All things family-related. My husband and me, the children we made, the grandbebes that thrill us now. Our whole great big, loud, messy family. Love! *sigh…
Dave’s 50th birthday is March 23. You can tell him HAPPY BIRTHDAY here at the blog or here:dave@daverhoades.com
Pictured: from the family party we had early (we’re out of town right now, when we get home, a bunch of the fam will be out of town – so we had it 8 days ahead of schedule!). Stormie and Elise provided pies at the birthday boy’s request. Steph headed up decor: quotes about writing and books and from his favorite authors (Tara included actual quotes from Dave like, “Who is burning something?” which was usually Tara burning candles in her room. And “Jiggle the handle.”); candles and books, tree branches on which to hang photos of family and the kids with their dad. The kids gave him things like: 50 cans of Diet Pepsi, $50 to Auto Zone, 50 Little Debbies, etc. Tara got a Mexican meal together. The boys arranged a laser tag event. We ate. We sang. We enjoyed pie. We did presents. We played Movie Charades because Dave loves movies! Then we had a fire on the patio and roasted marshmallows. We got to do all of this because David Allen Rhoades was born.
His squinty eyes (that nearly disappear when he smiles).
His brown skin.
His deep dimples.
His pearly white smile.
His black, shiny hair.
His hands.
His broad shoulders.
The way he can coax me out of grumpiness.
All the private jokes we share.
His never-ending movie-knowledge.
He builds.
He paints (art).
He acts.
He sings.
He writes.
He kisses really, really well. He is just such a good kisser.
The foot rubs, omygosh, the foot rubs!…!
He gets me, and I am pretty un-gettable.
He lets me choose the movies I want to watch.
He is not threatened by chick-flicks because he understands the rewards of seeing them with me.
He lets me choose the restaurants I want to go to.
He cooks for me.
He knows when I just cannot face the kitchen and he feeds me food to soothe my soul.
He buys me junk food even when I have sworn off of it and hides it until I really need it.
He stashes candy bars around for emergency chocolate fixes.
He secretly charts my months and knows exactly when to appease me entirely. This is an art!
His hugs, my safe place.
Sleeping snuggled to his arm and shoulder, my other safe place.
The backrubs (though he stinks at back-scratching, I am sorry to say).
He washes my clothes and hangs them before they have a chance to wrinkle!
He organizes my closet – by color!
He plays with my hair while we watch TV.
He threw out that shirt I hated!
He was a we’re-in-this-thing-together kind of dad. He never “babysat” our kids – he daddy’ed them!
He changed as many diapers as I did.
There wasn’t ever, ever: it’s-your-turn-with-the-kids, because it was always all of us together ~ a family.
He loves me.
He loves his family.
He is the most loyal man I have ever known.
He would do anything, lay down anything, pay any amount of money for me or our kids.
When I was pregnant, he never let me vacuum or do laundry. Sometimes we still play that game! Or we play “Queen for the Night” and that is fun, too!
He likes to hear me sing.
He reads all my blogs.
When I was having a total meltdown a few years back, he would quote scriptures over me until I could sleep. He knows hundreds of scriptures. Sometimes that was the only thing that kept me afloat.
He prays for me.
He hears from God on my behalf and speaks into my heart.
Sometimes I will wake up in the middle of the night and hear him praying for our family beside me in bed. Those moments make me love him more.
He is humble. He is sometimes too hard on himself.
He is a finisher.
No matter how hard life gets, he keeps going and…he keeps staying.
Dave turns 50 on March 23. You can tell him HAPPY BIRTHDAY here at the blog, or here: dave@daverhoades.com
Elise Rachelle, my gorgeous, delightful niece (brother Joe’s daughter), moved to Lakewood about a year ago (her family lives in Aberdeen, but she’d been YWAMming for a few years in Hawaii). It has been so good to have her near – clear on the other side of the metro area. She brings a lot of laughter and joy to family gatherings.
Elise rooms with 4 early-twenty-something-college girls. She sent these to give us a look inside. I love her style because it has been influenced by her missions travels around the world to places like Venezuela, Thailand, China, Bangladesh, Mexico and Honduras. Here is her tour in her own words:
This is my corner of the bedroom I share. I love maps and both of these were found at antique/thrift stores. The small flag patches represent all the countries I’ve been to. The ‘night stands’ are cute little benches I bought at a yard sale right after I moved to CO. I was so proud of my purchase that I called my mom telling her what a great deal it was :)
This is our bathroom (below, left). With two people in the room, it’s kind of crowded and leaving the bathroom door open and just having the beads there helps open the room up. Below right: The little tin that I just covered with cool patterned magazine pages. The script reads Pen and Ink… I keep my writing utensils in it :)
This is a make-shift table for extra junk made from two stools with a slab of red painted wood across them. We covered the lower part with a cool piece of scrap material. My roommies bed is on the right. She loves pillows! Her bed is raised and she has a desk underneath it for extra storage.
We have a large open window, so we’ve used the ledge for pictures, and of course the famous Robin Moslander hand-made chalk board. I got mine for Christmas :)…Also in my little corner – I found this little bookshelf thing in our shed. I intend to paint it someday. (please ignore the huge orange extension cord).
The top of the bookshelf with lamps I bought in Thailand. The small mirror bought at Walmart- great for putting on the necklaces hanging from it :) The bulletin/write-on, wipe-off board I found in a trash pile. And the bulletin board up close.
These are just dried flowers still in a vase. They held their color pretty well, so I kept them…This is in our living room. I live with four other girls, so our “decorating” is not really exsistent. However, we own a mannequin named Dorkus.
Our very full bookshelf and a lamp. Our house is older and there isn’t a lot of lighting other than the lamps we have. Our fireplace mantel. A red and yellow flower match our green walls well, and the painting was actually done by Lou (one of the roommates).
These are the pillows on my bed. I love mis-matching patterns. Big lamps help give our room light at night.
From Aunt Jeanie: But what really says Elise? Coffee. Lots and lots of good coffee. When she comes over, there is always a fresh pot on (to go with all those homebaked cookies for which she is so famous). She is a sweetheart. We’ll miss her when she leaves in a couple of months to accept a ministry position at her parents’ church. I don’t think Aberdeen is big enough for the brightness and massiveness of this girl’s smile and giftings, but they are getting her anyway. :{
Thanks for letting us take a peek inside your home-for-now, Elise! I am not a bit surprised at the color and texture and playfulness of it – because that is you!
Dave and I will be joining Mary Jean Powers (www.getthewordout.cc), Dave and Tara Powers, and Joy McInnis in presenting an Intensive called Leaving a Legacy later this month. We are passionate about the importance of family and making sure we leave behind eternal things for our children and their children and the generations to come. In the end, we will all have left our mark. I know I want to have left more than just a recipe for green chile or Swiss Meatballs (which are pretty amazing, I must say). I REALLY want to know I have left landmarks that will point my descendants ever toward Jesus Christ. You’re leaving something…want to make it more purposeful? Here is your official invitation! Also see the get the Word Out! website: www.getthewordout.cc
Leaving a Legacy (for moms, dads, grandparents, guardians, mentors, aunts and uncles or anyone who has influence in the life of a child of any age… )
Date: March 27 – March 29Time: 7pm Friday through 5pm SundayLocation: Holiday Inn Express – Longmont, COCost: $285 per couple or 2 people per room$335 after the MARCH 13 DEADLINE– includes hotel, meals* & materials* Dinner Saturday is on your own
Every day, our families face challenges, which can lead to conflict and dissolution of relationships. We need God’s Word as the standard of Truth in our homes. As parents, grandparents and mentors, we must learn how to share the things the Lord has taught us with the next generation. This Intensive will provide you with a wide range of creative and thought-provoking expressions of your faith.
REGISTRATION INFO
Registration and payment are available online at www.getthewordout.cc To register by phone, please call Mary Jean at 303.678.7286. If you prefer to pay by check or money order, please send to: Get the Word Out / PMB #321 / 1610 Pace Street Unit 900 / Longmont, CO 80501 . An offering for GWO will be taken at the conclusion of the intensive.
This is my 500th blog post! Very cautiously and nervously entering the blog world in November of 2006, I find I can now blather endlessly about the minutia of my life, even sharing my most embarrassing moments in the mix.
But still, I write it for my children and family. That has always been the point. And because my mom likes it. But mostly for my children.
Because between the silly and the mundane, I have also exposed and cast down sin as it has been revealed to me. I have spoken truths almost too unbearable to reveal in the light of day and I have written the things that someday they will look back on and read and see as an altar, a guidepost and landmark – the place where the truth of heaven was spoken and remembered in my life. And it will become for them, eventually, if not now, the wisdom that will keep them on the right path.
“Do not remove the ancient landmark which your fathers have set.” Proverbs 22.28 NKJV
The coolest thing now, though, is realizing a promise of God to me in my lowest hour – that there would also be spiritual children, that I would be increased and multiplied, that I will continue to be vigorous and bear fruit in old age. And true to His promise, my family enlarges (it has even happened through this blog!). My capacity to love is increased.
So, for the children I know and the ones I have yet to meet, I write. And I write.
And I writewhat I have heard, what I have seen with my own eyes, what I have observed, and what I have touched with my own hands in the hopes that these things will be received in the spirit with which they are given and that they will, in some measure increase your joy (1 John 1.1-4). May your joy be ever full!
Graphomaniacally yours…Jeanie/mom
NOTE TO SELF: “It is written…” was even for Jesus, a touchstone of proof, a declaration of the “fixedness of the divine record” to the faithfulness of God. Make my written words nothing less, Lord…
South Broadway for Decade (inspiring, old/vintage and new-I got the best alphabet flash cards I have ever seen there!), and True Love Shoes (great accessories) where the 9 of us just sort of filled every square inch of space. Delicious spinach pizza-by-the-slice at the world-famous Famous Pizza. Elise was heard to exclaim, based on the fact that her teeth remained leafy-green free, “We are so good at eating spinach!” She is gleeful by nature!
We braced ourselves and went into a house in Denver where the “Thriftonista” was liquidating her vintage clothing. We arrived there with the Channel 4 newswoman who taped a segment for the 5 o’clock news about ways people are saving money. That place was packed, due to a notice via e-blast to the Denver fashion-scene types, which includes 2nd daughter, Stephanie. Wall-to-wall people were madly digging through clothes whose year’s I could name between 1964-1989. Some of it was questionable as far as fashion the first time around. Nonetheless, it was a fun run around the memory block for me and Tara’s arms can be seen earnestly flipping through the rack of tightly packed, hung clothing on the news segment. During the interview with the Thriftonista herself, I am visible with my back to the camera as I just mainly try to avoid being stampeded by all the 20-somethings intent on buying my mother’s 1970s wardrobe. We were on TV!
On East Colfax we soaked up Fabric Lab ambience (I really was NOT cool enough to be in there) and then splurged for a couple of coffees, a couple of waters and 12 cupcakes at The Shoppe which set us back more than lunch had. Yikes! Well, you only go around once and we can now say we have had very, very amazingly delicious cupcakes at the trendy hole-in-the-wall cupcake store for 40-some-bucks, nevermind that I could have achieved the same for about $4. That is not an insult to them, nor their not-entirely catchy slogan which is something like: Don’t be a hater, eat a cupcake (?) – it is just that I can make really good cake, when I want to. I am sure if the people at Westword and The Denver Post and all those other places that have given them “Best of” awards had one of mine, well, you know…
Tallulah Jones was defnitely a favorite. We like stores that are full of ideas as well as merch. Mod Living wasn’t the thrill wed hoped and Urban Living’s best part was the cool dog that met us at the door.
Two cars, nine women, all of Denver’s best in one day. Sore legs. Thinking ahead to our next outing…maybe a movie in our jammies? Whew! I am so older than the rest!
LOVE these girls! So blessed!…Jeanie
NOTE TO SELF: Oh, I know-next time I take the girls to MY favorite: Djuna!
Left-to-right: Stefane (my child by other parents), Tredessa (my middle daughter), Elise-the-Niece, Stephanie (my second daughter) at the fundraiser Saturday night.
If they weren’t related to me, I would seriously be trying to figure out how to get to hang around with them! Wish Jen and Sarah had been in this, too. These women were amazing! The night went smoooooooooth!
A mystery, I am insufficiently prepared.
I am awed and afraid, overcome by love and fear.
I bring her home and there she is.
When she cries, I cry.
I wonder: how will I be a mommy to this baby?
I read everything I can and try to meet every expectation.
I follow all the baby rules (which later turn out to have been wrong).
I over-sterilize, overthink, overcompensate for my weakenesses.
I wash and scrub and make organic homemade babyfood.
I try my hardest. I feel alone and inept.
I try not to inflict any permanent damage.
two.
Just when I think I get it, that I’ll be able to do it with ease-
A preemie, born early, struggling to breathe.
I know nothing – again. Her needs are a mystery.
She is so tiny it scares me.
When she cries, I cry and when I cry,
her sister cries.
I don’t know what I am doing,
but we have to find our way.
I dress her in doll clothes and learn
to mommy two.
three babies.
We are getting our groove
when she arrives quietly and easily.
Somehow she gently becomes a part
of our busy lives and we’re learning
to diaper with one hand while stopping
a fall with the other.
Life is frilly dresses and french braids,
a full-sized family.
If you can handle three little-bitties, you can handle anything.
I am getting my sea legs, my mommy-groove.
four.
The boy arrives.
My deep and secret longing fulfilled.
The boy turns our sweet pink world
upside down.
Everything is different with a
baby boy: changing diapers, potty-training,
you name it.
How will I mommy a son?
Whew! I am worn out.
five babies.
The fifth and final is on her way.
The pregnancy goes well. No surprises.
I have been here before.
The labor and delivery are picture-book perfect.
The nurse comes in with a checklist of things
I must demonstrate to her to prove I can care for her
before they will let me take my baby home, things like
nursing her, bathing her, changing her diaper.
I have no strength to posture, but I ask the nurse,
“How many children have you had?”
She signs off on the checklist.
I am learning everyday. I am becoming
an expert in the care and feeding of babies.
How will I mommy these perfect five?
*Sigh.
One adult. Two. Three adults. Four. Five perfect adults and the ones they have married.
And again, I have no idea what I am doing. I feel alone, afraid. When they cry, I cry. I wonder: how will I mommy these adult children?
Tredessa and Stormie are going to kill me for this, but seriously – there is no room for another worship-leader/musician/ministry/missionary guy in the family! What we really need is some one who can work on cars.
Of course, I am kidding. Sort of. But maybe not, really. Because we are just not that great with cars or any sort of weird sound, smell, emission, transmission, filter, fuel pump, guage, heater core, thermostat, alternator or anything connected to any of those things having to do at all with cars or anything closely resembling a car.
So when Stormie and I left for Target earlier today and were barely around the corner before we heard a hissing noise coming out of the vents, there was immediate alarm. PsssssSssssSsssssssssst…
“What is that noise?” Stormie asked with the appropriate concern, you know, because of our lack of car-luck.
I tried to play it down. “Oh, it just sounds like the release of some pressure in the heating unit or something.” Didn’t I sound like I actually knew something?
Stormie: (adjusting the the heater, off, then on) No, I have never heard a sound like that.
Me: (leaning forward to adjust the vent opening and closing, playing it cool; sounds subsides mementarily) Oh, it just sounds like a release of pressure – oh, there it went. It is fine. (I settle back and suddenly the sound gets loud again)
Me: (inside truly believing some majorly important hose has come loose and is shooting in all directions under the hood and probably will be the demise of Stormie’s Corolla, but still needing to make it to Target! Stormie is madly pushing buttons and being very concerned) Oh, hmmm…I don’t know what that is….
The sound is discovered.
Stormie: Wait-what is that smell? Mom-you are stepping on my hair spray!
All I can say is I was wearing my Danskos, made for shopping like a maniac, and I didn’t feel a thing.
We now roll the windows down choking from the aerosal hairspray fumes which are about to overcome us.
We arrive at Target.
Stormie: Mom, you were sitting on my CD.
Me: You need to clean up your car. (I now discover I sound just like my Grandma Hallet used to sound when she was laughing like a banchee with her asthma-hiss. This is no good).
Ok-so in this case, a mechanic was not needed. But for the future…
