1 Whole year!

Wow! Today marks 1 year officially! One year for what, you say? Well, 1 year ago today our trial by fire began. Michael and I count it a privilege that God chose to test us the way he did. This time last year, we were told that the delivery of our baby would be dangerous for me and would involve a hospital stay. October 30, 2007, I went in for a regular check-up and at the doctor's I went into the bathroom to do as they require when you are pregnant. I lost copious amounts of blood on the floor of the bathroom at Grace. I stood there and cried and apologized for messing up the floors. They rushed me to Mission Hospital and admitted me for overnight observation. On Halloween, I was released and told to go to bed and only get out to go potty and take a 3 minute shower every other day. They wouldn't keep me because I was only 19 weeks and the baby wouldn't survive, if he was born. So, with a heavy heart, I came home. We began to make plans for people to come in and help us out. I couldn't take care of my other kids or my husband or my my home. We were overwhelmed by the response to help us. We never had to worry about who was coming in or bringing food. Things worked like a well-oiled machine. My friend, Julie, came in and was cleaning for me and she got up on a chair and dusted my ceiling fan. While that might not sound extraordinary, she was pregnant and as far along as I was. I enjoyed people coming in and visiting while they were watching the kids. We had women come in and organize my home and do dishes, change diapers, & grocery shop. It was amazing! God blessed us with a great network of friends and family. We couldn't have done this without my in-laws. Raye, my MiL, was instrumental in this thing working. I wouldn't trade her for all the $ in the world. So as I am taking my children trick or treating, I will praise God that I am able to do it this year ( I missed it last year) and that my baby lived to see his 1st Halloween!
So to all of you who were the hands and feet for my family, thank you with all our hearts. Your crowns in heaven are shining! May the blessing return to you a hundred fold! Love you all!

Mouth troubles

Recently, we have been studying the book of James, that would be from the Bible and not Oprah's book club. In it, we discussed how the tongue can set a fire that is hard to put out. Even if you are reading this and not a Christian, you can appreciate the fact that our mouths get us in a lot of trouble. I know whereof I speak. I am queen of it. I think that the more you speak, the more opportunities you have to screw up. As a society, we love seeing people make fools of themselves with their mouths. The politicians are constantly raked over the coals for their gaffes. David Letterman runs a special on presidential misspeaks. George Bush, bless his heart, is a pro at saying the wrong thing. He is, always, mispronouncing a word or misusing a phrase. Joe Biden has been opening his mouth and making missteps in his words(we just don't hear about it as much). There is a proverb that states better to be quiet and thought a fool than to open your mouth and remove all doubt. That is one that I need to observe.
When I was little, I was abused. As I grew older, the anger in me grew, as well. Instead of waiting for the proper time to confront the person who let it happen(not the abuser), I would attack her at major holidays. All that accomplished was getting everyone upset and ruining Christmas. I am not saying that she didn't deserve to be confronted but not at family disfunctions. My tongue, expressing my problems, started a fire that was hard to put out. Not a healthy way of dealing with things.
I have a special 1 year anniversary of my ordeal coming up on Thursday, so don't miss it!
My heart and my prayers go out to the Musselwhite family whose wife and mother went on to be with God after dealing with breast cancer that spread to her brain. Bonnie was a true testiment to Christian love and support. May the Lord be with them during this difficult time. She left behind a husband and 4 kids. What a legacy!

Niceness

Has the concept of niceness gone out of fashion? Is customer service dead? When dealing with people over the phone or at a store, do you find that some people are just rude? I know that they are getting paid little money but they know that when they apply, don't they? Do cashiers actually greet you when you walk up to the register or drive through the window? I know that Chick-Fil-A does this well. Those kids(and adults) are always friendly. I am not sure whether they are trained that way or if CFA is just recruiting different types of people. I was in a doctor's office the other day and they lost my appointment. I had the card and everything reminding me of it but they had no record in their computer of my intended visit. Michael had taken off work to watch the kids so I wouldn't have to schlep them in the office with me. Even with all my proof, they told me that there was nothing they could do and to come back later when it was convenient for them. What???? I was upset!! They never even apologized. That would have gone a long way towards curbing my anger at them. I got over it, I guess!
I do have to say that when I was at Ingles the other day, I had the nicest cashier. She went out of her way to speak to me and while I was bagging my own groceries she told me about her life and asked about mine. When I left, she told me to be safe going home and to come back soon. I am almost 100% positive that she actually meant it!
Since I am in the customer service biz, come on to Mezzaluna and I'll be nice to you(maybe) and you'll get good pizza, as well!
Thank you and come again!

Share the wealth

Is anyone else disturbed by the fact that the term share the wealth is being thrown around like confetti? I am! It is socialism in its purest form!!! No question that something needs to be done. I'll give an example that may hit a little closer to home. What Obama is proposing is to take money from those people who make more than $250,000 and give it to those who make less. Sounds good, right? Well, those at the bottom pay no taxes and now will receive free money for not contributing at all? I work in a restaurant. I wait tables and I do it well(not to toot my own horn). I make pretty good money. If, however, at the end of the night my boss said that I had to give some of my tips to another server who didn't make quite as much as I did, I would protest as would many others. There are some servers who do the bare minimum to get by during their shift and some who go above and beyond what is required. Why should I share my tips with someone who may not have worked as hard as I did? I shouldn't! If I want to give them some of my money, of my own accord, then I can! Just like those rich Dems can give more money if they feel like it! There is no law against giving more during tax time than the IRS requires. Write a bigger check and leave my money alone!!!!
Whew! Just had to get that off my chest! Unfortunately, I have a feeling that this Marxism/socialism is coming! Just so you know, rich people, I don't want your money! Thanks though!

Exhaution

Anyone else just tired? Seems like we have been going at 1000 miles per hour with barely any time to catch our breaths. Doctor's appointments and unexpected errands that need to be run are taking up so much time lately. I feel like we have had barely any time to spend together. I fall into bed each night so tired that my eyes are scratchy. When I had my surgery, they told me that I would be extra tired for about a year. Just when I think that I am healed, pain or exhaustion hits me like a ton of bricks. Listening to all the talk about the economy and the election is stressful! I can't believe the road that we are headed down and being led down it by politicians that we can't even trust. This makes by brain hurt and want to shut off.
So, here's what we do, streamline our schedules and pray about the things concerning our country(trusting that God will lead us where we are supposed to go). I'll do it, if you you will!!

Also, please, pray for my friend Bonnie who has cancer and just a not so great prognosis. Thanks!

My sweet Ella Raye

Ella Raye, you turn 4 today! I can't believe how the time just goes racing by. Seems like yesterday, you were just a tiny elfin little baby screaming for food. Your name certainly was prophetic. It means "elfin, or small". You are so petite and yet so full of fire. You have the prettiest gray eyes and a ready smile. You definitely have the cutest little feet of all my children. You are my strong-willed child and while that can be difficult at times, I love how you defend your brothers and sister in what you deem unfair. You are proof that big things come in small packages. I love your imagination and how you can pretend in any situation. Your "baby"(giraffe) and finger(which you suck) have gotten many miles over the last 4 years. You aren't afraid to try new things, especially when food is involved. I love your random "Mommy, I love yous" and "tell me a story, Mommy". In short, my dear child, I love you so much and count it a privilege to be your mom. I thank God everyday that He added you to our quiver. Happy Birthday!

All I learned....

TV.... It gets a bad rap and for the most part there isn't a whole lot on it that is great. However, I love watching it! I know, I know, I can hear the voices out there saying shame, shame. TVLand is a channel out there that shows old TV shows from when I grew up and older. They have recently been showing old episodes of the Cosby Show. All I have learned about parenting and marriage I learned from the Cosby Show.
While, that is not exactly true, Michael and I watch it and think that certain items make great discipline techniques. For instance, Vanessa snuck out of the home and when Clare and Cliff found out(she was late and they called the other girl's parents), they moved the couch in front of the front door and snuggled up and waited. Clare, of course, was on fire and Cliff was calmer(very much like my home). As Vanessa backed in the front door, she quietly turned around and BOOM! there they were. She knew that there was no getting out of it and faced her punishment, which they administered and kept. We like this one and while we hope to never have to use it, we'll keep it filed away in our brains for later. The Huxtables disciplined their kids without demeaning them and yet they are fair. I know, it is a sitcom but ask any of the actors and it really was that way on the set and they felt like Cosby was their dad.
Cliff and Clare were constantly trying to get some alone time. With 5 kids and a myriad of others traipsing through the home, it was almost impossible. Yet, they showed their kids that affection between the parents is ok and actually good(icky!). Cliff was always trying to be romantic with Clare while she tried to walk a fine line between being a strong woman and not disrespecting her man.
The whole family was taught the respecting their elders was expected and not optional. This day and age so many kids are disrespectful to their grandparents and older people with whom they come in contact. They loved older people and I remember them celebrating their grandparents' anniversaries, birthdays, and other special days.
Each child in the home was different and was treated that way. Sandra, the 1st born, did things the traditional way. Going to college, having a career, getting married, and having children. Denise, however, was not traditional. She was kind of drifting afloat and went off to college, dropped out, went to Africa and came home with a husband and stepdaughter. Theo and Vanessa were on their way to adulthood when the show went off. Rudy was still a child and hadn't quite yet hit puberty. I know from having many siblings raised by the same parents that we each turned out differently, despite our parents' best intentions. I would be interested to see a movie reunion.
Anyway, I love this show and watch it 3-4 times per week. On the whole, it is wholesome and pure. Very refreshing! Kudos to you, Bill Cosby!