Name:
Location: MICHIGAN, United States

Thank you for stopping by. It's my hope you find glimpses of my Savior interwoven thru my writings. I am the wife to one husband for over 25 years, a blessed mama to a dozen children, yes each born from me ~ two of which see Jesus face to face & ten at home, all of us yearning to see Jesus someday. We have been home educating for over 18 years with . . . well, another 15 years to go (the youngest is 3, the oldest 23!) I have walked through rejection, to continually learning I am CALLED, LOVED and forever KEPT by God - never, ever to be rejected by Jesus! (Jude 1:1) I've walked through deep sorrow to find that joy does come again, though the night may be long; I've witnessed God orchestrating miracles with my children still beyond my comprehension, & I am seeing new love forming as we begin a new road of older children finding life mates. My life has and is a journey, from the deepest, almost rock bottom pit, to stumbling through my faith and looking towards the ultimate climax of everlasting life in heaven. Will you be joining me here and there? ~ Loni

Saturday, April 09, 2005

Stephen is 18 - Our Busy Birthday Weekend!

It's been a busy couple of days! Our oldest child/son turned 18 yesterday, April 8th. It's hard to believe that I am a mom of an "adult" 18 year old "child". (Make sense?!?!?) Thursday night we went to Norm's parents (Noni & Papa) and had a wonderful home cooked dinner. Norm's mom always goes the extra mile when she makes a dinner - with lots of side dishes and several desserts to pick from.

Stephen opening present at grandparents.

The little ones had fun outside in Noni & Papa's playhouse and running all around and finding Noni's candy treats! :) It was a special time with them, but then again, we got that lump in our throats - Matthew would have had so much fun and would have LOVED all the food. Norm's parents have a small pool table and other games in their basement and Matthew always loved being competitive with his brothers with that. The kids mentioned that on the way home, how they had fun, but it was "different". But, we keep moving forward, making new memories.

Friday was Stephen's birthday. He still had to work at the horse stable in the morning. The little ones were SO excited for Stephen to get home. Melody (5) was carrying her stack of cards she made for him, and in tears at one point cuz she set them down "somewhere" and couldn't find them. After being located, she walked around again, and when Stephen got home she followed him outside and in the house until he would finally would look at it. He was a good brother and made a very big deal out of it! It worked out neat that our church had a "movie night" and we went to that in the evening.

This evening, Saturday, several of the kids from our church gave Stephen and his best friend, Ryan, who is 2 days younger, a surprise birthday party. (They have been friends since little babies & have grown up together). It was actually kept quiet even by our kids and they were totally surprised. Many times we get together with Ryan's family for the boy's birthdays, so this was not out of the norm, and we met at a restaurant, where there was quite a group and afterwards went bowling. The neat thing with the kids that our kids are with at church, is that even though they may call it a "youth group" it's the families and parents very involved in it. We went bowling with them, and the kids did not act at all like we were in the way, and really enjoyed themselves, having a good time. There was cake and little presents and the bowling alley even gave Stephen & Ryan a bowling pin with their names and birthday on it, and a gift certificate for some free bowling.


Stephen (forefront) & Ryan as 9 month old babies & Stephen (left) & Ryan at 18!

So, it's been a busy few days, little reminders of things being different, yet, still moving forward. I got Stephen's scrapbook photo album all updated and there's so many pictures of him and Matthew together. That's when that pang comes back a little harder for awhile.

We are very thankful for the 18 years God has blessed Stephen with and even more thankful that he spared him death in the accident in January. Yesterday there was another accident at that same exact intersection and 2 out of 3 people involved were killed. Stephen seems to be making good choices, involvd several Bible studies, has been a good testimony to kids in his automotive class, and keeps himself busy with some project (mainly cars & trucks). He's got good Christian friends and desires to be a godly man. Oh, he still gets some rebuking at times, but we have a LOT to be thankful for. He adores his little sisters especially and gives them a lot of attention.

So on to another week - another week of several dentist and ortho appointments. Jayson is still having major problems with his jaw since the accident, locking up for hours at a time. Some decisions further decisions will probably have to be made regarding this. Above all we would like to avoid jaw surgery. However the next step may be braces, and it will be a matter of convincing the automotive insurance that this is for his jaw and not a cosmetic "want".

And I cannot forget another highlight of the day! Jessica, Benjamin & Heather went fishing down the street from us at a stream. They love to do this. Benjamin caught 15 fish and Jessica caught her first one! She was pretty delighted!

30 Comments:

Blogger Jeff H said...

Loni, you and Norm have obviously done a fantastic job raising Jayson. You're to be commended. And a fine, strapping lad he is!

And remember, the new memories you're making now won't cover up any of Matthew; instead, they'll all add to the growing body of family history of God's grace and love made manifest in your lives, individually and collectively.

And glad to see you let the girls fish... :-)

4/10/2005 12:21 PM  
Blogger Luke's Mom said...

Hi Loni,

Wish Stephen a belated Happy Birthday from our family. I know what you mean about not feeling old enough to have a 18 year old. It's hard for me to believe that Daniel is going to be 20 this summer.

Thank for sharing the pictures with us it's so good to see them. I continue to lift up your family in prayer.

Love in Christ,
Sue

4/12/2005 1:18 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Thinking of you and keeping you in my prayers, Loni - as well as your husband and children. May God hold you safe and content under His Wings.

4/12/2005 4:54 PM  
Blogger Teena said...

Happy Birthday Stephen. Thanks for sharing with us~ also, tell Jessica I love the picture!!!


still praying and lifting you up.

in Him,
Teena
mom to 1/2 dozen

4/14/2005 10:47 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Good day I am so thrilled I found your blog page,
I really found you by error, while I was looking on Askjeeve for something else, Nonetheless I
am here now and would just like to say many thanks for a marvelous post and a all round thrilling blog (I also love the
theme/design), I don't have time to look over it all at the moment but I have bookmarked it and also included your RSS feeds, so when I have time I will be back to read more, Please do keep up the awesome job.

Also visit my web page place to buy twitter

6/12/2013 3:13 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Excellent post. I was checking constantly this blog and
I'm impressed! Extremely useful information specifically the last part :) I care for such information much. I was seeking this certain info for a long time. Thank you and best of luck.

Also visit my website buy twitter

6/12/2013 5:14 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Hey there! Someone in my Facebook group shared this website with us so I came to take
a look. I'm definitely loving the information. I'm book-marking and
will be tweeting this to my followers! Wonderful blog and superb style and design.


Here is my page :: twitter followers free

6/12/2013 5:24 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Thank you, I have recently been looking for information approximately
this topic for a long time and yours is the greatest I've found out so far. But, what concerning the conclusion? Are you sure concerning the source?

Check out my page - place to buy twitter

6/12/2013 5:25 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Normally I don't learn post on blogs, but I would like to say that this write-up very compelled me to take a look at and do it! Your writing taste has been amazed me. Thank you, quite great post.

Here is my web-site ... twitter followers free

6/12/2013 5:53 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Ahaa, its nice discussion regarding this post at this
place at this weblog, I have read all that, so at this time me
also commenting here.

Look into my homepage - twitter followers free

6/12/2013 7:19 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Thanks for one's marvelous posting! I genuinely enjoyed reading it, you happen to be a great author. I will ensure that I bookmark your blog and may come back in the foreseeable future. I want to encourage continue your great posts, have a nice morning!

Also visit my homepage - buy twitter

6/12/2013 7:23 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

You can certainly see your expertise in the article you write.
The arena hopes for even more passionate writers like you who are not
afraid to mention how they believe. All the time go after your heart.


Also visit my blog place to buy twitter

6/12/2013 9:21 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Post writing is also a fun, if you be familiar with after that you can write
otherwise it is complex to write.

Review my web page - twitter followers free

6/12/2013 12:39 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

This piece of writing is genuinely a pleasant one
it helps new internet viewers, who are wishing in favor of blogging.


Feel free to visit my page place to buy twitter

6/12/2013 12:53 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

This design is incredible! You certainly know how to keep a reader
entertained. Between your wit and your videos, I was almost moved to start my own blog (well, almost.
..HaHa!) Fantastic job. I really enjoyed what you had to say,
and more than that, how you presented it. Too cool!

my weblog - twitter followers free

6/12/2013 1:19 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I enjoy reading through a post that can make people
think. Also, thank you for allowing for me to comment!



Feel free to visit my web blog - twitter followers free

6/12/2013 1:58 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Wow, this article is nice, my younger sister is analyzing such things, thus
I am going to inform her.

My web blog - twitter followers free

6/12/2013 4:22 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

continuously i used to read smaller posts which as well clear
their motive, and that is also happening with this article which I am reading
at this place.

Feel free to surf to my web blog twitter

6/12/2013 4:34 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

These are truly wonderful ideas in regarding blogging. You have touched some
fastidious things here. Any way keep up wrinting.

Look into my website: twitter followers free

6/12/2013 5:25 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I think the admin of this site is actually working hard for his web page,
as here every information is quality based information.

Also visit my site; place to buy twitter

6/12/2013 7:28 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I do agree with all of the concepts you have introduced on your post.

They're very convincing and can certainly work. Still, the posts are too quick for beginners. Could you please lengthen them a little from next time? Thank you for the post.

Check out my homepage; buy twitter

6/12/2013 7:41 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Hi, I do think this is an excellent website. I stumbledupon it ;) I am going to
return yet again since i have book marked it.
Money and freedom is the best way to change, may you be rich and continue
to help others.

Look into my webpage; buy twitter

6/12/2013 10:55 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Hey there! This post could not be written any better! Reading this post reminds me
of my previous room mate! He always kept talking about this.
I will forward this post to him. Pretty sure he will
have a good read. Thanks for sharing!

Check out my blog: place to buy twitter

6/13/2013 1:08 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I'm curious to find out what blog system you are working with? I'm
experiencing some minor security issues with my latest site and I would like to find something more safe.
Do you have any solutions?

Here is my site: place to buy twitter

6/13/2013 1:35 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Hello there! I just would like to offer you a big thumbs up for the great info you have got here on this post.
I am coming back to your site for more soon.


Look into my web page buy twitter

6/13/2013 3:17 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I pay a quick visit each day some web sites and websites to read posts, except this web site provides quality based posts.


my weblog ... twitter followers free

6/13/2013 9:22 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Hello there! I just would like to give you a huge thumbs
up for your great info you've got here on this post. I will be returning to your blog for more soon.

Here is my blog post - twitter followers free

6/17/2013 7:04 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

It is in point of fact a nice and useful piece of information.
I'm happy that you just shared this helpful info with us. Please stay us informed like this. Thank you for sharing.

Here is my page: twitter followers free

6/17/2013 9:17 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Way cool! Some extremely valid points! I appreciate you penning this
post plus the rest of the site is also very good.

Feel free to visit my blog post - place to buy twitter

6/17/2013 12:47 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

You really make it seem so easy with your presentation but I find this matter to be really something that I think I would never understand.
It seems too complicated and very broad for me. I'm looking forward for your next post, I will try to get the hang of it!

Take a look at my web site :: buy twitter

6/17/2013 2:30 PM  

Post a Comment

Subscribe to Post Comments [Atom]

<< Home