"Mom, Did you know that some boys have long hair?"
"Yes, Emma. I did know that...some do!"
"Well, Mom, do you know where I learned that from? Guitar Hero!!!!"
Oh, the joys of having big brothers!
Friday, February 29, 2008
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
God is Good!
God is so faithful and always in control of our lives. I don't ever question that.....but I am always in awe and amazed by it! My friend made it through the surgery like a champ and in much less time that they originally predicted! We think that the tumor was benign and there was no nerve damage done by the tumor or the surgery. She should be home in about a week.
Thanks for praying for her! I truly think that God worked a miracle through those surgeons......He's amazing!
Thanks for praying for her! I truly think that God worked a miracle through those surgeons......He's amazing!
Sunday, February 24, 2008
Please, God?
Here I sit....waiting! Waiting for tomorrow to be over! A dear friend of mine will have brain surgery tomorrow to remove two growths that have changed her life and will forever change the way I live and what I take for granted! It's amazing how your life can just be chugging along and then up pops a brick wall, out of nowhere!
She started feeling badly in January...she remembers that it was the night that the Cowboys lost in the playoffs! (One more reason to be mad at Jessica Simpson!!!) The doctors told her that she had a virus, but we were afraid it was more! Please let it be a horrible virus, I thought. I think on many levels she was thinking the same thing! This is a friend, a wife and a mother who never missed ANYTHING....and now she was felt too bad to do the things she had always done!
I could tell that she felt horrible and I was so worried about her. Finally a doctor suggested that she have an MRI done, just to make sure nothing else was going on.....and it proved that there was something going on. Something growing there that changed her life! It was making it difficult for her to do the basic things she needed to do.
She started feeling badly in January...she remembers that it was the night that the Cowboys lost in the playoffs! (One more reason to be mad at Jessica Simpson!!!) The doctors told her that she had a virus, but we were afraid it was more! Please let it be a horrible virus, I thought. I think on many levels she was thinking the same thing! This is a friend, a wife and a mother who never missed ANYTHING....and now she was felt too bad to do the things she had always done!
I could tell that she felt horrible and I was so worried about her. Finally a doctor suggested that she have an MRI done, just to make sure nothing else was going on.....and it proved that there was something going on. Something growing there that changed her life! It was making it difficult for her to do the basic things she needed to do.
So tomorrow's the day that some amazing doctors will give us our friend back! The day that they will give back a wife and a mother....the two jobs she values most. That husband and son love her so much.....it's so obvious! She is their queen....and it's hard to watch your queen...the most important person in your life.....hurt and be afraid!
Please pray for those amazing doctors and for my friend and her family! No surprises!!! Please, God?
Friday, February 22, 2008
Thursday, February 21, 2008
Waiting is Hard!
I've been thinking a lot this week about waiting! Is waiting the hardest thing in the world? It's hard to wait for something bad.......and it's equally hard to wait for something good! Think back to your childhood and how you felt on Christmas Eve? I could NEVER go to sleep. The waiting was impossible.
Pregnancy......those nine months are so hard. The last month or week or even night is even harder......and you are waiting for something amazing....something great was coming and it was hard.
Who likes waiting in the doctor's office for an appointment? What about sitting, waiting in traffic? Who likes waiting for a delayed plane at the airport?
Have you ever had to wait on a loved one who is hurting? Wait to find out of someone is OK or not? Wait to find out what your future holds?
Is it easier to go through life totally clueless and not know what's coming? Waiting for news is hard. Waiting on change is hard.
Waiting is hard!!!!!
Or maybe it just is for me! Lord, grant me patience!!!!!
Pregnancy......those nine months are so hard. The last month or week or even night is even harder......and you are waiting for something amazing....something great was coming and it was hard.
Who likes waiting in the doctor's office for an appointment? What about sitting, waiting in traffic? Who likes waiting for a delayed plane at the airport?
Have you ever had to wait on a loved one who is hurting? Wait to find out of someone is OK or not? Wait to find out what your future holds?
Is it easier to go through life totally clueless and not know what's coming? Waiting for news is hard. Waiting on change is hard.
Waiting is hard!!!!!
Or maybe it just is for me! Lord, grant me patience!!!!!
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
The Daffodil Principle
I got this by email this week and it really hit home! I hope it touches you like it did me! Don't wait!
The Daffodil Principle
Several times my grown daughter had telephoned to say,"Mother, you must come to see the daffodils before they are over." I wanted to go, but it was a two-hour drive from Laguna to Lake Arrowhead. "I will come next Tuesday", I promised a little reluctantly on her third call. Next Tuesday dawned cold and rainy. Still, I had promised, and reluctantly I drove there.
When I finally walked into Carolyn's house I was welcomed by the joyful sounds of happy children. I delightedly hugged and greeted my grandchildren. "Forget the daffodils, Carolyn! The road is invisible in these clouds and fog, and there is nothing in the world except you and these children that I want to see badly enough to drive another inch!" My daughter smiled calmly and said, "We drive in this all the time, Mother."
"Well, you won't get me back on the road until it clears,and then I'm heading for home!" I assured her."I was hoping you'd take me over to the garage to pick up my car." "How far will we have to drive? " "Oh...just a few blocks," Carolyn said."But I'll drive. I'm used to this." After several minutes, I had to ask, "Where are we going?This isn't the way to the garage!" "We're going to my garage the long way," Carolyn smiled, "by way of the daffodils."
"Carolyn," I said sternly, "please turn around." "Its all right, Mother, I promise. You will never forgive yourself if you miss this experience." After about twenty minutes, we turned onto a small gravel road and I saw a small church.On the far side of the church, I saw a hand lettered sign with an arrow that read, "Daffodil Garden."We got out of the car, each took a child's hand, and I followed Carolyn down the path. Then, as we turned a corner,I looked up and gasped.
Before me lay the most glorious sight! It looked as though someone had taken a great vat of gold and poured it over the mountain peak and its surrounding slopes. The flowers were planted in majestic, swirling patterns, great ribbons and swaths of deep orange, creamy white, lemon yellow, salmon pink, and saffron and butter yellow.Each different-colored variety was planted in large groups so that it swirled and flowed like its own river with its own unique hue. There were five acres of flowers.
"Who did this?" I asked Carolyn. "Just one woman", Carolyn answered."She lives on the property. That's her home."Carolyn pointed to a well kept A-frame house, small and modestly sitting in the midst of all that glory. We walked up to the house and on the patio, we saw a poster.
"Answers to the questions I know you are asking"was the headline.
The first answer was a simple one. "50,000 bulbs, "it read.
The second answer was, "One at a time, by one woman. Two hands, two feet, and one brain."
The third answer was, "Began in 1958."
For me, that moment was a life-changing experience. I thought of this woman whom I had never met, who, more than forty years before, had begun, one bulb at a time, to bring her vision of beauty and joy to an obscure mountaintop. Planting one bulb at a time, year after year, this unknown woman had forever changed the world in which she lived. One day at a time, she had created something of extraordinary magnificence, beauty, and inspiration.
The principle her daffodil garden taught is one of the greatest principles of celebration.That is, learning to move toward our goals and desires one step at a time--often just one baby-step at time--and learning to love the doing, learning to use the accumulation of time. When we multiply tiny pieces of time with small increments of daily effort, we too will find we can accomplish magnificent things. We can change the world.
"It makes me sad in a way," I admitted to Carolyn."What might I have accomplished if I had thought of a wonderful goal thirty-five or forty years ago and had worked away at it 'one bulb at a time' through all those years?Just think what I might have been able to achieve!" My daughter summed up the message of the day in her usual direct way. "Start tomorrow," she said. She was right. It's so pointless to think of the lost hours of yesterdays. The way to make learning a lesson of celebration instead of a cause for regret is to only ask,"How can I put this to use today?"
Use the Daffodil Principle- STOP WAITING UNTIL:
-your car or home is paid off
-you get a new car or home
-your kids leave the house
-you go back to school
-you finish school
-you clean the house
-you organize the garage
-you clean off your desk
-you lose 10 lbs.
-you gain 10 lbs.
-you get married
-you get a divorce
-you have kids
-the baby's potty trained
-the kids go to school
-you retire
-summer
-spring
-winter
-fall
-you die....
There is no better time than right now to be happy. Happiness is a journey, not a destination. So work like you don't need money. Love like you've never been hurt, and dance like no one's watching.
The Daffodil Principle
Several times my grown daughter had telephoned to say,"Mother, you must come to see the daffodils before they are over." I wanted to go, but it was a two-hour drive from Laguna to Lake Arrowhead. "I will come next Tuesday", I promised a little reluctantly on her third call. Next Tuesday dawned cold and rainy. Still, I had promised, and reluctantly I drove there.
When I finally walked into Carolyn's house I was welcomed by the joyful sounds of happy children. I delightedly hugged and greeted my grandchildren. "Forget the daffodils, Carolyn! The road is invisible in these clouds and fog, and there is nothing in the world except you and these children that I want to see badly enough to drive another inch!" My daughter smiled calmly and said, "We drive in this all the time, Mother."
"Well, you won't get me back on the road until it clears,and then I'm heading for home!" I assured her."I was hoping you'd take me over to the garage to pick up my car." "How far will we have to drive? " "Oh...just a few blocks," Carolyn said."But I'll drive. I'm used to this." After several minutes, I had to ask, "Where are we going?This isn't the way to the garage!" "We're going to my garage the long way," Carolyn smiled, "by way of the daffodils."
"Carolyn," I said sternly, "please turn around." "Its all right, Mother, I promise. You will never forgive yourself if you miss this experience." After about twenty minutes, we turned onto a small gravel road and I saw a small church.On the far side of the church, I saw a hand lettered sign with an arrow that read, "Daffodil Garden."We got out of the car, each took a child's hand, and I followed Carolyn down the path. Then, as we turned a corner,I looked up and gasped.
Before me lay the most glorious sight! It looked as though someone had taken a great vat of gold and poured it over the mountain peak and its surrounding slopes. The flowers were planted in majestic, swirling patterns, great ribbons and swaths of deep orange, creamy white, lemon yellow, salmon pink, and saffron and butter yellow.Each different-colored variety was planted in large groups so that it swirled and flowed like its own river with its own unique hue. There were five acres of flowers.
"Who did this?" I asked Carolyn. "Just one woman", Carolyn answered."She lives on the property. That's her home."Carolyn pointed to a well kept A-frame house, small and modestly sitting in the midst of all that glory. We walked up to the house and on the patio, we saw a poster.
"Answers to the questions I know you are asking"was the headline.
The first answer was a simple one. "50,000 bulbs, "it read.
The second answer was, "One at a time, by one woman. Two hands, two feet, and one brain."
The third answer was, "Began in 1958."
For me, that moment was a life-changing experience. I thought of this woman whom I had never met, who, more than forty years before, had begun, one bulb at a time, to bring her vision of beauty and joy to an obscure mountaintop. Planting one bulb at a time, year after year, this unknown woman had forever changed the world in which she lived. One day at a time, she had created something of extraordinary magnificence, beauty, and inspiration.
The principle her daffodil garden taught is one of the greatest principles of celebration.That is, learning to move toward our goals and desires one step at a time--often just one baby-step at time--and learning to love the doing, learning to use the accumulation of time. When we multiply tiny pieces of time with small increments of daily effort, we too will find we can accomplish magnificent things. We can change the world.
"It makes me sad in a way," I admitted to Carolyn."What might I have accomplished if I had thought of a wonderful goal thirty-five or forty years ago and had worked away at it 'one bulb at a time' through all those years?Just think what I might have been able to achieve!" My daughter summed up the message of the day in her usual direct way. "Start tomorrow," she said. She was right. It's so pointless to think of the lost hours of yesterdays. The way to make learning a lesson of celebration instead of a cause for regret is to only ask,"How can I put this to use today?"
Use the Daffodil Principle- STOP WAITING UNTIL:
-your car or home is paid off
-you get a new car or home
-your kids leave the house
-you go back to school
-you finish school
-you clean the house
-you organize the garage
-you clean off your desk
-you lose 10 lbs.
-you gain 10 lbs.
-you get married
-you get a divorce
-you have kids
-the baby's potty trained
-the kids go to school
-you retire
-summer
-spring
-winter
-fall
-you die....
There is no better time than right now to be happy. Happiness is a journey, not a destination. So work like you don't need money. Love like you've never been hurt, and dance like no one's watching.
Friday, February 15, 2008
I love.....
Well I'm a day late.....Happy Valentine's Day! Since this is the day of love, I thought I'd remind myself of all the things I love in my life! So here goes!!!!!
I love my husband of almost 16 years. We met when I was 19 years old in Letterman Hall at SMU! I would have never thought then that we would have four children and the wonderful life we live. I love him!
I love my kids! I've always wanted to be a Mom......I've always wanted to be a mom to four children. I learn from them everyday and they love me, not matter what! How lucky am I?
I love my family. I have great parents and in-laws. We actually enjoy being together and I know that this is the exception and not the rule! I love my grandmothers, who live close by. I love that my children know them and love them and get to see them. I love that I get to go to church one of my grandmothers each week.
I love our street and my neighbors! Even if I didn't live next these women, I would want them to be my friends! They are compassionate and caring and fun and GREAT friends! You should want to live on my street!
I love our schools....the four Lowell children are in three different schools and I love them all. I certainly didn't know what I was getting into when we bought this house three years ago....couldn't have be more fortunate!
I love our church! I love our church! I love our church! www.twumc.org It's the best!!!!! Enough said!
OK......now I'm going to the shallow things I love! (I know that love is probably not the right word...but you know what I mean!)
I love TIVO! If you don't have it, you should get it! It will change you life.
I love chocolate cake.
I love cupcakes from RJ Goodies.
I love reading magazines, getting a massage and sleeping in late!
I love Snuffers and Mexican food!
I love Disney World and laying on the beach!
I love Christmas and Easter Hymns!
I love listening to my children laugh and seeing a tender tear in my husband's eye!
I love a thunderstorm and laying in the sun on a hot summer day!
I love my life!
I love my husband of almost 16 years. We met when I was 19 years old in Letterman Hall at SMU! I would have never thought then that we would have four children and the wonderful life we live. I love him!
I love my kids! I've always wanted to be a Mom......I've always wanted to be a mom to four children. I learn from them everyday and they love me, not matter what! How lucky am I?
I love my family. I have great parents and in-laws. We actually enjoy being together and I know that this is the exception and not the rule! I love my grandmothers, who live close by. I love that my children know them and love them and get to see them. I love that I get to go to church one of my grandmothers each week.
I love our street and my neighbors! Even if I didn't live next these women, I would want them to be my friends! They are compassionate and caring and fun and GREAT friends! You should want to live on my street!
I love our schools....the four Lowell children are in three different schools and I love them all. I certainly didn't know what I was getting into when we bought this house three years ago....couldn't have be more fortunate!
I love our church! I love our church! I love our church! www.twumc.org It's the best!!!!! Enough said!
OK......now I'm going to the shallow things I love! (I know that love is probably not the right word...but you know what I mean!)
I love TIVO! If you don't have it, you should get it! It will change you life.
I love chocolate cake.
I love cupcakes from RJ Goodies.
I love reading magazines, getting a massage and sleeping in late!
I love Snuffers and Mexican food!
I love Disney World and laying on the beach!
I love Christmas and Easter Hymns!
I love listening to my children laugh and seeing a tender tear in my husband's eye!
I love a thunderstorm and laying in the sun on a hot summer day!
I love my life!
Friday, February 8, 2008
Little Women In Black
I've heard people say that you should never put little girls in black.......I beg to differ!
The lastest pictures of the girls.....
The lastest pictures of the girls.....
Thursday, February 7, 2008
It Makes Me Sad!
How does it feel to have your first child tower above you? I guess I never thought about it before. My brother is 6 inches taller than my mom....and Steve is almost a foot taller than his Mom. It happens to most Moms, I imagine, but I never really thought about it. But now that it has happened to me and I'm thinking about it......a lot! I think about it each time I go to fix his hair or to wipe something off of his face. I think about it each time I try to look in his eyes and I can't really see them. I think about it each time I need to reprimand him or talk sternly to him and I have to make him sit down so I can shake my finger at him and seem powerful. I think about it when he's sick and I can't reach his forehead or ear to take his temperature. I think about it when I can't comfortably put my arm around his shoulders when we are standing up. I think about it each time I go to hug him and I have to stand on my tippy toes just to reach his neck.
I'm happy that he's growing into such a man.....but it makes me sad, too!
This time in my life, however trying and difficult, is racing by too fast! I wish I could just yell, "STOP!!!!" and take a moment to take it all it! Until we figure out how to do this, I'm taking all the pictures I can and tying to stay present in every possible moment! Before I know it, my grandsons and great-grandsons will be towering over me!
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