MOM

MOM -- That name conjures up so many sweet memories.

Growing up in the safe world she and dad created for us . . .
We weren't rich by any means -- but we didn't know it -- our parents were always building a future for us with staking our faith in God and dreams for the future of a Christian education and a purposeful life.

She wasn't mother, mommy or momma -- she was MOM to us.

Family was NUMBER ONE --  being our mom was her only career -- and she wanted to do it well.

Making sure we had skills, a college education, music lessons, and that we knew all the life skills to survive and raise a Godly family.  God came first and knowing him was her main objective.  




We got "sermonettes" on life at the kitchen table.  She wanted us to marry a Christian mate.

She believed we could learn to make anything and if it was broken -- you fixed it and not hurried out to buy another.  She taught my brothers to build -- she taught me to sew.  Sewing for all of us was a way Mom stretched a dollar.  Mom decorated for every season with art she painted, flowers she arranged from her garden or other things she sewed.

Mom loved hearing about Bethany's day at school with her ESL classes of K-5th graders during B's first year of teaching

Mom was so proud of her grands -  on her 83rd and last birthday on earth they all made a special video with her --Casey emceeing it and Marshall changing outfits every time the camera cut out for another view 

Marshall came home from OSU more often her last months -- because he saw her decline.  The grands would stretch out on the couch in her room to watch tv with her and soon she and the kids would be asleep.

These are thoughts of her that are so strong in my mind -- even as it's been so long since I have heard her voice --
She was always there when we got home from school - she believed the first hour that children got home was the most important because a child's whole day would come spilling out.

Standing at the sink drying dishes while she washed - talking over my day. . .  she was always such a good listener.  She heard us.

Her sense of caring reached out to not only her friends but anyone who I mentioned to her going through a difficult time - she would often ask about them later.

Her passion for teaching children about Jesus inspired me to teach Sunday school.

The loving care she gave to my dad for so many years taught us about team work with our spouses and making it through tough times.

Her love deep love for us, her 3 kids and for her 6 grands that she thought were just about perfect.
When she and dad could no longer come visit  -- they took it as their special endeavor to pray for their special six every day.

She couldn't visit us often during those years she cared for dad --
 in 2000 she came for Marshall's graduation.

Mom living with us was such as special time for our family.    She showed us how you face death with courage and a deep faith.

That last Christmas when we wanted to show her the Christmas lights, Mom begged us not to make her go and then thanked us for making her.  Bethany got her all dressed up warm and Terry held her up while he drove her van so she could see a few houses near our house.  

Terry's rule was "Nonnie is the boss and whatever she says goes!"

Some of my own favorite "Mom and Nana" pics

Welcome Dudley!

With Harley settled back in at home at Bethany and Mat's - Terry looked at me and said it was time to start talking about dog.  We had a list of top five needs:  

1.  Not a shedder
2.  Not an old dog 
3.  Not a pup
4.  House broken and well trained
5, Good with kids.

I had heard about a dog that had been so attached to his owner (a man) and might possibly be up for adoption.  Robin, teacher friend had given me this information -- but I had no idea what kind of dog we were talking about.  After her initial information -- I would ask about the dog and she had no more contact from Dudley's owner.
One Monday I was praying about what was a need T and I had and as I went into the teacher's office -- Robin told me that Dudley was going to be going up for adoption.  At this point we knew nothing about him.  
We made contact that day (April 30) and the more we learned about him the more we could see he was a perfect fit.  We picked him up that night from a family member.

Teacher Walkout and a Work in Progress

With a whole week of school canceled on Friday April 29, I excitedly made my plans to complete the painting in the bath with trim and doors.  Sanding, painting took the better part of the week and most of my energy.

We learned at week's end we would be taking another week off and I figured after cleaning up the drop cloths, paint cans and smudges, it would be best to get us moved downstairs and back into the master bedroom. It meant moving 3 rooms.  I'm still sorting -- office items, clothes and other.  Vincente came and moved furniture and the rest is history.

Just down the road, Bethany was holding school to keep her littles busy

By day 8 of the walkout -- I decided it would be important to make an appearance at the capitol, telling Bethany I really didn't want to ride the school bus and stand for 8 hours -- or drive and find a place to park with 30,000 teachers descending on the capitol, she graciously said she'd take me and the kids.  Then other moms and kids wanted to join us.

The kids made signs . . . 

And the next day, 9 Kids, 2 Moms and 1 Nana all headed down the turnpike to OKC!

We all got behind the cause and supported education in OK.  The children AND MOMS appreciate their teachers and were glad to get back to school as was this Nana!

Easter Cuties

How they have grown!!!  Dressed in their Sunday best!

Hands up! Three Goodletts ready for Church!

A look of determination by a determined little guy!

This little gal knows exactly what to do!

Clara loves "reading."  She give a sentence for each and every page and has to take four books to bed every night.
Charlie is her best pupil!

Sydney pulls her own tooth -- TWICE!

A Sunny Sunday in Denver!  

Extreme Surprise -- Extreme Makeover -- and BIG BATH PROJECT!

March 11 Joel and Mitzi invited us to lunch and presented us with a BLESSING IN A BOX!  This box contained the plans for the next few weeks as to what was to take place at our house during Spring Break -- They were coming in and as a family -- giving us a new bathroom floor --
Joel and Mitzi had approached Bethany and Mat last Fall and said they knew we wanted and needed a new bathroom floor (our's was beyond gross and we kept scrubbing and covering it with floor rugs.)
The plan they created was Bethany and Mat would buy the tile and the Rays would cover the labor.

The box contained step by step instructions as to how we were to prepare for the blessing --

I got busy -- my mind went into teacher / g'ma mode when I thought about their 7 young ones having to stay cooped up at our house while their mommy and daddy worked.  I wanted treats and fun stuff for them.

We picked out the tile -- with Bethany's help- cleared the bathroom and headed for Spring Break in Denver.

On Monday morning -- demolition began -- we got video texts from Joel twice a day.

The tile job turned into extreme makeover of our bath as Joel would text and ask "what about the cabinets?"  "what about that ugly tile on the second countertop?"  "Do you need a new toilet?"  Joel would shop online find items and we'd make selections.

THEN we put the squeeze on and dropped the bomb shell -- not only were we coming in a day earlier than they expected -- we had company coming in the next night who needed the shower.  (never mind the toilet and sinks weren't in).  It just so happened it was our best buddy, Dallas who is an expert painter and house remodeler.  In the short time he was with us, he painted both bathrooms -- giving careful eye to the gray -- to make certain that it was not too blue, too green or too dark.  His keen eye paid off and I couldn't be happier with the colors!

In all of this special blessing experience, I have some favorite memories ---

Coming home to the kids having a water battle with the super soakers I left for them --- dripping wet.

Seeing them play so quietly and being respectful.

Ryan's statement as he heads out the door --after four cutie oranges and a banana -- "I'd like you a whole lot better if I could have a take away".

Alayiah enjoying looking at our photo albums every time she was there and telling me what all she like about those pictures.

Doing puzzles with Riley --
Seeing Tiarah take care of all the littles while reading a book at the same time --

Atalie -- being the sweet sister so intent on her reading -- serious about it all.

Caedman and his swords -- using our door prop as his favorite

All 6 big Rays carrying Dad's tools to the car the last night -- like a little line of soldiers and then while he and mom finished up -- dropping all over the den falling asleep.

I just finished up the doors and trim this week and soon we'll be moving downstairs -- using the master again -- this project's timing was an answer to prayers literally!

Retreat and Renewal

We had hit the ground running from Denver -- a busy week at school -- huge shopping for lab and family support boxes -- company and then to head out to a staff retreat -- on Easter weekend!

I will be honest -- it wasn't high on my bucket list as I am pretty guarded about my Friday night / Saturdays -- I was exhausted and didn't feel up to lots of people -- just being honest here.  I tend to think I have to be OFF schedule on a weekend and wasn't looking forward to one -- BUT THEN --

We arrived at Deanna and Jeff Ohara's cabin and the tension and fatigue began to drain from me --

Sitting around the fire -- RELAXING -- singing -- just being -- I began to revive in a way I hadn't in some time.

I looked at these young families -- our kids in a sense of the spiritual -- looking at their children and reflecting on how these four families are instilling Jesus into every part of their teaching and training.

I thought about the young Christian authors and bloggers I read and thought these are every bit the spiritual leaders that those people I learn from are. . . thinking and reflecting on how blessed we are to be serving under their young leadership now.

What I thought would be a regimented schedule turned out to be a really relaxing time --  playing with the children -- there were 14 little ones-- We have g'kids -- I know how little sleep you get with little ones --  I figured somebody's little one would fuss through the night -- not a peep!  We were just off the kitchen next to the bathroom -- no NOISE -- we even slept in.

 Kids Fished --

Men cooked breakfast --

Kids played --

and sailed

Mommas nursed babies -- supervised kids and we all circled up before lunch and shared -- our two leader couples sharing and passing a blessing on to the rest of the staff couples from what God put in their hearts and minds about us.

On this Easter weekend, I couldn't help but remember how Jesus connected again with Peter in the front of a fire.  I left renewed, restored and recreated -- ready for Easter celebration!!!