Christmas 2011 A New Chapter

Christmas 2011
We ended the year honoring those that have been with us to celebrate, and even began traditions as we welcome new family into our celebrations!

To the Right, is the letter Anna left for Santa. We weren't sure how she really felt, but I think this letter proves she was making sure things were still "magical" on Christmas morning. And they were...







The cousins were very busy during this photo, they really enjoyed watching one another and celebrating their gifts!









Aidan got a new "Paper Jamz" Guitar from his sister. Very proud moment!












Here are some new additions to our Christmas celebrations... Greg and Christina's dog, Abby and Abby's friend joined us (we're all about having new faces at holidays) her name is Maddie. This was a new chew toy they got for Christmas!






to left: Daddy washing out the new "straws" the kids found in their stockings. Santa knows how to pick 'em!










below: Christina (Greg's future wife) opening up her new rock climbing shoes for their honeymoon planned for Thailand!

More later!
1/13/12

Letter from Dad, found June 2011

The time is closer now, the days seem to be more unpredictable. The daily things that keep my Dad alive are becoming more difficult. I know that God knows the time, but the unknown for us seems too much to bear. I have walled off the feelings for now. I have placed them deep so that I don't feel them as often. I want to take the time to honor my Dad at the Memorial, but the reality is too much to bear. I wait until a "better time". Then I realize that a "better time" is not mine to give. God is the giver of life. He has a perfect time for all of us. God also allows death. It's the pain of death that is so hard to want to enter into. So, I am taking a moment to sit in the reality of my Dad's life and his future death. It is hard, but I am sitting.

I found this note the other day. I was cleaning out a drawer in Aidan's room. I am so thankful that I saved it. It is probably one of the last things that my Dad wrote to me. His handwriting is perfect, just the way I want to remember it. His words are profoundly tender and I want those days back! I loved that my Dad could be tender and sensitive and express his love for us. I copied the note here so that I would always have a place to go and see it. If you read it.... please remember that our earthly Fathers love us with the depth that seems unending. "How much more does your Father in heaven love you..."

Lessons learned on the Field... T-Ball 2011

Left (Jon and Aidan, age 6)

Right (Aidan and teammates on the bench)

Below (Swing and a miss)














June 2001
Aidan played T-Ball for his second season! I think Daddy was pretty proud... (and Opa too!)
Aidan had experience on his side this season and it paid off! He was hitting routinely and throwing further with each game! As you can see from these photos, we missed some balls, too!
Although I am not an athlete, I appreciate more and more as we raise our kids the lessons learned from playing sport. Aidan had days that he didn't want to go... our response was "You have to finish what you started" (perseverance) Aidan would say he was bored.. our response "Cheer your teammates on"! There are lessons learned here on the field. Gotta love it!

Happy Mother's Day 2011

Here is the latest sampling of beautiful artwork from the kids... Anna made an envelope with this decorative message! (I happen to love it!) "I LOVE YOU, and HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY"








... and then the sampling of artwork continued with both kids making beautiful flower arrangements come to life!

It was a fabulous day!
I am ever grateful for the experience of being a mom.
I think of those that have parented before me and those that are parenting alongside me. Grateful again!
My mom lost her mom when she was 30. It reminds me how thankful I am that my mom is still here. These relationships that we hold so close are just a taste of what heaven holds. God is so gracious to give us even a small amount of what it will taste like! So, eat up... and Happy Mother's Day!

A Recent Visit with Dad

Saturday, April 16, 2011

This is the most recent photo of my Dad. We were able to visit with him before Easter, it is always a blessing to be able to hold his hand and touch his face. I think it's the best way to say "I love you". He rarely speaks anymore, his words are often just mumblings. I think often of how heaven will restore him. How it offers hope that surpasses our earthly understanding. What a beautiful thing to yearn for. The "hope of heaven". I think I am finally understanding it. I pray often for Dad's coming home, for his healing, for his first glimpse of His savior.

I wish that I could say that it is always easy to be with my Dad. But often, I find I leave so broken and sad. Is this really how it has to end for him? In one moment, I can find strength in knowing that I will see him again in eternity... but in another moment all I can do is shake my head in disbelief.

Dad, I miss your smile, your laugh, your contagious spirit. I even miss your humor. I see a lot of you in all 3 of us...
I see you in Greg... the way he captures a room and can talk to anyone!
I see you in Lindsey... (her chin especially!) her ability to communicate effectively, her confidence, her love for people.
I see you in myself... I'm just plain old goofy, and really love people!
I can't wait to see even more of you in our children!

As always... I am most proud of my mom. Her endurance, her stamina, her compassion. Her love runs deep.

Easter Blessings....

So, you know things are getting easier when we can actually capture this moment (numerous times, too!) The kids are enjoying one another so much. There is much fun and laughter and of course.... EASTER EGG HUNTING!






They enjoyed hunting for the Easter Eggs in between thunder storms. The grown ups hid the eggs and Grandma had wisely color-coded the eggs and bags so that each child had a particular color to search for. They even helped one another when they found a different color. It was a wonderful egg hunt and the kids played with their candy and eggs for a while after!

Everyone helped out with our Easter meal... Jon did his famous turkey, Grandma and Opa brought rolls, cranberry salad and an awesome "Sinful Sunday Pie", Shelley brought fruit, Tina and Alan brought salad and Greg and Christina helped out with the coffee! (group shot to come!)

It was a special Easter... could be the last one in this Bisset house. So grateful for these moments... Happy Easter, He is Risen Indeed!

The Adventures of Lucy and the Birthday Girl

It's that time of year when we celebrate our most favorite daughter, Anna! (we can say that you know what I mean). She had 8 friends over for her 8th Birthday! We had a face painter come and surprise all the girls with spectacular "bling" infused face painting! They also took some time to make extra special head bands with homemade paper flowers on top!
Wegmans did the cake with some special props to make the cake shine! Anna and I collaborated on the idea for the cake! Love it! (What I really love is my daughter... so fun to see her grow up and have ideas about how she wants things to go.)

Here are some shots of Anna's friends anad their faces!

















Anna, age 8 Anna's friend




Anna getting her face painted.











It was quite a celebration... but the weekend had more to offer!

Since there was a National Holiday for Anna's birthday this year (President's Day) and all the family was off for the day we did a low frills surprise party for Anna. I had taken her to get her nails done while everyone piled on over to the house for a little celebration! The surprise was great and she enjoyed being with everyone. Time with the cousins and family is always a treat! Gramma and Opa, Aunt Shelley, Aunt Tina and Uncle Alan, the cousins, Uncle Greg and Christina and mommy, daddy and Aidan were in attendance! What a birthday weekend, huh?!




So, if that wasn't enough...
ENTER the family pet... Yes, we did! I know, can you believe it... we got a hamster. Her name is Lucy (I hope it's ok to name your pet after your great grandmother?) She is a long haired rodent (as I like to refer to her) . When we went to get her... the girl at PetSmart looked at us very seriously and asked "Have you ever had any rodents before?" to which Jon replied... "Well, we've had some we didn't want before!" She didn't think that was very funny! At this point, I am shaking... because I just agreed to the responsibility of having a rodent INSIDE my house. I willingly entered into a relationship with a rodent. Can you believe it? Anyhow... here is her story!

**technical difficulties... will try to finish this later!*




















Anna (can you tell she's excited) holding Lucy very carefully!

Daddy, Gramma (the true people to thank for this addition to our family), Anna and Aidan





Our newest family member... Lucy Bisset (aka, LuLu)