Wednesday, December 31, 2008

Stanford called........to check in

This morning as we were doing Marty's exchange the phone rang. I looked at the caller id and it said "Stanford" and my heart started pounding. My mind was racing a mile a minute, thinking of all the things I haven't gotten done. I answer and she asks to speak with Marty, I hand the phone over to him and he starts answering questions. Basically they were just calling to check in and make sure all their information was correct. They said they will do this every once in awhile until transplant, what a odd day to call though.

At least the silence was broken, I get asked all the time what's going on and I have no answers. So far things have been silent and we have just been waiting. Now I have something to report and know we are not forgotten. It was also a good enough jolt to remind me to get my act together.

Funny thing is I have had the strongest gut feeling they would call today. My mom also has mentioned she felt the same way. Good to know we weren't crazy!

Tuesday, December 30, 2008

Martin Sr.

Hard to believe that today Martin Sr. would have been 58 years old. He died in January of 1997 at 47 years old. He was very sick with lots of complications from his diabetes and was very tired. We made the very difficult decision to remove him from life support. Actually he had a DNR order and we were just following his wishes.

Martin was a good man, a true gentleman of noble character. He was quiet, loved to read especially Louis L'Amour novels. He was a great man of faith, he loved Jesus and let it show everyday. He was a very patient man. I remember when I first met him thinking he didn't like me because he didn't have a lot to say.

He raised Marty pretty much on his own with a little help from his mother. He was sick yet he made sure he took the best care of Marty. He raised him to be honest, loyal, hard working and to love God.

Marty's greatest hope was that Martin would live to see his children. Sadly, that didn't happen until later that same year. We have always talked to the kids about their "Poppa Martin" and tried to keep his name a household word. They know lots of things about him and we think he would have loved them. He would have enjoyed Conner's adventrous spirit and would have gotten along famously with Elizabeth since she is a lot like him.

I will never forget the day he died, he was rolling around the kitchen in his wheelchair. He was singing Christmas songs and baking cookies. We were too busy that day to spend with him and left him at home. That is my last memory of him and I love that is a happy one. One of the biggest reasons I can't wait to get to heaven is to see him again.

This song reminds me a lot of that year and their relationship:

Thursday, December 25, 2008

Merry Christmas

Luke 2:4And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)

5To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.

6And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.

7And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

8And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.

9And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

10And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

11For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

12And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

13And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

14Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

15And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.

16And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.

17And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.

18And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.

19But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.

20And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.

From our family to yours

Monday, December 8, 2008

Deck the halls

Here are some Christmas decoration pics, we added some new decorations this year.

My new advent calendar
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I thought the little cupboards would be bigger and I have not found candy small enough to fit just yet. The doors are currently hanging open with the candy sticking out.

Our little tree
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You see, I grew up seeing the most perfect, beautiful, impressive tree at my Grandma's. I remember driving around for a week looking for the perfect 8 foot Noble fir with her. Then the ornaments, almost all blown glass. I grew up with the notion the tree had to be just so, then I worked at Disneyland where my shop turned into Christmas every year. Then we got a contract with Christopher Radko where I learned all things blown glass. After I moved away, I ran a trim a home shop at the local department store and spent weeks decorating. All that said, I am a bit of a tree control freak( there is another less p.c. term) and I made Elizabeth cry while decorating. I move everything they put on and it hurts their feelings, I can't help it. Then they came home from friends and thought they could touch the tree, which is a big no-no. Maybe I will buy a second tree for next year and let them have their own.

Here's a pic of Grandma's beautiful tree, it brings true sadness when I hear " I'll be home for Christmas" knowing that I can only go" in my dreams."
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Thursday, December 4, 2008

"It's a major award"

Fragile'

We are getting a little nutty with the "A Christmas Story" thing this year and actually bought a leg lamp!

Wednesday, December 3, 2008

Gift time



Christmas Gift Toy & MySpace Layouts at pYzam.com



Christmas wrapping

I love this song, way back in my KROQ days it was my Christmas song of choice. I tried to find a video of The Waitresses singing it but no such luck. Here is two really annoying people making a really annoying video. Hey minimize the screen and just listen to the song:



If you want me to cry at Christmas, you can just play me Gene Autry singing Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer. It reminds me of my grandpa sitting at the table and singing to me:


Of course we all know Christmas is about celebrating the birth of our savior. I love anything Nat King Cole

Tuesday, December 2, 2008

Unbiblical puppets

About a week ago, Elizabeth walked up to me and proclaimed she wants to be a comedianne when she grows up. She really thinks she is so funny for that reason, she needs to share it with others. She also told me she would like to use puppets in her act, she thinks that would be really funny. Over the years she has begged for some puppets from the bible bookstore, they are really well made and look like real puppets. We haven't bought any because she is notorious for losing her toys or treating them badly.

Anyways toward the end of the conversation she said," maybe you could buy me some unbiblical puppets also?" I stiffled the hysteria and asked her calmly, "And just what are unbiblical puppets?" to which she replied " Oh, you know policemen and fireman, puppets like that... just regular puppets."

Later that night when her daddy came home, it took me five minutes of hysterical laughing to tell him just that.