The Good Life

God's goodness astounds me. Life is good. My husband is wonderful. My friends are great. My kids are hilarious!

A few days ago, Allie said to me, "Mommy, can you do me a favor? I need you to pick up the toys." Since then, she's heard me repeat that funny anecdote several times and now thinks it's funny to keep saying it, as if every time is the first. Kids will try a joke over and over if it was funny the first time!

Avery finally got up the nerve to run through the sprinkler yesterday. She kept saying she wasn't brave enough. I reminded her of David and Goliath and that made a lot of sense. She said, "Yeah, it's like the sprinkler is a giant and I can be brave like David!" I love that my five year-old is so sheltered that the sprinkler is a giant to her. Can I please keep her like this? Once she conquered her fear, she couldn't stop exclaiming, "This is AWESOME!". She tried to get her neighbor friend who was peering over the fence to watch her, but she couldn't retain her audience - evidently the neighbor wasn't as impressed as Mommy.

Great is His Faithfulness!

I went to my parents' church and shared one of my favorite songs with the congregation yesterday. I have sung it at my church more than once over the years, and have recorded for a short cd we gave our women at a retreat a few years ago. It's a song by Sara Groves called, "He's Always Been Faithful To Me". Unfortunately, I never sing it without crying at the end! Each time I sing it, I think, "Just don't think about the words too much and get through the end without crying." But then I'm up in front of people and want to portray what I'm singing, and it happens every time. Luckily, this time I gathered myself together and was able to finish the song. Last time I blubbered through the end with tears in my eyes. A bit embarrassing...

The first verse goes, "Morning by morning, I wake up to find the power and comfort of God's hand in mine. Season by season, I watch Him amazed; in awe of the mystery of His perfect ways. All I have need of His hand will provide. He's always been faithful to me."

I've recently been hurt by some old friends and am reminded of how sensitive "girls" are - even grown up girls! Thank the Lord that I'm surrounded now by women who love Him and truly love me - warts especially!!! Connie, you are such a constant in my life and I just don't know what I'd do without you!!! Other ladies who are so precious to me have been praying, crying, and laughing with me all through marriage and motherhood.

These are wonderful friends to have in life, however, I'm reminded of the only truly Faithful One. The second verse of the song states, "I can't remember a trial or a pain He did not recycle to bring me gain. I can't remember one single regret in serving God only and trusting His hand. All I have need, of His hand will provide. He's always been faithful to me."

The final verse (and the part where I always start to cry) says, "This is my anthem, this is my song; the theme of the stories I've heard for so long: God has been faithful. He will be again; His loving compassion, it knows no end. All I have need of, His hand will provide. He's always been faithful to me."

'Nuff said! :)

Mother's Day

I'm late in posting this, but I wanted to include it for posterity! I had such a great Mother's Day this year. I joined Avery at her preschool for her Mother's Tea and we had a wonderful time making bath salts and a pinwheel and eating some yummy strawberry shortcake. On Mother's Day, Rich was very attentive. The girls were so excited to give me my gifts and I felt very special. There's something about feeling like a princess on Mother's Day! I relaxed in bed while Rich got me my favorite - nonfat white chocolate mocha and a breakfast burrito from Muchas Gracias! However, Avery was extremely sad when she realized they weren't making breakfast for me together. So this morning, a week later, I got to stay in bed AGAIN and was brought delicious pancakes that I didn't prepare! I think I'm going to be passing the reigns on that one! Rich did too good of a job! We ended Mother's Day at a concert with Rich's parents and had a great time, and Nana got to babysit her grandaughters on Mother's Day!

Crazy Day

Ok, so I had one crazy day! It began uneventfully, but quickly snowballed. I went to the occupational therapist to talk about getting to use my finger again soon. The background on that situation is that I broke my left middle finger almost 6 weeks ago (while sleepwalking - more on that later). I had high hopes to get to play on our co-ed softball team in the next few weeks. Instead, I was informed that my latest x-ray indicated that my break has "changed" and is now displaced. Bummer! I'm not sure if that means surgery, or some other treatment. I will soon see someone with the orthepedics clinic to get more information. Until then, the brace stays on and I try to stop using my hand so much! The therapist asked if I was cooking, cleaning, etc... Of course!!!

I was also referred to and contacted today by the sleep disorder center. They had an opening today and I would otherwise have to wait three weeks. Evidently, the doctor wanted to see me soon. Since my wonderful husband was already coming home so I could go to the physical therapist, I ended up making an appointment in the afternoon to drive up to Portland and talk about my wacko sleep patterns. After an hour of spilling it to him, I left feeling validated and hopeful. I might have an issue and I'm probably not normal! Something most of you who know me knew long ago! :) You're thinking, "I could have told her that for free!" Anyway, I will be going in a month or so for a little vacation. I was a bit embarassed about the smile that crept onto my face when he said I would be tested in a hotel and asked to sleep as much as I can overnight and to take several naps into the next day (to test my daytime sleepiness problem).

Well, I rushed home and fixed dinner (yes, I know my finger's still broken, but the fam has to eat!), and rushed over to Club Rock Salt where I lead a group of 10 or so 3-5 graders at church. On top of it all, I was my normal tired with a headache added on, which went away with my trusty Exedrin, and really needed to get to sleep tonight. However, it's after midnight and here I am, proving my insanity!

The really good news is, it's not that big of a deal! God is so good. Our lesson at church tonight was focused on Philippians 4:19, "And my God will meet all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus." Not according to what I think I need (more sleep and a healed finger), but according to what He knows I need and what He considers riches (growth and an increased faith in Him). Praise the Lord that He keeps me grounded in Him while he grows me through these tiny trials!