A Time for Everything

We received a phone call about John's great uncle Bill right before Christmas. They found something pretty severe and it wasn't looking good. It was brain cancer and he was going to start chemo right away. Well, he didn't make it much past new years. With great sadness, we were glad to be able to make it to the funeral down in NJ to see John's mom's family. It was a quick trip but well worth it. Perspective is priceless. 

Later that week I got a starbucks coffee, and this is was on my cup. I thought it was quite fitting.

The Way I See It #292

"The way we get to live forever is through memories stored in the hearts and souls of those whose lives we touch. That's our soul print. It's our comfort, our emotional nourishment at the end of the day and the end of a life. How wonderful that they are called up at will and savored randomly. It seems to me we should spend our lives in a conscious state of creating these meaningful moments that live one. Memories matter."   -Leeza Gibbons

Now I know there are some holes here in speaking of eternal matters, but what I liked most about it was the reminder of what "we" who are left have to hold on to. And how while we are here we are doing things that are burning those "soul prints" into the lives we touch.

Jack & his GGS (great grandpa stra)

Our sleeping quarters. 

Needless to say the boys had way too much fun and took way too long to fall asleep!

A picture of my beautiful mother-in-law from yesteryears.

Jack all dolled up. A picture of my mother-in-law and her sister hangs above.

At the catholic church for the funeral.  

So Jack and mommy had a little date in the foyer.

And thankfully, mommy had a little bag of mini m&m's.

And a pad of paper. And some hungry little friends as well.

So we kept ourselves occupied in a most magical way. 

All the while having a yummy little snack.

At the burial. Uncle Bill was in the army during WW2. He was a gunman in a tank and fought in the Battle of the Bulge. His military burial was so honorable.  

His flag for his wife.

A final goodbye. Something I will never forget. Tears fell unbridled. I hope I never forget this moment. We have but a lifetime. 

Even Jack knew there was something unique going on.

From generation to generation. (Drew & his Bop-Bop)

Uncle Bill was quite the artist. He drew this picture when he was only 6 years old. After the war he went to art school. He was a master doodler and creative writer with the most witty style. 

Back at the house. John's grandparents live in the Boardwalk neighborhood.

At the end of the sidewalk is the ocean.

So welcoming. 

A visit to Lucy the elephant before heading home.

:Happy Year:

[original watercolor by John]

::from our family to yours::

::designed by my very own, John::

CHRISTMAS at home.

::IN NO PARTICULAR ORDER::

Christmas Poem

I know, I know. Christmas is over, officially. Although I'm never one to take down all the decorations the day after Christmas. I like it to linger. (although this year, I'm losing that feeling quickly!) So I won't feel bad for sharing this wonderful poem that was the theme for our church Christmas program this year. It is so special because my mother-in-law wrote it years ago. And more recently my brother-in-law put it beautifully to music. 

HIS SHADOWING CROSS

by: JoAnne Neiner

Do you know what I ponder as Christmas draws nigh,

I ponder my Saviour born willing to die,

I look past the shadow of our Christmas tree,

A cross and it's shadow looms quite vividly.

While gazing and wondering my heart finds so much

To remind and be transformed by Jesus Christ's touch.

Do you see the tree, evergreen, ever fair?

I see the Christ, changeless still, ever there.

Do you see the cranberries, popcorn, on strings?

I see provision that serving Him brings.

Do you see the lights sparkling bright, sparkling clear?

I see the Light of the World hovering near.

Do you see the ornaments, some purest white?

I see my heart He made clean in God's sight.

While the world glories in baubles and cheer,

My full heart marvels why God sent Christ here;

To save us; to keep us; to change us within;

To be His ambassadors; lost souls to win.

This Christmas, not dazzled by mere glitt'ring dross,

I look to the Babe and His Shadowing Cross.

Copyright 2002

TOday

To keep myself from falling into the terrible habit of blogging on a monthly basis, I am doing this post. It will be very random and probably not make much sense. I have a load of laundry to fold, some dishes to finish up and a list of errands to run while the boys are napping (since John's at home). And here, I blog. And so it is. Because, well, I'm in the Christmas spirit, our tree is (finally) up, and I just finished a mouthful of the most delectable chocolate chips that slowly melted in my mouth (ghiradelli 60%=yummo), and I keep decorating the house with Christmas stuff I find. I have decided/noticed that my holiday decorations vary greatly upon each year depending on the boxes we actually get to that year. BUT, this is all about to change, my friends. Last night, John and I did lots and lots of...nesting, throwing away, dusting, reorganizing in our basement. OK, I know we've done it before, but this was THAT side of the basement. The side where you're afraid to pick that old weight set up because you're not sure what's been lurking underneath it all these years. So it's been gone through, and in it's glory is becoming my own little nook. A scratchbuilding nook for John and a CREATING nook for me. MY. VERY. OWN. SPOT.

I am so so so excited. (and SO thankful for such the organized man I have). I'm pulling that sewing machine out and I am finally going to start (well, attempt at least) to put all those ideas floating around in this head of mine on...paper, or wood or metal or material. Don't get TOO excited now. I have a propensity to create the world in my head and in reality...well, I get distracted. But my goal is to get all those "distractions" (i.e. areas of disorganization) out of my way so I can FREELY CREATE. I have to come up with a NAME. IN CASE (no promises) I hit upon something and decide to join etsy. ANY SUGGESTIONS????? I have one rattling in my brain, but if I end up picking YOUR suggestion, I'll send a little something out to you in the mail.

OK. I really better go so I can get back. We have a wonderfully full week ahead of us:

+AMBER & BRIAN are coming in tonight

(today is her birthday!!)

+THINKING SOME YEAR WE'LL HAVE TO GO SEE THE NUTCRACKER,

(but listening to it isn't half bad!)

+LOTS OF GIFT WRAPPING & SECRETS

+LOTS OF THIS HERE TO ENJOY

(from the window, that is)

+TRYING TO KEEP THE TRUE CHRISTMAS SPIRIT IN PERSPECTIVE (NOT THIS:)

+LOOKING FORWARD TO DOING LOTS OF RELAXING

(once everything is done)

+GATHERING IDEAS FOR NEXT YEAR

WELL, MERRY CHRISTMAS, my bloggy friends! We will be CERTAINLY having a white christmas this year! But no matter WHERE you are, may the light of the TRUE season shine forth in your hearts.