Rocks

We love collecting rocks...well my kids and I do! I have jars and jars of them.  They have found there way into the strangest places. The other day I found one in my sons bed. He has them scattered on his dresser, and amongst his toys.  I did laundry and there were loud noises coming from the dryer. I opened it up and found 4 rocks! I had to chuckle, and I took a picture of them so I'd remember. My daughter has a huge collection and they are all lovingly placed in my Grandmas old jewelry box, it has so many drawers. Quite a few years ago before we had kids, Andy was moving us into an apartment.  I was the packer and he was the loader.  He picked up this particularly heavy box and asked me what I had in there because it was so heavy? I just shrugged my shoulders and said stuff! Well, he opened the lid and about had a heart attack because it was full of rocks! He exclaimed: "What? I've been packing out rocks this whole time?" He said a few choice words and then threatened to throw them in the back yard! Thank goodness he didn't, but I did learn my lesson; to disperse the rocks into several boxes, not just one! I'm laughing just thinking about it and seeing his face.  It was hilarious. While walking home from school the other day my sweet girl had picked up a rock and was showing it to me.  She had "found it in someone's front yard (oops). By looking at it, it was quite plain, but then she pointed out to me that when she put it into the sun something magical happened...it sparkled! I was so touched by her thought that I began to tell her that people are a lot like rocks.  Sometimes they may seem plain, hard and ordinary on the outside,  but when you put them in the sun they shine. They are beautiful.  They radiate. We never know what someone is like until we really get to know them and give them a chance. Our conversation started and finished within a minute...we held hands and walked home.  A few days later I asked her where her shimmering rock was?  She opened a few tiny boxes and handed it to me..."It's beautiful Mom, isn't it? Look at it in the light...So many lessons to learn from my sweet babies. I am Happy. This is what living is about.

One day at a time

While driving in the car with my baby girl today this was our conversation: "Momma, were you sick a lot when I was younger?" I said "Yes, I was." She then asked me: "Momma, were you gone a lot to the Doctor?" "Yes, I was." "Momma, I remember you taking me to all of these peoples houses because you couldn't take care of me...you were SO sick.  I am so happy now that you get to spend so much time with me now, and I get to stay with you.  I know you still get sick, but now we get to do a lot of fun things together and we get to be together."  "I know baby girl, it is so nice." I then explained to her that sometimes in life you have hard things that you have to deal with, but you keep going.  You never, ever give up, even if it might feel hard you just keep living each day and you do your best.  Today I had some hard minutes, yet I'm grateful for these quiet moments that I can reflect with my sweet girl. That I can remember where I've been, enjoy the present and look forward to the future one day at a time.

Reflections

Today I felt joy. My heart beat was fast. I worked hard. I breathed hard. I lived hard. I talked with good people. I laughed. I shed a tear or two. I smiled. I reflected on this earth...this life...this journey.  I felt joy.  I let it in and it engulfed me. I saw God in many things: people, children, the grass, earth, the sun on my back. It felt so good to sweat.  To work.  To live in each moment.  To experience life.  I received love, sweet hugs, saw old friends, made new ones.  Living.  I am content...happy.  Ate sweet fruit.  Shared stories.  Shared. Met survivors, warriors and fighters.  I felt hope.  I felt peace.  I witnessed the human spirit and it amazed me.  I felt peace. I was connected. I am blessed.  Today I felt joy. How lucky am I? Very.

Be Brave

I just heard this song a few days ago and it really caught my attention. My kids were singing it to the top of their lungs, just belting out the lyrics. Apparently they had heard their cousin Jade sing it over and over again. After listening closely I got to thinking about being brave....we are all faced with so many different circumstances in this life; death, abuse, illness, broken homes, broken families, infertility, loneliness, whatever our situations or trials may be I hope we can  remember to look life in the face and be brave..to not run away, to face the enemy and say what needs to be said. Over the years I have learned that everyone has a story, everyone is living, we are all on a journey. If I could pass one thing onto my babies I hope it would be to show them that I was brave, and was not afraid to live, that I can do hard things...and so can they.

2,555 days

 My heart is full of gratitude for many things. Today I am grateful for birthday parties, kisses, morning hugs, discoveries, sandboxes, sunshine, a strong body to work hard and feel sweat down my back, sisters, brothers, my sweet babies.  The ability to enjoy what I've been given, the opportunity to live...to be.  Tonight Ella asked Daddy how many days she has been alive...over 2,555 days! My heart skipped a beat to know that I have been with her for this long! She was so happy to know she had been alive for so many days. How sweet it was for me to hear her question...how sweet it was to know I've been blessed to be her Momma...how sweet it is.  I look forward to seeing her grow  a million more days.

Sweet Jeanie

Tonight I wanted to talk about my sweet cousin Anajean, or Jeanie as I like to call her.  She lost her beautiful baby boy in a fire last year. Today marks the 1st year of his death.  My sister invited all of us over to her home, including Jeanies family and we had a memorable evening. While visiting with her I noticed that all of the kids were drawn to her. They all call out her name, want to show her what they have made, want to snuggle next to her or hold her hand. Jeanie is the fun Aunt. Jeanie is loved by all. Jeanie is a warrior, survivor, she makes you feel so special, like your the only person she wants to talk with at that moment. She notices the small things in life and they are important to her...a leaf, rock, a smile, an embrace, a moment. Even though she has lost so much in her short life, she has gained so much by living, moving forward, looking for the good in even hard things. I love her so. I hold my babies longer because of her, I take more time and listen because of her example, I am a better person for knowing her.  I know sweet Austin is near and loves you so. He was perfect. He is perfect.  I often think of her when I read this quote by George Leonard:  "The real juice of life, whether it be sweet or bitter, is to be found not nearly so much in the products of our efforts as in the process of living itself, in how it feels to be alive." Thank you for all that you have taught me and so many others.You inspire me sweet Jeanie. I love you to the moon and back xoxoxoxo

No regrets?

Here we are... yeah that's me with my little sister Sarah. I shanghaied her blog for the moment. 

Well what really happened is that she asked me several months ago to write up a post for her. How cheesy is that. Who would want their big brother to do something like that?

Things come to mind. Blackmail? Humor? Childhood memories?

When she first came into this world I couldn't pronounce her name so I called her "Rah Rah Arie."

This is BLACKMAIL!!!!         She looks so peaceful. 

A bottle? Really? How old are you? Did you really get your sister to have one as well?





To quote a song that I really like

"I set all my regrets on fire cause I know I'll never take the time"

Lets put regrets in the past I don't like to focus on those.

Just in case you don't know

SARAH is SPECIAL 

(She never looks right at the camera in posed photos)

And it seems to be to the left?      

Notice where everyone else is looking?

Charlies Angels hair

She always has a smile. 

She worked with my beautiful wife one summer on the farm. They both got really really tan.





 The joke was that they had leather skin...

This was the tannest picture I could find  -->

Sarah always brings light to those who are in need. 

Crazy faces...

Amazing  Hair!

Forcing me to look foolish at your expense...

Group HUGS!!!

Do you know that I have a Personal Bubble? Well she knows and doesn't seem to care.

Willing to hang out with the family.

She might even share that cabbage patch doll someday.

You are always so Pleasant! 


Even when I make you mad ;) 

I get this look all the time.

Sarah is also...   Strong, Forgiving, and Positive! She is also the best Example that I know.

Through it all no matter what she is my sister. Hopefully she knows how much I love her. I try to tell her on occasion. Sometimes I even roll my eyes when she tells it to me but that is just for drama.

Live life to the fullest, don't be afraid to do hard things, be grateful for each and every day!

With LOVE,
Your big brother Matt...


PS: Don't forget to be grateful today when you read this post.......