Ahhhh...... Never Mind..... Forget I Brought It Up

"Oh cheer up Harold. We all make mistakes. It’s not the end of the world......... At least now you're a legitimate Non-Prophet organization..........."

That is EXACTLY what you think it is.....

Yes, that is EXACTLY what you think it is.... my second grandchild!  I am now a "papa" to AT LEAST two grandchildren.  I've told people that I'm 1/4th the way to my goal of EIGHT.  (Some people say that's mean.... considering I only have one child.) Okay, I know it's a lot of pressure for Ashley, but I figure if I set expectations high, I'll have a better chance of three or four...... something like that.

As I shared with my facebook friends, if you look really close, it appears that you can see some "Steen" in the baby's face.......I think.  Of course, that might be his butt... I'm not sure....

I know what you're thinking.  Reminds me of that joke -- "You're so ugly, if my dog had a face like yours, I'd shave it's butt and make it walk backwards."  Now, that's funny.

On a more serious note -- notice I said "I am now a "papa", and not I'm going to be a "papa".  That's because he (I'll use he for now) is already my grandchild.  Do you realize how much God has already invested in this child.  The minute those cells came together in the womb, He was already making plans for his life.  He is strengthening him through his mother right now.  He is growing in such incredible proportions, it's unbelievable.  When he breaths his first breath of air, he will actually be nine months old already.

God has already established a path that he wants my grandchild to follow, and is counting on his mom and dad, (as well as his "gigi" and "papa") to help him stay on that path.  He is forming his personality, he knows what his likes and dislikes will be, he has determined the level of intelligence and types of skills he will be capable of.  He knows what kind of athlete he will be.  He may have already picked out the lady that he will eventually marry, (if she's been born yet).  God has already begun to establish this plan.  Why would anybody consider this a piece of tissue that could still easily be thrown away?

I'm commiting myself now to start praying for this child to be blessed of God; that he will follow in the exact path the Lord has laid out for his life; that his parents will rise to the challenge of raising him with the love and discipline that is necessary to make him exactly what God what's him to be.  I pray that he will be a man of wisdom, discernment, integrity, truth and righteousness.  A man that will love God with all heart and mind, and be tender and sensitive to the things of the Holy Spirit.

As you can see, I'm looking forward to big things from this kid.  I want to be a big part of his life, and be able to invest what I have to offer into him.  (And yes, I mean more than a few corny jokes...)  After all, somewhere in there is a little Steen blood.....  Thanks Ashley and Paul.  You've made me a very happy "papa".  I love you and both of your children..... keep them coming.

Mother's Day -- 2011 -- In Memory of Mom.....

It's Mother's Day and a wonderful time to recognize all the mom's that work so hard at making their children's life easier and make them feel more secure.  I miss my mom today, and thought I'd go back in the archives (2/2/10) and repost a favorite blog entry I created during the last few days of my mom's life.....
I miss you  mom and love you dearly.  See you soon......
Terry

This morning I got the privilege of feeding my mother some breakfast. She's getting so weak, if she has to do it, she'd just rather not. I told her I had just made my "specialty" for her for breakfast. It was Honey Nut Cheerios, and I had added the milk myself..... I usually would get a good laugh, but now it was just a slight grin.... good enough for me. I told her if she didn't eat more, I'd have to try the "airplane ploy" on her. The one she used on us all these years. (It didn't work.)


If you haven't heard, what my mom thought was just not feeling good back in November turned into an case of Acute Leukemia. A very deadly and fast moving form of cancer. The doctors didn't really recommend treatment, as they thought she probably couldn't make it through. The cancer was throughout her body --- blood, lymph nodes, stomach, etc. Maybe 2-6 weeks to live. As time progresses, that number looks to be a pretty good window of time for Peggy Jane Steen, my incredible mom.

It's NO fun watching mom lose her strength to talk (we all know how she likes to talk!).....lose her strength to walk..... and begin the involuntary muscle twitches. I know it's not fun having them either.

I have a whole new respect for people that have gone before me..... caring for parents or elderly going through illness, etc. It's only been 5 days for me and I don't know how some people do it. My hat is off to all of you! Obviously only the Lord can give the strength needed for these privileged jobs.

Mom is still mom though. I told her yesterday morning I was going to get a shower. I could barely hear her, but she made it clear there were plenty of towels and I could get a fresh one. (Always looking out for others...especially her boys.) See mom has this thing..... you never use a towel twice. NEVER should you dry your face with the some towel that just dried your rear end the day before. "I don't care how clean that rear end was.... it's still touching your face!" That's mom. (Notice how I kept the language clean?)

She tries to get to the bathroom at night without ringing "the bell", because dad and I need our sleep...... she doesn't want to bother us. Such is the legacy that mom will be leaving behind soon. One that will live on in our hearts forever.

Dad is dealing with things as well as could be expected. He understands that God is ready for mom, and dad's not going to take on somebody like that in a game of one-on-one. He knows he'll lose. He's giving her up freely. However, it doesn't make the thought of living without her any easier to imagine.....

Dad is still dad.... I saw him eating supper by himself with a single bulb lamp pulled up beside his plate on the kitchen table. You see, that light only had one bulb. The overhead light had four bulbs. That's like..... four times as much electricity not being used....... Dad knows his four boys will be there for him as best we can. But nothing will take the place of that lady that's been on his arm for 57 years......

I thank each of you for your prayers and support during this time..... Some things are NO fun!