Asian babies VS In vitro...

Yes.  This conversation did happen.  

Yesterday I visited my family in S.C. as I do most Sundays.  What's better than spending the afternoon stuffing your face with Grandma's home cookin' and catching up with everybody?  NOT MUCH : )

After lunch we were all outside enjoying the beautiful weather and talking.  I think we were on the topic of my nephew Mason, when all of a sudden my aunt asked when I was going to have one (a baby).  "It's your turn."  

It seems like here lately the comments of, "You're too young to have a boyfriend,"  "Don't ever get married," and "I'm too old to be a grandma"  have been replaced with "It's your turn,"  "So when are you getting married,"  and "Mason needs a cousin."  

Great.  As I reminded them once again that a few things have to happen before I start poppin' out babies, they offered up a few suggestions.  

Aunt Marsha: "You should adopt a little Chinese girl.  They're so cute and you can get one for around $20,000."  

Me:  "Yeah, like I have $20,000 just laying around to adopt a baby.  I'm doing good enough to support myself."

Aunt Marsha:  "Just go to the bank and take out a loan.  What are they going to do if you don't pay it back, take your baby away from you?" 

Me:  "Riiiggght.  Pretty sure I should take a loan out on a house before I ever consider doing it for a baby."

So my mama's suggestion was that I have in vitro.  

Me:  "Yeah don't think I can't afford that one either.  And then there's the whole deal of the child growing up with issues because it doesn't have a father around."  

Mama:  "Well did you get my message the other day with that link that I sent you?"

Me:  "What message?  What are you talking about?'

Mama:  "I sent you a text with a link to a website where you can adopt a baby and save it's life.  I'll send it to you again."

And then Grandma chimes in...  "Well I think you need to just do it the old fashion way.  Get married first, then have a baby.  That's the way people used to do it."  

Hahaha!  I have the best family ever.  

And no, for those of you concerned they were just kidding.  Well, everyone except for Grandma : )   

God really does have a sense of humor..

Yes, I'm still alive :)

This first month of school has been busy beyond belief, and I've been a little stressed out lately.  Ok.  A lot stressed out!  I was dealing really well, believing it would all lighten up after a few weeks.  This and the fact that I love my job  made the 11-12 hour days tolerable.  Along with the dreams I've had every night about still being at work.  I was really impressed with myself for the amount of patience and perserverance that I'd had!  It helped me to realize that I'm a much stronger person than I'd given myself credit for!

But toward the end of last week my optimism began to wear thin. And yesterday managed to disappear for a bit.  While I hate admitting it for fear that I'll be looked at as weak, I'm doing so for a reason.  Today God showed me his awesome sense of humor and reminded me that he's always here to help me through whatever I'm dealing with.  All I have to do is ask.

Well, beg is actually a more appropriate description of what I did...

While getting ready this morning I listened to a Charles Stanley podcast like I normally do, hoping to hear some great inspiration to help me make it through another day.  Nothing really struck me though, until I walked out my door.  It had been such a rainy, yucky morning that I hadn't been able to run, but as I turned from locking the door a certain patch of bright blue sky caught my attention.  It was such a contrast to the gray and gloom all around, and I was somewhat mesmerized by it.  I felt almost as if it was God's way of telling me that everything was going to be ok.  After a minute of standing there in awe, I headed out for work.  On the way I began to ask for peace and the ability to show kindness and concern for all of my kids, and not to feel overwhelmed.  I also began to beg.  "Please don't let today be like yesterday.  Please don't let the kids come in non-stop.  Please let me be able to get a break and focus on some of the other work I need to get done.  Keep them in class today.  PLEASE!!!". And at this point I found myself laughing and yelling out loud because laughter truly is the best stress relief.  And sometimes so is yelling.  :).  "PLEASE!"

And guess what happened?  I had a rather quiet morning with only a few sick kids.  I was able to get some work done other than giving out band-aids and checking temperatures (no that's really not all that I do), and at 1 pm the whole school lost power.  For about 2 hours.  The kids stayed in class thanks to all of the excitement, forgetting that they were sick and needed to see the nurse!  And I got lots of work done thanks to my laptop's fully charged battery :). 

I'm convinced that my begging had something to do with this, and that God really does have a great sense of humor.  It turned out to be a wonderful day :)

Sometimes it's okay to look back...

I'm a firm believer in looking forward to your future and not focusing on the past, but every once it a while I think it's okay to look back and see how far I've come.

Three years ago I wrote this entry as a prayer that flowed from my heart.  And I'm so grateful I did.  So grateful to be able to read these words today and be affirmed of just how much I've grown.  While the goal of peace is still a daily struggle, I look back and smile thinking of the journey that has shaped me into the independent, confident, and successful woman that I am today :)

My Week In Review...

School has started and my life is yet again consumed with 

keeping the kiddos healthy : )

Getting Organized.

Made With Love : )

This happens EVERY morning!  Love my Bubba Keg of Coffee!

Perfect end to a LONG week.  Pizza + Wine + Sex & The City + Good Company = One tired but happy girl.

Decided on this one after reading to the point of "What makes you happy."  
How could I not, it knew me so well : )