Double Nickels

Yep.  Today is my birthday, and I’m now double-nickels (as my husband, Dirk says).

I’ve been around a pretty long while.

Since before

-Barbie dolls and hula hoops

-permanent press fabrics

 -cassette and 8-track tapes (know what those are??)

-remote controls and portable phones

-home computers and hand-held calculators

-power steering & brakes

-Alaska and Hawaii were not even states

The year I was born

-automobiles were required to install seatbelts

-the first oral contraceptive was invented

-the first cans of Coke came out (they were in glass bottles only, before)

-the first McDonald’s and Disneyland was opened

-gasoline was .23 a gallon

“In God We Trust” was added to all US paper currency

You can laugh about all that now, but you’ll be thanking me when I can save you 10% at Ross on Tuesdays! Just saying.

A Riddle

A little riddle for you today. If you really know us, you know the answer for sure. Let's have a little fun and see if we get any guesses. If you do know, just say "I know!"


He’s done it ever since I first knew him, yet it’s never been an annoyance to me.
I’ve never tired of it, even once.
It still makes me smile, if not outwardly, deeply inside.
Yet, I never expect it.
It doesn’t matter if it’s day or night, sunny or pouring.
I never wonder if he’ll forget…he doesn’t.
It’s such a part of who he is. And this action spoke volumes to me of his character, even when we were just teens.
Though it’s nothing deeply spiritual, this one gesture makes me feel so loved and cared for. And proud to be his wife.

Have any guesses?

Dear Future Husband (Part 2)

Letter from our youngest daughter, Katie….quite the prophetess!



Written by Katie Meadows Mansour, April 29, 2002.  13 years old

Hey future husband!



I’m writing you because, well, because I’m so excited about getting married and I can hardly wait to start a life and family of my own with you.  I know you must know that God has to be the cornerstone of our marriage, because if you didn’t I wouldn’t have allowed myself to marry you.  What I mean by that is God has to be in everything that we do—decisions, goals, most importantly our relationship.



Right now I am 13, almost 14.  My wishes/fantasies are to get married in about six years on July 12 (my Grandpa, Grandma and Mom and Dad’s weddings were on July 12).  That is two days before my 20^th bd.  I will almost be done with college, getting registered for nursing.  I really want to just be a mom, but until we are set financially, my career will be nursing……(she goes on to tell the number of children, boys and girls, complete with names and name meanings)



….I know my wishes and fantasies will change and I’m glad because I want you to have every part and every say that you desire.  I know God has set you apart for me and I can’t wait to meet you!



Your future wife,



Katie Sara Meadows



Eph. 5:22-24

Eph 5:33

------------------------------



Katie met Alexander when she was still young, 15, and actually did marry him on July 12, 2007, in the very same church as her parents' and grandparents' wedding, even though it was a Thursday evening wedding!  She was two days shy of turning 19.

This May she graduates from University of Central Oklahoma with her degree in nursing.

Finding this letter blessed me so much.  The thoughts and desires expressed on paper set a direction for Katie and she stayed with it. It’s hard for me to believe anything other than that the Hand of God was directing her hand, as well as her heart. Alexander’s desires match Katie’s desires, and God is the cornerstone of their marriage.

My hope and prayer for you is that you will be encouraged that God has a plan for you, and for your children. Keep pouring His truths into them. Someday, when you see them grow up and live it out…..well, that’s just an overwhelming blessing!!

Next, I’ll share some of Anna’s thoughts and dreams from her letters to her future husband.

~Robin

Santa Baby

Logan Tyler Simms

born October 28, 2009

Our 3rd grandson, our 7th grand!!

Those cheeks are kissable!!

He makes a great addition to our crew, don't you think?

'Twas a Snowy Night

“White Out ’09,” “The Blizzard of 2009,” “Historical Snowfall,” these were the headlines our greedy news outlets used describing December 24, 2009. If anything happened that day or night outside of Oklahoma we missed it. Wall–to-wall coverage of this disputable snowfall led our government officials and weathermen to tell us to stay home. A blizzard on Christmas Eve had created the perfect storm. We all have our stories of that night, but my story is not about the weather. It’s about courage, determination, togetherness and family. Should we have gotten out? Probably not.



Stay home on Christmas Eve? No way! We, as a family, had a get together and when my sister-in-law puts on Christmas, it is not to be missed. However, we had a 79 year old and two 84 year olds to get there. How? My brother-in-law selflessly trekked out to collect my mother-in-law and her husband. Robin and I picked up my dad and couldn’t have had an easier time driving in our all-wheel-drive Honda Pilot (dubbed “the Billy Goat” after this storm). What I sensed in our older family members was the same in our younger members: they wanted to come together. The enjoyment of each other’s company and the genuine fun we have together caused us to overlook the dangers of the weather outside.
.
My son-in-law and his two older boys started out in his jeep (which looks more like a lunar rover than an earth vehicle.) With 30-inch tires and an 8-inch lift he could go anywhere. But, there was no room for the presents and my oldest daughter and their new baby. Half-way through our trip we got a call from her that she needed a ride. After dropping off my car load, my youngest son and I went back for her. Living just two football fields away from us, going back to get her through the 40,50 and 60 mile an hour winds with the 3 to 6 foot drifts and the snow coming down was not something you would normally want to do. But for some reason I didn’t mind, because what happened on this night was far stronger than words can express. For me, it was a pleasure beyond the normal everyday experience.

The desire to want to come together that night caused us to do things that we normally wouldn’t do. It caused us to get out of our comfort, and yes even our common sense security zones. My oldest son, his wife and two daughters had no problem arriving in our heavier- than-a-boulder, four-wheel-drive dually welding truck, but he was ready to help my second oldest daughter, her husband and two daughters if they had gotten stuck. Her family had to maneuver through the streets of Edmond with all the other crazies that were out and go around all the cars that were strewn and abandoned but they made it. Heck, my youngest daughter and her husband walked to our party, much to our and her own surprise! She hates the cold but her husband is adventurous. Nothing he does should surprise her.

The last ones to arrive were our newest newly-weds. They weren’t late because of being newly-wed but because of traffic. What normally would have been a thirty minute drive turned into a three hour wait in a long line of traffic. But, with determination and patience they made it.



I purposely wanted to observe this year more than be in the big middle of all that was going on and was really blessed by doing so. I wondered why the 28 of us couldn’t have waited a couple of days to have our get together to celebrate Jesus’ birth, but as our second granddaughter, age 8, read the Christmas story to us, I thought this is what family is all about : a desire to want to come and share in each other’s lives. True love causes each other to want the best for the other, not wanting to tear down so that one can have the upper hand, but always building up.

I really liked what I saw. I’m truly blessed. This storm brought out the best in us. We laughed, we learned, we lived and even cried that snowy night, but boy did we enjoy each other. Getting home? Now, that’s another story.



Dirk

Number 23!!

We have GREAT news!!  We are adding ManyMeadows, Number 23, and GRAND number 8 to our family in July!



Andrew and Abbi shared the news with her parents yesterday in Nebraska.  We've known for a short while and have been BUSTIN' to share this happy news with everyone!!

Read more of their story here.

We're so very excited for them....and for us!!

: )

Dread or Great Expectations?

So you're headed to your in-laws tomorrow.  Anxiety is already building, causing spats with your spouse and conflicts with your kids.  You're already dreading the prying questions your Aunt will ask, the tension and comparisons with your siblings, the unresolved issues with your dad.  Or things even worse.

Thanksgiving?  Ha!  It will be more like "Terrible Taunting Turkey Day".  A day you can't wait to be over...and then, there will be Christmas to think about and all those issues to be  revisited again!

But get this!

God's word tells us in Ephesians 3:20

God can do anything, you know—far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams! (The Message)

How?

through his mighty power at work within us (New Living Testament)




Is it possible  in pressing circumstances that we could be setting limits on the power of God working in our behalf ?  Might this scripture indicate that He will do just as much for us as we will allow him to do in us?

So why dread the day?

Instead, allow His Spirit to have free reign in your heart, and go to your extended family gathering with a great expectation! Watch for His Divine encounter.   According to His power within us, He can  do more than we can even think or guess or imagine!!




Now, that's a great and freeing thought!!

Number 19

We gained a daughter-in-love on May 29 this year.  Abbi is now a Meadows, bringing the ManyMeadows' number to 19!

We joke that I hand-picked her for my oldest son, Andrew....and maybe it's not really a joke.  I knew her before he did!



She's an artist...he's a cowboy. She took him to his first art show, he took her to her first rodeo.   She loves New York, he loves home and being outdoors.

And they deeply love each other.



She's a great  5th daughter and a wonderful 2nd mom to Andrew's daughters, Sierra and Mesa.



Check out her blog, and her creations.

She's quite a girl and we're so proud to have her in our family!

(We now have more members in our family!  I'll introduce you to them soon.)

~Robin

No News is Good News

It's true!

So sorry I haven't updated. I've been gently chided because I haven't let all of you (5 or so ) readers :) know that Dirk's report came back negative/benign.

We are all relieved and rejoicing. It was another learning and growing experience and I'll share some of those thoughts soon...when I'm not still sewing/baking/wedding planning.

Thanks again for all your well-wishes, thoughts and prayers!

Still Overwhelmed, but Completely Blessed

About 2 months ago, Dirk discovered an enlarged lymph on his left side.  It didn’t go away.  He scheduled an appointment with our family doctor who suggested he have it checked out by a surgeon.

The surgeon discovered enlarged lymphs under both his armpits.

Tuesday morning, June 9, Dirk undergoes a surgical biopsy.

Now, I don’t have to tell you where my mind wants to wander with all sorts of fearful and discouraging thoughts.

So, I’m choosing instead, to believe that God works ALL things for our good.  I’m choosing to replace my fears with trust in our Healer, Provider, Warrior, and Friend.

If you’re reading this today, I know you are already praying for all of us.  And I thank you in advance!

You are a blessing to us.

Another blessing



~Robin

Overwhelmed

In juggling the preparation for two weddings in the very near future (our oldest son’s, May 29, and one of our daughter’s, July 31), and beginning a new family corporation, people have been asking me, “How will you get it all done?”.

It reminds me of when our kids were young and I’d hear the same question:

 “How do you do what you do? I sure couldn’t raise seven kids.”

 My answer then was the same as it is now:

 “I don’t get it all done, and sometimes I don’t even do a very good job of what I do.  I just DO it” =)

We all have seasons in our life where we are completely overwhelmed with the tasks at hand.  (And I fully believe God does give us more than we can handle so that we’ll be totally reliant on Him.)

There are some differences in my thoughts during this season of being overwhelmed. Time and experience have taught me:

*it might not all get done, and that’s ok

*no one will love me any more  or any less if everything isn’t perfect

*I will still love myself even if everything is not perfect

*there are still adjustments to be made in order to “get it all done”

And the adjustment in priorities this time will be this blog.  We’re not going away, but you might not see us on here quite as often while we work together to “get it all done” this summer.

Check back occasionally.  We’ll give some wedding updates, force you to see pictures of the cutie grands, and maybe even have some gardening tips and pics. 

Meanwhile, I'm working on NOT being overwhelmed.

~Robin

Family Vision Statement-Q & A

How can you discover the vision for your family?

Think about these thoughts:



Your vision needs to be everlasting, and an on-going goal for generations to come.



What is your calling?



What is important to you?



What will you want to be remembered for?



What makes you come alive?



Next: write your thoughts down.  Share them with your mate.  Brainstorm and write different phrases.



Try to make it around 10-12 words.



Teach it to your family.  Place it on your wall. Refer to it often to cast vision to your family.







What if my husband or wife doesn’t see the need to have a vision statement, but I really desire it?



Pray!  Don’t nag, force-feed, continue making suggestions or get in a huff because they’re not on the same page as you.  Pray!!  Never discount the power of the Holy Spirit.  Live your life with your own vision statement in mind.  Be consistent to it.  Pray!



What makes you or your family come alive?





Tomorrow, we’ll share our family vision statement with you.

Dirk and Robin

Write it Down

Robin and I had never written our family vision down until a few weeks ago when we were asked to do it for a project we are working on. I don’t really know why we had never written it down. I’ve been around a lot of people who have written their vision statements and even some that lead seminars to help families with their family vision. But we just had not done it. We knew in our heads what it was but we had never written it out where we could look at it or show it to others and really understand what our vision is all about.

When we did it became clear why everyone should.

Interestingly, because we have been living it for years, it only took a few minutes to do it, and then a little more tweaking the next day.

It’s not magic but it just clarifies what you have maybe known (or maybe not known) about the direction of your family. Since we have written it down I have looked at it for guidance and direction. Your vision statement helps to keep you on track. It can also help others around you to understand why you do what you do. I’m big on passing down to my family what is and has been important in our life. I also want my family to know the direction they might go to accomplish what God has called them into.

Maybe your family is about helping the poor, maybe you’re about loving and serving others, and maybe you haven’t even thought about a direction for your family.

What is your reason for being here together? There is one.

Have you got a family vision statement? Have you written it down? Do you think it’s important?







Dirk

Dear Mother-in-Law

We are so blessed to have Jon, Brad, Alexander, and soon, Abbi (May 29, 2009) and Cody (July 31, 2009) as our sons- and daughter-in-love.

There is just no greater joy in a parent’s life than knowing that someone else loves your own children as much as you do.

And that means that I am mother-in-law to three and soon FIVE lucky exceptional people who love my own children.



Now, most of us have or have had mother-in-laws.  Unfortunately, and usually for very good reason, the term doesn’t bring great feelings of endearment.



And I don’t ever want to be one of “those”.



So, today, I’m asking for your advice.



If you could tell your mother-in-law any piece of advice on how to relate to you what would you say?



(There is a qualification to leaving your comment.  It must be positively stated. We don’t want you to go hating on your mother-in-law, now, do we? ;)

~Robin

Give Me Your Light

Our son, Kody, recently completed a music innovations class offered by Paul and Jennifer Colley at their recording studio in Oklahoma City.

The class came along at a time we were praying for more open doors and opportunities for Kody's abilities.  Amazing how that happens, huh?  You'd think Someone was guiding and directing us!

This is a song he wrote and recorded during the class.

Enjoy the audio,  "Give Me Your Light". (he especially likes the guitar solo towards the end of the song)





~Robin

We're Having a Son!!

While this blog should be about the amazing running feats accomplished by Ali, (5K) Abbi, (13.1 miles) Cody, Anna (26.2 miles each!) and many others of our friends Sunday at the Memorial Marathon, that news actually took back-seat to this news!

Yep, we're adding another member to the ManyMeadows!  Abbi made it 19 and Cody Light, who will be our fourth son-in-love, will make us a 20-member family!   (Ck out these heart-warming shots)

We couldn't have chosen a better-suited man for our daughter Anna.  He came and asked Dirk's and my permission to marry Anna about 3 weeks ago.  It was a sweet and blessed time. He had already planned on asking her after their run....and he did....and she said, "Yes!"

They're looking at a July or August wedding!  Guess what we'll all be busy doing in the next three months?  (And, we have Andrew and Abbi's wedding on May 29!)  Fun!!



~Robin

Dissolving Mountains - an update on Erin

Erin's bloodwork came back and it's still inconclusive.  No chicken pox antibodies showing up.  Her OB is sending her to a pathologist (Dr. Stanley) to have further tests.

And in the midst of all the questions and confusion, she has no fear.  Her faith holds strong.  She shared some thoughts with me today and I encouraged her to write them down and share with you.  Amazing....truly amazing.  It'll blow you away.

Her faith has said to that mountain of fear, "Go throw yourself into the sea" (Mark 11:23).  And in that sea, (the Living Water) that mountain is dissolved in the depths of His Truth.  It's gone!

What mountain do you need to dissolve in the Truth of His Word?

~Robin

God, You Know

Last Thursday, Erin came over to show me her rash.  "Mom, I think I have chicken pox."

Now, that's not a normal thing to hear from your 30-year-old child.  Even if she is the oldest of our seven children AND NONE OF THEM EVER HAD CHICKEN POX!

Yes, they all were exposed plenty of times.  And when the immunization came out later in the 1990's, the three youngest had the immunization.

Here's the hard part....Erin is 12-13 weeks pregnant.  She gets her blood results back today telling us for sure whether or not she has chicken pox.  Her doctor was honest and clinical about the risks to the baby from the virus.  And Web MD isn't favorable at all.

It has my mother-heart wondering, why now?

But, Erin shared with me yesterday that she took a long walk and cried and prayed.  The only prayer she could pray was "God, You know,  You know."

 And she rests in that. 

 Her hope and faith is not in what the doctor says or doesn't say, and it certainly isn't in Web MD.

 Her hope is in God alone.  He knows.

 Whatever you are facing, no matter what anyone says.....God knows.  Take a lesson from Erin's faith today......I am.  ~Robin



She sent me this post this evening:



You know those times when you are going through something super hard and you just don't know what to do?  Your mind won't settle down, you know you should be in the Word and praying like crazy, but frankly you can hardly make yourself function.  What do you do at times like this?

I had moments like this over the weekend as I was faced with hard and bizarre circumstances.  I kept thinking where's that book that tells me step-by-step how to act and what to do when you possibly have the chicken pox (at 30 years old, pregnant with my third child, of all things), and the chance that my unborn child may come into this world scarred, handicapped, or with mental retardation.  Where in the heck am I supposed to get answers?

Well, for me, when my mind won't settle down I need to get my endorphins going and this means some sort of exercise for me.  I went on a 4-mile power/prayer walk and even though I tried hard to pray, about all I could get to was, "God . . . you know."  And really I kept repeating that phrase over and over for the 45 minutes that I walked.

I came home and sat down with my Bible and just chose a Proverb.  I really wasn't getting anything out of it until I read Proverbs 16:20b "Things work out when you trust in God". (The Message)  I closed my Bible.  That is all I need to know.  I prayed that God would keep that verse in my head all day, and He did.

He was able to calm my mind by me just praying, "God . . . you know."  And He would answer, "Things work out when you trust in Me."  And that's all I needed.  I truly believe this.

What do you do when things seem out of control?

Erin

First, Second, Third....

The Differences in  Your Third Pregnancy Compared to Your First



With your first suspected pregnancy you take a test before you actually miss your period and take a billion just to confirm that it's positive.



With your third you remember a week after that you're late and that you better take a test (maybe that will be a good excuse for how cranky and tired you are lately).



With your first . . . you plan each and every meal with organic and safe ingredients to make sure your new unborn little one is getting proper nutrition.



With your third . . . you're just glad if you manage to get food on the table for your family and scarf down whatever leftover PB & J's or mac n' cheese your kids left for you.



With your first . . . you read every pregnancy book you can get your hands on, spending every waking moment  thinking about being pregnant and having a new baby.



With your third . . . you forget you're pregnant amidst the wiping runny noses and dirty bottoms, cleaning, laundry, playing, schooling, cuddling just until you have time to run to the toilet and puke up that last food you managed to scarf down and then get right back to the hard business of being a wife and Mommy.



TheFirst . . . you call the Dr. and schedule an appointment the day you find out you're pregnant and wait in anxiety until that day because it seems so far away.



Third . . . you forget to schedule an appointment, and when you finally call they want to see you that week, "Can you come tomorrow?"



First . . . you take your time getting properly groomed and arrive at your appointment early in time to sit down and relax before you go into the examination room.



Third . . . shower?  I had one of those last week when I decided not to nap during my kids' naptime.  I'm clean enough.  Relax?  I'm just trying to keep my kids from jumping off the walls in the waiting room.



First . . . you try not to get uncomfortable and nauseated and pass out during your exam and lab work.



Third . . . you're just trying to keep your kids at the head of the exam bed and tell them you'll explain later why Mommy has to wear a sheet only.  In the lab you're just trying to keep them away from playing with the needles while keeping one arm totally still - that takes major skills!



Though the differences are vast.  I still treasure each one of my little ones just the same.  It's just nice to know I can relax a little more with my third.  I feel I've stepped into the veteran mom status just a bit more.   Guess I'll just have to wait and see.



What else can you think of that changes with each consecutive pregnancy or childbirth?





Erin

(who is expecting Baby Simms #3 around Nov. 6, 2009)

Spring Break!

The Many Meadows' are taking a break this week!

Dirk, Kody and Jacob will be working.

Robin will be gardening and painting.

Erin, Ali and Brad, and Abbi will be up to their usual busy selves.

Alexander and Katie are actually staying in OK this school break, and will be enjoying visits with friends and have NO school!

Anna, Kody and Jacob leave for a mission trip on Thursday.

Look for us to all be back Monday, March 23.

What are you doing for spring break?