Great Weekend! (The only downside was that I forgot my camera.)

This last weekend we went to Indiana for a quick visit. We left a little after noon on Thursday, taking the kids out of school for the rest of the week. We actually tried a new route and made great time, making the trip with two stops in just under 9 1/2 hours.  The only down side was that when we left PA it was 85 degrees and when we got to IN it was 50.

Friday we spent time with family, including a "girl's only" lunch with my mother in law, mother, sister, myself and Em. (Drew, my nephew, tagged along too as the only boy, but we won't tell him.) Then we spent the evening with our very dear friends, Eric and Tammy. We played a few rounds of euchre while catching up and laughing a lot.

Saturday we went to see some more dear friends and spent some time with the McCleary family. Their oldest son, Austin (who is the same age as Alex) has had another recurrence of cancer. They also have a son who is Jackson's age so the four boys enjoyed video games while the adults talked.

Later both families (my side and Aaron's) got together with some other extended family to have a cookout. It was great to all be together and to see everyone.

Sunday we went to church at our old church. It was great to see so many friends and catch up a bit. It was also nice to go to church and not have any responsibilities. We then went to my parent's house for time with them, my sister and nephew (my brother in law was out of town), my brother, his wife and daughter, and with my grandparents (who are from FL). Again it was great to catch up with everyone and spend time together as an extended family.

Sunday night we ended the day with some Culver's treats to celebrate my father in law's birthday (which had been on Friday).

Monday we headed back to PA leaving IN around 10:30 and got home that evening around 8:00. I think we saw as many dead deer as we did cops on our drive back (and it was Memorial Day so you know there were lots of cops). But other than that the trip home went smoothly.

It was a great weekend with friends and family. We are very blessed, not just with our families and friends but for the freedoms we have that allow us to travel at will.  Memorial Day is not just another holiday, it really should be a day in which we recognize the sacrifices of many for the freedoms we all too often take for granted. I hope your weekend was filled with love, laughter and family too!

The View from Here...



Cousins!



Double Rainbow earlier this week!





Ranibow landing in our neighbors field.



Amazing! I love the promises of God.

Lining it up for goal number 1!

Ball in the net for goal number 2!
(He had 3 goals in his last game and of course I didn't have my camera.)



Lovely, hazy sunrise!



Tears

It's Monday!  Appropriate enough for tears most weeks, right?! 

This Monday though I am a bit emotional for reasons other than it being the start of another busy week or the "let down" day after a day filled with ministry.  The last two weekends were wonderfully filled with family.  First my in-laws came out to help celebrate Alex's birthday. Then this past weekend my sister's family and my mom came out for a quick trip before it gets even more uncomfortable for my sister to travel (she's very pregnant).

This week is also the LCS Sport's Banquet. This means the end of soccer is wrapping up as well. We actually play again this week in district playoffs.  While this season has been a great one and I have loved it, I must admit I am tired.  I also must admit that I miss being home with my family, even doing the basic household chores that I used to do regularly.

Today is also a day in which I am feeling saddened by the sicknesses of those close to us. Cancer is such a difficult journey and to watch family and friends fight this disease is heartbreaking. Today my heart is heavy and as I find myself in prayer for these loved ones it just feels desperate.

On top of tough emotional issues there are everyday life issues to be dealt with, such as the growing and training of our children. WOW! I have to tell you that in the past week it has been a bit shocking to see how quickly my children are drawn into bad behaviors.  From mouthy responses, bad attitudes, bickering, and demeaning names from the boys to "like...um...like" from my FOUR YEAR OLD daughter!!!!  And don't even get me started on disrespect and ungratefulness.  UGH!

Plus I am in ministry. And this season of ministry has been tough. But there is also great reward so I keep pressing on.  But Monday's are often a slow start. And some Monday's I just want to crawl back into bed for awhile, or all day.

And as I sit here re-reading what I just typed and "hear" myself I am reminded again, it all has to do with perspective. Depending on whether I choose to look at all of the things in my life through my temporal, nearsighted perspective or in light of God and His eternal glory I can find myself viewing things very differently.  So I am going to spend my Monday (and hopefully beyond) continuing to recognize the realities of what I am feeling, but prayerfully seek to have a perspective of joy and thankfulness for the blessings I have been given.

ELEVEN!!

Over the past 11 years we have been so blessed. Alexander is our firstborn and had taught us a lot about love, parenting, patience, hope, and so much more. His smile has been a joy. His laughter has brought us happiness. He has filled the role of big brother well, three times over. And he is now 11.  Where has the time gone?

I was looking through pictures and found these few that seem to capture Alex well. His looks have amazingly stayed the same over the years. But he sure isn't that little boy anymore. Actually he isn't that far from passing me in height (which I know is no great accomplishment but still poignant for this momma).  He is becoming quite a young man. He is serving regularly at church. And is often looking for other ways to serve as well.

Last year he raised money at his birthday party for Haiti. This year he is doing the same thing for Japan.  It is amazing to see him recognize that he really doesn't need anything (though wants are definitely still there), but that there are 1000's of people who do need basic help. I am so blessed to be this young man's mom. It is a gift for me to watch him grow and become all that God has created him to be.  I look forward to seeing what great things come from him and through him in his next few years.