At a Loss

Our sweet Uncle John went to be with Jesus last week. As I watched rows and rows of people file into vistitation and heard the multitudes speak of the lives he so dearly touched I was overwhelmed at how loved he was...And how blessed we were to call him our family. We will cherish our memories of John for our lifetimes, until we are with him again. I am at a loss of what to say to express how missed he will be, So I will share with you Rainer's words from the service:

"Today we are here to celebrate John’s life, and all the great memories we have of him. It is truly a blessing, and nothing short of miraculous, that he lived for 60 wonderful years. Thank you, all of you, for the part you played in bringing him so much joy and happiness throughout the years.
John was like a thread, woven through many different lives, intertwined with so many people in so many social circles. Throughout various cities, and reaching across several generations, everyone knew John. And John knew everyone.
He loved Alabama football, Texas swimming, his endless schedule of activities, The Park, as he simply put it, his countless friends, his family, and more than anything, his Lord and Savior, Jesus. Growing up with John taught me a lot of things, and shaped me as a person, and as I reflect back on his life, I think of him as a perfect picture of grace.
From the day John was born, he was a gift to this world. To say he was special, while applicable in many regards, would be greatly understating the obvious. He was precious, and in many ways, pure; filled with unconditional and unbridled love that is often times only found in children. He was a child at heart.
While we are saddened by his death, I cannot stand before you today and say that I am discouraged by it. Instead, I am rejoicing that he is Home, in heaven with his momma, and most importantly, his Lord. No longer will his hips hurt from a long night of dancing, nor will his speech be hindered or hard to understand. As Isaiah 40 tells us, “those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” John’s body and mind are fully restored, made new by the One who loved him even more than all of us could collectively.
So as we celebrate John’s life today, and rejoice in his homecoming, some of you might ask what you can do to best remember John, how can you honor his life. My answer to you is simple: Love Jesus. I believe that above all else the gift He would want you all to receive would be eternity in Heaven through a life-giving relationship with Christ. If it were John up here now, he would certainly say “ I take a prayer for you…”
John probably could not grasp the full depth of his own salvation, but there is no doubt that he was an instrument of God. If you knew John, then you saw a glimpse of the mighty love that Christ has for each of us. I pray that knowing John has stirred in you a desire to find the same joy that can only come from experiencing the peace of walking with the Lord. I hope that someday each and every one of you will see him again, and we will all join him, as we dance together for eternity.
We love you John, and we will miss you."

Good for Something

So we had our 3rd Open House a couple of weeks ago. And as all 3 have gone we had an attendance level of a whopping ONE person. BUT, the balloons were good for something providing much entertainment for Ann Edwards! Oh and I should add that the one person who came didn't speak English so I'm just choosing to assume she liked it, even though there was no conversation whatsoever.

Hints of Change

God is so good, and so faithful. Recently we had the most beautiful, pleasant fall-like weather in the midst of crazy, humid Alabama. I was at first just thankful for the breeze, for the hint of change in season. Then, as He always does, God stirred in my heart and led me to a deeper thankfulness for this time. For most of this summer I have craved change, a new season, longing for change in Rainer's health, and in my restless feelings...Then with God's beautiful creativity he used the weather of all things to speak to me through the crisp air, light breezes and the hint of fall to assure me of things to come, that its not yet time for all the changes I crave, but His continued blessings are just around the corner.

Meanwhile during this beautiful weather we spent so much time outside and even had some help finally putting our swing set together. Ann Edwards loves it! Here are some pictures of us enjoying the weather.






Also, I feel the need to say sorry that the blog has gotten so "deep" lately...but I did start this as a look into our journey and sometimes it gets deep. Hang in there, I'll work on being funny another time :)

No News...

Is good news! I've decided to adopt this as my new motto! This summer it seems we've found ourselves in need of patience. Rainer is continuing to heal, but is still feeling the effects of decreased heart function and we are waiting (3 more months now) to confirm that his heart is healed. Our house is still on the market and after several interested couples, we've had no offers. We are anxious to see what house God has in store for our family...and it does seem that our house is actually shrinking everyday. So we find ourselves waiting. Waiting on God's plan...I told Rainer the other day that it seemed that we were in a holding pattern. And just this morning God gently reminded me that I am in a 'holding pattern' of sorts...and that the beauty in that is that I am being HELD by the huge, loving, always faithful Hands of the Father. So, there you have it, God is again working on me, and working in my heart to find contentment and peace in times of uncertainty of Rainer's health, or where we will live. We wait on God's promises for Rainer's health and for His plans for our family...And we look forward to the blessings we are certain He has in store for us....As always I'm reminded that we have much to learn on our Journey.

Oh and I fibbed about the No News part...Ann Edwards is about to be walking! She has taken several steps and is standing on her own! Big stuff! She's also cutting 3 teeth right now!

And, stay tuned for a blog coming on our new nephew Mitchell Kendrick Maedel!

Beach Baby

We spent all of last week in Hilton Head with my extended family. This annual beach trip with them is one of the highlights of my year! I'm continually amazed at the effort we all put forth to get together several times a year, and marvel at the fact that we've done so for over 25 years!!..This is such a special group that loves to be together and share and love on one another! Tradition runs deeply in this family and I'm so glad I was able to bring Ann Edwards in on this special time this year, I only wish Rainer had felt well enough to go! We still can't seem to get EVERYONE together, but considering we span from several states including Missouri, Tennessee, Georgia, Alabama, Florida, and now even have 2 family members in Japan, we do well to get at least 20+ together! We missed those of you that weren't there... And next year I'm hoping for ALL of us to come, then we'll really be the Griswolds!!

Here are some of my favorite pictures from the week... Oh and as you'll see Ann Edwards LOVED the beach, and playing in the water!

I could just gobble up this little face!




Ann Edwards learned to climb stairs while we were there! Here she is climbing in and out of the pool (over and over).


Here she is with my sweet grandmother, "Momdoni"


There aren't many shots that show her 2 teeth and that dimple that makes my heart melt, so I couldn't resist posting this one!




Here is a favorite that my cousin Jason took. He is a great photographer, and you can see his work here


Playing with her Minnie


Us with her Aunt Emily and Uncle Patrick


This just made me laugh, oh that hair!...The only part about the beach she hated was getting sunscreen put on, Here she is tolerating me...


Here are the precious pirates she chased after all week!


The whole gang!

Until Christmas when we can see you again, we'll me missing you all!

Polka Dots and Lollipops..

O' What fun! We had a party & Ann Edwards turned One!!

We had a great time with friends and family for Ann Edwards' First Birthday Party. You view (way too many pictures) on our picture site (yes we are first time parents and like taking pictures of our child...) But here are a few highlights of the party and her special day.




Also, she had a great 1 year appointment. She is still tiny, weighing in at a whopping 16 lbs 8 oz..But hey, thats more than triple her birth weight! She is more precious everyday and showing interest in everything it seems! She says several "words" that mostly we can understand; daddy, mama, dog, baby, bye-bye, hey and she is working on saying Ginger. She makes our hearts melt with her hugs and open mouth kisses and now makes a hilarious frown face thats pretty pitiful actually. These days she loves rocking in her little rocking chair, wagon rides, puzzles, books, dancing and playing on her musical activity table, any dogs! and rolling around on the bed or the sofa like a wild woman. Seriously, you let her up there and its like wrestle mania! She's a busy little one, I have people tell me daily that I'm going to have my hands full...I wonder what they think I do all day now?




We (minus Rainer) are headed to Hilton Head for a week with my whole side of the family, like 20+ people. It should be a blast, I can't wait to see Ann Edwards chasing all her older cousins. I'll take lots of pictures, I'm sure you're worried.

A year ago today...

My sweet baby, my joy, our little bit. How our lives were forever changed when you arrived just a year ago today. I always wanted to be a mama, and the moment God gave me that gift in you I have never been the same. You have forever captured my heart like only a daughter can capture a mother's heart...You have shown me grace and love and taught me more than I can fathom..But you've also been gracious to me on the days, (ok everyday), when I don't always get it right, you still reach for me with your sweet hands and it never ceases to amaze me that you love me... that you crawl and tug at my feet, that you find rest and peace in my arms..That I get to be your mama. What a gift. So, today on your birthday, as I should be giving you a gift, I'm overwhelmed at what all you've given me...Annie, you are so loved, so adored by all of us. Happy Birthday!