More blessings

Suggested at a forum I've joined. They're amazing people. They are blessings.

God bless moms

My mom sent this to me. Since I'm having a horrible day, it felt so good to read it. Rather than emailing it, I'm sending it out to all of you this way.

Dear God: The lady reading this is beautiful, classy and strong, and I love her. Help her live her life to the fullest. Please promote her and cause her to excel above her expectations. Help her shine in the darkest places where it is impossible to love. Protect her at all times, lift her up when she needs You the most, and let her know when she walks with You, she will always be safe.

I still can't say goodbye

How do you say goodbye to your best friend and the love of your life?

Lyrics are here.

Warning: Video is mildly graphic

Sassy

Suddenly, in the last two or three weeks, the munchkin has developed a real attitude. She's sassy, and I don't like it. Lord, help me. I've still got 11 more years before she hits her teens.

Earlier this week my parents were over at my house. Chloe absolutely loves her "Scooby Bones". They're simply graham crackers in the shape of dog bones. Anyway, my dad likes them too. When they were over he asked her if he could have one. She said, "NO!" And it wasn't a "Gosh, Papa, I'm so cute so I think I'll make my eyes twinkle and tell you no" kind of no. It was seriously naughty and sassy.

On its own, that would have been enough to earn her a punishment. However, she had to insult to injury by giving one to my mom without being asked. When mom asked if she could give hers to Papa, munchkin again said no in her sassy little voice. Then she gave me one and wouldn't let me give it to Papa.

So she earned a time out.

When she told me she was ready to give one to Papa, I let her come out. She still wouldn't give him one. She got to go back into time out three more times before she would give one to him.

*le sigh*

Knock knock

While shopping in Wal-Mart yesterday the munchkin girl made me laugh right out loud. She was sitting in the cart and said, "Knock knock." And before I could ask, "Who's there?" she said, "Who's there? IT'S ME!" Sometimes I worry that she's smarter than I am! :)

6 months

I was talking with an old friend tonight. I mentioned that I was heading into a rough stretch for me. Here's what's up.

December 25th - Obviously Christmas
December 31st - New Year's Eve
January 21st - Our wedding anniversary
February 13th - Munchkin's birthday
February 14th - Valentine's Day
March 19th - Hubby's birthday
May 8th - the day we met
May 10th - My birthday

I get April off, but that's pretty much it. Once I hit mid-May, I'm golden until the anniversary of his death. But this stretch...this one is going to be really rough. So think of me. My counselor keeps telling me to take it one day at a time because if you think about too much, you'll get overwhelmed. Right now, I'm just trying to hold out for bedtime.

Forecasts

Excerpted from a podcast by Max Lucado I listen to:

God never watches weather forecasts. There are no unknowns to him. Psalm 33:11 says, "The counsel of the Lord standeth for ever, the thoughts of his heart to all generations." What may happen today is nothing new to Him. We've come to expect that life comes with change. And while we do not know the future, we can know God who does and we can know that he will walk with us into it.

I find much comfort in this. I was recently asked by my parents what, other than the obvious, is different about my life since the hubby died. He was my compass. He helped guide me. I am forever indebted to him for making me into the woman I am today. Now that he's gone, I feel adrift in what used to be a seemingly planned and orderly life. I don't know the future anymore, and that's what scares me most. Lord, help me come to know You better so I will have a firmer grasp on Your hand as we walk, together, into the future.

For those of you that are the praying types, please say a prayer that I will come to know the Lord better, and in knowing Him better, feel more secure in my future.