Not Me Monday

So I haven't done a Not Me Monday in awhile so I have a "few" confessions that don't need to be made!

I did not have a doctor at work give me something for a headache that is "not a narcotic yet"! (don't worry, I DID wait to I got home to take it and it really didn't work). I did not pluck a pair of dirty shorts out of the laundry for my daughter to wear to avoid an argument about what to wear today. I did not purposely wear a certain pair of shoes because my toe nails need to be cut and painted sooo bad and I'm too lazy/busy to do anything about it. I did not sneak into my sister in law's candy drawer and snag several handfuls of gummy bears. I did not go to Wal-Mart and buy new socks on the way to work because I was feeling sorry for myself and wanted something fun to cheer me up. I did not finally give in and get unlimited text for my middle schooler because I got tired of hearing how EVERYONE else has it, why can't we??? I do not read said texts to make sure the conversation is appropriate! I did not let my children have friends over to spend the night so I would not have to entertain my children, their friends where here for that! Wow, I could keep going but this list is starting to get really shameful so I'm going to bow out now!!!

Amy

Just Thinking

Obviously this has been an America Changing week. In one week we have lost 3 stars of my childhood and one of my children's childhood.
I remember watching Star Search and seeing Ed McMahon with his big over sized glasses announce some many truly untalented people, all the while dreaming about one day being a contestant myself.
I remember dancing the Thriller dance in my living room over and over again. I loved Micheal Jackson! My best friend and I used to roller skate to him on the neighbor's black top all day long.
I remember my big sister watching Charlie's Angels. I will never forget the "hair" lady!
Today when hubby told me about Billy Mays my children knew who he was before I did. When DQ said "mommy, it's the oxiclean guy!" I knew then who he was. I thought he was the baseball guy!
Anyway, all this being said as big as these losses seem to us we have a much greater loss right here on my own street. Our neighbor Fibo died the same day as Farrah and Micheal. While our street mourns a beautiful christian woman whom was adored and loved by "locals", the world mourns these superstars. I have to wonder though, who will be missed more? I think the answer is a clear hands down winner: Fibo! She has children, and a husband, and grandchildren, and friends, and neighbors, and church family, and on and on and on. She was personal. She was real. She was love. We barely knew this woman and yet she made us a cake when hubby's dad died. I feel a loss simply because I didn't get to know her as well as others did. I am now regretting and mourning a relationship I could have had.
All this to say while it's ok to be bummed about losing our childhood stars, hang on to the people in your life that you really know. Hang on to the REAL people. Grab ahold of what you have and don't let go, cause you may never know what you've lost till you've lost it.

Amy

Just a Friendly Reminder

To whom it may concern......

I work nights, don't call!!!!!!!!

Amy

Stellan..... again

I ask now that you please stop what you are doing and spend some time in prayer for sweet Stellan. I have posted on him in the past. He has a heart condition since he was in his momma's womb. Stellan has defied the odds in many ways. First of all he survived to be in this world. Second off he still has this condition which in the past has always been resolved after birth. Third of all he has his own unique type of SVT that is proving to be quite stubborn and difficult to treat. So please be in prayer as this family has been laid on my heart and hopefully yours too.

Amy

I Think I Can

Here's a brilliant idea: close my eyes real tight, take a deep breath, and ....... pray that when I open my eyes my house will be spotless, the laundry will be washed, folded, and put away, supper will be cooked, and my kids will be fast asleep in their beds with no needs, hunger, or owies. Here's hoping!!!!!!

Amy

A New Kind of Dance

A friend of mine sent me this in an email. It's kind of a neat reminder.... Enjoy!

Is God Dancing On Your Potato Chips?
By Connie Raper
Not too long ago I had "one of those days." I was feeling pressure from a writing deadline. I had company arriving in a couple days and the toilet was clogged. I went to the bank, and the trainee teller processing my deposit had to start over three times. I swung by the supermarket to pick up a few things and the lines were serpentine. By the time I got home, I was frazzled and sweaty and in a hurry to get something on the table for dinner. Deciding on Campbell's Cream of Mushroom soup, I grabbed a can opener, cranked open the can, then remembered I had forgotten to buy milk at the store. Nix the soup idea. Setting the can aside, I went to plan B, which was leftover baked beans. I grabbed the Tupperware container from the fridge, popped the seal, took a look and groaned. My husband isn't a picky eater, but even HE won't eat baked beans that look like caterpillars. Really frustrated now, I decided on a menu that promised to be as foolproof as it is nutrition-free: hot dogs and potato chips. Retrieving a brand new bag of chips from the cupboard, I grabbed the cellophane and gave a hearty pull. The bag didn't open. I tried again. Nothing happened. I took a breath, doubled my muscle, and gave the bag a hearty wrestle. With a loud pop, the cellophane suddenly gave way, ripping wide from top to bottom. Chips flew sky high. I was left holding the bag, and it was empty. It was the final straw. I let out a blood curdling scream. "I CAN'T TAKE IT ANYMORE!" My husband heard my unorthodox cry for help. Within minutes he was standing at the doorway to the kitchen, where he surveyed the damage: an opened can of soup, melting groceries, moldy baked beans, and one quivering wife standing ankle deep in potato chips. My husband did the most helpful thing he could think of at the moment. He took a flying leap, landing flat-footed in the pile of chips. And then he began to stomp and dance and twirl, grinding those chips into my linoleum in the process! I stared. I fumed. Pretty soon I was working to stifle a smile. Eventually I had to laugh. And finally I decided to join him. I, too, took a leap onto the chips. And then I danced. Now I'll be the first to admit that my husband's response wasn't the one I was looking for. But the truth is, it was exactly what I needed. I didn't need a cleanup crew as much as I needed an attitude adjustment, and the laughter from that rather funky moment provided just that. So now I have a question for you, and it's simply this: Has God ever stomped on your chips? I know that, in my life, there have been plenty of times when I've gotten myself into frustrating situations and I've cried out for help, all the while hoping God would show up with a celestial broom and clean up the mess. What often happens instead is that God dances on my chips, answering my prayer in a completely different manner than I had expected, but in the manner that is best for me after all. Sometimes I can see right away that God's response was the best one after all. Sometimes I have to wait weeks or months before I begin to understand how and why God answered a particular prayer the way he did. There are even some situations that, years later, I'm still trying to understand. I figure God will fill me in sooner or later, either this side of Heaven or beyond. Do I trust Him? Even when he's answering my prayers in a way that is completely different from my expectations? Even when he's dancing and stomping instead of sweeping and mopping:? Can I embrace what He's offering? Can I let His joy adjust my attitude? Am I going to stand on the sidelines and sulk, or am I willing to learn the steps of the dance he's dancin' with my needs in mind? I'll be honest with you: Sometimes I sulk. Sometimes I dance. I'm working on doing more of the latter than the former. I guess the older I get the more I realize that He really does know what He's doing. He loves me and I can trust Him. Even when the chips are down.

Amy

There Aren't Words

Ok, so I'm going to be pretty vague, but I just have to share what has happened to me at work without putting HIPPA violations into effect. Wouldn't want to lose my license now would I?

Let's just say that I work at a VERY large hospital and the chances of me getting a repeat patient within a few days of each other are incredibly slim. What's even more slim is if this particular repeat patient is one that needs more "help" than we unfortunately can give her. Social services and police and stuff like that are having to get involved.

Anyway, a few nights ago when I had this young woman I was very saddened and at the same time very angry. I just couldn't help her the way she needed to be helped and yet she didn't need the help badly enough apparently to take what help I could give her. Last night she was sent over to us from another hospital. When she walked in the room I felt my jaw drop. She wouldn't look at me, wouldn't even hardly talk to me. When I asked her if she was one in the same she denied it, even had a different name this time. Now I am not a confrontational person, but I am also not going to be made a fool of. After admitting her and taking her history, knowing her answers before she even gave them I began to get VERY angry. I actually had to step out of the room and regain my composure. Finally I just very calmly sat down and talked to her. I told her I knew she was not telling me the truth, and that I could not help her if she did not tell me the truth. About 15 minutes later I finally got her to admit she was indeed the woman from the other night. Whether the rest of her story was true or not I do not know, but I do know now how much help she really needs.

Long story short. After much anger and frustration I began to realize something. Maybe God brought her back to me. She needs someone to help her. She is scared, alone, and in trouble. If she had not come to me last night then they would not have recognized her and she would not have gotten the help she needed. Sadly I'm so very limited to what I can do as a nurse. I can make sure her and her baby are healthy. I can give her referrals, and phone numbers, but I cannot make her use the resources I have given her. I was able to convince the doctor to admit her and get case management involved in her situation. That hopefully will set her on the road to the right direction. However, I've come to realize I CAN do more for her. I can pray for her. I don't even know her real name, or even if her story is true, but God knows. He created her, and He sent her to me. He wants to help her and I bet she doesn't even know it.

Tell me, am I doing my job? Did I do enough? I may never know, but I guess that is where faith has to step in and take over.

Amy

Observation

I am feeling just fine until it's time to go to work. Then I get sleepy, sleepy, and sleepy.

I oversleep when I have somewhere to be, but when nothing is going on I'm wide awake at 7am.

When I have money to spend there is nothing I want or need, but when I'm broke I need/want everything!!

When I'm hungry there is nothing in my cabinet, but when I'm not hungry I'm overloaded!

When BB and DQ are in school they aren't tired at night and impossible to get up in the morning, but in the summer they still aren't tired at night, but get up bright and early in the morning.

These are just some things I've noticed....... sound familiar to you????
Amy

Summer and Stuff

Well, we've officially had 1 full week of summer break and it was a busy one. We went to the pool twice, I worked 4 days, we had a birthday and a birthday party on 2 different days. We have had church and youth socials. We have had gymnastics and riding lessons. In fact, I'm having a hard time figuring out what we didn't do this week!!

This week brings vacation bible school, more gymnastics and riding lessons, and I'm guessing more pool time. We also have an orthodontist appt. and a doc appt. BB has to get shots...... OH MY!! That alone is going to be worth blogging about!! I will be working the weekend away as hubby and the kids go to the H. family reunion.

Also, there is church every Wed. night, Sun. morning, and Sun. night. Whew!

Coming up July 5-8 is kids camp, then July 12-16 is music camp in North Carolina. Oh, also my big sister is bring my nieces and nephew to visit. Wahoooo!!!!!! Finally, we have middle school open house July 21, then back to school. Wow, where did it all go??????

Hope you are having a fantabulous summer so far!
Amy

Bad Blogger

I admit it. I forgot to blog about BB's 11th birthday. Well, sort of! We celebrated on his birthday as a family (and neighborhood), but his party is tonight. Hmmmmm, 9 11 year old boys WOW!!

BB, I love you! I remember so clearly the day you were born. You were an angel! Even as a baby you were so smart. If you couldn't figure something out you would sit and stare at it like you were trying to make sense of it. You were so quiet and you would just stare forever!

You have always loved your mommy. You weren't having a babysitter. I tried to work and you just wouldn't go for it. You still hate me not being home!

What I wish for you this year...... I pray that you will begin to grow in the Lord. He is number 1 buddy; nothing matters more than Jesus! I pray you will come to understand that this year and take a stand for what you believe in. You are starting middle school this year, and you are to be a light in a lost and dying world.

You have never been afraid to be who you are and I hope that you keep it up. I pray that you will make wise choices with friends. There will be so many people you are about to meet! I know that you are going to be a fantastic 11 year old!!!!

Happy Birthday Bunkybear! I love you!

Mommy