The Gift of my Grandpa

Seven years ago, my Papa passed away. Usually I spend this day thinking about what life would be like if he were still here, how much of my life he has missed and how much I wish I could talk to him and see him. But today, after the year I've had, I decided that I was going to approach this day differently this year.

For the first time since I lost him, I decided that instead of being sad for the part of my life he has missed, I will be thankful for the part of my life he was here for. Not many people know their grandparents the way that I do. I am blessed to have known all four of my grandparents and not only to have known them, but to be very close to them. I even knew most of my great-grandparents. That's a really rare thing these days.

For those of you who have not been to my house, in our older sons' room are pictures of each of their great-grandpas- Arnold, Allin, Donald, Jerry and Mervyn. I am so grateful that as they grow up I can point them to the men on their wall and encourage them to walk in their footsteps. Those men are examples of the kind of men I want my sons to grow up to be- smart, kind, loyal, dedicated, patriotic, compassionate, frugal, humble, encouraging, loving, honest, hard working, determined, family oriented, men of God.

My grandpa was a huge part of my life. He was my hero and showed me by example how to walk through hard times and keep them in perspective. He was unshakeable. There was no circumstance, no pain that could break him. He knew where his hope was and he had unwavering focus. He was always able to think of others before himself. He lived for his family and he honored his Lord. 

I miss him terribly. I do wish that I could sit and talk to him for hours like I used to. I'd love to play another game of chess, or curl up with popcorn and a movie. I'd love to go to "Germany" again with him. But the thing I need to remember is that I had those times. I had dozens of chess games, countless movies and bowls of popcorn and I have wonderful memories of "Germany" as well as Florida, the Christmas lights in the wealthy neighborhoods, the balloon festivals, the beach, the list goes on and on.

So no matter how much I miss him, I am thankful. I am thankful for his life. I am thankful for the example that he left for my sons. I am thankful that I know that he ran his race, he finished strong and he's cheering me on as I try desperately to do the same.

Thank you, God for my grandparents...for the loving family they made. Thank you for all the ways they've been there for me through the years and for the awesome legacy they have established. Thank you most of all for their faithfulness in leaving a godly heritage for their families.

I miss you, Papa. Thank you for the memories we made. I can't wait to see you again. I hope I make you proud. I love you.

Mason Jar Organizing

As I have already established, I have a need to join my local chapter of Mason Jar Addicts Anonymous. Although technically, I guess I would no longer be considered anonymous. And I don't think they have a program for mason jar addicts. Maybe I should start one. Or maybe I should just keep writing love songs about those beautiful, versatile glass cylinders that never seem to let me down. Just kidding. I don't really do that. Or do I?

Anyway...today's mason jar musing...organizing. I use mason jars in pretty much every room in my house. I use them to hold everything from silverware to holiday candy to chalk. Here are a few of my favorite organizing uses for mason jars.

I keep this jar full of pens on my kitchen counter. I also keep one on my desk. (That's my niece and nephew's picture in the background. Aren't they cute?)

I use these jars for organizing some of our school supplies. The one furthest back holds pencils, the one in the middle holds children's scissors. The one up front holds various geometrical shapes.

A jar of paintbrushes in our sun room.

Perfect storage for math units.

And chalk...

In our bathroom cotton balls in the bottom and q-tips in a votive holder on top. (Thank you pinterest.)

A few other awesome mason jar organizing ideas I've come across, but not yet done...

Pin storage and pin cushion. Find the tutorial HERE.

Adorable storage made from wall molding and hose clamps. Cute!

I also love mason jars for a more common purpose (food storage) but with a twist. I empty my sugars/spices/salts/etc. into mason jars. I've painted a square label on each jar with chalkboard paint (you could also paint the lid if you're storing them where the top would be more visible than the front). Then I just write what's in it on the label and when I switch what's in it, I just erase it and write something different. I also love that you can see exactly how much of something you have left with just a glance. And they look so cute in my lazy susan...I tried to show you a picture of my cute little jars, but I couldn't get it to go. Sorry. Maybe it'll work later. (as a side note...if you're storing something that needs to be dispensed by shaking or pouring you can reuse a lid from a grated Parmesan cheese container for a shaker or the lid from a pourable salt container for pouring. Both can be used on your mason jar.)

pour spout on a mason

 

 

The possibilities are endless! Happy organizing!