Chronos vs Kairos

Summertime is awesome with its wide open schedule, but it’s also a challenge with that lack of structure. This was my first summer in over 20 years that I didn’t work. I have loved having the time to spend as I wish, though I really haven’t used it as productively as I could have. 

Today I was out and about getting several things done for this upcoming school year and chatted with Sally a few times. Time was ticking backward for her and the kids. I was in their neighborhood so I stopped in. We did a spur of the moment trip to get some ice cream. Just what we all needed! Especially after Sally said that getting their mail is like a mini-vacation.  

A podcast I listen to talked about chronos vs kairos time in relation to raising children. Chronos time is actual minutes and kairos time is time that counts for eternity. 

Our trip today to Highland Queen was most definitely kairos

Marmar’s Final Resting Place

Today was a big day. After almost 10 years, Jenny and I finally got my mom’s ashes buried where she wanted them- in Park Hill Cemetery Section C with Pawp, Marcia and also her parents. 

It was quite the stroll down memory lane. Miller Park Zoo. Grandma Hall’s house. The block where Grandpa and Grandma Walter’s house was. 

Rest In Peace, Mom! We love you! 

We made it to 2021

 2020 was quite the year. 

There were so many changes because of the COVID-19 pandemic, changes that will be impacting us all for years to come. It's been challenging on so many levels, but especially so with keeping the brain chemistry positive. 

I have come to realize that I miss blogging and the documentation that it provides me. It's therapeutic to look back and see how God answers prayers and guides my life. 

I am back here and going to see if I remember exactly how to do this. 

I got out my camera last night. It's been much easier to use my phone camera, so I have gotten lazy and relied on that. I put the SD card in my laptop and had fun looking at pictures from 2016-2018. There were some pictures that I remember not liking how I looked or I didn't like that they were not technically well shot. Looking at these pictures now, I love how they captured feelings and moments. 

I am thankful for the technology that allows me to store thousands of pics on a flash drive as opposed the 20+ giant boxes of pictures in the basement. 

I just uploaded these two pictures and I am not sure why the second one isn't in the middle like the first? Oh well, I will work on that!

Abbie, Vivi, Charley, Nina, Ellie and me, 2017

Summer 2019

It's a rainy muggy July morning. I am by myself and it's all quiet in the house. I have an open day with no scheduled appointments or places to be at a certain time. That's a first for this summer!



I started this summer break by having my right hip replaced on 6/14. That was a little over 4 weeks ago and I am improving every day. I think this second hip was a bit harder than the first, but I am not sure if I am just not remembering all the details of the first one. I feel like I am still gimpier than I want to be at this point, but 6 weeks is supposed to be a big turning point. For me, one of the trickiest parts of the whole joint replacement process is not being able to do all that I want to do for myself and others. It is a reminder to pray for those folks who have chronic illnesses/pain. It is not easy to slow down and truly take one day at a time.  On a positive note, it has been nice to have these first six weeks of summer to concentrate on my rehab. I have not been doing private therapy but am going to do evals July 30-Aug 1, with the meetings the next week.

Getting back at it

The last year has been a full one. Lots of things happpening in our lives and not much time to blog. I just revived my mobile app to see if I can get my blogging mojo back. 

Ok, so I remembered how to add pictures!! 

That picture above is of Wayne and Julie’s second child, due Oct 10! So thankful for this new life! Can’t wait to see who it is! 

I am back with joyous news to share!

Life has been busy since last I posted.

Most significantly, we have a new grandson! Griffin Thomas Belter was born 6/10/18 at 5:58am, weighing in at 9 lbs even. 

Griffin is one handsome dude! He looks just like his dad.

Ellie is doing a great job being a big sister. She stayed with us when Griffin was born.

Both Ellie and Vivi were with us the night that Sally went into labor which was so fun!

Here is Griffin's birth story:

Wayne and Julie had a wedding in Cincinnati the weekend of June 8-10 and we offered to have Vivi stay with us.  We made plans to meet Sally, Matt and Ellie at Cosley Zoo in Wheaton late Saturday afternoon(Cosley is a cute little farm more than it is a zoo). When Jack, Vivi and I met up with them at Cosley, Sally said she thought she might be having contractions. We walked around for a while, then Sally decided she should call her doctor. Sally was told to go to the hospital to see what was going on. Jack, Ellie, Vivi and I took off for our house (after a stop at McDonald's to get an ice cream cone that had been promised). After two hours at the hospital, they were going to let Sally leave because it wasn't certain that she was in active labor when all of a sudden, her water broke! This pregnancy, the water-breaking was well-timed! 

It was a bit of a hectic night, but luckily preparations had been made ahead of time. We had an extra pack n play at our house and we had Ellie's overnight bag here (including her beloved Dogga).

We got the girls to bed and then I tossed and turned all night, checking every ten seconds to make sure I didn't miss a call.

At 6:30 Sunday morning, my phone rang and it was Sally! She said "We have a baby and everything is great!" Jack and I listened with great joy as Sally announced "It's a boy!" I cried tears of relief and happiness and thanksgiving for this new life. 

It was a crazy busy morning and afternoon. After Wayne and Julie picked up Vivi, Jack and I took Ellie to meet her new brother. We stayed out in the waiting room so that the four of them could have that time alone together, then got to meet Griffin. 

April Showers

It's April. I have not blogged since February.
I am not sure why I have lost my mojo for blogging.
I have been at it for 8.5 years and man, how much has changed in that time.
I still think it's worthwhile to document the daily events of my life as well as my thoughts and feelings. I think my family will find it interesting (and will hopefully make fun of it!) after I am gone some day in the waaaay distant future.