Gratitude

I just wanted to stop in and say a few things that have been floating around my mind lately.  It does not happen often and I thought I really should record these little light bulbs for future generations. 

We ( I ) do not often enough thank those around us who mean the most.  My wife, Mindy Kay, is a true blessing sent from God into my life.  She is first and foremost a wonderful Christian Lady who strives to follow our Lord in this life-and for that I thank her wholeheartedly.  She is also a dedicated mom, homeschooler, TeamKid Director, and VBS Coordinator not to mention a cook, janitor, impromptu nurse, and referee.  I am glad I do not have to pay her what she is truly worth.

I also wanted to thank all Homeschool parents in general for sacrificing time and often finances to educate your children.  I know that for those of you who do so from a Christian perspective God will bless you for your efforts and reward future generations.  I never thought we would be homeschoolers but now that we are I would not trade it for anything.  I cannot imagine sending my boys to a person who. for all intents and purposes isstranger, to shape and mold them through the public school system.

Finally I want to thank God for all the support that is now available for homeschoolers.  There are countless blogs, websites, and groups designed to inform and guide us parents who need all the help we can get.  I want to encourage everyone to read this blog ( shameless self promotion ) and to join us on Facebook at Adventures in Grace, as we travel this road of life together.

Luther

http://www.livingngrace.com/

Our Life

Our life is full
Full of excitement and hustle
Baseball, Football, Fort building
and Jedi Warriors

The exuberance of youth
and the crash of bodies  The zeal that never
ends and the energy that knows
no bounds

Full of Homeshchooling and
Bible readings
Lessons from Life and
From the Blessed Word


The shrieks of joy and the tears of hurts
Mother's tender kisses that make all better
And Daddies strong hugs that
drive away the monsters in the shadows

Our life is full of the unknown and the mysterious
The exploration of new worlds,
with little hands and feet padding along
keeping pace then forging ahead

How can so much love,
fill the heart of one person
Without pouring through,
in thought and deed

Love for those around us: Spouse and Children
always growing, never detracting
from that which was before
Adding to without covering

Our lives are full of heartache and joy
the depths of which we explore,
embracing all that God has
and walking by faith as never before

Our life is full of praise and
worship for the God of our salvation
The God of Grace and Mercy
who reigns on High

Our life is on display for those near
and far, a testimony to the
redeeming power of the
Resurrected Savior

Stapleton Saga! The good, the bad and the ugly! Part two!

The night after we got to Wilcox we all packed up and headed to the hospital. Cody and Penny had to do their taxes so we got to take Emma with us. She had a lot of fun talking to Weston and he endured talking to a "girl"! Luther was so helpful and kept the boys entertained at the hotel and park. I stayed with Mom helping her with all sorts of things. I think we actually visited better than we have since the boys have come along since all we could do was talk. We stayed at the La Quinta Inn and my Dad just stayed down the hall. The boys loved being with Grandpa!

Cousins!

Uncle Cody had a awesome swing set!

Chilling

Sweet cousins hanging out at the hospital!

In the hospital cafeteria! He was wiped out!

Sleeping with Grammy at the hospital!

Feeding the ducks!

Ducks!

Having fun playing!

We left Tucson a couple of days later to go help get Mom's house clean for her arrival. Cody, Luther and I all worked very hard cleaning, dusting and arranging things for her return. Penny was working but we had fun hanging out at their house at night and laughing till we cried.

Snuggling!

Yo quiero taco bell!

Yummy!

Good Stuff!

Uncle Shusher captured the heart of our little Emma. They read, snuggled and played the days away! The last day we were there she just clung to him and hugged his neck.

Uncle Shusher and Emma!

Best Buds!!

He is soooo funny!!!

The Stapleton Saga! The good, the bad and the ugly! Part one!

On April 4, 2011 I woke up and called my mother as I always do. There was no answer and I just knew something was wrong. Later that day I got a phone call from my father that Mom had got up that morning and was purple and fell she was taken by ambulance to the emergency room and was being taken care of. I hung up terrified and burst into tears. I called many people to ask them to pray and they all were so sweet to comfort and support me. I thank God for Christian friends and family who not only prayed for us but upheld us during this time.

I prayed all afternoon and by that evening Mom had to be taken by ambulance to Tucson Medical Center and was put on a ventilator and was in the ICU. I longed to be there to see my Mother and help my Father and Brother. I kept getting updates and didn't sleep a wink that night. While waiting outside a huge storm brewed and the wind and rain swept through our neighborhood bringing tornado watches and flash floods. I sat huddled next to my strong, warm husband and he shielded me from the storm on the inside and out.

The next morning the updates were not great and I felt a pressing urgency to get to Arizona. I talked to many people that day all who had the same burden for me. Luther worked the next day and I packed what usually takes me a week to get together. As I waited for Luther to get off work I received so many calls, prayers and encouragement. A dear friend from church had gathered some cash and a dvd player with all kinds of Disney movies. It made me feel so loved and taken care of and I can not tell you how much my church family means to me.

We traveled along and spent our first night in Knoxville Tennessee. The next day felt like we were walking in quick sand. The boys had to use the restroom more than usual and the lines to everything were super long. I was talking to a friend on the cell phone when a man in a mini van pulled up and pointed down at our tires. We got off at the next exit and sure enough our tire was completely flat. Luther tried three cans of fix a flat and a patch kit but to no avail. We were in a tiny town in Arkansas and blessed that there was a place very close to where we were. We made it just before they closed! After 17 long hours in the van we finally made it to Dumas Texas. We met Aunt Beth and Bob for breakfast at Albert's. It was so good to see them and spend time talking and getting caught up. I hated to leave her embrace and felt the warmth of it through the miles.

We finally arrived in Willcox Arizona that Friday night. We stayed with Cody, Penny and Emma who fixed us a nice pizza dinner. It was so good to see my little redheaded niece. She has grown so much and her Uncle Shusher and Aunt Mimi couldn't take their eyes off her.

I think this is where I will leave the saga for today! Tomorrow I will start on being in Arizona!! Thank you all who prayed, supported, encouraged and upheld us on this journey!