I'm back...

Once again...I apolgize, I am the world's worst blogger. I think about it often, I should really write something. I want to be a writer when I grow up some day, ha! I love writing. But the perfectionist in me puts off what I can do perfectly. So that leaves 3+ months since my last post, waiting for the perfect topic, perfect words...too much pressure.

So over the past 3+ months, of course there has been good and bad. On the plus side, I have really been enjoying our summer vacation from school. That's a no-brainer! After a long, hard, exhausting school year, this break is exactly what I needed. The girls and I are having lots of fun in the sun...trips to the pool, park, library, movies, etc. They're really enjoying their season passes to 6 Flags Great America. Such a deal. We've already been to the park 4 times (they've been 5, once with their dad). Considering the passes cost just a few bucks more than a one-day ticket, such a deal. On our home days, house is looking good, laundry & dishes are kept up, projects are being chiseled on...so much easier when I'm not working.

On the not-so-plus side, the last 3 months have brought the deaths of 2 more dear grandfathers in my life. So I have lost my 3 grandfathers in 16 months. But how blessed am I to be 37 years old (for 9 more days) and to have these men in my life for so long. My husband's grandfather passed away on April 6, Grandpa Reed. I met my husband's grandparents in Aug. 1995 at my first mega-family reunion. Since we married in '96, they've been my grandparents, too. Grandpa Reed was an incredibly genuine, caring, godly man. My husband did an amazing job eulogizing his grandfather at his funeral and spoke of the great influence he'd had on his life. It was a beautiful funeral but an even more beautiful life. We miss you, Grandpa and look forward to the day we are reunited with our Lord & Saviour Jesus Christ in heaven.

Then on June 14, my dad's dad Grandpa Dietz passed away in Florida. It had been 10 years since I'd seen him and even that day I wasn't sure he remembered me. He was 91. My Grandma Dietz had passed away from cancer when I was 9, many years ago. The majority of my memories of my grandpa also include my grandma. Camping trips, UNO games, homemade brownies in their red & white kitchen, and Glen Rock pop always stocked in their basement fridge. :)

Father's Day left a lump in my throat that I could not swallow. How I missed these 3 men who had left their mark on my life from very different periods of time. My heart broke for my dad (who'd lost his dad 6 days b4 Fathers Day). My heart still breaks for my husband on Father's Day after he lost his dad at such a young age. For my girls to lose 3 great-grandfathers. But yet...my dad and my daughters' dad are here and so worthy to be celebrated.

How blessed am I...to be loved by my family, to have a family to love. I am grateful, Lord Jesus. It's funny (well not funny but you know what I mean) how grief comes in waves. You think all is well and you're cruising along, then the thoughts come...the tears...the memories.

Thank you Lord for blessing me abundantly with the gift of my family!!

Happy Spring Break! :)

I am lovin' being off from school this week for spring break! And today it is sunny and 58 degrees, heat wave for northern IL. The weather forecast for the next few days is shocking, sunny & 70 degree temps! Whoo-hoo. We've been having fun with friends, visit to the movie theatre (Diary of a Wimpy Kid), shopping mall, Jelly Belly factory, Monkey Joe's (indoor inflatable playplace), and a Sleeping Beauty play tomorrow. Fun, fun, fun!

I am so blessed to have the greatest two daughters ever. And blessed to have such great friends to enjoy this week off with. Thank you, Lord!

Since it's been a looonnngggg time since I posted any photos, here are some old ones but still cute, from the past few months.

Our American Girls at Chicago American Girl Place, Dec. 09

Katey & Mommy at Shedd Aquarium Dec. 2009

Our family, Christmas 2009 at my brother's house

Katey was Mary in her preschool Christmas program in Dec. 09, she was so excited to be just like her big sister who was Mary at the same preschool in Dec. 04

December 2009, the girls & I in Chicago

Life...and death

Today I learned that a childhood friend died this morning. She was 37 years old, just like me. She had daughters, just like me. She was a wife, mom, sister, daughter...just like me. Her name was Angie and she was my cousin Debbie's best friend forever.

Debbie & I were born 4 days apart. Angie was Debbie's neighbor, lived just around the corner. If I wasn't at home when I was a kid, I was at my cousin Debbie's house. We often wandered down the street to Angie's house...to "play" when we were little and then to "hang out" when we were older. Angie was hilarious. She could make you laugh & laugh, until you thought you might pee your pants!!! She was hilarious. I loved hanging out with her & Debbie. They were like peanut butter & jelly together. That's what I remember from being a kid, how they were always together. I can't imagine losing a lifelong friend, the depths of grief.

Just this week I was teasing my cousin Debbie on facebook. Angie & I had commented back & forth. I sent her a friend request and she accepted. :)

I pray for her husband, daughters, sisters, family, & her best friend Debbie. May you all be comforted by God's love and peace during the dark days ahead. I love you, Debbie, and I am so sorry for your deep loss. May you rest in peace, Angie.

Merry CHRISTmas!! :)

"And while they were there, the time came for her baby to be born. She gave birth to her first child, a son. She wrapped him snugly in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the village inn.

That night some shepherds were in the fields outside the village, guarding their flocks of sheep. Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord's glory surrounded them. They were terribly frightened, but the angel reassured them. 'Don't be afraid!' he said. 'I bring you good news of great joy for everyone! The Savior- yes, the Messiah, the Lord- has been born tonight in Bethelehem, the city of David! And this is how you will recognize him: You will find a baby lying in a manger, wrapped snugly in strips of cloth!'

Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others- the armies of heaven- praising God: 'Glory to God in the highest heaven, and peace on earth to all whom God favors.'" (Luke 2:6-14, NLT, italics added)

There is nothing better on earth than this story to blog about today, or really any day. "Don't be afraid!" Far too often I struggle in fear over the big and little things of life. Children's health, moving on after death, loneliness, failures, finances...getting homework done, clean kids, clean house, job-work done, home stuff done, too much to get done!

But yet God says, "Don't be afraid!!" The angel proclaims, I bring you GOOD NEWS of GREAT JOY for EVERYONE! Everyone includes me,...not EXcludes me. There is no reason to fear, or worry, or be anxious for anything. Because God has come, Immanuel, Jesus in the flesh , born as a human baby to come for me and EveryOne!

Worry be gone, and be replaced with joy in my heart on this blessed Christmas. We are here, we are together. God has blessed us abundantly with salvation in Christ. Amen & Merry Christmas!! :)