Glimpses: Past, Present & maybe Future

I'm typing this in pink for Emily! She loves pink, she's all girl and as pure and genuine as they come. I had the privilege of attending her 20th birthday party tonight, along with about 20 - 30 others. She and her 2 room-mates sent out facebook invitations and requested people to bring things like food, plates, etc. I was so impressed by their resourcefulness and willingness to look to others for assistance. I've always been bad about that and wished I was better at it. As I watched Emily, Lee and the others mingle; visit; relax; come and go...........I realized many things that I never experienced as a young adult. There was such a comraderie and comfort in the atmosphere..........I realized the one binding element was the love that these young people have for God and each other. They are all (for the most part) involved with Campus Crusade and attend church together. In fact, the female half of their leaders was in attendance as well. Emily's blended families were present as was I; the lucky mom of the boyfriend. So my past was much different at that age..........I was married and didn't think a large circle of friends was important...........boy, was I wrong! Young people as well as all ages need a good circle of friends.

So the present allowed me the joy of sharing with these young adults and admiring the strength of faith they have. Many of us have yet to reach that strength and our lives may be half over already! Prayer was said before the meal, I heard nary a foul word and none of the young adults treated we parents like we were in the way or putting a damper on their plans. It was true fellowship. I count my blessings for the fact that I haven't been thrown off as useless by my children and their acquaintances. God's plan for fellowship, love and support is so awesome.......I just wish we could see more of it in more places.

The future? I believe miss Emily is a very special person to my son......as well as to me.......and I look forward to the day that I just might get to call her "daughter". Her ability to love those around her individually and without having to be stuck to my son's side, yet having the knowledge, trust and faith that he cares deeply for her and can rest assured in that, is phenomenal to me. It took me years of learning, struggling........and running off many of Lawrence's friends, before I was able to come to that point. I'm still not the best at it! Then to see my son able to do the same thing! WOW To realize that they are so in love with God, trust him completely and are willing to let Him direct their paths............are able to reach out to those around them...........and able to trust in their love for one another...............just makes me humble, thankful and grateful.........along with a few tears of joy. It also makes me miss the little boy that; I used to rub his feet to get him to sleep, and cheer on at sporting events, and get so irritated with because he wouldn't settle down and be still................you will never realize how fast times flies until it has!

As far as the house situation? Nothing happening there.........just waiting - no big hurry - no big deal. We believe things will happen when God decides it's time.......bye for now.

Obsessed, but not compulsive, YET!

Obsessed: to preoccupy the mind of excessively! I had to look the word up to make sure I spelled it right......that's the epitome of obsessed!

It's midnight and after looking at 7 houses tonight after work, I'm still looking online.

Lawrence and I were out to dinner last Friday and we'd driven around some neighborhoods prior; so my mind was swirling when I looked at him, mentioned I'd forgotten how draining this was and asked if he thought we'd ever find something we agreed on? He quietly said "we did", it just sold, however. Oh yea, we did agree on that one in Gladstone, the one that wasn't meant to be!!!! ARGggggggg

Well, tonight I discovered the Parkville area. Found a house I like, very close to I-29 and convenience/discount/grocery/restaurants and the all important shopping establishments. Also found one in Gladstone and 2 more online that look good. Each one with it's niceties and quirks. A couple are nice enough to replace ours, but then there is the price. Some I looked at were beautiful on the outside and awful on the inside. Others were just the opposite. Pictures seen online are quite misleading when actually eyeballing it. Now.....I like 2.......but Lawrence hasn't seen them, yet..........both have only been on the market for a week.........so what are the chances that they'll sell before; he sees them, we do a more thorough visit, then make an offer, then hold our breath?

On the flip side; our realtor spoke with the realtor from our first showing. The resulting conversation went something like this: "they really like and want the property, it's just what they're looking for, they're wanting to move to Lathrop and are going to talk to their loan person to see if they can get financing to go ahead and buy, take their time moving and worry about selling their current house after moving." Now isn't that just ideal? Perfect house for perfect people in a perfect world.....NOT.......they're either loaded or stupid. We'll just have to wait and see which......let's all hope loaded wins this one.

On top of this, I'm trying to do the job of 2 for the next two weeks at work and my neck muscles are knotted to say the least.......I need a strong drink to say the most. My co-worker had better be having a GREAT time, because when she gets back.......I'll tell her how much I appreciate her and all the work she does.....:)

The first showing.

It's friday afternoon, I'm sitting at work and Lauren calls. "Mom, they just called and want to show the house between 3 and 4." It's 2:45 and I immediately start thinking of the little things that should be done........sweep the mud/cat room, put the sack of clothes in the store room, vacuum the kitchen where the cats like to lay, make sure Lauren's room is decent...... So I tell my boss I need to run home for a few minutes, as the house is going to be shown. When I walk in, Lauren is already sweeping the mudroom and I get some boxes/sacks moved and spot vacuum the kitchen. I do a quick glance, tell Lauren she has to leave and head back to work. I call her to see if she's left, and she's picking up her bedroom! She did finally get left. Actually, she took off to the city to hang out by herself! I hope the quick clean wasn't enough to put her over the edge!! Just kidding, she's not my cleanest child. I called Lawrence to let him know the house was being shown and he said we'd probably have to pack tomorrow! When I said 'doubt it', he commented that it was whetting the worm........at least they're fishing........

Well, that was quite a comparison! Now, how do I feel about showing the house? Will they like it? Want to buy it? Do I really want someone else in my house? Do I really want to continue looking at other houses and try to imagine them as 'home'? Yes, but it sure does wear a person out!

I am so proud of my daughter, it's very enlightening when you realize your kids do have brains, they do use them, and they can think for themselves!!! I really appreciated your help today Lauren.......thanks........I love you.........MOM

Not the Right One.........and family

So the house in Gladstone.....well, remember we wrote an offer on Sunday night? This morning when our realtors called their realtor to apprise them of our offer; we found out that the homeowner had accepted an offer just last night! Probably about the same time we were writing ours! That was a quick answer from God, wasn't it? So, we keep looking and praying. That door isn't locked, yet........the other buyer's loan may fall through, or they may not like the inspection results, which would open it up again........but we don't think so.

It's very wierd to come down the street and see the 'for sale' sign in our yard, like someone's playing a prank. We hope God has someone in mind to come and want/love our home. Lawrence just wishes we could pick it up and take it with us! He doesn't embrace change near like I do :)

I received scanned ultrasound photos from my youngest brother's wife tonight. Baby boy! In fact; all 3 of my brothers and their wives are expecting within the year. All 3 are having boys. By Christmas I will have 10 nieces/nephews (on my side) age 8 and under. 8 of them will be boys age 4 and under. Don't think that's going to be a little crazy, do you? I can't wait. I'm just really glad my 2 are so much older.........they're very helpful with the little ones, and I get to return to solitude when I want to!

Home is where your Heart is....

It's no wonder I'm unsettled.........

If home is where your heart is, mine is in heaven. But I'm not there yet! After spending 37 of my 42 years in Lathrop, I don't feel like this is home! In fact, I've never felt like this was home. It was mom's home. After many years of complaining, relenting, searching, wishing, talking, crying, hoping, surrendering..........Lawrence has heard my reasoning, raised our children, paid the price of time lost and money spent (on gas and long hours) and is supporting me in the next CHANGE that I've asked to impose upon him. I'm an adventuroust at heart. I embrace change, in fact, I breath and live change. Routine is hard for me and I like nothing square that fits in it's own box. Now is the time; the kids are out of the house, but haven't landed permanantly; Max is still healthy and able; Mom is gone as is our childhood home........

At least I haven't asked him to leave the state, or better yet, the country...........though I wouldn't mind that myself. It's only Gladstone - Happy Rock!! 10-15 minutes to his work - as opposed to 45. He's a good man, of which is hard to find.

I wonder, is this real? Could we really live where you can go to Walmart, then Hy-vee and be home in 5 minutes? Will we really be able to have time for a night out - during the week? What will it be like to come home, shower, go to dinner and still be home before 8pm?

The kids have given us their blessing and it will be easier for my brother's to drop off the little ones so they and their brides can have a date-nite.

So it's bittersweet........a custom-built home in a well-known community to a new adventure. So tonight we listed our house and placed a bid on one in the "city"............Now we wait and see what God has in store for us.........

Lee's first place

Just a few days ago I helped Lee move into his first apartment. It's really nice, nicer than LDM #4 and my first house! It's really close to campus and on the ground/underground level. I was glad for that; as carrying mattresses/chairs/TV stands was made much easier for me. It's so wierd to see your babies grow up into adults. I praise God for the blessings my babies are to me. I also pray He continues to guide and watch over them.

High School Graduations.....

With Lauren's graduation comes a change in our lives...."the empty nesters"!! That's Lauren on the right, with her friend Jo.

Our niece, Whitney, graduated the same day, same time. My sister'n'law Nicki also had a younger brother graduate with Whitney's class...needless to say, it was a very busy day.