Vitality

My last post had to do with three words that got my attention during a hallmark movie. Poverty of spirit. The context was realizing our dreams. I usually think of the word poverty as having to do with money. But, in the movie, the context was what keeps us from doing what we want to do? If we have a life dream, and don't know how we can possibly make it come true, the only thing that can stop us is poverty of spirit.

This morning I got a quote that goes along with this.

"Vitality shows not only in the ability to persist, but in the ability to start over." (F. Scott Fitzgerald)

I have started so many things over. I like giving myself second chances or third chances or as many chances as I need to accomplish something. I don't use the word failure. I don't mind saying, "Well, that didn't work." And, then I try something else. And, I especially like giving myself "do-overs". The truth is, sometimes we don't know what to do, so we do what we know to do and that doesn't get the job done. In time, if we keep trying we will get the job done. We might even run into the answer by accident, and that is always fun.

One day, I was watching a video with Davey. He was sitting on my lap and he had the remote to the TV. He was pushing button after button just experimenting. He is almost 4 years old now. He pushed one button and the whole screen went fuzzy. He looked up at me and said, "Oh, oh!" I suggested he give the remote to me. He kept the remote. He kept pushing buttons. The screen returned to normal. He looked at me and we both smiled and said "Wow! You got it!" and we clapped and laughed.

Nobody was scolded. Nobody felt bad. I guess I think there is never failure in learning. (By the way Sarah, this was your remote at your house) So, there you have Judy's thoughts at 6:30 AM on a Thursday morning. I am going to get another cup of coffee now.

Good morning world!

Made Me Think

It is Friday night and I am watching a movie on the Hallmark Channel. I haven't seen it before. It is one of the good ones. One of the ones that makes you think. There was a three word phrase that got my attention. Three little words.........

Poverty of spirit...............

Back In Show Business

Dad just sent this picture! Looks like he was a guest on Adam's new Coffee Time talk show at the new radio station. This is so cool! Adam does such a great job with talk shows. He is going to have other guests too come September/October! Dad, Joe (from Ireland) and I will be doing a road trip to South Carolina and will get to be guests. I cannot wait! I repeat...I cannot wait!! I think I will need a new outfit!

Home Sweet Home

Here are some pictures of Adam's, Sara Beth's, Joseph's, Kallsen's and Parker's new home. It is beautiful and has a great yard for the kids to play in. There is a great safe driveway for them to ride their bikes on, a car port, 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms and lots of space! Thanks Tom for sending the pictures.! It really helps to see where they are. Now, I can't wait to see pictures of the family once they get settled. I also can't wait to get down there and visit. Soon..Soon...Soon!!!!

I love you guys and am glad you arrived safely! xoxo

They Made It!!

I wish I had a picture! Tom called and said they arrived in South Carolina at their new home about 4:30 p.m. our time. They were tired but doing ok. The house is a long brick ranch style home with four bedrooms and two baths and a big back yard. It is four miles outside of town.

His camera battery was low but he took some pictures of the outside and the inside. I doubt they will have internet access there but maybe he can find a hotspot and get the pictures downloaded and sent via email tomorrow. I will cross my fingers and hope. I bet he might just get a chance to go see Adam's radio station tomorrow and do it there. Let's hope!

I'm glad to know they are finally there!

The Journey Continues

While Adam and Sara Beth were picking out Adam's new glasses, Tom and Joseph did Kallsen and Parker duty in the mall. They found some play cars that kids love to climb into. Parker got his turn to drive with Joseph as his passenger. Wait, where is Kallsen? Life is ok when both little ones go the same direction. I can only hope Kallsen is standing next to grandpa while he is taking this picture!



While Parker is satisfied with the little cars in the mall, Kallsen just can't stand the thought of not being in the big yellow beep beep with his daddy!

They made it as far as Lexington, KY last night. They didn't stop until a little after midnight and hope to arrive in SC late afternoon or early this evening.

They will need to unload the truck then and get some beds set up and hopefully rest their weary bones. I wish I was there!

A Delay In The Travel

I talked with Tom a couple times today. They had a slight delay on their way to South Carolina. Adam's glasses broke last night so they called from Dubuque,IA this morning. They were in the mall there waiting for Adam's new glasses to be made up.

Later tonight I called Tom to catch him at the Waffle House in Indianapolis, Indiana. They were going to travel further tonight so they could have a shorter day of travel tomorrow.

Adam goes to work Monday morning and they want to get to their destination and do some unloading yet tomorrow night.

Wish them luck!

It not only takes a village to raise a child, it takes a village to move a child and his family. The feeling doesn't change. I am going to miss you guys a lot!

Heading Back To South Carolina

The truck organizing crew

Yesterday was a big day! Tom, Kara, Christopher and I traveled down to Estherville, IA to help pack up our son Adam and his family for their move back to South Carolina. After a year of having them close by, they are returning to South Carolina where Adam has started a new job. He will continue to be in radio and is looking forward to his new position as general manager of an AM station there. Sara Beth has secured a teaching job fourteen miles from their new residence. She will be teaching fifth grade for half the day and working with special and gifted students the other half.

Packing and cleaning went smoothly and left none of us too much worse for wear. Christopher, who is 14, gave it his all. I don't know what we would have done without his cheerful and willing attitude and just hard work. He is so strong! Joseph worked non-stop throughout the day and at times looked at Christopher with awe!!

Tom and Adam organized the moving truck masterfully and Kara and I packed and sorted and cleaned and carried manageable boxes to the truck. There were no disasters unless you count one near disaster. Right as things were done and good to go, Adam opened the door at the back of the truck and their new filter queen vacuum tumbled out of the truck and onto the driveway...attachments flew and the case came apart. We think it is fine. It appears it just popped apart and didn't actually break. If that is the worst that happened, it is all ok. Nobody was hurt and nobody even got upset. This group just seemed to take things in stride and the mood was focused, friendly and doing what the situation demanded. Adam put it back together and back in the truck it went. No tears shed..just maybe a "shoot" or "what just happened" was uttered. I think that was me!

Tom is driving to SC with the family and Kara, Christopher and I headed home. We stopped off in Mankato to eat and doggone if all three of us didn't look like an old person getting out of the car! I wasn't sure any of us could stand up straight for about five minutes.

It was a big day! We are going to miss you guys! Thanks to Parker and Kallsen for being such good little boys! Man, I love you all!

Parker blowing gramma a kiss.......now that brought a smile

Parker was ready to roll

xoxo