Yesterday, my children finally begged me long enough to start hanging Christmas lights outside. I have already experienced the "I just want to skip this year" holiday blues, so I guess I needed the extra push. I have always enjoyed helping with the Christmas lights, but now I am the brains in behind it. This is much harder than you think. First, you have to figure out your location of the outside plugs and then arrange the lights so that they match up with those plugs. I never considered the gutter clips being a challenge. I hung almost one side of the house and then realized that I was hanging the clips backwards. Up and down the ladder I went. I finished about half of the house and was pooped and thank goodness it was almost dark.(perfect excuse to stop) I went inside to rest and noticed my fingers were hurting. I should have worn gloves. (Where is the book on hanging Christmas lights?)
The next day I finished up after fighting high winds and loosing the clip bag off the ladder multiple times. I stepped back and our house looks like kids definitely live here. Colored lights everywhere! I don't think I will nominate my house for a light show tour, but for my first solo Christmas hanging experience, I would give myself a B+. I was so excited for my Mom to see the finished product. She came out to stay with us the night I finished, and I met her at the door smiling. I asked her what she thought and she responded, "Well, it's kind of far off from the road…. but it looks good." Not the response I was hoping for, but I guess it will do. My house does sit a little off the road. I will add a picture soon.
Friday, November 21, 2014
Monday, November 10, 2014
God's Canvas
This time of the year, I see beautiful sunsets from my front porch. As I was driving down my driveway, I noticed something unusual about the sun. I looked up and saw a double sun. There was a reflection to the left of me in the clouds. It was outstanding! I stopped the truck and told my kids to look. The first thing Spencer said was, "I think God is giving us a special gift to try and cheer us up since we are sad." How my six year old can be so wise for his age. I quickly thanked God for his spectacular gift.
"For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord bestows favor and honor; no good thing does He withhold from those whose walk is blameless." Psalm 84:11
"For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord bestows favor and honor; no good thing does He withhold from those whose walk is blameless." Psalm 84:11
Saturday, November 8, 2014
Lucy
I have heard about animals being great therapy for grief. Our therapy animal is a black cat named Lucy. To understand the miracle of Lucy, I must start at the beginning. Lucy was found by my children at Phil's work around October 2013. She was a young cat that had missed several meals. My kids were outside in the back parking lot playing and she appeared. She went straight up to them and became instant friends. Phil was not a cat person, so immediately told the kids "no" before they had time to ask if they could keep her. Knowing how much my Mom likes cats, I called her and begged for her to come rescue this little cat. She cannot say no to strays, so she came and picked her up.
Lucy became one of three cats at my parents farm. She fit in perfectly and loved on everybody. The week of Thanksgiving, my parents had gone out of town and I was taking care of the animals. We only lived just a few miles away, so every afternoon I would load up the kids and go out to feed. Lucy had not really figured out how dangerous cars could be, so we were always very careful backing out of the driveway. Out of the blue, she darts in behind my car and I run over her. It was awful to know and feel the bump. My kids just went to pieces and I saw Lucy run up to the house very injured. I just could not stand for my kids to see how badly hurt I thought she was, so I drove off and called Phil. I was crying and explained what had happened and that he must come out here and probably bury her. He agreed to come out and arrived about 30 minutes after it happened. He found her in the garage and she seemed fine. He said she was sore but appeared to be ok. How? All I can say is God spared that cat for the future.
While Phil was so sick in the hospital, Lucy became the comfort that I could not give my kids. I was about 2 hours away and could only talk with them rarely. Lucy was constantly with them. From sitting in their laps, to letting my kids dress her up in baby clothes. My son's favorite past time with Lucy is wrapping her up and putting her into a box. He then pulls her around my parent's house, sometimes running with her. She just stays in her box and takes it. Lucy has become their most favorite pet. After a few days at our house, my kids start asking to go to the farm to see Lucy, not their grandparents. She even sleeps with them when they spend the night. I do think Lucy was hurt on that day at the farm. I believe God healed her before Phil arrived out there. I also believe that she was to be the kids comfort during this time of loss. It's like God told Lucy exactly what she was to be to my kids. That probably sounds crazy, but I am so thankful for God's wonderful creation. Even a little black cat named, Lucy.
Lucy became one of three cats at my parents farm. She fit in perfectly and loved on everybody. The week of Thanksgiving, my parents had gone out of town and I was taking care of the animals. We only lived just a few miles away, so every afternoon I would load up the kids and go out to feed. Lucy had not really figured out how dangerous cars could be, so we were always very careful backing out of the driveway. Out of the blue, she darts in behind my car and I run over her. It was awful to know and feel the bump. My kids just went to pieces and I saw Lucy run up to the house very injured. I just could not stand for my kids to see how badly hurt I thought she was, so I drove off and called Phil. I was crying and explained what had happened and that he must come out here and probably bury her. He agreed to come out and arrived about 30 minutes after it happened. He found her in the garage and she seemed fine. He said she was sore but appeared to be ok. How? All I can say is God spared that cat for the future.
While Phil was so sick in the hospital, Lucy became the comfort that I could not give my kids. I was about 2 hours away and could only talk with them rarely. Lucy was constantly with them. From sitting in their laps, to letting my kids dress her up in baby clothes. My son's favorite past time with Lucy is wrapping her up and putting her into a box. He then pulls her around my parent's house, sometimes running with her. She just stays in her box and takes it. Lucy has become their most favorite pet. After a few days at our house, my kids start asking to go to the farm to see Lucy, not their grandparents. She even sleeps with them when they spend the night. I do think Lucy was hurt on that day at the farm. I believe God healed her before Phil arrived out there. I also believe that she was to be the kids comfort during this time of loss. It's like God told Lucy exactly what she was to be to my kids. That probably sounds crazy, but I am so thankful for God's wonderful creation. Even a little black cat named, Lucy.
Lucy sleeping with my son.
Tuesday, November 4, 2014
Transitions
I haven't written in a while for several reasons. I went through a period of grief that just didn't allow me to have words. I am beginning to transition into being a single, stay at home mom. It hasn't been easy and I have had many hard days. I am somewhat seeing a pattern of normal. We begin our days with school and I keep up with my household duties in the afternoon. I am still trying to take care of paperwork and selling horses. I was able to sell all the horses that I wanted to sell. Huge check mark off my list. I am trying my best to organize and move everything to my new house so that I am not scattered everywhere. I am a scatter brain, but at least all of my stuff will be in one place.
I still cannot figure out why God gave so much physical strength to men. I have needed brute strength on a few projects and just cannot finish without help. I absolutely hate to ask for help. (I am hard headed.) I am getting by with each day, except for my lawn mower being on the brink. I have had a few words with that lawn mower. Thankfully, our Texas weather is cooling and my grass is slowing down with growing and needing to be mowed once a week. I am considering having a small barn put up for the two horses I am keeping. My kiddos have been begging to learn to ride. That is one thing that Phil and I liked together. I keep putting it off, but hope to dust off my spurs and saddle and see how my mare, Kate, rides. I can't recall how long its been since she has been ridden. I will probably need my riding helmet.
One thing that is odd to me on this journey of grief, is how similar it is to a time in my past. At 17, I lost my cousin in a car wreck who was like a brother. How I hurt for his loss. I remember staring out of my parents living room window at our back yard for what seemed like hours. I have been staring out my window again. This time my window, in my house, at my pasture. I look at the place where I remember seeing Phil one of the last times before he became sick. I told my mom that exactly one year after I lost my cousin, I met Phil. God had placed Phil in my life at the very time I needed someone to help me move through my grief. I know that God has placed many people in my path over these past 9 months. God never ceases to amaze me at His all knowing power.
I still cannot figure out why God gave so much physical strength to men. I have needed brute strength on a few projects and just cannot finish without help. I absolutely hate to ask for help. (I am hard headed.) I am getting by with each day, except for my lawn mower being on the brink. I have had a few words with that lawn mower. Thankfully, our Texas weather is cooling and my grass is slowing down with growing and needing to be mowed once a week. I am considering having a small barn put up for the two horses I am keeping. My kiddos have been begging to learn to ride. That is one thing that Phil and I liked together. I keep putting it off, but hope to dust off my spurs and saddle and see how my mare, Kate, rides. I can't recall how long its been since she has been ridden. I will probably need my riding helmet.
One thing that is odd to me on this journey of grief, is how similar it is to a time in my past. At 17, I lost my cousin in a car wreck who was like a brother. How I hurt for his loss. I remember staring out of my parents living room window at our back yard for what seemed like hours. I have been staring out my window again. This time my window, in my house, at my pasture. I look at the place where I remember seeing Phil one of the last times before he became sick. I told my mom that exactly one year after I lost my cousin, I met Phil. God had placed Phil in my life at the very time I needed someone to help me move through my grief. I know that God has placed many people in my path over these past 9 months. God never ceases to amaze me at His all knowing power.
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