Packages

One of my very favorite things to do is send packages to my daughter.

As you all know (all to well, I would imagine at my constant conversation of this point), she is in Texas studying to become a teacher. I don't know if it's the actual sending, or the gathering that I so thoroughly enjoy. I love collecting things here and there. Cheap chick flicks, lip gloss, fun paper and pens, magnets, trail mix, silly cards, gift cards, etc.

I take as much care in the "packaging" of the package as I do the "gathering" of the package. I stuff coordinating tissue (the color will match whatever the 'theme' of the package is...i.e. Halloween, Thanksgiving, Valentines Day, etc...) into the box and then, right before I close the top for taping, I blow kisses into it. A greeting card with a $20 bill is always sitting right on top of the mounds of tissue. I've never asked specifically, but my guess is that with all the pretty packing tissue and crinkle paper, things don't move a bit in the delivery!

Finally, it's time to tape. I write her name on the "To" section and in the "From" section, I draw a heart next to the word "Home", and then my address. I always use different color markers that coordinate with the tissue inside. (by now, if my Mom is reading this, she's shaking her head at me)

Then, I use enough tape to wrap around the earth a couple of times and finally, it's off to the post office to ask them the same question I ask every time.

"What's the fastest you can get this to my girl?"

They always tell me the "middle" fastest one first, then the longest time and then finally, the fastest. I never go with the fastest. It's usually more expensive than the contents of the package, so I go middle. Even though I want to go with the FASTEST.

I don't know what happens exactly to those packages between the time I leave it at the post office and she picks it up at school. I DO know, however, when she gets one she knows without a doubt that she's loved, thought of often, cared for deeply, and missed...really missed.

It's so good to know someone is thinking, praying, and caring for you even when you're not physically standing beside them. It's even better to get evidence of that!

There's a sermon in there somewhere...

Blessings.

Tennis 101

My sweet daughter is taking a tennis class to complete the final Physical Ed requirement for her degree. This class is Tues/Thurs mornings and she has labored through it with great determination. She hates tennis. She is a softball / volleyball player, and really doesn't understand the concept of letting the ball bounce before you hit it gently across the court. No...her idea of "sport" is to see the ball coming, aggressively charge it, and either knock it out of the park with the bat, or spike it down the throat of the opposing player across the net with all your might.

The first week she was in this class, she texted me with this news...

"Dear Mama, I'll never make it to Wimbledon. Sorry to disappoint you. Love, Ashley."

This has been a source of comedy and laughter throughout the semester. The good news is, my girl has a tremendous sense of humor and can make any situation funny in spite of itself!

Today, though, after many weeks of plugging through, here came this news.

"Dear Mama,
I scored a point in tennis. The class clapped! It was so funny. It just happened and my sweet little team and I got so excited that we had to sit down cause we were laughing so hard. The TA just smiled. He tries to be serious, but that just doesn't work with me in your Tennis class!
Love,
Ashley"

I love that girl.
Blessings...

The Invasion

It hit our house...
The invasion of the germs...

Son and I are literally tip toeing around (like that's going to help!) thinking if the germs can't hear us, we'll get away without catching anything. We're talking quieter, walking quieter. I've moved into daughter's bedroom for the time being and closed the door to the room filled with germs, with husband in it.

I take him his meals, put them as close inside the door as I can without really stepping in. I hold my breath while I'm in there! It feels like I haven't inhaled in a full day. Little tiny breaths...no deep breaths to tempt the germs to jump to my inhalations.

Husband has H1N1...Swine flu. Ick! He said his head feels like it's going to split open and even his hair hurts! Poor baby.

For a guy who hates being alone, this is awful. Not only does he feel horrible, but we're lovingly treating him like he has the plague.

Hope the germs give up and go away.

Blessings.

Good Song

Some weeks are easier than others. Some moments are calmer, sweeter, more fun, less stressful...

We've had difficult times. Nothing earth shattering. You know, those "little hits" that just seem to keep coming and don't give you a minute to catch your breath from the last hit.

Financial issues, Health struggles, Decisions difficult to deal with, Heartbreak, Sadness, Disappointment, Worry...it goes on.

Driving out to a football game last night, a song came on the radio. My husband was driving, my son in the front seat and I in the back. I wasn't listening until my husband turned it up just a bit, and while driving reached his arm back and just patted my leg while it played. I'd never heard it before, or maybe I just hadn't paid attention, but the words were precious. He sang quietly, driving, singing, patting.

Nothing else mattered. He is so good at reminding me that very few things are worth worrying about, and always reminds me of the blessings we have. What a true partner and precious blessing he is to me.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yRrSUwqnZj0

How Long?

I can't believe it's been so long since I posted!

The bad news is, there isn't a reason. Nothing exciting. Nothing new. Nothing to keep me from it...I just haven't thought there was anything worthy to post.

Proverbs 17:28
Even fools are thought to be wise when they keep silent; when they keep their mouths shut, they seem intelligent.

Or, as I remember my Dad quoting Abraham Lincoln:
"Better to be quiet and thought a fool, than to speak and remove all doubt!"

Blessings!

Outbursts

*effusion: an unrestrained expression of emotion
*a sudden intense happening; "an outburst of heavy rain"; "a burst of lightning"
*a sudden violent disturbance

The word "outburst" is typically associated with the last definition listed above..."a sudden violent disturbance".

Sometimes, as parents, we've experienced our toddlers having "outbursts" at inappropriate moments.



At times, a parent may have an "outburst" if patience has run thin.

And, let's be honest here, ever been to some type of church Committee Meeting?

Well, anyway, as I was reading recently, I ran across a scripture that stuck with me and I've posted on my wall beside my desk...just to remind me that some outbursts can be good!

Think of ways to encourage one another to outbursts of love and good deeds! Hebrews 10:24 (NLT)

May your outbursts be many!
Blessings!

30

What you are looking at is approximately 30 pounds of butter.

That's what I've lost...so far...

Well, I've not lost 30 lbs of butter, but whatever that is that you lose when you're trying to lose weight.

Fat, Water, Muscle, your mind...

Anyway, I've lost 30 lbs of it.

Blessings.