Through the Looking Glass

My SIL Dianne came down a few weekends ago to run a 26 mile marathon. While she was engaging in the voluntary torture, we watched our nephew Zach for her. Zach is very close in age to the babies so they always have fun seeing what they can get into together. They are very close friends. All three babies are asking for each other so Dianne and I have actually had Skype calls so that they can see each other. That's right, our toddlers Skype each other. Anyways, while we were watching him, Jake went outside to take the trash out. All three toddlers pushed aside the blinds and plastered themselves to the window. Jake saw a kodak moment and thus this blog is born.

My Little Buckethead

It is so amusing what little ones will find for toys. The other day Noah kept putting a bucket on his head and was walking around listening to the sound of his voice echoing in the bucket. He and Mina would then erupt into peals of laughter. I present for you in photo documentation "My little buckethead".

It is that time of year again. Fall has always been my favorite time of year. I loved the leaves turning, the cheesy Halloween television specials, and the nip in the air. I still love all of those things, but now fall also brings with it new feelings. Now fall brings the anniversary of Mason's passing. So while sometimes I can enjoy all the things I used to, but there is always something lingering in my mind. Now the fall decorations I buy are fall flowers to put in the vase on Mason's headstone. When I am buying costumes for the kids I am also buying a new animal to place on his grave. When I see spooky decorations lit up at night, it reminds me that I need to buy batteries for the solar lights on Mason's headstone.

I have healed enough that I can at least find some enjoyment in the things I used to love about fall, but there is always the little twinge of grief behind my eyes. It is strange to see how grief changes us as mothers. Even the ordinary is somehow connected to our loss. I know it will continue to change with time, but I actually am glad it is this way. I know that I, as Mason's mother, feel like his memory is always with me, and that in some small way brings me peace. So if this post touches you maybe as you do your fall things you can drop a prayer for grieving parents everywhere this year.

Halloween Sneak Preview

This past Friday there was a trick or treat party at a nearby city's police department. I was really bummed because Jake and I had planned on taking the kiddos, but then we got really sick. I am talking fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, the whole works. My cousin Jennifer had come over on Friday to help out and she and Mike decided to take Jamie and Linda to the trick or treating. It was a great idea. The kids put on their costumes and off they went. Jennifer and Mike even wore all black and badges that said "FBI". Everything seemed in place for a great night....until they got there and the lines were about three blocks long, and it was raining. Time for Plan B. They decided to go to a local Starbucks for Hot Chocolate and come back later. The kids don't get Starbucks very often so it was a big treat. They went back only to find the lines even longer, time for plan C, Mike's house. What is fun about Mike's house? Mike has a giant flat screen TV and a Wii. So the night didn't exactly go as planned, but they had fun anyways and here are the pictures to document it.

Random Thoughts

My old laptop finally got to the point to where it was costing us more money to maintain it than to buy a new one so I am blogging today from my shiny, brand new laptop! This will make blogging a lot easier since it can actually keep up with our high-speed internet. Unfortunately, all of my photos are on my other laptop so until I take new ones there are none to share. So today's blog is just my random thoughts.

A Pane in the Glass

Last weekend Jake's cousin and I had a booth at a local fall festival. We did well, but spending two days outside reaked havoc on our allergies. Saturday her daughter kept the kiddos for the day because Jake had to work. Sunday Jake brought the kids to the festival and they had a blast running around and seeing everything. Jake has been working a lot of overtime so it was nice for us to get to spend some time together as a family.

Sister Wives

There is a show on TLC called "Sister Wives". It follows a man named Kody and his four wives. It is different because they live like the average person, just with a lot of wives. I am fascinated by this because I cannot figure out how four women can know their husband is in another woman's bed and not want to claw his or her's eyes out. But it seems to work for them. They treat each other with respect and love which is so interesting to me because there are a couple of people I cannot get along with who are not even sleeping with my husband.How they can do it is beyond me. I keep watching though to see if someone will crack.

The Love of Christ

There is an elderly man in my town who for 30+ years has pushed his son on a custom made bicycle for miles everyday. The son in 32 years old and is blind, deaf, and I suspect has Cerebal Palsy. The man straps his sons feet and then pushed the bike. The son cannot pedal so the man is literally doing all of the work. I had always admired the man for doing this. Well, I ran into this man in Dollar General the other day and it turns out that this is not his son. He just took legal gaurdianship of the boy last year. But he is worried because he is getting older and does not know how the care for the boy will go. Through out all of this the man was just bright and smiley. He hugged my babies and told me how beautiful they all are, and then hugged me when my eyes were tearing up as he was telling me his concerns. I had always admired the man when I thought it was his son, but knowing it is not and he still daily, rain or shine, pushes him around town just moved me beyond words. What a shining example of the love of Christ. I pray that the man's health allows him to continue in this work.

Well this is all for now. I hope to have more pics for you soon. Have a great week everybody!

October 15th-Pregnancy & Infant Loss Rememberance Day

Today is the national pregnancy and infant loss remembrance day. No matter what time zone you are in, please light a candle at 7 p.m. to remember those babies that were gone too soon. I am proud of the family and friends who will join me in lighting a candle for my son. Mason Landon Shaw born too soon November 19th 2007. Mommy, Daddy, and your brothers and sisters miss you and love you very much. We cannot wait until we get to be reunited again. I am so thankful for the promise of Christ which gives us the joy to be reunited. I love you my son and think about you every day. You will always be a part of our lives.
Mommy

New Works

This has been a really busy week. I have had five orders for stained glass projects from previous customers whose friends and family have seen my work and want one too. Cool! Jake is working overtime a lot so I do not have as much time to work, but here are some of my new projects.