July 31, 2011

 In the history of the date July 31 lots of things went down. History was made on battlefronts, islands were being discovered, records were being set, people were being born, and lives were being lost.
30 BC - Battle of Alexandria: Mark Antony achieves a minor victory over Octavian's forces, but most of his army subsequently deserts, leading to his suicide.
1396 - William Courtenay, Archbishop of Canterbury (b. 1342)
1498 - Christopher Columbus discovers island of Trinidad
1875 - Andrew Johnson, 17th pres, dies in Tennessee at 66
1997 - Ulrich Ernst Simon, theologian, dies at 63
1910 - Chic Cub King Cole no-hits St Louis, 4-0 in a 7 inning game


Today, for our family marks a day that we have lost one of the worlds greatest men, in our hearts. Frank John Krezel Sr was one of a kind. As I think back of fond memories of my grandpa I can't help but have joy in my heart in the midst of such sadness. I remember playing in his backyard while he sat on his cubs lawn chair listening to the only am radio station that broadcasted polka music. I remember him playing his accordian and all of us dancing around. I remember his wheaties and warm milk for breakfast. How he used to buy boxed ice cream and transfer it to a tupperware. How he would always make sure that we would have a family reunion with all the Krezels and at that the reunions ALWAYS video record it. He would get in your face while you were eating or chatting and say really loudly "HOW YA DOIN?" I remember playing yahtzee on saturday nights eating pizza and he would yell really loud "YAHTZEE" every time he shook the dice. I remember the scruff on his face and how he would constantly torture the grandkids with it by rubbing his face all over ours. I remember going to mass on sunday morning and he would be the only man wearing a light up bow tie to church! With that same bow tie he came from Arizona to Georgia for my high school graduation and shouted out "GO CUBS" when I walked across the stage to get my diploma. I remember the love that he and grandma had for eachother, the bedtime kiss ritual of "Goodnight"-kiss-"Sleep tight"-kiss-"Sweet Dreams"-kiss-"I Love You"-kiss, and how even as a child I thought it was sweet that they almost has a song the sang to eachother ever night. Grandpa was a man that was deeply in love with his family, his children, his grandchildren, and his cubbies! It was hard to be around him and not feel joyful about life. He is probably the only 80 year old man that if you google him you will find him on facebook and twitter! He loved working on the computer and learning new things. He always tried to capture every moment with a camera or video. I choose to believe this is where I learned my love for capturing wonderful moments. So to the man that lived life to the fullest, taught us how to be a family, how to take care of family, how to love your family, to remember to keep in touch whatever the cost whatever it takes, Grandpa we will see you in heaven. I hope that when you entered heaven you and Jesus were able to rejoice together at what a wonderful life you lived. With tears pouring out as I write, I am so thankful to the Lord that I was blessed to be a part of such a beautiful life. I love you grandpa.

An update...

There has been so much going on here lately. Some really hard life stuff and some wonderful things.
The Hard:
-Change to a new city for me has been really difficult. I never new how many wonderful friends I had until I moved away. At the same time I never realized how many people that I would lose in my life moving just 3 and a half hours away and  how difficult it would be to make new friends.
-There have been many changes at Davon's job and ministry and it has not been what we had envisioned it being. (But we make our own plans, and God does too:)
-We had planned on living in my parents basement for 3 months and last week in marked a full year that we have been living here, and it doesnt seem that we are getting out any time soon.
-I have not been able to do much ministry because I have two youngins and we live so far from the church.
-I have seen lots of my friends and family and people around me hurting, and there is not a lot of happiness surrounding me.
-My only grandfather had a stroke at the beginning of this month and has not been well, found out today that he only has a few days at most. He is the only grandfather I have every known, growing up I spent every other weekend at he and grandmas. He made us laugh, took care of us, taught us how to be passionate about things, and showed us the comfort of knowing your spouse and after 60+ years lovin her still the same.
I of course am leaving out a lot of details, but its important to me that i not focus on the bad because there is a lot of good!
The Good:
-Davon has a flexible schedule and although some days he can work for 14 hours straight, some days he can go into work late and I wake up to two little boys screaming and laughing and chasing daddy around the house.
-The ability to continue to be a stay at home mom. Finances are still very tight, but enough that I can stay home and play all day:)
-My relationship with the Lord is strengthening, I am hearing more from Him daily and growing with Him. I am reading more, praying more, learning more than ever. Lack of friendships has been hard, but Jesus has been my sustainer and I see the light at the end of the tunnel now:)!
-My kiddos! They are more wonderful then ever. They stretch me, but encourage me every day. From Jay's "Can I tell you a secret Mommy, You are the most beautiful, best Mommy in the whole world, even the city" (Not sure where he got the idea that a city is bigger than the world, but its so cute to me:) to Miles sassy attitude. Daily conversations with Miles go something like this...Me in a firm tone: Miles what is going on? Miles: "Saying NO to him, Jayson, hit his face." Meaning, basically, he was saying no to Jay and Jay wouldnt stop, so he hit him in the face. ....So great. Needless to say I am reading two parenting books now and trying to figure out how to raise this little fireball. He now completes my sentences Me: "Miles, I will..." Miles: "SPANK A BOTTOM" and then he laughs and laughs:) Oh Lord, help me!