I just had to write down this story before I forgot it....
The mornings are usually a tag team effort between Daddy and I to get all of us ready and out the door. Last week you were helping Daddy take your bags to the truck and get it warmed up. When you came back in the house, you said that it was cold outside. Daddy told you the truck said that the temperature was 48 degrees outside.
Your reply was, "It's not 48 degrees outside! That's ridicuwuss!" (Your new word is ridiculous...)
Daddy explained that it is colder outside than inside our house. Then you said something that really surprised me. I still can't get over how smart you were to make the connection.
You said, "No, it comes from my ear..." You pointed to your ear, where we use a thermometer to take your temperature! We laughed and explained how there are body temperatures and weather temperatures. Daddy even took you over to the thermostat and showed you the temperature inside the house.
Good thing Daddy teaches science! We are going to have lots of teachable moments with you!
Monday, March 14, 2011
Friday, March 11, 2011
Big Girl Bag
The upside to you using the potty now is that we don't have to lug around tons of diapers and wipes anymore. Now we usually leave the house with a backup outfit and maybe a cup. So your big backpack is overkill, I think.
I have been looking for a simple little tote bag that you can carry, and I found this cutie for only $10 on Etsy. Hope you love it!
You definitely seem like a grown-up girl that needs fashionable accessories. I just want to kiss those cheeks all the time!
I have been looking for a simple little tote bag that you can carry, and I found this cutie for only $10 on Etsy. Hope you love it!
You definitely seem like a grown-up girl that needs fashionable accessories. I just want to kiss those cheeks all the time!
Sunday, February 27, 2011
Twenty-Eight and I'm Not Late!
Hello my sweet girl,
Another month is coming to a close. It has been an eye opening month for me, but I caught myself saying to a co-worker that now is the time of year that I feel as though I am coming alive again after a brief in comparison but still yucky winter. This is the time when I become so much more grateful to be outside with the sun on my face, to anticipate new life in the garden, and to savor these mild weather days when the rest of the country still has snow shovels handy.
This past week you embarked on such a big step - potty training! As much as we talked up our big plans for how it was supposed to happen, your wonderful teachers did all the work for us. After three days, you pretty much had it down. You had one accident this weekend with me, and I truly take the blame for it. We now have to be so much more aware of time passing and ask you to go potty. Not only had I ignored how much time had passed while we were at the big Home & Garden Show, but I took you over to see an enormous pool display with two shooting fountains. I think the sound was too much for you because we had to make a quick change in the bathroom. But you were so patient and grown up the entire weekend! Mommy and Daddy are so proud of you.
You have said so many funny things to us this month. You gave me a lecture at the dinner table about staying in "my space" and out of yours. You call your daddy "Dude" when you want to get his attention sometimes. You tried your first big word in Spanish (orange/naranja) and it was hilarious. You taught me a new song last night at bedtime that your teachers sing to you at school, and I couldn't believe how well you remembered it.
You also read me the paraphrased version (but still pretty accurate) of two of your favorite books today. You still love to read "Corduroy's Surprise" because it has tiny flaps you lift up to see pictures to go along with the story. You love to play with your blocks and plastic necklaces and kitchen. The things you make most often lately are coffee and cake - my kind of hostess!
Daddy tells me that you often ask about Jesus because you see the enormous cross at a church along the highway on your way to school. You tell Daddy that you want to hold Jesus and you ask where he is. He explained that Jesus is in heaven, and tonight when you saw Papa in a picture, we got to explain that Papa is with Jesus in heaven too. I get excited when I think that you are starting to understand more things at church, and I know we want to start memorizing scripture together as a family. I was reminded at church on Sunday that the most important thing we can pray for you is not to be the best athlete or the valedictorian, but rather to pray that you come to know Jesus in your own way.
Well, as much as I love you, it is time for you to go to bed, crankypants! You had a long day...
Hugs and Kisses from Mama
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Late Birthday Dinner with Cara
Cara has to share her birthday with Valentine's Day every year, so we had a late birthday dinner with the Gilbreaths tonight in Boerne. The girls were so excited to see each other! It was so fun to catch up!
You were so excited to see Ainslee!
Awww, best friends....
You and Ainslee had to prop up Hattie for a quick pic, but you mostly wanted to just pat her on the head or completely cover her up with kisses. This was the best we could do!
We were glad to wish Cara a belated birthday and hope this year is full of love and blessings for her!
You were so excited to see Ainslee!
Awww, best friends....
You and Ainslee had to prop up Hattie for a quick pic, but you mostly wanted to just pat her on the head or completely cover her up with kisses. This was the best we could do!
We were glad to wish Cara a belated birthday and hope this year is full of love and blessings for her!
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Do Little Girls Say "Yah Mule?"
How's my best girl?
You had a very busy weekend! Each year, Daddy does an amazing job of cooking for a fundraising dinner around Valentine's Day. This year, we helped welcome over 40 people to support Evidence Ministries. They are a full-time ministry devoted to helping Jehovah's Witnesses and Mormons understand true biblical Christianity, and often help them transition out of their faiths to a bible based church. Keith and Becky are very bold in their faith, and often endure lots of criticism and ugliness even though they themselves are very kindhearted and humble people. We were honored to be able to donate about $750 to them this past weekend. Your Grammy even came to do a ton of the cooking and was a humongous help. She left on Sunday afternoon exhausted and is looking forward to coming back when she can do more hanging out!
The timing actually worked out well since your Grandpa and Gigi were coming to San Antonio for the stock show again this year. Even though your uncles don't show pigs anymore, they love to help out their friends and family! You were very excited to go with Grandpa on Saturday afternoon to the stock show and see Brighlon's pig Andrew. I am sorry we don't have cute pictures of you like we did last year! Everyone said you were very well-behaved and had tons of fun. We were very thankful that we knew you were in good hands so we could spend the day cooking and getting ready for the dinner.
And then Sunday night, Uncle Jordan and Savtah came to stay with us. It feels like we get to see them on a regular basis, but it is mostly for doctor's visits for Jordan. I know they are starting to get worn out with the long drive so often, so maybe we need to do a better job of planning some fun things to do together so we can still enjoy it like a family trip. It still amazes me that your Uncle Jordan is growing into a (very tall with big feet) teenage boy, but that is still so sweet and gentle with you. Every time they head back home, you ask to see "Jornan" for at least a few days afterwards.
Since I am behind in your monthly posts, I want to play a little catchup! You are still doing great at "school." Your teachers say that you are getting better at interactive play with your friends and it only rarely dissolves into fights. You did have a bit of an incident in the last few weeks where you totally smacked another boy in your class for taking your toy. While we do want you to have courage to stand up for yourself (and you apparently really clocked the poor kid) we hope you will continue to have a sweet and gentle spirit. You bring home great pictures you have colored (you apparently press down really hard and make huge strokes with your crayons... a very determined artist!) and never cry or fuss when we drop you off. Most days, you don't even look back once you are in the room with your friends. I have to snatch you back for a hug and kiss!
You have fallen in love with Mommy and Daddy's big shower. You used to hate the feeling of water hitting you, but for some reason you think it is super fun all of a sudden. You look so funny standing there leaning into the water and laughing. You like to stomp your feet and splash, and you are never ready to get out. Personally, I would stick with the bathtub because you have toys in there, but every once in a while we let you use the big open shower. And yes, Mommy and Daddy usually end up soaked from trying to help you while still clothed.
I noticed the other day that we seem to have permanently retired your high chair. We ordered you a cool foamy booster seat so you can sit at the big table, but most of the time you like to sit on your knees at our little kitchen table. You are still a pretty messy eater because you like to pick things up instead of using utensils, but we are working on it. Nice manners is definitely one of Mommy's goals for you. I have laughed alot watching you eat pizza lately. You turn it sideways and eat off all the toppings (biting it like corn on the cob) and only occasionally eat the crust. You still stick with just milk, water, or juice to drink and were definitely not a fan of carbonated soda when I let you try some Sprite one weekend at a birthday party.
Your favorite toys of the moment are your building blocks set, Henry the rabbit, and Ruby the babydoll. You have seen bits and pieces of the movie Toy Story, which made me think about the day long from now when you will no longer be interested in these toys. I am glad you are still happy to have something soft to love on and carry around.
Funniest quote of late - While riding Daddy's back like a horse, you yelled out "Yah, mule!" He thought it was hysterical, and I lamented that your teachers at daycare must think we are total rednecks sometimes.
New favorite song - Grammy sings "How Many Kisses Have You Got, Little Cameron" to you and you love it. Now we have to sing it every night before bed along with Twinkle Twinkle and You Are My Sunshine. I'll take slobbery kisses for as long as I can get 'em.
And I just noticed this morning that some of your 24 month pants look ridiculously short on you. Apparently I need to start packing up clothes again! Makes sense because you somehow got to be 27 months old without me noticing....
Love you,
Mama
You had a very busy weekend! Each year, Daddy does an amazing job of cooking for a fundraising dinner around Valentine's Day. This year, we helped welcome over 40 people to support Evidence Ministries. They are a full-time ministry devoted to helping Jehovah's Witnesses and Mormons understand true biblical Christianity, and often help them transition out of their faiths to a bible based church. Keith and Becky are very bold in their faith, and often endure lots of criticism and ugliness even though they themselves are very kindhearted and humble people. We were honored to be able to donate about $750 to them this past weekend. Your Grammy even came to do a ton of the cooking and was a humongous help. She left on Sunday afternoon exhausted and is looking forward to coming back when she can do more hanging out!
The timing actually worked out well since your Grandpa and Gigi were coming to San Antonio for the stock show again this year. Even though your uncles don't show pigs anymore, they love to help out their friends and family! You were very excited to go with Grandpa on Saturday afternoon to the stock show and see Brighlon's pig Andrew. I am sorry we don't have cute pictures of you like we did last year! Everyone said you were very well-behaved and had tons of fun. We were very thankful that we knew you were in good hands so we could spend the day cooking and getting ready for the dinner.
And then Sunday night, Uncle Jordan and Savtah came to stay with us. It feels like we get to see them on a regular basis, but it is mostly for doctor's visits for Jordan. I know they are starting to get worn out with the long drive so often, so maybe we need to do a better job of planning some fun things to do together so we can still enjoy it like a family trip. It still amazes me that your Uncle Jordan is growing into a (very tall with big feet) teenage boy, but that is still so sweet and gentle with you. Every time they head back home, you ask to see "Jornan" for at least a few days afterwards.
Since I am behind in your monthly posts, I want to play a little catchup! You are still doing great at "school." Your teachers say that you are getting better at interactive play with your friends and it only rarely dissolves into fights. You did have a bit of an incident in the last few weeks where you totally smacked another boy in your class for taking your toy. While we do want you to have courage to stand up for yourself (and you apparently really clocked the poor kid) we hope you will continue to have a sweet and gentle spirit. You bring home great pictures you have colored (you apparently press down really hard and make huge strokes with your crayons... a very determined artist!) and never cry or fuss when we drop you off. Most days, you don't even look back once you are in the room with your friends. I have to snatch you back for a hug and kiss!
You have fallen in love with Mommy and Daddy's big shower. You used to hate the feeling of water hitting you, but for some reason you think it is super fun all of a sudden. You look so funny standing there leaning into the water and laughing. You like to stomp your feet and splash, and you are never ready to get out. Personally, I would stick with the bathtub because you have toys in there, but every once in a while we let you use the big open shower. And yes, Mommy and Daddy usually end up soaked from trying to help you while still clothed.
I noticed the other day that we seem to have permanently retired your high chair. We ordered you a cool foamy booster seat so you can sit at the big table, but most of the time you like to sit on your knees at our little kitchen table. You are still a pretty messy eater because you like to pick things up instead of using utensils, but we are working on it. Nice manners is definitely one of Mommy's goals for you. I have laughed alot watching you eat pizza lately. You turn it sideways and eat off all the toppings (biting it like corn on the cob) and only occasionally eat the crust. You still stick with just milk, water, or juice to drink and were definitely not a fan of carbonated soda when I let you try some Sprite one weekend at a birthday party.
Your favorite toys of the moment are your building blocks set, Henry the rabbit, and Ruby the babydoll. You have seen bits and pieces of the movie Toy Story, which made me think about the day long from now when you will no longer be interested in these toys. I am glad you are still happy to have something soft to love on and carry around.
Funniest quote of late - While riding Daddy's back like a horse, you yelled out "Yah, mule!" He thought it was hysterical, and I lamented that your teachers at daycare must think we are total rednecks sometimes.
New favorite song - Grammy sings "How Many Kisses Have You Got, Little Cameron" to you and you love it. Now we have to sing it every night before bed along with Twinkle Twinkle and You Are My Sunshine. I'll take slobbery kisses for as long as I can get 'em.
And I just noticed this morning that some of your 24 month pants look ridiculously short on you. Apparently I need to start packing up clothes again! Makes sense because you somehow got to be 27 months old without me noticing....
Love you,
Mama
Friday, February 11, 2011
Cabin Fever sets in....
This is what happens when the highways in San Antonio freeze over. We spend the day at home in our jammies watching Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, and Cameron decides she needs to catch some air. If Bo's arms didn't get tired, she would do this 100 times in a row. She is a daredevil!
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
We Need Some Laughs
Okay, just to lighten the mood, here are some fun pictures and some of my new favorites of your phrases..
Check out your new kicks! You have awesome new tennis shoes. I have never bought anything by "Morgan & Milo" but they seem to be really good quality and so unique. I love that they have the velcro for you to do by yourself, but they are fashionable and fun. The black pair are a bit big, but they are Kenneth Cole Reaction and I love them! I think they are a perfect mix - fancy enough for dresses but still simple enough to wear with pants.
One of your best quotes of late was when we stayed at the hotel with Grammy in Abilene a few weekends ago. Our room was on the third floor, so we rode the elevator alot. Everytime, you would say that we needed to get in the "alligator."
Today, you told daddy, "it was a accident Daddy, don't you worry about me!" You are definitely still a Daddy's girl...
Somewhere, you learned to walk up and say "Hi guys!" to all your friends. You also like to tell us that your favorite thing to play with at school is "maggots." We really need to work on saying "magnets!"
Thanks for all the laughs, Cameron!
Check out your new kicks! You have awesome new tennis shoes. I have never bought anything by "Morgan & Milo" but they seem to be really good quality and so unique. I love that they have the velcro for you to do by yourself, but they are fashionable and fun. The black pair are a bit big, but they are Kenneth Cole Reaction and I love them! I think they are a perfect mix - fancy enough for dresses but still simple enough to wear with pants.
One of your best quotes of late was when we stayed at the hotel with Grammy in Abilene a few weekends ago. Our room was on the third floor, so we rode the elevator alot. Everytime, you would say that we needed to get in the "alligator."
Today, you told daddy, "it was a accident Daddy, don't you worry about me!" You are definitely still a Daddy's girl...
Somewhere, you learned to walk up and say "Hi guys!" to all your friends. You also like to tell us that your favorite thing to play with at school is "maggots." We really need to work on saying "magnets!"
Thanks for all the laughs, Cameron!
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Goodbye 2010
Hi My Dolly,
Mommy has sure had a hard time getting in gear in 2011. I think ending the year with such a hard experience somehow left me stuck there. I was trying to explain it to your daddy the other day and all I could say was that I feel.... weird. It's like I have a million things I know I should be doing, things that would be good choices or healthy things to do, but I just feel apathetic. I have books I want to read, scriptures I want to memorize, projects to keep me busy, but instead I just want to be mopey. And unfortunately, it seems that one bad decision leads to another. When I haven't been exercising, I feel lazy and tend to eat more junk food. I procrastinate doing chores around the house and I watch crappy stuff on TV.
Why is it that I know what I want to spend my time on, but suddenly I look back and have wasted hours doing something totally different? (I can't even seem to focus and finish this post!)
I guess what I am trying to say is that one good decision tends to lead to another as well. But I think sometimes I need a little push to get started. My new elliptical got exiled to the garage so we could take it apart and make sure everything was OK on the inside, and now I just need to get motivated and bring it back inside. I need to start drinking more water and eating less candy, and it will probably make me feel better and more like exercising. I need to start taking my thoughts captive to Christ and focus on encouragement and truth.
So I thought I would properly say goodbye to 2010 and make the decision to move forward with positive intentions. To make each day less overwhelming, I want to wake up and be confident that I can accomplish all the tasks that I set out to do. To know that God has a purpose for me being where I am, and that through him I can do all things without feeling lost.
Here are the things I want to remember positively from 2010:
Best movie: Inception
Favorite song: The House that Built Me
Best album: Miranda Lambert's "Revolution"
Best book I read: The Help
Favorite family memory: Having everyone together for a family portrait in June
Cutest moment by Cameron: Learning to read along with her favorite books
Best trip: Vegas and the NFR!
Best change for Mommy: No more sitting in traffic!
Best change for Daddy: New job coaching football and teaching science.
Most amazing thing of the year: Watching you go from this....
to this!
This year you learned to talk, to run, to make jokes, to sing and dance, and how to have manners. You spent the entire year in daycare and did great with all the changes and new faces. You turned two, learned what a birthday is, and truly enjoyed Christmas. You have grown into a smart, outgoing and wonderful girl.
You are half (Daddy makes the other half) of every good and happy thing that I want to take with me from 2010. And you are the two things that I know I could never face 2011 without.
Mommy has sure had a hard time getting in gear in 2011. I think ending the year with such a hard experience somehow left me stuck there. I was trying to explain it to your daddy the other day and all I could say was that I feel.... weird. It's like I have a million things I know I should be doing, things that would be good choices or healthy things to do, but I just feel apathetic. I have books I want to read, scriptures I want to memorize, projects to keep me busy, but instead I just want to be mopey. And unfortunately, it seems that one bad decision leads to another. When I haven't been exercising, I feel lazy and tend to eat more junk food. I procrastinate doing chores around the house and I watch crappy stuff on TV.
Why is it that I know what I want to spend my time on, but suddenly I look back and have wasted hours doing something totally different? (I can't even seem to focus and finish this post!)
I guess what I am trying to say is that one good decision tends to lead to another as well. But I think sometimes I need a little push to get started. My new elliptical got exiled to the garage so we could take it apart and make sure everything was OK on the inside, and now I just need to get motivated and bring it back inside. I need to start drinking more water and eating less candy, and it will probably make me feel better and more like exercising. I need to start taking my thoughts captive to Christ and focus on encouragement and truth.
So I thought I would properly say goodbye to 2010 and make the decision to move forward with positive intentions. To make each day less overwhelming, I want to wake up and be confident that I can accomplish all the tasks that I set out to do. To know that God has a purpose for me being where I am, and that through him I can do all things without feeling lost.
Here are the things I want to remember positively from 2010:
Best movie: Inception
Favorite song: The House that Built Me
Best album: Miranda Lambert's "Revolution"
Best book I read: The Help
Favorite family memory: Having everyone together for a family portrait in June
Cutest moment by Cameron: Learning to read along with her favorite books
Best trip: Vegas and the NFR!
Best change for Mommy: No more sitting in traffic!
Best change for Daddy: New job coaching football and teaching science.
Most amazing thing of the year: Watching you go from this....
to this!
This year you learned to talk, to run, to make jokes, to sing and dance, and how to have manners. You spent the entire year in daycare and did great with all the changes and new faces. You turned two, learned what a birthday is, and truly enjoyed Christmas. You have grown into a smart, outgoing and wonderful girl.
You are half (Daddy makes the other half) of every good and happy thing that I want to take with me from 2010. And you are the two things that I know I could never face 2011 without.
Sunday, December 26, 2010
Having Hope Will Give You Courage
Christmas with our families was such a nice break. Watching Cameron's excitement and joy at opening presents was so sweet. She was happy to help everyone else unwrap their presents too! We had our first Christmas with Bo's mom on Christmas Eve. Cameron is now the proud owner of a little four-wheeler and a super adorable apron! And to top it all off, she got an adorable little kitchen with all the accessories to play with. We moved it into our kitchen so that she can play and still be near us while we cook for real. She even got a sweet little stuffed rabbit, a perfect replacement for the giant pig and pink bear that got left behind in Mom's house. Then Christmas morning, we all got together at my grandparent's house and celebrated Jesus' birthday. I was so thankful that we grabbed the presents under Mom's tree so that we could still give her the Kindle that we all bought. She can start a virtual book collection! It was tough to be my grandparent's house in the daylight since we could still see smoke rising from Mom's house.
We were able to see all of the Kilpatrick side of the family that evening where there was no shortage of presents or people! I was so proud that Bo's family is just as willing to love and support my mom. Everyone seemed to say, "Tell your mom if she needs anything..." We ate great food and Bo was finally able to watch a Cowboys football game with other dedicated fanatics.
We were fortunate to be offered a lovely home to stay in by an ACU coworker of Rachael's. This couple was traveling to visit family in Germany and had a great big house for mom and us to crash in. It had a wonderful split floor plan so we all had a bit of privacy, plus nice bathrooms for everyone and a comfy living room. We were happy to be able to relax and recoup in between insurance meetings and family time.
The unfortunate thing that took up most of our days was the inventory for mom's insurance. We were thankful that they didn't ask us to be as detailed as we initially feared, but it is still an exhausting process to remember each room of your house in great detail. How many bath towels were there? Where did I buy that chair? How old is the TV in the bedroom? What decade was the French armoire from? I know I probably seemed like a drill sergeant to my mother, but I really pushed her to get most of it done while I could help her. I didn't want her to face completing it when she was back teaching school and just get overwhelmed.
The news from the insurance fire inspectors was the same - no way to officially determine if some other problem started the fire, but it is most likely the heat lamp. But they both were in shock that the house was a complete loss and blamed it on the slow response and lack of action of the firefighters. Mom has declared that her next home will be somewhere that the Abilene fire department responds to! The huge pile of ashes was made a little less daunting when a friend of my grandfather's came and hauled off all the scrap metal. Now we will just need to somehow bury or get rid of the rest.
Mom seems to be truly peaceful about the situation. She knows that God is in control and that he has not abandoned her. I read somewhere that God doesn't give answers, but he makes promises. We are clinging to the hope that
-God will supply all her needs according to his riches in Christ Jesus. (Phil. 4:19)
-His grace is sufficient for her and Christ's power will rest on her. (2 Cor. 12:9)
-That he will make this thing work together for the good of those that love him. (Rom. 8:28)
May we all begin the new year praying with hope, loving with hope, and speaking the truth of hope. I came across this passage in Job chapter 11 when I searched for the word "hope" and thought it was so true of my wonderful mom:
7 “Can you solve the mysteries of God? Can you discover everything about the Almighty?
8 Such knowledge is higher than the heavens— and who are you? It is deeper than the underworld — what do you know?
9 It is broader than the earth and wider than the sea.
13 “If only you would prepare your heart and lift up your hands to him in prayer!
14 Get rid of your sins, and leave all iniquity behind you.
15 Then your face will brighten with innocence. You will be strong and free of fear.
16 You will forget your misery; it will be like water flowing away.
17 Your life will be brighter than the noonday. Even darkness will be as bright as morning.
18 Having hope will give you courage. You will be protected and will rest in safety.
19 You will lie down unafraid, and many will look to you for help.
We were able to see all of the Kilpatrick side of the family that evening where there was no shortage of presents or people! I was so proud that Bo's family is just as willing to love and support my mom. Everyone seemed to say, "Tell your mom if she needs anything..." We ate great food and Bo was finally able to watch a Cowboys football game with other dedicated fanatics.
We were fortunate to be offered a lovely home to stay in by an ACU coworker of Rachael's. This couple was traveling to visit family in Germany and had a great big house for mom and us to crash in. It had a wonderful split floor plan so we all had a bit of privacy, plus nice bathrooms for everyone and a comfy living room. We were happy to be able to relax and recoup in between insurance meetings and family time.
The unfortunate thing that took up most of our days was the inventory for mom's insurance. We were thankful that they didn't ask us to be as detailed as we initially feared, but it is still an exhausting process to remember each room of your house in great detail. How many bath towels were there? Where did I buy that chair? How old is the TV in the bedroom? What decade was the French armoire from? I know I probably seemed like a drill sergeant to my mother, but I really pushed her to get most of it done while I could help her. I didn't want her to face completing it when she was back teaching school and just get overwhelmed.
The news from the insurance fire inspectors was the same - no way to officially determine if some other problem started the fire, but it is most likely the heat lamp. But they both were in shock that the house was a complete loss and blamed it on the slow response and lack of action of the firefighters. Mom has declared that her next home will be somewhere that the Abilene fire department responds to! The huge pile of ashes was made a little less daunting when a friend of my grandfather's came and hauled off all the scrap metal. Now we will just need to somehow bury or get rid of the rest.
Mom seems to be truly peaceful about the situation. She knows that God is in control and that he has not abandoned her. I read somewhere that God doesn't give answers, but he makes promises. We are clinging to the hope that
-God will supply all her needs according to his riches in Christ Jesus. (Phil. 4:19)
-His grace is sufficient for her and Christ's power will rest on her. (2 Cor. 12:9)
-That he will make this thing work together for the good of those that love him. (Rom. 8:28)
May we all begin the new year praying with hope, loving with hope, and speaking the truth of hope. I came across this passage in Job chapter 11 when I searched for the word "hope" and thought it was so true of my wonderful mom:
7 “Can you solve the mysteries of God? Can you discover everything about the Almighty?
8 Such knowledge is higher than the heavens— and who are you? It is deeper than the underworld — what do you know?
9 It is broader than the earth and wider than the sea.
13 “If only you would prepare your heart and lift up your hands to him in prayer!
14 Get rid of your sins, and leave all iniquity behind you.
15 Then your face will brighten with innocence. You will be strong and free of fear.
16 You will forget your misery; it will be like water flowing away.
17 Your life will be brighter than the noonday. Even darkness will be as bright as morning.
18 Having hope will give you courage. You will be protected and will rest in safety.
19 You will lie down unafraid, and many will look to you for help.
Friday, December 24, 2010
Give Us Beauty for Ashes
Four years ago, I thought that no day could ever be worse than losing my father. And each year, December 23 is always a sad time because we want to remember him and love on my mother, but we still want to enjoy Christmas and celebrate the season with joy. I remember the year that he died, how we took too long to leave San Antonio and only saw him briefly that evening before we left to see more family. But it saved me from being there when he had his heart attack. I don't think I could have recovered had I been there to see it all happen.
Yesterday, I watched the house that my father built burn completely to the ground, and I realized that while it could never compare to losing him, it was just like watching someone die. Someone that had been a part of our family as far back as I can remember. Someone that had been with us in good times and in bad, been the background to all our favorite pictures and memories. Someone that held the last physical reminders of my father.
Watching a house burn is a terribly slow and painful process. When my mother was woken up at 6:18 by the dogs, she thought they wanted to go outside. She opened the door to her little porch and saw smoke and realized there was a fire where her heat lamp stays on for her outside cats. We still aren't sure if this is truly what started it all, but Mom immediately got her two fire extinguishers and tried to put it out. When they ran out, she realized that she could hear crackling sounds up in the walls and roof, and she knew it was too late. She ran to wake us up in the back of the house, and we grabbed Cameron from the next room and ran out of the house. Bo ran back in to grab a few of our bags and realized he didn't even have shoes on. Looking back, we never thought that the whole house would burn, so we waited outside thinking that the firefighters would get there quickly and that most things would be saved. Now we know that we actually had more time and could have probably run back in to grab pictures and expensive jewelry and more of Mom's things. But you just don't think about them all being gone.
Cameron sat patiently in Bo's truck with Mom's little dog. She had no idea why she was up so early. Mom and I stood right outside her patio door and could see the smoke filling up the middle section of the house. She had just purchased and refinished a sofa table and said she was really proud of how it turned out. Since it was so close to the door, we ran in and grabbed it. Then she said how much she loved the enormous wool rug that took up their entire family room. It cost more than my first car! So we ran in and rolled it up too. We listened to my sister make frantic calls to the fire department again asking where they were and that my mother's house is 3600 square feet and would require more trucks than their small volunteer group would have. She begged them to call the Abilene fire department so that they could come assist. They told her no.
The fire trucks finally made it there more than an hour after Mom's first call. At that point, we could see flames jumping up from the roof and shortly after, the middle section of my mother's house, right where the heat lamp was on that small porch, collapsed in. We watched the flames spread to each part of the house and thought specifically about what was then burning up. Mom told us that she didn't have any clothes other than the pajamas on her back. She only had the jewelry she was wearing, but that most of her favorite things from my dad were in a small safe in her bedroom. I realized four hours later that I wasn't wearing my wedding ring either.
It is unbelievable how the biggest things in a home can be reduced to a pile of ashes. How can an entire refrigerator disappear? Where did my mother's beautiful armoire go? The firefighters pulled out a few picture frames and a silver owl piggy bank that had been on a table in her bedroom. It is the only photograph of our childhood that she has now. It has us three girls smiling from the bathtub. They also brought out two of Bo's dress shirts that had been hanging in the back closet. I have no idea why they didn't burn, but my cousin managed to wash one and get out most of the soot stains.
We all gathered over at my grandparent's house which unfortunately had a prime view of the fire as it lasted well into the afternoon. We made sure to get on Skype and tell Amy and Mina the news before we told anyone else. We all were still in shock, and just kept asking why it had to happen on this day, of all the days. Mom was so strong and gracious to the firefighters that literally just stood by and watched it burn. They said it was unsafe to go in the house to try to put it out, so they just sprayed a little water from the outside to make sure it collapsed in on itself and didn't start a brushfire.
Friends and family members were quick to respond with help. People brought clothes and toiletries, huge amounts of food, and cash for mom. We let our CBC family know how they could help, and we were astonished to hear that within just a few hours of asking, they had collected $5,500 to transfer to her account. We cried in Target. I told mom that one friend had given $1,000 and she replied that she had never even met him. We were overwhelmed with their generosity and so thankful that God has surrounded us with such loving Christians.
The Red Cross came to give her a debit card for immediate clothing and food expenses. Since we were in the house at the time of the fire, they provided money for four people so it was an amazing total of $875. Her insurance company gave her a check for around $1500 to take care of living expenses for the next two weeks. We knew that we had to make a fast shopping trip to get things for her, but it was the most depressing shopping spree ever. We started at Kohl's where she had to pretty much buy herself everything from underwear to a new suitcase. Picking out clothes wasn't fun at all because it was too hard to compare everything to the things she lost and missed. We kept thinking of things that were now gone. Rachael suggested that Mom just buy pants that fit in the waist and she could hem up the bottoms, but the sewing machines were now ashes. She said that Mom could borrow her sister's machine, but it had unfortunately been in mom's dining room too. Mom lamented that she had spent hours making her fabulous biscotti to give to everyone. And now she couldn't make more because her expensive stand mixer was gone too.
We left Kohl's with a whole trunk full of bags. The receipt said that she "saved" over $750 in sales and discounts. She even had a 30% off coupon! The cashier remarked that it looked like she was starting over.... All she said back was, "I am." She didn't have the heart to buy many shoes at Dillards. We have always loved shoe shopping together, but it is hard to do when you feel like you have to. She loved the shoes that she already had. Target was last and we had to buy every kind of toiletry item for all four of us. We didn't grab anything out of the bathroom. Bo even had to get a new electric razor (though I think he is enjoying his beard). It was odd to buy nail clippers and lotions and realize that I no longer had a bag to keep them all in. We headed home exhausted and quiet.
I had Mom make a quick stop at a Christian book store so that I could buy her a new bible. I found one with a hot pink leather cover that has side by side translations of the NIV and the Message. I highlighted Isaiah 61:3 for her too:
"...to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. "
Yesterday, I watched the house that my father built burn completely to the ground, and I realized that while it could never compare to losing him, it was just like watching someone die. Someone that had been a part of our family as far back as I can remember. Someone that had been with us in good times and in bad, been the background to all our favorite pictures and memories. Someone that held the last physical reminders of my father.
Watching a house burn is a terribly slow and painful process. When my mother was woken up at 6:18 by the dogs, she thought they wanted to go outside. She opened the door to her little porch and saw smoke and realized there was a fire where her heat lamp stays on for her outside cats. We still aren't sure if this is truly what started it all, but Mom immediately got her two fire extinguishers and tried to put it out. When they ran out, she realized that she could hear crackling sounds up in the walls and roof, and she knew it was too late. She ran to wake us up in the back of the house, and we grabbed Cameron from the next room and ran out of the house. Bo ran back in to grab a few of our bags and realized he didn't even have shoes on. Looking back, we never thought that the whole house would burn, so we waited outside thinking that the firefighters would get there quickly and that most things would be saved. Now we know that we actually had more time and could have probably run back in to grab pictures and expensive jewelry and more of Mom's things. But you just don't think about them all being gone.
Cameron sat patiently in Bo's truck with Mom's little dog. She had no idea why she was up so early. Mom and I stood right outside her patio door and could see the smoke filling up the middle section of the house. She had just purchased and refinished a sofa table and said she was really proud of how it turned out. Since it was so close to the door, we ran in and grabbed it. Then she said how much she loved the enormous wool rug that took up their entire family room. It cost more than my first car! So we ran in and rolled it up too. We listened to my sister make frantic calls to the fire department again asking where they were and that my mother's house is 3600 square feet and would require more trucks than their small volunteer group would have. She begged them to call the Abilene fire department so that they could come assist. They told her no.
The fire trucks finally made it there more than an hour after Mom's first call. At that point, we could see flames jumping up from the roof and shortly after, the middle section of my mother's house, right where the heat lamp was on that small porch, collapsed in. We watched the flames spread to each part of the house and thought specifically about what was then burning up. Mom told us that she didn't have any clothes other than the pajamas on her back. She only had the jewelry she was wearing, but that most of her favorite things from my dad were in a small safe in her bedroom. I realized four hours later that I wasn't wearing my wedding ring either.
It is unbelievable how the biggest things in a home can be reduced to a pile of ashes. How can an entire refrigerator disappear? Where did my mother's beautiful armoire go? The firefighters pulled out a few picture frames and a silver owl piggy bank that had been on a table in her bedroom. It is the only photograph of our childhood that she has now. It has us three girls smiling from the bathtub. They also brought out two of Bo's dress shirts that had been hanging in the back closet. I have no idea why they didn't burn, but my cousin managed to wash one and get out most of the soot stains.
We all gathered over at my grandparent's house which unfortunately had a prime view of the fire as it lasted well into the afternoon. We made sure to get on Skype and tell Amy and Mina the news before we told anyone else. We all were still in shock, and just kept asking why it had to happen on this day, of all the days. Mom was so strong and gracious to the firefighters that literally just stood by and watched it burn. They said it was unsafe to go in the house to try to put it out, so they just sprayed a little water from the outside to make sure it collapsed in on itself and didn't start a brushfire.
Friends and family members were quick to respond with help. People brought clothes and toiletries, huge amounts of food, and cash for mom. We let our CBC family know how they could help, and we were astonished to hear that within just a few hours of asking, they had collected $5,500 to transfer to her account. We cried in Target. I told mom that one friend had given $1,000 and she replied that she had never even met him. We were overwhelmed with their generosity and so thankful that God has surrounded us with such loving Christians.
The Red Cross came to give her a debit card for immediate clothing and food expenses. Since we were in the house at the time of the fire, they provided money for four people so it was an amazing total of $875. Her insurance company gave her a check for around $1500 to take care of living expenses for the next two weeks. We knew that we had to make a fast shopping trip to get things for her, but it was the most depressing shopping spree ever. We started at Kohl's where she had to pretty much buy herself everything from underwear to a new suitcase. Picking out clothes wasn't fun at all because it was too hard to compare everything to the things she lost and missed. We kept thinking of things that were now gone. Rachael suggested that Mom just buy pants that fit in the waist and she could hem up the bottoms, but the sewing machines were now ashes. She said that Mom could borrow her sister's machine, but it had unfortunately been in mom's dining room too. Mom lamented that she had spent hours making her fabulous biscotti to give to everyone. And now she couldn't make more because her expensive stand mixer was gone too.
We left Kohl's with a whole trunk full of bags. The receipt said that she "saved" over $750 in sales and discounts. She even had a 30% off coupon! The cashier remarked that it looked like she was starting over.... All she said back was, "I am." She didn't have the heart to buy many shoes at Dillards. We have always loved shoe shopping together, but it is hard to do when you feel like you have to. She loved the shoes that she already had. Target was last and we had to buy every kind of toiletry item for all four of us. We didn't grab anything out of the bathroom. Bo even had to get a new electric razor (though I think he is enjoying his beard). It was odd to buy nail clippers and lotions and realize that I no longer had a bag to keep them all in. We headed home exhausted and quiet.
I had Mom make a quick stop at a Christian book store so that I could buy her a new bible. I found one with a hot pink leather cover that has side by side translations of the NIV and the Message. I highlighted Isaiah 61:3 for her too:
"...to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. "
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