Category Archives: Kathy

David, Holidays, Kathy, Rachel

Low-Budget Valentine’s Day

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As many of you know, my wife loves to celebrate. It doesn’t take much — Arbor Day, Saint Ignatius’ Day — any excuse will do for festivities. And once she’s managed to make a big deal out of an occasion twice, it is automatically promoted to ‘Tradition’ status.

More and more, I see her Mama in my beautiful Rachel.

Usually we pull out all the stops for Valentine’s Day, but this year, we decided not to spend any money on gifts for each other. Once that unpleasant decision was made, it became easier to agree that the kids ‘could probably do without any special gifts’, too. Being careful with money is always difficult for us.

Although I didn't buy flowers for my Kathy, her Mom bought some beautiful tulips!

At the last minute, both Kathy and I weakened. I bought a large box of Haagen Dazs ice cream bars for the kids, and Kathy spent much of the night making (and printing) Valentines for her favorite five children. After all, it is a Tradition.

David has eyes only for his Valentine.

Tim

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Daily Life, Kathy

Potatoes of Compassion

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Whenever Kathy goes out of town, I find myself in a conundrum.

On the one hand, I don’t want her to worry about us. She doesn’t leave us without good reason; I don’t want her to feel that she can’t leave us alone for a couple of days. Also, I am vaguely proud of my survival skills. I married at 26, and before that, I lived off the land (as it were) for many a year. Although you might not guess it from watching me now, I can do laundry, cook (after a fashion) and I frequently dress myself in clothes that don’t violate international fashion treaties.

On the other hand, I want Kathy to feel that we miss her. If we are able to thrive in her absence, it follows (at least in her mind) that we don’t need her. She seems to overlook the way that she makes our house into a home, adds fun and beauty to our lives, and loves us in ways that I cannot even fake.

But then I remember: if we exaggerate our competence, then no one feels sorry for us, and no one makes us meals. As it is, Kathy’s friends look after us when she is gone — shaking their heads at me and muttering to one another, “Those poor children … ”

We're always pretty hungry on AWANA nights.

Tonight, for example, we feasted on creamed corn, mashed potato casserole, a tasty meatloaf and a fruit salad, handed to us by kind friends after AWANA.

No, there’s no profit in being anything other than pathetic.

In any case, I do not begrudge Kathy her travels. Today is the one-year anniversary of her Papa’s passing, from this world to the next. As the apostle Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 5:8:

“We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.”

For a year, now, Bill Moore has been with the Lord — one wonders how he has been using that time. How many of his questions have been answered, how many bookshelves has he built, how big is his garden? I do know that we miss him greatly, and look forward to the day when we also can be present with the Lord.

Until then, we’ll eat the potatoes of compassion, and wait for Kathy to come home.

Tim

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Daily Life, Grandparents, Kathy

President’s Day

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Today was one of the 8 annual holidays that my company recognizes. It is always a little surprising to me that President’s Day makes the cut of Federal holidays, while Veterans Day does not.

As we talked about possible celebrations, Joshua suggested to me that people should honor the day by quizzing one another with Presidential Trivia.

“Who was the 23rd President?” he challenged, abruptly.

“Um, Martin Van Buren?” I hazarded, wildly.

“Not even close,” Joshua told me. “… but not a bad try. I didn’t even think you knew who Martin Van Buren was.”

“Huh. Imagine, me, not knowing the ‘Red Fox of Kinderhook’? You must be joking.”

The Red Fox, himself

OK, I admit, that last line was added after-the-fact, thanks to the interweb. I’d be hard-pressed to name a dozen presidents outside the ones who have served in my lifetime, truth be told. It might be just me, but I don’t think Joshua’s idea will catch on.

Instead, we spent the day playing computer games, shaving one of our cats*, watching Courageous, reading The Hobbit, and scanning slides. Kathy’s going back to Michigan this week (with Rachel) to grieve with her Mama on the first anniversary of her Dad’s death. We wanted to do as much as a family, together, as we could, since we’ll be fragmented this week. Joshua was away visiting Union in Tennessee over the weekend — it was nice to have a day off when we were all home.

*Not out of cruelty, but for a good reason.

I did come across this photo of Kathy and her Dad on Prom night …

Kathy and her Dad

We miss our Grandad. Our hearts are with Kathy and Mamie as they gather with other family members to remember the passing of Bill Moore, one year ago this week.

Tim

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Events, Kathy, Rachel

Movie Night Out

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In a crazy break from our usual Sunday Family Day, Rachel and I gathered a bunch of friends (mostly mothers and daughters) and set off for the movies. David and Sarah spent the time with some of their besties (is that a dictionary approved word yet?) while Tim, Daniel and Joshua stayed home.

David and Sarah ADORE Eli and Emma - such good friends!

The boys enjoyed an old western with the gravely voiced legend, Clint Eastwood, while the girls stuck to a basic romantic comedy (aka chick flick). Thanks to our ClearPlay dvd, the language in the western was filtered. I wish I could say the same for our theater viewing. Hmmmm.

A rowdy crowd indeed, and at least four of them had already left before I pulled out my camera.

It’s actually quite difficult to find an open Starbucks on Sunday evening, but Barnes and Noble fit the bill perfectly. We talked and laughed and left just ahead of them asking us to quiet down.

We’ll definitely need to plan another movie outing again soon. The only problem, in my opinion, is finding a movie of both high quality production/acting/character development and acceptable moral content. So hard to enjoy cinematic entertainment without lowering your standards. Hmmmmm.

We might just have to stick with the classics….

Kathy

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Events, Kathy, Sarah

Morning Manna

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Once a quarter the women’s ministry at our church hosts Morning Manna – a Saturday brunch where the women have the opportunity to gather, meet new people, hear from one of the ladies within the church body, and enjoy some time of delicious food, fellowship and laughter.

For some reason Sarah decided she wanted to go with me to this morning’s brunch. “That’s a great idea,” I enthused, “why don’t we call Caden and see if she and Mrs. B. would like to join us.” I think there is something appealing (even intriguing) to a young girl about the congregation of women.

And so we see the next generation of godly women...

Sarah and Caden were perfect additions to the morning – they joined in on the Compliment Your Neighbor table mixer, they cheerfully ate the breakfast, and they sat quietly during the talk.

Krystal & Caden - more mother and daughter Morning Manna girls.

What a joy to spend some special time with Sarah. Just this week I had shared with a friend some struggles I was having with Sarah and expressed my desire to carve out some one-on-one opportunities with her. How kind of God to, so quickly, provide the perfect outing. Rachel and I have developed a sweet rhythm of shopping and running errands together, but Sarah is usually content to stay home and play or brings her beloved buddy/brother, David, with her and therefore we don’t have a consistent pattern of mother-daughter time.

Matching Purple Girls

Our speaker, Drea (Rurban Family Blog) did a beautiful job of sharing the story of her courtship (this was a Valentine’s Day themed brunch, afterall) and outlined her upcoming role as missionary/pastor’s wife. She and her husband Carl are leaving at the end of this month, with their four children, to work with Village Missions. We love this dedicated, faithful family and will miss them dearly!

Esther - two days old and already involved in Women's Ministry!

Of course, what would a women’s ministry event be without some sort of silliness? I don’t know how I keep getting talked into skits (big and small), but they are a lot of fun. Thankfully I can always find a willing victim, I mean friend, to join me on stage. This time Michelle and I ad-libbed our way through some announcements.

The Girl With All the Problems & the Girl With All the Answers

I am incredibly blessed to have such wonderful friends in my life.

Michelle can always be counted on - for friendship, support and fun!

I hope I am modeling to my daughters how to find and be a good friend. I am definitely a work in progress, and God is constantly shaping and growing me.

Marion and Nancy have greatly enriched my life.

Sarah had such a delightful time, that she asked if she can please go to the next Morning Manna in May. I’m sure laughing along with her mother’s silly skit (or was that laughing AT her mother?) added to the fun of the morning. I loved having her by my side: sharing with her the joy of women gathering together in the House of the Lord, training in manners and etiquette, modeling being involved and serving at church, and just plain growing closer as mother and daughter.

Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. Proverbs 31:30

Kathy

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