Love

Meet Joel and Katie.

Adorable, aren't they?

I attended the venue, but I missed the wedding. Well, not all of it. I saw Katie walk down the aisle. I saw the look on Joel's face seeing Katie for the first time. He shook his head in disbelief, like she couldn't possible be his bride. It was magical. The point is this was Little Foot's first wedding. This was also Little Foot's last wedding, at least for a while.

Let's talk Katie. What you cannot see from this picture is that God spent a little extra time when he created her. He just toiled away on her vocal cords, and when He was done, He said "Child, go sing of my love and mercy." And she does.

Oh, this girl sings. She will rattle your core and leave you speechless. Every time I hear her sing, it is an emotional experience.

Back in December 2008, our church hosted a block party. We had Christian groups and singers from different churches, our drama team performed, and concessions. For our first time hosting a big event of this nature, it was a success, in more ways than one.

Did I mention I was 8, count them 8, months pregnant with Little Foot? I was ginormous, and even I know that is an understatement. Katie and some of our church-goers had formed a group and performed for the cause. As the band played, Katie sang "Worth It All." Her performance moved me and still does today. I sobbed as she sang and gave thanks because it has been worth it all. If you listen to the song and you know my testimony, you know how this song is my anthem.

Now, Joel, a precious soul who is equally as talented as Katie. He is far too talented to list everything. He is a wonderful photographer, artist, and free-styler. Besides that, he has an awesome testimony.

I made some muffins for the college guys at our church. Just Martha White. Just add milk. Just stir and bake. Just muffins.

Not to Joel.

No, Joel took a poll of all the guys to see which muffin was more appealing to everyone, banana nut, blueberry, or triple berry. Most rallied for one of the berry-type muffins. So, Joel turned the muffins into a devotional on how wonderfully surprised you are by the banana nut. That is who Joel is. He hugged and thanked me for the muffins, and then, he shared his devotional with me. Muffins will never be the same to me.

This couple has forever made a difference in my life.

The most amazing aspect of this couple, such a rarity these days in younger generations, is that they love each, but not more than they love God. Amazing!

Friendship

I have a close friend. She is my confidant. She is my accountability partner.

We are in a group, much like the Golden Girls. We would both be Sophia, witty and quick. I have shared with this friend some of my most personal thoughts and experiences. She loves me anyway. We have laughed and cried together within the same hour. She has seen me with no make-up, hair a wreck, with post-partum raging. She loves me anyway. We are the type of friends that meet on the playground and remain close for eternity. The only difference is we met long after the playground, in a rough era of our life. She loves me anyway.

My friend hurts. She aches.

Her heart walks around outside of herself. Her heart is her children. She has some really spectacular children. This is about one.

Her child is not well. Her child feels bad. Her child has physical symptoms of unknown origin (translation= diagnosis unsure). The reality is this is a terrifying situation. For all parties involved. Mother. Child.

But there is more. Even though her children are her heart, this child grew in the heart of her husband. A special bond. A wonderful relationship. He hurts, too.

I ask you to pray for this family. I ask you, with your humble heart, to ask God to move.

Pray specifically for the healthcare workers who come into contact with this child. Pray that God will give them knowledge to provide this family with answers and treatment options.

Pray God gives the child's parents words of comfort and strength during trying times.

Pray I will be a good friend to her.

Neck brace

Little Foot loves heights. The higher, the better. Little Foot's nanny described a potentially disastrous situation that occurred in her home. Nanny has a piano. Little Foot loves a piano. Pianos have piano stools. Little Foot stands on the piano stool and begins to play the piano........with her feet!

This weekend, I've had multiple opportunities to get a visual of Little Foot with her little feet off of the ground.

Friday, like some pro motorcross athlete, she climbed on top of her four-wheeler. Granted it's small. It's pink. It maxes out at 2 mph. Does it matter? Anyway, both feet on the seat, she begins to let go of the handlebars. And visions of ER visits dance in my head.

Saturday, just the usual. Standing in high chairs. Climbing on the coffee table. And using my feet and legs as if they are ladders that will carry her wherever she is desires.

Sunday, more of the usual. But then......she climbed onto a rocking chair, stood up, and began to jump. I did not have to say a word. Her daddy simply explained that neck braces are not fun. She did not seem to care. To her, a neck brace is just another potential accessory.

Emu

Like I have time to blog.

But, somehow, I am going to find the time (I think I can, I think I can!!). Between tantrums, tangles, and tea parties, there is far too little time for anything else. With whatever time is left, I manage to drive 75 miles to work, put in 8 hours, drive 75 miles home, take online classes, and try to clear a path to the necessary rooms within the house. I can't help but laugh that this morning I had to avoid a school bus, a cow, a pig, and a horse, and that is all before I made it to the bathroom. Guess even the things I try to accomplish everyday don't manage to happen. Saying life is busy is an understatement.

Oh, and my darling husband. Most every night we manage to lay our heads next to each other. Most days, that is the only time we breathe. Did I mention life is busy?

So why on earth would someone with so little time start a blog? To be honest, I have fought the urge for a while now. I love, capital L-O-V-E, love to write. I share the same love of hearing people laugh. This will be a learning experience. This will be a challenge. I hope this will be fun.

As with every beginning, there must be certain elements. No matter what is beginning there are certain things that are present. Here they are:

1. Fear. Every beginning is scary, but fear in a way that is also exciting. I think back to when Little Foot was born. You could say I was freaking out (yet another understatement). There was and still is fear. My fear with starting a blog is that my life will be put on display. People will form opinions and may not see my true spirit. If I disclose a shortfall, I will be judged. But what would I do if I weren't afraid? I'd blog.

2. Confusion. What will I blog about? What should I use this opportunity for? I don't know. Will it be all about life as a mommy? Life as a wife? Life as an employee? Life as a student? Maybe. Regardless, it will be about life. The good, the bad. It will be raw. And, most of all, it will be real.

3. Instruction. This applies to every female who has rescued her husband from a tangle of wires, a variety of nuts, bolts, and screws, or a pile of wood by simply picking up and reading the instructions. You can admit it. It's safe here. The first thing those adorable guys do is toss the instructions to the side, determined to do it all by themselves, like big boys. After 30 minutes and bringing him a paper towel (why do they always ask for a paper towel?), right about the time he asks for a baseball bat, I step in and unofficially save the day. Maybe you can learn a lesson from some experience of mine.

For example, yard chickens do not fly when approached by a vehicle. In addition, another yard chicken will sit and watch his friend, well, you know.

4. Love. I have already expressed a love for writing. But it's about more than that. It's about a love of people, of memories, and of sharing. I have a love of people. I love the unlovable. I want a emu. (Okay, an emu is an animal. To me, animal=person). My husband snickers every time I mention my desire. I really don't listen, but he always tells me some kind of reason why I don't want an emu. I think they spit, or bite, or make a mess, or something. Well, so do kids. I want an emu.