My heart is just....

....not in the blog world lately.

But I have a few posts up my sleeve. Promise. I have a lot to tell, but I just can't seem to formulate the words.

I am in the busy process of living and loving and feeling and dreaming and screaming and doing and cleaning and being and praying and laughing and crying and worshipping and talking and sleeping and playing and eating and disciplining and going and napping and living.

I hope you understand.

Alabama Football and Dreamland BBQ....

....what could be better???

I have a new love in my life.... SHHH, don't tell Chris!

See, I've been a little busy, so I forgot to mention him! **Gasp** I can't believe I forgot to mention him. Meet my new man....

I must admit, it was love at first site! We are still in the honeymoon stage, but I just feel like it is a romance that just might last a lifetime. I can't get enough of him and he meets my every need.

Well, pretty much.

I know, I know....

....all my other boyfriends died slow, painful deaths. I am here to tell you, friends, this bond will NEVER be broken. I just love him way too much! More than all the others plus, I couldn't get insurance on him so I have to be extra careful with him!

Thing is, I know that he has some hidden talents that I have yet to discover....some charming traits I've yet to uncover. I'm looking forward to lots of quality time together in the weeks and months ahead. In fact, I'd love it if you'd help me bring out the very best in him! Any cool tricks you've discovered your boyfriend can do? What features aka Apps turn you on the most? I'd love to hear all about your man!

An update on things....

First of all, I just want to thank all of you for your sweet words and prayers during this hectic time in my life. Daddy is doing pretty well, and has been moved to inpatient cardiac rehab (a HUGE answer to prayer) where he will have intensive therapy and get his sea-legs back so to speak. It will give my mom a chance to catch her breath a little, too. We know he's in good hands and we are praying that he makes a speedy recovery.

Please pray for my mom. Sometimes the care-giver needs more prayers than the receiver, and I want her to know that I think she is a "ROCK STAR" for handling things with such poise and grace. I feel so helpless here in Birmingham while she has so much I could be helping her with in Gadsden. I am torn between my crazy life here....school, ball, homework, dance, work, naps, preschool, church, etc..... and my family life there. I want to help her, but there is not much to do but pray.

Pray I will.

On the homefront.....Lucy is well and should be headed back to school tomorrow thank our Father in Heaven!!!. This "illness" has anything but slowed her down, and she needs to be in school. We've done about all the baking, reading, baby playing, dress up, changing clothes, coloring pictures, and so on and so on I can handle. I can't wait for a "regular" day.

But what is a regular day.

I sure would love to find out.

Then again.....

....maybe not!

Blessed Beyond Measure

This past week has been one of the most overwhelming weeks of my entire life.

Seriously.

Daddy's still in the hospital, and I can't be there to help my mom (who needs God's strength and our prayers most of all). While Daddy was still in ICU, I spent 8 hours in the ER gripped with pain from my ailing gallbladder and promised my family I'd take the time off to have the surgery I need......soon. On Tuesday, Greer had her 8th laser treatment. On Wednesday we both recovered. On Friday, Reeves had a fieldtrip that I couldn't chaperone (cause I had to get back to work) and Greer fell at school and hit her head and lost consciousness for a few seconds and had to go to the Emergency Room.....and I was working and couldn't take her myself. Thank God my sweet husband handled it with grace and calm. Now? Lucy is running fever and feeling puny. Who knows what tomorrow will bring!

And yet, we're all Ok. None of it is major stuff (well, except for Daddy's recovery....he has a long way to go yet)....compared to what so many others are facing. It's all about perspective, and I know enough to know that I have it good. I know that it's not all about me! It's about growing and learning and trusting and believing. Through these challenges, I'm filled with a peace that passes all understanding.

Seriously....

....I'm sleeping well. I'm soaking in the love of family. I'm praying for my daddy and my precious mom. I'm eating meals with dear old friends. I'm napping and cooking and catching up on laundry. I'm watching football and reading with my kids. I'm running errands with my husband and buying birthday presents for my sister (NO Erin, I didn't forget your birthday :)....

and eating pancakes with bacon and Dreamland Ribs and homemade chicken salad. I'm screaming "Roll Tide"! I'm cheering for dirty little 7 year old football players. I'm helping babies come into the world and teaching new mother's how to breastfeed for the first time. I'm thanking friends for their prayers and support. I'm laughing when Greer spins around till she's dizzy. I'm playing "babies" with Lucy. I'm getting myself ready to lead a small group with Chris. I'm gearing up for football games and softball games and baseball games and dance classes!!

I'm soaking in the sweetness of my life.....

....and as my Pastor challenged me in his message yesterday (man, did I mention how much I needed to spend time in Worship!?) .....

I'm taking time to remember how EXTRAVAGANTLY GOOD God has been to me!

....because despite all the stress and issues and drama and fear and sickness and surprises....

God has blessed me beyond measure!

Happy Healing!

If you think I look bad....

.....you should see the other guy!

All kidding aside, Greer had a great treatment day! In fact, it was her best treatment yet (in terms of her reaction to it). It has always been a huge fear of mine that she will fah-reak out when we drive into the hospital parking lot. Her take on the whole situation is the complete opposite of what I have feared. She claps and cheers and runs for the door. Why? Well....

They have an awesome playroom and gobs of juice and she gets lots and LOTS of attention from Mommy inside those doors.....what else could a girl ask for?

The nurses love her. They think she is just about the funniest baby on the planet. When I walked her to the OR doors, she took to her nurse right away, and it put my heart at ease. The wait was so short today (shorter than most days), and before I knew it, Dr. T came by to give me a report. She had done really well.

Within minutes, G was back in my arms, happy as a drunk skunk. She spewed some hilarious jibberish, and I honestly laughed out loud a couple of times. It made my heart smile after all these dreadful days. I love my funny, baby girl more than my luggage!

We had a great, normal day together. I've missed the normalcy. But the unknown still looms, and my daddy is still sick. My mom is stronger than any human there is, and she needs lifting up. My sisters are there and I am not and a part of me is hollow. Pray for them. Especially my mom. This is really hard.