Family

Hello everyone,

B-day dinner at: McDonalds! We are
stylish!

I am so sorry that it's been such a long time since I have posted a blog. I just haven't really had a lot to talk about, I thought. That's not true, of course. There is a ton to talk about. First of all, I am so excited that school is finally done with for this year! Yes, we were evaluated and it went better than I expected it to. After all, it was an off year for us. We did more reading and talking than anything else. Logan likes to talk and listen. He's a great kid. Love him to pieces.

Computer time!

Things have been intense. For me at least. Since last I spoke to you, I just have been writing and writing, pouring myself out in words that aren't really mine. It is amazing to see what comes together. To date (now please don't flip out) there are 14 stories (100 thousand words each) written. And the stories just keep coming. It is amazing! I'm not saying that for you to go: Oh mighty Anne. We bow before you. That is not why I share this. It is simply to show, there ain't time to write this blog. No, kidding! (This is Tom... had to sneak this in here... she said, "ain't... ain't, ain't a word and she teaches Logan English.  ha ha ha.  I used it twice!).

We are in summer mode now (which this year doesn't seem any different than spring mode, just more time to write). The weather is nice, sometimes really nice (I think) and others downright cold (I know). Tom is off for the summer, and that is pretty strange in itself even though I see a lot of him. Now, he is around. And around. And it is kind of nice. There isn't the rush to get him to the bus in the morning if Tasha happens to have to work in the morning. I have had the pleasure to be able to make dinners more than three times in a row because Tasha takes the car at night to go to work. No need for me to go in. Ahhhh, the luxury to just write and write and write. Oh, and there is dinner too. Hm! That usually puts a dent into my writing time, making me slightly cranky (I know, you can't picture that one. Me, cranky?)

I love you so much!

This weekend we had the chance to visit with family. Although the occasion was less than pleasurable, it was a time that I personally cherished. And so as I sat down to write this blog, I thought what wisdom I could bestow upon my followers of this ostentatious blog (that's what I do: I shed wisdom). It came to my mind, to ponder about family! Hmm. Sure. Family.

Boys killing each other. Go Halo! Yeah
I don't know what to say about that!

I certainly didn't choose the family I was born into. And they didn't choose me! But we all had to get along (to some extent and some loud words and other things too. Hey, Eiki. Don't interrupt me while I am having a very pleasant dream which includes Black Beauty! Be warned, again!). As I grew up, I began to realize something very important about the family I had been born into.

I began to realize that even though nobody's upbringing is ever perfect (Sean and Tim called me The Robot!!!) there is something about realizing that God put you into the family you were born into. Before I was born, my Savior decided to put me into the family I grew up in. He gave me a chance to come to know Him, through situations that were beyond my control. He gave me a chance to show love and to forgive. I have a thing about forgiveness! Without that, we would all be in deep doodoo.

You can't choose your family! That is a good saying. But we can make the best of our family because we are told to. The Bible talks about family a lot. There is the family of believers, which is so very important. Christ also addresses the natural family. Although some of the things he talks about family isn't all that edifying or seems so (although everything God does has a point and is edifying for us) He gives some great pointers. Children honor your father and mother. Why? So that it is well with you on this earth!

My adoptive dog Bucky

Hmm... I haven't always honored my parents. There are moments when the words that come to mind
are less than flattering. But, there is the flip side of the coin. I love the family I have been born into. I love that I can go to them and be myself. I can cry, when I am down, and they know me! I don't have to put up a brave front... pretend to be this super-mom, super-pioneer, super-anything. They will love me, no matter what I can or cannot do.

God is just like that. I love that about Him. He is a Father, the Father. I can come to Him

Having a cup'er with my computer

when I have a really bad day.  He expects me to be humble, to be led by the Spirit, by Christ in me. And when I have a moment, because things aren't going my way (which we all know happens very rarely) I am reminded that I am not alone. I have something much more precious than gold to guide me out of the muck I am about to step into. And if I choose to listen (yeah, not so good at that some times) things strangely go a lot better for me than if I plow my own way through the mess.

So family... I love family! They show us our faults, our issues. In the past I have been less than humble (hey, I know... big shock!). I am learning to be humble and still before my God, Who is so willing to guide me, to walk through my troubles with me. And He is waiting for me at the end of the rainbow, cheering me on. I have been blessed with the family I was given. I have been blessed with the family I married into, and I am blessed to belong to the family of God!

This weekend I had it all. Well, I missed my given family, but my sister was there! Right with me on the road and in thought. I knew it and could feel her. I spent time with the family I married into and what a nice thing that was too. Then I was blessed with spending time with the family God chose for me! Hoorah! What could be better than that!

Bathroom=porch!

Bathroom!

My prayer for you is that you enjoy the family you have been given. Time is too short on this earth. They aren't all that! Sometimes they can be downright hurtful. But they are there to be loved, to be cherished. And sometimes having a distance is a good thing, to regroup and heal. To my family, which is too numerous to name.. I love you and I cherish every one of you.

Honestly, I love you guys!!!

Bathroom or porch! Hmm, you decide!