So I think we can officially call it a miracle.

We just found out my parent's home survived the High Park Fire.  2 of 8 on their road.  It has been such a long week for me--praying and worrying and talking on the phone...mourning the Colorado that I miss and love and will never get back again.  I can't imagine what it has been like for Coloradoans, my parent's neighbors, and my parents.

This is one of those times that I feel like I need to be like the Israelites of old, and build an altar in the desert--to remember what God did for us--to remember that he saved my parent's home.

This is a picture that I snipped for you all, so that you could see how God protected them.  The yellow lines are roughly the outline of Mom and Dad's acreage.  I blacked the road names out.  The little yellow dots and squiggles are buildings.  The red shading and the red outline was not done by me--it is the fire.  Can you see what I see?  I want to cry and laugh at the same time.

This is the map backed out.  Do you SEE the red everywhere?  All of that has burned.  I just flat out have to say it.  God saved my parent's home. Only 2 in that upper area remain. 

I know that this picture does not even begin to tell the story.  So let me try one more time.

There is just not a lot of areas that did not burn.  My parent's home and property was one of them.
Thank you for praying for them.  God has been good to them.  He doesn't have to be good to us.  But he is. He loves us, and he continues to give my parents a future and a hope.  I am so thankful.

p.s.  If I have performed some grave error that allows my parents's address to be pinpointed easily, please let me know.  I've tried to be vague-yet-specific here.

Mother's day, 2012!

I always seem to want to write on Mother's day!  Mostly, because my Mom will read this...and somewhat because being a Mom is my current career choice.

Today was uneventful--church, and then CrackerBarrel.  It's kind of a crapshoot in Utah finding someplace to eat on a Sunday--but we've mostly figured it out.  Church was great--I need to go back to re-listen, as Joelle was sitting in front of me, texting, and I couldn't help spying on her.  I finally told her to put her phone away, if only so I could pay attention!

The girls are 15 and almost 17.  If we don't add more kids (and yes, we are still planning to do so, but it is taking SO LONG I really wonder if it will EVER happen) my choice of careers will be over.  As I am sure God himself designed it, there are actually some days where I feel excited to be 'done' and move on to something else.  But then the neighbor's 3 year old comes by and calls me MrsKore (or sometimes Mr., depending on her mood) and rambles on and on about the sliver in her finger, and it goes though my head "I am NOT done being a Mom".  However, because I choose to follow God's will for my life, I will let him choose my path.  Not easy for a control freak like me!

But here's the rub.  I actually know how to do this mothering thing, now!  I know what is important at age 3...and what is NOT.  I also know what my own Mom knew at this age...and the past couple of years have really brought insight into how challenging these last parenting years can be.  When I was a young Mom, I was so determined to do things my own way, and I did.  I probably still feel that way.  But NOW, I understand why my Mom parented how she did, and I can appreciate the hard choices she had to make.  Somedays, I even feel like I AM my Mom, and I have to laugh!

Parenting is certainly NOT for cowards.

Anyhow.  Here's to Moms.  Short ones, tall ones, skinny ones, fat ones, young ones, old ones.  Girls, we have a job to do, let's do it well!  We make the world go 'round, one human being at a time.

p.s.  Happy Mother's day Mom.  I love you!

Good Friday, Miami Vice style

I checked out some music cds from the library--Billboard's top hits from 85. Miami Vice theme song was evidently in the top 10 that year. Miami Vice theme song made me think of my brother David, and THIS picture. He was the epitome of Miami Vice. What is interesting is I know these songs were before we were in Junior high--but I know them all. I guess having an older brother and sister around? I asked Eric though--he was in Jr. High by this point. In fact, I bet I have a Miami Vice picture of Eric too!!!

The girls and I have been listening to all these old songs. I've been enjoying, they've been laughing. Makes for a GOOD FRIDAY. My favorite day of the week.

And David, I miss you.

I'm going to go hang out on Electric Avenue now.

Ode to my Momma.

Truth be known, I'm a daddy's girl. Ask my Mom--she knows.

Mom grew up on the farm, one of the middle kids of 12. I'm not sure if the Lord made her a strong, practical woman on purpose...but I can't imagine she had much choice. I wish I had a picture of her as a girl--she's the cutest of those Yosten girls, as I'm sure my Dad would agree. Sweet and blond; a smile that still is that combination of clever and sweet and mischievous.

Though I am absolutely positive that my Mom was thrilled beyond belief the day I was born...I also know that in her heart, and even more so after 3 subsequent boys, that she believed I would be best served by a strong, practical Mother.

I remember as a girl,

I was expected to help Mom in the house. I don't think that she ever felt sorry for me--those times that I perceived my brothers running free, brown and naked as Indians...and her and I, butting heads, me not realizing that she was teaching me skills that I'd need later in life.

Though Mom? I have NEVER needed to kill and pluck my own chicken.

Mom never let me skip school when I 'didn't feel well'. She'd turn right around and pick me back up later in the day--but I was always expected to get up, get dressed and move on.

Mom made me get jobs. She expected me to ride my bike to those jobs. She also made me pay for half the bike.

Mom's method for dealing with most every pain and heartache was to 'move on with life'. To 'get to work'. Heck. Seemed to me like this always meant cleaning something!

My Mom's practicality--her determination that I would NOT be spoiled, that I would KNOW how to work, that I would be bright and love to learn didn't always feel like love to me.

I am sure my Mom never imagined the very hard experiences I'd face later in life. Though I'm sure she would have loved to 'fix' those experiences...they were my hardships to face.

Instead, she has always been the one by my side--the one whispering YOU CAN DO THIS. You can get through this. Try harder, Kore. Be brave Kore. Depend on God, Kore. If she cried or was afraid for me, she never showed it.

See--here's the real story. MY God, my good, good God gave me just the kind of Momma I would need.

A strong, practical Mom.

I love you Mom. Thanks for helping me become the woman I'm proud to be.