Happy Birthday, Ben Jammin

First of all, God blessed me with the best ever family to be born in and then blessed me with the best family to be married to and, then, just when you thought it could not get any better, He blessed me with the best family to give birth to. Each and every child that grew under my heart, received a piece of my heart when they left me. God in His magnificent plan for life enlarges our hearts to love each and every child with the same amount of love. (A beautiful picture of His love.)

Ben was born to us during a rough patch and was definitely a surprise! But we pulled it together and welcomed this new one with just as much excitement as the others. We didn't even have a name picked out when he was born so we voted - seriously, his brothers' elementary school classes voted on his name. We thought all along he was a girl (that was the day before the "serious" ultrasounds they have today) and really did not think he looked like a Kari or a Lauren when he was born, so we went with Ben or Luke. I am kinda glad Ben won out because it fits him. The main thing I remember was praying that God would give me nerves of steel on the day I brought him home - him being the fourth boy and all.

Several years ago, I claimed the verse Psalm 91:11 for him - the angel one - and it has comforted me throughout the many "exciting" escapades we have endured with the child. It has been a wild ride.

This past September I turned 50, but I don't think it had the impact on me that this youngest child turning 20 has had. When your youngest turns twenty, the turbulent preteen and tense teen years have passed and the young man emerges ready to face the world with confidence. It is the extreme test of your parenting, God's leading, and the child's faith all rolled into one.

I am confident that Ben is ready to accept his role in this world and that He knows God's plan for his life is the best plan and not his own. "Delight yourself in the LORD and He will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the LORD, Trust also in Him, and He will do it." Psalm 37 4-5

Happy birthday, Ben! It was a blessing beyond measure to sing that tonight to you.

2009??!!???!!???

Welcome welcome rah-hoo rah-hoo..... oh wait, that's welcome Christmas according to Whoville ...... any way, who cares ..... welcome welcome rah-hoo rah-hoo 2009..... when I was a kid 2009 was something in a sci-fi movie or book. Who could imagine the world would still be around during the 2000's. By the way, what do you call the 2000's? So inconvenient ... not like the 70s, 80s, or 90.
So how many wishlists for the new year have you made? I really just started and, technically, it is January 2, so I missed a whole day of new lists. Hmmmmm....... my list...........
1. go to bed before midnight (blew that one already)
2. limit car mileage to 217,000 miles (yeah, that one is gone already too)
3. don't drink caffeine three hours before going to bed (hahahahahaha)
4. don't play Ticket to Ride more than twice in one night (right)
5. eat only fruits and vegetables (does tomato sauce on pizza count as a veggie?)
6. make a new list everyday (I might can handle this one)

I am thinking that a man (woman) makes his plans, but the LORD determines his steps. I am going to leave the lists up to Him.

End of Year Reflections, part 1

I have been in denial for some time now that Christmas is very close by and that also means an end to the year 2008. They say that it is a sign of old age when time flies .... "they" always seem to know what "they" are talking about. The years are moving swiftly, much more swiftly than I wish them to, however, that is totally out of my hands. (Thank God for that.)
For the last few months, I have made the very dangerous statement that this year needs to end. Dangerous in the fact that I have no right to make that judgement. Only God in His infinite wisdom and His unending mercy and kindness is worthy to make that decision. And so I have changed my outlook. Journey with me, if you will, through this year.
March 1st was a turning point in Ben's life. His moped accident left us all a little drained. How he got through those pain-filled days is beyond me and how we, as his parents, coped with the rehabilitation is definitely beyond me. He could have lost his legs, he could have been paralyzed, he could have died.......instead, he was named first team, all-conference. But more than that, he fell in love with the God of his salvation and turned his life completely over to him.
August 11th was an extremely difficult day. Rich's brother, Don, passed away after a very short battle with an illness during the summer. It was also the day that Rich hit rock bottom. His illness had been creeping up on him through late spring and early summer and came to a peak on that fateful day in August. We watched him literally self-destruct and shrivel up right before our very eyes. We watched a man who never met a stranger suddenly become a stranger himself. He could have cashed it in, he could have overdosed, he could have died ..... instead I watch him now loving life like never before.
Yes, looking back, one would be tempted to say that it does need to end. But I say it has a way of helping you to refocus your priorities. It has a way of helping you determine your very core and definitely helps you determine WHO is in charge.
It has been a great year for growth, a great year for reflection, a great year of blessing and we have only the LORD to give the credit to. Blessed be His name.

I Peter 1:17-19 If you address as Father the One who impartially judges according to each one's work, conduct yourselves in fear during the time of your stay on earth; knowing that you were not redeemed with perishable things like your futile way of life inherited from your forefathers, but with the precious blood, as of a lamb, unblemished and spotless, the blood of Christ.

Maw Maw's Birthday

Today was Maw Maw's birthday. This is a woman who belongs to everyone. She is timeless and tireless. She is love and life all rolled into one. Today she turned 79 years old and thinks that she is slowing down. She always tells me to stop and smell the roses. So, in honor of Maw Maw, I am stopping tonight to smell the roses of my life with her ....
When I think of her, I remember ....
blackberry picking
fishing on the bridge
shaking in the shop on the shaking machine
beach trips
"gettin' greased"
camping trips
sleeping at the foot of the bed
Vicks Vapor Rub
snapping green beans
ironing pillow cases
vacuuming EVERY day
canning green beans
blackberry jelly
Bible School refreshments
going to see Sadie
singing around the piano
singing while washing dishes
singing while in the car
singing "Everybody oughta know"
crying with exhaustion after caring for a sick husband and little babies
coming EVERY single time I called her
and showing up when I least expected it.
I love her. She is a wonderful woman and the best Maw Maw ever invented.

Happy Birthday, Andu!

Some days you get up and do the normal routine and don't even realize your life's about to change that day. Imagine if you will, having a 3-year-old and a 2-year-old running through the house and getting ready for day care, and here you are about to give birth. Crazy! Twenty-five years ago today I gave birth to Andrew Ryan Erdman. He was an adorable tow-headed kid and sweet as apple pie. As Andrew grew, he added an extra little touch to the household as he ran around with the "big" boys. Andrew was very much his own person and his own little entertainment center. He was daring and adventurous. One day I chased him through the trees on a battery-powered four-wheeler when he was only about two. I think I hit more trees than he did. He broke his arm at age 15 months (I still have the cast). He used to call his dad "Rich".
The most worst (I like that phrase) thing that ever happened to Andrew was that his parents made him move in the 7th grade -- that was absolutely awful -- but Andrew was okay eventually and made good friends during his life there.
Now, 25 years later, it has been interesting watching his life unfold. I have watched him struggle and overcome many obstacles. He told me he wanted to go to a major university and I really did not think it possible. We found a program at NC State that was perfect for him and so, there, he accomplished his goal. (I still remember the day his acceptance letter came - I had to open it and I cried and laughed and jumped and yelled all at one time.)
The name Andrew means "manly." Andrew fits that perfectly. My prayer is that God will bless him beyond measure because he really does strive to do His will.
So today, as I have done every year for 25 years, let me ask Andrew a question: "Did I ever tell you about the day you were born?"

Happy Birthday, Mr. Rich!

Today is my Mr. Rich's birthday !!! There was a time this summer when I was wondering if we would see another birthday for him. Praise GOD we still have him and he has recovered. It is so good to have the old Mr. Rich back ---- I love him.

Let Me Tell You about my Dad

Every little girl should be a daddy's little girl. When I was growing up I thought my dad was perfect. (I have since learned differently, but have chosen to forget that part !) We had the most unique toys of anyone: a bicycle built for two, a trampoline before trampolines were cool, and ski skates ! If you don't know what ski skates are, just think about it for a moment. So, anyway, back in the day, it used to snow and that meant presents for us - puzzles, games, coloring books, crayons - you name it ! And sometimes, if I was really good at it, I could fake sick and get to stay home from school. (That never worked, however, on Sunday nights when the Wizard of Oz came on t.v. during church.) And if I got to stay home from school, that meant tomato soup, cheese sandwiches and more games.
Daddy would always make sure everyone was taken care of, which sometimes meant holding onto his paycheck until everyone else in the plant got paid first. But Friday night meant hot dogs and Cheerwine.... yum! He took us to the beach faithfully two weeks out of the summer - dropping us off on Sunday and returning to the work week and coming back on Saturday. Then the camping phase - a whole new adventure and another future post.
Throughout the years, my dad has spent so much money on his girls and his grandchildren; he is an endless supply of support, but more importantly he is an endless supply of wisdom. He truly took his father role seriously.
One winter day I was visiting my parents with my two young sons. It began to ice and snow and I needed to get home. My dad said he needed to go to the store and that he would follow me as far as the store so that I would be safe. (We lived about 25 minutes away and the store was halfway.) I crept along, praying all the way that we would not slip off the road. A 25-minute ride turned into a 50-minute ride, but as I turned down my street, I looked in the rearview mirror and my daddy had followed me all the way !
The Bible says that God is a father to us, a giver of good and perfect gifts, our Creator, our hope, our first love. My daddy set an example of an earthly father with a lot of things, but most importantly introduced me to my heavenly Father who is perfect. My heavenly Father watches all the way for me. Not only does He follow, but He leads, He surrounds, He holds and He gives - only the very best.