Changes - floor/hall

In our hall way, my husband tore up the carpet...what a mess!

But, it was worth it! Now we have pergo...it really looks nice and clean. My niece and her husband have been working really hard to put it down...thank you guys. It looks really nice.

Changes - painting

We have been making some changes to our house...I guess it's better than moving (I think :-) My son painted before he left. Our walls used to like this:

Now, they are just a neutral color. Really different, but good. He really worked hard on getting it done before he left.

Claudia is Engaged!

Yesterday we also found out that Claudia is engaged - wowwie! We have to celebrate more - he!he! Praying that all her plans and dreams become reality, that the LORD will be the center of her marriage. Can't wait for the wedding...

Happy Birthday Moni!

It was my niece, Moni's birthday yesterday. We had such a wonderful time celebrating her special day. From left to right - me, Lulu, Moni, Claudia, Nancy...I just love these girls. We are desiring to build beautiful memories together. Lunch was yummy, company was wonderful and the laughter was on going...good time :D

Joseph Joshua Ramirez is born!

Jose, Joseph and Laura
Papa holding his little boy - precious!!!

Going Through Mom's Things

I finally got the chance, or should I say the courage, to go through Mom’s things. After Mom went to heaven, I kind of shoved everything in drawers or into the closet. However, for some reason, I have not been allowed to linger in this place for too long. Soon after, I had to deal with another good-bye, and then there was the saying good-bye to our son as he left to Missouri. I had, however, managed to ignore the piles of Mom’s things that had to be sorted through.

The day came and I sat, alone in the room…alone in the house.

“O, look, Mom’s blood-sugar checker (not the correct term, I know).”…I remember when the doctor first asked me to check her sugar. Mom was so upset because she said, “I’m not diabetic! Why do you have to do that?” For a while, almost every time I went to check her sugar, she would always say that. After some time, I think, she knew I was going to do it anyway, so she would simply stick out her hand.

“Mom’s little blankets.” She loved little blankets. She had seen some plush blankets announced at Anna’s and she kept hinting until I got her a small and large blanket…she loved her blankets. One day she saw an orange and black blanket that I had bought for my son when he was in high school. She hinted and hinted until I washed it and gave it to her - she just loved it! She used to say it was so warm. I really think she liked the colors. Mom loved bright colors.

“Here is her clothes, her shampoo, her…, her…, her…, her stuff.”

Is that how it is? Some one’s stuff is put away. Is boxed up. Is…

Is this what happens?

No wonder Mom had such a difficult time going through Dad’s things. In fact, I don’t think she ever managed to go through them. Here and there she gave some stuff away and some stuff disappeared (total other story), but for the most part Dad’s things simply stayed where he left them.

Mom, I KNOW, is in a better place. She has no more physical suffering. She is finally whole - for this I am eternally grateful. And, it does help on some of those difficult days. But, I must admit there are days that even this can’t take the pain away.

Romans 8:32 - He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up
for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?

“…With Jesus I know I can make it, with Jesus I know I can
stand…My life is in His (very able, capable) hands…”

Pray for My Son

It is official, my son has enlisted in the National Guard. Yesterday he came home and showed me his Military I.D. Card - yes, I cried and held him tight. I guess I never thought...

Please continue to pray for my son - in a few days he will be leaving for Missouri. Keep me in prayer - my heart aches and rejoices at the same time. Keep my husband in prayer - his Papa's heart...

Date with Bek

Bek and I on a date.

Pho Noodles for lunch and Baskin Robbins for dessert - yumm!

We had a wonderful time.

I've been going through some pictures that I brought back from Mexico. Ran into this one...tears!!!

This is Mom, Me, and Sister. Two women who poured their life into me and who are now gone.

Many, many regrets. Unending tears...

This grief thing has taken me by a storm.

I will praise MY JESUS in the storm - Hallelujah!!!

One Month...

One month ago my Mother went to heaven. That day I, along with my family, entered into a journey that will take a life time to deal with. As one of my nieces said, "I am remembering all those that have gone on before us."

Today - my husband is back to work, my daughter is back in Pennsylvania and Mom is in heaven. I wish I could say that the changes end there, but only God knows what lies ahead.

Praise God that He only asks me to deal with TODAY! And, even with today, HE is ever present...a very real help, comfort, and shelter.

I am clinging to His Word:

YOU have turned for me my mourning into dancing; YOU have put
off my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness, to the end that my glory may sing praise to YOU and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give thanks to YOU forever. Psalm 30:11-12