Another Set Of First Steps

When Anna was a baby, we thought she would never walk.

She didn't take her first step until she was almost a year old.

And she was not completely walking until the week of her first birthday.

Rob and I were both thrilled when she took off after a toy car 

(RC Car from Toy Story to be exact) that Rob had pushed 

across the living room hardwood floor in our very first parsonage.

She chased and caught that car over and over that night.

We could not stop smiling as we watched.

Today, I was smiling as I watched my Anna take another set of first steps.

Today, my Anna registered for her first year of college.

She just so happens to be attending one of the 3 colleges I attended.

I am very proud of her.

And, just as Rob and I were thrilled many years ago 

when Anna started walking so she could chase and catch the toy car,

I was just as thrilled today as she took the first steps to 

chasing and catching the dreams before her now. 

I know her father would be thrilled too.

My Daddy Is 73 Today

My daddy is 73 today.

He has always been my hero.

When I was between 9 months and 3 years old, my dad was the preacher at a very small church in a very small mountain town.  In fact, my dad was sent there to see if he, or God through him, could keep the church from closing.

While serving that church, my dad also worked full-time at a lumber mill in order to take care of his family of 5.

My first cognitive memory is being in my crib and seeing my daddy coming to "rescue" me from my confinement when he got home from work (I was the youngest of 3 children born in 4 years and I slept in my crib until after age 3).  In my memory, I can still see Daddy's face light up with a great big smile as he was coming toward me.  I do not remember what he said, if anything, as he picked me up out of the crib but I distinctly remember me reaching out for him and I distinctly remember being picked up and hugged.

That's my first memory.

It's a great first memory to have.

It's a memory I have thought of often over the last few years as I've had to literally 

lift him up so many times 

(when he had his toe amputation and when he broke his pelvic bone and arm). 

It's a memory I have thought of often in the last few years as the 

caretaker position has come full-circle.

But even though the caretaker position is me taking care of him now,

my daddy will always be my hero.

Happy Birthday Daddy!

I love you!

Always have!  Always will!

Closing Bell

My sister's husband, Dr. Scot Huber, is a scientist (organic chemist).

His company is Scynexis.

We got home from vacation today

just in time to see this.

Scot's company got to ring the closing bell 

at the NASDAQ stock exchange today!

I have always been proud of my

brother-in-law.

When I taught school, he came to my classroom and showed my students how "chemical reactions" can do all kinds of things - like make silly string.

When I was a preacher's wife and our church was doing a Vacation Bible School that was science themed, Scot came and showed the kids how "chemical reactions" can make things "explode."

Scot has always been a supportive brother-in-law and a terrific uncle.

And today, it was fun to watch him (via live-stream) 

as he took part in his company's moment in the spotlight!

Casey Paige - 18

Happy 18th Birthday Casey Paige!

Since I very first knew your mom (my 1st cousin) was expecting you,

I was looking forward to knowing you.

And I was also looking forward to providing you with a playmate in our family.

You see, I knew that Rob and I were planning our first child together then as well.

I didn't tell your mom that or anyone else for that matter.

God indeed did bless Rob and me with that new little life we had hoped for 

and my Anna is only 3 months younger than you.

This is the first time I ever saw you.  

You're in your dad's lap here and, 

of course I took a photo as soon as I walked in the hospital room.

This is the first time I ever held you and if you look closely, that's Rob in the corner 

videoing so I guess somewhere in my archives of movies, there's some video of you!  

It's also the first photo of you and Anna, I suppose, 

since I was 6 months pregnant with her in this photo.

I was very happy to get to meet you and to start getting to know you!

This is at my baby shower in our parsonage.  Aren't you and "Anna" so cute?

For all of your 18 years, I have tried to stay close to you.

Even when we lived 4 1/2 hours away, I would come and bring my children 

to your birthday parties

and we would visit as often as we could.

Your mom would come to visit us too.

I have been to every one of your parties except one

(and that just couldn't be helped)

but I made sure Anna was there.

I enjoyed watching you being a drum major.

I have enjoyed supporting you in every way I could.

I have loved watching you grow,

especially in your relationship with God.

That makes me smile.

So today, I was thankful I got to be there for this.

Your 18th birthday.

I can definitely say that I have enjoyed 

knowing and loving you over the last 18 years and 

I look forward to seeing where God takes you in your world.

You are a great young woman and I know God has great plans for you!

I look forward to watching it all unfold!

I love you, Casey Paige!

Always have! Always will!

  

Bryan and Jenny

Rob's brother, Bryan, married his Jenny on June 21st.

They were married on the 10th anniversary of the day Rob asked me to marry him.

So even if I don't get a card in the mail on time (like this year),

I never forget their anniversary.

I don't know if we said it out loud to anyone else on their wedding day or not but Rob and I joked all day long that day that Bryan and Jenny were throwing a big party to celebrate the 10th anniversary of Rob's proposal and my saying yes.  

Silly, I know, but that was my Rob.  And it makes me smile.

The day was a fun day.

Bryan and Jenny were so happy.

Rob officiated.

And they had the cutest little flower girl ever! 

My Anna

(who lost a tooth the night before).

Happy Anniversary Bryan and Jenny!