Watching the news today.... An elderly man was being interviewed because he had helped a homeless pregnant woman.  When questioned he said that his son had seen the woman wondering around and said "that woman needs to sit down, she can't just keep walking around like that.  She's pregnant."  The men offered her a seat on their porch and from that day forward they continued to take care of her, including feeding her everyday.  When asked why they did this the elderly man said  "Because that's what we do, that's what we do."  

Wow.... Is that what I do?  Would I do that?  Would I be scared?  God made that lady and the baby she is carrying.  She belongs to Him.  Would I allow Him to use me to take care of one of His children?  

I am so thankful for this man and his son who helped this lady and impacted my life.  I am preparing to be available for what and who God sends my way.

40 Years, Helping and Enjoying... each other

Here we are at 40 years. What an adventure. We decided to celebrate with a weekend away and choose the Bavarian Inn in West Virginia. It started with my leaving work at noon and being told by another driver that I had a flat tire.  Dana, showed up at the gas station to check up on me.  He switched cars with me to go check out the tire so it would be ready for me on Monday for work. Isn't he sweet?  Twenty minutes later I get a call that he locked the keys in the car and the car is running.  I took the extra keys over to rescue him. I'm so sweet, right???  That's been our 40 years, helping each other and enjoying it.  Love you Dana Fred Hanna, Sr.

Finding Compassion

After attending Al-anon for over a year, I had to admit that I did not have compassion for my son that was going through a very difficult time.  I just wanted him to STOP IT.

I shared this with another member who told me "Of course you have compassion, you love your son".  I do love my son, but that's not compassion....it's more and I didn't feel it.

Week after week as we read the steps/traditions/ideals and said " Have compassion on those...."   I didn't feel it.  I prayed about it time and time again.  

Then it happened.... I felt it.  I was so sorry for what my son was experiencing.  I was sorry I couldn't help him.  I was sorry that he lost his job, his home, his family.  I was sorry and CARED.  It was heart-changing for me.

He has taught me a lot during this difficult journey he is on.  My compassion is now extended to the greater family.... beyond my three children.  

Lord, Thank You for helping me to care about what others are going through.... especially my child.  

God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change,

Courage to change the things I can,

And wisdom to know the difference.

Meeting with God

I want to meet with God. This week I promised myself that I would try to be still and connect. Monday, I sat quietly for about 15 mins. Prayed.... Tuesday, I decided to try something else. I read Psalm 23, then Psalm 100, then Psalm 139. I re-read the beginning of 139, the verse "He is acquainted with all my ways" choked me up. The God that made the heavens and the earth knows me, is acquainted with my ways. I could feel His presence. He was there with me. Wow...how do you end a time like that. What do I do...close my Bible and say "Thanks, see ya later.."? I went over to the piano and began playing some hymns, praise songs. It was perfect. Thank you God for meeting me. (I'm sure You want to do that everyday and would.... if I gave you the time.)

D.'s first sleepover

All but the two little boys in the Wilson house were very sick. So Poppy and I went to pick them up. We spent the day together playing and having lots of fun with D and C.













By evening, we realized they would be spending the night because things weren't much better at their house. I didn't think it would be a problem for one year old little C., but I wasn't sure how it would go over with D. Three year old's don't like being away from their own bed and "things". When we told him, we were shocked at his positive reaction. After he was ready for bed, Poppy brought him "the candles". The candles are a favorite among the grandchildren. They light when you tap them against anything and the light goes out the same way. He kept turning them off and on... by tapping....tapping.....tapping... When I turned on the overhead light to read his bedtime books, he announced that I could read them by candlelight. It was great fun. I kissed him goodnight and left our little boy in bed with cars, frogs, his Trudy blanket and three candles. He played and played...never left the room and never called me. When it was finally quiet, I went in to check on him; there he was, sound asleep all his toys close by and a candle in his hand. What a fun first sleepover at Grandma and Poppy's....



(Didn't take my chances at a picture of the sleeping one year old, little C)

Finally...

I started the search for new family room furniture December 5, 2008. I'm sure of the date because I found a dated paper that I signed to take home fabric samples the first day of my search. Today, 9+ months later, I finally signed a purchase agreement. I HATE DECISIONS. It is totally different than what I thought I wanted.... it will change the room completely even though furniture will be in the same place. The sales lady that helped me had no idea what she was in for... I HATE TO MAKE DECISIONS. The sofa had to be the right size, be comfortable, be high enough to hold my head and recline if possible. I sat in everything that fit the bill. Had to run home to see the fabric colors with my walls. I HATE DECISIONS. Went back but could not pick the fabric till I picked two chairs because they needed to coordinate. They had to swivel and recline. There was only one chair in the store that was comfortable...that swiveled and reclined. Now..fabric or leather??? I HATE DECISIONS. Which leather...what color? Sofa leather or chairs leather? I HATE DECISIONS. The sofa was bigger than my current sofa, the chairs were bigger than my current chairs. Would they fit? Would the room look really small with bigger furniture in it? I COULDN'T MAKE THE DECISION to just do it. The woman finally moved all the furniture around in the store to help me visualize. She had worked with me for several hours and was not about to lose this sale. While we were filling out the paperwork I kept saying "I hope the room doesn't look too small" "I hope the chairs aren't too dark" "I hope that I am comfortable with kids playing on and around the furniture" She smiled and kept working on the paperwork. Oh well, it's done.

A guy is a guy is a guy....

Today I watched three of the grandkids. The two girls played with baby dolls, dressed them and had fun making up things for them to do.



Our little boy sat in a chair eating potato chips and watching tv.


Our D. is a lot of fun. He enjoys running and playing, but I had to laugh and take these pictures.