Growing-Up

We are in the final quarter of 2014.  The year had its fair share of ups and downs, firsts and lasts, hard decisions and easy choices.  Regardless of whether our kids are struggling, trying to make that uphill climb or hit a bump in the road while coasting down the other side, they are constantly learning, growing and finding their own way. 

*

*

*

Anna gets braces!

Before

During

After

Stay tuned for the big reveal in a few weeks!

*

*

*

Meet our newest additions.

Mr. Tumnus

 and

Lucy

Couldn't you just die???

*

*

* 

A long overdue visit from Claire.

A before and "10 year" after photo.

Hilarious. 

I guess you could say they have changed.

*

*

*  

July 21, 2014

David was diagnosed with T1.  

He was trooper through the whole ordeal.

He continues to be an inspiration to us all.

*

*

*

John takes the plunge!

If you know John at all....then you know what an incredible leap this was.  

This amazing pictures was featured on the GoPro web sight.

*

*

*

William begins his SENIOR year!

*sniff*

William and his XC buddies at their "last" first meet EVER.

As parents, we do our best to guide and direct them. We have that unique ability, because we've known them since they were wee-lil'-babes, to see their great potential. Because of this unique insight, sometimes mostofthetime I am guilty of the "Mama knows best" phenomenon.  I believe, "If they would only do as I say", or at least head in that general direction, then they would avoid the pitfalls and delays along the way.  But I admit, I'm not the Mapmaker.  I tend to be more of a GPS than anything else, with that annoying voice "Exit ahead", "Make a U-turn" or "Turn around when possible!" 

Thankfully, God sees the bigger picture.  He made each road, drew each map, and without mistake, created each of my loved ones just as they are. He knows where they've been. He knows where they are.  And He knows where they are going.  

I pray that I will learn to trust that God's plans are far better than mine.  I pray, my kids would follow Christ and desire His will for their lives. Thank you Heavenly Father for these blessings that you've entrusted to me. Help me to let them go as needed, and have the faith that YOU will always have them.  

In Your Son's Name......Amen

Satisfied

It's taken 17 years, but I finally got it.  

It happened this morning.  It was your average runofthemill scurry that happens every morning in our house.  However, there was more of a frantic flavor as we were running about 20 minutes behind schedule.  With a 7am departure time, combined with a 6:39 wake-up call, equals a morning "fire drill".  Without going into the nitty gritty of the morning, amazingly the kids were in the car at 7:03.  I'm not going to lie.  There is usually quite a bit of behind-the-scene action going on and this morning was no exception. But we were blessed.  No raised voices, miraculously clean & matching socks, shoes were found.....right were they were left, and so on and so forth. 

As I walked out in the rain to say goodbye and to hand John his breakfast sandwich....William sweetly grabbed my hand and squeezed.  He looked up at me and said, "Thank you so much for making it so easy for us."  

OMGosh!!!! I died.right.there.  Those sweet words almost brought me to tears. As if something clicked in his 17 year old brain....he got it.....and I'm to holding onto it.  A rare and completely unsolicited grateful heart. 

Honestly, I do believe my kids are great.  But they are kids, and share the same tendencies as any other normal kid.....lazy, self-centered, loud, selfish, dirty and occasionally smelly.  But oh,  when the light comes on.....it shines brightly. They clean the basement (without being asked), share school & friend stories with me, ask me to tuck them in and say prayers at night, and on occasion give a sincere apology or a heartfelt thank you. 

There is something very satisfying when your kids turn the corner.  Today was one of those moments, and I'm grateful to be happily satisfied.  

William ~ looking very satisfied before the Homecoming dance.

The Facts of Life

"You take the good, you take the bad, you take them both and there you have the facts of life....the facts of life!"

It's not just a catchy 80's theme song.....it's the truth!  This past summer our family grew through a one of life's unavoidable experiences.  It's been said, that one doesn't grow through one's successes, but through the difficult and trying times. Sadness and hardships are part of life.  

About mid-summer, one of those defining moments hit us. We realized the time had come to say goodbye to our beloved Wally. What a GREAT dog! We had been blessed for 13 wonderful, fur shedding years. We spent his final days together, loving on him, sharing memories, crying and laughing.  Each of us grieving in our own way.  

No doubt about it.....losing a pet is hard.  I've never thought of myself as a dog person.  I mean, I love and care for our pets.....but they are animals, and in the grand scheme of things......in our household anyway....they are the bottom of the totem pole. However, in certain situations and in sweet moments, I find myself remembering him.  

Every.single.morning. for the past umpteen years I have cut the crust off the kids' sandwiches while packing their school lunches.  And somewhere along the way, Wally and I started a habit....a secret, bad habit.  The Powells are firm believers in not feeding animals "people" food. I mean really.....who likes a beggar??? 

But, he was there. And, it seemed so wasteful to throw away the pile of bread, slivers ham, peanut butter or what-have-you.  He knew he had a good thing. Somehow, able to distinguish that one meal from any other, he would make his way into the kitchen and find his spot next to my feet.  More than once we were busted by the food police. I was usually able talk my way out of the interrogation with some lame excuse. While Wally, eversocarefully tried not to give himself away. Casually waiting, he sprawled the kitchen floor, causing a hazardous speed bump in the high traffic kitchen, during the morning rush hour.  It worked.  It was our thing.  It was our special bond.  

Most mornings, I'm reminded of his absence.  I'm thankful for the quiet memories that slowly replace the summer's harsh sting of reality.

It's a fact of life.  If we want the good,  we must except the bad.......we can't have one without the other.  But somewhere, in the midst of it all, we find the joy of life.

WE MISS YOU WALLY WINDCHILL POWELL.....you were a good one!