A Boy.....his dog....and a "Uncle" David.........

Have you ever had a moment in life that just grabs your heart? Today I watched out the window as this story unfolded. It was a very cold Iowa winter day......I bundled up my little 5 year old grandson in layers of clothes...goggles and a helmet. His eyes shone with expectation as he headed out the back door. He has been talking about his moment ever since his Uncle David bought the bright

yellow snowmobile a few weeks ago. They began the cold and slippery walk to the barn as I watched out the window. Christian followed closely behind looking like a small shadow, following each footstep of the older boy he loves so much.I watched as David gave him instructions to wait right there....keep the dog outside the barn and stand back. I watched as Christian leaned over and peeked inside to catch a glimpse of the the snowmobile as the engine started. I saw Christian pat the dogs head talking to him and motioning for him to stay. As the sled came out the door Christian jumped up and down in his excitment and the dog ran in circles around them all.
I watched as my son reached down and helped the little boy step up and swing his leg over and onto the seat.... I saw him give instruction of where to put his feet and then sternly instruct him to not touch anything. As they came close to the house I saw only the beaming little eyes through the yellow goggles of the little boy. They stopped and posed for a picture and then I could see David give him a few more instructions. I couldn't hear the words but I could tell from the actions that David was saying..." if you want me to stop or if you need me just pat my leg... just like this" and he proceded to show him. Christian nodded his head and patted David's leg.. they both nodded....yeap... got it! Off they went with Christian having complete trust in every move David made. I watched them take off through the ditch going up and over the snow banks created by last weeks storms.
Later I saw a little boy going bumpity bump across the yard on the little plastic sled tied behind the snowmobile. The dog followed and ran happily around the duo. It was just those little things that grabbed my heart. Somehow your heart just expands just o see your own "little" boy grown up and have such a passionate love for another little boy. It tugs at my heart to see the huge responsibilty it is for David to have this little boy love him so much and look up to him and try to follow each of his footsteps so carefully. It was just a "moment" that God puts in your life to bring you where you need to be.
Later tonight Christian sat by me on the sofa in front of the fire... I could see his little mind coming up with something. "Grandma" he asked, "is there 2 Gods?" "nope " I said , "only one... why?". "Well.... how can He be up in heaven and be in my heart at the same time?" "Well Christian... that is how big God is... He can be everywhere and take care of everyone that loves Him... He always hears you and you can always talk to Him."
I could tell he was still thinking and he was quiet for a while...." is God going to take care of Uncle David tonight?" "yes" I said, "yes He is".
"well how about Derek cuz he is fighting in the war far far away... you know with the "flags"? ... "Yes Christian.. he is taking care of Derek" I replied. "well that is good cuz I don't want Derek to be afraid of the dark".......... He snuggled up against me..."I love you Grandma" he said with those big brown eyes dancing in the firelight. " I love you too Christian" I replied thru teary eyes... what a "gift" God sent at Christmas time if He loves us even more than I love those two "little" boys on the snowmobile today.

The Buyert Christmas Blog

Family and Friends.........
Tonight I sit by the fireplace in our "new" home.....it is strange for me because it is the house I grew up in, so it is like moving back home only I added my family , my stuff and my mom isn't here to cook and clean!. It began this fall when Dan and Mom purchased a new home in Sioux Center.....we made plans to move to the "home" place. Chad and Jenna made plans to purchase our farm by putting their house on the market. To make a long story short....Chad and Jenna sold their house in town and we all moved with in 8 days................ So yes life has had some big changes here!! We have all had mixed emotions but it has been good and we feel very blessed.
Daniel and Brianne live in Doon and we see them often. Patience and Christian started school this year, Olivia turns four this week and Danika turned one in August. They helped with harvest and we got to enjoy having family around.
Chad and Jenna celebrated their first anniversary in Oct. They are getting settled in "our " house...... we are so glad to keep good neighbors! She already came to borrow sour cream this morning!
Justin and Kate got engaged this fall and have set June 4, 2011 as their wedding date! Justin is working at the NRCS office in Anamosa Ia and Kate is at Northwestern............The volleyball team plays at the National tournament this week in Sioux City so we are planning a fun week in Sioux City.
David is taking some classes at NCC in the morning and then Western in the afternoon. He continues to work at the Hardware store after school andweek-ends. He spends time with friends hunting, fishing and boating. ....He is not sure what next year will hold for him and doesn't really want to decide right now!
Dan and I continue to farm and enjoy our family. We love spending time with the grandkids and following NW sports. We find ourselves home a lone more often and are starting to have time again for time with friends and doing things together.
We think of all our family and Friends this Holiday Season and we wish you your families a wonderful holiday season.

Home is where your heart is...................

I have lived in the same half mile my whole life...... I have farmed my whole life. We have lived on our farm now for 25 years............we have many memories here ......raised our kids here.....had many family and friends gather here.........worked many hours here. We love it here. It is home. As farm kids we always planned to move to the "Home " place where my grandparents lived and now my parents live. I love that place.........it has many wonderful memories for me as a child and as an adult. It has always been a place with an open door........a place where family gathered. I have a sense of pride to be a part of the generations of the hardworking, trustworthy people of faith that brought me up there and I have had the priviledge to continue to be a part of that.
     Recently my parents bought a house in town. I wanted to capture in photos some things from the farm that would remind them of the farm..........this turned out to be one of my favorites. This water fountain is right behind the house by the back door.........it has had a metal cup hanging on it as long as I can remember. This to me is a special place........it was and still is , a "gathering " spot. I can see my grandpa standing there getting a drink after coming in from the field. We would all gather there...........discuss plans for the day.......talk about politics.....religion.....family.......morals .......values and just things about  everyday life. Our kids  (and now grandkids) would always have to get a drink from there before we left. Water is always better and colder from a tin cup!
      The point of this entry is that I am moving "home". My parents are moving to town.......Dan  and I (and we think David) are moving to the "home" place. Chad and Jenna sold their house in town just today and our moving to Our place. AND we are planning a wedding!  I think we all have mixed emotions about this move.......Dad has lived out here all his life. together they have lived here over 50 years. Dan and I have farmed here for 30 years. Chad and Jenna leave their "first" house . Daniel and Brianne and their family come here often. They too are a part of this place as a gathering to celebrate events .....help on the farm and be part of our home  and family. To the grandkids this is "Grandpa and "grandma's" house.
To Kate this is still home......her safe place to come too. She doesn't like change and wants to hang on too the traditions and familiar surroundings of her childhood. David's first reaction was to stay here.........this is home......I am not moving. A little time and a lot of talking about future plans has changed his outlook some and as of right now he  is coming with us! Change is hard for eveyone.
      SO...........we all need to move by Thanksgiving.............that gives us 20 days!  BUT what an answer to prayers for this all to fall into place. As I started packing boxes to day I struggled a bit.....made me think about what is important and what I value..........our house is just a house..........our "things" are just "things"....... What I value most is the family that gathers here.......    A lot of changes here........but Home is where the Heart is..........

Looking back...............Looking forward............

Looking back to September 15, 1992. Our family gathered at the hospital to welcome a new baby, David Hilson Buyert. Daniel cut the umbilical cord.....Jenna stood quietly beside the bed feeling her first "motherly "instincts kick in. Kate loudly proclaimed that she did not want a "David". Either she had her mind set on a sister or she wanted to remain the baby of the family, I am not sure. David.........he completed our family. He was happy all the time. The girls adored him. They both "mothered" him (I think they still do that). He has grown up in a world of chick flicks and girl drama. He has had many tough things to deal with for a young guy. I am proud of the choices he has made so far and I  continue to pray for him everyday.
    "A milllion Dollar " family everyone proclaimed.....perfect. What a blessing. I would go back to that day in a heart beat. I loved having little kids......I loved babies......I loved being able to control their enviroment...keep them safe.....teach them about life and values and morals. I could push them on the swings and show them how to make mudpies. I could fix their scraped up knees and hold their hands when they got stitches. I could take them to the barns and show them the miracle of a baby pig being born. I could take them to the tractor to spend time with their Dad. I could read books that took them  on far away adventures. I could solve all their homework problems. I could make chocolate chip cookies or muffins after school and they all thought I was the best mom ever! I taught them to pray and to know who God is. I walked in faith and they all followed. I loved that part of being a mom.  It is quite something that a mom can have so much love for each of her kids. I marveled at  that each time we added another child. Life was so good.........I loved life and had  big expectations and plans for the years ahead.
     And then sometimes life doesn't just go as you plan it. You find out your "million dollar" family really is going to "cost " you a million dollars! You find out  that you can't control your kids enviroment. You find out that Jr high and high school can really be a tough time. You find out that your kids don't always listen.....they don't always make wise choices. You find out you can't help with any of their homework anymore and you have no idea what "facebook" is or even how to get there on the computer.  Chocolate chip cookies don't solve all the problems AND they don't always think you are the best mom ever! Their hurts are far worse than a scraped knee and their hearts can't be healed with stitches. They question everything about God and they challenge your morals and values and they question your faith. People would comment about how I always all my ducks in a row.............well sometimes the ducks just don't follow. They chose a different road....a tough road .......a road with out a bridge, or a road that just doesn't lead anywhere.  BUT through all of this I learned a very important lesson..........God didn't expect me to do it all............He simply wants me to trust him.
     So..........looking ahead, Sept. 15 2010. David is a Senior in High school. That 18 years has gone so fast. Life for us is again changing. Life can have tough stuff in it...... God does not promise us an easy road. BUT He does promise to be right there beside us. Look for the good stuff in life.........find joy in something everyday.........pray for your kids........pray for mine..........enjoy your journey.........trust that God is with you every step of the way.

Olivia and the Apple tree............

Olivia is 3.................Olivia is my very lovely granddaughter who can charm anyone. Olivia is a little girl who can snatch a chocolate chip from my drawer in less than a second or snuggle in your arms and giggle about a story you just read to her. She is our free entertainment.Today she was here on the farm. She gave me one of those moments that I would have liked to capture with photos for you to see.....  but it was a moment   for me, that will stay imprinted  forever.
     Olivia was playing in the sandbox while I was mowing nearby. I keep  one eye on Olivia at all times..........if you have met her , you  know why .  I had showed her the 4 apples growing on our very young apple tree a few weeks ago. I knew that she really wanted one but  I had told her we should wait until they were red to eat them. I thought  she had forgotten about the apples but later I saw her move from the sandbox to under the tree..........I saw her looking up in the apple tree at the 4 apples that hung high in the tree. She smiled at me and waved..... She jumped as high as a 3 year old can jump, but only reached the green leaves. She headed back to the sandbox but I knew she hadn't really given up on getting an apple.
    I turned the corner to see her dragging her little chair under the tree.....just below the apple. She smiled at me and waved and climbed up on the chair ... she reached as high as she could ...almost tipped , but she couldn't reach the apple. Then she found a stick...climbed back on the chair and started to swing at the lovely apple hanging just out of the reach of the stick....that was being held by her skinny little arm.....  She was standing on her tiptoes ..on the chair. I saw determination on her face but she got down and walked back to the sandbox. This time when I turned the corner, Olivia was dragging an even bigger chair........she smile and waved......she pulled and tugged until she had the chair just where she wanted it...climbed up....climbed down...got her stick...climbed up and began to swing it at the apple hanging in the tree...just out of her reach. I wanted to run and get the camera but didn't want to miss the moment. She gave a big sigh.......gave me her silly little grin and proceded to get just a little bit higher. I was then thinking I should  put a stop to her little apple picking party when she climbed on the arm of the chair she had dragged under the apple tree.............she balanced herself with  the stick in her right hand and reached up with her left handto find that she could reach it !! She looked at me one last time and plucked the apple from the branch....I heard her little voice "I got it Grandma" as the chair tipped and Olivia....the chair.... and the precious apple tumbled over. Olivia rolled in the grass........popped right up and proudly displayed her apple to me........"I picked  a red apple for you Grandma..... aren't you proud of me?" it was one of those moments where your heart just kind of grabs you from the inside. "I am so proud of you Olivia" , I replied, "You are very smart".
    We sat down in the grass under the apple tree........we took turns taking bites out of the apple....we talked about everything we could make with apples........we talked about how a tree grows from the tiny little seeds inside.....we talked about God and all the cool things He made....it was one of those moments I think I missed with my own kids because I would have wanted the lawn mowed first.....that is what is so great about being a Grandma...........I just finished mowing later.

Courage...........The Heart of a Soldier

August 5, 2010...........My only grandson turns 5 today. I will always remember this day. As parents and grandparents we begin to pray for our children at a very young age. Today I asked God to make my very special grandson a  man of courage.......why  would I say courage ? Today I got to be part of the send off of my nephew to Afghanistan as part of the Iowa National Guard........active duty. The North High School Gym filled with family and friends, it was a humid 90 degrees inside. On our drive there we encountered people standing along the roads waving flags and holding up signs of love and support for our troops......I wasn't ready for the grip of patriotism that grabbed at my heart...........  I wasn't ready for the gym filled with families,............the moms standing alone with small children .............the families that stood as the soldiers marched in to the gym erupting into applause and cheers...... Our family all strained to catch a glimpse of the the boy we loved so much.....my thoughts raced back to the days when a pacifier was attached to his little face .......... the days he sat in his highchair with nothing but a diaper eating ice cream with chocolate........the days his skinny little legs could run and run without growing tired...........I could hear him sing the words of the "Alligator" song, "can't catch me... can't catch me"..................I could see him run across the yard with his BB gun begging his brother to wait for him.......I could see him and his brother standing in the door of the farrowing barn discussing who dared to go in first..............I could see him falling asleep anywhere, sometimes with his dirty boots still on. And then I saw him enter the gym in full uniform, my heart caught in  my chest and took my breath away..............my eyes followed only him, as he, along with over 100 soldiers marched in............I thought maybe I would see doubt or fear, but there was none............what I did see was that my nephew wasn't that little boy anymore. He was a man, a man that has had tough things in his life but he pressed on. A man that now was ready and willing to fight for the freedom of this country. A man of integrity.... a man of heart and character.........a man of courage.
       We gave our last hugs, words of encouragement and prayers. Some of us joked while others held back ,our emotions to close to the surface  to contain.........Some of us cried as he held his nieces and nephew with such love and pride and as he hugged his family one last time. He stepped to the bus....turned with his famous smile and waved.  An overwhelming sense of pride almost swept me off my feet.......I wanted to salute  but I stood perfectly still. As he disappeared behind the tinted windows I began to look around. There was young girls clinging to a soldier just one last time. There were parents, grandparents, siblings and friends all watching the men they loved took the last step that would take them miles and miles away. I watched a little girl cling to her daddy's neck sobbing "no daddy no!"  The mom took her from her daddy's arms as he stepped on the bus and the door closed.
       The red flashing lights of the police cars led the way, followed by the Freedom Riders boasting a very large American flag followed by the 5 buses that carried the soldiers off to war. The streets were lined with women and children holding banners, balloons and words of love and prayers. We  passed a big boom truck raised high in the sky waving an American flag............My heart overflowed and somehow I found my voice.......... And I’m proud to be and American,

                    where at least I know I’m free.
                   And I wont forget the men who died,
                   who gave that right to me.
                  And I gladly stand up,
                  next to you and defend her still today.
               ‘ Cause there ain’t no doubt I love this land,
                 God bless the USA.
Take time today to pray for our young men and women who are serving in the armed forces. Pray for their families, encourage them, love them and thank them for their service to our country.
To my dear nephew Derek, I am so proud of you, Our prayers are with you. Continue to be a man of integrity and courage.
To my dear grandson Christian, Happy birthday ,Grandma prays for you everyday. May you grow up to be a man of courage and integrity.



   
        

Looking thru the Keyhole...............

Change.........it seems that some us adjust better than others to change. Sometimes changes are good and sometimes they are exciting. Other times they grab at our hearts and frighten us with the unknown.

It amazes me at the changes we continue to have at our house!! This month David got all dressed up and went to prom.....it seems that all of the sudden he is not a little boy anymore. Danika decided to be a "little girl" instead of a baby.........she now is getting all over and wants to walk!!! Christian will graduate from preschool next week, he has grown up so much and has become a little boy with such a big heart. Olivia entertains us daily with her wise words and big blue eyes.Patience is signed up for Kindergarten and amazes me with her grown up thoughts and open heart for all of us.

Yesterday our house changed from Dan and I having our own schedules, own time frames and quiet evenings to moving kate back home from college for the summer................if any of you have done this you know what I am talking about. It is wonderful...........I honestly am looking forward to having her around this summer. BUT then they come with their "stuff"..................can't we just love them like crazy for the summer and leave their "stuff" at college. In 3 months we will just move it all back again!!!! So we organized today....got rid of clothes that are no longer worn.....repacked stuff that is for dorm use only and then repacked a suitcase as she leaves tomorrow to help Justin move to Waukon Ia for his internship. AND at 10:00 pm when things are settled down for the night...................she was just going out !!!! Yes ....changes for us...and her and maybe even grandma as she may see a car coming home here after 2:00 AM.!!!

Today was also an insightful day for me. Farming with Dad and Mom all these years has gotten to the point of "what need to happen next?". Dad and Mom have talked about moving to town for many years............wow that would be a big change in their lives but would also affect the whole family in different ways. The excitement of us finally getting to move to the homeplace comes with mixed emotions too after living here for 23 years . But sometimes change is good....it causes us to get renewed again and givaes us just the spark we need.

So today Mom and I looked at houses in town................what a house looks like from the outside isn't always what it seems. We looked at several houses............some were a little older, some were brand new and some just made us both want to run back to our own homes and stay there!!! So what is it that makes a house a "home"? What makes a house grab you and make you feel safe and warm and give you a sense of "home"? I kept asking myself that today.....because we just weren't finding what we were looking for. Then we came to the last house...........it just was different............but what was it really???? This house was where you could see the family gathering for a meal or a bowl of soup by the counter, a place where I could see mom baking cookies in the kitchen,, where I could see each one of us easily stopping for a quick word of encouragement or a talk at the table with Dad. I could see Mom working on some little project that one of us needed help with and Dad sitting in his own "office'' doing "bookwork" or taking a nap. It was a place where friends and neighbors would just stop over for coffee, it was one of the only places we found today that grabbed you and wrapped you with contentment and peace. You could tell that the young family that lived there didn't just live in the house.......they had made a "home" there, they were raising a family there, it was a warm safe place that grabbed you with just what you wre looking for!! So I learned today that it isn't about the floor plan, the amount of money it costs, the beautiful things you can put in it or even the location....... We make the house a home with the love of family........... Its not about our plans, our changes, our schedules or our worries about how this will all work out......I just felt a sense of peace when I walked out the door. God has a way with working all these things out..............I walked up to my front door.....what would I see if I looked thru the keyhole???? I found "home" and home is where your heart is. Sometimes its time to change your home and sometimes its time to change your heart !!!..............(and then i started cleaning!!!)

Finding Forgiveness...........

A week away can sometimes give you a new outlook on life, a reflection maybe of what is important and what is not. The days here in Iowa have been cold, dark and wet. I long so for spring!! I guess we need the rain to clean things up around here....the yards are messy and muddy.... everything seems to be the same color.

The long winter and hopes of spring have brought my heart to a story that has been on my heart for many years. One of those things that happened many years ago but has just always stayed with me. A story that needed an ending. A story that I had to go back to in order to find forgiveness.

The story is about a young boy that I met and became friends with. We talked about many things and enjoyed each others company. My parents were very strict and of course didn't allow me to see him. He wasn't from the Christian Reformed Church and he didn't go Christian school. I respect my parents for my upbringing but I often struggled with the "box" that it put me in. I just don't fit into this "box".

One afternoon this boy decided to come and see me...he didn't know exactly where I lived so he just went for a ride to find my house. This journey changed his life.....it almost took his life.....He was hit by a train while crossing the railroad tracks close to my house.

I went to school the next day knowing nothing about the accident. People were huddled in groups crying when I arrrived. Girls began yelling at me, blaming me for what had happened. It went on for weeks. When I finally understood just what had happened the guilt set in. The boy spent days fighting for his life. I did nothing.....I wanted to go see him but I was not allowed to. I wrote him many times but could never bring myself to send it. Kids reminded me everyday what I had done. One day many weeks after the accident , my doorball rang. There he was........... one thing that he wanted to do when he got out of the hospital was finish his destination of that day. He found my house...he found me. The visable scars tore at my heart. They stayed with me for many years.

As I have grown up I have learned some things. There is a whole new life outside the box.....there are wonderful people outside the box. As a parent it would have been easier to keep my kids inside that box. It seems safe.....it seems easier......it seemed right. Things were just black or white. As the kids grew older they brought many friends home......... some were from their school and some were not. Some were of the same faith , some were not.They taught me many lessons as a mom and as a person. My kids don't fit in a box........but how wonderful!! I hope that I have taught them to spread their faith outside the box.........there are wonderful people outside the box!!

I read this book about how this man needed to go back to his high school years and ask forgiveness of someone that he hurt and had left things unfinished. I finally did that too.......

After much searching I found the boy from my past.......I needed to ask him for forgiveness.....forgiveness for not being there for him in one of the toughest times in his life........for not going outside my "box"........for not being opened minded about different churches and faiths........for not being able to handle what so many other kids were saying. I am sorry.....forgive me is a tough thing to say sometimes. Many of us have that I think........Contact someone today.......tell them. It cleans our soul just like the rain cleans up the mess in the spring.

By the way...life is wonderful outside the box!!! It lets you see things in all the wonderful colors that God created!! Trust Him!!

Friendship...........

This past week-end I got spend time with my friend.....not just any friend, a friend whom I have known for over 25 years. Her family is building a Lake home on Silver Lake and she had to meet with the builder , make some decisions,and we decided to do a "house cleaning" before the next phase started.

We decided to make it a slumber party, watched a movie and just talked about life. The next day we worked hard , talked about colors and envisioned what the new house would look like but also the the type of Lake house they wanted this to be.

I am writing about this because this friendship is kinda unique. It started with me babysitting for her kids and then adding my own. We went to a different church, our kids went to different schools. They were very large family farmer and we were just a small family farm. But....we just connected at the heart. Now some times we don't talk for weeks but the friendship stays just the same. We love and care about each one of our children, we pray for their marriages, their dating life and our grandchildren. We used to talk of toddlers, sleepless nights and receipes. Now we talk of grown up kids, their choices and their chosen paths, we talk about our faith, our own walk with God AND we talk about our grandchildren!! There just isn't anything better than having grandchildren in our lives to love and care for!

I have wonderful memories of spending time with this friend.........we worked in our houses.....we demolished things and made them look wonderful again!!! (sometimes with our husbands help and sometimes with out) We painted many , many rooms and wallpapered many little corners. We loaded up all our kids in the motorhome once and headed to Yankton campground......5 kids and a cage of bunnies that had to be dropper fed every few hours. Their family taught us the "art " of camping. We have done it every year since! We took our kids to Pumpkinland and the zoo. We loaded up and went swimming, had picnics and rode horse in the Black Hills. We shared our thoughts, we laughed and we cried. We lost our father-in-laws quite suddenly, she lost a precious baby boy less than 2 weeks after I had Daniel. Our friendships in this life are precious...don't take them for granted. Take time to call your friend, pray for her and her family, make time to laugh and be there for her to cry. Get on the phone ....touch base with an old friend today.

Another Day...........

Snow.....wind.....cold. It is another Iowa winter day. Much of 2010 has been the same here in NW Iowa. School cancelations, postponed activities along with frozen fountains and cars that don't start. Our house just never seems to stay the same........David who spent much of his Christmas vacation stranded here at home, went back to school and work. Justin left for grad school at UNI. Kate and I moved all her stuff back to the dorm yesterday, classes started today. Daniel and his family stay home where it is warm with their busy little family. Yesterday Jenna celebrated her 24th birthday....the days and years seem to just travel faster each blink of an eye. I now have an emty house again. There is some leftover "stuff" in kate's room, the bathroom counter has only hairspray on the counter as a reminder that she has been home. Kate and I cleaned every closet during her break. We went through boxes of gradeschool stuff.....photos and notes.....awards, medals and art projects. Kate wishes to throw nothing away, it seems to give her a warm "home" feeling. So we "organized" all her "things" , put them in plastic tubs and returned them to the shelves in her closet. I did that with all the kids "things" of the past....it surprised me what was important to them and what "things" brought back memories of their childhood. As I packed the boxes all back in to storage I kinda felt like a piece of my heart was left with each box. I looked through boxes of baby clothes and as I refolded each one I remebered who wore it and I could see their tiny little face like it was just yesterday. Some days I long for that again and other days I am starting to enjoy this new stage of life. What will 2010 bring for me.......? I hope I can give my family that warm "home " feeling where they want to come home and spend time with family. I hope each of them continue walking with God and lead their families to a faith in Him. What will 2010 bring you? I do not know what the future holds but I know who holds the future.......Trust Him.