The Secret Tunnel

While it is not exactly a Secret Garden, our secret tunnel is pretty cool. While it isn't really a secret, there are a lot of local people who are unaware of its existence.

The surgical center where I work is across the street from the hospital. This cool tunnel runs under our parking lot, the street and a parking garage, connecting the two healthcare facilities. It is not just one straight tunnel. It has a few turns along the way. 

As it gets close to the hospital, there are walls with pictures painted by children. The colorful walls have been there for years. Sadly, I don't remember the story of who the children were that were allowed down there for the painting event.

It sure brightens things up!

Patients needing to go from one facility to the other can be wheeled through this tunnel but generally the public is not allowed access to it.

There are some old hospital beds stored down there.

There are a lot of big pipes as well.

Often, after working a long day at the surgical center,

I get to go through the tunnel to deliver paperwork to the hospital.

Oddly, it is one of my favorite parts of my job.

Now, you are in on the secret.

The Baby Dragon, a Wethead and an Introvert

It turns out I wasn't quite done documenting Sam's 20th birthday.

I have told you before how miserable I am when it comes to baking cakes. If you have forgotten or just want to feel better about your own skills, click here and  here.  Really, I bake them fine, I just make a mess of them when I am removing them from their pan or try to frost them. Why in the world did I not always just make cupcakes? Problem solved. Of course that first link above will also take you to the crock pot cake recipe, which,  in my humble opinion, is the BEST CAKE EVER!  Yes, EVER.

The dumb thing about Sam's birthday dinner is that he doesn't really have much of a sweet tooth and didn't even care if there was cake. He had mentioned the day before that he wanted me to put a candle in a burrito for him. I provided the burritos for him and then I FORGOT to put a candle in it for him. It is possible that I won't be winning any MOM OF THE YEAR awards.

One of my favorite things at Sam's birthday gathering was watching Cordelia getting excited about the present she had chosen for Sam. She got him a figurine of a dragon emerging from an egg. She was so delighted with her choice and was certain Sam would love it.  Guess what!? He did! 

Elise did not really seem to care about Sam's presents. She did enjoy having her mother squirt her head with water.  Did I mention it was quite hot?

Funny little girl....

Actually, kind of a funny little mother, huh?

I have known and loved quite a few introverts in my life. I even produced one. I think Sam is still a little mad at me for taking him to preschool when he was three years old. He was really more of a one-friend-at-a-time kind of kid. He was always pretty comfortable playing on his own as well.

Anyway, Maria and Eric had a great t-shirt made for him. It was perfect and it made us laugh.

OK, I think I am done now.

Family Time Caught on Camera

We had a lot going on this past week-end... lots of family time!  We were entertained by Elise and Cordy, played Bongo Ball, toured an art museum, ate too much, saw our first Roller Derby event, played at the river and more! Here, why don't I just show you...

A Teen No More!

Our first child, Maria, became a teenager in 1994. That was 19 years ago! I think we had a year when our kids were 12, 20 and 24 but I think we have parented a teenager for 18 of the last 19 years. Yikes! We should be getting some kind of award, don't you think?

Anyway, today is Sam's birthday! I can't believe it has been 20 years since we welcomed him into our family. He has actually been a very sweet and easy child to raise. His good nature is why I feel he will still love me even if I show you this photo...

Happy Birthday Sweet Boy!

Oh wait, I shouldn't use that term here as it may embarrass you.

Happy Birthday Samuelton!

No?

Happy Birthday Sammer? 

Sammy Boy?

I suppose that is embarrassing as well.

OK, OK...

Happy Birthday Sam!

No Words

Yay! My Poster Has Been Flipped!

Years ago our son, Ben, started a weird tradition. He came home from college or somewhere (I really don't remember when this started) and found I had framed a couple of posters for the bathroom. One was hung on the wall and one was propped on the back of the toilet. I think I'd had it hung on the wall as well but the tab deal on the back, meant for hanging, was too weak to stay put. Instead of fixing the problem, I worked around it and just set the poster up. I likely thought it looked artsy that way.

For reasons beyond my understanding, Ben turned the poster around. He left it that way. I came in and righted the situation. He again turned it around. It was weirdly funny. It became a tradition, then, something he did every time he came home to visit. It was odd enough to be charming. 

This morning I got up and found this... Yep, my poster is flipped! Our son and daughter-in-law are here to visit. We have all of our children in one town! I am soooo happy!

One time when I was anticipating an upcoming visit from Ben, I left him a little note. It remains on the back of that poster, faded but still readable, "I love you Benj."

Do you and your's have any crazy little family traditions?

From Our Front Window

It has been a bit challenging to get home lately.

Once home, I am inclined to stay put.

It is kind of noisy, though.

And our house vibrates with the pounding equipment (I have no idea what to call any of those things rolling around out there).

It feels like we're having a series of earthquakes.

Seriously.

The dishes in the cupboard rattle like crazy!

There are lots of people around and I worry a bit about them working out in the heat.

But mostly...

I am just glad it isn't fire trucks I'm seeing out the window this time.

Yesterday - The View From My Phone

Part of Something More

Some of you may not know that Mike is also a musician. He is a remarkably talented songwriter!

Recently I googled my own husband to see if his music was still available out there in Internet Land. Not only is it available, but even Amazon still has it. Isn't that cool!?  I love the songs on this CD and I think a lot of people would enjoy it, if only they knew it was available. By the way, I also found it on ITunes and CDBaby and it was cheaper than at Amazon. Weird.

What it Means to be Called

As most of you know, my husband is a pastor. He didn't mean to be a pastor. I don't even think he wanted to be a pastor. I believe he was CALLED to be a pastor. Read here for the story of how I found out about his calling.

To understand this calling, you need to know about the Great Commission...

Matthew 28:16-20

New International Version (NIV)

The Great Commission

16 Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go.17 When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. 18 Then Jesus came to them and said,“All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

The Great Commission refers to the time Jesus was telling his disciples that they had a lot of work ahead of them. He told them they were to go out and spread the word, to teach the world about Jesus. We also believe that those directions were given to all Christians. However, we often use the term "called" when we are speaking of someone who feels they are given the spiritual nudge to give themselves completely to this vocation. Someone who is called into the ministry not only is answering the command of the Great Commission, but also offering themselves to act as a leader and a shepherd to other Christians as they also follow the Great Commission themselves. Mike is one of those people.

I am very proud of my husband for following this calling. I know he didn't really want to. I know he is an introvert and being a pastor may not have seemed like a likely vocation for him. I also know that he relies on God's guidance and the leading of the Holy Spirit to help him and I know that is why he is able to do what he does. He set aside a lot of his own dreams to allow God to lead him where he wanted him.  He didn't know where this path would lead.

Putting aside your own desires to follow such a calling goes against what our current society teaches us is good and just. We hear a lot of advice...follow your dreams, do what you love, if it feels good do it, it is your choice, stand up for yourself...the list goes on. It isn't necessarily all bad, but Christians are taught something more. We are taught that we are to be only the managers of our lives, not the owners (my words). We are taught that we are to look after the needs of others as much as we do for ourselves. We are taught that the most important thing we can do is to spread the word about God's grace.

Time with Family

I spent much of this past week-end at my Mom's. She lives only about a two hour's drive away. I LOVE the drive up there. It involves a lot of wide open space, one of my favorite things. I always relax at Mom's house as well. She has a way of making her home so welcoming. It just feels homey to me, even though I never lived in the house where she now lives.

Saturday evening we picked up my aunt Michelle and met my sister and nephew, Tina and Steven, for dinner out.  Every time I go to their town I find myself wishing I could go visit them more often!

(pictured: my Aunt Michelle)

My Mom has 4 sisters and I always thought all of them to be quite beautiful.  

Sunday morning I went to church with Mom, meeting my sister and nephew there as well. It was a treat to worship together. After church we went out to breakfast. It was calm and pleasant. Well, for me it was. For them it may have been annoying as I drug out my camera so they couldn't really relax. They were good sports, though, so I can share my photos here with you. Thanks, guys!

I was there to celebrate my Mom's birthday with them. I probably shouldn't tell her age so I won't. 

I will tell you, though, that my Mom is much, much younger than other women her age.

Think about that!