Two Peas in a Pod, Two Gifts from God

Today is Matthew's birthday. It is Maya's birthday, too. I spent the morning with Matthew, Nathan and Jacob, while their Mom went to a meeting. We had such a grand time playing together. When she got home, we had lunch together, for which I am so grateful. We also talked about our little girl. And though it brings tears, to not talk about her hurts even worse.

Some say you never get over the loss of a loved one, that you will continue to grieve that person's absence from your life until you die. I believe that to be true by experience. As long as you can talk about them, remember them, a part of them continues to exist, at least in their loved one's memory.

If love forms a circle, then that circle of love, that seems broken to the human eye, continues to exist in the heart that remembers. May the circle of love in our family be unbroken. The love we had for you, is still in our hearts. I want to say life is unfair, that you were taken too soon, but frankly, there are no promises of a long life for any of us. If there is anything to learn from you leaving us "too soon," it is that each of us may be a little more aware that we will not be here forever, and that our days on earth are numbered. Let us love each other today, while there is the opportunity.

Happy Birthday, Maya. And tell Jesus thank you for taking care of you, Sweetpea! I am so grateful. Amen.

Meeting Sawyer the First Time

What a joy to meet Sawyer and to hold her! Can you tell by the grin on my face, that this is exactly what I've waited all day to do?! And for those of you who think this gets to be ho-hum after the first few -- look at the joy on my face, it never gets old, and it is always a thrill to meet one of your grandchildren for the first time. Each time is the first time with that special child and the joyful thrill just gets better and better!

My tenth grandchild. I am so blessed!
Grandma Mary Lou holding Sawyer.
Great Grandmother Mary Lou and Sawyer Jane Vrbas.
Grandpa Jerry and Sawyer. She looks pretty cozy in Papa Jerry's arms, doesn't she?!

She's Arrived!

I am so happy to announce that Sawyer Jane Vrbas was born at 9:59 pm, CT in McCook Community Hospital, to Joe and Sarah Vrbas. Her Daddy reports she has strawberry blonde hair and is chubby. Since he called before she was weighed and measured, I don't have the details, just talked to a very happy daddy. We are very thrilled and relieved mom and baby are doing fine.

We are not going to be able to see her until after work today. Hope she and her Mommy get lots of rest, for we will be there tonight to meet the newest member of our family. It's going to be very hard to keep the mind on work today! My heart is in that hospital! It also means I won't have pictures until then, either.

Congratulations to Joe, Sarah and Peyton. Welcome to the world, Sawyer Jane.

Any Day Now....

For nine months we have awaited the arrival of a new child to our family. In the past week, I have not been far from the phone, just in case, the call came to let us know, our son Joe, and his beautiful wife, Sarah, have left for the hospital to have this very much anticipated birth of their daughter.

Peyton has her wheels to go to the hospital to meet

her new little sister. She is ready!

All of the cousins are ready to make room for one more!
Luke, Matthew, Jacob, Tori, Jack, Peyton, and Nathan
Stay tuned. It should be any day now. I'll keep you informed!