A Time To…

 

Celebrate!

A new Pope.

Though not a practicing Catholic, the religion was my foundation for just over 30 years.

As I was writing this post, the ticker across the TV  announced there is a new Pope.

So I stopped writing and tuned in…

“Habemus Papam” meaning “We have a new Pope”

Jorge Mario Bergoglio,

(born December 17, 1936)

Is the current pope of the Roman Catholic Church, elected on March 13, 2013, and taking the regnal name of Francis. Prior to his election, he served as an Argentine cardinal of the Roman Catholic Church. He has served as the Archbishop of Buenos Aires since 1998. He was elevated to the cardinalate in 2001.Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio

I love the name he chose. I had an Uncle Frank and loved his spirit. Francis was a name and/or a surname throughout many generations of our family. A very strong name.

“Frances rebuild my church”

It is also A Time To…

Celebrate Spring!

Besides Christmas, Easter and all it brings is in a tie for my favorite time of year. Second would be Halloween/Harvest time. And if you’ve been reading my blog for a while, you have already seen all our spring color before. No doubt this year will bring the same.

Before I get onto how spring has sprung around here, I want to share one of those awe moments…

Twice a week I have the opportunity to drive my son to his office. I have come to really enjoy these drives. Sometimes it is just quite, like we both have nothing to say and it’s ok. Then other days we can get into some deep conversations. Even when we don’t totally agree on a certain issue, I love that we respect each others.

“When I was a child, I use to speak like a child; when I became a man, I did away with childish things.” (1Cor. 13:11)

I’m reminded of the days when I would drive my kids to school, though just blocks away and surely walking distance, it was more for the conversations, the time together, that I recall. I love talking to my children, and now my grandchildren during a drive. First, they a seated and unable to get up and run off. Rather hear or not, the words are spoken, some will take seed and grow. Other’s might become wildflower seeds, kind a flying around for a bit until they take seed and start to grow when you least expect them.

How is not nurturing your child like that of a garden. Plant and sow some of the most wonderful things, then nurture and love and watch them grow.

So spring has sprung and not at all as I had hope for in my actual garden. (still a work in progress)

But it has surely in the garden of my family. I have witnessed the growth God had planned.

Jeremiah 29:11 (my daughters favorite verse since she was probably 12 or so).

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

I LOVED my 30’s! (1987-97). With all things learned from my twenties, applying them to my 30’s, it was one of the best decades of my life. Those years brought a tremendous amount of spiritual growth from some pretty darn, no down right awful situation's. Even with those clouds, we found the sunshine! We were able to embrace and enjoy so many moments that nothing would ever be able to tarnish or destroy it. Praise God!

My children were awesome and brought a daily dose of excitement, intrigue, adventure, even some really crazy times, you know those hair pulling, close your eyes and say a prayer for patience moments, but we were a family. A recovered family with dreams and goals and a journey that was, oh going to be so awesome. Album after album documents almost each and every moment of it. Sure our forties were flirty and fun. The kids were even more. And the fifties have been kinda nifty, but those thirties, of roller coasters, hikes, camp outs, bike rides, boat rides and car drives that included so many conversations, will always hold a special place in my heart.

So today as I drove home after dropping him off, the conversation along our way was replayed in my mind, bringing about the days of when. Those days are coming around full circle and now I get to have them with grandchildren and adult children. Planting more seeds. All will be added to the memory book of praises to God for continually guiding us along the way.

“Israel, put your hope in the Lord, for with the Lord is unfailing love and with him is full redemption.” (Psalms 130:7)

A Time To…

Celebrate the circle of life!

Not only conversations, but activities.

Our twins played trombone from grammar school through high school. We have been to just as many concerts and band reviews as parents of the football players had been to games and rallies. When the “Grand” Bug decided he wanted to play an instrument upon entering the 5th grade, he picked his uncles trombones.

Last evening we were back at the Junior High our boys went to for our grandsons concert.

Counting our blessing along Our Journey Through Life!

This Little Light of Mine...

I'm gonna let it shine...

 

 

Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine!

 

That is what is forcasted for this week. SUNSHINE!

Am I the only one excited that it is going to be in the 90's by Wednesday.

 

 



Perfect weather for continued planting and cleaning up after winter. Her winds and rains left behind more then we wanted but nothing a sprayer of round-up won't handle. However I'm finding myself protecting some of the flowering weeds, mainly for the color until things get going. Besides they are just wild flowers, kinda like me, hehe. I will yank them virsus round-up though since I want other things to grow in their place. He best keep that stuff away, and I mean far away from my gardening areas.

So off I go, outside to suck up some more sun, and get my outside living on!

 

Driver’s, Start, Your, Engines!

Yep, it’s that time of year!

Did you watch the Daytona? If you didn’t you probably heard about or saw on the news that horrific wreck in the Nationwide series. Amazing and thankful more weren’t hurt.

Your might remember the 2011 race was to be the last time we have go to the race in Phoenix. Since the schedule change with it becoming the 2nd race of the season, it no longer worked for us. The handicap seating on the 4th level of the stands is open on the back allowing wind to whip right through you. I just can’t do that cold stuff anymore. Plus the only way to not wait in a line for an hour to get down is to leave around 10 laps to go. Talk about sacrifices! Also by checking off this race it allows us to go to other tracks. So last year we did the Vegas race instead.

Well guess what, we did Phoenix again. This time a bit different but similar to how we use to back when we became season ticket holders in 1996, on the start/finish line. However it did require logistics. With a phone call and the help of a lovely rep we found seats that met my needs. Another thing it was our 35th wedding anniversary weekend! Not at all as I had dreamed but realized our relationship began with racing, has included racing throughout it’s 38 year journey,so why not? Plus Jimmie Johnson was going to drive both Nationwide and Sprint Cup cars. Since I have been pushing my limits, decided I could walk up the few steps so to not be cold. We were given permission to park my chair under the stands and up I went. (that is not me walking up those steps, I’m at my seat). The only minor problem I had was the hand rail (which is actually a fence), stopped before the top. So to allow even more independence, for the fall race I will bring a cane.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We were surprised by 4 “Grands” on Friday. Only for dinner and a stroll around the block after, but it was so wonderful. I just love Momma “K” and how well she nurtures these children. I love the growth they have achieved and how well they help each other. They are truly a family.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Nationwide race on Saturday was hot and I don’t mean the cars on the track! Wouldn’t ya know it and yes, there was a moment that we wondered if our old seats wouldn’t have worked? NAY! The elevator problem alone ended that question. And it wasn’t really that hot, only 80 and the breeze kept it manageable. Along with sun screen, jacket for shade and ice packs!

All worth it to be right where the action is! Here, I’ll show you where our old seats were…

They served their purpose but it’s time to move on. Just because some end up with disabilities that creates limits, doesn’t mean ya miss out, ya just find a way and that’s how we roll!

Kyle Bush won the Nationwide race and my first time in 10 years that I could watch it all!

Sunday during Sprint Cup I even got to watch driver introductions. Ok, I have actually been on the other side of the fence and many times had the opportunity to give them a high 5 as they walked by, but not from my seat or without the help of the big screen or the Fanview for a long time.

Back In 2009…

 

 

 

 

 

 

(These last two pictures were on the cover of the NASCAR magazine. That’s me in the directors chair)

So to be back where it all started for us was a blessing. The excitement, the fans, the racing, from down in front was wonderful!

Chalk up another awesome experience at the races for Our Journey Through LIFE!!

Catching Up!

Well, that was interesting! I’m talking about the test this morning. The pressure needed for an ultra-sound is not pleasant. There was a LOT of measuring going on and speculation the doctor will be more then likely ordering some type of MRI/Scan next. Guess we’ll find out soon enough.

Meanwhile, I am resting, again!

I think it’s a great time to show you some of our “Joy” of 2013 so far.

Bud sure is getting big and just loves, loves playing with his big brother. Though he has his own language, he is very talkative. I remember when big brother was this age, how fast times flies.

 

Remember I said the new fork lift would be easy for an 11 year to drive…

He had his first lesson and did an awesome job. Learned the basics, gas, brake, feel of the wheel and peddle, even learned how to back up. Great job, Bug!

 

 

 

 

 

 

I love my grandma dayz, every Wednesday during the school year! Most days I pick them up. Some days we go to the library (something new now that we all have our cards), maybe some shopping, but mostly homework.
We have gun control…I’m not a fan per say, they scare me. But what boy doesn’t like a B-B gun!

 

 

 

So you see, my husband was taught at an early age the responsibilities and respect for a b-b gun, so his boys were taught it at about the same age as did the older “Grands”. There are strict rules when it comes to the B-B gun and they are enforced! Now Bud has decided he wants to learn too! Still quite a bit to young so when brother wouldn’t share his gun, cause he knows the rules, Bud went and picked up the girls. He was insistent and I just had to see how he would handle it. I was impressed. He followed exactly what his brother did, like “See, I know how!” Still he must wait his time for actual b-b’s! We pretended to load it, he thought he shot it, although it was brother who shot his at the same time making the target go ding! He was pleased with himself and that was enough. His strut after surely showed how proud he was of himself being such a big boy!

He has been working on the hot wheels lately. Up till last week it was backwards. He discovered how to make it go forward and just jibber jabbers with excitement.

 

How does one get shingles and tarps off the roof in preparation of it getting repaired? You send up an 11 year old! Now I was not tickled pink at all, but he was excited to help and listen very carefully to his grandfathers directions. I made sure I was along side on the ground, ready to catch him if needed. Right, like that would have worked! He was fearless. Once up he yells down, “Woo, I’m on the roof, this is cool!” While dragging one of the tarps he was startled by a cat running out from underneath. Other then that, he performed his job perfectly. I don’t think he is afraid of heights like grandma!

 

 

 

We made a trip over to Gilbert to spend the weekend with 3 other “Grands”. Mom “K” and “D” went to visit family so it was just the 6 of us all weekend.

Friday was her Father/Daughter Sweetheart Dance so I watched her get her hair done at the salon. She picked the style from the book and kept it in her lap, making sure the gal knew exactly what she wanted. When she got home, she tells me, ”Do you know how long it took me to take out all the pins, 45 minutes!” I told her I’m sure it did, but that’s the cost of beauty some times. Then she tells me, “It was the best dance of my life!” “I dance all night!” Too cute.

           

My sons camera broke just before it began so he didn’t get pictures of him and her dressed. However there was a photographer there that did take their picture so will just have to wait on those.

Saturday we took the gang to the Children’s Museum of Phoenix. They had such a good time, as did we! Although our dancing beauty said her leg’s hurt from all the dancing the night before, once she knew got there, she completely forgot all about it, LOL!

 

 

 

Daddy even climbed up the BIG tree like structure that went up 3 stories. But the scarf tubes held their attention the longest. We soon realized if we didn’t encourage checking out something else they would have stayed there for hours. Daddy tells me, “I think I can make this in my garage.” I wouldn’t be surprised. While your at it make me some of these, LOL!

                 


 
What I loved the most well beside watching these kids have a time of their lives, was the ample seating for adults to be able to sit while watching them play for hours. Everything was designed for their own creative need. With proper tools, no directions were needed, they pretty much just knew what to do. Though we didn’t have a little one with us this trip, they do have a number of baby rooms, designed just for them. We will surely make a trip here again, well worth it.
   
       

 

 

I went on a photo shoot with my daughter. Actually she was to drop off Bud abut I asked if it would be ok to come along. Would get me out and about and Bud and I can explore while she works. It was decided I will do it more often. She really enjoyed having a second set of hand and someone to entertain the kids between shoots. No problem, would LOVE to!

Oh and our Girl Scout Brownie…

Asked grandpa if she could have a box from the shop. Of course grandpa wanted to hear why she needed it. “I thought we could cut it here and I can decorate it and add a strap so it’s like the guy’s at the races.” So he did and she did and guess what? She won 1st place! With it came $100 for a pizza party for her Troup and it earned her Troup the honors of singing the National Anthem at the Diamondback/Dodger game in March. I am so going to do my best to feel up to going. I don’t want to miss it. What a memory for her for life!

 

 

 

That pretty much covers most the updates on Our Joyful Journey Through LIFE!

***NEWS FLASH!***

As I type the “Grand” that completes the 8 will soon be in the air on her way here for a visit.

Joy, Joy, Joy, down to my toes!