My TMI post of the week

Totally not how I wanted to spend my Thanksgiving break.

Went to the ER early Saturday morning. Turns out I was having a gall bladder attack. Before they could take it out, though, they had to get my blood work under control. All of my electrolytes and proteins were extremely low. So they pumped me full of fluids and potassium to get them up, and took out my gall bladder Sunday morning.

I really thought that being forced to relax and watch Food Network all day would have been a little slice of heaven, but being hooked up to two IVs and only able to eat ice chips was not the way to do it. I was never so glad to get home to my little girl!

Thank you so much to everyone who has taken such good care of my family, watched Katie, brought food, offered help so freely. Especially to my dearest husband, who juggled girl and home and me so capably. I am so blessed, and thankful for all of you!

I'm so thankful for...

...soap and water.

I'm so thankful for...

...my brother.

I'm thankful in his choice of a wonderful wife. I'm thankful that they live so much closer now. I'm thankful for his friendship.

I'm so proud of my brother.

I'm so thankful for...

...this week being almost over.

I debated whether or not I was even going to post something tonight, because I didn't think I could do it without being negative. So I'm going to try. This has been a yucky week. Nothing major has happened, but so many little things have gone wrong that it has made me feel very stressed and out of control.

So I am thankful for my upcoming days of rest. I am thankful for the opportunity to refill my bucket, so I can continue to fill the buckets of others. I am thankful for peace and quiet.

I'm thankful for renewal.

I'm so thankful for...

...the fact that my family is safe.



When I look at this picture, or think about my dad, I send up a prayer of thanks that we are all safe. That for some reason, the Lord isn't ready for us, yet. I think about what could have happened way more than I should, and that scares the bejeezus out of me. It's making me hold my little family a little closer.

The Lord and I, we've come to an understanding over the last several years. I've put my heart in His hands, and I trust in His plan.

But I'm probably not driving to Seattle again anytime soon.

I'm so thankful for...

...reflection.

I got this idea for a series of posts about gratitude from a friend. She recently had a very negative experience, and was able to turn it around into a reflective opportunity to let more light shine on her blessings. It's been eye-opening to force myself to articulate what I am thankful for. Life has not been easy for me the last few years, and I try very hard to live in those beautiful little moments that arise quickly but seem to be gone before you fully grasp them. I know very well how life change irrevocably in an instant. It has been a very healthy, very calming way to end my day, to think back on everything that happened and choose one moment that I want to share. Sometime it's been silly, but mostly it's been something heart-filling. And even on the silly days, I've been grateful for those deeply personal moments that are too sacred to share with the universe.

So, I guess I'm also thankful for blogs!

I'm so thankful for...

energy at the end of the day!

The one thing that makes Mondays fun is that Katie has gymnastics Monday evening. Although sometimes we have to leave early, the nights that she is able to stay the whole time is exhilarating! I have so much fun with her. She is so stinkin' strong, and watching her make her little body do the exercises is amazing.

Plus, Momma gets a workout, too! It's hard work chasing her around!