Moments of sanity

It's been a crazy day. In between all the rushing and working I had several little windows of quiet time with people I care about. I'm thankful for those moments. Lord, thank you for those moments and the love that was felt in them.

Misting

That's what I call it when the raindrops are so teeny-tiny that they don't seem to be falling, but kind of hang there instead. It's not really mist, but it's pretty close, and I love the way it feels to walk through it. It's not plop, plop, plop or even pitter, pitter, it's a million tiny cold wet kisses all landing on your skin. Lord, thank you for misting.

Little things

I'm not feeling the least bit deep today. I'm barely awake at my keyboard, but I'm running late on the posts, again, so here goes. I'm thankful for Terro Ant bait, because it really works. I'm thankful for my single pair of sweats, because as much as I would like to look great all the time there are times I don't give an ant's mandible what I look like, and sweats are nice to have at those times. I'm thankful for my new blue sheets, I think they are pretty. Lord, thank you for the little things, but mostly for getting me through the evening. Goodnight.

A song that says it right

I made this with some friends. This could have been a "Things" post, or a "Thoughts" post, but it is here because I'm so thankful for this song. There are so many times when words fail us. "I'm sorry," "There's a reason," "I know how you feel," so often they are the wrong words. This song, says it right.

Lord, thank you for this song and for all the selfless contributions that added so much to this video.

Heads at my hip

Twice today I was surprised to find someone standing at my hip, wanting to be close to me. They weren't my usual snugglers, so I was very happy to get to hold them. The rest of the day I felt like I was doing everything wrong in my life, so those little moments meant a lot.

Lord, thank you that even on a bad day I was able to bring some good.

The Internet and comfortable arms

Yesterday James and I completed his science project. I forgot to take a picture, but it was a huge model of the solar system. I had no idea what color the planets were. Luckily someone did know and made a lovely web page about it.

Lord, thank you for the Internet so I can get my answers easily.

Today I was at work with the kids, Tali had swim lessons. The little kids room was slotted to have 14 at once, three of which were babies. So I clocked in and worked for an hour or so. It was mayhem for a bit, and there was a pair of little girls I didn't know. I saw that they were upset and sitting out of the way, so I went and sat with them and offered comfort. I'm so glad they took it. I was a complete stranger, but within minutes one was clinging to me. The other fell asleep in my arms 15 minutes later.

Lord, thank you for my comfortable arms, and all the love that lies between them that I can share.

Relief and Automatic hole punches

Man I was sick yesterday. I ignored the warning signs of course, but when it hit it hit hard and I was out of commission. When I got home from church I immediately hit the couch and wrapped up in that super warm blanket from Bahrain. It was warm in the house, but I was so cold. I just lay there and shivered and wished I could warm up. My body was aching too. The only thing that didn't hurt was the ends of my fingers, which I couldn't feel at all. My nail beds were blue, my fingertips pale. The quarter inch below the dead zone hurt like crazy though, so did my waist which was being attacked my my support hose.
After an hour I got up the strength to move to the room and change into pajamas. I shook the whole time. I climbed under the two blankets and the electric blanket and turned it on. It was another hour at least before I got the feeling back in my finger tips, and even longer before I felt like my temperature was normal.
My body was screaming still, in spite of the Tylenol. Joe turned on some tv for me, which helped a bit. The light hurt my eyes, but at least I could think about something beside how much it hurt to lay on my back, or turn over, or raise my head, or move my arms to drink.
My body switched from cold to hot, so I kicked off the covers and tried to figure out how I was going to get my shifts covered for the week if this didn't go away. I didn't figure out much, I couldn't think, it hurt too much to think.
I fell asleep at some point, and woke up in the middle of the night. I was amazed to discover I didn't hurt anymore and my temperature was normal.

Lord, thank you for the relief.

This morning I printed out my latest first draft. Then I took it to work with me and used the automatic 3-hole punch there so I could bind it. Oh the bliss of not having to put my wrist through all that work!

Lord, thank you for Automatic hole punches.

My Sweet Brother

I think he was training for raising my son. I was full of mixed emotions as I talked to him tonight. The Navy, what a big step. He's going to rock that white suit though.

Lord, Thank you for Joseph.

Changing tastes

I used to hate avacado, really hate it. I just sliced up some and put it on my salad. There was no need for dressing because my salad was just soooooo good.

Lord, thank you for my grown up taste-buds.

Turn that frown upside-down

Today didn't start well. It's St. Patrick's Day, and ever since I was a kid I've resented that while I can't find any Irish on my family tree, and I'm not Catholic either, I am threatened with repeated physical assault if I do not participate in this Holiday. It's not that I mind celebrating Ireland and all, it's just that it's MANDATORY.
That irritates me, and probably always will.
So I was in a bad mood, but because I work with kids, I put on a green shirt, green eyeliner with clovers at the corners of my eyes, and then went to work on the kids.
At the last minute I grabbed my bag of face painting supplies and took them to work with me. I got to spend the morning drawing all over people's faces. It started with my co-worker, and the kids. Then I painted on my boss when she popped in. Then the next thing I knew I was painting mothers who came through the door, employees who had forgotten their green, and members I don't even know who saw someone else and wanted to join in on the fun.

I love face painting. It is so much fun.

Lord, thank you for turning my frown upside-down.

Good dentist visit

Tali had her first filling today. I know, having a cavity is not considered a "good visit" by most, but I was just worried how her first drilling would go. With all the things medical professionals have had to do to her in the past... it could have been bad.

It went really well and she was a trooper.

Lord, thank you for making this first filling a good experience for her.

Fun with the girls

Tonight was the R.S. Birthday potluck. We had a pretty good turn out, and my voice is pretty horse from calling out for bids on the service items. I now owe a 5X7 pencil portrait and an hour of Bellydance instruction. You should have seen how they bid on the baked goods too, lol. It was soooooo much fun.
I think the funnest part was when we offered 200 points to anyone who told their most embarrassing moment. I was laughing so hard I could barely stand.

Lord, thank you for helping the meeting go well and thank you so very very much for the love we have as sisters.

Good timing, pitching in, and return to health

I knew it was coming. When you see your employees dropping like flies you can just tell you are going to get the flu. So when that first wave of nausea hit, I knew just what it was. To tell the truth though, my next thought was, "Well at least I'm getting it now, instead of Tuesday." Tuesday is the RS Birthday Dinner and Service Auction. I did not want to miss that.
So I went and got my kids from my mil's, and got back home in time to battle off the second major wave of nausea. I had to use my pressure points for that one, and they worked! Oh the tricks you learn during pregnancy.
I was sick the rest of Saturday, then all of Sunday. I'd feel ill every time I stood, or rolled over, or the bed moved. So I laid there in bed, occasionally pressing my thumbs into the insides of my wrists, and watched tv. Joe fed the kids. What I'm not sure, but they ate. Plus, I didn't have to play referee at all. Now I'm all better and ready to go to work tonight.

Lord, thank you that when I got this it was at a time when the world didn't fall apart because I was sick. Thank you that Joe stepped up and pitched in so I could be sick in peace. Thank you that I'm better now and back to my life.

Good examples, the scents of home

I have a friend who has decided she's just not going to complain anymore. She's my hero.

Lord, thank you for friends who are such good examples.

When I hold or hug a kid at work I like to sniff their hair. It's not because they have perfumed shampoo. It's because they smell like their mother's cooking, or like the cream that helps contain all those downy curls. There's something about those scents that mean love to me, that mean home and care and nurture. Scents are just that way, they mean something. Like, even though my mom doesn't drink Pepsi anymore, the smell of it always makes me think of her. Sometimes I smell a man's shaving cream and I'll think of my dad. Pine trees always make me think of the first house my parents owned. All such beautiful memories brought on by the scent of home.

Lord, thank you for the scents of home.

Unexpected kindness, Little feet, and wet roads

Today was pretty crazy, so instead of coming back home between getting the car back and church we used Tali's student of the week award to bring down the cost of a dinner out. The certificate was to a local Buffet, where my children are regular customers with their Grandma. The servers are all very nice to us, and today ours was particularly nice. He brought over two kids meal certificates for us, just out of the blue. It was so very sweet of him.

Lord, thank you for unexpected kindness.

It's silly and small, but a little girl at church is up and walking, though she gets passed around so much it's a miracle she's had a chance to learn, lol. I watched her standing there, so sure and steady on those little itty bitty feet and it just melted my heart.

Thank you Lord, for little feet.

I know wet roads are dangerous, but I've noticed the last few times it has rained heavily that there is a really luminous feeling to the main road here when it rains. The lights reflect off the wet roads and the clouds in a way that is different than anywhere I have ever lived before. It is really beautiful, at least to me it is.

Lord, thank you for how beautiful that wet road is, and for keeping us safe on it.

Working with people I enjoy

I've worked with a lot of people over the years, and I like pretty much everyone. People I truly enjoy though? Those are harder to find.
I truly enjoy spending time with several people I work with, and it makes such a difference.

Lord, thank you for bringing us together.

Plants, Rain, Likeness, Kindness, Opportunities, Little Miracles, Innate goodness, and Healthy snacks

The flowers are out. Well the ones on the north side of the house aren't, they are just barely pushing up leaves. The daffodils on the west side and the rose-of-Sharron's on the south are in full bloom. I looked at the bushes we planted last year and they seem to have flourished somehow.

Lord, thank you for plants that survive me.

As I type this it is raining. Some people find the rain depressing, I find it romantic and comforting. It's like God's efforts at watering the plants is a reminder for me to take care of me.

Lord, thank you for the rain.

Today as I taught my lesson I saw a woman remove her coat and creep forward two rows to wrap it around an elderly woman. Watching that while someone read a scripture about how we can become one with God... it was such a special moment.

Lord, thank you for letting me see your likeness in her.

I dropped my car off to be fixed on Friday without making the call to let the adjuster know I was going to in advance like should have, and yet the adjuster got over there that same day. I'll have my car back that much sooner. I could hear the surprise in his voice when I thanked him for it, but I really was grateful.

Lord, thank you for people who do the kind thing without thinking.

Someone asked a question online, and I was able to respond with my testimony. I needed that, I need the spirit that comes when I bear my testimony.

Lord, thank you for those special opportunities.

After having presidency meeting Wednesday night I ran into two women who we mentioned we have been missing. I very much enjoyed chatting with each of them briefly and sharing our sincere love for them.

Lord, thank you for the little miracle of putting me in the exactly right place at the exactly right instant.

My in-laws needed their yard mowed. Even with the riding lawn mower, they just can't do it anymore. Joe went and did it without any nagging.

Lord, thank you for the goodness in him.

My kids just came in and asked for yogurts, which of course they were allowed. I love how, even with all the junk food they get at Grandma's they still really enjoy the healthy snacks I keep on hand.

Lord, thank you for delicious healthy food.

Birds

There are birds outside my window, I woke to them tweeting this morning. I also listened to two different bird calls on the way to the car and wondered what kinds of birds they were. We see owls, falcons, jays, crows, vultures, cardinals, and hummingbirds in various seasons, and I just love it. I envy them really, being able to fly.

Lord, thank you for birds and the way they make my heart flutter with joy.

This is redundant

but I'm so tired right now, I'm just thankful that once I get done yelling at the cell phone company I can go get in bed and not get out again until morning.

Thank you Lord that one way or another all days come to an end.