We had the privilege in the last week of having both my mom and Caleb's parents come to visit. Not at the same time, but within 2 days of each other. This is truly the highlight of our kids' year- having grandparents visit. My dad, "Papa", wasn't able to come this time around but we're going to keep on him until he is able to break away from work and come see these kids who miss him like crazy. I know it must have nearly killed him to let my mom come without him. That's truly unselfish love!
When my mom was here we went downtown and mostly just spent quality time together. It was very refreshing for her to get away from her new restaurant and take a breather- but it was just as refreshing for me and Caleb. Time with Mom is always a treasure. And of course, the kids love having Momo in the house because she is such a tender, loving influence. They each get to share so many precious moments with her, like a tender cuddle session or a sweet song. She is a teacher at heart, always finding a life lesson in the simplest things. She imparts wisdom in their lives and I believe she prays a great deal for this legacy she and my dad have built. She is especially good at soothing and nurturing. Simply put, she just warms up a room. Delainey told her "We're going to hold on to your legs so you can't leave." Sadly, I did take her to the airport last Tuesday. I drove away with tears stinging my eyes because I knew I wouldn't get to see her again for a few months. But God has really blessed us with my older brother's job at USAirways so my parents fly for about $50 round-trip. At least I get to look forward to visits every few months. I can't wait until the next visit. Next time, WE WANT PAPA TOO!
We also took Caleb's parents downtown and enjoyed the beautifully decorated stores and buildings that really get me into the "Christmas spirit". We also spent a lot of time around the house- decorating for Christmas and baking. Caleb's parents are always so helpful with things like yard work. Caleb's dad likes to jump in and mow the lawn or whatever else he sees he could help in. He's been known to strip and re-wax a tiled floor in a day just to pass the time. He loves projects he can put his heart into. Since he loves us so much, anything that helps us, he puts his heart into. Caleb's mom is notoriously fun for the kids. She loves to read books, jump on the trampoline, sing songs, go to the movies and bake cookies. She does such a great job of spending time with the kids and making memories. The kids sing the songs she has taught them, months after a visit. Bryant sang "John Jacob Jingle-Heimer Schmitt" since he could first talk because his Granny taught it to him. There is no shortage of fun when Granny and Pops are in town! We also opened presents from Granny & Pops while they were here. Caleb's parents have bought probably more than 50% of our children's clothes and toys over the years. They are extremely generous to us and we appreciate the countless ways they give to us.
What an exciting month December is this year! Grandparents AND Christmas, what more could a kid want? Oh, I know, they want Papa too!
(I'll try to post pictures from these visits soon)
Monday, December 10, 2007
Wednesday, December 5, 2007
Unexpected Blessings
It was 9:30 p.m., last night. My mind was racing through all the things I needed to do today like wash sheets, clean bathrooms, dust and prepare for our company who would arrive the day after. Just as I was getting ready to slip into bed, the phone rang. I was surprised my friend would be calling me so late but I'm glad I answered. She said she had just been given 4 tickets to go see Beauty and the Beast at the College of Charleston. She wanted to know if the girls and I could join her early the next morning.
I had already decided I couldn't add ANYTHING to my schedule for today because I had way more on my plate than I could resonably handle. I took five minutes to think it over and called her back to accept her invitation. So I got up at 5am this morning, got Bry off to school, got myself and the girls ready and headed downtown. After wandering downtown for a little while, we finally found our way to the Theatre. We thoroughly enjoyed the show. Elle sat through the entire thing, clapping and saying "Oooo" on the pretty parts. Delainey was a little nervous about the beast but ended up liking the whole thing very much.
So, as if I'm not far enough behind today, now I'm sitting down to blog about it! It was a great time and even though I blew off a "To-Do" list of about 30 things, I'm so thankful for the opportunity! ...Now, I'm off to work!
I had already decided I couldn't add ANYTHING to my schedule for today because I had way more on my plate than I could resonably handle. I took five minutes to think it over and called her back to accept her invitation. So I got up at 5am this morning, got Bry off to school, got myself and the girls ready and headed downtown. After wandering downtown for a little while, we finally found our way to the Theatre. We thoroughly enjoyed the show. Elle sat through the entire thing, clapping and saying "Oooo" on the pretty parts. Delainey was a little nervous about the beast but ended up liking the whole thing very much.
So, as if I'm not far enough behind today, now I'm sitting down to blog about it! It was a great time and even though I blew off a "To-Do" list of about 30 things, I'm so thankful for the opportunity! ...Now, I'm off to work!
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
24 Things I Love About My Sister…
Today is my sister’s 24th birthday. In honor of her, I wanted to write 24 of the many things I love about her.
1. She has a great deal of courage. She moved out when she was 18 to pursue her college, dreams and career. She also moved to Hawaii even though she knew no one else on the island because she had a dream to pursue.
2. She keeps it real and simple. Stacy’s not afraid to be seen with out makeup (she shouldn’t be since she’s naturally gorgeous) and she’s not too proud to cry in front of people. She’s not fake and she’s not fussy- just herself.
3. She has an amazing ability to interact with children. Stacy has always had such a love for children. She adores her nieces and nephews and has always made time to converse with children. Even as a teenager, she loved the kids she taught swimming lessons to almost as much as they loved her.
4. Stacy has a great sense of style. She can make flip-flops look good with anything and she can pull the best outfit together on a modest budget.
5. She has great hair, which I can’t give her credit for since she was born with it, but it’s hers none-the-less. She has this gorgeous, golden curly hair that makes anyone who sees it, want that kind of hair.
6. She has a priority of family. Our family is so important to her and she shows her love by going out of her way to spend time with everyone.
7. Her example of great work ethic. Since her teenage years, she has been promoted to positions of authority. She takes her work seriously and even missed Delainey’s birth so that she wouldn’t miss her shift because she knew people were counting on her.
8. She has such a great smile. I love the little gap between her front teeth and I love her dimples too.
9. She is a faithful friend. She is still in touch with so many friends from different times in her life. People see her from high school and know that no matter what or how long it’s been, Stacy is still their friend.
10. Stacy cares for the less fortunate. I remember when Stacy was in school she bought a very poor girl a pair of jeans for her birthday because she knew she didn’t have much. Stacy doesn’t classify people or befriend someone because of their status. She sees everyone as equal and as a potential friend.
11. She gives the best massages ever! It helps that she went to massage therapy school and that she has very strong arms. I loved it when she was in training and “needed to practice” massage. I was always a willing recipient.
12. A part of me will always see her as a beautiful little curly-headed girl with big dimples. No matter how old Stacy gets, I can always remember what an absolute doll she was as a little girl. I love that I was old enough to keep those precious memories of her as a baby and toddler.
13. She is very tender hearted. She is moved and touched by sweet things.
14. She’s resourceful. She can make the most of a tough situation and she’s good with stretching a budget.
15. She’s a dreamer and a romantic. She approaches situations with optimism and goodness. Like with owning a dog, she never owned a dog and didn’t know what all it entailed, but loved the idea of having a dog. It was tough, but she’s happily an owner of a sweet dog named Bert. (I call him Mr. Reynolds)
16. She loves old people. Stacy is so respectful and kind to older people. She always shows respect and takes time to talk with her elders as if they were a good friend.
17. Stacy is ambitious and intelligent. She dreams big and goes after it. She is fully capable and I think people who meet her recognize that.
18. She has such a great sense of adventure. She loves hiking, the outdoors and trying new things.
19. She is the perfect mixture of being girlie and a tom-boy. She’s beautiful but also strong.
20. She has dimples. Who doesn’t love dimples? I know I mentioned them before, but they are worth repeating.
21. Her crooked pinky finger. Not sure why, but I love that about her too.
22. I love the way she gets goofy when she’s sleepy. Maybe because I know the feeling.
23. She can beat me in a swimming race (which wasn’t always the case).
24. Her persevering attitude- she doesn’t give up when she’s had 2 car accidents in 2 weeks, a bad report from the Dr. and finances are tight- all at the same time.
Happy Birthday Stacy! We love you and miss you!
The Keslers
1. She has a great deal of courage. She moved out when she was 18 to pursue her college, dreams and career. She also moved to Hawaii even though she knew no one else on the island because she had a dream to pursue.
2. She keeps it real and simple. Stacy’s not afraid to be seen with out makeup (she shouldn’t be since she’s naturally gorgeous) and she’s not too proud to cry in front of people. She’s not fake and she’s not fussy- just herself.
3. She has an amazing ability to interact with children. Stacy has always had such a love for children. She adores her nieces and nephews and has always made time to converse with children. Even as a teenager, she loved the kids she taught swimming lessons to almost as much as they loved her.
4. Stacy has a great sense of style. She can make flip-flops look good with anything and she can pull the best outfit together on a modest budget.
5. She has great hair, which I can’t give her credit for since she was born with it, but it’s hers none-the-less. She has this gorgeous, golden curly hair that makes anyone who sees it, want that kind of hair.
6. She has a priority of family. Our family is so important to her and she shows her love by going out of her way to spend time with everyone.
7. Her example of great work ethic. Since her teenage years, she has been promoted to positions of authority. She takes her work seriously and even missed Delainey’s birth so that she wouldn’t miss her shift because she knew people were counting on her.
8. She has such a great smile. I love the little gap between her front teeth and I love her dimples too.
9. She is a faithful friend. She is still in touch with so many friends from different times in her life. People see her from high school and know that no matter what or how long it’s been, Stacy is still their friend.
10. Stacy cares for the less fortunate. I remember when Stacy was in school she bought a very poor girl a pair of jeans for her birthday because she knew she didn’t have much. Stacy doesn’t classify people or befriend someone because of their status. She sees everyone as equal and as a potential friend.
11. She gives the best massages ever! It helps that she went to massage therapy school and that she has very strong arms. I loved it when she was in training and “needed to practice” massage. I was always a willing recipient.
12. A part of me will always see her as a beautiful little curly-headed girl with big dimples. No matter how old Stacy gets, I can always remember what an absolute doll she was as a little girl. I love that I was old enough to keep those precious memories of her as a baby and toddler.
13. She is very tender hearted. She is moved and touched by sweet things.
14. She’s resourceful. She can make the most of a tough situation and she’s good with stretching a budget.
15. She’s a dreamer and a romantic. She approaches situations with optimism and goodness. Like with owning a dog, she never owned a dog and didn’t know what all it entailed, but loved the idea of having a dog. It was tough, but she’s happily an owner of a sweet dog named Bert. (I call him Mr. Reynolds)
16. She loves old people. Stacy is so respectful and kind to older people. She always shows respect and takes time to talk with her elders as if they were a good friend.
17. Stacy is ambitious and intelligent. She dreams big and goes after it. She is fully capable and I think people who meet her recognize that.
18. She has such a great sense of adventure. She loves hiking, the outdoors and trying new things.
19. She is the perfect mixture of being girlie and a tom-boy. She’s beautiful but also strong.
20. She has dimples. Who doesn’t love dimples? I know I mentioned them before, but they are worth repeating.
21. Her crooked pinky finger. Not sure why, but I love that about her too.
22. I love the way she gets goofy when she’s sleepy. Maybe because I know the feeling.
23. She can beat me in a swimming race (which wasn’t always the case).
24. Her persevering attitude- she doesn’t give up when she’s had 2 car accidents in 2 weeks, a bad report from the Dr. and finances are tight- all at the same time.
Happy Birthday Stacy! We love you and miss you!
The Keslers
Thursday, October 18, 2007
Thursday's 13 ~ Things I will never out grow
1. State Fairs. I love the smells, the rides, the people watching and the highly unhealthy food.
2. Seeing bathing suit tan lines in the mirror. I love the satisfaction that comes from realizing I got a tan!
3. Freshly painted toe nails. They just make you feel pretty.
4. Seeing my parents happy. There's no feeling like it.
5. Being in love with my knight in shinning armor. I've always been a romantic.
6. Wrapping up in a blanket on the couch and watching a good movie. That doesn't happen much these days, but I love the rare ocassion.
7. Going to a high school football game. The big lights, loud crowd, the band and silly young cheerleaders.
8. Reading kids books that rhyme. "I will not eat them in a boat, I will not eat them with a goat..."
9. Taking road trips. I guess this comes from growing up in a small town where going out of town was a regular part of our routine for groceries and stuff. I love maps, travel plans and new places to see.
10. Tea parties. Loved to pretend when I was little and love to do them for real now.
11. Playing tag. There is something hilarious and exilerating about someone trying to get you. Last time I played tag in my backyard with the kids, I laughed so hard that my stomache hurt!
12. Camping. Love everything about it. My absolute best childhood memories are camping in the White Mountains of AZ when I was little.
13. Wanting my mom when I'm sick. Caleb is sweet when I'm sick but there's just something about Mom's TLC when I'm under the weather.
2. Seeing bathing suit tan lines in the mirror. I love the satisfaction that comes from realizing I got a tan!
3. Freshly painted toe nails. They just make you feel pretty.
4. Seeing my parents happy. There's no feeling like it.
5. Being in love with my knight in shinning armor. I've always been a romantic.
6. Wrapping up in a blanket on the couch and watching a good movie. That doesn't happen much these days, but I love the rare ocassion.
7. Going to a high school football game. The big lights, loud crowd, the band and silly young cheerleaders.
8. Reading kids books that rhyme. "I will not eat them in a boat, I will not eat them with a goat..."
9. Taking road trips. I guess this comes from growing up in a small town where going out of town was a regular part of our routine for groceries and stuff. I love maps, travel plans and new places to see.
10. Tea parties. Loved to pretend when I was little and love to do them for real now.
11. Playing tag. There is something hilarious and exilerating about someone trying to get you. Last time I played tag in my backyard with the kids, I laughed so hard that my stomache hurt!
12. Camping. Love everything about it. My absolute best childhood memories are camping in the White Mountains of AZ when I was little.
13. Wanting my mom when I'm sick. Caleb is sweet when I'm sick but there's just something about Mom's TLC when I'm under the weather.
Friday, October 12, 2007
What's Cooking?
There once was a girl named Bella. She was a typical stay at home mom, often doubting her self worth and struggled through common issues of finances, being fun and creative with the kids and staying focused. After a long season of frustration and feeling defeated, she woke up one morning and decided to do her best that day. She couldn't do a lot but she could give her best effort at a good attitude and filling her home with love. She got up early and had the right attitude. She settled the matter of Who was her Authority nice and early then danced on through her chores, changing diapers, doing laundry and spending quality time with her little ones. Bella was on a tight budget but remembered she had several apples and all the necessities in her modest pantry to make a pie for her friend who just had a baby. She involved her kids as they added dashes of cinnamon, tabs of butter and a lot of sugar. The pies looked beautiful as she put them in the oven. She opened her kitchen window to let in some of the cool Fall air and to let some of the oven's heat escape the small kitchen...
Bella's neighbor Miss Emily went outside to mow. The moment she walked out the door she smelled something that was heavenly. It reminded her of growing up in England when her grandmother would make puff pastry apple tarts. Miss Emily decided to make some of these little tarts and take them to the retirement home she sometimes volunteered at. It had been years since Miss Emily baked these but she managed to find the recipe and she couldn't deny they were the best she'd ever made! At the retirement home a young intern sampled one of Miss Emily's tarts and she was so moved at her generosity that she decided to do some baking later that evening. She baked some peanut butter cookies and took a plate to the young couple in the apartment under hers. The young wife invited her in and they talked for over an hour as they began a friendship that they would find to last a lifetime. What a pleasant surprise the evening was for both of them. A few days later, the wife made a large meal and returned her neighbor's plate with a beautiful dinner for that evening. The apartment complex smelled so delicious with all this cooking happening that people throughout the building were baking this and cooking that because of the wonderful smells that inspired them.
I wondered how this story would have gone if Bella didn't wake up ready to give her best at the beginning of the story. If she would have sat around in defeat and decided that making a pie wasn't her idea of a fun day. Maybe no one else would have been inspired to bake either. That wouldn't have made for a fun story. Moral of the story? We don't always know how we're inspiring or impacting people. We can just do our best and hope His fragrance reaches others.
What's cooking at your house?
Bella's neighbor Miss Emily went outside to mow. The moment she walked out the door she smelled something that was heavenly. It reminded her of growing up in England when her grandmother would make puff pastry apple tarts. Miss Emily decided to make some of these little tarts and take them to the retirement home she sometimes volunteered at. It had been years since Miss Emily baked these but she managed to find the recipe and she couldn't deny they were the best she'd ever made! At the retirement home a young intern sampled one of Miss Emily's tarts and she was so moved at her generosity that she decided to do some baking later that evening. She baked some peanut butter cookies and took a plate to the young couple in the apartment under hers. The young wife invited her in and they talked for over an hour as they began a friendship that they would find to last a lifetime. What a pleasant surprise the evening was for both of them. A few days later, the wife made a large meal and returned her neighbor's plate with a beautiful dinner for that evening. The apartment complex smelled so delicious with all this cooking happening that people throughout the building were baking this and cooking that because of the wonderful smells that inspired them.
I wondered how this story would have gone if Bella didn't wake up ready to give her best at the beginning of the story. If she would have sat around in defeat and decided that making a pie wasn't her idea of a fun day. Maybe no one else would have been inspired to bake either. That wouldn't have made for a fun story. Moral of the story? We don't always know how we're inspiring or impacting people. We can just do our best and hope His fragrance reaches others.
What's cooking at your house?
Wednesday, October 10, 2007
Great book?
If you're looking for a GREAT book, I just read "The Grace and Truth Paradox" by Randy Alcorn. I read it about 3 years ago and it impacted me so much, I wanted to read it again. I think I'm going to read it once a year to remind me of this balance that I need in my life. It's a short read but it truly is life changing. The theme of the book is the essential, perfect balance of grace and truth. It also touches on many different topics, here are just a few: conservative vs liberal, our society's mindset of entitlement, and looking at our own sins -are they any better than say, Hitler's? ...check it out!
"When a musical instrument's strings go loose, it sounds awful. But you can also overtighten the strings, breaking them or creating discord. There's a perfect tension to grace and truth which makes the gospel (good news) music."
"When you know you deserve eternal hell, it puts a 'bad day' in perspective! If you realize you're undeserving, suddenly the world comes alive- you're surprised and grateful and God's many kindnesses that were invisible when you thought you deserved better. Instead of drowning in self-pity, you're floating on a sea of gratitude."
"Pride is a heavy burden. There is nothing like that feeling of lightness when God graciously lifts our self-illusions from our shoulders. Even refusing to forgive ourselves is an act of pride- it's making ourselves and our sins bigger than God and His grace."
"When a musical instrument's strings go loose, it sounds awful. But you can also overtighten the strings, breaking them or creating discord. There's a perfect tension to grace and truth which makes the gospel (good news) music."
"When you know you deserve eternal hell, it puts a 'bad day' in perspective! If you realize you're undeserving, suddenly the world comes alive- you're surprised and grateful and God's many kindnesses that were invisible when you thought you deserved better. Instead of drowning in self-pity, you're floating on a sea of gratitude."
"Pride is a heavy burden. There is nothing like that feeling of lightness when God graciously lifts our self-illusions from our shoulders. Even refusing to forgive ourselves is an act of pride- it's making ourselves and our sins bigger than God and His grace."
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