Today my sweet dad turns 77! I was laying in bed this morning thinking about some of my favorite memories with my dad, so I just had to write a few down. Happy Birthday Dad!
- I remember wrestling with you and Kim in our old brick parsonage in Nevada, Iowa. Somehow I always ended up in tears. I was kind of a girlie girl.
- And I can see the day you taught me to ride a bike, like it was yesterday. It was a cloudy, dreary day and we literally worked on it all day. I remember sitting in the big free-standing tub that night counting the bruises on my legs...so proud I could finally ride a bike with no training wheels.
- And a snowy, Iowa day when you took us sledding. I told you I didn't know how to steer that sled by myself (I was like 5). You didn't believe me...until I ran into the fence at the tennis courts and got a nice big cut on my head...stitches followed.
- The VW bugs. Oh, how you loved those cars. For many years that was our only car. I remember the long drives to Nebraska with Mom tying her scarf to the little handle on the glove box.
- And when you would take the back seat out of the VW and fill it with blankets. We'd drive to Nebraska, pack up a side of frozen beef, put the blankets on top, and I'd ride on top of the beef all the way home from Nebraska. Funny, that didn't seem weird at the time.
- On one of those long trips I remember playing with an Avon lipstick sample in the back seat. Except, I used it as blush. You looked at me and pulled the car over because you thought I'd come down with some horrible fever or sickness because my face was so red. You were not happy to find out I'd been playing makeup!
- Oh, let's not forget the little electrocution incident. When I was unplugging the old skillet and it had a loose wire and I couldn't let go, getting electrocuted with burns on my neck and arm. You stayed with me all night in the hospital, sitting up in the chair next to me. Well, occasionally you crawled in bed with me and curled up to sleep. I knew you'd never leave me.
- And I can't think of my childhood without thinking of all the gardens you planted. I remember when you had your accident when I was in high school and you couldn't work in your garden. So, we sat you in a chair in the yard and you directed us (Mom, me, Grandma and Grandpa M), telling us how deep to dig, how far apart to put the seeds, etc.
- I remember watching you pitch in softball games up in North Platte. You were pretty good too, I might add!
- Nothing, oh nothing, made you light up like going to the farm for a week. You loved going out with Grandpa Z and doing chores, working in the fields, helping milk the cows. I loved seeing you on the farm, you always were so at peace there.
- I can remember when I was a cheerleader in NP, or playing basketball and I would look up and see you in the stands. Sometimes I didn't know you were coming, but you'd sneak in and watch as much as possible before you had to get back to work. You never made a big thing of it. But it made me feel good to know that you were thinking of me and wanted to be a part of what I was doing.
- And when you drove the yellow Peugeot (with a blue hood) and it had a sticker on the window that said "trespassers will be violated"....Kim and I asked you to drop us off a couple of blocks from school and we'd walk the rest of the way.
- I remember sitting in your office at the church in Kingfisher with you teaching the little class for us kids who were going to be baptized. I think of you everytime I hear words like "omnisicent or omnipresent" because you taught me those things about God in that class. Weird what we remember, huh?
- You were a recycler ahead of your times. I remember when you collected a huge hay truck full of newspapers with the kids in Kingfisher. Years later, you rode an old woman's bike around town with a huge basket on the handlebars and collected aluminum cans. Usually you wore your "homeless man coat" and the ridiculous blue and gold fake fur hat.
- More than one time while I was in college I had car trouble. You would have worked all night at the post office, then you'd drive down, give me your car for the day and take mine to get it fixed. You'd sleep a couple of hours and turn around and go back to work.
- I remember the look you gave me right before you walked me down the aisle at my wedding.
- And the first time you held Harrison. You were head over heels for him.
- And when we got back from China and you and Jean drove down to meet Clara. Playing on a blanket in our front yard, watching you falling in love with her, just like you did Harrison.
- Watching you playing ball with Harrison, or digging in the garden with Clara....it makes me smile.
- I remember things you didn't do too. Like...you didn't make a big deal about me being adopted. It was just the most natural thing in the world. And that's probably why adoption just seemed like a natural course for my own family.
- I love being your daughter!
Sunday, September 18, 2011
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
Three years ago...
Three years ago yesterday morning our phone rang, very early. A nurse told me that my mom was in full arrest. I remember yelling at Joe "she's in full arrest....let's go". Harrison, sensing something was wrong, had come downstairs. He quickly put on some clothes and got his sister out of bed and dressed her too. I called my friend Christine "please pray, she's in full arrest". We drove like bats out of hell and arrived at the facility where she was getting rehab. But when we got there, she was gone. They had done everything they could do. She had a massive MI and pretty much was gone instantly. Within moments Christine was there too. We all huddled in the chapel, crying and consoling each other. Joe, who had been such a blessing to my mom, cried with me. Harrison was very upset, he was pretty close to Grandma Z. And Clara, who had just turned 3, wasn't quite sure what was going on. It was a day that looked like death...cloudy, rainy, dreary, cold. Eventually, Joe and I went in to see Mom, say good-bye. I can see that dimly lit room so well. She looked peaceful.
Then, I had to call my brother. I knew he would be alone. I hated that. But, it's who he is and it's how he handles things best. Then I called Mom's sister and a couple of other people. It began a weird day of letting people know that my mom had died. I don't really like to talk about things that much, and I'm very uncomfortable showing my emotions. Joe was a great help. Christine took the kids to her house. My neighbor Jill showed up with lunch in a matter of no time. And Joe and I began the process of figuring out how to walk through this together.
But I have to say, before that day was over, I was so aware of how merciful God was to us. Due to some health problems and the potential for Mom needing more care, we had moved her down here the first of May. We had her all set up in her new little place. And we were enjoying getting to see her almost everyday. The kids were enjoying having a grandma in town. And Mom got to know Clara in a way that she wouldn't have without those last few months here. About two weeks before Mom passed away (she was in a skilled bed after a back injruy), my brother came down for the day. After visiting with Mom a lot, he came over to our house and we talked. We both knew that things weren't going to be the same for Mom without some huge miracle. My big brother and I knew she wasn't well. And we had to utter the words, "if she doesn't improve, she will have to go to full-time care and I don't want to have to do that." Again...God's mercies fell. He saved Kim and I from having to make that choice for Mom. He didn't have to do that for us. Lots of people have had to put their parents in nursing homes. They have struggled with guilt, sorrow, pain of seeing your parents go through that. But God spared us that. When we got the call that Mom was in full arrest, I knew that I could potentially have to decide whether to put her on a ventilator to prolong her life. But God spared me that too. He took her quickly. That is such a blessing! God walked with us each step of the way.
I am blessed with wonderful friends. Mom's funeral was about 150 miles from here. But when I walked out to be seated for the funeral, there were four of my friends who had driven the 150 miles that morning. If you haven't walked this road of loss yet, you probably don't realize just how much that means. But seeing my friends, brought tears to my eyes and a comfort to my heart. Saying goodbye to a parent, it's not easy. I admit I'm a pretty practical person, I can reason things out pretty well. But when they closed the casket and they were going to bury my mom, I had a little sense of panic. I've never really had a panic attack, but I had that feeling. Unreasonable thoughts "wait....are we sure she's really gone". There's something about knowing you won't physically touch them or see them on this earth again is so overwhelming.
A couple of weeks later, I was working in Mom's house. I had boxed up somethings for me and my brother to keep. I had a box full of files and papers too. And I kind of said outloud "I'm sure my mom is saying 'that's it? my whole life in a couple of boxes?'" And as quick as I said that outloud, God spoke to my heart, as clear as could be, "your mom would have worried about those things on earth, but she will never worry about those things again here." God's mercy!
Then, I had to call my brother. I knew he would be alone. I hated that. But, it's who he is and it's how he handles things best. Then I called Mom's sister and a couple of other people. It began a weird day of letting people know that my mom had died. I don't really like to talk about things that much, and I'm very uncomfortable showing my emotions. Joe was a great help. Christine took the kids to her house. My neighbor Jill showed up with lunch in a matter of no time. And Joe and I began the process of figuring out how to walk through this together.
But I have to say, before that day was over, I was so aware of how merciful God was to us. Due to some health problems and the potential for Mom needing more care, we had moved her down here the first of May. We had her all set up in her new little place. And we were enjoying getting to see her almost everyday. The kids were enjoying having a grandma in town. And Mom got to know Clara in a way that she wouldn't have without those last few months here. About two weeks before Mom passed away (she was in a skilled bed after a back injruy), my brother came down for the day. After visiting with Mom a lot, he came over to our house and we talked. We both knew that things weren't going to be the same for Mom without some huge miracle. My big brother and I knew she wasn't well. And we had to utter the words, "if she doesn't improve, she will have to go to full-time care and I don't want to have to do that." Again...God's mercies fell. He saved Kim and I from having to make that choice for Mom. He didn't have to do that for us. Lots of people have had to put their parents in nursing homes. They have struggled with guilt, sorrow, pain of seeing your parents go through that. But God spared us that. When we got the call that Mom was in full arrest, I knew that I could potentially have to decide whether to put her on a ventilator to prolong her life. But God spared me that too. He took her quickly. That is such a blessing! God walked with us each step of the way.
I am blessed with wonderful friends. Mom's funeral was about 150 miles from here. But when I walked out to be seated for the funeral, there were four of my friends who had driven the 150 miles that morning. If you haven't walked this road of loss yet, you probably don't realize just how much that means. But seeing my friends, brought tears to my eyes and a comfort to my heart. Saying goodbye to a parent, it's not easy. I admit I'm a pretty practical person, I can reason things out pretty well. But when they closed the casket and they were going to bury my mom, I had a little sense of panic. I've never really had a panic attack, but I had that feeling. Unreasonable thoughts "wait....are we sure she's really gone". There's something about knowing you won't physically touch them or see them on this earth again is so overwhelming.
A couple of weeks later, I was working in Mom's house. I had boxed up somethings for me and my brother to keep. I had a box full of files and papers too. And I kind of said outloud "I'm sure my mom is saying 'that's it? my whole life in a couple of boxes?'" And as quick as I said that outloud, God spoke to my heart, as clear as could be, "your mom would have worried about those things on earth, but she will never worry about those things again here." God's mercy!
Thursday, September 8, 2011
Gotcha Day 2011
It's hard to believe it's been five years since Clara came into our lives! But on September 4, 2006, in a room in the civil affairs building in Guangzhou, China we were handed Xin Xiao Huan for the first time. She was already Clara Ruth Huan Pierce in our hearts, she'd been born in our hearts a long time. In fact, we actually decided to adopt about the time Clara was conceived. So, we had prayed for that sweet girl since her first moments of existence.
On "Gotcha Day" (as we call it....because that's the day we "gotcha") one of the officials from the orphanage handed Clara to me. She was a big, chunky, football player of a baby girl! And we fell head over heels in love!!! We were watching videos from Gotcha Day and our trip to China the other day. I had kind of forgotten just how chubby our girl was. She was so serious, sticking her jaw out and furrowing her brow, taking it all in. When she cried for the first time, it was a deep, throaty cry. And she did the sweetest thing...she would pat her face really gently to comfort herself. Oh, it was so sweet and feminine. One of my favorite pictures is of Clara asleep in my arms on the bus in China with her little hand to her face. My other favorite is our first picture of Harrison and Clara together. Oh my goodness, he was so crazy about her! It's about the happiest face I've ever seen in my life.
It only took a few days and Clara opened up and we saw her real personality. She was silly and funny, sweet and affectionate, content and adaptable. And she's pretty much the same way today. She is our creative one. On a pretty regular basis Harrison finds something Clara has done and asks me "WHY would she do that?" My answer is always "she's creative." She will literally walk into a wall because she is off in Clara's world somewhere. She draws and colors all the time. Lately, she will draw all the shapes and inside them she writes the letter that they start with. She can count by 5's and 10's to 100. And she can count to 30 by 2's. The other day she told us she was going to count by 1's.....1...3...5...7... You get the gist! She cracks me up! You never quite know what you're going to find in her bed, or under her bed, or behind her bed. The other night she crashed into something because she had her panties on her head. And a few days before that Harrison found her stuck between the head board and the wall...she was trying to reach a sock she had dropped so she figured if she put her legs down there she could pick it up with her toes. I do have to give it to her, she is a pretty good problem solver most of the time. She comes up with solutions from a whole other direction than the rest of us. I love it!
Ahhhh, five years! I cannot imagine our life without Clara! What a blessing she is and we thank God for her everyday. I still love to think back to the day we landed in Oklahoma City coming home from China. About 40 friends were gathered at the airport to greet us and meet Clara. It is one of my all-time favorite days! And I have to admit, everytime we get off the plane in Oklahoma City now it is pretty much a letdown after that wonderful homecoming!!!
(If you've not seen our story...please feel free to look at http://www.journeytoclara.com/)
On "Gotcha Day" (as we call it....because that's the day we "gotcha") one of the officials from the orphanage handed Clara to me. She was a big, chunky, football player of a baby girl! And we fell head over heels in love!!! We were watching videos from Gotcha Day and our trip to China the other day. I had kind of forgotten just how chubby our girl was. She was so serious, sticking her jaw out and furrowing her brow, taking it all in. When she cried for the first time, it was a deep, throaty cry. And she did the sweetest thing...she would pat her face really gently to comfort herself. Oh, it was so sweet and feminine. One of my favorite pictures is of Clara asleep in my arms on the bus in China with her little hand to her face. My other favorite is our first picture of Harrison and Clara together. Oh my goodness, he was so crazy about her! It's about the happiest face I've ever seen in my life.
It only took a few days and Clara opened up and we saw her real personality. She was silly and funny, sweet and affectionate, content and adaptable. And she's pretty much the same way today. She is our creative one. On a pretty regular basis Harrison finds something Clara has done and asks me "WHY would she do that?" My answer is always "she's creative." She will literally walk into a wall because she is off in Clara's world somewhere. She draws and colors all the time. Lately, she will draw all the shapes and inside them she writes the letter that they start with. She can count by 5's and 10's to 100. And she can count to 30 by 2's. The other day she told us she was going to count by 1's.....1...3...5...7... You get the gist! She cracks me up! You never quite know what you're going to find in her bed, or under her bed, or behind her bed. The other night she crashed into something because she had her panties on her head. And a few days before that Harrison found her stuck between the head board and the wall...she was trying to reach a sock she had dropped so she figured if she put her legs down there she could pick it up with her toes. I do have to give it to her, she is a pretty good problem solver most of the time. She comes up with solutions from a whole other direction than the rest of us. I love it!
Ahhhh, five years! I cannot imagine our life without Clara! What a blessing she is and we thank God for her everyday. I still love to think back to the day we landed in Oklahoma City coming home from China. About 40 friends were gathered at the airport to greet us and meet Clara. It is one of my all-time favorite days! And I have to admit, everytime we get off the plane in Oklahoma City now it is pretty much a letdown after that wonderful homecoming!!!
(If you've not seen our story...please feel free to look at http://www.journeytoclara.com/)
Thursday, September 1, 2011
Hello Fifteen! Hello High School!
It's just been a weird month around our house! First the baby turned 6. Then, I took one to kindergarten and the other to high school. Then the big one turned 15. Not quite sure how that happened! But there's no denying it. He's 5'10", hairy legs, owns his own razor (for his face, not his legs).....and his birthday cake with 15 candles qualified as a fire hazard. It's just not right how fast time goes by!!!
Harrison was ready for high school. He was done with middle school and ready for a new adventure. So, off he goes as a freshman whether I'm ready or not. And so far, so good. Our high school has done a great job of helping the freshmen (and their parents....cuz it's really all about me, right?) transition into high school. Harrison started running with the cross country team a couple of weeks before school started. And I just have to say....I'd never make it! It has been over 100 degrees just about every day for the past two months. But he is out there running in the heat of the day everyday. No wonder he's so skinny! The day before his birthday H ran in his first official high school cross country meet. It was so hot, no wind, and Clara truly thought she was going to melt. But he did great and came home with his first medal from high school. So fun to watch him work hard and do well. And this group of boys on the cross country team are such great kids, so encouraging and positive! The first night of practice the coach prayed with the boys before practice....forever earning him a soft spot in my heart.
On Harrison's birthday we were heathens and skipped church and took our boy and his buddy Colton to Eskimo Joe's in Stillwater. Clara had announced several weeks earlier that Judy (her treasured bitty baby) also has August 28th as her birthday. Harrison was NOT amused to share his birthday with Judy. On the way to Stillwater Clara told us that Judy was turning 10 months old this birthday. Harrison was quick to explain that it wasn't her birthday if she was just 10 months old. He quieted down when we reminded him of his imaginary brothers he had when he was little. They were twins, Jack and Jackie, and they were 2 and 3 years old. Yes....he said they were twins. He also had an imaginary sister, Katie, who was either 9 or 16, depending on whether she needed to drive herself somewhere. Harrison did not find it amusing at all when Judy got a high chair at Eskimo Joe's to eat lunch with us. I think Colton found it pretty amusing though! : )
After some shoe and jeans shopping that afternoon we celebrated Harrison's birthday at our flock (small group from church) meeting. We had borrowed our friend Mike & Trudy's car to go to Stillwater. And Mike had not so subtely put a bunch of notes about OU #1 (or some other nonsense) on the car. Well, Harrison had a little fun filling the car with orange notes about OSU and Orange Power before we returned the car to Mike that night. Hee! Hee! We crack ourselves up!!!
Fifteen years has flown by and I sure enjoy being this kid's mom!!! It's fun watching and seeing the young man he's becoming. And I'm curious to see what God has in store for him in the future! Happy Birthday Buddy!!!
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