typing one handed. cole on lap. grant hanging over chair. here is my new hair.
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Magical Wizard Gnomies
6 hours ago
Wednesday, March 28, 2007
My First Digital Hybrid!
I have always been interested in digital scrapbooking, but I had no idea where to begin. My latest issue of CK (Creating Keepsakes magazine) had a great article called "Easy (And Cool) Computer Tricks" and I REALLY wanted to try them out. I downloaded the free 30-day trial version of Photoshop from the Adobe website and then ran into a brick wall. I have no idea how to use this software. Yes, of course, I tried to search help menus, then I tried to find Google groups, then I ran across Jessica Sprague's blog. Jessica is the author of the CK article. On her blog she has a post called "Photoshop Fridays" where she explains how to do really cool things with Photoshop. She has detailed directions and sometimes she even has video!! I am so grateful!
Here is my very first hybrid scrapbooking page. This means that I used real paper, but a bunch of digital elements as well. Jessica has a free kit that you can download and add your own pictures to. So, the pictures of the boys on the greenish paper, plus the title/journaling and the tag (with journaling) is all Jessica. I just personalized it. My stuff is the blue paper, stamping and embellishments (string things). As always, click to enlarge!
I don't know that I would do the stamp that says "always remember" next time. I would probably find a more basic font. I may update this page in the future, but for now, I think it is a pretty good first effort!
Here is my very first hybrid scrapbooking page. This means that I used real paper, but a bunch of digital elements as well. Jessica has a free kit that you can download and add your own pictures to. So, the pictures of the boys on the greenish paper, plus the title/journaling and the tag (with journaling) is all Jessica. I just personalized it. My stuff is the blue paper, stamping and embellishments (string things). As always, click to enlarge!
I don't know that I would do the stamp that says "always remember" next time. I would probably find a more basic font. I may update this page in the future, but for now, I think it is a pretty good first effort!
Monday, March 26, 2007
Evidence of Friday Night Fun!
As I mentioned earlier, I completed three 2-page layouts on Friday night. Well, I cheated on the first one. This was the page my scrapbooking groups did back in August/September. I just needed to put the pictures on the pages. I did put work into it back then . . .
You can click on the pictures to enlarge them on your screen.
I still need to journal about Tim and Sara getting engaged that day (Aug. 26). I think I'll tuck that journaling behind their picture.
This page was a lot of fun for me. It took me about 45 minutes to complete, which is pretty good for me. I created my own patterned paper using my stamps. Fun colors! I still have to journal. I'm not great about journaling.
This page was lots of fun for me because the day was so much fun! Grant and Brandon are great friends and I love Brandon's family, therefore we force the boys together as often as we can. They go to Sunday School together and will be in the same preschool class next year. This page was also from August. So, now I am up to August on Cole's scrapbook . . .
You can click on the pictures to enlarge them on your screen.
I still need to journal about Tim and Sara getting engaged that day (Aug. 26). I think I'll tuck that journaling behind their picture.
This page was a lot of fun for me. It took me about 45 minutes to complete, which is pretty good for me. I created my own patterned paper using my stamps. Fun colors! I still have to journal. I'm not great about journaling.
This page was lots of fun for me because the day was so much fun! Grant and Brandon are great friends and I love Brandon's family, therefore we force the boys together as often as we can. They go to Sunday School together and will be in the same preschool class next year. This page was also from August. So, now I am up to August on Cole's scrapbook . . .
Sunday, March 25, 2007
Its a Beautiful Day!!
I have had the most wonderful week!! As you know, it all started with Grant spending a day and night with his cousins. He just loves seeing "Connor and Bee", which is what he calls the entire Travis Ratzlaff family (Bee is Aunt Brandee). He keeps talking about going back to their house. He had a great time. Even more wonderful is that I had a chance to relax and revive and be so thankful for the time spent with my biggest boy. I have always said that just a little time away would do wonders for me, and it was so true. I missed Grant so much and we had a wonderful week together. He is such a sweet boy and so happy!! What a light in my life!!
On Wednesday and Friday, Katie's big brother Colton came over. His school had conferences, so he hung out with us. Poor guy had to come to Indoor Park with us, but I made it up to him by taking him out for a smoothie and Mexican food on Friday. The great thing about having Colton over is that he is one more distraction/playmate for Grant. Woo Hoo!
On Wednesday, I finally observed Grant during Cubbies. Now, don't get me wrong. I totally believe that my child acts obnoxious. Fortunately for him, he was wonderful on Wednesday night. He was moved to a different table, and I think that will make a huge difference in his behavior. Today (Sunday) he asked what "obnoxious" means. I explained that it meant that he didn't obey his teacher very well and he was too crazy. Not the fun kind of crazy but the kind that gets him in trouble because he runs around and is all over the place. I asked him, "Did you obey your teacher?" "Yes, I did." "Were you obnoxious?" I asked. "No, I was not," he replied. Ahh . . . maybe he gets it.
On Thursday I got to go to Ladies Bible Study (which is always a highlight in my week). As I have mentioned, we are doing the Beth Moore series on Daniel. I can't think of what I learned off the top of my head (mommy brain), but I remember being blessed. I also had a meeting at church that night which I skipped out on early so I could come home to watch Survivor. Blech. March Madness. Blech. I'll see Survivor next week, I guess.
On Friday, I had arranged to have some of Mitch's friends surprise Mitch for his 34th birthday lunch at a Mexican Food place here in town. Little did I know, most of his friends were either out of state (???) or out of town, or in meetings. Still, even though I wanted to have the entire restaurant filled with his friends, it was a lot of fun with the people who did show up to see Mitch wear the sombrero and blow out a candle on his fried ice cream.
Friday night I scrapbooked from 7:00pm - 12:30am at our church. It was so much fun!! I completed three 2-page spreads. Maybe I'll post them tomorrow and expand on this subject.
On Saturday we went shopping!! Mitch was looking for new casual shoes which, to a former athlete, means brown athletic shoes. We went to sports stores and I found 2 pairs of new athletic shoes for me! They are both top brands, but on major clearance. Super cute shoes and cheap to boot!! Maybe I'll post pictures (ala Tootsie - my friend who has sassy shoe posts on her blog). We had a fun family day on Saturday and just enjoyed our family!
Today, Sunday, is Mitch's 34th birthday!! I have been married to this man for almost 10 years, so that makes it almost a third of his life. (I've been married to him for a third of MY life, anyway.) I just love watching him change and grow, both on the outside and inside. I love being in his life.
After church, we went to the coast and totally enjoyed the day. It was BEAUTIFUL!! We packed for all types of weather, but it ended up being sunny all day at the beach. We cooked hot dogs, bratwurst and marshmallows on our little, portable $10 grill and ate more chips than I care to remember. Grant played in the sand and Cole ate crackers (his form of entertainment). Mitch and Grant played frisbee and ran away from the water. We all had a great time exploring the tide pools and whale watching. It was so awesome!!
Tonight, I baked a chocolate cake and Grant helped me decorate it. He is the sprinkle master. Grant helped me count out candles, but there were only 33 candles! I found a sparkler left over from 4th of July, so that worked just fine. I'm sure Mitch has never had a more beautifully decorated birthday cake.
I just have to say it again. I had a wonderful week. I love my family!!
Look at those front teeth!!
On Wednesday and Friday, Katie's big brother Colton came over. His school had conferences, so he hung out with us. Poor guy had to come to Indoor Park with us, but I made it up to him by taking him out for a smoothie and Mexican food on Friday. The great thing about having Colton over is that he is one more distraction/playmate for Grant. Woo Hoo!
On Wednesday, I finally observed Grant during Cubbies. Now, don't get me wrong. I totally believe that my child acts obnoxious. Fortunately for him, he was wonderful on Wednesday night. He was moved to a different table, and I think that will make a huge difference in his behavior. Today (Sunday) he asked what "obnoxious" means. I explained that it meant that he didn't obey his teacher very well and he was too crazy. Not the fun kind of crazy but the kind that gets him in trouble because he runs around and is all over the place. I asked him, "Did you obey your teacher?" "Yes, I did." "Were you obnoxious?" I asked. "No, I was not," he replied. Ahh . . . maybe he gets it.
On Thursday I got to go to Ladies Bible Study (which is always a highlight in my week). As I have mentioned, we are doing the Beth Moore series on Daniel. I can't think of what I learned off the top of my head (mommy brain), but I remember being blessed. I also had a meeting at church that night which I skipped out on early so I could come home to watch Survivor. Blech. March Madness. Blech. I'll see Survivor next week, I guess.
On Friday, I had arranged to have some of Mitch's friends surprise Mitch for his 34th birthday lunch at a Mexican Food place here in town. Little did I know, most of his friends were either out of state (???) or out of town, or in meetings. Still, even though I wanted to have the entire restaurant filled with his friends, it was a lot of fun with the people who did show up to see Mitch wear the sombrero and blow out a candle on his fried ice cream.
Friday night I scrapbooked from 7:00pm - 12:30am at our church. It was so much fun!! I completed three 2-page spreads. Maybe I'll post them tomorrow and expand on this subject.
On Saturday we went shopping!! Mitch was looking for new casual shoes which, to a former athlete, means brown athletic shoes. We went to sports stores and I found 2 pairs of new athletic shoes for me! They are both top brands, but on major clearance. Super cute shoes and cheap to boot!! Maybe I'll post pictures (ala Tootsie - my friend who has sassy shoe posts on her blog). We had a fun family day on Saturday and just enjoyed our family!
Today, Sunday, is Mitch's 34th birthday!! I have been married to this man for almost 10 years, so that makes it almost a third of his life. (I've been married to him for a third of MY life, anyway.) I just love watching him change and grow, both on the outside and inside. I love being in his life.
After church, we went to the coast and totally enjoyed the day. It was BEAUTIFUL!! We packed for all types of weather, but it ended up being sunny all day at the beach. We cooked hot dogs, bratwurst and marshmallows on our little, portable $10 grill and ate more chips than I care to remember. Grant played in the sand and Cole ate crackers (his form of entertainment). Mitch and Grant played frisbee and ran away from the water. We all had a great time exploring the tide pools and whale watching. It was so awesome!!
Tonight, I baked a chocolate cake and Grant helped me decorate it. He is the sprinkle master. Grant helped me count out candles, but there were only 33 candles! I found a sparkler left over from 4th of July, so that worked just fine. I'm sure Mitch has never had a more beautifully decorated birthday cake.
I just have to say it again. I had a wonderful week. I love my family!!
Monday, March 19, 2007
My floor is CLEAN!!
I have so much to catch you up on. No, non of it is vitally important, but then that is why I write this blog: to share the mundane and spare my husband (although you know he'll hear about it anyway).
Yesterday (Sunday), we went out to dinner at The Best Little Roadhouse with our friends Matt and Alex. The gal seated us in "the lounge" right next to Travis and Brandee (Mitch's brother and his wife)!! How funny that we went out to dinner at the same restaurant on the same night. And, the grandparents are out of state, so we both had to get babysitters. Well, I think it is funny anyway . . .
Our babysitter was the youngest sister of Brandee's dear friend, Brooke. We LOVE her. She is super sweet and Grant often talks about the next time Summer is going to come play with him. I "bought" her at a youth auction fund raiser at our church and she fulfilled her "purchase requirements" this weekend in the most wonderful way. She MOPPED MY FLOORS!!
You have to know that I have a recurring fantasy that someday Mitch will surprise me with a gift certificate for a cleaning service. Just ONE day a year would absolutely thrill me. Because of this recurring fantasy, I don't really mop or dust or clean windows. It's not my fault. It's the darn fantasy! Someday all of that stuff will just magically be clean! This Valentines Day, Mitch bought me a beautiful bouquet of flowers. Of course, they died a week later. I suggested that a good spring cleaning would be a wonderful gift for the future.
This morning I dropped Grant off at Travis and Brandee's house where he will play all day and then spend the night!!! Woo Hoo!! My morning consisted of browsing through the isles of Spencer's Alley (an antique/trinket/crafty item store) and checking out the merchandise at a couple of furniture stores, all while sipping my Dutch Bros. Annihilator with my little Cole on my hip. It was heaven. Thank you Brandee!!
Unfortunately, my shopping adventure was cut short by an unscheduled appointment with Cole's doctor. His 9 mo. well-baby visit is next week, so when does he get a horrendous rash? Today. Well, actually it showed up on Saturday, but I was able to get Cole in to see the doctor today. He said it was not a big deal, but I could give him infant Benadryl if it would make me feel better or if it doesn't clear up in the next couple of days. I'm not one to medicate my kids unless absolutely necessary, so we will just wait. I can't remember what the doctor called his rash, but it is not contagious or life threatening, so that is good.
On a slightly funny note (or maybe I am just saying that so I don't get too nervous), Cole weighed in at a whopping 15 pounds, 15 ounces. If you recall, he weighed 15 pounds, 7 ounces in January. Please, someone out there tell me that their kid did the same thing. It is a bit disconcerting to have such a thin child when you are nursing. YES, he eats. Maybe he can gain a few ounces and break the 16 pound barrier by next week. I'll let you know how it goes . . .
Now, it is nap time and I think I will go upstairs and be creative or maybe read my Karen Kingsbury novel. Thank you, Brandee!!
Yesterday (Sunday), we went out to dinner at The Best Little Roadhouse with our friends Matt and Alex. The gal seated us in "the lounge" right next to Travis and Brandee (Mitch's brother and his wife)!! How funny that we went out to dinner at the same restaurant on the same night. And, the grandparents are out of state, so we both had to get babysitters. Well, I think it is funny anyway . . .
Our babysitter was the youngest sister of Brandee's dear friend, Brooke. We LOVE her. She is super sweet and Grant often talks about the next time Summer is going to come play with him. I "bought" her at a youth auction fund raiser at our church and she fulfilled her "purchase requirements" this weekend in the most wonderful way. She MOPPED MY FLOORS!!
You have to know that I have a recurring fantasy that someday Mitch will surprise me with a gift certificate for a cleaning service. Just ONE day a year would absolutely thrill me. Because of this recurring fantasy, I don't really mop or dust or clean windows. It's not my fault. It's the darn fantasy! Someday all of that stuff will just magically be clean! This Valentines Day, Mitch bought me a beautiful bouquet of flowers. Of course, they died a week later. I suggested that a good spring cleaning would be a wonderful gift for the future.
This morning I dropped Grant off at Travis and Brandee's house where he will play all day and then spend the night!!! Woo Hoo!! My morning consisted of browsing through the isles of Spencer's Alley (an antique/trinket/crafty item store) and checking out the merchandise at a couple of furniture stores, all while sipping my Dutch Bros. Annihilator with my little Cole on my hip. It was heaven. Thank you Brandee!!
Unfortunately, my shopping adventure was cut short by an unscheduled appointment with Cole's doctor. His 9 mo. well-baby visit is next week, so when does he get a horrendous rash? Today. Well, actually it showed up on Saturday, but I was able to get Cole in to see the doctor today. He said it was not a big deal, but I could give him infant Benadryl if it would make me feel better or if it doesn't clear up in the next couple of days. I'm not one to medicate my kids unless absolutely necessary, so we will just wait. I can't remember what the doctor called his rash, but it is not contagious or life threatening, so that is good.
On a slightly funny note (or maybe I am just saying that so I don't get too nervous), Cole weighed in at a whopping 15 pounds, 15 ounces. If you recall, he weighed 15 pounds, 7 ounces in January. Please, someone out there tell me that their kid did the same thing. It is a bit disconcerting to have such a thin child when you are nursing. YES, he eats. Maybe he can gain a few ounces and break the 16 pound barrier by next week. I'll let you know how it goes . . .
Now, it is nap time and I think I will go upstairs and be creative or maybe read my Karen Kingsbury novel. Thank you, Brandee!!
Sunday, March 18, 2007
Getting creative
I love crafty type things. Mostly, I love scrapbooking, but other crafts are good, too. I like to stock up on stuff that I might never even use. I have quite a stash right now, and I just love it! Sometimes I get to go upstairs and play with my goodies, and today was one of those days! Here are my creations:
(by the way, they are 4x4 cards)
(by the way, they are 4x4 cards)
Gone Fishing
On Saturday, we took the boys out fishing for the first time. Imagine fishing with a 9 month old and a 3 1/2 year old! It was an adventure. I think that Grant had more fun shopping for his new Cars fishing pole than actually fishing. We didn't catch anything, but it was fun to be out in nature as a family.
The boys from across the pond:
Checking out the worm:
Isn't he cute?
Cole's cozy fishing spot. He wasn't too happy. His top two teeth are cutting through!
Bored?
The boys from across the pond:
Checking out the worm:
Isn't he cute?
Cole's cozy fishing spot. He wasn't too happy. His top two teeth are cutting through!
Bored?
Wednesday, March 14, 2007
Sunday, March 11, 2007
Daddy is home!!
This weekend, Mitch went to the Men's Retreat that our church has every year. He had a fun time, but he was happy to be back home with his family. You can't imagine how happy I am to have him home!!
I wrote an email lamenting to a friend: "Why is it that I can retain my sanity throughout a normal "work" week, then completely lose it when required to do the exact same activities on a Saturday? I think I have an "entitlement" issue. I am entitled to some time off one day a week!! Or at least some help . . ."
Another friend came up to me today at the end of first service (yes, I made it to the 8:30 service) and asked how I was holding up. Was I doing okay? "Oh, no." I answered, "I'm going crazy." "Oh, good. It's not just me!" she replied.
Don't get me wrong. Stay-at-home moms have a good thing going. I love being home with my boys and watching them grow. I don't miss out on anything. I'm there for every new discovery and every little joy. I am there to wipe little noses and poopy bottoms. I get tons of kisses and tight squeezes. THIS job is what God has called me to do. I LOVE it (even though it might sound like I don't sometimes).
It is also very emotionally draining to LIVE for the moment that Daddy is going to walk in the door and take the screaming baby so I can finish dinner. Why can't I be like the wonderful women of God who write the books about being the perfect wife and mother? "Do this . . . and this . . . and this . . . and never hand a screaming baby off to a man who has just walked in the door. Give him time to decompress for the day."
Decompress. That is exactly what I need to do. I can't even begin to tell you how badly I would love to go visit my mom and sister and just get away and talk!!! (Three exclamation points means that my eyes just started watering at the thought.)
Why am I dumping this on you? Well, because I am listening to my baby screaming in his room because as I was covering him with blankets he woke up from his nap. I broke the rule that says, "Never, under any circumstances, should you check on your child while he is taking a nap in the middle of the day. He will inevitably feel your presence, see that it is daytime, and decide he needs you RIGHT NOW." A screaming baby brings out all kinds of "Calgon, take me away" types of emotions in me.
Anyway, back to Mitch. I am thankful he is home because he makes me feel like my job is so valuable. He listens to me (even though his eyes get droopy from lack of sleep at Men's Retreat) and tells me that he feels my pain. He doesn't try to solve my problems (too often) and instead gives me hope.
You know what he just did? He went into Cole's room and grabbed him from his crib and took him into our room and CLOSED THE DOOR so I didn't have to hear the crying. He calmed Cole down and is now playing with him and holding him close.
We missed Daddy this weekend.
I wrote an email lamenting to a friend: "Why is it that I can retain my sanity throughout a normal "work" week, then completely lose it when required to do the exact same activities on a Saturday? I think I have an "entitlement" issue. I am entitled to some time off one day a week!! Or at least some help . . ."
Another friend came up to me today at the end of first service (yes, I made it to the 8:30 service) and asked how I was holding up. Was I doing okay? "Oh, no." I answered, "I'm going crazy." "Oh, good. It's not just me!" she replied.
Don't get me wrong. Stay-at-home moms have a good thing going. I love being home with my boys and watching them grow. I don't miss out on anything. I'm there for every new discovery and every little joy. I am there to wipe little noses and poopy bottoms. I get tons of kisses and tight squeezes. THIS job is what God has called me to do. I LOVE it (even though it might sound like I don't sometimes).
It is also very emotionally draining to LIVE for the moment that Daddy is going to walk in the door and take the screaming baby so I can finish dinner. Why can't I be like the wonderful women of God who write the books about being the perfect wife and mother? "Do this . . . and this . . . and this . . . and never hand a screaming baby off to a man who has just walked in the door. Give him time to decompress for the day."
Decompress. That is exactly what I need to do. I can't even begin to tell you how badly I would love to go visit my mom and sister and just get away and talk!!! (Three exclamation points means that my eyes just started watering at the thought.)
Why am I dumping this on you? Well, because I am listening to my baby screaming in his room because as I was covering him with blankets he woke up from his nap. I broke the rule that says, "Never, under any circumstances, should you check on your child while he is taking a nap in the middle of the day. He will inevitably feel your presence, see that it is daytime, and decide he needs you RIGHT NOW." A screaming baby brings out all kinds of "Calgon, take me away" types of emotions in me.
Anyway, back to Mitch. I am thankful he is home because he makes me feel like my job is so valuable. He listens to me (even though his eyes get droopy from lack of sleep at Men's Retreat) and tells me that he feels my pain. He doesn't try to solve my problems (too often) and instead gives me hope.
You know what he just did? He went into Cole's room and grabbed him from his crib and took him into our room and CLOSED THE DOOR so I didn't have to hear the crying. He calmed Cole down and is now playing with him and holding him close.
We missed Daddy this weekend.
Wednesday, March 7, 2007
Fun weekend!
On Saturday, we met Mitch's brother and his family at a special cabin near the coast called the Caring Cabin. It is more like a luxury house out of Sunset Magazine than a "cabin". Fully furnished with absolutely EVERYTHING a young family could ever need, the cabin is located at the top of a hill overlooking a private little lake and beautiful pine trees. The cabin was built by a foundation for use by families of children battling cancer. My nephew Connor was diagnosed with Leukemia last February. He is doing great, however he has a long road ahead of him. You can keep up with his progress on his blog: www.caringbridge.org/visit/connorratzlaff
The weekend was both fun and relaxing.
The three big boy cousins. Connor, Grant and Logan
Playing in the surf
Grant - always in action!
Cole - check out the hair!
Daddy and Cole - with Nana (Connor's other grandma), Aunt Brandee and Cousin Hailey (the only female Ratzlaff cousin!)
The weekend was both fun and relaxing.
The three big boy cousins. Connor, Grant and Logan
Playing in the surf
Grant - always in action!
Cole - check out the hair!
Daddy and Cole - with Nana (Connor's other grandma), Aunt Brandee and Cousin Hailey (the only female Ratzlaff cousin!)
Friday, March 2, 2007
Fire!
Early Thursday morning (about 2:50am) Grant jumped into bed with us and landed curled up next to Mitch. Mitch couldn't go back to sleep, so as he was looking around, he notices flashes of light out the windows. He hopped out of bed to look out the front windows and saw Dori's old house on fire!
It was a beautiful house that had just been painted a few months ago. It is on an excellent lot and was recently purchased by a couple from Texas. They were still living in Texas, but someone was living in the house and moving nice furniture in and painting the walls. (I'm not snoopy. Really!) I presume that the man and a blond woman (who was wearing sweats yesterday morning . . . I'm observant) are relatives of the new owner.
Anyway, two fire trucks, a slew of firemen, some other fire vehicles and cars and a HUGE bright light were set up on the scene. The fire was put out in a few hours and they were really pretty quiet. The boys slept right through it. Mitch met practically our whole street out front. I think I was the only one missing (I went back to bed).
Check out this link for photos of the fire:
http://www.wimerphoto.smugmug.com/Fire%20!!
A bunch of pictures, including #20, 38, 48 and 49 are taken from our front yard. Mitch appears in #39, 40 and 41.
As a mom, I debated about what to do about Grant. Should I wake him up and show him the fire? It would sure be a memory, but it might scare him. Or, he might understand what happened when he saw the devastation in the morning. There were positives and negatives to either scenario. I prayed about it and fell asleep. I guess that was God's answer.
Grant still asks, "What happened, mom?" and he tells me, "It got fired!" and he asks about Dori's new house. We had to drive by Dori's new house just to make sure it didn't burn down, too. Still, Grant is pretty convinced that the house next door to Dori's old house is the next to go.
What I certainly haven't mentioned to Grant is that my house burned down when I was in elementary school. The cat knocked over the hot iron into a basket of clothes. Thankfully, we were shopping for school supplies, so the whole family was out of the house. The house was completely totaled, along with almost everything in it. My mom was soaking a quilt in the kitchen sink, so that was saved. They also saved their wedding pictures and some family pictures, although they hold evidence of the fire on their bubbled and charred edges.
It was rough as a kid, but my parents handled it very well (from my vantage point), so I don't remember feeling very scarred by the whole event. It taught me that material possessions don't really matter and they are just temporary. (Of course, that doesn't stop me from getting "the wants" every once in a while.) It also showed me that no matter what you go through as a couple, you can get through it with God's help. I have always had complete confidence in my parents' marriage, and that is a wonderful, secure feeling. I learned later that many couples get divorced after such a devastating event. (Not to mention, the death of a child . . . which also happened to my parents.) I believe that God uses all kind of things for his glory. He is not the cause of the suffering (Satan is), but he can use the suffering for his purpose. God used my parents' suffering to teach me many life lessons, and for that I am truly grateful.
It was a beautiful house that had just been painted a few months ago. It is on an excellent lot and was recently purchased by a couple from Texas. They were still living in Texas, but someone was living in the house and moving nice furniture in and painting the walls. (I'm not snoopy. Really!) I presume that the man and a blond woman (who was wearing sweats yesterday morning . . . I'm observant) are relatives of the new owner.
Anyway, two fire trucks, a slew of firemen, some other fire vehicles and cars and a HUGE bright light were set up on the scene. The fire was put out in a few hours and they were really pretty quiet. The boys slept right through it. Mitch met practically our whole street out front. I think I was the only one missing (I went back to bed).
Check out this link for photos of the fire:
http://www.wimerphoto.smugmug.com/Fire%20!!
A bunch of pictures, including #20, 38, 48 and 49 are taken from our front yard. Mitch appears in #39, 40 and 41.
As a mom, I debated about what to do about Grant. Should I wake him up and show him the fire? It would sure be a memory, but it might scare him. Or, he might understand what happened when he saw the devastation in the morning. There were positives and negatives to either scenario. I prayed about it and fell asleep. I guess that was God's answer.
Grant still asks, "What happened, mom?" and he tells me, "It got fired!" and he asks about Dori's new house. We had to drive by Dori's new house just to make sure it didn't burn down, too. Still, Grant is pretty convinced that the house next door to Dori's old house is the next to go.
What I certainly haven't mentioned to Grant is that my house burned down when I was in elementary school. The cat knocked over the hot iron into a basket of clothes. Thankfully, we were shopping for school supplies, so the whole family was out of the house. The house was completely totaled, along with almost everything in it. My mom was soaking a quilt in the kitchen sink, so that was saved. They also saved their wedding pictures and some family pictures, although they hold evidence of the fire on their bubbled and charred edges.
It was rough as a kid, but my parents handled it very well (from my vantage point), so I don't remember feeling very scarred by the whole event. It taught me that material possessions don't really matter and they are just temporary. (Of course, that doesn't stop me from getting "the wants" every once in a while.) It also showed me that no matter what you go through as a couple, you can get through it with God's help. I have always had complete confidence in my parents' marriage, and that is a wonderful, secure feeling. I learned later that many couples get divorced after such a devastating event. (Not to mention, the death of a child . . . which also happened to my parents.) I believe that God uses all kind of things for his glory. He is not the cause of the suffering (Satan is), but he can use the suffering for his purpose. God used my parents' suffering to teach me many life lessons, and for that I am truly grateful.
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