Nov 3, 2012
Been awhile since writing...it's good to review the old stuff, so maybe I'll start again.
some of the same issues remain...good grief1 One would think i'd move  on already.
J in GR with N...different girlfriend from last posts. It's been a year and a half and still going strong.
Paula here with 7 friends from the Art Hx society and Visual arts guild. Tired from all the food and house prep, but nice to have a house full of kids.
off to read a book.

It's been awhile

Now it is mid to late March.
Kelvin has been to India and back and Germany and back. I have been somewhere, not sure if I am back.
Had a tough week at home when Kelvin was in India. Teenage issues, big time.
Week between seemed short.
Then Germany week, not quite as intense, yet still a day of issues. I keep thinkiong about my friends who no longer have a spouse with whom to bounce these things off. In some ways things would have been solved if I was the only one making decisions, yet it is nice to have the male perspective when raising these boys..even if I don't always get it or think it is the 'right" perspective:).
Went to another funeral today and could have attended one last Saturday. Just couldn't make myself go to that one, this one...needed to. So, thinking about death alot, funerals/memorial services some. Heaven, yes. God's love and care-yes. My Savior-yes.
Paula is traveling south for Spring Break, had car trouble but saw it as an adventure. She is super excited and I am happy for her.
Two other friends with cancer surgeries this week. Thoughts about that too. Just can't articulate them nows.
God is a God of peace, love, justice, mercy,faithfulness, care,comfort,closeness,protection,joy.
Good night

The Weekend

The weekend involved a trip to Grand Rapids to drop Kyle and Gregory off at Calvin for Siblings Weekend. Jonathan chose not to go and because Kelvin was in India, we needed to find a place for him to go after work at 7pm until I returned. He arranged to have Matt pick him up and they graciously took him in for the night. I didn't like leaving him back here, would rather he went withhis brother to Calvin. Obviously I am having trouble adjusting to him growing up and away from the family. while I recognize this, I ineed to spend some time thinking about it and processing it before I drive him further away than he already wishes to be. Don't even get me started about girls...

So very much enjoyed time with Kerry. Balm for this stressed soul. Lunch out, antique hunting,dinner at a great Italian place just down the road from my girlhood home(don't get me started)talking, coffee and breakfast in the am, reading the GR press.

The boys had fun with Paula and Steph. Tye-dye shirts, coffee shop, Calvin bookstore,bowling,sledding ,Tangled,Games inthe dorm room, Lunch in the dining hall.

Lunches made, email caught up on, soon to bed to read for awhile. New week...here I come.

Friday Frenzy

While only going away for one night, it seems there is still much to do. I would love to leave the house in some sort of order so I can come back to peacefunees, but there is only one me and it ain't gonna happen.

Finally did a grocery shopping today after two months of eating down what was on hand. Still the cupboards were not bare, but I am pretty sure the coffee cake mix from two years ago needed to go.

Kelvin is on his way to Mumbai...I would still rather say Bombay.

To visit Kerry tomorrow while Kyle and Gregory visit with Paula at Siblings Weekend. I hope it is all relaxing and no snowy driving.

read a chapter in book from Judy and thanked her for the gift it is to me right now,did wash,went through some paperwork,took K to airport, returned movie,took J to work,grocery shopped...two carts, put it away,baked bars,cookies and a coffee cake,picked up J from work, ordered pizza, picked up pizza, brought cookies to G for b-day, made and sent an agenda and other documents for next weeks CHT meeting, need to pack and pick up and get boys to bed.

Looking at verse...And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Jesus Christ...amen and amen

Ok, done.

Toiling Tuesday

Worked a big 7 1/2 hours today. Productive there and the boys were busy with Kelvin at home. Will do a shorter day later in the week.

Once home and relaxed a bit...dinner to make. Tonight...mac and cheese and other leftovers. Turned out ok. Trying to use up all of the food inthe cupboards without a big grocery shopping trip. some things have been around for awhile and unless I am forced to use them, they may be around for awhile longer.

Made two main dishes for others. along with a coffee cake. will take some to Kzoo tomorrow when visiting the new baby.

Trip to the pharmacy to pick up stuff for the boys.

Short discussion(?) with J re: not another night of time with "the girlfriend" Pretty sure a 15 year old should not see the "girlfriend" four nights out of five. Not a happy boy, but we are saving him from himself...of that I am sure.

Ok..now it is getting cold here by the computer and the guys are watching some noisy action flick....escape to the bedroom and the heating pad.

Monday musings-on Tuesday

A day of enjoying the white world of snow.
Plenty to do...though read the Diana book.
Put things away...why do things ALWAYS need putting away?
Drove out in said white stuff...saw people stuck.
Watched The Bachelor...guilty pleasure.
To bed, but didn't sleep well.

Snowy Sunday

Glad for today. Worship was good. Nice to have all three lids to the left of us in the pew. Sermon about growth through desert seasons. I know about that. Though have moved from mid-languishing to more toward flourishing in spiritual life. The desert did that, the Holy Spirit did that, my friend S did that, my friend B did that, God did that.

Paula beaming after the interview. Excited about the possibility of realizing a dream. wondering how it will all fit, conversed about how the sermon was just what she needed today...growth...I love it! Needed to remind her about prayer and looking back on this event and the timing in the days to come and watch for God's hand. I am praying for God's hand to be revealed to her. to help her know to rely on him for EVERYTHING...now, not when she is fifty and in a desert place.

Snow---five inches, Kelvin driving Paula back to GR. Praying for safety and good conversations for them.

Mid-winter break. Trying to get the boys to set some goals for the week so they won't get to the end of it and wish they had done something more. or less...

Reading. Helping G navigate a huge laundry tub water incident. Watching a bit of mindless tv and soon out to shovel so the husband will be able to drive into the driveway.