Our Neighbors

I received a gift today. The gift of friendship and hospitality. Our neighbors across the street, Tom and Bobbi Nordstrom, or Papa Tom and Miss Bobbi as the kids call them, are truly a gift from God. From the moment we moved in they were there for us. They are a wonderful couple filled with God's love. They love our kids as if they were their own grandkids and take care of Matt and me like they do their own kids. It's a perfect set up because our kids don't have grandparents close by and their own grandkids are far away, too. Today Tom, who is a contractor, came over to fix our leaky shower. We wanted to pay him because he has been having a hard time finding work lately but he wouldn't let us. "It's all under the Lord," he said to me. And as he was saying goodbye to the kids (with lots of hugs and God bless you's), he saw a little pink shoe and said it reminded him of one of his poems. He was working on this book of poems when we first moved in and he finally got it published. He asked if we had a copy yet and when we said no, he said whoever had shoes on should go over to his house and get one. Well, I had shoes on for once. I hate wearing shoes but I happened to have them on today. So I went across the street. We went into the house and Tom told me to sit a while. So I sat on the couch and chatted with Bobbi while Tom got the book and signed it. I immediately looked for the pink sandal poem and read it. It was the sweetest poem ever! They told me to sit back and relax. Stay for a while. Would you like something to drink? Tom brought a foot stool and a blanket for me. They tucked me in and told me to stay as long as I wanted. Bobbi moved a stack of stuff from the couch and said if I wanted to, I could lie down and take a nap. Tom left to do some work and Bobbi continued her housework. I sat on the couch and read Tom's poems. I sat there with no one demanding anything from me. My heart felt so full. These wonderful people are a perfect example of the true Christian spirit. They live to serve others because Christ wants them to. Wants us all to. They are not judgemental, they do not complain. They are having a hard time financially right now and might lose their house. But still they give, give, give. God bless you, Tom and Bobbi. And thank you for your example of how to be a Servant for Christ's sake. We love you!!

My first attempt

So I finally did it. I have been thinking about starting a blog for a while now but never got around to it. And I discovered why. It's not because I have 12 kids and don't have much free time, although that did contribute to it. No, it's because I was afraid and full of pride. In two directions. First, what if no one reads it because no one cares enough? Well, I had to come to the realization that I'm not doing this for others. I'm doing this for me. To help me clear my thoughts, remember the days when my kids are with me, capture moments I know I will forget (probably by next week because my memory is so bad). Second is, what if people DO read this? My inner thoughts will be exposed, people will realize that I'm not clever or funny or wise. God forbid people should know the real old boring, ordinary me! What if people critique me? Well, again, I'm doing this for me. And I could use some lessons on dealing with criticisms. I've always been bad about that.

So, I will blog. It won't be the most fantastic blog out there or the most interesting or the wisest. It will be mostly about my children and my husband because they are my life. And I am ok with that. I love being a mom and a wife. That is what I know, so that is what I will write about. So if anyone is reading this, thank you and welcome to my life!

So, that being said, let the fun begin!