happy birthday, Jenny!

 

 

Wishing my daughter-in-love Jenny a super happy birthday today!

In this incredibly full season of life,

may God strengthen your hands,

calm your spirit,

give you grace in the hard moments and joy in the quiet ones,

and fill your heart with his love and assurance that life always moves on

and little ones become independent!

 

 

I'm very proud of you and thankful you married my son.



Have a beautiful day, Jenny.

 

 



July has come and gone and I have a new daughter-in-love!

Tampa Bay

My life is a wild, wonderful whirlwind. Well maybe it's more like hurricane season when you wait for the next big one to roll in. In between, there's tranquility.

We've been home over two weeks and "BLOG" keeps staring at me from my to do list. Computer issues, some house repairs, checking in on Bill's mom and catching up on sleep from the Florida wedding trip have kept me from writing.

So, excuses aside, here we go!

Yes, we drove all the way to St. Petersburg, Florida for son David and his lovely bride Chelsea's wedding. We made the drive safe and sound, all 2500 miles round trip in ten days! And the drive was definitely "shortened" by Katie introducing us to the podcast "Serial." Oh gosh, a seriously addictive real-life crime story!

Hot, it was hot as a pressure cooker! Bill and I lived in south Florida our first five years of marriage but the incessant rain they've been having blew the humidity level to around 200%. We dressed appropriately (no matronly suit for me!) and the wedding and reception and even the rehearsal dinner were just fabulous. Most importantly, the bride and groom were thrilled and loved their special day and they are just ADORABLE!

                            (Benjamin Hewitt Photography)

 

                                            Sweet dance on the patio.               (Benjamin Hewitt Photography)

Oh I didn't mention ... the wedding and reception were held at the St. Petersburg Shuffleboard Club ... a SWEET and historic place where David and Chelsea had many dates. Following dinner we all played shuffleboard. What fun!

 

                                                                  (Benjamin Hewitt Photography)

 

 

Lily caught on fast and loved some shuffleboard!

 

 

David's beautiful bride Chelsea, who I prayed would be kept safe and healthy

until God brought them together. I can't tell you how happy I am that they

both waited for each other. A perfect love story!    (Benjamin Hewitt)

 



It's hard "losing" this last son. As CRAZY as I am about my daughters-in-love, I feel a little loss when each son has married. But I'm super proud of each of them, and happy to see them succeeding in life. David and I danced to "Forever Young" by Bob Dylan. Ok, ok, I love it as the intro to Parenthood but the lyrics seemed perfect, even though my son is grown.

May God bless and keep you always
May your wishes all come true
May you always do for others
And let others do for you
May you build a ladder to the stars
And climb on every rung
May you stay forever young

 May you grow up to be righteous
May you grow up to be true
May you always know the truth
And see the lights surrounding you
May you always be courageous
Stand upright and be strong
May you stay forever young

 May your hands always be busy
May your feet always be swift
May you have a strong foundation
When the winds of changes shift
May your heart always be joyful
And may your song always be sung
May you stay forever young
 

Bob Dylan, 1973

I have more to share, especially about my grandchildren's roles in the wedding .... next post!

happy birthday, Chelsea!

This girl's birthday is today ...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, CHELSEA!!

 

She's the one who stole my son David's heart,

the one he waited for,

the one I prayed for,

the one who blew into our family just over a year ago,

who blew us away at Thanksgiving as we all crammed into

one house together with 5 little children,

who could go with the flow of our craziness,

and will officially join us when she

marries David next month!

 

Chelsea you are warm and witty,

outgoing and humble,

hospitable and grace-filled,

faithful and loving.

Best of all, you have brought light and love to my son's life

and for that I thank you and thank the Lord for his faithfulness.

Hope you've enjoyed a special birthday!

 

crazy, happy, hard

Here's what I've been doing: I'm spending the afternoon on our back porch, working on a magazine article. After our brutal winter, the sun and wind and daffodils under the pines are like heaven.

At this moment my life is crazy, happy and hard. So much has happened since Thanksgiving. And I thank HIM, the God of universe for all of it, hard as it is to walk with the hard stuff.

We learned that we get our tongue-in-cheek hope for another baby in 2015. (Four generations of us born in '5' years) And we get TWO, due five days apart in early June! I think they're both boys. We'll see when they come because neither mom is finding out her baby's gender. Love, love that!

Bills' mom Elizabeth, 98, had a nasty fall on Christmas day, another hospital visit on my birthday in early January, and entered Hospice care. We thought we'd lose her within weeks but she rallied and has had ups and downs since then but seems stable. It's an emotional and physical journey for those who love her and particularly Bill and his brother Bob, who visit her every day. Which goes to show, it is God who numbers our days. Not doctors, not hospice. I invite you to pray for Elizabeth's comfort and peace.

I've had a fun little part-time job for about 18 months ... I'm a mother's helper to a family with six children ages 3-17 and their mother Noelle homeschools every one of them. Some think I'm crazy, but my time there is a blessing to me, especially in the midst of Elizabeth's decline. In their home is life and love and NOISE and music (lots of piano) and laughter and I love it. It's a little trip back in time.

In February our oldest son, David, proposed to his girlfriend Chelsea. (last post) And since they live two hours apart and are just crazy about each other, it won't be a long engagement. In July we will trek to Florida for their wedding! The other boys' weddings were local, so this is different in many ways. Lots of texts, phone calls, questions and answers, and really, getting to know Chelsea better at a distance. I couldn't be more blessed by my daughters-in-love!

Our Michigan cabin is back on the market and we are talking more and more about moving south when the time seems right. It's been a decision long in the making and ya know how when you make a decision you just want to get on with it? I battle impatience and resting in God's timing. But faith is trusting God even when we don't see what we want, when we want it.

And that is what I pursue and rest in, day after day.

happy birthday, Jenny!

We met Jenny exactly 10 years ago at Taylor University's parents weekend. I eyed her carefully as we ordered ice cream at Ivanhoe's. My son Dan was smitten, but she'd momentarily broke his heart over the summer. Early in sophomore year, they seemed to be "an item." Jenny was smart, cute, forthright, light-hearted, but I was suspicious of her devotion to my son Dan. She was the first love interest of any of my boys, so I didn't really know much about the girl part of new love. But I was fiercely protective of my son's heart.

Within a month or so, Dan brought Jenny home for a weekend. She fit in comfortably right away, cooking with us and making bead bracelets with Katie, who thought the idea of a big sister was totally cool. And Jenny won me over, too, mostly because I saw her heart for God and for Dan.

So here we are, ten years later! Dan and Jenny married in 2007 and now have three wonderful children. Though young adulthood didn't play out as she planned, Jenny has grown into motherhood (and wifehood, is that a word?) beautifully. Her get-it-done personality is still evident, but so is a spirit of flexibility and acceptance that evolves in mothering three small children. Jenny is devoted to her family and her God and is passionate about educating the children creatively. Perhaps best of all, Jenny recognizes and appreciates that each child is different, created uniquely by God. Also, I don't know what Dan would do without her!

 

Today Jenny turns 30 so I'm wishing her a very happy birthday. Jenny, I hope you'll embrace this season of life. Oh, how I know its intensity, exhaustion, and frustrations: how overwhelmingly hard the days can be. I pray you realize that with each passing birthday, you've acquired experience and wisdom for the tasks before you. I admire you for mothering well with love and humor. I love you like a daughter and thank God for you. Happy birthday!

Happy birthday, Jenny!

Many years ago I began praying for the people my children would marry. It was a new idea for me, but some special friends prayed for their children and I thought, why not?

And isn't God amazing? He brought two wonderful young women to our family to marry two of our sons. The first was Jenny, who met my son Dan at college. They married right after they graduated in 2007.

In a few short years Jenny has gone from the girl Dan brought home from college to his devoted wife, mother of 3 sweet little ones, beginning homeschooler, fantastic cook and gardener. She's our "let's play a game!" cheerleader. She's also relaxing into this tough season of motherhood, trying to enjoy them, guide them, love them.

You're a blessing to me, Jenny. You teach me things and listen to me and make me laugh. You challenge my thinking and inspire me. I love you and (because your birthday today has been a bit of a challenge) wish you a happy birthday week!

35 years!

At our Michigan cabin on our 25th anniversary, 2003.

It's universal: life seems to speed up as kids get older, as we get older. Our lives brimmed and spilled over with high school sports, kids learning to drive, me leading Katie's Girl Scout troop, two of the boys in Boy Scouts, youth group, and never-ending homework. (Ya know, I hated homework!) The baby we moved with to West Virginia graduated in 2001 and so began the college years.

I felt I was on a carousel those years, spinning round and round and trying to focus on something stationary. It was a rich and amazing ride, witnessing all four children transition to young adulthood and all three sons find jobs and move away. David, Dan and Katie all graduated from Taylor University, a gem of a school tucked away in rural Indiana. It might sound odd, but Bill and I fell in love with Taylor, for its Christian foundation and commitment to preparing kids to be Christ to a world in need. When Katie graduated last year, the only thing we were happy to leave behind at Taylor was tuition payments! 

Dan and Mark both fell in love with darling girls, Jenny and Jill, and we had weddings here in Delaware in 2007 and 2009. I always prayed for my children's future spouses, but never imagined how God would honor those prayers. I couldn't ask for more wonderful young women as my daughters-in-love as I call them.



Mark and Jill's wedding, August 1, 2009

In all the chaos, Bill continued to steady me. He found ways to take the pressure off, whether delaying a road trip by a day (because I'm never quite ready), or offering to pick up Chinese take-out so I don't have to cook. Whatever I make into a big deal, he somehow makes into a smaller deal. He's so flexible and accepting of my can't-always-get-it-together ways. Love that guy!

We didn't have a wedding of our own, so we enjoy our kids' weddings!
August 1, 2009

Well tomorrow is our anniversary! On more post to top it off. Our family grows by leaps and babies!

June girls

As a girl, I longed for a summer birthday. Pool parties, backyard picnics, and never being in school on my birthday seemed heavenly! As it was, my birthday fell as a postscript to the Christmas and new year holidays on January 3. By then, my family was celebrated out. Boo hoo.

Neither my husband nor any of our children were born in summer, but NOW! We have Mark's wife, Jill, born June 23, and granddaughter Ashlyn born June 24. Though I'm not with either of them this year, it's fun to help them celebrate from a distance, skype and send gifts.

When I think of Jill, I smile because she exudes joy. Her laugh is natural and contagious. Jill loves my son fiercely, but she also loves all of us simply by her selflessness, thoughtfulness and pure joy in getting to know others.

As I watch Jill mother, it's obvious that she takes her job seriously. She is calm, loving yet firm, and seems to have the sense a mother needs that children grow quickly ... Jill embraces her time with Lily, and is preparing for the new challenge of mothering two!

Happy birthday, Jill (a date late)! I'm glad you enjoyed your special day. I love you!




I don't have many photos of just Jill, but love this one of
her bathing Lily last summer at our cabin.


How thankful I am to have not only one, but two daughters-in-love who love my sons and grandchildren so wonderfully. I'm tremendously blessed!

      *     *     *     *     *     *     *     *     *     *     *     *     *     *     *     *     *     *

How I enjoyed Ashlyn when I visited earlier this month. She's a sweet bundle of two-ness who can now respond to reasoning, yet also lapses into moments of frustrated screams. Her vocabulary has exploded; this visit I could understand almost everything she said. Ash is so very loving and tender, especially with her baby brother Noah. She's a cuddler who loves books and settles down nicely for her afternoon nap.

She and I had a grand time picking peas and beans in the garden!

Ash has opinions on things. She had the final say in a shoe department while I was there and wanted to buy her a pair of "sensible" tennis shoes. We left the store with two pairs of the most anti-Baba shoes imaginable: pink sparkles! One pair each for Ash and big sister Ari. How funny.

Happy 2nd birthday, sweet Ashlyn. You've claimed a special spot in Baba's heart.



happy birthday, Jenny!

I call my sons' wives my daughters-in-love. It elicits some curious looks and once, even a snide comment. "Humph!" a woman said in confused disapprovel. As if I shouldn't dare to deviate from the term in-law.

But around the time I gained my first daughter-in-law, Jenny, I heard a woman refer to her daughter-in-love and, well, I fell in love with it. Most would agree that in-law doesn't carry much affection. I think mothers-in-love, if they want a good relationship with their adopted daughters and sons, need to be intentional and a loving friend. So that's what I try to do, sometimes successfully, sometimes not so much.

So. Today is Jenny's 28th birthday.  She's my middle son Dan's wife of five years and mother of their two sweet girls. Jenny's a fabulous cook, a lover of God, coffee, chocolate, college football (Notre Dame) and popcorn ... and card games. She's trying, with some success, to turn us into game lovers, too. Funny times.

I admire that Jenny speaks her mind, is a modern young woman who is learning the value of being a godly mother, and treasures family. Happy birthday, Jenny. I love you, and never imagined the blessings I'd gain when my sons married! 

Happy birthday, Jilly Bean!

Seven years ago this very month, my son Mark began dating a cute girl from his high school class.

He hadn't dated in high school, so this "sudden" girlfriend took us by surprise.

But as soon as she walked in our house, I liked Jill immediately. 

Her smile lit up the room. Her laugh was contagious. And her red hair gorgeous!

Jill was of course very interested in my son ...

and what should be a post of her own,

she was also increasingly interested in God.

She and I eventually spent part of a summer together

talking, praying and studying the Bible.

It was a beautiful thing that drew us closer.

Best of all, Jill drew closer to God.

Lots more happened: an engagement, a wedding, a couple of moves,

and now Jill is a mother ... to Lily, our third granddaughter.  

For many years I've prayed for my children's future spouses.

That God would choose, keep and protect them for my children.

How God has honored those prayers in Jill!

Today Jill turns 25. She loves and supports my son.

She's a devoted mother and has embraced motherhood so beautifully.

She's a sister to my other children and a cherished daughter to me.

Jill loves life, is good-hearted, open and honest, cheerful, creative,

and eats lots of salads!

Happy birthday, Jill.

I love you and am so thankful for you!



Mark and Jill on their wedding day, August 1, 2009.



happy birthday, Jenny!

Today's her birthday and so I honor my daughter-in-love Jenny. It's such fun to see her become a mom and while caring for two babies is a huge job, Jenny also has many interests. Most importantly, she's a woman after God's heart.  Here's a little birthday acrostic ...

J - Joyful. Jenny loves to laugh and her joy is evident in her family. A mother's joy is reflected in her children.

E - Energetic. Gardening, card games, organizing us indecisive Hallers , our trips to IKEA, cleaning house, exercising. If you need to see someone determined to get it done, watch Jenny!

N - Nurturing. Maybe motherhood doesn't come naturally to every new mom ... but Jenny wears it well, loving and caring for her husband Dan and their girls.

N - Natural girl. Just take at look at her blog. http://www.groundedgirl.com/ Jenny's learned so much about nutrition and is passionate about passing it on to to others. She's a great cook: I almost feel like I'm at a restaurant when we visit!

Y - Yearning and striving to be an excellent wife and mother ... but also allowing herself  some slack in this very busy season of her life. She lets the little things go.

H. - HAPPY BIRTHDAY, JENNY, with love!

happy birthday, Jill!

Happy birthday today - turning 24 - to my lovely daughter-in-love JILL!

Little ones love her, like my granddaughter Ari ... pictured here with Jill last summer in Michigan.

Our dog Ellie LOVES her, and goes a little crazy when Jill comes by the house.

Jill has a lively and loving spirit and is curious to learn, try, and experience new things.

She loves to cook and has a challenge on her hands keeping my son Mark fed!

Jill is artistic, creative, organized (oh, I can only dream!) and learning to garden.

Jill has brought life and love and laughter to our family and I'm so thankful for her.

Have a wonderful birthday, dear Jill!

happy birthday, Jenny!

Many years ago a friend invited me to pray weekly with other moms for our children, their schools and teachers. I learned from those moms how to really pray for my kids. I'd hear them pray for their children's future spouses; that God would already be protecting their hearts and minds and preparing them for the day they'd marry into a family. It seemed a little odd to me, but I began to embrace the idea of praying for my

future daughters and son-in-law. ("in-loves" I call them.)

Within ten years, my son Dan introduced us to Jenny, a bright and spirited college sophomore who had captured his heart. I eyed her carefully, not sure what to make of a serious girlfriend for one of my boys.

I soon saw Dan's attraction to Jenny: she had a zest for life, a genuine interest in others and new ideas, a love of God ... and coffee! She seemed a part of our family right away. 

Most of you know the rest of this story: Dan and Jenny married soon after college graduation and became parents this year. My prayers have changed to include their marriage, jobs, parenthood and all the challenges faced by a young couple.

Today is Jenny's 26th birthday. How thankful I am for her. The wonder years are ahead of you, Jenny: rearing children, supporting Dan, pursuing your personal interests. Enjoy it and chase after God ... wishing you a very happy birthday!

belated birthday wishes for Jill

I didn't forget my newest, sweet daughter-in-love's birthday this week. We took the makings for a salad bar supper to their house and celebrated Jill's special day. But the busy-ness of the week got in the way of a blog post. Sorry, Jill!

Just a delightful young woman we sometimes call Jilly Bean. I don't know why.

I nto many things: decorating their cute house, hosting friends and small group, looking for good books to read, yard sales and general bargain-hunting.

L oves anything green, as well as sponges, salads, organizing, front porches, her husband (my son) and family and God.

L aughs easily and often!

Happy 23rd birthday, Jill. I am thankful to call you my daughter!

photos by Katie Haller

http://www.katiehaller.com/

Happy birthday, Jenny!

Our daughter-in-love Jenny turns 25 today. She's a little amazed by this milestone ... and I chuckle.

As I decided what to write on Jenny's birthday, I looked back at last year's post. It still holds, and then some. So here is the amended version...

Jenny is special to me and has been from the day we met. Things I like about her:

- She loves to laugh and has a sharp sense of humor. She just "gets" funny things that I get, so that's fun.

- Jenny has taught me a thing or two. Like how to peel an avocado. Stupid, you don't peel it! You cut it in half, then scoop it out. No, she never said that, she just kindly showed me and I was amazed!

- She really wasn't too overwhelmed by our family with three brothers, even when they are loud and annoying. That's a cool girl.

- Though she's always been the "little sister" in her family, Jenny has shown she knows how to be a loving and attentive big sister to our Katie. Very neat.

- She says things and we talk about things that boys just don't. She never seems in a hurry to finish a conversation.

- She has good fashion sense and I don't, usually, and is honest and tactful enough to gently help me in this area.

- Jenny loves books, coffee and God and what could be better than that?

- She is a giver of special gifts, time, friendship and love.

- Jenny loves my son Dan, and that makes me very happy.

- She is the mother of my first grandchild, so that puts Jenny somewhere around queen status, right? She is already a good mother by taking care of herself and her unborn baby.

- My other wonderful daughter-in-love, Jill, threw a baby shower for Jenny over the weekend and we ended the day with a mini-birthday celebration. Here's Jenny with her carrot cake:


I'm thankful for you and I love you, Jenny, and I wish you a most excellent birthday!

wedding willies

It's now two days until my son Mark's wedding. Saturday, August 1, 2009 at 6:00 p.m. to be exact. I know the bride and her mother are supposed to be the mush-brained ones, but a groom's mother has a share of brain freeze, too.

Here's what's on my mind, what's left of it:

CONFESSION: twice in the last 24 hours I've had to pull out the invitation to re-check the TIME OF THE WEDDING. Come on!

Guilt: Once the boys started finding far-off places to move, getting married and that sort of thing, I devised a empty-nest rule, and that rule is: if you're a) getting married and/or b) buying a house, you WILL sort and pack up your twenty years of accumulated belongings. This includes trophies, baseball cards, report cards and ninja turtles. It goes with you.

There is an escape clause to the rule: if you are moving to a small apartment, you may store your boxed belongings in our crawl space. For a time. I thought about imposing a rental fee, but decided against that. After all, I do want to be cared for once Alzheimers sets in.

So. The stressed-out, tending-to-a-hundred-wedding-details groom finally made serious progress on his room and belongings. Then I felt guilty. As I kept driving home the reminder to "clean out your room," it occurred to me that maybe I was being a bit heavy-handed. Even seeming overly-anxious to have him out. For good. Ugh. Mean old mother.

I started writing this post last night but got too sleepy and went to bed. Now it's 5:00 a.m. and I'm wide awake!

Wedding week camping trip?! The groom's brothers decided that a bachelor camp-out would be great fun. Tonight. Thursday. 48 hours before the wedding. Seeing as how both brothers live out-of-state and are ARRIVING today, they need a little help gathering the equipment. Tent. Sleeping bags. A skillet. Matches, flashlights, plates, cups. OK, I DID offer to help. But I was thinking more along the lines of making some food. It's turned into more than that. Boys, you WILL care for me when I'm old, won't you?

Out in the yard: Puttering in the yard is great therapy. My neighbors will see me there throughout the week. I just can't be stressed out at geraniums and hostas.

Hotel Haller: With four extra people staying at the house, there are a few issues to address. Who sleeps where. (I think the groom will be sleeping in the basement with all the wedding gifts.) Finding towels and sheets. After 30 years of marriage, I realize the towels and washcloths don't match. Oh, well. And there's some food prep going on, too.

Yep, it's a crazy week around here. Today will be especially frantic, with airport runs, camping trip packing and last-minute vacuuming up dog hair.

But I'm faithful it will all fade when I see my tall and handsome son standing with his radiant bride on Saturday evening!