Holiday Sorrow Softened

Well, I was having a bit of a pity-party.

Josh is working during the Halloween Party, and Thanksgiving, and Christmas-so he can be off on New Year's to go to Dallas for his brother's wedding (which me and kids probably won't attend b/c we can't afford to fly and don't have time to drive). And then he'll be off a week in February to attend a conference in Ft. Lauderdale and again we won't be joining him. So all of these holidays were just highlighting the yuckiness of a resident's schedule and had me in a bit of a tizzy.

Until I read this:

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=113966999

and now I have NOTHING to complain about.

With Thankful Heart

I'm happy to report that Ivan's MRI today looked "normal". Normal, by the way, is a beautiful word. I always get nervous when he has these six month pictures done--wondering maybe, just maybe, that ugly tumor is starting up again--just one little cell got away...

So, it is always a great relief to hear that he's okay. We'll do this again in April. And October. Then maybe just in Octobers. I hope. I worry and worry and buy him special treats, and get movies, and wash his blanky, and pray. Oh, and worry (did I mention that?)

In addition to that, I took Orlando to his field trip. I made him a wonderful sack lunch, got him all excited, made sure he was dressed for the pumpkin patch and then took him to school at 8 when he usually goes in the afternoon....only to find out it is next week.

How embarrassing.

I blame it on stress. Somehow I got the MRI and the field trip on the same date in my head....

Sheesh, I thought Lando might make it to 4th or 5th grade before I started embarrassing him, I guess not!

Well, I'm thankful for my boys even if they may struggle with giving thanks for this scatter brained-worry-wart of a mom.

Surprise!

"He is gonna love this!"

"Is he here yet?"

"I think he's coming!"

DAD!! Jump and "SURPRISE!!!" A new KING sized bed.

It is a little early, but due to an amazing labor day sale I bought us a new bed for our 8th anniversary. It is awesome!! It is twice as tall as our previous bed and a king vs a queen. I had it delivered and set up with freshly laundered new sheets when Josh got in from work. He had no idea. The kids wanted to make a game, so we put a note on the front door for him to follow the arrows. The boys cut and taped the arrows around the house leading him to our room. Three very anxious boys jumped out with a "surprise" shout and it was a great moment. It is nice to have a husband who earns a paycheck, and it is nice to have saved up and to have replaced the old bed. The new bed has a fourteen year warranty. Can you imagine? Orlando could have a mission call by then.
Until then, what a fabulous time we are having in our little home!

I'm Thankful to be Me!

A children's song goes like this:

"At night when I'm in home at bed, I close my eyes and see the many things I'm thankful for that God has given me.  I see my friends and teachers too.  And others who love me.  These many blessings make me feel so thankful to be me." 

I remember singing this as a child and actually wondering if I was thankful to be me.  Obviously I struggled with self acceptance and knowing that I was loved.  Today I feel differently.  I am very thankful to be me!  Who am I?  Well here are a few of the titles I have been privleged to be:

Daughter

Sister

Mother

Mom

Mommy 

Mama

MAAA! MAAA!

Wife

Spouse

Eternal Companion

Love of my Life

Lady

Lady friend

The Missus

Mrs. Mack

Suagah Mama

Sister McElderry

Just a McElderry

Mackelberry

Balsters

Still a Balsters

Goodie Two Shoes (thanks Sara!)

Friend

Good Friend

Close Friend

Best Friend

Sister in Law

Daughter in Law

Child

Child of God

Daughter of God

Aunt

Auntie

Missionary

Sister

as in "Seestah Balsters!"  with a thick Brazilian Accent

Teacher

Mrs.

as in "Meesus Mcjdiej;y" by my ESL kiddos

Lara

Lay-rah

Larry (thanks Jacob!)

Graduate

Alum

Lara Lee

Chick-a-dee

or better, "Lara-Lee-Chick-a-dee"

Thanks to all of you, who have helped me have these titles and made me "Thankful to be Me!" I love you.