The Passing Years....

Today is January 14, 2014. That date may not hold a lot of significance for most people, but for me it is a day to stay home, reflect, pray and remember. It is a day of pain and hope for the future.

Three years ago on January 14, 2014, Honey was admitted to the hospital after a breakdown. Whether intentional or not, he nearly died that night and I made a flying trip in the middle of the night to be by his side. What an awful, scary night. The not knowing, the praying, the crying....Honey spent a week in the hospital facing his deepest darkest fears. He was able to conquer some of his demons and face who he was. Even though it was a dark night, it was a turning point and he is well on his way to healing. Thank the Lord!

"Though he stumble, he will not fall, for the Lord upholds him with his hand."

Psalm 37:24

Moving back, 5 years ago on January 14, 2009 my dear sweet Mama passed away. After a long fight with many illness, her body wasted and her breathing labored, Mama slipped away to our Lord's arms where she can be healthy and happy. She can walk among the flowers and laugh with her sister. I miss her dearly and long for the day when I will see her again, but I know she is not in pain any more and that brings a measure of relief. As much as I want her here, I would never want her to come back to this earth with her old body. 

"That everyone who believes in Him shall have eternal life"

John 3:15

Then one year prior, January 14, 2008, my wonderful Grandma passed away. She too was battling illness, bone cancer, and was in great pain so the passing was near a relief. I miss her so and am eternally grateful to have had my beloved grandmother well into my 30's. Not so many are as lucky. 

"I tell you the truth, if anyone keeps my word, he will never see death."

John 8:51

So today, I remember my mother and grandmother and praise God for the saving of Honey. May the two rest in peace and the other live happily ever after....

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest."

Matthew 11:28

"For just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives, so also through Christ our comfort overflows."

2 Corinthians 1:5

"Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the Lord."

Psalm 31:24

"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead."

1 Peter 1:3

Christmas Surprise!

Woo hoo! Santa brought our family an  incredSaible Christmas gift. We all got Blue Man Group CD's and on the back of each CD was taped a ticket to the Blue Man Group in Chicago ! We were so excited to visit a city we have never been to. We also received a family membership to the Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago!

So I took a vacation day on Friday and we took Princess Pea out of school. We loaded up the jeep and drove to Aurora, IL. I had no idea we were on a time schedule but apparently Honey's sister Ana along with her husband Thad and their 2 boys, Logan and Charlie were meeting us at the train station to ride into the city! 

We were so excited to see them as it has been over a year. I cant believe how big the boys have gotten!

We rode the train in because it in difficult and expensive to park downtown When we got into the city, it was freezing cold and snowing &, blowing. We had to drag all our luggage about 7 blocks, through snow and slush to the hotel. We all got upstairs & kind of collapsed on the beds to relax! I was proud of the kids! There was barely a squeak of complaint out of either!

Ana and Thad and the boys knocked on the door an hour so later! It war wonderful to see them. We all bundled up and headed out for dinner. Without a car, we walked nearly every where. It is a good thing most were close. We ate at a nice little pizza place a block or 2 away! The pizza was stuffed and delicious! We ended up bringing a lot back to the room! Mmmmm lunch for the week!

Saturday morning we got up and ate breakfast downstairs. The continental breakfast was standard fare, fruit, waffles, toast, cereal, etc. So we ate and then had fun hailing a cab. Princess Pea said that hailing and riding in a taxi were the fulfillment of a lifelong dream! So the eight of us piled in and struck up a conversation with our driver who was from Togo, Africa. He took us to the Museum of Science and Industry

The kids were in awe! They loved it! Even Cookie had a great time. The kids kept pulling each other to exhibits saying "Come here - you gotta see this!" I think the best Christmas present I received this year was seeing the books in their eyes and their interaction.

There were some pretty cool exhibits and so many of them were hands on! They Shot tennis balls across the room using speed & angle. They saw how an avalanche forms and tornadoes too. They made rainbows and Princess learned what is in the inside of her Pointe shoes! And that was just in one room!

They also flew in a flight simulator, played a game with their brainwaves, and watched Trains move through a scale model of Chicago and Seattle and all different types of land between. It was the coolest model railroad I have ever seen.

The other display I adored was the Colleen Moore's Fairy House. Unfortunately it is currently being restored so it wasn't all together when we were there. It was pretty cool that we got to see them working on it and they had all the furnishings in glasses cases for up close viewing! It was my favorite part of the whole Weekend.

We decided everyone needed a rest before the next event, the Blue Man Group Show! So we grabbed another cab and went back to hotel for an hour and rested. I was hoping to get rid of my headache but no such luck.

This time, instead of taking a taxi, we took the red-line subway/elevated train. The kids and I had never been on a subway before and it was quite an experience! Honey, the kids and I had seats in the 3rd row for the show, while Ana and family had seats farther back. The concert/show was so good!I don't think I have see Princess Pea laugh so hard in a longtime. Cookie had already been to the Show when he was in high school and had a hard time not giving away the good stuff.

After the concert it was back to the hotel and off to dinner at the Italian Village! Then back to the hotel, It was snowing and made a beautiful sight with all the lights in the trees.

Sunday my headache went from bad to worse. I could barely Stand to have my glasses on so we decided to take it easy. We packed up and stored our bags downstairs while we went to breakfast at Wildberry Pancakes and Cafe . Breakfast was wonderful, (I highly recommend the Berry Bliss Pancakes!) I just wish I could have enjoyed it without the headache. When we got back to hotel, we headed to Union Station to catch the train home. It was a wonderful trip but I was glad to be headed home. So thankful it was a safe trip.

Monday Determination

This morning I slept late. I swore I wouldn't do that. Get Princess Pea up for school and then snuggle back into the nest of my bed. Down mattress topper, soft and formed to my body, pillows plump and blankets warm. I promised myself that I wouldn't give in to that temptation. I would rise at the same time, get Princess off to school and then take on the household. I have always wanted to be a stay at home mom and now I have the chance. I don't want to waste it on sleep!  But this morning, I was tired. I didn't sleep well. My body ached. I didn't want to face the day. I used every excuse and snuggled back in, only to sleep until nearly 11. So much for that promise! 

Good thing every day is a new day. Every day is a chance to start over. Even if that day starts at 11 AM! So I dug in and renewed my promise to myself that I would be productive in these precious days off. That I would set goals and accomplish them in this unexpected opportunity. 

So I turned my radio station to the local Christian station and turned my mind to God. I read my favorite blogs which helped boost my spirit and scanned Pinterest for new ideas for house and home. I worked on cleaning, laundry and home management, all the while thanking God for this opportunity.  I am so glad that God doesn't forget His promises, or sleep late, or procrastinate. I am thankful and humble that no matter what, His promises stand and I can lean on them when I fall. 

"The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. he is patient with you."

2 Peter 3:9

"Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful."

Hebrews 10:23

""God is not a man, that he should lie, nor a son of man, that he should change his mind. Does he speak and then not act? Dos he promise and not fulfill?"

Numbers 23:19

So today may have started later than I wanted, but I can still move forward and do what I promised myself I would. Honey ran off to the University he will be attending to get books. Princess Pea is at school and Cookie is downstairs with his "brother" Michael watching a movie. I am working on organization, one of my top priorities.  On my favorite blog, the author addressed this very topic and offered some free printables  that I took advantage of. I will be making a "Master To-Do" List over the next day or two, listing all projects in the house that I would like to get done.  

So, I am off to accomplish an item or two before a meeting at school and then dance lessons.