My baby is three years old today! Happy Birthday Christopher!

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Going To "Hampshire" To See Da "Goyals" !

The first thing Christopher said when he woke up this morning was "NOW, can we go to Hampshire and see Da Goyals??" He started packing his bag. He is so funny. He isn't the only one who is excited! I am a little anxious about going to Toronto for New Year's though. He and I will be flying to Toronto from Manchester on the 29th. What makes me anxious is the fact that he decided to hold on to all of his "terrible two behavior" and pulled it out of his hat three weeks before turning three! Yikes. He has just been a handful these last few weeks. Last night, he was having such a tempter tantrum that I just packed him up in the van and drove to daddy's office. We walked in the door and I said "I need help!" Poor Colin looked scared! lol I don't care one bit if he acts up in front of my family. We have tons of kids in my family and everyone had been there, done that and has the T-Shirt. But, when I go to Toronto, not so much. When Christopher starts acting up in front of Colin's family, I literally break out into a sweat. And I know that most of his behavior is OUR fault for pushing him beyond his limits; late dinners in noisy, crowded restaurants and strangers coming up to him expecting to be greeted with open arms. It is very stressful. SO, I am praying for a very low key visit there. Obviously, I won't be posting until I return, which will be January 3rd! MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE! HAPPY NEW YEAR! GOD BLESS XOXO

Family Time

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We had a wonderful weekend in Orlando! It was nice to spend time together and enjoy Christopher! I'm sure I will be posting more pictures and talking about it more later! No time today!!

Happy Birthday Britany!

How did that happen??? I blinked my eyes and my little baby doll turned 18 !!!!

Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas!

Okay, so maybe I am a little PMS, but is that any reason to choke back tears in the middle of the grocery store just because Bob Seger's "Little Drummer Boy" was playing over the store's PA system?

It is a good reason if you have been reading my blog and Ann-Marie's blog these days. The situation with Ann-Marie's friend, Hope, has made me stop and smell the roses for sure. I look differently at almost everything I do these days. Maybe through her suffering, others, such as myself, may begin to better appreciate the gifts that we have been given; family, friends, home and most especially...life itself.



As I listened to the words of "Little Drummer Boy" in the produce section of Publix, my mind and my spirit were in a small cave in Jerusalem looking in awe at this baby and at the people who had come to honor him and bring gifts. I thought about the Roman centurion who begged Jesus to save the life of his servant and remembering his words to Jesus, I said to myself "If you say it shall be done, I know it will be done" and asked him to please heal Hope.




Christopher has been going through a tough time ever since we returned home from Thanksgiving in Orlando. Poor baby can't understand why his sisters can't come over or we can't just hop in the car and go to "Hampshire". It didn't help that Daddy was away for a couple of extra days after we arrived home.

One night, he made me SO sad. He wanted his sister, Hope. He kept saying "Wait for Hopey" when I tried to explain that Hopey wasn't coming home that night, he said "Don't be worried Mommy, maybe let's just see" and he went to the front window in the kitchen pulled up the blind and a chair for me and said "Come Mama. Let's wait for her" and he sat in the window looking down at the street below. I just cried. He did the same thing for Daddy every night that he was gone. He has been so fussy ever since.

Last night, I drove him to Colin's office and as soon as he finished giving some instructions to his nurse, we walked out the door! He has been working such long hours, I think it has finally taken a toll on Christopher. Since getting back from Orlando, he doesn't want to get dressed or go outside. He wants to just stay in his PJ's and watch TV. When I try to insist we go to the park or Busch Gardens, he has a melt down. Soooooo, Daddy said we are going to Disney this weekend! Yippie! You know you don't mess with Doctor's orders! =)

Why?

As I read Ann-Marie's blog for updates about her friend Hope, I am just left asking "Why?" I just don't get it. I really need someone to explain to me how there can be murderer's and rapists and child molesters breathing air and planning visits with family for the holidays when there is a beautiful, young woman with two small boys asking Ann-Marie help her wash and dry her hair because she has family and friends flying in to say good-bye to her.

Ann-Marie helped decorate her hospice room with a small tree and lights. Hope's two boys came to the hospital with Christmas gifts for mommy telling her to get better soon. They have no idea that this will be their last Christmas with her and how their lives are about to change forever. I think about all of the amazing miracle healing told in the bible and wonder again...."Why?"

Although I only met Hope on a few occasions, she is on my mind these days constantly; as I am doing laundry, making a meal, playing with Christopher or talking with loved ones on the phone. I think about how we all take these daily activities for granted and how each day that we have is a precious gift and sometimes feel guilty that I am able to go about my daily life while another woman's is slipping away.

I still pray for a Christmas miracle and hope that you all will too.

Close Call For Mindy

My daughter's poor dog, Mindy, was hit by a car last night! She is lucky to be alive. She had emergency surgery and is resting at home. She has a fractured skull, but the vet said because a dog's brain is placed to the back of the skull, she did not suffer any brain damage. He said that if they are gentle with her and she gets plenty of rest, the fracture will heal fine. Phew. Lesson learned. We all prayed to St. Francis and are grateful that she is recovering.

Prayers Needed...

I have a request to everyone who reads my blog. Please go to my sister-in-law's blog (Cooper's Corner) listed to the right here under "Blogs I read". Her dear friend, Hope is dying of cancer. She is gravely ill right now. She has two small boys, ages seven and four. I would like everyone to please pray for her and her family during this most difficult time. Hope's blog is listed on Cooper's Corner if you would like to take a peek into the life of this very brave young lady. (Hope for the TA TA's) Thank you.

Prayer for the Sick
Dear Jesus, Divine Physician and Healer of the sick, we turn to you in this time of illness. O dearest comforter of the troubled, alleviate our worry and sorrow with your gentle love, and grant us the grace and strength to accept this burden. Dear God, we place our worries in your hands. We place our sick under your care and humbly ask that you restore your servant to health again. Above all, grant us the grace to acknowledge your will and know that whatever you do, you do for the love of us. Amen.