I'm Back....

Okay, so I am not so consistent with this little guy.  Sorry about that.  I attempt to get pictures of Abby Kate up as often as possible on her blog but this one seems to fall by the wayside.  I have things I want to post, I just get caught up...right now in the wonderfulness that is summer.  I am willing the sun to come out today.  I just want to hang out in our backyard in our swimsuits.  I just love these lazy days!  I told Bobby last night that for the first time in SO long, I am loving EVERY aspect of what I am doing.  

So in terms of what we have been up to...

My sweet Granny passed away a week ago.  I have so much I want to say about it and the words are jumbled and moving quickly though my mind.  It was the first grandparent I have lost.  And I am 30.  Pretty incredible huh?

What a lady.  We found out on Friday and B and I through together our things and headed out.  On Saturday, we went to my Grandad's.  He in normally a stoic man, dear, but not demonstrative.  To see him so broken, so sad, truly about swept me under.  They had been married for 67 years, retired for 33.  They sat daily in matching recliners spending their days together.  The void was too much for him I think.  And my Granny was such a Proverbs 31 woman.  Quiet, gentle, with a genuine servant's heart.  She was the very best cook on earth.  My Aunt told me over that weekend that my Granny would take 2 vacation weeks a year.  One to feed the hay hands on the week they baled hay and the other to can.  It so reminds me of the scripture,  "15 She gets up while it is still dark; she provides food for her family and portions for her servant girls." Can you imagine us modern women doing that?  

So we spent a weekend on their farm on the hill, just being together.  I will say, though it was so hard and sad, it was one of the sweetest weekends I can remember.  On Monday night, the night before the funeral, we had all finally gotten there.  We spent our night outside, the kids throwing rocks in the pond just as we had done when we were children, and the rest of us just delighted in one another's company.  All I could think about is how much it would have filled my Granny's cup.  She loved for us all to be together.  Why do we wait?

So in memory of my Granny, here is Proverbs 31 in its entirety.  This woman is who I strive to be.  My Granny personified her.  

A Wife of Noble Character

 10 ^[b]Who can find a virtuous and capable wife?
      She is more precious than rubies.
 11 Her husband can trust her,
      and she will greatly enrich his life.
 12 She brings him good, not harm,
      all the days of her life.

 13 She finds wool and flax
      and busily spins it.
 14 She is like a merchant’s ship,
      bringing her food from afar.
 15 She gets up before dawn to prepare breakfast for her household
      and plan the day’s work for her servant girls.

 16 She goes to inspect a field and buys it;
      with her earnings she plants a vineyard.
 17 She is energetic and strong,
      a hard worker.
 18 She makes sure her dealings are profitable;
      her lamp burns late into the night.

 19 Her hands are busy spinning thread,
      her fingers twisting fiber.
 20 She extends a helping hand to the poor
      and opens her arms to the needy.
 21 She has no fear of winter for her household,
      for everyone has warm^[c] clothes.

 22 She makes her own bedspreads.
      She dresses in fine linen and purple gowns.
 23 Her husband is well known at the city gates,
      where he sits with the other civic leaders.
 24 She makes belted linen garments
      and sashes to sell to the merchants.

 25 She is clothed with strength and dignity,
      and she laughs without fear of the future.
 26 When she speaks, her words are wise,
      and she gives instructions with kindness.
 27 She carefully watches everything in her household
      and suffers nothing from laziness.

 28 Her children stand and bless her.
      Her husband praises her:
 29 “There are many virtuous and capable women in the world,
      but you surpass them all!”

 30 Charm is deceptive, and beauty does not last;
      but a woman who fears the Lord will be greatly praised.
 31 Reward her for all she has done.
      Let her deeds publicly declare her praise.