So Much To Do...So Little Time

In less than 72 hours I will be in sunny Florida. That thought is rather frightening and delightful all at the same time!

I am going to go to New Smyrna Beach to celebrate James' Grandma's 90th birthday. Just typing that sentence is really quite amazing...90!

It's been a long time since I last had either of my grandmas. My grandma Grace was one of the most special people in the world to me. It's been 14 years since she passed. I can still put myself back in her arms if I close my eyes and smell a piece of Extra Spearmint gum. The smell of roast and potatoes cooking can take me back to Sunday dinners as a little girl. I miss her. I miss her hugs, her humming voice, the sleepovers watching late night Nick at Nite and most of all, just her. I wish so much she could have been here to see my kids. Her faith and love for the Lord was always so evident as she lived her life. I know she is rejoicing in glory with our Redeemer and that's my peace.

My grandma Koch was special too; a real one-of-a-kind She was a true Matriarch of the family. She was respected and loved and never stopped. She was loud, very loud. I used to get embarrassed to have her at my concerts, games and events because her cheering was borderline obnoxious. It wasn't until I was in high school I realized how much I really loved it and just how lucky I was to have her. The day of my grandma Grace's funeral I was supposed to play in a sectional soccer game for school. This was a HUGE game. I had worked all year for it! My grandma Koch offered to be the one to take me to it since my parents couldn't really leave. I don't remember anything else about that game but hearing her cheer SO loudly for me. The joy my heart felt was like no other. It was a special time for the two of us. She was the one there for me that day. She passed a little over four months later.

So, getting to celebrate a birthday for a grandma who is turning 90 is HUGE! I can't wait to be a part of it. Grandma Pullen is quite the lady. She is an amazing artist, world traveler, golfer, refined theatre/opera lover and I feel privileged to be able to call her my grandma. It's going to be a weekend packed full of celebration. When she parties she parties BIG. For her 85th birthday she had a marching band!

BUT...being a wife and mother of 5, as the time is nearing I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed. I feel like I have so much to do and so little time to do it in. James will be staying home with kids while I'm gone so I want to make sure he doesn't have anything to worry about besides them. The laundry, cleaning, packing, bills and summer camp forms all need to be taken care of in the next 2 days. I'm excited and nervous as this will be the first time I am away from all the kids. I think it's a much need "mommy break." My sister is going to be going with me to Florida. We have rented a condo for the week and are also calling this trip a sisters retreat. The two of us have never gone away together and I can't wait! We need this time together, too. Watch out Florida here we come!

Spring

I can't quite put into words just how much I love this time of year. Spring comes in at a very close second to my love of summer;) Why do I love spring? Why NOT? The trees all budding and flowering, the cool crisp air in the morning along with multitudes of birds singing and the smell of freshly cut grass in the afternoons are all reminders to me of the goodness of God. It also means a trip to the greenhouse is nearing.

I just love the first trip to the greenhouse for spring/summer planting. The choices are endless and my artistic side must learn to coexist with my budget. That's no easy task. I will never fully understand why plants must cost so much, but won't complain too much because I know that the income they produce for planting feeds, clothes and gives our family shelter.

I can't even think about the greenhouse without remembering the first time I met James. I was working on pricing some terra cotta pots and my workday was creeping along. Then James came in, walked past me, flashed a smile and that was it. I was smitten and rest is history.

Vern Goers Greenhouse has got to be one of the most beautiful places in the world during the spring. The feeling you get walking in can be almost intimidating. The variety of plants, flowers and vegetables seems almost endless. Just the drive into the parking lot brings back sweet memories for me too...the gravel under your tires, the sight of God's artistic array of color and a few familiar faces all produce a little high inside of me. Kind of like a kid in a candy store.


The greenhouse also holds a place in my heart few may know. I spent a particularly hard few months there back in the winter/spring of 2003. There was much going on in my life at that time. I spend nearly 8 hours a day completely alone in one of the greenhouses transplanting. It was in that time that I really felt God pulling me closer. I listened to WMBI Moody radio faithfully during those 8 hours and the gift of some amazingly powerful preaching poured into me. Each day I longed to hear the truths that were being spoken as my heart grew more tender and less hard. There were many days my mind wanted to stray to worry and anxious thoughts tried to consume me. But, in those times of quiet business, I heard the Lord telling me of His unfailing love, strength and faithfulness. It was only through Him that I made it through those dark times.

I am grateful that those are only memories for me now. I can no longer feel the hurt that was so deep inside me. The desperation that I felt was replace with peace. So, as I think of spring and the greenhouse I also remember that of time of new renewed faith & trust. The greenhouse has always been a place of new beginings...not only in the life of the flower but in my own. Thank you, sweet Jesus.

In the next few weeks I cannot wait to see, touch and smell the beautiful display that will surround our home. Spring is here! The kids can't wait to get their hands dirty too. They love nothing more than help their daddy work and I believe that there is no sweeter sight than seeing them so proud of all they've done. Happy planting!