Our Family Circus

As a little girl, no one is stronger than your Daddy! My parents were very affectionate toward us growing up and still are. They hugged tight- none of those framed armed hugs. My dad's arms could squeeze me like a snake with his prey and I loved it! The feel of his tight hug became a part of me. As I worked with children with special needs I realized I had my own occupational therapy need. I need deep pressure at times, the deep pressure my parents offered when they hugged me. My dad's hugs were especially special. After I went to college, met My Dear and married I could still receive my dad's tight hugs but My Dear's hugs were needed as well. My dad is a much bigger man than My Dear so their hugs are different. When I self diagnosed my need for deep pressure, My Dear quickly learned the Boa Constrictor Squeeze and since he was far more accessible to me, those hugs worked. My Dear knows that when I flop toward him like a wet noodle that is when I need the tightest...

Grumpy me loaded the recyclables and the children to get to the recycling center. We had a LOAD! Grumpy's children were uninterested in helping. Well, I thought one was but after getting out of the vehicle in the cold they confessed they did not want to help only to go into the Reuse it store. Just what we need MORE STUFF!!! Grumpy ordered that child back to the vehicle-too cold and dangerous to be standing around not working. Grumpy was so grumpy that others heard the sharp tone in her voice and even passed a glance my way. There goes mom of the year and we are in the first days of January! I unloaded my stuff and jumped in the vehicle to leave. I saw a older lady out of the corner of my eye (and activity) getting out of her stuffed vehicle. She was moving slow and it was cold. I took note of her and began to pull out. It was going to take her awhile and with it being so cold, she will be a "cube" (of ice that is.) She is small as well, can she even reach? I pulled out ...

Christmas Day I got a sweet phone call from a lady I met in Vnam ! We chatted and teased and then Amy asked if I would be home the following weekend. I told her yes. She said she had a gift for me, assured me it was not carrot juice (which she had me drink for tummy troubles in Vnam -yuck!) and that I would like it! I watched the mail for an arrival. I got a phone call from another lady I met on the trip a week later. She is the missionary wife here in the states. I found it odd that she would call. I shared with her that My Dear's family were coming to visit. She wanted to meet up with me to give me Amy's gift and that weekend...when the fam was here. Then the phone rang again-it was Amy! How odd is that!? I get to talk with both of them right after one another.....well, because they were together! Our sweet Amy who lived on the west coast was in our state!!! She wanted to surprise us but was getting no where. I asked permission from My Dear's family to leave that evenin...

My Dear and I have been encouraged to look for God Moments! God is at work, we need to be watching for that work, join in, and praise Him for it! Last week, our AWANA ministry hosted Hope For the Holidays for families who send their children to us but do not attend church with them. Many of these families have financial needs as well. It was such a cool night! Families had their pictures made together and a delicious spread of food laid in front of them. A church member was seated at their table to build relationships, carols were sang, craft and the Christmas story for the children, and a message of Hope from the Manger for the adults. It was one of those nights when you wondered who was blessed most, those served or those serving! I had asked my friend "Co Co" to be a table host. Co Co sings-beautifully I might add. She is in front of people often using that gift. She really wanted to be behind the scenes because of that. I tried to convince her otherwise wanting her to be...