Wednesday, April 28, 2010

Happy Birthday

Today is my mom's birthday.
Mom and Dad....lost somewhere in the 70's. I love this picture, though. It takes me back to being a kid.

My mom was made to be a Grandma. She has granchildren ranging in age from 24 down to 2 with one on the way. She was a fun mom but She's a funner (is that a word?) grandma...very much like her mom was to us.


This is my most favorite picture of me and my mom. It needs a little repair work but the sentiment remains the same.
Mom, you're the BEST!! I love you and I'm so thankful to be part of your everyday life!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!

Monday, April 26, 2010

Fall Weather?

Someone around here forgot to tell the weather man its supposed to be spring. It feels like fall!!
At least we haven't had to turn the heat on. I just LOVE these months when both the heat and air are off. Makes for very nice utility bills!!

Friday, April 23, 2010

Our Week in Bullets

  • Cliff has worked some long hours this week. He LOVES the job and the night driving. by Friday, though, he's showing a few signs of wear and tear. The week does catch up and getting lots of sleep over the weekend will do well for the bags I'm beginning to see under his eyes.
  • Joshua competed in his Wichita competition this week. He said he had a great experience but sees where he still has room to grow to compete on the level the finilists. I would say it was a definate growth experience for him.
  • Amy was offered a full-time job in data-entry at the company Cliff works for. I'm thrilled for her. God definately opened a door for her here and its something she can make into a career if she so desires.
  • Jacob had a good week, also, placing 3rd in two track meets....finally. He's worked for the past 3 years and is seeing the work payoff. He also entered an application for an opportunity to go for a week to Kansas State University for a week of vocal training. We were pleasantly surprised to find out he was accepted.
  • Emily found out today she has straight A's. She continues to enjoy drawing and reading.

I know it may sound like everything is great around here and frankly its not perfect but we did have a really good week and we are celebrating all that God has done for us.

Monday, April 19, 2010

Ordinary Days

I live a very ordinary life....and I like it. Most days find us busy with school activities, work, keeping house, and church activities. I LOVE coming home. I LOVE spending my evenings at home with my kids at the end of the day, having dinner, working on homework, and settling in for the evening. I know it may sound rather boring but that's how I like it.
It's through these ordinary days that time passes, and it passes far too quickly. The days seem to run into weeks, which run into months, and into years.
I guess I should explain that I usually always have to deal with a bit of meloncholy and nostagia this time of year. I'm not sure why but it always hits me towards the end of each school year. Probably the stark reminder of the passing of time. I can't stop it but by living ordinary and spending time with my family in the evenings seems to slow it down...just a little.
The end of this school year marks the end of my junior-high school years. Only 4 years left of high school and my kids will be through with school. Oh these days just fly by!
Yet its in these ordinary days that we live, we laugh, and we love. And we remember that the best things in our lives are not really things at all.

Wednesday, April 14, 2010

Happy Birthday Amy!

22 years ago today, I was in a hospital delivery room in Baltimore, MD, having a c-section. I can remember hearing Cliff yell out, "Its a girl!" as if it was yesterday. We were so excited to have a daughter! Amy was a beautiful, petite baby with a head full of dark hair and little turned up nose. She was such a good baby.

She's a funny girl with a sweet disposition who always likes to have fun (kind of like her Grandma).

I fell in love with her while I carried her and my love for her has only deepened through the years. I'm so proud of the young woman she has become. She's been fighting a bit over the past couple years to find her way. She endured some heartbreak but that's only made her stronger. She knows in Whom the answers for her life are found and she seeks to find them.

Amy, I love you more than words can express!! Happy Birthday!!


Amy with her Great-Grandma Benzing


Beautiful picture of a beautiful girl!!



Very Proud Parents!!

Monday, April 12, 2010

A Couple Pictures From Last Week

She dislikes this picture....I LOVE it! It totally captures her!
Jacob's first track meet of the year.
He throws in the shot-put and javelin.
I was amazed when I looked at this picture how muscular his arms are!! Results of his weight training all year.

Friday, April 9, 2010

My Week

I'm EXHAUSTED!! This week has gone by fast because it seems I haven't stopped! Of course, this is the week that Jacob had his busiest schedule of the school year. Two track meets. I drove to the first one on Tuesday. It took me a while to finally find the school (my GPS is with Cliff in IA). Once I found the school, I walked around the field for 30 minutes looking for the area where Jacob would be. I finally returned to the car in one last effort to drive around the back of the school to find him. I found him and all the other althetes heading to the gym because a big storm was moving in. He couldn't leave and I couldn't wait so I left and drove home in a TORRENTIAL DOWNPOUR!
Later that evening when Jacob got home, my intuition told me to go down the cellar and check the sump pump. Sure enough, it wasn't working and we were FLOODED!! Thank goodness Jacob was home to take over Cliff's responsibility over those kinds of matters. Some jiggling and it went on and within 30 minutes, we were flood free.
I've been running here and there, shuttling Jacob, picking up mail at my folks, checking on their house and dog
I also had lunch and dinner with two very good friends, which is something I haven't done in a long time. It was GREAT and something I should have done a long time ago. I've been so blessed to have some amazing friends in my life here. I don't take any one of them for granted but am so thankful for their friendship.
Ok, truly I'm not complaining. The trade-off of our long week will be a nice paycheck and after so many weeks without one, we are thankful.
Cliff, is ready to come home. He's worked very hard....and he must have done a good job because they asked him to come back next week.

Monday, April 5, 2010

Bullet Points

I'm stealing a format my sister uses when there seems to be just "bits" of things all going on at the same time.

  • Last week, one of the bosses at Cliff's new workplace asked him if he could do them a big favor. It seems the terminal in Iowa is short on driveres and they asked if Cliff would be willing to go for the week and drive for them. He was more than happy to do it. For him, its all a new adventure. He left yesterday. They had a hotel room already reserved for him. He's a different man these days. He's feeling so good about himself. He's got his diabetes under control, he's lost some weight, he's in a job that values their emplyess and its all put a little swagger into his step. I'm so happy for him!
  • Needless to say, yesterday was a very "unique" Easter Sunday for us. Church was pretty much Easter-like and we had a wonderful service. But, Easter lunch at KFC was different and yet comforting somehow. Some friends of ours ended up there with us for the "Easter Chicken" and it was good to have lunch together before everyone went their separate ways. As for Easter ham, mom had us for dinner last week and she fixed the ham and the dinner was delicious.
  • Jacob has taken to singing competitions that come around in the area high schools each spring. He went to his first one last weekend and scored the highest score. I'm a bit surprised. I knew he could sing but he's never been one to enjoy singing in front of people. He was thrilled and is working towards the next level of competition.
  • Joshua was accepted into the 2o1o Naftzger music competition for young artsist. It's a pretigious competition of piano, voice, or instrumental hosted by the Wichita Symphony. He was shocked when he found out he got in. The finals are held the last weekend of April.
  • Amy is going to make a job change this year. The position she held at the school was not in any way what she thought it would be and the pay scale leaves alot to be desired. She's trying to find her way these days and it can be a difficult process at times. I'm confident she'll get there.
  • Emily & I have a lot of time together these days. It reminds me of when she was a toddler and everyone else was in school. She's always been my little buddy and I've always enjoyed having her around. She's a good helper too!

I think that does it!!