Happy Birthday Card for Papa!

Lucy wrote her name all by herself and used the spiral kit Grandma and Papa got her for this card. Happy Birthday Papa!

Happy Birthday Daddy!

My sweet Daddy turns 63 today! (The older I get the younger 63 seems) Lucy and Samuel are bummed they don't get to go to Papa's birthday party and eat cake - because of course it isn't your birthday unless there are balloons, a party and cake. I told them we would celebrate with Papa when we see him next. We LOVE you Papa! Hope you are reminded that you are loved on your birthday!

Random thoughts of mine

My leg has been falling asleep today while I'm trying to study - you know, that annoying tingling feeling. I was trying to think about why my leg just can't stay awake. Do you think it's sympathetic to the rest of my body that would like to be joining it for a little rest? Am I having sympathy leg sleeping? AND Could I really get some sleep vicariously for my brain through my leg? I mean, if I let my leg just doze off while I study and not wake it up - will I be more refreshed when I'm finished studying?

Having these thoughts makes me think I might need to jump in bed when my kids do so that I don't have some of these same thoughts tomorrow. Tired brain.

Satisfaction and Exhaustion

Just finished my first 12 hour shift in the Emergency Department and LOVED it! Going to enjoy sitting on the couch for a while with my feet up - The ED is a great place to be but not so easy on the feet.

Quotes

Yesterday was one of those days - you know the one - when nothing in particular goes terrible but nothing seems to be right after a week of days just like it (I will say Nursing school had a lot to do with it). Please tell me I'm not the only one.

Well, it seemed to end in the same way - a shed of tears while we were driving home. While we were in the car Samuel and Lucy asked why I was crying and I said "Some days Mama is just sad, but I'm okay." Well, my sweet children started their fake kind of pouty-whiney voices like they were crying too. It was actually sweet. Then Jeremy asked Samuel what they were crying about

Samuel: "Daddy, the Bible says we should mourn with those who mourn and rejoice with those who rejoice."

I will say - my heart melted. Really their little hearts comforted mine with their cries and then knowing Samuel's response - made it all better - he is learning compassion and tenderness somewhere along the way. Part of my frustration is that I hadn't seen much of my sweet kiddos all week and then to see their sweet hearts for me was just what a weary Mama needed. Thank you Lord for Loving my kids even when I'm not around, even when I'm tired and even when it seems they aren't learning a thing (except how to burp and toot at the table).

Grandparent's Quote

The children told me all about their trip to the farm and Lucy told a classic "Grandma" story.

Lucy: "We got to play outside and play in the pool at Grandma and Papa's"
Mama: "What else did you get to do?"
Lucy: "While we were waiting to watch a movie we had a hot flash with Grandma. Grandma had a hot flash and then I had a hot flash and then brother had a hot flash!"
Mama: "I can't wait to tell Grandma that her grandkids are having sympathy hot flashes!"

Grandparent's Day!

Grandparents are such a blessing - to their grandchildren and their children. I love that when I can't spend time with my children that they get to be with their grandparents. This past weekend was Grandparent's Day at Samuel's school - Grandma and Papa and Grandpa Noonan and Joanna were able to come. Samuel was so glad they all could come and they seemed to enjoy the day. Samuel made them sweet cards with things he likes to do with them and some interesting fact about how old he thought they were. We missed you Nana!




Lucy clapping for brother...sweet


Later that weekend Samuel and Lucy got to go to Grandma and Papa's farm to continue the Grandparent's Day celebration and then they got to spend the night with Grandpa Noonan's! What a great time for them and what a great break for Mama to study and Daddy to work! Thanks so much grandparents for your love for Samuel and Lucy and your time spent with them - a gift that is priceless!

Grandparents are Great!!

I just want you to know that I LOVE GRANDPARENTS!!!!! I LOVE my Grandparents and I LOVE our parent's as grandparents - they're the best. I love to see my children enjoying their grandparents and I'm so glad they get to be a part of their lives on a regular basis. I know - grandparents are people too and they do have their quirks but their love, hugs and time spent with their grandchildren is irreplaceable and invaluable.

As I think back to my childhood I have great memories of time with my grandparents. Time they spent eating meals with me, telling me stories, going places with me, teaching me about life by just observing them. I was so fortunate to live within several miles of all four of my grandparents and got to see them weekly, if not daily. They were a part of major events and even the small daily interactions.

I love their uniquenesses - my Mema used a red pen to circle all of the grammatical errors in the local newspaper - it was hilarious!, she let us help her make amazing cakes and ALWAYS had a new craft project to challenge her and use her talents to make something beautiful. My Papa always "piddled" - he is kind of like Maguyver - he can make anything out of anything and now rebuilds computers. We watched Perry Mason and ate peppermint patties together and Papa always has an educated well thought out opinion on just about everything. As a kid I loved playing cards with them and laughing.

Grandpa taught me how to fish, just where to sit on the tailgate so I wouldn't fall off on the ride to the farm and the importance of faith in Jesus. Granny could whip up a garden meal for an army and would always be the last one finishing a meal because she was savoring every bite and every person there, she told stories about the family and the town she loved.

One of the biggest lessons I learned from my grandparents is the tenacity of love and the power of commitment. Both Mema and Papa and Granny and Grandpa have been married over 60 years and are still faithfully commited to each other. Thanks for your constant reminder that I am loved and a special part of your lives!

Real life: A still shot

On the bright side - the Goldfish are Whole Grain and Not rainbow colors - right? right? AND I guess it's good that I don't have more counter space to cover with stuff AND this is evidence we cook our meals at home AND and hot glue gun on the counter means something was being fixed....AND best of all - it is all cleaned now.