Illness

We've really had a lot going on lately. I cannot even begin to convey all of the ups, downs, twists, and turns. But I can honestly say that it is our turn. We have been and continue to be so blessed.

Everywhere we look, there are heartaches and troubled times for so many. And for so long, we have been been, at least for the most part, excluded from the brunt of the pain, the difficulty, and the tears.

Until now.

Husband's mother has been diagnosed with Stage IV (metastatic) lung cancer.

The reality is that the prognosis is poor. The treatments are projected to be devastating. The struggle will be great.

But with God, we have no worries. Grandma has been strong and optimistic. She has a will to fight, a will to live.

Of course, we have no idea what tomorrow holds. Not for her. Not for anyone. And that's okay.

If you will, pray for her. For us. For her doctors. For God's will.

But he said to me,

"My grace is sufficient for you,

for my power is made perfect in weakness."

Therefore I will boast all the more gladly

about my weaknesses, so that

Christ's power may rest on me.

2 Corinthians 12: 9

You may follow her journey at http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/marilynfrazier

Peace

"My soul finds rest in God alone;

my salvation comes from Him.

He alone is my rock and salvation;

He is my fortress, I will never be shaken."

Psalm 62: 1-2

I know that You are with me.

You have gone before us. With no fear, we step forward.

Weekend recap

I know it's Wednesday, and I'm just now recapping the weekend. I live on the wild side.

We made a flying trip to the beach for a much needed getaway.

I needed to sit in the sand, with my feet in the gulf, and SPF 2000 on my skin.

Little's been asking about the beach, the pool, and the shells. Apparently, she needed it, too.

Husband needed to drive us.

And so we drove down on Sunday and came back on Tuesday. (See, you robbers, you never know what I'm doing.)

You are probably sitting there wondering why on Earth would we go from Sunday to Tuesday. Like I said, I live on the wild side.

And it frees up some time for another long weekend at the beach.

I'm in the middle of a bazillion page paper, and I needed a break.

I am 7 weeks away from my final presentation. And a week or two later the graduation procession will take place from my mailbox to my front door.

(Because when this is your fourth graduation, the cap and gown are ridiculous, the guest speaker is over-rated, and your bored.)

Bubbles

Life is so nuts for us right now.

We have a million different things going on, which is why I haven't blogged lately.

I've been a non-existant picture-taker. I can't even be sure that my memory card is in my camera. To be really honest, I think my memory card is in the cup holder in my car. Who knows?

The big news on the home front: 7 days in a row--Little tee teed in the potty. She only does that once a day, but we are making progress. All she needed was a bubble machine.

My grandmother bought her a battery operated bubble machine. I had no idea that Husband has been riding around with this bubble machine in his truck, until I put my foot down.

Saturday, we had a birthday party to go to, and Meredith had one diaper in her drawer (Don't tell her, but there was more in other drawers!). I told her she could potty in the chair, or we could not go to the party. I explained (ummm, lied) that it was her last diaper, and she needed to wear that to the party. After 45 minutes, she conceeded when I told her that I would let her blow bubbles in the house, because I never let her do that.

And with ease, she walked right over to the potty and handled her business.

And then there were no bubbles, because Husband apparently believes bubbles are best kept in his truck.

A little phone call later, and Husband hurried home with the bubbles.

Life has been bubblicious ever since.

Big mistake

Little's Memaw has been out of town for two weeks.

(I don't really blog about this kind of stuff as it happens. You know, they tell you criminals like this kind of information, so they can break into people's houses. Anyway, out of fear of career internet searchers of out of town people so they can rob you, I choose not to discuss things of this nature until after the person has returned. I would not want to be an accessory or aid and abet a criminal or be charged with any other crime, like being a bad writer--Mr. Red Pen Man.)

Back to the story at hand, I made the fatal error of telling Little that Memaw was home. Let. Me. Tell. You. It. Was. A. Fatal. Error.

There were tears. The lip was poked out. It was not a tantrum. Just a heartbroken little girl that wanted to see her Memaw.

So, I called Memaw, who happily obliged to let me bring Little to visit her for just a few minutes.

And it was like Memaw had never been gone. She went to telling Memaw exactly how things needed to be done and when she needed them done.

And I am pretty sure the theme from "Chariots of Fire" was playing.

Umm, where is my kid?

Last night, we went to the ball park to let Little see some friends play ball. It was a disaster, because we missed one child's game, and then had to balance watching two children play at the same time.

I will say that one of the children is one of Little's most favorite people in the entire Milky Way galaxy. Entire. Galaxy.

As we were watching said child play, Little broke and ran from me.

Now, in my defense, I was blocked in from the bleachers and the array of various folding chairs.

So when I was able to break free, I saw Little making a turn at the bleachers, and by the time, I made it to the end of the bleachers, she was gone.

Gone.

I began to hyperventalate. My head is going back and forth looking for my precious Little.

And then I heard it.




"Who's kid is on the field?"




Oh, yes. I knew.


I go through the dugout, weaving in between kids, and there she is.



In the pitcher's circle with her friend.


Unbelievable. And embarassing. And I look irresponsible.

The pics I've been promising

I have four pages of a 25 page research paper due in 72 hours, but I believe it is more important for my audience to see what is going on in my life. Besides, yesterday I turned in my application for diploma, and once you turn it in, I think it's pretty much mandatory they graduate you.

Two Saturdays ago (how embarrassing I am just now blogging about two Saturdays ago, but since I make my own rules it is okay), Little's cousin celebrated her fourth birthday. I took lots of pictures, so I tried to narrow down to just a few.

They are not in any particular order, which is why her hair is a wreck on the very first picture. This is while drying off, which is why she looks like Shaggy.



Husband and his Memaw, one of the sweetest ladies I know.



This is Husband's Papaw. Hard to believe the woman above is married to the man below. He tries to act all serious and mean around the grandkids. Likes to tell people the grandkids are scared of him. Just this weekend, I asked Little is she wanted to go see Memaw Frazier, and she said no. Then I asked if she wanted to see Papaw Frazier, and she said yes. So Papaw, you got them grandkids scared to death of you.



Playing in the sprinkler was so much fun.



And then, we played with some of Cousin's toys.



And Grandma took pictures. Since the purchase of my new camera, I have turned into Grandma. We are ridiculous.



And the fan felt so good to Little.



And she had so much fun going down the slide.



This is right before we got in our pool one afternoon. I thought she looked a tiny bit mischievous, but I disregarded that notion. Until just now. I remember she ate a banana. And now that I see she is holding my old camera case, I know why she looked so mischievous. Two days later, we found banana in the camera case. And the camera case found the garbage.



This is what I discovered one night when I was dead tired. Somebody had a party in my bed. So I did what any good wife would do...I politely pushed all the toys onto Husband's side of the bed, crawled into bed, and went to sleep. When Husband came to bed, he noisily threw every toy into a chair and gave me the "Stank eye" while doing so.



And if you have not read my post from this week, please do so before continuing on.

This would be the family after getting the news that Christmas will be a little bigger this year. Nona's smile is out of control.

Situations

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Phillippians 4: 6-7

I'm a blog stalker. I'll admit it. I found it embarrassing that just a few weeks ago, I called a particular place and asked for a department, and the person that answered the phone is someone I have never met but I know her fears, her joys, and what she did this past weekend. I blogstalk her. And I told her.

I have not been arrested yet, so I assume that I am not the only one who blogstalks. Maybe she had heard that before. At least I hope so.

All of that to say, that of my many daily readings, this verse that I've heard hundreds of times, brought so much comfort and peace to me yesterday. Again:

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Phillippians 4: 6-7

I tell those in my Sunday School class that when we pray for something God always answers. We have to be prepared for the answer.

Yes.

No.

Wait.

And we have all experienced this variety of responses from God. We've all had our feet washed during those times. We've all had our faith tested in those experiences. We've all had lessons to learn much like those in Biblical times.

Amazing. Amazing how many years have passed, and we still are able to learn more about God's love, grace, and mercy. Last time:

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

Phillippians 4: 6-7

You know what I like about this verse? Paul does not tell us that when we request something of God He will answer exactly what we have asked or in the time we ask it.

But there will be peace. And there will be protection.

Thought you might need to hear this today. I did.