tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-65578239512315904442024-03-14T03:52:30.295-05:00Living the DreamLaurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06571238792778863526noreply@blogger.comBlogger527125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6557823951231590444.post-42679454228154615472023-07-06T18:33:00.001-05:002023-07-06T18:56:44.028-05:00God's Blessings never End<p> This year has been pretty overwhelming to say the least. Sometimes, I forget how incredibly in the pocket of the Lord we were all during Laynie's years. Supported, blessed, redeemed, right in the pocket.</p><p>And then the world steps in and shakes you out of that pocket. Turns you upside down and sideways and makes you question, "How did I ever stay in that pocket...with...this..that..or the other..going on around me?"</p><p>When Laynie was alive, the blessings piled on top of each other. We couldn't even see the world, for the blessings. Ya'll remember. It was surreal, and amazing and an anointed time. </p><p>Then she passed away, and the blessings got a little dimmer, because the world stepped back in. Until the kids came, and then once again, the blessings overran and consumed us all.</p><p>The kids, Lacey met Tyler, Kip met Brandon, Hallie thrived in the army, the kids blessed at every turn, moving to the ranch, then attending OCS, and even moving to Shawnee, getting into Dale. Blessings, blessings, and more blessings.</p><p>However, when you are being so blessed, the enemy is always one step behind to try and derail all the things. He has succeeded in one area of our lives, and I'm not going to talk about it on here, because it's personal and painful and I'm still working through all that. I usually work through it best by writing, but it's not my story to tell and I will leave it at that. </p><p>But in things I can talk about, Kip and Brandon will be the first to tell you that Dawson was a brilliant surprise. God blessed them big with him, getting ready to start fertility treatments, and spontaneously ended up PG before they even started. They went through a long year full of fertility treatments in 2022, to no avail, because they both had siblings and they really wanted Dawson to be able to have one as well. He has cousins that are close as siblings and baby cousins that are brothers and his greatest wish, was to be a "Brudder". So after a very hard 2022, full of month after month of disappointing news, they made the decision that they would just be grateful and thankful for Dawson, and Kip sold all her baby stuff and they started to make plans for her to go back to work when Dawson started school this fall, and allllll the traveling they could do with just one kid and got real ok with that. </p><p>So fast forward to April of this year, and I am heading to Dawson's 5th birthday party, and have just pulled up in the driveway, when I get there Kip and Dawson are already standing outside, jumping up and down. Now, I love this kind of greeting, this is totally my thing. I have barely hugged Dawson and caught my breath when Kip throws out, "Mom, I totally tested positive". Now, in the jet lagged, hangry, butt tired exhausted state that I landed in their home in, my brain only registers, "Positive". Instead of the delighted cry she expected, I yelled at her, "WITH COVID?" and she starts rolling on the ground laughing. Now, I am mad, because I don't want to get Covid and sit in a room by myself, so I don't think it's funny at all. She leads me to her bathroom, where she shows me, not one, not two but an entire box of pregnancy tests that she has taken, and they are all gleaming POSITIVE at us. I just sit there with my hand over my mouth, because WE HAVE PLANS THAT DON'T INCLUDE A BABY at this juncture, and I start to tear up and laugh with her. </p><p>God. Is. Good. </p><p>And has quite the sense of humor. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3YklOiSH6Jvd4zqlP1_Ly0HGhm2suOT-4sWilsOiYEtUY-Mr7vFXCqjMeNWJ5Hx6fVTCKXTlT3Nd8dsUDY0bm3GkFaFGtiq04jWpktDG-1SJ99OaaznwKu-bHz8_Imo4SRn809JooZkNOxXrbwWNvCL_q3iksI_UlXKjv2L3cl73-h3bR6ZxqbohVLtQ/s960/pg%20tests.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3YklOiSH6Jvd4zqlP1_Ly0HGhm2suOT-4sWilsOiYEtUY-Mr7vFXCqjMeNWJ5Hx6fVTCKXTlT3Nd8dsUDY0bm3GkFaFGtiq04jWpktDG-1SJ99OaaznwKu-bHz8_Imo4SRn809JooZkNOxXrbwWNvCL_q3iksI_UlXKjv2L3cl73-h3bR6ZxqbohVLtQ/s320/pg%20tests.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>Ok, now I have information I am unable to share until the beginning of July. Everyone knows how that works out for me. I am so very very happy to share on this site, that come the end of November, beginning of December, grandbaby #5 is heading to Redding. <div><br /></div><div>Kip didn't really want to share too much too soon, but after twisting her arm off her body, she decided to tell Dawson at his party (and everyone else) with a BIG BROTHER shirt and watching everyone's shocked reactions, it rated up there as one of my top 5 days of my life. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRiXALwiEYFXZZQ7LyjRUzcSX7FRCG6JrLrxWTRI8OThU66hEFESlgcHsdxIoToN4dHXYur1jXj6XfSPBvb_137Vfcy1inP9qB88oS7KbE1Lfn31kGZi68u7xP2il7Ov3XZEYei7QJVhirnnUawodrgjMBYamquxVcIo0wKNOS24NFatITEQR9CMd6JAk/s1384/358047983_10168525022390001_5629833544953745458_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1384" data-original-width="639" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRiXALwiEYFXZZQ7LyjRUzcSX7FRCG6JrLrxWTRI8OThU66hEFESlgcHsdxIoToN4dHXYur1jXj6XfSPBvb_137Vfcy1inP9qB88oS7KbE1Lfn31kGZi68u7xP2il7Ov3XZEYei7QJVhirnnUawodrgjMBYamquxVcIo0wKNOS24NFatITEQR9CMd6JAk/s320/358047983_10168525022390001_5629833544953745458_n.jpg" width="148" /></a></div><div><br /></div>There was screaming and tears and laughter and congratulations and so much joy. <div>And now the last few months have been so precious with these little gems heading my way every few weeks. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQtaSDjkvTWpLqNxBE9PZsLWvmbLKTaZT67c5oJYC29Uud1vSOtQQwKmWb071wOwL9Kn_1B5adOPIbZ40TDIkpr0PhrNQ8JLLk0SoXk705EuBHDB5cbsCoDCgQx09IvL6F3j07NLBjcUynkEsidp1X_tt24WIzuZUEqfkDEJ9qQ36agOX6erNyjh1UyxY/s960/brandon%20and%20the%20bean.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQtaSDjkvTWpLqNxBE9PZsLWvmbLKTaZT67c5oJYC29Uud1vSOtQQwKmWb071wOwL9Kn_1B5adOPIbZ40TDIkpr0PhrNQ8JLLk0SoXk705EuBHDB5cbsCoDCgQx09IvL6F3j07NLBjcUynkEsidp1X_tt24WIzuZUEqfkDEJ9qQ36agOX6erNyjh1UyxY/s320/brandon%20and%20the%20bean.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5r2DfZKFiThi6w941GNIs7yNOXpujAtGwC7tYS9FeWHP1GwOVMCgarIYuYIYGEuF_ZzgKfDxD0yPxuNDDUUMYT3D3tRbiYVq3TICXLcLZxepGsoAP4yqdqroJs26rW2B1MbNmos3NZMrsNjznGHruSi8itWA0XzXhomylgj-fNTbDvAbCPZbfgzt3F-M/s960/DDawson%20ultrasound.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5r2DfZKFiThi6w941GNIs7yNOXpujAtGwC7tYS9FeWHP1GwOVMCgarIYuYIYGEuF_ZzgKfDxD0yPxuNDDUUMYT3D3tRbiYVq3TICXLcLZxepGsoAP4yqdqroJs26rW2B1MbNmos3NZMrsNjznGHruSi8itWA0XzXhomylgj-fNTbDvAbCPZbfgzt3F-M/s320/DDawson%20ultrasound.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div><br /><div>And then on Monday, the critical anatomy scan showing everything was perfecto and all a-ok.....</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlApv1_hbBg-rDBo1JARvHDVxt4cAj9Lv5k1s3UCfjMDTFDpV8-H-Bxfsh5EFJVEBjpezQLUXjTHhGo1hKRqaHNb1ozAvraaTbm-VxtoanHEBJrOtd8sSWSYJJg87owfQiDxFoWV6th39pMd9QuqSsslTLGuvxKj5-XNpNWpBFXq4mHJ8Zpo95vYqRj1o/s960/dawson%20and%20thumbs%20up.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="960" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlApv1_hbBg-rDBo1JARvHDVxt4cAj9Lv5k1s3UCfjMDTFDpV8-H-Bxfsh5EFJVEBjpezQLUXjTHhGo1hKRqaHNb1ozAvraaTbm-VxtoanHEBJrOtd8sSWSYJJg87owfQiDxFoWV6th39pMd9QuqSsslTLGuvxKj5-XNpNWpBFXq4mHJ8Zpo95vYqRj1o/s320/dawson%20and%20thumbs%20up.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div><br /><p>Proud big brother. </p><p>This time of the year is tough for me, I love the 4th of July but it carries bittersweet memories of our Laynie's last few days of life, 13 years ago. </p><p>13. years. ago. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglinmipLtjZd9CaWgagUJEelIl8wviqDhENbBiFKAl2HHuYjEJcwAPw9YWZicUHgoSTD1GGU-myupiVfUPEIyCeaGzp_JdOCPUIPQENmordbvTSJ3BOQTNcB3a6P3saB_e3n3W19kDbtKhGmHT573vNuld9MS_fN4p03nCGAPeqtkgboZ3jrujmkoc9X8/s720/40655_10150420838165001_5614069_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="607" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglinmipLtjZd9CaWgagUJEelIl8wviqDhENbBiFKAl2HHuYjEJcwAPw9YWZicUHgoSTD1GGU-myupiVfUPEIyCeaGzp_JdOCPUIPQENmordbvTSJ3BOQTNcB3a6P3saB_e3n3W19kDbtKhGmHT573vNuld9MS_fN4p03nCGAPeqtkgboZ3jrujmkoc9X8/s320/40655_10150420838165001_5614069_n.jpg" width="270" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>That last week of her life was one of the hardest things our family has ever been through. And this year, even with the joy of the new baby looming, I felt the loss all through me. I wasn't "choosing joy" at all. </div><div><br /></div><div>If everyone remembers the story, after Lacey found out about Laynie's condition, I was burying myself in scripture trying to find comfort, and Psalm 139 jumped out at me. I called Lacey and read it to her, and we found so much peace in those words. Over and over, we repeated that scripture to ourselves throughout her miraculous life.</div><div><br /></div><div>So, this July 4th, as I drove over to Norman, to go get the gram, for a day of fun and sun, I was "faking it til I made it", feeling melancholy and off. Couldn't see or find any joy to be had. Truly wasn't choosing it at all. </div><div><br /></div><div>Mom sensed it, and we talked about Laynie a little and then she picked up her daily devotional calendar and just handed it to me, and said, "Look at this".</div><div><br /></div><div>Yeah, Look at this. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix_wo8rU5QwXZXf_lAntzzTt--2lZTD0geLZribBj1-V9uLchtUgfv7TiOl2M37XYi-P2vU7ss4bjuQsY2L6_jjw-LDI1w1D54Ks7Lg9PYFvZZ036kwl8vuVY6ds78V6ZUYG1aWTUz3p12HcIMnMpJoYyOGcSf3s5BEqUQJbE-PC_jAhJyhoXUXMcnGsQ/s960/357790838_10168525081845001_619926117820043255_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix_wo8rU5QwXZXf_lAntzzTt--2lZTD0geLZribBj1-V9uLchtUgfv7TiOl2M37XYi-P2vU7ss4bjuQsY2L6_jjw-LDI1w1D54Ks7Lg9PYFvZZ036kwl8vuVY6ds78V6ZUYG1aWTUz3p12HcIMnMpJoYyOGcSf3s5BEqUQJbE-PC_jAhJyhoXUXMcnGsQ/w480-h640/357790838_10168525081845001_619926117820043255_n.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div><br /><p>It should have said Dear Lolly, Love, God </p><p>Well slap my face and call me Shirley. Blessings from our tiniest gift, once again. And it woke me up and snapped me out of it, and today as I recalled this with a friend at work that is in the fight of her life with cancer.... God knew our plan before we were ever in existence. God knew the number of hairs on our head. God knows our ways, our lives. He gives and takes away. He is faithful. He is constant. He is never ending. He is always there. Even when you can't see Him, He is there. All you have to do is look around and look up and remember.....</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsQiU82G0k78D4n2W0hpqjkrBEhr6gHZqHoDAMy8Ztvo-O3Jt3JUbAQ9-MyEQbVX7Y7_C58S_xk_55eBmpfZ4my_qXvoU4QLm6GiKjs6-pz9I2Es24IvY6vVb6DyI2C4gp7lVZ_SawwEENQjr47c8zVVpSyloW5J4ViLwU5u9hv6shPNi2FQTODtWAi6E/s854/347411167_207817882061988_774936642776702297_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="854" data-original-width="854" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsQiU82G0k78D4n2W0hpqjkrBEhr6gHZqHoDAMy8Ztvo-O3Jt3JUbAQ9-MyEQbVX7Y7_C58S_xk_55eBmpfZ4my_qXvoU4QLm6GiKjs6-pz9I2Es24IvY6vVb6DyI2C4gp7lVZ_SawwEENQjr47c8zVVpSyloW5J4ViLwU5u9hv6shPNi2FQTODtWAi6E/s320/347411167_207817882061988_774936642776702297_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p> oh my goodness gracious.............. He Is Good. All the Time. </p></div></div>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06571238792778863526noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6557823951231590444.post-64765723762662157372022-01-16T10:07:00.000-06:002022-01-16T10:07:09.635-06:00On an Angel's Birthday <div class="separator"><br /></div><div class="separator"><br /></div><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh_2M0ZMuksUMJXmbglTVdeN5MsiMddupCzc9I9dEtOkBYgLfgKcsiFrPqui82ZxOy1_2cwThJPC5ZRLMm-2unCf4lOvFEHtwQjmWwE0BjgJhM3PoMPWTYX3nh2Ka4_K7RsX_7VpRG5t_40SOjpf9mD7TsaB2SHzWckY0x28-xXAHEOTle8LBdEtLDF=s1582" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1582" data-original-width="1284" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh_2M0ZMuksUMJXmbglTVdeN5MsiMddupCzc9I9dEtOkBYgLfgKcsiFrPqui82ZxOy1_2cwThJPC5ZRLMm-2unCf4lOvFEHtwQjmWwE0BjgJhM3PoMPWTYX3nh2Ka4_K7RsX_7VpRG5t_40SOjpf9mD7TsaB2SHzWckY0x28-xXAHEOTle8LBdEtLDF=s320" width="260" /></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><b><br /></b></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><b>Dear darling Laynie,</b></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><b><br /></b></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><b>Thank you for bringing me to Jesus. </b></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><b><br /></b></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><b>Thank you for showing and teaching us that normal is just a setting on the dryer. </b></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><b><br /></b></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><b>You brought so much joy and love in your short time here</b></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><b><br /></b></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><b>Mainly for your grandma. You made me look at my walk with Jesus, and realize I wasn't living the life I needed to be living. Because of you, I learned to pray without ceasing. God is in the miracle business, and He sent us you to understand that. </b></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><b><br /></b></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><b>It's hard to make people understand the enormity of what your time here did. Just because we didn't have you 90 years doesn't mean your time on earth wasn't significant, because it was, it is. </b></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><b><br /></b></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><b>Your mommy is still telling your story and changing lives everyday because of you. I still share your story and change lives everyday. You were a gift of the highest love from Jesus and you taught us all.</b></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><b><br /></b></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><b>I rarely think about how old you would be, because we knew going in everyday was a gift. I think if everyone thought this way, this world would be a different place. </b></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><b><br /></b></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><b>I hope people learned from you, If today was your last day, how would you want to spend it? </b></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">That's Laynie's gift to you. That's Laynie's gift to me. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The grandma that kissed her one million times in 29 months. The grandma that made her belly laugh because she knew exactly where to tickle/kiss her. The grandma that prayed for her every minute of every day and never stopped believing that God's plan for her was perfect. The grandma that misses her and thinks about her every day. The grandma that longs for heaven and home to be reunited with her someday. The grandma that fiercely loves Laynie's mom, and would do anything for her. The grandma that sees Laynie in her little ornery brothers. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The life that goes on, even though a piece of your heart is in heaven. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Happy heavenly birthday, Laynie Hope.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Your Lolly loves you so. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjm-KbFD-aZUjP-qP3wAGDEybBZqNbxc2NKXbTb7fBIQk6BbNHrBPxuLnkGAt2_XYPDPivxR4QkhZaE-2HdRFMyusDIsZ2FLsgQaiUAwRtqunffuHpY8ti6T5R9RBUIUlu30LQhWqQO-k2yj_Nh5ixftlXJoITProR7SgexusVKBx4e_AtRsUgEbwDp=s3072" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="2304" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjm-KbFD-aZUjP-qP3wAGDEybBZqNbxc2NKXbTb7fBIQk6BbNHrBPxuLnkGAt2_XYPDPivxR4QkhZaE-2HdRFMyusDIsZ2FLsgQaiUAwRtqunffuHpY8ti6T5R9RBUIUlu30LQhWqQO-k2yj_Nh5ixftlXJoITProR7SgexusVKBx4e_AtRsUgEbwDp=s320" width="240" /></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjntNcghWckJuuqlabRsz-l-dN1vxYDv8PVlOstfJQkCVkcizTuPs1_cuYxs9q-M-HivlvCQt3f1Gslgl5jFloAl4pQKFYyTo4ILsr0bckTH4ZPRC2K9PD85UBUQKzxAUOj0t7PB8tUHomv5dc9jcb6fOJFZvzpSqQdQX1Y2p-4EpPNaX74j3Usbq2A=s1600" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjntNcghWckJuuqlabRsz-l-dN1vxYDv8PVlOstfJQkCVkcizTuPs1_cuYxs9q-M-HivlvCQt3f1Gslgl5jFloAl4pQKFYyTo4ILsr0bckTH4ZPRC2K9PD85UBUQKzxAUOj0t7PB8tUHomv5dc9jcb6fOJFZvzpSqQdQX1Y2p-4EpPNaX74j3Usbq2A=s320" width="240" /></a></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgZpS8FqvODSzuiWSa2Tlrl23LQvd7a-6Q8Qawv_7E3YV9s9r3B8l9ktJiajuwfW9hqCzg8GFI3BlmfZsxjUBr__3_nIprtecg07ws_GHec_EZgpIP_XSTGTxxmsjL13oBrNdM8IkUEgCYPLQkg16wUOdSoGNb9DAlZ64-Fje-jcT-oTlO0PmnfukRI=s1600" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgZpS8FqvODSzuiWSa2Tlrl23LQvd7a-6Q8Qawv_7E3YV9s9r3B8l9ktJiajuwfW9hqCzg8GFI3BlmfZsxjUBr__3_nIprtecg07ws_GHec_EZgpIP_XSTGTxxmsjL13oBrNdM8IkUEgCYPLQkg16wUOdSoGNb9DAlZ64-Fje-jcT-oTlO0PmnfukRI=s320" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh0g2R4BopNWRUDWb_CsdXbjTJ_JifFtp97a11dUQEA1mAe-ZBrCWn1jz8u5S5lBjYa86oOzGivkTaoFO2Eph_cTV7MT8jYJXOnkUHMs0YxUcgeuBGuyCbyk1C19pErAD5gcpDNtXnHnwQjBmX2dpeCB8I8peNiLRTWRrt5e3s8nLOUsm4_D7aIJRVz=s4752" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4752" data-original-width="3168" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh0g2R4BopNWRUDWb_CsdXbjTJ_JifFtp97a11dUQEA1mAe-ZBrCWn1jz8u5S5lBjYa86oOzGivkTaoFO2Eph_cTV7MT8jYJXOnkUHMs0YxUcgeuBGuyCbyk1C19pErAD5gcpDNtXnHnwQjBmX2dpeCB8I8peNiLRTWRrt5e3s8nLOUsm4_D7aIJRVz=w266-h400" width="266" /></a><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiLg0F2C2wC91-TtLe4ZCCimrNwbWu7cQvT696XlNcO7dZuF4e66_-x3jpBg8vWR4GJrpEi0qw3zXoSZ917GZzrfCum1pQNfgE6QtqbIk96OA9YnGUFVd2Lcvs-Lte2Dr2Qxy_xgw81foEnxGSsNOcd3IOF4fqhLrEkzNMz8503Q7bTfybid0Dj-LVJ=s1440" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1440" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiLg0F2C2wC91-TtLe4ZCCimrNwbWu7cQvT696XlNcO7dZuF4e66_-x3jpBg8vWR4GJrpEi0qw3zXoSZ917GZzrfCum1pQNfgE6QtqbIk96OA9YnGUFVd2Lcvs-Lte2Dr2Qxy_xgw81foEnxGSsNOcd3IOF4fqhLrEkzNMz8503Q7bTfybid0Dj-LVJ=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06571238792778863526noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6557823951231590444.post-1482464148146583792021-09-28T22:21:00.002-05:002021-09-28T22:48:09.695-05:00A birthday for the Books- 60th edition<p> This past week was two years in the making. </p><p>After our last class reunion (40th!! say what!) the girls in my class decided that we would have a monthly BIRTHDAY BASH to celebrate classmates birthdays and get together at different restaurants and have a great time. This got to happen exactly three times before the C word reared it's ugly head, but during those three events, we had discussed some big MAJOR plans for 2021, when we would all become the big 6-0. </p><p>Even typing that, I am overwhelmed with emotion, because my dad lived almost one month into his 60th year before he passed away. So 60 has been a victory and a worry for me for several years. </p><p>As we hit the c-word, we didn't change our minds about the initial plans, a cruise (set for Sept 2021) because, hello the c-word would be over and done and figured out by then, right? Right? RIGHT?</p><p>Turns out, no. So in February, 2021 we made the decision to can the floating boat of germs idea and hit a beach, and man, am I glad we did.</p><p>We initially had almost 20 girls signed up for the cruise, and when we switched the plan we slimmed down to 12 girls, but what a fun 12 we had. </p><p>Many of us have been friends since childhood and all our memories gel together with warmth and history and color and fun and depth. </p><p>Most of us flew out of OKC (Fonda Lemons Nixon, Lisa Grider White, Jill Self Perry, arriving at the airport at the ungodly hour of 3:00 am, with Lois Hill-Maldonado and Suzanne Stevens Maltos arriving shortly after, staying at a hotel close by since they had been at the OU football game) Lisa Lipe Gillaspy arriving about 45 seconds before we started boarding, because we forgot to tell her that the flight had moved up half an hour, so it started with a small palpitation, and then of course, thudded to a halt,when the flight was delayed because the cab going to pick up our captain, drove to the wrong hotel to pick him up, so there's that) . Oh and another fun fact, because they oversold the flight, I got bumped to first class! How does that ever happen? We barely gulped our drinks down and we were in Houston, and here we picked up Kelli Lyday Stevens and Amber Kilburn Corjay and my roommate Melba (who flew in from August, GA to meet us there) and in two shakes of a leg and one delicious breakfast later, we were on our way to CANCUN!</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjRC2xvlK7LVKuiDrJUQhCT_gU7BE8SUdB58pliZZUUxrIQsoJPcd3c-eOYtWfNPyPpJiEKTbVVJuX2TJjKf_iRfK75vN87smjoccPc4DHQz71Jy5eW9ib4tXJuOj-OKOMB-fZdno3MMA/s960/242963871_10166309075045001_4612384986855211376_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjRC2xvlK7LVKuiDrJUQhCT_gU7BE8SUdB58pliZZUUxrIQsoJPcd3c-eOYtWfNPyPpJiEKTbVVJuX2TJjKf_iRfK75vN87smjoccPc4DHQz71Jy5eW9ib4tXJuOj-OKOMB-fZdno3MMA/s320/242963871_10166309075045001_4612384986855211376_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8DoZ5LmZAMcjKtmqhcoTk54B8_-PYJC_lA2BsyRLaKW9yr60i462MIY6mTYg9XHKVTKY50fVt9H-RvWsLBXlmbOUFzS6QetZgmdPBzgeBGkOQYZsYL-_pgXGlbybKPA0pdHgCZ8rz2Hg/s960/243198539_10166309074130001_2333671766923965870_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="634" data-original-width="960" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8DoZ5LmZAMcjKtmqhcoTk54B8_-PYJC_lA2BsyRLaKW9yr60i462MIY6mTYg9XHKVTKY50fVt9H-RvWsLBXlmbOUFzS6QetZgmdPBzgeBGkOQYZsYL-_pgXGlbybKPA0pdHgCZ8rz2Hg/s320/243198539_10166309074130001_2333671766923965870_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>I'm unclear of all the specifics, but it does deserve serious mentioning that due to Melba getting in a little later on her flight, she and I were NOT on the flight with the big crew into the first leg of Cancun, so I am going to have to rely on my bevy of sources from the parties involved and just share the first 12 hours of our trip. One of our very angelic classmates happened to be carrying medicinal "weed" gummies, due to her inability to sleep and other things and a couple of other classmates thought it would be a superb idea for her to share said "Gummies" with them to help them "SLEEP ON THE PLANE". Ok. In the weed carrying classmates defense, she warned their butts that they were not used to them and they were pretty potent and tried to waylay their enthusiasm of partaking of said substance. No avail. Gulp. Gulp, and then they board and are whisked away. I don't see them for almost 3 1/2 hrs and when Melba and I get to the resort, we walk in the find one of them basically passed out on the couch in the palatial lobby, just sawing zzzz's to the roof, and the other talking to a plant in the corner. From what I gather from different conversations with the plane mates (and pictures to verify), the two classmates that decided that gangsta life was for them on the way to Mexico, slept like dead people all the way, and their roommates kept checking their pulses and holding mirrors in front of their mouths to make sure they were still breathing they were so out of it. Oh, and then there is the fun CUSTOMS walk through, after arriving and trying to sober their dumb butts up, where all the classmates gathered around the drunken two and pretty much shoved them through, and then the most debilitated one of the two, HAD TO GO BACK WITHOUT AN ESCORT and no one was sure they would ever see her again. But she made it, to the resort, where she was sleeping on the couch when I got there. Those little suckers work, now. The first 18 hours of the trip for her was an unconscious, sleepy haze and she does remember lying down eating the quesadilla we made her eat, even though she didn't sit up to eat it and strew crumbs all over her sleeping quarters. HAWT. The other gummy popping knucklehead managed to fall down when her luggage went askew walking to her room. So within the first 5 hours of arriving in mexico we had had two falls (one at the airport, not gummy related, just maybe a touch of alcohol related and a whole bunch of uneven sidewalk related, and holy happiness I am glad it wasn't me this time), one fall on the hotel sidewalk approaching the rooms, and one very laid out, relaxed guest. I'm sure the resort was SOOO glad to see this delightful crew. <p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn2h3tXTtAu7vJ63NpxcGEQVe19dj3-EQMSFYS2i5f1xAygrp-gKqCE-2EG4HzgzGdRhKDhc5m4KeqhEA7StdJbm9d9EMftY0QOX796pz838tM9qNscZJt5xbcWg7XqO-kLcZGZXtpVaI/s960/243007267_10166309074195001_7462930861342428408_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn2h3tXTtAu7vJ63NpxcGEQVe19dj3-EQMSFYS2i5f1xAygrp-gKqCE-2EG4HzgzGdRhKDhc5m4KeqhEA7StdJbm9d9EMftY0QOX796pz838tM9qNscZJt5xbcWg7XqO-kLcZGZXtpVaI/s320/243007267_10166309074195001_7462930861342428408_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p>This was my first view! When we got there we were joined by Leslie Terry Aziz and Val McCormick Jarner (flown in from Florida and Michigan) so the GANG WAS ALL THERE!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFg-1F9UvacFvbIzgGs700B7x_3haJis8PLELJ5bNxCU34v0VcEE201pjwDEUVUaYRYiiBG_gjM0zQZPoQM86SiLZOl1B3770nF1x7bhyphenhyphenpd6wvbDOc1jJhn6CXHNCiQEsdbOezp2xE3c8/s960/243201785_10166309069960001_6123857725303692166_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFg-1F9UvacFvbIzgGs700B7x_3haJis8PLELJ5bNxCU34v0VcEE201pjwDEUVUaYRYiiBG_gjM0zQZPoQM86SiLZOl1B3770nF1x7bhyphenhyphenpd6wvbDOc1jJhn6CXHNCiQEsdbOezp2xE3c8/w240-h320/243201785_10166309069960001_6123857725303692166_n.jpg" title="our view from our room" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p>We had exhausted people all around us, so we all did separate dinner plans that night. Several opting for room service and an early night. What they missed though, was the most gorgeous full moon.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw6W9xRbMiTgbzKC50kJGf4iAY18JOaW3jOqRwJvE1Y47V3xCMH9rSEZtJZUt6t0N51XPozEJeJhQb3PPP1Vt_215ySWBmZlp_OMbya2RpsLfvjc_2j6FYPVoZUviItJma1PUxkT_M67Y/s960/243101872_10166309070150001_5985102728574223516_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw6W9xRbMiTgbzKC50kJGf4iAY18JOaW3jOqRwJvE1Y47V3xCMH9rSEZtJZUt6t0N51XPozEJeJhQb3PPP1Vt_215ySWBmZlp_OMbya2RpsLfvjc_2j6FYPVoZUviItJma1PUxkT_M67Y/s320/243101872_10166309070150001_5985102728574223516_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPK93LcI-rl9MRwbnaFi1ynROA9xDYIg-4k7MpO7_d0_MCnyr504BpLnW698jdBFx1i7pdqhqSOh_d_yUSYBu5zwJuc3BvwYADgVM8F-c4GWShj7uYDdlM20ApMgqzZMfIqTHP7H8yfWQ/s960/242680928_10166309075510001_1682956455976682311_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPK93LcI-rl9MRwbnaFi1ynROA9xDYIg-4k7MpO7_d0_MCnyr504BpLnW698jdBFx1i7pdqhqSOh_d_yUSYBu5zwJuc3BvwYADgVM8F-c4GWShj7uYDdlM20ApMgqzZMfIqTHP7H8yfWQ/s320/242680928_10166309075510001_1682956455976682311_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXG9TGoja_rBAM3SZ0DnAyAK7H2Vu1o8DltBmSpn7xJbz3t2DmFICrgh56goms28ZoNREh3_GAPs_HIRb4ZSn4y-JKcYwu1fhGNPaCq31q5SdcKHHVMKjs5ZovBtwZuZzgcbP0fjixIws/s960/243065215_10166309074415001_3724059813811696546_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXG9TGoja_rBAM3SZ0DnAyAK7H2Vu1o8DltBmSpn7xJbz3t2DmFICrgh56goms28ZoNREh3_GAPs_HIRb4ZSn4y-JKcYwu1fhGNPaCq31q5SdcKHHVMKjs5ZovBtwZuZzgcbP0fjixIws/s320/243065215_10166309074415001_3724059813811696546_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_Qu04LKkpYIteSOW4i1npaoTtrppLw9BgQguvK4ELzpIjoWK_cUVvqQGxQCKK66brACtWpn7kGWAvn0t33FDA4CzhHnEpIBtMNRRvf9xZoKLuNiyK6dKBJ8z7bWi5KOwSGrpiNbWEjvI/s960/243091522_10166309074640001_802806334599590510_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_Qu04LKkpYIteSOW4i1npaoTtrppLw9BgQguvK4ELzpIjoWK_cUVvqQGxQCKK66brACtWpn7kGWAvn0t33FDA4CzhHnEpIBtMNRRvf9xZoKLuNiyK6dKBJ8z7bWi5KOwSGrpiNbWEjvI/s320/243091522_10166309074640001_802806334599590510_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Absolutely incredible. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />It was fun getting up in the morning and seeing the beautiful sunrise (yep, Melba and I are early risers), and walking over to the buffet and every single morning, seeing Suzanne and Lois there (other early risers) and getting other people to make our food for us. An omelette please. Some potatoes please. Why yes, some bacon too. And could you bring me sweet tea? and an OJ? and more water? And people fall all over themselves to do your bidding. We quickly became the "Birthday group" and waiters loved us because they knew they were in for a BIG tip if they took care of us! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The pools were another level and we took over one pool (as it should be) and it was just so amazing. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKwlznp_ZKi7HhUCGRPoiB1_pEJ6oDHgRg2LdhCc1NGWPu4nHVXidPvc0SsvBSYaG28_Xu7kbguV7rhB6Q5h61-cXMME3VEoI-mZ6id9XHn3tEjV7Izddaacg-8H7s6zkFwbidU28w-uQ/s960/243347473_10166309075615001_1835764254665021487_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKwlznp_ZKi7HhUCGRPoiB1_pEJ6oDHgRg2LdhCc1NGWPu4nHVXidPvc0SsvBSYaG28_Xu7kbguV7rhB6Q5h61-cXMME3VEoI-mZ6id9XHn3tEjV7Izddaacg-8H7s6zkFwbidU28w-uQ/w166-h200/243347473_10166309075615001_1835764254665021487_n.jpg" width="166" /></a></div><div><br /></div>We spent about 10000 hours at that pool. And used about 120 bottles of sunscreen between all of us. There were some major sunburns and I think everyone's lips were burnt to bits at some point, but did it stop us? <div><br /><div>Like I said earlier, we made dinner plans pretty much every night. Mexican was amazing (beef filets to die for and after a very skeptical first night decision "corn cake" became me and melba's favorite and <span> </span>we ate it THREE times while we were there because.... yum.) Another night we did Mediterranean and did our group "Birthday Party" (along with pink tiaras and sashes and birthday present dirty santa style) OMG we laughed our faces off that night, and it was soooo much fun. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHSv7NG3Jg3Z5TVEYtC7vMkvKahcNgWB7a0nufDg1fzMWOtbOecrcoBww8kLCZQ_UmqKD6c4ve0wm-qchKQlVsUvlXSQX-uvryfEDr_Blg-GW3t1-Y38aP3K2Kt0411aM9Kv9nUETlWfY/s960/242722753_10166312375945001_3793479303847984145_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHSv7NG3Jg3Z5TVEYtC7vMkvKahcNgWB7a0nufDg1fzMWOtbOecrcoBww8kLCZQ_UmqKD6c4ve0wm-qchKQlVsUvlXSQX-uvryfEDr_Blg-GW3t1-Y38aP3K2Kt0411aM9Kv9nUETlWfY/s320/242722753_10166312375945001_3793479303847984145_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjn9uM2yYTaKkxh0y47pBxJXO_mKEfGX3usZH5nPz_GC9UsX_73O1K2UspPWzMbm39OLhOvezgCxe50Jmc3wNpqKWhsDAOVIWfRJ1tesAsdsi24uTrD2zQJkLsx8EVEKxl6blM6PDcwto/s960/242870804_10166309078805001_5795620550155379339_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjn9uM2yYTaKkxh0y47pBxJXO_mKEfGX3usZH5nPz_GC9UsX_73O1K2UspPWzMbm39OLhOvezgCxe50Jmc3wNpqKWhsDAOVIWfRJ1tesAsdsi24uTrD2zQJkLsx8EVEKxl6blM6PDcwto/s320/242870804_10166309078805001_5795620550155379339_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj894RY3Q4Hq9S-5EOEADsG0GFHT0HHsc_sWShdYjBV5sipNagDNDccsIBauual78RspzXaDmtm1AtmFZAImFz3Db-91f283kZWc-FT-97_9g-6cgKULhlxBU1I0iwpgWs2-TozN2q2fOA/s960/243046347_10166309069995001_1030262761124248907_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj894RY3Q4Hq9S-5EOEADsG0GFHT0HHsc_sWShdYjBV5sipNagDNDccsIBauual78RspzXaDmtm1AtmFZAImFz3Db-91f283kZWc-FT-97_9g-6cgKULhlxBU1I0iwpgWs2-TozN2q2fOA/s320/243046347_10166309069995001_1030262761124248907_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFKjj1gpiT8_x3MdPbScKw1U5QR_m1kzp3xsMGa3w97urU4udiIP-uCglyuUhcbS3yj9xifkMO3swtZ8QcXuIDZ5jzgpyJn3-Rl1H8sEcezhsM5CsPqTxF3PYMjRL6iggk_sr6rNimExw/s960/243109911_10166309072410001_4239708508530420036_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFKjj1gpiT8_x3MdPbScKw1U5QR_m1kzp3xsMGa3w97urU4udiIP-uCglyuUhcbS3yj9xifkMO3swtZ8QcXuIDZ5jzgpyJn3-Rl1H8sEcezhsM5CsPqTxF3PYMjRL6iggk_sr6rNimExw/s320/243109911_10166309072410001_4239708508530420036_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyikTLMmxRHSfaHNAhxPI2apdEFcjulX4GPwsk2kRxTdn4wrm6tDjht52jHi9FKyb7DLX5JWfwDQbUT5lUjeUobF6XDjqNhqXTrN63hX5GFd44JxaY3j_2zYME2ZEwc9VL8ByZTvIchyM/s960/243112908_10166309076165001_6025963482807027707_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyikTLMmxRHSfaHNAhxPI2apdEFcjulX4GPwsk2kRxTdn4wrm6tDjht52jHi9FKyb7DLX5JWfwDQbUT5lUjeUobF6XDjqNhqXTrN63hX5GFd44JxaY3j_2zYME2ZEwc9VL8ByZTvIchyM/s320/243112908_10166309076165001_6025963482807027707_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2hYCSbjB-KcdkMMNDQys_bSyPynYYaip40Id3tQckEsXy2Vs-MzbZ7zTIVrj-3geS5HibDZ2GSBLS7AiaY3FnTxNnsAj93XCIP0gjMEza9UY2DWZ5IbFLORQvLg9mZ0rYdS4GMqq97x8/s960/243215359_10166309077415001_9197938736729176188_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2hYCSbjB-KcdkMMNDQys_bSyPynYYaip40Id3tQckEsXy2Vs-MzbZ7zTIVrj-3geS5HibDZ2GSBLS7AiaY3FnTxNnsAj93XCIP0gjMEza9UY2DWZ5IbFLORQvLg9mZ0rYdS4GMqq97x8/s320/243215359_10166309077415001_9197938736729176188_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV493B8xRjmXqc7s3DNFcm0pQoy6oUq8G7N_sV3ZGVbbnMxpR3kj7daItjrXxyWABeEYvRG9TMbS3rdO1Bu7xP-Eua1QZR2EsOEj5dJ8lKLs1XXsKlWNWjlLtgRuTC63jRFwnWhmg7nnY/s960/243232459_10166309078975001_649828625303048805_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV493B8xRjmXqc7s3DNFcm0pQoy6oUq8G7N_sV3ZGVbbnMxpR3kj7daItjrXxyWABeEYvRG9TMbS3rdO1Bu7xP-Eua1QZR2EsOEj5dJ8lKLs1XXsKlWNWjlLtgRuTC63jRFwnWhmg7nnY/s320/243232459_10166309078975001_649828625303048805_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi18N1qs-iwcyhRUWvxbtwHCsR3vGaNZ5X-vR-zKsIoquILdWo8Y-7wNNVWXXUpWD51LogstfsGuVc1PEC2c6Cc40BAW7e6wiO3pLyZjXxzE2BdXbRwfQSzIasiB3mZe4WdxFG0Uj2g00/s960/243277893_10166309072035001_6743766680189010749_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi18N1qs-iwcyhRUWvxbtwHCsR3vGaNZ5X-vR-zKsIoquILdWo8Y-7wNNVWXXUpWD51LogstfsGuVc1PEC2c6Cc40BAW7e6wiO3pLyZjXxzE2BdXbRwfQSzIasiB3mZe4WdxFG0Uj2g00/s320/243277893_10166309072035001_6743766680189010749_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I want to add that Fonda usually did a selfie picture with all of us in it at almost every restaurant and it was epic. One dude walked by and someone overheard his say "Look at this group of Karens" and I'm just saying that it's a good thing I'm deaf because I may have gone all Mr. T on him. Most everyone at the resort knew who we were and what we were there for and really super gracious to us. Except for the narcissist (and he was "over friendly" to a bunch of them, if you catch my drift), who after hanging with the group one evening with his wife, and all the girls giving her a good talking to about what to expect from a husband, and what NOT TO TAKE FROM A HUSBAND, pretty much saw us after that and walked a big circle around us.... lol (don't mess with 60 year olds, yo) and a super sarcastic comment "you guys go ENJOY THAT" as four of us carried food for 12 back to the group from the outside kitchen. Yes it looked like we were walking up to the trough carrying that much food for the four of us, but come on man, don't be like that. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmJHOE36Rk6i4jciXoevzX9f6aDzmHvLND0-xGzp2ktnDZdW15GbnoT-6D21BoicuHHmGvu8BG20LucP-vVGH_QqlNtlOpw6SilUACxPPZQsMjvWQiAQLyJuzUW-OoDbQyT_pm3KgdSLg/s960/243343537_10166309073125001_8835018639681656373_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmJHOE36Rk6i4jciXoevzX9f6aDzmHvLND0-xGzp2ktnDZdW15GbnoT-6D21BoicuHHmGvu8BG20LucP-vVGH_QqlNtlOpw6SilUACxPPZQsMjvWQiAQLyJuzUW-OoDbQyT_pm3KgdSLg/s320/243343537_10166309073125001_8835018639681656373_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>Lisa told this iguana that if he knew what was good for him, that's as close as he better get. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipE1StmwJygotfuxTMttGL1KZh7x96vn0U_IVd3rBzHbbrffKZ7NyO-TE1xmGKXBOLdzN64Py38tnUyJWWaABaufBwZKacWZol_0H0dSsKMhm_Hsp6wQXM2Gef3pm6gEU_7cXr_v82QnQ/s960/243303024_10166309070385001_4973820025941436758_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipE1StmwJygotfuxTMttGL1KZh7x96vn0U_IVd3rBzHbbrffKZ7NyO-TE1xmGKXBOLdzN64Py38tnUyJWWaABaufBwZKacWZol_0H0dSsKMhm_Hsp6wQXM2Gef3pm6gEU_7cXr_v82QnQ/s320/243303024_10166309070385001_4973820025941436758_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0rmMDTcZBIqM1fUzeEuIF9rsmrLJBKjucp2sGNaim9iFe8-f2RRwKkfATeQTqkSf3x-UBRzIK6f-4WiqIWjcXFlXxYelTTyRwA3LMCRr9lKZ144v-SV1ffZrvr_ioLrQRR8uPnK1xZWQ/s960/243195277_10166309074165001_2461044297740705360_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0rmMDTcZBIqM1fUzeEuIF9rsmrLJBKjucp2sGNaim9iFe8-f2RRwKkfATeQTqkSf3x-UBRzIK6f-4WiqIWjcXFlXxYelTTyRwA3LMCRr9lKZ144v-SV1ffZrvr_ioLrQRR8uPnK1xZWQ/s320/243195277_10166309074165001_2461044297740705360_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>Breakfasts of champions....every morning....mimosa's for the win! good times<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiku0F1ZL_ZikS8jvob55sKJ9n1DRXyuQRn3wOPa31TqvutnFZuLUqr1FP3pGHnQy5ZNOatXZVOs1SwalT0sZ421VaHGolk094JAKRFmJAxXNuUIuXSoKmhOWyWOa2v3UnjDearpozI-eg/s960/243179709_10166309069805001_7789249826004670835_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiku0F1ZL_ZikS8jvob55sKJ9n1DRXyuQRn3wOPa31TqvutnFZuLUqr1FP3pGHnQy5ZNOatXZVOs1SwalT0sZ421VaHGolk094JAKRFmJAxXNuUIuXSoKmhOWyWOa2v3UnjDearpozI-eg/s320/243179709_10166309069805001_7789249826004670835_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Dancing, cavorting and general merriment at all times. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzoJNs3Ka5n281UCBmVYkno_AELxO64WKCwmXSXtv1elQavbgthN4xzL6SZtDgpDXCKYTlRFlIew1A-g-5hClkrOio4MKgO0Csjk-3n5bIWdZ0BbHF-AeUtkkT3GR2mJZqFEQA065yO8M/s960/243116788_10166309072250001_5230299437515103781_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzoJNs3Ka5n281UCBmVYkno_AELxO64WKCwmXSXtv1elQavbgthN4xzL6SZtDgpDXCKYTlRFlIew1A-g-5hClkrOio4MKgO0Csjk-3n5bIWdZ0BbHF-AeUtkkT3GR2mJZqFEQA065yO8M/s320/243116788_10166309072250001_5230299437515103781_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Fonda's famous selfie of one our many dinners together</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUhik_TgTwoGlEyF8zjcX9ic9pxXuEWXIxVsVNtr-WN9RgziTL-NSQwWNeo-bi5GkHSXx3gJzIEmjPcRTL5BsUIKKz6JTD2QLPDGbGe9NKbFBt-ThNBQnjKkt_9RPFVjxwenNAYtNwo_s/s960/243095946_10166309071390001_3898700889587862938_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="540" data-original-width="960" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUhik_TgTwoGlEyF8zjcX9ic9pxXuEWXIxVsVNtr-WN9RgziTL-NSQwWNeo-bi5GkHSXx3gJzIEmjPcRTL5BsUIKKz6JTD2QLPDGbGe9NKbFBt-ThNBQnjKkt_9RPFVjxwenNAYtNwo_s/s320/243095946_10166309071390001_3898700889587862938_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We loved our breakfast and our hats about equally.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikKEoBqr63UvZdT7B116DuIuK0ka4EJoVcyrobnDH0QSNvQ_8aVFO5mbWnvZaHKC13b8qOE_b4s_971BXOmO_RBFSsiNK1zMZCukQ-GFnwJRCY44seo8V3A_Iame6E7K8652OfBfw7RJQ/s960/243086411_10166309070675001_8054199861543092841_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikKEoBqr63UvZdT7B116DuIuK0ka4EJoVcyrobnDH0QSNvQ_8aVFO5mbWnvZaHKC13b8qOE_b4s_971BXOmO_RBFSsiNK1zMZCukQ-GFnwJRCY44seo8V3A_Iame6E7K8652OfBfw7RJQ/s320/243086411_10166309070675001_8054199861543092841_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Some loved the social distant statues a little too much after a few shots. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn-xOW8tNNYXMKWvgNXOy4oLLFSWKlLEN7VL3EezrRZn3IG0dtZZswLTu10SZymgf8lgbZdCJGAZ65OojwPLxNjpbyD0_syezCkC5pJJsH_eUa_eHETyQZISWEJG0zzMU8DMfzIkw8hbU/s960/243046336_10166309073895001_3019877721167292065_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn-xOW8tNNYXMKWvgNXOy4oLLFSWKlLEN7VL3EezrRZn3IG0dtZZswLTu10SZymgf8lgbZdCJGAZ65OojwPLxNjpbyD0_syezCkC5pJJsH_eUa_eHETyQZISWEJG0zzMU8DMfzIkw8hbU/s320/243046336_10166309073895001_3019877721167292065_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">But what a fun group... Valerie, Me, Lisa G, Lisa L, Amber, Jill</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">back row: Kelli, Fonda, Melba, Suzanne, Lois and Leslie. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Suzanne (always the planner) and I think Kelli had a pretty big role in making it happen too, chartered us a catamaran on Friday to go snorkel, dance, and general merriment. I've never been a big snorkeler, always opting to lay on a floatee and stick my head in the water from the floatee, so this was a big deal for me, and I found out for Jill too, who wasn't a big water person either. The water was so crystal clear, I felt like I would at least see the shark coming to eat me and give him plenty of target practice as I was flailing my way back to the small boat that carried us to the reef (the reef being the second largest in the world, if I'm lying I'm dying or maybe a bit deaf and didn't hear that right, but it's one of the biggest reefs) and be able to draw his attention away from the other girls, but thankfully none of that happened, though we did see a sting ray and 3 barracudas (though a few of us have been married to those so they didn't impress us much) and a cute little lobster and a beautiful conch shell. Suzanne, Leslie and Lisa Lipe impressed us all with dives off the giant catamaran (at least 8 ft drop), and I'm convinced that Leslie is half mermaid because she swam the whole time without a life jacket to bob around in. Lisa Lipe tried to show me how she actually sat in hers and was bobbing like a cork and while I basically held my legs out of the water so she could shove them through the arm holes, I got so much salt water up my nose I won't have to use a neti pot for about 18 months, she said to me, "Well you made that look easy". </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZMpj3rtO2XuvQxkB4lAZMNVmxTVslwqtoiQjYXn4iBU8zb2F9KNWoXNMUnQ3LET0BUphsRf_0YHRXpTEaQL67WnAvmHd8IxV1prwNdYbN_J_WEi31pVRmbLHMv73p8duJdK_FFZHyWZI/s960/241576914_10220514826759358_789211945526179058_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="960" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZMpj3rtO2XuvQxkB4lAZMNVmxTVslwqtoiQjYXn4iBU8zb2F9KNWoXNMUnQ3LET0BUphsRf_0YHRXpTEaQL67WnAvmHd8IxV1prwNdYbN_J_WEi31pVRmbLHMv73p8duJdK_FFZHyWZI/s320/241576914_10220514826759358_789211945526179058_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">about to get on the catamaran</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi47xddjqZ32vD5ZgOuknxRDl3EZWVmJS8krMLsHrzaiek20o2Vom8PLLALhprZy870tVjep0_tm4iduy5B9afqloR0A8C4gZFnFdPocEZttWqOeNXcUSck-rM7YLCknujbWg_cC0w3kZg/s960/242858258_10166312376220001_7638475372248207247_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="960" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi47xddjqZ32vD5ZgOuknxRDl3EZWVmJS8krMLsHrzaiek20o2Vom8PLLALhprZy870tVjep0_tm4iduy5B9afqloR0A8C4gZFnFdPocEZttWqOeNXcUSck-rM7YLCknujbWg_cC0w3kZg/s320/242858258_10166312376220001_7638475372248207247_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwQueSj8tbvHpzOFQvnGiovLuIlTTKvlZHUIhre7TCVSTB-MmiQ55TvI9jSLAorYR7TdFJ-LYdyWrgMvcN9Y45ZuPXcyA06ZWzvJ4VMEi9zcdCn6Zt8vBvEpuKmOfEKphs6zLwGqfubPY/s960/242872102_10166309072805001_6523705058906305813_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="642" data-original-width="960" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwQueSj8tbvHpzOFQvnGiovLuIlTTKvlZHUIhre7TCVSTB-MmiQ55TvI9jSLAorYR7TdFJ-LYdyWrgMvcN9Y45ZuPXcyA06ZWzvJ4VMEi9zcdCn6Zt8vBvEpuKmOfEKphs6zLwGqfubPY/s320/242872102_10166309072805001_6523705058906305813_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The boat taking us to snorkel</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9L1Jy5A_Nv6Yric2IgQlgpUYDcwibTr7WBHsOl0S9WMQk2MMf8EsYcz7-MSKp96DA3es2AIjkXohlkOODkCYBh0E20_HtVue3iwvQU_7kdHPLmqcpGK-L28OjMT5IfSYuyZ4VD_AdcNY/s960/243040679_10166309070905001_2479390968073806001_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9L1Jy5A_Nv6Yric2IgQlgpUYDcwibTr7WBHsOl0S9WMQk2MMf8EsYcz7-MSKp96DA3es2AIjkXohlkOODkCYBh0E20_HtVue3iwvQU_7kdHPLmqcpGK-L28OjMT5IfSYuyZ4VD_AdcNY/s320/243040679_10166309070905001_2479390968073806001_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPEAPWwrUmDPV06dPu-JQQH5dWLDcIRLaqb0iDNe5KYX6MORTj4l6bFPRvhvpByvlMtj7gT-Tg1dLmjvQL7mTL9WD3dsWEin9fyu8-87Lo7ulFuFBvWUaNaMOpWZtXk2ykFu4cY-azOtw/s960/243119456_10166309071650001_845369249642166291_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPEAPWwrUmDPV06dPu-JQQH5dWLDcIRLaqb0iDNe5KYX6MORTj4l6bFPRvhvpByvlMtj7gT-Tg1dLmjvQL7mTL9WD3dsWEin9fyu8-87Lo7ulFuFBvWUaNaMOpWZtXk2ykFu4cY-azOtw/s320/243119456_10166309071650001_845369249642166291_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; 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text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9Fc3rFEFEvjX4WOxfIAeMKBe4VvXP5jvISsz-jpMtc5ZQloagUvckYBTXBgbouaTpoF8Di6whRaz11o9n_9R-rhRumc5O4CjD3QpOA59y-WAeYYn9zhyphenhyphen-ncvDHisJ27a0rLznwjU21ME/s960/243259136_10166312376150001_626930023938945022_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="960" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9Fc3rFEFEvjX4WOxfIAeMKBe4VvXP5jvISsz-jpMtc5ZQloagUvckYBTXBgbouaTpoF8Di6whRaz11o9n_9R-rhRumc5O4CjD3QpOA59y-WAeYYn9zhyphenhyphen-ncvDHisJ27a0rLznwjU21ME/s320/243259136_10166312376150001_626930023938945022_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiS3q8sb4mMMEyFHanmhr9Frf4n5BglutPrKG4Fa-TBp9jMxHhGZcYLiBcWNTIodI10QUpIVcF_7WZ1cxkV5xHCYqr6p_RrL3BILRO4YG1hgH45XfhcuaB1WF8Dx74PdPi6p464p1L8Ag/s960/243064940_10166309078395001_5869182544701274457_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="738" data-original-width="960" height="308" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiS3q8sb4mMMEyFHanmhr9Frf4n5BglutPrKG4Fa-TBp9jMxHhGZcYLiBcWNTIodI10QUpIVcF_7WZ1cxkV5xHCYqr6p_RrL3BILRO4YG1hgH45XfhcuaB1WF8Dx74PdPi6p464p1L8Ag/w400-h308/243064940_10166309078395001_5869182544701274457_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I can't even begin to describe how much fun that was, and how much we all enjoyed the water, the company, the sun, the crew, the sprite shots (cough), and the general merriment. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Just a marvelous marvelous day.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We ended our last evening at a hibachi show, after making friends with the waiters, they managed to get all 12 of us at a table, (WILLIAM shout out man, you were the bomb) and he put us on a show. He liked Kelli more than the rest of us (pretty much the story of the week, lol) and the food was so delicious and so cool to watch him cook it and his funny dialogue ( the chol-es-te-ral, to make it YUMMY) and the laughter and the fun. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It's a very special class that can maintain friendships and truly, care and love each other like we do. It's a miraculous thing these days, with the friction and the division in the world. We are a diverse group, with very different lives, but one thread that holds us all together is our history. We knew each other before we had boobs (most of us), and have stayed together over the last 40 years, planning reunions, many of them still travel together through the year all the time. We decided that we were definitely going to have to do it again, and again, and again, that we wouldn't grow old gracefully, and I left that week feeling refreshed and feeling like a teenager again. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Oh I forgot to shout out to Lisa Lipe, who decided to give a bunch of us "Blow outs" though due to my non-hearing I didn't get the memo we needed to have our hair WET when we hit her room so she could literally BLOW IT OUT, so mine was water patted down at the sink and blown out, and still looked good, but Jill, Leslie and Val looked like a zillion bucks. Kudos to Lisa's Locks Shop and Bar. What a fun time. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I always love getting back together with my Melba, and hanging with her, we've been through so much together, best woman at our first marriages, kids, terrible choices, Alaska, Barry Manilow, volleyball tournaments, Knee replacements in the field of the volleyball tournaments, (if yk, yk) and now Mexico. I'm so glad she got to spend time with the rest of the girls and get to know them better, she was only a Shawnee Wolf for about 2 years before she got out of there, so I'm lucky we connected then, and are connected still. Roomies forever, missy! And she was so worried about me not being able to sleep because she says she snores, but you couldn't prove it by me, I didn't hear a thing! Bless!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7LcEL0Zy2dPXvGXMdLHu52PRo2zT8n5rIcv5YPnjWHZgxCAODCaMVNTF0pVk4x8fabQI4iF1WUhkjrKwJ74wRb4RPfXYwy0ZUvl_3OrkOixJvtRzaeuaFbT78T8_43R_YS6iGedIoPTY/s960/243043514_10166309076650001_4585879710981948231_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="690" data-original-width="960" height="460" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7LcEL0Zy2dPXvGXMdLHu52PRo2zT8n5rIcv5YPnjWHZgxCAODCaMVNTF0pVk4x8fabQI4iF1WUhkjrKwJ74wRb4RPfXYwy0ZUvl_3OrkOixJvtRzaeuaFbT78T8_43R_YS6iGedIoPTY/w640-h460/243043514_10166309076650001_4585879710981948231_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">A whole bunch of 60 year old babes right there now. And as one of our classmates told us, "You can't make old friends." You either got em, or you don't. How incredibly blessed we are that we have them.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We are good, we are fine, we are the Seniors of 79. (catchy, huh?)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /><p><br /></p></div></div>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06571238792778863526noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6557823951231590444.post-13528566939678856022021-09-02T19:36:00.002-05:002021-09-02T19:53:40.111-05:00Life and Loss <p> I quit enjoying Labor Day a long time ago.</p><p>The first incident happened in 1992. My grandma was in the mid stages of Alzheimers and even though we knew she probably shouldn't live alone, you couldn't blast her off her "hill" with dynamite. Mom kept very close tabs on her, but late on Saturday night of Labor day weekend, she somehow ended up outside on her road in the middle of the night and a young man, driving home from his late night shift, didn't see her in the road until he was up on her and even though he didn't hit her head on, his mirror on his truck caught her and knocked her to the ground, breaking her hip. Mom and dad brought her to Shawnee, where she had surgery with mom's orthopedic doctor that she worked for, and long, sad story short, she never went home. She lived a few more years in the nursing home right by my mom's house, and that sad story became the first of what would become my least favorite holiday.</p><p>The second incident happened in 1994. My dad had been sick with something we couldn't really nail down, and was in the hospital in OKC. He turned 60 years old in the hospital, and had surgery to remove his adrenal glands on Labor Day weekend, 1994. Somehow in the process of the surgery, contaminated sutures were put in his body, and in his horribly weakened state, he ended up with sepsis and died on September 12. I was in the hospital room when he died, and no one should have to ever watch someone they love pass away. It takes a piece of your heart and your soul, and it's very very hard to erase that pain from your heart, even years later, I can feel it. </p><p>The third loss came Labor Day of 2012. My nephew (my cousin's son ALWAYS called me AUNT Laura, even though we told him repeatedly I was not his aunt, he just didn't care), precious Austin Gaffney, drowned in the lake at his grandma's home, while swimming with his sister. It's been 9 years and I still can't wrap my head around this loss. We had just seen him in June, with our Texas adventure to pick up Kip after her big world race. We spent the afternoon with the Gaffney's, eating mexican food and embarrassing Austin and Hallie in the mall with our loud antics and raucous laughter. He was so tall and I couldn't get over it. I licked his cheek after we took a picture together and he rolled on the floor and asked me, "WHY DID YOU DO THAT?" and I told him, "I just had too, you're so yummy". He tried to pick up our tiny Mazda 2 that we had rented to run around in that day, he was convinced he was strong enough to do it. He had just gotten his driver's license and had a girlfriend and it was just a lot of living left in this young man. A stellar athlete, a rock star overachiever, lover of animals and anything military and militia, this kid was a wunderkind of knowledge. I still gasp at the loss when I allow my mind to go there. My cousin, who is close as a sister to me, and her husband, a brother... Shannon and Mike lost their baby that day, and have had to learn to live a life a little less bright without him in it. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO6oK1fQfvvz1MG91P-KRX38Emv7Bbp1lbkTvcseIx79zGOa_uUq1IO-p3Y84OiTxG_mPtWj-ZdcaAOG81B71vhThkMeCUKZxlS8GBTjIj7V6wdhHcGkg2J0oKBKvxDbUmzmycnaINTDs/s960/553380_10152149111620001_771285190_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO6oK1fQfvvz1MG91P-KRX38Emv7Bbp1lbkTvcseIx79zGOa_uUq1IO-p3Y84OiTxG_mPtWj-ZdcaAOG81B71vhThkMeCUKZxlS8GBTjIj7V6wdhHcGkg2J0oKBKvxDbUmzmycnaINTDs/s320/553380_10152149111620001_771285190_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAvXh0wyKmwD85jApL7T_Ntn8l2rZV7JgD93qQg3uYA9xxqnfHSZwczqB9aCYWZlTVWsCvLZzLFlJedBTQzkOgLapOs5n1gOqxQ-9zTx0lDW3rDcdVmeW8JCVc31ZP1dwVhp2c7B-VrNo/s960/241155449_10223829734885215_3338389721599013158_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="665" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAvXh0wyKmwD85jApL7T_Ntn8l2rZV7JgD93qQg3uYA9xxqnfHSZwczqB9aCYWZlTVWsCvLZzLFlJedBTQzkOgLapOs5n1gOqxQ-9zTx0lDW3rDcdVmeW8JCVc31ZP1dwVhp2c7B-VrNo/s320/241155449_10223829734885215_3338389721599013158_n.jpg" width="222" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p>So, needless to say..... I am a zero fan of Labor Day weekend. </p><p>This year, we are facing the loss of Lacey and Kristen's grandpa Walter. He's been declining rapidly the last few months, and I'm just so sad about all of it. The thing is, the ornery stink is 89 years old. He was working in the garden in May. He wasn't running circles or anything, but he was up, in a chair, manning the process. If you know Walter, you know what a story telling, ornery, booger he is. But what a heart of gold. He would literally give the shirt of his back if he needed to. Lacey and family moved out to the farm about 2 years ago. What a gift and blessing that has been. The four generations living together and those little great grandsons bringing such a light and energy to that house again. Carl has been an amazing rockstar. His selflessness in all the things regarding his mom and dad has just been something to see. He handles all the things and just gets it done. His wife, Evelyn has been amazing support too and I really stand in awe of those two and how they've stepped up to take care of his parents. It really, really takes a village to care for aging parents, and what an amazing village they have created on the farm, with all the generations kicking in to help. Beautiful to witness. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIF6Nd9usupY9VKA82l14E_8-kPWOfJB3ndt62bn8imxJO-qSia9RQl-UblgAB57g-5YaaWh2ZevOaSu16AB7WsEcmuA_uKyw13EX5blHL5tps6wTbzJbvx-Y9SKiYFFYwwZnQs0H-FF8/s960/188034160_10105277662983311_2789890708842268039_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIF6Nd9usupY9VKA82l14E_8-kPWOfJB3ndt62bn8imxJO-qSia9RQl-UblgAB57g-5YaaWh2ZevOaSu16AB7WsEcmuA_uKyw13EX5blHL5tps6wTbzJbvx-Y9SKiYFFYwwZnQs0H-FF8/s320/188034160_10105277662983311_2789890708842268039_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1vjl_hdDWGzZdL_aDsGBOL_nLS-i4m9kPJMADjwx16C37R0d7ccMwx1dCK6sL3t5-Gh0qJeN6U9W-XyD0qQutgJabx72yuDaxvkjwKKpfLy9An2PBGdJxs5FpJmAfNzIwBdOU9xxWb3Y/s960/202119736_10105332507474511_833904836949901401_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1vjl_hdDWGzZdL_aDsGBOL_nLS-i4m9kPJMADjwx16C37R0d7ccMwx1dCK6sL3t5-Gh0qJeN6U9W-XyD0qQutgJabx72yuDaxvkjwKKpfLy9An2PBGdJxs5FpJmAfNzIwBdOU9xxWb3Y/s320/202119736_10105332507474511_833904836949901401_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p>So many heartache situations all around. Friends in the hospital with covid, friends having health issues and loss and so many things could take us down. </p><p>Thank goodness Jesus Christ sits on the throne and beckons us to come walk with Him. He carries us through our hardest days, and our darkest hours, and is there for us to cry our sorrows and anger on Him. He is our hope, our healer, our salvation. Without Him, I'm not sure how I could bear all the pain of the losses. </p><p>God is always there. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcmijKzjF3Mg4IVcfITp299jOb8kS2cwXIqRrqHD6YiFENyaCV0u8vJWfFVxG0wOB2I56GXfKzRRo2vQqLNvXmaEWxs0lhbhJpDLEzg8ZU_Q-oSc190aFRPG-G1YWnq67tBgUJsAmHMP0/s522/whoever-believes-in-him-shall-not-perish-but-have-eternal-20194176.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="522" data-original-width="500" height="322" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcmijKzjF3Mg4IVcfITp299jOb8kS2cwXIqRrqHD6YiFENyaCV0u8vJWfFVxG0wOB2I56GXfKzRRo2vQqLNvXmaEWxs0lhbhJpDLEzg8ZU_Q-oSc190aFRPG-G1YWnq67tBgUJsAmHMP0/w309-h322/whoever-believes-in-him-shall-not-perish-but-have-eternal-20194176.png" width="309" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06571238792778863526noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6557823951231590444.post-71706944902534239432021-03-13T10:03:00.019-06:002021-03-13T18:30:44.839-06:00Being A Pirate<p> When we moved back to Shawnee one of the most important things to me was getting the boys in a good school. With both boys being excellent students, I knew grades wouldn't be an issue. The issue was good friends. Solid parents. Fun sports. </p><p>We have found that with Dale Schools. </p><p>The boys both love basketball and if you love basketball, Dale is the place for that passion. Baseball and basketball are the sports of the pirates. We hadn't pursued baseball in the past, so we settled on basketball. (FYI, Zach is playing baseball this spring, so I get to drive to two practices a week and 470 games and sit outside in a chair in the wind and in the heat and in the wind and in the heat and in a chair outside in the wind and in the outdoors and watch Zach play baseball. For this new development, I am pumped) But more about this later. </p><p>For now, I want to talk about Dale Pirate Basketball. </p><p>Steven made the team last year in JV. He was a short little guy with glasses. But man oh man, he has a 3 and he is a fast little motor scooter, so he made JV. </p><p>This year in a new astonishing development, covid quarantine gave him some growing powers and he has grown to an amazing 6 foot tall. I think it's all the slim jims. They must have growth hormone or something, but it's working and my tiny precious asian is now a tall buff man. It still throws me off. </p><p>I only watched JV boys last year, would slide in the gym as they started and watch Steven run up and down the court and then leave when it was over. Never watched varsity, just watched Steven and leave. One evening, after a game when he arrived home and was relating the awesomeness of what I had missed and informed me, "You leave when it gets good, you need to stay". I mean, I have been to MANY high school sporting activities, with both Lacey and Kip on Pom squad at Carl Albert (allll the football) and watching Hallie play volleyball at Norman North, and meandering up to watch Trae Young shoot from the half court at Norman North, I mostly avoided high school sports because, welllllll, they are high school sports. </p><p>2A basketball is a whole league of it's own. The first time I stayed and watched, I was hooked. Never missed a game again. I love these kids like I birthed them all. How ridiculous is that? I cheer until I'm hoarse, and most of the girls don't even know me. "Who is this crazy old woman screaming my name at me? Why does she keep telling me to "D" up?" Same thing with the parents. Since my sons and I bear such a marked resemblance, shouldn't they know who I am? I've finally met some/most of the boys moms, so they don't think I'm some weird stalker anymore. These parents are polite clappers (except for Trish Sheppard, Lucky's mama who screams louder than me) and I don't think they knew quite how to take me, yelling at them to stand up and cheer for their team. I was told it's because they aren't a football school, and they don't really know how to yell. Well as a mom of two pom girls, and a volleyball mom, I stinking know how to yell. (Much to steven's chagrin) As they have all come to figure out who I belong to "Oh, STEVEN?? WE LOVE STEVEN", I'm slowly becoming part of the whole</p><p>The past two days have been a roller coaster of adrenaline and emotion. Last year, state got cancelled right at the "Covid breakout". Dale was ranked #1, boys and girls. Huge let down. This year we donned our masks and headed to the "Big house", both ranked number 1 again. The girls won every game on the way to the big house, like bosses of the highest magnitude. Destroyed every team, didn't even look fair. Did that most of the season, losing only 2 games in my recollection, always close, always a heartbreaker. One of those teams was Silo. They have a center the size of a behemoth baby and she just stands under the basket and puts it in, She's so much bigger than any of our normal sized girls, it's just a lot to defend and rebound against. Brooklyn Rutland is a standout power forward and she could sneak in and grab it, but in the end they just couldn't get that last bucket to land and they lost in the semis to Silo land of the giant, and their road was ended. All the girls are amazing, Elaine Witt (Sr) is a tiny little girl/woman and she is the toughest, quickest point guard in all of the land. I've already talked about Brooklyn, our sophomore, fiery redhead that isn't afraid to take an elbow, or a charge. Faith Wright, the queen of the 3 pointers, thankfully is a junior and will be back. Danyn Lang is a senior, and I loved watching her guard and shoot that ball. Makenzie Gill (jr) was on fire yesterday and put up some critical threes for us, and is always a solid guard down the floor. Other amazing seniors, Anna Hester, Miya Miller and Emilia Idleman will be missed next year. I was always jazzed when Emmie would go in, because she put on a show. Tough and ready to rumble. I felt a little sorry for whoever she was guarding, because that chick was going down. . Like I said, I love them like I birthed them and only a couple know me. Justyce Shirey and Makenzy Herman are a couple more that I loved watching play. Addie Bell will bring a lot to the table next year as well. Just a talented team.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGYyH6umzvMlmvfRiY_Ib2ImtSmmRRM8maOzNciOuNAzY0PMzIHrPfzPEbw9AjEMEAFohDh3nKhMM_em1PTxoeFUYnIs5MTjyISj_u4aELAVYz6mjGRU7EeO2HUYZUXWJrqp5EWwsZwEg/s1750/girls.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="964" data-original-width="1750" height="220" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGYyH6umzvMlmvfRiY_Ib2ImtSmmRRM8maOzNciOuNAzY0PMzIHrPfzPEbw9AjEMEAFohDh3nKhMM_em1PTxoeFUYnIs5MTjyISj_u4aELAVYz6mjGRU7EeO2HUYZUXWJrqp5EWwsZwEg/w400-h220/girls.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p>BUT THE BOYS. We had a crazy good season. Stayed undefeated for the longest time. Took Kingston tournament, kept winning, kept winning, and then Cashion stunned us in a 1 point buzzer beater. Ugh. ouch. Then a couple of more upsets later down the line, but a ton of wins in between punched our ticket to regionals, area, without a loss on the way. Usually destroying them and making me breath easy without any heart palpitations or stress eating peanut m&m's. Then state. First round was an intense battle of wills against an very motivated Morrison team. Carter Crowe at the buzzer for a 1 point win. Then on to Yukon to play Howe in the semi finals. These punks are super intense AND their coach and his enthusiasm (nice word for arrogance) gets on mama's nerves, so I choose to try and not look at him. The ref's were blind at both the boys and the girls games, so we not only had the team to defeat but played the refs too (I hate that) but honestly, the boys just didn't play their best game, and I think they knew it and the parents knew it, and in the end we lost by 10. On a good playing day, this team would have been toast. Our seniors Dallen Forsythe, our point guard and man of steel, who can literally jump over me without even touching me, he jumps so high, had two men on him pretty much the whole time. Palmer Jones our power forward, made his incredible strong, quick moves, but couldn't get a bucket to stick (Which just never happens). Carter Crowe, our crazy strong center) bless his heart, left everything he had on the floor. Fun fact about Carter: when he would land a 3 he would salute running down the court and I stinking loved that. I left the game with about 45 seconds on the clock, because I couldn't even bear to watch it unfold. After struggling so hard with the defeat of the girls earlier in the day, I couldn't watch it happen again. Deken Jones (freshman, brother of Palmer) and Dayton Forsythe (Freshman, brother of Dallen) left it all on the floor as well. Connor Kuykendall (jr) did his amazing stealing and fresh energy that he always brings, but in the end, it just wasn't enough to take it home. I love these boys. Not little love but capital L O V E these boys. </p><p><br /></p><p>\</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb_YGV50ulyQGJ-iqO4ENCpE-IyjQSOebzMPJeJ8hlejj3WQzqH9U3dA75P7qXsaZdvP3VjhEY2QNpkBI6_xL5IcC3aCnfgWSpqjAV2_FxHyCTXkahMBC7IZqExyHKxc89HKKSQOT-_6c/s1750/boys.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="841" data-original-width="1750" height="193" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb_YGV50ulyQGJ-iqO4ENCpE-IyjQSOebzMPJeJ8hlejj3WQzqH9U3dA75P7qXsaZdvP3VjhEY2QNpkBI6_xL5IcC3aCnfgWSpqjAV2_FxHyCTXkahMBC7IZqExyHKxc89HKKSQOT-_6c/w400-h193/boys.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>I've played poker with some of them, dominos with most and fed/housed all of them at one time or another. They call me "Mama Steve" and say "Yes, ma'am" or "No, ma'am" (their mamas taught them manners, whereas I just tried to keep mine fed and dressed, manners, do what?). </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv-4R1Og_eyq5X_BFnDZS3_B3ipPVCcMo5vlqkAxhpr0L1gl_vRoXIdjGFYZV0-uvTn-yS6yyUlATrQ4WCkmgrdbQi4rGDFBoIiiD8mHLTU_KaslYKrHOX8HDfM14cBlCBlMKnYofmTd8/s960/friends.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv-4R1Og_eyq5X_BFnDZS3_B3ipPVCcMo5vlqkAxhpr0L1gl_vRoXIdjGFYZV0-uvTn-yS6yyUlATrQ4WCkmgrdbQi4rGDFBoIiiD8mHLTU_KaslYKrHOX8HDfM14cBlCBlMKnYofmTd8/w400-h300/friends.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p>But THE BEST PART of all of this story -- on the way back from regionals I get a text from Steven, "What is that song at church that I like?" (OK son, Give me more clues) "Another in the fire?" Bingo. (Man I'm good). Find out later, they had a worship set on the bus on the way home. The Home skillets are listening and singing praise and worship music. I don't know about y'alls high school experiences with sports teams, but this doesn't happen very often. I had already asked Dallen, Lucky and Steven if they wanted to do a bible study with me on Youversion, and we had been making our way through one together, so that got them thinking, after the worship set, they set a bible study with several of the team on the app, and several even did one with ole mama steve. Their insight and input on the discussion boards give me hope for our next generation. I thought I loved Palmer Jones before the bible study, but hearing his mature thoughts and his great knowledge of the bible...this guy is a gem. They all are. Loving Jesus and following him is a priority and that's what makes them the jewels they are. </p><p>I know they are disappointed about the gold ball, but in the scheme of it all, they won a much bigger prize. They know the joy of following Jesus and reading His word and being immersed in faith and grace. I hope it gives them a foundation of a life following Christ and being a sold out Jesus freak. What they have found together is a bond of brotherhood, joined by the blood of one who loves them more than any of us, and gave His life to die on a cross so that we can live free and enjoy basketball games and honor Him by living a life well lived. That's the prize. That's the goal we want to make. And they are doing that. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwoD8M5YaKUDIfFkvbsv1l_FphLA84qfO-0RNZG5uXZvaR0T_oi1nc1zJV4YbGOV4hiZsAxedKtvSe-9dkDqTvmWDnyzQgFcLxFNongKTWh4gXBFzij2YjZgO8bCVQ1npoXZzdq9PsXCI/s800/download.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwoD8M5YaKUDIfFkvbsv1l_FphLA84qfO-0RNZG5uXZvaR0T_oi1nc1zJV4YbGOV4hiZsAxedKtvSe-9dkDqTvmWDnyzQgFcLxFNongKTWh4gXBFzij2YjZgO8bCVQ1npoXZzdq9PsXCI/s320/download.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>It was a great season. It is a great life. On to the next thing. God is So Good. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/JKn58kAodig" width="320" youtube-src-id="JKn58kAodig"></iframe></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06571238792778863526noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6557823951231590444.post-74176448197964086022021-02-06T19:25:00.001-06:002021-02-06T19:25:37.375-06:00Ft. Bragg or Bust- Hallie's Post Night 2021<span style="font-family: georgia;">It's hard to believe that Hallie's West Point journey is about to be over in 100 or so days. To her it seems like an eternity, to me it was a blink of an eye.</span><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">She found out in November that she would branch Air Defense Artillery. She will train for 4 months (starting in August) at Ft. Sill, and then she selected Fort Bragg, North Carolina as her post. The vacation potential is overwhelming and strong. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW3fY09w9w0rzOr2Hsx1vNJFlWmnlRWradKDCxBnCbxXxFAFMiNXtL8s070W0vrY-JaJguCcgpcIPXa8qemRxiQAdCDfyGLZ3zDHmrFNBR3szjy8_ik60Y_6Tu6KhPoeaqjvMndtQK_0k/s960/145794837_10165386680910001_5481336458799174290_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="540" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW3fY09w9w0rzOr2Hsx1vNJFlWmnlRWradKDCxBnCbxXxFAFMiNXtL8s070W0vrY-JaJguCcgpcIPXa8qemRxiQAdCDfyGLZ3zDHmrFNBR3szjy8_ik60Y_6Tu6KhPoeaqjvMndtQK_0k/s320/145794837_10165386680910001_5481336458799174290_n.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Her exuberant video made the USMA instagram page. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFsIfCGX8zsDDGgw_cVOBwfQ48iAUutrhanZIv1nN3ntN2LV-ucGs87g5WpUeNfKtowUFvezA-LHoa0WXwXFNw6FtkhvufcHMI_W-nDAUUfm64A5JlIfNR1d4-CXzspgAChx1jfOSDscE/s960/146105743_10165384826210001_7085178425429264043_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="932" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFsIfCGX8zsDDGgw_cVOBwfQ48iAUutrhanZIv1nN3ntN2LV-ucGs87g5WpUeNfKtowUFvezA-LHoa0WXwXFNw6FtkhvufcHMI_W-nDAUUfm64A5JlIfNR1d4-CXzspgAChx1jfOSDscE/s320/146105743_10165384826210001_7085178425429264043_n.jpg" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">If you watched "post night" anywhere they were streaming you would have seen pretty sedate people walking to the front, and calmly picking out their posts and everyone politely golf clapping. Pretty much across the board. Then you click over and see Hallie, basically bouncing up and down, impatiently waiting her turn, praying there would be a Ft. Bragg on the board left for her to claim, then practically skipping to the front to take her place! Everything sooooo Hal. Lee. (except the guy calling her Haylee. DUDE. Hal. Lee not Hay. Lee. Hal. Hal. Hal.) </div></div><div><br /></div><div>She knew the guy in front of her was on the fence about it, and if he had taken it, she would have been stuck at Ft. Sill for 5 years instead. We have talked HOURS about this possibility. I told her several weeks ago that God had her plan and if HIS plan was for her to be in Oklahoma, there wouldn't be any Ft Bragg patch up on the board. And I've always said this girl should be a lawyer, because her negotiation style is on point. She had already told me she had figured out how she was going to try and convince the guy ahead of her that Oklahoma was the PLACE TO BE. I think he didn't really care where he was going, and because she was so passionate about where she wanted to go, he deferred to her impassioned argument and let her have it. </div><div><br /></div><div>HALLELUJAH! </div><div><br /></div><div>The best part of the video is her goofy goofy self, forgetting to take off her mask, and then forgetting to hold up her post page for the picture and not even understanding what they are pointing to -- everytime I watch it I roll. </div><div><br /></div><div>My mom heart is sad she won't be 2 hours away, but the past 4 years have taught me that distance doesn't stop my girl from calling me 4 times a day, so 12 hours south of New York, won't be any different. Plus I can drag my happy butt out there any time and actually seeeeeee her. WHAT? So, yeah, I'm pumped. Beach, mountains, lakes..... Melba(one of my besties) just a bit south. So, it's all good.</div><div><br /></div><div>Now if we can get everything open so we can all attend graduation like we have been planning for 4 years. We have a magnificent house reserved for the entire gang (like 25 of us) in Bear Mountain and we are STOKED with our fingers crossed and our airplane tickets bought and ready to go, praying that nothing weird goes down and that everything keeps opening back up so we can all attend. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/L-f1iN0WpHo" width="320" youtube-src-id="L-f1iN0WpHo"></iframe></div><br /><div><br /><span style="font-family: georgia;">What a crazy, bumpy ride this journey has been. I will be forever grateful for the time she got to be home with us this past long "spring break". What a blessing and so much fun. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">I feel pretty sorry for the class of 2021, the entire existence of West Point is all about the "firstie" year. The freedom, the civilian clothes, all of that gone from them this year. They are surviving and thriving and counting down the days until they are out of there! </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">WHAT A RIDE. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCIWqzGUdXjBUTwtDXkM9IgmD1EoScY83imnZltAV2P7ugw42ABcB-IPsYiS5MkQeSjVAWltevs163xSlg9bpo__qg15VArLnXCvB_6InmZRJH6kQHqpg2bEqzsp2hJvYa0G6epVf2Z70/s736/128280823_10165087021735001_4359225956089463365_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="736" data-original-width="736" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCIWqzGUdXjBUTwtDXkM9IgmD1EoScY83imnZltAV2P7ugw42ABcB-IPsYiS5MkQeSjVAWltevs163xSlg9bpo__qg15VArLnXCvB_6InmZRJH6kQHqpg2bEqzsp2hJvYa0G6epVf2Z70/w400-h400/128280823_10165087021735001_4359225956089463365_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /></span></div>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06571238792778863526noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6557823951231590444.post-57096259992764541012020-11-08T14:55:00.003-06:002020-11-11T18:34:22.238-06:00Being Still<p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNB_Fb6RiPcJcdfisSmHSk5s9o9vGzaprnY-m55XwEhOhquzf8LnB5QE0F1yzV5G-S-OJDyz2nRsUCJNiqL0rWAXYGrnGYdzcm5HFoTktmV8qvtGUphI_UpkC1Z7UTUjdxAo6FWZY3CAY/s500/ed7bffc5492ba28ae2c1151b7729f1dd.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="416" data-original-width="500" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNB_Fb6RiPcJcdfisSmHSk5s9o9vGzaprnY-m55XwEhOhquzf8LnB5QE0F1yzV5G-S-OJDyz2nRsUCJNiqL0rWAXYGrnGYdzcm5HFoTktmV8qvtGUphI_UpkC1Z7UTUjdxAo6FWZY3CAY/s320/ed7bffc5492ba28ae2c1151b7729f1dd.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /> Lacey came in from the early service this morning to visit with the boys and she was a mess. "You're going to need kleenex" she threw out to me. <p></p><p>Oh boy. I love crying in public.</p><p>Said no one ever. </p><p>It's veteran's day this week and the church put together a slide show of the members that had served in the military so when my Hallie's face showed up on the screen, the tears began. </p><p>Then Craig Groeschel brought church to church. </p><p>To say I have been heartbroken, heart shattered, scared, angry and devastated for our nation for the last few days is just a tiny tiny way to put it into words. Just lost and out of control. </p><p>SO TIRED OF IT. I've had on repeat, "God is not surprised, God is not surprised". Still anxious. </p><p>I could go into what Craig's word spoke to my heart here, but I want to share something else......</p><p>When Laynie almost died the first time, when she was 18 months old, and her hemoglobin got down to a 1.8, which if any of you are in healthcare, you know that is NOT enough to sustain a life. But God sustained her and every single day that I woke up, I prayed a prayer of thanks that we had her another day. </p><p>Not one minute of any of those days, was I concerned who was President of the USA. Not one day. And looking back, I don't even remember who was president. Because our days go on, in spite of who is president. It was important, oh so important, that we lived every single day like it was our very very last. Living so out of control, not knowing what was going to happen with our tiny little love, it could have been so out of control and all of us could have spiraled out and gone off the rails so very very easy... but you know why we didn't?? </p><p>Because GOD sits on the throne, and when you focus your life and your comings and goings on him, little else matters. </p><p>Now yes, I am super concerned over what is going to happen to our freedom, and our rights and what this country is going to look like for my grandchildren and my great grandchildren. I'm sure there are 72 million people out there worried as I am. </p><p>But a few days ago, God called on me to be still. And to unplug, and to just be. </p><p>Be. Still. </p><p>and know that I AM GOD. </p><p>If I hadn't been in God's pocket during those last few months of Laynie's life, I couldn't have made it. </p><p>He's asking me to crawl back in. And to invite you to crawl back in with me. Because the peace that passeth all understanding is in there. The loving your neighbor is in there, and the joy that comes in the morning is in there. </p><p>The enemy is the only triumphant boaster in all of this. He is reveling in the division. He lives and breathes in the divide. </p><p>We Have To Stop. </p><p>It can't matter more than God's grace. Because if we let it, the only winner in all of this chaos is Satan.</p><p>So don't be sore losers. Don't be gloating winners. No one benefits from this. Forget right/left....black/white.....socialism/freedom....... no one wins. </p><p>NO ONE HAS WON if we all destroy each other in the process. I love my friends I have had my whole life. And some of them don't even speak to me any more. </p><p>There aren't words for the amount of concern I have over the state of our beloved country. </p><p>But as much concern as I carry inside of me, I HAVE to, I MUST let my trust in God be more than my concern of this situation. </p><p>He is for us, He is with us, in our pain and in our happiness. </p><p>Please listen to this song and let the words wash over your spirit. We WILL NOT live in a spirit of fear. We will live in a spirit of Hope. Of expectancy. Of goodness and grace. HE IS FOR YOU. </p><p><br /></p><p><a href="https://youtu.be/tNk_xCa7zaQ">LISTEN TO THIS</a><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/tNk_xCa7zaQ" width="320" youtube-src-id="tNk_xCa7zaQ"></iframe></div><br /><p>Because God is Good......All the Time. </p>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06571238792778863526noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6557823951231590444.post-19359969365923326452020-11-07T07:41:00.001-06:002020-11-07T12:13:42.135-06:00When God Isn't Surprised<p>When I was a kid, I worried a lot about the "end of time". Growing up in a different religion, there was a lot of emphasis put on "going to hell" if you didn't follow the straight and narrow of the rules. </p><p>Then as I've gotten older, I understood that it wasn't fear that should make me seek Jesus, it was love. </p><p>This past year has been something that many of us have never seen in our lifetimes. The unrest, the uncertainty...it's just been a lot. </p><p>I could spend this entire blog railing against what I believe is fraud that will change the course of the voting system of this country forever, that is going on RIGHT in front of our eyes, but instead I'm going to be what Jesus would want me to be and just speak some truth.</p><p>I've been trying to read through the bible this year, and I will admit, I have been super distracted. I hit and miss, but this week, I gave myself a sabbatical off of my most favorite social media app, because I was starting to act like someone I have not been in a long time, and picked up the bible instead. </p><p>This day's reading landed me in Acts 16-18. If you're not familiar with the bible, Paul is one of the biggest writers of the new testament. His accountings of his journeys are comprised in many of the books in the NT. Two things that stuck out in my head and made do a double take: (and I put these in Laura language, so show me some grace here) Paul's about to go out on his second journey to spread the gospel of Jesus. Now you have to know, he's not a super popular fellow with the Jewish (or any, if we are being honest) leaders. In the first example, Paul is trying to speak and a slave girl that is demon possessed keeps interrupting him and he gets so tired of it, he calls on God to cast the demon out of her. Well this doesn't make her the money making fortune telling machine she was, so they grab Paul and take him in front of the council and tell them that he is teaching things that are against "roman views". They beat him and throw him in jail, where he spends the night singing worship songs. In the 10 cent comic store version, God makes the gates fly open and the guard gets saved. (you really should read it for yourself though because it's good stuff) Paul continues on... and in the next city, the Jewish leaders become so enraged they (Acts 17:5) "Jewish leaders were jealous, they gathered some worthless fellows from the streets to form a mob and start a riot." Now that sounds vaguely familiar. </p><p>Here is the deal. God isn't surprised by any of this. NOT. ONE. BIT. We want to be outraged and stomp our feet and scream for justice, but remember this, God is allowing this. </p><p>I can't tell you how long and hard I prayed, crying and pleading with God to spare Laynie. I begged for her life to be spared every day. I didn't want her to die. But God took her anyway, and it wasn't about her dying that was the story, it was how she lived. And how she changed me, and in changing me, I shared her story and changed countless others. </p><p>And now look at what a tiny baby that never spoke a word did. She gave me insight and perspective to be able to help me get through what we are facing. </p><p>Perspective is the most important thing we can keep in our tool belt right now. You have to remember every single day that God is not surprised by any of this. This country will be in more need of prayer and believers than ever before. We are all going to have to put on the armor of Christ and live in it. Oh my goodness, the weight of that armor! It's all consuming. But it is also, the most freeing way to live. If you don't wrap yourself in the ways of the world, and keep your eyes on the prize of Jesus Christ, the armor becomes protection, instead of a weight. And we all need to be wrapped in it, in the world that is coming. </p><p>I don't feel like a worthy witness, but all I know is God wakes me up early and tells me these things. He has me seek out people to call and text message to hear the truth. He gives me words (when I truly don't think I have them) to encourage people and to speak truth into them. </p><p>So go out and be a light. There is so much division and unhappiness and bitter feelings. I suffer them constantly. I want to rail at the injustice. But instead I'm going to seek truth and peace and try to help others find truth and peace. </p><p>Put it in your hearts, God isn't surprised by any of this. </p>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06571238792778863526noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6557823951231590444.post-51081605340749589472020-10-24T20:38:00.001-05:002020-10-25T10:01:39.934-05:00When you are Called and Don't know Why<p> All my life, I have worked non stop to avoid conflict. I mean, I will walk 47 blocks the other way to NOT have an argument with someone. </p><p>So imagine my surprise (and dismay) when I've been led by the Higher Spirit to share posts about my support for President Trump. </p><p>In 2016 I voted for him because I only thought he was lesser of two evils, and all I could think was "Oh boy, here we go, this will be fun."</p><p>Man, I was wrong.</p><p>President Trump has delivered on almost every promise he made during his campaign. He has exposed corruption, he has lifted restrictions, he has protected America, and he has given peace to countries that haven't had peace in decades. </p><p>He has promised, and he has delivered. </p><p>I'm not a political person. At all. My oldest children cannot believe (!) and just laugh when I talk politics with them now, because it is NOTHiNG I HAVE ever, EVER talked to them about. Didn't care. Didn't even give it a thought. </p><p>So don't think I'm an old hack in the political world. NOT AT ALL</p><p>Those first months, I was very skeptical of the President, his tweets would make me cringe, and his braggart, blow hard ways super annoyed me. Why Can't He Just Be Normal? I would lament to friends. </p><p>But then, lets fast forward to President Trump's second year in office, WHEN I EXPERIENCED first hand-- when all the tax relief started hitting for the single moms. </p><p>I've NEVER and I mean NEVER ever had tax relief. As a single mom that made ok money, I paid in at least 35-40% tax without fail. And then at tax refund time, I would get back around 3-4% if I was really lucky. So paying taxes and doing tax returns were always a biggggggg stress for me. Then Trump's tax plan took effect. I sweated out 2018, worrying if I was doing enough, did I fill out the W4 right? I sold my house! What about my exemptions? How was I going to survive this? And to my utter amazement, I got back a whopping 20% of my income in 2018, and at the advice of my accountant, held out zero taxes in 2019 and got back 12%! It was C R A Z Y. And such a relief, because housing and feeding and hauling and nurturing children is a LOT. Especially alone. So thank you President Trump. You made that happen. </p><p>With a kid in the military, it becomes paramount in importance to being at peace with other countries. I knew when she went in, that the likelihood of her having to be deployed was almost a certainty, but President Trump has calmed the storm. Mainly because he's a brilliant strategist and he isn't a pushover. The very thing that turns people off about him, makes him a beast at the negotiation table. And Hello, anyone that think he's a joke........why is he nominated for not one, not two, not three but FOUR Nobel Peace Prizes? How is the most "ridiculous" "overbearing" "non political" President, bringing peace to nations that others said WOULD never happen? And making peace with so many adversaries, This is something no one can refute. The "anonymous source" story about him calling military "suckers" and "losers".....just false. This man revers the military. He has done more for the military in his term than in decades. Military veterans have good health care for the first time in I can't even recall. He gave them all raises, and gave them new equipment, and is doing his utter best to get them ALL home from the Middle East</p><p>Everyone loves to throw his past at him and judge him by that. Well, phew, don't look too closely at my past. Is anyone free from flaws? I mean.....really. I'm not asking this man to be my preacher at church, I'm not asking this man to walk the earth like Jesus..... I am asking this man to drain the swamp that Washington has become. He has called out more main stream media, crooked politicians, he just takes absolutely no BS from anyone. WHAT OTHER KIND OF MAN could do that? A soft talker? A career politician that talks out of both sides of his mouth? So Does that make him a bully? If I had to have someone standing up for me to keep me alive, to keep my family safe, to keep a wolf from my door, I want someone that isn't afraid to go to bat and say some pretty crazy, obnoxious things in order to protect me. I would want someone willing to take a bullet for me, and I believe this man does that. He stands between Americans and socialism and he fights to keep us safe. And if you don't believe that, you are kidding yourself. And the man doesn't take one penny to do it. He donates his salary every quarter to a different charity. Oh my goodness I hear it already, "Well he's a millionaire, he doesn't need it." Listen, as much crap and lies and BS thrown at him and his family, if anyone deserves to take a paycheck for his hard work, with little or no appreciation, it's Donald Trump. AND HE DOESN'T. They show him signing his check over to a worthy cause, and doing it without even blinking an eye. Only Three presidents have done that before. Most presidents use their power to make more money. Not this man, because he doesn't need it. He already Has It. And his one goal, is to make this country great again. FOR US, for our children, for our grandchildren.</p><p>I posted what I thought was a pretty funny post on my facebook about President Trump going to have his mic turned off at the debates, and the signs I thought he should carry on stage to use as they cut off his mic (he didn't need signs, turned out, he destroyed all on his own and just brought the house down with his solid answers and class act) HOWEVER, the COMMENTS on my post. Whew. The hate. I try as hard as I can to keep it civil on my page. I normally listen and reply with an "I love ya but boy do we disagree on this", but the hits just kept on coming. Crazy accusations, ALL of them unfounded, just words of unhappy people, fueled by a corrupt main stream media, because let's face it, If there were SOMETHING out there, it would have been found, and this man wouldn't be president, because I promise everything about him has been scrutinized and put under a microscope and looked at in every direction, looking for a crack, a flaw, ANYTHING to condemn him. Nothing but bad press. And still...... is he blameless? Did he live a faultless life? Uhm, No. Have any of us? The man is trying to clean the swamp, and swamp animals aren't the friendliest beasts. They hiss and bite, and strike out and aim to kill. Swamp animals don't like light, they like the dark, where they can hide and live with secrets. President Trump brings the light. The light isn't welcome, so the light must go. With any lie, at any cost. And boy, I felt the sting. But whoa, I have some solid friends, rushing to protect me, stand with me, take the heat and the weight of the anger and hatred. And, by standing my truth, I lost some of my "friends". </p><p>Anyway. </p><p>I'm NOT a political person. I am a PASSIONATE person. I believe in God. I believe in the sanctity of life. I believe in prayer in schools, and the right to assemble in church. I believe in owning a gun to protect your family. I believe in strict laws to protect this people of this country. I believe in law enforcement and the military. I believe in love and compassion. If you don't believe that all the things I just shared, are being taken away from you, inch by inch....you aren't paying attention. </p><p>We, as Christians, need to be praying non stop prayers for our President and this country. We need to put a hedge of protection around him like no other. The enemy is working so hard in this country and feels to be winning. WE cannot be the silent majority anymore. God calls us to be HIS people, and HIS people need to be praying for a free country. We have to pray without ceasing over this election and God's will. We cannot be lax in our prayers. This is the most critical time in history, right now. My kids don't understand why I've gone so nuts over this. Because I believe God called me to go nuts. He has called on me a few times, and when I listen and be obedient, I see great things happen. </p><p>Pray. Without. Ceasing. </p><p>This has been weighing on me for awhile. We have to be bold now. We have to stand up for what is good and what is right and what is necessary. We have to be Bold like never before. </p><p>Believe me, I know I'm going to take some heat for this. I will hear "Plenty" when I share it. </p><p>But I trust in Him. He showed me his goodness and mercy through a tiny baby that He is Good, and He alone is our Portion. Let's never forget. Pray a hedge of protection around our President. </p><p>God is Good, Through all of the Storm, All The time. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgADSMvFUow5MeI05he9I5QTG8FCnJ7bwqiP9BsA2maeh63KhHpO1H31pBKLybumFk7y5g8kCgfE5ZeoWKfClA_Od7aDuFL7MD91E_7fxzslZ41lM6BGYEzkZS5Os5F1ciYHHszplbXZrY/s1200/aaaablank-facebook-post.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgADSMvFUow5MeI05he9I5QTG8FCnJ7bwqiP9BsA2maeh63KhHpO1H31pBKLybumFk7y5g8kCgfE5ZeoWKfClA_Od7aDuFL7MD91E_7fxzslZ41lM6BGYEzkZS5Os5F1ciYHHszplbXZrY/s320/aaaablank-facebook-post.png" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06571238792778863526noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6557823951231590444.post-15570158968606545422020-07-27T12:44:00.000-05:002020-07-27T12:44:51.516-05:00It was the Best of Times, It was the Worst of Times 2020 has been gnarly.<br />
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Hallie came home three days for spring break and ended up getting to stay home almost 4 1/2 months. What an unexpected gift. The gift of slowing down and being back together again.<br />
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It was crazy it took a pandemic to do that. As the cases are soaring, and everyone's anxiety level is creeping up, I just want to bring you into my little bit of crazy that has happened at my house. <br />
<br />
I try to be transparent now, as a time in my life, I hid my whole life from everyone and made some pretty messed up choices. Good things came out of those messed up choices, so I don't regret the decision.....but now I choose to live transparent. Everyday.<br />
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When Kip was just a year old, and I had breastfed her for almost the whole year, I found myself woefully "unendowed" at the end of the breastfeeding journey. Back in 1989, Pamela Lee Anderson was running down the beach, all endowed and beautiful, and several of my friends were getting implants, and made it seem like a "no big deal- high reward" type deal. A co-worker had them put in on Friday and was back to work on Monday like "look at me", so I jumped on the bandwagon. In 1989, in Norman I had a plastic surgeon put two polyurethane silicone breast implants into my body and finally had boobs for the first time in my life. <br />
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I even remember when the doctor talked about them, he said "In 30 years you will probably have to have them replaced" and I foolishly said, (and I remember this) "I will deal with it when I'm 59". How damn dumb. I mean. I could say a LOT to my 29 year old self these days, for sure. And I'm pretty sure I would't listen any better to my 59 year old self than I did to anyone else, but for the love. <br />
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I was one of the lucky ones. A girlfriend that had them put in same time as me, had to have her implants removed within two years, due to immediately showing signs of lupus and rheumatoid arthritis. Didn't even faze me. Didn't even make me think about it... I wasn't having problems, why should that affect me in any way? <br />
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Fast forward to 2011. My doctor has long been out of the picture and I've ran in and out of another plastic surgeons office every 5 years or so for my "followup" and this time, I'm starting to have joint pain. I ask the PS about removing them and just being a tiny chest for the rest of my life, and he told me "I wouldn't ever deform you in that way. the only way I take them out, if is I put them right back in". So, dream squashed. <br />
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Over the next few years, I start having health issues, nothing anything any doctor can tie to, just random, odd things. I don't connect the dots...... at all. <br />
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Then this past March, a friend posts on facebook for prayers and me being the nosy nelly that I am, private messages her and asks whats happening. She tells me she has BII (Breast Implant Illness) and is going in to get her implants removed and can hardly wait. I can hardly believe what I am hearing because a) I've been in denial for so long b) a PS will actually TAKE THEM OUT? She sends me tons of information and puts me on a facebook page, and lo and behold after two solid hours on this page and reading hundreds of posts from ladies experiencing EVERy SINGLE WEIRDO symptom that I have struggled with for the last 8 years.....I just cry. <br />
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I didn't think I was ever going to feel good again. I just figured this was how life turns out and I was old and that we just had to live with what we were given. <br />
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I make an appointment with her doctor and go in for a consultation, and the weirdest thing is, I never have money. I mean...I have a zillion kids and they are all at home right now and eating their weight in food and drink daily, so money isn't high on my list of things I have. Right before I go to see this doctor, two very important things happened....and I had EXACTLY the amount of money I needed to have to have this surgery done. THE EXACT AMOUNT<br />
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God is Good. <br />
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I had heard it would take months for him to get me on his schedule because of the enormous amount of women flocking to his office now, seeking relief, and to my utter amazement (except not really, God was so involved) he had time for me 3 weeks after my initial consult. I scheduled my surgery and went home to wait. I prayed over all the kids daily to keep Covid at bay. Hallie is still at home, and I'm praying she can stay and help me recuperate, but last minute changes have her heading out the day before I am to go. Then Jackson comes down with Hand Foot and Mouth (An entire other blog in itself) so now Lacey is going to be unable to go with me to the surgery. Because I have an incredible village, my friend Kim Daniels hears what is going on and just volunteers on the spot to be my wingman. I encourage her to remember that even on my best of sober days, I can embarrass all of us in a single leap, and under anesthesia, all bets are off, and this still doesn't deter her in any way. She grabs me from my house, drives me to the hospital, keeps me entertained with her stories and before I know it, the doc has me standing in front of him, writing all over me with sharpies, and I'm being wheeled into the operating room. One of the nurses leaned over and grabbed my hand and said, "I had mine out 8 years ago, and it was the best decision of my life". I count backwards and then wake up in the recovery room where I scream about body parts feeling on fire and throw up in a bag without ceasing. Found out the dinosaurs in my body, the right one had ruptured. Kim had decided mid scream she would probably need to stay and help the vietnamese with their loopy mom, and seriously, don't know what I would have done without her. She was the best thing in the world. I was one sick mamba jamba. Took 12 1/2 hours for the best part of the anesthesia to wear off, and I was throwing up most of that. Terrible headache, but upside, no incision pain at all. No pain meds, period. <br />
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Another moment to be noted, my neck can get in a twisted mess in a hurry and make me sick too, so my masseuse loaded up his chair and drove to Shawnee and worked my neck out for me. Such Good. People. <br />
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Found out Friday that Gina had been directly exposed to Covid-19, so we all quarantined in our rooms over the weekend. Due to that fact, Hallie was sent home on Saturday for another week. We waited until this morning and Gina and Hallie both went to get tested, and their rapid tests came back negative. PRAISE GOD. Hallie had the antibody test ran as well, so we will know tomorrow those results. <br />
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So, now she is here to help me navigate the drains coming out my body (Thank the Lord, she loves that kind of stuff, me? Not so much) and hopefully after my one week check in tomorrow, the doctor will see I am doing so great he will let me come in by the end of the week and get rid of these pesky, gross me out, drains.<br />
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So, why am I sharing all of this? Because I know you ALL know someone that has implants. In the late 80's through now, soooooooo many women think this is something that isn't GOING TO AFFECT Them at ALL and I'm here to tell you....IT IS.<br />
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Breast Implant Illness is real and alive and kicking. I was so relieved to read the symptoms and realize I wasn't going crazy. <br />
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I feel good. I haven't had pain meds since the hospital scream LOL, I'm controlling with tylenol. Things I noticed right away was all the neuropathy in my feet and hands that I feel at night is gone. G O N E. After my initial neck pain (that my masseuse helped with), even propped up in a horrendous position, my neck pain is decreased. I expect more things to resolve and I am so thankful that FINALLY a plastic surgeon said These Things are making women sick, and I will take them out of their bodies and not require them to put them back in. <br />
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SO THANKFUL. It's not all in your head....it's in your chest, and it's making you sick. <br />
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Friends don't let friends get breast implants. <br />
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They just don't. <br />
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Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06571238792778863526noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6557823951231590444.post-72060116332717619312020-07-10T15:49:00.001-05:002020-07-10T15:55:59.578-05:0010 years an angel I woke up this morning to the realization that it's been 10 years since we lost Laynie to this earth.<br />
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It seems like yesterday in some ways, and a lifetime ago in others.<br />
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My first grandchild. My only granddaughter.<br />
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Everyone around me is so freaked out about the coronavirus. The unknown. The uncertainty. The scariness of the "not knowing".<br />
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Let me introduce you to the one that taught me ALL about all those things.<br />
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This living doll wasn't even suppose to survive past birth, much less live through 2 birthdays. She taught me that life isn't about all the stuff, it's about all the love and faith in God and believing in something bigger than what is right in front of your nose.<br />
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If Laynie hadn't taught me that God is in control.....I mean MASSIVE control, that nothing in this world doesn't HAPPEN for a reason, I probably would be freaking out about all our circumstances now too.<br />
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However. As many hours as I spent in prayer over this tiny girl, I finally understood what no church could make me understand.....that my relationship with Jesus Christ would sustain me through it all. Jesus would be with me Through the pain of watching her stop making red blood cells. Through the pain of watching my daughter lose her precious baby girl that she had prayed and fought for. He was with me through the pain of losing Laynie and beside me as I walked through those lonely, sad days.<br />
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God is always there.<br />
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And without learning it first hand from her journey, I wouldn't be able to sit here and tell you that no matter what ...... you make it through. It's been 10 years and while I can't say it was all sunshine and roses..... Our family has thrived. Lacey has a new marriage and two healthy, ornery boys. She has taken her masters degree, and instead of banking dollars, she helps countless families learn how to be better parents, and is changing generations at her non profit, Legacy Parenting Center. I took all my sadness and heartache and poured it into fostering, expanding my family in more ways than I could ever imagine. Hallie has a foundation that she draws from in every trial of her life. We are all profoundly different.<br />
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And it's because of her life. The life they wanted us to terminate. The life we would have missed had we listened to the doctors.<br />
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I say that the time we had with Laynie was anointed. I read the stuff I wrote during her life and I was so in God's pocket I don't even know where those words came from. I miss those times. I miss Laynie. My precious little bald headed, loud mouth baby<br />
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Granddaughter, I know I will see you again. I see your face in your brothers. I hear your voice in Jack's laughter. I feel your heart in your mom's hugs. Thank you for leading me to Jesus. Thank you for your life and on this 10th year of you getting your angel wings.... I still think of you everyday and tell everyone I meet about you. And I always will. <br />
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I will see you again, my darling Laynie Hope......<br />
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Forever and a day.... Your Lolly<br />
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<br />Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06571238792778863526noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6557823951231590444.post-73981920446099351842020-05-24T10:22:00.002-05:002020-05-24T10:25:09.208-05:00Bitterness is an Ugly Pill I've been so bitter.<br />
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Months I have wasted being bitter.<br />
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It started as I moved from Pepper's Ranch last July.<br />
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I left that place angry and bitter and holding a grudge.<br />
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I attended my 40th year class reunion this past July, and I was so wrapped in anger and bitterness and worry and crap factory attitude, I didn't even enjoy the people I love so much in this world, I was so mired in bitterness.<br />
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Oh there were moments of wonderfulness wound into the pain, but my heart had hardened and it seemed like I couldn't find goodness in anything.<br />
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I find myself so far from God.<br />
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Before corona, my family didn't miss a Sunday in church. Even in the bitterness, God was still working in me, and every Sunday I would leave with a better attitude, and by Monday night, tuesday morning.....here came the bitterness.<br />
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Last week, as I was given the opportunity to attend corporate church again, I took myself and sat myself in the chair and listened to Pastor Craig talk about Being Positive.<br />
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Sure.<br />
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The music filled my heart and the message made me squirm, but this whole week I have wrestled.<br />
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Today, I listened to Pastor Trevor speak and I finally put all the pieces together.<br />
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I'm tired of being the Devil's pawn. I'm tired of not speaking my truth. I'm tired of being bitter. I want to wash that down the drain, and get back in the bible and find the truth.<br />
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I have no idea how people that don't love and seek and desire Jesus are making it through this turmoil that we call life in 2020. The political unrest, the racial unrest, the health scare, the murder bees, the locust plague threat, the economy uncertainty.<br />
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HOW DO WE FACE ALL THIS UNCERTAINTY WITH ANY KIND OF HOPE?<br />
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Jesus Christ says, "Come and I will give you rest"<br />
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The Bible says: Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with WHAT YOU HAVE, because God has said, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you." Hebrews 13:5-6<br />
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I remember growing up and being so fearful of the "end of times". All the scariness, all the unknown. I want to dig in Revelations and start really internalizing that, because friends, this all feels like the end times.<br />
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And no amount of money, or status is going to give you everlasting life. That is only going to be through forgiveness and believing in our Lord.<br />
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Don't think for a minute that the enemy isn't pursuing your heart. He isn't going to be scary and show up with horns and a pitchfork, he's going to seek you with all the things your heart desires most.<br />
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He right now as I am typing is trying to make me doubt that I should write this. What does it matter? Who will it reach? Your words are insignificant. He is a master of self-doubt and pursuer of your bitterness and anger. He's had me right where he wants me for MONTHS. <br />
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NO MORE SATAN. You have no power here. You have no power over my children. I renounce you and your bitterness. I have the BLOOD OF JESUS CHRIST flowing through my veins and I will NOT BE AFRAID.<br />
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I will live full out. I will LOVE without boundaries. I will be QUICK to love and SLOW to anger.<br />
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Today and EVERYDAY, I WILL CHOOSE JESUS. </div>
Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06571238792778863526noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6557823951231590444.post-49038589088479530652020-03-21T12:24:00.001-05:002020-03-21T12:24:19.308-05:00Living through Corona<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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When all the hysteria started in China, I was a bit concerned but nothing out of the ordinary. I don't listen to a lot of news (because most of it is sensationalized BS) and I know if anything is really serious, I will get a call from my mama and she will inform me immediately. It's how I roll. <br />
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So last Thursday (March 12) Hallie & I drove out of Shawnee, with the vision of driving her vehicle to NYC, because as a 2nd semester junior, they are allowed to have vehicles at West Point after spring break..... so the plan was me riding shotgun to NYC, and then jumping on a plane and heading back to OKC. Easy Breasy. RIGHT?<br />
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We had just barely pulled out of the driveway, when the proverbial S?%! hit the fan.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Road Trip 2020</td></tr>
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It was already becoming a thing before we left. People panic purchasing and wiping out toilet paper everywhere. I took this picture at Walmart on Wednesday, trying to actually find TOILET PAPER FOR THE WEEK, not 275 years of hoarding toilet paper, and found this one ply scott wanna be at walmart. 20 rolls of it left. I bought 4. Unfortunately, with one ply that's about what it takes for just one of my boys to wipe their butts once. I'm still not sure of 1 ply's purpose. But I digress. INSANE.<br />
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So, on with the adventure. We knew corona was a thing, due to the grocery store panic, so our battle plan was to stick to ourselves, stay in the car, use a lot of my homemade hand sanitizer, and just wash our hands every time we got out of the car. As we got close to our first night's stop (Nashville), Hallie got the email from West Point, cancelling school until 29 March. (I love talking in military talk, seems so legit when I do it). Hmm. Hallie vacillates between elation, and doomsday pretty much in a roller coaster fashion until I am suffering from whiplash of the highest magnitude. We stop, I make some quick calls to my people that guide me through life, and after thinking it through, I tell her, "We are going to turn around and go home". We had been thinking we would power on through, and at least get her car there, and have her fly home with me, but as fast as things were changing that day, (And I mean CHANGING SO FAST), we decided best course of action was to turn around and drive home. And I'm here to tell you driving 10 hours on I-40 east one day and 10 hours on I-40 west the next day, is right up there in the TOP 10 most exciting 2 days of my life. <br />
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I'm super relieved we did that, because as of yesterday, West Point has even lifted the 29 March deadline to return, and conducting virtual learning through the internet web. (I'm showing my internet savvy here). Now, remember I have been in this house about 6 months and Hallie hasn't lived with me in 2 moves and 3 years, so what kind of living situation are we in right now? Suitcases and bunking with mom. NO bueno.<br />
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Discussed the magnitude of her probably being home until who knows when, we ventured out into the covid-19 masses and bought her a bed and set her up her own room upstairs, complete with desk and work area. She is in heaven. I made hamburgers for lunch yesterday, and carried her one up to her, during class and handed it to her, and she later told me that "It was the best day of my life". LOL<br />
Doesn't take much to make her happy. <br />
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Meanwhile these very hilarious memes made my days, the last week.<br />
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So the hilarious factor has been on-point during the last week. I went to work one day, and of course, with everyone being urged to stay at home, NO one is wanting to see me right now, so there is the small panic in my heart of no income. BUT, I am staying hopeful, and I know who is in control. The same one that made this INCREDIBLE sunset we were able to see night before last. <br />
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There are so many theories and worries and what-if's. One of my friends literally had strep throat, and after going to urgent care and finding out (relieved, lol "wasn't the "rona") she only had strep, I've really been listening to the WIDE and varying reports of ALL THE things. <br />
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Here's what I think. (which I am only Lolly, and an observer at best) I appreciate the Quarantine. I understand the quarantine. WHAT ABOUT THE QUARANTINE are people NOT understanding? This is the most no nonsense article I read for what is happening and EVERYONE should do it.<br />
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I think most of us will get this and never know it. It mimics allergies/upper respiratory/flu. We've all survived that. What I'm most worried about, is the spread. If we stay home, and don't get around other people (I know THIS IS RIDICULOUSLY hard to do), we can Flatten The Curve. (another government term). We have to Flatten the Curve. I have senior citizens that are so susceptible, I have young grandsons that are so susceptible, I have friends with new babies, friends with special needs children. We all know someone that this virus could kill. So please for the love of all that is holy, STAY HOME. <br />
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And DON'T PANIC. If you feel symptomatic, stay away from your family and self quarantine. Gargle your throat with warm salt water at the first sign of a sore throat. This virus HATES heat. (this is why I personally think Lacey will not get this because she drinks 12.6 gallons of coffee per day, in order to keep up with all the boys in her life). I on the other hand, drink 12.6 gallons of iced sweet tea per day (with the 'rona will probably LOVE too), and am taking strides to remember to gargle with warm salt water in the morning and in the night. I haven't been washing my hands as much as I should, since I've been home, but I may even take that up a notch too. <br />
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Remember, you may not even KNOW YOU HAVE IT, and if you GO OUT AND SPREAD IT (because you only have allergies, yo), and give it to someone's grandma..... stay home and play games. I forced myself to play Phase 10 with Hal and the boys last night, and other than Zach almost being taken out with his use of "Skip" cards, it was pretty fun. Get back to basics. It's been hard to be cheerful about all of this, with the monsoon rains that happened ON TOP of being quarantined, you couldn't even send kids outside in the back yard. Now, with the NO SCHOOL thing firmly in place for the near future, we have to go old school. This is more for me than you, believe me, we have binge watched tv most of the week (and being transparent, not seeing that changing either), but with the advent of warmer, better weather, we are going to go walk at the airport track (away from people), we are going to work in our yard, we are going to clean closets, and take time to go through all the crap in the garage and see what we really have and need. <br />
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<a href="https://www.fox13news.com/news/disney-kennedy-space-center-offering-free-online-activities-for-kids-during-school-closures?fbclid=IwAR2AbegrSSiAi_Pbplve9z9EyUOTPm4eZqWkXGkbpcWrAXpWzoE_0HqqfDQ">Disney & Kennedy Space Center Free Stuff</a><br />
<a href="https://www.popsugar.com/family/free-online-videos-from-children-book-authors-47312507?utm_medium=facebook&utm_source=post&utm_campaign=family&fbclid=IwAR0BDH5VzqFxo6nbFbiaoXb4F_xaRJ9o8p109q7igLc6aPZe58NQCMPrlSY">Authors reading books, pretty neat</a><br />
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SO THERE ARE THINGS TO DO. I made my kids watch and scared all my kids with the movies, Outbreak and Contagion, so now they are completely content to stay inside. I probably wouldn't recommend this for everyone, but it worked for me. <br />
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Just think, in 20 years, this will be something they talk about in history classes. We are making history here, let's embrace what IS, and move forward. <br />
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And remember, most of all, and in all things............God is Good, All the Time. Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06571238792778863526noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6557823951231590444.post-80991901429184263012020-01-16T07:03:00.001-06:002020-01-16T07:22:46.935-06:00Honoring the Mama on her Angel's 12th birthday<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Lacey's word for 2020 is "Brave". I would argue that she is the bravest person I know.<br />
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You know when you have your own kids, you always wonder first of all, how in the world are you going to raise these tiny humans, and later, I hope they turn into great adults.<br />
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My tiny human, my first born, wasn't given that luxury with her first born. She was handed a decision so huge for a 23 year old. She told doctors no when they told her to terminate. She boldly walked into the unknown, and I watched in magnificent awe as she and Laynie built their story.<br />
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My role was head cheerleader, lead historian and comic relief. I made sure Lacey always knew I had her back and every word out of my mouth was "It will be ok"! (with a little fist pump and high kick). As historian, I wrote and recorded EVERY SINGLE thing that happened with our girl, even though sometimes it was hard for Lacey to give me permission to write about everything (the good, the bad and the ugly) in our lives, I think her allowing me to share the journey impacted thousands of people. Comic relief speaks for itself.<br />
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When Lacey was about 2 years in to college, she came to me and told me she wanted to change her major. I was floored because my order driven, numbers loving, calculator brain accountant daughter, who had wanted to do something with math for as long as I known her, told me she was changing her major to Child Development. "I don't know why, mom, but I feel I need to do this"<br />
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To say I was stunned by this turn of events might be a small understatement. I'm pretty sure I used terms like "Glorified Babysitter" and "No money" and "YOU WANT TO DO WHAT" to her, all at the same time and maybe for the course of a few weeks after the big announcement.<br />
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HOWEVER, without me knowing it, God already had HIS plan in motion for her. Lacey was being obedient to HIS calling.<br />
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Because in 4 short years, she would be using all the things she had learned and she would be learning, hands on, even more...... every single day.<br />
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Lacey was so brave. She faced unknowns with her girl, and met them head on. She stayed relentless in her pursuit of keeping Laynie safe and healthy, and because of her talent and expertise, Laynie lived longer (than any doctor expected) .... and happier ..... and SO VERY LOVED and adored.<br />
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Little scamp reached up to kiss her and flat out bit her mama. </div>
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They were best buds.</div>
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Lacey was teaching her sign language when she got sick, and she had little cards to show Laynie pictures of mama, milk, juice, dada, bath.... all the things. After Laynie had passed, and I thought I had done an OK job of putting things away, just to help ease some of that pain..... .. Lacey didn't feel like she could be called a mom anymore. (man this is hard to type, because those were hard days, aching for my daughter who was the best mom in the world, with her baby in heaven) and I kept telling her, "You will always be a mom...you are her mom". and in her doubting pain, on Mother's day the year after Laynie died, she was moving some towels in the bathroom, or was moving books, I can't remember exactly, but she found the sign language card for "mama", and Lacey said, "It was like God sent me a sign". </div>
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People share with me, their struggles and their pain, and their worries and I have to tell you that sometimes life's not easy, it's SO flippin' HARD and the decisions and the choices and the fear of loss can consume you, but God promises us He is by our side and will never leave us. The key is... Being Brave and meeting it head on, because you know GOD has your back...even in the ashes, He is There. </div>
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But this blog for Laynie on her birthday, is more about her Mama and what she has done with her life since the gift of Laynie. I want you to see how God's hand is ALL up in it..... </div>
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Lacey worked for Children's Hospital Foundation (children's miracle network in oklahoma) for several years after Laynie died. She learned invaluable tools about non-profit. She also got her master's during this time. She learned all things non-profit and grant writing and fundraising, and what that looked like. Loved her job, loved her people, loved sharing Laynie with all her clients and families. It got her through the loss of her marriage, the loss of her baby, a move to a new place.... CMN was vital as breathing to her during those days. God carried her through, and she bravely moved on. It was through CMN she met Tyler <a href="https://laura-mymusingsmeanderings.blogspot.com/2013/09/the-big-news.html">Lacey's blog about Tyler</a> (if you want to revisit that incredible story)</div>
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When she ended up marrying Tyler and moving back to Shawnee, it became clear driving back and forth to the other side of Oklahoma City wasn't in the cards, so she started the hunt in Shawnee, and there wasn't much in the job department, she ended up working at the DA's office. She learned about the court system, and how to spell subpoena and also how to write one. She learned all about the system and how it worked. Many days she wondered why God had led her there. </div>
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The job at Legacy was one she had considered when she first moved to Shawnee, but it didn't work out and now, looking back, God even had his hand in that. She needed to work in that DA office, to have the experience of the court system, and see how all that works, because with that in her tool belt, she was ready to go and take that knowledge, so when families came in and they were wherever in the legal system of getting kids, or fighting to get kids back, Lacey knows how to help them. Without that "why in the world am I here" time down at the courthouse, Lacey wouldn't have had the skills to make Legacy Parenting Center into the incredible place it is today.</div>
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It's crazy how God works. He puts you in places and situations you don't really understand, to build you up and put you in places you won't believe you GET to be in. </div>
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<a href="http://legacyshawnee.com/">Legacy's website</a></div>
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And on Laynie's birthday, I think this is the perfect time to ASK if any of you have time to volunteer. Lacey has a plethora of different opportunities at Legacy, where you can be as hands on as sitting in, loving on and mentoring families, or as quick and easy as running by and picking up donations, taking them to your house to wash and fold. And she ALWAYS, ALWAYS needs volunteers. You may think you are busy and don't have time to give an <b><i>hour or two a week</i></b>, (THAT'S IT!) but I am here to tell you, when you start doing things for others, outside of all of "YOUR own STUFF", that's when life gets really good. And there isn't anything more important than helping empower families to become strong families in our community. Legacy has an adorable "store" where families can "shop" with the points they earn taking their lessons. If you like retail, volunteer there! They give out diapers, and more diapers and even more diapers. Not a people person?? Count out diapers and shrink wrap them into packs for families. I'm telling you, this place... It's just amazing. And did I mention she ALWAYS needs volunteers? And your kid's gently used clothing, and toys. Don't think there isn't a place for you. There is ALWAYS someways to help.... If you are retired, work part-time, have time on your hands and wish you had a way to give back..... Hello, did you know Lacey needs volunteers at Legacy? Have I mentioned that?? </div>
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So when Lacey says her word for 2020 is "Brave" ...... watch OUT! </div>
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Because God taught her all about being brave ..... In the form of a tiny miracle....</div>
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Your works are wonderful, I know that full well. </div>
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Happy birthday, Layniebug ! So thankful for your miraculous life</div>
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and all the beautiful things you taught us. </div>
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And look at me, still being your mama's biggest cheerleader !</div>
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Love you Forever and two days....</div>
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and miss you as much, </div>
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your Lolly</div>
Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06571238792778863526noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6557823951231590444.post-85942416477371950552020-01-14T22:20:00.001-06:002020-01-14T22:26:42.024-06:00Remembering an Angel- Year One<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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When Laynie was born, I actually was in the delivery room with Lacey because the doctor was pretty certain Laynie wouldn't live but a few minutes, and I really wanted to be there to see her and have those few stolen minutes with her.<br />
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I remember hearing her cry and seeing the most tiny of tiny baby, with her little backwards, tucked under her butt, feet. Her little head was just a bit bigger than a Cutie orange and her little bitty body, just everything so small.<br />
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But the LOVE that overwhelmed my heart, nothing small about that. The NICU was on a different floor than Lacey's, so I got in my steps those few days at Children's .... running up and down the stairs, because the elevator was too slow.<br />
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This looks really intimidating, but it really isn't when you know what you're looking at..... the cannula, giving her oxygen (which she really didn't even need) was too big for her tiny nose, so they had to use that black eye patch thing (with velcro) to hold it on. She had a little tube in her mouth and down her throat to get any of the fluid in her lungs and tummy out....and you can see she is just a tiny bit bigger than my hand. They said she weighed 4 lbs 2 oz, but in reality it was more like 3 lbs and change. 37 weeks.<br />
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Once they removed all the stuff, we got a look at our little angel sent from heaven. You have to remember, also, they were telling us that she could die at any minute and gave us zero hope. "kidneys are small, and will go into failure" Blah. Blah. Blah..<br />
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Lacey looks at these pictures now and laments, "You let me walk around the hospital in those pajamas?" and I think she looks amazing, considering she had just had a C-section and was up and around in a few hours. (again, my hero)<br />
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I am going to share some of my most favorite pictures of those first days. We took a bunch, because we honestly didn't think we would have her very long.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs8xy3uqc2bU20n2573LTp46C9E_6vXWMbzu4lFAp7_19JCcdLD74gNZdLd8RubQ2aXwLBkWjyNqWcVC93RqeqrBS40h5GyhjKsA2RH7nZ8lFWmp1jxhttqdEZlbucwpI12waDx38zD1U/s1600/10398607_299932715000_4621414_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="453" data-original-width="604" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs8xy3uqc2bU20n2573LTp46C9E_6vXWMbzu4lFAp7_19JCcdLD74gNZdLd8RubQ2aXwLBkWjyNqWcVC93RqeqrBS40h5GyhjKsA2RH7nZ8lFWmp1jxhttqdEZlbucwpI12waDx38zD1U/s320/10398607_299932715000_4621414_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Hallie's little pigtails and her nose to nose contact with her sweet little niece...so much to love here.<br />
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This was the first of 2 million kisses I gave this baby. 2 million plus 2 million. I could never get enough of her. She liked it.<br />
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I need you to understand how extremely tiny she was. Finding clothes for her was just enormously challenging. There was a store in Northpark Mall that had micropreemie clothes. That tiny little pink outfit cost like $38. I know that might not seem like a lot to you, but preemie clothes at Walmart started at $3.88. They swallowed her! Thank goodness her grams sewed and stitched up her preemie clothes and gave our girl her own altered clothes! Plus we discovered Bitty Baby doll clothes (from American Girl) fit her, too (and that's a pretty penny also) I didn't care. She was totally worth every penny.<br />
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Grammie helped Hallie buy this ridiculous giant balloon that had legs and looked like it could walk and if you bumped it, it obnoxiously sang "YOU GOT THE CUTEST LITTLE BABY FACE" and it was funny and loud, and exactly what we needed, as we kept getting bad news and worst case scenarios. We found ourselves leaving the hospital, having to leave our princess behind, and for the heartsick mama, loading up all our stuff and taking that balloon on the cart with all our things, it seemed like everytime we started to tear up and cry, thinking about leaving our baby there, that stupid balloon would AUTOMATICALLY start singing. Without prompting. Just "YOU GOT THE CUTEST LITTLE BABY FACE" and we would bust out laughing. And I'm serious, ALL. The. WAY. HOME....that balloon would just randomly sing. It got us through.<br />
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The next day, the doctors decided that they couldn't do anything more for her there and they sent her home with us on hospice. I have never in my LIFE been more nervous about anything in my life. The had to pad the carseat with washrags around Laynie, to bulk her up, to fit in the straps, and off we went, with the tiniest baby in the world, not knowing what the next 10 minutes would bring, with the final command, "If you have her in two weeks, take her to the pediatrician".<br />
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Two weeks later, after we had already "fired" hospice, the pediatrician holds her with one hand and turns her every which way and declares, "Little Miss, you are going to write your own story", and he was oh. so. right.<br />
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The little baby that wasn't suppose to be born. Go home. Live two weeks. Live a month. Live six months. <br />
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Defied all the odds.<br />
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Never had the words of a song had so much meaning for me. I finally understood what it meant by God watching even the tiniest sparrow. I knew that His presence was in our home, surrounding that baby, every second of every single day. He was there. </div>
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About this time, one of the most significant miracles happened on this journey. The house right next door went up for sale (the neighbor knocking on my door to tell me he was going to repair the fence, because he was going to list it next week, and me asking if he would knock some $ off, if he didn't list it and I did all the paperwork (I was a realtor at the time) and he knocked $20k off the top and three weeks later I had new neighbors!!!) GOD IN ACTION.</div>
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Her most favorite place (and mine too) was tucking up and hanging out in my warm robe, right up next to me.<br />
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Guys, I've never felt softer skin, heard sweeter sounds, witnessed such pure spirit, as I experienced with this little girl. Truly an angel sent from heaven to teach us all.<br />
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As year one came roaring up on us.....we were truly learning the definition of BELIEVE.....<br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #303336; font-family: "open sans" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 18px; letter-spacing: 0.2px;">'to have a firm or wholehearted religious conviction or persuasion </span><span class="mw_t_bc" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #303336; font-family: "open sans" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: inherit; font-weight: bolder; letter-spacing: 0.2px; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">: </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #303336; font-family: "open sans" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 18px; letter-spacing: 0.2px;">to regard the existence of God as a fact'</span><br />
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Why should I feel discouraged??</div>
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Why do the shadows come??</div>
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Why should my heart feel lonely?</div>
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And long for heaven and home?</div>
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When Jesus is my portion, a constant friend is he..</div>
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His eye is on the sparrow, and I know he watches over me. </div>
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His eye is on the sparrow and I know he watches me. </div>
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I sing, because I'm happy.....<br />
And I sing, because I'm free.....</div>
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His eye is on the sparrow and I know he watches me. </div>
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Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06571238792778863526noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6557823951231590444.post-5675411096552490982020-01-12T20:26:00.000-06:002020-01-12T21:57:30.743-06:00Lessons from an Angel I will never forget when one of my friends, after meeting Laynie, asked me what her life would look like when she started kindergarten.<br />
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I was at a complete loss for words, because for Laynie's entire life, Lacey & I never projected forward.<br />
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Every day was a solid, 100% gift from God, and we lived intentionally with Laynie, cautiously optimistic, but never expecting any more that was given us day by day.<br />
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We sat in wonder at the table on her first birthday and cried together, through smiles as the room sang Happy Birthday to our wonderful little miracle.<br />
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We allowed ourselves to breathe easier after that first birthday, relaxing because she was just a healthy, weird, tiny little baby, but when she got sick the following November, we remembered, in the hardest way, again, that every day was a gift.<br />
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When we celebrated Laynie's 2nd birthday, we had it early, as she had surgery the week of her birthday, and had a port placed, so blood transfusions would become so much easier for our tiny little warrior.<br />
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And she lived seven more miraculous months.<br />
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This is a hard picture for me, and I have never posted it before, as our sweet little sunshine baby, in her last days, her little gums and mouth would bleed, But I share it now because I see the gift in this picture... her joy and happiness even toward the end of her sweet little life. Every Single Day was a treasured Gift. <br />
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Over the last few weeks, I've had a couple of my friends, confide in me that the babies soon to be in their lives, were suspected to have some differences. <br />
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And they needed reassurance and hope that their stories would turn out ok.<br />
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Here is what I know. Every single baby that is born, is a special gift. Every one of them. Some are big, some are small, some are early, some take their time and come way late, and some of the most very special of gifts, have their very own special stories. <br />
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But, bottom line, they are all just babies.... They all have to be taken care of and loved, and nurtured and fed and changed. Some of them just require some different stuff. <br />
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It's not horrible. It's not the worst thing that could happen. Friends, it's just a different way of living.<br />
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I remember in the early days, the doc gave Lacey a precious writing, that we carried in our hearts, and still do to this day about Holland. Those of you that have followed me for years, and all through the journey of Laynie know what I am talking about and can skip this next part, but for you new readers, these are the words that resonated with Lacey and our family during those early days when doubt and "what-if's" almost consumed us.<br />
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As for me, I can thank a tiny little girl for showing her Lolly the way to Jesus. The miracles I saw, sometimes on a daily basis, in my life, through her mom and dad's lives, God showed up big over and over. </div>
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Life isn't easy. Sadness happens, things change, life takes a new direction, I'm not just talking about a baby with differences, I am talking about divorce, job change, sickness, kids that take a different path, addiction, even death. The only thing I know that will carry you through all the pain the world is going to throw at you, is your relationship with Jesus Christ. It won't only come from sitting in a pew, or singing the songs, it will START there, but to really grow it, will require big FAITH (my word for the year) and earnestly SEEKING God. Listen to worship music, read Youversion bible app every day, and pray and pray and pray ... earnestly SEEK Him, because He is there. And only He can give you the peace you need to handle the storms of life. There is NOTHING, I repeat NOTHING you cannot face, as long as you call out to Jesus to carry you through. </div>
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And the most beautiful promise of all, is the promise of Heaven when we will see our loved ones again. When someone I know passes away, I can't help but feel a twinge of homesickness myself, to see my Laynie, our friend Kannon, my grandma, my dad....Sandy Cannon (who I know is chasing Laynie around EVERYWHERE until I get there), all my favorite people that have left their earthly bodies and headed home. What a glorious reunion. </div>
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I watch Lacey with Laynie's little brothers, (and I even see glimpses of her in Jack),</div>
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and I watch Lacey work tirelessly at her nonprofit, helping families learn how to thrive and she helps SO MANY COTTON picking People. I mean, really. And, through it all, it's because of Laynie. </div>
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Laynie made us better people. Laynie taught us endless courage, boundless faith and ridiculous grace. </div>
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She was special in every single way, and I wouldn't change any of it for the world. I wouldn't change a thing. </div>
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Don't be scared of the tough times, lean in to Jesus. And who knows....maybe it will be you typing a blog, sharing with all your friends, and maybe they will know what to say and how to share when a trial comes their way. </div>
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Never fear.... because</div>
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God is Good. All the time. </div>
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<br />Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06571238792778863526noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6557823951231590444.post-41430516042817494452020-01-08T17:58:00.000-06:002020-01-08T17:58:31.887-06:00FaithEvery year I pick a word and use it as my mantra for the year. <br />
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I haven't been a very good steward of this practice, since I can't even remember what my word was last year (should have been perseverance) or the year before, or even the year before that. <br />
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But, one thing I know to be true, this past year I didn't read the bible through in a year. I had done it the last two years and took a mental break (what I thought would be) from the relentless pursuit of Jesus for last year. <br />
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Now, that's not to say I didn't pray my face off everyday, about something, for someone, for my kids, for me, for circumstances, I was a praying maniac. And I listened to KLove and I didn't miss too many times to be in church (can't go without my church or sweet tea, my two reasons to live), so I really thought it would be OK to not make my way through the bible last year. <br />
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Mercy.<br />
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Sakes.<br />
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A. Live. <br />
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Now that I'm back in it, I can tell a night and day difference. I'm slower to anger, I'm quicker to love, I'm more patient (now that in itself is one big miracle), but I aim to be more of what Jesus wants me to be. <br />
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And I feel happy again. <br />
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Because if I'm transparent, I haven't been happy in a while. <br />
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Because I haven't been in the pocket. <br />
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You know which pocket I am referring. God's pocket, the Lolly Pocket. Where I'm grounded, and happy, and content. <br />
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People, it's not enough to sit in a pew, and tithe faithfully and do all the things. What helps and matters is the time you spend alone reading His word. If God feels far away, it's because you've moved away, not Him. God is always there. <br />
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My word this year will be FAITH. And I'm going to remember it. I read through Hebrews 11 and it talked about how all the people mentioned in the bible that REALLY knew Jesus, walked in faith. Hebrews 11:6<br />
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Earnestly seek him...... Man that hit me square in the mug. Have I earnestly sought him? I can't say that I have. I've been so wrapped up in my own stuff that I haven't been EARNESTLY seeking Him. <br />
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So 2020 will be the year of FAITH, and earnestly seeking God. And hopefully more consistent blogging because He gets in my head and makes me want to share and BOOM, here I am. <br />
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Faith. Let's do this, 2020<br />
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<br />Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06571238792778863526noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6557823951231590444.post-74669680855944757872020-01-01T15:27:00.000-06:002020-01-08T17:39:26.417-06:002019 RecappedHey, how about a new decade? Anyone? It's 2020. I.. can.t .... even....wrap my head around that.<br />
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When Hallie was a grade schooler, it seemed so weird to say Sr of 2017. We laughed and laughed at that. Now she will be a Senior of 2021 from WP. Doesn't seem so weird now.<br />
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BUT MAN, 2019 was a BUSY, CRAZY year.<br />
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In January, Gina became OCS basketball homecoming queen. Pretty impressive from that crazy little Asian that screamed at me for 36 hours just 6 years prior.<br />
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Zack played basketball for a Guthrie Y team and they were impossibly good. That coach was just the best and they went all the way to state and fell to a team one year older than them. That was one fantastic little team though.</div>
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Jackson was 3 months old and Deaton almost 4, got to sneak out to California and see Dawson </div>
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Our friends the Evans hooked Zach and I up with Thunder tickets and we got to go on the floor and get a close up look at CP3. It was an exciting time for my little Thunder fan, we really enjoyed the whole experience. </div>
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February brought 3 new kids in my house, bringing the total at the 81-81 to a whopping 8. The inmates were definitely running the asylum during this time, as one mom x 8 kids = utter chaos. </div>
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Meanwhile, at West Point, Hallie was thrilled to see high school volleyball friend, Holly Priest at her Yearling Winter Weekend (formal dance and fun)</div>
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Steven started soccer (with a really short haircut, whoa)</div>
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And I got adorable pics of my grandsons pretty much on the daily......</div>
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March was a very exciting time. Hallie and I went to ITALY with the Army volleyball team and WOW, what a trip of a lifetime. </div>
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Just a gorgeous place to visit, but boy was I happy to get home. Unfortunately, Kip came to Oklahoma with Dawson while I was in Italy, so they had a cousin reunion without me! </div>
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April rolled around and my mama had a birthday (I will never divulge which one) and then sweet DAWSON turned ONE YEAR OLD!</div>
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Cutest farmer EVER. Gina hit up prom in Norman, with her long time friend, Macy Boren..</div>
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Lacey was recognized with several awards this year for her work with her non-profit, Legacy Parenting Center. </div>
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And Kip and Brandon celebrated their fifth wedding anniversary in 2019.</div>
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May brought bigger celebrations as Gina graduated high school (!!!!), won a Rotary scholarship and the Presidential Leadership Scholarship, giving her a full ride to Rose State for two years! (WOW)</div>
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Deaton turned FOUR YEARS OLD... and finished his early days daycare with Immanuel Preschool as he heads to Bethel for PRE-K! </div>
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Hallie came home for a few days before summer training, and we always love to see Auntie Hal....</div>
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June was fishing and Colorado vacation, (DD: "THERE's a CAMEL in this CABINET" ..translation (a moose at our cabin) Derek Hough with Holly Higley, Paul McCartney with Greg Higley, crawling for Jackson, and summer fun getting started! </div>
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July was full of friends, fireworks, and swimming training for the big boys and final meet. Steven did amazing. Hallie led a squad of plebes at summer training and we heard from her in spurts. July ended out with me fulfilling a lifelong dream of seeing the band "Queen". Greg had gotten us tickets and ended up with STREP THROAT (how rude, sickness fairy), so I grabbed my friend Nancy Roy and we headed to Dallas to sing, clap and yes I cried once or twice, because I just couldn't get over the fact that I was actually seeing and witnessing Queen live. Brilliant. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr4b7buhZVK1d6F97ZpVwMSrRa3dIFLTsyLZbfo-evGMwtnr3Vck_Hnbp26Kj2P8InjCe-1ZfFoVaGKK7V27n3BN8IGIML7ySulN7yqTx5sjpy3LPiTNR4pKzDYx7UHgdU-kQ_T6-bJQo/s1600/81209774_10163355338125001_7513238217047408640_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="540" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr4b7buhZVK1d6F97ZpVwMSrRa3dIFLTsyLZbfo-evGMwtnr3Vck_Hnbp26Kj2P8InjCe-1ZfFoVaGKK7V27n3BN8IGIML7ySulN7yqTx5sjpy3LPiTNR4pKzDYx7UHgdU-kQ_T6-bJQo/s320/81209774_10163355338125001_7513238217047408640_n.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">facetiming and hallie says "Oh, here's my baby" LOL</td></tr>
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The best part of July was the last weekend, because not only was it my 40th class reunion (HOW IS THAT EVEN POSSIBLE), Hallie came home from training and Kip wasn't far behind her coming home....</div>
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August was the month of big changes. After some stuff went down, that I was entirely NOT ok with, I left Peppers Ranch. I am the queen of connections, so the three children that were living with me, moved to another family at the ranch and lived with the beautiful Ruhman family. Cheyenne had already moved to New York to live with her grandparents. I believe that God used me as the stepping stone to get them where they really belonged. I literally moved in about a 3 day period. It was intense and I'm still unsure where half my crap is. But I got moved in just about the time Kip and Brandon landed and we had a few fun days in Shawnee before they had to go back to California!</div>
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August also brought Gina moving to Rose State to start her college stint, Steven and Zachary going to Dale Schools, Deaton starting Pre-K and Hallie back to West Point for her Junior (cow) year. </div>
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September brought Hallie's 21st birthday (and today I found the blog post I had written AND NEVER PUBLISHED BECAUSE I AM THAT PERSON NOW) and Brandon's birthday. Steven scored his permit to drive and the baby's are cute. Gentry Gibson was born (one of my neighbors at the ranch that I feel I participated in all but the actual creation, and I love this little squish with all my heart) </div>
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October was the month of birthdays and big news -- Zachary turned double digits (10), also was awarded Student of the month in his class (this is a HUGE deal for my impulse/ADHD no control kid) and Jackson turned ONE! Cheyenne (who lived with me for all of my time at the ranch) was adopted by her grandparents in October and has found her forever home! Lacey & Tyler celebrated their 6th wedding anniversary and Mom's brother and wife came from California (aunt Nancy and Uncle Lavonne) and we all got together in Davis and had a glorious afternoon of visiting. And rounding out the month, Dawson won Halloween. (with Jackson and Deaton coming in a close 2nd)</div>
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November flew by- Hallie had a tumor taken off the bottom of her foot (hoping this will stop the chronic pain she experiences) Lacey planned and executed (with the help of her amazing committee) her 3rd annual Trivia and Tapas (her big fundraiser for the year). I snuck out to see my California kids and love on the quickly growing up Dawson, and the Ruhmans decided to adopt my kids they had so lovingly taken in, when I quickly left the ranch. BANNER DAY when they shared that with me! Tyler got a new title of Associate Campus Pastor to go with his Host Team Pastor and we were so proud for him!<br />
For the first time since she started at West Point, Hallie snuck home for Thanksgiving and literally surprised the snot out of me! Totally not expecting her, but how sweet it was!<br />
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December brought Dawson a new cousin in the form of one Logan Robert Hall. He is adorable and I bet he's giving Kip superb baby fever. Hallie celebrated her 3rd Christmas cigar tradition and opted for a candy cane cigar this year. Deaton had a "J" day at show and tell and begged his mama to take his little brother "Jackson". Turns out he was a huge hit with Pre-Ker's. Zachary landed the part of the drummer boy in the christmas program, and started his 5th year of basketball. Kid is a baller, for sure. We saw Santa at Lacey's super fun Legacy event, giving all her families the opportunity to come and take a picture with Santa for free. The kids met with their bio parents, and it's so great to feel the healing that has taken place over the past few years. Dad even came this year, and it was a very chill and happy reunion. Steven had his first date, taking a classmate to the winter formal, then ending up taking pics and dancing with all the ladies (shaking my head at this, lord help me )</div>
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Kip and Brandon's sweet Christmas pictures were so great.... still my heart aches a little to see how much Brielle has aged this past year. She is gray as her grandma, but I know she is living her best life for sure. Deaton accompanied me to the airport to get Hallie for Christmas break, and he almost lost his mind when Santa came strolling through. LOLLY THERE IS SANTA!!! I told him, GO TAKE A PICTURE and his sweet little face, though. Hallie couldn't believe how much Steven has grown (he's almost a solid 5-8, taller than Lacey now) and she proceeded to wrestle him to the ground to assert her dominance almost the minute she walked in the door (with shoes on, I'm happy to report) We enjoyed the Christmas service at church, and I made Lacey the sweetest little bears out of Laynie's little clothes for her and the boys for CHristmas. It was a precious moment for all of us for sure. Dawson had a blast sledding in California with his grandparents and parents and Gina turned 19 and Steven 16, and we celebrated their days by going to the movies with two of our favorite families for a grand total of 24 people. We rounded out with a friendly game of poker and an overnight visit and people..... we've had a year. </div>
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Remember none of this wouldn't be possible without God sending his son, to die on that brutal cross to take our burden of sins. How my life is different because of this very thing. The course of my kids lives, and I pray my grandkids lives. There is no greater joy than to know your kids know and love Jesus. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrZhYEFcJB__gUZ80vaAi2OHZnTTq_Wcva3Scgqkr8CitILb96sSXopCr6tmrkH46-HiIkC3fn5Pw4ygmeKXlyQeGLP_pWt55eCdhnTkTcHhS4WTMCVwq37GlDsQX_X_QZMB-alXGBtv4/s1600/81199901_10163356089715001_1056110399134367744_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="762" data-original-width="540" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrZhYEFcJB__gUZ80vaAi2OHZnTTq_Wcva3Scgqkr8CitILb96sSXopCr6tmrkH46-HiIkC3fn5Pw4ygmeKXlyQeGLP_pWt55eCdhnTkTcHhS4WTMCVwq37GlDsQX_X_QZMB-alXGBtv4/s320/81199901_10163356089715001_1056110399134367744_n.jpg" width="226" /></a></div>
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Here's to a wonderful 2020 full of love, family, memories, happiness and prosperity!! God Bless!</div>
Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06571238792778863526noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6557823951231590444.post-73213363858725382612019-09-10T20:20:00.003-05:002020-01-01T13:51:59.058-06:00Hallie turns 21Steven got his driving permit today and it just rocked my world.<br />
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However, looking at the calendar, I realize my baby is turning 21 on September 11.<br />
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You should be this size. Sseriously. You WERE JUST 11.</div>
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Mommies out there, please hear me. DO NOT STRESS the small stuff (and it's all small stuff) you turn around 14 times and your snarky pre-teen is a junior at West Point. </div>
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Hallie is funny. She will knock you on the floor with her quick wit. She can talk the ears off a chicken. I've told her since she was a kid that she needs to be a lawyer, because she is the most keen negotiator and can usually get exactly what she wants by presenting her case and walking away with the win. :) This is not a fun trait in a kid in middle school and high school, because it's exhausting as a parent, trying to negotiate with a tiny terrorist, however, WOW, what amazing adults they become. </div>
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She has a deep empathy and love for people, because of what she experienced with Laynie, what she got to experience when we served on our mission trip to Haiti, she has boundless empathy and love, which makes her the most loyal and faithful of friends. Quick to forgive, quick to love, this girl has endless capacity. </div>
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I wish she could see what I see. I wish I could pump all my faith I have in her, into her and she would just KNOW how incredibly awesome she is. </div>
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She is flourishing in adversity, and finding her identity outside of volleyball. She left the team last spring, chronically being injured and ill finally taking it's ultimate toll. For someone that had their entire identity wrapped in something, it's been humbling and inspiring to watch her walk the path of finding her true self. She loves Jesus, she loves her family, she loves her friends. </div>
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I'm so proud of the beautiful young woman, who is legally an "adult" now, which means all her buddies are going to go with her to the club at West Point, and order her a drink. WHEEEEEEE. However, I'm not even worried, because this girl has her crap together. She can wrestle a man, she can shoot a weapon, she is a tone, fit beast of a girl. </div>
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And she's mine. The light of my life, my mid life shocker, that I can't even imagine a life without</div>
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my beautiful baby girl.... </div>
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<br />Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06571238792778863526noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6557823951231590444.post-67414858513431759532019-08-22T20:21:00.000-05:002019-08-22T20:21:22.826-05:00Meanwhile at West PointI have been learning so much in this military journey we are on. <div>
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West Point allows cadets two years to decide if this life is for them. Basically a "Trial Run" if you will. </div>
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The first week of their junior year they have to "Affirm" their commitment to the Army and basically give two more years of their life at the academy and then commit 5 years of service, after they graduate. </div>
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The week leading up to affirmation was grueling for Hallie, I'm not going to lie. The devil attacked her from all directions, and we had to quote scriptures and pray without ceasing for her that entire week. </div>
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Affirmation was a closed event and I got sketchy pictures throughout the evening, basically stealing from everyone.</div>
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Waiting to affirm their commitment.</div>
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I found this on Delta Battery's instagram page. Forever the photographer. Dang she is skinny, has lost about 30 pounds. </div>
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The neat coin they got </div>
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This summer, the squad she led. </div>
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Someone asked me about the pin Hallie is wearing in her picture with Nick. That's her National Defense Medal that Lacey pinned on her during Plebe Parent Weekend. She poo-poo's it like it's a "Participation Medal" that "Everyone" gets, and I'm like. Well I know about 357 million people in the united states that DON'T have one. Well I don't "know" them, but you know what I mean.</div>
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I'm so proud of this girl. She is fearlessly letting God lead her through this journey. She called me with plans to do scuba (what?), join the bowling team (LOLOLOLOL), and is doing Combative Fighting this 6 weeks, and being down in weight, they can flip her like a pancake. She still has a lot of strength in her legs so she is counting on that to keep her doing well. She had to fight a dude that outweighed her about 50 pounds, and managed to get her leg around him and flip him over. ("it was not much fun fighting that guy with his junk all up in my face") BAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA. </div>
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This gorgeous girl is halfway through her journey at West Point. </div>
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I know she has had her challenges (SO MANY CHALLENGES) but she is truly my hero. She attempts to be a light and a positive influence and I'm so proud of her and the path she is forging for herself. </div>
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I'm going to sneak out to NYC next weekend, (over Labor Day) and go see her. She's about to be 21 and I can't.even.handle.the.thought.of.my.baby.being.21. For the Love. </div>
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People. Don't blink. Your babies grow up and become leaders in the military. I just can't handle all the things. </div>
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Plebe year. </div>
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Gorgeous girl with her best friend Nick. </div>
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Everyone continue to pray for this girl and her journey. She's bowling, fighting, studying, and taking it one day at a time. I'm so proud of her and love her to the moon and beyond. </div>
Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06571238792778863526noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6557823951231590444.post-68593175444852875682019-08-20T17:04:00.000-05:002019-08-20T17:04:47.630-05:00Keep on SingingYou know you heard some good preachin' when a full two days after hearing it, you are still resonating it in your brain.<br />
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I get to hear a LOT of stories at my job. I hear about kids, and problems, and siblings, and problems, and spouses, and problems, and sadness of loss and just am privileged to be a listening ear to all kinds of people. <br />
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I think I am more tuned into anxiety and worry right now, because of the message series at church. <br />
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I remember back when I was a fledgling Christian, I always made excuses why I didn't need to read the bible. "none of that applies anymore", "It's too hard to understand" "who cares about a bunch of old stories?' I used them all. <br />
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All the excuses.<br />
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Even when I was marching into a church every weekend, playing the piano, going through the motions of a church goer, I didn't "get" it. <br />
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Then something happened so overwhelming, that there was no where to turn but to Jesus. Thank the Lord I had been attending LifeChurch a few years before Laynie came into the picture, because from the fledgling Christian I was back in the day, I had started receiving 'Heart knowledge" instead of just the head knowledge. I wanted to know the stories and understand how to receive them. I knew God was a God of love and forgiveness and I wanted to know more. <br />
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Paul has been my favorite thing to really dive into and understand in the bible. Here was this man, a GINORMUS sinner, after some miraculous healing, decided to follow Jesus. And I mean, throw down his own life, and follow Jesus. He goes to a city to try to start preaching his love of Jesus to others, and gets THROWN in PRISON, yo. THROWN IN PRISON. <br />
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Now I don't know about you, but I don't even like staying in a bad hotel for one night, much less a prison. But ole Paul doesn't let the fact that he's in prison stop him. He is chained to guards, so guess what he does? Starts preaching to the guards. I mean, you gotta talk to someone when you're holed up in prison, right? <br />
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Paul had the best perspective of anyone in the bible for me. This man went THROUGH it now, and never stopped loving or doubting Jesus. EVER. Did he have reason to? Could he have? I believe so. But Paul never did. You know what he did? Did he scream to the heavens the injustice of the reason for being there? Did he rail against God for being unfair? Nope.<br />
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Paul sang. He raised his voice in song and sang his praises to God. <br />
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Holy Moly. I know that's the first thing that comes to mind for me when I'm in a pickle. (Where is the sarcasm font when you need it?)<br />
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I drive back and forth to Stillwater everyday now to work. This is my thinking time, and I love it. It's also my music time and I found a Mercy Me album (undone) that I wore out, back in the day. The last song on the cd is the song "Keep Singing". It never made it big, but it is absolutely my most favorite song on the album. <br />
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When Deaton gets disregulated and spins out, usually the thing that will quiet him the fastest, is to take him in my arms and just hold him quietly in my lap. If he's really spinning out, he will fight me so hard when I try to pick him up, and it may take several minutes to get him to mellow out. Sometimes he just keeps fighting me, and I have to relinquish and let him run in circles some more, but I am always there, keeping watch on him, LOVING HIM SO MUCH, despite his crazy antics and longing for him just to slow down for one minute, so I can take him in my lap and just love him and let him know how much he truly is loved. <br />
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It hit me driving today that's how God views us. Nothing we can do makes HIM love us less. Nothing. We can be just as wound up as a yo yo and doing some of the most ridiculous things in the world, and He is just patiently waiting for us to slow it down and jump up in His lap and let Him love us. Where we are, the way we are, beautifully broken. <br />
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In this song, the lyrics say, "Let me climb up in your lap, I don't want to leave. Jesus, sing over me" and that is such a powerful line for me. When I was listening to this song on repeat, was right after we lost Laynie, and I was lost. I would lay in bed at night and this song would spin in my head and I would close my eyes and picture myself crawling in God's lap, and Him stroking my head and loving me.... and it got me through the worst of the pain. <br />
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God is there, He wants you in His lap. I hope this song resonates with you like it did me. I hope you know how cherished and loved you are. Just slow down and let Him hold you. <br />
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Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06571238792778863526noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6557823951231590444.post-77694786393326323702019-08-19T21:38:00.003-05:002019-08-19T21:46:03.431-05:00A stroll down memory laneSeveral things I want to chronicle, more for the family archives of the blog than for actual reading. <br />
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My family being together, all of us, in one big pile of people, happens less and less now. I managed to get all my kids here the first week of August, and it was just maybe the happiest I have felt in a long long time. </div>
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I had bought Lacey, Hallie and I, the musical, Hamilton tickets for Wed night. I didn't realize Kip would be here, so I jumped right back on the site and hurried and got a seat super close to the three I had bought, clicked "Buy" and then realized it was the ENTIRE NIGHT BEFORE. So not only could I go sit by myself, it would be on a night NO ONE else would go with me. So Yay for quick fingers on the website and not reading all the fine print. So one more ticket later, on the right night, even farther away from the big three, we got 'er done. </div>
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I was very discombobulated at Hamilton. For one thing, Thomas Jefferson was black. Which threw me for a loop because I don't remember him being black on the money I carry. And the whole play was RAP. And WORDS. Holy Lord on High in the Heavens, ALL. The. Words. </div>
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But once I relaxed and decided that it's ok to rap in Civic Center music hall, in a play with a black Thomas Jefferson, I became more and more enchanted. The choreography was just magical, the moving stage, and the effortless way the entire cast just made it work. Seriously just a work of genius. Now, my mama would have HATED it with a capital Hate, and it really is NOT for everyone, but for me and my girls? Winner winner chicken dinner. </div>
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Before we went to Hamilton, we met the wonderful Trish Scott of Sweetberry Photography and had family pictures made, because, hey, it's what I make us do. Every. Time. Because everyone is changing fast. Just for fun let's look back over the years. </div>
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2012</div>
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I had just gotten the 3rd grade Steven and the 6th grade Gina. I had had them about 4 weeks at this picture. They were 8 and 11. Didn't know what to do with G's hair, and didn't realize Steven needed glasses. Remember, "Oh, it ok, lolly, I only need them to see". </div>
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2013</div>
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It's crazy what one small year will do to a family. We got another tiny vietnamese boy, and added one son in law (Tyler) and was in the process in this picture, of adding a second one, Brandon. </div>
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2014</div>
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This year we officially added Brandon in the family in April, and that fall, while Deaton was still cooking inside his mama, we took the last pictures without any grandbabies. Zachary held the "youngest" in the family spot, and we were all excitedly awaiting the new grandbaby, Deaton.</div>
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2015</div>
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Thrilled to have baby Deaton in hand, and thought it would be fun to take pictures on a rock. They did turn out pretty special though. </div>
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2016</div>
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Took some fun pictures downtown Shawnee at the Rock Island Depot. Enjoying that little Deaton, who was just over a year old. </div>
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2017</div>
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Hallie graduated high school, our last fun family vacay in Destin before she headed off to West Point. In the picture, but not visible is the boot she acquired after falling down the stairs leading to the beach and breaking her big toe, 4 weeks before she was to show up for beast. We're still smiling, though. That really was a fun time, all except that emergency room visit. </div>
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2018</div>
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2018 found Dawson born, my first grandson from Kip and Brandon, and Deaton a solid 3 years old. The kids and I had moved to the ranch, and I had acquired a few extra kids for the pictures. Didn't think to take pics of the core group, so this is our memory of 2018. </div>
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and These.....</div>
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So, of course, when everyone was home this summer......</div>
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You better believed I took full advantage. Now we've added Jackson (10 months) and Dawson is 15 months old and full of dimples and personality.</div>
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In Dawson's defense, he does really like me. It was a million degrees and he was OVER taking pictures. Jackson is looking at him like, "Dude, pull yourself together man". I adore my tiny men. </div>
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Cracker Jack is 10 months old. He is long and skinny and so chill. He takes his time doing anything because I like to think he is pondering the consequences. He's very thoughtful and takes a minute to decide his next course of action (unlike his brother, who speeds through the day, knocking down everything in his path. total boy) His eyelashes are like spiderwebs they are so long and gorgeous. His eyes are turning brown, like mama's, and he prefers her over every one else. He will tolerate me, and he does love his daddy, and brother makes him laugh the hardest, but when it all comes down to it, right in his mama's arms is where he is his happiest.<br />
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This little dimpled darling, is the most relaxed and calm child. He imitates his mom and dad, and will eat everything not nailed down. I was so amazed at the food he would eat. EVERYTHING, except that tiny tomato that got put on his plate by accident and, Dawson, thinking it was a watermelon, grabbed it up, gobbled it in and almost immediately spit it across the table, like "Who dare ruin my meal with this gross tomato? WHO? " He is happy 97% of the time and is on a schedule that I stand in awe of, and is really the sweetest, little sunshine love. </div>
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#1 grandson, Deaton is now in Pre-K. I just can't even at this time. I mean, WHAT!?</div>
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I'm serious as a heart attack that I will most likely need therapy when he starts losing his baby teeth and acquiring the giant adult teeth. I need him to stay small for a while longer. He is a corker of the highest magnitude. He has sass and attitude and I just adore the stuffing out of him. Now his mama says, "Jesus take the wheel" about every 15 minutes of the day with him, and Lord on high this kid wants to eat EVERY SECOND of the day, but I love every single ornery, contrary thing about him. His Lols is his #1, #2 and #3 fan in the entire world, and I will always have his back. At church on Sunday, I was holding his hand to go fetch him a donut (of course) and he held our hands with his other hand, and threw out to me as we were making our way to the donut table, "I just love ya, lols".</div>
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That goes double for you, kiddo. </div>
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I absolutely LOVE my family, my life and this journey. What a miraculous time . </div>
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Blessed and highly favored.....that is us. </div>
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And another fun fact: when I recently moved, I will have you know that I thanked my clothes prior to 2016 for their service, told them they sparked joy in their day and sent them to good will. Growth baby. Growth. </div>
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Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06571238792778863526noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6557823951231590444.post-3884887587894896012019-08-19T08:59:00.000-05:002019-08-19T08:59:27.909-05:00Be Anxious for Nothing.....The last few weeks have been a whirlwind of anxiety, to say the least.<br />
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Deciding and moving, literally in three weeks.<br />
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Moving Gina to college.<br />
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Finding a school for the boys.<br />
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Packing/Unpacking, cleaning, moving, SWEATING EVERY SINGLE DAY FOR THREE WEEKS.<br />
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Last Wednesday, I decided I wasn't going to do another thing that required sweat on my part for the rest of the month of August. I seriously have NEVER SWEAT so much in my life as I have the last few weeks. And I'm not a person that looks gloriously glowing when I sweat, I look like I've been through the wringer and it drips off my nose.<br />
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Not one inch of pretty anywhere in sight.<br />
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But now that I'm somewhat organized (heavy on the somewhat) and moved in .....HOLY MOLY I'm back in Shawnee!<br />
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I can leave my house and be at sonic in 4 minutes. <br />
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4 minutes, people.<br />
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I can buy food at an ALDI (WHICH I ADORE) and be back at my house in under 10 minutes. Now that may be stretching it, because as is turns out, everyone in Shawnee ALSO loves Aldi and usually is in there while I am in there, so it's always a full out - full aisle of people every aisle type experience. And even though they are overwhelmingly busy, there are two people that work there. TWO. So what should take 4 minutes of running in and running home can eek into a 20-25 minute standing -in - line experience.<br />
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ANXIETY. STRESS.<br />
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Now, if you think I'm serious, I'm not. But I am super serious about the topic we have been unpacking a church for the last few weeks.<br />
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Lacey and Tyler recently got new ink that is pretty much their family mantra.<br />
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"There is purpose in the pain"<br />
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We've been talking about ANXIETY at church, and I get bombarded, pretty much on the daily for prayer. I need prayer for this, for that, for the other. People know I like to pray and I'm a heavy duty prayer warrior, so I get a bunch of requests during the day. And I honor and adore them. Keep them coming.<br />
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However.....it's easy to get in a spin cycle (if you will) of worry and anxiety. Hallie has been in one for over a week. I don't think there is anything more stressful for me than to have a kid in a spin cycle. Our parental instinct is to step in and fix, but then you realize they are dang near 21 and IN THE ARMY and can and should figure out stuff for themselves. So you listen, and you pray, and you listen and you pray and you listen and you pray. And pray that they pray as well and listen to hear that holy spirit prompting them.<br />
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Our pastor has been through some stuff recently, and he was so raw and genuine at church this weekend, it moved me. (as always) He is in counseling for anxiety. And he is preaching on anxiety. DO you think that comes from a more personal, more intimate place for him? It's right where he is living, daily. We think of our pastors as these men of God that can't fall down or feel anxious or worry. He is standing in front of literally thousands of people, telling them, 'Yeah, I'm anxious, and the only way through it is through God". <br />
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I hear some of you scoffing. Yeah, God got me through it all right. He TOOK EVERYTHING AWAY... MY LIFE IS RUINED..... MY KID IS GONE .... I HAVE NEVER BEEN IN SO MUCH PAIN..... MY HEALTH IS FAILING...... He hears ALL those things. <br />
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Can he change the path of some of these things? Yes, I believe He has the power to do it. Will he change the path of some of these things? Yes I believe He can, but it's in <b>HIS TIME</b>. <br />
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Pastor Craig realized about third sermon in that he would have never been vulnerable and preached on a sermon about ANXIETY unless He himself had to walk that struggle himself. He said yesterday, more people have reached out to him and told him what a difference this series is making for them, than he has heard from in years. <br />
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<b>You Have To Walk Through the Pain, to get to the other side.</b> You can't short cut it, you can't stop it, you can't fast foward it. YOU HAVE to walk through all of it. <br />
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Laynie taught us that full well. When we were in the trenches, we didn't see the other side, we only saw the pain and the struggle and the hurting. BUT WE CHOSE to change our perspective on that and SEE and LIVE the Joy, the WONDER, the Grace that we were given in those special, anointed thirty months of God's mercy. <br />
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We could have wasted so much of that precious time doubting God and asking WHY GOD?, but instead we embraced what was given and lived it....FULL OUT.<br />
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We had to live in the verse "BE anxious for NOTHING, BUT IN EVERY SITUATION (every single one of them, guys), by prayer (BY PRAYER), bring it all to God". And HE will hear them.<br />
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Now does he Johnny on the spot answer them? And give you EVERY dang thing you ask for? <br />
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Deaton is a demander. He is 4 years old and he thinks that if he is awake, he needs to be eating a "SNACK". He would carry something in his hands 24/7 if he could find someone willing to keep handing him that snack. Now as his grandma, I believe my duty on earth is to fulfill his every wish and need. But I also know that, as a pretty avid snacker myself, that if he eats EVERYTHING he is demanding to have, that 1) he's going to weigh 300 pounds as a 1st grader, and/or 2) he will be sick as a mule and I will have to most likely clean up after him. SO, NO.... I hear his requests, and I decide, as HIS LOVING GRANDMA, what he can eat and can't eat. <br />
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This is such a silly example of what I'm trying to say, but no. It's not. It's that easy. GOD KNOWS YOU. HE KNOWS YOUR FUTURE. He can hear your thoughts. He knows what you need before you even voice them. Sometimes, I just pray and say "You know, God. You know" and He does. <br />
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Friends. Why do we torture ourselves with anxious thoughts? Are you doing the best you can do with your life? Are you living and tithing and loving your family? Are you doing good works for friends and loved ones and trying with all your heart to do the right thing? Then you shouldn't be anxious. YES, the enemy wants you tired and overwhelmed and frightened and sad and down. BECAUSE THEN YOU CAN"T DO ALL THE WONDERFUL THINGS GOD CREATED YOU TO DO. <br />
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God will rescue you, He will send an army to find you. <br />
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Now listen to this<br />
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You are not alone.. Even in your most anxious, worried moments. He is there. He knows. <br />
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<br />Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06571238792778863526noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6557823951231590444.post-60991254520542761352019-08-05T21:59:00.000-05:002019-08-05T22:05:43.901-05:00The Season of ChangeI figured out I was 58 years old about a month ago.<br />
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I've been doing the "wonder woman" stunt double for about 18 months now. It was fun for awhile, until it wasn't.<br />
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After several serious talks with my adult children, who have been worried pretty sick about me, I decided that it was time to make a change.<br />
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For one thing, don't think I'm done. Oh for the love, I still have a 10th grader and a 4th grader to raise. And a very eager college student getting ready to head for Rose State (who thinks she knows everything there is to know...you all know them, and probably raised a couple)<br />
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So, don't think for a minute, I'm going to become a lady of leisure.<br />
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I still drive to Stillwater every day to work. And yeah, I've still got years of "mom'n" left to do. And the hardest part, I've seen Jackson about 6 times since he was born. That's not acceptable. You do the mom stuff, to get the privilege of having the fantastic grandma stuff. And I was so burdened and tired, I couldn't even be effective anymore.<br />
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So, I'm hanging up my fostering hat. I'm going to use my time and energy on the two left in the house, and my grandsons and just try to breathe a little and find myself again.<br />
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When you have so little to give to anyone, you hide in the bathroom to eat your dinner, it's time to do something different.<br />
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The hardest part was telling the three kids that thought I was going to be their mom. The oldest checked out a long time ago and was pretty relieved I backed out. The other two took it hard, as did I.<br />
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But after praying and praying and asking for answers I finally came to the conclusion that the adoption God was prompting me about was in actuality Him telling me to take care of the three I had already adopted.<br />
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When your gas tank is empty, you can't go anywhere. I've been empty for about 4 months. Just living on fumes.<br />
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And I believe that life should be more than fumes.<br />
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I gave notice to the worker, told the kids, told my neighbors (I love like family), and packed up the truck and moved to Beverly.....Hills you know, swimming pools, moving stars. <br />
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No, I moved back to Shawnee. And the way I knew God was behind it, I had text several realtor friends about rental property (I'm not ready to buy, I want to take my time, because LORD ALMIGHTY I am NOT MOVING AGAIN), and NOTHING. I began to envision Carl ALbert school district, still a good distance from Shawnee, and the grandbabies, but still WAY closer than Guthrie, and of course, Tyler is at church and one of his friends owns 1000 rent houses and tells him he has one available if he knows of anyone. UHM, hello.<br />
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However, this move hasn't been easy. I did it fast and I did it stupid. Literally threw all my crap in boxes, taped it up and threw it in a uhaul. Everything in chaos. Exactly what I DON'T WANT. <br />
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I forgot to turn on the gas, so no hot water at the new house. Then 2nd day, the power goes out for about 4 hours, and tonight, the putrid smell of gasoline is permeating every inch of this house. We have windows, doors, fans everything going full blast and there is no escaping this smell.<br />
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The landlord is gone until the 14th so I'm thinking Kip, Brandon and Dawson (who are due in tomorrow) will want to sleep anywhere but here.<br />
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I don't even know how it happened, or what happened. We ran to get a bite to eat and we came back to gasoline (a small amount) spilled in garage. I cleaned that up immediately, but when we walked in the house it was like someone had literally opened up the gasoline can and doused the whole house in gas. It is still nauseating after about 3 hours. Don't know what to do. Stymied in fact.<br />
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BUT, before the great gas debacle, I LOVED getting up Sunday morning, getting ready for church and having to drive 5 minutes to get there. And there were my grandsons, cute as america, loving to see me. <br />
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God has his hand on me, and the series at church is "Anxious for Nothing" which is my life in a nutshell. Always immaculate timing for these series, and I know there is nothing I can't do with God in my corner.<br />
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I just wish He could give me a good idea on how to get this gasoline smell out of my house. For reals. Please don't light a match near us for awhile. Geez. <br />
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<br />Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06571238792778863526noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6557823951231590444.post-29508922042413443952019-05-31T09:00:00.000-05:002019-05-31T09:00:10.934-05:00AirportsI think I have experienced the highest of highs and some of my saddest moments at airports.<br />
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Anticipating and seeing that loved one walk down the hall into your arms, the joy and happiness that floods your insides,<br />
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And walking away, waving goodbye, the sorrow that fills your heart.<br />
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Last January, after we had been at the ranch about 8 weeks, a little quirky girl came into our home. She was 10 years old and WISE beyond her years. She knew too much for a 10 year old, had seen more in her young life than I have seen, and was a broken, little soul.<br />
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She caused a lot of drama her first few weeks, coming from chaos, searching for the chaos that was so familiar, and not finding it, just causing it all on her own.<br />
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I've watched her grow, literally and figuratively, this last 18 months, into a very mature, soon to be 12 year old. She's worked her way through a lot of pain, and loss and came out the other end a champion.<br />
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She left my house today.<br />
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What they don't teach you in those classes you are required to take to be a foster parent, is how to let go of a kid you have loved like your own for 18 months. They didn't teach a class on that. They didn't tell you that shards of your heart would go with them, and pieces would fall on the ground as you watch them say goodbye to all their friends, their siblings, their baby brothers, all their foster siblings that they have argued with, laughed with, cried with, shared with....... The classes don't prepare you for that. <br />
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As we drove to the airport this morning, I overloaded her with advice. She overloaded me with inane prattle of the OKC bombing. Anything to keep our minds off the imminent goodbyes we were going to have to face. <br />
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I told her that the most important and lasting thing she will take from our home, was the fact that she was now a sold out lover of Jesus. She agrees. She told me that she had never been happier or more "safe feeling" as she had with us. <br />
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I pray she finds her forever home with her grandparents, whom she has met once, and they love her with rich abandon and unconditional greatness. I pray she finds Godly friends, and that she finds the home she has dreamed of her whole life, and the childhood she so richly deserves. <br />
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I pray that she thinks back on her time at the 81-81 and knows she was deeply and joyfully loved. <br />
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I've read that without great love, there is no great sorrow of loss. It's like a railroad track, running side by side....the good, equally yoked with the bad.<br />
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I didn't realize that it would be this profound for me. The feeling of loss. This little girl made me want to pull my hair out twenty five ways of Sunday, ninety five percent of the time, but holy moly, she went and made me fall in love with her anyway. <br />
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And now she's gone. <br />
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Foster care isn't for sissies. I didn't let her see my tears. She has always counted on me to be the strong one to handle the crap for her. She needs me to be strong and tell her it's going to be ok. I've told her that about 1,233,444 times in the last 18 months. Everything is going to be ok. It's ok. It doesn't matter about that, it's ok. I don't think that's a big deal, it's ok. <br />
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You are O.K. <br />
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But today, I'm not. <br />
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And there isn't any class for that. <br />
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When you love big, you feel big loss. And I won't do it any other way.<br />
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<br />Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06571238792778863526noreply@blogger.com0