My 40th day

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I had no idea what my husband had planned. I worked out a dinner date with my girlfriends on the evening of my birthday. Well, Hubs informed me that it was just rude to not be with him and the girls on my birthday. So, I tried to reschedule with my girlfriends for Friday night instead. Well, I ended up with only one! I was a little sad that it didn't work out, but I had a great time with Gretchen. She was so sweet and she pulled off the ultimate! On Saturday, I had ran into another friend that apologized for not coming to the "date" and that she would see me tomorrow at church, that we would get together another time, ya know, that sort of thing. So, my daddy finally mentions that the family dinner is a 6:30, Yeah, I say, because now I know what time I get to eat!! The family piles into the rig and we head out on the highway, to my favorite place, Carlos'. They are so good to us. They remember us from years ago. Hubs and I went there last month on our anniversary too! We pulled in and I said, it might be too busy for us, cause the parking lot was packed. Jeff and the girls lead me in to the back room filled with my friends and family! They pulled it off again! Those girls that had ditched me the night before were there in force! Love them for that. I said, Now it all makes sense!! :~) So here is a few pictures in the album. Enjoy.

Historical Marker for us...

This weekend has proved to be a monumental weekend for us at the LUIZ house. We spent Saturday and Today taking things to Eugene to Bugg's very first apartment. She is getting ready to sign up for college classes at Lane Community to start her career path to Dental Hygiene. Such an exciting adventure for all of us, but such a bittersweet moment. We are having a little bit of withdrawals around here with her not being here so much. But, all is good. We had a great service at church together, all four of us. It was a good moment for each of us. I am looking forward to the next adventure. We had her fella's family there today to help us unload and that was awfully kind. Her future Mother in law helped her get her room organized and more ideas to make it more suitable for the next year (at least) of living. Her roommate came and checked out the place and was pleased with her choice. They will have some good times together. Look forward to many more adventures. :~)

Mini Family Reunion

We were able to spend some time with Hubs side of the family for the 4th of July Weekend. It was a much needed break and a little bit of fun for this busy family.

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Freshman Softball

Peanut played JV Softball this Spring and I tried to capture some of her moments. She played well, she was catcher most of the season and usually hit at least one nice hit per at bat. She was usually stealing some bases as well. She was able to swing up to the varsity team during the playoffs which was a nice compliment to her hard work. They lost to the team that won the title, so not bad for a beginning season!

This digital collage made with Smilebox

Graduation 2011

Bugg was trying on her new cap and gown for us. Her graduation was set for Sunday, June the 5th. We had planned for this weekend for a long time. The party was an open house in the afternoon of Saturday, so that our out of towners could come and enjoy some time with us. The only little problem we had with this, was that Peanut was playing in a softball tournament in Portland. So my Sister and T, gladly stopped on their way from Curly's tournament and picked her up and brought her home for graduation. But, they were unable to enjoy the Open House.

We were glad they made it to Graduation though!

Finding her seat. We totally lucked out, she was on the end! She had told me where she would be sitting when they had their practice on Friday, so I had the inside scoop. I later found that I was one of the lucky Mom's because a few of my friends, were not told where their child was sitting! I knew my girl was a smart one!! ;~)

Heading up for the diploma. Look at those legs! She is so pretty! What a proud Mommy.

The family separated on the way out, half of us went one way and the other half went the other way, so we got scattered pictures with the graduate!

My uncle came all the way from Texas to be with us. He was intending it to be a surprise, but that wasn't exactly how it turned out!

We also were treated to another family from Texas...the Lion's Den. Jeff's aunt came from Kansas, his mom and brother from California and my Sister from Washington. We, of course, were blessed with our local family and friends as well, but had to put a ~shout out~ to those who traveled just for Bugg!

Today

"Lord, you know my inadequacies. You know my weaknesses, not only in parenting, but in every area of my life. As you broke the fishes and the loaves to feed the five thousand, now take my meager effort and use it to bless my family.

Please make up for the things I did wrong. Satisfy the needs that I have not satisfied. Wrap your great arms around my family and draw them close to you.

And be there when they stand at the great crossroads between right and wrong. All I can give is my best, and I, today, choose to do that. Therefore, I submit to you my family and myself and the job I have done and will do as a wife and mother. The outcome belongs to you." (Author unknown)

Needed

I am so struggling with this parent thing, that when I read this, I knew that God wanted me to see it. So I thought I would share it with you.

Today’s Truth
Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we shall reap if we do not grow weary (Galatians 6:9 NASB).

Friend to Friend
For years I told people that I was in labor for 23 hours. However, the truth is more like 21 years. Being a mother has been the most fulfilling, frustrating, exciting, exhausting, mind-boggling, hair-raising thrilling tiring, stimulating, soul-stirring, delightful, difficult, consuming, laborious, uplifting, inspiring, challenging, captivating, and rewarding job I’ve ever had. Did I mention difficult? I should have gotten a clue when I was told that having a child begins with a word called “labor.”

I’ve had times when I felt like throwing up my hands in frustrations and saying, “I quit!” Is what I’m doing making any difference to anyone? I want results! Show me results! Then I think about the bamboo tree.

When the Chinese plant bamboo, first they plant the seeds, then water, and fertilize them. The first year, nothing happens. The second year they continue to water and fertilize the seeds, and still nothing happens. The farmer continues this process for a third and fourth year with no visual results. Then sometime during the fifth year, in a period of approximately six weeks, the Chinese bamboo grows ninety feet.

The question is, did it grow ninety feet in six weeks or did it grow ninety feet in five years? The obvious answer is that it grew ninety feet in five years. If the grower hadn’t applied water and fertilizer every year, there would be no bamboo.

It is the same way with raising children. We pour into their lives. We plant seeds of character, pull weeds with discipline, water with prayer, and fertilize with encouraging words. Then one day, if we are persistent and consistent, we will see beautiful results.

If you are in the midst of raising your children, or even a parent of grown children waiting to see the results, I want to encourage you to press on. Don’t give up! Keep praying! Keep encouraging! Keep loving! And one day, when you least expect it, your child will “rise up and call you blessed.”

Let’s Pray
Dear Lord, sometimes I get really tired and frustrated as a mom. When I grow discouraged, will You help me to keep the goal before me … to raise a child who is a man or woman after God’s own heart? Help me to remember that You, as my Heavenly Parent, never give up on me. Even when You don’t see the results that You desire, You continue to love, nurture and teach me. Thank You for being my example of persistent and consistent love.

In Jesus’ Name,

Amen