Living In Grace

Journaling - Happy Things. And a Giveaway!

1. I may only have 2.5 weeks of hemo left, rather than 3 months.

2. Hemo is going well, despite my hatred of it. My numbers are looking so much better, and I'm feeling better the 4 days a week I don't have to go.

3. The afternoons when I get home from hemo are awful, and I feel like a deflated balloon. But, it gets me out of cooking dinner and I get to nap, so let's say that's a positive.

4. Kati is homeschooling this semester, and despite the whole "I'm 16 and a girl" part of it, and all that can go with it, it's wonderful to have her home again.

5. I've been able to start keeping up with my Bloglines again, and being around all of you is so wonderful again. And I'm starting to comment more, rather than just lurking.

6. Jonathan has taken a huge interest in cooking recently, what with his fascintion for Gordaon Ramsey, and has made some amazing dinners for us. Seriously, complete with "presenting" his food all purty and garnished and everything. His vocabulary includes words like 'saute', 'sous-vide', 'poach', 'juliettee'.  I stand amazed.

7. Jonathan's fascination and desire to cook has spurned some competition between he and his sister. So dinnertimes around here are a wonder to watch. And I'm more than happy to step aside from my role of chief casserole and simplicity dinner-maker and watch. And eat.

8. John continues to love me every day.

9. In just 7 short weeks, I will have not one but two permitted drivers in my house (not a Happy Thing). And I don't have to pay more for the insurance until they have real, actual licenses (a Huge Happy Thing!). Oh, and jobs to pay for said insurance. Funny- they may be driving with one of us alongside until they are 18. He he he he ....

10. Speaking of driving, guess who drove for the first time since November today. And didn't die. Or kill anyone else, or even casue damage or injuries? WooHoo!!!!!

11. Stefan did not win Top Chef tonight. And although I was voting for Carla all the way, Hosea winning still made me happy. And not just because Stefan didn't win. Did I mention I was voting for Stefan? Just checking.

12. We are tentatively scheduled to do the Pre-transplant Acceptance Evaluation at OHSU on the 18th. Since we could not go with Legacy (due to insurance issues) this was our second choice.

13. The good news? By using OHSU, our insurance will give us a reimbursable allowance of $10,000 towards travel and lodging for transplant. This can cover mileage and hotels for both me and my living donor. Since I will probably have to fly our living donor out, as well as my own stay for at least a month in Portland post-transplant, this is a HUGE blessing. We will have to pay everything up front, but at least we know we can get reimbursed at some point. Amen.

What has made you happy this week?

List each thing that has made you happy, and each one (each Happy Thing, not just each comment) will give you one chance to win a $15.00 gift card to the online store of your choice!

The more happiness, the better your chances!

Moms - A question for you

Question:  

Does it get easier than it is now? How many times can my heart break for my babies?

Linky Love for All Us Parents

So many different perspectives, but all so very true ...

Owlhaven - Going

My Quiet Corner - The Cost of a Child

Life of Grits - Missing Kids, When It Doesn't Make a Lick of Sense

This Ain't New York (at Internet Cafe) - Introductions

These woman have touched my heart this weekend. I hope they touch yours as well.

Lastly.I give you Boomama and her perspective on "Interruptions". This post gave me lots to ponder, and work out. I think it will stay with me for quite along time.

Worth Repeating. Again and Again.

Today is our 18th 19th Wedding Anniversary.

This post was from August of 2006, around the time that we started down this road to transplant.

It still feels oh. so. right.

Here is to the glue that holds me together.

1. In the beginning, it was good. We both had to grow up, but we figured it out together- and waited for each other along the way. Now? It just rocks :)

2. First there were 2 of us, then 3 .. then .. what the heck! There were 4! Thanks for the great kiddies, babe!

3. You've stood by me through 6 miscarriages and 13 years of parenting. You've shown me that anyone can be a great parent with just a little will and a lot of love. Doesn't matter what the past looked like for you.

4. You've sat next to me at the hospital for two births, a kidney removal, a hysterectomy, one PD insertion and soon, we hope, a kidney transplant. You never threw up, ran and cried or didn't show up with flowers, or Iced Tea with extra lemon. Considering how much I know you hate Dr.'s and hospitals, I know you bit several bullets in your time over me.

5. You've taught our kids to fix cars, ride bikes, tie their shoes, throw a football, fear nothing, algebra, love God and expect the best from themselves and no less.

6. You've listened to me talk ... and talk... and talk ... and talk ... and talk - with a smile on your face, and never let on that maybe you weren't just "not listening" a wee little bit at times.

7. You've supported me through my career as it moved us to state after state, after state, after state. You are the best U-Haul packer I know, and ya drive a mean truck :)

8. You've sat up with me at night when things get rough, held me while I cried, reassured me when I needed it - and kicked me in the behind when I needed that, too.

9. You never yell when I mess up the checkbook. Thanks. Really, thanks!

10. Your eyes? Well, I had to get those in here. They are the first thing I noticed about you, and the outward thing I love the most. Blue like a sapphire, sparkling in the sun. Man, I just wish the kids had gotten those eyes. Yeah .. yeah .. I know. Let it go, Kel ...

11. You know me, inside and out. Better than anyone. When my daddy died, you cried with me. You laughed with me. You've held my hand through more medical evaluations and procedures than one man should face in a lifetime. You continue to help me work through the way things are now. You never missed a beat- you know just what to say or do at the right time.

12. You balance and complete me. We have our rhythm and you take the lead. I enjoy giving the lead to you. I love being behind you and beside you. And now? I love being home with you all the time, working and raising our family. Together. I never get tired or hearing you down the hall in the office.

13. God is so present in your life, in everything you do, how you love me and how you raise our kids. It amazing to sit back and watch you. May our kids be as lucky as I am with you.

I love you.
I am blessed. 
I think you get the message.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Prayer Request Please

** Update 11:40 Dog home, menfolk happier than pigs in slop. Thank . You. Lord.

It's 11:30pm Thursday, and our dog seems to have run off. Everyone is out in the car looking for her in the dark, and very despondent.

Would you be praying she finds her way home please?

Thank you.