A Mayflower's Musings

Friday, March 13, 2015

Henry and Ollie make up



Meet buddies Henry and Ollie.  They are learning the stuff of life right now.

Henry hits Oliver.  Henry's mom declares that Henry has earned a time out in his room.  Henry cries sad tears.  Ollie says "when he's done in his room and done crying he can come out."

Fast forward 3 minutes.

Henry comes out and approaches Ollie all on his own and the following conversation ensues:

"I'm sorry."
"It's ok"
"I won't fight anymore"
"Stefanie... He won't fight anymore"

And just like that best buds again.

Let us learn from these test subjects.  I think we make it too hard.

Thursday, March 12, 2015

Teach your children well.



Today is not necessarily a hard day.  It may be for someone thrown into this life abprubtly but you see we've been dealing with very sick parents since 2003.  It's a long road to walk down.  Lots of frantic calls and texts and discussions and breaking down what doctors are saying,  reading between lines and being advocate when it comes to making sure no stone goes unturned.  Oh and prayer.  Lots of it.   Jokes and memories relived of good days and the triumph of blessings God pours down to remind us of the silver lining.  Or heck if we are talking precious medals let's award ourselves and our parents gold and the gold awaiting in heaven.

Another normal week in the life of Lesley, Stefanie and Jonathan Harper.  Who knew on that sunny beach day that the arms that held us tight would soon need our strong arms to hold her up so early in her life?  It's okay --we've flexed that muscle before--With dad and now mom. Today's only a doctor appointment to see where she's at in this ugly disease's grip and then to a care meeting to discuss if she's fit to stay at the very expensive place that we hope will be able too care and love her in these last years.

And like I said we set out not with nervous tummies because it's become regular and yet at the days' end we know why we are tired and texting each other an emoji with a wine glass and the funny little character with the eyes boggling out.  It's the norm-  and those are more of a joke to keep a smile where there's hurt.  Then more prayer.

Today with no kids in van at last... I turn on one of the CDs my sis made of dad's music -  I start listening to it again and crying again this time of year.  And an anthem comes on that fits our lives so fittingly and makes me so thankful that above all they taught us about the importance and bond of family so that when it came time we could take care of our parents well.  As they did us.  

Play "Teach Your Children"
"Teach Your Children"

You, who are on the road must have a code that you can live by.
And so become yourself because the past is just a good bye.
Teach your children well, their father's hell did slowly go by,
And feed them on your dreams, the one they fix, the one you'll know by.
Don't you ever ask them why, if they told you, you would cry,
So just look at them and sigh and know they love you.

And you, of the tender years can't know the fears that your elders grew by,
And so please help them with your youth, they seek the truth before they can die.
Teach your parents well, their children's hell will slowly go by,
And feed them on your dreams, the one they fix,the one you'll know by.
Don't you ever ask them why, if they told you, you would cry,
So just look at them and sigh and know they love you.




Yesterday's blog- the normal


A normal day in 2015.

Wake kids at 6:30
Out door by 745.
Zumba 8:30
Scotty's playhouse 11-12
(Henry went down slide by himself for first time)
Chores
1:45-  pick up daphne for counseling apt
2-  gas van and coffee for me and a friend
230 pick up extra kiddo
245 pick up daphne
3- pick up another extra kiddo
3-430 snacks, trampoline and spelling bee practice
5 making a dinner that takes an extra long time-  decided to try fried chicken
6:30 Henry and I take walk and find many snails-  "turbos"
8pm tuck in kids
8:30 mike is asleep
9ish-  I'm asleep

Didn't finish the laundry or prep healthy food again...lots of good things happened tho 

Tuesday, March 10, 2015

A Note of Encouragement to a "reader"

One of my oldest dearest friends is having a big week!  I love that blogs and Facebook alike can be a cheap way to encourage!  

Jessi is doing a long term sub job and it started a whole week early on Monday when the teacher went into labor!!!  Bad timing cuz her hubby is out of town too.  But she has an awesome mama helping her and well,  Jessi is my most organized friend by FAR!  So she will do beautifully!

So cool that she is teaching in her daughter's class!!  Special memories!  

Here's an old picture to bring you a smile Jessi!  Thanks for throwing me that awesome baby shower before Ruby arrived!!

Just like this week your mom and you were a fantastic team!!!

Monday, March 9, 2015

Last season on ...





I've been struggling with whether or not to go back and tell all the big stories that happened during the two years I didn't blog.  But I decided after watching a "catch up" review of downton abbeys first two seasons yesterday that it'd be fun to see if I could do that here too with our life!






Ruby learned to ride her bike in summer of 2012,  had a great Fourth of July-  even visiting grandma barb in the kids matching duds, we traveled to McCall,  hosted cousin phoebe for 5 days so the little girls could go to ballet camp,  and said goodbye to our dear friends the kearins!



Henry celebrated his first birthday in September with lots of cousins!!  John Deere style!  

Another first day of school photo shoot with our neighbor buds-  the blands!  I believe this was the last of those as they moved that next summer!  So sad-  really was an end of an era for us!!


Ruby got to go to 4year old preschool that fall at bethel baptist Christian school-  we loved mrs lynch!!


Daphne had the coolest 9 year old party-  makeovers done by the cool teenagers / early 20s girls in her life!  Thanks Bethany, Malorie and Kayla!!   It was a hit!

Maisie had a cowgirl party and G&G riddles!!!  It was so fun for this new 7 year old!


This was my favorite pumpkin patch picture that fall!  Holy cuteness! And their Halloween outfits were fun as well!


Ruby and Henry and I spent a lot of time together that year-  my two valiant side kicks! To be honest - I don't remember much except a lot of packing that fall! Oh yes and Henry went cold turkey refusing to be breasted-  major pain in the boobs that is!!!


 Sweet Lacey taron took family pictures for us that fall-  it poured rain that day but luckily we have some friends with a covered patio! They turned out amazing!




Maybe I did blog about Daphne's first gallery production-  the best Christmas pageant ever-  she had a lead role and it was a fun one!  We had the time of our life getting to know theater life and new friends!!!  


Last chrismas at Lucy belle- We had no furniture to sit on as we opened gifts-  it was already in the pod!!!


In January 2013 we moved from the house we built on Lucy belle.  After a season of unfortunate events we weren't able to hold onto it.  It was gut wrenching, exhausting and a dark time for me.  But I've learned a house doesn't make a home -  an important lesson!


My mom was sick and Pam was working all the time so God brought this nurturing friend into my life who helped me with the kids a lot that year as I packed up the Lucy belle home and unpacked in the new place.  She remains a steadfast 
servant friend!!


A week or two after the hardest move of my life I had 9 five year olds spend the night for rubys 5th birthday.  What the heck was I thinking?  Hindsight is 20/20😳


Easter 2013-  loved their outfits,  the weather and being with family and Matt and beccas!!



In may of that year we got a new puppy- a beagle that the kids named Tate.  What in the crap were we thinking-  Stefanie needs a poop making,  barking,  toy chewing baby animal to add to the chaos!?!




Mikes passion in life became a little orphanage in Mexico called casa de Paz! Maisie went on her first trip and daphne her 3rd in June 2013!! Again a reminder that love surpasses many boundaries!


Ruby also graduated from preschool that month!!!



I got to go to a Take Shape for Life conference in Nashville with cousins Shane and Jill to learn more about being a health coach!  Mike and I having lost a combines 145 lbs on their program and wanting to pay it forward!




We made lots of memories again in McCall that summer including meeting new friends Dillon and Lauren!!!  We love our cabin!!!!



Maisie got tubes in her ears and we have since heard she will have to have them surgically removed as well!!  Still paying on the first surgery :(

Mike got his first real office outside of the home-  on 3rd street in mcminnville!  How perfect and QUIET for him!!


Stay tuned for fall 2013!!  All in all that season was a strengthening and a shedding of many things for mike and I!!!





Sunday, March 8, 2015

An impromptu meal with our AWESOME neighbors!





I love spontaneous.  I love making relationships.  We are getting to know a family across the street better-  the ackermans.  Kids played in the water out front all afternoon and then a quick conversation about dinner turned into a big makeshift table in our driveway and two families sharing a meal and laughs.  Well and they have a baby and you know I love a baby!!!

This is the good life!