Bill and Nancy

Scott's parents stayed all week ...What a HUGE blessing!! Nancy is now retired and I know she is not a "lady of leisure" (she is simply to busy!), but I so very appreciate she and Bill being here! They came last weekend to be here with Scott, before Jacob and I were home. They were here all week, Nancy playing a million games(I do believe that number is literal!) and Bill was fixing something all week! There are enough fixer needs to keep a full work crew busy for a very very long time! Bill fixes whatever he sees that needs doing, gosh I love that! Scott is so strapped for time. Even when he has extra time it is usually spent with the children (sometimes working, sometimes playing). There is just to much to do. I laughed at Scott last week. I must tell you first that Scott is a perfectionist. He likes things "done right" (Is there any other way??). I love that about him! But, in the Smotherman house that resides on Pinhook? Perfectionists are put to a tremendous test! Carlton, while we were gone, knocked a huge hole in the wall in my big boys living room. It was going to be a several days patch job, even I (non-perfectionist as I am) knew that! It was frustrating. Scott stopped me later in the day to ask me to look at his "decorating", which I did, and to my amazement Scott had arranged three baskets on the wall (quite cleverly) to cover the hole in the sheet rock. I smiled, it looked good and that huge job was lifted from Scott shoulders. Jacob is our "hole mender" and I hope to have him look at it when he is up and going again:) For now? It looks neat and perhaps an even greater benefit of the baskets is the fast that that hole will not get bigger!

Scott's parents left at lunchtime. They will be back this next Friday night to watch Makin Music at Freed and then head to the beach with Julie and her family. I have loved my in-laws for more than 20 years!! I do not believe In-laws come any better than mine! But, I can tell you as a mom of a bunch of children....they set the bar awfully high! lol... I have the perfect example of "how to be" and I am so very thankful!!

ps....the picture above is of Tasha, you might think it has nothing to do with this post?? It was taken in the van waiting for the storm to pass today at the track meet. BUT, If you look at my tomboy, rough as they come daughter, you will notice her beautiful pink fingernails! A sight not often seen on Tasha and a testimony to the presence of Grannie Nancy! Grannie runs a very nice nail shoppe for a couple hours a trip:) The girls love it!!

To Bad and Back Again!

Jacob has pneumonia. We were sent back to the hospital for a night. Jacob was given antibiotics, had blood work taken, new x-rays and a night of rest. We arrived home last night at 11 pm. A whirl wind to bad and back again! Jacob is now doing much better, but he sure did scare his momma!

Our family doctor and his wonderful practitioner, Lisa, were so helpful. They slipped Jacob in a side door and we were not there long at all! Lisa called Dr. Morrows office and we were on the road to Vanderbilt within the hour. I cannot tell you enough how blessed we are with Jacob's doctor! Dr Morrow had an attending at the hospital when we arrived (we had to go in through the ER). He had a room for Jacob in a hospital that was full. He was there and he was wonderful. Jacob has lost about 10 pounds, not good for my kiddo who had nothing to loose to begin with! We are now off pain meds, with the exception of Tylenol or Motrin, and Jacob is feeling much much better! He is eating much better and is much more clear headed. He just looks better "out of his eyes", as my mom would have said. He does look better!

This picture was taken this evening. I laughed and told Jacob it was the first time he had put on clothes since the surgery:) He has worn pajama bottoms and scrubs the whole time!

First Track Meet!

Today was Doug's first track meet! We paid $25 to get in and sat for 2.5 hours only to get rained out (lighting) and Doug did not get to run! Doug was on the line ready for his event with lightning struck:( There will be more meets and I expect to have much to share then!

Seth's commentary to Scott, Jacob and Kelsey when he got home was a simple "those boys were bookin' it!". Very true!

Girls Lunch Out

Grannie and Sarah took the little girls to Pickwick Inn for lunch yesterday. It was a really nice time for the girls to get together! They love spending time with Grannie and getting to eat out was a very special treat too! The Inn has a wonderful buffet lunch and you can sit in the big glassed dining room and see the lake, pretty neat:) Sarah took the picture so she obviously is not included:)

A Niece!

Matt and Katie are expecting the first of August. An ultrasound says I am going to have a new niece!! Katie sent me a picture...Isn't she beautiful? This was taken at 20 weeks:)

The Pope or Nick Carter?

The girls, not the boys, decided they enjoyed seeing Nick Carter more than seeing the Pope. Nick was traveling with his band, although I cannot imagine him getting 'spotted' too often. He was very nice and took several pictures with the girls. Above is Erin and Sarah with him.

Italy:)

The whole group of kids:) Sarah is front and center in the black coat.

Sarah and Patrick:)

Left to right, my dad, Clara Ruth and Helen Bain. Helen was the fearless leader of the group! It was so very nice to hear teenagers talk about how wonderful an adult is! They love her!!



Sarah had such a good time:) Rain made a couple of day a little yucky, but all in all it was such a neat trip! I am still hearing stories, which I love. I drove the van home last night with all the kids, again, I love that! I heard all the funny stories, until they all fell asleep! They had been up for about 24 hours when we got home. Just about everyone commented of Sarah's crazy ablity to sit down in the seat of the airplane and be asleep before it even took off. I think she slept on every single flight coming home! lol:)

Sarah's Home!!

Whit Seaton, Lacey Johnson, Erin Rogers, Patrick Jones and Sarah:)


I drove one of my vans with my friend Lois Ann riding with me to the airport and her husband Nicky drove my other van. We picked up the Italy group (or those who needed a ride home). Sarah has lots of neat pictures and I will share some later. These are airport pictures. Perhaps the funniest thing of the night was the girls realizing that Nick Carter (Back Street Boys) was on the plane with them and he stopped to take pictures with the girls...lol. I will post one of those too:)

Right now Sarah would like to check email and I need to get into bed. Sure is nice to have all my children back in Tennessee!

Good to be home:)

It is very good to be home! I can't say it's good to sleep in my bed, but it is good to be in my bedroom:) Tired at home is even better than tired away! I sure have missed my children! Last night Seth crawled up in the recliner with me (bringing his "little brother" Nate..lol) and went to sleep. All of us:)

A new look:)

Jacob's new look. Much different from this. I am amazed at the outcome...very impressed. Now if Jacob can just get to feeling better we will be set!

Home resting!

Jacob is home and resting in my bed! His bedroom is just too far from me:) Jacob slept in my bed and I slept in the recliner. His pain meds are doing what they need to do! Thankfully:)

Home again Home again!

If all goes well, we will be leaving the hospital following Jacobs next pain meds at 2 pm. YEAH!!

**Pictures of our departure!!

Saturday Night

Saturday was rougher than Friday! Started a good bit better. They removed the epidural and catheter. But, everything pretty much went down hill from there. Jacob has been in considerable pain (at a 10). Morphine is the only thing they have given him to give him relief. So, we are still in the hospital. I am praying for a better day tomorrow!! A day that brings this pain under control! This has been one of my very hardest parenting days! I have just been physically ill watching Jacob struggle with his pain today! Please pray for Jacob!

PS My sweet sister in law Janet and Katie brought O'Charley's potato soup and rolls to Jacob and me:) Jacob (and me) are so very blessed with a wonderful family! Scott's parents are at my house helping Scott! What a blessing family is!

Friday night

Today has been a roller coaster ride....the first ride of the week! This morning was tough, but Jacob's pain was brought back under control and he was able to wash his hair in the bathroom, brush his teeth at the sink, sit in the chair, and walk a lap around the hall. He is still struggling with nausea. He had a shot mid day, deciding he did not wish to be sick. Tonight his stomach has hurt and he was sick with it. In my ultimate funny of the day ......the nurse told Jacob she would give him a suppository to help him go to the bathroom. He said yes and when she described the process he changed his mind. After a while he decided he would try the suppository but first wanted to know, "will they deaden the area before they give it to me?" lol:) He is feeling a little better as we head to bed at midnight!

Please pray for Jacob that tomorrow he can find a measure of relief in the new medicine. If all goes well we can perhaps go home.

Good night:)

Rough start!

Friday morning began with a rough rough start! They gave Jacob percoset at 6 am. Turned off the epidural at 6:30. By seven thirty his pain was at a ten. Thankfully his doctor was here (or called I am unsure which) and quickly saw to it that Jacob was comfortable again. His words were "Jacob was only given 5 mg of medicine. The amount of was unacceptable for Jacob's size. I am sorry. Hindsight is always 20/20." Tomorrow will be a much better day. Certainly that crazy old perspective I seem to talk about so much will come into play and Jacob will KNOW it is better than it could be! Jacob is now back to pain free. Today he will be up and walking.... actually in 30 minutes:) He is pretty excited about washing his hair.

We are praying that all will go well in the morning and perhaps we can get home tomorrow night!

Great sadness!

Freed Hardeman University, where Stuart and Chelsea attend is a small Christian college. Most everyone knows everyone else. A tight community. Mine and Scott's trip to the Dominican Republic overlapped a Freed missions trip that was working there with a very special missions team! Yesterday one of the boys, a freshman student that my children and our nieces and nephew know was washed out with the tide. He is believed to be dead. PLEASE remember this missions team, the Freed students, and most especially the family of this young man!

Who did it?

Gotta love this post! I have just laughed and laughed!! I really do miss those sweet times:) The honesty and the humor of toddlers!! I am so glad I can live vicariously through Sandy's adventures! My "who did it"'s are not nearly so cute anymore!

Traveling nuts

Caleb and Doug came to visit Jacob. It is always an adventure when these two get in a car. I cannot even remember the whole conversation trying to get them to the hospital. But, I suppose if I only look at the good outcome?? I can say "They made it here and had a good visit with Jacob". Perhaps I should just leave out the part that informs you it took the boys 4 hours to make a 2 hour trip:)

btw...Did I mention that they are in negotiations with Dad about going to Georgia to visit a friend over Spring Break? I asked them where they were going and they named a little town I have never heard of. I then asked where it was was? Doug said, "You know the middle of Georgia? It's kinda there". LOL

Scott's travels...

The meeting with Sam wet well today. He has apparently began to stop hurting people and has moved to property. They feel he is making progress. I am thankful for the ability to have strong intervention for Sam!! He was allowed to go to Sonic with Scott and Carlton. Afterwards Scott had an appointment with Carlton's Dr. The Dr. talked to Carlton about his poor judgement. Explained that his medicine might help with impulse control, yet did not help with judgement. He did tell Carlton if he did not learn to use better judgement by the time he was 18 ....well, he would end up in prison. A true statement. I talked to Scott as he drove home this afternoon. I am still amazed by Carlton's choices. Scott laughed at me and said,"Surely you are used to it by now?" Well, I am not! I do not have any desire to become used to my children making horrible choices!! I do not wish to settle. I do not wish to become complacent!! I just want them to have life, a life abundant with good things! I know that there is always bad, but I want their scales to be weighted on the good side!!

Thursday morning

Dr Morrow came by this morning and talked to me and Jacob. I am not sure Jake remembers too much of the conversation. Jacob had some problems with nausea yesterday and again this morning. Yesterday he did not want to take anything that would make him drowsy, but this morning he opted for not throwing up and took zofran (sp?). He's better and has been resting. Dr Morrow said we would give him pain meds by mouth in the morning at 6 am, turning off the epidural. If he is still doing well by 9 am, they will remove the epidural. It is possible that he *might* get to go home tomorrow night. If not, then we will try for Saturday:)

Jacob had company yesterday and loved it! Chuck and Natalie Morris with their girls came by and visited. We sure do miss them and they were so nice to drop by and visit!! Sherri Winborn brought Kelsey, Kade and Preston Reid to visit:) They brought goodies to eat and Kelsey brought Jacob the neatest pillow with a picture of them taken at Paoli.... although I think Jacob was most tickled to have friends he loves here!!

Sherri was also so kind to take Carlton back to Savannah. Shannan has has him and brought him to me yesterday evening. Carlton has a Doctors appointment today with Do Goldin. Sam also has a family therapy session that Scott is going to make this morning with Samuel. Scott will spend today in Memphis while I spend my day in Nashville! We are kinda spread out right now!

All is well for now and we continue to rest and get well:)

Wednesday morning

Jacob's Doctors have been by, the ones to look at the incisions: they removed his bandages so only the tape on stitches are still there. The incisions looking larger than I thought they would be. I think the word "small" is simply another matter of perspective! The MD's over the pain pump have been by too. They are leaving everything as it is....talking again about the plan to manage pain. Jacob has had breakfast: blueberry muffin and bacon(he sure loves that bacon!) and apple juice. He is sleeping now, but has been more alert today than he has been any day yet. So sitting around and getting better is what we are working on today:)

Blessed!

I am so very far from perfect. I am forever thankful for my Lord who KNOWS my imperfections and yet still loves me. The love of our Heavenly Father.

This morning I was trying to find my blog, without loosing my email sign in (it takes a long time to get back on). I found this sweet post(in a great blog) by a friend. I have never met her, but we share so much:) Both adoptive moms, both in love with our children, both working to be what we need to be! It's a mom thing!

As mom's we try to encourage our children, to strengthen their confidences, to build a base of faith within them that will sustain them in this harsh and tough world! But, as a mother, I know (and mom's know) that our life and love and joy is a very unthankful job lots of the time. It's a mom thing! I think it is one of the reasons friendships are so important to mom's. Our friends are to us what we are to our children....lol...if we choose well!

This morning as I came across that post .....It made me cry! How sweet....I have been blessed today! Blessed by a friend who I may never meet, but shares my love of life and family! Thank you for making my day!!

Living

I watched this video this morning! What a message! It certainly brings home the "important" things in this life!! While this man, Dr Randy Pausch, never mentioned God....every thought was God given....the principles are certainly ones we all strive for as Christians. Most of all I simply love the attitude!! The truth of the matter is simple...we are all dying!! Some are just blessed (and it is a blessing if you choose for it to be)to know that they will be leaving sooner. That allows them a serious focus and usually that focus is people! Just as he pointed out in the video...this is for his children....those who "know" (even though no man knows his day or hour) what is impending and choose to act on that knowledge strengthened!!

I have always said,and I have blogged it before. When my sister Stacy was diagnosed with cancer, she chose to begin and end every single day by her designs! She lived every day as though it were her last. She did that for two whole years!! My greatest desire, based on her example, is that I live my days as I choose! That I begin and end my days with prayer and thankfulness that my Lord has blessed me with another day to love! Perspective is an incredible gift!!

This was a very powerful video by a man...a teacher...a husband....a son and a very loving father..... who is living his days as he chooses!!

end of day-Tuesday

Jacob has had a good day. All things considered! He is still itching from his pain meds. But the itching is still preferable to the pain. He slept nearly 3.5 hours this morning following the benedryl. When he woke he said, "Well, I'm not taking that anymore. I have slept all day and the minute I woke up I was itching again!"

I have had so many calls today from friends and family. Jacob has too. I was talking to Chelsea a few minutes ago....she called from San Juan Puerto Rico(she will be home tomorrow...yeah!). I told her that I tell everyone how good Jacob is doing...but I wonder if I have given everyone the impression that he is better than he is? Jacob is on mega meds that are currently blocking nearly all the pain....he still has a catheter in....he was only allowed to even move to a chair this afternoon. He did sit in that chair for 1.5 hours. He is so sore tonight from sitting up. He is one of my happiest kids and it shows in his sweet demeanor! He is doing so very well, as I tell people, but perhaps I should say he is doing so very well with the situation he is currently in! He is doing well and I am very proud of him! Now if he can continue and make it thorough the next two or three weeks (which is how long the Doctor estimates serious pain). Tonight he is wide awake and has been talking to friend for the last few hours. He has explained everything (pretty funny to hear) and even taken a picture of his chest with his phone and sent to his buddies and brothers. Perhaps the funniest thing to him is his "ET finger" which tests oxygen levels. They brought him a breathing exercise to work with. He draws in a deep breath and raises the level. Competitive he is and this afternoon he got it all the way to the top....he nearly died (his opinion..lol)...he is no longer trying to compete with himself!

Goodnight to all:)

Recovery night one and day one

Jacob had a good night. His meds have kept him comfortable. He slept on and off pretty well. He was up a good bit, they came and took x-rays this morning at about 4:45. Jacob was up for an hour and a half, I went and got him some bacon and french toast. He decided the hospital makes the best bacon he has ever eaten! LOL, Of course the fact that he is starving did not play into the flavor:) But, he ordered some more bacon and french toast for breakfast when the dietary lady came by. When they were documenting his intake they laughed and said, "He had EIGHT pieces of bacon?"

Jacob's pain meds have began to make him itch. He doesn't have a rash but they gave him some benedryl. The nurse told him it might make him sleepy and Jacob told her "That's alright, I'm already tired anyways". He has slept most of the morning. They will have him sitting up some today, so we will see how that goes....

We have been so blessed by friends and family who have called and visited Jacob!! Most of all, we are so thankful for the prayers!!

Timeliness of Sorrow

This past weekend, for the two whole days I was home, life was crazier than normal. Dealing with a couple of my kiddos who are struggling. I spent a long time Sunday morning talking with John,who was upset over one of our issues. Not that it was his issue,but it really caught him off guard and he was so sad. As his heart was heavy and sad I spent sometime talking to him about the timeliness of sorrow. There are times in this life when we should truly be sad. Sad for someone and their choices that lead them away from God, family, or even from themselves. We talked about the need for intervention at times. When those we love have difficulties, yet are doing the things they need to be doing to get well? It is not timely to be sad. Be sad when those we love refuse to do the right things.

Jacob was not the situation John was talking about, but his is a perfect example of what we were talking about (and did talk about Jake). Today was so tough. I could have been really let myself become sad over it...BUT...sad would have been Jacob NOT correcting this and him having a heart damage! Correcting it is not sad. I am thankful for the doctors and nurses to care for him. I am thankful for the ability to be able to be here with Jacob and have those friend and family help out so much! Jacob will recover and he will be fine. That is a very good thing!

But, I do know how John felt. It is hard to watch those we love struggle. We can pray that they will be able to make good decisions, and that we as family are able to do all we can do to insure a good and safe future for them!

Jacob's surgery

Jacob's surgery was scheduled this morning at 9:00 am. We left home 3:00am, picking up the group for Italy. It was a nice little diversion for Jacob to ride all the way to Nashville with the teens. And we were able to see Sarah off at the airport. Papa and Clara Ruth were able to walk out and hug Jacob and we were off for the Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt. We got here about 6:40am, they took Jacob back to a holding room about 8 am. He was taken back for surgery at 9:15am. It was nearly noon before the doctor came out to talk to us. The surgery that was suppose to last 90 minutes went much longer. The doctor said everything went as he hoped. He did say that the depression on his left side could not be appreciated from looking at him from the outside. It was pretty significant. But, Jacob came through, in a great deal of pain which they are able to reign in fairly (meaning somewhat tolerably) with an epidural and other meds by IV and mouth. Jacob will keep the epidural until Friday when they will try to shut it off and work on pain maintenance by mouth. If he cannot find relief they will turn the epidural back on. Right now he is resting. Thank you to all those who have prayed for Jacob!! We are so appreciative! God has seen Jacob through an extremely hard surgery....now we just need to get him through the next few weeks!!

BTW, the hospital has a computer in our room!! SO I can blog when I am able to find a few minutes!!

**I added a picture of Jacob Monday afternoon in his room. Grannie, Pa, Jeremy and Janet were all there before the surgery and stayed until Jacob was in his room and comfortable.

Last post for a while..

I had thought Jake and I would be taking Doug's lap top and I would be able to blog updates from the hospital, but that did not work out:( So it will be a while, I am not sure how long until I am posting again. Blessings to all!

Sarah and Patrick's trip!

Sarah and Patrick leave in the morning for Italy! They are both very excited. They are going with a great group from school, neat teachers and parents and even Sarah's Papa and Clara Ruth are going! I know they will have a great week!! Of course I seem to have kids everywhere this week:) I have them all in my prayers! Jacob as he has his surgery in the morning and Chelsea and Sarah both traveling out of the country! God has certainly blessed my children that they can travel and experience more of this big old world!

St Patrick's Day

Tonight I was helping everyone get clothes together for tomorrow, or rather helping everyone find something green, when Victoria asked me,"Momma, what am I wearing for Green Patrick's Day?" I thought it was a pretty cute variation!

Boys and Sports!

At my house boys and sports go hand in hand. This morning Caleb and John were in the kitchen with me as I cleaned out the church bag from last Sunday. My little children all get a legal pad and pencil when the sermon begins. I believe they can sing when we sing, pray when we pray, and be respectful during the Lord's Supper, but when the sermon begins I hand everyone paper and pencil. Some take notes from the overhead projector and some simply draw. Either way, they are occupied and not distracting to others. I was tearing old pages out of the pads so they would be clean for this morning when I came across the paper above. My big boys laughed and laughed. Scott and the big boys have been talking SEC teams....Seth obviously has his favorite too:) I am just glad his priorities are in order...lol!!

ps. Tonight as Seth was talking basketball with Seth they moved to football teams...Seth said the Green Bay packers was a great team. Patrick said,"yeah, their quarterback just retired." Seth immediately said, "No, he just got old". LOL

My new camera

I love my new camera! Before I could not take pictures of my flowers in the yard, I even posted my frustration here before (lol..but I cannot find the blog to link it). BUT, my new camera will take them so beautifully! It was so much fun!

the tub vs the bed

This morning as Scott got into the shower, he yelled for me. Why? The tub was full of fishing worms, all lures courtesy of Chelsea's sweet and very generous, if my tub is any indication, boyfriend Dustin. Scott had slippery worms everywhere! He laughed as I looked down at the worms (quietly glad HE found them and not me!), saying "Yesterday there was chocolate on our bed and today there's worms in our tub, welcome home!". Reality is much more wormy at my house! lol

Dare to be different!

I was thinking about life....I do hope to be around a while:) In this life I love, I am surrounded by my children. Each different...each daring to be unique among a family of Smotherman's! I am not a "cookie cutter" mom. I do not believe I can "cut" my children into little gingerbread people of my choice. Even IF that were possible...who am I to know what is best for each? I am so thankful that GOD chooses and not me! If I have learned anything in my years of parenting it is that I do not know everything! I DO have big desires for their future! I do wish for each to be Christians! I do plan that they all be independent. That each be educated and capable of being self sufficient! I want those things, not for me but for THEM! The knowledge that they can be as they wish....that life is what they choose.....that to be unique and different is not a negative thing! In fact, it is my greatest belief that it's a tremendous blessing!! There may be "cookie cutter" attributes I desire for my children....that I "lay out" before them. But they are not so much desires I cut out, but those the Lord shows us Galatians 5! Even living the lives the Lord desires for us is still different! Our works are different. Our service different. Our relationship with God different.

I took a billion (haha..slight exaggeration) flower pictures while on our trip. This picture I love! What a stark contrast the white is among the pink!! As Christians we are that pure white beauty in a crazy bright world!! I love it!

Next time....

Next time I post a picture of Jacob it should look very very different! No more pectus! One of those things that I as a mom will be very thankful to have behind me ....or more importantly behind Jacob!

I was talking to Scott about it over the week and he said, "Well, Amanda, he could be like you were and have to wear a body cast for a year!" My first response was simply, "Then I wouldn't worry about him hurting himself!". The restrictions on Jacob's activities worry me. Although, I do think he will be extremely cautious! He is such a worker! I worry about him jumping back in too quickly. This morning while we were picking up groceries (refreshing my pantry and freezer) and things for Jacob and for Sarah's trip, a lady stopped to ask Jacob about mowing her yard this year! Jacob was tickled, I was just praying that all will go well and recovery quickly so he can be mowing and working the jobs he so much enjoys!

Dibs

Kelly told me last night, "Amanda, nothing can happen to you and Scott! I guess if it did, we would all have to take one kid, but I have dibs on Seth!"

Funny, easy to one person is hard to another! Seth is the baby. A funny little guy to be sure, but even more he is a good fellow! Not at all swayed by others. This week when the other kids went to the creek without permission....Seth was not part of it. When it was bedtime? He was there and asleep in 5 minutes. I am very thankful for those of mine who behaved well!! It is such an incredible show of respect! A much appreciated show! Anyone would ask for dibs on those kiddos!!

Back to the real world!

Scott and I arrived in Huntsville yesterday about 5:00 pm. We collected our bags and were headed home...back to the real world:) On our way from FLorence to Savannah, on the curviest road in the world, we got a flat tire. Thankfully there was a driveway we could pull into. Even more thankfully was the fact that three young men were standing there and had a flashlight and helped Scott. The change might not have impressed NASCAR but it was fast enough to impress me!

We got home a few minutes after 8pm. While we have been gone we have had several things happen. All I am not going to spew on my blog. (I'm still tying to enjoy the peaceful feelings...lol) BUT, I talked to all, along with Kelly (my lovely wonderful trustworthy friend who put up with so much more than I could ever pay her for!!!). I hope my children have their paths marked clearly for this coming week! Things just have to level off!

Scott and I always enjoy our alone time, although we do spend a lot of it taking about our kids. About directions we want to move in....about the different roads they are all on (and those will continue...they are different people!). I suppose we do a lot planning and team "plays". Looking at what ones we want to run when....looking at some of our "special teams" and taking a close look, being extra sure we keep our focus wide enough to benefit all.

As I sat in the airport yesterday with a friend, Cindi, we talked about kids (lol...seems that subject would wear itself out at some point, but it rarely does). I have some tough kids. I have some soft kids:) If I had one tough child, it would be hard to me to find the joys of parenting. At least at some times in life. With my crew I know that I can set aside one difficulty and breathe in the sweet smells of success with another. For any who parent? You know that those kids can flip flop and change positions...lol....this is life! But, with my crew, one of the greatest blessings IS the successes!! When I know all is well with a child....when I see (everyone sees) poetry in motion! LOL...It can happen!! Like old time reel movies...that beautiful film might break and flap around to nothingness, but threaded back into place it can pick right up with the right track. If all my kids mess up? Then they are normal! If they all pick back up and get on track? They are AWESOME!!

As I am home for the next 40 hours I have much much to catch up with! Yikes...I will not blog about that...lol...then I would be depressed:) But, many things need to come together for this household asap! Laundry, groceries, cleaning, preparing for the week....even for Easter (I sure hope I am home for Easter Sunday, but I am not sure we will be). As I end this blog I can hear the 7 dwarfs singing "Hi Ho Hi Ho...." ...LOL So off I must go!!

Until Home!

Last blog until we are home again:) We will fly into Huntsville about 4:30 pm and drive home (about 2 hours), so will be home after dinner on Friday!