Category Archives: Family

My peeps

Miscellany

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This morning I forced myself out of bed when the alarm clock sounded.   I planned to get up and jog to start the day but felt like doing anything but jogging.  As I groggily walked to the dresser to get my stuff I argued with myself, telling myself I would feel great when I was done and just to keep moving.    I walked out into a cool, still-dark morning and when I rounded the two-story townhouse building where we live I looked up and saw a deep blue sky not yet faded by dawn, a bright white sliver of a crescent moon with a few twinkling, very bright stars nearby.  How beautiful!  I started off walking, turned on the iPod, started to jog and before you know it I realized I was right:  I felt great!

My middle daughter has been working hard this summer at a nearby grocery and saving just about every dollar toward a used car.  She should get her license this Friday, if she passes the driving test of course.  She has had her heart set on a Geo Tracker as her vehicle of choice and has been looking them up on the Internet, seeing them around town, etc.   When Kaitlin sets her sights or heart on something she has laser focus.  (If only I could get her to set her heart on a 4.0 GPA).  We told her to keep an open mind because it may not be a Tracker that God sends her way but an equally good, reliable other used car.  Well this weekend a church friend called to say one of his relatives is selling a 1997 Geo Tracker wit a soft top (convertible!) – only 70,000 miles, one owner and it’s going for $1200.  Kaitlin just has $1200 in her savings!  Continue reading →

Day Four

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This morning (Sunday) we woke to a crystal clear blue sky and sun, got dressed, had some cereal and went to church.  What a great time of celebration and refreshing!  There have been times lately when I pondered on the value of the weekly worship service, is it really serving a purpose?  Does it help fulfill Christ’s commission to us?  Is it worth all the time and preparation?  Well, today I realized that although we can’t base our faith on emotion, emotion is a part of our faith and relationship with God and helps us reconnect to Him.  I was so encouraged and uplifted by the songs we sang, seeing other people worship alongside my family, the freedom to sing out and raise my hands, and hearing God’s Word spoken boldly and passionately.  The lesson we heard was right on and was such a great reminder:  God is for us.  When we are hurting we sometimes feel abandoned or when things don’t turn out the way we planned we feel hurt, or that God’s not listening.  His wisdom appears as foolishness to us oftentimes but we have to remember that God’s foolishness is wiser than any man’s best wisdom.  Great truth!   The speaker was engaging and funny, which I also thanked God for, because our girls were clearly connected throughout and seemed to soak it in.

We experienced something new in the worship time:  the speaking of tongues and the interpretation of it.  I have never experienced that.  I’ve been in services at pentecostal churches where everyone seemed to be speaking in tongues but no one explained anything or interpreted so all it seemed to be was a frenzied chaotic mess…not something God used to bless or instruct anyone.  This was much different.  Following one of the worship songs, one woman began speaking in what sounded like a different language.  When she did the band got quiet, all the people quieted and we just listened.  It lasted about half a minute.  Right after she finished another lady in a different part of the room “interpreted” and shared a word from God with us about having faith and hope in spite of disappointments or unrealized dreams, very impassioned and strong.  After her another woman shared briefly that when we don’t understand what God is doing, it doesn’t mean God isn’t working on our behalf – the our future and hope is in His hands.  How cool that these two words from God were exactly what the preacher was going to speak about!  Instead of feeling uncomfortable or weird, I felt like it was a special holy moment, like God was truly speaking through those ladies to each of us.

The girls were handed some money from their great-grandmother last night so of course we needed to make a trip to the mall.  Now we’re home and getting ready to have some pizza.  It’s our last night on vacation and I hope it goes by slowly.  We head home tomorrow – back to routine, back to “normal” life.   At least we’ve had this long weekend getaway with each other, John’s family, and God.

Day Three

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Saturday morning I woke to a sunny sky with big clouds and was optimistic about the rest of the day since it was the day for the big 50th anniversary party.  The house was quiet with sleepyheads sleeping in, so John’s dad and I went to the lake path again.  We walked and talked, then I jogged for a while, then we walked back to the car.  It was nice.  A breeze had started to blow and the sky was getting a little grayer.

There was a little time to sit and read, watch a TV with the girls, and just relax before getting ready for the party.  We got dressed and “snazzy” and headed out to the Elks lodge to celebrate John’s parents’ marriage for 50 years!  Many friends and relatives joined us, in spite of a torrential downpour on the way there.  It was fun to watch them all reconnect, talk and laugh together.  Some of those Polish peeps can get really loud!  I know some of them, as well, so got to catch up a little.  We took lots of pictures and video, had some 5731_118891228893_660523893_3046650_7394089_nyummy food for dinner including tortellini, meatballs and homemade kielbasa (polish sausage), enjoyed watching John lead his parents through the renewing of their wedding vows, and had some delicious wedding cake before cleaning up and going home.  What a beautiful thing to see two people who have not had a perfect marriage (there is none, I believe) but decided they were committed to staying together through it all – good and bad.  There love is so obvious.  It was wonderful for John to get to be part of their recommitment to one another.  His mom’s parents are both living so her dad got to walk her “down the aisle” as we all hummed the wedding march.  So special and fun.

We were all pretty tired when we got home but had enough energy to watch the movie “Willow” and flake out on the couches in our jammies.  I was playing a game on the Nintendo DS we brought along when Kristine  chastised me, “Mom, you’re not being present with your family.  That’s just as bad as texting.”  I scowled at her playfully, but then realized she was right, so I turned it off.  I’ll take that from her.  I need to be reminded as much as anyone else.   Special people, special reason to celebrate, special day.

Day Two

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lakesideWe woke to a beautiful, sunny day and once everyone got dressed and had some of Grandma’s eggs and sausage, we headed to the nearby lake to take a walk/jog.   I’m coveting this lake and the walking path right along the edge for several miles.  It was so pleasant to walk and jog along the twisting path underneath big shade trees, with the lake breeze blowing.  Ahhhh.

The girls and I went to Chili’s for lunch then Target and Barnes & Noble, before coming back to the house.  We all had yummy grilled chicken and pasta salad for dinner and then watched “The Knowing” with Nicholas Cage.  It’s a very interesting, albeit weird, movie.  I liked it – very thought provoking in parts.   Is our existence something that was planned or just a result of a string of amazingly coincidental cosmic accidents?   What would I do if I knew the end of my life was supposed to happen on a certain day in the near future?   Would that change the way I live?  Most definitely.  The truth is, we are all on the path to death (in our human bodies) and none of us know when.  The cliche of always living as if it were your last day kept coming to mind while we watched.  That’s actually not a bad idea!  The movie didn’t meet the “Mimi’s happy ending” preference, but I think it was worth watching.

It was fun to have a day when we could just do as we pleased.  That’s true vacation in my book – not a lot of plans, just time to “be”.  It’s actually been freeing to not have our phones or facebook.  I feel like we’re all present more in the time together and conversation here.  It’s peaceful.  It was a little crazy when the girls and I were out and we had no cell phone.  I thought, “What if we get turned around or lost?”  But then I realized I could go old school and use a pay phone or ask someone for directions.   You know, I existed happily before I had my cell phone, I just forgot what it was like.

I think it’s time to go sit somewhere and read.  Ahhhhh….

Day One

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rockyWe made it to Syracuse in one piece.  Our pets, who we had to bring along, seem sane at the moment.  The girls – not so much.  Just kidding!  There was a lot of napping going on in the van so we’re feeling rested and ready to have fun.  It’s a beautiful sunny evening – maybe a walk is in order after grilled out hamburgers and NY hot dogs, aka “coonies”.

We let Kimmi drive the last two hours of the trip.  It’s great to have someone else to help – especially with an 11-hour trip.  Oddest moment in my day:  an older, skinny, shirtless guy with a few teeth missing telling me how to save money travelling with pets.  Obviously you can request a “service dog” vest and paper from the govt. and then fly free with your dog,  stay in any hotel with it, etc.,  fooling the masses.  Best $65 he spent.  How about that?  I kicked myself once back in our van for not at least saying, “But that’s not really honest…”   He was quite the rest area socialite, chatting up lots of folks before hopping into his old RV with blue dolphins painted on the sides.  I love people – never a dull moment!

I better go for now – we’re trying to be as unplugged as possible.  I just thought it would be fun to document our trip.

Unplugged

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Did you hear it?  The wails of three teenagers echoing across the entire state of Indiana when we told them we were having an “unplugged” no cell phone, no facebook trip to see their grandparents in NY this weekend?

John and I decided we’re going to leave cell phones at home (except for his in case of emergency) and not allow anyone on facebook either.  It’s only for five days but you would have thought we asked each of the girls to personally cut off their own arms and forever live in caves as hermits.

We live in a deluge of input, information, communication, entertainment, and technology and it seems to have caused American Christians to become spiritually malnourished, weak, subtly distracted and preoccupied.   I have to admit I have allowed it to make me that way.   When was the last time I sat down just to be quiet?  How about an evening without turning on the TV or sitting down in front of the Internet?  How about going for a walk outside and not taking the iPod?  Continue reading →

A Changin’

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In the words of my daughter Kaitlin this evening, after we attended camp meeting and I only saw two people I know (!) “Mom, times, they are a changin’ “.  What a true statement.   It’s especially true for me as a mom of three teenagers.

Mimi and girls

It used to be that wherever I went during the day or on the weekends, all three girls piled into the car or van with me, we’d listen to music, sing, laugh, be silly and pal around.  Nowadays they’re usually at work, busy, out with friends, texting friends and boyfriends, on a date, or otherwise occupied.  We have a lot fewer dinners around the table when everyone is present.  It used to always be the “Klotzfive” out on the town.  Now sometimes it’s the “Klotzfour” “Klotzthree” or…gasp…”Klotztwo” – me and John!  Today I went to the pool by myself and had to talk myself out of a pity party.   Continue reading →

Soar New Ravens Soar!

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Kimmi with her new laptop!

Kimmi with her new laptop!

We’re home now from our weekend at Anderson University and Kimmi is officially an AU Raven!  She signed up for classes, got her ID picture taken, met new friends, bought a t-shirt and hasn’t stopped smiling since we left the campus.   I got to see several friends of mine that I’ve known since I was in college who work on campus as faculty and that was fun.  There are a lot of good people there – that makes me even more confident in sending my girls into their care for a few years.   During the parent session this morning the admissions staff had each of us tell our name, where we’re from, the name of our child, their major and what made them choose AU.

The overwhelming majority said their student felt welcomed when coming to campus, felt special, received individual special attention from the admissions staff and friendliness from current students.  It just goes to show that a warm, welcoming environment and intentionally making others feel like they really matter goes a long way.  I’m proud to be a Raven alum.  I kinda wish I could do college again – 4 of the best years of my life!

One of the presenters told the kids that over their high school years they grew a lot physically and changed a lot in that way, but that during the next four years they will change so much on the inside.  How true and how beautiful!  It will be exciting to watch the unfolding of Kimmi’s future and the shaping God does in her heart and life.

I came home to our downstairs full of stuff from our upstairs – what a mess!  We are fighting off some bedbugs.  I’m almost embarrassed to admit it but it’s true.  I guess they can show up anywhere these days but it always makes me think of people who live in squallor.  We don’t, I promise!  We did have to throw away two boxsprings, are washing and drying all bedding and clothes from the rooms where they were found, and super cleaning the floors.  I wonder why God even created bed bugs!  Seriously.  What purpose can they serve?  They bite us to get our blood, they don’t help anyone, they’re not even cute.   One good thing coming out of this mess for us is the super cleaning our apartment is getting as a result.  An exterminator came and steamed everything, which is apparently one of the only things that will kill the little pests.  I know we’re supposed to thank God for EVERYTHING so I told him the other day “thank you for bed bugs.”  Did He say we have to be sincere when we thank him for the not so lovely things in life?

All in all – we still are so blessed with more than we need.  Today we have had enough of everything and we always have God.  Hopefully we will have no more bedbugs!

Fly Butterfly

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blue-morpho-butterfly-518617-ga

I drove out of Anderson to go home tonight and was surprised at the lump in my throat.  Kimmi’s staying overnight at the SOAR weekend at college, scheduling classes tomorrow, getting officially ready to start this fall.  We’re one step closer to her moving out, gradually shifting from one stage of family to the next.  Thankfully we’ll have several years to adjust as the other two move through high school and beyond.  Watching Kimmi graduate was fun and exciting but surreal.  Wow.  We’re really here, she’s really 18, life really is moving on.

It’s another reminder to me to live in today and enjoy what’s going on right now.  I’m determined not to get too emotional and miss the fun of this weekend for my girl.  Nicole C. Mullen wrote a song I love about moms blessing their daughters as they go out into the world.  The lyrics go like this: Continue reading →

Kimmi, Kimba, Kimberly, Kimmi-kimmi-koco-bop

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kimmiToday my first-born is going to walk across her high school gymnasium’s platform and accept her diploma. She is passing a milestone in her life and we get to watch her do it! I’ll watch with pride but I’m also feeling disbelief that we’re actually at this stage of life, curiosity about how our family dynamics will change now that we’re moving slowly out of the Klotzfive at home scene, sadness that she’ll be increasingly on her own and less a part of my daily life, and thankfulness for her bright mind and healthy body – that God has brought her this far and blessed her.

As I look back in my mind over Kimmi’s life I remember when she was so eager to read and write that she copied words from toys and books onto a little notebook we gave her. We found it one day with lots of scribbling but then very leglibly on one line the words “Made in China.”

She embraced school, reading, art, music, projects, friends, class plays, physical fitness tests and field days, and the whole sha-bang with joy.

I think it’s a natural tendency to compare our kids to ourselves when we were their age, but I’ve seen in Kimmi so many beautiful differences from when I was in school. She’s developed a real love for literature, especially Shakespeare. Rather than being saturated with music classes like I was, her loves have been reading, art, tennis, writing and most recently photography.

I’m not sure how I’ll react tonight at the graduation ceremony. I don’t know if I’ll get teary-eyed or just try to stay in my seat with an adrenaline rush of excitement at her accomplishment and bright future. There will be lots of video and picture taking, that’s for sure. To top it off her sister will be following right behind next year, barely giving John and I a breather from this life-changing phase we’re in.

Here’s to you, Kimmi, Kimba, Kimbalina, Kimberly-girl: We’re so proud of you and know God has some beautiful plans for your life! We let go, we trust you, we trust God to take care of you and guide you. We will always be here for you and will ALWAYS cover you in prayer. Congratulations, Kimberly Ellen Klotz! WOO!!