Finally Home

The Reverend Thomas Sayers

May 15, 1925 - October 8, 2010

My Grandpa Tom talked about home. All. The. Time.

And he totally got that this world wasn't it.

He was only passing through.

Yesterday afternoon he made it home to Heaven.

We went out to visit him in January when we heard his health was beginning to decline. But then there was a drastic change in April, and he's had several days between then and now that were supposed to be his last. We didn't think at all that he would see his birthday in May, but he did--and kept fighting.

In early September I saw airfare drop pretty significantly. I was already staring at the flights when an email came in on my phone about my grandfather's health. Next thing we knew, we were headed to California. These photos were from January. My brother took a few photos from our September trip, but those are a bit too sacred to share publicly.

When I walked into his hospital room, I just about walked past his bed because I didn't recognize him. Only his tattoos on his forearms from his time in the Navy truly convinced me it was him. He was barely over a hundred pounds and was largely unresponsive.

After some time with us all in the room, I asked for some time alone with Grandpa. I sang an old hymn that I knew was precious to him, and his eyes shot open for a moment. Then without even thinking about it, I began speaking Jesus' words from John 14:2-3 over him: "In My Father's house there are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with Me--that where I am, you may be also." And as these words came out that I honestly haven't even thought of in years, Grandpa sat up, opened his eyes up wide and looked at me, then gasped and sank back into the bed. And it didn't even surprise me that this man who was beyond weary and withering away used the little strength he had to respond to the Word of God.

I told him I knew I would see him again. I tried to take those moments to cover him in the truth he loved and carried and proclaimed in his health.

I still think it's the providence of God that afforded us the chance to have those moments with him. He had been in kidney failure for 6 months and was a shadow of his former self by the time we were able to get out there. I am so grateful for those moments though--it meant everything to be able to speak over him the words that had came to mean everything to him. And it seemed it meant something to him, too.

Grandpa, you're leaving behind a congregation of friends and a church building you helped build with your two strong hands. You're leaving behind a harmonica that you played beautifully. You're leaving behing memories of all those times you popped out your dentures to make us laugh hysterically, of the Strawberry Shortcake backpack you gave me, of trips to Round Table Pizza in Sonora. You're leaving behind your four daughters, ten grandchildren, and lots of great-grandchildren. You're leaving your longtime home on Wigwam Road. But you're right where you were created to be now, Grandpa. You talked about it all the time--now you're there. Of course it's probably way more than you ever dreamed. But you're with Jesus. And I know I will see you again.

Until then! I love you, Grandpa.

Upon Her Heart

Lord, write Your name upon her heart.

Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength, little Ailey. He loves You so much, made you so intentionally, and delights to reveal His Son in you--yes, you, sweet girl!

Apparently We're All Invited to the Gun Show

Here's Trevor, very proudly rocking the muscle shirt.

Would it be just plain mean of me to save these to pull out to show his future girlfriends? :)
Love this little boy!

Trevor's First Day

Trevor * Age 4 * First day of Pre-K

Yesterday was Trevor's first day of school. He had a blast. He never really gets upset or anything about going off to school--like today, I was hugging him and praying for him and he's just looking at me like, "I'm fine, Mom. Don't sweat the technique."

So anyway, we did our 2nd annual "Mommy in My Pocket" tradition. I found that book right before Trevor started school last year and we read it the night before school, then the morning of school there was a goody waiting for him in his pocket (see the video). We did it again this year, and if anything, he seemed to appreciate it even more this year. :)

Here's the video:

We also had a special dinner (ABC pasta in meat sauce and yummy dessert) served on his "First Day of School" plate that he made last year. Then we finished up the day with a little bit of night swimming at the neighborhood pool. What a wonderful day! Praying for a great year for you, sweet Trevor!

Twins

Two peas in a pod. And when it's haircut day for both of them, you can REALLY see it!
For a baby who started out with a very Sperry-ish look,

Trevor sure is looking more and more like a Nelson!

Now AILA, on the other hand... :)

These are some of MY baby pics...

...and now Aila.

Sweating at Simpsonwood

On Friday we got to have a little getaway at Simpsonwood Retreat Center with The Women's League ladies. It was really nice! But it was, hands down, the most insanely humid couple of days EVER. Dad & Peggy said their glasses kept fogging up the moment they stepped outside. (This picture looks blurry because the lens fogged up in the H U M I D I T Y ).

The kids loved this door with Jesus carved into it. It was 3D and the hands came out of the door, and I thought you were supposed to pull on one of Jesus' hands to open the door. Turns out the door doesn't open at all--the one next to it does. Had I pulled any harder, I think I would've broken off one of Jesus' hands! That would've been bad...

A hug from my babies, and then off to speak.

A really nice weekend! Although now that we're home, I think I'll spend the next week sitting directly in front of the air conditioning vent!

Homegoing

On July 1st, Justin's grandmother, Ruth Peterson, passed away at age 90. And in her small little room that day she was surrounded by 18 family members. Her children, her grandchildren and their spouses, and her great grandchildren. It was standing-room-only as we sang hymns around her bed and shared memories. Can you think of a better way to leave this life?

What a woman. What a life. What a legacy.

We love you, Grandmother.

Bet These Will Make You Smile...

Shake What Your Mama Gave You

He's a dancin' machine!

Trevor, who is pretty shy in big groups, was getting DOWN with his bad self at the reception! He was doing the robot, freestyling,

He was "breakdancing" here and everyone was cheering and clapping!

Maybe it runs in the family. Go Andy! Go Andy!

Uncle Bruce & Linda

Andrew & Sarah's Wedding

Justin officially has just one sibling--a sister--but he also has 5 honorary brothers--

his cousins, Peter, John, James, Matthew & Andrew Graham.

Andy was a groomsman at our wedding 9 years ago when he was 18 years old,

and yesterday was HIS day.

Andrew and Sarah Graham...Congratulations!
Trevor and Aila walking to the reception...

Justin and Aila

Thirsty girl...

...but don't worry--it's only water!
When the DJ played Flo Rida's "Low," Trevor started doing the robot while sitting on lap.
That led to the breakdancing (see post above)...

James, Uncle Bruce, Pop

Matthew & Sarah Graham -- the original Sarah Graham!

Pete, Matthew & Jill - hanging out with cousins

John & Jenn -- expecting the first GIRL Graham baby!

Asleep at last...(11pm)

All the dancing wore him out!

A Couple of Goofballs

This is Aila's new favorite thing to do. Don't let that initially shy demeanor fool you--

--that girl is a total goofball!

When Trevor Picks Out Clothes

Trevor's on a "Dress Myself" kick.

Which often includes a t-shirt and a clip-on tie because, as Trevor says,
"You never know who you're going to see."

...And this was the day he picked out clothes for Aila.

Think he wishes he'd gotten a little brother instead?

Funnies :)

Some of our favorite recent funnies...

* I was in the middle of writing down word problems, so I asked Aila if she would please go upstairs and tell Justin I was going to be tutoring at 12:30. So Aila yelled up the stairs: "Daddy--Mommy's tooting!" :)

* We were planning to go do something when Aila got up from her nap. Trevor was really anxious and kept telling me he could hear that Aila had woken up. I said, "Really, Trev--I don't hear her yet." And he replied, "But that's because I have a lot better hearsight than you!"

* Trevor told me he wants to be a "vegenarian" when he grows up. So does that mean he wants to help sick animals, or that I should stop feeding him meat?

* I was watching one of the videos from the Beth Moore "Esther" Bible study. Aila walked into the room, looked at the TV and said, "Speak truth, Lady!"

* Aila's name for Dollar Tree: "Idolatry." :)

The Most Wonderful Surprise

Three years ago today I was very surprised to find out I was pregnant. It was all very much a God-thing for sure. And so today it was fun just to look at Aila--to be able to look in the eyes the answer to many a prayer. She is such a joy--just joy all crammed into this tiny, radiant person!

Yesterday I was at the doctor and saw the ultrasound photos from the baby boy we lost. Even a few years later, it leveled me. But that wasn't the end of the story, and I am SO grateful that God had these two precious ones in store for us!!!

We had a really fun day. I drove the kids to the train tracks and parked near downtown Acworth to wait for the train we knew was coming. Aila wasn't sure about the train horn...

Sitting on top of the car watching the train go by

Waving to the engineer

You'd think she had never seen a train before--she was ecstatic!

Right when the train ended, it began to pour. Here they are, enjoying a little

Ring-Around-the-Rosey in the rain.

Touching the rain

Using their shirts as hoods

We were soaked, but it was so much fun! Self-timer cut off Trev's head in this one. :(

Coming home, ready to take a warm shower and put on some DRY clothes!