1st Post of 2009

Well, this will be totally random. Why not?!?! I need to laugh at my life today. I came home from a wonderful sunny vacation to a cold, grey mess. The boys started school so that meant uniforms, homework, lunches, etc. to get ready. Lucas is teething or sick or both so I've held him non-stop for two days. To top it off, my thyroid prescription ran out while I was in California and there was a mix up with the pharmacy and my doctor so I haven't had any thyroid meds for 5 days which makes me have insomnia, headaches, mild depression and a constant feeling of nausea! Add mountains of laundry, unpacking, bags of unopened mail and the everyday chaos of life and I am feeling...random. And by random, I mean insane! heeheehee. But there are plenty of joys in my life so far this year. Here are a few.....

1. I found yet another reason to love Costco! The Kirkland Signature Borghese mineral make-up!!! I was spending $35 for one compact at Whole Foods or Bare Minerals and $35 for a compact of Chanel blush. Well, Costco has a two-pack of mineral foundation for $19.99 (same size) and an awesome blush for $12.99 (similar color and texture). Serious savings but the best part-I like the Costco stuff BETTER! woohoo

2. Knox has to do a biography book report on an African-American. He chose George W. Bush (but I didn't know that). Frustrated and confused by his teachers denial of his choice, he asked me who I thought he should pick since his teacher wouldn't let him choose when everyone else could! Now confused myself, I asked him why his choice was rebuffed and he said he wasn't sure since George W. Bush was American. I had to explain that African-American doesn't mean either/or...it means a black person. Embarrassed, he realized that EVERY other person's choice WAS a black person. LOL! Knox has never really seen color though...I LOVE that about him!

3. Caleb came up to me, rubbed my tummy and said, "I love you, Ava!" And then said, "I hope Ava is pretty and fun like you, mom."

4. Lucas and I watched Charlie and Lola today, cuddled up on the couch. We held hands and shared a pillow and a blanket. For about a half hour. He started to fall asleep so I said, "Time for night-night?" He said, "yes", kissed my cheek and waved bye-bye to the TV. So precious!

5. I bought 30 pink hangers at Target and used them ALL hanging up darling outfits I have gotten for Ava. My mom's friends gave me some wonderful things at a luncheon in California including a fur coat, a beret with rhinestones and silk flowers, Trumpett socks-every color (the socks that look like socks and Mary-Jane shoes), pink checkered Vans, and about a dozen cute outfits. Added to that are the things from friends and family I had already received and the few items I've picked up and it's starting to dawn on me that I really do get to dress a baby girl. Fun!

6. My husband preached a great sermon on Sunday. I am always amazed at what a blessing having a hot, godly husband is! I am always proud of him and still get excited when he walks in the door. Because he's so cute and fun and MINE!

7. Saving the best for last...my sweet Savior Jesus! My time in the word and in prayer has been sweet. But I have also felt a greater urgency to cling to Him. There has been pain and sadness and despair around me that God has spared my family from. I know I do not deserve God's grace but he has richly poured it out on me anyway. The devastation sin brings has been before me frequently and I have seen more clearly than ever that walking on the narrow road with Christ is NOT a sacrifice, it is a privilege. A blessing. A true joy. And I begin this year in awe that he chose me, that he loves me, that he keeps me.

So…in light of those random blessings, I can continue to hold a sick baby in my sleep-deprived, nauseous arms…and smile.