It is tough to surprise me anymore.  So, when Pook called me this morning and said, "Mom, why did a helicopter just land in our front yard?"  I took it all in stride.  And I immediately knew that the week would be interesting. 

About ten years ago, we sold a piece of the property to my brother and his family.  We actually have our own little family compound developing!  Anyway, these are real city folks.  My brother and his family are transplants from Chicago to rural Ohio.  All in all, quite a change for them.  They were only here for a few months, when I got a voice mail from my sister in law.  "I don't know what you have done, but they are searching for you or something with helicopters!"  That was followed by another call and message:  I am videotaping the helicopter.  They are close enough that I can see they pilot!"  Followed by a final message:  "I just realized that if I can see them, they can see me!  Just hide, and don't come home!"

My first thought, of course as we had been living here for about 20 years was "Oh, that is the electric company checking the power lines on our property."  I tried to call her to reassure her that this was normal, but could not get through.  I guess she really did take off to hide.

Then the realization hit me, that my sister in law of 20-some years immediately thought I was growing or selling drugs or gun-running or some other highly illegal activity!!!!  REALLY?!?!    Then, I seriously had to laugh, because all I could think of was some crazy scene from one of the Lethal Weapon movies where a helicopter flies over a party and starts shooting up the crowd!!  Believe me, my life is not that exciting or dangerous and I am okay with that.

But anyway, the grandkids got to see the helicopter and have pictures taken with it and we watched it take off with squeals of excitement!!!  The best message I can give you today is to take all your challenges in stride!!  Today's event put a little hitch in our Giddy-up for the week and made us all smile!  Remember God is hoping that you will learn from any challenges you face!  Have a blessed week!

Men will not hesitate to tell you that they cannot figure out how a woman thinks.  The fact of the matter is that the same is true for women.  The male mentality boggles the female mind.

For example, men tend to be very direct.  Sometimes too direct, which therefore makes them insensitive.  They don't understand that, but instead feel that they are cutting right to the chase.  Women drop hints.  For example, "That chair needs to be fixed", rather than "Would you please fix that chair tonight?"  Now, I don't know who the man of the house thinks the hint is being tossed to if it isn't him, but.... more often than not, the chair doesn't get fixed. 

My point in this has to do with raising children.  My new catch phrase to them (even though they are adults, there is still raising to do!) is that I can only genetically override so much.  What you have has come from two gene pools, and although I did my best, sometimes those oddities from their dad sneak through!  There are times I look at my sons, and hear their father's voice.  I hear the odd statements and jokes that he makes, and I shake my head.  In all honestly, sometimes when I talk, I hear my mother's voice.  Many times when my daughter's speak, they use the exact same sentences that I do.  It only gets weird when we say the sentence at the exact same time.

Part of mothering is to teach your children new and better things than the what your parents did and the things they taught you.  As a parent, when your children are adults, married or new parents themselves, it is sometimes difficult to stay out of the way.  At other times, it is a pleasure to watch how they have developed into amazing young men and women. 

And then.... they do something EXACTLY like their dad!  Just kidding!  Their father has been amazing to them through the years.  He would get up at 3:00 am to change a diaper.  He would yell at me for feeding them PopTarts, but teach them how great maple sugar candy is.  He tries hard not to lose his temper when they borrow his tools and return them in a slightly different condition.  He has calmed my storms and occasionally saved their necks when I have had enough!  Even though we think quite differently, he is the ying to my yang! 

With seven children and now spouses, fiancées, significant others and grandchildren, Father's Day at our house has a very special meaning.  The card I gave to Doc said that Father's Day is in June, because after Mother's Day someone said "Hey!  Wait a minute!"
Whether that is true or not, I don't know.  What I do know is that our children are very blessed to have a "Pops" who has been there for them from the minute they arrived!  I hope all of you had a very blessed Father's Day and that the rest of your week is spent loving your dad more each day!