October is here!

October has arrived! When I think of October my sister comes to mind. My sister, Robyn, is three years younger than me. She lives in California and always will. The reason I think of Robyn when October rolls around is her BIRTHDAY is October 31st. She took many many jokes about being born on that day growing up. Not by me, but usually by boys.

We are very different. She is a blue eyed blond. I am a brunette with brown eyes. She is skinny, I am pleasantly round. She is almost a loner. I am a people person. She is smart. I am a dreamer. She is a career woman. I am a domestic engineer. I bake and cook and sew. That's a 'no go' for Robyn. She is like my Mom. I am like my Dad. She has a fast hot convertible. I drive a mini van. She has one son and two step sons. I have six kids. She likes pink. I like red. She exercises everyday at the gym. I go for a walk once in awhile. She has lots of people under her with her job, she's the boss. I am married to the boss.

We are different. Yet, I love her. She knew me as a kid. She came to see me when I lived in Germany. She is my sister. We are linked...even if at times we wonder. So as I set my pumpkin out by my front door during October, I smile. I dream a little and I smile. Different is good!

Happy Birthday Robert Davis!

Today is my oldest son's Birthday! 39 years ago today (just 13 minutes ago) I gave birth to a little bouncing baby boy in Augsburg, Germany!

How thrilled his Dad and I were to be through with labor and see his sweet face. My hubby was in the Army Security Agency with the Army and had taken two weeks leave to be there for the delivery. The day leave was over, I went into labor. Dave reported back and said "I have to leave as Sherry is in labor!!"

It was worth all the pain to receive the blessing of our new baby boy. Robert Davis McCurley. My father's first name, Dave's and his Dad's middle and last name. He was named after his daddy, and both Grandfathers. Back then one did not go home right away. He was delivered in a Field Hospital with no luxuries. I was in a ward with 11 other new Moms who thought nursing was not the way to go. I alone chose to nurse my new baby!

I was to go to a 'meal room' and get my own food, take the baby back and forth to the nursery and care for my own needs. As I look back I am so reminded of God's presence and grace to this very naive new Mommy. I thank God for the very large nurse who took pity on me and helped me sooo very much. She came to my bed, whipped the curtain closed (trying to figure it out with 11 non nursing women giving me the evil eye was intimidating) undid my gown and showed me the art of nursing a new baby in 5 minutes. He caught on and the rest is history.

Our new baby had jaundice and was to stay in the hospital with me being sent home after 3 days. I began to cry......really cry. My Doctor came to discharge me as I continued to cry. "What is wrong??" I don't want to leave my new son!!!!! They won't let me nurse him! (Back then, they gave water to jaundice babies and formula. No nursing.) He quickly said, "You do NOT have to go home, I say you can stay until the baby is ready--and that is that." Wow, was I thrilled! So Rob and I stayed a full week in the Field Hospital and went home together!

How marvelous are God's ways. Higher, much higher than our ways. I thank HIM so much for being with me those many years ago. He provided just what I needed, what my new baby needed and more blessings than we could of ever imagined! As I think back, I see the hand of God moving through the years and always, always giving grace to this very undeserving Mother.

Thank you Lord for Robert Davis and all the tremendous ways you have worked. I am one very blessed Mom and I know it......so grateful you bestow such love and grace on this undeserved girl!

Delighting in Jesus today, Sherry Lynette

Song for a Rainy Day~

Our family was discussing 'songs' last week as we sat around. I love children's songs and have so many rattling around in my head. I started singing this one.....Dave was the only one who remembered it. I couldn't believe it! I sang this song with everyone of my kids! Go figure!

~Jesus Wants me for a Sunbeam~

Jesus wants me for a sunbeam,
To shine for Him each day;
In every way try to please Him,
At home, at school, at play.

A sunbeam, a sunbeam,
Jesus wants me for a sunbeam;
A sunbeam, a sunbeam,
I'll be a sunbeam for Him.

Jesus wants me to be loving,
And kind to all I see;
Showing how pleasant and happy
His little one can be.

A sunbeam, a sunbeam,
Jesus wants me for a sunbeam;
A sunbeam, a sunbeam,
I'll be a sunbeam for Him.

I will ask Jesus to help me,
To keep my heart from sin;
Ever reflecting His goodness,
And always shine for Him.

A sunbeam, a sunbeam,
Jesus wants me for a sunbeam;
A sunbeam, a sunbeam,
I'll be a sunbeam for Him.

I'll be a sunbeam for Jesus;
I can if I but try;
Serving Him moment by moment,
Then live with Him on high.

A sunbeam, a sunbeam,
Jesus wants me for a sunbeam;
A sunbeam, a sunbeam,

I'll be a sunbeam for Him.

A very nice song for a rainy day, don't you agree?

So my kids think I'm nuts, I don't care....

Singing here ~

Lynette

Random Thought Friday

~ Everyone is sayin' it snowed. NOT on our street! The Lord heard my prayers because I prayed for no snow ~ he loves me whether it snowed or not ~ smile!

~Spent time daydreaming this week.

~ONE more day and my hubby and Caleb return with the other 12 men from Mexico and ministering to the Indians there and the Church in Chihuahua. They ARE hard workers! My heart has been in Mexico all week!

~Hannah has made coffee for me everyday this week (early) without me ever asking her too. AND done lots of other things I won't tell about except we haven't starved! Hannah is our resident 'suzy homemaker' ~ Kudos to Hannah!

~Cleaning out two closets today ~ drizzly and damp day! Must put on some loud upbeat music to get me started and motivated.

~This was a cold rainy week ~ yet SPRING is coming I know! Our yard needs lots of TLC, raking, raking and cleaning up. Glad I still like to rake!

~We have only run the dishwasher once all week. We usually run it once a day. What does this mean? Either Dave and Caleb use a lot of mugs and glasses or Mom hasn't been cooking---which do you think is true?

~Only three loads of laundry all week for us girls. We now know where all the laundry comes from--tee hee!

~I have not heard once this week "do we have to watch ESPN again?".

~Never realized before that my honey or Caleb always always do the "all doors locked" routine late at night. AND turning down the heat to 56 degrees at bedtime. Bekah took over these jobs this week. She forgot the heat last night.

~ I forgot to go to Giant by Thursday and get chicken breasts on sale for $1.99 pound. I usually buy 10 pounds to last til it goes on again! Oh my! Hope it goes on sale somewhere soon around here. Bekah is not the only one who forgets!

~You are thinking "so what did you do all week Sherry?" Well, I logged in miles of walking around our house looking at things here in the house and thinking 'how many more days?' Oh, and I attacked all the dust bunnies in the corners and high on the walls. You see them when you walk around and 'daydream'.

~Not much book reading going on by me this week---unusual but then I have gotten a great deal of 'daydreaming' done. What does this say about me?

Signing off to attack the closets so I can tell my hubby I had a productive week!

God is good ~ hope daydreaming is okay with him, Sherry

March Madness~

March Madness is a fun time at our house. Lots of good food, lots of iced tea, soda and pop corn.

We are a real 'basketball' family. All my guys played basketball, including my hubby's varsity days at Canoga Park High School, where we both attended. I am sure it all began back in 1962 when Dave played for Poly in Baltimore Maryland. He was 14 years old.

I learned early that I better either learn to love basketball or I would lose out on all the fun, discussion and happy times together. I learned most of the rules, which teams 'we' root for and who the great coaches were.

I loved Rec Basketball games with all our boys. I yelled and clapped and cheered. Bekah played Rec ball too. She learned the rules, having learned how to dribble from her brothers before she was three. "Wow....look at that little girl dribble", people would say. Hannah, my youngest plays varsity girls basketball still. Her sister is COACH and her brother is the Assistant Coach. My hubby is Coach for the guys Varsity team here. Like I said, we are a basketball family.

March Madness is a special time of year for us. We do 'brackets'. We know who is winning. My son Caleb flips on the remote so we can 'watch' more than one game at a time. I do sometimes go downstairs for a bit to prepare snacks during Maryland/Duke games because it gets intense. All in fun. During those games, I laughingly remind them that God is sovereign in 'who wins' tonight too!

Our enjoyment for basketball shows. That is good.

I am glad I have come to enjoy March Madness too.

Cheer-leader here, Lynette

Men......

I love this picture! There are 2 thousand words in this picture!

This is Caleb talking to his nephew Joschua, who is two. Caleb loves little people. He loves babies, he loves toddlers. He loves kids. You can see it in his face. Can't you just see how Joschua responds to his Uncle?

HE knows Caleb loves him.

He loves Caleb too.

They love each other.

I love it!

This one gets framed soon!

Loving my men, Lynette

Lorelei ~ January FUN!

Joschua is 'proud big brother' ~ so cute!

I love this picture of her, so sweet!

Lorelei was here for Hannah's 17th Birthday. Here Nadya is holding her, sitting next to our Birthday girl!

Just finished her bath, 1st one Grandma gave her! Baby delicious smells!

Grandma and Lorelei~

Grandma's having fun, Natascha in rear gathering up Lorelei's laundry!

Sooooo cute bum!

Playing with Mommy~

Mommy and daughter ~ both, sweet as can be!

Aunts and Uncle Baby Love~

Rebekah made the pumpkin Cheese Cake for Thanksgiving...it was so yummy!

Uncle Caleb and Aunt Rebekah with Lorelei Maria~

Auntie Bekah put Lorelei to sleep this time!

I like the skin on the turkey and now my kids do too....NO!

Sweet talking to her new baby neice!

Lorelei's first walk outside....with Aunt Hannah, Mommy and Joschua.

Joschua is so adorable.....he has chocolate on his face, Grandma's chocolate covered raisins!

Auntie Hannah hugs and kisses!

Learning about 'binkies' !

Sweet, sweet, sweet!

Uncle Caleb and Lorelei ~

She's a natural.....has the touch!

Aunt Hannah was able to visit for 10 whole days! Fun!

40th Anniversary ~ Sweet Gift

My side of the bed....she knows I love bubbles!

Dave's side of the bed...he is blowing bubbles that turn into hearts as they flow onto my side of the bed........we love it!

Pillowcases Jeannette embroidered for our 40th Anniversary ~ SO SWEET!

Thank you Jeannette and Rob for thinking of us in such a darling and sweet way~ a daily reminder of our gracious and loving marriage! God is so good, and we are thankful!

Baby Love~

Joyful Grandpa and Grandma with Lorelei!

Joschua, Grandpa and baby Lorelei ~ precious moments!

Mommy Natascha, Daddy Matt Scott, Joschua and Lorelei visiting at the hospital. She had no pain and was actually laughing during the delivery~ she had an epidural! Amazing!

Proud Papa! Loves his Lorelei!

Mommy time with her little guy, Joschua! Sipping on Mommy's juice.

Our little STAR ~ Lorelei Maria!

She looks a lot like Joschua, when he was born ~ he lost all his dark hair and his eyes turned blue ~ we like brown eyes too!

We thank you oh Lord, for YOU are good. We thank you for a safe delivery. We thank you for precious Lorelei Maria and the gift of life. We thank you for YOU are love and you love us so much to give us such tremendous and awesome blessings. Blessed be YOUR NAME!

Faithfully HIS, Sherry Lynette

10 Ways

I love lists. I am a list maker. I have a book of lists. I make lists in my journal. I often make 'to do' lists. I like lists a lot.

I recently came across this short list of "Ten Ways to Love Your Children".

"How Can You Love Your Children Today?"

1. Leave the dishes in the sink and tuck them in bed with a short prayer.

2. Turn your computer off and look at your children.

3. Turn your phone off and listen to your children.

4. Stop what you are doing and go sit by your children.

5. Walk across the rug and hug your children....more than once!

6. Kiss them at the door when they get home. Kiss them at the door as they leave.

7. Never leave an argument without saying "I love you".

8. When they ask you to play with them, say "yes" , instead of "in a minute".

9. Try to understand them; see the world through their eyes. Remember when you were their age.

10. Don't let a day go by without giving them a kind word. (Or two, or three, or four --added by me)

Food for thought, don't you agree?

With a grateful heart ~ Lynette

~ Marriage Monday ~

I love being married to Dave. We are celebrating our 40 years of marriage this year! May 16, 1970 we were married in Canoga Park, California. It was a sunny gorgeous California day. A day girls dream of. It was simple and elegant ~ a Church wedding in the Church I grew up in. All my loved ones were there. My sister was my maid of honor. It was a wonderful day as I married my very best friend in all the world.

Forty years have flown by. Babies born. Many events. We've moved, and moved again. We have traveled, made lifelong friends, served in ministry together, raised a family, and enjoyed our grandchildren.

In May my thoughtful hubby took me to Hilton Head, South Carolina for a week of fun and celebration. It was wonderful and we made so many good memories, riding our bikes, laying on the sand, swimming in the pool, eating out, long walks on the beach. Remembering and reminding each other of sooo many past happy (& sad too) days and moments together. "The best is yet to be", Dave kept saying to me.

On our last day....we hit a bump. Life is like that. Messy and not predictable. I was sad to leave South Carolina and so was he. We loved our week together far from home.

The amazing thing to me came the next day! My honey took me aside and said I have something to tell you Sherry. I have another gift for you. Since this is our 40th year together.......I want to extend our celebration. So I commit to make this year extra special.

And HE has. We are ending week 22 this week. He has written me 5 times a week for 22 weeks ~ long notes. Notes of poetry, notes of remembrances, notes of Scripture, notes of love, notes filled with memories and notes of times of struggles. This is good stuff, hey, this is GREAT STUFF......I am sure it would be a 'best seller' if it was a book.

I have cried. I have laughed. I have been so moved!

I am grateful. I am blessed. Yes, I have written him notes too....not as many.....not even one a week, I am sad to say. He says that is okay. Hey, HE is the real writer in our family!

Dave is right. When you love the LORD, the BEST is yet to come. Do we have 'our moments'? Yes, we do. Yet, God's GRACE is our HOPE.

Thank you Lord for loving me so much to give me such a wonderful husband, one who loves YOU most of all and because of that fact ~ is the love of my life!!!

Thankful to HIM who is faithful, Sherry Lynette

PS. Next week ~ part 2.

Be Affectionate~

We are told over and over again to 'love one another' ! What does that mean? A piece of it means we are to be affectionate. It comes easy to some of us. It comes with work for others of us. Nevertheless we are to express love to those around us. Why? Because we do as our Father does. God is love. He is my Father....I want to be like HIM. Sooooooo............here are some ideas I enjoy~

Kiss your husband in a place that you don't normally kiss him. Perhaps the tip of his ear, his elbow, wherever. And, of course, more than one kiss is good too. Be spontaneous ~ he will love it!

Happiness is like a kiss - it feels best when you give it to someone else. Author Unknown

When your husband is sitting with his back to you, sneak up and give him a kiss on the back of his neck. Just do it!

Now a soft kiss - Aye, by the kiss, I vow an endless bliss. John Keats

Pray for a sense of play, humor and fun in your marriage. Being serious all the time makes everyone a bit cranky, so ask the Lord to infuse your marriage with fun and laughter.

Mirth is God's medicine. Everybody ought to bathe in it. Henry Ward Beecher

Laugh at yourself today, and tomorrow! Tell a joke even if it falls flat. My kids laugh at my flat jokes! Ask the LORD to help you lighten up! Smile more!

There is no remedy for love but to love more. Henry David Thoreau

Hug a child, smile at a teen ager, laugh out loud at something funny, pat an elderly friend on the back. Give yourself away. You will make a difference in life.

Tell your family and friends 'why' you love them ~ think ~ then 'say' it! We are told over and over again in the Bible to 'love one another'.....just do it!

Grateful to be HIS, Lynette

Greenville, South Carolina ~ Part 2

Front of their new Church Building they meet in ~
PopPop and Sammy playing together after Church ~
Happy is what PopPop and Sammy are!!!

What a time of JOY we had. Great preaching of God's WORD! Delicious lunch provided by the Church family. We loved our time with our sisters and brothers in Christ in Greenville!

Greenville, South Carolina

Rob preparing for Church Service~ Sunday
Hug a bunch after service ~
Genna, Sammy and Jeannette playing at the park ~ on Thursday
Thursday at the park....Genna and PopPop
Alex and PopPop ~
Sherry, Genna, Calvin, Tommy, Rob, Sammy, Jeannette & Alex
Hiking at Jones Falls State Park
This picture does not show how BIG the rock Alex is on really is!
Sammy ~ our cutie!

Calvin ~ always on the move!
Genna and MiMi ~ posing...ha
Tommy and Sammy playing on the scooters~ at the park.

We had so much fun in Greenville, South Carolina. We went to see our kids. We went to the State Park, hiking. We sat and chatted. We went to Church at Greenville Presbyterian Church. We enjoyed our family ~ our kids and grandkids. God is so good! I personally wish we lived closer, but that is not the LORD's plan. You see Rob is a Pastor and so is his Dad. HIS way is perfect! I am grateful for our times together! We are so blessed ~ FOREVER!

1st Day of FALL 2010

Well, Summer is over....my favorite season! It was a tremendous, wonderful, exciting summer for our whole family! My girls were able to travel extensively. Mexico, California, North Carolina, New England and Pennsylvania. We all went on a Missions Trip to Mexico together....that was the highlight for me....I loved it, the kids, the people, the Gospel sharing!

Fall or Autumn (as some desire to call it ---same thing) is here to stay. Cool nights, warm days. the coolness has arrived here, although Bekah just told me it is supposed to be 91 degrees here on Friday. Flowers are fading, although my zinnias still look fresh and in the pink. Our mums from last year are budding though not in bloom yet. Our dogs, Emma and Taffy are running around with extra energy when they go out, due to the cooler temperatures. They enjoy the 'crisp air' too. I have NOT put my shorts, flip flops or capri's away yet though. I am hanging in there as long as I can......savoring the last vestiges of summer time on the East Coast. I grew up in California and we always had an Indian summer in October....temps as high as 100 degrees! November always brought the sweaters out back then. I'll be looking for mine next week~

So for the first full Fall day here, Hannah and I took down all the 'Beach' pics and flowers and put out our fall 'fake' flowers, pumpkins and hung our Fall wreaths up. I was a little sad, but not too much. My hubby's favorite color is ORANGE....so I was happy to put lots of orange things out today. Even the small clay pumpkin that says "Always Give Thanks, for Everything" ~ a good reminder to this 'ol summer time girl! Two pots of soup simmering all day on the stove, Tomato and also Turkey Noodle (my families favorite) --homemade of course! Smells like FALL!!

Yes!
Fall
Has
Arrived,
And
I
WILL
Give
THANKS
Always
For
Everything!
Thank YOU Lord for you are GOOD! That turkey soup will taste so good tonight!

With a grateful heart, Lynette

Family Beach Vacation 2010

(Taken just before leaving early due to hurricane Earl!)

Fun at the BEACH!!!

Our family vacation for 2010 was at Nags Head, North Carolina and was a very special celebration as a family and of my Birthday!

We planned, we shopped for groceries, we packed up, we secured things at home like the mail being stopped, we made sure we had lots and lots of sun lotions (from 4 all the way up to 70 ~ we don't like sun burns), we even took 20 beach towels with us!

We are planners. Our family tends to be organized. I guess that comes from having a large family....things don't get done if we don't organize and plan. When we get there though.....we put all the groceries away, everyone makes their bed up, unpack and then we RELAX!!! We know how to relax....

We all love sweet tea, so the pitcher never ran dry. We love water too, so we went through how many cases, I do not know. Matthew & Natascha had their Cherry Dr. Pepper which is hard to find in North Carolina! NOT in PA though ~ and they like to share!

We spent our days on the sand, in the ocean water and in the pool. We took turns cooking ~ we do have great cooks, I must say ~ and Matthew is the Grill Master!

After dinner we had family devotions together. Ask one of my kids to tell you about the 'lie bucket' example Dave demonstrated to everyone about what happens when we lie. We cannot have a relationship with the LORD or others if we are not truthful. Relationships are based on trust and there is NO trust when we lie. So we seek forgiveness if we lie and then purpose to speak the truth even if it hurts.

After devotions, it was game time. We ALL love game time. Our family loves to play games. So the first night we played "Signs".....everyone had so much fun! The next night we played "Four on a Couch" ~ guys against the girls. The girls won and were challenged to another one ~ the guys won! We have the pictures to prove it...ha! I laughed til my side hurt. In fact I laughed so hard everyday! We played "WhoNu", "Life", "Wizard", "Mexican Train" (my favorite), and lots of others too. In fact we never turned the TV on (except Caleb to get his SPORTS updates) and Cartoons for Joschua~

Sunday Night we watched the LightShine DVD together that Chad gave us from Mexico.

Wednesday night we all went to Millers Wharf-front Restaurant for dinner out on Dad; Mom's Birthday Dinner. Yummy Steak and Fish! Love those 'hush puppies'! Back to the Beach house and cake and gifts. WOW! At the end I was presented by Rebekah a "Celebrate Sherry" book. I cried ~ as I read loving birthday greetings and memories! From my family and friends! So many happy happy memories and encouragements! I am over whelmed at the love in that book!

We had great moments together, good food, good fellowship, good fun like playing basketball, riding bikes, riding the waves, eating nachos, swimming in the pool, chatting, telling stories, praying together, eating snacks, and staying up late laughing!

We missed those who were not with us, Nat, Tara, Noe, Jeannette, and Sammy ~ yet our time together was precious. How blessed we are!

We woke up Thursday morning to a mandatory evacuation notice! See, the plans we make are held lightly....because there is Someone who holds all our todays and tomorrows in HIS hands. HE holds our lives in HIS hands. Were we sad?...yes. Yet we were joyful inside because we KNEW HE is in control and HIS plans are always for our good and HIS glory! Thank you LORD for 5 glorious, fun, spirit filled days together ~ we love YOU and we are very glad we are YOURS!!!!

The Ocean~

Rob reading away...Alex, Tommy, Hannah, Genna and Calvin posing for MiMi!!!

Running on the Beach....so fun! Calvin, Tommy, Hannah, Genna and Alex!

The Ocean~

The Shore holds a very special place in my life. I grew up in Southern California, 30 minutes from Malibu Beach. I can remember so many times as a Teen sitting and reading my Bible on the Beach. God spoke to me in special ways .....giving advice, comforting me and giving me HIS priorities, even as a teen.

All these years later, I still enjoy the sea shore so much. I am glad my God created the seas and the beaches of this world. The tides, the sand, the shells, the smells, the sounds, the constancy of the waves....God made it all. HE is unchanging! HE controls the tides. HE has made all the creatures of the sea (yes, the horseshoe crab Hannah and the kids found---alive!) What comfort to know HE holds it all in the palm of HIS hand. AND HE allows us to enjoy it and praise HIM for HIS marvelous works!

As we spend the week at the Beach together we are reminded of the brevity of life. Time marches on and my youngest is a teen. I am passing the love of the shore onto her now. Even MORE, I am enjoying seeing her read her Bible here for herself. What joys! What wonder! How good our GOD is ! HE is the same, yesterday, today and forever ~ still changing lives, still helping us know HIM better! Oh, the wonder of it all and the joy of another year at the SEA SHORE together!