MarytheKaytheBlog

Weekend Adventures: Mary Poppins, Kids' Musical, and Running!

 I know I'm a day late and a dollar short on my weekend post here...but my bed was calling my name last night, and I obeyed.  May I just say that a good night of rest can do AMAZING things to a girl's day.  I woke up feeling so rested, and so ready to tackle today!  Note to self:  I need to get good rest more often.

We had a full weekend of fun adventures.  However, it didn't feel rushed and busy--it was just the perfect amount of fun adventures, and laid back weekend time.  I wish all weekends were that way.

We started off with a very fun 5K run--Run Like a Kid--benefiting Kids Across America Kamps.  It was organized by a friend of mine, and she did SUCH a great job on this inaugural event.  I sure hope she makes it annual.  It was a small race this year--which was so fun because we all knew each other.  Little secret here:  (shh!  don't tell!)  Knowing so many people also made me RUN FASTER...'cause you know...don't want anyone thinking I'm a slacker.

No, I'm not going to tell you my time.  I will tell you that I shaved 10 MINUTES off my last (and first) 5K.  However, I'm still slow.  I may start running a few bursts now and then to increase my speed just a bit.  That way, I won't be at the BACK of all the runners.

Sara Beth wanted to run, and ran the first half of the 5k.  I was so proud of her!!  Rebecca and a couple of her friends were asked to sing and dance--and I was equally proud of her, too!

After the 5K, all the kids gathered for a 1-mile fun run.  I LOVE living in a small town, where my kids can join in activities like this, and know half the kids.

 

Saturday night my friend Janna sent out a couple of Evites to celebrate her 37 1/3 birthday with dinner and a movie.  Dang--I forgot to give her 1/3 of a birthday present...  We sure did laugh a lot!  I love these girls!!!

Yeah, evidently, I did not get the  memo to wear black and grey...

Sunday morning, our girls participated in our church choir's Amazing Grace Race musical.  It really was a darling performance.  Rebecca sang such a beautiful solo!  All the kids sang beautifully--even down to the youngest soloist, little Leah!  So darling!!  It's neat watching these kids grow up, and hearing their voices mature through the years.

 

Right after the choir performance, we hopped in my mom's car and headed to Fayetteville.  My mom had given us tickets at Christmas to see the Broadway musical Mary Poppins.

We all agreed--Mary Poppins was one of the BEST musicals any of us have ever seen!!!  I would compare the quality of it to The Lion King.   

I can't imagine trying to write a stage musical to rival Disney's movie version of Mary Poppins.  The movie is pure magic.  I mean, how do you top Dick Van Dyke and Julie Andrews?  However, the musical was smart to be a little different than the movie (maybe it's more true to the book??), because the whimsy and "magic" in the set design, and the dazzling choreography kept delighting the audience as each scene unfolded. 

I love that "Nana" took her granddaughters to the musical, just like her mom, my Grammy, took my sister and me to our very first Broadway musical--Peter Pan (with Sandy Duncan).   I hope our daughters tuck away special memories like this into their hearts, just like I did as a young girl...in my black patent shoes dangling from the red velvet theater seat...

 

Sunday night, I could barely keep my eyes open after all the weekend adventures.  I sure hope your weekend was full of adventure, too.

What's your favorite musical / or musical memory?

Celebrating a Birthday...Airborne!

I want to give a birthday shout out to my sweet 12-year-old Rebecca!!!  Where have the years gone?  It seems like only yesterday I was holding a sweet little fuzzy blond-haired baby girl. 

Well...she wasn't all that little... (Click here if you want to read about Rebecca's birth story, as well as find out how much she weighed at birth.  I PROMISE you will not guess her birth weight...)

Dave and I prayed and prayed a long time for a baby.  Every day of her life--now for 12 years--we have thanked God for such a sweet blessing, our daughter, our Becca Boo.

To celebrate her last year as a pre-teen (sigh), we invited a couple of dear friends to go ziplining!  Because nothing says "Happy Birthday" like FLYING THROUGH THE AIR!

Sweet friends, and an adoring little sister who was thrilled to be included!

We started out at the Sky Surfer Zipline.  This is brand new to our town, and is the only one of its kind in the world!  I have to tell you--it is AMAZING!!!  We all LOVED it! 

Even I rode it--and I am afraid of heights.  I just hiked up my big girl pants, and decided I didn't want to miss out!  The fact that I could sit down on the "surf board" and hang on for dear life made it much easier.  I am SO GLAD I joined in!  I loved every second of my ride!!

Our Flight Instructor was amazing!  In fact, everyone at the Sky Surfer was all about good customer service!   (I promise they didn't pay me to say this!  They were just so friendly, and so helpful!)

 

You can even STAND UP on the Sky Surfer!  A couple of the girls--and Dave--literally surfed through the skies!

 

Next, on our airborne adventures was the Adventure Ziplines of Branson...

And, once again, the people there could not have been ANY nicer or more helpful!  (Big shout out thank you to Kate and Jared Story!!!)

I may have been a big girl at the Sky Surfer, but this spiral staircase at the entrance told me I would be the designated "picture taker" and "watcher." 

And, very contently, I sat in one of the rocking chairs on their back deck with Rebecca's Grandma and Grandpa, and sipped on a cold Coke while we enjoyed the GORGEOUS afternoon!

Look what we got to watch...

Well, here's the birthday girl herself!

Photo credit: Kate Story, Adventure Ziplines

Photo credit: Kate Story, Adventure Ziplines

Photo credit: Kate Story, Adventure Ziplines

Photo credit: Kate Story, Adventure Ziplines

 I really love this pic...Photo credit: Kate Story, Adventure Ziplines

 

After a full afternoon of ziplining, and after a starving girls dinner at Freddy's, we loaded up and headed to our FAVORITE place for ALL celebrations--COLD STONE!!! 

What a sweet way (literally!) to end a fun day celebrating our Rebecca.

Cold Stone treats = Smiling girls!  (And smiling mama taking the picture)

We love you, sweet girl!

(Just so you know, no one paid me to say any of these nice things...but if they WANT to pay me--I would happily accept some cash-ola!  *grin*)

What's your favorite birthday adventure memory?

The Flip Flop Exchange: A FUN Way to Celebrate Spring!

Oh my word, I can hardly contain myself!  I am just sooo excited to tell you about my FAVORITE Spring Party!!!  I mean--picture this:  You've endured a long winter--this year much longer than usual.  You are sick and tired of the brown, dead grass in your yard, the barren branches overhead casting dismal shadows.  One day walking to the mailbox, you SEE it.  That teeny tiny green stalk peeking up from the ground!!! 

 And you feel like cheering.  Right there at the mailbox.  And doing a little jumpy dance.  Wheeeee!  Spring is a comin'!!!

 So, instead of the embarrassing jumpy dance, you know how I like to CELEBRATE Spring's arrival?  With a FLIP FLOP EXCHANGE party!!!

Because, what says SPRING better than a sassy Flip Flop???

 For the past 3 years, a group of my friends has gotten together in late March/early April for a Flip Flop Exchange Party.  It has gotten to be a real highlight for us each year...and has really grown in numbers.  You could use this idea for any women's group--a book club, a church women's group, a group at work, a neighborhood get-together...

 Here's how it works: 

1.  Pick a date.  For us, weeknights work best (free childcare, if Daddy keeps the kids!!)

2.  About 3 weeks ahead of your party date, send a mass e-mail to all the women you even think might be interested.  In your e-mail, tell the ladies about the Flip Flop Exchange idea, tell them the date of the party, and ask if they would like to come.  If they DO want to come, they need to do these things: 

-Reply to you (the party hostess) with your FLIP FLOP size (give closest WHOLE size, since most flip flops don't come in half-sizes)

-Start checking out fun flip flop shops--either in town, or online.  Be looking for a return e-mail, with your secret flip flop pal.

-Once you receive your Flip Flop Pal and her Flip Flop size (our group keeps our pals a secret until the party night), purchase a fun pair of flip flops that fit her personality--spending between $15-20.  (That is the limit our group sets.)

-On the party night, wrap up your flip flops--including a gift receipt (in case they don't fit). 

3.  This year, our Flip Flop Party hostess has really amped up  things.  Each of the attendees is bringing $2 to put towards 2 contests.  The first contest winner is awarded cash for bringing the CUTEST Flip Flops.  The other contest winner is awarded cash for bringing the best PERSONALITY MATCH for her Flip Flop Pal.  (The party attendees will vote on little slips of paper.)

 
4.  I love the contest idea!!!  Because some of the girls coming this year I don't know as well, it will be up to me to find out from others in the group the personality of my Flip Flop Pal...or I can always chat with the hostess, who knows everyone coming.  And WHO doesn't like winning a little CASH in a fun contest???Now, go ye out and planeth some Flip Flop Parties!!!!  I'd love to hear back from ya, if ya do!!!

True friendship is...

Someone who loves you through the thick, and the thin.

(And I'm not just talking about my waistline)

Someone who makes you laugh every single day.

Someone who laughs at you.

And even at your cornball jokes.

Someone who tells you the truth.

But also is totally on your side when you need it the most.

Someone who brings you the best chicken noodle soup of your life when you're sick.

And any leftover dessert--so we can gain weight together!

"Reply to All" e-mails.

And group text messages that make you giggle.

A traveling dress that is shared for special events.

And purses or necklaces offered up, too.

A picture-taker who never thinks one photo is enough.

And her friends who never move--because they know more shots are coming.

A large cherry Coke from Sonic on a difficult day.

An offer to come pick up your kids at a minute's notice.

Friends who stand beside you, no matter what the outcome.

And who pray for you, when you don't even know what to pray yourself.

Who know what you're thinking, without ever having to say a word.

Putting up with your weird quirks, and loving in spite of them.

Knowing when to send an encouraging text, and when to pick up the phone and call.

Not letting there be carnations on your coffin.

And making sure that coffin stays closed...unless I look really really good.

Not letting my widowed husband marry some hussy.

And making sure that hussy doesn't go through my things.

Taking care of my kids if something ever happens to me.

And making sure they know how much their mama adored them.

And not letting their fingernails or hair get too scraggly.

Someone who knows your deepest secrets.

And guards them forever.

Someone who has seen you at your worst.

And rejoices with you on your happiest days.

Someone you might not see as often anymore, but still knows you just as well.

Sharing first gray hairs, first kids, first surgeries, first cancer, first parent's funeral, first 5Ks, first half marathons, first beach trips, first skinny jeans, first teenage kids, first pet geckos and hermit crabs and pedigreed rabbits.

Walking through life together, decade after decade.

 

True friendship is...

One of life's sweetest blessings from our Heavenly Father.

 

Happy birthday, sweet friend!

Love ya like crazy, and you know it!!!

What does true friendship mean to you?

photo credit

Inadequate

Sometimes this old world can feel overwhelming, and overpowering.  Some days I feel surrounded by people who are hurting.  And some days, I am the one hurting.  Some days I look around and see darkness and evil lurking in tragic news stories, in movies meant for entertainment, and even in the sex trafficking at the Super Bowl.

Sometimes, I feel overwhelmed and inadequate with my small light in a dark-feeling world.

I feel inadequate in raising daughters who love themselves as God does.  I don't know how to raise daughters who respond in kindness, yet are bold enough to speak up.  I don't always know how to balance grace with tough love in my parenting decisions.

Today, I feel inadequate--and frankly, worn out from loving, caring, listening, talking, encouraging, and making decisions.

Today, more than ever, I am feeling drawn to pray, and to stay plugged into the only power source that is lasting.  Actually, that's not quite saying it right...  Lately, I've felt like I'm in a swirling sea--and the only sure thing is God's amazing life buoy.  And if I don't cling to Him with all my might, I could be swept into the swirling darkness all around me.

I don't know about you, but this darkness makes me MAD.  Sometimes I want to cling to God out of pure stubbornness--just to show the devil that he cannot have me, and he cannot have my family. 

Today, I am doing battle with my inadequate feelings by praying.  Praying for my hurting friends, praying for protection for my family, and praying for the sweet daughters I don't always know how to raise.  And I am plugging into God's Word to find the energy to keep my little light shining in this dark world.

How about you?  Have you felt inadequate about anything lately?

“But you, Israel, my servant,
   Jacob, whom I have chosen,
   you descendants of Abraham my friend, 
I took you from the ends of the earth,
   from its farthest corners I called you.
I said, ‘You are my servant’;
   I have chosen you and have not rejected you. 
So do not fear, for I am with you;
   do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;
   I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

  “All who rage against you
   will surely be ashamed and disgraced;
those who oppose you
   will be as nothing and perish. 
Though you search for your enemies,
   you will not find them.
Those who wage war against you
   will be as nothing at all. 
For I am the LORD your God
   who takes hold of your right hand
and says to you, Do not fear;
   I will help you. 
Do not be afraid, you worm Jacob,
   little Israel, do not fear,
for I myself will help you,” declares the LORD,
   your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel.

                -Isaiah 41:7-14

When my words are not enough...

My 11-year-old Rebecca and I have been having some really good heart-to-heart talks lately.  It's not easy being a tween girl.  Especially a tender-hearted girl who longs for close friends--heart friends who are loyal and true.  I try to tell my daughter that navigating friendships is not easy.  That the difficult lessons she's trying to learn now in cultivating friendships will be lessons she'll use the rest of her life.  Lessons that even old ladies (like her mama) still need to remember with their old lady friendships.

But, you know what?  Sometimes I find myself talking, and talking, and explaining.  And probably saying too many words.  I try really hard just to listen.  Listen, and understand.  Because I remember.  I remember how important it is to feel heard.

And, when I am to my absolute limit of listening, and talking, and understanding (pre-teen girl issues take a LOT of all 3)...I realize I need stop talking, and let the most important One do the talking. 

The other night, after a marathon of late-night mother-daughter talking, I pulled The One Year Mother Daughter Devo book back off the bookshelf.  I snuggled down next to my sweet Rebecca, and read that day's life-affirming, God-breathed words of encouragement.

Since that night, Rebecca and I have been snuggling at bedtime, and reading that day's devotional.  It's amazing how many days the words we read address exactly the latest conversation we've had.

I have to tell you--it's amazing to have God's Words answer Rebecca's questions and frustrations.  I just pray she latches onto His Truth, and tucks it into her heart...so that when friendships are hard or sparse, she has that Truth to lean on.
Do you remember your own pre-teen years? 

What helped you navigate through them?

Linked up with:

A very full birthday weekend

 You know how sometimes all the hustle and bustle, and all the busy-ness can put a real damper on the holiday spirit?  Well, I am teetering dangerously close to that DAMPER.   Now, I hate to start off this post full of FUN EVENTS so negatively, but I would be dishonest if I didn't tell you that I am EXHAUSTED and CRANKY tonight.

Note to self:  This weekend was probably a little too full, a little too fun...  I know I won't remember this next year, and I'm sure I'll be saying the SAME THINGS after this same weekend of fun events next year.  But--think of this--next year you can say, "I told ya so!!"

So, now that we have all my crankiness and negativity out in the open, let's commence with the FUN WHIRLWIND that we got caught up in!

Our main event this weekend was celebrating Miss Sara Beth's 7th birthday!!  7???  Where is my little baby girl who loved to be snuggled all day long?  Where is my little pumpkin pie, my little snuggle bunny, my sugar bear?  I have to say...she is still all of those things--and so much more.  What a gift she is to our family!

Just like every birthday around our house, we started off the morning with presents and breakfast in bed.  I always love the bed-head birthday pictures.  

 

How about a little red and green sprinkle donut for breakfast?  Yummm.

After presents and breakfast, we got dressed and headed to Rebecca's voice concert.  Her sweet voice teacher had a little Christmas concert for her students.  Aren't they just the cutest singers ever?

 

Here are Rebecca and Madeline singing their duet.  Wow, these girls sure are growing up.   Would I be shameful if I told you that I think they both have beautiful voices?  Okay, then--I won't tell you...

Next, we grabbed some lunch and headed to Sara Beth's BIRTHDAY PARTY!!!  Woo Hoo!  Sara Beth's smart mama talked her into a bowling party!  I have to say--a bowling party is the EASIEST party we've had yet!!!  I feel like the kids all had a fun time, and--literally--the party ran itself.

Oh, and this picture?  That's Sara Beth being a stinker, and holding up every finger combination except 7. 

 

There's the birthday girl all ready to bowl some strikes! 

Seriously--these were a FUN group of kids! 

And here is the family!  I just love that BOTH sets of Sara Beth's grandparents were there.  (Don't know why Grandpa isn't in the picture...)  Also, my sister and brother-in-law being there just made me h-a-p-p-y!!

 

My new favorite party favor:  Decorated sugar cookies made by Kim Mitrenga!  If you don't live in Branson, you may not know about these sugar cookies...and I'm sorry for that...   These sugar cookies not only are PRETTY, but they TASTE AMAZING, and are VERY REASONABLY priced. 

Ah, good friends make a birthday party EVEN BETTER!!  I must be honest, though...these girls were in some serious bowling competition.  I do believe there was even some money wagered...and lost...  But, I won't mention any names...

 

And here are all the CUTIE PIE kids!!  Seriously--have you ever seen sweeter kids?  This picture was snapped right AFTER we made all the kids stop holding the 50-lb bowling balls OVER their heads.  We sure didn't need any head injuries...  That would have put a real cramp in the rest of our fun weekend plans, ya know.

 

And here is the whole group--including most of the adults.  I'm so glad Carissa is bossy and reminds me to take pictures like these!  Where would my scrapbook be without Carissa telling me to snap pictures...?

 

Now, right here you are going to have to use your IMAGINATION.  Because, for some reason, I did not take any pictures of the next TWO events.   We went to a very fun couples Christmas party Saturday night, and a very fun Sunday school party Sunday afternoon.  If I could sum up both events, I would say these words:  Yummy food + good friends + laughter = good for the soul.


And...one last event... We capped off the weekend with a birthay dinner for a dear friend. 

Whew!  Are you worn out yet?  I sure am!  But, my heart...and...my belly are full.

What made your heart and belly full this weekend?

5 Things

Recently, I've found myself in conversations where I am really defending a point I am making...when all-of-a-sudden I realize, "Huh.  I don't REALLY know as much about this subject as I am making it sound."  And yet--my mouth keeps moving, and I keep spouting facts...well...as if they are facts.

Do you ever find yourself doing this?

Man, this know-it-all quality must be just PEACHY for my friends to be around.  And my poor husband...

These are the subjects I typically think I KNOW EVERYTHING ABOUT.  So, please just consider this a fair warning.  If you don't want me share all my enlightened knowledge with you, maybe you shouldn't bring up these topics in my presence...

1.  I am a fabulous internet doctor.  I bet you didn't know this about me.  Well, my close friends know this, and sometimes seek out my "services."  I am really great at researching symptoms online and diagnosing illnesses.  I know right now my doctor dad--and all good doctors out there--are rolling their eyes.  People like me who diagnose from WebMD drive them crazy.  But, I can't help it.  Some people go to medical schools.  Others can just diagnose with Google.

2.  I can "cut to the chase" in seconds flat.  This quality gets me in trouble ALL the TIME with my husband.  He can be telling me something, and I will be answering him before he is even 1/3 of the way through telling me.  I'm sure you can imagine how fun it is to live with someone who thinks she knows exactly what you're saying--even before you finish...  But, it's like my brain has x-ray vision, and knows what you are going to say--even before you finish.

3.  Punctuation and Grammar.  Ooh, do I even dare to write those words here?  Because right now, I know all grammarphobes are scouring these words to find mistakes.  How do I know they are doing this?  Because it is what I DO anytime I read something.  If you send a newsletter to my house, I will edit it.  Newsy Christmas letter?  Yep, I edit it.  Don't worry, though--I am not obnoxious enough to TELL YOU about it...It's just something I do.  (Oh, and by the way--now I feel all obligated to tell you that I am aware I break grammar rules all the time here on the ole blog-ola.  This blog is conversational, so I write the way I talk.  And if you know me in real life--you know I talk like a hick.  And don't worry--I do not edit blogs.  Or texts.  Or Facebook.  Well, not much, anyway...)

4.  I have the ability to pick good recipes.  If you haven't noticed around here, I do like to cook.  I do NOT consider myself an accomplished cook...I more consider that I am able to improvise my mistakes into something that works.  But, what I DO think about my cooking abilities is that I can PICK good recipes.  It's kind of like combining #2 above with cooking:  I can usually cut to the chase through high-falutin recipes, and be able to tell if they are decent or not.  I mean, if a recipe doesn't have real butter, sugar, cream, buttermilk, or bacon fat--it's probably not worth making.  When I see words like "margarine, olive oil, stevia, or tofu"--I don't waste my time on recipes like that.  (Sorry, Italians, I don't like your oil.)

5.  I am an expert in everything I have lived through, or done.  I really LOVE learning new things and researching--anything and everything.  If I am going through a difficult time about something, I usually research it TO DEATH--online, talking to people and asking them hundreds of questions, and reading books about it.  So, after I have navigated through an issue, I usually do have a pretty large base of knowledge surrounding it.  That doesn't mean I sailed through the problem.  But, it does mean that I learned everything possible in the meantime.  And...usually I like to share most of that knowledge with you if the subject comes up.  I'm sorry.

So, there ya have it.  5 subjects that I can be absolutely obnoxious about.  I mean, I really try not to be obnoxious...  But, just lately when I have caught myself in those conversations where I am droning on and on about something--that I may or may not really know everything about... it has made me wonder:  How many times have I NOT been self-aware, and have droned on and on about a subject?

What about you?  What are YOUR obnoxious know-it-all subjects?

Please tell me it's not just me...

P.S.   Just to keep things honest around here...and so that YOU know that I KNOW...that I don't know everything...  I misspelled the word "grammar" in the word "grammarphobe" in #3 above.  Yep, I spelled it "grammEr."  Nice. 

Also--one more thing.  Guess what PICTURE I put on the cover of the "Christmas in Italy" booklet I'm teaching tomorrow?  A picture of the Eiffel Tower.  Yeah, think about it...  Thank the good Lord above that I caught it BEFORE sending the little kiddies home with their Italy/Eiffel Tower booklets!!!!!

(This post was inspired by the always entertaining Mama Kat's Weekly Writing Workshop.  Check out some of the other great entries!)

*image credit: Flickr

A Difficult Thanksgiving, and a Saran Wrapped Plate of Love

The most difficult Thanksgiving I remember was when our daughter Rebecca was about 2-years-old.  My husband Dave, Rebecca, and I were planning to make the 10-hour drive to his parents' house for Thanksgiving week.  However, Dave started having severe, and unrelenting gall bladder pains the week before.  After days and days of pain (and symptoms you don't want to know about), Dave finally went to the doctor.  The doctor decided Dave's gall bladder needed to come out immediately.  Usually laparoscopic gall bladder surgery is outpatient, with several days in bed at home after, but Dave was convinced that as soon as he was released after surgery, we'd still make the 10-hour drive to visit his family.  My parents drove over for the surgery that morning, and I had friends checking in on me.  But, after the surgeon came out after surgery and gave Dave the "all clear," my parents headed south to spend Thanksgiving with my brother's family, and nearly all my friends headed out-of-town as well.  Supposedly, I would be taking Dave home just as soon as he woke up in Recovery.

But, that's not what happened.  Dave just did not improve after surgery.  His "levels" were all off (whatever that means), and he was not recovering like the doctor wanted.  So, they kept Dave overnight.  And they kept Dave another night, and another.  He ended up spending a WEEK in the hospital before he finally recovered.  (a complication from a wayward gall stone, and not from the surgery.)

I'll never forget how lonely and overwhelmed I felt that week.  Especially the night before Thanksgiving.  My 2  1/2-year-old Rebecca was NOT one to sit still for long--and especially in a boring hospital room visiting her daddy.  I had taken her to the hallway to walk around that evening, when she decided to pitch a major tantrum right there in front of the nurses' station.  I leaned down to try to pick up my screaming child, to take her home to bed--and when I pulled her hand to help her get up, she started crying even more.  I ended up scooping her up and just carrying her all the way to the car.  When she continued crying, I figured she was exhausted, since it was past her bedtime.  I changed her into pajamas at home, and put her in the bed.  She quickly went to sleep.

However, I knew something wasn't right when I checked on her the next morning.  She had not MOVED the entire night.  My all-over-the-bed child had slept on her back, and now wouldn't use her left arm.  I'll never forget calling Dave's hospital room that morning, telling him I thought Rebecca's arm may be broken.  I'll also never forget that lonely feeling of walking into the Emergency Room early that chilly Thanksgiving morning--all alone.  Well, all alone with my hurting 2 1/2-year-old.  Checking in all alone, and explaining three times--to three different people--how the evening before I had pulled on my daughter's hand to help her get up, and now that arm seemed hurt.

Right away, the nurse called her arm a "Nurse maid injury," which she was quick to explain is an injury caused by the child's caretaker.  In other words--an injury CAUSED by her MAMA the night before.  Her mama, who was all alone on Thanksgiving--while her very sick husband was three floors up, in the same hospital.  It was almost too much for me to handle.

Thankfully, the doctor was very kind.  He could see from the X-ray that Rebecca's arm wasn't broken; her elbow was dislocated.  He also explained how in children her age, dislocated joints were common, and no cause for any alarm.  While I was holding Rebecca, he told me not to worry, she would cry for just a moment--and he POPPED that elbow right back to normal.  Sure enough, Rebecca screamed out, and then she calmed down, and then she smiled and started using that arm as if nothing in the world had happened to it.

My sweet, and now well-rested and now non-injured, happy daughter and I walked hand-in-hand up to visit her daddy that Thanksgiving morning.  Poor Dave--he felt terrible.  He really didn't even want us there visiting.  He just wanted to sleep.  So, we hugged him and headed back home.

And then.  Then my dear friend rang my doorbell at home, and brought me 2 Saran Wrapped plates of Thanksgiving love.  If you live around here, you may have heard about Miss Charlene's cooking.  And if you have, you understand how my terrible day--my terrible holiday--suddenly got a little better.

Even though I didn't eat Thanksgiving dinner with Carissa and Charlene and their family (even though they had invited me), I felt like a part of their celebration as I ate their turkey, and their mashed potatoes, and their salad and their yummy dessert.   Even though I was eating that plate of food alone at my kitchen table, I felt their love. 

And that love, and that plate of delicious food, nourished my body--and my spirit--that Thanksgiving day.

This story reminds me...how much a Saran Wrapped plate of food can mean to someone.  Especially someone alone, on a holiday. 

Do you know someone who would be blessed by a Saran Wrapped plate of Thanksgiving love this year?

It's such an easy gesture.  Yet, it means so much to the one receiving it...

Breast Cancer Sucks

At the beginning of this year, I wrote the post Cancer Sucks as a tribute to friends who have survived the nasty breast cancer disease.

I just found out one of my dearest friend's sister-in-law has breast cancer, and is having a double mastectomy this week.  She is young mama, with a sweet little baby boy.  Please say a prayer for Jill this week...

With October's Breast Cancer Awareness month coming to a close, I couldn't not mention my sweet friends who have SURVIVED:

This post is for you, Jen Jen my Sheridan friend, Mama Judy, and now Jill, sweet Bettye that I so love, my growing up friend Christy, and my bloggy friend Lisa.

Sending lots of love and prayers your way today!!!!  I sure am thankful for your friendship over the years, and the many ways you've inspired me with your determination and faith.  You girls are SURVIVORS!!!

 

Who in your life has been touched by breast cancer--that you'd like to remember today?