watching him do brave things is not lost on me. It will serve him well as he goes through life and its challenges.
We are looking forward to a great 2011 ~ one filled with great, encouraging things. The more I read and pray, the more I find that I may not be looking for the right things. I hope this time away will be a reminder to me that God is indeed in control and has blessed us with such a wonderful family. He will walk through anything and everything with us. And we already know that from experience. But reminders are always welcome! And I am not going to be too hard on myself if I am scared, frustrated, exasperated, or all of the above. I need to keep turning it over to Him.
Today is our anniversary ~ 22 years! We got married on a rainy Friday night, on the 30th. We were juniors in college and wanted to make it easier for our guests and participants and also not ruin everyone's New Year's plans. The church was decorated for Christmas, and I wore my sister's dress. I remember eating chocolate ice cream that afternoon and my brother asking me if I should. I told him I had just tried on the dress a few days before and had plenty of room! Pete and I were so excited just to get married and be together! We went to Ocean Isle on our honeymoon and saw snow plows (borrowed from another county!) returning from an unexpected snow! We have had ups and downs and know God has truly blessed us by keeping us together and giving us our boys. We thank Him for that ~ and give Him all of the credit and glory.
Happy New Year from our family! We wish for you a wonderful and blessed 2011 where you also look for the special blessings and plans God has just for YOU!
Thursday, December 30, 2010
Friday, December 10, 2010
"Christmas Letter"
It's beginning to look (and feel) a lot like Christmas! There is snow and more coming! The houses have wreaths on the doors and Christmas trees lit up in the windows. And the Christmas music on the radio (only Christian radio for me) ~ one of my favorite parts!
As I reflect on this past year, I see clearly how thankful I should be and am. We have come so far since last fall. And though I am still relieved when I wake up each morning to find each child is fine, I know it can get much better than this if I let it (let God).
A couple of weeks ago, I left early in the morning to meet "the girls" for a Christmas shopping trip. I listened to my music and then started talking to God. I can just talk out loud in the car. And I cried...and cried...and cried. So much for the carefully applied tiny bit of eye make-up! It was Katelyn's birthday, and she would be 19. I always get emotional - each of those 19 years - remembering that precious little bundle. And I always want to be closer to God and pull myself back to Him when I take the time to think of her and the impact on my life. She is one the top ten in my whole life for sure! So I cried and talked and sang and felt a "good" worn out by the time I got there. I gave Whitney a gift to celebrate and remember the special day. I know Dwayne especially loved the Snoopy stuff in the bag and the "Away in a Manger" Christmas plate, because they just don't have enough things like that at their house! It was a special day to spend with my sister and other special people. We don't even have to talk about Katelyn - we all know what we felt and what we remember. And we are all better for knowing her.
As we approach December 22 (too quickly - date AND year!), I flash back for the last 17 years since I first became a mom. Andrew was such a good baby. He was gentle and quiet, and everyone loved him. He was well behaved and easy to get along with. He has grown and endured so much in his years. We are so thankful we were chosen to be his parents. He is doing well right now - and we are looking forward to him growing and getting where he needs to be. He has a doctor's appointment next week, and then we will probably go to see an immunologist after the first of the year. This is something the pulmonologist has recommended after reviewing Andrew's unbelievably long chart. He has been studying in the library about auto-immune issues! He called and talked to me day before yesterday. So we will continue to try to take care of Andrew's things as they come and try to be a little ahead of things. I just have to keep remembering that God is right with Andrew and loves him even more than we do. I cannot even begin to explain emotions I have had dealing with Andrew. I have been frustrated, sad, scared...But he is moving right along. As he gets older, I appreciate this about him even more.
Peter and Will continue to help a lot with Sam - and Andrew does also. They help me so much on snow days ~ and we have already had a week of "run throughs" this week. Peter makes me cookies and chocolate milk and loves to tease with me a little bit. He is like he has been his whole life - easy to get along with and good about including most others. He has hair that women spend millions to get each year. He is really growing in a lot of ways - and I am excited to see what he does the next couple of years.
Will is either hunting, building, working, or bothering one neighbor or another. He would be my choice of my luxury item if I ever go on Survivor. He is very matter of fact and innovative like his daddy. He still checks Sam's blood sugar each day before lunch and gives me lots of peace of mind that he is at the same school. I don't know what I will do without him there next year! He is running some, and we are tickled but not pushing him to run at all. I would love to see what he could do with some training. He is one tough child.
Sam is doing well. He also goes to the doctor on Tuesday ~ if we can get out of town to get to Charlotte with this snow storm coming! We are anxious to see what his average blood sugar has been. He has just had to increase one insulin - which is hopefully because he is growing. He is getting much taller and has the same long legs as his daddy. But he is so skinny still! When he gets a little more meat on him, it will be much easier to give shots. But he is very tolerant and learning more about taking care of himself every day. He loves kindergarten but does better with a smaller group. He is much like Andrew at school but has a lot of the same Peter and Will traits too! They love him so much - we all do!
Pete is in Housing Operations at Appalachian still. I have been gone from Admissions for a year now - but some people are just now noticing! I love my job at the pediatrics' office and love the flexibility, very low stress, and part-time hours. It has been so good for all of us.
Pete continues to work on our house. We have one more bathroom to renovate and one to finish. He has taken a break to work on outside projects. This house should keep him busy for a while which is a good thing. It was so hard to leave our new house when we did - after working on it for three years. And it seemed to be harder later. I have worked through all of that, but I know what it is to let go of material things on this earth. "Less is more" is my brother's motto, and I have taken that on in a lot of ways too. I have been getting rid of "things" for a year now - and it feels so good! I feel the need to simplify my life so I can focus on what is most important. I am reading Dave Ramsey's book - finally. I found it at the $5 bookstore for $8.99. I love to hear him on the radio, and Mike Grigsby has told me about him for years. I think this year will have a lot less financial stress, and I am looking forward to that!
Pete has planned an extra special vacation for us over Christmas. I will write about it when we get back. We are going to be in three different modes of transportation and covering a lot of territory. We are rolling a lot into a week, and I pray that this time will be so special and precious to my little family. Kathy Kistner wrote a letter talking about the best Christmas gifts, and I want us to say one of our best was the one we all spent together. Our family is not like anyone else's. Every family has their unique qualities, and I would gladly trade some of ours; but who am I to know what God has for us. And I may not see it in this lifetime, so I will continue to trust (this being a daily decision). Nichole Nordeman has a song that says: "If I had the chance, to go back again, take a different road, bear a lighter load, tell an easy story. I would walk away with my yesterdays and I would not trade what is broken for beauty only." (Sunrise) She goes on to say she would not know the morning if she did not know midnight.
I have a whole book in my head about the waiting room and waiting and being on edge. And one day I will write it down. It's stuck right now. But God has told me over and over and over again to live - not just sit. And live while I am waiting. It's amazing how many songs have come out in the last two years about waiting on God. And Reverend Thrasher sent me something about learning to dance in the rain. I am learning and try to read more. When my Bible is open, I am so thirsty. It's my responsibility to get it open more often - and I have. The closer I am to Him - the farther away the hurts and circumstances feel. It's amazing.
I will write more soon. I want to say Merry Christmas to each one who reads this. Christmas is a time to celebrate the birth of the Savior of the world. He came for each one of us, and He loves each one. If you do not know Him, please meet Him right now. He died for each one of us - not as just a collective group. So He knows you and loves you and wants you to have eternal life. It's all free. You just have to believe who He is (the Son of God) and that He died on the cross to save us from sins (that we cannot save ourselves from) and accept the gift of salvation that He freely offers. And then your life will change.
Merry Christmas! If you have not been in touch for a while, we would love to hear from you and see how you are! We love and appreciate our dear friends and family!
Love,
Wendi
As I reflect on this past year, I see clearly how thankful I should be and am. We have come so far since last fall. And though I am still relieved when I wake up each morning to find each child is fine, I know it can get much better than this if I let it (let God).
A couple of weeks ago, I left early in the morning to meet "the girls" for a Christmas shopping trip. I listened to my music and then started talking to God. I can just talk out loud in the car. And I cried...and cried...and cried. So much for the carefully applied tiny bit of eye make-up! It was Katelyn's birthday, and she would be 19. I always get emotional - each of those 19 years - remembering that precious little bundle. And I always want to be closer to God and pull myself back to Him when I take the time to think of her and the impact on my life. She is one the top ten in my whole life for sure! So I cried and talked and sang and felt a "good" worn out by the time I got there. I gave Whitney a gift to celebrate and remember the special day. I know Dwayne especially loved the Snoopy stuff in the bag and the "Away in a Manger" Christmas plate, because they just don't have enough things like that at their house! It was a special day to spend with my sister and other special people. We don't even have to talk about Katelyn - we all know what we felt and what we remember. And we are all better for knowing her.
As we approach December 22 (too quickly - date AND year!), I flash back for the last 17 years since I first became a mom. Andrew was such a good baby. He was gentle and quiet, and everyone loved him. He was well behaved and easy to get along with. He has grown and endured so much in his years. We are so thankful we were chosen to be his parents. He is doing well right now - and we are looking forward to him growing and getting where he needs to be. He has a doctor's appointment next week, and then we will probably go to see an immunologist after the first of the year. This is something the pulmonologist has recommended after reviewing Andrew's unbelievably long chart. He has been studying in the library about auto-immune issues! He called and talked to me day before yesterday. So we will continue to try to take care of Andrew's things as they come and try to be a little ahead of things. I just have to keep remembering that God is right with Andrew and loves him even more than we do. I cannot even begin to explain emotions I have had dealing with Andrew. I have been frustrated, sad, scared...But he is moving right along. As he gets older, I appreciate this about him even more.
Peter and Will continue to help a lot with Sam - and Andrew does also. They help me so much on snow days ~ and we have already had a week of "run throughs" this week. Peter makes me cookies and chocolate milk and loves to tease with me a little bit. He is like he has been his whole life - easy to get along with and good about including most others. He has hair that women spend millions to get each year. He is really growing in a lot of ways - and I am excited to see what he does the next couple of years.
Will is either hunting, building, working, or bothering one neighbor or another. He would be my choice of my luxury item if I ever go on Survivor. He is very matter of fact and innovative like his daddy. He still checks Sam's blood sugar each day before lunch and gives me lots of peace of mind that he is at the same school. I don't know what I will do without him there next year! He is running some, and we are tickled but not pushing him to run at all. I would love to see what he could do with some training. He is one tough child.
Sam is doing well. He also goes to the doctor on Tuesday ~ if we can get out of town to get to Charlotte with this snow storm coming! We are anxious to see what his average blood sugar has been. He has just had to increase one insulin - which is hopefully because he is growing. He is getting much taller and has the same long legs as his daddy. But he is so skinny still! When he gets a little more meat on him, it will be much easier to give shots. But he is very tolerant and learning more about taking care of himself every day. He loves kindergarten but does better with a smaller group. He is much like Andrew at school but has a lot of the same Peter and Will traits too! They love him so much - we all do!
Pete is in Housing Operations at Appalachian still. I have been gone from Admissions for a year now - but some people are just now noticing! I love my job at the pediatrics' office and love the flexibility, very low stress, and part-time hours. It has been so good for all of us.
Pete continues to work on our house. We have one more bathroom to renovate and one to finish. He has taken a break to work on outside projects. This house should keep him busy for a while which is a good thing. It was so hard to leave our new house when we did - after working on it for three years. And it seemed to be harder later. I have worked through all of that, but I know what it is to let go of material things on this earth. "Less is more" is my brother's motto, and I have taken that on in a lot of ways too. I have been getting rid of "things" for a year now - and it feels so good! I feel the need to simplify my life so I can focus on what is most important. I am reading Dave Ramsey's book - finally. I found it at the $5 bookstore for $8.99. I love to hear him on the radio, and Mike Grigsby has told me about him for years. I think this year will have a lot less financial stress, and I am looking forward to that!
Pete has planned an extra special vacation for us over Christmas. I will write about it when we get back. We are going to be in three different modes of transportation and covering a lot of territory. We are rolling a lot into a week, and I pray that this time will be so special and precious to my little family. Kathy Kistner wrote a letter talking about the best Christmas gifts, and I want us to say one of our best was the one we all spent together. Our family is not like anyone else's. Every family has their unique qualities, and I would gladly trade some of ours; but who am I to know what God has for us. And I may not see it in this lifetime, so I will continue to trust (this being a daily decision). Nichole Nordeman has a song that says: "If I had the chance, to go back again, take a different road, bear a lighter load, tell an easy story. I would walk away with my yesterdays and I would not trade what is broken for beauty only." (Sunrise) She goes on to say she would not know the morning if she did not know midnight.
I have a whole book in my head about the waiting room and waiting and being on edge. And one day I will write it down. It's stuck right now. But God has told me over and over and over again to live - not just sit. And live while I am waiting. It's amazing how many songs have come out in the last two years about waiting on God. And Reverend Thrasher sent me something about learning to dance in the rain. I am learning and try to read more. When my Bible is open, I am so thirsty. It's my responsibility to get it open more often - and I have. The closer I am to Him - the farther away the hurts and circumstances feel. It's amazing.
I will write more soon. I want to say Merry Christmas to each one who reads this. Christmas is a time to celebrate the birth of the Savior of the world. He came for each one of us, and He loves each one. If you do not know Him, please meet Him right now. He died for each one of us - not as just a collective group. So He knows you and loves you and wants you to have eternal life. It's all free. You just have to believe who He is (the Son of God) and that He died on the cross to save us from sins (that we cannot save ourselves from) and accept the gift of salvation that He freely offers. And then your life will change.
Merry Christmas! If you have not been in touch for a while, we would love to hear from you and see how you are! We love and appreciate our dear friends and family!
Love,
Wendi
Friday, December 3, 2010
Andrew and Sam! And Peter and Will too!
Andrew and Peter ran in the Foot Locker race in Charlotte last weekend. They did not run their best times, but they did not run bad times. Peter's name keeps popping up in different publications and on different lists. It would be so nice to see Andrew's too, but I told him we would get him all better so he could run the races he trains for this spring and next fall! He is happy for Peter and only wishes to do his best.
Pete picked up a hat that a runner in the state meet threw. It ended up being a hat with a great deal of sentimental value. I mailed it back to him - his name and school were on the tag inside. This week I received a thank you note from his mom - and a note written inside from him. It made my week - not because I thought we had done something good and had been acknowledged. It made me feel good that we did something very simple, and they felt so appreciative that they took the time to write a note. We just don't treat each other that way much anymore. Some of us mean to write notes (ME!!!), but we don't do what we think about and wish we would do. I used to be so good at notes and thank you's of all kinds, but I have not for a few years. So that is a goal of mine for this year. Send those notes and cards and thank you's right when I think of them!
Andrew and Sam go back to the endocrinologist on December 14th. We are hoping and praying Sam's numbers are MUCH improved, and they should be. He pops up every now and then, but he has had much lower numbers overall. I still wake up and need to make sure he is okay. I pray for him every night that his sugar will remain even and not go too low when we are all asleep. I must admit I let it bother me. I do pray. I know, though, that I still worry a lot. It is better with Andrew. He has had such a long stretch with no seizures. For that, we are so so thankful. We just wish he would have a huge growth spurt. At this point, I do not care what any specialist says. I just want him to grow - even if it takes more years rather than months.
Will is into hunting right now. That is part of the reason they are in Virginia. They extended deer season where Pop and Sarah live. I hope he gets one. He has spent a lot of time waiting! Last weekend he went hunting with Pete, some friends, and the ASU quarterback! Deandre had gotten a deer on his first day of hunting. Brad should go into business with new hunters. He helps them get that first deer!
Happy Weekend! Happy Snow! More later...
This is where my "Christmas letter" will be published. I will write it very soon!
Pete picked up a hat that a runner in the state meet threw. It ended up being a hat with a great deal of sentimental value. I mailed it back to him - his name and school were on the tag inside. This week I received a thank you note from his mom - and a note written inside from him. It made my week - not because I thought we had done something good and had been acknowledged. It made me feel good that we did something very simple, and they felt so appreciative that they took the time to write a note. We just don't treat each other that way much anymore. Some of us mean to write notes (ME!!!), but we don't do what we think about and wish we would do. I used to be so good at notes and thank you's of all kinds, but I have not for a few years. So that is a goal of mine for this year. Send those notes and cards and thank you's right when I think of them!
Andrew and Sam go back to the endocrinologist on December 14th. We are hoping and praying Sam's numbers are MUCH improved, and they should be. He pops up every now and then, but he has had much lower numbers overall. I still wake up and need to make sure he is okay. I pray for him every night that his sugar will remain even and not go too low when we are all asleep. I must admit I let it bother me. I do pray. I know, though, that I still worry a lot. It is better with Andrew. He has had such a long stretch with no seizures. For that, we are so so thankful. We just wish he would have a huge growth spurt. At this point, I do not care what any specialist says. I just want him to grow - even if it takes more years rather than months.
Will is into hunting right now. That is part of the reason they are in Virginia. They extended deer season where Pop and Sarah live. I hope he gets one. He has spent a lot of time waiting! Last weekend he went hunting with Pete, some friends, and the ASU quarterback! Deandre had gotten a deer on his first day of hunting. Brad should go into business with new hunters. He helps them get that first deer!
Happy Weekend! Happy Snow! More later...
This is where my "Christmas letter" will be published. I will write it very soon!
Home Alone!!!!
I have always needed some time to myself! Right now it's in the school pick up line reading a book! I get to spend time doing what I want at home - but rarely alone! I love my family, and I always miss them when we are not together; but a few hours alone can do wonders for me! Not only do I have a few hours, but I have almost two days! They are in Virginia hunting and visiting, and I am home frantically cleaning and getting ready for Christmas so we can enjoy the rest of the month at a slower pace! I am also cleaning where Pete cleans twice a week, so that will be a good little work out! I have stocked up on some of my favorite foods, my favorite music, and I have a favorite movie on hand...just in case I get snowed in! The green van has almost 197,000 miles on it and could use new tires! It is getting them on Tuesday, but I will not be driving that car in the snow. I wouldn't drive any car in the snow unless I had to. The Volvo was like a tank in the snow, but my Honda van did very well last year. I had to drive in at least 3-4 blizzards! That was more than the rest of my life put together! We are trying so save for Pete's next vehicle - hopefully a 4WD truck!
My list has gotten shorter - the one that tells what I hope to get done in these two days. Right now I have the washer and dryer both going. The dishwasher about to be started. The firewood is coming upstairs for a nice fire in the woodstove after I get back from cleaning tonight. The Christmas cards are looking at me. A couple of unwrapped gifts keep grabbing my attention! The new curtain rod is waiting for those wonderful Waverly blue gingham curtains I have had for months to hang! I am so excited to get some of these things done!
However...I would pass it up for a hug from those soft, little warm arms and an "I Wuv You Mommy!" And Will running in and out with his camo and boots on. And Andrew and Peter constantly eating and on the computer "doing homework" and watching movies! But they will be back soon! And hopefully they will come home to a cleaner house, decorated for Christmas, and, most importantly, a mommy who feels like she is not so far behind.
We are getting ready early this year. Pete has an extra special trip planned - paid for way back in the spring. Some stuff is ready to be packed for a warmer climate than our Christmas last year - in the ice storm. Gifts and cards need to be mailed early. Some gifts are already at their destination in Virginia. Most gifts are wrapped or bagged! This weekend is about cleaning and wrapping up (literally!) loose ends! And then I can sit and drink hot chocolate and watch Christmas movies with my boys (all FIVE of them!) without feeling pulled to do something else!
Off to put the deer jerkey stained food dehydrator shelves in the dishwasher! Have a great weekend!
My list has gotten shorter - the one that tells what I hope to get done in these two days. Right now I have the washer and dryer both going. The dishwasher about to be started. The firewood is coming upstairs for a nice fire in the woodstove after I get back from cleaning tonight. The Christmas cards are looking at me. A couple of unwrapped gifts keep grabbing my attention! The new curtain rod is waiting for those wonderful Waverly blue gingham curtains I have had for months to hang! I am so excited to get some of these things done!
However...I would pass it up for a hug from those soft, little warm arms and an "I Wuv You Mommy!" And Will running in and out with his camo and boots on. And Andrew and Peter constantly eating and on the computer "doing homework" and watching movies! But they will be back soon! And hopefully they will come home to a cleaner house, decorated for Christmas, and, most importantly, a mommy who feels like she is not so far behind.
We are getting ready early this year. Pete has an extra special trip planned - paid for way back in the spring. Some stuff is ready to be packed for a warmer climate than our Christmas last year - in the ice storm. Gifts and cards need to be mailed early. Some gifts are already at their destination in Virginia. Most gifts are wrapped or bagged! This weekend is about cleaning and wrapping up (literally!) loose ends! And then I can sit and drink hot chocolate and watch Christmas movies with my boys (all FIVE of them!) without feeling pulled to do something else!
Off to put the deer jerkey stained food dehydrator shelves in the dishwasher! Have a great weekend!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)