Come and Gone

Wasn't it just 2008? I blinked my eyes for just one second and here we are in 2009! This year has been full of accomplishments, growth, life lessons, changes, and lots of love! I've learned above all things that sometimes being pushed out of your comfort zone is just what we need. How are you going to grow if you never take a step forward? This year I took a lot of steps forward as my friends and I hiked Half Dome. I felt pushed to the limit with life circumstances that my friends were (and are) going through. Cancer has been my driving force this year, since I know many people who have been diagnosed this year. It has caused me to love outside of myself and look beyond the superficial. I never thought that giving of myself would feel so good. I've learned that I'm not in control, even when I feel like I am. I've learned to lean on God more then ever this year. Don't get me wrong.....to grow....you've gotta feel some growing pains.....but looking back it was all worth it. 2008 has come and gone and I'm looking forward to 2009!

Slow Down

You all know the routine! October hits and the Christmas stuff is already out at Costco! The race has begun and there is no stopping until New Years day. I always say that I'm not going to get caught up in it all... but somehow it slowly creeps into my life. There has been many functions this last month and I have had the mentality of not thinking ahead. One day at a time (and I feel like busting out in the one day at at a time theme song from the 1970's sitcom). Anyways, (see how easily I get sidetracked)..... I've been trying not to feel how tired I actually am. When the exhaustion sets in, I grab another cup of denial and a mug of coffee. Well...it has finally hit. Let me just say, that if you don't take care of yourself, your body will eventually break down. God decides to throw you down like a Sumu wrestler. He will arm wrestle you down! So, if you haven't guessed...I'm sick. And I hate being sick because the world doesn't stop. But I am blessed that I have 3 days off this week...to just slow down. Just one more day of work....just one day at a time!

MRI

Gianna has had headaches for about 8 months now. I've taken her to the doctors on several occasions and they seem to think that they are just classic migraines. But the doctor wanted to just make sure, so today she had an MRI. She did really well, except for that fact that she was starving when she woke up from the sedation. When we first made the appoinment, the doctor wanted to know if she could stay still for 30 minutes. HMMMMM!? Does it take a rocket scientist to figure out if a 5 year old can sit still? Let me answer that. NO! She can't sit still for more than 30 seconds. Anyways...when she woke up she was starving and I swear she drank her 7 Up in about 3 seconds and downed the saltine crackers, like she was starving from a third world country. Daughter like Mother. Also, while we were being wheeled in a wheelchair to the recovery room, my friend Nina was being wheeled in the same hallway. She is getting her lumpectomy today. We both stopped in the hallway and held each other's hand. Meant to be!

Oh No ......He Di'int

"Hey, Hon? I'm going to the store to by shaving cream....do you need anything?" Wow, what a nice gesture....thinking beyond his own needs. We really are going somewhere in this relationship...or so I thought. "Yes, please. I need some hairspray," I replied with a little sexiness in my voice. If he gives to me...I'll give to him. I get the kids ready for bed, while he goes to the store to get the needed items. He comes back home, excited that he got my hairspray on sale. " I can't believe it was on sale," he says joyously. "WELL! HELLO!" I yell as he pulls out the propane size container of Aqua Net! "This crap is always on sale!" Are you trying to kill me? Have you ever smelled this crap! I didn't even know they still sold this stuff.....isn't it illegal? What year are we in? 1980? Never trust a man to buy you hairspray!

Did You Miss Me?

Well... Hello blog. Did you miss me? I just blinked my eyes and here we are in December. My life is still back in June and can't seem to catch up. Oh well... if I live to see tomorrow all the things I have to do will still be there. Lots going on. Brandon is practicing for his first music concert. He plays the recorder and will be playing Hot Cross Buns and Gently Sleep. I can't gently sleep because I have been hearing him practice for the last couple of weeks. Isn't it funny how we want our children to be well rounded and to learn an instrument? And then they get it home and your thinking......why? Why do I put myself through such torture! Maybe in 20 years, when he is in a rock bank, I'll appreciate it. Gianna is practicing for The Nutcracker. And of course, she is A Flower. Any music that comes on, she does her flower routine. Very Cute. And like there isn't enough to do.....I'm in the church play this Sunday. I hate getting up in front of people. I know! I can hear you through these pages saying. "What? Rochelle, doesn't like to get up in front of people?" Well, no I don't. I'm afraid I'll forget my lines. I can get up and get crazy in small groups. But always seem to be a nervous wreck when it isn't impromptu. Oh well, if I want to get famous, I guess I have to start somewhere.

GIVING THANKS

I'm thankful for:
Waking up every morning with a roof over my head and the smell of coffee that my husband makes for me every morning. Cuddling my children in their beds and the smell of their freshly washed hair and jammies. For my job that provides me money to live. For all the ladies that I work with - they are more than just co-workers, but friends. For my health. My husband and children. I'm thankful for my friends and the little blessings that they give to me on a daily basis. I'm thankful for the gift of humor - for without it I don't think I would have made it this far. For Starbucks and Subway, my two favorite places. For SPANX, which hold in the fat rolls when you want to "appear" thin. I'm thankful for fuzzy socks that keep my feet warm at night. The way my kids whisper mommy. The way my friends hug me tight, even though I just was with them yesterday. The way my husband kisses me in the morning when I'm pretending to sleep. I'm thankful for God, who has never failed me and never has let go.

OUT OF THE COMFORT ZONE

It all started with a simple trip to Walmart. I found this silly 70's costume and wanted to put it to use. But how? My question was answered as I was blasting my radio in the car. I WILL SURVIVE came blaring out of my speakers. "Lets do a spoof video for our friend Shannan to this song!" To say the least, I was totally excited. I told some other girls and they looked at me like I was nuts! Okay.....I am nuts, but that is beside the point. It took a lot of convincing, a couple shots of tequila, and a few glasses of wine to get these girls to step out of their comfort zone. And We Did IT. I just wished someone would have told me that my butt looked like the entire Home and Garden Center at Home Depot in those flowered pants. Who says the camera adds 10lbs? But the amazing thing is that all of these ladies pushed themselves out of their comfort level, all in the name of love for a friend. I got an email earlier today from my friend Cheryl who thanked me for making her do something that she would not have normally done. And it is always so much more fun to do new things with a group of friends! And THEY SURVIVED! Who knows? We may be the next GIRL BAND!