Thankful for the Little Things

It's another cold, rainy day. And I had to get out in it. It's Thursday, so I spent the better part of the afternoon at my workplace in my weekly staff meeting. The rain began after we arrived, for which I was thankful since we had to unload my laptop, purse, the girl's bookbag and additional paraphanalia AND lunch...one bag and three drinks from Wendy's. If it had already been raining, the french fries would've been soaked.

The worst of the rain passed while we were there. That was good. And Aunt Junebug and BB were there working in the open area while we were there. When the really heavy stuff came through, and I was in my meeting, Aunt Junebug was able to reassure Kat that it was only rain. Kat and Aunt Junebug share a great fear of bad weather. Kat said later that she was really glad Aunt Junebug was there with her during the thunder part of the rain.

We had only taken one umbrella into the workplace. One small umbrella. I don't know why, since there are 3 in my car. BB was leaving at the same time, and she didn't have any umbrella. So, Kat volunteered to use the one umbrella to go to my car and get the other two, and then to walk BB to her car. The three of us (Kat, Banana, and I) then walked to the car, each with our own umbrella.

By the time we left, the rain wasn't quite as bad, but it was still coming down pretty good. I wanted to go right home, but I had to make a couple of stops. One of those stops was by the pediatrician's office to pick something up our doctor had for me. It was time sensitive, so I really needed to get it today. The parking lot was FULL. It's flu season, you know. So I gave up on the thought of parking under the little covered walkway (I can't remember what Junebug's little bro said that thing is called) and parked out in the lot...way out. I got out and told the girls I'd be right back. I went inside only as far as the receptionist window, avoiding any and all contact with parents of sick children, got what I needed, and left.

As I was leaving, I it occurred to me...I am really fortunate. For there, in the parking lot and entry way of the office building, were a number of moms. They were all in various stages of entering the building. One was parked under the covered thing. She had two car seats in the back, one for a toddler and the other for an infant. Oh how I remember those days. She was trying to figure out how to get the kids out of the car and into the building and still go park her car. There was another mom running across the parking lot carrying a preschooler, with no umbrella, both of them getting soaked. Still another mom was getting out of her car with an umbrella in one hand, trying to catch her toddler in her arms to carry her in under the small umbrella.

I honestly felt sorry for all three of them. I've been all three of those moms. I would have offered to help the lady with the two babies, but I had my own kids in the car out in the parking lot, and I really don't think she would have left them with a stranger anyway. But I must admit, even as I was feeling sorry for them, I left the parking lot with a small smile on my face. Like I said, I've been all those moms. I lived through it and survived. And today, my kids walked to the car in the rain, carrying their own umbrellas and their own stuff, put themselves in the car and buckled themselves in, and sat by themselves while I left them in the car to take care of my errand.

So yes, it has been a day to be thankful for the little things. I take 'em where I can get 'em.

Fingerprints of God

Our dear friends, Mitch and Susan, lost their little girl last night. After nearly 8 years of fighting with a body and a brain that didn't want to work right, she finally attained complete healing and wholeness in the arms of Jesus last night.

Kara was born to an unwed mom...born in her apartment, and not taken to a hospital until 2 or 3 days later. She was 6 weeks early.

5 weeks later, our friends received their daughter...their second child to be adopted. Kara was so tiny when they brought her home.

As she grew, it became apparent that she wasn't developing correctly. Her muscle tone was strange...she would lie on the floor or in her carrier only looking to one side...her head wouldn't turn the other way. She had one eye that wouldn't focus. For several months she wore an eye patch in an attempt to correct that. She didn't hold her head up, she didn't learn to sit...

By the time she was a year old, she was diagnosed with severe cerebral palsy. A scan showed that half of her brain had never formed. She shouldn't have even been alive. The lack of development probably occurred at about 12 weeks gestation.

Kara never sat on her own. She never learned to stand or walk. She never spoke a word. She didn't see well, didn't hear well.

But she was a light to all who knew her. Everyone who met her fell in love with her. She changed everyone who knew her. She changed us. Her Mama and Daddy gave their all to her. Her life was a picture of salvation. She brought nothing to them, could give nothing to them, she came to them completely helpless. She became their daughter, wholly and completely. They did everything for her. They sacrificed so much for her to make her life comfortable, to give her every opportunity. The light in their eyes, the love on their faces when they looked at her was reflected in her face and in the smile she returned and in her laugh.

Last night, Kara Grace ran to Jesus. She arrived in His arms whole and complete, healthy and strong, and today she is singing the name of Jesus loud and clear.

When Kara Grace turned 3, I had these words printed and framed for her. They are lyrics from a Steven Curtis Chapman song.

I can see the fingerprints of God
When I look at you.
I can see the fingerprints of God
And I know it's true.
You're a masterpiece that all creation
Silently applauds.
And you're covered with the fingerprints of God.

We are all better for having known Kara Grace.

Random Observations from the Gym

I made my overdue return to the Y last week. Over the months Kearsdad and I have been going there, I have made some interesting observations.

• People will drive around the parking lot trying to find a spot closer to the door. I guess they don't want to walk to far in order to get to the gym where they have paid to exercise.
• Men and women dress to exercise differently. Women dress for the occasion. Even if it's a t-shirt and shorts or sweatpants, at least they match. Men just show up with no concern whatsoever for what they are wearing. Apparently they just reach blindly into a drawer and pull out whatever is on top.
• Men and women also experience exercise differently. A man may or may not bother with headphones for the tv, but you almost never see a man with an Ipod or other such gadget. A man might carry a towel with him, but nothing else. Women come prepared...headphones, Ipods, cellphones, keys, bottled water....did you know that most of the machines actually have places to stow all that stuff? You can lay your phone right there in front of you, latched to the little thingy on the display panel, so that if you get a call while you are working out, you can carry on a conversation. Of course, you might have to remove the headphones from the tv or music first.
• Single men at the gym should be avoided at all cost. They are, however, sometimes funny to watch...unless they are creepy. They wander around, looking for single women to talk to...hanging out around them, leaning on the machine close by, describing their latest workout routine. Yeah...creepy.
• This last one isn't necessarily limited to the gym, but because that is where I was when I saw it, I am including it here. It was on the magazine rack. There was a magazine with a huge block letter headline on the cover: Lose 10 Pounds Fast! Right below the headline was a picture of a scrumptous, fattening, sugar laden chocolate layer cake. Go figure. No wonder people are so confused.
  

Important Information

May I have your attention please.

Is everyone listening?

I went out to lunch today.

Adults only. No children.

Thank you. You may now return to your regularly scheduled blog reading.

My New Favorite Show

Yes, that is a TV show! I know, you are shocked. I'm not usually much for TV...at least not TV that was produced in this century. Unless it involves balls, strikes and runs. Or Rachel Ray. Or Clinton and Stacy. But we stumbled upon this show a couple of weeks ago, and I'm hooked.

It's TLC's Jon and Kate +8. It's about a family of 10...Mom, Dad, 7 year old twin girls, and 3 year old sextuplets. Yes, that is 6 preschoolers all the same age! It's a reality show that follows them through their life. Besides being unable to imagine having that many small children, I can't fathom living with a production crew in my house and my life like that all the time. But the show is fascinating . Actually, we enjoy sitting around, watching, and LAUGHING. If you have ever had a preschooler or two (in my case it was two at once) you would understand why we find it humorous. Imagine 6 temper tantrums. Or better yet, 8, since the two older girls tend to get in on the action.

The most amazing episode to me was the trip to Disney World. The family lives in Pennsylvania. They drove...yes DROVE to Orlando. They have this huge conversion van with all these car seats. They rented aUHaul trailer for the luggage. Can you imagine the logistics of such a trip?? It was a hoot watching them get all the kids out of the van and into the hotel. That's where the production crew came in handy! Don't worry though, they had even more help. Apparently, some family friends offered to go with them to help out as well.

So, if you haven't watched it yet...check it out. Let me know what you think!

Guitar Hero

It's Guitar Hero night at my house. That means a buncha boys come over and Kearsdad grills hamburgers and deer sausage and other manly type things, and I make a bunch of goodies, and then they go in the playroom and make a lot of noise. It's fun. Really. Unless you are Abby the 14 year old Pomeranian. Then it isn't fun at all.

Tonight DD got upset because I had the "buffet line" set up "backwards". I put the plates by the sink instead of by the refrigerator. I just decided to do it the other way thinking it made more sense...you know...it would flow better. I had no idea such a change would be so upsetting to the boy. Remind me never to do that again. From now on, no matter how congested it makes the kitchen with 5 big boys in there, the plates will go by the refrigerator.

The "girls" played Mad Gab for a while. The girls being me, Kat, Banana, Ange (DMc's girlfriend, who we plan to keep) and Delicious (you just gotta know her). Mad Gab, if you haven't played it, it a hillariously funny game. You gotta watch out for "inappropriate cards", though, if you are playing with kids. Yep. Had to pull one out mid-turn. Delicious was quite impressed with my "mother radar" that spotted that one right away.

So...I haven't had my turn at Guitar Hero yet. DWitt brought the newest version tonight, so I need to go try it out. I'll let you know how I do.

My Date With Daddy

This morning started early, getting up before 8 and getting Banana's hair in a bun for her return to the Ballet World. Cinderella rehersals began today...the break is over. She was excited, although she probably would have been even more excited if it had been a little later. Kearsdad got in the car and headed to the carpool pick up/drop off point for those of us on this side of the Rez...no sense in all of us driving all the way to MadLand. He took the girls, went inside to find out how long they would be there, and headed back.

But that wasn't the date. Banana returned home from Ballet, took her hair out of the bun, put the ballet shoes and tights away, and changed clothes. She is now dressed in Camo, armed with a camera and a pair of binoculars, and on her way to her first hunt with her Daddy. She's been asking since last year when Kearsdad resumed his hunting life after a long 18 year break (that's a post for another day...). Although I don't relish the idea myself, I am truly thankful for this opportunity for some Daddy/Daughter bonding time. Kat decided to forgo it for now...maybe later she says. But she does want to go fishing. Lucky for her, Kearsdad's good buddy (aka boss) has a pond on his property.

To Resolve Or Not to Resolve

On this day, January 2, 2008, I resolve NOT to make a New Year's Resolution. (I am making this non-resolution on January 2 because I was too darn tired on January 1 to even think.)

Anyway...no resolution from me. No "I will lose 20 pounds" (don't I wish) or "I will go to the gym 4 times a week" (HA) or "I will keep the grocery bill under $120 every week" (even bigger HA).

There is nothing wrong with any of them. Those are all lofty goals. But I just don't see the point in setting myself up. I've never really gotten the whole "resolution" concept. I understand the concept of "New Year...new goals"...but making a "resolution", and worse, publicizing it, seems a bit contrived. I do have some goals...primarily spiritual. Maybe a purist would call those resolutions. But I am just calling them goals...and they are between me and God. Sort of where I want to be in my relationship with Christ in 2008. I've been inspired to do that by Bro. John, and by my Boss (aka Student Pastor), and by a friend who issued a prayer challenge recently.

So don't ask me how the diet is coming (it's not) or how many times I've been to the gym (none yet...but I will go...). And most definitely don't ask me about the grocery bill. If we inherit anymore teenage or college age boys, we are going to go broke.