Tonight's the night, sounds like a song by Rod Stewart right? Well that would be true but not why I typed those words. We have been home in Pennsylvania for these past two months for several reasons, one especially being the birth of our 14th grandbaby, a girl, due the 2nd of February. Due to the realization that she may come out on that day, see her shadow and crawl back in from whence she came for 6 more weeks her parents decided tonight would be a good day to deliver our new granddaughter. We approve...and are excited to the point of not even caring that there's a snow event happening outside and wind chill tomorrow is forecasted to be 25* below 0... There's a chill in the air is an understatement. Updates to follow.
7:23 Leaving for hospital
8:45 We're here
!0:48 Contractions fast and strong, Doula is pleased
12:59 7cm 90% -1 nearing transition
Were going to have a January 30th Birthday Girlie
1:55 Strong Contractions continue All is well
2:49 9.5 cm
4:06 Addison Grace Sparr arrives <3
7pds 15.5 ozs
21" long
Wednesday, January 30, 2019
Sunday, January 20, 2019
A New Year... A New Life
Been in Pennsylvania since mid December; it's now mid January. We've had a baby shower/gender reveal celebrating our newest grandDAUGHTER due February 2nd...Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and Leftover Day spent with various friends, family members and grandchildren of all ages shapes and sizes. New Years Eve bringing in the New Year with way too many people and not nearly enough house. We shared the wedding of our younger son to his sweetheart via facebook facetime with my sister and brother inlaw in a totally different state...the wonder's of technology. With several family member birthday's behind us we wait with bated breath the birth of our newest family member, a granddaughter we have affectionately called "Merriweather" for the past 7 months or so... any day now sweet baby girl... we're ready for you! This is the last and final event before we head back to our winter home in our North Carolina Sandhills. The first major snow event of the new year has turned out to be a dud as the projected 5 to 10 inches of snow ended with only 2 inches of snow and rain. Tonight, however, the wind and cold temps will make it feel like -25* and anything that's wet will fast become ice so under my quilt I go.
The motorhome is safely stored at our home park in NC. The uncertainty of this past October has become a more confident hope for that bright future we have always looked forward to. We had all the work done on the rolling house that had so upended our dreams for a season and today we are only looking at new tires in the next year or so instead of a room in a retirement home. We love our lifestyle of these last ten years, never regretted a day and never once looked back on mortgage payments, taxes, electric bills or all the responsibilities that go with sticks and bricks lamenting taking the plunge into living full time in our rolling home. There's so much to see and enjoy in so little time. Of course one day when we're old and gray we will step into our exit plan with anticipation of finishing the race set before us surrounded by our kids and grands, surfing the web... talking to old friends met along the way... holding on to the memories we've made... reminiscing the places we've been blessed to visit... never, EVER forgetting Who made it all possible.
The motorhome is safely stored at our home park in NC. The uncertainty of this past October has become a more confident hope for that bright future we have always looked forward to. We had all the work done on the rolling house that had so upended our dreams for a season and today we are only looking at new tires in the next year or so instead of a room in a retirement home. We love our lifestyle of these last ten years, never regretted a day and never once looked back on mortgage payments, taxes, electric bills or all the responsibilities that go with sticks and bricks lamenting taking the plunge into living full time in our rolling home. There's so much to see and enjoy in so little time. Of course one day when we're old and gray we will step into our exit plan with anticipation of finishing the race set before us surrounded by our kids and grands, surfing the web... talking to old friends met along the way... holding on to the memories we've made... reminiscing the places we've been blessed to visit... never, EVER forgetting Who made it all possible.
Matthew 19:26
“But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.”
Cast Down but Unconquered
There are days....this is one of them! Days that prayer is all you have and prayer isn't working. I'm sad, I want to cry, our life is taking a turn we didn't expect it to take. Our plans, our future, our lifestyle... I should be able to find joy in our circumstances but today there's no joy to be found. Maybe tomorrow...
Cast Down but Unconquered
But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us. We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed—
2 Corinthians 4:7-9
Thursday, September 27, 2018
Slip Slidin' Away...
Here we are 2018! This year is nearly past. Summer has come and gone, the prognostication of 6 more weeks... and Winter is a memory as Winter approaches again. Birthdays and anniversaries continue to pass as fast as the years since my last entry. It's difficult to fathom how fast life is passing before my eyes. I seem to just wake up in the morning and it's already dinnertime. The sun goes down and the day is over only to do it all over again in the morning. The swiftly passing hours become days, days become weeks, weeks months and months years and before you even realize it you're 50's become your 60's and so the story goes...
On the bright side, in the midst of world turmoil and future uncertainty we as Christ followers are assured that "When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee. When thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned, neither shall the flame kindle upon thee. Is. 43:2
On the bright side, in the midst of world turmoil and future uncertainty we as Christ followers are assured that "When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee. When thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned, neither shall the flame kindle upon thee. Is. 43:2
Thursday, October 23, 2014
Life Goes On...
It's been a year, it's crazy to think that it's October 2014 and my last entry was September 2013... talk about procrastinating :O Well it has been an eventful year, Our daughter and family continue to recover physically and emotionally from the accident of last September. A move to a new state, purchase of their farm in central Ohio, a new job and a new church family after nearly losing their lives in a car accident has been instrumental in their recovery. They have a way to go but God has carried them through to a bright future, their mind is stayed on Him and at this point it's apparent that indeed ALL things are possible...Love them all so much.
Our 9th grandchild was born at home in August, a baby girl so precious and shiny brand new. She entered the world fast and furious into the arms of her daddy...joining her proud big sisters, they're already best friends. Building their new home on the mountainside, moving lock stock and barrel into a log cabin on their property while they watch the construction has been an experience not soon forgotten, an education if you will..."roughing it" in many aspects of the term. They have truly lived out Isaiah 40:31 that states "But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint." Love them and so proud of their accomplishments.
Milestones are always worth the mention, our oldest granddaughter graduated from High School over this time of blogger procrastination. She also celebrated her 18th birthday, getting her first car and earning her drivers license and landing her first job all after a trip to Europe exploring Paris and all that goes along with that sort of travel experience. Love her so much and excited to watch her move on into adulthood.
Our kids are all experiencing Gods goodness in their lives. Even though as parents we look back and see our mistakes and wish we could do some things over again differently, it's heartwarming to see them in the trials of life lean on God for His wisdom and guidance in these things that otherwise could be life altering without Him. Major decisions about jobs and homes, health and wellness, loves and losses...we as Christians were never promised that life would be free from rough roads and uncertainty, rather God promised to carry us through those times to brighter tomorrows...He has, He is and He will always be faithful as promised.
Our 9th grandchild was born at home in August, a baby girl so precious and shiny brand new. She entered the world fast and furious into the arms of her daddy...joining her proud big sisters, they're already best friends. Building their new home on the mountainside, moving lock stock and barrel into a log cabin on their property while they watch the construction has been an experience not soon forgotten, an education if you will..."roughing it" in many aspects of the term. They have truly lived out Isaiah 40:31 that states "But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint." Love them and so proud of their accomplishments.
Milestones are always worth the mention, our oldest granddaughter graduated from High School over this time of blogger procrastination. She also celebrated her 18th birthday, getting her first car and earning her drivers license and landing her first job all after a trip to Europe exploring Paris and all that goes along with that sort of travel experience. Love her so much and excited to watch her move on into adulthood.
Our kids are all experiencing Gods goodness in their lives. Even though as parents we look back and see our mistakes and wish we could do some things over again differently, it's heartwarming to see them in the trials of life lean on God for His wisdom and guidance in these things that otherwise could be life altering without Him. Major decisions about jobs and homes, health and wellness, loves and losses...we as Christians were never promised that life would be free from rough roads and uncertainty, rather God promised to carry us through those times to brighter tomorrows...He has, He is and He will always be faithful as promised.
Wednesday, September 18, 2013
Blessed Beyond Belief !
Here we are at the top of a mountain in Lenoir North Carolina, so close yet so far away from our kids and grands. This is the place I long to be at any given day or hour of the hot summer months back home in Central Pennsylvania. Now unsettling news of this past week has me longing to be back there, close to our daughters and sons and all the little ones. To hold them close, hug them tight and tell them once again "I love you"... A devastating car accident, a far too close encounter with a drunk driver under the influence of marijuana, admitted to not even having his eyes on the road at the time of the crash where my daughter, her husband and three of our precious grands were his victims. We are not in control of our circumstances but God has His way of turning around what the devil meant for our destruction and use it for our good and for His glory.
Our prayers for our kids, to keep them safe, protected and provided for over the years has blessed us on many occasions during the valley experiences of life. This one was a doozy, pardon the slang. It is indeed a miracle that our daughter and her family including their 5 year old, 3 year old and 6 month old daughters survived this accident. State Police agreed that they have never seen an accident of this magnitude without a fatality. We are so thankful to God for sparing their lives and giving them a testimony of His hand of protection over them during the crash. We are equally grateful to all of their wonderful church family who stood by them and held up their arms when they felt like they were losing the battle. Family is not only blood but those who are there for you, pray for you, want you in their lives and love you no matter what. Today we rest in the knowledge that our God is greater than anything bad that can come our way. We may not understand His ways but He knows the plans that He has for us and they are for our good.
Good things are happening in the lives of our children. he is providing for them in amazingly wonderful ways. I'm learning not to ask God why, but wait patiently for His timing and simply bask in sweet blessings, gifts from above...
Sitting on this mountaintop, breathless from the valley so deep;
Blessed beyond belief...
Our prayers for our kids, to keep them safe, protected and provided for over the years has blessed us on many occasions during the valley experiences of life. This one was a doozy, pardon the slang. It is indeed a miracle that our daughter and her family including their 5 year old, 3 year old and 6 month old daughters survived this accident. State Police agreed that they have never seen an accident of this magnitude without a fatality. We are so thankful to God for sparing their lives and giving them a testimony of His hand of protection over them during the crash. We are equally grateful to all of their wonderful church family who stood by them and held up their arms when they felt like they were losing the battle. Family is not only blood but those who are there for you, pray for you, want you in their lives and love you no matter what. Today we rest in the knowledge that our God is greater than anything bad that can come our way. We may not understand His ways but He knows the plans that He has for us and they are for our good.
Good things are happening in the lives of our children. he is providing for them in amazingly wonderful ways. I'm learning not to ask God why, but wait patiently for His timing and simply bask in sweet blessings, gifts from above...
Sitting on this mountaintop, breathless from the valley so deep;
Blessed beyond belief...
Sunday, September 1, 2013
Autumn Begins...
So the past few months have been sweet. Meeting new RVrs, making new friends, spending time with the kids and grand's. The summer camping season has nearly ended, for us anyway. We're headed south to Virginia, the Carolina's and Georgia for the winter months. There are no grand babies arriving this year so we can take our time returning to Pennsylvania in the Spring. We'll be home for Christmas for a couple weeks in December then back south after the New Year begins.
As sweet as the summer months have been, leaving is always bittersweet. Saying goodbye to the little ones is the hardest thing. Kids grow up and become adults. Lives are full and time is scarce but the time we've had with each one has been precious.
Plans include a stop in Gordonsville, VA to houseclean and wash and wax the motor home. A few weeks in the Blue Ridge Mountains then on to Mt. Airy, NC for Mayberry Days where we'll meet up with my sister, her husband and their granddaughter for a few days where we'll step back in time with Barney and the gang. Soon after we'll find ourselves in Greenville, VA to tool along the Skyline Drive in the Shenandoah National Park before heading to Williamsburg, VA for a couple of weeks of colonial bliss. Finally we'll rest in Jackson Springs.
I find it increasingly more difficult to leave what we familiarly called 'home' for nearly 30 years. The kids and the little ones, they are seemingly growing apart from each other and from us as well. I suppose it's just the progression of life. Everyone grows up and grows apart...not what I thought would happen when we planned to have a large family but I accept the reality of it all. We don't have children anymore, even though they have separate lives they continue to love each other and spend time together when they can and for that I am grateful.
This week has been hard. So many milestones we've missed, relationships begun, birthdays missed, new homes bought, first words spoken... and one crisis of some sort or another. Sometimes I can't control the tears. So the life of a full timer has it's ups and downs as any lifestyle does. We push through, keep our eyes on God, pray each other through and tomorrow is always a brighter day.
Washed and waxed the 'house', housecleaned, laundry finished and another Labor Day weekend has indeed come to an end. Looking forward to a day in the Shenandoah National Park before heading down to the North Carolina mountains to gaze upon God's creation from my favorite mountaintop in the Blue Ridge foothills, and so Autumn begins...
As sweet as the summer months have been, leaving is always bittersweet. Saying goodbye to the little ones is the hardest thing. Kids grow up and become adults. Lives are full and time is scarce but the time we've had with each one has been precious.
Plans include a stop in Gordonsville, VA to houseclean and wash and wax the motor home. A few weeks in the Blue Ridge Mountains then on to Mt. Airy, NC for Mayberry Days where we'll meet up with my sister, her husband and their granddaughter for a few days where we'll step back in time with Barney and the gang. Soon after we'll find ourselves in Greenville, VA to tool along the Skyline Drive in the Shenandoah National Park before heading to Williamsburg, VA for a couple of weeks of colonial bliss. Finally we'll rest in Jackson Springs.
I find it increasingly more difficult to leave what we familiarly called 'home' for nearly 30 years. The kids and the little ones, they are seemingly growing apart from each other and from us as well. I suppose it's just the progression of life. Everyone grows up and grows apart...not what I thought would happen when we planned to have a large family but I accept the reality of it all. We don't have children anymore, even though they have separate lives they continue to love each other and spend time together when they can and for that I am grateful.
This week has been hard. So many milestones we've missed, relationships begun, birthdays missed, new homes bought, first words spoken... and one crisis of some sort or another. Sometimes I can't control the tears. So the life of a full timer has it's ups and downs as any lifestyle does. We push through, keep our eyes on God, pray each other through and tomorrow is always a brighter day.
Washed and waxed the 'house', housecleaned, laundry finished and another Labor Day weekend has indeed come to an end. Looking forward to a day in the Shenandoah National Park before heading down to the North Carolina mountains to gaze upon God's creation from my favorite mountaintop in the Blue Ridge foothills, and so Autumn begins...
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