what I've learned in 2009

2009 was the first year since I was 4 that I wasn't in school.... and yet God & life chose to teach me more lessons than I could ever imagine.

In 2009 I learned: (somewhat in order)
~ Not to take our jobs for granted, one strike vote and we could be in trouble.
~ car salesmen are pushy... but the feeling of owning a brand new car is pretty sweet... until your preschooler gets ahold of the backseat : )
~ planning a summer program takes time and patience
~ a weekend away with the hubz is precious, and gives us the boost of energy we need to make it through a few more months
~ we celebrated our first anniversary- they say the first year is the hardest.. we didn't think it was too tough (year 2 on the other hand? wow)
~ Being pregnant during the summer is MISERABLE (you would have thought I'd learn my lesson with the oldest)
~ falling down the stairs while pregnant & at the beach is even more miserable
~ Drama will follow you for the rest of your life whether you want it to or not
~ whoever said Labor with the second baby was much easier than # 1 was LYING!!
~ asking for help when you can't do it anymore does not show weakness
~ Sometimes, doing stupid things (like dropping the baby on his head) will sometimes lead to great things (like discovering a life threatening medical condition)
~ there is a condition called Hydrocephalus, that will haunt us for the rest of our lives
~ There are people in this world who just don't care, even if your baby is sick
~ When God closed a door... it's because he knew the window route would be cheaper
~ If we can survive one brain surgery.... 3 should be no problem right?
~ When your life is falling apart, your REAL friends will stand with you
~ Prayer is a powerful weapon most of us don't use very often
~ Just when I didn't think I had anymore fight in me, God decided to show me I was wrong
~ A strong marriage can see you through just about anything


Happy New Year to each & every one of you! I hope 2010 is a lot less dramatic than 09 was.

Giving Thanks

Thanksgiving is coming up... until this year I was thankful for your normal things. You know: family, the food on the table, health, etc. Now it almost seems like a habit more than anything.

But this year... it's different. This year I am thankful for so much more. I'm thankful for my infant son, that though he was not exactly born healthy they caught the problem early and have worked to correct it.

I am thankful for all of the people who fought for us in getting his surgery done. Only God knows what kind of damage could have been done to his little brain in the two weeks they wanted us to wait.

I am thankful for all of the people who have been so kind to us over the last few weeks. Those people go from the lady at church who sent us a check out of nowhere, to J's co-workers who have been so understanding when he doesn't meet his quota, to the hundreds of people who have said prayers for us, to our good friends who just listen when thats what we need the most.

I am thankful for my oldest son. He never fails to make us laugh. He loves us even when we can't be 100% for him because our energies have to be elsewhere.

I am thankful for my husband. He is the only one who knows exactly where I'm walking right now, and has never left my side. I am thankful that I have his hand to hold when I am mad, when I am scared, when I am happy, and when I am drained. That when I just don't have anymore to give, he steps in and takes over.

But most of all, I am thankful for answered prayers. There have been hundreds if not thousands of prayers said by us, and for us over the last few months. We feel the power of those prayers and have seen firsthand what can happen when you pray freverently.

If I didn't believe in HIM before this, I certainly believe in HIM now.. and my boys are in HIS arms.

This Morning

I am sitting here watching Sesame Street with my 4 year old son while my infant son & husband sleep in our oversized chair.... this seems mundane, I know. But lately our lives have been in complete chaos and this morning, we are grateful for the mundane.

THIS MORNING, we aren't worried about bills, where the food will come from, my infant's impending brain surgery, court dates, insurance (or lack thereof), jobs, allergic reactions... really I could go on.

THIS MORNING we are your typical American family watching Elmo dance & sing and dozing in a big comfy chair. This morning our lives are normal.

I wish it would stay that way.

But THIS AFTERNOON I have to call two different Dr's and the hospital and talk to them about the money we owe them. TOMORROW I have to go to DHS to try and get my infant insured before his surgery. NEXT WEEK I will hand my sweet baby over to a surgeon so that he can have a shunt put in his head to drain the fluid off of his brain. NEXT MONTH we will go to court for what I hope is the last time.

But none of that matters THIS MORNING. Because, THIS MORNING we are counting and singing and doing laundry & making lunch plans. THIS MORNING we are thanking God for the peace & quiet, and that things seem to be in control. At least for THIS MORNING.