Blessings: Random Thoughts for the Day

I have decided that I can't muster up the energy to write a well thought out post, but I wanted to get a few more pictures up before our traditional Christmas post. Let's see, I guess I'll start with

*the car! A new car as a matter of fact. Sunday afternoon I broke down on the way home from church. I wasn't far from home but even 1.5 miles is far in high heels and kids with no coats when we were having an east wind kind of day. It was chilly so I decided to call on our pastor's family to come and "rescue" us. They were really great about it. I have a meal planned for them and I hope to have it delivered to their house no later than Friday morning because you know Friday is BIG day for our pastor and all. It isn't much but I hope it relieves some of the busyness that leads up to the Christmas Eve church services.

*Back to the new car! I love it!!! I thought it would take me a long time to adjust to not being up high but this car has such a zip to it that I can't help to just enjoy the simplicity and the power of my new ride even if I am sitting much lower to the ground. We went and ran errands today so I let K sit in front for a little bit just so I could see what it was like being in back. Well Kyle played alot during this time and well I pretty much had to get out of the car and get some fresh air cuz' I was so nauseous. Kyle and the kids had fun though.
:-)

*Saying goodbye. There was something so sad about leaving behind our old car yesterday. When K and H realized that we were leaving with the new car they started to tear up. My kid are really sentimental. (I wonder where they get that?) Anyway, the memories came flooding back, K as a baby in his car seat. The moldy apple juice sippy cups, strapping H in for the first time, leaving the hospital with a new pacemaker, the trip to Yellowstone, Annie nosing the windows, dog hair and candy wrappers everywhere, anyway you get the point. So today we had to return to the dealership to hand in the title and as we were driving out, H spotted the Blazer. She said, "Look!!! Our car!!!" and just as the kids were getting all emotional, Kyle pretty much ~~peels out~~ accelerates quickly out of the parking lot to which the kids say, "That was cool! Do it again dad!"

*Shopping!! I am done...mostly! After finding out that a package was dropped off by UPS last Friday night when we weren't home, and realizing that the package was most likely stolen, I was pretty ticked. This package was from Disney PhotoPass so these were my personalized gifts to K and H. I mean, who really wants a water bottle of H with Tinkerbell? I was so mad. Of course I got no where with UPS and their stupid 800 #. O'well. It is just a few gifts and hopefully I will be able to re-order the gifts. It's just expensive ya know and an annoyance. Feeling grumpy, I decided to go and finish up some shopping on my own. I enjoyed my 4 hours out and about by myself. I am still bummed about the missing gifts, but they are just gifts.

*So as I was being all grumpy today, I also thought about my dear teaching friend from years back, and how today she was told that her cancer is back and with a vengeance. (liver and bones) That just SUCKS!! It sucks on so many levels. Her children are pretty much the same age as K and H. It doesn't seem fair! However, as I am pouting, my friend and her husband are still looking up to the Lord. They are walking in His way, His light, His faith. Even as they shared this devastating news on their blog, they were still so positive and so faithful to the plan that the Lord has for them. I then realized that I need to quit fretting over a missing package and be thankful that today...a missing package was my biggest worry. I'm sure this family would trade in their long and emotional battle with cancer for a missing Christmas package any day!

*K and H have been so amazing this break! We had a little melt down with K yesterday and we "grounded" him from all technology for the day. In doing this, our kids had to find other things to do. It was great! So what if every single stuffed animal that they own is now residing under the Christmas tree and throughout the living room, at least they are playing instead of staring at a screen (computer, DS, TV, etc...) I am amazed at how much K and H play. Wrestling is their favorite thing to do together! Yesterday we were at the car dealership for 5 hours. K and H just entertained themselves. Tonight we went to dinner and we all sat there and chatted. I am definitely feeling that we are in a new era of parenting and I have to say, "I like it!" It feels balanced and I like that.

*We are in a good family rhythm right now. (It helps to have everyone caught up on sleep.) Our family is really tuned in to one another, we are working together, we are enjoying each other's company. It just feels really good. This feeling is the best Christmas present ever!!!