Different Direction

I'm just sitting here staring at this blank page. Not sure what to say. Nothing major has happened, no news to report, just writers block I guess.

Last week we had our second meeting of the Northwest Disability Network. It began as a support group for people who lead special needs ministries within their churches. Some are still in the planning stages, one lady officially started a ministry at her church 3 months ago. We planned to meet once a quarter and there were about 8 of us that met to talk about our ministries, what works, what doesn't, ask questions and just support one another.

Last weeks meeting however, included representatives from large organizations. There were probably 25 of us there. One of the reps was from Joni and Friends. The guy who originally started the NWDN, 'B' said he's been in contact with Joni and Friends and they want us to become a Volunteer Base or something like that. We would appoint a president, treasurer and secretary, then host two community events each year. He and the other reps were SO on board about this new venture and he excitedly asked everyone who was interested to raise their hands! Only he and the other reps did. Us 'small potatoes' began to ask questions, "How often would we be meeting?" The officers would meet more often but we could still meet once a quarter if that's what everyone decides. "Will Joni and Friends support us financially?" Well, no, Joni and Friends won't support financially, we'll have to do fundraising. Oh. I know we were all thinking the same thing, 'how much time is this going to take out of my already busy life?'

There was a large contingent from one church - the woman who had it on her heart to start a special needs ministry, their children's pastor, some youth volunteers and a mom who has a child with special needs. The woman asked the group, if you had to start your church ministry again, what would you do differently and why? Everyone was quiet for a minute then someone pointed to me, "You're the only one right now who has a ministry to kids with special needs." I looked over to say something and the reps all began talking at once, "You should volunteer at *this* camp." "You need to help with *that* organization. "You should volunteer at *that* school." No one really answered her question, they just plugged their organizations. (After the meeting was over, I did go over to her and we got a chance to talk about our ministries.)

B finally decided we shouldn't vote on becoming connected with Joni and Friends just yet. "Go home, pray about it and email me." I think he could tell we weren't all on board. I just don't have time to promote Joni and Friends - as great as an organization as they are, I know they've helped a lot of people all over the world. But right now I'm trying to promote and grow the special needs ministry God has put on my heart for my own church.

I think I will go to one more meeting of the NWDN but it seems to be going a different direction than what I first thought. And that's too bad. I've considered contacting the other church leaders and asking them if they want to continue to meet. I really like the idea of a support group for people who are leading special needs ministries within their churches. I know I would go to those meetings.

Rewind Wednesday - Tonsils

I kept journals for our girls while they were growing up. Wrote about school, their friends, milestones, etc. At one doctor appointment he told me that Beth's tonsils were almost touching each other and it would eventually make it hard for her to breathe. So we made the decision to have them removed.

March 20, 1998

It's 7:15 AM and you're sitting on your hospital bed getting ready to have your tonsils out. You drank some medicine to make you sleepy. You are very nervous! Daddy is here with us today! He took the day off from work so he could be with you. I love you Beth! You're going to do great today!

March 21, 1998

Hi Beth,
You did very good during your surgery yesterday. You even tried to sit up in recovery! The trouble started on the way home when you threw up in the car. Then again after we got home. And again and again. It's been very hard for you to keep food down (jello, ice cream) and therefore your pain medicine. We were finally able to give you some at about 7:00 last night. You have had about 5 bites of food today then some pain medicine and I gave you a suppository - you didn't like either of those! - and now you're asleep on the couch. I hadn't wanted it to be this hard for you. I called the prayer chain at church so a lot of people are praying for you. I hope the worst is over and you'll get better soon.


I wrote this a couple weeks later -

P.S. You did get better. It took about 11 days but you then began to perk up and eat more. It was a very hard time for you.

This was before she went in to surgery;

we were waiting for the medicine to take affect.

Beth was 14.

It's Over

My vacation, that is. One of our ministries had a meeting so I set up, served them lunch then tore down after it was over so today I officially went 'back to work'.


We really had a great week. Seattle had great weather! Monday it was in the high 70's; Diana and I sat outside all day. I didn't lift a finger. Didn't cook dinner, didn't do the dishes, nothin'. It was glorious!

The rest of the week I just did random stuff around the house. Watched the kids come and go to their various activities. On Friday I buckled down and actually painted the kitchen. It's not done yet but it's going to look so nice! Our kitchen has been an eggshell color and I'm painting it Pale Daffodil. It's yellow without being YELLOW, if you know what I mean. Diana used the roller on the big wall while I used a brush on the smaller areas. I thought Beth might come up and help but after she got home from job class, she went downstairs and didn't come up again until dinner!

Saturday we babysat Allie so we went out for ice cream, then went to the beach. It was low tide so we walked out to the water and threw rocks. We sat on some driftwood and layed on the grass for a while. It was a relaxing way to end the week.

Picnic Point Park

(Not my picture)

Needed

I'm on vacation this week. We're not planning any trips or anything, I'm just hanging out around the house. Sleeping in, reading books, sitting by the pool.

What? Were you imagining something different? Well, it's not the Isle of Capri, but it's exactly what I've needed this week!

Peaceful, After the U-Turn

I hope you all had a very happy Mother's Day. I thought of Joany and Polly and wondered how they celebrated their day, if they were able to celebrate at all. I prayed their weekends were filled with a few happy memories of their babies.

We celebrated on Saturday and our day went something like this:

On Saturday Sharaya took part in a 5K fun run/walk to help end human trafficking. It was through World Concern. Sharaya and Allie were coming to our house after it was over because Ryan had to work. They planned to take the shuttle to the start of the race so Beth and I drove to the shuttle pick up location (we had to transfer the car seat and diaper bag to our van) only to learn that they decided to park at Crista, the location of the 5K. Now, I must tell you that I am really bad with directions. I can get lost in a bathroom. Anyway, I drove to another shuttle location and the guy told me there was no parking. He then proceeded to tell me how to get to Crista because there was parking there. He told me, I repeated it, he said it again and as I was driving away, I promptly forgot!! We ended up in a neighborhood quite a ways away from where we wanted. I took a deep breath and made a u-turn. We eventually made our way to the Crista parking lot about 45 minutes after the race started. Crazy. And it was only a couple minutes from my house!! I really need to get out more.

Waiting for Sharaya to finish.

 

 

I also found out (after Sharaya was finished) that we were on the wrong side of the finish line! All those people in that picture? They had already crossed the finish line. They were just coming up the street to get their lunch. 

We got home and opened presents. I got so many things! Jewelry, a beautiful cross, a wind chime, a movie (The Lake House) a book of crossword puzzles (I need to do something to help improve my memory!) and of course chocolate!

Diana and I got Sharaya one of those antique pictures of Allie. I wish I had taken a picture of her opening it! One of those sepia pictures with the old clocks and suitcases, Allie was in a lace dress, it really turned out cute!

Chuck made dinner, then we sat out on the patio and played Catch Phrase.

Beth fell asleep waiting for all the fun to begin.

After the sun went behind the trees we came inside and played Mexican Train.

Me and my girls.

Sunday (after we got home from church) was spent just hanging out around the house. We played rummy, ate chocolate and watched movies. My family really gave me a beautiful, relaxing, peaceful weekend!

Overwhelmed

I'm not even sure where to begin. Nothing major, nothing serious, just lots of change. Change stresses me out.

In two weeks I'll be starting a new position at work. It's nothing I've ever done before and I'm a little overwhelmed at the task. I think it will be fun, I think I'll like it it but I'm not 100% sure I'll be able to do it. My hours will be cut, at least to start. Once we know what the new job will entail, I may get more hours but for now I'll lose my benefits. Other peoples hours are being cut, others are leaving, just so much anxiety right now. It's been a little stressful not knowing what the future holds.

Then I come home. This house has just become too much. I've been doing some spring cleaning lately, washing windows, cleaning out closets, but it still looks like a disaster! Every surface has something on it. Every. Single. Surface. I can't keep up with it anymore. I try. I make lists of chores and things that need doing, but it just never gets done. No matter how hard I try, I can't keep up with it. Why does the state of my house dictate the state of my mind?

You know Beth's outfits she likes so much? The pants were too long for her so I hemmed them. After a few months, the hem came out. So I'm in the process of hemming them again, this time she wants them shorter. I began working on them over the weekend, but only got one half of one pant leg done. This morning she's heading out the door and I notice she's wearing this outfit!! Her pants actually have three different lengths! Oh my word. I asked the Lord to not let anyone notice her pants today! :)

We recently bought some paint for the kitchen. Pale Daffodil. I began removing pictures, washing walls and that's where it ends! Haven't done anything else to prep the kitchen for painting.

My glasses broke two weeks ago. I've been back and forth to the eye doctor and yesterday after work we went to pick them up. They're progressive lenses and I'm trying to get used to them. It has not been easy. After the eye doctor, we did some grocery shopping then headed to church for the prayer meeting. By the time we got home it was 9:00 at night! Definitely didn't want to start in on the kitchen then!

I'm just overwhelmed. I know this will pass. Things will get better. The house will come together. Things at work will calm down and everything will become normal again. A new normal, but normal nonetheless.

A Sure Sign of Spring

Diana was sitting at the kitchen table the other day when she hollered at me, "Mom! Come look! Quick!!"

I ran to the dining room to see this:

A mama duck and her chicks walking up our driveway! We think they were coming from our neighbors cause they have a pond in their yard. We don't see this kind of thing every day! So I grabbed the camera and we ran outside. They turned out of our driveway and headed up the street.

Our street is very busy and whenever a car would drive by, they'd head to the fences. Then back on their way. We were so afraid they'd try to cross the street so we followed them a little ways.

Sure enough, that's exactly what they did. Mama headed through a patch of unmowed grass and the little chicks followed her, getting lost in the tall grass. That's when I put down my camera and went out to stop traffic. Diana got behind them and shepherded them across the 3 lane street, Mama was squawking the entire time!

They got to the other side, but couldn't get up the curb! So we carefully helped them, as they'd jump we'd sort of put our hands under them and lift them the rest of the way. Mama was really squawking now!

Safe and sound on the other side of the street, they continued on their journey. To where we don't know cause there's not much around here for wild ducks.

I think she is the same Mama duck who brought last years chicks to our neighbors pond.

Last year.

This year.

If she is, we can't wait til next year!

Bittersweet

There hasn't been a lot to write about lately.

On Saturday we went to a Vintage Market put on by some of the kids in the youth choir from our church. They're raising money for their mission trip to England next month. Beth, Diana and I stopped by but we didn't really buy anything. (Some homemade salsa and banana bread.) They had some really nice stuff: furniture, quilts, baking supplies, plants, homemade greeting cards. I wanted to buy a lot but I didn't have a lot of money to spend and I don't need anymore stuff.

The youth choir sings in our Sunday services this weekend. This will be the last time Beth will sing in the Sanctuary. I think I might have told you that after about 30 years they are disbanding the choir. In the fall there will just be smaller ensembles and I'm guessing you're going to have to sing quite well to be in one. The Psalms are filled with encouraging words to 'make a joyful noise' and that's exactly what Beth does! There are a few parents upset about this change so who knows what will happen in the future. But for now, Sunday is the end. It's going to be a bittersweet day!

(There's one more event in our somewhat small town near the end of July and the choir has been invited to sing there.)

I want to appologize for not having many pictures lately. I've been having severe lower back pain so I stopped carrying my camera everywhere. And my back seems to be getting better. Hmm, imagine that?! :)