The repentent thief?

So, my dear son in California, who is in youth ministry out there, recently got ALL,
as in every bit,
of his clothing stolen from his condo's laundry mat! Poor guy!

-I remember being a college kid and wearing every stitch of clothing I had before doing a TON of laundry all in one day at the campus laundry mat. LOL
He literally had to run out and buy something to wear to church the next day, especially since he was speaking! He was so mad about this. Bless his heart!

Well, apparently since then, he put up a sarcastic sign in the laundry mat (those of you who know him can totally picture him doing this -LOL)
CONGRATULATING someone on stealing all of his clothes and asking that if anything didn't fit, that they return it!

Well, guess what? He got a bag at his door with some of his crumpled up shirts in it!

Soooo funny!
Or maybe what is even funnier is that he DIDN'T get back the socks and underwear! LOL


~Becky

Sent back with love

Nathan flew back to California on Friday. But before that there was a mandatory family wiffle ball game,

 pizza and lots of hugging!

He's the guy who sings through the house at the top of his lungs and who stays up til 2:00 or 3:00 AM because he can. He rarely plans ahead but is never stressed. He is the guy behind the camera and rarely in the photos. He is a visionary. He is always passionate about something and it is contagious. He always hugs me when he walks by and tells me he loves me several times a day. He's cheered me on through every hurdle I've had to face since Hubby's passing and I'm grateful!
As you can imagine, we are going to miss him like crazy!

~Becky

Family Day

We always do a Family Day before Nathan returns to CA after a visit ...and it is about that time again!   Boo-hoo!
He came to stay for 3 months during Hubby's second battle with cancer and he ended up staying 7! What a blessing!

So, we all chose a date in March and all the kids took off work for it and this time the boys got involved in the planning, which meant a trip to Downtown Disney would not suffice. LOL
They were thinking BIG and their first idea was to go to the Dry Tortugas, which is a fort and a National Park 70 miles off of Key West, accessible only by boat. How cool is that?! You take a ferry over and camp and snorkel in that gorgeous water!

-But, actually, the idea of camping 70 miles from civilization kind of freaks me out!
Eventually, the amount of drive time and the price of the ferry changed their minds. Now, it is on everyone's Bucket List, except maybe mine. ; )

Plan B became St Augustine! -Which actually did end up including a road trip, a fort and a National Park too! But no camping!

St. Augustine is America's oldest city, founded by the Spanish in the 1500's.  They have the oldest wooden school house and we walked on America's oldest street.

 The first thing we did was climb all 219 steps of the lighthouse!

Quite the view!

This is one PATIENT woman. This ship model did not come with all the pieces. So she's making the the ones she needs by hand! All the sails, the ropes, the tiny cannons etc...

So glad that Zac's super fun in-laws joined us!

Then we headed to the fort just in time to see them fire a cannon.

Then we went back downtown to do some eating and window shopping.

That night we went on a Mystery and Murder Tour, because we found a Groupon for it. It turned out to be really fun and exceeded our expectations. It was a guided walking tour through the city by lantern light and we got to hear some of the crazy (and somewhat gruesome) true stories about the city's history! Very interesting!

 Hubby and I actually took the kids here years ago and did these very same things with them,  (minus the walking tour with the gory facts!) ; )
but Joy and Andrew don't remember it! So, it was great fun to redo it all!

I can't even begin to imagine how much we are all going to miss Nate when we leaves! But I'm so grateful for every minute that he was here! -And very grateful that we found out we get to keep him an extra week! Hooray!

~Becky

Happy 21st!

Nathan came home from CA in August to be with us when we found out that Hubby was fighting cancer for the second time. We've been so blessed and grateful to have him here. I can't imagine going through all that we have, without him!

Because he is so into cinematography (and very gifted at it) he had the presence of mind to always be recording or filming important moments (without our knowledge) ever since he got here. And now we have some priceless candid footage, especially of Hubby's last two weeks of life, that we can view whenever the day comes that we are up for it. What a treasure.

He has decided to extended his stay into the spring to make sure that I'm OK. Isn't he a sweetheart?

Then he has a calling in CA to get back to and I'm so proud of him for that.

Nate's passions are always contagious and we all can't help but jump on board. When he arrived here in August, it was with a passion to start a young adults ministry at our church and we all got involved. Hubby was very excited about this group and on one very rare day in the hospital, he was able to counsel Nathan about it by phone for 2 hours! It was a divine gift to Nathan, that I will never forget, because the energy to talk for that long was miraculous! So, it has been with great joy that we have watched God make this group take off and impact those attending and the adults, who are pouring out their wisdom into the next generation. God is doing great things!

It has been three years, since Nathan's been at home on his actual birthday, so it was great fun to make him the traditional birthday bear shaped pancake this morning! LOL -Because you are never too old to eat something that is suppose to look like a bear but turned out like a rabbit! ; )

Happy Birthday, Nate!!! So proud of my visionary guy!
xoxox

~Becky

Blessed

The best man is home and he really is the 'best man' to all of us! We are so grateful that he moved home for the next 4 months to be with us during this time.

 God, who is always so faithful, is providing a job and a vehicle for him while he's here.

His sweet church in CA is paying his rent, while he is away so that he doesn't loose his apartment!  They love him so much and can't wait to have him back. I know the feeling!!!! : )

~Becky

The weekend that only God could plan

Ever since Nathan moved to CA, he has wanted Zac to come and visit him. He sooo much wanted to take Zac around to his favorite beaches, mountain hikes, restaurants etc... But Zac had school and work and then he decided to propose...
So, for the past two years it hasn't worked out and now he's about to get married!

Then, Nathan, who is also the best man, bought Zac a plane ticket as a gift, to spend this past weekend with him as sort of a bachelor party! Such a sweet and generous gift. And it couldn't have been given to a more grateful guy!

But, long before they planned this, only God knew, that four days before this fun weekend started, Hubby would have the cancer return.
And that two days before the weekend, Nathan would decide to move back home!

We were all just in utter awe of the timing and how the Lord knew they would need each other this weekend and He made a way for them to be together!

So, not only did Nathan give Zac a great time, Zac was there to comfort him and help him get ready to move!

Late tonight I'm picking them up at the airport, and very soon, one will be moving out and one will be moving in. And I'm so glad they grew up to become the best of friends! It makes this mom's heart so happy!

~Becky

Life is one wild ride

It is amazing to me that two and a half weeks ago our life was normal and now it has taken all these crazy twists and turns. It seems to have been turned inside out and shaken.
Never take your 'normal' for granted!

Everything is kind of a blur and it has been a very emotional week for our family.That hospital stay made it feel like time stood still, but of course, it didn't and now the calendar in my head is off. Also, I'm not sure what I have shared here and what posts I just 'wrote' in my head.

Wednesday we received some bad news at the cancer hospital and so we are clinging to the Good News of the gospel!
The esophageal cancer that Hubby had last year has moved to his lungs. I'm reminding myself that the 'stages' and the terms are man's definitions and God is above all of these! And nothing is impossible for Him.

Yesterday, Hubby started an aggressive chemo plan. You know you are in the infusion center, when you see a grown woman hugging her teddy bear and waiting for treatment.
Chemo is rough!!!
Frankly, I can't believe Hubby has to do it again. So far he feels good, but that is due to some lovely steroids that you have to take before and after. He may not be feeling well for long...
 but he SHOULD be feeling OK for Zac's wedding, which is I think, two weeks away! Thankful for that!

What makes my heart so sad about doing chemo is the fact that last time either it or the drugs changed his personality for a time. And then he went into an almost comatose kind of state for awhile and it was like he wasn't there. Then add to that the unbearable suffering we all had to witness him go through and well, you get the idea....It was awful.
So, this time I kind of know what to expect (but I'm absolutely believing for better!!!) and I feel like the guy he is, is about to leave me for an extended time and that makes me so sad...

Nathan is leaving CA and moving home to be with us for the next several months and we are all so thrilled about that. What a dear young man to put his life on hold and want to come home and serve us and spend time with his Dad. May God bless him!

Two weeks ago, when we were in the ER, a doctor came in and told us Hubby had fluid in his left lung and that it was probably caused by cancer...so I shed some tears of course, and she said some comforting things and then left. Next, the resident physician took a turn coming in and he knew we had just heard that news. But by then, I think Hubby had said something funny anyway, we were both smiling when he walked in and he was almost angry. (weirdest thing!)  And then he said "Are you _____(Hubby's full name)? Then why are you smiling?!" He was serious.
(How is that for no bed side manner, good grief?!)
But if I had to relive that situation again, I would like to have had the presence of mind to say
"Because he knows The Great Physician, Jesus!"

Even in suffering he smiles!
It is that glorious Good News that will do that to a guy!

Blessings,
~Becky

All our kids under one roof

We've had a wonderful time with Nathan!
The week of the wedding was crazy with events, but this week has been relaxing and fun.

Monday, all four of the kids and I went to the beach and it was a gorgeous day! It never even rained! But they all take after their dad, so after only one hour they were ready to head home! ; )
Nathan's had lots of coffee/lunch dates with friends and spent as much time as he could with Zac when he wasn't working. He and Hubby went out to dinner together Tuesday night and then spent another hour in the car talking in our driveway.
After riding with him once, I've had to remind him that this is a "slow southern state" so that he doesn't get a ticket!
He's helped Uncle Phil buy a new iPad and set it up.
Unfortunately, he had to avoid Joy! -She has strep throat and will be contagious for one more day until those antibiotics kick in. She's been quarantined to the family room and when she comes out Hubby (who doesn't want to catch it) calls out "Unclean!" like she has leprosy. ; ) Bless her heart!
I made Nathan his favorite meal last night. Boy, are adult kids who live on their own fun to cook for! Very appreciative! LOL
I added this Greek salad to go with the meatball casserole that he loves and everyone raved over it. Here is the recipe. Tonight Nathan is cooking for us and in the morning he heads home to CA.
This mom's heart is full!
I'm excited that we get to do it all over again in a few weeks for Zac's wedding! Yay!

~Becky

Rain, rain, go away...

So, this is day #20 of rain for us. Not the refreshing rain we usually get during the summer months in FL, but rain that lasts for hours on end! Every.Single.Day!
We are all about to float away!

Hubby and I took Andrew out to dinner with us on Friday to hear all about his summer! : ) Sounds like it was an awesome experience.

Sunday night he was asked to play electric guitar in church for the first time ever. (his favorite!) Usually, he plays the bass.
I love watching him do what he loves
for the One he loves! : )

Nathan comes home tonight and I can't wait! If I thought Andrew was gone too long, Nathan hasn't been home in 7 months! Hubby still had cancer when he was here last and Zac wasn't even in engaged! A lot has happened in those months!
Can't wait to see Nathan's sweet face!

Hoping all this rain doesn't delay his flight! And we may have to find an alternate route to the airport because this morning the highway had some flooding!

~Becky

We got out and about this weekend

A young couple we love got married!

Andrew and his buddies were ushers. Weren't they cute?

As it turned out, Andrew didn't actually take anyone down the aisle, his job turned out to be to listen for the musical cues and tell people when to start walking down the aisle. (even the bride!) And that's a pretty big deal! 

Joy and I had fun helping set up for the reception and served lots of iced coffees.

How cute is this cake?!

 Nathan flew home to attend the wedding! Yay!

 His boss and our dear friend called and extended Nate's stay and helped him find a later flight. (so sweet!) As it was, he was going to have to race to the airport the second after the 'I do.' So thankful he could stay longer!

On Thursday, Hubby's feeding tube came out! Whoo-hoo!
This made him able to attend the wedding too!
-It was his first real time out and about since the first surgery!
And he went to church on Sunday!

Life is starting to feel a little bit more normal now.

We only found a few hours to be together as a family but they were special ones! -We had a chance to hear Nathan's dreams for the future and his passion for the spread of the gospel. Love him!

And I'm happy to say that there is another wedding coming up....

in which Nathan and Zac will both be groomsmen. Glad that he will be back again soon! -It is hard to believe our kids' friends are starting to marry! Time flies!

~Becky

Christmas

Christmas was so much fun! 

It didn't exactly start out that way though.

We found out on Christmas Eve morning that the airline that Nathan was flying on had changed the flight time and departing airport....and he missed his flight.

We were so terribly sad. 

A good reminder that Christmas isn't about my kids coming...

but the fact that Jesus came! : ) 

A huge box arrived from my sister, filled with all the makings for a fantastic family game night! Lots of 'healthy' munchies and two games! She always wins for the most thoughtful gift giver! 

Joy and I did some festive baking! 

The annual Christmas Eve service at our church was amazing as always! Such a blessing! And Andrew was a part of it this year. There was a jazzy number where he pretended to play a trombone and made it look pretty real!) It was a really fun night. 

Then we headed home and Hubby made everyone filet mignon and Zac made fettuccine. Yum!

Since our kids aren't little anymore, we have to WAKE them up on Christmas Day. ; ) 

As you can see, it was tons of fun!

 We decided to postpone the "Reindeer games" until Nathan could join in.
 We had a nice Christmas dinner. Joy learned how to make Grandmum's deviled eggs and she made a caprese salad which one of the ladies at church taught her how to make. Yum!
We see a movie on Christmas night every year and this year we were smart and bought our tickets ahead of time!!! -Because, the whole world has the exact same tradition! : )

We were blessed to have these two precious young people join us! They are a such a blessing to our church and a constant encouragement to our kids in their walk with the Lord. Love them all to pieces!

We saw Night at the Museum 3. So much fun! 

And then.....

 Nathan finally made it! Whoo-hoo!!!

Soooooo happy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                             Then we ate dessert and played games.

Reverse Charades was CRAZY fun and full of action! I'm not sure when I've laughed so hard!

Hubby is acting out 'bed head' LOL

 Merry Christmas to all and to all a good-night!

~Becky

The birthday bashes

We had a great time on Saturday night celebrating Nathan's birthday with a bunch of his wonderful friends!

There was lots of ping pong playing, and a little snowman building

Thank you, Joy for painting Olaf on the chalkboard for me!

and eating and a bonfire with s'mores.

We all took turns filming quick birthday messages for him to take back to CA. (his actual birthday is on Thursday)

Thanks for being our cameraman, Andrew!

Then Sunday, was Hubby's birthday!
He was actually able to go to church and teach his Sunday School class! It was awesome!
We headed home right after class though because that took all of his energy. But we streamed the worship service from home. (gotta love technology!)
By the time the kids got out of church, he was rested up and we met them for lunch at one of our family's favorite restaurants.

It was soooo fun to have the whole family together to celebrate him!  And so wonderful that he was feeling so well! What a blessing!!!

Zac's girlfriend, Tiffany also joined us! Love you, Tiff!

Our family is very blessed and thankful for all the men who were born this week!
My father, my Hubby's father, my sweet Hubby and Nathan!
Four wonderful men!: )
And what a blessing they are to all of us!

 ~Becky