Nick

Last week was quite a week for Nick.  It was FFA week and for one of the days they were giving away awards to whoever  had the nicest truck.  Nick asked his brother if he could drive his new truck to school.  Jay said Yes.  Full disclosure, my momma's heart sung when that happened.  It felt good to know Nick felt comfortable enough to ask and even better when Jay said Yes.  Nick filled the truck up with gas after he was done with it for the day.  I'm not sure Nick won but it didn't matter.  It was just good to witness my boys being nice to each other.  

 Last Monday (Feb. 20) was Presidents Day.  Nick had no school.  What does Nick do on a day of no school.  He works.  About 9:30 that morning Nick called me to inform me his boss was driving him to the ER.  He had split his lip open.  He ended up getting 13 stitches in his lip.  It was quite an ordeal.  Nick handled it in usual Nick fashion and never flinched as they stitched up his injury.  Nearly a week later his lip is healing nicely and I am thankful.  Hopefully that was Nick's last work comp injury.  Ugh. 

Cousin Weekend

 Yesterday Kim and I met our cousins for an overnight at Amber's.  We went out for a late lunch then headed back to Amber's where we spent the night laughing together over cocktails, snacks and hot tubbing.  Cora and Amber are in such good places in their lives right now.  Cora moved to Florida and loves it.  She remarried Dennis and they are very happy.  Amber got divorced and is dating someone new whom she really likes.  Cora is back in Illinois for a few months helping to manage care for her dad.  We were so thankful we could all be together!  Until next time girls!

Worry

 Lent began yesterday.  Full disclosure I usually don't give anything up for Lent.  However, about six weeks ago I was reading an article about a woman who gave up worrying for Lent.  For the past several weeks I've put a lot of thought into doing just that.  Jay has a really important interview coming up on March 9 and when I first thought about giving up worrying my initial thought was, "But then I can't worry about Jay's interview!"  Thankfully I had several weeks to really process how this would look for me and trusting at the end of it all how free I might actually feel from doing it so yesterday I promised Jesus I would leave all my worries at His feet.  After all there hasn't been one time in my life when He hasn't taken care of me.  So often times I just want to be in control of what I'm doing and where I'm going.  Also, I'm a mom.  We worry.  It's what we do but so often I allow myself to be consumed by worry when it comes to my boys.  

I'm convinced God has a sense of humor or as Mary pointed out to me last night, God was surely testing me.  The minute I gave up worrying yesterday morning I had something distressful happen (which I won't go into on my blog), Jay told me that they are interviewing 60 people and only taking 10, Mike has no work right now and Nick got 13 stitches in his lip.  Granted Nick's injury occurred two days earlier but we were concerned about infection so Mike took him to the doctor yesterday (good news, no infection).  I texted Mary last night and told her about my day and that I had given up worrying for Lent.  She encouraged me as only Mary can and texted me right back with verses from Matthew 6:25-30.  I literally went to bed reciting these verses, along with Romans 8:28.  The more I recited the verses the more peace I felt.   

The holy trinity

 So many of my past blogs focused entirely on stories about my boys.  These days the stories are just different.  They aren't quite as entertaining.  Plus I try to respect their privacy since Jay is an adult and Nick is on the cusp of being an adult. Knowing all this my momma's brain and heart is still completely centered on them; what they are doing, what they are up to and how they are feeling.  I don't suppose that will ever change.  If I ever have to wonder all I have to do is read my previous blog post.  My mom still wonders about her grands everyday and wants to know what they are up to and mom and I are cut from the same cloth.  

Recently Nick did give me some blog material.  The two of us were in his truck.  He was driving, I was talking and listening.  I'm convinved that some of the best conversations with kids happen in a vehicle.  Nick enjoys sharing his music likes with me and talking life.  He had just broken up with his girlfriend.  I told him I was sorry, that I had really liked her.  Nick didn't miss a beat when he said, "Don't you worry, mom, one day I'm going to bring home the holy trinity for you."  I loved that he said that.  It sure made me smile.  One day I'll look forward to hugging his future wife, remembering our sweet conversation when he was just 16.    

Da Boots & Bible Study Babes

Last night I got together for dinner with my bible study group or as we affectionately refer to ourselves, "The Bible Study Babes."  My sister and I came up with this idea during Covid.  We had our first meeting together in Nov. 2020.  Since that time we continue to grow in our faiths, laugh and pray together.  All of these women mean so much to me.  We did miss Sarah though.  She had an emergency at work and couldn't make it but we knew she was right where God needed her to be for her students that she serves.  The picture above is of Shannon and I in our rocking boots from Nashville.  I'm telling you I try not to put things as idols but if I did, I'd idolize these boots - just saying.  Ha!  I love that Shannon and I bought them together.  

Everyone in our group right now is in a good place.  I'm so thankful because for seven of us to be happy and healthy, well that's true a blessing!  

 

How are the boys?

 Lately life has been more challenging than usual for my mom.  On nights when she sleeps all night her next day tends to go better.  Like all of us we function well when we get adequate sleep.  Mom deals with  signficant handicaps and if she has several nights where she doesn't sleep well her body lets her know it.  I talk to mom every morning on the phone and I know almost immediately when she picks up the phone rather she has slept all night.  This morning I could tell she didn't sleep well.  She reported to me she had been up since 2am and on top of that she's been dealing with diarhhea which is going on several days now.  I could hear the frustration and despair in her voice this morning which caught my attention because mom is always so upbeat but this morning she had had it.  She could hardly formulate a sentence.  Finally after what felt like 5 minutes of her trying to get her words out I told mom to relax, that I would ask her yes or no questions, something that is much simpler for her to respond to.  I determined she wasn't in any pain and that she didn't need me to do anything.  She just needed someone to listen to her.  Life in general is wearing my mother down but she continues to have a positive attitude.  I prayed over the phone with her this morning which seemed to encourage her.  As we ended our conversation mom asked the very same question that she has asked me since the day her grandsons were born, "How are the boys?"  Despite having no sleep, diarhhea and completely broken speech mom still wanted to know how the boys were doing.  I literally had to bite my lip and breathe to keep from crying as I told her all about Nick and Jay and what they were up to which wasn't much different than what they were up to yesterday but knowing what they are doing is still important to mom.  Ninety percent of the time I don't let things with mom get to me.  I just focus on the positive and what needs to be done for her to move forward but it got to me this morning.  It was a good reminder to never take a day for granted and to cherish every conversation I have with her.  

Luke is 12

The youngest of mom's grands turned 12 last week.  Kim had a birthday dinner for Luke on Saturday night.  

Aunt Mindy and I posed with the kids.  Aunt Mindy is truly awesome and beats me hands down in the best aunt award but I sure love my niece and nephew!  We had a great time with family.  Oh and the weather has been really nice lately too.  An added bonus. 
 

My FL trip

Back in the fall Jenny asked Sarah and I if we wanted to meet her in Florida in early February.  Her entire family was going to experience Disney.  Jenny had no interest in going to the parks, nor did I.  Sarah couldn't go but I used my AA points and booked my free flight and the plans were set in motion.  It was an added bonus when about three weeks ago Faith and Anna decided to join us.  Even though we didn't go to the parks we did do a ton of walking!  We had 2 days of travel and 3 days of laughter, relaxing and catching up.  It was wonderful.  My heart is full.  

I love Jenny's parents.  I have so many fond memories of their cabin in TN where our families vacationed for years.  It was wonderful to catch up with them.  

I've been traveling a lot lately.  I don't have any big trips planned at the moment but I do always like to have something planned to look forward to.  In a few weeks Kim and I are getting together with our cousins for an overnight and then in March Kim and I are getting together with her friend, Lindsay.  Today I'm back at work, back to reality.  I am very thankful for the time I had with my dear friends.  Each trip that I take where I am financially able to go and healthwise able to do it, I'm so thankful.