Just what I needed

Someone that is important to me sent me this e-mail. It's not one of those chain letters.

(I really hate those things.)

(Send this to ten people and the one that sent it to you in ten seconds and in ten days you will receive ten thousand dollars in multiples of ten.)

(And I know that sounds ridiculous, but there are people that actually send that mess.)

(No. They are not giving a penny per forwarded e-mail to some needy child to pay for a transplant. No. Your luck isn't going to change. No. They are not giving a way free IPads to those that send the e-mail to everyone in their address books.)

(In fact, if I see "FW:" in the subject line, that's an automatic DELETE for me.)

Let's just refocus.

Breathe.

Calm down.

Ok, I'm back. I managed to get a little sidetracked. I started to stand on my soap box, but I've about worn that thing out.

So the e-mail is just one of those things that shows up at the right time from the right person.

I value the person's opinion a lot, and the fact that there has been silence on the topic of career moves in the past few weeks had me a little concerned that I may have disappointed the person.

As Little Foot would say, "I'm so appointed."

She said that tonight when she couldn't find her beloved (spare, mind you,) lovey lamb that has been with her since birth.

Apparently, the one just wouldn't do. But then she saw her curly dog from BAB, and she somehow found the will to carry on.

(I have no idea where all the dramatic tendencies come from.)

(It must be one of those recessive genes.)

Just so happened that Sunday's sermon was based on fruits of the spirit.

Ironic? I think not.

He makes all things new

All the tragedies. All the hurt. All the loss.

To be honest, I can't even look at national news websites anymore. Vile acts against children. Heinous crimes against women. Inhumane offenses against humans.

However, it gives me more to pray about. For those involved. For the world we live in. For my children and what their world will be like.

In the last 24 hours or so, our community has lost friends, classmates, children.

My heart breaks for the families that will have to bury their babies. For the Senior class that will graduate next month with an empty chair. For every parent that takes for granted that previous blessing that can be gone in an instant.

For we know our time here is just a blink, and as my favorite verse of "Amazing Grace" boasts that ten thousands years in heaven, with Jesus, is no less time from our first day.

Revive our community, O Lord. Revive us.

Who decided on these hours?

Well, Friday was my first day of being a stay at home mom.

I just want to know who said I was available for work at 6 AM?

Blue gladly awoke, followed by not-so-gladly Little. A little bit of TV perked her right up. Blue slept on and off all day, and I mean more on than off. I had such big plans for Friday, but Blue protested that he would just like to sleep.

So, I obeyed my employers and straightened and cleaned all day. My house is so thankful.

And for the first time ever, I got to go to Little's tee ball practice. Little did not disappoint.

The food poisoning that Husband and I acquired also did not disappoint. I was awakened by Husband at 4 AM Saturday. I knew he was sicker than I had ever seen him. He then announced how he was feeing better and going turkey hunting.

I think I said something along the lines of, "No you're not. You're sick."

And he responded something akin to, "Are you telling me I can't go hunting?"

I realized that he really thought he felt well enough to go hunting. So I told him he could do what he wanted, as I stared at him with my "I'm looking at the most (insert term here) person I've ever seen" look.

And I believe that it was sometime after dressing but just prior to him cranking the truck, that he came running back in.

I didn't really feel it was appropriate for me to yell through the door "I told you so," until after the emesis had finished.

And then, I became sick, and it really wasn't fun anymore.

We couldn't even tend to ourselves, much more the precious Blue and Little. So we had to call in reinforcements.

I came out of a phenergan- induced coma sometime around 6 PM.

Somehow, I managed to make it to church today, but I am still a little weak.

That's going to have to be it for now. I'm being summoned by Little. She's having a bit of a Peppa Pig crisis.

Last day

Well, here we are.  The last day of work.  The last day of commuting 75 miles one way.  The last day of being the nutzo mom that forgot to send something to the sitter.  The last day of measuring in minutes during the week how much time I get to see my kids.  The last day of putting my work before my family.

There.  I said it.  I feel better.

Because, unfortunately, it is the truth.

I'm really good at what I do, and believe me, I'm not good at much.  And I'm not bragging or boasting.  I'm just simply telling you that I do my work well.  One of the forefront reasons that I have been good at my career is because I care.

I've been employed in this profession for nearly nine years, not including the two years of school that was about 80% clinical.  I'm telling you that I have seen a lot in these eleven years.  I've held a lot of hands, wiped a lot of tears, and done some things that most would not do.  And I know that because I was told that.

In the span of this career, I've seen both ends of the spectrum.  I've seen the best and the worst in humanity.

I assure you there is little I haven't seen.

I've given myself unselfishly for the institution, the career, and the cause.

And starting tomorrow, I do that for my family.

I had to leave Little sick, crying, or upset for someone else to hold her hand, wipe her tears, make her feel better.  And what would I do?  Go to work to hold someone's hand, wipe someone's tears, make someone else feel better.

Sure.  Little's needs were met, as have Blue's been.  But they weren't met by me.

Husband has had to be both parents since I returned from maternity leave.  He cooks, bathes, disciplines, gets them from here to there, runs to the grocery store, etc.  All so I could work.  Work where I wanted to work.

Last week, I asked Little what she wanted to be when she grew up.

Her response,



"A mommy like you."




Last day of a working mom.  Of an absent mom.

I wouldn't read this if I were you

I have absolutely nothing to blog about that would be of any use to you.  But for those of you who are blogstalkers of many, like myself, I become deeply disappointed when I hop over to my favorite blogs only to find there is no post.

I like redundancy.  I like monotony.  Call me old fashioned.

The truth is I am preparing for a humongous post for tomorrow, so check back.  All my brain cells are exhausted from the pre-blog post workout.  In fact, I'm not even feeling like paragraphs today.  So here is the most unimportant things I can tell you right now:


1.  In an effort to reach my goal of finishing a 5K this spring/summer, I have reached my goal before the 5K goal of running a ten-minute mile.  Due to that fact, I have purchased some runner's apparel, because we all know that the number one rule in life is to dress the part.  Not to mention, if I pass out, trip and fall, or begin hurling my insides in front of everyone, I at least want to look good.

2.  The garden is planted.  This is an invite to every squirrel, rabbit, and deer within the county.  And yes, the turtle that took 1 bite out of every low lying tomato, you are invited, too.  I just didn't want any of you to be the last to know.  But I'm drawing the line at snakes.  All snakes, you are not invited. 

3.  Blue absolutely hates all kinds of food that one should eat with a spoon. 

Cereal?  He'd rather not.  Carrots?  He'll pass.  Sweet potatoes?  He's not interested.  Squash?  He suddenly can't open his mouth.  Green beans?  He's gagging.  Pears?  He'll try, but...  Apples?  Not really.  Bananas?  This has to be some type of abuse.  Peaches?  Just give him the bottle.

I've tried mixing the food in with the cereal.  I'm not fooling him. 

4.  Husband is doing a fabulous job as Little's assistant coach in t-ball.  Because of my work schedule, I have been unable to make it to a practice.  In talks with the coach, who just happens to be my cousin, she says things like:

"She is in la-la-land 24/7.  Isn't she?"
"I'll tell her to get her glove, and she tells me, "No, I'm not ready yet."

Husband informed me that at her last practice, when it was her turn to bat, she hollered out to all the players on the field, "You guys ready?" 

I'm sure the Olympic softball team will be beating down our door soon.

We are on the mend

Well, it appears as quickly as the stomach virus entered our home, so shall it leave.

Little was fairly puny yesterday, but she began to perk up last night about 7 PM.  Tinkerbell is truly the best medicine.  I've always said that.

Because what is Easter without a stomach bug?

Busy, busy weekend.

Friday night after I got home from work, the fam, minus Blue, dyed Easter eggs.  Fortunately, Blue had a decent nap and waited for me to arrive before loudly protesting that it was time for bed.

So we got really artsy and made some two-toned eggs.  That's a mighty improvement from last year.  And because I knew the weekend was going to be jammed packed, I knew I had to go get groceries if we wanted to eat at some point.

Price matched some produce and frozen goods and used twenty-nine dollars worth of coupons.  You heard me correctly.  $29 in coupons, because that is how we do things around my house.  That's like a half tank of gas.  Isn't that a shame?  Half tank.

Saturday, it was an early rise and shine kind of morning.  Little and I made resurrection rolls, but this year was different.  She was able to follow the events.  And the marshmallow was gone.

Then, we hurried to make it to the church egg hunt and picnic, which was a blast for Little until the Easter Bunny showed up.  She waved at him, but that was it.

And then, she cried when she got in the car, because she didn't have her picture made with him.  I guess she forgot about the ten minutes we spent trying to convince her to take a picture with Blue and the Easter Bunny.

Husband was so perplexed by the situation he finally said to me, "It must be awful being one of y'all."  I think he was referring to us being female, which is why the Easter Bunny did not leave him anything.

Big Daddy and Baboo came over to give Little and Blue their happies and visited for a while.

And then Little decided that it was time to go play golf.  So we headed out to the golf course.  Husband played while Little and I drove the golf cart.  Her favorite game is Leave Him.  We wait until Husband gets close enough to the cart to put his club in the bag, I look at Little, and she whispers, "Leave him."  We are both really mature for our ages.

After an exhausting round of golf, we headed over to Nona's for supper, and Little decided that she was going to stay with Nona.

The only time she has spent the night away from us was when Blue was born.

I just knew that she wouldn't let us walk out the door without changing her mind, but she did.  And then I just knew that she wouldn't last until we got home, but she did.  But I knew there was no way that she was going to sleep without wanting me to read her story or Husband to say prayers with her, but she went to sleep.  And then I knew that she would not last all night, but she did.

And Husband was up and out the door to get her by 6AM.  I'm sure he will tell you that he just wanted to get her home early, so she could enjoy her Easter basket before church.  And we will all nod agreeably out of courtesy.

She had completely forgotten that the Easter bunny was suppose to come.  She walked in and told Blue that she missed him while giving him a kiss, ignored me, and opened the refrigerator.  I told her that I missed her, and as I was about to point her in the direction of the baskets, she informed me that, "I just don't want to talk."

Y'all it's hard being three.

But she perked up when she saw her basket of fun snacks, books, and stuff.  And Blue got baby food, formula, and Orajel.  I'll say that bunny gets smarter every year, because Blue cut his first two teeth on Easter Sunday.

And after church and a short visit with Husband's grandparents, we all went into a coma for several hours before planting the garden.

And Little woke up this morning with the stomach virus.  Because what holiday is complete without a little sickness?  So we sent the kids to opposite caretakers this morning.

What is your cross?

Good Friday.

Easter is most definitely my favorite holiday.  If your heart is found via your stomach, the Easter candy may just be your reason to love this holiday.  I happen to have a love affair with all things Cadbury.  They can do no wrong.

A few years ago, I read a life-changing book by Max Lucado.  Six Hours One Friday.  Catchy title, catching book.  In a nutshell, Lucado discusses every aspect of the crucifixion.  At least for me, the book created a never-satisfying hunger for Christ, for the events that occurred were for His never-satisfied hunger for us.

(Think the parable of the sheep.  Ninety-nine just wasn't enough.  Certainly not, when there was one more.)

He carried the cross.  He carried the sin.  Oh, not His sin.  Our sin.  He carried it as the cross to the cross.  Ironic?

So what cross are you carrying?  Will you join me there at the cross?  Will you lay it down?  It's not yours to carry.  He already carried it.  That sin.  That burden.  That heartache.

Good Friday.  It sure can be.

Let it go.

Good Friday.

Lay it down.

Good Friday.

It sure is.

Prayer warrior

This morning on my way to work, I drove through the worst weather possible.  I even believe that just because I didn't see a funnel cloud doesn't mean it wasn't there.

There were several times that it was all I could do to hold my car on the road.  The wind was overwhelming, and the rain was torrential.

When the hail began banging against my car, I pulled off the interstate and joined the masses parked under an overpass.

I was on the phone with Husband, who was taking cover in a bathroom at work.  I was having a hard time catching my breath.  My heart seemed like it was going into overdrive.

And as I look at the building where Husband was seeking refuge, I was in the elements.

And finally, the hail stopped.  The wind slightly calmed.  I made it safely to work.

After arriving, my hands tingled for nearly an hour, because I had been gripping the steering wheel so tight for so long.

I thank God for the prayer warrior that felt the urgency to lift me up and obeyed God by doing so.

Funnel cloud to the right.  You now know why.

(Picture taken by someone else.  This is the overpass I was under.)

Sing it

Apparently, yesterday's ferocious thunderstorm I drove through made it's way to my home, because by the time I made it there, the lights had went out. 

That's the night that the lights went out in Georgia
sing it Reba

I couldn't resist myself.   You can thank me later when you cannot get that song out of your head. 

We made the most out of an inconvenient situation, once Entergy's automated system told us our power would not be restored until tomorrow, which is today. 

We fired up the grill and the accompanying side burner.  We reheated tenderloin on the grill, stewed some squash, and heated some green peas.  The entire time Little keeps running out in the rain, Husband keeps correcting her, and she replies, "I'm sorry, Daddy.  It's an accident."  By the seventeenth accidental time she ran out in the ran, Husband made a move toward her, which resulted in her running around my car to get behind me.  We are definitely in for it.

At some point, we made it inside and ate by candlelight.  After supper, Little kept trying to cut the TV on.  I managed to think about my lap top being charged, so we were able to watch some of a DVD on the computer prior bedtime. 

And since she's a little afraid of the dark, I allowed her to sleep with me.  Husband is a big ole chicken and slept on the couch. 

(He's paying for it today.  You can't spell couch without "ouch."  I just came up with that on the spot.  Maybe I should pursue a career in marketing.  You know, like coming up with catchy slogans.)

(On second thought, I'd probably have to come up with something for a product that I couldn't think of anything nice to say about it.  Like 2-in-1 shampoo and conditioners, which should really be 3-in-1 shampoo, conditioners, and tangles.)

Can someone explain to me the Law of Children's Sleep Movements?  Little, to be so little, takes up three-fourths of the bed.  Apparently, her feet were cold, because they reverted back to digging into my ribs, like way back in 2008.  Umm, I thought those days were over.  Apparently not.

The power was restored sometime around midnight.  Which makes complete and utter silence turn into all sorts of noises that you never pay attention to but somehow call peace and quiet. 

And I realize that I am just rambling.  This kind of stuff may be what the blog turns in to.

Weekend wrap up

If you have not seen my blog post from Friday, please do so before continuing. 

Last night, I made a conscious decision to charge the camera battery.  The blog is looking pathetic without any pictures.  And you will not believe how much Little and Blue have grown. 

This weekend, I did a lot of trial runs to see how things will work when I am a full-time mommy.

Every year, we have a garden.  Little has always enjoyed it so.  Saturday we made our annual adventure to the co-op to purchase plants.  Unfortunately, they did not have the type of tomato or squash plants we were looking for.  However, we were able to purchase corn, watermelon, zucchini, cucumber, and bell pepper plants and seeds. 

I was so bogged down with Blue that Little got to carry her very own basket of plants.  While waiting in the check-out line, she begins to belt out, rather loudly, a song that I made up to coax her into leaning her head back in the bath.  She never ceases to amaze me. 

After checking out, the sweet young fellow behind the counter insisted on helping me to the car.  I resisted at first, but then I realized there was no way for me make it to the car in one trip with all the plants and seeds and both kids.  The luxuries of living in a small town.

Then we made a quick trip to a local boutique where I found Blue some shoes on sale.  We also went by the cleaners, and I will now be using the drive through.  Until Saturday, I had wondered why on earth the cleaners needed a drive through.  The cleaners do not need a drive through, the mommies that use the cleaners need a drive through.  Cue the light bulb over my head. 

I wonder if the co-op will ever get a drive through.

Some how, we all survived.  Everyone that left home with me made it back.  I'm thinking it was a success.

Sunday, after service, we went to visit my grandparents.  Baboo spread out a quilt in her back yard under a shade tree.  Blue had the best time laying there.  Any time the wind blew the leaves, he would kick with excitement.  Little ran through their back yard barefoot and managed to find the only stitch of mud in their yard.

But I had a revelation.  As I sat on the quilt with Blue watching Little run through the yard, picking flowers and looking for squirrels and birds, it hit me.  This is what God intended for His Sabbath day.  Rest.  It shouldn't be about rushing around trying to get things ready for the week ahead. 

Now, I am fully aware that I can still rest on Sundays and work during the week.  I could just plan ahead.  I could do all the laundry and cleaning on Saturday.  I could pack their bags on Saturday. 

But if that is what you were thinking, you have the wrong idea of rest. 

I did laundry yesterday.  I put out ant poison in the yard.  I cooked.  I cooked ahead for tonight. 

But yesterday, I rested.  I did not take a nap, but I rested.  I did not lay around all day, but I rested. 

Although, I am sure that God intended for physical rest, but for me, I'm thinking that He also meant to some extent of spiritual rest.  Emotional rest.  Rest from when I stopped trying to tell God how my life should be.

And He showed me rest.