God's Timing: Rhodes

Never doubt God's timing.

You might not see it at the time, but when you look back, you will see that He allowed or orchestrated it all.

News of our little grand-baby came around the same time we lost someone special to our family; the same time as health issues with family members seemed to intensify; the same time as job changes, and moves, and new houses...and all of the challenges that come with life and family.

And while our circumstances didn't really get easier, the thought of a new life brought energy and excitement into our family.

I don't think it's right to put hopes and dreams onto an innocent baby, but God has used this time to remind us of His faithfulness; to show us that HE sees, HE hears, HE knows, HE cares; that HE is in control of life; and that HE ALONE is the Source of our joy.

Jesus is the only One Who satisfies. HE is the One Who binds up the broken-hearted. HE turns the darkness into light, and makes our rough places smooth.

HE ALONE gives us hope for the future.

God also gives us many good gifts while we're here on earth...and sometimes the smallest ones make the biggest impact.

We love you, Rhodie!

"If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give what is good to those who ask Him!" Matthew 7:11

Joshua and Rhodie

So many people have congratulated us on the birth of our first grandchild. They want to know all about him...how he's doing...how his Mommy is doing...all of that.

But, inevitably, the next question out of their mouths is, "how is Joshua doing with the baby?"

And, let me answer everyone: He is doing GREAT!

Since Joshua is 30 years old, most of his Therapeutic Recreation FRIENDS already have nieces and nephews. I've heard from some of the other moms about their adult children's feelings of jealousy...or sadness, because they feel left out.

I didn't spend one minute thinking about Joshua being jealous of Rhodes. That's just really not his character. Still, you never know. Joshua likes to keep us ALL on our toes!

But he is not jealous at ALL. If anything, he has taken his perceived role as the "dispenser of all the wise words from the older uncle" to a new and borderline obsessive level. He is over the moon with his new nephew. And Joshua sees himself as the "greatest and most furious protector."

He has also been diligent in making sure that Marley, the half-a-dog, doesn't feel left out. Before Rhodie was born, Joshua would hold Marley on his lap and whisper, "I'll never forget about you. You'll always be my furry nephew."

Joshua doesn't really understand teasing. Or sarcasm. For probably the first 20+ years of his life, he would get so upset when anyone would try to "mess" with him...like, his brothers...his sister...Aaron-the-brother-in-law...or Jim's Dad.

He would get upset...or he would just slow-blink you. He didn't "get" it.

But, over the past 5-7 years, Joshua has been cracking some jokes. He's always been super funny...TO US. Like last night, when they were reporting about the winner of a hot-dog eating context. Joshua said, "70 HOT DOGS? He ate 70 HOT DOGS? Hasn't he ever heard about SELF-CONTROL?"

Took a while for me to explain to him that it was a CONTEST...because he is all about not over-eating.

Anyway, it's just been over the past few years, that he has started saying or doing things that are, according to him, "for the humorous."

And, Aaron...bless him. He is SO good with Joshua. He can get him to do things the rest of us can't...like, playing a game of Baggo, after he said he didn't want to. Or, getting him in the pool on a hot day in May, when Joshua had already firmly stated he would NOT be getting into the pool until after he got back from camp...which was at the end of the first week of June.

Aaron will talk sports with him all day long...especially Arkansas Razorbacks sports. And he will listen patiently, as Joshua tells him all about the crazy stories he writes.

Aaron also teases him like none other. Joshua doesn't always know whether to believe him or not (it would be a good bet to go with, "NOT!" Ha!).

Last night, Holly and Aaron were at our house. Rhodie was having his fussy time. Aaron was trying to calm him down, and it was all I could do to not ask him to GIVE ME THAT BABY.

But it's not my baby.

I KNOW THIS.

And his parents know him best of best of all...and they are perfectly capable of calming him down.

I KNOW THIS.

Finally, Holly went over and got him...and calmed him right down.

Joshua was witnessing all of this. He asked Aaron, "who does Rhodie like best...you or Holly?"

Aaron said, "it depends."

And then...because he was feeling all kinds of sassy...Aaron said, "actually, I take that back. Rhodie likes Holly better because she gives him treats."

Joshua said, "she does?"

Aaron said, "yes. She gives him candy, but I don't."

Joshua looked at him, and said, "I don't believe you, Aaron...HE'S A BABY."

Aaron said, "Awww...I'm just messin' with you."

Joshua stared at him, and gave him the most dead-serious look you have ever seen. He POINTED HIS FINGER AT HIM, and said, "God gave you the gift of fatherhood for a reason, Aaron, and you shouldn't take it lightly."

HAHAHAHAHAHAHA...

We are so thankful for baby Rhodie. He is a gift from God for sure...a gift to our WHOLE family. We all love him so much, and everyone is getting along JUST FINE!

"Children are a gift from the LORD..." Psalm 127:3

July 4, 2016

We've had a great weekend. Yesterday, we got up and went to Sunday School (small group, for you young'uns)...and then we came home. I told Jim that it doesn't feel like a Sunday, when we don't go to the church service. I don't really like that feeling.

Logan and Morgan came to stay with us on Friday and Saturday. Late Saturday night, I realized that we had not taken ONE family picture...and they were leaving on Sunday before lunch. I know it's not a huge deal, but it's Rhodie's first July 4th...and I wanted to document it. I'm new at this grandmother thing, but I'm pretty sure we should be taking pictures of all of his "first" holidays.

So we came home, and changed our clothes. We went over to Holly and Aaron-the-son-in-law's to take pictures. Two grandparents (Jim and I), 4 (adult) kids, 2 "in-laws," 1 grand-baby...annnnnnd a dog. What could go wrong?

And, I'm happy to report, it went as well as you are imagining. Especially if you count that, out of about 25 pictures, we got ONE where all of us are looking at the camera. In two of the pictures, Jim had a small American flag over his face.

OVER HIS FACE.

And he's 56 years old.

LAW.

In at least 2 of the pictures, Joshua is looking at Morgan-the-sister-in-law...because he thinks she is beautiful and sweet and he loves her so much. And then, in 90% of the remaining pictures, THE BOYS (Logan and Clark) are doing some sort of weird thing...on purpose.

Oh, well. Rhodes has been born into this crazy family...he might as well get used to it.

After the picture-taking session, we came home. Logan and Morgan packed up their stuff, and left to spend the next 2 days with Morgan's family. We made lunch, and then everyone piled up on the couches in the living room. Holly and Aaron came over with the baby, and I got in some serious snuggles with our little one.

I realize this post is so boring, but it's RHODIE'S FIRST JULY 4!

We couldn't decide what to have for dinner, but ended up making stuff out of what we had in the frig. Joshua calls it, "cleaning up the frig."

We had a fairly quiet Independence Day today. It's great that Holly had the baby when she did...it gives us all a great excuse to not go anywhere. Not that we need one...we love spending time at home with our family...and we love getting to hang out with Rhodie.

Jim and Clark did decide to run down to Little Rock, and run in this Firecreacker 5k...so they were up and crashing around at 5:15.

THEY ARE TRYING TO KILL ME DEAD.

Logan and Morgan were already registered to run in it, and that's what got Jim and Clark all pumped to register for it, too. Also, Morgan's mom was running in it, and it was her first ever 5k.

So, Jim and Clark left before 6:15. I tried to go back to sleep...but I couldn't. So, I ended up making the muffins for breakfast. Because it's Monday, and if you know anything about Joshua, you know that he is committed to tradition. And it's a tradition that we have muffins on Monday.

So, holiday or no holiday...there must be muffins. 

The guys had a great time at their race. Logan thinks he ran a personal best. Jim said he didn't run as fast as he wanted to. Morgan did well, as usual. And Clark? He finished before any of my crew, and then went back to find Morgan's mom. And, after running his own 5k, he ran the last leg of her race with her...his brother's wife's mom.

Family, y'all. We don't have to be related by blood...or even related by marriage. We can be neighbors, co-workers...or friends.

Let's take care of each other.

I love July 4. I am so thankful for our country. I am thankful for the courageous men and women who fought and died, defending our country...and for the ones who are currently serving in our military. I am thankful for the freedoms we have in America. As many complaints there are about what is wrong here, I would not want to live anywhere else.

I am not too thankful for fireworks. I love watching them...like, going places to watch them. I don't even mind watching them on a TV show...turning out all the lights in the house, and pretending we are actually there. What I do not love: people shooting off fireworks in our neighborhood. We have a geriatric, Black Lab. She's old, she can barely walk, and she can't take it.

CAN.NOT.TAKE.IT.

Holly said that she and Aaron-the-son-in-law had to drug their dog, Marley, tonight...because, AND I QUOTE, he was, "acting the FOOL."

"Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing." 1 Thessalonians 5:11

Rhodie: Holding Him Close

We are over the moon with our precious grandson, Rhodes.

This weekend, we've all gotten lots of snuggle time with him.

As I rocked him today, I was overwhelmed by a feeling of wanting to keep him safe.

It's the same feeling I had with my own kids.

I just want to hold Rhodie close, and protect him from all the bad things in the world: from evil, from pain, from sadness, from disappointment, from suffering, from sin, from heartbreak...all the same things I wanted to protect my own kids from when they were little.

All the things I STILL wish I could protect them from.

But I can't.

None of us can.

The best we can do for our kids, for our grand-kids, is to live our lives reflecting the light of Christ...to point them to a Savior, who will walk with them through all the trials of this life, and who will hold them close when we can't.

"In peace I will both lie down and sleep; for You alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety." Psalm 4:8

RHODIE IS TWO! (Weeks, that is)

Okay, I promise this isn't going to turn into a "LET ME TELL YOU ABOUT MY GRANDSON" blog.

It's just...

He's so pretty!

No, REALLY. He is.

And sweet.

He is pretty and sweet and squishy.

This week has been great! Clark has taken Joshua to his Therapeutic Recreation and picked up for me...almost every day. It has been such a blessing, especially now that Rhodes is here. I have been able to go over to Holly's house first thing in the morning, after Aaron leaves for work, and I get to stay all day...until Aaron comes home.

On Wednesday, Holly was having her newborn pictures made. I decided that I would take Joshua to TR myself...a little later. We went over to Holly's, and stayed a couple of hours...so that she was able to do her hair, make-up, get dressed, etc.

When the photographer got there, we left. I took Joshua...and then came straight back to her house. The photographer was still there. They were in the process of trying to get a picture of Marley, the halfadog, with Rhodes.

Now, keep in mind that this dog has been Holly and Aaron-the-son-in-law's fur baby for 9 or 10 years. He has ruled the roost. Over the past month, his world has been turned upside down. First, Holly and Aaron moved to a new house...and then 2 weeks after that, they brought this THING into the house that cries and coughs and hiccups and makes funny noises...and sometimes it doesn't smell that great.

Since the THING has made it's appearance, Marley is not allowed on the bed, on the couch, in the backseat of the car. His sleep and "lounging" time has been completely disrupted. He is kept awake by it's crying at all hours of the day and night. He's not allowed to get too close to the it.

Well, on picture day, Holly told the photographer that she wanted a picture of Rhodes with his "puppy brother."

LAW.

I arrived at the house during this whole process. They had Rhodie on the couch, on his tummy. He was not too happy, so they were trying to hold his pacifier in his mouth. The photographer said, "see if you can get Marley up on the couch (that he's not allowed on)...and put him behind the baby...and see if he will look down at him, or maybe sniff his head."

UMMM...

NO.

Marley acted like Rhodes had the plague or something. Holly would put him up there and position him...and Marley would lean wayyyyyyyyyyyyy away from Rhodes. It was hilarious and frustrating at the same time. Holly and I were both sweating like pigs. I am so anxious to see these pictures. I wonder if any of the ones she took of them turned out.

Logan and Morgan came home last night, and they spent the afternoon at Holly's house with Rhodes. They haven't seen him in nearly 2 weeks, so they are trying to get all of their snuggle time in while they're here!

Tonight, we had all 4 kids here...one son-in-law...one daughter-in-law...one grandboy...and two over-the-moon grandparents (Jim and I)....celebrating Rhodie's 2 week birthday. It was the best night.

"So teach us to number our days, that we may get a heart of wisdom." Psalm 90:12