Last night I did the Bible lesson at CBC. I was pretty nervous but I was determined to prove that I could stand up in front of people (kids are people) and talk without falling apart. I think I was pretty successful. I really want to be good at it! Like most things in life, the journey and the practice can be painful and embarrassing... but the end result is well worth it if we don't cave in and give up the first time we make a fool of ourselves; or the second, third, and fourth times...
Last night and this morning were so windy that these two trees snapped. Pretty cool huh? Glad they were in the woods and not near our house. Also glad our deck furniture is tied down!
2 broken trees
I went to Michael's craft store today to look for something, and ended up buying some things (on clearance) to make jewelry out of. I also did some painting... sorry but no pictures of that yet (if ever!). There is something quite disturbing about looking at an unfinished painting. No one can tell what it is supposed to look like when it's done, not even me. I will be surprised to see what emerges.
new earrings...lol
Oh yeah, I started physical therapy today. I really didn't want to go, but now I'm glad I did. The person working on me said the ligaments in my lower back are basically gone, whatever that means. So, I've been overcompensating for it by using my muscles, which are now weakened. I really don't get it, but anyway, at least she said it won't take too long to be good as new again so I can work out and lose some of the weight I put back on!! gross.... She also said there is a gap in my spine and that is why I am having pain right on my spine. It will be so good to not be in pain anymore. Even better to get my new body. This one has been good to me over the years, but it is slowly rebelling against all that I put it through (housework!). haha...
Oh by the way, Ryan received his colorful vest today. His first comment to me was, "Hah this thing is so crazy!"
Philippians 3:20-21 But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.
Call me crazy... I decided to try my hand at making some jewelry to go with a funky green jacket I bought at Salvation Army. (I was broke for so many years that I will always search out a good bargain before paying full price! I don't mind spending $7.99 for a nice jacket) Back to my jewelry story....I never made any before and I had no idea how to do it, and this is by no means anything fancy I'm doing here...hahaha... but it was fun and now I have a nice set to wear to church with my cool jacket. Maybe I'll make more some day. =)
Next, I will finish my painting. Yep, I'm a woman with many talents! haha ;D
Here is the vest that I finally finished, for Ryan's birthday. lol Only Ryan could pull this off! I will be mailing it to him tomorrow.
As soon as Kyle gets a picture to me with his polka dot bow tie I will post that too. He is wearing it today. Oh, and I also need one of Ryan actually wearing his vest. =)
Hope you don't get blinded by the vest I'm making for Ryan. This is the fabric he picked out when we went through the fabric store over Christmas break. I wonder if he will still like it now that it is beginning to take shape.
I had a great day sewing and singing... it was so nice.
I finished Ryan's tie today. I got both ties and a box of goodies mailed off to the boys today. Too bad Monday is a holiday (I forgot), so they won't get the stuff until Tuesday.
Now I expect both of my boys to put these ties on and have someone take their pictures so I can see how they look on. =)
I had a pretty good day. Actually took it easy today. My back felt a little better today, so that was encouraging. At least now I know there will be good days and bad days.
Today I finished a bow tie for Kyle. Will be sending it to him soon.
I found out today that I have Spinal Arthritis. So, that has been the cause of my pain for the past 3 months. I've never even heard of it! I'm seeing an Orthopedic Dr. next week to figure out what my treatment options are. It bums me out that this is something permanent. I hope I can do something about the constant pain.
There may be pain in the night, but joy comes in the morning.
So, we went to Long Horn for supper the last night the boys were here. Figured it would be fun to go out and hang together and talk, so I wouldn't have to cook and clean up and stuff. It was nice. We had a good time. They left early the next morning and drove to Michigan.
In the morning as they were saying goodbye
Our last dinner with boys
proud parents
Back to the grind for the boys on Monday, and I am looking forward to doing all sorts of cool things. Darryl bought me this really awesome artist's set. This thing is amazing!! I am really excited to start painting and drawing again.
I'm also planning to do some more sewing projects. And I think I might start making jewelry. And, back to voice lessons, and working out on a daily basis. All of that will have to wait a little longer because Michele and Ken are here for a few days. So, it'll be back to the grind for me after they leave.
Ryan did a special song at church last week. This song is so special to me... I really wanted to sing it with him, since he taught me the harmony to it, but I decided it would be better to leave things on a happy note, rather than try to push my luck and sing 2 weeks in a row.
So, it's 2013. I was going to make the traditional post last night "last post of 2012" but I figured what's the point? lol So instead, I'm making my "first post of 2013". But just to reflect a little I wanted to talk about a few of my favorite memories from last year.
1. Our trip to NY for Ryan's music seminar: I love New York. By far the most fun I had all year. Kyle and I had a grand time just wandering around seeing different things and just experiencing the whole NYC atmosphere. Ryan got to do a cool seminar. And we got to spend a few nights right in the middle of East Village. It was so cool to look out our window at any hour of the night and see lots of people down on the street.
2. Ryan's concert: (Heavenly) Ethnicity in Concert. Even though on one hand it was one of my most disappointing nights because I wanted more people to show up. But looking back, it was a great experience for our entire family, including all the prep, and the making of the music video in West Virginia, and the visit to the huge salvage yard in WV looking for things to use for musical instruments.
3. Meeting my grandson, Ethan: Ethan's party What a sweetheart little boy. Can't wait until he actually knows who I am and wants to spend time with me. I would love to know what it feels like to be a real grandma.
4. Taking a quick trip to Plymouth with Darryl to see the Monument to the Forefathers: the Monumental foundation of America. We had such a great time there for a few days. Spontaneity at it's best!
5. Singing on stage with Ryan and Kyle on Sunday: Giving it all to Him! This was such a blast for me, even though I nearly melted to the floor with nervousness. But the point is, I did it anyway and I didn't fall apart. God got me through, and I did something I have always dreamed of doing. This was definitely a high point of my life and I will always be able to look back on it to give me courage to do things that I have never done before. Being up in front of people is something I have never done, but I feel challenged to try it again sometime. God is so good.
Here is a picture of the haircut I gave to Ryan the other day....
I cut Kyle's hair too, but didn't get a picture yet. He wasn't sure if he wanted it shorter or not...so I was waiting to find out.
I'm planning on making a couple more ties for the guys, and I'm also going to make Ryan a vest for his birthday. Oh, it's ok, he knows about it. He had to pick the fabric for it.
Resolutions? Oh, I don't know. I guess the same stuff as usual. Try to take care of myself better. Try to be a better person. Try to live for Jesus better. Try to share my faith better. Try to be more loving. Try to trust Him more. Seriously, the new year is a just a reminder that time is passing faster than we want to admit, and we better get better at life because we never know how long we have. People come and go in our lives. Will we make a difference? Will they be better off for having known us? Will they even remember us when we're Gone?
