Monday, July 9, 2012

MONDAY MORNING MUSINGS


Well here we are, close to half way into July, summer in full swing all around us, and I find myself as Sonja at Bits and Pieces said this morning in her wonderful post, STUCK...

There are soo many things going on in this head of mine this morning, and in this season of my life, that I honestly don't know if I could explain them all if I tried.  I guess I am going to try to as "maybe" that might help me sort it all out.

My house is FINALLY all ready for my mom.  Every cupboard and drawer has been sorted through (not that this was necessary totally, just felt like I needed to) LOTS and LOTS of "stuff" has been gotten rid of, passed on, or even sold.  A lot of this should have been done when we moved here two years ago, but my physical and emotional state at the time honestly just kept me from it.  But I have managed now (do to mainly my wonderful hubby) to clean it all out and make the necessary room.  I think (if all goes as planned) my sons will move her things over on Sat. and this new life will finally begin.  My head is all over the place just on this issue alone as I know I don't even have to explain to any of you.  There is just something so humbling and overwhelming to watch your mother age to the point that this is necessary, and at the same time, makes you face the fact that you too are not getting any younger, and that someday you too will find yourself in the position of needing assistance from your kids.  That is if you are blessed with enough years on this earth for that to be necessary.

Our 4th of July was a nice one, but different for us in that we didn't even watch any fireworks, haha.  May have been a first.  My oldest sons wife Leah, celebrated her birthday on the second of July, and I wanted to spend some time with just her.  She is the mother to 5 children, works full time, and is a gal with MUCH on her plate to deal with everyday.  So on the 4th, hubby and I headed over to their house and she and I took off for a little "girl" time.  We went to lunch and spent close to two hours in uninterrupted conversation.  How wonderful it was.  I have this horrible feeling I may have dominated the conversation as soo much has been going on with me and I just needed to talk it all out.  Leah has the wonderful gift of being able to listen and encourage, and the time quickly went by.  Afterwards we went to the movies where we relaxed and escaped for a while to a world of make believe.  Then we came back to their house and I spent a little time with my grands.  Hubby had enjoyed himself with my son and the kids while we were gone.  After that they were headed up to the mountains to enjoy fireworks at the Lake Arrowhead with my sisters daughter and her little family, and hubby and I headed home.  We bbq'd some steaks, and together with some corn on the cob and watermelon, had a tasty little dinner.  We were going to sit out on our porch and enjoy the fireworks from Disneyland as we can see from there, but I will confess I dozed off and hubby couldn't bear to wake me up.  Sooo another 4th has come and gone, and while it was definitely different, it was good.

My daughter and her little family and my youngest son and his spent all last week in New Jersey at Ocean City at the beach.  They were able to share a little beach house there, right on the board walk.  Larissa grew up in New Jersey, so my son's family has vacationed there before, and she has all the inside scoops on what to do, where to go, the best foods etc.   How I would have loved to join them.  But between facebook updates, and pics and little videos my daughter sent me I felt like I was kind of there with them all.  I can't explain to you all how pleased it makes me that they all got this time together.  I want my kids to stay connected and close and the cousins to grow up together making memories.  Of course I will now share some darling little pics of them all....

LARISSA WAS A BRAVE GIRL AND WENT WITH ALL THE KIDS BY HERSELF AS SHE LEFT WHEN JAMES WENT TO ISRAEL, AND HE JOINED THEM LATER 

SUCH A PRETTY PICTURE OF LARISSA

THEIR BEACH HOUSE HAD AN AWESOME FRONT PORCH

SWEET CAPRI

SAM LOVED THE WHOLE THING...A DEFINITE BEACH BABY

COUSINS ENJOYING SOME MICKEY MOUSE

4TH OF JULY BOY!

GRANDMA'S SWEET BABIES...LOVED SAM' HATS

SWEETIE

THE WAY TO RIDE THE BOARDWALK

HAPPY BOY

THE WAY THE GIRLS ROLLED

LOVE JD

BEACH BABY

REALLY MOM??  HAHA

HE LOVED THE FIREWORKS

ALWAYS SMILING

ENJOYING UNCLE JAMES


JAMES'S FAMILY....LOOKS LIKE JD WASN'T FEELING THE PICTURE TIME, HAHA

TELLA ENJOYING THE FIREWORKS

HOW CUTE IS HE?

LOVE THIS

HIS SHIRT SAID CRABBY, BUT CUTE!  HAHA

GIANT WATER PARK TOO

LOVE THIS

SWEET DONATELLLA

HERE I GO....

THE WHOLE PACK

LOVE THIS!

TELLA DOZING FLYING HOME,,..SWEET GIRL

Sorry for those of you still with me...I know it was a lot of pictures.  This is the way I am keeping pictures though now, rather than printing a bunch where I have no where to store them.  They are all in my blog books.  I guess I never really did get into why I am "stuck", but it will have to wait for another time.  I have a busy week coming up with appointments for me and my mom so my blog posting time will probably be less and less.  I will be visiting with you all as much as ever though, but I might have to nip my comments down a bit too, haha.  Hope you all have a good week.

17 comments:

  1. Oh Debbie, I loved each and every one of your precious photos! Sam is too cute but so are your other grandchildren and kids. What a blessing for them to get together and enjoy the beach.

    I remember when my mom was beginning to decline in health. It was such a hard time. So I do understand. You are awesome to make room in your home and to have your husband's support in this too.

    Blessings and love,
    Debbie

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  3. Oh boy, Debbie, do I ever get it. I am so impressed with your willingness, with your hubby's support, to take on this responsibility. I hope that you'll very much enjoy time with your mother...my time with mine was so short, but I loved it...and also that you will keep a life separate from that caregiving aspect. You need to get out and do things just as you always have. Hope that your mother has friends who'll get her out and about, too. I'll be thinking of you and praying that God will work out everything. I'm sure that your mom is experiencing some trepidation, too. God bless you all!

    Your grands are precious. Nothing like a grand-loving grandmother.☺

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  4. Sorry about that first comment...too many typos and I hadn't mentioned your grands!

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  5. Dear Debbie, I agree with everyone above, what a wonderful daughter you are-such an example of love poured out. Loved seeing all the kids, I can't believe how big Sam is getting. Donatella is sporting quite the tan. They all looked like they had a great time.
    Hugs today.
    Noreen

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  6. Your pictures are wonderful, Debbie. So many expressions captured.

    May you be blessed abundantly during this new season of life, caring for your mom.

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  7. You have been on my mind so much and I have thought about you getting ready for your Mom to move it. I imagine lots of things are going through your mind. I do think about what it might be like someday if it is me.
    I guess we have that time now to work on it do you think?
    I loved all of the pictures and you have such a beautiful family. I enjoy all of them so don't ever feel bad about it.
    Hang in there you are doing a hard thing but I think a Godly thing.
    Bless you Debbie

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  8. The pictures were beautiful Debbie! I really enjoyed them. I'm glad everything is ready for your mom. I pray she will be blessed to be with you!

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  9. Such great stuff here!! Family is everything!
    Hugs,
    Kris

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  10. Oh Deb, all of these life changes are just so strange, and thought provoking, aren't they? I can't believe it was two years ago already that you moved. My my my. How wonderful a testimony it is that you and your hubby are taking in your Mom. Mothers pour themselves out investing in their children, and it is just so heartwarming when children are there to help them. I will be praying for her transition, and for you. You will be greatly blessed, and rewarded in heaven for honoring her.

    All of the photos are so good. My Mom and Dad really wanted me and my 5 siblings to stay close, so they started having family reunions every other year. We didn't have one last year or this year for economic reasons, but will have one next year, and we all can't wait. Til then, FB and occasional visits work!

    You are a blessed woman, Deb. You have such a beautiful family. Just remember that God will supply all you need to accomplish all that He has for you and yours. :o)

    I don't know why you're feeling stuck, but I know that feeling and will be praying for that as well.

    Blessings and hugs,
    Becky

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  11. I have been praying for you and thinking about your new journey...blessings.

    What a very special piece about your daughter-in-law, thanks for celebrating her, I know I would have loved something like that while I was mother of five little ones. I wasn't working outside the home, but home schooling kept me busy and a girls time out would have been great.

    The pictures are wonderful..your family is so beautiful and you all are soooooooooooo blessed.

    Hugs and prayers as you continue on this new journey.

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  12. Enjoyed seeing your holiday pictures. There's nothing like family to warm the heart.

    I know you're in the middle of a great transition, Debbie, and that there will be good days and not so good ones. But you are doing a good work in taking care of your mother, and I know that she will feel well cared for and well-loved by being with you.

    Blessings and peace~elaine

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  13. Do you see me smiling, Debbie, You know I love family get togethers. I am so glad that your children and grandchildren are staying connected.Loved all of the photos!
    I am praying for all in this new journey as you all have so many adjustments to make!
    Hugs,
    Sue

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  14. Oh, bless your heart as you face this transition in you and your Mom's life. Yes, it's something that we will likely face ourselves. I do not have my Dad living with me, but overseeing his care is an awesome responsibility and I sometimes do not know if I'm going to survive it.

    May the Lord give you all that you need just as you need it.

    Loved the pictures!!!

    Blessings abundant!

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  15. Loved loved loved the photos.. I grew up in Jersey myself and every year we 'went down the shore' sure do miss it.. I understand about what you mean about your mom.. When my mom got sick with pancreatic cancer she moved in with me.. She was 55.. She was always my rock and it was so hard to see her have to depend on me etc.. Not that I would have had it any other way but I think it makes us face our own mortality and that is something that isnt easy to do.. Hang in there and keep close to God.. He will make all things well.
    Much Love
    Robyn

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  16. This beach has a special place in my heart. I grew up going there every summer for as long as I can remember. It looks like they are had so much fun. What a nice looking family you have!

    Another similarity we have, is that my mother lives with us too. It is a big move and I can understand some of the emotions that you are experiencing. Interesting post!

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  17. I'm sorry you're feeling the "stuck". Even though you didn't elaborate, I have a hunch that I understand at least some of it.

    It's amazing how just starting to talk about your beautiful family seemed to "sidetrack" you from it, even for just the minutes it took to post. Always hold to that, Debbie. They are clearly your (earthly) anchor in this crazy mixed up "stuck" world of ours.

    I love the way your kids vacationed together. I know you wish you could have been there, but oh the love you must have fostered as a mom for them to not only be siblings but friends.

    I hope the transition of your mom moving in goes smoothly. I will put you very specifically in my prayer journal for that.

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I am so glad that you would take the time to comment on my thoughts and feelings, it is such a blessing to me!