tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79273649713783896842024-03-12T21:43:55.621-07:00Living the Dreamkarla Jakstadthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15848817075594397607noreply@blogger.comBlogger86125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7927364971378389684.post-63167611125849696652021-06-07T15:17:00.000-07:002021-06-07T15:17:32.935-07:00A Wonderful Day<p> Today is a wonderful day. Today my son Lucas graduated from high school. There is no more relieved or happier mom than me on this graduation day. Of that I am sure. The education that Lucas and I both acquired on the road to this day is definitely one for the books!</p><p> For Lucas, I hope that he learned that he can do hard things. Lucas had many things against him, more than most, but he also had many things going for him like friends and family who prayed for him. I believe in the power of prayer and Lucas graduating is a huge answer to many of those prayers. You know who you are and I thank you from the bottom of my heart. I hope that he learned that he has parents who believe in him and who love him and who will never stop praying for him. Most of all I hope Lucas learned that God loves him and that God is for him. God has a plan for his life, plans to prosper him and not to harm him, plans to give him hope and a future.</p><p>As for me, I learned mostly the same things. I like doing hard things and getting to this day was even harder than I thought it was going to be. But it makes finishing that much sweeter. I like praying but I have never prayed harder than I have prayed for Lucas. I learned about grace and more grace that comes directly from Jesus. Mostly, I learned that God is faithful and God is good, so far beyond what I deserve or can imagine. It reminds me of the words to this beautiful song:</p><p style="text-align: center;">All my life you have been faithful</p><p style="text-align: center;">All my life you have been so so good</p><p style="text-align: center;">With every breath that I am able</p><p style="text-align: center;">I will sing of the goodness of God</p><p style="text-align: left;">Is it smooth sailing from here on out? Probably not, but I've spent a lot more time out on the ocean and I know the one who can calm the storm. His name is Jesus.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHl6JzWPnQkf7_gTypytLlJqLFdxAhj5-Ty558HkluI0WFwuXVz3kAIxpXRZdJavxsWJWfAMdBEvtqNmaOJtjd2O_MqDlK312qvjmQGnPnEOiUZDBjiN4SkUvG-OM7f3V8WvgUcg0nKa0/s640/IMG_8124%255B9256%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHl6JzWPnQkf7_gTypytLlJqLFdxAhj5-Ty558HkluI0WFwuXVz3kAIxpXRZdJavxsWJWfAMdBEvtqNmaOJtjd2O_MqDlK312qvjmQGnPnEOiUZDBjiN4SkUvG-OM7f3V8WvgUcg0nKa0/s320/IMG_8124%255B9256%255D.jpg" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p><br /></p>karla Jakstadthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15848817075594397607noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7927364971378389684.post-33214403252483256012020-09-26T18:16:00.000-07:002020-09-26T18:16:04.040-07:00<p></p><h2 style="text-align: center;">Saddle Up Your Horses</h2><div style="text-align: center;">Saddle up your horses <br />We've got a trail to blaze<br />Oh oh oh<br />Through the wild blue yonder of God's Amazing grace<br />Let's follow our leader into the Glorious unknown<br />This is the life like no other whoa whoa<br />This is the great adventure</div><p>Truer words were never sung by one of my favorite Christian artists, Steven Curtis Chapman. It's definitely 90's music but I still love it! Because it's true! </p><p> Just when I thought my life was taking a turn for the normal then BAM! 2020. The teens were clicking along, blow-ups getting fewer and farther between. So much so that I took a part time job at Loft to fill my time. Even in lockdown, God provided meaningful time with family, including the teens! We established virtual school habits, worshipped online together, watched movies together, even painting the kitchen since what else was there to do? If there's time, I will fill it, not only for myself but for my charges. Mr. Jakstadt has his own list and it's usually bigger than mine so I learned long ago to not attempt to fill his time.</p><p>Then, the teaching job of what dreams are made of appeared before my eyes. I had a virtual interview of course, and next thing I knew I was on a speed train to teaching in 2020. Despite working way more than the "part-time" job I signed up for, I love everything about teaching second graders. I had forgotten how much I love being in the world of seven year olds with their eager young minds and open hearts. So I'm set, right? I have a challenging job that is a gift from God when He has another adventure that I'm pretty sure I'm not equipped for. Turns out, that's exactly what God is looking for.</p><p>Eric's dad is 92 and had been living alone since his wife died almost three years ago. One Saturday evening, we went to visit him and he unexpectedly told us that he was not making it alone anymore. It was apparent that he had had a bad day and he told us to put him in a nursing home. I had never seen him like this and I knew it must have been very hard for such an independent man to admit this to himself and to us. Eric told his dad after his mom died that he could come live with us but he had always refused. I honestly couldn't blame him not wanting to move in with the two of us and three teenagers! I had been tempted to move out myself! Eric told him again that he could come live with us and this time he said ok. Little did I know, he meant right then! He told us that he would not be staying with us long as he was on his way "home". One week later, he was moving into our two story, no master on main, house. Yikes!</p><p>I did not know what to expect or how our life would change as we would become Eric's dad's primary caretakers. I was definitely not prepared for the great adventure that God had in store for us. Having Eric's dad in our home has given us a front row seat to God's amazing love. This man who is now very dependent on others to care for him, nevertheless, exudes the joy of the Lord with every breath he takes. It is humbling beyond words to witness and a gift to our whole family. It reminded me of a<span> quote from Corrie Ten Boom's book, "The Hiding Place", "And so I learned that love is larger than the walls which shut it in." We could have not have a more gracious guest in our home. Every time I see him, he greets me with a warm smile and thanks me for taking him in. </span>He is somewhere between heaven and earth I think, sleeping a lot and dropping the cares of this world to spend more time with his Savior and Lord. It reminds me of when Moses came down from the mountain and the glory of the Lord shone on his face. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgMqFlBzQWgaL9mjO8x51w0L_3gy3KQGunKqhq_9qUvulO4d6YrKYquGLmIiffsC4L4Yc2_c6cqXiJS0CW_SoO0L8DZ_BAkhkON7SBjIUrncXb7-SVUpWxS7owZRw80aqXNzGPCxuriKY/s640/Papa.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgMqFlBzQWgaL9mjO8x51w0L_3gy3KQGunKqhq_9qUvulO4d6YrKYquGLmIiffsC4L4Yc2_c6cqXiJS0CW_SoO0L8DZ_BAkhkON7SBjIUrncXb7-SVUpWxS7owZRw80aqXNzGPCxuriKY/s320/Papa.jpg" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p>Eric is caring for his dad the way he cares for all of us with incredible patience and love. He is rock solid, doing what needs to be done in his methodical reasonable way. I have never loved my husband more than now, watching how lovingly he cares for his dad and how he is trusting God with all things.</p><p>It happens every time. God's ways are higher than our ways. I had no idea of the blessing He had in store for me. This is the great adventure!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/hVFPjIp6nkk" width="320" youtube-src-id="hVFPjIp6nkk"></iframe></div><p></p>karla Jakstadthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15848817075594397607noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7927364971378389684.post-47562005261437614172020-04-07T11:48:00.001-07:002020-04-07T11:50:42.512-07:00Love in the time of Corona - week 3I knew it was coming but I realize that I was still hopeful that school would resume after Spring Break. I am a hopeful person. Hope is good. Still school has been cancelled for the remainder of the year, meaning I will never be alone in my house again. ever. Also, every trip that I had planned has also been extremely cancelled. And I like to take trips. I need to take trips. I used to take trips apparently. I am still taking trips, around the neighborhood on foot now. Lots of them. But I soldier on. I find myself relating to Easy Company on Band of Brothers that we are watching with Ben and Kristen. You do what must be done and don't complain. Complaining is not an option and what's the point. That may or may not be my Enneagram number coming through.<br />
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Today is the first day of Spring Break. We will be spending it in my house. I walked by a neighbor who set up a blow up pool, umbrella, and lawn chairs to give her daughters some kind of spring break, nice. Another neighbor is making Micky Mouse pancakes and taking them on a virtual spring break at Disney complete with a parade. She needs to be a Preschool teacher!<br />
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I decided to egg Kristen's house. Before you call the police, it is actually a good thing. I filled plastic Easter eggs to hide in her yard for Wyatt and Piper to hunt. Inside the eggs were items related to Bible verses about each day from Palm Sunday to Easter. So sweet to look at the Easter Story through the eyes of little ones. Piper also came over to dye Easter eggs which was fun since she is adorable and in desperate need of diversion like everyone else. Piper has a tutu for everyday!<br />
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Every member of our family is handling our quarantine differently. Eric's life has hardly changed at all since he has worked from home for several years and loves it. He is slightly annoyed that there is more noise and activity in the house, but he is very capable of tuning us all out very well. Thank goodness for our basement!<br />
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Summer has taken to writing letters with stamps to friends and family and is still in denial that school is out. She gets down about not being able to go to school but her attitude is mostly, " this is not happening". One of her friends that she has identified as her new "best" friend is sending letters and care packages daily with ramen and stickers and balloons with confetti! Summer doesn't deserve this friend.<br />
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Lucas is doing pretty well as he has more time to go outside and play tennis, soccer, etc. with Wyatt who is loving the attention he is getting from his older uncle. Lucas is perfectly fine to spend minimal time on school work with minimal expectations which is what the school is requiring right now.<br />
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Stormy's classes have moved exclusively online so has school work to do and she is not working. She is communicating frequently with her boyfriend who is equally bored with no job to go to.<br />
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I am so very thankful for streaming strength and cardio classes, yoga classes and our treadmill! They are a necessary escape and so much cheaper than a Target run! I also love the additional prayer zoom chats with various prayer groups and more time to read the Bible and memorize scripture. The time is definitely uncovering the useless things in my life that will burn up and not last.<br />
For the Lord your God is a consuming fire, a jealous God. Deut. 4:24<br />
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The biggest challenge for me is watching my teenagers not take advantage of<b> all</b> this extra time that they have and put it towards learning something like a foreign language or a musical instrument or making face masks to donate or anything besides watching memes! Even reading a book with some literary value would make me smile.<br />
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We <b>are</b> spending more time playing family board games and watching movies together, cooking together, doing virtual church together, basically doing everything together. It's like Little House on the Prairie with memes and Zoom. Conflict resolution and bearing with each other are daily themes and a great opportunity to teach them without outside influence/temptations of peers and social pressure.<br />
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You shall teach them to your children, talking of them when you are <b>sitting in your house</b>, and when you are walking by the way,and when you lie down, and when you rise. Deut. 11:18<br />
God is serious about this and seems like He is trying to make a point if you ask me.<br />
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I actually love the challenge of being in quarantine. I love a challenge and this is one. It is a challenge that I can choose to be content where I am in my house, with my family, with my God. I accept.<br />
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This is the day that the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it. Psalm 118:24<br />
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<br />karla Jakstadthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15848817075594397607noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7927364971378389684.post-74773473821234746852019-10-04T13:23:00.003-07:002019-10-04T13:23:55.605-07:00Running the RaceIt's been awhile since I posted on this blog. The thought has crossed my mind but I never could come up with a light and positive spin on the teen years that our kids are currently in. I always felt I would come off as whining or complaining which I detest and refuse to do. This does not include venting to a chosen few but it's altogether different in my mind. Venting in my mind is courage summoning and strength renewing for whatever current battle is before me. I love a challenge and boy do I have one or three to be exact!<br />
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We made the decision to put our two youngest in public school last year. They graduated from the sweet cocoon of Christian school education to the carnal world of Public school education.Truly, Sodom and Gomorrah has nothing on Public School, but it does have special services that our kids need to hopefully graduate with a high school diploma. It also has wonderful loving personnel like Officer Brunson, the police officer who my kids adore and who is a kind but firm adult on campus.<br />
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Public High School is the first real testing ground for who a person chooses to be. It's a giant social experiment where there is mostly self doubt and fear driving teenagers to find a place, any safe place to land. While these pressures are hard for any teenager to navigate, they are especially difficult for our adopted children who already struggle with self doubt and trust issues. Their faith and values are the very picture of James 1, blown and tossed by the wind, compounded by misery when their bad decisions are found out and consequences follow. These actions have also uncovered serious issues with communication which is of vital importance for any real or lasting relationship with anyone. Are we having fun yet? These are the scenes not shown on the Lifetime movies. And if they did, I would definitely change the channel. I can see though that these struggles while difficult and not fun are necessary for the final lessons we can give to our children as parents, how to have really hard discussions and look seriously at insecurities and temptations. As of yet, a light bulb hasn't come on and not one of them have come running to us repenting from (insert bad decision) thanking us for our incredibly wise counsel. I'm not holding my breath for that and that's not what's important anyway, although it does sound lovely. What's important is that we are still here loving them and trying our best to show them the way they should go, the way of Jesus. We are running the race every single day to win the prize! The race is long and sweaty, tiring and sometimes we want to give up but with God’s help we’ll keep running.<br />
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1 Corinthians 9:24-27<br />
Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. Every athlete exercises self -control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. So I do not run aimlessly, I do not box as one beating the air. But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified<br />
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<br />karla Jakstadthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15848817075594397607noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7927364971378389684.post-64302710246952895262016-08-03T12:32:00.000-07:002016-08-03T12:32:31.907-07:00Aunt Cecelia I had the privilege today of transporting my mother and father in law to visit their ailing sister/sister-in-law. She was diagnosed three years ago with a rare blood disease and is in hospice now, so we were there most likely to say goodbye. While it was sad to possibly be saying goodbye to a much loved aunt of my husband and myself, best anyone could ask for, I found a precious beauty in our visit. There was something so beautiful watching Eric's mom, Mickey, 82 and her sister, Cecelia, 74 reminisce while holding hands about the wonderful lives they shared and express their love for each other. There was more tenderness and appreciation than I've ever seen. It was a beautiful picture of the strong bonds of their relationship and the power of their love for each other. Their parents would have been so pleased to see their daughters live their lives loving each other as much as they did. I know I would be. These sisters incidentally couldn't be more different (Aunt Cecelia, the adventurer loving traveler, and my mother in law, the homebody, dog loving, piano teacher) and they couldn't love each other more.<br />
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I married into the family an unbelievable 33 years ago, (I'm still trying to wrap my head around the fact that I'm indeed getting old myself). In fact, Aunt Cecelia is the very first person I met even before Eric's parents. I was super nervous to make a good impression, but she has a wonderful natural ability to put people at ease and welcomed me with open arms. It's a God given gift and she shares it with everyone she meets. She's one of those people everyone wants to be best friends with and thinks they are! She and Bob her husband have three daughters who are now grown and married with children. Each one of them, just as gracious as their mother. Of course, they had the very best example in their mom. It warms my heart to see them lovingly step in and care for all the logistics of arranging meals, home health care, and even emailing to update the family on their mom's status. I was touched by the capable care of her sweet daughters today, Ashley and Jennifer and Hayley who are each setting aside their own busy lives just like their own mom did for her mother to care for their parents. We were even served one of Hayley's famous bundt cakes when we arrived. We are in the south!<br />
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As we drove into the long driveway to their farmhouse, memories came flooding back to so many visits to their house. Each visit they tirelessly saddled up their horses for any and all of us who were visiting/ feeding the chickens. I remember hiding my terror fairly well as I cantered on one of their horses for the first time ever! Cecelia loved teaching all our children and grandchildren about riding and taking care of horses and chickens and they loved learning from her.<br />
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We couldn't visit very long but we did visit long enough to share sweet memories and appreciation for her and pray with her. Even as she found it hard to speak, she couldn't help asking about how we were doing, always caring so much about our lives. Uncomfortable as she is to be on the receiving end, she is giving to us still the chance to love her and pray with her and be with her which is the best gift of all.<br />
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<br />karla Jakstadthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15848817075594397607noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7927364971378389684.post-76024304109484446612016-07-15T19:21:00.000-07:002016-07-15T19:21:33.580-07:00Brigadiers Will Live In My HeartThe more time I spend on this earth the more dear friendships are to me, especially life long friends I've had since childhood, friends I shared a small day bed that she had growing up and even shared boyfriends with! We live states away and go years between visits but our friendship remains strong. Must be the long hours spent on the hot hot Brigadier practice field, bonds you for life. Or maybe that terrible performance we did with those mini raincoats to the song, Rain on my Parade. It's becoming clearer to me why the Brigadiers are no more!<br />
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Spent a short but sweet time with two of these friends on our tour of Texas this week. They graciously hosted the five of us at their beautiful mountain home. And by gracious I mean Allen bringing out a back hoe so my son Lucas could dig a hole because he thought Lucas would enjoy that. He did. And Diane serving amazing barbecue shrimp and German chocolate cake on a table setting worthy of Southern Living Magazine.<br />
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We talked of how in the world is it that we are grandparents now. In our minds we are still the same super cool teenagers we were in high school (ok, Allen was cool and still is while Diane and I were at best the Baytown version of Laverne and Shirley) just slightly more weathered. We talked of our now grown children and exceptional grandchildren and our new responsibilities of taking care of our aging parents that is weighing heavily. I got to visit with their sweet Sherry and her family as she and her husband are raising their four precious boys. What a treat our time was!<br />
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Until we meet again dear friends. Let's make it longer and sooner next time.karla Jakstadthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15848817075594397607noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7927364971378389684.post-24884313331385752362016-06-21T15:28:00.003-07:002016-06-21T15:28:36.038-07:00Pretend Food and Soft Baby FeetI just returned from spending five days with my first born, Laura after the birth of her third born, Josiah. The experience was a mixture of deja vu, joyful gratitude to God and a reality show, Lifestyles of the Exhausted. I have to admit, I also found myself barely able to keep my eyes open at 9:00 PM! Not really sure why. The same thing happened to Summer who was visiting when Laura went into labor and she's only twelve years old!<br />
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As I was braiding Lucy's hair every morning to get her ready for Vacation Bible School, I was transported to when I would brush Laura's hair as she stood on a step stool. Lucy has beautiful hair just like her mommy and she loves for me to braid it. She also volunteered that her mommy forgot how to braid. Then I brushed her face with a little sparkly blush. Lucy is a girly girl and loves make up of any kind! I also brushed her little sister Bridget's blond curls into a spout on top of her head with a bright yellow bow as she lovingly held her precious panda bear. I Fixed Panda's "hair" while I was at it! Such an ordinary thing to brush their hair but not ordinary at all. God is so kind to me to give me these precious moments with my little granddaughters, to see His faithfulness in the life of my daughter and her precious family. I even found Bridget's dinner time melt downs and Lucy's after dinner time hysterics, entertaining. I'm confident that God has equipped Laura and Jason with everything they need to train them up in the way they should go, but I would recommend large regular doses of caffeine.<br />
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Somehow cleaning is more fun at Laura's house than my own. I couldn't get over how super organized Laura's house is. I spent my days cleaning, cooking, grocery shopping (going to Starbucks) eating pretend food that Bridget served me, reading books to both of them, watching Lucy and Bridget make tents and watching Bridget create and run through Toddler American Ninja Warrior. We also ventured out to Target and made it into the store after a 12 step process just getting out of the car. Not sure how Laura is going to swing that alone but I'm confident she will try. How happy I am that they can spend each day with Laura who loves and cares for them and a daddy who comes home every day, plays with them and reads them a Bible Story every evening before bedtime.<br />
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I tried my best to keep Laura from doing too much but I wasn't nearly fast enough. I found her once cleaning the floor under the kitchen table on her hands and knees and blowing up the splash pad on the deck for the girls! She never has understood the concept of taking it easy. She was working on a website while in early labor!<br />
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We all couldn't get enough of tiny, perfect Josiah and I held him as much I could, knowing how different he would be already before I saw him again. I loved holding his warm little body, marveling at his perfect pink lips, and I watched him stretch and make sweet newborn sounds. This surely must be what heaven is like.<br />
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My grandmother used to say that newborn babies remind us that God has not given up on us yet. Josiah would be her great, great grandson. She was so right and she would have loved our newest miracle, baby Josiah.<br />
<br />karla Jakstadthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15848817075594397607noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7927364971378389684.post-60517774874403926342016-01-15T12:55:00.001-08:002016-01-17T13:46:19.716-08:00BeautifulSometimes God stops me dead in the tracks of my busy life and opens my eyes to see a glimpse of his love. I felt just like Moses on Mt. Sinai recently. Although I didn't ask to see his glory like his servant Moses did, God lovingly showed me a beautiful picture.<br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">This particular time, He sat me down in a chair at a prayer service at our church. For 1 1/2 peaceful hours, two gifted young people played quiet worship music as bible verses were displayed randomly on the screen for me to meditate on. Oh and prayer ministers would come behind me to pray over me. It sounds like heaven already. Doesn't it? As they were praying for me I felt compelled to focus on praying for something but the prayers that kept coming to my mind were oddly not prayers of petition which I have many but instead prayers of thanksgiving and gratefulness kept flooding my heart. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">This was because what I saw with my own eyes completely overwhelmed me. I saw on stage before me my brave talented daughter painting a beautiful picture of Jesus while the worship team played and people meditated and prayed. Watching this precious child who God brought into my life 8 1/2 yrs ago paint with joy in her heart for Jesus was more than beautiful to me. To see how God is using her life in such a beautiful way showed me just how tender his love is.</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">The worship team was even playing the song, "Beautiful Things" if you know the song. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">All this pain</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">I wonder if I'll ever find my way</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">I wonder if my life could really change at all</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">You make beautiful things, </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">you make beautiful things out of the dust</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">You make beautiful things, </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">you make beautiful things out of us</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">All around</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Hope is springing up from this old ground</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Out of chaos life is being found in you</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">You make me new, you are making me new</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">You make me new, you are making me new</span></div>
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The picture she painted was beautiful, yes, but the smile on her face after she was done was what I loved the most. <span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">It was a beautiful picture </span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">of God's love and faithfulness to both of us for me to see. Beautiful.</span></div>
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karla Jakstadthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15848817075594397607noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7927364971378389684.post-6651386033345809712015-11-30T14:20:00.000-08:002015-12-02T19:00:47.252-08:00A Different ThanksgivingFor several years now, we've hosted Thanksgiving at our house so I began the gathering of Thanksgiving food and began to plan the day. But at the last minute, Ben and Kristen decided that they would host Thanksgiving this year. Oh Happy Day! While I don't mind hosting Thanksgiving, it is a ton of work to host the largest meal of the year. Of course I contributed food to the meal, but did I mention that hosting Thanksgiving is a ton of work.<br>
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This was the most relaxing Thanksgiving I can remember except when I was a child and I was clueless and didn't appreciate anything. I started the day with a run, after my devotion of course, in the cool crisp morning and except for feeling some guilt knowing that Kristen was stressing over hosting instead of me, I enjoyed it immensely. I called my mom and had a nice long conversation as I prepared my side dishes. I even had time to put up some Christmas decorations.<br>
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It was definitely a challenge to safely navigate Papa's walker around Wyatt's dump truck and Chloe and Molly, Ben and Kristen's two small dogs, but we made it. I even had time to sit and visit with them more which was so nice as I'm usually the one running around getting butter and drinks, cleaning up spills, etc. I was so glad to have both of them healthy and able to be with us this year as they spent their 58th Thanksgiving together. You have to admire a couple who has spent 58 Thanksgivings together!<br>
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The turkey was delicious and I was so proud of Ben and Kristen as they worked together to host their large extended family. I loved so many moments of the day. I loved how happy Ben was to have his dad there. I loved how much joy it gave Nana to hold Panda, Kristen's tiny new puppy. I loved how Eric showed Ben how to carve a turkey and how the kids never tire of making Oreo turkeys. I love Eric and Summer making yeast rolls together. It won't be long before she will be making Thanksgiving dinner for us!<br>
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It was a day to be thankful for sure for all of our many blessings.<br>
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Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. James 1:17<br>
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<br>karla Jakstadthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15848817075594397607noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7927364971378389684.post-54343069626429591362015-10-31T08:48:00.001-07:002015-10-31T08:48:49.054-07:00A Change in PlansThank you God for the rest these past few days. Rest, I didn't know I needed, but you knew I did. Your love for me and knowledge of what I need is unexpected and humbling.<br />
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You have searched me Lord and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; You perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down. You are familiar with with all of my ways. Before a word is on my tongue, Lord you know it completely. You hem me in behind and before and you lay your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; too lofty for me to attain. Psalms 139:1-5<br />
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We had mede this trip before with our good friends and it was filled with long beautiful hikes in the Colorado Rockies. But this was not to be. Instead of beautiful warm fall weather, rain and snow began to fall as we made our way up the mountain. The snow came and the power went out on our first day. Our hike was fading from view.<br />
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Instead of hiking, we observed the slower pace of small mountain towns when we drove in looking for warmth a restroom and entertainment. We marveled at the beauty of new fallen snow on the majestic mountains all around us. I also marveled at how they could survive without a target! The power (boy did we miss you!) came back on and we sat by the fire, worked a jigsaw puzzle and played hearts (I'm not good at that game). We discovered all kinds of snow toys in the cabin like snowshoes (interesting and fun) and cross country skies (long and slippery). So we strapped them on and went out the door to explore in the snow. I even drank my first cup of real coffee, coffee from a fancy machine that is ( I think I want one!) And we rested. <br />
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On our last day in the mountains, the sun finally broke through and we hiked the hike we had come for. It was a different hike than what we planned, but beautiful all the same. We braved it together through ice and deep snow and real apprehension. Should we try? We couldn't even see the trail! A sweet much younger couple came by and encouraged us to keep going. We persevered and found snowy Limber Grove at the top we were looking for. After that we rested some more.<br />
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Thankful for friends we could be quiet with, rest with and hike a little with. Thankful for the snow. Thank you God for the change in plans. Your plans were better.<br />
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<br />karla Jakstadthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15848817075594397607noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7927364971378389684.post-85058072351542544242015-09-01T19:20:00.002-07:002015-09-01T19:20:53.617-07:00ScorekeepingIt pays to volunteer to be the scorekeeper for your daughter's volleyball game, which incidentally is not easy. The only more difficult scoring I had to keep was Bible Quiz and I never got the right score!<br />
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Firstly, you can sit at the buzzer table with the big wigs and give thumbs up to the ref when there are substitutions. Secondly, you can witness your daughter score an awesome point for her team and watch her jump up and down with glee afterward. She is not of the"cool" variety of middle schoolers yet. Thirdly, you find out from a mom that her daughter and my son have a little romance going? What! And I thought he was coming to the game to support his sister! Not so. It's a younger woman on Summer's volleyball team who has her eyes on him and he more than ok with this. I'm hoping that at the very least this tryst translates to longer showers. More studying? Unlikely. Could it be the stinky hair gel that he started applying liberally?<br />
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Thankfully I have the Meghan Kelley of Eastside, The Summer Files, I call it. She is a wealth of information. Apparently, her friend has liked him from the first time she saw him! Is she using Summer merely to get to Lucas? I can't even go there. What happened to American Girl and Barbies?<br />
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I don't know if I'm ready to witness a boy go through puberty. No, I definitely am not ready to witness this. But you can bet I'll be keeping score again tomorrow at the volleyball game!<br />
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<br />karla Jakstadthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15848817075594397607noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7927364971378389684.post-40703651784128580652015-08-18T18:38:00.001-07:002015-08-22T06:06:50.788-07:00Humiliation 101Our youngest child started middle school this year. That makes two of our children in middle school and one in high school. I would classify us solidly in the uncool and clueless beyond compare and embarrassing beyond comprehension according to our younger three children. To make sure my humiliation is total and complete, it appears I have been called to lead a small group in the Middle School Student ministry.<br />
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I know the above to be true and this was proven out when I asked my middle schoolers how they would feel if I volunteered as a small group leader in the Student Ministry at our church. My son quickly informed me that they are in fact NOT in need of leaders. There are leaders everywhere! When that didn't fly, he informed that he would not be able to concentrate on the teaching if I'm there so for his soul's sake, I should not volunteer. When that didn't fly, he told me no one wants their mom or dad there and that he would not be attending should I also be in the same room. In reality 80% of small group leaders have kids in middle school as I was told by the Middle School pastor. My daughter was slightly more agreeable or was she? Who knows what she really thinks? These are treacherous waters I'm swimming in.<br />
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My first Sunday down there was a trip back in time to Awkward Land except with electronic devices. Middle School is just as awkward as I remember. I broke out into a cold sweat as I was immediately transported to my PE class in 1974 in my blue one piece uniform trying desperately to avoid being hit by the school jocks in a dodge ball game.<br />
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Kids today have their noses buried in their phones watching videos, playing games, etc. All we had was Tiger Beat magazine! All the same, I could still spy the cool kids in cool cliques, the clueless boys eating donut holes (my son was one of those) and everyone else in between. I was very tempted to bury my own nose in my phone, but resisted the urge so I could engage these awkward middle schoolers. I had marginal success at best but hope to get better. Next week I plan to resort to the food method and bring donuts. Yes, I'm willing to buy engagement at this point. Is that bad?<br />
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<br />karla Jakstadthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15848817075594397607noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7927364971378389684.post-52675607176858265292015-06-17T18:21:00.000-07:002015-06-18T06:26:15.480-07:00Camp WorkalotThe transition to summer isn't always an easy one for kids or their parents for that matter. The first couple of days there is the euphoria of sleeping in and no homework and then they begin to literally stand in front of me with a look of bewilderment as they stare down 10 or 12 hours of wake time with no set schedule. Sleeping and television watching are not permissible ways to fill ones day so then what?<br />
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Lucky for them I have pre-registered them for Camp Workalot. This is not a camp advertised in the East Cobber, the neighborhood happenings magazine. This camp happens to be conveniently at their very own house! Coincidentally, I also quit my job and signed up to be the director. This round of kiddos, I have less time, not to mention less energy to train them up in the way they should go. This is a no brainer. They have nothing to do. I have too much to do. They are young, I am old. They have copious amounts of energy, I have a limited supply of energy that must last at least another 20 years. There's mulch to be spread, decks to be stained, garages to be swept, patios to be pressure washed, chicken enchiladas to be made.<br />
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I have nothing against, art camp, drama camp, dance camp, circus camp, space camp and the list goes on and on, but are these life long skills that my children need to become a productive member of society? Juggling and floating around weightless are fun but unless they are bound for Ringling Brothers or outer space, these camps are not a good use of their time or my money.<br />
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Before you call Child Protective Services on me, they are allowed breaks and all the gatorade they want on the mulching job, and they can attend a sport camp each if they want, along with some volunteer work at our church VBS to break up the mulching. Turns out, they love Camp Workalot! It's turning out better then I thought. They are working together which is a miracle in itself, in the hot sun and brokering payment deals with each other. It's amazing what working to earn money to buy Lebron James basketball shoes or an IPOD shuffle will do to motivate an 11 or 12 year old. We are hoping for a little longer term but it's a good start! It's worth it just to hear them come in from mulching and announce, "We're calling it a day" like they've been at the salt mines all day long. I've also seen them utilize creative ways to speed up the process like one of them lowering a bucket of mulch with a rope to another to avoid going up and down steps with the buckets of mulch.<br />
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Except for the mulch that I am finding in areas of my house that have never seen mulch before and the black smudges on the door jams of the path from the mulch pit to the bathroom, not to mention tennis shoes and clothes that will need to go into the trash after the mulching project, I'm calling it a win.<br />
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P.S. The chicken enchiladas were delicious!<br />
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<br />karla Jakstadthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15848817075594397607noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7927364971378389684.post-37036246361011936872015-05-30T18:10:00.002-07:002015-05-30T18:10:50.056-07:00Sippy Cups and Sharks<div class="MsoNormal">
It’s been a long time since I put fingertip to
keyboard. Instead I’ve been consumed almost entirely by 6<sup>th</sup> grade
history and science exam review sheets for the last two weeks of school and regular
6<sup>th</sup> grade history and science and language chapter reviews before
that to will my son through the end of the school year. This has been a tough academic
year for my son and I and I don’t see them getting any easier. Are there trade schools
for middle schoolers? If so, call me! Thankful to God in heaven that my other
two children at home are doing ok academically on their own for the most part, give or take a 5<sup>th</sup>
grade test here and there. <o:p></o:p></div>
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The last day of school finally came and we set off for
Hilton Head Island where we would have a week of fun at the beach with our 3
children currently living at home as well as our grown children, their husbands
and our 3 small grandchildren, all in one tiny villa. We unanimously decided upon
arrival that we have outgrown a villa, condo, or anything smaller than an
entire apartment complex.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After we
unloaded everything from our 5 vehicles, we were unable to move. This included
nineteen hundred sippy cups of every variety multiplied by 3. Back in the day,
there was one brand of sippy cup; Tupperware and they only had two parts, the
cup and a rubber lid with a small mouthpiece that had a slit in it. You have to
have a degree in mechanical engineering to put my grandchildren’s sippy
cups back together after washing them. This disqualifies me right away and
happily so. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p><br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span>
<br />
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The particular villa that I chose was just steps from the
beach. You can actually see the beach from the back porch which was lovely. But carrying
my 22 lb. 1 year old granddaughter over the dunes through soft sand, I couldn’t
help but feel like Ralph Fiennes on the English patient trudging through the
Sahara dessert to get help for the love of his life, Kristen Scott Thomas who
lay dying in the cave. He didn’t make it in time to save her but thankfully I
successfully transported Baby Bridget not once but several times. It was our
special bonding time/cardio workout. Poor little one couldn’t last as long as
her older, wiser, 18-month-old cousin Wyatt or her almost 3-year-old sister,
Lucy. I didn’t really mind. It gave me a chance to hold her sweet chubby
little body. Next time, she’ll be walking on her own carrying her own sand
bucket. Lest you think Mr. Jakstadt was relaxing somewhere. He was carrying a
tent to set up on the beach for our short stay by the ocean. That is a good man
that I married and one good pops!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We walked, beached, biked, swam, ate, danced at Salty Dog Cafe, played Nertz, and watched the dolphins frolic in the ocean, in spite
of our tight quarters. The men got away on a deep sea fishing excursion and Pops caught a shark! The women got away for a grocery store run and our outlet mall shopping was replaced with a quick trip to purchase a cool straw hat for the sun. I think we got the short end of that stick.The last thing we needed was one more guest, but we got one nonetheless,
the stomach flu. She came midweek and came home with us to Marietta
as we drove home a day early. I do not like this uninvited guest one little bit!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And so we close another
memorable week at Hilton Head Island. Our very first HH beach trip, Laura and
Kristen were teenagers with their minds on boyfriends and getting a tan while
Kelly Clarkston was just starting out with her hit, Miss Independent. Another trip Lucas, Summer and Stormy saw the beach for the first time when they were 4
and 5 and 8 yrs. old and Jason brought his very complicated kite that he flew. The kite did not make the trip this time, too many sippy cups I think. Summer rode in the bike carrier and Lucas could barely make it over the bumps in the
sidewalk on his tiny two-wheeler.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> Another trip, Stormy ran into a tree with her bike and her finger swelled up so that Jason had to remove her new dolphin ring from her finger somehow. I couldn't watch. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span>This
trip our youngest are 11 and 12 and 15, they lead the pack on the bike ride, they can walk
to the general store by themselves and they help take care of their nieces and
nephew. We also gained a son in law, Ben, and two more precious grandchildren, Wyatt and Bridget. Lucy and
Wyatt discovered that they love the beach and swimming with their new puddle jumpers! I couldn’t get enough of Wyatt’s
dimpled smile and Lucy’s wild hair as they ran and played. They weren’t so sure
about the pony ride at the stables and the reviews were mixed on the bike child
cart that we pulled them in. All the same, vacations are to make memories and memories we always make. Until next time!<o:p></o:p><br />
<br /></div>
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karla Jakstadthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15848817075594397607noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7927364971378389684.post-29632699463534635922015-03-25T16:51:00.000-07:002015-03-25T16:51:00.150-07:00The Red Sea<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; border-spacing: 0px; font-family: Helvetica;">My friend asked me the other day how long did I second guess our decision to adopt our three children. I answered that there are days when I still second guess our decision. What I'm second guessing is not my children but rather my suitability to be their mother. It seems to me that he chose the wrong mother for my particular children. Why would he choose me, one so short on mercy, patience and most of the other fruits of the spirit to mother children who need those fruits more than most. Wouldn't it have been better to choose a mother who loves to cuddle and play? A mother who is naturally merciful and compassionate?<br /><br />I'm not one to question God but sometimes I question God. I can relate to Moses when he called him to address King Pharoah. " Who will I say sent me? In other words, This is too big for me! I'm not equipped. " That's because it was too big for Moses. As I recall Charlton Heston ended up with a bushy white beard on the Ten Commandments and it wasn't exactly a smooth road for him even though God was with him. He did give him special powers like a stick that turned into a serpent among other perks like a personal spokesman. I think I could use the serpent/stick some days around here. I've also noticed that God has his own time table and doesn't rush, ever! That's a hard one for me. Now is better than later in my book. Still, Moses got to witness the Red Sea open up to save the Israelites and to show God's incredible glory. He didn't get to actually go into the promised land himself but I'll not dwell on that particular point right now. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; border-spacing: 0px; font-family: Helvetica;">Did Moses feel equipped to do the job that God called him to do? He did not. Did God provide everything Moses needed to rescue his people? He most certainly did! Can God make me into the kind of mother that my children need? I think so. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica;">Make you speak My words with power,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica;">Make you vessels of My mercy,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica;">Follow Me, and I will make you...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica;">Make you what you cannot be-</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica;">Make you loving, trustful, godly,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica;">Make you even just like me. </span></div>
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karla Jakstadthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15848817075594397607noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7927364971378389684.post-63584839206586210102015-03-14T17:20:00.002-07:002015-03-14T17:21:24.783-07:00 A Three Hour Tour<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; border-spacing: 0px; font-family: Helvetica;">The sunset catamaran tour from Jamaica was our favorite memories from our last trip to Jamaica so of course we couldn't wait for another opportunity this year. The afternoons had started getting windy at the resort so we wondered if they might cancel it for wind. They did not. We decided to place our confidence in the captain of the ship and The Lord God of course. Well the Lord God decided to show off his power and remind us how small and helpless we truly are.<br /><br />My first clue that this would be a very different trip was when stepping onto the boat, they insisted on practically lifting us on board because the boat kept moving away from the dock.<br /><br />I would be remiss not to mention the colorful characters traveling with us on on the S.S. Minnow. One of the newlyweds who I will refer to as smashed girl promptly told us that her new husband was mad at her because she likes this tropical "blank"and he doesn't. I'm not hopeful for that marriage. Boarded on a boat in Jamaica is not the time to find this information out. There was another young couple, tacky thong bathing suit girl and "don't give up on your dream tattoo boy who took photos of his thonged bride for the entire ride. Lovey and Thurston Howell III would not have been impressed. Thankfully there was a sweet southern couple from North Carolina , also newlyweds but neither smashed, tattooed nor thonged. They seemed genuinely happy to be married to each other and they renewed my hope for the future of our country.<br /><br />The rest were mostly middle aged and happy to be escaping the bitter cold of the Northern states. Either that or the rum punch was kicking in.<br /><br />The captain changed the route to mostly hugging the coast because of the wind. I think this was a wise decision. A dolphin joined our fun and put on a delightful show for us, jumping in and out of the ocean. We stopped to swim but I found the waves too powerful so didn't stay out long. I was proud I went in at all as swimming in the ocean scares me!<br /><br />The crew turned up the music and did a fun imitation of dancing like Michael Jackson to Billy Jean. It was time to sail back, normally timed for the sun to go down. The sail went up, the sun went down and the waves started getting huge, Master and Commander huge. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; border-spacing: 0px; font-family: Helvetica;"><br /><br />I decided to "roll" with it and enjoy the ride. What choice did I have? I felt like I was at Six Flags riding one of those rides with warnings for Pregnant women and people who have heart conditions, only I was not buckled in. We were going against the wind so were making slow progress back to the resort. The sunset was barely mentioned as we were all afraid to let go of the railing to take photos. I truly feared for smashed girl's safety and hoped she was sitting down somewhere after making up with her husband. Thong girl and tattooed boy's photo snapping also slowed during our bumpy return. Several crew members stationed themselves at the bow to assist passengers who wanted to move or to alert the captain in case someone went overboard. The crew had amazing sea legs and were solid as wooden soldiers. We were very impressed with them.<br /><br />A few of the passengers were not feeling well but most everyone else seemed to do ok. I felt fine and Mr. Jakstadt, loving all things marine, was have a swell time riding the waves.<br /><br />I kept my eyes on the captain who didn't seem particularly panicked but I'm sure that's part of his training. It's a good policy as what can he really do at the mercy of giant waves but sail on. Moms and teachers must practice this on a regular basis in order to survive a classroom of children or even one or two of them during stressful times. He performed well, serious but not overly so.<br /><br />We made it safely back, way after dark and again were lifted back onto the dock. The crew was very cool and didn't act at all like they had barely made it back to shore. All I can say is, Mr. Jakstadt really knows how to show me a good time. It was a fine show all around and not a bad way to spend an evening.<br /><br /><br />Sent from my iPhone</span>karla Jakstadthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15848817075594397607noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7927364971378389684.post-83391945270598153362014-12-20T17:51:00.000-08:002014-12-20T17:51:32.069-08:00I Have HopeThe mind of a 6th grade boy, who can understand it? Or better yet, who can survive it? I'm beginning to think, not me! My son has been a difficult one to understand since the day he bounded into my life at the age of 4. He is Oscar and I am Felix. He is Pigpen and I am Lucy. You get the picture. Let's say our relationship is complicated and exhausting and that was before the age that he is now, 11 going on argumentative and uncooperative.<br />
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Enter puberty. He is suddenly interested in gelling his hair yet, still not interested in taking a bath. He's requesting dark jeans and an Under Armour hoodie for Christmas and legos. He states that he does indeed want to pass 6th grade yet doesn't see the correlation between completing homework or studying for tests and his goal. There's too much playing and pestering to be done. Are these signs that he is growing up? Please God, let him grow up a little. I'm doubtful that this is imminent judging from what I see everyday and from what my friends who have raised sons tell me. Yet, I have hope. As long as I have God's word to encourage me, I have hope.<br />
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I was reminded just the other day in one of our Advent devotions that God sees things others don't. Samuel, the prophet traveled to see Jesse to anoint his son David as God's choice to be Israel's king, rejecting all his other sons that looked more the part. And as I recall later, David had some not so stellar moments and still God called him a man after his own heart. This gives me hope for my son. I just need to find a field somewhere for my son to tend sheep and fight off lions and bears and learn from God.<br />
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<em>The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart. 1 Samuel 16:7</em><br />
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<br />karla Jakstadthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15848817075594397607noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7927364971378389684.post-3061569212913937342014-12-08T16:32:00.001-08:002014-12-08T16:32:47.887-08:00It's Worth the Messy MessI'm celebrating my survival of 14 messy days with my three precious grand babies, their parents, and all their baby stuff. It was touch and go and not without tears but those were due to a turkey incident when tensions were especially high. Incidentally, I do not have a good track record with turkeys. I remember another memorable year when we had guests that were not family and the turkey was simultaneously raw on the inside and charred to a crisp on the outside. Those guests never returned to our house for Thanksgiving and I don't blame them. Turkeys are not my friends.<br />
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Laura and Kristen on the other hand are my very best friends and my favorite people to be with and are in a very messy season of life with their little ones. And by messy, I mean my sweater getting soaked when Bridget's diaper was apparently saturated immediately after visiting Santa. The adorable cousin picture with Santa that we got was worth that mess. Being with them was also worth the mess of baby stuff covering every surface high and low in my house. This is huge for someone who is unable to go to bed with dishes in the sink or pillows out of place on the couch. I would have taken a picture of the family room but was unable to find a place to perch where baby or beast or baby item was not. It was worth the mess to spend one evening watching and laughing at home movies when Laura and Kristen were babies and I let them eat pop tarts off the floor. This horrified these sanitized millennial mommies but I stand by my parenting. Pop tarts are my friends.<br />
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Although I purchased paper plates and plastic cups to use, somehow they were hardly used. Instead our dishwasher had to be loaded and run continually to keep up with the dishes that were dirtied. This mess was worth having Lucy help me make reindeer cookies and an "apple bie" just to hear her say "apple bie" and watch her lick the sugar off her entire hand. A girls got to do what a girls got to do for the sweet stuff!<br />
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I also got to keep Wyatt for his very first overnight, giving Kristen and Ben a brief time away. Getting to bathe Wyatt's little body as he babbled and splashed in the big rubber duck and later having him fall asleep in my arms at bedtime was too sweet for words.<br />
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Though I am glad to be able to see my floor again, I already miss seeing their sweet morning faces. I know that the next time I see them, they will have grown up a little bit more. I am blessed to have these little people in my life with all their unbearable sweetness. They are definitely worth the mess.<br />
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<br />karla Jakstadthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15848817075594397607noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7927364971378389684.post-45906194744250426112014-10-25T07:17:00.001-07:002014-10-25T07:17:24.901-07:00A Wonderful SurpriseWe kept our two granddaughters, Lucy (2 1/2) and Bridget (5 months) for one day/night to give Laura and Jason, their mommy and daddy a well needed break. Armed with several bags of frozen breast milk, a double stroller and surprisingly few instructions compared to keeping Lucy overnight for the first time, I was ready. What a difference baby number two makes! Oh and I had 3 willing helpers, our three younger children at the ready to entertain and help. My help however mysteriously disappeared when the time came for changing dirty diapers and getting up for Bridget's night time feedings. Still, having a 10 and 11 year old to give Lucy piggy back rides and help with getting diapers and bath towels and sippy cups and Daddy Owl and Baby Owl and pajamas and more cheese and more milk and a brush to brush Lucy's glorious hair was awesome! And how can I ever forget Lucy dancing while Lucas practiced his saxophone.<br />
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It was a blissful time to spend with two of our newest family members. I just can't resist Bridget's chubby arms and legs and Lucy's adorable voice saying Geee Geee and Opps and Chipmunk for the first time. Time has no meaning at all when babysitting. It's moment to moment with babies, a nice chance to slow down and see the world through their brand new eyes. I spent my entire day mostly on the floor watching Bridget mesmerized by what her feet and her hands could do and a furry moving being, Roxy our very patient dog. I was doing my best to keep up with Bridget's every 3 hour feedings and every 2 hour naps. Or did I have that backwards?<br />
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I couldn't help but see God's beautiful hand in our family. Of course, He saw this day before the beginning of time when our young children would play with our grandchildren and that they would love each other to pieces. But it is a wonderful surprise to me.<br />
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<br />karla Jakstadthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15848817075594397607noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7927364971378389684.post-61711777413579502722014-09-18T19:01:00.000-07:002014-09-18T19:01:34.124-07:00California DreamingVisited beautiful Newport Beach, California today on our annual girls' trip. This year we have not one, but two babies in tow as both Laura and Kristen are still nursing their youngest ones. It was a short trip to the beach because of the babies, hardly worth the sunscreen application, but one that I will never forget. Laura and I have come to check out Kristen and Ben's new digs in California. Yes, she moved too many miles away from us! It's fun to look back on our girls' trips of past years. Our activities have changed dramatically since our first trip five years ago. On our first trip, shopping encompassed at least half of our trip, interspersed with luxurious dining and margaritas, long walks by the Charleston harbor filled with meaningful conversations and of course more shopping. Babies have a way of changing one's life to the fullest.<br />
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Radioactive Margaritas</div>
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This year we had precious little shopping time and our meals resembled a Chinese Fire Drill as it was a race against time when one or both babies needed to be nursed, fed, changed or held, usually all of the above. It's uncanny. It must be their brand spanking newborn noses that smell piping hot food that rouses them from their slumber. It's not in their best interest as their mommas need to eat to produce milk! My girls are also very attentive mothers, much more than I was. I don't remember their crying bothering me quite as much as it bothers them but this could be God's grace that I forgot. On the way home from attending church one evening we had to stop and pick up pizza. Both babies were inconsolable for one of the above reasons, producing a cacophony in Kristen's minivan. Wyatt in particular began his hyperventilating cry. Desperation ensued and at one point, Kristen yelled out," George save us!" as she thrust her PBS Kids Curious George app on her IPhone for me to give to her 8 month old son. And this was right after singing praise to Jesus! Of course she didn't actually attend the service. She volunteered to let Laura and I listen to the message while she strolled Bridget around the book store. I will therefore give her a pass on her misdirected statement of salvation. It didn't work anyway. Meanwhile I was waiting in line behind a very relaxed group of people to sample various micro brew beers before ordering their pizza. The contrast between the stress in the minivan and the relaxed group in the pizza place couldn't have been greater.<br />
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Margarita time!</div>
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Now that I think about it, I do remember trying to appear that I had it all together with my babies when I really didn't. I think I just tried to hide it better. I also remember listening outside their door to hear if they had stopped crying. I was also the thinnest I've ever been because my diet consisted of whatever I could grab while standing at the kitchen counter while I wasn't feeding, holding or changing. Who am I kidding, I was equally stressed!<br />
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As you can see, going out was somewhat stressful so we spent lots of time on the floor of Kristen's house playing with Wyatt and Bridget. This was easier on all of us and quite enjoyable, once we gave up on the idea of luxurious shopping. We did have a full 20 minutes of speed shopping when Laura almost purchased Jason a pair of socks she knew he wouldn't wear! Mostly though we slowed down our pace and had a wonderful time experiencing the world through Wyatt and Bridget's eyes, playing with blocks and rattles and busy boxes. We watched Wyatt stand independently for a few seconds as he prepares to take his first steps and Bridget practice grabbing things and smiling and cooing. I can still remember the sweet sound of her voice.<br />
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I'm sad that it's over as I had looked forward to it since last year. I especially enjoyed spending uninterrupted time with the youngest members of our family and with my equally sweet big girls. Maybe the babies are the ones who have it right. Just hanging out with their mommies and Gigi is the best way to spend our precious time together. It takes some of us awhile to get it.<br />
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<i>and a little child will lead them. Isaiah 11:6</i>karla Jakstadthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15848817075594397607noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7927364971378389684.post-83982418667832503692014-08-11T19:06:00.001-07:002014-08-11T19:06:56.398-07:00Way Down Yonder By the ChattahoocheeAs an elementary school teacher with a reading specialization, I'm all for children reading as much as possible. Reading after all is vital to learning. Reading can take you to wonderful places real or make believe. I have since learned that this is not the case for everyone. This is most definitely not the case for my 11 year old son. For him, reading is anything but wonderful and can be down right painful for both of us. He would rather stick needles in his eyes than read or even postpone reading and so would I. Once, he chose to pick up dog poop rather than read! Suffice it to say, fulfilling Summer Reading/Reading Counts requirements are not happy times at our house.<br />
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But we want happy times at our house! What's a mother to do? Go running with him of course! We went for our maiden run last week by the Chattahoochee River to practice for his Cross Country Team evaluation. He ran 3 miles without stopping, no problem. He wasn't even breathing hard! It helps when you are 11 years old, 70 lbs with zero percent body fat. But more importantly, running took both of us to a new and wonderful happy, sweaty place of bliss. Will my son be able to make a living running? Will running help his reading? Will he ever run with me again? Will he pass 6th grade? The answers to these and other questions are unknown to me at the moment, but at least when we can't read another page of Where the Red Fern Grows, we can go for a run.<br />
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<br />karla Jakstadthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15848817075594397607noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7927364971378389684.post-26300375497609576272014-07-20T10:29:00.002-07:002014-07-20T10:29:59.202-07:00Heaven is RealHeaven is real and I'm in grand baby heaven at my house with Lucy,Wyatt and Bridget. Yes, they come with lots and lots of baggage, literal baggage. I'm talking musical piano play mats, an<br />
English and Spanish talking bus, a musical rolling turtle with a mirror and multiple video monitors. And that doesn't include the one dimensional toys like baby dolls and board books and puzzles, teethers, pacifiers, etc.. I haven't seen the floor of my family room for 2 weeks!<br />
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But their tiny hands, their chubby little legs and their sweet little faces, I find them hard to resist and don't. I can barely stand their cuteness and can't believe how much I love them. They are blessings from God and I'm soaking up every moment with them while they will still let me hold them. It's already hit or miss with Miss Lucy and she's only 2! Miss Lucy is on the move and in one big hurry!<br />
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Three babies under one roof along with our three younger ones who have graduated to mostly helpers now is a challenge, but we are up to the task. We went on several walks, went to the outlet mall, the zoo, the pool, Pappasitos, and more. Yes, we spent an inordinate amount of time in dressing rooms to nurse/change the babies, but it still counts. Our ability to go anywhere was dependent on who needed to be fed, napped, changed or entertained the most. Suffice it to say, Gigi never made to the top of the list and never did get a potty break!<br />
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I found the dance of the strollers entertaining as well. We would start out optimistically with the babies in one of their many respective strollers depending on whether the outing required a jogging stroller, shopping stroller or light umbrella stroller. No matter the stroller, it was approximately 15 minutes before the babies would become unhappy and we would end up carrying them while pushing the strollers. Babies can sense when their mommies are not expending the most energy to care for them and are quick to rectify this situation. This can have more than the obvious downside of being difficult. Laura walked out of Gymboree without her stroller/phone/wallet because she was carrying Bridget in the front pack and forgot it. Thankfully thieves are not frequenting Gymboree even though they should. Everything in the store was $9.99 or below and it's filled with distracted mothers!<br />
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Heaven is seeing my now grown babies become amazing, loving, self sacrificing mommies to their little ones, all with little sleep! There is nothing sweeter than witnessing sweet mommy love. Lucy, Wyatt, and Bridget thank you and so do I!<br />
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<br />karla Jakstadthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15848817075594397607noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7927364971378389684.post-34264524239656054312014-06-07T18:14:00.001-07:002014-06-07T18:14:55.856-07:00Watch That Speed!Oh the joy of a living, breathing Driver's Education student riding in the car with you. Since our daughter's completion of 30 hours of the classroom portion of Driver's Education, Eric and I are being reminded daily now of the laws that we are unknowingly breaking along with their respective fines. Did you know that it is illegal to pass more than one car in a passing zone. That was Eric's mistake today. I don't have the need to be in front that he has. But don't get me started on watching my speed. I've always taken a tad more liberty in the speed zone department but now I have my own personal cruise control sitting right beside me! I detest cruise control. While this is annoying, I want to make sure that I set a good example before she gets on the road. At least for awhile. It's not just my driving, but drivers around us who are also not adhering to safe driving standards. She has plenty to say about their driving too.<div>
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I can already tell that she is going to be a better driver than me. Of course I had a wreck in my Driver's Education class so the bar is fairly low. It wasn't my fault, but was humiliating all the same driving into my high school parking lot with the car bumper hanging off. Perhaps it was a mistake taking the class with my best friend in the back seat. It's going to be a long but hopefully safer summer for all of us.</div>
karla Jakstadthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15848817075594397607noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7927364971378389684.post-346857983517277212014-05-30T09:42:00.001-07:002014-05-30T09:42:48.493-07:00HappyLast week was filled with my daughter's 8th grade graduation. It was hit or miss that I was going to be able to experience all the 8th grade graduation festivities because of Laura delivering grandchild number three any day. Baby Bridget however was extremely considerate and arrived a week early. Yay!<br />
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It's been a few years since Laura and Kristen were in 8th grade and I honestly don't remember this much pomp at the conclusion of 8th grade. All the festivities combined rivaled Laura's graduation from UGA! The School reminisced to the extreme at every opportunity, complete with a banquet, professional pictures and even dancing, a ceremony the next morning with a video montage from the year and charges from every teacher as they go forth into high school. They don't realize it, but they seriously need to pace themselves!<br />
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I was trying my best to keep Mr. Jakstadt in a good humor since it was getting to be past his bedtime, especially during the dancing. However, sitting there when I wasn't making small talk with parents that I had just met and would never see again, I admit I had a chance to reflect on the past seven years that we have had with daughter. Even though it was awkward at times during the video because we did not have any adorable infant and toddler pictures like most of her classmates, I was proud of how she/we handled it and proud of how far we had all come as a family. I could see God's hand on our daughter's life these past seven years. I could see his faithfulness to give us wisdom to enroll her in this Christian school where we have seen her blossom into a godly young woman. I could see confidence and joy in her beautiful smile as she danced to, "Happy". I could see that it's time for us to get used to staying up later again.<br />
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<br />karla Jakstadthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15848817075594397607noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7927364971378389684.post-75558738335811274612014-05-17T19:46:00.002-07:002014-05-17T19:46:13.377-07:00Jack Who? This week Laura, our first born gave birth to a beautiful baby girl aka as "Angel Baby, Bridget". That's two for her and I would say she is on a roll for producing precious baby girls. Just like with her first born, Lucy, I raced to Augusta early Monday morning to make it just in time to see Bridget draw her first breath. Amazing doesn't even come close to describing what it's like to witness this miracle from God.<br />
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But, if you know me, you know being able to be with Laura and Jason on this miraculous day is complicated given our family's dismissal of the empty nest or at least postponement. We have living at our house three school aged children. Someone needed to hold down the fort while I was away helping Laura and not just any fort, think Alamo. Jack Bauer is otherwise occupied living another day so who will rescue me? Mr. Jakstadt, that's who. Armed with the Renweb homework website and the map of 50 states packet for our youngest to memorize, a band and recorder concert, he had his work cut out for him this week. Feeding them would be the least of his worries as evidenced by the ramen noodles and beans and hot dogs they ate. No wonder they were happy to see me today! I was greeted in the garage with the report that my son had washed his kindle fire in the washing machine. They are not washable.<br />
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Nevertheless, I am reminded once again how wonderful a husband and person Mr. Jakstadt is. He loves us all hugely and puts his love into action which is the only love language that counts in my book. He sprung into action this week with the 50 states and then some. That was one good decision I made at the age of twenty one to marry Mr. Jakstadt. Who cares if I have to spell it every time I give my name. That's, J A K S T A D T, Jakstadt. Jack Bauer's got nothing on you.<br />
<br />karla Jakstadthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15848817075594397607noreply@blogger.com0