There is nothing better....

than hanging out with my very best friend!!!
Whether we stay at home, have coffee, dinner, window shop, or go to a really long movie and sit in those REALLY uncomfortable seats, I just love hanging with Ski. He is the best!!! How lucky am I to spend my life with my very best friend?!?!?!

Doctor, doctor.....

Now there's an old song that I really liked!! :D
Here are some medical updates for us....

Curly Girl is now cast & splint free!! Hooray!!! She came home and climbed a tree. Don't tell the dr. She told her that she was unrestricted, but that she should probably wait a week or so to climb a tree. But I think she was born in a tree. She is always up there. Also, at another appointment, we found that she grew about another 1/2 inch. Every smidgen counts and we are happy. The dr showed her her very slow but raising growth curve, so she was a little encouraged.

For me personally, I didn't share this with many people, but I had a thyroid ultrasound for what the dr said was an enlargement in my neck. I saw a new dr and since I had never had an us on my thyroid, he thought it might be prudent. We were worried for a few days. My former dr mentioned indirectly that my thyroid was nodular, but never got a baseline. Sometimes nodules are nothing and other times they are cancerous. They called me last week and told me that everything looked ok. Yeah!!! Apparently, my thyroid must just be a little uneven.

Iz's eczema is flaring again. Oh, what fun!! I suspect it is pollen related since when winter came, it nearly disappeared and almost to the day he flared back up again. So, it seems to be a spring/summer thing. Doesn't make it much easier, though. We see the allergist in Aug.

In Honor of my Mother

Mother's day was a week ago, but my mother's birthday is this month as well.

I have the best mother in the world. It took me many years to figure this out. As a teen, I never appreciated a lot about my mom. But as an adult, there are so many things that I can look on and see as really amazing.

My mother grew up in a family of five children. She did not have the easiest of lives. Her father was a farmer and due to a variety of circumstances, he lost his farm during the Depression. He became a tenant farmer. They lived and worked farms that they did not own for very little pay. Their homes were not the best. She told many stories about how they lived. They didn't take vacations and they had very little extras. Since her older sister died when she was 4yo, my mother became the only girl. She was a tough cookie growing up with three brothers and much responsibility. When her family decided that church was too far, mom walked there on her own. Mom worked and saved money to go to college. She became a teacher and taught for awhile. But then, she felt the Lord call her to the mission field. She spent a number of years teaching children in Tampa Florida. This time in her life shows clearly how she was open and willing to follow the Lord as He directed her life. Although she loved the mission work, God called her to Seminary. She went and that is where she met my father. She had vowed to never marry a minister, but within a year of meeting Dad, they were married and beginning a life of ministry far from her childhood home. Dad's ministry was not easy. Mom moved every 5 years which made it difficult for her to keep friends. She gave up her career to be at home with us. But all of my years growing up, if she had the room, there was a sewing room in the house. But that little sewing room was not just for making clothes. Many times when she went into this room, she was seeking the Lord and His guidance for her life. My brothers and I did not make mom's life any easier. But the Lord was her constant comfort and guide through those many years. My dear mother not only made clothes and delicious food for me, but also laid a foundation that still effects me today. My mother has an adventurous and daring spirit. It is fitting that her birth coincided with a major historical event. She is a human calculator (an ability that I did NOT inherit) and is frugal although she suspects I am a bit more frugal than she. She loves to shop, but I think I am more like my father in that realm. ;) She loves to have fun and has a humorous bent. At her side, I learned not only to read at the tender age of 4, but also to love great literature. My parents were never rich in earthly goods, but always possessed a wealth in their spirits and souls that was a far greater reward and they have always endeavored to impart that to my brothers and I. I have watched my parents through the years endure hardship and trials. I have seen my mother's unwavering faith. When trials keep her awake, she is most likely crying out to the Lord in the wee hours of the night. I know that I have caused my dear mother countless hours of worry and concern, but I know that through it all she was praying for my soul. My mother has truly invested her time in things that brought more than a paycheck into our home. What she brought to my life is really priceless. She sacrificed so much and is responsible for who I am today. I know that she has done even more than I am aware of. I am so grateful for her love and care for me.

Happy Birthday mom!!! Thank you so much for all you have done. You are the best!!! Love You!!

Tears

I can tell that God is working on my prideful heart.
There is so much going on in my life that it cannot be mistaken.
I mean, it just is kind of ironic that he would be able to minister to my heart while at the same time, tear a bit at that old pride.

God meets me in all kinds of ways. I am not going to get into all of them. But you all would probably laugh at some of them. Spinning at times has to do with that -- which is why I have such an affinity for it. And of course, there are those times that most people experience. Times in worship. I must say that some (only some) of the most meaningful and deep times of worship have been what Ski and I jokingly call the "ministry of tears." This happened most often during the 10 months that Ski was unemployed. Many times during worship, I found myself unable to sing and overwhelmed by tears. These were not over emotional and stirred up tears. If you have never experienced it, it is not the most simple thing to explain. It seems to me, it is one's own heart unburdening its care and concern before the Lord. The end result was mysteriously not sadness, but a peculiar sort of refreshment and if not joy, peace.

As I said, there is a bit of turmoil in my present circumstance. I have been growing weary in some of it. I am struggling more because, to be perfectly honest, I am unhappy in the place where I find God has placed me. Funny, I seem to think I could make some better choices. So, how fitting is it that God would bring that good ole "ministry of tears" thing at what I felt was the most inopportune time -- while I was in front of the entire church. Blech!! I seriously felt that I should somehow excuse myself because I must certainly be a distraction. I don't think the most joyful noise was coming from my mouth, either. But, I came to my senses and thought...."now seriously, who besides your kids is REALLY looking at you?!?!" (Yes, it is true. My kids tell me all the time...."I saw you_____") So I endured and wept and tried my best to sing and tried not to think at all about all of those people down there....and God ministered to my weary heart through every tear. Isn't He good to reach us no matter where we are?!?!

Just don't tell me you saw them ;)

Mmmmmm!!!!!

I am an adventurous person. I will try anything once. My sweet Ski.....not so much. I remember goig with him to a pizza place that had all kinds of wonderful toppings. What did he want to order? The one that came with traditional toppings. I have a great fondness for ethnic food. I love to visit the Asian market and try something. I think this must be hereditary since my world traveling brother has eaten fried scorpions. In fact, I think that brother is the one who instigated my culinary curiosity when he brought home canned octopus tentacles when I was quite young. Yes, I thought that they were delicious. In fact, I loved them so much I shared them with Ski early on in our relationship. Imagine.....and he still married me!!

One of my favorites is falafel. I think it is amazing especially since it is a vegetarian thing. I love my meat, but I could live on falafel. It has been years since I have had one. I heard of one place nearby, but i have never ventured there. It is inconvenient and I always have kids with me when I am over there. Plus, it has the added benefit of looking a little frightening. So, about a month ago when I was at Walmart, I noticed falafel mix on a shelf. To my delight, it was marked down to .01 so I bought every single box that they had. I made some for my lunch today and I am just so happy!! Let me say, that this mix is NOTHING like a real falafel, but I am so very pleased at something close. My poor little naked falafel on a tortilla (GASP!!!) with only some hummus to keep it company. But this is better than the years of deprivation. I heard recently that there is a new restaurant that opened that has falafel. Maybe someday.....

For any of you who don't know what a falafel is, feast your eyes.....

Vote or shut up

It's primary day today. I know complaining is a sin, but in my mind, it's even worse if you have a chance to make things better and you don't do it. Especially if it requires little or no effort.

I feel very blessed that in our country, we can vote for everyone from judges, to the sheriff, to the President and everyone gets a say in how our government spends our money (and it is OUR money!!)

While the slate of candidates this go-round really isn't that great, everyone has an opinion and a right to express it in the voting booth. I get tired of hearing folks moan and complain about how downtrodden they are and how bad and hopeless things are. When you read about a very SMALL voter turnout, it seems most folks are too lazy to get out and DO something about it! (have I lit a fire in anyone's belly yet? I hope so!)

I'll probably try and watch both conventions this summer and see who seems the most truthful and fiscally conservative. My guess is I'll make my final decision based on VP candidates since none of the "big three" seem to interested in consistent personal integrity. I'm glad Jesus said and lived out the fact that He was the way, the truth and the life. I'm also thankful that God is sovereign and He sets up (and tears down) kings and kingdoms.

Too Close for Comfort

I had to run to Target today.
I was scared half out of my wits.
Iz and I walked into the alcove between two sliding glass doors. There were three guys in front of me. They were kind of bumping each other and talking kind of rough. I was trying to figure out if they were all buddies giving each other a hard time or if they were unhappy with each other. I had to dodge them a few times so I could get through the door. Iz was not helping much since he tends to be a tad on the slow side. I walked as quickly as I could past them and through the door to the carts. I practically threw Isaac in the cart and practically ran into the store. Behind me I heard load voices, a bug thud and a lot of thomping!! Well, thomping probably isn't a real word, but but think of it as an onomonopia. When I was a short distance away, I noticed that everyone in the store was staring at them. I turned my head to see all three of them rolling all over the floor. An older couple was walking by and said we had better get out in case there was gunfire. Wow!! That was exactly what I was thinking!! I made it seem so much more frightening to hear someone say it out loud. :( After I calmed myself down, I realized that it all must have been a shoplifting gone bad. Everyone in the store and at CS was just standing there watching. It would have been nice if someone warned me NOT to go in there at that moment. I was glad that my other children weren't with me. They all would have figured out what was going on and probably would have been scared. Besides, I don't think that we would have made it through safely if there had been 7 of us trying to sneak past those guys. Wow!! One of them was huge!!! I think he was security. When I was leaving later, I saw a policeman escort one of the guys in cuffs to his squad car. Iz was blissfully unaware of what we narrowly escaped. I was glad that I didn't have to comfort him, but he couldn't quite calm me down though. He probably thought I was nuts since I rolled through the grocery aisles over and over for a few minutes not really looking at anything.

It was really creepy!!!
I am glad to be safe and sound.

Date Night Misadventures

Yes....
We are the couple with the weird date nights.
Our last one was just fabulous!! I have long wanted to go get fish tacos because I am game for anything unusual. We got them (well, I did at least) and let me tell you, I think that they are FAB!!! It was certainly delish!!

Well, last night after a nice, quiet dinner, we were browsing B&N. We often peruse the store for hours. It doesn't seem a good date place because inevitably, we end up in different parts of the stores. Ski finds the mags and travel books while I hit all the bargain racks. Well, my dinner was not sitting well so I thought I had better visit the rest room. So, off I went. As I came out of the stall to wash my hand, I noticed that there was a well dressed man there drying his hands. We both gave each other on odd look and he disappeared out the door without a word. I washed my hands and left. I took a second look at the door and sure enough, I had visted the MEN'S room!!! Ski found me in the aisle right outside the restrooms and he also went in -- thankfully to the proper room. Well, I thought I had a good reason for my error. They have at B&N plastered on their rest room doors a LARGE sign stating "baby changing station!!" The men's/Ladies room sign was off to the side and much smaller!! While I was waiting, I saw a man go to the men's room door, turn and go to the Ladies' room door and then turn back to the other door. Apparently, the signage was confusing to others beside myself. So, if you visit B&N, be sure to read your doors carefully!!!

Hmmmm.....no wonder there wasn't a hook on the door!!