Almost 5 months

I can't believe how fast Logan is growing. Maybe it's because I don't see him everyday, or maybe I'm just getting old and time is flying by. Either way, he just gets bigger and stronger each time I see him.

We were lucky enough to get him for 4 days on Valentine's weekend, and it was so much fun. Yes he's a lot of work, and no I didn't get much sleep, but I loved every minute of it. He is so funny and when he smiles it melts my heart. He especially loves his grandpa, and he smiles every time Al walks into a room.

Below are some pictures of Logan in his "Christmas" present from grandma and grandpa. We wanted to give him this exersaucer for Christmas, but it was out of stock and he was too little for it anyway. It got delivered to him Thursday, and Alyssa took some pictures so we could see him in it. The center is an activity table and the seat is attached to it and rotates around the table like a satellite. He can't touch the floor yet so Alyssa has to move him. However, judging from his growth, it won't be long.

Another music lover. He "sings" anytime a song comes on.

Fascinated by standing alone.

I think he likes it.

Happy Birthday Mom

Circa 1967, and yes folks, that's her true color!

Today is my mother’s 65th birthday. I can’t believe my mom is 65. I can’t believe she’s a GREAT GRANDMOTHER! She is a spunky and sprite little Great Grandmother if I ever saw one.

I’ve always looked up to my mom, and if I had to choose one word that described my mother it would be smart. It is something I always admired in her and it is has always been that which I have strived to be. She was the smart one, the one who could do almost anything. She raised 3 kids on her own, and even if we didn’t have everything, we had what we needed. The funny thing is that when I was growing up she was never the lovey dovey cuddly kind of mom. However, if you could see her with her grandkids, you’d see that she is more attached and emotional in her young old age.

I got really scared about 8 years ago when my Grandmother (my mom’s mom) died. That meant there was no buffer left. There was no one to keep heaven at bay. I started thinking about the day when my mom would be gone. I didn’t (and still don’t) know how I would ever make it through without my mom. I love my mom so much. I can’t imagine life without her in it. Mother and daughter relationships aren’t always the easiest. We’ve certainly had our times, but now I don’t know what I’d do without her. When times are tough she’s the one I always turn to, in other words, I call her almost every day. She’s always there for me, no matter what (even at 3 a.m.).

I know I say this all the time, but this posting was very difficult to write. I always have such a hard time expressing my true feelings. I feel things so deeply that when I write those feelings down they seem so one dimensional and my words never seem to do them justice. I want to do my mom justice. I want her to know how much I appreciate everything she has done for me. I especially love that she has been at the birth of all my children and that she has never gone more than a year without visiting us, even when we lived in Europe. She's really sacrificed a lot to make sure my kids know her. Although she'll tell you it's been her excuse to travel (and to visit a variety of Wal-marts) I know that it hasn't been easy to follow us around the world. I want her to know that I can never really repay her, but I will try my best to pass that devotion on to my own kids. I love you mom, happy birthday.

I finally graduated from college, and I don't know who was prouder.

She loves her Nickle Pickle.

Now that's true devotion, or was she to too drunk to notice Christian?

Four generations.

I think he likes his Great Grandmother, A.K.A. MeanMaw.

Closing The Chapter

Last year was an emotionally charged year. I became a Grandmother for the first time, I left my church, and I left my job. Some of you might wonder why I made so many changes at one time. Well, I wasn't really consulted about the Grandmother part, and with my job and church, I felt that I had to make a change to be true to myself. I don't think it's appropriate to get into the whole job situation, but I do want to say a little about leaving my church.

I have been a lifelong member of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). My mother's family has belonged to the denomination for generations, and some of them even helped found congregations. Even when I was in a congregation that was having problems, I never left. I transferred my membership to and from congregations when ever we moved, and once I quit going for a little while, but I never withdrew my membership and left the denomination. Well, until now.

In respect to space and time, let's just say I left over constitutional issues. It was a difficult decision, and I wrestled with it (and some church members) for a year. I thought I was fighting for the right thing, but what I found out was that God was leading me in a new and somewhat scary direction.

I wasn't the only one who left. Of course my family left with me, but there were also three other families that were engaged, active members who left. We all traveled around together visiting other churches, and looking for a home. I called us the "spiritual wanderers." We looked for a while, and then we found Countryside.

Countryside Community Church is a United Church of Christ. I think I felt at home there the first time I visited. I especially enjoyed the minister (who just came to Countryside in the summer) his sermon (which coincidentally was about being "re-potted") and the camaraderie between him, the associate minister, and the music minister. After I left, I went home and researched the UCC, and here is what I found.

The UCC denomination is a breakout from the original Christian Church which later became The Church of Christ, The Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), and The Independent Christian Church. This is why I think I felt so at home from the beginning. The UCC teaches about love, acceptance, tolerance, and open mindedness. In other words it welcomes AND affirms Christians without regard to race, gender, socioeconomic status, nationality, or sexual orientation. This is exactly what I was looking for.

I could literally write a novel about the rejuvenation of my spiritual life, but I'll spare you. I will tell you that the more I learn about this new (to me) church, the more I love it. I'm trying to be careful about jumping in too quick, but it's hard when I've finally found something that has got me excited about going to church again. Now that I've left my old church, I am joining a new church, and a new denomination for the first time in my life. Al, and the boys will be joining with me, but Alyssa will not (That is another first which is better left for a different posting about adult children and letting go).

On Sunday I will become a member of the Countryside Community Church in Omaha, Nebraska. Now that God has led me through the rocky pass, he has set me forth on a exciting journey. I can't wait.

Those Eyes