Oh, My Achy Breaky Bones...

I probably could say "heart." My baby girl called me tonight from camp and chattered on for 45 minutes. I think she kind of misses me. That always does the mommy heart good. I think she held EVERYTHING in for three days and then had to let it all out to mom first chance she got. I am thankful. She seems to be having a good time. The hubby says camp is going well and that is a blessing.

No, the reason I am singing the achy breaky blues is that I finally finished painting my son's room. Can I say that I honestly don't want to see a paint brush, blue painter's tape or black plastic again anytime soon? Now, I know several of my bloggy buddies have spent the summer remodeling and painting up a storm, but I have decided I don't like it. Missed the hubby on this project BIG TIME. First of all, my partner was my eleven and a half years old son. Second, I just don't think we are that great at it. Third, I am too much of a perfectionist when it comes to stuff like this, that I KNOW we didn't do a great job. But you know what?

My son worked hard for three days. He didn't complain and didn't say he was bored once. He is a workhorse when he sets his mind to something. Sometimes I went to bed and he would still be fiddling with something concerning the room redo. I am proud of him and I told him so. Actually the truth is, for his age, he paints pretty good. In fact I didn't do much better. And after all, it is HIS ROOM and there is a sense of accomplishment in that. He likes it and tha tis what really matters.

The best part of the last few days, was when he stated that "Yes, he would of liked to have gone and stayed with his aunt and hung out with his cousins for the week..." (That was what he was going to do if I went to camp.) "but, I really have enjoyed spending time with you, Mom." And there you have it people. Yes, I was totally devastated when I heard I couldn't go to camp, after all I've been going for the last umpteen years. But I wouldn't trade this week with my son for anything.

Moms of sons have to sometimes take what we can get, especially the older our little boys become. When they are young, that can be totally mama's boy, and mine was, but the older they become, they become daddy's shadow, their little man. Frankly, that is the way it should be, the way God planned for it to be. So, when the son gives you a piece of them, their time, conversation and hugs, you grab it for all it's worth, 'cause you don't know when the next go around might be.

It has been a good week...

And then BE STILL MY HEART...

As my daughter was saying goodbye on the phone tonight, after her "I love you and miss you, mom!" she casually states "Tell Jor I love him." HELLO?!!! Did I actually hear her right? I did, 'cause her dad when he got on the phone verified it. I know my kids love each other, but to verbally say the words? They communicate their love in more of a "your such a moron" kind of love language that teens love so much.

Wow! That camp is GOOD. :)

Well, peeps, my bones are weary and my head is calling for the pillow. This old lady has put in a day. But it felt good, to have my energy back and do something besides laying around watching TV all day.

Hope you are all having a wonderful summer. Spend time with the kiddos. What a blessing that can be!

Dear Lord, I am going to be a tattle tail today...

You see, I went to Wally World today, in the hubby's pickup truck. I was miserable. It was so very hot and wouldn't you know but the air conditioning went out of poor "Betsy" (that's what we call the truck) about the same time I went to stay at the hospital hotel. Anyway, the son and I were doing some good 'ol shopping for paint and all the stuff you need to fix up a room properly. We took Betsy, 'cause it just seem to be the thing to do, since of course we were hauling manly things around town...

We went in to do our shopping, minding our own business, spending way too much money, 'cause you can't leave the store these days without feeling you should own it by now and then we left...

When we arrived at the truck, the tailgate was down.

Hmm...

And then I realized I had been robbed. Someone had swiped what was mine. Someone chose to break the...is it the eighth commandment? Now I'm not usually a tattle tail, ask anyone but my little sister, but this time I am just going to have to be a snitch. I mean, seriously, I don't know if I can get my work done without one of my most useful companions...

I mean, where am I going to put all my clean clothes so they can sit wrinkly at the end of my bed until worn. (I have a serious problem with putting away clean clothes. Probably need to seek treatment for this.) This is an outrage!!! I don't know if I can handle having to fold and put away all my clean belongings... it just wouldn't seem right somehow. That would mean that I eventually would have conquered Mount Laundry, and frankly I wouldn't know what to do with myself if that happened... What would I have to gripe about?!!!

I know you say "give to others," Lord. I guess I will forgive the thief, whoever they may be. Maybe, just maybe, they needed the plastic "dresser" more than me.

Besides, if I'm honest, I have three more sitting at the foot of my bed...

Chaos with a Purpose...

I originally had this week off from work, since I was suppose to go to camp. I decided to go ahead and keep it. Last time when I went in the hospital, because I had been sick for a week before, my house was a WRECK. Unfortunately, it is still not in total order. In comes the week off...

Since half the fam is gone to camp, there are not as many bodies in the house messing things up! So, I bribed my son and we are spending QUALITY time together fixing things up. Of course part of the bribery has to do with his room, in which he wants a total makeover, paint and all. (And of course there was money involved too. :) )

So, I'm working a little, resting a little and just dreaming about a clean house. In other words if you were to come visiting now, you would be greeted by total CHAOS. But HEY, there is a goal in mind and hopefully by Saturday, my hubby and baby girl will be surprised when they walk through the door.

First room to tackle has been my daughters. Throwing away and packing away have been the key there. Don't worry, this mom isn't snooping, reading the journals or invading her privacy. But if you knew my daughter, then you would know she has NO organizational skills, she is a dreamer who could care less about the chaos in which she lives. Mom has to help out every once in a while. She lacks the ability to get rid of ANYTHING or at least pack the old away. I spent hours last night just packing away favorite toys and books from when she was 10. I am excited, though, for I found several pairs of my long lost shoes at the bottom of her closet... :)

Jordan has been filling in all the holes in his wall so we can paint later. I think he is regretting his poster stage BIG TIME. After I paint, I plan on having a small wall in his room covered in cork, so he can hang his treasured art without ruining the walls.

And of course there is the laundry. Hopefully, with two gone, I can play catch up.

Busy week, but I think it will be so worth it. I might even show a picture or two at the end of the week, out of sense of accomplishment. Or at least that is the goal. Wish me luck...

As for my health? I am doing alright. Right now I just live with the fear and anxiety of an attack, having to carefully watch what I eat. If I press on my right side, it still is very sore, so I know the gallbladder is still very sick, but hopefully with the diet it will shrink some so I can go through this surgery the easy way. My surgery is scheduled for August 20, as an outpatient. We are optimistic. Thanks for the prayers.

Quiet Tears...

Tonight I watched the buses pull out of the church parking lot and I wanted to cry. I am not going to camp this year. My favorite part of the summer...

It is hard to understand God's timing sometimes. I have been angry, frustrated, sad and even a little depressed lately. I am thankful for the Lord' s healing strength, yet so frustrated with the timing of everything going on. I am feeling better these days, health wise. I am slowly, but surely getting my strength and energy back. I am following the doctor's diet like a good gal should. I have lost another two pounds in the last week. I am waiting patiently for the surgery that awaits me next month.

Yet, at this moment in time, I want to stomp my feet, raise my fists and scream "WHY?!!!"

And once again, the Lord wraps me in His loving embrace, holds me tight and softly says "Because I said so." He doesn't have to give me an answer to my "whys." He is not accountable to me. The best part of it all, is that the Lord still loves me, even when I throw my little tantrums. He is patient when I don't want to understand why things aren't going the way I PLANNED. Even though I am frustrated today, I know He sees the bigger picture. His timing is perfect and one day He might just let me in on "why" things are going the way they are right now.

So where am I right now?

I am just a gal who is trying her best to follow where the Lord leads even when she doesn't understand the plan right now. So excuse me while I cry a few tears. I might even stomp my foot as I type. I am however, going to try my best to keep plugging along in faith. Some days that seems to be all I have.

Someone asked me the other day how I was doing. My answer? "One day at a time good." Isn't that all God really asks of us. Just give Him one day at a time and pretty soon those days will turn into years of faith.

Please pray for the 72 people that went to youth camp this year, including my baby girl. they have a long, wonderful week ahead of them. I pray the Lord will rock their world for Him.

15 lbs the hard way...

I bought a new scale the other day. My pants were busting a sag and I wanted to see the results of what one week of not eating, three nights in the hospital hotel and a week on my strict diet could do. 15 pounds in three weeks. WOW!

Although I don't recommend this diet, I am thankful that there has been somewhat of a small reward for all my suffering. Thank you, Lord for small blessings.

Please don't try this at home people. I know we would all like to lose a few pounds, but I recommend the healthy way. Maybe healthy diet and a little exercise.

Hope you are having a great summer.

Vacation fun... (catching up)

About three weeks ago our family went on a little vacation trip. I posted about the wedding, our first stop, but unfortunately due to a hospital stay and some much needed rest, I'm behind on my blogging once again. So here are a few pictures from the second part of our trip. We went to the Branson Landing (which is a beautiful outside mall in Branson) and we went to see the production of "Noah" which was GREAT. My favorite part was watching my 6 year old nephew, his eyes glued to the show, while sitting on the edge of his seat.

Hope you are having a beautiful summer!