Goofy kid

Diego and I had some shopping to do at Wal-Mart on Tuesday evening after I picked him up from day care. Of course he wanted to check out the Wii games in the Electronics Department.

While he was deeply engrossed in looking at the new "Speed Racer" game, I saw a most frightening person and had to whisk Diego from the store. (It was actually Diego's biological father and I did not want to be accosted by this man... again)

Diego didn't understand why we had to leave his "favorite store in the whole wide world" so quickly. I tried to explain that I had seen someone who could be dangerous to his safety.

Wednesday morning while getting ready for school, Diego asked me about this person who had ruined his Wal-Mart experience the night before. I decided it would be a good time to review our address, phone number, and a description of Joe and me.

He looked me over and described what I was wearing. So I asked for a more physical description and gave him some hints... "She's very tall, has, um... blond hair (I corrected him there, and it's time for color!), she wears black shoes almost always, she has brown eyes..."

I then put my hands up on either side of my face and tried to coax him to say, "She's beautiful.." by mouthing the words. Diego looked at me and very seriously said, "She has a face."

I lost it, what a goofy kid. We never did get to Diego's description of Joe.

A Big Day!

I'm down to the wire with prep for a wedding on June 7; it's going to be so much fun! Call me crazy but I love weddings!

Actually, it's been a fun ride already. I met Caitlin and Andrew back in October of 2007 and started working with them on their big day right away. We set the date, took engagement photos, sent Save the Dates, tasted scrumptious cake, selected gorgeous flowers, found a ceremony venue... 3 times :), shopped for flower girl dresses, designed and printed invitations, worked through the guest list, and so much more.

It's been a privilege working with this couple. I hope they will find their day relaxing, stress-free, beautiful, and basically everything they've always dreamed it would be!

Congratulations, Caitlin and Andrew!

Vacation

We got to go up north over the Memorial Day weekend. It was a great time with my sister and brother-in-law and their 2 dogs at their cabin on the edge of the Huron National Forest. And the weather was beautiful!
We went out to eat on Saturday night with my Uncle Dave and Aunt Becky, Diego has a great time with Becky... she's a special needs teacher and always has a new trick to share.
Diego hugged Big Boy on the way into the restaurant and made his own super hero costume from place mats.

According to Diego....

I rock! Well, in my opinion, so does he!

Three Years

It's been 3 years since my mom went to heaven. There's not a day that goes by that I don't think about her.
I was privileged to have had my mom for 44 years. She wasn't unlike a lot of moms. She worked outside the home for many years. She also volunteered at church and was involved in civic activities. No matter what, Mom was always there for my sisters and me.
I knew I could call her anytime and get good advice or a good scolding if necessary (and it was necessary a lot of the time!).
Mom was the best cook and she loved to entertain. She baked everything from cookies, bread, cinnamon rolls, to wedding cakes... mine included.
Mom made my wedding dress and all of the bridesmaids dresses; each hand smocked (a lost art).
She was one incredible woman. She loved her husband, family and God. She had a strong desire to see others come to know Christ and supported efforts of those who were called to reach people in other countries with the gospel.
So on May 5, 2005 when Mom said she wanted to go to see Jesus I knew it wouldn't be long before she was in His presence worshiping at His feet for eternity alongside my dad (he died July 2, 1995).
Mom slipped away quietly late on the night of May 6, 2005. Her earthly life over, her eternity was just beginning!
I was crying one day shortly after Mom died and Diego asked me why. I told him it was because I was missing my mom. He told me, "Mommy, don't cry. Granny is with Jesus!" He understood what I knew.

Stuffed

Do you know how many stuffed animals and dirty clothes it takes to fill Mr. Incredible and Spiderman costumes?

No school today due to an in-service day for teachers. So, I'm catching up on the laundry and can't find any of Diego's dirty clothes, his basket is empty. Okay, I did laundry on Saturday but there really ought to be something in the basket, right?

I searched the usual places (closet, cabinet, ceiling fan) no dirty clothes. What did Diego do with them? Just as I was about to call out to Diego, interrupt a rousing MarioKart Wii game, and ask about the clothes, I noticed there were no stuffed animals in the tub in the corner of his room. Interesting... the clothes had absconded with the stuffed animals! Or had they?

Searching Diego's bedroom a bit further (under the bed, duh!), I found the aforementioned costumes stuffed with stuffed animals... and the dirty clothes. The costumes actually looked like there was a body in them, bulges and all (minus the head, hands and feet, of course)!

No wonder the child isn't sleeping. Mr. Incredible and Spiderman have been making appearances in Diego's room and keeping him awake!

Needless to say, Spidey and Mr. I have disappeared. The dirty clothes are in the washing machine and the stuffed animals, well, they are waiting for Diego to put them away - where they belong :)

Disappointed? Nope.

A few weeks ago, Joe shared with the church that he will be transitioning back to Adrian Steel and won't be continuing at Crossroads as Executive Pastor.

Several people have asked me since that day if I am disappointed. Nope. I'm very proud of Joe's strength and admire him for the courage to do what's right for his particular shape... the way God gifted him.

There's no way Joe will quit serving God. He's just getting into the 'right seat on the right bus'. I can hardly wait to see what God has planned for the next leg of our journey together.