Land of the Free

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thanks Connie!

Get a ticket, take a train, take a bus, take a plane...just get her there!

Gracie, for all intents is a "California Girl" this week!

 She left yesterday morning @ 7:30AM aboard an Amtrak heading north...then caught the Metro, then a bus to the airport where at 4:20PM she took off for sunny california.  At 9:30PM EST, she called from Denver where she was boarding yet another plane to land in Cali @ 11:50PM EST.....

She landed!  She landed on solid ground, and into David's arms I'm sure.

Today is all about Laguna Beach.

Later this week Disney World.....


Oh to be young again!

Gifts....

Today, as I was waiting out a torrential thunderstorm, I heard a big "bump"...figuring it was storm related, I didn't pay much attention to it.  Later, when I went to go out for the day, I discovered a box on my doorstep....it's early mind you...around 8AM.

I took the box and my coffee into the house, and even though it was package I ordered, I felt a certain amount of excitement and anticipation as I ripped into it...I found, Christmas gifts for Ellie and others

box of goodies

  It's such fun to receive gifts! It's rewarding to give gifts....but, I think it's most important to be thankful for gifts.  The gifts we are given every day.  The gift of a smile well timed, a kind word, a sunset, a good cup of coffee, even things we don't always receive as gifts.  Things like running late, that take us out of harms way when a traffic accident happens, or a routine Xray that discovers an unknown lesion.  These things are not coincidence, really they're providence, all a part of God's plan.  The plan that he has to PROSPER us, to GIVE us a FUTURE with HOPE, to PROTECT us and LOVE us, no matter what....what better gift could we ever have?  Sure, I still like the wrapping and ripping, but somehow my day has a different tone to it now....all because of a cardboard box....on my porch this morning.  Thank you GOD for the gift of you.  Help me to be more aware of my gifts everyday.....those delivered to me, those I give, and those that come disguised as annoyances.  They are all gifts, and for that I am thankful.

What a promise!  What a gift!

Not so Lazy Sunday...

Today was a lazy sort of day.  I got up after a restless nights sleep.  My knee still hurts.  For the first time in a long time, I'm dreading going to work tomorrow already.  I don't like that.

In an effort to change my attitude, I got busy.  I made a spinach and mushroom quiche to take to Dan & Jackie's.   I always enjoy being with them. I got the kitchen cleaned up before I left so I could come home to a clean workspace.

Cinny

Nanny

Once I got home , I felt like a zoo keeper!  For the next few months, the animals are going to outnumber the people in the house!  I bathed and groomed Nanny, cleaned Cinny's litter box and fed his finicky little soul, then moved on to Newton's cage.  I let him him run around for a while and fed him some spinach.  Once the menagerie was settled, I read for awhile, then checked in on Mom.  She is sounding better from her respiratory illness.

LBI, New Jersey=Heaven on Earth

Gracie called on the way to Atlantic City.  Sounds like she and David are having a good time!  I think I could too if I was able to go to sleep with my window open to the sound of the ocean!  They need this time together, and I hope it's good for them!

Gracie & David
May 2011

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Hopefully, sleep will come easier tonight!  There's a gentle rain and it's cooler..... I've got alot on my heart and mind, so I think I'll spend the rest of the evening in quiet reflection.....oh yeah, and with some Dove chocolate. The chocolate can't hurt and it might even help!

Thanks.....I needed that!

On this day of your life, Debi, I believe God wants you to know...

...that your light is seen, your heart is known, your soul

is cherished by more people than you might imagine.

If you knew how many others have been touched in

wonderful ways by you, you would be astonished. If

you knew how many people feel so much for you, you

would be shocked.

You are far more wonderful than you think you are.

Rest with that. Rest easy with that. Breathe again. You

are doing fine. More than fine. Better than fine. You're

doin' great.  So relax. And love yourself today.

Then take in God's love. Right now, take it in. You

deserve it.

Love, Your Friend.... 
This was today's version of "God Wants You to Know"   It was very timely.  I really needed to see, read, feel these words today.  It's been a tough week, lately, it's been a tough life in some respects.   So....just when I needed it most, affirmation that I can and DO make a difference, it's in my mailbox...God is still in the small stuff!

Happy Mother's Day to Me

Busy weekend of errands, but also time for rest and time with my mom and kids.  Last night we had dinner at Mom & Dad's.  I fixed dinner and we enjoyed baked chicken, salad, broccoli with cheese sauce, bread and best of all, strawberry shortcake.  Thomas and Olivia "played" for a while and I think Olivia really enjoyed it.  She and I fixed up a little gift for her to give Grandma and she was so pleased with herself.  She is an awesome kid despite her circumstances.  I really appreciate Tony bringing her to Mom's so that they can see her.

Today, Thomas and I met Mom & Dad for lunch.  The Carpenter's joined us.  Al was with them..it was good to see him again.

I heard from Grub many times today....I love that kid!!

I got FB messages from L & K.  Hope Lohryn enjoyed her first Mother's Day.  Sylvia, as well as Keith and maybe Shari were there.  She called while we were at lunch and left a message too...I hope that her experience with motherhood is filled with blessings and that she will have to know little of the hurt that I've felt.  I wish her joy!

Dan & Jackie treated me to brunch yesterday and the company as well as the coffee was wonderful!  I was nearly brought to tears when Dan gave me a drawing he had done of Gracie.  I love it!

 Despite the tears and hurt of being excluded in the birth of Baby Ellie, I am blessed beyond measure! All that really matters is that she is healthy, which she is and that she is loved.  Hopefully time and maturity will bring clarity to all involved.

Thank you Lord for allowing me to be a mother....toughest job on earth, but I wouldn't trade it for the world.

Now to enjoy the stellar dinner that Thomas has inspired...french toast with berries and cream, eggs and bacon...LOVE IT!
LOVE HIM!

Rock A Bye Baby....

Sweet baby girl ELIZABETH MARIE POST is here!  She arrived on Tuesday, May 3, 2011 at 5:26PM.  Since she was born about 5 hours away, I haven't seen her yet, just a blurry photo on the phone, but she was precious, all 7lbs, almost 21 inches of her.

Reportedly, all are doing well, and are resting and getting to know one another at home,

Welcome to the world little El...Bibby loves you, but that pales in comparison to the love that Jesus has for you.  May your life be blessed by his love and protected by  his hand!

Baby, be blessed!

It is done...

What a contrast from my "Royal Affair/Respect" post. Today's post is bittersweet.  As I was catching the news last night, I was hit with the breaking news that Osama Bin Ladin had been killed.  On the one hand, that brings a small measure of peace and vindication, on the other, another family is now in immense pain.  To be sure, Bin Ladin was an evil man, but to someone, he was a dad, a husband, a son.  His death does not a secure country make.  I don't know the answers to these tough questions...it's a good thing I don't have to make them!

What I do know is that I immensely respect and admire all those who gave some, and most especially to those who  gave all.  Thank You.