Summer..Fall..Winter...Spring...Winter

My children got to spend some time at Grandma Gayles.
As they were getting ready to go, I told Izze to get her boots on. When I looked down I noticed she was putting on her rain boots.
"No, honey you need to wear your warm winter snow boots."
"But momma its SPRING now."
(my poor dear girl had not looked outside to see that the world around us had turned from a beautiful brown world of mud to an ugly serene world covered in crystal white snow).
"No, Izze, its not......God changed his mind"
And with that she was put on her snow boots and went out to enjoy the world God had created for her. No grumbles (like her momma). And even some smiles.
I love my daughters trust in what the Lord decides.

A story

Once upon a time....God gave me cousins. I didn't want them at first, but the moment I met Bridgette, I changed my mind. I was a bit jealous sharing the attention with her, for 10 years our family had been "my show" but she was lovable and I adjusted. Then God gave us her sister, Linnea and I loved them so. I wanted to take them and put them in my pocket and keep them little and with me forever.

Bridgette, Linnea and I 1995

But God had other plans. He let us all grow older. I did not stay a teenager and they became them. But I still loved them and wanted to keep them just like that.

Me, Linnea and Bridgette 2009

God still went on with his plan and turned these young teenage girls into beautiful young women. Despite my arguments to the contrary. He did a good job with it though, and I love them still.

Bridgette, Me, Linnea 3/20/11

All the while this was happening, at my own home, I still lived as an only child. God knew I liked it this way. So he sent this pesky boy to work on the farm. From the time I was 15 this lil' kid hung around and I grew to love him too. He was a few years younger so I did my best to teach him how to be bossed around by a girl, how not to treat girls and how to swear. He was a nerdy lil' boy who grew into a nice young man. I think God sent him to help me adjust to sharing my mom. Because soon God sent me another brother, this time the real thing. The serrogate brother of mine still remained and I'm glad because I love my brother by choice as much as I love my brother of blood.

Matt, Carmryn and I 2003

Well that young man kept growing and growing and growing, God is funny that way. I got married. All of my people were there. My Bridgette she was 16. My Matt was not. Bridgette adored Matt but he was too old for her. So she decided to date a mini Matt. That was short lived and by the time Bridgette turned 18 she had convinced Matt of what she already knew. And so be it. Noone stops Bridge from getting what she wants.

Matt, Bridge and My lil' guy (their godson) 2009

This is the story of my babies. Who grew up too fast.

This is the story of why my brother is marrying my cousin and its perfectly legal and not a Jerry Springer story.

This is a story where my heart weeps with joy of things to come and sorrow for time that has gone too fast.

This is the story of a place which has been a second home to me for the past 25 years will soon mean so much more to me when on my 6 year anniversary my boy will marry my girl.

This is the story of Matthew Richard and Bridgette Christine.

This is a love story written by God for us to share.

<3>

The light of the Lord

Alright, so if you know me, you know that I DO believe in God. I was raised Catholic. I don't follow EVERY view of the church (I am not against gay marriage, I dont believe that you need to be at church on sunday for your faith to be strong, and a few others). But I believe, and 99% of the beliefs were given to me from the Catholic Church, which I call my "home"

Well, I have to share this........
Last night I went to mass for Chloe (my sister) with Theresa (my step mom), cause I'm her sponsor for confirmation.

Well last night, at the end of the mass, they gave the Canada and sponsors and parents a chance to come up and "fall into the light of God." Chloe said they did this earlier and it was amazing, and she was now "in love with Jesus".......for my sister thats huge!

So I went up to the alter with Chloe, and watched as numbers of HS students were blessed and moved to tears. Some would pass out, some would just cry, some were just enjoyed after receiving their blessings. I'm sure SOME of them were in it for God, but the pessimist in mefelt a lot were just into the drama of watching people fall to the ground while others pray over them. That said, my retreats growing up always moved me, and my sister was really into it, so my step mom and I decided to give it a go.

I stood at the alter praying as he worked down the line next to me........I had a serious conversation in my head with God.....telling him how I feel and that he knew my heart, and he knows my personal views and that I'm not willing to conform and I'm sorry if thats a sin, but its who I am....I told him that I would give myself to him THAT way and if he wanted to take me as I am and accept and love me as I am, then I'd be happy to have him in my life and give it to him.

So I'm doing this and the archbishop ends up next to my step mom and I can hear it, but I'm deep in concentration talking to God about my odd views and nonconformity, and I notice her feet as she falls. (She is probably more a pessimist then I and even MORE nonconforming). Next thing I know, the ArchBishop asks my name and what I'm there for....I answered "To give myself to Jesus as I am"....his hand goes to my head, and he starts praying and I'm praying in my head and can hardly understand him, and I hear people praying around me....I hear him say the name Jesus QUITE a few times, and my knees are weak, and I'm fighting it, cause I feel like I'm gonna fall, and I can feel myself rocking, and hands on shoulders and backs and such to help me stand and then he says something and lets go, and my body just FALLS......I never felt them lower me (though I know they did) and I'm laying on the floor and I can feel this huge ENERGY...but I cant open my eyes, I can see the light through my eyelids, but they flutter and won't open, and I'm totally aware (so different from the one time i fainted--that was a black out).....It feels like maybe 15 seconds of trying to open (though it was longer) and I'm able to open my eyes......I start to sit up but I can't stop the tears. And Chloe is there hugging me. I couldn't stop shaking as I left........

It was seriously the most amazing thing ever.......such a peace.

I'm just.....amazed.

Three

Three is involved in many important people:

The Holy Trinity has three. Father, Son and the Holy Spirit

There were three stooges.

In time three is a lot of things as well:

Three represents the past, the present and the future.

It takes you three years to for from the ability to buy a lotto ticket to buy a beer.

But MOST importantly, today, three is MY BABY GIRL!

Three years ago today, the most stubborn, strong willed, intelligent, funny, beautiful little girl showed up in our lives and every moment since has been an experience we couldnt be with out!

Happy Birthday
We love you Izze girl!