My Blessings.

For some odd reason the holidays have a tendency to make me stop and look back on things…both good and bad….kind of a a spiritual inventory if you will. This has been an amazing year for me personally. GOD has answered pretty much all my prayers..church home, friends, family, health etc. GOD has blessed my life abundantly.

The Things I am thankful for this Christmas season.

GOD – All mighty, forgiving, kind, ever present and hard at work in MY life. Thank you.

My Wife – who puts up with my mood swings and all my other annoying “quirks.” And still showers me with love and peace……or a kick in the butt when I need it. She is the absolute best.

My kids -  Elena and her hugs. Devin and  his goofy humor. Zanna and Tony for Cheeseburger Tuesdays, and the text messages to their  outta date old man. What a gift they are.

My family – Mom and Dad for always being there. Holly and Leanne for their love and support and humor and thoughtfulness and……and….I couldn’t ask for better sisters because I have the best already!! My brother David may this year bring us closer.

My friends – Notice that has an “S” on it….wow, I would have lost that bet a year ago if someone would have said I would have friendS.  Tom and Sharon, Brad and Sally, Gary and Amy, Mark and Carol, Dave and Jill, Rick and Meghan, William and Barb, Big Rick and his family…..the list goes on and on. The  Valley Hope Crew…..you guys make me smile every Sunday and a part of me is always sad when someone “gets out” because I miss seeing them every week but I rejoice in the time that we did spend together no matter how brief !!!!

RiverPoint Church – Need I say more? Thank you for all you do each and every Sunday and Beyond!!!!

All of you have touched and blessed my life, my heart and my soul. I take you with me everywhere I go…..and for that I am Grateful.

 

MEWEE CHWISMUS!!!

 

ACK!!!

It’s that time again. I have no plan here, just here.

It has been a rough week. Deadlines in every part of my life are drawing near this week and I am behind on them all. No excuses, no good ones anyway…..I am just behind.

Work has been a real bite in the butt this week. Monday, now known as “Black Monday”, brought news that the guy that hired me, the guy that was a friend, and a mentor, the guy that was holding a place in his group for me…..was “let go due to managerial differences.” Times are changing. The proverbial bottom has dropped out of the market and it sounds like 2008 will bring more change to my workplace. I trust that GOD will provide my family and I with the best option, be that the keeping of my job or having to find a new one, either way it’s in GOD’s hands….still.

I canceled cheeseburger Tuesdays this week, and missed the premier of “London Ink”. I know that GOD only gives us what we can handle but HE is pushing me to my limits this week.

Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ who give me  strength.

 

My Parents

My parents are amazing. They met in an Ohio grade school and have been together ever since. My Dad told his parents that he was “going to marry that little red headed girl” back in the sixth grade…..and he did. August 21th 1953.

My parents are amazing. They were in a car crash before the wedding. I remember Dad telling the story one time awhile back, about driving thru a snow storm and hitting a snow plow. The plow driver….or a passing driver…I can’t remember, loaded up Mom and took her to the hospital leaving Dad because they thought he wouldn’t make it. Another driver came along and took him to the hospital. They both made it…obviously.

My parents are amazing. My Dad has been a florist since day 1. My Mom didn’t work while I was in school, that I could remember, but I know she did before me and now works for the 1ST U.M. Church. They always were able to provide for our family.

My parents are amazing. On March 16th, 2005 my Mom suffered a pretty severe brain aneurysm. 2005….it seems like yesterday…….the first prognosis was grim. But with the absolute grace of GOD by morning she had turned a corner and was on her way back….the doctors even used the term MIRACULOUSLY and said that Mom is a miracle child. Prayers were answered on those days spent in the hospital. I saw GODS work first hand and I have been blessed to continue to see HIS work in our lives daily! GOD is amazing.

My parents are amazing. They celebrated their 54th wedding anniversary this year. I don’t know of anyone else in my life that has accomplished that. I hope to be that lucky.

My parents are amazing. Trust me when I say that our family had it’s ups and downs (hence the rabbit ears….ha-ha). But over all I think we did pretty darn good. Most of us still talk on a regular basis. My brother and I are worlds apart, but I still love him. My two sisters (more on them next time) and I still talk or e-mail once a week. And my folks are still here with all of us, still going strong, and amazing me with their ever growing, love and grace. My parents have taught me tons but the one thing that stands out most is Never Let Go……hopes….. dreams…… or Love.

Never Let Go.

With Love and Respect,    t.

 

Hope

I know I have said it here already but I am honestly blessed to have Hope in my life. She takes such good care of the kids and I. She always lets us know that we are loved and that is such an amazing thing. There are times when I don’t do such a good job at letting HER know how much she is loved and needed, but I keep trying. Hope is moving closer to becoming a full time stay at home mom….January 1st…….and I can’t wait for her to get there!! She deserves that and sooo much more!! So thanks honey for all you do….you ROCK!!

t.

 

Halloween

Well tonight is Halloween…we took Elena uptown thru all the shops for snacks and goodies. Stopped by to see Grandpa at his shop. Halstead is such a great town!! As I watched all the kids and adults wander main street I thought to myself how nice it is too live in a small community. Where families mingle and speak to each other as they pass. You run into friendly smiles, hugs and handshakes here and there and that only happens in a small town. Elmo, Brad and the Hieberts all crossed our path tonight (Sharon I hope you get to feeling better.) it was, as always, great to see them all.

I spent some time in Venice Beach. At the time I wanted to blend in, fade out, and to go unnoticed. I had all my tattoos and hair down to about my waist at the time and I was used to being stared at but there and then it was nice to just be passed by. No body looking into all the dark corners of my life and picked me apart.

My how things change. Priorities change, people change, and you grow. This town is great for my family and I. I couldn’t imagine raising my family any place other than here.

My family, my town and my friends. GOD has blessed me abundantly.

Music this week, Mother Love Bone and Moby.