Living to Learn

Today, on the way to church, when I was already on the verge of being a few minutes late- POW!  While waiting at the red light, in my favorite new car ever, with my children talking amongst themselves, some guy in a Toyota Rav4 SLAMS into the back of us.  Thank goodness I had my foot on the brake, or I would have rammed the car in front of me!  When I looked in my rearview mirror, this poor guy had his face buried in this hands.  Not a good morning for him either.  Our cars were stuck together, so after some effort, I was able to break free, drive through the intersection, pull over, and do the exchange information thing.  THIS WAS MY FIRST ACCIDENT IN 18 years!  I was so flustered, I tried to get out of there quickly.  How awkward is that situation?????!!  He knew it was his fault.  He apologized.  Noone was hurt.  My bumper was cracked and my hitch messed up, but we could both drive-away.  Yikes!  Not looking forward to that for another 18 year or more.  When I called his insurance today, they took the facts, and then said something that worried me a bit… “It appears there is a minor issue with his coverage, but we should be able to sort it out soon.”  What does that mean????? I guess I get to learn how this all goes… his insurance, my insurance…. Trying to keep the joy in North Idaho… :*)

I have to be organized… I have 6 kids! The alternative is chaos. Some details I am interested in today…  Spring Equinox is 3/20/08 so… 14 days until Spring! It is the 114 day of school of 180 so… 66 days of school left.   Ya-hoo!

First… Then…

Her name is Jessica Brooke, but she’s my “Lou.” Born the largest of our six children (10.2lbs), she is now my littlest sweetheart. Anyone who knows her will say she is sweet, kind, and compassionate. She has a knack for caring… really recognizing when someone needs help and being there. She has wanted to be a nurse since she was 3 years old, and she still holds onto that dream. She is the kid that teachers list on their sub plans as a kid who can be counted on. She is the leader of my “littles”- not motherly but more like the queen :*) She wants to grow up, but is also very innocent. She hates doing worksheets and timed multiplication facts in school. She loves to bake with me or her Gram. She loves being outside, painting, singing, and being creative. She is my secret weapon during our freezing winter nights because she is a human heater in bed. She is learning some attitude from her teenage sisters, while at the same time swearing she will never be a “bad teenager.” She loves her brothers, and can never sleep alone. Her brothers take turns sleeping in her bed to keep her happy. She wears beautiful dresses to church, and she baits her own hooks. I am blessed to be her mommy.

Life is such a wild ride! The last few weeks are all a blur. My knee injury has made it difficult to get through the day. I get through work, drive home, and go straight to bed with some meds and a big knee pillow. Phone calls have gone unreturned, laundry has exponentially multiplied, and my family has eaten a lot of snacks in front of my TV. Last Saturday, I had my 2nd MRI. You know it has been too long since you’ve taken time for yourself when the quiet room, cozy flannel PJs, and warm blanket of the MRI room felt like heaven! Sunday, I was in too much pain to go to church, but Coley and Bree went. At 11, Bree texted me to say that Pastor Gary was praying for healings, and he mentioned he felt like some people were home with severe pain in their knees. He prayed for me and I wasn’t even there! The next morning, my doctor called and said there was tremendous healing in my MRI results from one week to the next, so we would hold off on surgery… it looks like it was taking care of things on its own! Praise God! And each day this week, my pain has been gone, and I really feel like I am headed in the right direction. Why am I surprised when God shows up – when He always has and always will????! Then, my second surprise this week was that, last night, my girlfriends kidnapped me for an amazing night of Olive Garden, photos, prayers, letters, blessings, chocolate, gifts, coffee, and a Matthew McConanaughy movie (Fool’s Gold). We stayed out until 11:15 on a school night!!! I know!!! Girlfriends sure have a special place in my life. I needed my cup filled and they did their thing :*) So, life has, once again, pleasantly surprised me this week. Thanks to God for being my ultimate provider and caretaker of my spirit.  So, Happy 38th Birthday to me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!