Safety Net

Grandma Hite:  I've got you!

There is no better safety net than God and your family.  I love this picture because it says it all.  Grandma was more than willing to go exploring with you, Cade.  But she wasn't going to let you go without a little safety net - she held tight to your belt as you inched your way over the edge to check out the creek below.

As you grow up, you'll appreciate this safety net less and less then eventually you'll circle back and appreciate it more and more.  Funny how we have to go through these cycles in life.

I also felt safest with my grandparents - honestly, looking back, they were the closest thing to Super Heros in real life.  They could do anything.  They knew stuff that no one else knew.  They could build things from nothing.  They could turn a drawer of old clothes into a magical playhouse.  They could tell us stories about horse drawn buggies that would keep us seated and quiet for hours (or at least for long minutes).  They had the best jokes.  They played games with us from Monopoly and Careers to Kick the Can and Tag. 

But they ALWAYS warned us, protected us and made sure we knew their house was a safe place.  We could share our deepest secrets.  We could tell them our biggest fears.  We could cry with them and laugh with them in the same conversation.

We also knew the rules - no getting too close to the pond, no running through the upstairs of the old milk barn (there were holes in the floor that could be covered with hay until you step there), no playing with guns (ever) - they aren't toys, be careful on the roads whether crossing it or biking it, always wear a helmet on the 4-wheelers, and the list goes on.  We didn't ALWAYS like the rules but looking back I certainly understand each one of them.

Just remember that you have a long family history of safety nets.  You have grandparents, aunts, uncles, great aunts and uncles, first cousins, second cousins, parents and even a sibling to back you up, hold you up and encourage you along this journey that we call "life".

Goodbye to G-town Elementary - it's been fun!!

First day 2012-2013 - 2nd and 5th grade

  This is the last day at Gerrardstown Elementary for the Miller family.  That's sad.  I have to admit, up until about a month before Cade started school, I didn't think much about where you would go to school, who your teacher would be, whether you would get a great education, who would be in your class, etc.  I started to panic right before Cade started school.  After I settled myself down, I prayed (a lot).  And my prayers were answered in a big way because Gerrardstown Elementary was WONDERFUL in so many ways.  Mr McBee is great, he is encouraging and very friendly.  It was because of him that Cade felt he wanted to someday become a principle and dressed as one each year for career day.  Mr McBee was quick to pick up on Addy's smile and love of life.  He commented often on how he loved that smile each morning and hated to see her move on to Mountain Ridge. 

 

And then there was Mrs Stephens and Mrs Collis - they made kindergarten a HUGE success for all of us.  They were so perfect for both of you and I instantly knew we were right where we were supposed to be!! 

 

The list is long but Mrs Randolph (the nurse) needs to be called out as well, she has been a huge blessing to me as a working mom and someone that can't always be there exactly when you need me - she has called to let me know you aren't feeling well, she has sent me pictures throughout the day of your smiling faces, she has cheered you on when I wasn't there to cheer myself and the list goes on. 

 

Then of course we love Mr Bowers (gym teacher) - he may not be a Steelers Fan (right Addy?) but he is a Penguins fan!!  Ms Allen (computer teacher) what a sweet and encouraging lady!!  Mrs Keys (the secretary) rocks!  Mrs Marchase (Cade's first grade teacher), Mrs Neely (Addy's first grade teacher and FAVORITE teacher of all times), Mrs Ellers (Cade's second grade teacher) and Mrs Brooke (Addy's second grade teacher).  Then comes all of the great friendships that you have developed over the years and the parents of these children.  We live in a wonderful community.  There are plenty of "bad" eggs all over the place, but I feel that we have been surrounded by some amazing people and I pray that we can be a blessing to them just like they are to us!!

 

Thank you God for these people, the lives that have blessed us and the lives that we have a chance to bless.  Thank you for guiding us (without us even knowing it) to a place where our kids can grow up and form relationships with other Christian children to continue to do your work here on Earth.  As I dropped the kids off today for their last day of school they both said - I wish this wasn't the last day, I'm going to miss my friends and school this summer.  That's amazing - thank you God!!!

Addy and Mr. Bowers at Field Day

Addy, Jayson, Rebekah, and Jacob at Field Day!!

 

Times of Tragedy

The country has been going through some tough times recently - a bombing at the Boston Marathon and a large tornado that tore through Oklahoma.  Some of these tragedies are "man caused" and it's really hard to understand how one human could do this to another human.  Other times they are "Acts of Nature".  This doesn't make it any easier - why would God allow this to happen.  I don't have all the answers and it's much easier to sit where I'm sitting then were the victums parents, siblings, etc are sitting.  However, I beleive with all my heart that God has a plan for the good and the bad things that happen to us - we may not understand it but we don't need to, we need to have faith.

I read this in a devotional and I'm holding on to it.  I hope that it can someday be helpful to you too.  We need to stand when our "brothers and sisters" can't.  Shine your lights!!


One

Mary Luti
If one part suffers, all the parts suffer with it; if one part is honored, all the parts share its joy. - 1 Corinthians 16: 26 

If you pray, pray more than ever today, for many people in the town of Moore are unable to utter a single word to God in their shock and sorrow. Their hearts are locked down today. Your prayer may be the prayer they would say if they could.

If you cling to God, cling more than ever today, for the trust of some people in Moore is as shattered as flattened schools and the bodies of children. Their arms are limp today. Your clinging might be the clinging they would do if they could.

If you hope, hope more than ever today, for some people in Moore are wondering with Job why they were ever born and whether life can be good again. Their eyes cannot find the horizon today. Your hope may be the light they would see if they could.

If you love, love more than ever today, for many in Moore have nothing left but each other. They have only their love for each other. Love, the great survivor, is all that remains to them. Enrich, strengthen, and sweeten it with your own. It will return to you when you need it most. We are one body.

Puberty - oh boy!

God love you Cade!

So you just watched your 5th grade puberty movie in school.  On the way home from baseball one night it was just you and I in the car. 

Mom:  How was the movie the other day?

Cade:  It was ok......they just told us to shower, use deodorant, stay clean and...(trailing off) we'll get hair.

Mom:  Oh really.

Cade:  Oh yeah, and MOM...  It's called a Penis - not a Pee Bug (in a very disturbed voice)!

Mom: (turning to look out the side window and now laugh) I know Bud, that's just what we called it when you were little.

Cade:  Next year I have to watch the sex movie

Mom:  Oh!

Cade:  Yeah, I thought that meant pretty.

Mom:  (puzzled) what do you mean.

Cade:  Sexy means pretty, right?

Mom: sort of

Cade:  Yeah well Dad told me that's how babies are made - that's about all I want to know about that. (putting his hand up at me)

HA!  I love you son.  And I'm fine with you waiting until your 18 to know more about that one.  :)

Keep that innocence about you - that's what makes you YOU!

Duck Dynasty

So currently our favorite family TV time is watching Duck Dynasty.  They might be rich rednecks but they are good people.  They value family, they help one another, they drive each other crazy by times but they love each other always and they always stop to thank God for their blessings.

Life appears to be about so many things - by times our focus is school or sports or yard work or laundry but always make sure that's just a temporary focus and that our ultimate focus is always that we are living here in God's earth, doing God's work with God's things.  Respect what you have, be quick to forgive, and always look to do God's works by serving others with a happy heart.

Whenever possible be - Happy, Happy, Happy! (per Phil Robertson)

and remember I.....

The Crossover

So this weekend, Cade, you are camping out with Dad and the cub scouts/boy scouts at Mr Neil's place.  You've done this now for 5 years, but this one is different.  Tomorrow night you'll 'crossover' from a cub scout to a boy scout. 

Daddy has done a terrific job of keeping the den going, ever since your second year, he has been your leader.  You've made great friends in the Leaks (Brian, Justin, Jacob, Josh, and Jenny), the Duers, Kyle and his family and the list goes on. 

 

You attended Camps, made pinewood derby cars, made cakes to be auctioned, dutifully place flags on graves, collected food, carried the colors, learned your pledge, earned pins and belt loops, went fishing, went hiking, tied knots and volunteered by planting trees - just to name a few.

Some days daddy and I complained about scouts, but you always claimed that was the one thing you didn't want to quit when our scheduled seemed too full.  You were a fan!  You loved the activities and the outdoors (maybe not so much the 10 mile hike).  You were a born cub scout just like your daddy was when he was your age.

Always remember the things you learned in scouts - there are some wonderful lessons there!!!

Love ya bud!!




Added after the crossover camp out -

You've come a long way kid!!! 

Finally springtime - life is good!

Today I am reminded how much I love watching the two of you play sports.  You might not be the star of the team (or maybe you are) but when I am cheering you on (win or lose) I feel like the proudest momma in the ballpark!!

Cade is a Met this year in Little League baseball.  Playing with Coach Brian Klepner, Noah Wright, Jake Rife, Cole Klepner, Davon Mosby, Bocca and others.

Addy is a Panther this year in softball.  Playing with Coach Tracy, Coach Kelly and Coach Daddy - Rebecca Busey, MK Morris, Katelyn and others.

Last week was opening week and I froze my butt off to sit there and cheer, but I was happy doing it (most of the time until the wind blew REALLY hard then I cried a few tears).  This week the temps are in the 70s, the sun is shining and I can't wait throughout the work day to get to the fields and take my seat among the parents to cheer, cheer, cheer!!

I'm learning (slowly) to relax.  Enjoy the little things, like a good baseball/softball game and not stress (too much) about the current affairs of our house or whether our yard is mowed to perfection (or even in the last two weeks).  It's fun being a family!!  It's fun reliving my sports days through the two of you.  It's fun watching you hit the ball and run with wide eyes because you just surprised yourself with the hit!!  It's fun watching you high five your teammates - they will be your friends for a long time, they will have your back when you need them, they will encourage you, and lift you up when you are having a bad game. 

Always be the team member that supports EVERY single person on the team.  Whether you like them or not, whether they are good or not, whether they are cocky or kind, whether they want it or not - encourage them!!!  Tell them good job even if it's their 5th homerun of the game. 

Always be a good sport.  You can get upset with yourself if you didn't give it your all, if you made a dumb mistake or just weren't thinking clearly but if you did your best and came up short - don't get mad, get determined to do better next time!!

Don't expect others to make you better.  Only YOU can work harder, play tougher and give it a little more.  Looking back, I have regrets in sports where I could have played harder and given more.  If I could give you one thing it would be a crystal ball into the future so you didn't make the mistakes that I made.

And always remember - Excuses are the nails that built the house of failure (per Coach Brian Horner).

Love you guys - Play hard and have fun doing it!!