How time flies

Tonight I was downloading some songs we are going to use in a digital scrapbook for Lilli's graduation and I started reminiscing. For those that don't know me, I tend to dislike change and wish for things to slow down. I guess that's why I like antiques, Norman Rockwell paintings, keep boxes and boxes of pictures, and we just now are on Facebook. At one point a few years ago, I really was considering if it would be possible to sell everything, buy an RV, home school the kids, and hit the road. As it turns out, only Pete was on board with that plan.

As we are getting ready for our first child to "leave the nest", I am reflecting on all that has happened over the last 18 years. All the school events, games, parties, vacations, etc.... Although, it is sad to think this season of our life is beginning to end, I feel so blessed to be married to such a wonderful wife and mother and to have such great kids.

Early on, Laura and I made a commitment to live our lives in such a way, that when the day came that our kids left, we would have no regrets about how we did things. I never wanted to say, "I wish we did this, or that when the kids were little." We felt our mission and ministry through these last 18 years was to create a home for our children that would allow them to stay innocent as long as possible, a home where they would feel loved, a home that they could see God's love even through two imperfect parents :), a home that would lay the foundation for them to take off into the world, follow God's will, and make it a better place.

Parenting is certainly exhausting work, but I can honestly say that we don't have any (well, maybe a few :)) regrets. So, for those of you just beginning this journey, I encourage you to really think through the next 18 years, pray and decide on a family mission. Follow God's promptings. Be intentional. Have big birthday parties, make crazy Halloween costumes, go on vacations together, go to every school play, every soccer game, every school conference. Take your kids to Sunday School, church, youth group.

Finally, I just wanted to share a poem that Laura and I found one day by Karen Kingsbury. It kind of sums up what I'm trying to say:

Long ago you came to me,
a miracle of firsts,
First smiles and teeth and baby steps,
a sunbeam on the burst.

But one day you will move away
and leave to me your past
And I will be left thinking of
a lifetime of your lasts…

The last time that I held a bottle
to your baby lips
The last time that I lifted you
and held you on my hip.

The last night when you woke up crying,
needing to be walked,
When last you crawled up with your blanket,
wanting to be rocked.

The last time when you ran to me,
still small enough to hold.
The last time that you said you’d marry
me when you grew old.

Precious, simple moments and
bright flashes from your past-
Would I have held on longer if
I’d known they were your last?

Our last adventure to the park,
your final midday nap,
The last time when you wore your favorite
faded baseball cap.

Your last few hours of kindergarten,
those last few days of first grade,
Your last at bat in Little League,
last colored picture made.

I never said good-bye to all
your yesterdays long passed.
So what about tomorrow-
will I recognize your lasts?

The last time that you catch a frog
in that old backyard pond.
The last time that you run barefoot
across our fresh-cut lawn.

Silly, scattered images
will represent your past.
I keep on taking pictures,
never quite sure of your lasts…

The last time that I comb your hair
or stop a pillow fight.
The last time that I pray with you
and tuck you in at night.

The last time when we cuddle
with a book, just me and you
The last time you jump in our bed
and sleep between us two.

The last piano lesson,
last vacation to the lake.
Your last few weeks of middle school,
last soccer goal you make.

I look ahead and dream of days
that haven’t come to pass.
But as I do, I sometimes miss
today’s sweet, precious lasts…

The last time that I help you with
a math or spelling test.
The last time when I shout that yes,
your room is still a mess.

The last time that you need me for
a ride from here to there.
The last time that you spend the night
with your old tattered bear.

My life keeps moving faster,
stealing precious days that pass,
I want to hold on longer-
want to recognize your lasts…

The last time that you need my help
with details of a dance.
The last time that you ask me for
advice about romance.

The last time that you talk to me
about your hopes and dreams.
The last time that you wear a jersey
for your high school team.

I’ve watched you grow and barely noticed
seasons as they pass.
If I could freeze the hands of time,
I’d hold on to your lasts.

For come some bright fall morning,
you’ll be going far away.
College life will beckon
in a brilliant sort of way.

One last hug, one last good-bye,
one quick and hurried kiss.
One last time to understand
just how much you’ll be missed.

I’ll watch you leave and think how fast
our time together passed.
Let me hold on longer, God,
to every precious last.

More ramblings

It is again 11:00 and everyone is asleep. Seems to be a common thing around here. I stay up a little later than everyone just doing nothing. The house is completely quiet and I can just sit. And do nothing. I usually surf the net a little, or read a little. I cruise through Ebay and check our sales. We are currently selling my CPCU textbooks(boring insurance stuff). 9 of 12 books have bids. That's always fun. Then, I check out the cabins for sale at Lake Vermilion in Minnesota. I dream that some day we will buy one and create our own Camp Meyers for our kids and future grandkids and family to enjoy. Even though I said I was trying to cut back on the political stuff, I usually check out the Drudge Report to see what's up.

Lately I have been researching used conversion vans. I made the mistake of taking Andy and Pete to a used car lot and letting them get into a conversion van. They could not believe the recliners you can have in a car. Not to mention the cool mood lighting and TV. Andy will need a car to drive in a few months and is begging for a conversion van. Since our Santa Fe is too small for five adults to go more than about 20 miles, I am actually considering it. I really am getting old, aren't I? I also have to take into account that Bryant will be joining us now on some of our trips. We are planning a trip to Chicago in March and he is coming with us, so that is six adults.

Speaking of Bryant, he is in India right now on a month long mission trip. Lilli hasn't spoke with him in weeks and she is leaving in two weeks for Cambodia. So, she will be there while he is in India. Last night her cell phone rang and she didn't hear it. Unfortunately, it was Bryant calling and she missed it. His opportunities to use a phone are few and far between. She was really bummed about that.

That's about it. I guess I'm done rambling. I have to get back to Autotrader and look for that van.

Well, it's 11:00 and everyone's asleep but me, so I thought I'd update our blog a little. Football season is over and Andy and Pete had a great year. Andy was the leading tackler for JV at 46 tackles. He also had an interception and a 2 pt. conversion. Pete had two touchdown catches and an interception also. I have added a couple football photos.

Andy kind of surprised us and went out for basketball at the last second. He hasn't played in a couple years. He is enjoying being part of the team. The new coach is our neighbor across the street.

Lilli went to a missionary conference in Illinois this weekend with a group from church . She has been working hard to raise money for her upcoming mission trip to Cambodia. We have even cleaned the UNI dome a few times. That is a pretty dirty job.

Laura is wrapping up another semester at Hawkeye and is enjoying her job a lot. She really is a great teacher and cares for her students. Well, there are a few... :)

Have you ever seen the chalkboards at Starbucks? We wondered what they used and they told us Chalkink. I bought a couple sets of the chalk markers and have been drawing on our chalkboard in our kitchen, changing with the seasons. I enjoy tapping my creative side sometimes. Laura has a chalkboard in her office that I decorate also. I have attached a couple photos of my most current projects.

We're looking forward to our trip to Ohio next week to spend Thanksgiving with Steve and Rebecca and the boys. That will be a fun time.

I know I am kind of rambling, but I am writing what is on my mind. So, I will conclude tonight with a truth that God has been working in my life. Over the past several years I was becoming more and more discouraged with the direction our country was heading. I found myself riding the highs and lows of day to day politics and it was really getting depressing.

Through prayer, reading God's word and growing in my faith, it became perfectly clear to me that God was telling me that the earth is not our home. There is no reason to believe that this world will move toward God and his plan for our lives. As a matter of fact, the Bible tells us that things on earth will only get worse until Jesus returns to bring justice. Focusing on political solutions with the hope that it would move this country toward God only set myself up for disappointment.

I have been more intentional in focusing on God and doing His will in my life to the best of my abilities. I have listened less to talk radio, read fewer Drudge Reports, and have replaced that with reading God's word more and listening to things that will put the focus on Him. I found that I as I have grown closer to God, I realized how far I was putting my hope in people and politics on not on Him.

I still relapse and listen to Rush or Glenn every now and then, and have been reading Drudge more with all that is happening, but each time it brings back that sick feeling in the pit of my stomach and I have to remember again to focus on God, not man. God is in control. He never said that things on earth would be easy or that Christians would be loved here. Just the opposite.

It's 11:45 now, so I 'd better get some sleep. Good night.

Joel

oops...

just realized a typo! the name of my blog is actually: www.lillianmeyers.blogspot.com :)

Wow...

...we never update our blog. :) TONS has happened since we last wrote anything, so I'll try to do a quick update. But...I am starting my own blog as well, that I intend to keep updated (hopefully!) and then I'll keep that going as I go to college and stuff. So, I'll try to just say what everyone's been up to since summer!

Andy- football, football, football! He started workouts with the team before school ended last year, did lots in the weight room to get ready, and now has 3 games a week! He's loving it though, and having a great season. He and I also detassled together this summer and he worked as a lifeguard. Andy's liking his sophomore year, and he's started coming to Big House (the Sr. High Wed. night program at church) and really likes it. Andy's been looking more into the Air Force Academy and is getting excited about possibly going into that.

Pete- Also, lots of football! He too, had a great season, and enjoyed having Dad as one of his football coaches. They both had a lot of fun with that. He's also coming to Big House and loves it! (esp. the crazy dodgeball time at the end of the night!) It's crazy that he's going to be in high school already next year! Pete's also doing soccer this year for a rec team.

Lilli- I've been really busy this year, but I'm lovin' my senior year! I work at a daycare and I really, really love my job. I'm involved in a lot of stuff at church and am doing an internship under my youth minister this year. I've also just been trying to get ready for college and taking lots of classes! I'm also just in a lot of clubs and groups at school.

Mom- Mom's been really busy this year going to all of the boys' games, teaching a bunch of classes at Hawkeye, and helping me get ready for college stuff. She's having a good, but crazy fall! My brothers and I are so blessed to have such a great mom! She's also been helping with a project at work to support the troops and she and Dad are joining a new Sunday School class at chuch.

Dad- Dad, Papa Meyers, and the boys all had a fun time going to Minnesota for a fishing trip over Labor Day. They caught some great fish and all had a good time together. Dad also got to help coach Pete's football team this year which he really enjoyed. He's also been busy with work and football games, like Mom. They are both such great parents, and so supportive! GOD truly blessed our whole family.

Sorry this is short and not into much detail, but we're going to try to take turns updating more often, and check out my new blog-www.lillimeyers.blogspot.com !
Jesus Loves YOU!

Catching Up...Again

Every time one of us blogs...it seems like we're "catching up" on about 2 months of stuff :) So, I'm going to try to catch up and then get better about blogging more often! We've been really busy since school got out at the beginning of June. Andy's soccer team went to the State Soccer Tournament in Des Moines. That was really exciting, they ended up getting 4th in the state. Pete has been playing baseball and just got done yesterday. Andy has also been lifeguarding, taking Driver's Ed., and hanging out with friends a lot. Now that baseball is done, Pete plans on watching a lot of T.V. and swimming :) I've been working at the Day Care in town, taking a class at Hawkeye, and looking at some different colleges. I was a counselor at a church camp last week, that was a lot of fun. Andy and I are gearing up for detassling, too! Mom has been taking a class, too, and staying busy with Pete's baseball and stuff. Dad has been really busy at work, lots of storms lately. He had to spend the first few weeks of summer in Wichita, Kansas. Well, that kind of catches up what we've been doing! Hopefully we'll get better at this blogging thing. haha Have a good day! -lilli

Summer!!!

This is Andy with our plans for this summer. Its almost summer break at G-R High School. School officially gets out Wednesday, June 3rd. Here are our summer plans.
Lilli- Lilli is working at the daycare in town. In July she will be detassling with me. I'll kind of be her boss. :-)
Pete- Pete is playing baseball this summer with the school team. He'll be golfing as well with his summer pass to the golf courses in Waterloo.
Andy- This summer I will be very busy. I am working at the pool as a lifegaurd. I also have drivers ed. In July I will be detassling again. I will also be golfing with Pete a lot.
Mom- Mom will be going to a lot of baseball games this summer. She'll also be reading and gardening. And she will be getting ready for her classes in the summer.
Dad- Dad will be working this summer. He will also be doing some projects around the house. He'll also golf with me and Pete.
We will be going up to Lake Vermillion this summer. The dates for that are the 25 till the 2nd of August or somethin like that.