Sweet Memories...

Home is Where OUR STORY begins...

I have some fond memories of being a kid and sharing my beginnings with my brothers. I remember we were always resourceful; making something from nothing, building, planning- working together... We fought, but we made up. We took turns being "best-buddies" where we would walk 6 or 7 blocks to take each other to McDonald's for some kind of "lunch" then Alpha Beta (the local grocery store-back then) for a toy out of the toy aisle. We also incorporated some video games at Appetitos-the pizza place next door.

We played freeze tag, mother may I, and other games with neighbors in our front yard. We rode bikes, made ramps, roller skated. We rotated assigned seats in our car, survived no air conditioning in the car, and managed to live without seat belts (they weren't the norm then). We watched TV, got into trouble, made a mess of the backyard and took things apart to see what was inside. . .

I can also remember feeling alone, afraid, not prepared, not worthy.. just feeling "NOT- "

What I dwell on is the good! What I celebrate is that God had a plan- he PLANNED my beginning, my family, my parents- and that is why I am who I am today. : )

I dabble in many books- one is "Unlocking the Secrets of Your Childhood Memories"

by Dr. Kevin Leman & Randy Carlson. It's interesting, insightful and helpful.

ANYWAY- I love family life! I love family gatherings, I love a house full of family fun and craziness- holidays, celebrations- bring on family! A few of my favorite movies are "Family Stone" and "Dan in Real Life". I love that they all gather- broken, dis functional, sinners- real people- but they gather in a safe place- family- in a home.

Nick and I work to build our family and our home. A soft place to fall, a home that is warm, safe, forgiving, healthy, happy. A family life that builds up, nurtures, grows in love, points to God, lives an example of his grace. I want my girls to follow after God, be seekers of his will and wisdom, whole, healthy, well rounded, sweet, fun, graceful, kind......

I watch them.. . I see it... all of these things... starting at home-

The girls and I made dinner together last night. I smiled at their interest in helping, the teamwork, the play, the laughing, getting along and them making memories for me.

Here's a picture of some cookie fun.

Remembering & Reflecting

My Grandpa would have been 98 years old today. He died in May of 2001- just days before I found out that I was carrying a baby girl (my Lauren). I wish I could have told him...

This post will be for me and my brothers, I just wanted to reminisce for a little while today...

Grandpa- Irwin Hames

• "safety first"
• "be a Strub, not a stup"
• wanted to provide and care for us
• had a bike shop in his backyard
• loved Darby's later called New Yorker
• was tall and lean (how tall was he?)
• had grey hair neatly combed
• had grey hair Einstein style after working in the yard
• He wore suspenders later in his life
• Had a parakeet named "money bags"
• drove a green vw bug
• would honk (beep, beep, beep, beep, beep) as he rounded the corner to our childhood home
• loved thrift stores
• took us on dates to McDonalds- "eat'm in twos" - with an apple pie for dessert
• took us to the library
• we loved to go to grandpa's house
• always had ice cream in the freezer
• "chew your food"
• lectures
• sat in his chair at his kitchen table to relax
• used to rain money (change) for us to collect
• always saved his change for us- dis pursed in a family ritual- we kids used it at Christmas to buy gifts- we thought we were rich
• collected (everything)
• State Avenue
• trips to Dairy queen riding double on banana seats
• the granny 3 wheeler that didn't last
• Inspection time
• Kitchen table gatherings
• Darby's/ New Yorker Dates
• "I don't want her germs"
• Friday nights watching Dallas at Grandpa's
• "Let's stop by Grandpa's"
• VW repair shop
• Grandpa Pumba
• "miracle's never cease- green light on Grand Ave."
• "drink more water, and shwiggle it around your mouth"

There are so many more- I smile just thinking of these. He was the closest Grandparent I had- I think losing your people is that saddest part of growing older.

I'm comforted knowing in Heaven there is no pain- and I will see him again...