True Love

We don't do Black Friday. I don't do Black Friday. I have enough anxiety just going out on ordinary days - but to tackle Black Friday?!? I'd most surely die. And to get up in the wee hours of the morning?!

But this year . . . there was this certain item that a certain little boy has been asking for for almost a year. Said item was on sale at WalMart for Black Friday. It went on sale at 5 am. It's a high demand item meaning that there would be a line for it and it would sell out in a blink of an eye.

Chris, my lovely wonderful husband, got up at 1:30 AM and stood in line at WalMart until 5 am when he could buy the item. He was fourth in line. He said by the time he left WalMart (at 5:20 am), the item was sold out.

He's my hero. And he's a hero to a certain little boy - who may never know the sacrifice his amazing father went through to get him exactly what he wanted.

Missed Opportunities

Just last week a friend of mine moved to a land far far away. It just about broke my heart and when I think about it, I tear up.

I first met her at church a few years ago and instantly liked her. She's beautiful and funny. At the time she had just had her first child and I had just had my second. I was so excited to get to know her.

But life got in the way and I kept thinking, maybe we'll get together next week or next month when things die down a bit. I remember thinking constantly, I need to call her, I need to get together with her.

And then she had her second child. And then I had my third child. And then she had her third child.

All along I put off getting together with her because life got in the way. Oh, every once in a while we'd meet up or get a chance to chat at church or some other activity.

But I took for granted that she'd always be close, that in time we'd actually be able to get together consistently.

I didn't mean to put our friendship on a back burner, but I think I did - because life happens, because kids get sick, things get busy and all along I was thinking, perhaps tomorrow.

Tomorrow is here and she has moved. And I miss her.

But, I did learn my lesson - that tomorrow may not come - that I need to do my best today to let people know how much they mean to me because tomorrow they may not live around the corner anymore and I won't have the chance to really get to know them and be a part of their everyday lives.

"About three things I was absolutely positive"

First, our smoke detectors work even at 2:30 IN THE MORNING (and for apparently no reason).

Second, Chris is fast when woken up by the smoke detectors at 2:30 IN THE MORNING.

And third, Colt and Jonathan didn't stir. Carena only put a pillow over her head.

Good Tuesday morning to y'all!



(title of the post is from Twilight)

Super Saturday

I am grateful for:

Jonathan sleeping better last night than he has in a week.

Holding Jonathan's hand all night.

Another overcast day.

Colt putting his arm around me.

The opportunity to go grocery shopping today.

Carena.

Homemade donuts.

RAIN!! IT'S RAINING OUTSIDE RIGHT NOW!!!!

Freaky Friday

I am grateful for:

Colt being better enough to go to school today (although I missed him all day long).

Jamba Juice.

An overcast day.

Doctors' offices that have evening hours.

An awesome surprise in the mail today.

Two reimbursement checks that are going straight to the "fix Chris's car fund."

Yummy smelling household cleaners. Probably toxic fumes, but at least it smells nice.

Naps.

Vacuuming.

Opened windows.

Thursday Thoughts

I am thankful for:

The time Colt and I got to spend out and about yesterday (he hadn't been out of the house in a week, I hadn't been out in 5 days).

My collection of sharks' teeth (yup, Julie, it's mine).

Chicken with rice.

CVS so close.

Phone calls from my family.

Lavender.

Stories that I write in my head.

Sharks' Teeth and Gratitude

One of my all-time favorite activities is walking the beach searching for sharks' teeth. However, just looking down and coming across a shark's tooth is not always easy. Often they are tiny and mixed in with shells, ocean debris and other beach stuff. But, once you know what you're looking for - the smooth black, the triangle shape - it becomes easier. The shells, the beach glass, the seaweed, all those distractions just seem to fade away as you are focused on spotting the sharks' teeth amongst the debris.

In my collection of sharks' teeth I have super super small shark's teeth that at first glance look like a small smooth pebble. But upon further inspection, you can see that it is in fact a shark's tooth. It really is like a needle in a hay stack . . . but once you know what to look for, it becomes easy and the non-sharks' teeth fade to the background so that the sharks' teeth are glaringly obvious. I also have some pretty big sharks' teeth that you just can't miss . . .

Liken this to gratitude and blessings. Lately I've been consciously listing the things I am grateful for. Sometimes it takes a little work. Sometimes I feel like I have more to be ungrateful for. BUT, with focusing on the good all that other bad stuff just fades to the background and I'm left with my gratitude and a long long list of blessings. All that other stuff doesn't even register, just like the non-sharks' teeth stuff. Sharks' teeth equal my blessings. In focusing on finding the sharks' teeth (blessings), the beach debris (rotten stuff going on in our lives), although still there, isn't in the forefront so much.

So, I'm trying to focus on the good. And that other stuff can just fade into the background as I pick up my little treasures along the way of life.

Wistful Wednesday

Today I am grateful for:

VETERANS, of course!

Selective hearing. What? Jonathan's yelling at me!?

Pseudoephedrine.

Breakfast.

Cool breezes.

A loose tooth (Colt's, not mine).

One Day

Tuckered-out Tuesday

Day 5 of the flu. Colt's getting better. Jonathan is still suffering. Carena just got it yesterday.

Despite that, I am grateful for:

A friend who made dinner for us last night. It was dang delicious and what a relief to not have to worry about dinner! My words don't justify the gratitude I feel.

Fresh air.

Hand sanitizer.

Thoughts of Christmas.

Naps.

Chocolate.

Catalogs.

My computer.

Beef jerky.

The Face of the Flu

So, this is what the flu looks like . . . only it's 100 times worse in real life.

Manic Monday

I am thankful for:

Carena's health. (Never mind . . . just got a call from the school . . . Carena's sick)

Colt getting a little bit better.

Jonathan telling me "I love noo (you)" even though he's got the flu now too.

Disposable diapers.

New Moon. yup, read it again.

The birds singing in my back yard.

Cozy blankets.

Friends willing to help.

Popsicles.

Kind words.

People that inspire me.

Warm milk with a little bit of honey and cinnamon.

My love of baking.

The 'S' Word

On Thursday afternoon, all of a sudden, Colt started complaining about a sore throat. He said it was bad enough that he didn't want to go to karate (red flag!!). About ten minutes later . . . he was complaining of a headache. Ten minutes after that, he had a fever of 101. In the middle of the night, he came into our room and told us he needed a bucket. He was sick all night long. And the fever stuck. Friday morning - still sick, but able to keep some soup down. His newest symptom was congestion, stuffy nose, and a terrible cough.

Last night he had a fever of 104 that wouldn't budge even with motrin. He was pretty uncomfortable all night long. This morning I tried the motrin again, and thankfully the fever went down to 102. He's no longer sick to his stomach, but all the other symptoms are really wreaking havoc with him. But, wow, what a trooper he is. He's handling it well.

This morning I called his doctor. I explained his symptoms and over the phone they confirmed that yup, it's the flu. However, there was no mention of the "s" word associated with the flu. I didn't bring it up and the doctor's office didn't bring it up. But I think we are both aware of what it could be.

For now, we're treating his fever with motrin every 6 hours, pushing fluids, and treating his cough, congestion, stuffiness and sneezing. If he's not significantly better by Tuesday we'll take him into the doctor.

See you all later. . . we're headed toward quarantine!

Fabulous Friday

I am grateful for:

Our one running car (although it is now making a mysterious ominous sound).

An hours sleep last night (although I would have preferred 8 hours).

Jonathan and Carena's health (although I would prefer if Colt weren't so sick).

Being able to take care of Colt today.

That donut sitting on the counter CALLING my name. It's seriously a beautiful donut.

Funny jokes in the Reader's Digest.

Flat pillows.

Not having to make Carena's school lunch - she's having a pizza party instead.

Carena's excitement over having a pizza party at school.

Chris being able to work some overtime.

Chris having a job.

Jonathan's unintelligible sentences - he tries so hard!

A cool morning.

Saving $5.00 a month.

Ideas for inexpensive, yet thoughtful, Christmas gifts to give others.

Cloth diapers.

Tea tree oil.

Not having to rush this morning.

Being able to stay home all day today.

Jonathan telling everyone "Happy Haween" every day.

Jonathan calling Halloween candy, "Happy Haween candy."

Cool washcloths.

Motrin and Tylenol.

Our Wii.

Holiday movies on Lifetime.

Guess Who? game.

Little people who play Guess Who? with me.

Carena's love of reading.

Thankful Thursday

Today I'm thankful for:

Twilight - I just read it for the second time and it was still amazing.

Jonathan's preschool

Chocolate chip cookies

Colt's karate class

My only girl

My messy house

Clean laundry

Season Premiers

A comfy couch

Halloween candy

Don't Ask!

Wonderful Wednesday

I am grateful for:

The health of myself and my family

A roof over my head

Flannel sheets

The delicious dinner I will make tonight

Books

Romantic movies

My family

Airplanes

Email

Curly hair

My treadmill

Smiles

SpongeBob

Hugs

Clothes

My lime tree

Hot baths with yummy essential oils

A working vehicle

A FREE bus pass provided by Chris's work

Bliss (what a great word)

My upbringing

Friends

Pumpkin seeds

A guy with a shaved head

Flowers

Herbal tea

Pierogies

HALLOWEEN!

The Halloween festivities began with a Daddy/Daughter prom night. I hear that Carena stayed in character almost the entire night!

The kids were allowed to dress up as a storybook character for school. Carena is one of the Three Musketeers (THANK YOU AMY!!!) and Colt is Mr. Bump.

Pumpkin carving!

So, Saturday afternoon we go outside and find this giant cardboard pumpkin just sitting in our yard. JACKPOT! Now, it looks like we're actually into Halloween with our massive pumpkin. Thank you mystery persons who helped make us look a lot cooler than we actually are!

I'm pretty sure Colt will take any chance he can to wear his karate uniform. He was so excited to be a karate kid!

Carena finally got to be a vampire!

Jonathan wanted to be a "kee cat." We had this lion costume from when Colt was this age. We convinced Jonathan that he was in fact a "kee cat." Technically, he is, you know. Lions are cats. And the costume was a hit. People thought he was cute and gave him HANDFULS of candy.

I am not a big fan of Halloween. And this year seemed to be extra excruciating. It seemed like it went on FOREVER. I never remember "celebrating" Halloween for over a week. And I hope never to do it again. All that work and I didn't even get my own bucket of candy!

It started out with the Daddy/Daughter prom. Carena wanted to be a vampire, but since I put the makeup on too thick, she resembled a mime instead. So, ta da! I was pretty impressed with Chris's willingness to be a mime as well.

Then . . . the kids were to dress up as storybook characters for school. Carena wasn't interested in being Dracula for that, even though I insisted that it was a book character. Instead she was a Three Musketeer. Colt went as Mr. Bump.

But wait . . . there's more! I helped out in Carena's classroom for their Halloween party. It was an awesome party. I was glad to be part of it, even if in a small way.

Oh wait . . . the fun continues . . . that night was our church's Trunk or Treat. But, it's more complicated than that - we only have one car and Colt had a birthday party to go to. So, Chris dropped us off at the Trunk or Treat and then headed to the birthday party with Colt. I felt kinda lame not having a trunk to be part of the festivities, instead we just "treated."

It's not over yet . . . Saturday (ACTUAL Halloween) we were FINALLY able to carve our pumpkin. We had not had a spare moment before then to do it. And then! THEN! FINALLY!!! It was time to dress up and go trick or treating. FINALLY!

The kids got a ton of candy - and truth be told, they're being a little stingy with it. I mean, who gave them their sweet tooth to begin with? You think they'd be a little more generous.

I thoroughly enjoyed Halloween night. It was fun and simple. How fun was it to just wander the 'hood reconnecting with neighbors and meeting new ones? And then to watch the kids run up to each door - with Jonathan trying frantically to keep up - and declare, "trick or treat!" The best part though was coming home and having the kids dump their loot out onto the floor to inventory the goods.

And this morning . . . let the trading begin! I'll trade you my peanut butter cup for your pixie stix!

Glad it's over!