Wednesday, October 05, 2011
Monday, April 25, 2011
April 13-23 has come and gone again. . .
Whenever you see this:
or this:
or this:
you might possibly see pictures of children laughing, playing and being sweet together. I see that too. I do. But I also see a hole, the someone missing and the what would it be if. . .
That first pic is of Jack, Asa and Ayden playing together in the Old Baylor field last Spring. I can almost see Knox in this picture. Some of my favorite memories of Knox are of him following along as the "caboose" behind Ayden, Jack and Asa.
And then this Spring, we revisited Old Baylor field for another picnic where the kids flew kites. That's Anne Michal (Knox's sister) helping Asa get his kite in the air. She was so patient and loving with him and she was successful in her attempts and Asa had a blast flying his kite, mostly in part to Anne Michal's help. It's a sweet memory for me, but bittersweet too, because I also know that she would have done the same for her brother and I can almost see his blond head there instead of Asa's.
Then yesterday, Easter Sunday, we spent with family and friends celebrating. It is one of my favorite days all year. That's my brother-in-law, Wade (Uncle Wade to my kids and Pastor Wade to the other kids there), pushing Ayden in the rope swing. Jack and Asa are right there along side, half-waiting their turn and half-enjoying the fun that is being had just watching their friend/brother enjoy his turn. Again, I see the hole and wish again for that little blond head to be there in the mix of things.
A friend's comment yesterday on facebook really hit home when she said that Easter was an appropriate day to feel bittersweet feelings: feelings of thankfulness and joy that Jesus defeated sin and holds victory for us and yet feelings of bitter sadness that it was my sin that placed Him on the cross in the first place. So here I am, feeling bittersweetness. . .
You are missed Knoxy.
Whenever you see this:
or this:
or this:
you might possibly see pictures of children laughing, playing and being sweet together. I see that too. I do. But I also see a hole, the someone missing and the what would it be if. . .
That first pic is of Jack, Asa and Ayden playing together in the Old Baylor field last Spring. I can almost see Knox in this picture. Some of my favorite memories of Knox are of him following along as the "caboose" behind Ayden, Jack and Asa.
And then this Spring, we revisited Old Baylor field for another picnic where the kids flew kites. That's Anne Michal (Knox's sister) helping Asa get his kite in the air. She was so patient and loving with him and she was successful in her attempts and Asa had a blast flying his kite, mostly in part to Anne Michal's help. It's a sweet memory for me, but bittersweet too, because I also know that she would have done the same for her brother and I can almost see his blond head there instead of Asa's.
Then yesterday, Easter Sunday, we spent with family and friends celebrating. It is one of my favorite days all year. That's my brother-in-law, Wade (Uncle Wade to my kids and Pastor Wade to the other kids there), pushing Ayden in the rope swing. Jack and Asa are right there along side, half-waiting their turn and half-enjoying the fun that is being had just watching their friend/brother enjoy his turn. Again, I see the hole and wish again for that little blond head to be there in the mix of things.
A friend's comment yesterday on facebook really hit home when she said that Easter was an appropriate day to feel bittersweet feelings: feelings of thankfulness and joy that Jesus defeated sin and holds victory for us and yet feelings of bitter sadness that it was my sin that placed Him on the cross in the first place. So here I am, feeling bittersweetness. . .
You are missed Knoxy.
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
19 Years and Counting. . .
In keeping with tradition, here are 19 things I love about my husband:
19. He hangs Christmas lights on the outside of the house.
18. He apologizes when he hurts my feelings.
17. He slows his stride with me so that I'm not 10 paces behind his long-leggedness.
16. I say it every year, but I do love it when he holds my hand in public.
15. He plays with our children and nieces and nephews.
14. He picks up dinner on his way home from work when he knows it will help me.
13. He's not afraid to wash dishes/do laundry even after working hard all day.
12. He looks hot in a pair of levi's, cowboy boots, pearl-snap shirt and hat.
11. He knows how to talk through conflict without losing his head (unlike me).
10. His sense of humor is witty, often dry and very clever.
9. He sends me texts throughout his busy day to let me know he's thinking of me.
8. He covers me with prayer before he leaves for work everyday.
7. He knows his sports and politics.
6. He buys granola because he knows I like it.
5. He loves his parents.
4. He loves my parents.
3. He knows how to keep a secret.
2. He hates facebook, but is ok with me loving it.
1. He never gives up on us.
In keeping with tradition, here are 19 things I love about my husband:
19. He hangs Christmas lights on the outside of the house.
18. He apologizes when he hurts my feelings.
17. He slows his stride with me so that I'm not 10 paces behind his long-leggedness.
16. I say it every year, but I do love it when he holds my hand in public.
15. He plays with our children and nieces and nephews.
14. He picks up dinner on his way home from work when he knows it will help me.
13. He's not afraid to wash dishes/do laundry even after working hard all day.
12. He looks hot in a pair of levi's, cowboy boots, pearl-snap shirt and hat.
11. He knows how to talk through conflict without losing his head (unlike me).
10. His sense of humor is witty, often dry and very clever.
9. He sends me texts throughout his busy day to let me know he's thinking of me.
8. He covers me with prayer before he leaves for work everyday.
7. He knows his sports and politics.
6. He buys granola because he knows I like it.
5. He loves his parents.
4. He loves my parents.
3. He knows how to keep a secret.
2. He hates facebook, but is ok with me loving it.
1. He never gives up on us.
Thursday, November 25, 2010
Happy Thanksgiving!
Last year, we started a Thanksgiving tradition where the kids wrote and then recited a poem or memorized one and then recited it. I'll be honest and admit that there were moans and groans about this exercise when it was first presented, but they adjusted quickly and when the works were completed, they each were excited to share what they had done. The Andersons and Colemans also participated, but I'll let Marian and Rachel share their children's poems on their blogs. (hint hint)
I LOVE TO SWIM
by Austin Ayers (14)
I love to swim.
I do it everyday at the Aerofit gym.
I put on my goggles and swim cap,
then I swim lap after lap after lap.
I practice hard for every race,
in hopes that I can get first place.
I am going to swim.
I am going to swim the 400 I.M.
I step up on the block my heart is beating fast,
if I want to win, I cannot get passed.
He says, "Take your mark!" and everything gets slow,
then I hear the beep and that means go.
I dive into the great big pool,
the water feels refreshing and cool.
I swim the first 100 butterfly.
At the end I feel like my arms will die.
Then I swim on my back.
It's no time to slow down and no time to slack.
Next I go from back to breaststroke--the slowest one.
I have to go hard,the race is not done.
Now I'm onto free, with a 100 to go.
I have to push through. There is not time for going slow.
Three turns later, I am almost done.
I can see the finish but my arms weigh a ton.
I touch the wall. I finished first place.
Man O man, what a race!
I get out. I feel proud of myself.
Now I have won another ribbon to put on my shelf.
THANKSGIVING DAY
by Addison Ayers (12)
I am thankful for today
and for the food's nice display.
I am thankful for family and friends
and for the Lord, on whom I depend.
I am thankful for my pets
and for the turkey who was caught in a net.
. . .for God's Son who died on the cross.
He is my Lord and my boss.
Those are the things I am thankful for.
Those are the things I do not ignore.
THE DALMATIAN VIOLATION
by Anna-Kate Ayers (10)
I have an appreciation for a certain classification
of a black and white combination which is the dalmatian.
My fascination with this great creation
is my motivation for a future conversation
with my relations for a dalmatian.
In my desperation with a bit of temptation
along with the expectation of no cooperation,
with much determiniation, I found a location and
with great celebration I bought the dalmatian.
But my violation has brought my interrogation.
I HAVE TO MAKE
by Ayden Ayers (8)
My name is Ayden James
and I like to create
with glue, glitter, popsicle sticks
and anything that's ornate.
No project is too small,
nor idea seems too great.
There's only one condition:
that it fit in the Lone Star state.
Bake, rake, break, shake
all of these things are great.
But most of all, I guess it's fate,
I desperately have to. . .make.
TURKEY
by Asa Ayers (5)
Today is Thanksgiving day
and we will eat some turkey.
Then it's time for Christmas
when everyone is perky.
It's not the best time of year for poor, old Mr. Turkey.
Gobble, gobble, gobble. . .BANG!
Now he's turkey jerkey.
Last year, we started a Thanksgiving tradition where the kids wrote and then recited a poem or memorized one and then recited it. I'll be honest and admit that there were moans and groans about this exercise when it was first presented, but they adjusted quickly and when the works were completed, they each were excited to share what they had done. The Andersons and Colemans also participated, but I'll let Marian and Rachel share their children's poems on their blogs. (hint hint)
I LOVE TO SWIM
by Austin Ayers (14)
I love to swim.
I do it everyday at the Aerofit gym.
I put on my goggles and swim cap,
then I swim lap after lap after lap.
I practice hard for every race,
in hopes that I can get first place.
I am going to swim.
I am going to swim the 400 I.M.
I step up on the block my heart is beating fast,
if I want to win, I cannot get passed.
He says, "Take your mark!" and everything gets slow,
then I hear the beep and that means go.
I dive into the great big pool,
the water feels refreshing and cool.
I swim the first 100 butterfly.
At the end I feel like my arms will die.
Then I swim on my back.
It's no time to slow down and no time to slack.
Next I go from back to breaststroke--the slowest one.
I have to go hard,the race is not done.
Now I'm onto free, with a 100 to go.
I have to push through. There is not time for going slow.
Three turns later, I am almost done.
I can see the finish but my arms weigh a ton.
I touch the wall. I finished first place.
Man O man, what a race!
I get out. I feel proud of myself.
Now I have won another ribbon to put on my shelf.
THANKSGIVING DAY
by Addison Ayers (12)
I am thankful for today
and for the food's nice display.
I am thankful for family and friends
and for the Lord, on whom I depend.
I am thankful for my pets
and for the turkey who was caught in a net.
. . .for God's Son who died on the cross.
He is my Lord and my boss.
Those are the things I am thankful for.
Those are the things I do not ignore.
THE DALMATIAN VIOLATION
by Anna-Kate Ayers (10)
I have an appreciation for a certain classification
of a black and white combination which is the dalmatian.
My fascination with this great creation
is my motivation for a future conversation
with my relations for a dalmatian.
In my desperation with a bit of temptation
along with the expectation of no cooperation,
with much determiniation, I found a location and
with great celebration I bought the dalmatian.
But my violation has brought my interrogation.
I HAVE TO MAKE
by Ayden Ayers (8)
My name is Ayden James
and I like to create
with glue, glitter, popsicle sticks
and anything that's ornate.
No project is too small,
nor idea seems too great.
There's only one condition:
that it fit in the Lone Star state.
Bake, rake, break, shake
all of these things are great.
But most of all, I guess it's fate,
I desperately have to. . .make.
TURKEY
by Asa Ayers (5)
Today is Thanksgiving day
and we will eat some turkey.
Then it's time for Christmas
when everyone is perky.
It's not the best time of year for poor, old Mr. Turkey.
Gobble, gobble, gobble. . .BANG!
Now he's turkey jerkey.
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
Monday, October 11, 2010
Things I Remember and Learned From Denzil Stonestreet
This week, a dear friend, probably my dad's best friend (besides my mom), went Home to be with our Jesus and also with others who have gone on before us. His name is Denzil Stonestreet. He had a stroke a couple of weeks ago and died a few days ago. I've been remembering him and his family lately and decided my random thoughts were blog worthy.
*Denzil and Elaine Stonestreet are the parents of 6 children (Dana, Wayne, Marilyn, Greg, Jan & David--not necessarily in that order--it's been a few years) and many more grandchildren and possibly a few great grandchildren by now. I spent many childhood hours in their home and on their property. When my parents went out of town and had to leave their children behind, the Stonestreet home became a second home to many of us at different times.
So many thoughts are going through my mind. Here are some of them in no particular order:
*Denzil taught me that peaches sliced up and covered in milk with a bit of sugar are delicious.
*I became a master air hockey player in their basement.
*Denzil gave us money whenever we let him pull our teeth. He once gave my sister, Esther, a $20 bill for pulling her tooth, but then told her she had to put $19 of it in the offering plate.
*Said sister, Esther, is named after Denzil's bride, Elaine. Esther's given name is Esther Elaine.
*Their dog, Sugar, was the namesake of our (the Ayerses) first pet, Sugar. The Stonestreet's Sugar and the Dabney's Precious were sister pups from the same litter and the reason I still have a fondness for black and white collies.
*Denzil and Elaine had a huge garden that they generously shared with us Dabneys (and probably others too.) I learned to pick and string green beans, pick and shuck corn, dig up potatoes and carrots, and tell when a tomato is ripe all under their instruction, and my mother's also. Much of the stringing and shucking was done on their front porch surrounded by family, good conversations and the makings of sweet memories. (Elaine & Denzil are on the far right of the picnic table. Next to Denzil is their daughter Jan and then their son, Dana is holding his daughter, Joanna. Behind them you can see their huge garden, where many life lessons were learned and memories made. The young lady getting a drink from the cooler is Sherry Smith. She also has gone on to be with Jesus. Just above her head, you can see a little blonde head. I think that belongs to one of my sisters, either Esther or Sarah.)
*The only time I fell out of a tree in which I climbed was at a church picnic at their house. It was the tree by the driveway/basketball court. Thankfully, no broken bones.
*I spent many hours in their cement pond with my sisters and friends and even witnessed a few friends get baptized there. Pictured below is my friend, Trent, being baptized by my dad. Denzil is in the left foreground of the pic.
*Denzil and Elaine are synonymous with loving, Christ-like, and true friends.
*It makes me wish I could have another son, so that I could name him Denzil.
*Denzil lived his life in such a way that Jesus shined from him. He loved his God, his wife, his family and his friends. I always felt comfortable and blessed to be in his presence. He was generous with his money and kind-hearted toward others. His wisdom was evident in everything around him, yet he was truly humble.
*There's something very comforting to me knowing that he has gone on to be with Jesus. Now he knows. . .just as he is fully known. But please pray for his family. He and Elaine were married for 60 years. Sixty! I can only imagine the deep sadness she is feeling saying goodbye to her sweet Denzil after all this time. Grief is such a difficult, multi-dimensional thing. My heart goes out to Elaine and the entire Stonestreet clan, who in more ways than one, is my own family. The funeral is tomorrow. Goodbye Denzil. I'm looking forward to the day when I'll walk streets of gold with you and rejoice in Jesus Christ, our Savior, together. Thank you for being such a Godly example in my life, for showing me what a husband and father should look like. Thank you for the friendship you gave my dad, my mom, our family. I miss you. I love you.
This week, a dear friend, probably my dad's best friend (besides my mom), went Home to be with our Jesus and also with others who have gone on before us. His name is Denzil Stonestreet. He had a stroke a couple of weeks ago and died a few days ago. I've been remembering him and his family lately and decided my random thoughts were blog worthy.
*Denzil and Elaine Stonestreet are the parents of 6 children (Dana, Wayne, Marilyn, Greg, Jan & David--not necessarily in that order--it's been a few years) and many more grandchildren and possibly a few great grandchildren by now. I spent many childhood hours in their home and on their property. When my parents went out of town and had to leave their children behind, the Stonestreet home became a second home to many of us at different times.
So many thoughts are going through my mind. Here are some of them in no particular order:
*Denzil taught me that peaches sliced up and covered in milk with a bit of sugar are delicious.
*I became a master air hockey player in their basement.
*Denzil gave us money whenever we let him pull our teeth. He once gave my sister, Esther, a $20 bill for pulling her tooth, but then told her she had to put $19 of it in the offering plate.
*Said sister, Esther, is named after Denzil's bride, Elaine. Esther's given name is Esther Elaine.
*Their dog, Sugar, was the namesake of our (the Ayerses) first pet, Sugar. The Stonestreet's Sugar and the Dabney's Precious were sister pups from the same litter and the reason I still have a fondness for black and white collies.
*Denzil and Elaine had a huge garden that they generously shared with us Dabneys (and probably others too.) I learned to pick and string green beans, pick and shuck corn, dig up potatoes and carrots, and tell when a tomato is ripe all under their instruction, and my mother's also. Much of the stringing and shucking was done on their front porch surrounded by family, good conversations and the makings of sweet memories. (Elaine & Denzil are on the far right of the picnic table. Next to Denzil is their daughter Jan and then their son, Dana is holding his daughter, Joanna. Behind them you can see their huge garden, where many life lessons were learned and memories made. The young lady getting a drink from the cooler is Sherry Smith. She also has gone on to be with Jesus. Just above her head, you can see a little blonde head. I think that belongs to one of my sisters, either Esther or Sarah.)
*The only time I fell out of a tree in which I climbed was at a church picnic at their house. It was the tree by the driveway/basketball court. Thankfully, no broken bones.
*I spent many hours in their cement pond with my sisters and friends and even witnessed a few friends get baptized there. Pictured below is my friend, Trent, being baptized by my dad. Denzil is in the left foreground of the pic.
*Denzil and Elaine are synonymous with loving, Christ-like, and true friends.
*It makes me wish I could have another son, so that I could name him Denzil.
*Denzil lived his life in such a way that Jesus shined from him. He loved his God, his wife, his family and his friends. I always felt comfortable and blessed to be in his presence. He was generous with his money and kind-hearted toward others. His wisdom was evident in everything around him, yet he was truly humble.
*There's something very comforting to me knowing that he has gone on to be with Jesus. Now he knows. . .just as he is fully known. But please pray for his family. He and Elaine were married for 60 years. Sixty! I can only imagine the deep sadness she is feeling saying goodbye to her sweet Denzil after all this time. Grief is such a difficult, multi-dimensional thing. My heart goes out to Elaine and the entire Stonestreet clan, who in more ways than one, is my own family. The funeral is tomorrow. Goodbye Denzil. I'm looking forward to the day when I'll walk streets of gold with you and rejoice in Jesus Christ, our Savior, together. Thank you for being such a Godly example in my life, for showing me what a husband and father should look like. Thank you for the friendship you gave my dad, my mom, our family. I miss you. I love you.
Thursday, August 05, 2010
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