Saying Goodbye

On Monday, May 22nd, Aaron's Grandpa Jule died suddenly of a heart attack. He would have been 80 this June. This week we were in Wisconsin with family for the visitation and funeral services. We'd appreciate your prayers especially for Aaron's Grandma, Mary Lou, during this time.

Jule was a wonderful man and had a bear hug that completely squeezed the life out of you. He was tall, broad-shouldered, and had a smile no matter what the circumstance. He loved all things outdoors: hunting, fishing, gardening, berry-picking, but mostly fishing. Aaron spent dozens of sunsets and sunrises in a boat with his Grandpa. He will be greatly missed.

Aaron and both his brothers spoke at the funeral this week. They each shared personal reflections of the influence Grandpa had on them. One remark everyone enjoyed was when Nick mentioned the quote Grandpa taught them as children. They were to say this whenever they didn't understand what an adult was saying to them: "Your words are too copious for my diminutive apprehension to comprehend." (I think I got that right!) He had a great sense of humor!

Don't miss an opportunity today to tell someone you love them. Thank them for the influence they've had on your life.

I Can't Breathe

Glub, Glub, I'm underwater and I can't catch my breath...

The dishes, the laundry, the constant requests for snacks and help in the bathroom and fights between brothers and dirty diapers and babies who won't nap - glub, glub.
Gotta get dinner ready, glub, gotta fold the laundy, oh, and I guess putting it away would be good.

What time is it? 5:15 PM...I think I can, I think I can, I think I can.
Play-Do, where's the Play-Do??
Quit jumping on your brother!!!
Jonathan, don't drink the Cascade!!
I could really use a shower. GLUB GLUB

And then Aaron...

Ah, Oxygen.

He Was Robbed

Here is my unofficial American Idol ranting and raving: (Just my personal opinion, here. Proceed with caution.)

I am not happy. Chris was my American Idol. Here is why...

1) Stage Presence - No other contestant was more captivating to watch than Chris. Especially the last few weeks. He took some risks and blew me away with his versatility. I like how he works the entire stage and has confidence to spare. Powerful.

2) Personality - He seems most like the kind of guy you want to have in your corner: loyal, kind, but don't mess with him, ya know? And humble! I love the clip where Paula says, "Do you know how good you are?" And he responds, "Only when you tell me." Nice.

3) Voice - Some may disagree with me here, but I would prefer listening to Chris over any other contestant, especially on a ballad. Not that he was perfect; he admits he's had no formal training. But imagine that voice with a little polishing! Wow! I like how he can totally rock out, and then turn around and deliver a smooth love song that melts steel.

So for me, the competition is over. I have no opinion about who should win now. I do predict, however, that Chris' CD will outsell the American Idol, whoever that turns out to be. Rock on, Dawg!

Smores, Anyone?

I love simple pleasures - kids laughing, the sunset, sticky treats cooked over the fire. And here's some photos of where it all takes place...

My niece with her two front teeth, finally! Is the picture clear enough to see those terrific freckles?
Chris and Syna discussing who gets this perfect smore...

Today's Thoughts...

FAMILY: I really love my brother. Everytime I talk to him on the phone, I laugh. We love to talk to each other in strange voices, like a cowboy twang, or a hip-hop thang, or something else stupid. Sometimes I'll just play a snippet of a song to him on his cell phone, like a couple of weeks ago I left a message for him with "Ring of Fire" just playing. (He does a great Johnny Cash.) We "get" each other.

SPORTS: I like A.J. Hawk. He's the Ohio State Buckeye Green Bay just grabbed in the Draft. He's from Centerville, Ohio, where my aunt lives and they are familiar with his family. It's all about Defense, baby! Let's hope he and Favre can fire up the 2006 season. And I heard we got Charles Woodson, too. I don't know how much he will contribute, but I'm optimistic. O - H - I - O!!

LOVING GOD: This past week has been dry, dry, dry. I feel so far from Him and I miss Him. But I've been running into things that remind me that He sees me, He knows me, and His timing is perfect. He always provides me with just what I need. I just wish I ran to Him more when I know I need Him instead of, like a baby, grabbing the nearest pacifier and "getting by." (Does that make sense?) I miss Crossbridge. I miss worshiping with other people who love my Lord.

MY BLOG: Is it just me, or is it messed up? My large pictures of Jonathan and Lucy made my profile fall to the bottom of the screen and I really hate that. Could someone please help me before I create a completely new blog out of desperation? Besides that, I love blogging. It's fun. Wish I could update it every other day or even more. Wish I got as many comments as Holly G. :) Love ya, babe! You're so famous!!

MORE FAMILY: I am loving being with my sister-in-law more often. We live 5 minutes away from each other and see each other about every other day. I was foolishly worried this would be weird for our relationship, but it's only made it richer. She pushes me to exercise and eat right; I push her to journal and read and eat junk with me. ha. Even if she wasn't related to me, I would choose her as a friend and still love hanging out with her. And I love to make her laugh. You know those kind of people? They actually think you're witty and funny even when you're just plain weird. I love that in a person.