Going "All In"

Philippians 3:7-11

"But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ.  What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ - the righteousness  that comes from God and is by faith.  I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, to attain the resurrection from the dead."

We will miss you, Kevin.  2.21.08

God Be With the Lawyers!

We've cried, hugged, questioned, reassured, and comforted each other all weekend. Although, it still seems hard to believe at times, it is gradually sinking in that this is real. Many of you have called and emailed us, so I just wanted to give you a quick update.  

All 6 of the Lawyer kids are doing well.  The last child was released from the hospital on Sunday. Praise God!

Suzie has been described as being a rock through this whole thing.   She is leaning on God as her rock and using her faith, that she and Kevin will be reunited in Heaven, to give her the strength that she needs to make it through each day.  She is focusing on the blessing that all of her kids walked away from this horrible accident with nothing more than minor injuries.  Please keep them all in your prayers.

The past several days have been exhasting and emotionally draining.  I can't even begin to imagine how it's been for the family.

There were over 2500 people that came to the Visitations.  Isn't that an incredible testimony to the kind of person that Kevin was?  The Memorial Service yesterday was also a packed house.  Kevin touched many people with his life and will probably touch many more with his death.  He's inspired many to grow deeper in their faith and as a result, become better spouses, parents, and friends.  He will be missed.

Saturday, I walked into the study to check something on the computer and Charlie's IM (Instant Message)  was still on the screen.  When you are finished IM-ing, you can leave an "away message."  This is what Charlie's said:  GOD BE WITH THE LAWYERS!

I think that about sums up anything I could say.  

GOD BE WITH THE LAWYERS!

Please Pray

I am writing this with a heavy heart.  I would like to ask you all for your prayers.  A good friend of ours, Kevin Lawyer, was killed tonight (Thurs) in a car accident.  He was driving his 6 kids home from school when it happened.  The kids were taken to 2 different hospitals. 4 of the 6 were being released when I left the hospital around 9PM.  The other 2, who were taken to Hopkins, were doing well, but hadn't yet been released.  His wife, Suzie, was not in the car with them at the time of the accident.

I was able to go up to the hospital to be with Suzie and the kids, along with other close friends and our Pastor and his wife.  Bri was in FL getting ready to fly home, when we heard about the accident.  Thankfully, he made it home safely.

My kids are pretty upset, as this is the first time, that they can recall, that someone close to them has died.  We have them all sleeping in our room tonight with us.

I am emotionally drained but yet unable to sleep, thus the post at 5AM.

I keep thinking that they must have made a mistake, that this can't be true.  But, sadly it is.

The one blessing in all of this is that Kevin truly put God first in his life.  He believed in Jesus with all of his heart. We know that he is in Heaven, where he wanted to be. As Brian said, "Now he knows all of the answers." 

Although, we are comforted in knowing where he is, our hearts are saddened by the void he leaves behind in so many people's lives.

Please pray for my friend Suzie and her kids Josh, Mayson, Max, Katie, Chloe, and Isabella.

A Bunch of Random Stuff

I got this in an email from my Dad.  Here are my answers to a bunch of random questions.

1.  Were you named after anyone?   No

2.  When was the last time you cried?  I wanted to cry today....too many kids here!  (Really, I cried yesterday.  Lately it seems like I cry all the time...happy or sad...it doesn't matter.)

3.  What is your favorite lunch meat?  Boars Head Genoa Salami

4.  How many kids do you have?  3

5.   If you were another person, would you be friends with you?  Yes, of course!

6.   Do you use sarcasm a lot?  What do you think??

7.   Do you still have your tonsils?  Yes, but I have no idea what they do.

8.    Would you bungee jump?  Yes, I'd do it once.  I'm all about trying new things....OLT...Once in a Life Time!

9.  What is your favorite cereal?   Frosted Flakes, Cap'n Crunch, Frosted Mini Wheats....I was raised on the sugar cereals of the 70's....I love 'em!

10.   Do you untie your shoes when you take them off?   No, too lazy.

11.   Do you think you are strong?  Only on the inside.

12.   What is your favorite ice cream?  Bryers Strawberry!  I have eaten the whole container in ONE sitting....straight out of the carton....more than once!

13.  What is the first thing you notice about people?  Eye contact & smile...I guess that's two things. Oops!

14.  Red or Pink?  PINK!

15.  What is the least favorite thing about yourself?   Physically...my nose...I broke it in 8th grade and it is crooked.    Mentally...that I cannot put myself first without feeling guilty.

16.  Who do you miss the most?  My grandparents, I wish they could know me as an adult and I could have know them better.

17.  What color pants and shoes are you wearing?  Blue sweats & no shoes

18.  What was the last thing you ate?   A GREAT dinner made by Veruka and her friend 'Swish'.

  

Strawberry Smoothies, Caesar Salad, Shrimp Fettucini Alfredo,  & Fresh Fruit Parfait w/ Whipped Cream.  

They planned the menu, bought the food, and made the whole meal without me knowing what they were cooking.   Are they the best or what??  They did this for FUN!  Don't you just love girls?

19.  What are you listening to right now?  TV.....TLC Channel

20.   If you were a crayon, what color would you be?  Yellow

21.  What are your favorite smells?  Furnace going on, fresh cut grass, fresh baked chocolate chip cookies, & CLEAN BOYS!

22.   Who was the last person you talked to on the phone?  My hubby.  He is in FL and is driving from Orlando to Jacksonville right now and trying to stay awake.

23.   Favorite sport to watch?  Football...especially if my kids are playing.

24.  Hair color?  Nobody knows!  It used to be brown...it is currently blonde, w/ brown and gray roots!

25.  Eye color?  I'm a "brown eyed girl."

26.  Do you wear contacts?  NO----not anymore.  I have them, but they drive me crazy!  I've gone back to wearing my glasses when I must see clearly...the rest of the time I go through life with everything softly blurred...it's really kind of nice.

27.  Favorite food?  Crabs, corn on the cob with butter, & fresh ripe tomatoes!  Mmmmm!

28.  Scary movies or happy endings?  Happy endings!!

29.  Last movie you watched?  "Alvin and the Chipmunks" ...I really need to get a life!

30.  What color shirt are you wearing?  White....Shouldn't this question be near the pants and shoes question?

31.   Summer or Winter?  Summer---but actually Fall is my favorite.

32.  Hugs or kisses?  Both!

33.  Favorite Dessert?  Cannolis  also Bryers Strawberry Ice Cream (See #12!)

34.  What book are you reading now?  "A New Earth--Awakening to Your Life's Purpose"  by Eckhart Tolle....I just started it.  So far it seems a little new agey, but I had to see what all the hoopla was about on Oprah.

35.  What is on your mousepad?  A pix of my 3 kids from my sister's wedding

36.   What did you watch on TV last night?  Nothing...didn't watch TV....hubby was leaving in the morning.

37.  Favorite sound?  Nothing----seriously, I mean SILENCE.

38.   Rolling Stones or Beatles?  No thanks....How about U2?

39.  What is the farthest you have been from home?  Hawaii

40.  Do you have a special talent?  Yes, doing all the laundry, shopping, cooking, cleaning, lunch packing, homework helping, kid chauffering, boo-boo kissing, & household managing...all the while, making it appear effortless.

Special Bonus Random Fact:  I LOVED Andy Gibb and the Bee Gees when I was growing up. My side of the bedroom wall was plastered with their posters.   My sister's side was plastered with Boston posters.  You tell me, who was the cooler sister???  All right, I admit it,  it wasn't me. 

Roses For Rose

Okay, I found the rose story online. Get your tissues ready, I'm warning you --- it will make you cry. (At least if you're like me ~ a 40 year old, emotional, premenopausal gal!)

I also want to clarify that I DID NOT write this. I also do not know if it is true or not, but I still love it. I heard this at my MOPS - (Mothers of Preschoolers) meeting last week.

"Wait a minute," you say, "you don't have any preschoolers."
Ah yes, that is true. I am the 'Mentor Mom' for our church sponsored group. I am supposed to be there to provide encouragement and wisdom for the young Moms. (Okay, you can stop laughing now.)

Seriously though, it has been a great experience for me these past couple of years. I don't know that any of them have learned anything from me, but I've learned a lot from them.

The story is long, but worth the time you'll spend reading it.


Roses For Rose

Red roses were her favorites, her name was also Rose.
And every year her husband sent them, tied with pretty bows.
The year he died, the roses were delivered to her door.
The card said, "Be my Valentine," like all the years before.

She thought - he ordered roses, in advance before this day.
Her loving husband did not know that he would pass away.
He always liked to do things early, way before the time.
Then, if he got too busy, everything would work out fine.

She trimmed the stems, placed them in a very special vase.
Then sat the vase beside the portrait of her smiling face.
She sat for hours in her husband's favorite chair.
Staring at his picture and the roses sitting there.

A year went by. It was hard to live without her mate.
With the loneliness and solitude that had become her fate.
Then, the very hour as on Valentine's before,
The doorbell rang. There were roses, sitting by her door.

She brought the roses in, looked at them in shock.
Then she got the telephone, to call the florist shop.
The owner answered. She asked him to explain,
Why would someone do this, causing her such pain?

"I know your husband passed away, more than a year ago,"
The florist said, "I knew you'd call, and want to know.
"The flowers you received today, were paid for in advance.
Your husband planned ahead, with nothing left to chance."

"He left a standing order. You'll get them every year.
There's also another thing, that you should know.
He wrote a special little card for you, he did this years ago.
That's the card that has been sent, to your this following year."

She thanked him and hung up, her tears now flowing hard.
Her fingers shook as she reached, so slowly for that card.
"My love," it said, "it's been a year since I've been gone,
I hope it hasn't been too hard for you to overcome."

"I know it must be lonely, the pain is very real.
If it was the other way, I know how I would feel.
The love we shared made everything so beautiful in life.
I loved you more than words can say, my perfect, perfect wife."

"You were my friend and lover, you fulfilled my every need.
I know it's only been a year, but please try not to grieve.
I want you to be happy, even when you shed your tears.
That is why the roses will be sent to you for years."

"When you get these roses, think of the happiness
that we had, how both of us were blessed.
I always loved you, I know I always will.
But, my love, you must go on, you have some living still."

"Try to find happiness, while living out your days.
I know it is not easy. I hope you find some ways.
The roses will come every year. They will only stop,
If your door does not open, when the florist comes to knock."

"He will come five times that day, in case you have gone out.
But after his last visit, he will know without a doubt,
to take the roses to the place, where I've instructed him.
And place the roses where we are, together once again."

Valentine's Day, Pt. 2

I am on a little roll here...blogging everyday this week! Wow! (I don't know, is that good or pathetic?)

We had a really nice Valentine's Day yesterday. We have never gone out on Valentine's Day...too crowded...and we never used to have a sitter....or the $. We used to feed the kids and put them to bed a little early...then have a nice dinner with just B & I. Well, now that we have "older kids"...the problem is that they don't go to bed! Half of the time we fall asleep before them....it is pretty sad.

The kids used to just eat mac & cheese or chicken nuggets, but this year we made them a nice dinner too. (Shrimp cocktail, London Broil, baked potatoes, mushrooms, salad & heart shaped sugar cookies for dessert!) It was kind of cute...the 3 kids sitting there having a candlelit dinner. B & I were the waiters, I think they liked that part the most. After they finished, we always do a Scavenger Hunt for them....I don't remember how it started...we've been doing it so long, but basically we make up a series of clues that they have to follow and at the end they get a little present. Then they all went up and Veruka put Mike to bed (she's the best!) and she and Charlie hung out in her room while B & I had our romantic dinner. (That's a serious run on sentence....sorry!) After dinner, we watched LOST. Not very romantic....but hey, we both wanted to watch it...we've been waiting a long time for LOST to come back on... we didn't want to miss one episode! (It was well worth it too, I mean come on, Saiid working for Ben after they get rescued!!! Wow!)

B always gets me roses, one for each year we've been Valentines. You won't believe it, but this year was our 25th Valentine's Day together!!! I know it sounds like a lot, doesn't it? (A quarter of a century!) I used to cringe at the thought of the $, but it's once a year, he likes to do it, and I think it's sweet. The past couple of years, he's been getting Veruka flowers too...(just a half dozen for her.) I heard a really sweet story about roses this week....if I can find it online, I'll post it.

The other cool thing we do is with our cards. Four years ago, B & I actually bought each other the same card....(I know...it is sweet, isn't it???) I saved the cards and each year on Valentine's Day we sign them again. One day, those 2 cards will be completely covered in messages to each other. (It also saves us from having to buy a new card each year...it can be tough to find that perfect card!)

Hopefully, all 3 of our kids are learning how to treat and be treated by their future spouses. Nothing would make me happier than to one day have grown sons who love and respect their wives and a daughter who loves and is loved by her husband.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Happy Valentine's Day!!!

The kids went back to school today! Yea! I love a day off here and there just as much as the kids...sleeping in....playing games....watching movies.... however, I sure was glad that they got to go back today. I had one kid home half the day Mon and all 3 home Tues because of 'Primary' Election Day & all 3 home Wed because of the ice. I'm going to have to be a lot more organized this Summer, or it's going to be a long couple of months!

I was a little sad this year, because only ONE of my kids got to bring Valentine's cards to school. They are growing up so quickly!

I've been messing around with my layout. What do you think of my new look??

Cute Prayer

Monday night I was at a meeting and B put the kids to bed. Our Little Buddy was saying his prayers and he asked God to let him have a good Primary Election Day.

B said he was totally serious too.....not just day off school, or Election day, but PRIMARY Election Day!

Future politician??? Hmmm.

Real things my kids have said to me.

I love you.

You're the best Mommy in the whole wide world!

You're mean.

You're the meanest Mom in the world.

I bet all the other Mom's are nicer than you. (Yes, I'm sure they are.)

You're lucky because you got to have Grandma for a Mom and she's way nicer than you. (Hee hee, that one always makes me smile. This has been said about BOTH Grandmas!)

You never let me do anything.

I should be allowed to go to the party because ________ is going and her parents are strict like you guys.

Just drop me off and when you pick me up, don't talk.

My friends all think you are cool, but they don't know you.

Why do we have to get another minivan? I want a convertible Mustang. (Oh wait, sorry, that was me.)

Mom, don't let Dad do or say anything that would embarrass me. (As if I can control him!)

You never let me drink soda. When I turn 21 I am going to drink nothing but soda, soda, soda. (I should have gotten that one in writing!)

Actually, I'm glad you are my Mom.

I love you.

Brrrrrrr!

I have two words for you.....

FOURTEEN DEGREES!!!!

That is how cold it was this morning when we woke up!  Yes, that's right, 6 days ago it was 74 degrees and this morning it was 14 degrees!!!

Have I told you that I hate Winter????

It's the Bahamas, Baby!

I thought I'd post some pictures from mine & B's long weekend in the Bahamas.  (He was there all week with work and I flew down to join him Thurs-Sun.)  A little sunshine is always good for the soul. I love, love, love spending time alone with B, without the kids. We always have a great time. It's kind of like a little sneak preview of our future!

Roto Rooter has been very good to us. (Thanks M & D too, for watching our gang.)

I thought this would be a nice pick me up for some of you, but...... it was 74 degrees here yesterday! It's February and my kids wore shorts to school!!! Crazy! (Sorry, to those of you suffering in the cold...I don't mean to rub it in.) The Weather Channel is saying we might get snow here on Saturday night. You gotta love this unpredictable East Coast weather!

My Baby is 8!!!!

I cannot believe it, but my baby is 8!!!! It is just amazing how quickly these past 5 years have flown by since we moved back to Maryland. It seems as if someone has hit the fast forward button on my life, and as hard as I may try, I can't stop it. Does anyone else feel this way?


Why is it that when your kids are babies and toddlers, the time seems to move EXCRUCIATINGLY slow, but just when they get a little older and things finally seem to get a little easier, the time flies by at the speed of light??

I mean, for Pete's sake, in 3 1/2 years we will have a kid in COLLEGE! I digress, this post isn't about her, it's about my baby, my Little Buddy. So let me get myself back on track. (We've called him "Little Buddy", since he was born. It's always "The Big Kids" and "Little Buddy." He'll probably be a 6 foot tall, 30 year old, married man....but he'll still be my "Little Buddy!")

All right, now I'm really going to get back on track. This year he really wanted to have a sleepover. We tried and tried to convince him to do something else. I tried to push the laser tag party on him, but he wasn't interested. Finally, B & I sat down and talked about it. Why were we trying to convince him to go somewhere for his party? We'd end up spending $250-$300 for a party, and it wouldn't have been what he really wanted!! So, with fear and trembling, we decided to let him have the sleepover.

Because he has an early January birthday, we usually wait a few weeks to have his party. It turned out that we are so dag on busy time(isn't this supposed to be our easy time of year?) that the only time available was on a Sun to Mon when the kids had off school for MLK's Bday. That was fine, but Bri had to leave first thing in the AM to head to a meeting in the Bahamas. I'd be on my own for breakfast and the boys departure. Yikes!

Actually, the party was great!

He had invited 9 friends, but one couldn't make it. So it ended up being 9 boys total, including him. They did a cool Amazing Race type scavenger hunt. The boys were divided into 2 teams and they were given a clue to lead them somewhere in the house. When they got there they had to complete a task and then they'd get their next clue, etc, etc, until they were finished the race. Both teams got prizes. (I have learned something over the years and years of parties!) Thank goodness for the big kids. They were both great helpers! Then, they played lots and lots of football, the two teams were supervised by B.....just to make sure there wasn't any rough tackling going on! We did gifts and cake. The boys played video games and watched 2 movies. Then, they all went to sleep....well, all but one. The last kid stayed awake until after 4AM! (Thankfully, it was my nephew!) Most of them were asleep by 12:30AM. They had a blast.

Here are some pictures. The first one is from his real Bday. His gift from us was a BMX bike. Now he's just like his Big Bro!

Check out the pix of B's Kick-off by finger. Funny!