Missing you friend....

As I write this it is Halloween eve. The kiddos are all in bed, happy from their trick-or-treating....but my head and my heart have been remembering Karlena today.

The 1st of November marks 2 years since she went to be with Jesus. Some days I can't believe it has been that long already.  I was going through some of my old voice mails this afternoon and came across one she left for me. Oh how I miss her sweet voice.

A few weekends ago I went to Women of Faith with some new and old friends. It was such a great weekend and I know that Karlena would have loved it. In the last several years of her life that was "the" thing that we both looked forward to doing together.  I am grateful that God has put some beautiful women in my life to share that experience with now...but I sure miss Karlena's presence with me.

I always admired Karlena's strong faith. In spite of all she faced every day, the struggles and frustrations she must have felt, she remained firm in God's goodness, in His love for her and His plan for her life. She always had something encouraging to say, with a smile in her voice. She didn't question God, she just held fast that He had a plan.

When she got really sick in June, we all thought that we were going to lose her, but she pulled through and said that God must have had more that He wanted her to do.  Her faith was contagious. At her funeral services people shared about how their faith had grown because of her.  God did have a plan for her....and she fulfilled that plan in her 35 years.

I selfishly wish that it had been more. I miss planning a long weekend trip to CO. I miss reading her e-mails and asking her to pray for me. I miss seeing her, hands raised, singing her heart out to the God that she loved so much.

Karlena remains an ever presence in my life. Although she has been gone for 2 years now....I think about her every day. I see her pictures on my desks at home and work and I am so grateful for every moment we had together.

And I want to see her legacy of faith to live on....so I celebrate her here on the anniversary of her heavenly birthday. I miss you friend. I would love to have another weekend together to just share life....but since we can't have that I hold fast to the promise that this is not the end....

Until I see you again....save a place for me. I love you friend.  

Pumpkin Fun!

Dominic's parents came to visit us this weekend and one of the fun things that we did was carve some pumpkins.  It was so much fun watching the kids clean out the pumpkins!

Even Karlena got into the fun with grandpa!

Elijah wasn't sure he liked scooping out the guts of the pumpkin.

Karlena on the other hand loved playing with the pumpkin seeds!

Here is the one that I did!

Isaac's dragon.

Grandpa Bob's owl.

And Dominic's works of art! I love these...he printed a design off the internet and I think they turned out pretty great!

Did you carve pumpkins this year??

Happy 9th Birthday Gabriel!

 

Oh my how the years are catching up to me. How is it possible that our middle son is already 9 years old today?

 

 Sorry terribly blurry picture....but it was the best I had of the bunch. (I am still learning the settings on my camera!!)

 

Gabriel really wanted a cookie cake and the one that grandpa and grandma brought was perfect...and yummy...and gone now :(

 

 Gabriel is such a great kid....so thoughtful and caring and such a light for God. He got a new Bible from my parents and he was so happy about it and very seriously said to them "Thank you for giving me God's word"... :)

 

 He also LOVES Pokemon and was excited to get a new game for his DS!

 

And he got these as well...they are called Magic Nuddles. They are like colored "popcorn peanuts" and you just slightly wet the end and they stick together and you can make just about anything from them. And the best part is when you are done (if you wanted) you could dissolve them with water for the easiest cleanup ever!  Great choice Beth! :)

 

That and some cold hard cash that came in the mail today and my boy is one happy camper!! :) He has been talking about his birthday for days....every day he would tell me how many days left until his actual birthday....wanting to know how we were going to celebrate etc!

 

We couldn't be happier for the blessing that Gabriel is to our family. Every day he says or does something that makes me smile and makes me proud. Thank you God for allowing us to take care of Gabriel here on earth. Our lives are better because of it!

 

We love you Gabriel - have a wonderful birthday!



Quick Thoughts

 

Once again I have not taken time to blog frequently. It is just a busy season for us...and while even I am tired of that excuse....I appreciate your grace as we muddle through!

 

I thought I would just share a few random things from our recent weeks and also have a prayer request for you too!

 

Gabriel turns 9 tomorrow. In a little bit of denial about it :) and actually wrote a short birthday post in advance that I will share tomorrow.

 

Elijah and Karlena both came down with the fastest moving flu bug this family has ever had. Missed part of work today to be home with them in the morning. All good now and as back to normal as they can be. Praying no one else gets it!!

 

I am attending Women of Faith this weekend with some very special ladies. I cannot wait. There are some big new changes this year and I have heard it is amazing. And I am hoping to be able to meet Angie Smith in person this year....may just be camping out at her signing table! ;) Can't wait to share more after the weekend is over.

 

I am addicted to painting. In the past few weeks I have painted our bathroom, hallway, front entryway, back hallway and started on the laundry room. I am out of control. 2 gallons of paint and I can't stop....the change is remarkable and I can't wait to post pictures.

 

Today I found out that I won a gift certificate for a new Baby Be Blessed doll! I am soooo excited and can't wait to order this one for my new niece that is due here in December! They are handmade dolls and you can have their names and a Bible verse printed on a patch on their tummies. Check out their website and see for yourself how adorable they are! I don't win things very often so this is a huge blessing!

 

We had family pictures taken a few weeks ago and just got the CD back. They turned out great. Karlena didn't really participate...but it is her age. In one of the pictures I am standing a little weird, (I wore a long maxi dress) and the way my dress was sitting and I was standing I look 6 months pregnant. Yikes!! That one will not be  in the Christmas cards. :) All the rest were great though!

 

God is working on some things in my life right now and it is difficult and challenging. I know that this too is a growing experience but it starts with having to deal with some of my own fears and failures....and as usual, I find that I trust God with most things....but keep at bay those things that I think I can control.  Thankfully He is patient with me and I trust that as I walk through this He will be glorified in the end.

 

My grandparents also were hit by the flu bug this weekend and unfortunately my grandma is now in the hospital.  She was so sick that she became dehydrated very quickly and needed IV fluids to help her. She could be in the hospital for a few days. I know we would all appreciate prayers on her behalf.

 

It is after 11pm now and all I can think it that I should go and keep painting because I really want the laundry room done. I need help. Serious help and fast!! :)

 

Hope you had a wonderful Monday!