Click on this title to find my hero's blog

I have a hero who is starting a new life. Just one of many amazing mom's who is picking up the pieces of home and family. She has just recently started a blog (o.k., maybe I still post her writings for her--but hey--she is busy building a new life). I think you will want to follow her documentation of the miraculous transformation! Here's a link to find her.

Reason you should let a guy take you out for dinner

"Why would I date a girl when I can get her to cook me food--no strings attached."--Jeremy Lofgreen

'W''s Five-year-old Musing

True conversation while driving home from the cousins' house:

W: "Is Chuck Norris a good guy?

Me: "Well, he generally plays a good guy on T.V."

(Long Pause)

W: "Is Barak Obama a bad guy?"

(Longer pause)

Me: "Well, no, I guess he probably isn't? He certainly doesn't seem to want to value our constitution."

(Longer pause still)

W: "Is Glenn Beck a good guy?" (I didn't even know he was aware of Glenn Beck)

Me: Yes, I think he is a good guy.

W: "So Glenn Beck is like Chuck Norris."

(You've got to love his logic).

The Power of Words

I have been thinking about words and their impact on our lives. Both the words we voice and also the words that ruminate inside our minds. The Bible tells us that the world was created because "God said" (Gen. 1) and the beloved apostle begins by emphasizing that in the beginning was the Word---yes, I do believe in the power of words and so, for me and the myriad of little medical hiccups me and mine have right now, I have chosen a vocabulary that brings joy and comfort. So, for any friends wanting to speak of these little annoyances the following terms may come in handy:

Breast reduction= doesn't that sound more glamorous than a lumpectomy. Never mind that everyone I have told I am getting a breast reduction has said, "Really? You hardly have any to begin with." Technically, they may be right, but extra weight is extra weight. I have been dying to get rid of some of my extra poundage and now I get to have it surgically removed--seriously, that is glamorous.

Diet pills=blood thinners for Kim's Deep Vein Thrombosis. Now, for you word lovers like me--isn't it great to be able to say 'Deep Vein Thrombosis." Kim believed it might be a great name for a band. Kim is fortunate enough to be on medication to thin his blood. Certainly with all the pills out there to thin someone's backside, why hasn't someone wanted to thin their blood?

TOSH (a premier orthopedic facility)=the day spa. Did you know that when you go to TOSH they have special equipment to warm you all the way through and then they message you with lotions and creams? And the trip often includes fruit juices and cookies.

So, you see, my life has never been more glamorous--breast reductions, diet pills, and day spas have been filling up my days since school got out in April. What a glamorous summer I am having. Thanks for laughing along with me. I consider myself blessed because of your friendship and love.

Isn't she amazing

Click on the title "Isn't she amazing" so see a great video of Emily Dyer, one of my favorite people in the whole world. Isn't she lovely? She is in the final round of a blogger brawl. Please vote May 24th.

Happy Birthday to P

My fourth boy turned 12 today. I remember thinking my life was over when my oldest hit such big markers--but somehow four leaving childhood behind, makes me cherish my fews years of mothering left. I know the blur that is junior high and high school. I am going to blink and it will be his graduation too. I want to scoop him up and hold him and tell him I love him--quick before he won't let me. I have been reminiscing about the day he was born. The doctor induced me and the epidural worked perfectly. I sat watching the Wizard of Oz with my husband thinking, childbirth shouldn't be so easy. I have to say, he continues to make me feel that way. When he was three if I asked him to do something to help out he would always answer with a grin, "Sure mom, sure!" Now, he gets up to feed the chickens and never complains--rejoices when the chicks hatch, and quietly bury any that don't survive. He shares his life and love with his brothers and last week offered his hard earned cash to his sister because she wanted to buy a new book. Sometimes I think I don't deserve to be so blessed. I love being his mom--every minute of these twelve years. Thanks for being mine P.

The Homeless Coat

Ever since I moved to cold country, I have found comfort from the cold in a coat my sister gave me. Now, I realize that coats are generally considered a piece of clothing and probably shouldn't be worn for decades, but this coat didn't feel like clothing--it was more like your favorite blankey when you were a child. No amount of coldness could deter me when I was wearing my trusted friend. It was only about 6 sizes too big (my son who is a foot taller than I can wear it and it is big on him) which means I never need to worry about gloves because my hands are well protected. I have been known to watch lacrosse games, in horizontal snow, with two coats on underneath this treasure. Years ago my children named it "the homeless coat". Now, my five year old sometimes wants to wear a coat too big for him and he calls it his "homeless coat."

But all good things must come to an end, and so I bid a farewell to my trusted friend. How could I pass up Kohls major sale? So now, I proudly wear a new coat that actually is my size. I find comfort in it costing only $25.00. It is snuggly too in a not so slobbish way and I no longer need worry I am scaring the small children when I go downtown. Thank you Kohl's.