Milestones

Jan 01

Milestones are funny things.  They pass the time.  Sometimes it seems like time flies, other times like time slows and nearly stops.  The same event can be both a blink and an eternity.  It reminds me of a flowing river: such different experiences: on a boat, on the shore, in the water, wading.  There are so many perspectives to see the same things.  I pray that I choose to see the best and brightest views in our milestones this year.

Brad and I have been married for nine years and one day.  We had the. most. fantastic. New Year’s Eve wedding in 2003.  Many people I know look back on their weddings and say, “I wish I could change this, I wish would have done that.”  I have no such regrets.  It was a perfect day, and I loved it.  (Thanks Mom & Dad.)  I am happier than ever that Brad chose me.

Milestones.

Maren is reading: she blows through words like “trouble” and “instead” and “parachute” with barely a pause.  She uses a questioning tone when there is a question mark, she pauses at commas, and she follows the story line.  All this in six months!  I still remember when I found her in her bedroom in Iowa with a baby doll on each side, reading Brown Bear, Brown Bear aloud to them from memory.

Milestones.

Greta speaks in full sentences and follows multi-step directions.

“Mommy, I want chips in dis (this) PLEASE!”

“Okay, Greta, go sit down at the table and I will give you some chips,” and then she runs over, climbs into a kitchen chair, and waits for her snack.

“Dank (Thank) you,” she says when I deliver it.  She and I are both thrilled with her increasing communication skills.

“You’re welcome,” I say quickly.  Because if I don’t say it quickly enough, she says it for me.  She’s uber polite.

Milestones.

As we close the books on the first day of 2013, I am happy in the knowledge that I Did Today Well, my husband is a stud muffin, and my daughters are bright, beautiful, and full of love.  May 2013 be filled with God’s grace, and may this year be cancer free.  I pray that I might live to see a lifetime of milestones.  Amen.

11 comments

  1. Latoya /

    Amen!!!

  2. Happy anniversary and many more to come!

  3. Ahhh, my heart loves your milestone stories. Thanks for a great start to my day!

  4. Patty Wheeler /

    Happy Anniversary, Hzppy New Year… You are awesome!

  5. Bonnie J /

    We pray and trust that you do to! ! 2012 behind and forging ahead into 2013 with anticipation, Funny, we were just talking about milestones yesterday ourselves 🙂 it’s also hard to NOT remember your beautiful wedding on New Year’s Eve – Congratulations! ! Praying 2013 is a good one Jen.

  6. Good prayer, may we all continue to see clearly these gifts of milestones in our lives. So great to see you on Monday. And may God bless you as you continue to reach out to those folks in the treatment room, you are special!

  7. Genora /

    Your words and praises to God are simply beautiful! and so fulfilling to and for my soul! I thank God for the wonderfful gifts and talents he has given you, to express his Goodness so eloquently. I thank God from whom All blessings flow, God Bless You! Love, Genora

  8. Annie /

    Jen, Your wedding was amazing! I was brought to tears! Grandma Carolyn was smiling from above, showering love and beaming with pride as you, her first grandchild married Brad. Happy Anniversary! Love, Aunt Annie

  9. Marlayne Skeens /

    Jen, You Are So Correct! MILESTONES ARE WHAT LIFE IS ALL ABOUT! I remember seeing your wedding photos ~ Oh So Perfect! Happy Anniversery & Many More MILESTONES & BLESSINGS ~ 🙂

  10. Amen. What a great way to finish a great post! Amen, I say to you again, Amen.

  11. Smile, cheer, jump for joy, etc etc, lovin it! today is brighter for all of us! Thank you. Lord for your continued blessings on Jen and Brad and fam.