What our daughters and sons need to know!

We are certainly proud of our kids who have married and started their families. Fun to see them as parents and the love that they have for their kids. I found this advice for Fathers, and it made me think of our son in law John, who is the father of 3 sweet little girls.

This is definitely something that I hope he teaches these girls throughout their lives. It will make all the difference in the world to them. All Dads should teach this to their girls...especially by personal example. 

And of course like it said at the end. We also need to teach our sons and our Grandsons to be that kind of man! As  you look at this handsome little guy... I think he is already on his way!
Good night dear friends!

How does He Know?

 Well, I just finished a 2 day and 2 night Sleep Over with my youngest granddaughter here...why am I so tired? :) Thought I would share this amazing story that I read today, it made my heart smile! Good night dear friends!

 How Does He Know?

By Joel Hancock

---

10704_000_012 I have lived on a small island off the North Carolina, USA, coast all my life. My home is protected from the open ocean by a barrier island that my family calls the Banks. This barrier island, populated by wild horses and waterfowl, was a summer wonderland to me as a boy—a natural theme park that charged no admission.
Most families who lived on the islands had some kind of boat. By the time I was a teenager, my parents allowed me to use a boat without adult supervision. I often went with my six older brothers to the Banks where we could play. We swam in the ocean, water skied on the sound, chased after herds of wild horses, and dug for clams.
Each afternoon or early evening as we returned home to my father’s dock, I saw my father standing on the shore, awaiting our return. As we secured the boat, he asked about our day and inspected the boat to make sure it was okay. I thought he was just worried about his boat.
My brothers eventually bought boats of their own, and my father entrusted his boat to me alone when I took my friends and younger cousins to the Banks. One thing about my father stayed the same even as I grew older and matured. No matter the occasion or the amount of time we spent on the island, he was always there walking to the shore the very moment our boat came into view.
It seemed as though he had an internal tracking device that allowed him to know the very instant I headed for home. I could not elude him by staying later than usual or heading home early. He always knew exactly when I would approach the shore.
Even after I had a boat and a family of my own, my father was always there to welcome us back to the dock after we had gone out on the water. “How does he know?” I used to ask. “How can he tell exactly when I am headed for home?”
Eventually, having sons of my own who wanted to go boating alone revealed my father’s secret.
The first summer afternoon that my two sons headed out alone on the boat, my heart ached for their safety because I had a deeper understanding of how dangerous the water could be. From the moment my sons departed, I stared almost without respite toward the horizon, waiting for their return.
After a few long hours, I could see my sons in the distance as they made their way back. Then, just like my own father, I walked to the shore to reassure myself that all was well—not with my boat, but with my boys.
Every time I see my sons as they break the horizon for home in our small powerboat, I remember a specific verse in the Savior’s parable of the prodigal son. “And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him” (Luke 15:20).
Perhaps it wasn’t a chance circumstance that the worried father in the parable saw his wayward son returning home. I can imagine how long and how often the father might have watched that road in the weeks, months, or years since his son’s departure. Likewise, I understand better how our Heavenly Father stays on the lookout for each of us, especially when we have strayed.
My own father died five years ago, after a lifetime of looking after his children and grandchildren. I treasure the mental picture I have of my father waiting on the shoreline. There was a time when I thought his constant attention meant he didn’t trust me. But now, looking back, wisdom has shown me that he loved me enough to let me take the boat and to be anxious that I return safely. He was waiting for me because of how much he loved me.
You can read the article here:
 

Little boys!

Introducing my 3rd grandchild ( first grandson ) Hezekiah William, isn't he too cute! Found this sweet poem, and for those of us who have boys grown up now becoming Dad's themselves...it was very fitting!   Good night dear friends!

You Are...

Someone once called you
Snips, Snails, Puppy-Dog Tails--
but I know you
and you are
mud-puddle-splashing and
secret-fort-building and
living-room-floor-wrestling and
sometimes even sweet-sibling-hugging
you are
coated with the dust and dirt of
boyhood play--
high-top tennis shoes and falling-down socks
blistered palms from too much free-throw practice
chlorine-damp hair from a splashy cannonball dive into the pool
you are
eating your veggies
only with the promise that they'll make you big and strong
you are
giggling in your pj's at Saturday morning cartoons
you are
letting the dog lick your face and
you are
laughing
you are
scrubbed and tubbed
hair combed (until
it rumples on your pillow
when you settle in to sleep)
and there in your dreams
you are
a cowboy, a fireman,
a dump-truck driver,
an astronaut,
Michael Jordan
but in my dreams
(my daydreams and my night dreams)
you are
a grown, gentle man with
a lighted smile, shining eyes--
you are
in candlelight,
kissing your beautiful new bride--
you are
in night-light,
singing soft lullabies to your babies in their beds,
and smoothing their bath-damp hair
for I know you and
that's what my little boy is made of.  ~(Nikki Blair )
Found the poem here:

“You’ll never know how much I love you…..not until the son becomes a father.” ~ Uknown

A Mother’s heart

I found this website about children that have cancer and how their stories go… 

http://www.cancerkids.org/Children/Stories/.

It is hard to read, there are so many things that bring back the memories of just three years ago for our family. It was on Oct 30th three years ago that I was told that I had cancer once again. My first cancer I had 7 years prior. Then I was told that I had 3 tumors and that the cancer had spread, and that I would have to lose my breast. It seems all so surreal now, how did I ever survive that? I know it was because I was suppose to survive it. It was all part of the plan, I cannot explain why things happen like they do, but I have been around long enough…to know that everything happens for a reason. Even if we don’t always know what that reason is right away. There was something else I had left to do, and I pray every day that I am doing it!
One thing that I couldn’t imagine as I read these children’s stories from their Mother’s point of view, is what the Mother’s must be feeing. I thanked my Heavenly Father every day that it was me that had the cancer, and not one of my kids. Now I know that sounds weird, but there is just something about seeing your kids in pain or struggling and you can’t do anything about it…that hurts, really hurts! I can’t even imagine what heartaches these Mothers must be going through. And since Mom is usually the heart of the home, it is important for her to stay positive, full of faith and hope. If your Mom’s believes…so should you!

I have a dear friend who is one of these Mother’s going through exactly this. She is watching her adult son ( really doesn’t matter how old he is ) battling his way with cancer. As I read her letters and all the pain that her son is in, I just know that it must be eating her away too, little by little. I believe though that he still needs her for love, comfort, support and hope. Mom’s are suppose to be the one that believe in you when no one else does, one who believes the impossible, the one who talks to God daily and wants ( as He does ) whatever is best for you.

My heart and prayers go out to her, and all you Mothers and Fathers out there that going through situations like these with your kids. I pray that you some how will find the strength, courage and hope that you need. Please don’t give up. Only God knows the future, but He has always promised that He would never leave us alone to go through the trial and experiences in this life. I personally know that to be true. So hold on tight, be strong and know that there are many of us who love you, and who are praying for you!

 

 

“A mother is the truest friend we have, when trials heavy and sudden, fall upon us; when adversity takes the place of prosperity; when friends who rejoice with us in our sunshine desert us; when trouble thickens around us, still will she cling to us, and endeavor by her kind precepts and counsels to dissipate the clouds of darkness, and cause peace to return to our hearts.”   ~ Washington Irving

“Mother love is the fuel that enables a normal human being to do the impossible.”     Marion C. Garretty quotes

Labor Day Birthday!

Our son Bradley was born on Labor Day, that would have been appropriate IF... I would have labored having him, but I didn't ...he was a planned C-section. I just remember hearing him cry for the first time and then they laid him up next to me and I cried. I was worried that my heart wouldn't be big enough to love two kids but...how wrong I was. Brad was a great baby and a 100% boy. He always had to be moving and making some kind of noise, he loved the outdoors, and could eat a potato bug...quicker than anyone! :(
Life seemed to move faster with two kids, there was always something going on, still having Brad around was a joy in our lives. I like this poem because that explained him to a T!

Little Boys Little boys come in all shapes and sizes,
Shy and adventurous, full of surprises,
With misshapen halos and mischievous grins,
Small dirty faces, and sweet, sticky chins.
They'll keep you so busy, and yet all the while
Nothing can brighten the world like their smile.
And no greater treasure has brought homes more joy
Than a curious, active, and lovable boy!  ~ Unknown

But then Brad started growing up and I remember the first time he left home...I cried my eyes out again. I wondered if I had taught him everything he needed to make it for himself out in the world? And boy did he ever, he served a 2 year mission for our church in the Philippines and loved it and the people there!

Then he got married to our cute Krystal, and in April they both graduated from college!

And now they are working and expecting their first baby! How does time go by that fast? I can still remember of getting up early on Labor Day to check in to the hospital to go have Brad, and now he is going to have a little one of his own.

Brad is such an incredible part of our family. He is funny, he has a very good heart and loves everyone. He is so talented and passionate about his work. I don't think we could have picked out a better life for him. I feel grateful and blessed to be his Mom. How proud I am of the man he has become. Happy Birthday son!

"You don't raise heroes, you raise sons.  And if you treat them like sons, they'll turn out to be heroes, even if it's just in your own eyes."  ~Walter M. Schirra, Sr.

"Good fathers make good sons."  ~Author Unknown

Still my boy!

Our youngest son Lee as you know, graduated last week. He is 18 years old and soon he will be heading off to college, that seems so weird that he is our last one to leave home. The Empty Nest Stage is quickly approaching and I am NOT READY for it! But like anything else in life, ready or not here ...it comes!  Life just keeps happening.

Lee was asked to help coach at a Basketball Camp this whole week, he was more than excited to go. He loves playing ball, he has since he was a little kid. Ball was even his first word! Anyway, last night as we were discussing his trip and if he had every thing he needed, he asked me if I was going to write those cards again. I didn't know what he meant at first and then he explained ..."You know the cards that you wrote one for every day, last year when I went to camp?" I did remember and was thrilled that he liked it and wasn't embarrassed that his Mom was writing him a card, scripture and quote for each day. He really want them again! It did my heart good to hear that. You never know when the things you do... are truly appreciated or if the things you are teaching ...really are sinking in! Yeah, that was great treat for me to hear!

So I guess even though he is 6 ft and 18 years old, he is still my boy. It is a neat feeling as a Mom, when  you know that your grown children still need you in some ways! I just love being their MOM!
Good night dear friends!

"Son, you outgrew my lap, but never my heart."  ~Author Unknown

"You don't raise heroes, you raise sons.  And if you treat them like sons, they'll turn out to be heroes, even if it's just in your own eyes."  ~Walter M. Schirra, Sr.