Miracles

I don't want to forget this story....

Went for a pedicure last week and this story from Xandra - We were talking about miracles and she says "i've got one that happened to me"

She had a tree that she always put up at Christmas....through the years she and her hubby had collected hand blown glass ornaments for that tree.  She said it was beautiful.

They got a new kitten.  It was Christmas and she was in her room, getting ready for work.  She heard a crash.  She ran to the living room and sure enough, the kitten had climbed the tree and turned it over.  Every single ornament was crushed....glass shards everywhere - in the carpet, the couch.  They got it all cleaned up and she decided she wasn't going to put up a tree that year.  She was so sad because her collection had been destroyed.

Fast forward a couple of weeks.  She and her hubby were looking for something...i can't remember what but it had to do with building something - like old windows or something.  Anyway, she saw them listed at a lady's house and they went.  When they arrived, they realized it was an estate sale and there were people EVERYwhere.  They found what they went looking for and as they were trying to find where to pay, the owner of the house came up to them - never have seen this lady before.  In talking to her, found out they were from Switzerland - had come to live in the states but missed home, so they were selling their things, their home and moving back.  This lady says to them "i have something i am suppose to give you" - and they were like "give us?  What is it?" and she told them she would be back in a minute.  Here she comes with a big box....and she hands it to them.  They asked to pay for whatever it was, but she said "no, i am suppose to give this to you".  Well, they got home and put the box down in the garage and really forgot about it a couple of days.  But then her husband asks her to go through the box because he's cleaning out the things stacked up in the garage. She figured it was junk.....couldn't imagine what in the world the lady would be giving them....or WHY.  She opened the box and it was covered with tissue paper....things were wrapped in tissue.  The box was full and nothing put HAND BLOWN Christmas ornaments....Swiss ones...expensive ones....far more expensive than the ones the kitten had broken.  She told me it was her miracle.  And i believe in my heart it WAS!!

God still works his magic day by day....i mean i look at the sunsets....i see my newborn great granddaughter - she's perfect and precious....i breathe in....HIS majesty.  I love this expression of His love.

New England.....you were AWESOME!!

We left Rockwall and the high temps in early October and traveled to Boston.  It was an amazing trip....a fall foliage tour to New Hampshire, Vermont, Connecticut, and Maine.  Lots of color in our trip.....Lots of fun with our friends.

It's like snow in Texas.....you would think we had never seen falling leaves before!!

Michael sat in Norm's seat at Cheers!  Boston was awesome!

LOVE this life journey with this sweet man!

So many miles we have traveled with these sweet ones also!
We ended the trip with an awesome lobster dinner.....i mean LOOK at the size of those things!!!

The last morning as we left, Steve caught this photo with the beautiful pink skies.....it was a wonderful trip with precious friends.  

So thankful for the time we spent in New England!!

Blessings come in small packages!

Oh my goodness.....On October 17th, we had the sweetest surprise.  She wasn't due until November.....but this sweet little bundle couldn't WAIT to get here!!!!

Angie left the minute she found out that Audrey was in labor....bless her heart - she had been to the hospital so many times and each time they were able to stop the labor....until October 17th!
Sweet little Brooklyn Elizabeth joined our family and OH MY GOODNESS, what a little love.  Big brother Matthew already in love and has told the family "She LIKES me!!"

Her bows are bigger than she is!!

That weekend, Chase and Hayden and Addy flew up to meet her.  Aunt Hay Hay drove up too.  Sweetest little love.  She has already brought SO much joy and we cannot WAIT to see what God has in store for this precious baby girl and those that love her so very much!!

There's something so special about seeing your baby hold his GRANDbaby!!

Love you so much Brooklyn Elizabeth!

Observations from a mom....and a mimi

Last night we went to Addy's game at Reedy.  Goodness, we love watching our girl play!  Some things have happened this year....not fair things and it's been hard...hard to understand, hard to hold emotions in, difficult to not have some really hard feelings in our hearts.   Trying so hard to forgive - 70x7 - asking daily for God to redeem it all with this varsity coach.  I KNOW He has a plan for Addy and it's an amazing one - better than any of us can imagine.  I also know that it's in the valleys - that's where He molds us and makes us more and more like Him.  Trying hard to understand and remember that.  Hard when i see the ones i love so much hurting.  Hard when spirit is lacking because of it all.

We got there early last night so we could watch a little of the varsity team play.  Just before Addy's JV team started their first set, Chase came in.  As is his sweet nature, he's "working the room" as my daddy used to say.  He's finding friends and talking as he comes in.  He was standing in front of me with his back to the court, talking to someone close by.  I look down on the court and see Addy staring at us.....she keeps looking up at us and finally motions to me to get her daddy's attention for her.  Mind you not a hello to me or Papa, but "will you get dada's attention" - so i tap Chase on the shoulder, but he's in mid sentence.....she motions to me again to get him - well by that time i am thinking it's something she needs right then.  Maybe advice, maybe a water or instructions....so i tap on his shoulder a little harder - and he's still talking (i am even beginning to feel a little bad about interrupting at this point) but finally i say "Addy needs you" - he turns to her and no,  it's not a question, no water or instruction she's needing,  it's just the sweetest smile and a little wave.  "Hi dada" she's saying...."so glad you are here" -  Nobody else got that.  Not Angie, not me, not Papa, not Farrah or Alan....just her daddy.

It makes me think about their relationship....makes me realize JUST how much she loves him and loves his attention....how much she craves his approval.  When she's warming up, she ALWAYS looks up to the stands right before she slams that ball or when she serves.  Sometimes it might be a side ways glance, to not be so obvious, but she's ALWAYS searching her daddy out....needing that attention, that approval and it's just the SWEETEST thing ever.

Since she was born, Chase has been there for that sweet girl.  Sweetest hands on daddy ever.  He has ALWAYS been (since birth) her confidant, her play mate, her hero, her security.....the one she looks to for advice, for instruction....He's the one that helped her pray and ask Jesus into her heart.....nightly devotionals, instructions on sports, homework, her biggest fan, her biggest cheerleader.....Chase is the one she runs to.  Still to this day....sweetest relationship between these two!  This relationship is the basis for every relationship she will have in the future.  He has set the standard high for her future husband.....she will have to look long and hard to find a man as sweet and kind as her daddy.

I am SO thankful for the relationships that both my boys have with their children and now grandchildren.  Just so thankful to witness the sweetest love last night on the court - i saw just a glimpse of the little girl in Addy...searching out her daddy.....just to say "hi daddy.....so glad you are mine".  What a precious young woman she's becoming.  What a precious daddy/daughter love.