About Last Week And Also Today

What a sad day. My heart breaks for the many families getting that horrible phone call, and also for our nation, which seems to spin a little more out of control every day. In this season of turmoil I want to keep my eyes on the God of the universe. He is good and He is sovereign, even when our TV screens tell us to believe otherwise. 

Blogging feels out of place on a day like today, but that is the thing about life. It's beautiful and terrible all at the same time and I write to remember both. 

A little over a week ago we made the trek with Daughter1 and her boys to Tennessee, stopping for two nights with hubs brother and sister-in-law so they could meet 'Max' and catch up with the mancub. My mother-in-law also lives in that same town so she was able to have time with her great grandsons too.  

The sun shone and these little men slept in yet another new place (their 8th since May!) without batting an eye and we had a wonderful time together. 

My son-in-law had gone on to the new house in another part of the state so he could get the keys to the house they rented sight unseen, meet the utility guys for water and electric connections, and tell the movers bringing their air shipment and their storage unit where things should go. Their household goods arriving by sea were to be delivered today, and the in-laws made the trip over yesterday to help with that. 

Moving is never a simple thing, particularly when you've been living abroad and the air conditioner goes out the second day you're there and the house is basically the temperature of the sun until it's repaired. We survived though, and I would say we even thrived in this lovely new space with a ginormous play room and an honest to goodness back yard. 

Hubs made one thousand trips to Lowes and unpacked their garage while they went to buy a car to park there. We ate ice cream with sprinkles...

And squeezed in a walk at a nearby park with its cool dark cave and a pond filled with turtles and blooming things. 

The mancub started preschool because resilience is his middle name...

We read a million books and laughed a lot because these little boys are the absolute best, most entertaining people we know. We went to bed ridiculously early every single night because we were all completely worn out by sunset. 

I have been thinking a lot today about this big little town where they will live these next two years. A 'military town' where everywhere you look you see the US flag flying and guys in baseball caps that read US Army. Lots of tattooed arms and crew cuts. Friendly people who knock on your new front door and say welcome to the neighborhood with a box of donuts because they've been where you've been and they get it. 

A town where most everyone has some sort of tie to one branch of service or another, and my heart aches for them today. So many armchair pundits and even many of our politicians have no clue what day to day life is like for active duty military families, which makes days like today extra hard and frustrating. 

Those who live it though? They understand and support one another in ways that truly matter. They will feel today right down to their marrow and will resolve to keep being brave and proud and true. 

"These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world."  John 16:33 

Getting Schooled In The Hodgepodge

Note: I somehow set the link list to open on a separate page today. It's there! Just click the link...

To say there has been a lot going on here would be an understatement. So much to blog about, but for now let's just go with the Hodgepodge. If you've answered this week's questions add your link at the end of my post then kindly leave a comment for the blogger before you. The world needs more kindness right about now, don't you think? Here we go- 

1. Is school back in session where you live? Is everyone in person or does your system still offer a virtual option? Are kids wearing masks? 

Schools are in session and in person where we live. Masks are optional, encouraged but not required. I think the system here does have some additional precautions in place including no field trips and limiting building access to anyone considered non-essential. I'm glad students have returned to school. 

2. Something you still do 'old school'? 

Keep a paper calendar. I do add appointments to my phone calendar when I make them, but day to day I operate from the pretty planner on my desk. 

3. One lesson you've learned in the 'school of life'?

Travel broadens your horizons, your perspective, your sense of gratitude and wonder. 

4. When you were in school did you pack a lunch or buy a lunch? Your favorite thing to see on the lunch menu or inside your lunchbox back in the day? 

In elementary school I walked home for lunch, but in Junior High and High School I generally brought my lunch from home. My favorite thing to see when I opened my brown bag was an egg salad sandwich and a Drakes Ring Ding. 

 

5. August is National Family Fun Month. Tell me something fun you’ve done this month. 

Y'all. This will take more than a sentence. It has been a fun full month of family comings-goings-doings but for the sake of brevity and an answer to this question here's a snapshot-

6. Insert your own random thought here.

My favorite teacher met her new students today-

And for students everywhere, taken from The Book of Common Prayer-

"God,

you see your children growing up

in an unsteady and confusing world;

Show them that your ways

give more life than the ways of the world,

and that following you is better

than chasing after selfish goals.

Help them to take failure, 

not as a measure of their worth, 

but as a chance for a new start.

Give them strength to hold their faith in you,

and to keep alive their joy in your creation;

through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen."

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Hodgepodge Questions-Volume 431

Here are the questions to this week's Wednesday Hodgepodge. Answer on your own blog then hop back here tomorrow to share answers with the universe. See you there! 

1. Is school back in session where you live? Is everyone in person or does your system still offer a virtual option? Are kids wearing masks? 

2. Something you still do 'old school'? 

3. One lesson you've learned in the 'school of life'? 

4. When you were in school did you pack a lunch or buy a lunch? Your favorite thing to see on the lunch menu or inside your lunchbox back in the day? 

 

5. August is National Family Fun Month. Tell me something fun you’ve done this month. 

6. Insert your own random thought here.

Coasting Into The Hodgepodge

Welcome to this week's Wednesday Hodgepodge. If you've answered today's questions, add your link at the end of my post, then leave a comment for your neighbor there. Here we go-

1. Monday, August 16th was National Roller Coaster Day. Are you a fan? Did you celebrate? Last place/time you rode a roller coaster?

Not a fan and did not celebrate. Honestly I'm okay with never riding another roller coaster ever. It's just not something I enjoy, and it's been a long time since I was coerced into riding one. I think it was Big Thunder Mountain Railroad at Disneyland Paris in 2007.

2. Tell us about a time in your life where it felt like you were figuratively riding a roller coaster. 

Maybe planning a wedding during a pandemic? The rules seemed to change on a daily basis in terms of what was and was not permitted or even wise, and the guest list was in a constant state of flux up until the day of. But it all worked out in the end and was a beautiful day and event. 

3. Favorite treat to eat at an amusement park or state fair? 

cotton candy

4. Are you easy to get along with? Elaborate. 

I think so. I suppose hubs might disagree ha!, but overall I am easy to get along with. I'm pretty low maintenance and dislike conflict so am generally happy to go along with things that are minor in terms of life's big picture. 

5. Something on your calendar to see-do-read-accomplish or just enjoy before month's end? 

I'm looking forward to seeing my daughter's new house. They are mid-move and we are helping in whatever way we can. Excited to see them settled and making a home in a nearby state. 

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

If you are feeling overwhelmed with all that is going on in the wider world right now, are struggling with how to pray, you might find this site helpful-5 Prayers to lift up for Afghanistan. 

"This is my Father's world:
O let me n'er forget

That though the wrong seems oft so strong, 
God is the Ruler yet."

Hodgepodge Questions-Volume 430

Here are the questions to this week's Wednesday Hodgepodge. Answer on your own blog then hop back here tomorrow to add your link to the party. See you there! 

1. Monday, August 16th was National Roller Coaster Day. Are you a fan? Did you celebrate? Last place/time you rode a roller coaster? 

2. Tell us about a time in your life where it felt like you were figuratively riding a roller coaster. 

3. Favorite treat to eat at an amusement park or state fair? 

4. Are you easy to get along with? Elaborate. 

5. Something on your calendar to see-do-read-accomplish or just enjoy before month's end? 

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

Love Actually

Love is in the air this month in all kinds of wonderful ways. Last Sunday family and friends gathered to shower my niece with love and housewares, as you do when someone is preparing to marry. There was brunch and there was beauty in being together and there were bridesmaids who are cousins, pictured here with their grandmother-

But who in our minds eye sometimes still look like this-

In other love-ly news Daughter1 and her family shifted their suitcases to the in-laws house last Monday. All grandparents need to experience the excitement of waking up to little boys who are into everything as soon as their feet hit the floor, plus someone might be needing a nap on the couch so they're ready for round two. 

And by someone I mean us, not the toddlers-ha!

We did our best to snap a photo with my mom and her great-grandsons before they headed across town, resorting to a cup of popcorn bribe if everyone would sit on the bench for a minute. And it sorta kinda worked. Toddler boys are not big on sitting for pictures in case anyone wondered, but these are keepsakes for me nonetheless. 

So so special.

My mom stayed on at the lake for a few days and we had the best time sipping coffee on the porch, watching our very busy hummingbirds overeat, playing lots and lots of cards, and even doing a little bit of shopping. 

We are never to old to appreciate our mother's love. 

Friday night was golden. Hubs and I were invited to attend a 50th wedding anniversary party given in honor of one of my Bible Study friends and her husband. Their children planned the loveliest celebration and I have been thinking about it ever since. 

All of the couple's children, their children's spouses, their grandchildren and their great-grandchildren were present which is a gift in itself. On top of that though, it was truly special to hear children and grandchildren and even in-law grandchildren all speak about the loving and Godly example the 'bride and groom' have been to their family. 

According to the US Census Bureau fewer than 5% of marriages make it to the 50 year mark, which is a rather sad and sobering number, and why it feels so very right to acknowledge God's faithfulness along the way. I think it's good to hear wedding vows spoken aloud from time to time. 

A reminder to those of us who are married what it was we committed to 50 years ago or thirty-seven years ago or even just a few months ago. What we are committed to still. 

I left thinking about my own legacy and hoping my girls and my grandchildren, my future grandchildren, and my future great grands speak of me and the hubs with the same sort of love and gratitude we witnessed Friday night. 

It doesn't just happen though...it takes a lifetime of pushing through the hard things, celebrating the bright moments, of trusting God and seeking His wisdom day by day. 

"Let all that you do be done in love." 1 Corinthians 16:14

The Family Hodgepodge

Welcome back to another edition of the Wednesday Hodgepodge. If you've answered today's questions add your link at the end of my post, then go say howdy to your neighbor. Here we go-

1. What's something you would say 'runs in your family'?

Blue eyes sounds so much nicer than a stubborn streak so let's go with blue eyes. 

2. A book, song, tv show, or movie you love that is centered around family. 

I'm never very good at choosing just one. How does anyone choose one book or one song related to anything? Here are a few favorites, but maybe not my only favorites-

Book-Anne of Green Gables (by L.M. Montgomery)

Song-The House That Built Me (by Miranda Lambert)

TV show-Parenthood

Movie- Father Of The Bride

3. Family matters, family ties, family tree, family man, family fortune, black sheep of the family, family values, one big happy family...choose a 'family phrase' that applies to your life currently and explain. 

I'm going with family tree today. We have a large extended family and my grandson wants to know how everyone is connected...'Nana who's your Mommy?' 'Who is Pawpaw's brother? 'Who is Mommy's Daddy?' and on and on it goes. Most of these questions he already knows the answer to, but there's something comforting in hearing it all said aloud. 

"What can you do to promote world peace? Go home and love your family." Mother Teresa

4. Last thing you fixed for a big family dinner? If you're not the cook, last thing you were served at a big family dinner? 

The last big family dinner we had was on Sunday when my mom, sister, brother-in-law, niece, niece's fiance, niece's fiance's mom, niece's good friend, my daughter2, and my daughter1 and her family were all here for a BBQ after my niece's bridal shower. 

If you're new here you need to know we don't do anything by halves. 

Anyway, hubs worked his magic on the Big Green Egg and smoked two pork butts with a little help from his sous chefs. It was out of this world good. I did all the sides but it was mostly about the BBQ. 

5. What are three words you would use to describe your family. 

loud, loving, warm

6. Insert your own random thought here.

You might be surprised to know today's random thought has nothing to do with grandbabies in the house. A couple of weekends ago hubs and I were enjoying our early morning coffee on the deck when this guy lumbered into the yard-

He checked out the bluebird house (and let it go without incident), admired my limelight hydrangeas, and strolled along the shoreline contemplating a swim. He's young but not a cub, and no mama bear in sight. It was a lot of excitement for 6 AM on a Saturday.