The Kinds of Things that Make My Day

Laughter:  Monday night I was putting together all the things I needed to be ready for the morning.  Clothes were  ready.  Lunch was ready.  Running gear was ready.  Phone was charging.  I said, "What am I going to wish I had tomorrow morning?"  Without missing a beat, Spencer said, "More sleep."

Friends:  I had a meeting yesterday on my friend's floor, so I stopped to visit with Karleen.  Carol joined us, and we spent 15 minutes visiting and expressing love and laughing.  Best 15 minutes of the day...  Until Karleen had to come to MY floor, so she stopped to visit with me.  Two visits with my amazing and lovely friend in one day--plus Carol.  Glorious!

Teacher's Pet:  Dave just came to my desk with an apple and three pears from his trees, announcing, "An apple for the teacher!"  I love the fruit.  Even more, I love the friendship.

Autumn:  It is darned cold in the mornings, but I love watching the leaves fall from the trees.  It's just therapeutic to watch each individual leaf float down, until the ground is strewn with yellow, orange, or red.  You should stop and watch the leaves.

In Which I Share TMI

I have a UTI.  It is not pleasant.

But it has made me think about the things people endure and the ways they do it. 

Like my friend, Jodi, who literally wished for death as her body attacked her in numerous ways.  Yet she is a courageous, beautiful, giving, amazing lady whose experiences have helped define her in more positive ways (because I'm sure she was wonderful before all of that happened).

Or my aunt, Cathi, who is going through chemo and all the other joys that accompany breast cancer and radical surgery; and who is doing all of that with a smile on her face and hope in her heart.  It's hard, but she plugs away, a day at a time.

Or several of my other friends, whose marriages have survived deadly blows in the past year, but who walk forward with faith and hope, not dwelling on the doubt.

Or Jack, who literally just survived his death bed--again.  He cannot walk.  He cannot even breathe on his own.  But he thanks God daily for the miracle of life and for the opportunity to love.

Or "Well," who worries for her little one, but willingly places her life (which includes her marvelous husband), her baby's life, and their future into God's hands and tries to prepare herself for whatever He might require of her and her family in the future.

Of course, we all have struggles.  Some of them I know about, and I keep you in my prayers constantly.  Many--of course--I am unaware of.  But I hope you know that I love you, dear friends and family.  Thank you for showing my what grace and courage and hope and love and joy and beauty look like.

Random Joy

Our oldest son turned 17 on Friday. We celebrate on Saturday morning by having breakfast together at Virg's (thanks for the referral, Giffords!). It was yummy, and we did a lot of laughing. Taylor had several friends over on Friday night. If the noise level was any indication, they had a great time. They're really good kids.

Saturday afternoon, 5 of us (minus Bri, who went to Logan for the day) went to see "Extraordinary _______" with Harrison Ford and Brendan Fraser. Good flick. We all celebrated that it did NOT have a 70's ending. Have you ever noticed how, in the 70's, all the movies had crappy endings?

Our youngest son turns 13 tomorrow. That means all of our children are teenagers, and I can hardly believe how quickly the time has flown by. We will probably celebrate Landon's birthday this Saturday (presents tomorrow, though). He wants to go to lunch and a movie, I think. He originally said he wanted to see The Chipmunks Squeakquel. We told him we didn't love him that much. Now I think he's leaning toward Tooth Fairy, which may not be a big improvement. :)

Did you know that for Christmas I got flatware service for 16 plus serving utinsels? It is so cool to open the drawer, find enough silverware to set an entire meal, and have them all match. Considering what so many other people DON'T have, this makes me feel bratty. It also makes me feel very happy. I can live with that.

Andrew is getting married in March, and there is a bridal shower for Carissa on Saturday. Welcome to the family, Carissa! (Jax and Jess, will we see you, maybe?)

One of my work friends has been offered a fabulous position, still with the Church. She is capable, and I think this job will be a perfect fit for her. I hope she takes it!

The sky was kinda blue today. Lovely!