So, Lynn when you look back at the last 365 days, what did they look like? Oh my goodness I would say - you would never believe it. It is like something out of a novel, or a horror flick maybe! Nonetheless, it was 365 days I was given to live and experience and love.
January started with our roommates ringing in the new year. Jim began it with health issues, in the hospital with kidney problems. February it was his heart - but all was well again. February was exciting for us, as Clint was given a transfer from Washington to Phoenix. He and Sierra were going to be moving near us. We were so excited to have them near and to get to know her better. He moved in with us until he could make arrangements for a house for them. Sierra came a few weeks later, and within another week they were moved into their own home. March brought on our roommates brush with death, suffering necrotizing facitis and left with a hole in his abdomen 4 x 4 x 8. Nurses were coming to the house daily to change bandages, and check on him.
April came and we had our first ever garage sale. We got rid of a bunch of stuff, and Jim was like a maniac! He was pulling things out of his garage and selling them as fast as he could. He would put the cash in his pocket and then a big ole grin was plastered all over his face! Roommates were supposed to be leaving the week after the sale, but his wound hadn't healed up yet, and they thought possibly another 6-8 weeks before he could travel.
Then came May. Amy graduated from ASU with her bachelors degree and we had a great time celebrating that. I went to see James and had a great visit. I got to watch him try out a new electric wheel chair that he could control himself. He had grown so much since I had seen him last. It was a fast trip, and one that required a lot of digesting; emotionally, psychologically, and mentally. I got off the plane grabbed my bags, and met Jim in the pick up lane of terminal 4. He was acting strange, and I could tell something was bothering him. Finally he said, "I have something I have to talk to you about." I panic. He says, "I am losing my job. I will be laid off as of June 11." Wow. What can you say? We decide we will work it out, and will come up with a plan and all will be ok. Then? I get home, unload my bags, and sit down to check my emails. Sidenote - this is all within one hour - getting off plane to reading the emails. There before me is an email from our landlords. They are foreclosing on the house we are renting. Sweet! No job. No home. All within an hour. WELCOME HOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! At first we thought - no prob we will stay until they lose it and then we will move. We could end up being able to stay a whole year possibly. Then we wake up - reality sets in. Who rents to someone without a job? No one. Time to find a place to live, which we did. Emma graduates from Kindergarten and we got to go to her celebration complete with pizza and the trimmings.
June is now here. Now, the landlord was kinda creepy about the whole deal, and we ended up telling him that we would be out within 5 days. We had 3 to pack up and get out. We worked like mad people, and had everything ready to go to storage and were going to stay with Clint until we could get into the new house. The night before our move turned into one of the most difficult times of my life. Luke came to tell us that they were leaving Arizona and moving to Iowa where Amy would go to law school. Life was sucked out of me. I couldn't breath. I really didn't want to. They were set to move the end of July. All was done we turned the keys into the landlord and off to Clints for the remainder of the month. June 25th we moved into our new house and fell in love with it. Did you notice something? Nothing mentioned about Jim's job? A decision was made at the end of June NOT to lay him off - in fact they were going to give him a small raise. Crazy! I guess God has to be really forceful for us to get it! We had talked about moving but the lazies got us - I guess it was what we needed to be doing and He was going to see to it we did!
July . . . . . garage is full of boxes to be unloaded but it is really really hot. One would think it was like a blow dryer here and we put away the things that we really needed and left the rest for cooler weather. The garage was packed and it looked like a warehouse. Jim had it set up in rows. We spent every single day we could with the grands before they left. We had so much fun, and they swam and swam and swam. We sucked the lifebreath out of every single moment there was to hang on to when they were gone. We had to keep emotions in check, and be positive when we didn't want to. At the end of the month as they were preparing to leave, Deb and the littles came from NV to see their cousins off and to visit with us a few days. It was a good transition for us and we so enjoyed their company. The day Luke and family left for Iowa, Clint and Sierra also helped to sweeten our lives. They announced they were pregnant! How exciting is that!
August was uneventful. NICE!!!! We took a trip at the end of the month with Clint and Sierra to Laughlin to meet up with Jim's sister Cindy and her husband for the weekend. The six of us had a blast - it was so good to just play and have fun and have no worries for a minute. Then came September. We made a trip to New Hampshire to spend some time with Jimmy and his family. We had a short but great visit. James had been struggling with siezures and so we kept things quiet and slow, but it was a perfect way for us to rest and enjoy just being with them. We came home refreshed and ready for the heat to break to get back to living. It was time. AND Clint and Sierra are having a boy! AND Josh and Deb are expecting the end of April!
Then comes October. Oh holy cow. All is going well, life is good, and then I decide to go to Iowa to visit the kids. I was missing them so much i had to make a trip. I found cheap flights and made the plans to surprise the little ones. It was probably one of the funnest days of the year. They told the kids there would be a surprise for them when they got home from school. Amy picked me up at the airport, and when we got to the house, Adam was in the basement playing video games and Emma was at girlscouts. We walked down to the basement and i stood over Adam. He looked at me and looked at me and looked at me. As if something just doesn't fit. Finally his brain engaged and he jumped in my arms! He teared up, and I teared up, and I held him so tight! We visited for a bit, and then it was time to go get Emma. We went to the school and I hid in the hall while Amy went and got her. As they walked toward the hallway, Amy asked her if she was ready for her surprise. Of course she said yes and Amy told her to look down the hall. She saw me and stopped dead in her tracks. She screamed out NANA and ran and jumped in my arms and yelped! She cried and cried and from that point on she didn't leave my side until I was back on the plane to come home. It was a great trip! I got to visit one of the boys (a man now) that used to come to our house often, and my mom and stepdad came to visit. I got to attend Luke's church and listen to him preach, and I got to enjoy a meal with my cousin I haven't seen in almost 20 years. A great trip! Then . . . I go home and literally all hell breaks loose.
Early in October Clint found out that the company he is working for is cutting work force. He will be one of 8 laid off. However. He has a great reputation and is offered a transfer instead to Portland. Sierra is able to transfer as well. They will need to report to their jobs by Nov 1. Heart is now literally broken. October 23, Jim is playing racquetball with his buddy (only 5 games geesh) and blows out his knee. He can't walk on it, and is waiting for approval from the insurance company to see the specialist. Clint leaves on Oct 29th and on Oct 30th I sprained my back of which I am still down with.
November I convalesce, and Jim is able to work but falls apart when he gets home. His sister Cindy and family come to celebrate Thanksgiving with us. We have a great time and enjoy their visit so much.
December is here - jim is scheduled for surgery. I'm still down. Deb Josh and kids, and Jared are coming for Christmas. Because of our injuries, we have cancelled our yearly feast we put on for our church. Christmas is awesome. Everyone leaves, and Monday morning bright and early, Jim has his knee operated on. All is good, he is home healing and dangerous with the crutches. We spent the last two days on the couches skyping with our grands in Iowa. All day. It was awesome. It was like they were right here in our room - except our arms ache and the reality of their emptiness is harsh. Tonite is New Years Eve and we are doing something we haven't done in years. We are going to ring in the new year! Alone. Just the two of us. Another very harsh reality.
So, there are the highlights in the life of the Snowdens 2010. I'm so glad I have this blog to record the simple things. The simple lessons, and the simple pleasures. I hope to look back at 2011's year at a glance containing all of the hot topics and see them as they are. We can be assured there will be positive things, and negative things along the way. My hope is that I have learned a lesson well, and I will be able to rejoice in the small simple things as I reflect back. Its those things that develop character, and draw me nearer to my Creator. The big things are somewhat easy, as I know they are too big for me to do anything about. Its the little things that I have to consciously make a decision to trust. Wait. More like I have to make a decision to obey. I am hoping that 2011 is a year of growth. And through that growth - joy. And through that joy - perserverance. And through that perserverance . . . . faith.
I am excited for 2011. I know I have changes to make within me, and changes to make with my life. I know I have a lot to look forward to in this year - two new grandbabies - and 6 already here to enjoy. I am excited to see how God is going to move in our lives and what he is going to call me (us) to.
It is with a bittersweet heart we end this year 2010. And with eager anticipation will awake tomorrow to 2011. A new day. A new dawn. A fresh beginning. A growing in the image and likeness of Christ, learning and experiencing more of God's will and how to be receptive and sensitive to it. Tomorrow. Tomorrow. I love ya . . . tomorrow. Your only a day away!
July . . . . . garage is full of boxes to be unloaded but it is really really hot. One would think it was like a blow dryer here and we put away the things that we really needed and left the rest for cooler weather. The garage was packed and it looked like a warehouse. Jim had it set up in rows. We spent every single day we could with the grands before they left. We had so much fun, and they swam and swam and swam. We sucked the lifebreath out of every single moment there was to hang on to when they were gone. We had to keep emotions in check, and be positive when we didn't want to. At the end of the month as they were preparing to leave, Deb and the littles came from NV to see their cousins off and to visit with us a few days. It was a good transition for us and we so enjoyed their company. The day Luke and family left for Iowa, Clint and Sierra also helped to sweeten our lives. They announced they were pregnant! How exciting is that!
August was uneventful. NICE!!!! We took a trip at the end of the month with Clint and Sierra to Laughlin to meet up with Jim's sister Cindy and her husband for the weekend. The six of us had a blast - it was so good to just play and have fun and have no worries for a minute. Then came September. We made a trip to New Hampshire to spend some time with Jimmy and his family. We had a short but great visit. James had been struggling with siezures and so we kept things quiet and slow, but it was a perfect way for us to rest and enjoy just being with them. We came home refreshed and ready for the heat to break to get back to living. It was time. AND Clint and Sierra are having a boy! AND Josh and Deb are expecting the end of April!
Then comes October. Oh holy cow. All is going well, life is good, and then I decide to go to Iowa to visit the kids. I was missing them so much i had to make a trip. I found cheap flights and made the plans to surprise the little ones. It was probably one of the funnest days of the year. They told the kids there would be a surprise for them when they got home from school. Amy picked me up at the airport, and when we got to the house, Adam was in the basement playing video games and Emma was at girlscouts. We walked down to the basement and i stood over Adam. He looked at me and looked at me and looked at me. As if something just doesn't fit. Finally his brain engaged and he jumped in my arms! He teared up, and I teared up, and I held him so tight! We visited for a bit, and then it was time to go get Emma. We went to the school and I hid in the hall while Amy went and got her. As they walked toward the hallway, Amy asked her if she was ready for her surprise. Of course she said yes and Amy told her to look down the hall. She saw me and stopped dead in her tracks. She screamed out NANA and ran and jumped in my arms and yelped! She cried and cried and from that point on she didn't leave my side until I was back on the plane to come home. It was a great trip! I got to visit one of the boys (a man now) that used to come to our house often, and my mom and stepdad came to visit. I got to attend Luke's church and listen to him preach, and I got to enjoy a meal with my cousin I haven't seen in almost 20 years. A great trip! Then . . . I go home and literally all hell breaks loose.
Early in October Clint found out that the company he is working for is cutting work force. He will be one of 8 laid off. However. He has a great reputation and is offered a transfer instead to Portland. Sierra is able to transfer as well. They will need to report to their jobs by Nov 1. Heart is now literally broken. October 23, Jim is playing racquetball with his buddy (only 5 games geesh) and blows out his knee. He can't walk on it, and is waiting for approval from the insurance company to see the specialist. Clint leaves on Oct 29th and on Oct 30th I sprained my back of which I am still down with.
November I convalesce, and Jim is able to work but falls apart when he gets home. His sister Cindy and family come to celebrate Thanksgiving with us. We have a great time and enjoy their visit so much.
December is here - jim is scheduled for surgery. I'm still down. Deb Josh and kids, and Jared are coming for Christmas. Because of our injuries, we have cancelled our yearly feast we put on for our church. Christmas is awesome. Everyone leaves, and Monday morning bright and early, Jim has his knee operated on. All is good, he is home healing and dangerous with the crutches. We spent the last two days on the couches skyping with our grands in Iowa. All day. It was awesome. It was like they were right here in our room - except our arms ache and the reality of their emptiness is harsh. Tonite is New Years Eve and we are doing something we haven't done in years. We are going to ring in the new year! Alone. Just the two of us. Another very harsh reality.
So, there are the highlights in the life of the Snowdens 2010. I'm so glad I have this blog to record the simple things. The simple lessons, and the simple pleasures. I hope to look back at 2011's year at a glance containing all of the hot topics and see them as they are. We can be assured there will be positive things, and negative things along the way. My hope is that I have learned a lesson well, and I will be able to rejoice in the small simple things as I reflect back. Its those things that develop character, and draw me nearer to my Creator. The big things are somewhat easy, as I know they are too big for me to do anything about. Its the little things that I have to consciously make a decision to trust. Wait. More like I have to make a decision to obey. I am hoping that 2011 is a year of growth. And through that growth - joy. And through that joy - perserverance. And through that perserverance . . . . faith.
I am excited for 2011. I know I have changes to make within me, and changes to make with my life. I know I have a lot to look forward to in this year - two new grandbabies - and 6 already here to enjoy. I am excited to see how God is going to move in our lives and what he is going to call me (us) to.
It is with a bittersweet heart we end this year 2010. And with eager anticipation will awake tomorrow to 2011. A new day. A new dawn. A fresh beginning. A growing in the image and likeness of Christ, learning and experiencing more of God's will and how to be receptive and sensitive to it. Tomorrow. Tomorrow. I love ya . . . tomorrow. Your only a day away!
Lynn, just read this. Love you and praying for God to fill you so much with His love this year that 2011 will be remembered as one of your best yet.
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