Trying Something New - Tuesday Texts

I had the idea a few weeks ago to start posting some of the texts Beth sends me and the family. Sometimes they make me scratch my head, others make me laugh.

 

I don't remember how old she was when she got her first phone, and I keep forgetting to ask Sharaya and Diana. I'm sure they would know. We showed her how to text and if I remember right she just texted for a long time. Didn't do a whole lot else with her phone. 

 

Today she texts, plays games, takes pictures, listens to music, watches videos... she's learned a lot over the years!  

 

I'm going to try to post the actual text but if I can't for whatever reason, I'll write them with the same punctuation she uses.

 

When we were sick last month ~

 

Beth: i don't know if I want to go to all aboard tomorrow and wednesday to

 

Me: Should I cancel DART? 

 

B: Yes please

 

Then two days later ~

 

 

Don't you love the way she spells bananas? I've shown her how it's spelled but she always writes banan's. With the apostrophe too! She's listed the item and how many she wants of each. The 'blog cheese' is a block of cheese. I can't get her to buy cheese sticks, she wants to cut it herself at home. Cheddar and sour cream chips. 'Soft backed' is soft baked cookies. She buys the same things, in the same sizes every time. 

 

She was disappointed she couldn't go that day, she loves to grocery shop!

 

Champions, Family, Moving

We had breakfast with Sharaya and Ally this morning, then headed to the movie theater to see Champions. Have you seen it? Some of the language was a little crude but overall it was a great movie. A man who didn't know anything about people with special needs ends up coaching their Special Olympics basketball team. He learns a lot about what's really important in life. Thankfully I remembered to bring tissue!

 

 I got word on Thursday that I would be moving desks at work. I have been at my desk in the front office for more than 16 years. And within a week I will be in a quiet 'quad' (with three other admin) on the third floor. Honestly I'm extremely nervous. A person can create quite a routine and rhythm in 16 years. But as I've been processing it, I know I'm going to love it. I can choose my hours because I won't have to fill in for lunches for the other staff in the front office; I will be able to leave my desk whenever needed and don't have to make sure one of us is manning the office at all times; no more double doors opening and closing all day; phones won't be ringing off the hook... When I really think about it I get excited about it. There's going to be a lot of adjusting, but I know it's exactly what I need and I'm going to grow to absolutely love the quiet space!

 

 My view since 2007

 

 Adelaide is learning in leaps and bounds lately! She's a little over three months and is starting to 'talk' a lot! She babbles and coos, it's adorable. She's learned to grip things, she and Poppy are starting to make a connection, and today, she found her thumb!

 

 

Sharaya trimmed Ally's hair the other day. It had gotten pretty long so she cut it and then straightened it. I love this picture of her with Moxie.

 

 Well, it's time for bed. I hope you're having a wonderful weekend!

Sister Memories, Dressed Up, and Huge Success

 The conference was a huge success, thank you for your prayers! The pastors all commented on the dinner Wednesday night and said they felt spoiled, which is exactly what we wanted. On Friday, the last day of the conference, one of the speakers felt led to pray for people who were drained and needed a fresh touch of the Lord. H-u-n-d-r-e-d-s of people came to the altar and he spent the next two and a half hours anointing those pastors and praying over each one. It was very emotional to watch!

 

Look at that homemade cookie!

 Not much else has been happening around here. Tomorrow, March 21st was my sister Kathy's birthday. She would have been 70, but died just a little over a year ago.

 

I surprised her at Disneyland. 

She had no idea I was coming and it's a moment I will never forget!

Hiking here in WA State. She had come up to visit one summer.

 

Visiting her and Ken in CO

Beth had last week off due to the conference and she was thrilled! She stayed home those two days and told me she sang, and danced, and "moved around." The weather was sunny and in the 60's on Saturday so we went out to the backyard and she helped me clean off the patio. We moved the furniture, scrubbed off the moss, and swept everything. It's so nice now, I just want to sit and stare at it!

 

Diana's been sending us regular updates on the family. She starts back to work (remotely) this week... today in fact! I guess she goes back into the office in a few months. 

 On her first road trip

 

At home on the east coast. All decked out for St. Patrick's Day!

 Sharaya and Ally are planning to visit them in a few weeks and I must say I'm a little jealous! But, everyone in our family is healthy and doing well so I am one happy mom!

Just Checking In

 This will be short...

 

They changed the day we have our weekly staff meetings at work so now I'm working 6 days a week. Not full days every time but still up and at work almost every day. I need to rearrange my schedule and that should happen in a week or two.

 

Diana, Peter, and his parents made it back to New Jersey. They arrived yesterday and Poppy was so excited to see them! Peter recorded their reunion and that dog went crazy! It did my heart good to see their family all together again. We video chatted with them today, it was good to see them. 

 

We went out to breakfast with Sharaya and Ally this morning. We hadn't seen them since D&P left! They are so busy, it was good to have time with them.

 

Beth is doing well. Back to feeling 100% and is bowling again and going to karaoke and work.

 

We've got a big pastor's conference next week so I probably won't be on here much. It's a conference that allows pastors a place to rest, a place to heal, and get fed spiritually. We're going to be so busy, I have to remember it's not all about the tasks. It's about the pastors who are weary and many are on the verge of leaving the ministry; it's about loving on them, praying for them and pampering them for a few days. I appreciate your prayers as we minister to these men and women of God who give so much of themselves 24/7. Please pray they leave refreshed and full of hope and encouragement.

 

I pray that for all of you as well, that you are encouraged this week and are refreshed in the day-to-day aspects of life. God bless you!

Saying Goodbye

After church last Sunday we all met for lunch at one of our favorite Mexican restaurants La Palmera. It was good to see Peter's parents again. My heart had been in my throat all day but I managed to make it through lunch. Beth tested negative that morning so she was able to come too. Still wasn't 100% but felt well enough to join us.

 

 

After lunch we headed over to Diana and Peter's to help clean out the last of the stuff. We loaded up the cars, then headed outside so Peter could do the final walk-through with their landlord. We ended up taking a ton of pictures! I won't share them all but here are a few:

 

My 💖

Sharaya took pictures of Diana and Peter in front of their house. The only one missing is Poppy! But she's temporarily with Peter's sister in New Jersey and seems to be adjusting well. 

We gathered around in a circle and Chuck prayed for the four of them as they're headed across the country. We spent a few minutes hugging everyone, then they climbed into the cars and were gone.

 

 I snapped this picture, then burst into tears. The ache in my heart was so real. I cried off and on all the way home, and all evening I felt like a zombie. 

 

By Tuesday I was feeling better, thinking about all the adventures they'll have as a new family. When Diana first moved out there she was single and didn't even know Peter existed. We were talking about how she's moved seven times in the last seven years. And now they'll get to find a home where they can put down roots and have space for their family to grow. I can't wait to see them this Christmas!!