A Visit to Illinois

The Pump Organ

'Cece, Jaime, Roger, and Lila

I am back safely from my trip out of town.  I had a great time with my sister and her husbands family.  We went to his mom's family farm in Illinois.  She is preparing to move into an assisted living subdivision, and has sold the family home which sits on approximately 100 acres.  She is keeping most of the land to continue farming corn and beans, but has sold the family home and the property it sits on, along with a historical landmark red barn.  The home has been beautifully refurbished and was filled with such interesting pieces, such as a pedal pump organ, several old tools from the early 1900's, and lots of other antiques.

Roger, and my sister, Jaime, wanted me to see the farm before it was taken over by the new owners.  They also needed to go and choose several family heirlooms to be moved down to their home in Texas. 

It was amazing looking at all of the family history. The family photographs were in such wonderful condition.  I loved looking at each one.  Roger's mom, Lila, also told many funny, family stories.  We did a lot of laughing!  I was even taken by the family Lutheran church, and shown the family cemetary.  This family arrived from Germany and settled in this little town, in 1909.

As always, I enjoyed being above the clouds.  I feel such peace up there since losing Mike.  I had some exciting traveling weather, but had a safe trip and a wonderful time.  I hope to add some more pictures of the outside, as soon as my sister can get them off her husband's camera.

I believe I may have caused a little confusion with my announcement last evening.  My son's wife, Jill, is having the baby girl the end of August.  My daughter, Amber, will not find out what she is having until June.  Her baby isn't due until the first week in November.  Still....we're ecstatic that a baby girl is going to join our family.  I'm sure it will be very spoiled!

Well, the hard top came off the Miata this evening and I'm aiming to take her out for a drive tomorrow.  I'm going to pack up my camera, the Beach Boys CD, and head in whatever direction the car wants to go.  Mike would be smiling...since that was why he got me the car, and was his favorite thing to do with me.  I just hope I find my way back home!  Maybe the fresh air will clear out my mind and put things into better perspective. 

I have so much to be grateful for!

We're Expecting a Little Girl!

The cat is finally out of the bag! 

We're having a little granddaughter due in August! 

She presently weighs 12 ounces and she is right on time!  She even waved to all of us who were watching the ultrasound...so not only is she very smart, but she must be very outgoing too, like her Papaw McSheehy! ;)  We're absolutely thrilled!

Joyful Heart also met this evening and we had a wonderful time, as usual.  Jill prepared common food cravings and we all talked about our pregnancies and even answered some trivia questions.  What the women over 35 learned, was that we are very old, and not as informed as the younger women in our group.  In fact, we had never heard of some of the terms used in the trivia questions.  So we're all a little smarter this evening.

I've included a few pictures for you. 

Jill, thank you for hosting such a fun evening!

The food was Yummo!

Remember ladies, it's open to anyone who would like to join us!

Just keep following this blog and you'll get updated.

This picture might need some explaining.  Jill is trying to find out what Amber will be having this fall.  She told us it came out accurate on her.  So, of course we believed her.....sorta. :)

Our Next Joyful Heart Gathering Is...

Going to be held on Friday, May 14 this time, so that we can participate together in the Cancer Relay at RHS.  We plan to meet at 5 p.m. and we will be walking in memory of several cancer members of our family, in honor of several, and even some of us will be taking a survivors walk.  We are opening this activity to our entire family and friends, and we hope everyone will come out and join us.  There will be booths with food and refreshments.  More information will follow.

It's A...............

Sorry, friends!  Because tomorrow evening is a "Joyful Heart" get together, and Jill is hosting it, she decided to plan it around a "Prego" (pregnancy) theme.  So, one of the games requires us guessing what the gender is from looking at the ultrsound pictures.  Some of us won't have to guess. ;)

We'll also being sharing pictures of when we were pregnant, and tell all the "horror" stories. :)  I can just see all the men rolling their eyes!

Another Grandson or My First Granddaughter?

Well, tomorrow is a BIG day in our family as we learn the gender of the new baby Matt and Jill are expecting in August.  Already having two of the sweetest little grandboys you can imagine, the idea of more pattering little feet is exciting....and bittersweet.  Mike would be thrilled, so I will be too, and love them enough for both of us!

"For the entrance of the greater world is wide and sure, and they who see the straitness and the painfulness from which they have been delivered must wonder exceedingly as they are received into those large rooms with joy and immortality.  -Amy Carmichael"

It's been a pretty exciting weekend for me! 

I got to experience push mowing my lawn for the first time, after my riding lawn mower's blades wouldn't engage.  I sat there stunned for a few moments, getting ready to feel sorry for myself, and then thought...you can either let this beat you...or you can beat it.  I did compromise though, and only mowed half the acre.  (then my son in law and his dad stopped by and fixed it today)

Next, one of my sweetest friends in the world called, and we met for dinner.  Mary lost her husband too, and she has been such an encouragement to me.  We had the best time just talking, but we're venturing to take things a step further, and start a group for singles, to do activities with...like walking, shopping, going out to dinner, visiting museums, maybe even traveling together, and such. 

If I've learned anything, it's that some times you need to step out of your comfort zone, in order to survive. Anyone that knows me, knows how shy and quiet I usually am....so, initiating a girls night out (a couple of months ago)...and possibly now a singles group, takes a great measure of courage from me.  I just know Mike wouldn't want me sitting around, crying and falling apart, all the time.

Hey....is anyone up for horseback riding?  :)

A Tiring Week

This week has been very challenging and draining.  I do not know if I will receive the help I need, but I know in my heart I did everything possible to help myself.  I'm not sure what my future holds.  But I do know this, the Lord is my Savior, His love is unconditional, and even though I don't understand all that He has allowed, His purpose is greater than my confusion and helplessness.

Always,
Beverly

Update:  My appointment went well.  I'm a little worn out from it, but everything went as well as it could. 

Opposite of what happened last Monday; this doctor wanted to know everything about me, and told me more about myself, than I was ready to hear.  And, as expected, I cried, but he didn't haul me off anywhere. :)  He just kept telling me how strong I was, to do what I did.  I wanted to argue that point with him...but didn't. ;)

He hinted that I may not qualify for the disability help I'm seeking though, and he explained why, which was opposite from what my rheumatologist told me last summer.  But he also told me some other things, which I can not write here, that may help with that for further consideration.

So all in all, it was a good visit, and I appreciate everyone's prayers, more than I can say.

The day has arrived.  My appointment today in Conway is at 4 p.m.  Your prayers would be greatly appreciated.  Thank you for your love and support.

"Anybody can preach a sermon on a mount surrounded by daisies.  But only one with a gut full of faith can live a sermon on a mountain of pain." -Max Lucado

Having a difficult time the last couple of days.  Prayers needed.

"I Will Rise" by Chris Tomlin

There's a peace I've come to know
Though my heart and flesh may fail
There's an anchor for my soul
I can say "It is well"

Jesus has overcome
And the grave is overwhelmed
The victory is won
He is risen from the dead

[Chorus:]

And I will rise when He calls my name
No more sorrow, no more pain
I will rise on eagles' wings
Before my God fall on my knees

And rise
I will rise

There's a day that's drawing near
When this darkness breaks to light
And the shadows disappear
And my faith shall be my eyes

Jesus has overcome
And the grave is overwhelmed
The victory is won
He is risen from the dead

[Chorus:]

And I will rise when He calls my name
No more sorrow, no more pain
I will rise on eagles' wings
Before my God fall on my knees

And rise
I will rise

And I hear the voice of many angels sing,
"Worthy is the Lamb"
And I hear the cry of every longing heart,
"Worthy is the Lamb"

[x2]

[Chorus:]

And I will rise when He calls my name
No more sorrow, no more pain
I will rise on eagles' wings
Before my God fall on my knees

And rise
I will rise