"Be kind, be sweet, be nice. And if you can't be kind, be sweet, be nice then be kind, be sweet, and definitely be nice! "

I have always told my girls this motto, phrase, whatever you want to call it all their lives. And you know what?  My girls are kind, they are sweet, and they are almost always nice.  So it worked - Parenting score for me, right? Or not...

What I have learned just this week is that teaching my girls (and boy) to be kind, be sweet, be nice always is a detriment to them.  Here's why: they think everyone is like them.  Why would someone say one thing and do another?  Of course that boyfriend/friend would never lie about them or to them.  I have given my kids lots of things but I have not given them any tools in their tool box to help them recognize toxic people.  They are being blindsided by people who do not have their best interest at heart.  And staying in relationships they should run far and fast from.  

Where is the balance between teaching our kids to be kind to others, to think the best of others, to just be nice and also equipping them to deal with people who are toxic, broken people?  The people who prey on their kindness, their niceness, who would manipulate their emotions, their thoughts, for their own benefit?  And, truthfully, just how does one go about telling your kids that some people are broken, some beyond anything we can fathom or wish to even think about simply because it is so hard and so sad? 

I talked with a lifelong friend yesterday about this very thing.  She grew up in a stable, loving home.  She was taught to always be kind.  And guess what? At 45 she still is one of the nicest people I know. But she was completely unprepared to recognize and understand what toxic behaviour looked like.  She married a man who bullied her physically, emotionally, and yes, spiritually.  He told my beautiful, amazing, super intelligent friend that she was stupid, that she couldn't make it without him, that what she thought didn't matter because he of course knew better.  And she believed him for many years.  She didn't want to hurt him, didn't want to make him sad or upset with her, and so she married him. 

 Lots of people saw and heard how he treated her even before they were married and not one person said anything. Except me because even at 14 I was a cynic and an expert on what bad guys looked and acted like so I told her he was bad news, that she should run, that she should expect better for herself, that she was worth more than that.  She said to me that she wished people had said something to her.  That her mom had sat down with her and told her no one in the family liked him because of how he treated her.  She thanked me for saying something, and also for supporting her marriage after the fact.  She told me she knew it was hard for me to step out and say something.  And you would think being the cynic I was would have saved me a lot of heartache in my own personal life. It didn't, but that is a whole other post.

My kids and I talk about everything.  I mean EVERYTHING.  We have unintentionally made friends uncomfortable because we have no topic that is out of range of our discussions.  And, yet, somehow I never gave them any tools, any guidelines for recognizing and dealing with toxic people.  Well, the last couple of years have changed that.  We are all learning the hard way how to deal with people who don't always have the best intentions towards one or all of us.  

Here is where that discussing every single thing comes in and has been a blessing for us.  We talk about what is appropriate to expect in a friendship, at what point things need to be referred to adults so they (who we can only hope are better equipped to handle things so heavy and concerning) can deal with it.  We talk about how to recognize what is true and what is not.  We talk about what society tells us is acceptable and whether that is the standard we want to have for ourselves.  We read books about how to set boundaries.  We talk about the different ways people have of rolling over our boundaries.  We talk about red flags in relationships like emotional manipulation, the other person having respect for who you are, who your family is, what your beliefs mean to you.  Does he or she tolerate your family? Does he actively seek to get to know the people you love? Your friends? How does he treat your kid brother or sister? Does he have a personal, ongoing relationship with The Lord?   Is he someone who will pray with you, over you, for you?  Does he guard your private moments by keeping those between you?  Does he protect you by speaking up when others might say mean things to or about you?  Does he call names? Does he dismiss your ideas and dreams or does he encourage them?  Does he or she make you a better you?  

Life is hard, our world is a broken world full of sinful people, who having been broken by the sin of this world continue that cycle by breaking the people they should love, respect, and protect.  We know the answer for that is only a relationship with The Lord.  So our kids, who are kind, sweet, nice, and love The Lord are left with the commission to love people.  How do we help them to protect themselves and still love a life of love?  

I sure don't know but I do know we will continue to love, continue to discuss even the hard things and continue to pray about how and whether to continue these relationships that cause us hurt, asking The Lord to protect us and guide us.  

In Christ 's abundant love,

Peg

Things I love...

Seeing my daughter's eyes as we watch "The Inn of the Sixth Happiness" together is amazing.  We finished the book about Gladys Alyward's life a few weeks ago.  When the older girls and I read it years ago we found the movie version on Netflix.  They were disappointed that the movie wasn't exactly like the book but still enjoyed it.  Charlotte told me this was her most favorite book of the entire year.  It is one of mine as well.

Hearing my older girls laugh and chat about a book they've all read together.  It blesses me that they enjoy each other so much.

The warmth of my beloved's arms around me in the night.  And the love in his eyes as he looks at me. 

The laughter of my son as he teases his sisters.  He brings joy each time he talks and laughs. 

The knowledge that the Lord loves me in spite of myself and the fellowship the family of the Lord provides me. 

My girlfriends who love and laugh with me through the silly, the serious and the times I'm looking for sanity. 

In Christ's Amazing Love,

Peg

Life is moving fast and times are changing...

We had a couple of big events here at La Geron this month.  Things I anticipated with great excitement and dreaded with a worry that only a mama (or a daddy) could have.  The first is another daughter turning 16!  The second is a daughter dating. 

Now what you all have to know as a bit of background is this; In our family if you want to date one of our daughters you have to ask The Dad. You know, this guy:

 
This rule is not of our making. Our daughters got together a couple of years ago and made a decision that if, when they were asked out by a fella then that they would tell him to go to their dad and ask for permission to take them out on a date.  Their feeling is that if he has enough gumption to approach The Dad then they were possibly worth their attention.  Let me make it clear that we are certainly glad to enforce the rule as a family rule now.  Our son will be taught that the right thing to do is approach The Dad when asking a girl out.  I quite like it. 

All of this happened so very fast!  We went to one of our favorite places on Earth - Family Camp.  We go every year and think that possibly it must be a slice of what Heaven will be like.  Our people are there.  We love being there.  We go as early as possible and stay as long as we can!   This year - we knew it was coming...The boys are paying attention to all the teen girls in our families.  Why wouldn't they?  Look at these gorgeous girls:

So the question was asked - Can I take your daughter on a date?  The answer was "I think we can do that."  We were/are impressed with the first young man to come forward and ask my Beloved.  Did you see him?  He's scary looking! It takes courage! 
Then the attempt to actually go on said date started.  Turns out when you are 16 and everyone is watching you and your beau try to date on a campground in full view of God and the world things tend to get interesting. Their first attempt was crashed by many people with comments such as "Leave room for Jesus!" and "You Dog You!"   - Their second attempt was changed to a double date and again multiple friends popping by the gazebo to chat and comment.  Bless their hearts, no need for a chaperone - they had multitudes of them! Finally, by the end of the week, I think a semi-successful date was had and they got to talk to one another without a posse in attendance. 

We think they are cute and are looking forward to seeing what the Lord does in the midst of their friendship/relationship.  Look how adorable they are:

Notice the little chaperone in the background...

And then the next big thing happened: 

She turned 16!  We have a song we sing in our family.  The morning of her birthday she didn't let me sing it at the cabin IN PRIVATE.  So The MAMA went to the worship leader, Marcus, and I taught him the song so he could embarrass er, sing to her in the middle of worship service!  Of course, he did a much better job than The Mama ever does since thankfully he can actually sing.   I texted her when he was done and told her "Should have let me sing this morning."  She loved it.  Really she did. 

So the times they are a changing here at La Geron.  It has been a fun and interesting ride so far.  We're looking forward to seeing what and who comes next into our lives.  Loving the way the Lord is in the midst of it all. 

In Christ's Amazing Love,

Peg

Missing my people...

And not just because I have to wash the dishes! All three of my teen girls are away at camp this week. I am thankful they were able to go but I miss the noise of their chatting, singing and yes, even their arguing.

I like my people. They are articulate, intelligent, loving and beautiful girls. They each have fabulous senses of humor - all very different though. I love how they come check on me each in different ways. I love how they love on each other and their friends. To see their hearts hurting for each other and for those they love but to see them encourage each other is amazing. I am a blessed mama. And I miss my girls. I hope they are having a blast.

In Christ's Love,
Peg

Laughter with friends...

In the past week I have been blessed with several opportunities to hang out with my girlfriends and talk. And laugh! We know how to laugh! I forgot how good it is to laugh so hard that the tears are streaming.

I really think the Lord gives me these amazing friends to show me a slice of heaven here on earth. And to remind me that lives shared are so much richer with blessings.

Thank you, sweet friends far and near for laughing as well as crying with me. You know I will always chose laughter over the tears!

In Christ's Love,
Peg

My year isn't going like I wanted...

Here's why the blog has been neglected and ignored the last year: 

It's been a HARD year.  A very hard year.  One of the hardest I've been through in all my 42+ years.  It has in no way gone like I thought it would. 

 It started with my mom being on vacation one week in April last year to not being able to walk across the room 10 days later.  Many tests, pushing and advocating for herself and arguing to get a final diagnosis of Stage IV non-small cell lung cancer in a woman who hadn't smoked.  She fought well, fought hard but it was already just everywhere and kept spreading because it was so very aggressive.  She passed away November 19, 2011.  We miss her still.

In the midst of all of the final months and days for my mother, we lost our dear friend Dawson.  He was a man of integrity, love, honor and just an amazing friend to all who knew him.  Our sweet Charlotte is named for his beloved wife Charlotte.  We never met her but the stories we heard about her spirit, her sense of humor, and her heart caused us to want to capture that joy in one of our daughters.  I'm happy to say our Charlotte's sense of humor is an entity in and of itself - just like her namesake. Our sweet Henry Thomas is named for Dawson too.  He was Thomas D. Spivey.  Someone asked us where the name came from and we said "From all three sides of the family." and got the strangest looks when we explained it was from my side, Michael's side and the Lord's side (church).  We miss Dawson still.  He loved so well.  If my Henry Thomas loves as well then I will count his a good life.

 The day we said our last goodbyes to Dawson we came home to several inches of water in our downstairs.  The water main inside the house had burst and sprayed water all over our laundry room, family room, our closet etc.  It was a huge mess. Overwhelming in it's hugeness.  Thankfully our insurance company was very good at working with us and assessing what needed to be done very quickly.  Still, it took (and is taking) some time to repair the damage done. We've had to rip out the floor again by the a/c unit because it dumped water under the floor!  So we're still fixing and repairing the damage done nearly a year later.

Then Mom died. Our relationship was complicated and while I was able to visit her just a few weeks before she died to say goodbye it didn't seem like near enough time to say what needed to be said for a lifetime. I still pick up the phone and dial her number about once a week.  To be honest, I had a very hard time dealing with the huge losses of Mom and Dawson back to back coupled with the chaos my house was in through the winter.  My kids were struggling to deal with it all and then there was their mama falling apart.  It was a very dark time in my life.  I don't think I have ever been so sad, so overwhelmed, so lonely in spite of the many people in my life.  Thankfully, I have people who love me enough to say "Honey, you have to do something.  You aren't yourself."  And I got some help.  Thank the Lord for doctors, meds and friends who care enough to say something even when it is hard to say.  

Imagine our surprise when the Lord blessed us with another pregnancy this year.  If you know me at all, you know that having another child is always considered a blessing but just because we are pregnant doesn't guarantee we bring home a babby.  It is what it is.  We had a miscarriage in June.  We had just announced three weeks earlier.  We are very sad and working through our grief.

The transparency is hard in this situation because truth of the matter is people just don't know what to do with the rawness of it.  That we would be so very sad when we know this may be the outcome of any pregnancy is hard for some people to fathom.  Of course, many people don't understand why we'd want more children - don't we have "enough" already?  We see children as a gift, a blessing and we love them - no matter how they come.  That's hard for a lot of people in our lives to understand.  So that adds another level of grief and one more thing we can't talk about to anyone.  I would like to be able to talk about it but I completely understand that people are uncomfortable with the depth of our grief.  Of their own emotions.  It is ok.  But it doesn't discount that we feel this way.  I really won't fall apart if you ask me how I'm doing.  Most days. 

My year did not go the way I thought it would. My summer isn't happening the way I thought it should/would.  Yet in the midst of it all the Lord is there.  He is there in the way my people helped us travel when Mom was sick, there when the water was everywhere and the floors needed ripping out, there when I was so sad and alone to put a hand out and say "Come out of the dark, you don't belong there."  There when we announced we were pregnant - as many people who are sceptical about the size of our family there are three times as many who think another child is a blessing and are so happy for us.  And then those same people were equally heartbroken for us when the pregnancy ended in a loss.  The Lord was there in the midst of it when friends brought dinner, came and stayed with my people while I had surgery, when friends just came to sit with me as I recovered and he was there in the room when my beloved put his arms around me and prayed for strength for me to get through it all when I said I can't do this again.  So while things have not gone the way I thought they would they have gone exactly the way the Lord knew they would and he is there every step of the way.  I sit in his lap more often than not.  I'm thankful for the option. 

So I say all this to say I haven't posted because to be honest the filter is gone and I would not have wanted to alienate any more people than I already do just by being me.  I want you to want to read because - well, truth of the matter - I'm vain like that.  I want to share my heart and my life but have you walking away thinking and laughing more times than not.  Bear with me.  I have no idea where I go from here but the Lord does and I most want to be used by Him in all things.  So my year isn't going like I wanted but it is going somewhere. 

In Clear View and In His Love,
Peg

Another year down...

Not that we ever really stop school but we are testing this week so I do count this as the end of our year for practical purposes. It is so funny to test because truth be told testing really isn't, in my opinion, a true way to gauge how much my kids have learned in a year. We do it because we need to for the state we live in - really no other reason.

What we do use for checking progress is varied and based on LIFE. Yes, LIFE! So this year here is what we've learned in no particular order:

How to read aloud and nurse a wee babe at the same time,
How to change a diaper and read simultaneously,
How to schedule the day so that everyone gets a nap (and by everyone I mean mama - lol)
That my girls know how to run the household when I need/want them to do it. Having a newborn last year this time was a blessing in many ways but one of the most treasured is having my girls take really good care of me and the rest of the house while I just loved on Henry. I didn't need any extra hands to come in to help because not only did I have them but they were more than willing and able to manage meals, laundry, etc. We realized that we'd raised them very well when friends brought meals and my girls invited them in, accepted their gifts graciously and then praised the Lord after they left for the provision.
That boys are very different than girls. Really, really different. In every way. I love that.
I'm sure there are many other things but those are the ones that come to mind right off.


Now I'm sure along about now you are wondering about the book learning and whether or not any of that actually took place. Why yes it did, now that you asked. And we have many a paid library fine to show for it.

I have to say I really appreciate the local librarians not blinking an eye when we come in and check out forty to fifty books at a shot. The thing that brings me the most joy is seeing and hearing my kids discussing books they've read and sharing books amongst each other. Nothing like hearing "You have GOT to read this book Mom!" from your kids. Such a cool thing to hear. And to see them dig out books and research materials to learn more about a period of time or a place they've read about makes my heart just sing.

The discussions to be had here at La Geron are as varied as the people who live here. I love hearing their different perspectives on situations and things we are learning about. These kids constantly amaze me at the way they love to learn. I'm especially proud of my one dd who is the first to admit math is not her gig but still continued to persevere through three different types of Algebra programs til she finally feels she conquered it and her fear of it. I love seeing that determination in her. It will carry her far in life. Sometimes the lesson to be learned isn't really about math. It is about sucking it up and doing the hard thing because it needs to be done. And doing it with a heart, while not exactly cheerful, that is obedient.

What we've seen this year is that work, even when it is hard, is the best way to get to the goal. And being persistent while being consistent is a great combination. So, to sum it all up, we grew a lot this year and sure learned a ton. A successful year finished again.

ICL,
Peg

I have to add a note to this - I haven't been blogging at all the last year plus - this is actually the post I wrote last year at this time and didn't post for some reason or another. It seemed to fit today as I just got those tests scores back for all my people.

 I want to say the year since has been a time of many ups and many more downs but in all of it the life we've chosen to live - a life for the Lord, for each other - has shown me more times than I care to say that we have chosen well. My people love each other, love the Lord and love others very well. One cannot ask for more. I am blessed beyond measure. We've lived life, loved well and done some school in the midst of it all. Another successful year down.  May the Lord be with you always. 

In Christ's Abundant Love,
Peg

Happy Birthday Mom...

We miss you today.

Time flies ....

When you add a new wee babe to the mix. And now he's not such a wee one at 11 months old this week. Yes you read that right Henry is 11 months old. How on earth did the year fly by so fast?

We've been blessed to see him change and grow in amazing ways. He is walking now - standing up from the middle of the floor and just walking. And he knows the word Uh-Oh. He uses it all the time when he throws stuff onto the floor and then laughs and says "Uh-OH". He is so happy with himself. Totally cracks us all up.

My favorite thing about Henry? Well, other than I think everything the boy does is amazingly awesome and so very different than the girls? The boy loves music. I mean LOVES it. We went to our Lay retreat in March and the second night he went right up to the stage while the worship team was singing and stood there dancing and lifting his hands up waving and praising the Lord. How cool is that? He was 9 months old! I pray that he continues to Praise the Lord in all his ways for all his life.

And Charlotte - well that child has been sleeping in Miracle Grow because she has grown several inches in the last year. She was so mad at me in October when she had to change her pants four times in one morning. A little background - we swapped out all her clothes in September and only put the things she could wear right then back in her drawers. Flash forward 4 weeks and those same pants were all too short. She told me as she stomped back to her room the fourth time "If these pants are too short I'm still wearing them because I am done changing today!" Praise the Lord the 4th pair fit! And mama had to empty out her drawers again. And then go shopping because there was some mighty slim pickins left that actually wasn't too small for her! Miracle Grow I tell you!

I love to see her working at her school work. She is amazing at Math and is working hard on her reading and writing. She is smart as a whip and is constantly asking me what a word means. I often have to ask for the context in which she heard it in order to clarify to her the different meanings. My favorite exchange with her and new words was one Sunday afternoon. We'd gotten ready for church and as we left the house I realized that she had written her name on Henry's infant car seat. Now she denied to the last that SHE had actually been the one to write it. Even to the point of giving me a handwriting sample!

As she is sitting on the Kitchen floor scrubbing the writing off with a Magic Eraser and lamenting her fate to all who would listen one of the girls came into the kitchen and said "What is up with Charlotte?" And I replied "Well she is simply STUNNED that I, her MOTHER, who taught her HOW to write her NAME, recognize her handwriting." Total quiet for a few minutes and then Charlotte says "What does stunned mean, Mama?" When I explained it meant surprised or amazed she said "Oh" and kept on scrubbing. A couple of minutes later she AGAIN brought me her handwriting sample to show that indeed it was NOT her handwriting. (NOW you all know that matched the car seat graffiti to a tee, right?) And I was so exasperated with her I made the worst mistake a mother can make: I said "Do I LOOK stupid? Do you think I am STUPID?" And she said - wait for it...."No I don't think you are stupid. I think you are STUNNED!" Yes that chica came back not five minutes later and used that new word in complete context. Oh my stinking word you know we were laughing hysterically at that girl. She is the laughter in my life always. It is her gift.

And my sweet Emma - my how she's grown this year too. She has a heart for helping others and it shows most days in that she is glad to make sure her dad has a clean shirt for work or that the meal is planned out for dinner in time for us to actually eat before 10 p.m. She's going to be 13 in about a month. I can't believe it. She is my heart in so many ways.

McGinley is growing too. She's using the leftover Miracle Grow Charlotte didn't use. She is actually taller than I am now. I don't know that I like that. I do continue to remind myself I can still jerk a knot when I need to...And she knows it too. She is the light of my heart in that she loves to help with the littles at church and Henry loves her so much. She is his "Gee". Many times she can quiet him faster than everyone but mama. I rely on that help more than you know.

Then there is my Sophia. She is growing into an amazing young woman with a heart for the Lord that I love to see play out in her life. She is a hard worker and is self motivated when it comes to school and all areas of her life. She and McGinley are getting ready to go to NYC (Nazarene Youth Conference) this summer in Louisville, KY to do some ministry work and some stretching of their faith. I'm excited to see how they come back changed from that trip.

Did I mention we're starting to discuss colleges? I'm so NOT ready for my sweet girl to leave home already. She is my right arm in so many ways and I love her heart. I'm very blessed.

And speaking of blessed, my beloved and I have been making an effort to take time for us this year. We have been going on a date every couple of weeks. I'm enjoying that time together. Of course, Henry gets to come along for a while longer...

So while I haven't been here in a while life goes on as it flies by...We are focused on serving the Lord where he leads in whatever way he asks us to serve. We're here - doing the next thing.

In Christ's Abundant and Amazing love,
Peg

Lessons I've learned...

And am still learning...

#1 Tell your people you love them - early and often. You just never know when it will be the last time you get to tell them.

#2 Don't hold grudges. It is just not worth it and the truth of the matter is it hurts you more than it hurts the other person. And when you are holding a grudge you fail to do #1.

#3 Wear clothes that feel good. Life is too short to be pulling and tugging at something that doesn't fit or feel good.

#4 Enjoy your babbies. They won't be babbies long. I can't believe I'll have a 16 year old in less than a month. And a 6 month old.

#5 Laugh often. It is good for so many things.

#6 Learn to laugh at yourself. I've found it's best not to take myself too seriously. And truth be told I'm just funny. No one else needs to get it as long as I do but it is a lot of fun when they do.

#7 Have people in your life who "get" you. We're all very different and I praise the Lord for those differences. But sometimes you need to be able to talk to people who just get how you think, feel, ARE! Those people might be the ones you have the most history with - ie your family or they might be a kindred spirit.

#8 Enjoy what you do. Back to that life is too short thing...You just need to be able to enjoy what you are doing in life. I love my life nearly all the time. God has blessed me with a beloved who has the same priorities I do - God, family, home, loving each other.

#9 Eat good food. Life is too short (see there is that phrase again) to eat bad food.

#10 Don't allow the small stuff to get in the way of relationships. Or the big stuff for that matter. This was a lesson learned the hard way. My brother, Andy, died 14 years ago today - by his own hand. I never got to say goodbye or that I was sorry.

You see, we had an argument a year before he died. We had not spoken since the argument. Both of us were too proud and stubborn to be the one to make the first move. Because of that pride and stubbornness I didn't get the chance the to make things right. And the worst thing is what we argued about doesn't mean a thing in the scheme of life. It just isn't worth it to allow things and ideas to affect a relationship to the point of not being able to reconcile it.

So tell your people you love them, enjoy your life, laugh often and always say you are sorry before it's too late.

I miss you Bub.

In Christ's Abundant Love,
Peg

It's been a while since we've been here...

Sorry about that. As you can well imagine we've had a busy, joy filled summer adjusting to our new little man here at La Geron.




I think it's safe to say that we have all fallen head over heels in love with this wee man named Henry Thomas. And a wee man he is indeed. In spite of looking very similar to Charlotte as a babby he is definitely a BOY.

I have always thought that babbies tend to be like, well, babbies at this young of an age. Boy oh boy was I wrong. He is so like the girls but yet so very different. Starting with the way he eats; He eats fast and furious, talking to his food (ie the ninnies). When the girls were nursing they'd get too much milk and pull off gasping and choking. Not Henry! He gets too much he just lets it slide out the side of his mouth and keeps trying to eat even as he is gasping for air! Cracks me up after I got over the initial shock of him trying to continue to eat in spite of choking. He'll have milk sliding down his chin and his elbows! It's like he's eating corn on the cob or something! And now that he's found his voice he is REALLY talking to the food! He'll pull off and smile at me while having a conversation then goes back to nursing. I love it.

We had him dedicated in August. This is our 95 year old grandma holding him the day of his dedication. The christening gown he is wearing was Michael's when he was a babby given to him by this same grandma. All of the kids have worn it when they were dedicated/christened. I love it. And I love that Grandma Geron is still here to enjoy our wee Henry.




Our Henry can be so serious like his daddy at times but then he smiles and his whole face lights up. I love it when he smiles at me. For a long time he'd only smile for me. Now he smiles for others and I try not to be jealous he is sharing his smiles with people other than The Mama.






I fully expect the boy to call me "The Mama". From the minute he was born I have talked to him and called myself The Mama. I'll often say "Do you just need the Mama?" The girls have taken to calling me the mama when they refer to me when they are talking to him. I love it. He rolled over a couple of weeks ago. He is like McGinley in that he did it once and now he doesn't have to keep proving he can do it again. He's rolled over more than once but refuses to do it when we try to convince him he should show us! Turkey bird!

We've started another school year and are headed into week 6 or so I think. We did take a week and a half off to spend some time with friends coming through to go to Colonial Williamsburg. It was big fun and we totally need to go back again - five or six more times just to get it all in. We went three days and still didn't see everything!

I am now the mama of a 15 1/2 year old, a 14 year old, a 12 year old, a 6 1/2 year old and a 4 month old. We are loving being a family of seven. This wee babe has brought much joy to all of us and it is amazing to see how the girls all relate so differently to Henry. God is good. All the time and in every way. We are so very blessed. Thanks for bearing with us on the blog - sorry it's taken months to update. I'll try to do better now.

In Christ's Abundant Love,
Peg

HE IS HERE! Henry Thomas is here!

We have our sweet Henry Thomas here with us finally. After much debate and doings he arrived Sunday May 23, 2010 at 11:49 p.m. He weighed in at 7 lbs. 14 oz. and was a whopping 22 inches long. He has a bit of hair and is just beautiful. He looks like the Geron Girls.

One of my favorite shots - Henry with "Big Daddy".

We had an very eventful pregnancy and ended up being labeled "High Risk" on several fronts. When all was said and done though the Lord took each of those labels and knocked them to the side in a very obvious way. We are praising HIM for a successful, healthy pregnancy and sweet babby Henry being here safely and fabulously.



The girls are so excited Henry is here. It's a fight to who gets to hold him first thing in the morning. I win - because he has to nurse first!

And the highlight of our homecoming on Tuesday - we got to take Henry to see his Great Grandma - she is 95 years old and her comment was "I've waited so very long for you." She cried and laughed at the same time. It was a joyful thing to see.


God is good and we are thankful for the blessing of Henry!

In Christ's Love,
Peg

A progression of belly shots for your enjoyment...

It's flown by already - only 5 - 6 weeks left.



This was right before Christmas and I think the first shot I did.





21 Weeks 3 Days



27 Weeks

And today at 32 Weeks 3 days...



In Christ's Love,
Peg

Henry's Second Babby Shower!

Henry isn't even here yet and he's loved by so many. My sisterwives/girlfriends here in VA loved on us with this shower at the beginning of the month. We've had such a crazy month I'm just now getting around to posting about it.

We hadn't even left the ultrasound before getting a phone call from Amy and Lisa asking if they could do a shower for us - and oh by the way, what is the babby? We were so blessed!

It was a difficult week for many reasons. First, our family had our Aunt Barbara in the hospital in her last days. She died the morning of the shower. Amy had her babby in the hospital with RSV for four days and Lisa was busy keeping me upright since I had several appts. and my friend Deidre' was coming for a visit too!

We ate really good food, laughed and cried too! Henry got a lot of love in the form of outfits, blankets & boppys! My sweet Emma made a hat for him all by herself from a pattern! She made me cry!



Amy and Lisa did a great job on the shower. The food was fabulous and everyone had a good time. I praise the Lord for my Girlfriend/sisterwives. I don't know what I'd do without them!

Now we all wait for Henry to get here! He's sure to be spoiled and loved on even more!

In Christ's Abundant Love,
Peg

Overwhelming Blessings....

or how one decision changed the course of my life and my family's life! When we decided to home school all those years ago I thought it was a decision about education. Who knew it would give us friends and family across the world? Seriously!

We went on vacation with friends (home schoolers - most of them) this week. They totally blew me away Monday night. We are 24 weeks pregnant this week with Henry and I didn't think anyone would do anything shower or gift wise this early so I was oblivious when I walked into the room FULL of people. 35 physically there and another 30 who sent love. God is so good in giving us family and friends all over the place.

My friend Holly pushed her comfort zone and made this for me:



She'd never made a cake like this before. It was as delicious as it was pretty.

And then they had all these wonderful things from friends far and wide:



The chocolate brown ergo (backpack carrier) that I wanted. The Sneaky Wife #1 (Jen) and Sneaky Wife #2 (Dana) conferred and said I should really have the chocolate one since it made me happy. I love sneaky wives. Everyone should have at least one and I've got TWO!

And then there was the pack and play - I really liked the one Babies R Us sold but I refused to register there for only that ONE thing when they had a second choice at Target/Amazon. Again my Sneaky Wife (that'd be Jen again) came to the rescue and got the one with the ELEPHANTS on it that I really liked it.



And then a beautiful babby blanket made by my friend Kelly:



And cloth wipes made by Jen to go with the cloth diapers I'm planning to use:




One of the cloth diapers:



And there were other gifts:

My friend Ashley had a whole bag full of goodies including several toys, a sunhat, flannel blankets, swaddle blankets and bath toys. McGinley didn't get pictures of those quick enough!

And the friends far and wide also gave me the car seat we needed:




And we even had poetry which totally makes this count as SCHOOL! My friend Bethany wrote a poem for me. I'm going to type it up but suffice to say it made me cry like a babby myself! Dana had to be the reading wife!

Written by Bethany Wethersby:
Roses are red
They brighten your mood
Like the pending arrival
Of a cool little dude

His hands will be small
His feet will be tiny
He'll wear manly cloth diapers
On his little hiney

Will he be born bald
Or be totally hairy?
Grow up to love ice cream
Or be allergic to dairy?

Will he be a punk
Or a total saint?
Prefer to play football
Or read books & paint?

When will he come?
The schedule says May
But it could be June
If in the womb he does stay

Surrounded by sisters
He'll be their live doll
He's destined to spend
Time with them at the mall

I'm sure Michael's happy
For some testosterone
In the sea of estrogen
He won't be alone

Peg will get snuggles
She will not feel crabby
When kissing the cheeks
Of her new little babby

I better stop
Before this gets sappy
But, honey, Peg's birthing Henry
And we're all *so* happy!!


The best thing about all of this is that I keep thinking if this is a slice of heaven here on earth I sure can't wait to get to heaven!

In the center of Christ's ABUNDANT and OVERFLOWING Love,
Peg

Lots of stuff going on here at La Geron.

We've been busy since Christmas. The babby is growing like he's supposed to and we're thrilled. Yep you read it right - HE. His name is Henry Thomas Geron. We expect to deliver near the middle of May. I love to feel his little kicks and movements. We are very blessed.

The girls are busy with school. They started a short art class with a friend of mine in January. They are having tons of fun with that. This week they start up sewing again after a Christmas Break. And dance resumed last week. So as you can imagine I'm in the car way more than I like.

Michael is busy all the time. We've had some breaks here and there. Praise the Lord! I love spending time wit my Beloved.

Michael's Grandma Geron fell the day after Christmas. She broke her leg, had a pin put in and is now at the Convalescent center doing rehab. The family has been loving on her well. We covet your prayers for her health. She will be 95 in April.

McGinley cut her hair last week. She looks so grown up it hurts my heart to look at her sometimes. I'm not ready for these girls to be grown. Isn't it cute?



I just realized how long it had been since I posted so even though it's a hodgepodge of information I still wanted to post something. ;)

In Christ's Love,
Peg

Merry Christmas Everyone!

I just want to say how thankful and blessed we are to know each and every one of you. I love all of our family and friends both near and far. May your Christmas be full of the Joy of our Lord and Savior.

In Christ's Abundant and Amazing Love,
Peg

Things I'm thankful for this Thanksgiving Day...

1 - Family - those we're born into and those we are adopted into.
2 - A beautiful home to live in.
3 - A beloved who works so hard for all of us.
4 - A new babby coming in May.
5 - Friends who share and support.
6 - Chocolate (you know that had to make the list right?) I just found out Dark chocolate has NO sodium. I love it but now I REALLY love it. ;)
7 - Food in the cabinets and my belly.
8 - Jesus loving us enough to die on the cross for us.
9 - Down comforters - one of the best things ever!
10 - Camping - We love to camp.
11 - My beloved being home the entire day.
12 - Sunshine
13 - Tea
14 - Friends who are friends no matter the distance.
15 - The ability to have the lifestyle we do in a country that is free.
16 - The smell of good cooking.
17 - Yarn (you knew that would be here too)
18 - Friends to knit with.
19 - Family and friends who appreciate the art of knitting.
20 - A clean kitchen - never underestimate the power of a clean kitchen.

I pray your day is blessed and joy filled. May you look around and see with an open heart and clear eyes the many blessings you have this year.

In Christ's Abundant and Ever Gentle Embrace,
Peg

Lost and now found or our Amazing God...

And how he loves on us so. My beloved has been traveling more for work this year. He went to Atlanta a few weeks ago for the week. If you've never been through the Atlanta airport then you've missed a confusing overwhelming experience.


He likes to take small bags so he doesn't have to check stuff to save time. He's pretty careful of his things. This time he did great the whole week until the day he came home. He walked through security and put his laptop in one tray and his pocket contents and wedding ring in another.

When he came home I was sitting here telling him how I'd looked at wedding bands again for him but didn't buy one because they were lots more than I'd anticipated. He'd lost his last one somewhere in the mill so he's been wearing his grandfather's ring for the last year or so.

He jumped up and started patting his pockets then went downstairs and tore through all of his bags. I knew as soon as he'd started patting his pockets what had happened. He had lost the ring. It's a fairly big ring - Michael's hands are quite big and he wears a 13 ring. I guess he took it off automatically and dropped it with the keys and change in the tray then he forgot to pick it up. Now least you thing "HOW did he forget his ring?" He doesn't wear it on a daily basis. Where he works it is detrimental to his hands if he were to get it caught on a piece of equipment. So he wears it when he is home and not in the mill.

I calmed him down - he was very upset about it. And we called Atlanta. They have a voicemail thing telling you to register a lost complaint on their "Foundit" sight. We did this fully thinking the ring was gone for good. I started watching Ebay. We found one that looked very similar but was in California so we were fairly certain it was not the same ring.

Flash forward well over a week and he gets a call from the airport. They FOUND THE RING! Amazingly enough they found it. They shipped it back to us. I picked it up at the post office this morning and the envelope didn't seem to have anything in it. I tore it open and PRAISE THE LORD there it was!



I had friends everywhere praying for this ring. I know it's a material thing but it truly cannot be replaced. It has been in his family for many years and as I found in my searching there really aren't any exactly like this ring out there. Even if it were exactly the same it wouldn't be THE same.

I know the Lord cares enough about us to know the number of the hairs on our heads. I'm so thankful he cares enough to bring this ring back to us because it was so important to us. I love how he searched for it and brought it back. I love how He continues to search and bring us back to him again and again. Amazing love that is!

In Christ's Amazing Embrace,

Peg

Back to school...

Just kidding. We started school two weeks ago. And so today when nearly everyone else in our neighborhood/town is going back to school - in the rain no less - we slept in. I still have one in the bed. You get to guess who that might be.

We have enjoyed not having to get up and be at the mercy of others schedules. Well, except for my beloved Michael's. ;) So today while everyone else is learning the new drill at school we get to do fun stuff. My girls will read until they decide to move on to the next thing or figure out they probably should eat breakfast before it's lunch time. And I'm sorting the clothes out of the attic and getting ready for West End's huge consignment sale. Fun stuff I tell you.

We'll do school tomorrow unless Charlotte wanders in and wants/insists on doing her school. She likes school very much. I'm glad she has a love for it. I'm glad my big girls still have a love for it.

So how was your first day of school? Or are you already midway through the year? The beauty and blessing of homeschooling! WHOOHOO.

In Christ's love,
Peg