the good, the bad, and well....you know

10 years ago, I a newly wed, just coming back from her honeymoon.  The future a blank slate and dreams, ours to create.  Dreams of promise, dreams of good times.....love, honor, cherish, times of plenty, times of health, times of joy and of triumph, comfort, and encouragement.  Who dreams of those vow-included struggles?  Not I.  Those are for the others.  Our love can withstand all of that.  No struggle here.

I'll pause as you compose yourself from laughter.

It took less than 6 months to realize that this marriage thing is a challenge.  Learning to live with another, no matter how well you think you know each other, is difficult.  And keeping those above vows during that process can be wearisome. 

In 10 years, we've gone through numerous job changes.  The times of want have been way more than the times of plenty. We've said goodbye as 4 Grandparents have passed on.  We experienced along with the rest of the nation, the change in terrorism.  We're in our 3rd place of residence.  The arguments and disagreements are so numerous they blur together.  I can't even count the number of vehicles we have laid to rest.  There have been words and actions that have cut deep.  And we have made decisions that would not be considered triumphal.

As we stood before God, family and friends 10 years ago, we acknowledged life and vowed to overcome.  And I didn't know it then, but those vow-included struggles, times of want, times of sickness, sorrow and failure.  Those are the most important ones.  They strengthen.  They draw you closer to Him and to each other.  After riding those, you know you can do anything and get through anything... together.  Cherish each and every moment.  Think of your own vows and your own marriage.  Thank Him for the good, the bad and the..... well, you know. Because a cord of three strands is not quickly broken. (Ecc.4:12)

Home Sweet Home

Greeted at the door with a kiss from your wife, a squeal from the 1 year old and 4 feet bounding down the stairs yelling your name.  

There's nothing better!

Hollywood!

After dinner one evening last week, Daniel took the kids on a little walk.  The older ones rode their bikes, and Molly cruised in her umbrella stroller.  Since it was sunny, we put Molly's sun glasses on.  She loved them and wore them for quite awhile before she learned she could take them off.

Madelyn had to have hers too!

While they were gone, I took the opportunity to go to the back yard to plant some more flowers.  They weren't gone but around the block and the last turn David made, he fell off his bike and it broke into 3 pieces.  I couldn't believe it!  The whole thing just fell apart.  Luckily Daniel was able to get it back together, but by then, they were all done with the walk.  I only got as far as getting the gardening supplies out of the shed.  Oh, well.  There's always next time.

Celebrate Plate

Awhile back I purchased what we call a Celebrate plate.  A dear friend had told me about hers and I just thought the idea was neat!  Anytime someone in the family has a special day, for example a birthday, a good grade, a goal accomplished, then they get to use the Celebrate plate for dinner.  This one I bought from a company called Blessing Unlimited.  Around the plate it says: "He will take great delight in you; He will rejoice over you with singing."  Zephaniah 3:17 

Daniel has been working so hard on selling his new library shows.  He had a goal of 50 libraries for this summer's schedule.  Well, I am so proud to say that he met his goal and exceeded it so far by 10.  The day he broke his goal, he ate dinner on the Celebrate plate as we recognized his achievement.  Way to go Daniel!  I am so proud of you and know He rejoices with you as well. 
By the way, I told him that I wish I could have served him a big fat juicy steak instead of our humble sloppy joe, but such is life.  :)

Today we ventured out to visit Santa at the Children's Museum.  David was first up on Santa's lap.  He asked for a remote controlled iron man guy (Why is it your child asks for something completely different as soon as they crawl up onto Santa's lap than what he's asked for all season?  Figures.)  Madelyn requested Tea Cup Piggies and a humongous doll house (this doll house she wants is over $150 and I'm sure will not be under the tree..... ever.)  And Molly....well, she gave some smiles and clapped her hands.  And I think she asked for "Peas on earth".  She was not scared one bit.....at least this year.  Of course no visit to Santa is complete without petting/grooming/riding some reindeer.

On Dasher, On Prancer, or Donnor or Blitzen??

The kids then did some ice fishing, ice skating and then went into the kitchen to bake some goodies.  Good times were had by all.  This time at our Children's Museum visit, Molly was able to have some fun too.  She didn't fuss one bit even though she missed her afternoon nap. 

Of course no visit to the Children's Museum is complete at Christmas time without some Yule Slide fun.  Today was a good day to go, because there were no lines for the slide or Santa.  I think the kiddos went down the slide at least 6 times.

Best of all, I talked Daniel into taking a couple hours and joining us for all the fun.  Truly a great day!

My hubby's handiwork

After our 4am Black Friday Target purchase, Daniel decided we need a new antenna to be able to receive HD channels on our new television.  So he made this.

So, a piece of wood, some coat hangers and some washers later, we have this bad boy mounted in the attic.  Ironically, this gives us more channel options than our cheap $13/month cable.  Way to go honey!

paint, paint and more paint

Taking advantage of the oddly warm November weather, Daniel decided to get some outside projects done before winter hit.  First on the agenda was to paint the shed.  Here's a before shot:

And the after:

I think it really looks nice.  He also took the same brown as the trim on the shed and painted the play fort. 

Now...that doesn't seem like too much work right?  Well, day 1 was power wash the play set, day 2 was paint the shed, day 2 and 3 and 4 was prime, paint and paint the play fort.  It needed 2 coats.  So, it took a few days and another afternoon, but it is all done and ready for next spring.  Thanks Daniel for all your hard work!!

2010 Lusk Pumpkins!!

This year David wanted a Spiderman pumpkin and Madelyn wanted Hello Kitty.  Daniel was able to find a pattern for Hello Kitty, but he did the Spiderman freehand.  I think they turned out pretty good.  Neither David nor Madelyn wanted to scoop out the seeds.  They hated putting their hands in the gooey mess.  They kinda take after their Mommy.  :)

Molly loved the gooey pumpkin guts.  She had it everywhere!  Including in her mouth.  Yuck!  In fact, we had to finally take it away from her and she made her disapproval known quite loudly.  Be glad this is not video. 

 

HAHA!!

Elm River Chowder

Labor day weekend we went to Clay City Illinois to the Elm River Chowder.  This is something Daniel and his family used to go to every year growing up.  As Daniel would explain it, you park in a cow pasture, watch your step and walk into the woods.  Where you would gather around waiting for soup that was cooked outside in big cauldrons under an open fire.  Then gather as a family to eat and talk.  Then scavenger other family plots for dessert.  After which all the kids would go down the big hill and play in the creek.  Well....with Daniel, being known for his "fuzzy memories", I didn't know quite what to expect.  Sometimes he is a little exaggerated....but with this.....not so much!  In fact, I almost think he didn't quite exaggerate enough.  :)

Here are the country folk waiting.....

for this.....

So they can sit around and do this.....

Then climb down the hill to do this...

And finally sit around and listen to some blue grass music like this....

I honestly had a great time at my first Elm River Chowder.  In fact, I would love to go back again next year!  Someone, asked me recently if I was from the south.  And the answer is not really.  The south I think of a little more "sophisticated".  I am really just a simple country girl at heart.  Some might say a little "hick".  And that's OK too.  I wouldn't trade it for the world.  :)

Big shoes to fill....

Daniel is out of town for a conference all this week, so I am filling the roles of both Mom and Dad. So far we are doing very well and having a great time. Thankfully, I do see an end in sight.... Daniel will return Saturday.
It is times like these, however that I gain new respect for the single parent. Where the end may not be in sight. Regardless of circumstance: divorce, death, military service or a job that requires long hours or travel, the family is just not designed to be a unit of one. Lovingly, God is ready to pick up where we can't.
He promises in Hebrews 4:16: ¹⁶Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

God's love and grace abound. His mercy is new every morning. Every hour, every minute if we need it to be. He never promises life to be without trial, loneliness, pain or questions. But he does promise His presence. Isaiah 41:10:

So do not fear, for I am with you;
do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

After a moment of pause and reflection this week, I see where God says I don't have big shoes to fill at all. In fact, shoes aren't even required when you're on your knees.