Happy Birthday...

You don't usually wish yourself a happy birthday, so I won't, even though today is my birthday. It is also someone else's birthday, someone VERY special - my dear twin sister, Barb. I choke up a bit at the thought of trying to put anything on paper about her. She is so much the story of my life. Frequently, we are asked "what is it like being a twin?" and I usually answer (and not to be smart), "what is it like not being a twin?" I know no other way, nor would I want to. Some of the family lovingly refer to our chemistry as 'the weird twin thing' because we laugh at things they wouldn't consider funny, we react together, or our eyes meet and we just get what the other one is thinking. This is not to say we don't have our own identity, we do, and that's what makes it unique. We listen to one another intently and go to each other for advice or an opinion, (and not just about whether this or that pair of shoes are cute, does this top make me look.... well, never mind.) We bounce ideas off each other about important things and not so important things. Most girls have a bestie, or two or three, but I've been blessed to have my bestie(s) right in my own backyard or bedroom. My twin and I were always pretty much joined at the hip and then there's Jannie right alongside and then came daughters and now granddaughters! Did I mention blessed, yes, and it's pretty much ten-fold these days - whew! Can hardly contain the joy I feel.

So back to twins. Today I am fascinated by them and when I see twins, now I understand the fascination that would embarrass the two of us as youngsters. When we are out shopping together, we notice others look at us, maybe it's our voices that catch their attention. They say we sound alike, have the same mannerisms and expressions. My nephew (her son) noticed our handwriting is even alike and commented, "Don't they have anything that isn't alike?" Well, yes, we do. You see, to me, my twin is one-of-a-kind. Like I said to begin with, it's hard to put my thoughts on paper without a tear in my eye and a lump in my throat. She means so much to me. She is kind, she is devoted to her family, all of us, she is compassionate, she is funny, she is feisty and the life of the party. Often times for me, she IS the party! My husband and our children adore her like I do. Why? Did I mention she is one-of-a-kind, she is kind and compassionate, and let's not forget FUNny! She can bring a smile to any face, any time! But, she is also there with a tear in her eye at just the right moment. She will not shy away from that and comes alongside you when your feelings are hurt or your heart is broken. I experienced that in her just recently. She has passed many of the above traits on to her children and I trust her grandchild(ren) will also be the proud recipients of much of what and who she is. 

We just happen to have a pronoun to describe our sisterhood, 'twin' and I will always be happy to be called 'the twins' because it means I'm included right in there with her! She knows how much I love her but I never get tired of saying so...

Love you Barb. Thanks for making August 13th special every day and every year!!!

A Dear Brother

On Tuesday we said good-bye to a dear, dear brother. It's still hard to believe he is no longer here because, to us, he was always bigger than life. But we take great comfort in knowing we will be reunited some day. Reunited because he loved and cared about us enough to share God's plan of salvation with us many years ago. I will never forget the first time I heard this man pray. Literally, heaven came down and glory filled my soul! Accepting life and death according to God's terms gives to us the greatest gift - it allows us to have hope and the promise of eternal life. Our beloved brother has entered in and is now enjoying his eternal reward. He's come face to face with the savior he loved, served, and shared so well.
Chuck was a very unique man, truly one-of-a-kind. He was an only child but he had more brothers and sisters than anyone else I know! He took everyone in as family. But his family, oh his family. He loved them fiercely. His wife Zoni, she was his perfect mate. It is not enough to say he adored her. His daughters, Kiersten and Katrina, and his son, Chuck, they were his pride and joy and I think it's safe to say they worshipped the ground he walked on. Then come his two sons-in-law, Randy and Jimmy, daughter-in-law,  Deb, and five grandchildren, Kati, Molly, Maegan, Austin, and Cole. I never saw him much around them but I saw them as they had to say good-bye to him from an earthly perspective. I know the love he had for each of them penetrated deep into who they are, and will become, because of his influence upon their lives. As a friend, all I can say is he was the best friend a man could ever ask for. Chuck was tremendously loyal, deeply spiritual, genuinely concerned, there for you through all of life's trials and all of life's joys. Most recently, I would listen to regular, almost daily phone conversations between Chuck and Gary. They could double me over in laughter or reduce me to tears from one sentence to the next. How often do you hear a man say "You're the best friend I ever had!" They played off each other's humor one moment and in the next they'd be sharing scripture and expressing their love, support, and admiration for one another. Both have big personalities but they always made room for each other.
Chuck would not want us to be sad at all right now but how can we not be sad when someone we loved so much is gone, for now. I guess the best we can do is live a life as he modeled before us. Love God, love our family, be good to our friends, be kind to everyone, smile when all is well, and smile even brighter when the going gets tough. Know that God is in control 'no matter what' love Him, 'no matter what' serve him, 'no matter what' and 'no matter what' glorify the name of the Lord.
So bye for now Charlie... as you cast your crowns at the feet of our savior, we thank God for your life, the profound impact it had on ours and countless others. Only eternity will measure accurately.

"I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day - and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing." 2 Timothy 4:7-8

Belated Father's Day/Anniversary/and then some...

Tonight was a special night, one we will never forget. We couldn't all be together at the same time on Father's Day so Mike & Andi invited us for dinner along with Meg and the kids. Megan was diverted by a freeway closure and had to tangle through neighborhoods unknown, scary, while Gary, Mike, & Andi navigated her from the streets of Detroit to their home in Huntington Woods - whew! They arrived safely and everyone settled down.

Here is Gary's Father's Day picture...

and our anniversary picture... 37 years today!

and here are some of our sweet two kiddos...

Just before we sat down to eat, we were talking about the unplanned side trip Meg and the kids made when Michael said "you think that's a crazy story, Andi & I heard our baby's heart beat the other day!" Well, it didn't take any of us but a split second to figure that out and we were literally jumping for joy!!! This is something we have been waiting to hear and tonight we learned the great news! They are expecting a baby the end of January 2012 and we couldn't be more excited!!!

The happy parents-to-be...

Praising the Lord for another new life on the way - what a gift from the giver of life itself!

"Children's children are a crown to the aged, and parents are the pride of their children." Prov. 17:6

Written 6/21/11; posted 7/10/11

Mother's Day Reflections

A friend wrote this on her Facebook page and I agreed, "I love having a mother and being a mother." Both are wonderful blessings and the older I get the more I realize neither should be taken for granted. Today I celebrate my mother and the blessing of being a mother too! Here's why:

This is my dear mother. Everyone who knows her well says the same things about her, mostly that they love her and she is a sweetheart! She is a fine example of what it means to love your family. She devoted her life to loving and caring for us. She's been through heartache and ailment but never lost her sweet disposition. She puts the needs of others first, always. She is a willing helper, always the first to lend a hand. She is a good listener and gives good advice when asked. I could go on and on about this gal but I will just say Happy Mother's Day to the world's greatest!!!  Love you Mom!

Being a mother is a gift. I am so blessed to have these two as my own. They bring joy to my heart and I love them with all of it!

And then when they grow up, the family grows and if you're blessed like we are, this is what happens:

You gain a son.....

... and a daughter.

Then when you start to get quite a bit older... life changes again and in ways you cannot imagine until it happens. The next generation comes along and you are blown away with another level of love and purpose. It's nothing you can be fully prepared for, the magnitude is too great, it just happens and it is wonderfully wonderful!!! It makes you want to shout with joy, kind of like this:

Also, praying for this lady today who is inching in on her mid 90's and in the hospital for more than one night for the first time in her life!

This gal is amazing! She has lived a long time and enjoyed exceptionally good health. We believe it comes from working hard all her life and living a clean life too. I'm thankful to have a mother-in-law who has lived a long, healthy life. I'm also thankful to have a mother, and be a mother. There's nothing like it! Being "Grammy" is simply icing on one SWEET cake!!!

And a p.s. I got these lovely roses from the man who makes being a mother an even greater joy. Could not have done it without his support and Godly wisdom!

My Sunshine, my only Sunshine...

Today is a day that the sun usually shines. In fact, this is only the second time I remember it not being 'sunny and 70' as Gary always tells us it will be. But this spring has been unseasonably cold this season with more rain than just April showers!

Today we celebrate 61 years of life of this man who brings wide rays of sunshine into all our lives, most especially mine! He truly is my sunshine, my only sunshine... he makes me happy when skies are gray. Tonight we'll celebrate and, hopefully, the weather will cooperate too. However, I am looking for a little sunshine in my life today, one way or another :)
Here are some pix of our birthday celebration...

Madelyn could not wait to get inside and wish her papa Happy Birthday!

Big birthday hug from Collin.

They are serious about their TV viewing! I think Mickey Mouse Clubhouse was on...

Oh yes, they're calling Mouseketoodles!

I think Papa's more into it than Mads! :)

Collin being goofy and posing with Uncle Dude.

My girls <3

Lots of help blowing out the candles.

My boys <3

Happy Birthday to a great man, greatly loved!

Easter

It's Easter... I am thankful for all that it means today and every day. Christ is Risen! He is Risen, indeed! The grave could not hold him, his love is greater than all our sins. The Easter season is by far my favorite. We remember the great sacrifice of God who gave His only son to die on that cruel cross for me, and for you. It is overwhelming and thank you is never enough...

We had the week off and enjoyed visiting and having dinner with these two sweeties who are now enjoying a 4-day cruise...

Easter Saturday was sunny and mild but the grass had just been fertilized so we had an inside Easter egg, pronounced by both these two sweeties "a-gg," hunt...

Madelyn's were easier to find but she was no less enthusiastic! Collin had to search deeper but it didn't take him long to find the hidden treasures.

Collin was so proud of the Goofy shirt mommy got him...

really, he was more enthusiastic than he looks here :)

And this bright ball of sunshine brightens up even the most dreary day!

We also enjoyed gathering family and friends on this special day. We are missing some who couldn't be here this year, but thankful for others who could...

In their Easter outfits.

Another basket of Easter goodies.

All of our Easter guests - Collin, Mommy & Madelyn...

and Grandma, Shelley, and GG :)

Happy Easter everyone!

Our Jannie

Whew! the last two weeks have been an absolute whirlwind of festivities and fun! You add four family birthdays in a span of eight days, family and friends in town over the weekend from Indiana, and sister Jan here for 10 days, well, you've got festivities and fun! This post is about our Jannie (that is what the little ones call her and it has stuck!) Jan moved to New Hampshire over 30 years ago, settled there and along with her husband, Dave, raised their family - Bryan and Sara - there. I can't think of anywhere else in the world she could or should be. The amazing thing about our Jannie is how she has maintained the strong ties of family back home better and in more meaningful ways than anyone else I know of could. She managed to care for the needs of our parents from a distance, many times better than I ever could close up. I applaud her for this and will always be grateful. She is as close or closer to her siblings than if she lived next door. You see, the things that are important to Jan have been important enough to work hard at. Although for her it is not hard work at all, it is her sheer pleasure. Anyone who know her, knows that! Her nieces and nephews benefit from strong ties to her because they know, beyond a shadow of doubt, how much they are loved by her. She is very much a part of their every day lives. Now she is making sure that continues in the next generation. Just look at the smiles she brought to these little faces...

She is so thoughtful and giving. This darling vest was made by hand, 

with love, by Aunt Jannie. Special indeed!

She searches until she finds the perfect gift and never fails to come up with a bell ringer! 

This game, CHICKYBOOM, was a blast to play and as unique as Aunt Jannie.

Madsy looking at Aunt Jannie saying, shhhhh, 

before placing her chicky on the balance beam.

Collin taking the game seriously and he was very good at it!

Madsy girl also got a tambourine, 

then Jannie showed her how to put it to good use - hilarious!!!

Collin got a very cool, stylish new hoody. Nothing but top-notch where Jannie's concerned.

Jannie, I loved spending the last several days with you! From Scrabble to shopping, walking, talking, breakfast, lunch, dinner (oh my!), sitting next to you at church (I wish it was every week!) I think we had one of the best visits ever. Maybe we say that every time?! Thank you for all you do for all of us and for just being you! 

I love you Jannie...