A Positive Update

I never realized how happy a DRY cement floor could make me! After nearly two weeks, the water ceased coming in, and after a big rain no water came seeping in. SO, we wait for the next big rain, and hope the minor repairs Ken has done will take care of things. We discovered it was combination of bad factors: full gutters (have to clean them a lot in our wooded area, full of pine trees) so the rain dumped in the corner, soft sand in the corner that was sloping toward the house, a helpful dog who enjoyed digging in the soft sand, making the corner sloping toward the house more prominent, and extreme rains - 7 inches in 5 days a few weeks back.

Ken cleaned out the gutters, added five wheelbarrows of dirt to the corner, sloped it AWAY from the house, I planted dune grass in that corner, he added longer downspouts to direct water further from house...so we are hopeful. The carpet is completely dried, rolled up, and in the garage. We are hoping to have it re-installed once we know for sure there's no water issue. We are glad it was in the sun for four days to kill anything in it. The backing looks great - no mildew, spots, etc. What an adventure. If I don't soak up any water with shop vacs for a long time, I'm OK with that!

Happy Belated Mother's Day to all Moms who read this! You are SPECIAL! We had a nice Mother's Day overall. Of course it is always bittersweet for me, so the tears flow at times. I felt the 'loss' of my stepmom/my kids' Grandma this year, too, which still makes me sad. This year at church we could purchase hanging baskets in honor or memory of a mom in our life. The front of the auditorium was beautiful - nearly 70 fresh, colorful baskets decorating the stage. Thanks, Joanne! I purchased one in memory of my mom from all of us and Ken purchased one for me from the crew. They are now hanging from my porch. Pastor Chris gave an excellent sermon on the priority of motherhood. After church we had a simple dinner of leftovers, the kids gave me sweet gifts from school and church and a special acrostic they made and Ken typed up with the kids' names, all took naps, we played at a park in Cedar Springs (we are becoming experts on all the local parks: "Let's go to the one with the red swirly slide!" say the kids), then into the Grand Opening of the new Meijer in Cedar Springs. Yay!! Meijer only 10 minutes away - how exciting for this Kent City resident! It is a new version of their big superstores...full grocery dept., other departments are smaller but the whole store is very nice. Maybe because it's smaller I will spend less time in it, therefore spending less $$?! It will be great having one close by and not having to drive down Alpine! I am committed to shopping our local KC Marketplace for the specials each week. Our local store needs our business, too, especially since they're in front of our new church and have been so gracious to KCBC. After Meijer we all celebrated Mother's Day with a bowl of ice cream. What a privilege and responsibility God has given me to raise these four precious children. I'm sure thankful for my wonderful husband and the team we are in this parenting role. Though tiring and though it's the hardest job I've ever had, it's Far and Away the BEST job I've ever had and worth the effort!

I had a brainstorm Friday morning, so that afternoon had my students write a note/letter/acrostic/poem to their Mom on pretty paper. I only gave two requirements: write from your heart, and please write use good writing, penmanship, grammar, spelling, punctuation, etc. ("You don't want your Mom focusing on what poor spelling you have, etc.") The office had some nice white 5 x 8 envelopes they were glad to let me use, so voila! My 10th graders were all set for Mother's Day! I told 'em they had each saved $3-4! A few already had a plan, but the majority did not. On Monday, I asked what the response was, and of course their moms appreciated it. "My mom cried," said many of them. That was my goal - haha - of course not, but I was glad to have a small role in helping them honor their moms. I have a feeling most of them would have remembered it was Mother's Day on Sat night or Sun morning. ;) When I taught middle schoolers, I used to do something like that for Mother's Day, but seeing "big" teenagers jump at the chance to write to their moms was special. I think during the last week of school we'll do something like that for their Dad (Stepdad, Grandpa, etc.) for Father's Day.

Well, time to go on a bike ride with Seth-er! I'll try to post some pics of Mother's Day cuteness soon. On the way home from church, Robyn asked, "Do you want us to go out to the rocks in the backyard so you can take our picture?!" :0) Too cute.

Love and Loss

I read a quote this weekend and loved it. My Mom's been on my mind and heart much recently, as March 30 is 14 years since I've seen her beautiful face and heard her cheerful voice. The quote is:

Wag More.

Bark Less.

It's my new motto for parenting and teaching, and not just because I'm a dog lover! It is exactly what my Mom did for me - constantly encouraging and full of joy while pushing me at the same time....and not 'barking' or grumping much. Thank you for the legacy, Mom. Saturday night at bedtime Seth said, "You don't want to go to heaven soon, Mom, but you know someone in heaven, right?"

"I sure do. First, I know God and He is there! And secondly, my Mommy is there." I shared with the kids a little about her and how she would have enjoyed them so much....playing with them, visiting them, laughing with them, teaching them things, making them food, etc. I told them that I miss her a lot - especially this time of year. Then we prayed and as I tucked them in, I had an idea...I gave them a kiss from me, and then said, "I have something special for you tonight. This is a kiss from Grandma Linda in heaven...." and kissed each of them tenderly. They seemed to understand and like it.

Mom, I miss you, Dad misses you, Brad and Paul and all of us miss you. It's been a rocky year for our family, and your presence is missed in so many big and small ways. I 'envy,' but I don't mean in a bad way, those moms my age and stage who get to visit their moms, whose moms come over to visit and play, whose moms watch their grandkids, and who just enjoy hanging out with their mom. I am grateful that God has brought some kind women from church who enjoy the kids and help us out. Now that I'm older at (almost) 35, I realize how losing you at age 21 when I was a "college kid" was so young. If there are hyacinths in heaven, smell them for me today! And if there are gardens, work in them today and enjoy. And I'll keep trusting God and praying for wisdom to be the best Mom I can be to your precious grandkids.

I'll love you Forever,
I'll like you for Always.
As long as I'm living,
My Mommy you'll be. Rhonda, age 6 - same as Robyn this year!

And I think I'll buy some hyacinths today. :)
A typical morning in our home this year, since I'm teaching in the afternoons.

Happy Anniversary, Mom

Dad & Mom's Wedding - Sept. 3, 1960

Mom with Rhonda - 1974

Rhonda in Mom's Garden - age 5 or so

Mom with brother Paul

Thirteen years ago today, my Mom left her earthly home and was welcomed into her heavenly home. I picture Jesus, her beloved Saviour, welcoming her with open arms on March 30, 1995. Honestly, I cannot comprehend the glories and specifics of heaven...I only know her celestial home will be hers for ETERNITY and we will be re-united someday!!!

I know the glories of heaven are far beyond what my mind can comprehend, and that she would not want to be back here on our temporary, sin-ridden earth.

But I sure miss her. I've thought much about her this week, as I do every year the week prior to her death. Missing her, combined with hormones, having a new baby, etc., some tears were shed.

I miss who she was: her infectious laughter, her constant support - in words and actions, her wise counsel, the glue she was in holding our family together, her joy in the small things of life, her love for and celebration of Ken, her continual prayers for me/us, her knowing me so well and rejoicing in me anyway, and most of all the godly example she was to me for almost 21 years. She was my best friend.

I miss who she would have been, if she were still here: a fun wedding planning partner, a celebrator of college graduation, a confidant, a help for a struggling new teacher (did you know she taught English and Music?), a joy-finder when I was down, a reality check in life, a friend to share everyday life with, a thrilled mom at our wedding, an (even more?) thrilled Grandma-to-be!, the tenderness of seeing her holding her grandchildren, and most of all, the special, involved Grandma she would be to our children and my nieces and nephews. Ken says that is what he regrets the most: our children won't have the privilege of knowing the person who had such an influence on forming me into who I am and for her absence in their lives.

How do you encapsulate a person in words? I am unable. Simply stated, she was an irreplaceable person to me. How grateful, very grateful, I am that God chose her to be my Mom. I am grateful for the special relationship we shared (being the only daughter, we had to stick together with the 3 manly men in the house!) and how close we were.

She was a unique, remarkable woman, one you would want to be around. If you didn't know her, I wish you could have.

This week, when I have thought of her, it filled me with sadness at times. One day, the pain felt like it had happened yesterday. Time doesn't heal; it creates a new 'normal.' I was taken aback how poignant the feelings of missing her were; I'm sure increased due to just having sweet Aaron. The kids know their Grandma Linda is in heaven; maybe heaven will seem more real to them as they grow?

In church this morning, I sat in the back row and while we were singing tender, worshipful songs about Jesus, I thought, "13 years with Jesus. I wonder if they celebrate anniversaries in heaven?" And with a gentle peace in my heart and a quiet smile, I thought, "Happy Anniversary, Mom. It is so cool you've been with Jesus for 13 years!"

Thank you, God, for that refreshing thought. And if your Mom is living, please include her in your life, celebrate her role, and let her know how how precious she is. You will never regret time spent with her. If she's not, perhaps you can reflect on what qualities made her special, ones that you would like to exemplify in your life.

p.s. Her favorite flowers were hyacinths - oh that amazing scent! - and I sure love them, too. She was an avid gardener, growing lots of hyacinths and other flowers. I am constantly sniffing hyacinths in the grocery store! Thanks, Amy, for helping me with my new look. I love it!