:. things I know, things I love .:

A list (because that's the easiest post of all):
* daylight savings wreaks havoc on your circadian rhythms
* BUT, it's absolutely delightful to have sunshine into the evening hours
* this week, the forecast calls for sandal weather. Ladies, go get a fresh pedi and dig out those flips!
   (Sorry, Paige.)
* the Saldanhas living in Des Moines makes me over-the-top HAPPY
* little brother coming any moment also makes me ecstatic
* having SIX little people in my life is one of God's hugest blessings

Picture this:

* Liam demonstrating Irish step-dancing (my new favorite mental picture)

* Sloanie's rosebud lips (the stuff of dreams)

* Tate in full battle gear, sword drawn (bad guys tremble)

* Gavie, the sweetest, hardest-working first grader I know (he says Grandma Jean is lucky, because she's almost 100 - his favorite number!)

* Miss Eisley, the funniest, cutest almost-two year old in history (tutu included)

* everything God does in His kids' lives has its root in love. Perfect, unconditional, agape love
* because of the above, WE NEED NOT FEAR. EVER
* hearing those first birds of spring singing their lovely songs is unsurpassedly glorious
* we should all get off faceBOOK, and spend some face TIME with those we call friends
* because really, social media will probably be the death of real social interaction
* we are thankful for our new church family; such a wonderful group of like-minded people
* if you're in the vicinity, you really should check out westwindchurch.org
* and speaking of westwind, so great to see Chris and Kate helping to lead worship on Sunday mornings. Does a mom's heart good. (besides the fact they sound awesome together.)
 * and on that subject, just how DOES a mom get so blessed? Every one of my kids is an amazing adult:

my boys are hard-working, godly men, lovers of their families and obedient to the call of God on their lives.

my girls are hard-working, godly women, lovers of their families and also obedient to their God.

Aahh, I am so, so very blessed.

:. my grands, my loves .:

We had the distinct pleasure of hosting these three wonderful gentlemen overnight last Friday. I snapped this pic just before bedtime . . . and don't worry, it wasn't ALL sitting quietly on the sofa, reading. We had plenty of  F.U.N. (Cuz that's just the way it is at granny's house!)
Please look closely at this picture: notice Gavie is reading The Bible. Tate is perusing a book filled with pictures from The National Gallery of Art. And Liam, dear Liam, is reading a comic book. I kinda LOVE this picture!
We had a great time together, and the only problem occurred when I loaded Liam's toothbrush with A&D ointment, rather than toothpaste. Mmmmmm.
[Trust me, no A&D was ingested.]
Then there's this:

This pic was taken on the morning of November 30, 2011. (Yeah, that's how far behind I am in blogging.) In case you're not aware, that was the morning Miss Sloane Cadèt was born. My guys got their boy-band rockin' while they patiently waited to head down to the hospital to meet their new baby sister. Awesome.
And speaking of Sloanie B, take a look at this sweetness:

This wouldn't be a complete post without a couple of cousin pics:

Oh, how they love each other!
And finally. Here's Miss Eisley on Christmas morning, complete with tutu and toenail polish:

Like the title says, my grands, my loves.

:. 2011: a short history .:

So very hard to believe we are wrapping up another 365-day span. Don't want to sound too ancient here, but my, oh my, how the days/weeks/months fly by!
I know I've been a most pathetic blogger this year; my thoughts have been scattered and my heart has been elsewhere.
Oh, and I've been a bit busy as well.
But I would like to at least mention for posterity some of the highlights of the past year.

* biggest and BEST news: Sloanie B. decided to join our family. Josh, Em and boys are blessed and delighted to finally have occasion to pull out the ruffles and tutus. Thanks, guys, for adding such a sweet princess to the Hulling mix.

* and along those lines, the news that Chris and Katie will be adding a BOY in March to their already tutufied household. There's nothing better than waiting for a baby to be born!

* to add to the beauty of a new Saldanha baby was the announcement that C, K and fam would be moving to Des Moines in 2012! Woo-hoo on that one! They are coming to be part of a church plant, so I'm expecting God to use them and bless them. (and naturally, we, their family, will be blessed to have them here.)

* Benny has adjusted pretty well to life on disability. I've never seen his workshop look cleaner! He's on the verge of turning out some amazing projects.

* I decided to give up cooking. THAT'S a relief!

* my business has boomed. What started out as an infinitesimally small venture is now what I'd consider a micro business. I have about as much work as I can handle and still enjoy it.

* my garden spent yet another season in overgrown disarray. I'm wondering if I'll ever have the energy to tend it as if it were my Eden?

* all my grands continue to delight and amaze. I seriously have the most beautiful, sweetest, funniest grandchildren in the world. [Just glance to your right if you don't believe me!]

* my God continues to uphold me with His tender right hand. He remains faithful even when I am not. He blesses, He provides, He strengthens. All because I am His. Abba, Father. How lovely to say those words.

I truly hope you have seen God at work in your life this past year. If you somehow missed it, I'd suggest you take a closer look. I'm pretty sure you've not really been left alone.

May 2012 bring you joy and peace!

:. for unto us .:

Why Christmas?

Because the King of the Earth threw off His royal robes and humbly, willingly, stepped into the skin of man. And the world rejoices at the sound of a newborn's cry: God has come to save His people.

Emmanuel.

God is with us.

Right here.

Right now.

For you.

:. moms .:

"Like all mothers, mine was beautiful."

That is a very memorable quote from a very forgettable memoir I read years ago. It has stuck with me all this time, nicely capturing the feeling most of us have for our moms.

[I realize we live in a sin-cursed world. I realize there are some BAD moms out there - neglectful, abusive, mean, or apathetic. But for the most part, moms are pretty wonderful creatures.]

Moms are generally patient, nurturing and loving. A mom has eyes in the back of her head, knows all, sees all . . . and quickly forgives all. A mom is understanding, sympathetic, a good listener, and has the coziest lap in the world. There is nothing like her. And yes, moms make mistakes, and get tired, and lose their patience, and sometimes even (heaven forbid!) get a little cranky. So what? They're human.

But this blog isn't about moms in general. It's about my mom.

I truly do have a beautiful mom. She is generous, kind and loving. She is funny, warm and an absolute blast to be around. She has had more than her share of heartache, but has always maintained a positive attitude. She finds humor in the everyday things of life. She raised ten children (did you catch that?? TEN!) without a whole lot of help. (And if I do say so myself, we are all pretty awesome adults.) She instilled in us a reverence for God - her source of strength. She is the original SuperWoman.

Today is her 80th birthday, and she is as beautiful and awesome as ever. She works part-time, she drives a sweet little car, she likes to kick back with a beer. She loves a good laugh, and is hilarious herself. She is still the selfless, loving, encouraging mom of my childhood.

Mom, you are AMAZING, and I love you very much. I hope I can be just like you when I'm 80.