The Ramblings of a Mom

These last several weeks have been a roller coaster ride. With one son soon to be married, I have spent time praying for his future life as he forms a new family. I will miss our talks, but I am ready to pass the torch on to the love of his life. She is a jewel. I could never in a million years have chosen a wife for my son that was such a compliment to him in every way. So all the little details which now consume my brain as I lay down at night...what should I serve at the rehearsal dinner, where should it be, how many, will Katie have had her baby, etc...are all rather unimportant in the big scheme of things. Yesterday was his three hour presentation at work after 12 weeks of training. As his fiance' says "He rocked it!" He has had a long year. Being owed tens of thousands of dollars for work, a subsequent lawsuit, and really no way to go up against a huge machine,,,he has shown himself to be a man of integrity. He has done the right thing even when it has cost him. It is hard for a Mom to watch her child struggle, but it is so rewarding when you see for yourself what kind of man you have raised to adulthood.

My list of  "to do" projects grows ever longer. I have nightgowns to make for Maria and Julia, and a stack of dresses and pajamas cut out for Charlotte. I also have 30+ bears to finish cutting out and sewing for our local hospital ministry.I did finally get my back porch painted and our new swing hung. Our chairs arrived a few days ago. It will be so nice for entertaining during these cooler Fall days. We have families coming three times over the next week for dinner which I am looking forward to. We ate at a dear family from churchs home on Sunday night. Sharing a meal is the best way to really feel like a part of the church family and to get to know one another. For the past three weekends we have had company. Kathi, Katie and I went to see "The Dixie Swim Club" at the Wetumpka Depot on Friday night. It was a wonderful play done by the local theater group. It was nice to get out, just us girls (well, Luke was there:).
 The following morning the family all went to see the boys play soccer. Their season last year was horrible, and this year they have had one loss and two ties. They were behind 1-0 when in the LAST minute Christian took the ball down the field, crossed it to Jordan and Jordan scored!! It was a perfect moment. The game ended in a tie. Thank goodness there are no tie breakers.
On Tuesday the boys and I drove to Birmingham to watch the grandchildren while Katie had a morning of blood tests. I hate driving through the traffic there, and of course it rained:) but after the storm had passed there was this beautiful rainbow in the sky. What a wonderful reminder not only that our world would never again be destroyed by flooding, but that He is there. I enjoyed my visit there so much. Playing dollhouse with the girls, reading Dr. Seuss with Gabriel,walking to the park to play on the swings. I enjoy hearing the children mimic the words of their wonderful Mama as they play. Maria walked with Julia out the back door and said, "Oh, Julia, what a lovely day!" and at one point corrected her in play and said "Did I hear you say Yes Ma'am?". At which Julia responded "Yes, Ma'am". Just precious. Katie and Tim are such wonderful parents. They make it look easy to have three, almost four, four years and younger.

 During my time there I received a heartbreaking phone call from Chelsea. The little boy we had been praying for was going to another family. My heart rejoiced for the new parents, but broke for Chelsea and Justin. They are ready to be parents to a little one. They want God's will. They had stepped out past their comfort zone, to pray for this little guy who was born at 26 weeks. They knew there were hard days ahead, but they were ready. They were willing. Because good parents are. I am so proud of them. This child was not to be theirs. Only God knows who their child will be, but HE KNOWS. So now we remove proudpreemies.com from the favorites list. Though he is not to be my grandson, he will be someone elses's, and I will continue to pray for this little boy that he will continue to grow strong. This year has been a year full of changes-a new town, a new home, a new church family-- and soon to be new daughter-in-law and new grandson. We have been so blessed. We love Wetumpka. I love the library downtown by the river, the park with its little bridges, the arched bridge over the Coosa River, the Victorian homes. I love the wonderful Winn-Dixie, the flea market, the Oakview Granary and berry farm right by my house. I love the church elder who plays the guitar, was a politician, and who brings us honey from his bees. I love the preacher who brings my boys posters of the Alabama National Champions and an Alabama football mint tin from Cracker Barrel:) I love it that even though they both are sick with colds they BEGGED to get to go to church last night. I love working with the children in the inner city. The children that had never heard about Noah or an ark. And only one who had seen a rainbow. I love coming home and seeing my home nestled in the clearing, and my boys up in the tree. I love it that at this very moment I can count 11 balls in various sizes in my backyard, along with the tent they have slept in for two nights this week. I love it that I get to visit with my sweet daughter-in-law, Kristin and little Charlotte, and share laughs over homemaking blogs late in the night. I loved getting to spend a few minutes with Brandon while in Birmingham. He was at the church building leading a group of boys, and took time out to help me check on the facilities for the upcoming wedding. He works so hard and at times grows discouraged, but he continues to do what is good and right. Though I know his heart longs to be overseas, he is faithful to allow God to lead him and his family. So with all of these blessings, how could I possibly dream of asking God for any more? Well, because I think I'm one of His favorites:) I am willing , Lord, to accept Your will. I will believe even if Your answer is not what I want. I ask just one more thing. Would you please send Justin and Chelsea a little boy or girl to be their own precious child? I know they will raise this child to be Yours. I pray this prayer in the name of Jesus, who gave His life for each of us. Amen.