And now, he's 10!

Happy Birthday!

10 years ago, this amazing guy entered our lives. Somehow we knew he wasn't one to be ignored. Maybe it was his 4 week early arrival. Maybe it was the loud wails. Perhaps it was the curious eyes or the shocking strength in one so small. He certainly does not disappoint. So many words describe this child of mine: curious, compassionate, thoughtful, thinker, solver, witty, handsome, loving, tactile, smart, amazing.

I have never laughed so often as I have since you entered my life. I have never loved so deeply or been challenged so regularly. Your inquisitive nature requests answers to questions I have never thought of. Your loving spirit adds gentleness and kindness to our family. You are God's child entrusted to us, or perhaps we've been entrusted to you. Your knowledge of spiritual truths is inspiring.

I love the young man you are and can't wait to see the man you will become. Keep dreaming, caring, and sharing yourself with those you meet. You are completely, entirely created in God's image.

Month old video

It's funny how time flies. A month ago Josh sang his first solo in public. Here is his 3rd performance of the day in the children's musical back in December.

A year of firsts

Since it's just you and me, I feel like I can share this. I'm scared of this year. In the last 11 days, it has become a year of firsts. I didn't mean it to be that way. I didn't sit and decide that "firsts" would be my mantra word for 2014. It just sort of happened. It started out simply.... On New Years Eve, we went to someone else's house. Our yearly party was really just us and 1 other couple, so we relocated to be with some other friends who were having their own get together. It was fun, but a little different. There were a lot of kids for the kids to hang with. There were friends that we love and didn't ever come to our party. No problem.Not a bad first. Just different. The next first was painting. My BFF and I went to one of those "pay us and we'll let you pretend you are an artist while we show you which colors to put in the numbers" places. It was fun. I totally suck as a painter and I'm sure my professional artist grandparents were shaking their heads in disappointment as they look down from up above. But I did have fun and even want to do it again. Another life moment accomplished. The start of school brought the first time I have ever come back from the holidays to work and left my kids at home, alone, unattended. It's a small first. They have been independent like this before, but this was the first time it was for a full work day. They did great. I did great. I have entered a new phase of life. It's the "I don't have to drag the kids with me everywhere" phase. I love it! This is a great first. And today, I did it again. Another first. And you won't believe it. I sure don't. Today, I got up at 6:!5 on a Saturday morning to go to... a running club. No, really, stop laughing. Last night, I saw a FB post from a church friend who was saying that starting today there was a couch-5K group for ladies over 40 starting and let her know if anyone wanted to come with. And it clicked. I have been asking for a way to get healthier with support from friends that fits into my life schedule. It resembled a light shining down from heaven and God saying "Were you serious about wanting to change some things, or just blabbing your mouth." So I went for it. Today, was my first ever running club experience. There are about 15 of us. I know about 5. I am totally intimidated. I was the slowest. And it hurt. I have NEVER run for exercise before. Being shaped like a soccer ball is not the prime form for running and my legs were totally angry at me when the stretching started. Yes, they started to hurt before the run/walk began. I'll admit it. But it felt like the right thing to do. It's very scary and I almost teared up as the group passed me. Almost quit then they turned around and passed me going the other direction. Got mad when my legs felt like jello and didn't want to propel me forward. And I am totally thankful to a new friend who walked with me. Her doctor told her no running, walk only. She's about 60. We had a nice chat and I'm glad she didn't leave me in the back alone when she could have power walked on. But, for this week, I am determined to work the program. I have my phone app loaded for Monday's interval. I have my Songza app ready for some great free workout music lists. I am ready. I hope my courage doesn't fail. So, it's a year of firsts. With more to come. Excited and scared are what I am feeling. And that's so much better than bored and in control. For today anyway.

Recapping 2013

Oh this year! It has been a blur. It started with Chris going to Germany for over a week. I took some great classes towards my Master's Degree. I said good bye to some great teaching friends who retired. I watched a couple of friends struggle through the pain of oncoming divorce. The summer was a whirlwind of trips. To New Mexico, Arkansas, New Braunfels. Chris went back to Germany and became a bona fide world traveler. I also hit the big 4-0. My first born turned 13 and I became the parent of a teenager.He also passed me in height and still loves to point that out. We are ringing in the new year with friends, as is our custom. When I look back on the year, I wonder what have I learned and how have I changed. I know I want more. I want more of Christ in my life. I want more opportunities in my job. I want more fun with my family. I want more places to love people. I want more. I look at the future and have hope. I hope that I am wiser with my time and my money. I hope I choose people over plans. I hope God continues to bless our family with health and fortune and favor. I hope my friends who have not had health, fortune, or favor will hold fast to God and not give in to bitterness. Happy New Year to all! May it be a time of love for all who hope in the power of Christ.

6000!!

wow! 6000 pageviews! That's right! 6000 clicks on this little ol blog. Thanks Mom! You must be dying for info. Not much new here. Or the Spambots have taken a liking to this piece of blogland. Anyway, It's a milestone and I'm ready to celebrate anything today since I epically fail at Christmas in general. So here's to 6000 pageviews!

The Long Haul

It has been a whirlwind around here lately. I find myself just spinning in place before I head out for the next thing. I don't think I've had such a busy fall in quite a while.

The son turned 13. We've been parents of a teenager for just under two weeks and it has already been a roller coaster ride. Prayers appreciated for the teen and his parents. So far I've decided that teens are: time consuming, argumentative, expensive, alternately funny and infuriating within the same conversation, tall, in need of an imposed wake up time, and still the same kid they were a few weeks ago but with more attitude.

The other son has found a hobby. Hobbies to be exact. He is on the school robotics team, in the school Christmas play, singing a solo in the church Christmas play, and willingly chose to read the first Harry Potter book.. for a second time. I am so confused. He can be quite delightful most days and gives a great back rub. And it is evident that he is changing and growing up. That's good. But I will miss him as a little guy. I hope he stays just as snuggley.

My library classes are winding down for the semester. By winding down I mean I have 7 more projects/papers to complete in the next 3 weeks. But if I finish the semester successfully I will be over half way finished with the degree. It seems like I should be closer to finishing, but Dec 2014 is as close as I could get it without selling one of the children or losing my job. I can't wait to see what doors open up for me when I get this done. It will allow me to continue to work with children everyday but not have to deal with the classroom issues that suck the fun out of working in a school. There are different problems, I know. But after 20 years in the classroom (by the time I am done), different will be OK.

So, we are fine. Just living a very full life. I am looking forward to seeing my family at Thanksgiving. Some time away will be nice. So I am hanging on until school gets out for the holiday. I should probably invest in some grips or something to make hanging on easier.

The saying "It's a mad, mad world" might apply to Willingham's World. We are pretty crazy, but in a good way, I like to think.

We are mad enough to think that our kids are pretty awesome. Even amidst the early teen sarcasm and challenges, they are still nice to other people. They still get along with each other long after their friends have stopped liking their siblings.  And they still ask to do things with us. Yes, I am cherishing the moments.

We are mad enough to pray about insane impossibilities, like going to Germany as a family next summer (It's just money, right?) and making a big financial decision to get rid of some debts that common sense advises against. Still praying about these, by the way.

We are mad enough to have have hope that lives can be changed for Christ in a secular, money and performance based society that stresses "tolerance for all as long as it looks like us."

And we are mad enough to think that this 20th year of marriage could be the best yet! Even with some serious challenges, we are making plans for the future and trying to figure out how to keep family close in this new stage of life with older kids and different pressures.

A quick swing by

Just swinging by to say I smell like sewage and desperately need my roots done. 40 is terribly glamorous. Off to sort and fold clean laundry, change my stinky clothes (imagine elbow deep in several day smelly laundry water)(you can only judge if you've never left a load of laundry in the washing machine a tad longer than planned) (Ok, I forgot I ran it, and the washer didn't drain, and then I went on laundry strike for maybe 4 or 5 days), participate in Bible study and plan meals for the week. Not in that order.

Be jealous of my awesome God-filled life, because I sure do have it all tog.... can't even finish typing that one. It's just heresy. My life is life. Good/bad/smelly/otherwise.