Relishing Each Moment

We only have a few days left in Georgia. While I am not a super outwardly emotional person, I have become a mess this week.

It all started to fall apart when Andrew got sick. His "sick" turned out to be Scarlet Fever. Scary stuff! He's been well cared for, and he is on the road to recovery now with no permanent damage. He remained his silly self in spite of being so ill for so long...and in spite of many sleepless nights.

Mat arrived home late last night, and we are enjoying our last days here as a complete family. We have plans spend time with friends nearly each day, and it's so bittersweet.

The movers arrive on Monday to pack us up, and we leave Thursday morning for our new home. We'll enjoy our first night in Florida by spending the night at Disney - of course!

Exciting times are ahead, but right now I'm going to continue to relish each moment! Hahaha...sounds like something you'd put on your hot dog :)

Rolling with the Punches

I'm pretty good at rolling with the punches, but sometimes those suckers come hard and fast. Fortunately, I have a heavenly Father who loves me, and He shows me his love daily. I won't go into all the lame things that get me down, but I will share with you how God has blessed my socks off in just the matter of a few hours...

1. I have a wonderful husband who encourages me daily to do the right thing. He listens to me vent, doesn't egg me on, and softens my heart to the things of Christ.

2. I have a special friends (well, lots of them really) on speed dial. They listen, make my concerns seem valid, and encourage me. Man, I'm gonna miss these friends! I know without a shadow of a doubt that these people will be a part of my life until the day we meet our Savior. Today one such friend listened to my woes, and she just loved on me.

3. I have had the same mail lady for years. Recently, I got a new mail lady. She is a believer, and I was able to share some baby items with her that I would otherwise have donated to Goodwill. Little did I know how much these items blessed her until I got the kindest thank you note in the mail this morning. Her daughter is having a baby girl, and she doesn't have much money. I forgot all the things that were in the box, and each item ended up being very specific things that she needed. Her baby is being induced for medical reasons this Friday. I got that card today.

4. Andrew has precious teachers. Each of them love Andrew like I do, and they too encourage me by loving my child. They also send me sweet notes encouraging me.

5. I sent a package to Mat nearly 2 weeks ago. The package was returned as undeliverable b/c the US postal service doesn't deliver to the Wide World of Sports?! However, Mat called me today (after the package had been lost for a week) thanking me for all the things we sent him. He got it (and on this specific day when he needed encouragement.)

All of these things happened within just a few hours of each other this morning. I was feeling way down in the dumps and super sorry for myself, but God sent me encouragement through these special things. God is alive and working on my life. If you're not a believer, I hope that this message softens your heart toward His ways.

A Little Too Much Adventure

Life wouldn't be fun without a little adventure. That's kinda our motto lately with this whole moving thing. Well, I believe that sometimes there can be a little too much adventure. Take this story for example:

We woke up Saturday to major thunderstorms and torrential downpours of rain. So t-ball was canceled. However, we still had fun in sight with the prospect of meeting Dad & Nani for lunch at Stevi B's Pizza. We stayed there a lot longer than expected when the rain came down so hard no one was willing to leave...including us.

Got home, got Lizzy in bed for a nap, and watched some TV. That's when I noticed Andrew had some strange bumps covering ever single piece of his entire body. Emily was over, & we promptly put Andrew in a bath. Some FB friends suggested that I take him to our local fire station to get a paramedic to tell us what the deal was. The paramedic said to take him to the ER at Scottish Rite by Northside so off I drove with Lizzy, Em, and Andrew in tow.

I love the ER there. We were in and out in 2 hours flat. Andrew has viral exanthem which is basically a rash associated with a virus. The virus had passed, but the rash was the after effects thus non-contagious. Doc said Lizzy would likely not even get it, and so far we are all just fine.

The rash is still freakishly covering his entire body including his palms and the bottoms of his little feet. It should go away within 3-5 days. Weird! I'd show you a pic, but you can't see it unless you look at him closely. It's the strangest thing I've ever seen!

Thanks, Em for being there for us during our fiasco and for taking such great care of us on Saturday even when you weren't feeling well yourself. I'll never forget how you got Andrew his milk, Lizzy her nugget, Andrew his napkin and kept me stocked with fries. Ya had to be there, but it was a hoot! You'll make a good Mommy one day...when you move to Florida with us and find Mr. Right :)

Lizzy in Braids

I asked Elizabeth to do something this morning. She said, "yes, ma'am." Well, ok so it sounded like 'hut mine." I guess she's been picking up some German in Epcot :)

Sossy

Awesome...Elizabeth just handed me a piece of pre-chewed roast beef. Yes, I had a roast beef sandwich for breakfast b/c I happen to hate breakfast (well, for the most part). Then she proceeded to hit Andrew and pull his hair. I sent her to the naughty step, and she went on her own willingly (for the first time). She sat there contentedly (which I don't think is what's supposed to happen b/c there should be remorse?) but ok. Then I went to retrieve her from the step, and she looked up at me with those gorgeous big blue eyes, snot streaming out of both nostrils (b/c she wouldn't be Lizzy if she didn't have a runny nose) and said "Sossy." I think I'm in love. How could this sweet girl, be anything but wonderful. This one pic was taken after she used a red pen to draw on the hotel's white bedsheets.

Heart of Gold

I had a sweet conversation with Andrew tonight. It went like this:

Andrew played a t-ball game & got Oreo cookies for his after game snack. He asked if he could eat them, & I said yes. He then shared a prized Oreo with Elizabeth, & it wasn't like he was full and didn't want the cookie. He just wanted to share.

I said, "Andrew, I think your heart must be made of gold....No, I think it must be made of chocolate b/c you are too sweet."

His response, "No, it's just Jesus filled."

That boy warms my heart and makes me so proud!

Beautiful Busy Weekend

This weekend was filled with t-ball games, fun times with friends and family, and sweet memories with my children.

As a mom, each day can be challenging. As a currently single mom, I'm trying to relish in the sweet moments. This weekend there were tons of them.

Elizabeth learned to say "love you." She first said it to my nearly 90 year old grandfather who came out for Andrew's t-ball game. It meant the world to him. Then she said it on a message she left for Mat, and he turned into a puddle of mush.

Andrew has been an angel. He's done just about everything I've asked him to do immediately, and he's been so responsible that most often, I haven't had to ask him to do things I need done. Fed the dog. Fed the baby. Helped me in general just get things done. We've had moments of "challenging times," but they have been brief - thankfully!

Elizabeth sat between Emily & Papa for dinner. She HAS to touch people all the time, but this particular time she kept touching Papa which was getting food from her hands all over his arm and shirt sleeve. He gently asked her to keep her hands to herself. Emily was a little more forceful with her reprimand, and Elizabeth pooched that bottom lip out so far - and it quivvered! I tried to get a pic, but then I felt so bad that I comforted her instead.

It was a sweet reward to see them loving on one another after a crazy long dinner with friends. Elizabeth was completely restless not to mention exhausted from no nap, but her brother was amazing. She went straight to him for some affection which he amply showed her. Warmed my heart!

I love my children! I added a pic from our whirlwind trip to Orlando to find a house. We had to throw a little fun into the trip to so this pic is from our trip to Epcot. I thought it apropos to be holding my son up like Simba :)