Full Houses

The house has been full this week, full of grandchildren, full of grown up kids, full of family. It's been wonderful! Wonderful and exhausting. LOL! I wouldn't trade it for the world. I worked two short days Monday and Tuesday, took Wednesday and Thursday off, and worked a regular day yesterday. My son and his family came to say goodbye at Dunkin. Four sweet children, one as big as his parents, and three littles. I sent them off with hugs, I love yous, a box of Munchkins and a snowbrush. I wanted to cry, but held it in. 

Adam cooked the turkey for Thanksgiving and we all gathered at Bethany's house. There were 14 grandchildren, all seven of my kids, 2 sons in law, 2 daughters in law, Nathan's new girlfriend Fille, my nephew Will, my friend Gail, Adam's dad and brother, and me. That's 31. We were missing Nathan's kids who spent the day with their mom and her fiancé. There was a football game on TV (I think), two puzzles and a game of Euchre in the dining area, a game of Scrabble and lots of conversation.

Number 12, also known as Parker, turned seven on Thanksgiving Day. We celebrated his birthday with pizza and cupcakes at our house on Wednesday night. Nate and Fille brought the kids and I was able to get some pictures of my grandchildren. It was super special to see my two four year old granddaughters play together for the first time. 

I should have thought to catch family group pictures, but maybe we'll save that for summer.

Thanksgiving 2020 and Other Musings

Sappy. That's me. Forever totally sappy. Excessively sentimental. Perhaps this okay. But maybe it stands in the way of me being emotionally healthy and whole. The thing is I'm not sure how to be anything different. Aside from recent years of numbness and being overwhelmed, I've always been excessively and deeply emotional. I try to keep a lid on it, but sometimes it leaks out. Something to work on in the coming year. Finding balance so I don't get thrown off kilter or unintentionally knock a loved one over.

I wonder what the emotions are doing deep inside my body, because how we think affects our health and well being. Most of these deep emotions start out high in my chest, just below my neck and flow outward toward my shoulders and down my arms, or up into my neck where they tie little knots in all my neck muscles. Crying helps release tension, but it has other unpleasant side effects life puffy, swollen eyes and headaches. In my imagination, long, tight hugs drain the tension and my body is able to relax. This is one reason a job with little people is so rewarding. They need hugs and so do I. It's also one reason I return to the chiropractor again and again. He hugs me. One hug can get me through the week.

Thanksgiving 2020 was unlike any Thanksgiving in my past, with the exception of one spent in Albuquerque, New Mexico in 1981. Back then I was far, far away from the only family I'd ever known, spending the holiday instead with part of the family I'd married into. Most of that day is just a blur of faded memories. What I recall most is that is hardly felt like Thanksgiving. Yesterday I was with my family, a very small portion of it, and my sweet daughter's extended family. It was a very nice day but it was hard not to let my mind wander back to the past and linger there. The rest of my local family, except for Nathan and Sabrina, were at Bethany's house with James. I chose this year to be with Hannah, who is not ready for a holiday party with her dad. Honestly, I'm not ready either. Every year I am less ready than the year previous...

So, how to live in grateful anticipation? How do I wire my brain to think positively about the future when it is so accustomed to dwelling on the past, even the good past? Memories are wonderful encouragers and great teachers, and while they can help shape the future, living in them is pointless if they aren't making a positive impact on today. *sigh* There must be some great scripture verses out there for all of this...

Today, if the weather holds, I have a "socially distanced walk" planned with my friend Myung from the pottery studio. Just a walk at Webster Park. I still have  my key to the pottery studio, even if they are in the middle of Rochester's current orange zone. One day I'll go back and maybe I will find my pottery friends there too.

Thanksgiving 2019

At this moment last Sunday feels like a millennia away even though it's been less than a week. Honestly, on the Friday following Thanksgiving, everything feels a millennia away. Friends were scheduled to visit, but early this afternoon they cancelled due to a family emergency. I had a headache and decided to drink a glass of water, take some ibuprofen, and lay down for a nap, and that's okay.

The past week has been laced with emotional episodes. God knows I can't just sit home for a day... (*cough, cough*) I'm coming to a realization here... Could it be God just wanted me to stay home today? And do nothing? Do you think He would mind if I sneak out tonight for a little while? Or should I take a melatonin and go to bed early?

Thanksgiving was loud and busy, just like one would expect when the house is full of children. We had all the best vegetable dishes (green bean casserole, candied carrots, sweet and sour red cabbage, squash, sweet potatoes) save one. There was no corn casserole this year. (Yes, I noticed.) Seven grandkids bounced about the kitchen and another, a little more grown up now, hung around to watch football with the guys. I forgot to take pictures until dinner was over and by then the kids had disappeared downstairs to the basement.

It seemed the day flew by much too fast. I ate way too much, even went off my new "eating plan" for the day, and went home uncomfortably full. (That is not my belly.)

 I did not-much-of-anything today, but I do have plans for tomorrow. Another friend is supposed to visit in the afternoon. I haven't seen her for years. Once upon a time her two year old and I were the best of friends. Now he's nineteen years old.

It's been a week of hard lessons. There have been tears, but through it all I know God is working something bigger than I can see or understand. He is good and I am thankful.

Bits and Pieces

It's late and I have to get up early again tomorrow, but it's been a week since I've posted anything so here I am.

* After not spending any time at the pottery studio for several weeks, I have now been thrice in less than one. I met a friend there on Friday evening and spent 3 hours playing with the clay I'd wedged up two weeks ago. I'm sculpting figures again. On Monday I stopped quick to uncover my work so it could dry completely, and tonight I made a return trip to play in the mud some more. My friend Myung was there again, and some other familiar faces as well. It was nice to see my friend Ginger who I haven't seen there in a very long time. In January I start a new hand building class and will make some more friends.

* I was slightly under the weather this past weekend, and after meeting my friend Laura for breakfast after church on Sunday morning, I went home to take a nap. I slept a whole 2 1/2 hours and then went to bed early to boot. I was asleep well before Idris. And then I beat him into bed again on Monday night. By Tuesday morning I was feeling all rested and well again.

*  I finished reading a book on Friday night. It took me a couple of weeks, but I can finally say I read the book I bought over a year ago and left on my shelf. It was just too much information to absorb at the time. The Body Keeps the Score is not an especially easy read, but it is full of fascinating information. I'm still digesting much of it, and starting a new book as well. Going with something different this time, but yet another book I purchased and left (mostly) unread. Desiring God by John Piper was recommended by a friend years ago. Perhaps my concentration has been off for that long...? Anyway, I am making a valiant attempt to use some of my downtime at work in a more constructive manner. While babies sleep, if they sleep, and all sleep at once, I read.

* Hannah and I took Idris down to the bay to feed the birds just before dark on Saturday evening. No bread, just a bag of canned corn. The seagulls were happy with our offering and the child was thrilled to feed the birds. I was happy to take pictures of my grandson and his mom doing what I used to do with my kids not so very long ago.

* The past couple weeks have been emotional. The book I read was difficult in ways I wasn't expecting. Although I am in a healthier spot emotionally than I was a few years back, I can still find the wind knocked out of me every once in a while. Sometimes the drive to work is teary as I continue to work through hard stuff and as I watch my family work through hard stuff as well.

* Thanksgiving is almost here. Bethany is hosting as well as Sabrina. I will be taking pumpkin pies to Beth's house and eating dinner there, and making a visit to Nate and Sabrina later in the evening. I am looking forward to the long weekend off work. Four day weekends are unheard of at the daycare, unless it's Thanksgiving, which makes Thanksgiving a little like Christmas!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Today is Thanksgiving. Last night I made pumpkin pies... I stirred up our favorite pumpkin custard filling and poured it into frozen store bought shells. It felt a little like cheating, but the effort didn't generate undue stress and the result is quite tasty. I know this because I had a slice of pie for breakfast this morning, along with a nice little cup of coffee. (I'm trying the Oreo creamer...)

This will go down as "The Year Without Salads." as for some strange and suspicious reason the entire country has been advised to trash any and all Romaine lettuce. Is this some kind of secret, concerted effort to shut down the salad industry? Is every lettuce leaf contaminated with e-coli? Is the iceberg variety launching a campaign? What will happen if I eat it anyway, and why do I need to disinfect my refrigerator? That lettuce is in a bag. Is this some kind of weird test to see just how much control the media has over our lives?  Who knows...

Bethany and Adam are hosting this year. It is sure to be delicious and I will need to find some salads to eat between now and the New Year. Oh, wait!

Thanksgiving 2017

Yesterday was Thanksgiving. The food was good and for the first time in forever, my kids did all the work, but it wasn't the kind of celebration I'd been looking forward to early in the year... I hate the brokenness but I don't know how to get back to it not being so. Will we ever be okay?

Today, when I should have been eating pumpkin pie for breakfast, I have been sick in bed. Bad headache, queasy stomach, and stuffy head. These are the days when being a coffee drinker is a curse. I made a cup of tea this morning and hoped it would prevent a caffeine headache on top of whatever it is I'm already fighting, but it is impossible to tell if it helped or not. At noon I swallowed half an Excedrin and when I am done posting my grandkid photos, I am going back to sleep.

It's an entirely gorgeous late autumn day outside. It would have been a good day for a stroll in the little strip of woods we played in a little people. Maybe I'll feel better in an hour or two and venture outside.

Thanksgiving

Ten adults, seven children, and way too much food. Why do we always think we need to double the recipe? ha ha! We have leftovers and there is pumpkin pie for morning. It was a good day, a noisy, rough and tumble Thanksgiving.

We rearranged the living room because Thanksgiving is a trial run for the following holidays. And we found that we could open up the  living room and fit everyone in one room. Maybe when Christmas comes we'll borrow Bethany's folding table and stretch it out even a little further.

The dust has settled, the chickens have gone home to roost (we let them out today for the first time since Saturday), and (most) of the dishes have been washed. Speaking of dishes, we broke out the good china today! Can't let it sit in that china cabinet forever, can we?

I'm Thankful for Family

It's the holiday season in full swing. From here to the beginning of the new year is a whole ton of craziness. Each year we are blessed with new family members, two this year.

In January it will be
my happy bloggiversary. 
(Perhaps I'll write some poetry.)

I will celebrate ten years of blogging. A whole lot has happened in that time. Lots of hellos and a few goodbyes along the way. Time is constantly changing our circles, expanding and contracting them as it races along.

2006- Two of our children were married. We had no grandchildren.
2007- We welcomed our first grandson in October 2007, Joshua Adam.
2008- At the year's end Lucas arrived, just in time for Christmas.
2009- We bid my dad farewell in September 2009.
2010- James' dad passed on in early February.
          Simon was welcomed into the family in April.
2011- In July of 2011 Aubrey Rose came to stay, our first granddaughter.
2012- Sabrina joined our family when she and Nate were married in June of 2012, and
          Beth and Adam were bless with a second son when Jacob arrived in September.
2013- Jim and Michele were married in April, and
          Austin made his debut the very last day of July 2013.
2014- Mom flew away to join Dad that February.
           Spencer James joined Nate and Sabrina in October.
This year we added two more family members...
2015- Little Jilly was born September 3 of this year (Josh and Jake were blessed with a sister), and
          we added Sergio when he and Hannah were married two weeks later on September 18.

I was blessed this morning by my Kitchen Helper who stuffed the turkey, peeled the potatoes, and helped me clean the kitchen. It was a busy several hours. Dinner was delicious and I ate too much, of course...

We had sixteen for Thanksgiving dinner, if you count the baby who didn't eat any turkey. I didn't do any fancy decorating, but I did clean the house. We used paper plates again. I've had plenty of holiday dinners where it felt like the clean up would never end. We don't own a dishwasher, so I am grateful for both paper plates and those who always lend a hand when it's time to do the dishes. Maybe one day I'll get out Grandma's china. She used to put on a fancy dinner on special occasions, but I'll probably save that for a time when there aren't quite so many little boys running through the house.

Dessert was just yummy. The pumpkin pie was perfect! I think there's even a piece left for tomorrow's breakfast. I can hardly wait.
:0)

I Miss Them Most on Holidays

I miss my mom and dad most on holidays, especially Thanksgiving and Christmas. Dad's presence always drew us together. His way was calm and encouraging, he never made fun or made us feel small or insignificant, instead he came alongside with a love and support not often seen. He showed up at family gatherings with his Bible and a prayer, leading by example, and drawing us in.

Sometimes I forget there are family members who never knew my dad. There are great grandchildren who never sat on his lap and listened to a story, who never heard him sing or watched him play his harmonica. They've missed out on knowing what it was like to have him wrap his arm around their shoulder or lift their name up in prayer, to have his encouragement in an endeavor, or a listening ear when discouraged.

And then there was Mom. I called her every day for probably ten years, driving my husband nuts every time the phone bill arrived. She always had time to take a phone call, to love me through tears and trials, to watch my children while I ran an errand, or to share a cup of tea and some face to face time. She left us slowly, and for a long time I didn't even realize she was slipping away... I missed her today. I missed her enthusiasm for baking pies, for the gathering of family, and for the little ones she would have taken such delight in 30 years ago.

I miss what is past and the tears sting, but I am so grateful for the years we had together, for the example my parents were to me, and for the hope that one day I can at least partially fill the gap they left behind.

Making Pie... Kind of

Today I frosted my "pie" cookies and I have to admit, I am pleased. Hannah helped me get the pumpkin color just right and tomorrow we will have pumpkin pie and pumpkin pie cookies. Hopefully this guarantees leftovers because we all know how yummy pumpkin pie is for breakfast the day after Thanksgiving.

These little "pies" turned out so nice that I am actually looking forward to using this method of frosting Christmas cookies. Maybe I have found an outlet for my "inner artist" after all. Now if only I can keep from feeding the monster (the cookie monster) that is also within. "Down, Monster! Down!"

On Being Thankful

I did not write multiple posts on thankfulness this year, but as I was looking through old Thanksgiving posts I found this quote, "Every holiday celebrated with my mom and dad grows more precious with the years" -November 27, 2008. How could I have known that would be our last holiday season together? The next year we would be missing my dad and I would write, "... we have bid farewell to a much loved and cherished family member this year,..." I've decided it's never going to be quite the same, but I also know that my dad will never really be too far away. All I have to do is close my eyes and he is close once again.

The Frosting On Top

 He gives snow like wool; He scatters the frost like ashes;

Psalm 147:16

We woke up to frost on Thanks- giving morning; cold and pretty. It doesn't last long, so on my way to tie out the dog and fetch the newspaper, I grabbed my camera too. The orchard across the street was filled with a smokey haze and the sun was working it's way into the sky.

There is nothing quite like early morning. Whether I am squeezing my eyes shut and snuggling back down under the covers or heading out the back door, a new day always to holds fresh treasures. Even frosted blades of grass are gifts if we just take the time to notice the beauty. I'm learning to stop, if only for a moment, and soak it in.

My list of "1000 Gifts" continues to grow. Little things like frost covered blades of grass seem almost insignificant at first glance, but shine like jewels written on the pages of my Thankful Journal. Sunshine and shadows, ripples on water, scent of lilacs, snow covered branches...

Turkey Soup

It was a different kind of Thanksgiving. My sisters were both with in-laws this November, and I think I missed my dad even more this year than last. We had a much smaller gathering, though I wouldn't say it was necessarily "quiet." I have decided that my father's was a calming presence and this is what was missing. A sense of calm will be something to pray and strive for come Christmas. All our local children made an appearance this year and our own family grows by one or two each year. This year we added Simon and Nathan's fiance, Sabrina.

Thanksgiving Soup was on the menu tonight. I have come to love my crock pot for making turkey soup and the carcass goes into it as soon as we have picked the bigger pieces of meat off the bones. Today I threw in some leftover mashed potatoes and green bean casserole, along with some baby carrots. It made a yummy supper tonight and will make a nice lunch tomorrow as well.

I am also proud to announce that even my sons are able to make wonderfully delicious pumpkin pies. Jim tried his hand at a Thanksgiving dessert this year. I guess he was watching me in the kitchen too. His friend's mother left this note on his Facebook page today, "Jim Teal makes the BEST Pumpkin Pie EVER! Glad you could come Jim!" along with this note to me, "You should be proud Martha! It came out Fantastic! I just finished the piece I hid last night! ;-)"
You have to know that made me smile.

Thanks Be to God

Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!
2 Corinthians 9:15

The turkey is in the oven and I have a moment to sit down before the fun begins in earnest. Well, before I need to finish cleaning the house and peel the potatoes anyway.

It is a day to be especially thankful, a day to make certain that we stop for a moment, count our blessing, and acknowledge the One who loves us more than anyone else ever could; One who is beside us each step of the way, and who paid the ultimate price that we might have our sins covered by the blood of Christ.

This Thanksgiving Day I am thankful for many things but one in particular comes to mind. It involves a wayward son, a mother's desperate prayer, and a near head on collision with a DOT dump truck...

Moms and Dads want nothing more that to see their children grow into successful, law abiding citizens, but sometimes our children follow a path quite the opposite of what we had hoped and dreamed. Though our situation could have been much more dire, I knew deep inside we were headed in that direction if something in our son's life didn't change. In a moment of desperation I cried out to the Lord, "Please,... ... ... do whatever it takes..." It was a frightening prayer because I knew that sometimes God uses desperate measures to reach His children.

Dave and Leta had been married for about five months when I got a teary phone call from my daughter in law. All she knew was that Dave had been in a bad accident, he was still alive, and had been taken to a hospital in Rochester, NY. It was Dave's friend, Chris, who really knew the severity of the situation and when I watched tears roll down his cheeks in the waiting room at the ER, I had to stifle the panic that wanted to well up within.

Dave had been delivering pizzas for work when he stopped to make a left-hand turn. It was a dark rainy day when on a cold, soggy stretch of highway not far from home, he was rear-ended by a pickup truck which pushed him into oncoming traffic. The on coming traffic was the DOT dump truck whose driver swerved just enough to avoid a full head-on impact that surely would have left our son dead. Miraculously, he survived the initial collision, the subsequent spinning and bouncing off the dump truck, and narrowly escaped being thrown out the passenger side window. He also walked away with seeming minor injuries which continue this day to be little reminders of God's mercy. Little did we know that he had actually fractured his C-7 (neck).

Rarely does a life change overnight or in an instant, and there was a moment when I looked heavenward and said, "God, it didn't work," but in His love God had begun a work in Dave that He wasn't about to give up on. He began to open my son's eyes to the love and grace of God, to a Savior who actually gave His life that we might live, and to Dave's own responsibility to give back to God which was rightfully His to begin with.

So, this on Thanksgiving, like several before, I am thankful for the life of my son and God's amazing mercy and grace in not only his life, but ours as well.

Winding Down or Gearing Up?

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving. I feel unprepared. I'm not sure when the panic will set in, maybe tomorrow. I do not need to make pie as that base has been covered. We will have pumpkin pie, apple pie, and blueberry pie, and a cheesecake too, I think. The turkey is waiting in the fridge... We will have eleven for dinner and a few more for dessert. Maybe panic is unnecessary...

Mine and Bethany's pie making days are coming to an end. We are winding down just in time to gear up for Christmas. Today was a baking day for Beth, and tonight I will help her deliver her Thanksgiving cache' of pastries. Next Wednesday will be lonely without her. Maybe we'll have to find another reason to be in the kitchen all day.

Today I rearranged my living room for the holidays, and probably the entire winter. We need more room for tables and guests, and Hannah would like to have a "real" Christmas tree, because she likes the smell of fresh pine branches. Christmas carols will soon fill the air and Josh will be asking to hear "Frosty the Snowman" repeatedly. Children will bounce off walls and I will be stressed about the next celebration. :) I must recall the lesson my cats taught me last year, if I can do that I will not be stressed, I will enjoy the season instead.

This year Hannah is in a Christmas play at church, there is a Christmas Tea at my brother's residence, and a Gingerbread House night at church as well. I hope to bake cookies with Emma and her mom, and watch a few Christmas videos with my kids. I am looking forward to these events and maybe, just maybe, a little bit of Christmas shopping. Mostly, I want to enjoy this special time of year and be able to share the love of our Savior in a new and different way.

Another Day Of Thanks

We shed some tears shed this Thanksgiving, but we have much to be thankful for. Though we have bid farewell to a much loved and cherished family member this year, we have new little people to love and cherish; little people who will one day carry the torch their great grandpa, my dad, has passed on to us.



I continue to be blessed by my own children and am double blessed by my grandchildren. I hope their great grandma, James' mom, will enjoy this little video of them enjoying a little music with Uncle Nate.

The Forgotten Holiday

Oh, that men would give thanks to the LORD for His goodness, And for His wonderful works to the children of men!
Psalm 107:15

Christmas trees are sprouting in the stores and loud speakers are beginning to leak holiday tunes, but somewhere in between that awful celebration of death and the wonderful promise of life is another day to remember. It's called Thanksgiving. It does not come with the same materialistic mayhem that surrounds our remembrance of Christ's birth, instead it is a day to gather with friends and family, share a feast, and recall all the blessings our Heavenly Father has bestowed upon us. Thankfulness can not be bought at the store, wrapped up in a box, or given away; it comes from deep within and therefore is difficult to market to the general public. This month I want to celebrate thankfulness.

1. Today, no surprise to you, I am thankful for my dad, a man who not only taught me about Christ, but lived out those principles before me. If only I can follow in his footsteps.

Giving Thanks

Today was Thanksgiving Day. We stuffed and roasted the turkey, peeled and mashed potatoes, warmed the rolls and forgot the cranberry sauce. It was a wonderful family day. We had our whole family, minus Jim, and my parents. Every holiday celebrated with my mom and dad grows more precious with the years. We talked, laughed and shared things we are thankful for. Beth and Adam brought a new game and we worked on the traditional holiday puzzle. Before our tummies signaled hunger, we poured the coffee and served up the pie. I will likely head upstairs to bed still full and toss and turn for a portion of the night. Yesterday felt like Saturday to me, Thanksgiving always feels like Saturday, and I have two more Saturdays ahead before Sunday comes along and sets everything straight again.

Last night we went to church and people had a chance to get up and share a moment of Thanksgiving. I thought about getting up but am still somewhat reserved and so remained in my seat. My son, Dave, got up and thanked the Lord for the opportunity to lead the junior high group at church and the blessing of God teaching him as he prepares the lessons. Had I been braver I would have gotten up and shared that I am thankful God answers prayer and not only that, but He gives encouragement along the way and keeps us trusting in Him. Years ago when my son was struggling, God brought me to my knees and showed me that He really does care personally about me, about my family, and about my son. At one particular time I was reading through the book of Psalms. Each night before I went to sleep I would read a chapter or two, but one night I was particularly tired and discouraged. I didn't feel like reading my Bible. I just wanted to go to sleep, yet I felt as though the Lord was saying, "Read, Martha. I have something special for you tonight." I opened my Bible and turned to the next chapter, Psalm 132. The very first verse says, "LORD, remember David and all his afflictions." In the midst of a mother's struggle to have faith that God would carry her son through, He gave me a verse, a promise that He hadn't forgotten my boy and courage to keep on trusting. Today I am overwhelmed by the power of prayer and a God who loves each one of us in an intimate manner. He truly is good!

See Ya Later Turkey!

This pen was full of fluttering turkeys Sunday afternoon when we came home from church. Today the pen is empty. What ever could have become of all those birds? I snapped the photo back in October when the sun was bright and the days were warm. Wherever those turkeys went, I hope it's warm... with potatoes and cranberry sauce.

Tomorrow is the big day. We'll have a turkey of our own on the table, complete with all the trimmings. I baked three pumpkin pies today and a batch of Boston brown bread. Tomorrow I shall stuff the turkey and pop it into the oven. I am looking forward to a wonderful day surrounded by my family. Mom and Dad will be here and most of our kids. I hope Jim gets a big piece of pumpkin pie tomorrow. He'll be spending Thanksgiving in Minnesota, probably with his friend Dan.

The Turkey Trot

Somewhere out there in the orchard a turkey is running for his life. Ben found his tracks coming from the orchard behind the house, up through our backyard, down the driveway, and off into the orchard across the street. This is a bad time of year to be a turkey even if they are the star of the show.

He would have been relatively safe here as we are not hunters and have never killed or plucked our own fowl... well, aside from Bethany's experience with a tough old rooster. Besides, I already have two fresh birds just waiting in my freezer downstairs.