One Whole Month

Today is a new day...a month ago today, we buried my Dad. I can't believe it was such a short time ago, seriously! Oh, Dad, I miss you. I miss knowing that when I go home next, you'll be there, if even for me to just sit with and hold your hand. Oh, but when I think of your current Home...fully in the presence of the Lord, enjoying Him and knowing True Forgiveness and Love, I am so excited for you! Praise Jesus for His life and His death that has made the forever possible!

Superbowl (not) Bound

And later, after the birthday party Saturday for my dad and uncle...

We're ready....GO, PACK, GO!!!!!💚💛💚💛

Guest Author Post: My Nephew, Richie

"Grandparents are an inspiration to us all. I am blessed to have one of the most adventurous men I've ever known as a grandfather. When I was a kid we (myself and my brothers, Ralph and Ryan) were always on the run. From Niagara Falls to Mammoth Cave, the Grand Canyon to Cumberland Gap: the backseat of a Chevrolet Corsica is a fantastic place to see half of the United States.

It wasn't always the times we were with him that he was seeing the world. The stories I've heard from... before my birth are even more incredible. Indy (as my wife, Stacy, referred to him for a while in homage to a famous fictional archaeologist) has climbed mountains and stared down bears as well as hitchhiked across the US to stowaway on a ship to get to the Sydney Olympics.

My own insatiable thirst for knowledge started in his house when I was a child, reading the encyclopedia as opposed to stories.

Each year he celebrates my birthday by calling and saying "Beware the Ides of March." Now, on his 86th birthday he fights everyday to make it to the next and I'm so thankful to have him around. He has shown me so much of what it means to be a good person, a scholar, and a man. Thank you for everything, Hunter Goin. We all (Velma, Rebekah, Tim, Sarah, Nicole, Noah, Ralph, and Ryan) love you and wish you the best on your birthday!"

Remembering...as I think ahead...

Twenty years ago this night, I was in North Myrtle Beach having the most life-changing summer of my life.  I loved everything--well, nearly everything--about that summer.  Amy, Anne, and Tanya were the best roommates I could have hoped for, and God clearly chose them for me.

When the staff left, the project got even better, something that was rather surprising to me.  I didn't think it could possibly get better....it was already so wonderful.  But our staff did leave, and they left to join the masses out here...in Ft. Collins...long before I knew that I would be among the masses just two years later.  I would be on staff...and 20 years after that summer, would still be coming to CSU for our staff conference...but with my family in tow.  My children would remember Ft. Collins as a huge part of their growing-up years.  My heart would be challenged, refreshed, and renewed over the years here.

And here I sit again...the night before the masses, the quiet before the storm...full of gratitude for Your very good gifts--friends, talent, opportunities, love, You....the list goes on, and this summer again, I have been blessed beyond measure.

Thank you, Jesus.  You are worthy of my life.  Now. Still. Always.

Gotcha, Neil!

Nine years ago today, our precious Neil was placed in our arms...it will forever be one of the most wonderful moments of my life. I can't believe it's been so long ago...Neil, I love you forever and ever, no matter what! You are ours, and we are yours. Have an awesome GOTCHA day!

Throwback

In high school, we were inseparable.  This weekend, we got to have lunch together, our favorite tradition--breadsticks at Noble Roman's!

Even after all these years, Sasha knows me well, and my heart was full after our quick and sentimental hangout.

I never get tired of our memories, Sash...I will forever be so, so, so thankful for our friendship.  Love you, Be Frie!

The Chalkboard Legacy

This month on Facebook, I posted this picture of Tom standing in front of a double-sided chalkboard that we were trying to give away.  We were successful, and said chalkboard now has a new home where four fabulous little people can enjoy it for years to come!

The day after I posted it, Hoffbeast's sister commented and asked if that was the chalkboard that used to be at their parents' house.  Indeed, it was!  I actually had forgotten that fact, but it was a fun memory...knowing that my husband and his siblings had used it, our kids had used it, and now another family was going to have the joy of drawing and writing and scribbling all over the thing!

That thing is sturdy!  It's lasted for half a century....not bad for a chalkboard!

Go, Pack, Go!

It was a weekend of football! Yesterday, our big boys got to go to their first Packer game with Daddy...they had a wonderful time (sort of redundant--Lambeau=fun!) and made some great memories! And the Packers won!!! Go, Pack!

40 Days (Day 18)

When thinking of things for which I am thankful, a million memories flood my mind.  In a flash.

Memories from our years here…

…from our time in Louisville…

…from my days in Orlando…

…from Miami…

…from high school.

Stop.

High school….

There is no way I can think of my high school years without thinking of Sasha, my best friend.  "Sasha and Sarah" were words that were said together, almost synonymously, often and quickly, so that they came out more like "soshensare".  I wouldn't want to begin to imagine my days at CNHS without Sasha…our friendship went from casual to best during the summer before high school, and we never looked back.  I love you, Sasha, and I am SO thankful for you!

This year, during the week of my birthday, Sasha posted several of our favorite pictures…I smile when I recall...

 …graduation.  We look so young!  (We were!)

 …senior year spring break in Pensacola.  We had a blast during this week and made a ton of memories.  This picture makes me laugh because I remember how we were trying to keep straight faces while it was taken.  I had opened the magazine to the ad with the shirtless man on it so that he would be in the picture with it, even though we were both just reading.  We thought that was really funny then.  :)

 The moped picture.  Classic.  This thing took us everywhere around town and represented such freedom for me and Sasha.  I don't have many pictures with my moped, so I'm so glad that Sasha's mom thought to take this one.  (Never mind the fact that all these years later, I look like I'm a piece out of the 80s while Sash looks timeless.)

 Not sure where this one was taken, but we sure were feeling dramatic!

This picture was taken on my 18th birthday…22 years ago now!  Mom almost always made a cut-out cake for me, this one of a flower cart, and now I make cut-out cakes for my kids!

Years of memories, and a friendship that continues to this day.  Love you, Sash!

From my heart...

Last year on this day, I experienced one of the absolute best moments of my life......when the ultrasound tech said, "Looks like there are two babies in there!" I smile now as I remember it......laughter and tears in that moment displaying the great JOY overflowing from my heart. Today, I am remembering with love and that same great joy the baby I carried along with his brother, Boaz......I miss you so much, Jonathan! You just have Heaven before we do....but we'll see you soon. Mixed with the joy, of course, is the great sadness that will only be undone in the end by the One who holds every tear. I have cried much these last few days, and today I am enjoying a reflective and quiet day at home surrounded by Christmas music, my thoughts, and my sweet baby Bo. May God be always praised in my every joy and every sadness....He reigns as King, and yet He entered our pain-stained world. Thank you, baby Jesus, for growing up, dying for me, understanding my grief, and making a way for the ashes to be traded for beauty.

June in Photo Review

This is something I have thought of at the end of every month.  For years now.

I should do an end-of-month photo review, since somehow I never seem to get all the photos up and stories recorded that I want to on here.

But so far, I haven't done it.  Until now.

With my track record, I'm guessing that I won't get it done next month, so my perfect record pretty much stands only, well, now, but I'm celebrating anyway!  I would love to think that, come July 31, I'll be doing the same and starting a tradition, but considering the fact that I'll probably be highly sleep deprived and still recovering from surgery, enjoying every moment with our new little one by then, I kinda doubt it.

So, without further ado, June 2013 in photo review...

The month started with me, Rex, and Beth visiting my hometown for my nieces' high school graduation.  Both my sister's daughter and brother's step-daughter were graduating from my alma mater, so it was such fun to be able to be there celebrating with them.

 Week 1--Here is Rex posing with my high school's who-knows-how-old paper mache bulldog.  Tradition is that the cheerleaders wheel the bulldog out to the middle of the basketball court where it sits during pre-game warmup.  Sometimes our mascots would hide inside, and once we had wheeled them out, they would appear from inside the dog.  I can't believe it's still there, but I love it!

 My parents before the start of graduation.

 Rex and Beth post-pomp and circumstance.  Yes, this is my high school gym...it was great being back there, reliving my own graduation from however-many years ago.

 My niece, Nicole, posing with her cake and balloons in pretty much the exact same spot that her mom, Uncle Tim, and I did when we graduated.  :)  Congratulations, Nic!

 I made sure to bring Tim a kringle from Racine this time...he loves them, and this is the only way I can keep him from consuming the communal ones that I bring to share!  Always good to see my brother!

 Almost 30 weeks!  I love sitting on the glider on the front porch at my parents'...it's one of my favorite places in the world.

 Rex, Beth, and I saying goodbye to Grandma...

 Before leaving town, we were able to stop by and see my old friend, Ryan.  Ryan is a writer, and Rex, our wordsmith, enjoyed meeting a real published author!

 Once back at home, we jumped into summer project!  Here is Hoffbeast as he helps welcome the 20 students who are in town for MSPSP13.  I don't have very many pictures of project, since we are not as involved this year, but we are three weeks in, and it's going great!

 Week 2--During the closing soccer weekend of the season, Neil and his teammates got to enjoy the Kicknic, a carnival for all the players and their siblings.  Almost their whole team got painted up as pirates!  Here is Neil and his teammate, K, showing off the Mustangs' new look.

Tom got in on the action, too, exiting the bounce house long enough to pose with a moose from the Wilderness Territory in the Dells.

 Last game of the season...our star player, Neil!  He scored multiple goals in each game this season...love watching him on the field!

 Here he is, trying his hand at goalie.  (I think his coach took him out of the striker position because he was scoring too much!)

 We have had lots of playtime this summer at various parks.  Here are the kids at Lynden Hill, our green space on the next block.  In winter, this makes for a great sledding hill; in summer, it's a rolling hill!

 Our pretty princess, all dolled up for playing at the park!

 This was our last hangout time with Kara before she left for her summer in Colorado!  We love Kara so much!

Week 3--For Bridget's birthday, her sister planned a surprise party at a mini-golf joint.  Here's B with her sister and 6-week-old nephew...

 

Cheryl and Beth golfing it up!

 And here's dinner after.  Bridget's sister, Tang, and I were the only three of the 10 who did not come on our summer project as students.  The other seven girls represented projects for the summers of 2008, 2009, and 2011.  What a legacy!

Week 4--Neil's 8th birthday!  He had "the best day ever" in his words, culminating in a pizza dinner... 

 cake, ice cream, presents, and going to see a movie with his daddy, big brother...

 ...and friend from school, R, who came over for the festivities and got to spend the night after!

 Then, just tonight, another sleepover!  This time Rex and Neil each got to invite a friend over, and we went to a pizza place/fun zone for dinner.  The boys all had a blast!

 And the littles enjoyed it, too!  Here they are in the water room playing with their friends, S and N.

The Frog Hopper was a huge hit!  From left, Neil, Rex, G, and O.  Fun was had by all!

And there you have it....my first ever (though I've thought of it dozens of time now) month-in-photo-review.  I always take a ton of pictures that never make my blog, so I'm glad to get at least a few of them down for the record.  I have so much for which to be thankful, including my amazing children, wonderful husband, and exciting life that God has given us to live.  Thank you, Lord!  Next month, major change comes to the Hoffworld.....so thankful that God goes before us and will be with us through it all.

What stands out about...

...Rex?
Rex is smart, clever, and eager to share stories and jokes and tidbits and facts....all the time!  He still loves his mama and even admitted last night that the song I used to sing to him every night as a baby still soothes him (I still sing it every now and then, and last night, I was playing it on the piano.).  When his attitude is on, we can scuffle for sure.  He is sarcastic and witty with his words--sometimes at the wrong times.  But when it's just us, him and me, it is still wonderful.  I hold his face in my hands and kiss him in all the ways we do--eye kiss, glasses kiss, Aunt Becky kiss, butterfly kiss, chin kiss--and any problems of the day go away.  Last night, we snuggled in my favorite chair under a blanket, and I read a chapter from a book to him--that hardly ever happens anymore, because he always reads for himself--it was wonderful!  All too soon, he will grow up and likely not want that close time with me anymore...I could cry just thinking about that, so I will stop.  I love him so much.

...Neil?
Neil is enthusiastic about everything--playing football with Dad, wrestling with whomever, doing math flashcards, eating...even, on occasion, about doing his chores.  My favorite chore days are when he decides to say, "Oh, that's easy-peasy lemon-squeezy!"  That always goes over better than his more-often favorite line:  "This will take forever!"  We still have lots of discipline/behavior issues with Neil, but in this moment, all I can think of are the good reports I've gotten about him in the last few days--from my friend who took him to a birthday party, from the Saturday night babysitter, from his teacher yesterday:  "Neil is doing an awesome job!"  And last night, as he easily put down 2 full plates of the salad I made for dinner...rarely do I get complaints from him about food--that's nice, as the other 2 English-speakers almost never like what I make.  Neil is my guy, and I tell him so often.  He is strong, sweet, and fast.  And have I mentioned that he is READING??!  I am so happy about how he is doing at school...praise God!

...Beth?
Beth is my precious little girl......oh, my love love!  How I still melt around her!  Ever since Beth was born, it's been hard for me to get enough of her, and it's true--she sort of has me wrapped around her finger.  But what can a mama do?  She's my girl!!  I am so, so proud of Beth right now because....she is now wearing underwear!!  She started going underwear-only on Sunday morning, and so far, so good.  At night, when she needs to go potty, she comes in, tells me, and after we go to the potty, she is rewarded with 5 minutes (or lots of the time, the rest of the night) of snuggling with Mama and Daddy.  She still loves her biki (or "blankie" which she now calls it) but told me the other day that she doesn't need them anymore.  She has two--a pink one and a yellow one--but says that she will save them for her babies that she will have someday (and she rubs her tummy).  I told her that she has to grow up and marry a handsome prince first.  She closes her eyes, raises her arms in a dance-like motion, and asks, "Will my daddy dance with me?!"  I told her that yes, he will.  She and Daddy dance when he puts her to bed and she is wearing one of her "dancing dresses"--one of her two nightgowns.  Beth has a tiny little voice that matches her tiny little frame....such a sweet girl.  (Not to say that she doesn't throw fits here and there--she is three, after all!)

...Tom?
When I close my eyes and think of Tom, all I can see is his huge smile!  He absolutely can light up a room with it!  And that giggle!!!  If you've ever wanted to bottle up a child's giggle--his would be it!  He is strong and brave and fun....and just a wee bit mischievous.  His favorite book--by far--is Llama Llama Misses Mama, and we read it every single day, usually more than once.  But it's come in handy, as I've dropped him off at Bible study and at the nursery at church and have been able to remind him that Mama Llama always comes back.  When we get to that page in the book, he smiles and laughs, and when I step back into his childcare room after being away for awhile, the same smile and laugh is there.  And he runs toward me, arms wide open, just like Llama does.  It is precious!  The mischievous would be funny if it weren't so messy so much of the time--yesterday he locked himself in the bathroom, pulled out half of the Lysol wipes from the container, and "cleaned" the bathroom--and himself!  When we got to him, he was rubbing them all over his face--yuck!  I won't be surprised if there is a rash all over his face today!  But for all his messes and curious behavior, we wouldn't trade him for the world--he is amazing and we are so lucky and blessed that he is OURS!

15 Years

That's how long it's been since I graduated from college.  College.  Where I learned and grew and changed and make great friendships....and began to walk more closely with the Lord.  I loved--LOVED--my time at Miami, and it remains one of the dearest places in the world to my sentimental heart.

So you can see how excited I am that in a strange but wonderful turn of events, my new son is bonded and doing well enough in our family (amazing, actually!) that I am able to be whisked away for a day by my college friends to attend 30 hours of our 15-year college reunion.  I get 2 hours for each year I've been away.  :)

What a blessing......my friend, Melis, is making me come, and I'm so thankful that it's all working out.  Back on an airplane I go--tomorrow morning, early.  Five year ago, Melis and I met up for our 10-year reunion.  We had tried to get a group, but it ended up just us.  It was a wonderful weekend...such a special time to hang out with my old friend.  This year, it's a big group, and as someone who thought until just a couple of days ago that I wasn't going to be able to go, I can't tell you how thrilled I am that there was a ticket provided and that I can go!!!

Miami (and Jamie, Anne, Holly, Missy, Brooke, Andrea, and Melis, of course), here I come!

And then there was morning...a blessed Resurrection Sunday!

Low in the grave he lay, Jesus my Savior,
Waiting the coming day, Jesus my Lord!

Up from the grave he arose!
With a mighty triumph o'er his foes,
He arose a victor from the dark domain,
And he lives forever, with his saints to reign.
He arose! He arose! Hallelujah, Christ arose!

Vainly they watch his bed, Jesus my Savior,
Vainly they seal the dead, Jesus my Lord.

Up from the grave he arose!
With a mighty triumph o'er his foes,
He arose a victor from the dark domain,
And he lives forever, with his saints to reign.
He arose! He arose! Hallelujah, Christ arose!

Death cannot keep its prey, Jesus my Savior;
He tore the bars away, Jesus my Lord.

Up from the grave he arose!
With a mighty triumph o'er his foes,
He arose a victor from the dark domain,
And he lives forever, with his saints to reign.
He arose! He arose! Hallelujah, Christ arose!

(Music and lyrics by Robert Lowry)

Eleven

Stayed up late.
Early morning.
My favorite kind of overcast day.
Orange juice, bagels, and lots of pampering with my girls.
Stopped at DQ on the way to the church for a lime star.
Makeup.
The dress...my dress.
Mom helping with the veil.
The walk down the aisle, alone with my groom.
Pictures with him, pictures with friends, pictures with family...lots of pictures.
And lots of wind.
The wait.  The moments before the two became one.
The humorous trip to the bathroom.
Trena made sure I looked good.
Daddy seemed nervous. 
Shout to the Lord in the sanctuary while we waited in the back.
The beautiful pipe organ said it was time.
The second walk, again in slow motion, this time surrounded by witnesses.
The charge.  The vows.  The rings.
Willing the unity candle to stay lit.  It did.
The song, and the sun broke through.
Great Is Your Faithfulness.
The celebration.
Greeting our guests.
Bubbles and rose petals.
More pictures, just us.  Just us.
The reception, the cake, the groom's cake, the friends.  The really good food.
The second leaving, this time to sparklers.
The Little Brown Truck.  Again.
My tired feet.
Shut the door.

That is how it went, just eleven short years ago.

I love you, Jeffrey.  Then, now, and always.  Happy anniversary.