God is in CONTROL

Tuesday, December 27, 2016

Blessed!

I got what I wanted for Christmas -- tied up in a big bundle of four sweet babies for 3 whole days!!!

To start it all off --we were able to leave work to attend 
Sydney's Christmas performance.  It was certainly delightful as she had been dressed since 6:00 that morning hence she was a bit over it before it even started


We followed that up that evening with a night of baking cinnamon rolls with our 3 little Goodletts for gifting their many neighbors.
Jack found he didn't like to get his hands messy in the dough

Campbell attacked that dough with her rolling pin!
Sydney loved the cinnamon sugar topping.









































Then on Sunday, we officially kicked off Christmas week with our annual trip to the Nutcracker at the Tulsa PAC.

 

Marshall and Katie and Jim and Jan arrived mid-day on Friday.  The cousins had been estatic for days looking forward to "baby" Clara's arrival.





There were so many fun memories. . .  seeing our four enjoying sharing toys. Bethany and Mat had thought through every detail of the holiday and worked tirelessly to make sure it was a magical one.











M & B planned Friday night couples' night at Cedar Ridge where they are members.

We hosted Sat. morning brunch . . .



Jack experienced every bit of Christmas -- in his own delightful way.  He would put the little
 wooden lambs from the creche on his rocking horse and take them for a ride.

Christmas Eve was complete with  Services at Life Park and Redeemer Covenant where Bethany and Mat's family lit the fourth Advent Candle
Jack was so attentive to it all




It was so fun tracking Santa's  trip on the computer Christmas Eve

Jack was hilarious as he would run back and forth -- jabbering where Santa was last spotted wanting you come see the last sighting

And there was even a late night visit from the Jolly Old Elf (aka Uncle Marshall)


 B arranged for Matching pajamas -- which I monogrammed



Snuggle time with momma






Christmas morning was the usual clutter and chaos of unwrapping -- but the highlight was the video of Santa's visit the night before that they watched on tv before discovering he left them something pretty wonderful.  The kids squealed with sheer delight

Big people enjoyed sharing gag gifts -- Marshall kicked it off by giving each of us - Animal Spirit shirts -- telling us that he had logged into a data bank and created animals most like us based on our personal information -- I was believing all of it -- (pretty gullible -- this momma is).



We have an old fiber optic lamp from the 80's that both kids would sneak out of the house and give to each other as spoof presents.   This year they both wanted that for the other.  We decided to turn the joke on them... and find a second one - Believe or not they still make those things - they were shocked, to say the least.

No one wanted to jinx the family celebration by remembering the Christmas of 2011 when the Christmas crud hit the whole family

Her Daddy decided to make it a shrine 
with B's fiber optic gift!

  Bethany was the first to go down and as family tradition goes Marshall set her picture in her place,  It's what we do when we have the holiday hoopla and can't join in on the fun (i.e. Christmas 2011 - 7 Bell/Good /Hammetters in bed on Christmas day)


This year we ended our holiday with a lesser version of it.  Papa and I spent all Monday in bed.  No more celebrating for these two old Geezers.

Marshall and Katie left on a 6 am flight Monday-- we're already looking forward to seeing them in March as baby boy Bell is scheduled to make his appearance mid-March.

Some of my favs of the holiday:

Pawpaw (as he calls himself) kept the two littles busy

Can you tell they are all Bells?



We do lots of eating, telling our big stories, discussing the weighty things of life and some brainiac convo these doctors come up with. But  above all, most of our time and energies is spent enjoying the kids. You can see that from the fact that this blog is mostly pics of the little ones.

Wednesday, November 23, 2016

ThanksLiving

In everything give thanks for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.  1 Thessalonians 5:18

Daily continual blessings ---
           >the People in my life --

                          my wonderful husband who supports all my efforts

                                    our children


For yearly traditions - T'Giving Eve Brunch at Wild Fork

                                                                                                                                                                     their mates

                                                 our grandchildren

Stopping by the Santa House in Utica Square


For holiday celebrations











For physical needs - food, warm home, clothing


For my extended family who take me back to my roots

We started off our holiday week with a visit from Sandy, my sister-in law,
my niece, Angie and her baby June
For  old friends who knew me back when

For new ones who bring freshness and newness

For being able to travel to be with family

(Our T'giving trip was smooth travel the whole way with quick security TSE Pre check -
 and helpful shuttles - even the Donor Alliance limousine that Marshall booked for us!)

For the Word that brings me life -- guiding me and getting me through the day-

For my Job -- though it sometimes makes me too tired for other things  it keeps my mind active and provides so well for our additional needs.

For the challenges that keep me stretching -- the people ones, the health ones even the $$$ ones

For ministries and missions in my life giving me deeper purpose.

For every EVERY, EVERY need that is being met by Jesus.

I find when I start my day with thankfulness -- everything that day takes on a different perspective.  It puts all my worries and concerns in the proper perspective.

Image result for thanksgiving

Give thanks to him and praise his name. For the Lord is good. His unfailing love continues forever, and his faithfulness continues to each generation  Psalm 100:5


Sunday, November 20, 2016

On My Way Out


How do you want to go out??  What do you envision as your last moments on this earth?  Forgive me if that sounds macabre – but all this will end at some point for each of us.  It’s a fact of our eternal life.

A fellow teacher passed suddenly this summer to the sweet sounds of her beautiful daughters singing “Praise God from whom all blessings flow”  These young women of faith were celebrating the Godly life of their mother – cut short at just 60 years.  .  . knowing how much they had been blessed!!

Terry and I recently watched a Netflix drama about Mary, Jesus mother, called “Full of Grace”.  We know so little of Mary and so much is left to speculation.  
When we were in Ephesus – our guide showed us the mountain – side village that it is believed to be where John cared for Mary.    I could just imagine that as I looked  up into those hills and saw the smoke curl upward from one of the cottages. 
 In my study of John this summer – the commentator I read mentioned how little is heard of John in those years just after Jesus resurrection – perhaps because he saw his immediate ministry that of caring for his Master’s mother.  
Of course that --and the movie- are both just speculation. 

The movie showed her last days spent reflecting on those pivotal  times of her life with Jesus and sharing  of her love for her Son and his passion to reach people.
The apostles would ask her what to do with this Church of His. Her comments were always – “Remember where you were when He called you” 

In her  final moments a  few of the disciples are with her and having communion – as the bread crossed her lips it reminded me of Matt. 25:29  where Jesus says I will not drink this again with you until we drink  it anew in my Father’s Kingdom –
I don’t know if that is as it really happened – I know that this feast was frequent among the early Believers. 

As we watched this scene, I told Terry – that’s the way I want to go out – sharing in His Feast and just slide right into my place at the Heavenly  table as I move into my new Home and Jesus hands me the wine.

Tuesday, November 15, 2016

Happy Birthday to My Man!



You are the Keeper of Our Visions

The Dad who challenges all of us to think deeper

The Fantastic Papa who loves to create fun.

The Proud Papa who eagerly welcomes each and every newborn and bonds early.
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The Man Who Dreams Big and Builds It



The Creator of Crazy Stories, Songs and Dino Play Days - you rock the Goobers the Gorilla costume!
.

Everyday I see you rise above the challenges of your health issues and crazy busy schedule to make certain that I'm okay -- that our kids and Grands are covered in prayer.

If there's a tremor or storm -- calling Bethany to see where she and the kids are is first priorty.

Discussing life stuff with Marshall for long hours is one of your joys.

You keep me centered -- Babe, I'm so happy we get to celebrate you this week

Sunday, October 23, 2016

Happy Birthday, Sydney Kate!



Sydney Kate - today is your day!  You've been anticipating this all month and being 4 fits you to a T.  It always seems like such a long time till your birthday and that's the way it was for us as we awaited your birth.





From the first your big sister has always had a protective position in your life as you watch her for cues and she is always on the ready to tell you exactly what she wanted you to do.














Little brother watches you now and is your little buddy in play.  He's always ready for a celebration and to join in with you and Campbell in whatever you're about at the moment.













You're the cuddler -- the one quick with lots of loving positives for all of us.















You ordered a chocolate strawberry birthday cake -- wanted a Tea Party birthday and hosted your little friends to berry tea, cake balls and dress up from the costume closet with oodles of faux jewelry and boas.  Your party planner big sis was all about making your celebration a hit.









You're a girley girl who loves dresses and have always had a fashion sense.







You make up stories about your make-believe friends and recently told your momma your parents had died and that you were now living with someone else.  You told us tonight that Baby Rosie now calls YOU "Nana".  She's still your "go-to" favorite of all time.  We're always anxious to take your stories further as we question you about what's going on in your world each day.
 Since you were tiny you gave the cutest expressions that always revealed what your concerns were at the moment -- giving so much with your eyes and grin.


"and who do I thank for this ridiculous head gear ?-- it doesn't go with my outfit - besides that - it's backwards!!!

Sydney you take us to our "happy place" as we watch the wonder of it all in your eyes.





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