Wild, Wicked, and Wonderful Week

Last week was definitely wild, wicked and wonderful…ever have one of those?  I had so much I wanted to get done and I had so much I needed to get done.  Of course, the “needed” always usurps the “wanted”…I think that’s what makes it wicked.  Trying to do it all, makes it kind of wild!  And simply making it through to enjoy those events you want to be able to enjoy, wonderful!  Let’s forget the wild and wicked parts and let me share with you the wonderful!

We have some long time friends, Jack and Jana Pine.  We attended church  together for many years.   Our first Sunday at that church, Wesley was still a toddler.  We took him to the nursery and Jana was working there.  She said, “I know You!”  I was pretty sure, not.  But it turns out, Jana and Leah, Wally’s sister, were college roommates!  Wally had taken her for a spin on his motorcycle way back then!  That short reintroduction began a long friendship between us.  And particularly between two of our sons, Wesley and Timothy. 

Wesley and Timothy have stayed close through the years.  Even when Carrie came along.  This past Saturday, Tim and Carrie were married.  We hosted their rehearsal dinner at the Polo Club. 

The food was yummy…gyros from the Shish Kebab Grill in Denver.  The owners are neighbors of Jack and Jana.

Here’s our wonderful friends, Jack and Jana.  They are the parents of nine children.  They have been through tragedy and difficulty without faltering in their love and trust of the Lord.  Jana is one of those friends who holds you accountable in your own walk with the Lord.

Here is Jana with her girls.  They have all grown up so much since the last time I have seen them altogether!  Julie, Elisabeth, Jana, Olivia, and Joanna.

Here is Tim, the groom, and his wonderful bride, Carrie

Friday was Wesley’s birthday and Tim was happy to share his occasion with Wes and we had birthday cake for dessert.

My Mom and Dad dropped by after the dinner to say hello to Wes and wish him a Happy Birthday!  One of the wonderful things about our friendship…Wes fits in with the Pines and Tim fits in with the Godby’s.  So Wesley’s grandparents are Tim’s grandparents too!

Tim and his brothers and Wesley came by the Polo Club on Saturday to dress for the wedding.  I wish I would have had all the brothers stand together for a picture, they were so very handsome in their wedding garb.  But all I got was one of Tim.

Wesley was Tim’s best man.  At the reception Wes gave the “best man” speech…he did pretty good at honoring his friend.  Wonderful!

Saturday was a long day but filled with wonderful moments with our wonderful friends!

Happy Birthday Wesley!!

Today is Wesley Keith’s Birthday!!  He came home this weekend to be the best man in his best friend’s wedding.  Moms say thist a lot, but I’ll say it again…”When did you grow up?  Where did the years go?”   Well today,  my baby boy turns twenty-four!  So, so very hard to believe! 

How thankful we are for you Wes, you have always brought joy and surprise to our family! 

Every every year I look back at the photos, laugh and cry at all the memories and try to share one or two of them.  This year I got a little bit of help.  I asked Andrea and Kenny to share something funny they remember and also share a nice wish for your special day. 

We’ll let Andrea share first..she is the oldest and wisest, right?  Just who was driving the ATV that day?  I remember you were doing donuts and you weren’t supposed to!!

Dear Wesley -

It's your birthday! Is my little brother really 24?!? When Mom asked me to write down a few things, there were a couple of memories that immediately came to my mind. Are you ready to be embarrassed?

It's a silly thing to remember, really, but I have never forgotten this from when you were a tiny guy (back when I was still taller than you...). Dad was putting together a set of shelving, and he was doing it laying down on its side. When he stood the shelves up, you looked up at its height and said, "Holy 'mokes!" You always were the cute one!

I recall how soft and smooth your hair was after a buzz cut. I also recall that I had to pay you a quarter every time I rubbed your head, because you disliked it so much. I probably could have payed for college with those quarters, because I always enjoyed irritating you!

I also remember that it was you who begged Kenny and I to play Barbies one day - when we were probably all much too old to be doing so. In case you don't believe that it actually happened, just ask Mom. I'm sure she still has the picture somewhere!

It was also probably your idea to hijack one of said Barbies a few years later. You loaded him with Black Cat fire crackers and attempted to blow him to pieces, just like the evil kid on Toy Story. I don't think you ever replaced that Ken doll. I will be sure to let Elaine know it was your fault when she inherits the Barbie dolls!

It didn't take long for you to grow up. You kept growing and soon you were taller than me. I dubbed you my "big little brother." It was you who gave me the nickname "Sparky". I'm not sure why, or when, but it stuck.

Now you are on your own...really on your own. You live in a different state, you have your own apartment, and a new job. My birthday wish for you this year is threefold. I pray you will find a good church and get involved. I pray the Lord will lead you to some new and godly friends as you get established in your new place. And may you always keep on the ascending plane, taking your relationship with the Lord to the next level.

Happy Birthday, Wes! Love, Sparky

Here is Kenny’s memories and wish.  I’m sure there is so much more he could have shared…your adventures with him were many!  Here you two are all ready for AWANA’s “Pick Your Nose Night!”  Kenny went as a cow and you as a warthog!

I love my brother Wesley very much and I have many things that I remember about him as we grew up.  Here are a few of the humorous highlights that I thought of.

• I remember when he was being potty trained and his reward for going to the bathroom was gum drops, but Wes called them snakes.
• We used to take the cats, and Gypsy, and we would fluff up ones side of a bean-bag-chair. Then one of us would hold the dog or cat on the low side of the chair while the other jumped on the fluffed side and launch them through the air.
• I remember one of the first times he was able to go elk hunting, Wes kept asking Dad what would happen if he shot one elk and the bullet went all the way through and killed a second elk?  Dad said, “it was possible, but not very likely.” Well that very time Wesley killed two elk with one shot. From then on we tried to do it that way.
• The last thing I will mention is the times we used to have blow-gun wars with each other.  We would take the shaft of the dart and turn it around so we were shooting each other with the blunt end. One time in particular I was hiding in the closet and no sooner had I peeked around the corner to see where he was and I felt a dart stick me in the crease of my nose with a blunt end. We had some great times together.

Wesley, you have been given much talent and ability for specific things in your life. As you have just moved out on your own and begun a new chapter in your life, don’t leave all the things you have been taught behind like so many Christians of your generation. Stay involved in the work of God no matter where you are or what you do. Use the talents and abilities God has given you for His glory. Remember what it says in Philippians 1:6, “Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.” I love you Wesley and hope you have a wonderful birthday and an even better year. ~Kenny

And here is that two-elk, one-shot kill!!  (So relieved there were two tags to go with it!)

Wes as you have blessed our lives, you are very blessed by your siblings!

You will always be “tops” with us!

 

Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it.

I Corinthians 9:24

Happy Birthday Wesley!!! Dad and I love you so much and are looking forward to cake with you tonight!

Thankful Thursday

If you have heard some happy shouting in the last couple of days it might be due to the fact that we are welcoming twin grandbabies!! 

Last week I told Andrea I’d like to see how big she was…and this photo popped up on Facebook…She said, and I quote…”Got one baby pressing hard on my left hip, and the other digging into my right ribs.  Lots of Braxton Hicks last week, but hardly a one this week. I had hoped to have these babies in April…” Maybe those words were some kind of prayer because on April 30 at 2:30 am I got a call from Andrea.  Her water had broke and they were heading to the hospital.  I lay awake for a long time, thinking, praying and getting excited!  I had finally fallen back to sleep when I get another call, just before six.  They were checked into the hospital.  I asked if they took a taxi this time?  No, they drove.  Ben was able to find a close spot…two blocks away!  I kind of laughed.  Well, that is a pretty good spot for NY!  She said was now 4cm dilated and I remember thinking, “this is going to be awhile yet.”  Then about 7:30 Wally interrupted my shower to show me a picture…Two beautiful babies had arrived safe and healthy!  Liberty Alethia was the first to arrive at 8:30 (EST) weighing 5.11lb.  Nehemiah Elliot followed at 9:05 weighing 6.1lbs. 

My shouts have changed a little bit into ooing and ahhing as the photos start rolling out!. I just can’t believe it…two teeny tiny sweet babies!  Mom is doing well.  She sounds tired and I’m afraid that is not going to change any time soon!  But she looks great, doesn’t she?

Aren’t they precious?  Yesterday when I was on the phone with Andrea, they had just brought Nehemiah back from his circumcision and she was changing his diaper…I got to hear all kinds of little baby noises going on! 

Every time I go to say their names, I have to stop and think…they have big names for such little bundles!  They are heading home today and then the real adventure begins.  I can hardly wait to hear about Elaine and Nolan’s responses!  They’ve got big changes coming!  And then I can hardly wait to go and pick them all up in a big hug!  That won’t be until May 19.  Until then, thank you Grandma Hamilton for being there now and for all those who will step in to help!  We are all so very blessed! 

So, so much to be thankful for today!

Celebrating Adoption (Part Two)

Editor’s Note:  I have a guest blogger!  I never thought I would say that!  And I did let Alethea know my audience is about 25!  But she said “yes” to writing this anyway.  Because even if it is only 25, it is 25 people who will be impacted by her passion, adoption! So, please meet my friend Alethea and enjoy the read!

A few weeks ago (sorry, Sherry, this took me way to long!) I had the opportunity to invite and was blessed to have so many wonderful friends join me for Colorado Christian Services’ (our adoption agency) annual Ladies Event.

This is an event that supports the adoption agency my husband and I used to adopt our two girls! We have been so thankful for this agency and the amount of love they have shown us! The caseworkers pour their hearts into each family- and they work incredibly long and hard hours as they walk alongside each family that is navigating the adventure of adoption. It is such a privilege to support them and I am so very grateful to each of my friends who came to the Ladies Event- for it really is one small way for me to say thank you and give back to these woman for everything they have done for my family and me!

I simply cannot say enough about Colorado Christian Services (CCS)! Adoption is not an easy journey. Before one even begins, especially for a couple who has struggled and been unsuccessful in having biological children, much grieving and soul searching has to happen. Thankfully you don’t have to have all your “issues” worked out before meeting with our agency. I remember being afraid and defensive, as I said, it is a hard journey…but every one of the women from the director to all of the caseworkers, and even the administration staff and CCS were so loving and gracious. They gently taught, grieved, prayed, held our hands and cheered us on!  I loved, and more and more every day I am increasingly thankful for the training provided to us by CCS- and most of that training happened in our first initial meetings with them! I still think back to, quote, and hold on to, truths they shared with us. It has been invaluable in navigating so many of the uniqueness of adoption.

All that said - we clearly love Colorado Christian Services! I say it often, but we will never ever be able to express our gratitude or pay them back even in some small way for all they did for us! And that leads me to what the results were in walking through this journey with CCS. My husband and I are the parents to two beautiful, amazing, wonderful little girls! We have a 4 almost 5 year old, and an almost 2 year old! They are the joy of our lives~ and they have taught me more about God’s love and grace then anything else in this world!

I could never have imagined the road that God would lead my husband and I on- we simply thought (like most of the world) that you get married and in a few years you have kids. Oh, for it to have been that easy! But God in His sovereignty had a much better and bigger plan for us!  However to get there included several long, dark, years filled with heartache and disappointment. Yet, it also was filled with sweet forced dependence on our Savior- for there was nowhere else and no one else to cling to! Yet, we have learned that this- the dark, the hard, the trying times- really does produce joy unparalleled to anything this world offers! For our joy is not in the temporary and fleeting it is in the eternal! And our hope refreshed came in meeting and working with CCS.  Our joy expressed came when not once but twice a little baby girl- beautiful beyond words- was placed in our arms! I will never, ever be able to describe to you the overwhelming flood of emotion- joy, love, fear, gratitude- that overtakes you when you hold a baby given to you by the most selfless woman on the planet! To be given the gift of a child, not because you are deserving of, not because you are the best or most perfect parent in this world, but because their birthmother loves them beyond expression!  And that they have chosen you, entrusted you to love, care, teach, and hold their little one is truly a miracle- bigger even then the parting of the red sea, I promise! This is the joy that lives and breathes in my house everyday! These are the miracles that call me “mommy”, a word I never believed would echo in my household! This is God’s grace given in abundance over and over and over! God is a God of miracles; I know this and live this every day. God is a God of good gifts- and He has given to me in abundance! God is ever working for our good and His glory- even as He takes us through the suffering!

Celebrating Adoption! (Part One)

My friend Alethea invited me to a special luncheon a couple weeks ago.  The luncheon is a special annual event each spring to support Colorado Christian Services, an adoption agency. Specifically, it is Alethea’s adoption agency!  I have attended before and it is always a lovely luncheon with a silent auction and wonderful program.  This year was no different.  Alethea invites many of her friends and I think she ought to get a prize for having the most friends attend!  We took up almost two tables!  This year CCS was celebrating their 50th anniversary!  Just think of that…fifty years of helping women choose life over abortion!   Fifty years of placing babies into the arms of women who otherwise might not have any children!  Fifty years of building families, counseling families, and honoring life!  Now that’s a celebration!!

I am both blessed and  privileged to have in my life a wonderful friend like Alethea.  Would it surprise you to know we met at Bible Study Fellowship?  She is the teaching leader of our class.  I remember when she and her husband moved to Englewood and she joined our group here in Denver.  We were both discussion leaders at the time.  She was asked to be the substitute teaching leader at the same time I was asked to be the class administrator.  That was about six years ago.  It was at that time I got to know Alethea a little better and she shared her struggle to have children.  When our class staff would meet to pray, her request was often along the line of having a baby.  And when that door was tightly closed, the request became about  wisdom  if, or how to adopt.  Alethea often describes those days as “darkness.” 

Over the years we have shared much of our lives as we studied God’s Word, learned to apply it and grow from it.  God brings different experiences into our lives to teach us and to cause us to become more like His Son, Jesus Christ.  We don’t necessarily get to choose those experiences because He sees what we can not.  He knows what the perfect tool is to bring about the changes necessary to bring out the beauty in a life and in which He alone is glorified.  The tool God used in Alethea’s  life was infertility.  The tool did its work.  Work is not always easy or enjoyable.  But because Alethea cooperated with God in that process,she stepped out of the “darkness” into His wonderful light.   She is now the busy Mom of two beautiful little girls!  And she loves to take every opportunity to share about her journey through adoption, CCS and all that the Lord has taught her.  (That could be the secret why so many of her friends gladly say yes to her invitation to attend the luncheon each spring!)

This is Alethea and her Mom, Chris.  She also is a Teaching Leader in Bible Study Fellowship. Next is Alethea’s Grandmother, and then two of our class leaders, Kristen and Gail.

That’s Gail again with Angela, Michelle, Debbie, and Rhonda…all BSFers!

This is Table #2…Elyse, Alethea, Charis, and Whitney. 

Also at Table  #2 was Kristen and Pam, above, and Hope and Loral, below.

Adoption is a blessing and a reason to celebrate! What a wonderful picture of the greatest adoption of all, that of being adopted into God’s family and becoming His sons and daughters!  I am so glad to know Alethea and have a better understanding of all that God has given us by what she has walked through.  My next post is from her.  You will be blessed as well! 

“…just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, ⁵ having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, ⁶ to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He made us accepted in the Beloved.”  Ephesians 1:4-6

Thankful Thursday

At the end of January I joined a water aerobics group.  It was a class that had been meeting at the Denver Country Club and a couple of our residents were part of it.  They had asked to use our indoor pool over the winter months and permission was given.  Wally kept encouraging me to join…but I don’t really do water too well.  I really do not swim.  I can float and paddle about some.  But one day I gave in and I have to say, I really enjoyed it.  Well in May the outdoor pool at the Country Club reopens and the group is returning.  Today was our last class.

I am thankful for the time I had in the class, for meeting new women with a lot of interesting lives, for Karen our teacher, and for the fact that I didn’t drown! Tonight I am sitting here on my couch, dead tired…we had a pretty good work out this afternoon.  But I think I’m thankful for that too…and hopefully, I’ll keep working out on my own!

Here’s a cute card I made for Karen our teacher

April Showers

It is April 16 and we are nearly a month into spring.  I have moved into tulip and daffodil mode and left the winter wonderland behind.  But this is Colorado and my tulips and daffodils have long been buried under white stuff.  Here they are after our storm from last week.  I don’t think they are going to be able to perk their little heads up again!

The snow started falling yesterday afternoon and as the temps dropped it began to stick.  Wally decided he should drive me to Bible Study…we already had a couple of inches on the ground in Denver.  On the way, Wally commented on how beautiful the trees were, covered in the freshly falling snow…I reminded him of that tulip mode I was into.  But this morning, I gave into the winter wonderland feel…it was so beautiful…all twelve inches of it!

I kept hearing the song of birds and when I looked out back, the bare trees were full of confused robins.  I think they are discussing whether they migrated back too soon or not.  I clearly heard one of them say, “this is for the birds!”

And one day this little corner on our balcony will finally be all about sunshine and flowers!  In the meantime, we are to get another three-eight inches of the white stuff tomorrow!