Faith is back

 Faith is now working as a travel nurse right here in central Illinois.  About six months ago Jenny asked Sarah and I to be praying for Faith, her career and where God wanted her to land.  So we started praying.  I never prayed that Faith would end up back in central Illinois but it is also home to her.  I only prayed that she would land where God wanted her to be.  God knew that Faith loves everything about this area; her friends, the four seasons and the familiarity of it all.  It is truly an answer to prayer and I'm thankful.  On Saturday night I hosted our second bourbon party.  Believe it or not this picture of Mary and Faith was the only picture I took that night.  Faith said it felt just like old times coming out to the Siebert house.  It is so nice to have her home.  

6 things that bring me joy

 I have always enjoyed writing. For years I kept up on this blog with hilarious stories about my boys.  Well those boys moved out and I entered menopause and quite frankly I lost all my creative ideas, decision making skills and motivation. I would not call it depression but there were many months when I didn't feel like myself.  I still don't but God. Recently over a 24 hour period two of my closest girlfriends, Sarah and Mary, encouraged me to start writing again. Mary said I should be documenting what this season of life looks like for me. Most days it's me wondering why I walked into a room, trying to figure out how many grams of protein I consumed and what my sleep score was the day before but I digress.  I attempted to write a few days ago but ended up staring at my keyboard.  On my walk this morning with Lenny (more on him later) a topic came to me.  Write about the 6 things that bring me joy in this season of my life.  So here goes. 

*Time with my adult children. There really aren't words to describe what a blessing they are to me.  Every hard season while raising them was worth it. 

*Antics with Lenny.  I spent the summer questioning my sanity.  What was I thinking getting a puppy?  But now I can't imagine my life without that little beef cake. 

*Hannah. She lights up my son's world and because of that, she also lights up my world.  Not to mention she is a joy to be around 

*Watching Mike be a master in the kitchen.  This is not new but he has taken his cooking to new levels since the boys moved out.  I rarely cook much at all since there are no meals to prepare for hungry boys. Mike has even started making sushi.  I joke that I'm at the age that I no longer care to start a new hobby or learn anything new.  Meanwhile Mike has become a master chef.  

*My church.  Oh how I love my church and the people.  Kim and I have started taking mom to church with us and what a joy it has been to see my mom back at church and worshipping together.  

*Time with the Lord in the morning.  I would not give up this time for anything.  It is precious to me. 

My trip to Washington

I've been home from my trip to Washington about 48 hours and I still don't quite know what to say.  It was incredible!  Thank you Lord for such an amazing opportunity to be poured into.  This year my sister joined me and loved it also.  Sadly Mary couldn't make it this year.  It was special to experience it with Kim.  As I reflect on my trip my big take away is I serve an audience of One - The one true King, my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  I pray He uses me as a tool in His hands.  I can do nothing without Him.  Nothing I do or say is anything without Him. My prayer over the next few weeks and months is for a fresh pouring of the holy spirit.  Oh how I want that.  I want to hear God's still small voice and for Him to direct my steps.  I don't want to do anything without His counsel.  

On Thursday we lobbied on Capitol Hill.  I love this experience.  What a remarkable opportunity to speak to our legislators.  

Kim and I all dressed up the night of the Red, White & True Gala.  We loved every second. 

 I took more pictures but just included a few for my blog.  This is my group from Illinois.  There were 10 of us.  

Two years ago the Lord clearly placed it on my heart to get involved with CWA.  I am so thankful for this opportunity especially at this time in my life.  Lord, help me to be a strong leader.  Leader is not a word I would use to describe me.  I am where I am today because of the Lord.  I pray He opens doors of opportunity to serve others and be a beacon of light in a very dark world.  Show me new ways of thinking, give me fresh ideas and give me a complete heart of humilty.  May what grieves my Father in heaven grieve my heart as well.  

Mom's Baptism

 I love how God works.  How He uses us to plant seeds so we can bear fruit.  Several months ago Jay mentioned to me that it made him sad that Nana could no longer go to church.  A seed was planted. Kim and I committed to take mom to our church. It was slow going because about the time we were set to take mom our church started construction on our handicapped ramp.  After many delays we finally were able to take her on a consistent basis.  She loved going.  She loved Mike, the pastor.  She loved seeing Mary, John, Shannon and she loved the preacher's wife, Sara.  A kind and loving soul who greeted mom with a kiss on her cheek each time she saw her.  

Mom has loved Jesus her entire life. After her stroke she could have complained to God and maybe silently she did but to all of us her faith never wavered.  Last Sunday was baptism Sunday.  Kim was with mom and after church she called me with excitement.  Mom wanted to be baptized.  Wow, I didn't have that on my bingo card.  Kim and I were overjoyed.  We made some calls and mom was baptized on Saturday in a hotel pool.  Craig surprised us all and was baptized also.  It was a glorious day!  

My injury

 Last week I was sitting on the tile floor with Lenny.  When I got up, I pulled a groin muscle and let me tell you, the pain is no joke.  For two days I hobbled around.  By day three I was getting better.  Today is day 5 and I'm still not active.  I feel better and things feel like they are improving but I'm use to walking 11,000 steps per day, if not more and this injury has put me at a stand still.  I'm not resistant training or walking right now.  I keep reminding myself that by next week at this time I should be good as new, I hope.  To be my age in post menopause is no joke.  Last night as I was getting into bed at 8:15 which is standard for me I had to laugh at myself.  My ceiling fan was on full blast.  My travel fan was set up right next to my bed so it blows on me all night.  I rub my essential oils over my foot for my plantar fascitis, then I rub my magnesium butter over my both my feet to help me sleep and I always take my medication for my night sweats right before bed.  Last night I put my compression sock on to help with my leg pain and finally I put my eye mask over my face and I'm out.  What a pitiful sight I am.  These days if I have an event in the evening I'm hit with anxiety, worrying if I'll make it home in time to be in bed by 8:30.  Thank goodness for my dear girlfriends who understand all this and are going through the same rituals.  

I remember my mom telling me she loved her 50's.  I'm 52 and I gotta say I am not loving them.  I am truly doing my best with what I have but there are so many changes at 50 something.  My life as a mother has changed dramatically which isn't a bad thing but it takes some getting use to.  My hormones are gone so it effects all things from my mood to my body and feeling like I just don't care about the things I use to.  I keep waiting for it to get better but thus far it hasn't.  I am thankful for the simple things and that is how I focus my energy.   

Life with Lenny

 Lenny is 15 weeks old.  Every week gets a wee bit easier.  He's house broken so that was a huge relief.  He has settled in nicely with Cole and Walker.  Walker and Lenny are really the best of friends.  Lenny understands our schedule and has adjusted well.  His sleeping quarters are with Cole and Walker.  Mike put in a retractable baby gate which separates Lenny from Cole and Walker.  Although Lenny has started to chew through the gate and soon that gate will be no more. Lenny has learned what is good behavior around Cole and Walker and during the night they are use to sleeping as a pack.  For several weeks after we got Lenny I questioned my sanity.  I still kind of do but I do love that puppy and Mike is enamored with him.  We enrolled Lenny in puppy school and take him every Wednesday night.  He has just started to walk on a leash, not great, but it's a start.  Of course as soon as he starts to walk willingly on a leash I injure myself.  More on that in another blog.  Since Mike and I are relatively new at being empty nesters, Lenny has given us a new purpose and something to talk about.  We've become those crazy dog people.  Mike does things with Lenny that he never allowed with any of our other dogs.  He consistently feeds them left overs in the kitchen.  All dogs get to partake in this and they love it.  He's much more patient with this puppy, probably because he's not worried about not only training a puppy but raising two boys.  Ha.  

The Dogs

 I remember a time not so long ago when I swore I'd never have 3 dogs again and yet here I am.  It's another reminder to never say never.  Don't let this picture fool you.  It's rare that Lenny lays on the bed calmly.  Today we have had Lenny for one month.  His potty training has gone well and ever so slowly I've seen a relationship form between Lenny and Walker.  I never could have predicted that.  Next to my mom, Jay is one of Walker's biggest fans so of course he wasn't surprised.  Ha.  Lenny has been so good for Walker and vice versa.  Lenny has made Walker less of a grouch and has helped bring out Walker's playful side.  Walker has been good for Lenny.  He has demonstrated to Lenny what proper dog behavior play is.  Often they will play and sometimes Walker doesn't like it and let's Lenny know.  Lenny backs off, they lick each other and start to play again.  It's been really fun to watch.  Cole remains indifferent to Lenny, much to Mike's surprise.  He does not play with him and simply tolerates him.  Cole is 13 years old after all.  If he could talk he would probably tell us he doesn't appreciate spending his "golden" years with this rambunctious puppy.

Although we have settled in nicely.  Over this past month I have often questioned my sanity.  What was I thinking agreeing to take on a puppy and a third dog right after stepping into empty nest?  I finally had free time to focus on things I wanted to do.  When I voiced this to Mike, he said part of life is taking care of things.  While that might be true, I'm kind of tired of taking care of people and things, including dogs.  Ha!  But I digress.  I know long term this was the right decision and I've joked that this is my  summer of No.  I haven't done much because I've been training a puppy.