Where has the time gone?

Eleanor Roosevelt - “One of the blessings of age is to learn not to part on a note of sharpness, to treasure the moments spent with those we love, and to make them whenever possible good to remember, for time is short.”

OK - So I picked an Eleanor Roosevelt quote that makes me sound like I'm 90!! I'm not. In fact, I'm not old at all! Just ask me. And even if I was 90, I wouldn't be old~~~I would be vintage!!! ANYWAY...........

As I look back on this photo of Beth at her wedding last Fall, I can appreciate the words spoken by Eleanor Roosevelt. How many little spats, or sometimes big spats, do we have with our children. There are times to correct, but in all times there must be love.

There have been so many treasures to be thankful for and so many new treasurers waiting to be discovered. I'm so grateful that one of those spats didn't lead to a distance that seems insurmountable.

There have been wonderful and inspiring times. Many more good times than there were turbulent times. It's great to look back at photos or talk about specific events. Isn't it refreshing when we do that? We never talk about the unhappy times. We always talk about the times when we were so silly that we couldn't stop laughing, or the crazy photos we took of each other. When Beth and I were pretending to be Dumb Blonde's at Disney World and smacked our heads together on accident. (Yes, we really did this!) We have a photo of every member of our family while they are sleeping! Believe me, none of us look very good when we're sleeping! Hmm! that reminds me, we haven't got a picture of our new son-in-law sleeping yet!!!

We've taken some crazy trips, where we had no idea where we were going. It was all about the journey and the fact that we were on the journey together. We've had a cooking and baking frenzies together. Paul and Beth have great times sitting in the tree deer hunting together. I'm so grateful that the list of good times is too long to list! Time is short for us to be here on the earth and sometimes the world will drag us away from what's most important in our lives. I think I need to get ready for some new adventures with those I love the most!

Motorcycle Mama!

Well, I've taken a new step in my life. I have progressed from a motorcycle rider (safely tucked behind Paul while he drives) to a motorcycle driver. That's right, you can just call me a Motorcycle Mama! Actually, please don't call me that ~~ I am far from a smooth driving, low waving Cool Rider.

It was easy to say, "Sure, Honey, I would love to have my own motorcycle" when I don't have one. It became a little bit scarey when I actually got one. Paul always knows how to get a deal and this was no exception. Actually, he traded something he had to get me the motorcycle. What a guy!

I have to admit it is one of the items on my "Bucket List". (I'll write more on that later) For those of you who don't know me very well, I am afraid of a lot of things. I over analyze things and can talk myself out of doing things easily. Paul is my Risk Factor, as well as my Soul Mate. We complete each other. When I'm afraid, he encourages me that I can do it. When he's doing something completely crazy, I talk him down from it. I'm convinced he is the reason my life is so exciting and I am the reason he's lived as long as he has!!

We have only riden a few times and each time I get a little bit better. (The gear thing still gives me fits.) I have my own Pink Camoflouge Doo Rag! I'm definitely moving up in the world! I may have to get some of those temporary tatoos!! I'm not going totally crazy! I want to be able to scrub it off!

I guess this is God's way of reinforcing that all of our life is to be an adventure. I've got a long way to go until I'm comfortable on the motorcycle, but with continued riding and the patience and encouragement of my husband, one day I'll get there.

The Other Side of Deja Vu

As of last May 14 Paul and I have been married 26 years! Wow! That seems like forever, and yet, it seems like not that long ago! I guess that's the thought process we have as we get older.

A couple of weeks ago, our 19 year old daughter came home and told us that she was getting married! We were stunned and confused and not very happy about it. We like Ian, but she's so young and quite frankly doesn't seem to have it all together most of the time. What were we going to do?

As Paul and I talked about it, our discussion went back 27 years to a couple that was very young. She was 19 and he was 24. They didn't really have it all together. They were clueless and in love. Their parents could not even imagine how this young couple could think about getting married. How would their survive?? It just didn't make sense.

Paul and I were that couple. Obviously a God we really didn't know at the time had a special plan for our lives. So~~ that is our prayer for Beth and Ian. That this love they have will grow and blossom into something very special. That love will be enough, even when they are searching for change on the floor to make ends meet, eating Rammen Noodles for the 4th time that week, when they haven't got a clue what comes next, or when a curve ball is thrown their way. It is also our prayer that Ian will truly fall in love with Jesus and that Beth will fall in love with Him more deeply. That they will allow Him to be their guide through this journey. That they will have Faith, Hope and Love and know that the greatest of these is Love!

How weird it is to be on this side of the situation. How thankful we are that we can remember that we were those same clueless kids over 25 years ago, so that we can enjoy the moment rather than begrudge them their happiness! God always has such amazing plans for us , even when we don't realize what He's doing!