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Monday, November 24, 2008
What a great service for Papa Ed.
Words can't describe how lucky I feel to have been part of his life. I only knew him a little over 8 short years. In that time I grew to love him as my own Papa Ed! He was one of my most favorite people in this world. My boys adored him and he will be missed. I'm glad I married Kyle just so I could have him as a grandpa! ;)
Papa retired from the Arlington Police Department as Deputy Chief. They sent the motor guys to our house to escort us. I really didn't think much about, and then they showed up. Through the tears, I saw the proud and honored look on Mama Jean's face and knew right then how much it meant to her.. and how proud Papa would have been. I felt so proud of Papa.
Here they are leading our family to the church.
The service was wonderful, sad, but only for us left behind. Arlington PD had two guys stand at the casket until services started. Our pastor was in Mexico on a mission trip but came home early to speak. I am so grateful to him. And to the Chaplin of the APD, too! He came to speak a few words on Papa's behalf. I found him to be rather funny and very friendly! Then, as the service came to an end the officers came back out. They folded the flag on the casket and gave it to Mama Jean. Kyle made a wonderful slideshow. If you want to watch it click HERE.
Here they are again getting ready to lead Papa Ed's car back to Arlington where he was buried. Even though we didn't go, they still escorted him back.
Leaving town.
I want to thank my family and friends for all the calls, prayers, food, flowers, hugs and tears!
Papa retired from the Arlington Police Department as Deputy Chief. They sent the motor guys to our house to escort us. I really didn't think much about, and then they showed up. Through the tears, I saw the proud and honored look on Mama Jean's face and knew right then how much it meant to her.. and how proud Papa would have been. I felt so proud of Papa.
Here they are leading our family to the church.
The service was wonderful, sad, but only for us left behind. Arlington PD had two guys stand at the casket until services started. Our pastor was in Mexico on a mission trip but came home early to speak. I am so grateful to him. And to the Chaplin of the APD, too! He came to speak a few words on Papa's behalf. I found him to be rather funny and very friendly! Then, as the service came to an end the officers came back out. They folded the flag on the casket and gave it to Mama Jean. Kyle made a wonderful slideshow. If you want to watch it click HERE.
Here they are again getting ready to lead Papa Ed's car back to Arlington where he was buried. Even though we didn't go, they still escorted him back.
Leaving town.
I want to thank my family and friends for all the calls, prayers, food, flowers, hugs and tears!
Thursday, November 13, 2008
What's this??? and my chickenpox heads..
A girl?? We don't know about those in our house just yet. About 11ish more years, right? Haha
This is Natalie. She's a little girl we go to church with. Her momma is having another baby, and we got to spend some time with Nat while her mom and dad went to the doctor. She is precious and quiet...until you get her on a car. Then she comes to life. She wanted to do everything the boys were doing. We have this huge sand pile where the swimming pool was, and they were all playing in it. I didn't care about the boys getting all dirty, but it was hard to let her. Probably because she wasn't mine to let get dirty. I knew her parents were on their way back to get her, and she would have to ride in the car. But, she was cute with her hair all done up with pretty little bows.
I walked down to the mail box pushing Natalie in this car and the boys rode the Gator. Joel wanted to help me push the little red car though. Didn't take long before he decided he had enough and back in the car he rode. What a fun time they had with her!
Our bathroom tub had a leak. Kyle fixed it like he knew what he was doing. I was so proud! One of the pipes had a bad fitting, and leaked for about 24 hours. It soaked our bedroom floor. It's kind of a blessing because we wanted to ripe the carpet out anyhow. This just helped us do it faster!! Anyhow- about my chickenpox heads, the boys were running and playing.. no big deal, they are good at entertaining themselves. Ha! Well, "My Three Sons" found a red marker and decided to draw all over each other. Johnny wrote his name on Joel's belly.
Here is Kyle and his dad getting the gun safe out, and you can see the soaked carpet just before he pulled it up. I can't wait to get our new floor put in. We are putting laminate in this time. Yay for no more carpet! I can't stand carpet. I think it's nasty. Especially with dogs in the house. And- as soon as we get all of the funiture put back in the bedroom we will start on the living room!!
Johnny likes it, too. He now calls it his drawing room. He's drawing "Johnny Hockey Griffin Star." haha I don't know, but it's cute!
Monday, November 10, 2008
Lessons in life.. Good story!
I got this email today and wanted to share it with y'all. We never know what's going on in peoples lives around us. I always try to stop and think about that.. like when I'm out some where and get crappy service at a restaurant (like I ever get to eat out!) or especially at the grocery store.
This is one reason I love doing Mary Kay. It gives me a chance to talk to women that I normally wouldn't say anything to. I've found a couple of really good friends already.. and look forward to many more. I truly love all the people God has put in my life.. family, friends and customers. Ok, off of my soap box. Now read....
As she stood in front of her 5th grade class on the very first day of school, she told the children an untruth. Like most teachers, she looked at her students and said that she loved them all the same. However, that was impossible, because there in the front row, slumped in his seat, was a little boy named Teddy Stoddard
Mrs. Thompson had watched Teddy the year before and noticed that he did not play well with the other children, that his clothes were messy and that he constantly needed a bath In addition, Teddy could be unpleasant. It got to the point where Mrs. Thompson would actually take delight in marking his papers with a broad red pen, making bold X's and then putting a big 'F' at the top of his papers.
At the school where Mrs. Thompson taught, she was required to review each child's past records and she put Teddy's off until last. However, when she reviewed his file, she was in for a surprise.
Teddy's first grade teacher wrote, 'Teddy is a bright child with a ready laugh. He does his work neatly and has good manners... he is a joy to be around..'
His second grade teacher wrote, 'Teddy is an excellent student, well liked by his classmates, but he is troubled because his mother has a terminal illness and life at home must be a struggle.'
His third grade teacher wrote, 'His mother's death has been hard on him. He tries to do his best, but his father doesn't show much interest, and his home life will soon affect him if some steps aren't taken.'
Teddy's fourth grade teacher wrote, 'Teddy is withdrawn and doesn't show much interest in school. He doesn't have many friends and he sometimes sleeps in class.'
By now, Mrs. Thompson realized the problem and she was ashamed of herself. She felt even worse when her students brought her Christmas presents, wrapped in beautiful ribbons and bright paper, except for Teddy's. His present was clumsily wrapped in the heavy, brown paper that he got from a grocery bag. Mrs. Thompson took pains to open it in the middle of the other presents. Some of the children started to laugh when she found a rhinestone bracelet with some of the stones missing, and a bottle that was one-quarter full of perfume. But she stifled the children's laughter when she exclaimed how pretty the bracelet was, putting it on, and dabbing some of the perfume on her wrist. Teddy Stoddard stayed after school that day just long enough to say, 'Mrs. Thompson, today you smelled just like my Mom used to.'
After the children left, she cried for at least an hour. On that very day, she quit teaching reading, writing and arithmetic. Instead, she began to teach children. Mrs. Thompson paid particular attention to Teddy. As she worked with him, his mind seemed to come alive. The more she encouraged him, the faster he responded. By the end of the year, Teddy had become one of the smartest children in the class and, despite her lie that she would love all the children the same, Teddy became one of her 'teacher's pets..'
A year later, she found a note under her door, from Teddy, telling her that she was the best teacher he ever had in his whole life.
Six years went by before she got another note from Teddy. He then wrote that he had finished high school, third in his class, and she was still the best teacher he ever had in life.
Four years after that, she got another letter, saying that while things had been tough at times, he'd stayed in school, had stuck with it, and would soon graduate from college with the highest of honors. He assured Mrs. Thompson that she was still the best and favorite teacher he had ever had in his whole life.
Then four more years passed and yet another letter came. This time he explained that after he got his bachelor's degree, he decided to go a little further. The letter explained that she was still the best and favorite teacher he ever had. But now his name was a little longer.... The letter was signed, Theodore F. Stoddard, MD.
The story does not end there. You see, there was yet another letter that spring. Teddy said he had met this girl and was going to be married. He explained that his father had died a couple of years ago and he was wondering if Mrs. Thompson might agree to sit at the wedding in the place that was usually reserved for the mother of the groom. Of course, Mrs. Thompson did. And guess what? She wore that bracelet, the one with several rhinestones missing. Moreover, she made sure she was wearing the perfume that Teddy remembered his mother wearing on their last Christmas together.
They hugged each other, and Dr. Stoddard whispered in Mrs. Thompson's ear, 'Thank you Mrs. Thompson for believing in me. Thank you so much for making me feel important and showing me that I could make a difference.'
Mrs. Thompson, with tears in her eyes, whispered back. She said, 'Teddy, you have it all wrong. You were the one who taught me that I could make a difference. I didn't know how to teach until I met you.'
(For you that don't know, Teddy Stoddard is the Doctor at Iowa Methodist in Des Moines that has the Stoddard Cancer Wing.)
Warm someone's heart today. . . pass this along. I love this story so very much, I cry every time I read it. Just try to make a difference in someone's life today? tomorrow? just 'do it'.
Random acts of kindness, I think they call it!
'Believe in Angels, then return the favor'
This is one reason I love doing Mary Kay. It gives me a chance to talk to women that I normally wouldn't say anything to. I've found a couple of really good friends already.. and look forward to many more. I truly love all the people God has put in my life.. family, friends and customers. Ok, off of my soap box. Now read....
As she stood in front of her 5th grade class on the very first day of school, she told the children an untruth. Like most teachers, she looked at her students and said that she loved them all the same. However, that was impossible, because there in the front row, slumped in his seat, was a little boy named Teddy Stoddard
Mrs. Thompson had watched Teddy the year before and noticed that he did not play well with the other children, that his clothes were messy and that he constantly needed a bath In addition, Teddy could be unpleasant. It got to the point where Mrs. Thompson would actually take delight in marking his papers with a broad red pen, making bold X's and then putting a big 'F' at the top of his papers.
At the school where Mrs. Thompson taught, she was required to review each child's past records and she put Teddy's off until last. However, when she reviewed his file, she was in for a surprise.
Teddy's first grade teacher wrote, 'Teddy is a bright child with a ready laugh. He does his work neatly and has good manners... he is a joy to be around..'
His second grade teacher wrote, 'Teddy is an excellent student, well liked by his classmates, but he is troubled because his mother has a terminal illness and life at home must be a struggle.'
His third grade teacher wrote, 'His mother's death has been hard on him. He tries to do his best, but his father doesn't show much interest, and his home life will soon affect him if some steps aren't taken.'
Teddy's fourth grade teacher wrote, 'Teddy is withdrawn and doesn't show much interest in school. He doesn't have many friends and he sometimes sleeps in class.'
By now, Mrs. Thompson realized the problem and she was ashamed of herself. She felt even worse when her students brought her Christmas presents, wrapped in beautiful ribbons and bright paper, except for Teddy's. His present was clumsily wrapped in the heavy, brown paper that he got from a grocery bag. Mrs. Thompson took pains to open it in the middle of the other presents. Some of the children started to laugh when she found a rhinestone bracelet with some of the stones missing, and a bottle that was one-quarter full of perfume. But she stifled the children's laughter when she exclaimed how pretty the bracelet was, putting it on, and dabbing some of the perfume on her wrist. Teddy Stoddard stayed after school that day just long enough to say, 'Mrs. Thompson, today you smelled just like my Mom used to.'
After the children left, she cried for at least an hour. On that very day, she quit teaching reading, writing and arithmetic. Instead, she began to teach children. Mrs. Thompson paid particular attention to Teddy. As she worked with him, his mind seemed to come alive. The more she encouraged him, the faster he responded. By the end of the year, Teddy had become one of the smartest children in the class and, despite her lie that she would love all the children the same, Teddy became one of her 'teacher's pets..'
A year later, she found a note under her door, from Teddy, telling her that she was the best teacher he ever had in his whole life.
Six years went by before she got another note from Teddy. He then wrote that he had finished high school, third in his class, and she was still the best teacher he ever had in life.
Four years after that, she got another letter, saying that while things had been tough at times, he'd stayed in school, had stuck with it, and would soon graduate from college with the highest of honors. He assured Mrs. Thompson that she was still the best and favorite teacher he had ever had in his whole life.
Then four more years passed and yet another letter came. This time he explained that after he got his bachelor's degree, he decided to go a little further. The letter explained that she was still the best and favorite teacher he ever had. But now his name was a little longer.... The letter was signed, Theodore F. Stoddard, MD.
The story does not end there. You see, there was yet another letter that spring. Teddy said he had met this girl and was going to be married. He explained that his father had died a couple of years ago and he was wondering if Mrs. Thompson might agree to sit at the wedding in the place that was usually reserved for the mother of the groom. Of course, Mrs. Thompson did. And guess what? She wore that bracelet, the one with several rhinestones missing. Moreover, she made sure she was wearing the perfume that Teddy remembered his mother wearing on their last Christmas together.
They hugged each other, and Dr. Stoddard whispered in Mrs. Thompson's ear, 'Thank you Mrs. Thompson for believing in me. Thank you so much for making me feel important and showing me that I could make a difference.'
Mrs. Thompson, with tears in her eyes, whispered back. She said, 'Teddy, you have it all wrong. You were the one who taught me that I could make a difference. I didn't know how to teach until I met you.'
(For you that don't know, Teddy Stoddard is the Doctor at Iowa Methodist in Des Moines that has the Stoddard Cancer Wing.)
Warm someone's heart today. . . pass this along. I love this story so very much, I cry every time I read it. Just try to make a difference in someone's life today? tomorrow? just 'do it'.
Random acts of kindness, I think they call it!
'Believe in Angels, then return the favor'
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Our Halloween
Kyle's parents and my dad came out to join us... we had such a good time. We went trick-or-treating in town. All the shop owners sit outside and pass out candy. I love how they do it. No door to door knocking junk. And- I got to see lots of my friends out there, too! Sure wish their cousins could have been with them. That's what happens when I don't ask though, right? My handsome little guys were so excited to be getting so much candy. Not that we let them eat it, but they don't know that. We don't keep much candy around, so when the actually get it they want to eat as much as they can shove in. Especially Joel!! Thanks to Mama Jean and Papa Ed for all the Reese's butter cups.
To see the rest of our Halloween pictures click here!
My MARVEL HEROES!
To see the rest of our Halloween pictures click here!
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
Fulfilled by the strong women in my life!
What a good day! I am finally home. I took Johnny to school, Justin to PDO, and then back home just long enough to get a roast in the crock pot. Back out the door to the ladies bible study. Man, I love that group of women! I had lunch with a couple of friends after that. Then, it was back to get the boys from PDO and school. I voted early so I didn't have to worry with that today!
The boys and I have been walking to the mail box everyday after school. I used to stop and pick it up, but thought this would be fun for the boys. They ride their Gator (Justin's birthday present) while I walk behind them. That thing moves on.. let me tell ya. I should have started walking sooner!
Joel and Justin fight over who get to ride in the back. Justin is too sweet and lets Joel.. most of the time.
Fishing with Papa Ed! We have been spending as much time as we can with him. The boys are kind of hard on him.. as you can see. Haha He loves it though.
The boys and I have been walking to the mail box everyday after school. I used to stop and pick it up, but thought this would be fun for the boys. They ride their Gator (Justin's birthday present) while I walk behind them. That thing moves on.. let me tell ya. I should have started walking sooner!
Joel and Justin fight over who get to ride in the back. Justin is too sweet and lets Joel.. most of the time.
Fishing with Papa Ed! We have been spending as much time as we can with him. The boys are kind of hard on him.. as you can see. Haha He loves it though.
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