Celebration!

What a crazy weekend with my family!  4 basketball games, one soccer match and two baptisms in the span of about 36 hours.  Unfortunately we went 2-3 as a fam in the sport arena!  Oh well, we can't always win!  : )

Preston's high school team won 2 huge games, both by two points.  They beat the #2 team in MI Class B who until that night had not lost in nearly two years in conference play.  It was wild and a lot of fun to be there.  

But what I will remember most is Sunday ... when two young men stood in front of thousands of witnesses and family and friends to proclaim their commitment to live as a follower of Christ.  To hear them share their stories, raise a fist to heaven and say, "I am proud to be a Christ follower", were the proudest moments of my life as an Aunt.  Yes, even prouder then the two free throws made at the end of the game to win the game!  

It made this Aunt want to stand up with arms raised herself and celebrate these men!  and why not?! We SHOULD stand and celebrate those moments more then game winners.  We SHOULD get together afterwards with family and friends and celebrate and mark this time in their lives.  No more sitting in our seats, solemn and sober when young (or old) men and women stand and proclaim their faith ... receive Christ as Savior ... experience healing in their lives ... whatever the case may be.

While all of this was going on, in the back of our family's minds was the fact that mom passed away two years ago on Sunday.  Yes, same day as the boys were baptized.  Mourning and celebrating at the same time.  I can't help but believe that mom was standing and singing with the Angels when those boys stood up, shared their stories and were baptized!  THEY are part of her legacy ...

Oh ... and had the boy's favorite - Qudoba - catered for lunch!  QUESO ... nuf said ........

Two Years Later

This picture was taken at our family's first Christmas without my mom.  Not gonna lie, it was miserable.  Two years ago, this week, was the worst week of my/our family's life.  We knew mom wasn't going to be with us much longer, but it still came as a shock to get the phone call that she was on her way to the hospital.

While in some ways it seems like yesterday, it has been 2 years.  I can remember so much about that week, in detail.  Wish I couldn't.  How do you decide to take your mom off a machine that is allowing her to "live" ... how do you plan for a funeral when you have never done that before ... how and what will it be like to watch her take her last breath ... what will we do without her ... how will dad do ... when its over, what then ...

Still through all of that, Scott and I got to be with her in those last hours, but more importantly, in those last minutes.  I wouldn't have changed that for anything.

I can't summarize in one writing all that has happened in the 2 years since.  But it has been A LOT of change, and not just within my family.  I struggled to the point of not knowing if I could take one more thing.  Several surgeries, loss of another dog, changes in my professional life, a dear friend/sister moving, a dad who now needs us to care for him, a final move and closing of my parents house and what felt like, throwing away of their "stuff".  It's been a dark time for me, but with the help of others, support of family and close friends, daily grace from God and literally, one day at a time mentality, I am through the worst of it.  (I hope!)

I'd like to tell you that I spent a lot of time in God's Word and prayer, etc.  but that just wasn't the case.  Most of the time I didn't want to.  I am past feeling "unspiritual" because of it.  What I hope I am now is, more aware of hurting people around me, more willing to engage them, more understanding, more loving and more aware, THANKFUL and in AWE of God's grace in my life.  I am VERY aware of how underserving I am right now.  God doesn't bless us because of how we have responded to something, just like he doesn't keep something from us because we didn't earn it.

He blesses us because of HIS SON and what HE DID on the cross...and because of that and my accepting that gift, I am worthy before Him to receive anything.

Life for me is still a day at a time.  I miss my mom terribly, I miss my dear friend, I miss what was both personally and professionally, I miss my dogs, I miss what I used to be able to do physically, I miss my dad ( he is still with us, just struggling ) and on a lighter note.....I miss what I used to weigh before all of these surgeries!  LOL - life will NEVER be the same.  However, I am out of the fog and though I anticipate more change, I believe I am in a better place to handle it this time.  Again, by and because of God's grace and my circle of trust (friends and fam) around me.

I have a new dog, his name is JACK!!

As Seen on TV

So this is one of my all time favorite things!!  I don't know why, but I LOVE all things "as seen on TV".  I'm sure it means something regarding the way I am wired and might make a great case study
for a therapist!

One of my dear friends is a regular recipient of these potentially life changing items.  I mean, what
bacon lover doesn't want the BACON BOWL!  The Ped Egg is nice for someone who wants smooth feet but doesn't want to pay for a pedicure.  The miracle Sealer for those nasty cracks in your favorite flower pot.   

One of my other favorites is the vacuum hair cut product.  I have NO idea how it works, but just run the thing over your hair and not only do you get a precision haircut, but it vacuums up the mess! The "one size fits all" tummy flattener is a nice one, or the nose hair and unwanted hair removal system could be the ones for you.  

Who needs the eye doctor when you can receive 20/20 vision from the $19.99 pair of night vision glasses.  Or make your own French fries with the French fry potato slicer!  However, one of my huge favorites is the Slanket, the blanket with sleeves! You might be wondering what the difference is between the Slanket and the Snuggie.  Well .... I'm here to tell you that the Slanket is WAY better!  The snuggie is a "knock off"!  Just ask the Internet, it never lies.  Even more exciting....I just saw the Siamese Slanket!  for you and your significant other.

Oh, and the miracle water hose that expands and shrinks up to save you from having to roll the hose up after every use? It's AWESOME!!  Until it bursts because the water pressure is too high.  

I feel like someone is becoming a millionaire sitting in a back room coming up with these products that people like me buy, whether they "work" or not.  How hard can it be?  

Anyway ... I have absolutely NO life lesson with this post!  I'm sure there is one, I'm just too tired to think about one.  Plus, every now and then, I just have to write a nonsense blog!  

The next time you really NEED something, check the aisle of As Seen on TV first.  You just might find something that will work and it will cost you a lot less!