This is from my brother's blog. I know there is a link to it over on my sidebar... but it was just too good not to post.
Sometimes, God Gives You a Moment
April 30th, 2010
Spring is such a great time. Warmer weather, everything turns green again and certain events signal the arrival of the season. Easter, Spring Break, the Kentucky Derby - and at our house - Prom. My son is a Senior this year, and Prom is tomorrow night. He’s chosen a delightful young lady as his date, and anticipation is in the air.
Yesterday, I had the opportunity to meet him at the tux shop to pick up his attire. It was a beautiful, sunny day - the place was abuzz with other teenage boys - some arriving solo, and others with various advisors and confidantes in tow. I took a seat out front as my son went back to the dressing room to make sure everything fit properly. After a few minutes, I heard him call, “Dad?”…I showed him the fine art of putting on cufflinks and returned to my seat. Then something magical happened.
I had returned to the front of the shop and was passing time by fiddling with my Blackberry. The store had emptied, and I had a clear line of sight to the dressing room hallway. Some nice music was playing on the intercom, and I was enjoying a few minutes of downtime. After a bit, I looked up just as my son emerged from the dressing room in his tuxedo. So mature, so grown up, so handsome. We made eye contact - and something happened in that moment. Life went into slow motion. I felt a rush of conflicting emotions - pride, joy and sadness. My son is grown. I am so proud of him, and so sad that his time with me is coming to a close. A parent’s work is never over, but the bulk of my work is done. Now he stands before me in a tuxedo, his eyes once again looking for his father’s approval, just as he has since he was a little boy.
Although he didn’t notice, it was tough for old Dad to keep it together. I smiled and told him how nice he looked. He walked to the front of the store and we stared in the full-length mirror. He was focused on the length of his jacket sleeves; I was struck by the image of father and son standing together. My mind flashed to the day he was born - I can still see it vividly in my mind. Now he stood there, nearly as tall as me. I noticed the age on my face, and the youth on his.
Nothing prepares you for that.
With everything in order, he changed back into his normal clothes, we paid the bill, and off he went. For him, it was an important item off the pre-Prom to-do list. For me, all I can say is that sometimes, God gives you a moment.
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
Friday, April 16, 2010
Long Time No Write.....
Could life possibly move any faster. Even though some days seem to drag on for weeks... time in general is flying by. 34 days of school left... WHAT???!!! Wasn't it just spring break? April is half over when it just started. We are two short months away from having half of 2010 behind us... and man that is just scary.
Baseball season officially arrived here at the Jones house last month. Business wise we can't breathe at the start of baseball season. But I am starting to see the light and hopefully next week will be able to breathe again. Kid wise we are also covered up with baseball... Ethan on the high school team playing 3 times a week, Jaden in little league playing twice a week... and come June, Austin will join the mix when Pony League starts. It's a good thing I love to watch my boys play.
Little miss Ava turned 4 last month. I told her on her birthday when you turn four, you aren't allowed to throw fits anymore....guess i will try that speech again when she turns 5. Last night as I sat in the floor of the hallway with my head in my hands (as she was in the bathtub letting out blood curdling screams) I tried to remind myself that there will come a day when she doesn't throw fits anymore... I just hope I make it to that day.
My nephew Max turned 18 a couple of weeks ago. Don't know how that happened. He will be graduating from Carmel High School in June. And speaking of graduating... my baby brother Evan will be graduating from IU on May 8th. Already has his own office to run his company from and a new place to live in Indy. Have I mentioned before how proud I am of that boy?? ;)
I leave you today with some insightful words from one of my favorite people...:) "Life moves pretty fast... if you don't stop and look around once in awhile... you could miss it." Ferris Buehler
What a good looking bunch....if I do say so myself :)
Max's Senior picture.... soooo cute
Last day with the toddler bed :)
Baseball season officially arrived here at the Jones house last month. Business wise we can't breathe at the start of baseball season. But I am starting to see the light and hopefully next week will be able to breathe again. Kid wise we are also covered up with baseball... Ethan on the high school team playing 3 times a week, Jaden in little league playing twice a week... and come June, Austin will join the mix when Pony League starts. It's a good thing I love to watch my boys play.
Little miss Ava turned 4 last month. I told her on her birthday when you turn four, you aren't allowed to throw fits anymore....guess i will try that speech again when she turns 5. Last night as I sat in the floor of the hallway with my head in my hands (as she was in the bathtub letting out blood curdling screams) I tried to remind myself that there will come a day when she doesn't throw fits anymore... I just hope I make it to that day.
My nephew Max turned 18 a couple of weeks ago. Don't know how that happened. He will be graduating from Carmel High School in June. And speaking of graduating... my baby brother Evan will be graduating from IU on May 8th. Already has his own office to run his company from and a new place to live in Indy. Have I mentioned before how proud I am of that boy?? ;)
I leave you today with some insightful words from one of my favorite people...:) "Life moves pretty fast... if you don't stop and look around once in awhile... you could miss it." Ferris Buehler
What a good looking bunch....if I do say so myself :)
Max's Senior picture.... soooo cute
Last day with the toddler bed :)
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Godsend...
Websters dictionary defines a godsend as "a desirable needed thing or event that comes unexpectedly...as if from God." ("as if" LOL- there is no as if about it:) I experienced such an event last night firsthand.
I am blessed to have a particular group of friends that never cease to amaze me. I have, as of late, kind of shut everything and everyone out of my life....these friends included. I am a master wall builder, believe me. I have old walls that were started in my childhood, and new walls that have just begun to take shape. Walls that I have managed to knock to the ground, others that are partially broken, and a few that are as strong as a fortress that I fear may never come down. Very few people ever get to see behind those walls.
Last night, these amazing women in my life, staged an intervention of sorts. They did it because they love me. They did it to let me know in no uncertain terms that they love me unconditionally. They did it to point out just how much I have seperated myself from others and from God as of late. And to show me that I will never find the answers or the peace I so desperately seek by doing so.
Once you belong to God and you run from Him... He will chase you down. He will use the people He has put into your life and sprinkle in a godsend here and there. He is relentless in His pursuit and I LOVE that about Him. He will still love you even when you resist His efforts... in fact, He may love you just a bit more during those times.
Today I am thankful for these friends. Thankful that they love me without question or uncertainty. Thankful that they do not, nor would they ever, judge or condemn. Thankful that they care enough to step up and take over when things are out of control and my strength is gone. Thankful that they know me so well it's downright scary... despite my best efforts to keep them at arms length.
Two of my girls check on me pretty much daily without fail. Especially if they have not heard from me for awhile (or a couple hours:) This morning, one of them made a profound impact on me. From God's mouth to her ears to me via text. She changed everything. She said a lot of things that changed my perspective today, but this statement, very simple and concise and to the point spoke volumes to me. Even though I already knew.. it was sooo what I needed to hear. She said "honey...you have got to get back with God. His plans were laid out for you before you were born. He has the steering wheel."
I don't know what the future holds... but I know who holds the future. :)
I am blessed to have a particular group of friends that never cease to amaze me. I have, as of late, kind of shut everything and everyone out of my life....these friends included. I am a master wall builder, believe me. I have old walls that were started in my childhood, and new walls that have just begun to take shape. Walls that I have managed to knock to the ground, others that are partially broken, and a few that are as strong as a fortress that I fear may never come down. Very few people ever get to see behind those walls.
Last night, these amazing women in my life, staged an intervention of sorts. They did it because they love me. They did it to let me know in no uncertain terms that they love me unconditionally. They did it to point out just how much I have seperated myself from others and from God as of late. And to show me that I will never find the answers or the peace I so desperately seek by doing so.
Once you belong to God and you run from Him... He will chase you down. He will use the people He has put into your life and sprinkle in a godsend here and there. He is relentless in His pursuit and I LOVE that about Him. He will still love you even when you resist His efforts... in fact, He may love you just a bit more during those times.
Today I am thankful for these friends. Thankful that they love me without question or uncertainty. Thankful that they do not, nor would they ever, judge or condemn. Thankful that they care enough to step up and take over when things are out of control and my strength is gone. Thankful that they know me so well it's downright scary... despite my best efforts to keep them at arms length.
Two of my girls check on me pretty much daily without fail. Especially if they have not heard from me for awhile (or a couple hours:) This morning, one of them made a profound impact on me. From God's mouth to her ears to me via text. She changed everything. She said a lot of things that changed my perspective today, but this statement, very simple and concise and to the point spoke volumes to me. Even though I already knew.. it was sooo what I needed to hear. She said "honey...you have got to get back with God. His plans were laid out for you before you were born. He has the steering wheel."
I don't know what the future holds... but I know who holds the future. :)
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Enough already...
I have had serious blogger block lately... not that I haven't had inspiration...just haven't been able to articulate those thoughts. Sometimes life is difficult that way.
I'm thinking I have spring fever...Is it too early for that? I love a good deep snowfall as much as the next person, but once a season is usually enough for me. Kids out of school a few days... great. Out of school a couple weeks... well.... There are advantages to being snowed in once in awhile, don't get me wrong. But enough already. At this rate it will be mid June before summer vacation officially begins. That pretty much bites.
But the great thing is that seasons change. This time in our lives won't last forever. A new season will begin leaving us feeling refreshed and renewed. I love how that happens.
I'm thinking I have spring fever...Is it too early for that? I love a good deep snowfall as much as the next person, but once a season is usually enough for me. Kids out of school a few days... great. Out of school a couple weeks... well.... There are advantages to being snowed in once in awhile, don't get me wrong. But enough already. At this rate it will be mid June before summer vacation officially begins. That pretty much bites.
But the great thing is that seasons change. This time in our lives won't last forever. A new season will begin leaving us feeling refreshed and renewed. I love how that happens.
Thursday, February 4, 2010
Happy Birthday Austin!!
Fourteen years ago, the temperature was -12 degress.... that's MINUS 12 degrees. There was also quite a bit of snow on the ground as Aaron and I made the hour long drive to the Bloomington hospital. My water had already broken at home, but I hadn't started having contractions yet. It was five weeks before my due date.
For the next 20 hours... I labored. It wasn't bad, just exhausting. Many people hung out and waited. Mom, Dad, my step mom Julie, my brothers Kent and Evan, my sister-in-law Patti, my neice Haley, and our good friends Mike and Kristy. They waited, and waited and waited. At one point somewhere around midnight a few of them braved the cold and went out for breakfast. They still talk about how painfully cold it was that night.
FINALLY, at 2 in the morning, after 3 pushes, Austin made his grand entrance. After the traditional "It's a Boy!" the next thing the dr. said was "He's a little red headed baby!"
She was right... sort of .... his hair wasn't exactly red. It was bright orange. Bright orange fuzz all over his tiny head and tiny little eyebrows that looked like they had been drawn on with an orange crayon. He was perfect. All 6 tiny pounds of him.
Unfortunately he had gurgles... his lungs held some fluid. No doubt from being 5 weeks early. He was whisked past all the people who had been waiting hours to see him and taken to the nursery. He spent three days in an incubator on oxygen but he did very well considering.
So three days later we brought him home. Ethan was only 18 months at the time, but oh so excited. They have been best friends ever since.
Today, it seems like fourteen years went by in the blink of an eye. He has grown into such a great person. So fun to be around, such the crack-up, so smart, loving, considerate, sensitive and talented. Happy Birthday Austin...even though you're not so tiny anymore...you'll always be my little orange headed boy!
For the next 20 hours... I labored. It wasn't bad, just exhausting. Many people hung out and waited. Mom, Dad, my step mom Julie, my brothers Kent and Evan, my sister-in-law Patti, my neice Haley, and our good friends Mike and Kristy. They waited, and waited and waited. At one point somewhere around midnight a few of them braved the cold and went out for breakfast. They still talk about how painfully cold it was that night.
FINALLY, at 2 in the morning, after 3 pushes, Austin made his grand entrance. After the traditional "It's a Boy!" the next thing the dr. said was "He's a little red headed baby!"
She was right... sort of .... his hair wasn't exactly red. It was bright orange. Bright orange fuzz all over his tiny head and tiny little eyebrows that looked like they had been drawn on with an orange crayon. He was perfect. All 6 tiny pounds of him.
Unfortunately he had gurgles... his lungs held some fluid. No doubt from being 5 weeks early. He was whisked past all the people who had been waiting hours to see him and taken to the nursery. He spent three days in an incubator on oxygen but he did very well considering.
So three days later we brought him home. Ethan was only 18 months at the time, but oh so excited. They have been best friends ever since.
Today, it seems like fourteen years went by in the blink of an eye. He has grown into such a great person. So fun to be around, such the crack-up, so smart, loving, considerate, sensitive and talented. Happy Birthday Austin...even though you're not so tiny anymore...you'll always be my little orange headed boy!
Monday, January 4, 2010
Back to normal...
Finally!... Although I enjoyed the holidays, there is something to be said for getting back to the regular routine.
Everything is put away... Everything is clean... The kids are back in school... I am breathing a sigh of relief today. Bet I'm not the only one.
I am not, however, looking forward to the long cold winter that lies ahead. Winter depresses me. In fact, I have not stepped foot out the door for seven days now. Can't tolerate the cold, so I stay inside, which adds to the winter blues... it's a viscous cycle.
Today I will venture out to, of all places, Walmart. What in the world could possibly be more depressing than going to walmart when it is 14 degrees outside.
Hate winter... Hate Walmart... the two combined... don't get me started.
Everything is put away... Everything is clean... The kids are back in school... I am breathing a sigh of relief today. Bet I'm not the only one.
I am not, however, looking forward to the long cold winter that lies ahead. Winter depresses me. In fact, I have not stepped foot out the door for seven days now. Can't tolerate the cold, so I stay inside, which adds to the winter blues... it's a viscous cycle.
Today I will venture out to, of all places, Walmart. What in the world could possibly be more depressing than going to walmart when it is 14 degrees outside.
Hate winter... Hate Walmart... the two combined... don't get me started.
Monday, December 28, 2009
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