Curtain Call

Important decisions take time. I have had to make many important decisions lately. Frankly, I am a wee bit tired of doing so! Although this particular decision came slowly and without stress. It came after thinking about it for some time now. It is a "curtain call" of sorts for this blog. This blog has been going on for almost four years. I have shared laughs, disappointments, tears and my innermost feelings of confusion, turmoil and grief. It just feels right to step away right now.

I thank all of you for coming with me on this journey. It's been fun and I have learned a lot about myself in the process. Thank you for allowing me to share a small snippet of my life with you. Now the feelings and emotions that I experience will be kept close to my heart, for my thoughts only.

I will keep the blog open for another month so you may look at past posts if you would like. After that I will be setting it to private.

Much love to all of you! May God's blessings follow you wherever He may lead.
Always

Miss Me?

Can I get some love? Has anyone out there in blog world missed me? It has been a while since I have last checked in. I do have to remember that people "do read this blog" and I feel a sense of obligation to continue what I started. I have been gone for many reasons:

1) Lack of interesting blogging material. Do you really wants to hear about toilet seat mishaps and my continued battle to fight the urge to eat everything fried?

2) My mom had another surgery recently. She is doing well and is on the road to recovery.(the poop bag) is gone forever...woohoo!

3) My dad continues to amaze the doctors and all of us. I told you he was a fighter.

4) The Hubby has been home lately. Unfortunately, the Asian travel schedule picks up later this month.

...and the number one reason why you haven't heard from me: I have S.A.D.
Yes, I finally self diagnosed and came to the conclusion that nothing stinks more like being stuck in the upper northwest corridor of the Midwest without sunshine and warm temps!

I have blogged about this before but need to get the word out. Seasonal Affective Disorder is the real deal. It affects people who have normal mental health throughout the rest of the year(this may disqualify me, but I'm still claiming it)experience depression symptoms. They experience severe mood changes, lack of energy and get this..."crave sweet & starchy foods". I love an excuse to eat!

I think I am going to invest in a sun lamp or book a va-cay quick. Trust me, when CEP looked at me last night and told me I sounded exhausted, I perked up. My poor family.

The snow is falling outside...a snow day for the kids! This can only mean one thing...blanket, bad VH1 reality TV, and a big bag of salt and vinegar potato chips. I've have S.A.D., right?

Warning!

I am either losing my mind or having some serious baby envy.

Colts Fever

Some things take precedence over blogging...sorry!

Anticipation

"Just pray the words your heart is feeling"

These were the words I spoke to the four little first grade girls as we sat in a circle at church last night. I can't tell you just how humbled I am to be in the presence of children of God. The girls each spoke..."please help the children of Haiti find their mom's and dad's". "Please let the people know they are not alone, you are there for them God". It was a testament to the sweet blessings we all have been given. The plight of human suffering, regardless of how far away, can rock you to your core.

Yesterday, I heard the school bus drop the boys off. JWP came running through the door as CEP lagged behind. He stood silent and then burst into tears. He told me how CEP had thrown a snowball at the bus and had missed. He ran into the road to retrieve it when a van came around the corner. Luckily the van was able to come to a stop, but he was upset at "what might have been".

Most of you are aware of the failed terrorist plot on Christmas day this year. It really rocked our family because that is the flight that The Hubby takes monthly on his overseas trips. The same flight, the same destination, and as he later informed me, the same row. It sent chills down my spine. I was upset at "what might have been".

I have learned that we cannot predict catastrophes. We don't hold the crystal ball to foresee the tragedies in our lives. We can only hold onto faith. Faith that if some terrible were to happen to someone we love, the compassion & empathy of our souls would rise up and take over. Mending quarrels, professing my faith, and getting back to the basics...thinking of "I can't wait for what is to come" instead of "what might have been".

Faux Fur

One of my New Year's Resolutions was to be a little more hip. Now when I say hip, I mean actually taking a shower every single day, applying makeup, donning jewelry and looking somewhat presentable. So, when I recently went shopping with my mom and sister I happened to see this faux fur vest hanging on the rack. I wondered if I could pull it off. Reluctantly, I took off my sad looking ski jacket and slipped the vest on over my shirt. I wasn't convinced, but was quickly reassured that it looked great with my hair and since it was on sale, a bargain. Of course, my sis cleverly quipped that she wouldn't dare wear it! I hesitated, only due to the fact that I take Sis Margaret to preschool and run to Target...was the vest "errand running" worthy? If I could feel glamorous living in Northwest Ohio if only for a day, it was worth it. The vest made its way into my cart and home, finding a spot in the closet.

This morning, I got all dolled up for an exciting day of returns. I decided to be a fashionista and wear my new vest. I put on Sarah's coat, followed by my new vest(feeling pretty good, mind you).
It was then that Sarah exclaimed:

"Wow, Momma...you are wearing a dead raccoon"

I promptly took it off and put back on my ski jacket.