Thursday, December 20, 2007
Welcome Brody Matthew
Yesterday, I had the awesome privilege of sharing the day with one of my best friend's as she and her family welcomed a new baby boy, Brody Matthew Chapman, into the world. As we sat with anticipation and the hope of what the day was going to bring, we shared belly laughs, sarcastic "punches," and stories of the past that brought smiles and memories back to life.
As I reflected on the day, I thought about how blessed I am to have been given such wonderful friends. The friends in that room yesterday have been with me through many, many of life's twists and turns. I have wept on each of their shoulders a time or two and they have each wept on mine. They were with me when Jordan had her tonsils removed and they did my laundry when I was put to bed with a blood clot in my leg. They have seen me at my lowest and have shared my greatest triumphs!
It's strange because we have often had to defend our relationship...I think mainly because, at any given time, at least one of us has been in a ministry position. But, quite frankly, some things in life need no defense. I know that God strategically placed each of these people in my life and they have all had an integral part in making it fuller, richer, and better. I could not imagine life without them. These are the people that will gather around me and hold me up when I have to say goodbye to someone I love. These friends will be with me when I watch each of my daughters walk an ailse and begin a life journey with their chosen mate (and I suspect that it could even be one of these friend's sons that my daughters will marry). I would bet that these friends will be the first to congratulate me on the birth of my grandchildren and will nurse me back to health after my bladder suspension!
For these relationships, I owe no one an apology. For saying 'I'm sorry' would indicate that there is something wrong with being blessed in such an amazing way. I think God has these sorts of people for everyone. We can't all be in the trenches of life with everyone we know, but we can all find SOMEONE to jump into the trenches with. These relationships developed through joy as well as suffering. They took time and investment...they still do! But, the return has been exceedingly more than I could ever have hoped!
So, I will boldly praise God for my dearest, closest friends. I will thank Him for Brody and his safe arrival into this world. I will be so excited for Baylee as I watch her beam as she holds Brody in her arms. I will laugh with Matt as he sarcastically talks about how well he's doing after such an intense birth experience! And I will do Jenny's laundry while she recovers from the labor and I will babysit Brody and Baylee when she needs a break. I will share this joy and embrace it. I will bask in it for I know that life gives us very few moments as full of hope as the birth of a child. But, I will not apologize. It isn't necessary.
Ecclesiastes 4:9-12
As I reflected on the day, I thought about how blessed I am to have been given such wonderful friends. The friends in that room yesterday have been with me through many, many of life's twists and turns. I have wept on each of their shoulders a time or two and they have each wept on mine. They were with me when Jordan had her tonsils removed and they did my laundry when I was put to bed with a blood clot in my leg. They have seen me at my lowest and have shared my greatest triumphs!
It's strange because we have often had to defend our relationship...I think mainly because, at any given time, at least one of us has been in a ministry position. But, quite frankly, some things in life need no defense. I know that God strategically placed each of these people in my life and they have all had an integral part in making it fuller, richer, and better. I could not imagine life without them. These are the people that will gather around me and hold me up when I have to say goodbye to someone I love. These friends will be with me when I watch each of my daughters walk an ailse and begin a life journey with their chosen mate (and I suspect that it could even be one of these friend's sons that my daughters will marry). I would bet that these friends will be the first to congratulate me on the birth of my grandchildren and will nurse me back to health after my bladder suspension!
For these relationships, I owe no one an apology. For saying 'I'm sorry' would indicate that there is something wrong with being blessed in such an amazing way. I think God has these sorts of people for everyone. We can't all be in the trenches of life with everyone we know, but we can all find SOMEONE to jump into the trenches with. These relationships developed through joy as well as suffering. They took time and investment...they still do! But, the return has been exceedingly more than I could ever have hoped!
So, I will boldly praise God for my dearest, closest friends. I will thank Him for Brody and his safe arrival into this world. I will be so excited for Baylee as I watch her beam as she holds Brody in her arms. I will laugh with Matt as he sarcastically talks about how well he's doing after such an intense birth experience! And I will do Jenny's laundry while she recovers from the labor and I will babysit Brody and Baylee when she needs a break. I will share this joy and embrace it. I will bask in it for I know that life gives us very few moments as full of hope as the birth of a child. But, I will not apologize. It isn't necessary.
Ecclesiastes 4:9-12
9 Two are better than one,
because they have a good return for their work:
10 If one falls down,
his friend can help him up.
But pity the man who falls
and has no one to help him up!
11 Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm.
But how can one keep warm alone?
12 Though one may be overpowered,
two can defend themselves.
A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.
Saturday, December 15, 2007
M-I-C-K-E-Y M-O-U-S-E
We spent the first week of December with Mickey and some of his friends! It was a magical week full of fun, adventure, and smiles...with a slight dose of whining, complaining, and all out tears! After six very long, full-throttle days, we were all happy to say goodbye to happily ever after and return to the real world. For me, Rockin Roller Coaster and Expedition Everest were the top rides of the parks (the kids loved Space Mountain and we rode it at least 15 times! Splash Mountain was another fave and after several rides, I discovered the best way to keep dry involved more than choosing a seat in the back...I resorted to a rain pancho!) Here are just a few glimpses of our fantasmic week...
This is Emma sporting both her Minnie ears and some 3D glasses! Emma had to have these Minnie ears first thing...she would not take "later" for an answer! She wore them proudly...and looked mighty cute I must say!
JW and Emma showin a little love on the Mickey Express!
This is Thunder Mountain Railroad...another favorite among the kiddos!
We had met Belle the day before this picture (which was taken at Cinderella's Royal Table inside the castle!!) and she remembered the girls. They were so excited that she remembered meeting them. She was so super sweet and treated them each like royalty!
This was the spectacular fireworks show at the Magic Kingdom...and I do mean WOW! You have never been so amazed by pyrotechnology than seeing a fireworks show at Disney!
Although it was the most EXHAUSTING vacation we've taken in awhile, it was so incredibly perfect. Seeing the kids having so much fun and being amazed over and over again was (to use the words of the MasterCard commercial)..."priceless!"
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