the music man

Or should I title this post, The Music Man's Son?  Crazy insane talent in his family.  I remember when Chad (with his adolescent voice cracking) performed his original rendition of Puff The Tragic Wagon and a little ditty that sounded much like, "The best part of waking up is Folger's in your cup" at the home school showcase.  I also remember a few years later when he kept the kids (and adults) awestruck with his juggling tricks.  Once he had me awestruck (again) as he tapped a rhythm on one leg and then added another to the other leg.  The new rhythm was a different timing as in 4/4 and 3/3, it was one of the craziest things I had ever seen... heard?  

Chad is all grown up, married and a daddy playing with the band Kasen&Co.  A couple of years after marrying, he and his wife gave birth to the twin girls who have become quite dear to our family.  We've kept them often these first 4 years of their life and to say thank you, Erin and Audrey are in Chad's Rock Star class.. just for fun.  Neither of them has star inclinations but they are having a good time and learning from the master (or the masters son?).   

Chad's father is the luthier I referred to here.  He makes beautiful instruments and gives them voice. The Campbells are local celebrities with amazing musical giftings.  Chad's mother is one of my best friends and she and her husband have taught me so much.  

They taught me to let my light shine.  They taught me that my money wasn't my money at all and that God just channels funds through His children. They remind me often that God is good all the time and to look up. They write and sing beautiful, beautiful songs.  They write them for Him and they sing them to Him.  When I grow up, I want to be just like them.

Oh yes, the wonderful mixed media painting in the first picture hangs in the studio and is done by Chad's sister Anna.  Whatever.  :)

Blessings, Debbie       

after the rain

We went for a walk my cousin and I, after the rain..

through town, through town square, the park, then home again.

We've been blessed to live within 45 minutes of all of our immediate family.. always.  Larry's parents and mine, his siblings and their families and mine.  The closest is my sister being just 3 blocks away.  Her kids and my kids are best friends and I know that we are spoiled.  No, not spoiled.  As I began... blessed.

I pray for you the richest of blessings through the love of your family today!

~~Debbie

when men rise to the occasion

I'm blogging Mother's Day pictures today since this is of course one of THE most important holidays of the year.  Problem is I got so into the pampering that I never took out my camera.  Erin took a few shots as things were just getting rolling so although I'm sorry I don't have the full kitchen with all of my wonderful cooking brothers, I am glad to have these.  

We have a tradition at our fellowship of the men cooking breakfast (and cleaning up afterward) for all of us moms.  It's amazing.  Do you know that men take food very, very seriously?  They do.  We women were to arrive at 9:30 to enjoy what the men had been laboring over since 8:30.  Our kids definitely contributed too, Audrey adding beautiful cinnamon rolls to the menu.  The home where we meet is the size and design of a lodge.  There are 2 stoves, 3 ovens and 2 sinks in the beautiful, huge kitchen so there is plenty of room for all of the chefs.  And let me tell you I'm not kidding when I call them chefs.  From the oldest to the youngest (We had a 9 year old at the end of the line-up in the apron he made himself flipping pancakes on the griddle) amazing fare was finding it's way to the serving line.  

We had scrambled eggs with green onions and mushrooms, asparagus crepes, hashbrown potatoes, biscuits and gravy, pancakes, toast, pork loin, sausage, bacon, a gorgeous fruit salad, the aforementioned cinnamon rolls, donuts, home-made orange julius' and coffee.  I'm just sure that I'm forgetting something... It was incredible.  And there is nothing like the smile on the faces of men who are cooking together.  It must be some crazy endorphin thing because you almost felt 'high' just walking through all those happy men.  What a way to start the day.  Why don't we do this everyday?  I'm the first yes vote.. any others?

My own sweet mama and daddy came and we even borrowed a grandma since mine is on the other side of the continent.  It was a time of sharing and partaking, both of food and love..

...I decided to go way back and include Erin's ultrasound picture in my post.  This is from 18 years ago and I still get teary remembering the first time I saw her.  I think I was about 8 months along here and I can't believe how much she still resembles the wee thing she was at this time.  Aw, memories.  That's what Mother's Day is all about.  The old ones and the making of new ones.

Thanks Erin for making this ridiculous Mother's Day greeting a new addition to my dorky daughter memories!

Blessings, Debbie  

She is woman hear her roar

Did you read it on the cake?  On the card?  Eighteen.  Apparently I no longer have to sign for her, she can just do whatever she wants.  Eighteen.  I have every reason to believe there's nothing to worry about.  She makes good choices.  She even still values my advice.  Have I covered everything she needs to know?  Can she really do this without me?  Eighteen...

Happy birthday to my... woman?  I really, really want to say my baby girl...

..and thank you, thank you Mindi for the time spent coloring brown dots for pink balloons so they would match the tables!  Your OCD is my personal friend.

Blessings, Debbie  

the new old me

You sit down at the keyboard and begin typing and know that you really can just pick up where you left off. Same view out the window, same coffee cup at your elbow, same dog at your feet and cat on the sill...  Well, that's what it's like for me anyway.  There is one thing that is different though.  I don't know that you would notice if I didn't tell you so I'm telling.  I am a new person.  Or maybe it's more accurate to say I am my old self.  Those of you who have been encouraging me the past couple of years while I played psychotic Debbie know what I'm talking about.  A lovely friend took me aside at a baby shower a month ago and said, "I've been looking for an opportunity to talk to you."  And that's how it all started (love you Kim). Thanks to progesterone and a high protein, low carb, gluten free, sugar free diet I am grinning and dancing and bending and jumping...  and I often find myself thinking, "I remember you!"

The family split forces this past weekend.  Larry and Audrey went to the valley to celebrate the graduation of my nephew and my son's girlfriend from George Fox University.  They also got a sneak peak at the adorable home my daughter and son in law are trying to buy (pray for a good appraisal).

Erin and I stayed here for her first horse show of the year.  It was a beautiful day... great weather and great results.  

I am amazed at what having real energy feels like again.  I don't have to manufacture pleasure over events, I really do want to go and participate and enjoy and socialize.  

"I remember you!"...  See, that keeps happening!  :) 

Blessings, Debbie

a time for everything

Today.  I can post today.  To be sure there is much happening on these days of silence...  Times are busy as we rush around doing the same types of things others are doing every day, but that isn't what puts on the blogging brakes.  Sometimes there is just a time for blog silence.  Conversations are heavy and healthy around here, all day every day when you are buzzing from person to event to person...  But sometimes you get a check as you approach the keyboard that says shhh.  There are people who process things by talking them out and there are those of us who need time to reflect, time to mull and ponder.

I'm still in deep but I'm beginning to get itchy fingers.  That's when I know it's almost time.  I'm almost ready to use my bloggy voice.  :)  So, as my bloggy friends (spell check is not liking my use of the 'word' bloggy) play without me I quietly mull and ponder in anticipation of growth and good things!  As I pray for all of you, appreciating your prayers for myself, I say... "later"!  

Blessings, Debbie