For those of you who read last week this is kind of a 'to be continued.'
Yesterday we needed to get to the grocery store after work and school because we ran out of time over the weekend to get there. I had a thought in the back of my head that we may run into the man that we saw last week. As we pulled into the parking lot I saw him but said nothing, I wanted to see if Ryan would notice him again. He did and we had the following conversation:
R: Uh-oh.
M: What's wrong?
R: That man is still there. I guess he doesn't have a house yet.
M: I guess not. He looks like he still needs help. What do you think we should do?
R: Let's buy him a toy. He might like a toy.
M: We're probably not going to buy him a toy, I don't think he needs a toy.
R: Well, why don't we go home and pick out something that I don't really play with anymore and bring it back to him?
M: I like that idea, but let's think of something he might need more.
So, we went into the store and bought him some more apples and Cheez-its (everyone likes those, right?). When we left the store I told Ryan that we should find out his name so that we could mention him by name in our prayers. We gave him the food and I introduced myself to Hank.
We arrived home a bit later, put groceries away and sat down for a quick dinner because I had a meeting to go to. As we sat down we held hands for our prayer and when I finished Ryan kept holding my hand.
R: Don't let go of my hand mommy, we need to pray some more.
M: OK go ahead.
R: Dear Jesus, please help someone build a house for Hank soon. Amen.
Thank you my sweet boy for always remembering the details.
Apples, Cheez-its and a little bit of prayer.
Tuesday, April 17, 2012
Monday, April 9, 2012
Plz Help
A man stood on the side of the road, barely noticed by anyone. If noticed, then ignored. I saw him and drove by - hurrying to load my properly working car with groceries to stock the kitchen of my nice house. One small voice from the backseat of my car says "Mommy, what is that man doing there?"
He noticed him and chose to acknowledge his need. I told Ryan that his sign said that he needs help.
"Well, let's help him Mom."
Okay, let's help him.
I said, if he's still there after we shop, we'll help him. I prayed right then that he would still be there. As we made our way through the store we tried to figure out what we could do. When we finished we went to the deli and looked at the different types of sandwiches. Then figuring that if he didn't eat it right away it would get rotten and soggy. So, we went with peanut butter crackers, some apples from our bag and a few bucks.
When we came out of the store, he was still there. His sign now saying, "Homeless - Need$." Ryan wanted to hold the bag and get out and give it to the man. I told him that it was probably better if I handed it. We stopped in busy traffic to give this man something so small. He smiled the biggest smile I've seen in a while, said - "Thanks, dear - you all made my day."
On the way home Ryan and I talked about the simple lesson that he is always taught in Sunday School. God gives us what we need. He gives us what we need and He calls us to take what he's given us and give others what they need.
No matter how small - a smile, wave, a thank you - what you do for Him could make a world of a difference for someone else.
He noticed him and chose to acknowledge his need. I told Ryan that his sign said that he needs help.
"Well, let's help him Mom."
Okay, let's help him.
I said, if he's still there after we shop, we'll help him. I prayed right then that he would still be there. As we made our way through the store we tried to figure out what we could do. When we finished we went to the deli and looked at the different types of sandwiches. Then figuring that if he didn't eat it right away it would get rotten and soggy. So, we went with peanut butter crackers, some apples from our bag and a few bucks.
When we came out of the store, he was still there. His sign now saying, "Homeless - Need$." Ryan wanted to hold the bag and get out and give it to the man. I told him that it was probably better if I handed it. We stopped in busy traffic to give this man something so small. He smiled the biggest smile I've seen in a while, said - "Thanks, dear - you all made my day."
On the way home Ryan and I talked about the simple lesson that he is always taught in Sunday School. God gives us what we need. He gives us what we need and He calls us to take what he's given us and give others what they need.
No matter how small - a smile, wave, a thank you - what you do for Him could make a world of a difference for someone else.
Thursday, January 12, 2012
How is it that 4 years have gone by?
As I sit here now and watch my 4 year old boy sleep beside me on the couch I wonder how it is even possible that 4 years have gone by. 4 years since that newborn babe slept in my arms having been born less than 24 hours before. Time, in it's wild and mysterious way flies by before we can even write down the moments that mean the most to us.
Ryan, from the time he could show feeling, has shown love for others. He is in tune with feelings and emotions and cares for his family in a sweet way. When I was pregnant with Taylor (this was before Ryan was even two), I was very sick with a cold and off work for a week. As I would enter a coughing fit, he would run to the kitchen and bring me a spit cup...sorry, that was gross.
On another particularly windy day, a number of months later, we were at a local convenience store and I was carrying Tay's infant seat and our food. Ryan was walking nicely beside me and as we got to the car I began to panic, telling Ryan that it was so windy that my skirt might blow. Without saying another word, he took both hands and held my skirt down for me as I loaded Taylor into the car.
A few months ago Taylor was sick with a cold and one evening, right before I put her to bed he sat beside her and, stroking her cheek, said, "I love you Taylor. I really hope you feel better soon."
Just a few weeks ago, Linshey (or Haitian sponsor child) celebrated a birthday. A few days later Ryan said - "Mom! We need to make her a birthday card!" So he did. It's still sitting on our kitchen counter, waiting for the next team to travel to Jacmel to give it to her.
I know that all of you moms and dads out there know these feelings of love for a child but I need to put them here....
When he is hurting, I ache.
When he is happy, I'm ecstatic.
When he's joyful, I'm overjoyed.
When he's scared, I'm terrified.
When he's sad, I want to cry.
When he laughs, it's music to my ears.
I'm trying to teach him to love everyone, be kind always and that it's okay to cry or be mad. I'm trying to remember how important it is for me to be a model for him in the way I live life. I'm trying to teach him to love Jesus.
Ryan, from the time he could show feeling, has shown love for others. He is in tune with feelings and emotions and cares for his family in a sweet way. When I was pregnant with Taylor (this was before Ryan was even two), I was very sick with a cold and off work for a week. As I would enter a coughing fit, he would run to the kitchen and bring me a spit cup...sorry, that was gross.
On another particularly windy day, a number of months later, we were at a local convenience store and I was carrying Tay's infant seat and our food. Ryan was walking nicely beside me and as we got to the car I began to panic, telling Ryan that it was so windy that my skirt might blow. Without saying another word, he took both hands and held my skirt down for me as I loaded Taylor into the car.
A few months ago Taylor was sick with a cold and one evening, right before I put her to bed he sat beside her and, stroking her cheek, said, "I love you Taylor. I really hope you feel better soon."
Just a few weeks ago, Linshey (or Haitian sponsor child) celebrated a birthday. A few days later Ryan said - "Mom! We need to make her a birthday card!" So he did. It's still sitting on our kitchen counter, waiting for the next team to travel to Jacmel to give it to her.
I know that all of you moms and dads out there know these feelings of love for a child but I need to put them here....
When he is hurting, I ache.
When he is happy, I'm ecstatic.
When he's joyful, I'm overjoyed.
When he's scared, I'm terrified.
When he's sad, I want to cry.
When he laughs, it's music to my ears.
I'm trying to teach him to love everyone, be kind always and that it's okay to cry or be mad. I'm trying to remember how important it is for me to be a model for him in the way I live life. I'm trying to teach him to love Jesus.
Ryan - your daddy and I are so happy to have you in our lives and don't know what we would ever do without you. We love you more than you will ever know (but as you like to say, around the world 100 million times).
Love, Mommy
Thursday, September 22, 2011
This Mother's Prayer
There are a few blogs that I check on a daily basis and when checking this one I stumbled upon a heartbreaking story accompanied by a prayer written by a mother who loves her child as all parents should. It is a prayer that I will pray daily. Today my heart was hurting for this family whom I do not even know.
Almost 5 weeks ago my heart was breaking for my best friend who lost her 23 year-old brother, Andrew, in a car accident. Heidi, Joel and Avery lost their brother and Rob and Andrea lost their son. Their entire family has an amazing faith in Jesus Christ. I don't think that their faith makes their hurt go away, it just helps them to face the next day, the next hour and even the next minute knowing that there will be a day when they will see him again.
In our minds these children were taken from this world far too early but last night in my dream, I saw Andrew while hiking and he said to me, "He called my name. It was my turn to go."
No matter what our situation, may we all feel the peace and comfort that can be found in the warm embrace of Jesus. And pray this comfort on others.
Almost 5 weeks ago my heart was breaking for my best friend who lost her 23 year-old brother, Andrew, in a car accident. Heidi, Joel and Avery lost their brother and Rob and Andrea lost their son. Their entire family has an amazing faith in Jesus Christ. I don't think that their faith makes their hurt go away, it just helps them to face the next day, the next hour and even the next minute knowing that there will be a day when they will see him again.
In our minds these children were taken from this world far too early but last night in my dream, I saw Andrew while hiking and he said to me, "He called my name. It was my turn to go."
No matter what our situation, may we all feel the peace and comfort that can be found in the warm embrace of Jesus. And pray this comfort on others.
Saturday, September 17, 2011
4 and 7
Please do not be impressed with the frequency of which I blog. Okay, so it's been 2 months but I've recently recieved some encouragement from a friend about how to make blogging a little more meaningful.
Anyhow, the point of this entry is to tell a funny story.
The other day while visiting at my mom's, Ryan was reading about the Phillies with his Uncle Jon. They had the following conversation:
UJ: Ryan, which number comes first 4 or 7?
R: One.
UJ: No, Ryan which number comes first 4 or 7?
R: Um, one.
Anyhow, the point of this entry is to tell a funny story.
The other day while visiting at my mom's, Ryan was reading about the Phillies with his Uncle Jon. They had the following conversation:
UJ: Ryan, which number comes first 4 or 7?
R: One.
UJ: No, Ryan which number comes first 4 or 7?
R: Um, one.
It took a few seconds for all of the adults to catch up to how this little 3 year old's mind works and we all realized that he was, in fact, correct. Good boy.
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
Confessions of a terrible baby-booker
As you all know I have two children. Only one of them has a baby book - said baby book has been neglected. Child #2 does not even have a baby book. Poor sweet baby girl who is no longer a baby - she's 18 months!
I am sad about this and am working to record milestones and memories that we make with both of the children and hope to use this blog and other methods to do so.
Here are a few notes about Taylor K (Taypot, Tay-tay, Tater):
*She was almost born in the car - but not. She was born in the hospital after one big push. Excellent.
*From the beginning she was not an excellent sleeper as her brother was. She was over a year until she slept decently through the night and no, I did not let her "cry it out." Tried that...I enjoy sleep too much. And now, she sleeps fine :)
*TK has never enjoyed being confined, even now at 18 months she would prefer to eat a bite of food and run around the house. We, however, do not permit that so sitting down to eat dinner is something we are working on. She's a mover and a shaker - I think I've said that before.
*After I got done with my fantastic maternity leave Taylor stayed with a number of different people while I worked during the day. She adjusted so well each day to her different caregivers and started to come to school with me at the ripe old age of 7 months.
*She seemed to follow the same progression as her brother, sitting up around 6 months, crawling at 7 months, climbing stairs and walking at 10, climbing stairs and running shortly thereafter. Taylor still climbs up and on everything!
*Every day she impresses us with her vocabulary. She will attempt to repeat every word that we say (within reason) and really gets upset when I don't give her any more "eerios." Her 5 year old cousin loves to encourage her vocabulary by getting her to say words like - "poop," "pee," & "potty." She can say all three!
*Her ability to follow verbal directions is amazing!
Taylor has the sweetest smile. She calls her brother "Bubba." Hugs and kisses from her family are her favorite. She loves to be tickled. Taylor loves macaroni and cheese, avocado, and strawberries. When her brother has something or is doing something, she wants to do it too. She loves animals.
I certainly can't say enough good things about our sweet little girl. More to come, I'm sure.
Maybe
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| Taylor did not care for her 1st birthday celebration! |
Thursday, October 7, 2010
Ryan
Our son Ryan is growing up so fast. He is a full 2 and three quarters years old. He was born on January 11, 2008 and our life changed on that day forever. I cannot possibly cover the last almost three years since he was born in one blog post but in a nutshell...
Ryan slept through the night on March 17, 2008 (my birthday!), slept on his tummy around 5 months of age, sitting up at 6 months, crawling at 7 months, and walking at 10. That winter he took some swim lessons, played in the snow for the first time and helped daddy chop down a Christmas tree on a freezing cold day. We had a wonderful first birthday party with our family and few friends with Ryan not wanting to make a mess at all.
Over the next year we watched Ryan grow and change, speaking more words each day (first was "mama"). We took him to Chicago when he was 18 months to visit some family and he did wonderfully the entire trip. Ryan's favorite part was the zoo in Chicago...he loves animals. He also learned how to jump into Grandma Jane's pool. Through the fall Ryan watched mommy's tummy grow bigger and bigger as there was a new baby to be born in January 2010. Ryan's second Christmas was filled with many visits to family in New Jersey and in PA and he spent his New Year sleeping at the Rudge's while the adults "partied" in the basement.
Ryan welcomed his little sister Taylor K on January 17, 2010. He has never had anything but love for his sister. Ryan continued to go to school while I was on maternity leave (he thrives on routine) and adjusted well to having a new little person in the house. Since Taylor was born we have taken many adventures...Lake Tobias, Hershey Zoo, three trips to NJ, a trip to the beach and to see Elmo Live! in Philly.
There...you are caught up on our firstborn....he says and does new and funny things every day and I am going to try to get better at writing things down.
Ryan slept through the night on March 17, 2008 (my birthday!), slept on his tummy around 5 months of age, sitting up at 6 months, crawling at 7 months, and walking at 10. That winter he took some swim lessons, played in the snow for the first time and helped daddy chop down a Christmas tree on a freezing cold day. We had a wonderful first birthday party with our family and few friends with Ryan not wanting to make a mess at all.
Over the next year we watched Ryan grow and change, speaking more words each day (first was "mama"). We took him to Chicago when he was 18 months to visit some family and he did wonderfully the entire trip. Ryan's favorite part was the zoo in Chicago...he loves animals. He also learned how to jump into Grandma Jane's pool. Through the fall Ryan watched mommy's tummy grow bigger and bigger as there was a new baby to be born in January 2010. Ryan's second Christmas was filled with many visits to family in New Jersey and in PA and he spent his New Year sleeping at the Rudge's while the adults "partied" in the basement.
Ryan likes....Golden Grahams, cucumbers with dip, watching the Phillies, playing with his friends, singing songs, reading books, looking for diggers and trucks while we are driving. He asks me about my day, every day when we ride home in the car and then he asks about Taylor's day. He gets upset if he forgets to tell someone 'thank you' for something that they did (the other day someone held the door open for us and he was upset because he forgot to say thank you). He loves to snuggle and dance and listen to Celine Dion in the car on the way to school (it helps Taylor calm down when she's crying).
Ryan does not like...fireworks, the jungle song and peanut butter and jelly.
There...you are caught up on our firstborn....he says and does new and funny things every day and I am going to try to get better at writing things down.
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