Same child... believe it or not!!!

What a face!!! This is my youngest granddaughter, Ruthanne. My daughter-in-law sent me some pictures a week or so ago, and this was one of the pictures. I laughed so hard when I saw it. It doesn't even look like her. Such a face... I'm guessing that maybe she didn't like what Mom or Dad was feeding her for dinner.



Now this is more of what she looks like all the time. A precious little angel. She is a beautiful little girl that is happy all the time. I'm not sure what got into her in the first picture, but if I close my eyes I can almost see little horns sprouting... LOL. But no matter what her expression is, she is one of my blessings that I cherish each day. Grandchildren are WONDERFUL!!!

Thanksgiving

Well, another Thanksgiving has come and gone. Yesterday was a very busy day with family. Our children and their families were here for a big turkey dinner. My daughter and daughter-in-law helped tremendously in the kitchen helping prepare the meal. After dinner their husbands helped clean up while I sat and enjoyed the grandkids.

Since I am not back fully after my back surgery in September, I am still limited to what I can do. And yesterday, was not one of my better days. I went back to work half days this week, and I feel like I am paying for it.

However, it gave me time with my grandkids. Even though I can't pick them up, I am still able to enjoy them. The two youngest, Noah, who is almost 18 months, and Ruthanne, who is almost 8 months, were put into my lap so I could hold them and love them to pieces. Ryan and Adam, who are just over 3 1/2 were busy running around, and Destanie, my 6 year old granddaughter, would just come and lay by me on the couch.

My husband stayed out of the kitchen except to help take the turkey out of the oven and make the gravy. Other than that he sat and watched football and played with the grandkids.

It was a wonderful day with my family. I am so blessed to have them around.

My daughter's two sons, Noah and Ryan, spent the night last night so she could get up early and go shopping with her friend, Missy. Having her kids spend the night on Thanksgiving is becoming a yearly ritual that I look forward to. They make me feel so special and they certainly brought more than one smile to my face today. Even giving Noah his nebulizer treatment was enjoyable. He just sat calmly in my arms.

I am thankful for every minute I can spend with my "beautiful blessings" from heaven above.

Back to Work

Well, it has been five and a half months since the last time I "officially" worked. Yes, I worked at home as my body let me, but I hadn't been sitting at a desk at a work location. Yesterday, I worked for about four hours at the Fremont SC. And, four was enough time for my body to take. I couldn't wait to come home and lay on the heating pad.

It felt good to be back to work, but at the same time, I'm not sure how productive I am going to be with my limitation of only lifting 10 lbs and alternating between sitting and standing for 1/2 days. I guess I will have to wait and see. However, I am confident that each day will get better.

I feel better than I have in several months so I know that I am on the road to "full" recovery... whatever that may be.

Encouragement

Yesterday, I was blessed with both my children and all my grandchildren visiting. We had a houseful and at times very busy. During the visit, I noticed that my son was very quiet. I asked him what was the matter, and at first, he tried to say everything was okay. As being the mom, I knew better, and sat down on the floor next the to chair he was sitting in. I grabbed his hand and told him I knew better and asked him again.

He finally gave in and told me that he thought that his dad and I were disappointed in him because of where he worked. He is a manager of a Wesco station up in Benzie. He thought we were disappointed because he didn't have a "better" job having a college degree. I told him NO that I wasn't disappointed, but I was very proud of him. I explained that if he didn't have the degree, he wouldn't be a manager but just a sales associate working the cash register and stocking shelves. He has worked one or more jobs since the time he was 16 years old. He worked his way through college. I am PROUD of him, not disappointed. I will never be disappointed in him. No matter what job he has I will always be PROUD. I am proud of both of my children. They both work hard, love and nurture their spouses and children, and they both love God and the Lord, Jesus Christ. And, they both call frequently and tell me they love me. How could I be disappointed in them? They are both blessings from heaven.

I learned something yesterday that even after our children are grown and on their own, they still need the encouragement from us as parents. They still listen to what we say (probably more than they did when they were growing up), and what we say means a lot to them.

I thank God everyday for my children and grandchildren. What a blessing that I have been given. And, I will try to continue to encourage them every time I can.

Smiles

It's funny sometimes what a short and friendly email can do for you from a friend. Today hasn't been the best of days for me. I have had a few "good" days physically in a row, but today has been another "bad" day. Hurting more than usual today, but I know that I am on the road to recovery. At least I'm having more good days in a row than I have had since I had surgery.

I just checked my email and got an email that I wasn't expecting from a very close and dear friend... there was only one word in the email, but it put a big smile on my face. It made me feel good knowing that I was being thought about.

It was truly a blessing that I needed today. Thank you!!!

Sleepless Nights

Not sure if I can call a sleepless night a blessing, but last night was one of those nights. Woke up at 1:30 am and never fell back to sleep and find a comfortable position. I am hurting this morning because of all the tossing and turning in bed just trying to get back to sleep. I guess it wasn't meant to be. I finally gave up and got out of bed around 5:15 am after my husband left for work.

One thing about sleepless nights is that you tend to do a lot of thinking and praying. So, in many ways, it can be a blessing.

Too bad that I can't go to sleep anywhere like my grandson Noah. All a child needs is the comfort of bed or being held in loving arms, possibly a thumb to suck, and sleep comes without a problem, unless they are sick. Sometimes I wish I only had those things to think about to get to sleep.

Even if a sleepless night isn't a blessing, this little guy is.

Life

Do you ever wonder why we go through the things we do. I do everyday. Right now I feel as if my life is in a hurricane... totally disrupted, in a windstorm, and raining all the time. I try to be level headed, like I should because I am an adult; however, I seem to be floundering relentlessly... like a child. I guess that is okay.

Today I had physical therapy, and the therapist said that I am doing good. Movement in my legs is better than it was a week ago. I guess I need to look at the little things instead of the big mountain that I have felt has been before me.

Another wonderful thing was stopping to get fresh "brown" eggs. I talked for awhile with the couple like knowing them for a long time. We exchanged stories, and I find that my life isn't any different than anyone elses. We all have our problems, whether physically, spiritually or mentally, and life goes on.

I thank God for the blessings that he has showered me with today. This morning, I enjoyed the rising of the sun and the golden glow on the trees. It was truly a blessing for me to think about God's wonderous love and grace. Sometimes we tend to overlook the small blessings that He gives to us daily.

I pray that I can look past my shortcomings and live the life that God gave to me...