Eden's Weekly Shout-Out

I have received great feedback from the Shout-Out, so here is this weeks.

1) SEARS and the fact that they carry the Land's End line. If you are near one, the summer clothes are discounted up to 80%. Great buys for next year.

2) My sis who had "the talk..birds & bees" with her kids. It was put out there with such honesty and gusto that they got the point without embarrassment or being grossed out

3) The hint of Fall in the air. I can now begin to enjoy the start of the season. Nothing like football games, cocoa, change of leaves, and listening to Autumn in New England.

4) My nephew Trey and his patience while Trav helped him with his Algebra. I'm not known for my math skills.

5) Prayers go out to all of the residents who may be affected by Hurricane Gustav.

Until next week...love ya!

The Machine Behind The Republican Party

Guess who was at Rosemary Beach? Ethan, Livi & Suzann had the honor of meeting Mr. Rove & his wife while at the beach. They were very gracious and even mailed autographed photos to them. They have become the braintrust behind the Ragin' Rove Machine. James Carville will be ringin' at any time.

Matt Man

Dear Matt Man,
This post is for you! It's been seven months since your surgery. I can't believe it has has been so long ago...it seems like yesterday. I know how you love it when I get sappy, so I will try and refrain from doing so. I just wanted to let you know just how proud I am of you and your entire family. My sis is a very lucky gal! You are an incredible husband to my sis, a father to your kids, an uncle to your nieces and nephews in addition to being a great friend. You have taken on the physical and psychological adversities and triumphed. Seven months ago we didn't know where life would take our family, but we truly were blessed by God. A miracle happened. One that could have only been performed by Christ. So, here's to you Matt! May your heart continue to heal both physically and emotionally. We Love You!

"Eden, don't waffle blog me!"

My sister was upset with me that I "waffle blogged" this week. I took this as I had a lot going on in my life, but I did not provide updated information on my posts. Stories, but many holes. So here it goes...

1). Jack's nose is healing nicely. The store is making us sign all of these legal releases and they have given us a nice gift certificate so he can purchase a few light bulbs and 2x4's. Really, you must have to loose an arm before they really blink an eye.
2). We aren't going to the IRL race this weekend(boo hoo) because Trav just got a call that he has to be in Germany by Monday. (grrrr....)
3). McCain picked Palin. 'nuff said..yippeee!
4). Continued prayers for my friend AML as she has surgery next week and for my oldest niece and her family.
5). School bus finally found us. Boys enjoying new school year. Now to get he sheriff out to clock the old farts who drive 40+mph in a 25.
Happy holiday weekend, my friends!

"Someone will call you this evening, Mrs. Perry"

"I know better, I know better, I know better". This is the mantra I repeated as we pulled put of the local home improvement store. Here's the story. Sarah and ran errands this am while the boys were at school. Here is the rundown: McDonalds, Kmart, Target, Hobby Lobby, Superwash Car Wash, Starbucks and Sears. By the time we got home I was spent and she was asleep. When the boys got home I just HAD to go to the home improvement store. Let me just tell you that the Perry kids never do well in these stores. We damage tractors, hide behind fridges, spank bottoms with the paint stirrers, etc. I know better! As I turned around to bribe the little miss with some candy, I heard a loud crash followed by a scream. There the oldest in the fam stood holding his bloody nose with a marble vanity top at his feet. They were horsing around admiring their grins in the mirrors when they leaned in a little too far. Employees came rushing from every which way in fear of what they would find. There we stood, Sis screaming for more candy, Clay commenting that they should have used stronger glue and Jack hyperventilating. I stood paralyzed with sweaty armpits and no bra or makeup looking like an irresponsible mother. After taking down our information to file an accident report, the manager said they would be calling. How can you tell if a little one has a broken nose?? Trav is out of town and the thought of the four of us at an urgent care in downtown Toledo doesn't sound like fun. "I know better" is now "never again!"

See No Evil, Hear No Evil, Speak No Evil!

I usually refrain from discussing politics in my post, hence my post title! I think I am going to have to be heavily sedated during the next few months leading up to the election. Momma is going to lose it!

Clay's Off To Kindergarten!

Second Grade..oh yeah!

Eden's Weekly Shout-Out

1) To the store Hobby Lobby, a shout-out goes to you. I was there this weekend and im always in awe at the plethora of home decor items. Thanks to Trav for watching the kids(never go with..chaotic nightmare)They are closed Sundays(like my fave place The Chick) and I walked around aimlessly wishing I could sew while looking at the great fabrics and humming How Great Thou Art.

2) Fall soccer season starts tomorrow. Practice for both boys..oh, boy. Dropped more money for new cleats, shin guards, etc. I feel like I am being nickle and dimed everywhere I turn. Grateful for the volunteer coaches..I couldn't do it.

3) My nephew Ethan who just started middle school and is going to start playing the sax. I'm thankful he isn't in my home practicing. My niece Emmy, too. Four goals in her soccer game. Way to go!

4) My lovely neighbor Barb who invited me to the Stone Oak Garden Club meeting last week. I was the youngest lady there by far, but they were all so kind. They commented what a great gardener the former owner of our home was..lol..just wait. The only thing that I can seem to grow is mold in the toilets.

Until next week's shout-out..XOXO

"You Can't Say That in Public"

Clay has had this bizarre fascination with anything Chinese. All of his "friends" are Chinese and he told me yesterday he wished he was Chinese. We're not sure where the fascination came from, but he even said that the "Ohio Chinese people" would be nicer than the "North Carolina Chinese people". While we are trying to teach him to be a little pc, you can't help but laugh at him sometimes. This was until I heard him laughing at Sarah in the office. As I approached the door, I realized that he was up to no good teaching her all sorts of things. I looked in to see her mimic him in song and dance..."Chinese, Japanese, slap my knees, look at these!"(to which she lifted her dress and said, "my pecs momma, my pecs.") Blessings go out to his kindergarten teacher, Miss Carlin.

School's Starting..I'm Turning to my Books.

With the start of school looming right around the corner, I wanted to share a wonderful book that I received at my former church in Mooresville. I received it as a Mothers Brunch(Alyssa was with me). It has been a great resource to turn to when I am struggling to find the right words to pray for my kids. As a mom of three little ones, my heart begins to quicken its pace when I think about them going back to school. Out of the safe haven of my arms and back into the lions den. This book has taught me how to pray specifically for my childrens faith, character, safety, friendships and future. May God bless each and every one of your children as they begin their school year.
Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of Heaven belongs to such as these." -Matthew 19:14

We're Going to be Rockin' Out!

I just got tickets for my friend Cheryl and I to see MercyMe in September. I'm a little excited..woo hoo! If you have never heard anything from them(shame,shame)you really need to check them out. They are a great band that uses their talents to praise our Lord!
"To make Christ the center of attention and lead those who will follow to the throne room through Worship" -MercyMe

This One Goes Out to My Friend

** Cheryl, you are so worthy of my daily post. God had truly blessed me with you. Thank you for all you have done for me.

Top 10 Reasons Why I Love my friend Cheryl

1) She was the first person to make me feel welcome to this new town
2) She had taught me all about bulgar and miso & attempts recipes with me
3) She makes me get out of the house when I'm down(the zoo today!)
4) Her wonderful husband and three great kids
5) Misery loves company..."just how are those jeans going to fit this Fall?"
6) She listens to me rant and rave & tells me its going to be okay
7) She is brilliant & beautiful both inside and out
8) She introduced me to new places in Toledo. Monettes, Claudia's & Westgate Chapel
9) She has a passion and love for Christ...my praying partner
10) Just because...hee, hee!

Hurry, Strip the Wallpaper!

There is a show on HGTV called Movin' Up. It is where former owners of a home return after they have sold and moved out to see what the new homeowners have done. Most of the comments are filled with sarcasm and insults, rarely liking the house in its new condition. I think it just goes to show that were are very territorial and loyal to the things that we work so hard to make our own. Our homes become somewhat like another appendage. A reflection of who we are. Since Trav and I have been married, we have lived in four different homes. Recently on my trip back to M'ville I stayed right across the street from my old house. "Why don't they ever open the front door..the blinds," I wondered. I sat on the front porch at night trying to catch a glimpse of what the new owners had done. When a light turned on, I noticed they did change the wall color and some fixtures. I began to become angry, "what was wrong with the way I had it?" I bring this up because the former owners of our current home are coming into town in September and have requested a tour of the house. This has sent me into panic mode as I try to "fix" what I have done and undone. I spent the better part of yesterday painting Sarah's bathroom(she helped, ugh). Gone is the wallpaper that lined every single wall of the house. Gone are the crystal droplets from the Baldwin Brass chandeliers. Gone are the fake silks and grape vines she left me on top of the kitchen bulkhead. The parlor where they kept their Faberge eggs and gold gilded furniture is now home to an office where bills and newspapers are piled up along with a spilled yogurt stain on the armchair. This being said, I am calming down about the whole tour. This house is now our home. Home where my family lives. I hope they see it as that..a gift from them to us to continue the tradition of Movin'Up.

I'd Like to Thank the Academy, and Matt!

***This post is a copy of an email I received from my oldest sis. It made me laugh..she is almost as funny as me!

This is probably the first and last time I will ever be on a billboard in China or anywhere for that matter…! I thought you would enjoy this.

So the story goes that Marc-Michaels has never considered me a significant “player” in that I have never had a professional photo taken of me as the other management members have. Then China called and said they needed a photo of me, so they hired a guy to come in a take a photo of me on the day of Matt’s surgery in the lobby. What makes it even better is minutes before the guy called me down for the photo, I received a phone call telling me that Matt had come out of surgery and things were grim, bad, really bad, never to get better… I burst into tears, hysterics, and sobs.

The result? A once in a lifetime chance to have your photo (tear-stained makeup, nerdy photo of yourself with your name misspelled) on a billboard half way around the world in China. Cost? Millions!

…Remembering to never take yourself too seriously and being blessed to have Matt alive and healthy? Priceless!

I love you Matt!


Cameron J. Zentz

Director, Business Development

Longtime Friends

What is a true friend? I think I witnessed this last weekend when my parents had old friends over for dinner. Who are these people you may ask. Well, they are old friends who lived in our neighborhood when I was growing up. I spent so many days in their homes, in their yards, in their lives. They get together only a couple times a year, but the amazing thing is, it is as if time stood still. They have watched each others children grow up, get married, move away, have babies of their own. They have witnessed the tragedies of life with the passing of a grandchild or spouse. Yet, there seems to be a common bond, one of which I think is missing from our lives today. We don't reach out to those around us. We just give a wave to the neighbor as they pull in their driveway. We stay indoors in the comfort of our homes not needing the social network of those living closest to us. It is sad in a way..our lack of connectedness to others. This is why I long for relationships with those who I am physically closest to. So neighbors, if I run up to give you a hug and engage you in conversation, just go with it. I long to have the bond that I have witnessed from a earlier generation. A bond of true friends.

Eden's Weekly Shout-Out

I'm introducing a weekly post that will give a shout-out to a variety of people & places that I have come in contact with that I have enjoyed. You might find yourself mentioned here.....
1) My old college roommate Amy E Ritt..... She recently emailed me to say she reads the blog daily. She gave me a ride to class every morning & could make me laugh..God bless her. Now she is married with two adorable kids who have the best names(Jack & Kate).
2) My friend Amy Jo who I have known forever. She recently joined a company that places au pairs with families. So, if you are in the Indy area and are interested, please let me know.
3) Deb, the McDonalds employee who brought us our correct order the other day. She had tattoos in places I never knew you could tattoo. After bringing me processed foods, she invited me to church. What a great testament to God reminding me that we are all his children.
4) The teachers and staff at Crissey Elementary in Holland, OH. Next week they will open their doors to many kids, including my own. A great school that not only focuses on academics, but also character traits.

Dollywood or Hollywood??

Don't laugh(sarah r)! We visited the land of fried bologna, super-sized souvenir mugs and folks who end their sentences with prepositions. Guess what....we actually had a good time! Trav and I laughed the entire time as the kids remained oblivious to their surroundings. It actually is a great family themed park. On the trolley back to the resort, the kids asked, "who is this Dolly girl"?????

Riverstone Resort

Take Me Out To The Ballgame.....

We were called "brave" and "crazy" by other fans, but we succeeded in taking the three kids to the Tigers game. We thought we were just a normal American family having fun at a game. Despite a rain delay, we all had a great time. We ate hot dogs and chips, drank soda and cheered the Tigers on to a win over the A's.

Time to Unplug

Tonight we are off to Detroit to see the Tigers play and then we leave bright and early for our little family getaway. Is a vacation ever that relaxing? Between packing for the drive, clothes, misc, I feel like a zombie. I really don't enjoy the process, but the excitement in the kids eyes keeps me going. I think I am going to go "unplugged" this week. No cell phone & no computer(no blog). All the little distractions that have made our lives more convenient have also taken away from quality time with our family and friends. I look forward to a week of not having to keep up to date. Try that Obama, as you go on vacation to Hawaii. We're off to the mountains(a newbie for us). Have a wonderful week, my friends. See you back in blog world soon.

A Beautiful Post About Grace

In the wake of coming into contact with so many families whose children have passed away, I felt compelled to share a post of a mother whose blog I read daily. I knew of precious Lucy and her parents prior to the tragedy that occurred. It is in Molly's words that as a mother myself, I find such beauty and comfort. I share her post from earlier in the week. If you would like to check out her story, it is at jacksonparkcity.blogspot.com ...May you find God's grace in the many blessings of this life. The post in the words of Molly Jackson.

"I love the word Grace and all that it implies. Elegance. Beauty. Favor. Goodwill. Mercy. And the freely given, unmerited favor and love of God.

Two people have used this word a lot in conversations with me. One of them is my dear friend Anna Evensen, and the other is my therapist. Anna believes Vic and I have been handling things with so much grace. I don't know if I agree with her, but I love hearing her say that word. As a dancer, this word holds heavy meaning for me. Combined with my faith in God, the word grace speaks loudly to me with thick description. When I tell my therapist stories of emails we've received, miracles that have happened, support we are given, she just looks at me and says, "Grace." She is not a member of my faith.

I went to Girls Camp yesterday. I was loved and hugged by beautiful Young Women from my ward and branch. I cried. I felt the spirit. I thought about Lucy. I went on a walk with the Young Women's president. We spoke of life, struggles, homosexuality, miscarriages, marriage, and the church. I loved every second of being with her. I could be myself. I could be honest. I could cry and question and laugh. It was what I needed and it was a gift of grace from my Heavenly Father.

When I got in my car to drive home, I sobbed. Someone who has lost a child is always on the verge of tears. It is right there beneath the surface. Like a baby chick anxious to burst from its shell; it waits for the right quiet moment to show itself. I am laughing, and it is there. I am running, and it is there. I am dancing and it is there. And eventually it pours out. I called my sister, I prayed, I drove in silence and thought. And when I turned onto my road, there was another gift of grace. A rainbow. The end of the rainbow lay directly over the fire station in the spot of grass where Lucy's body laid on May 18th. The spot where angels awaited ushering her into heaven. The spot where I prayed harder and more fervently than ever before in my life. The spot where paramedics and friends tried effortlessly to revive Lucy and to comfort me. It was right there. Beautiful and bright. I stopped the car and took a picture. I said a prayer of thanks. I breathed deeply for just a second. Grace.

I haven't stopped crying for very long since then. Sleep didn't come easily last night. I fell into a restless nap this morning and had my first dream about Lucy. In it, she appeared in my doorway. She peeked her head around the door frame with a smile that said, "Come and get me mom!" I was tired and didn't want to get up, but I did. I chased her down the hallway, following her bouncing curls and scooped her into my arms. I tickled her and laughed with her and was enveloped in complete joy. I remember thinking, "Why don't I do this more? Why don't I play with her and make her laugh and enjoy her more? It makes me happy. She is RIGHT HERE." And then she was gone. And I was awake in my bed. Alone. I know what the dream was telling me, it is the same message I got while wake boarding last week. Lucy wants me to get up. She wants me to live my life. But it is not easy. And it is especially not easy for me today. But the dream was a gift of Grace."

Grace:
-the influence or spirit of God operating in humans to regenerate or strengthen them.
-to lend or add grace to
-to favor or honor
-moral strength: the grace to perform a duty.
-mercy; clemency; pardon: an act of grace
-a manifestation of favor, esp. by a superior



Posted by Miss Molly at 12:46 PM 18 Loving Lines