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Jack was my only son who had the common decency to be born during the middle of the day.  That is why I can remember the details of his birth so vividly.

There was no rushing to the hospital in the middle of the night.  We calmly got up and got dressed.  The older boys stayed with some friends the night before, so we had a quiet morning.  I was going to be induced, so it was the first time I didn’t scowl at Matt for driving the speed limit on the way to the hospital.

The whole process was quite pleasant.    In fact, at one point during the morning the doctor ordered the nurse to turn up my meds because I wasn’t in enough pain.  After a lunch of ice chips while watching the Price is Right, I felt a twinge so I summoned the nurse and said that I would like that epidural now.  She said I was third in line.  Unlike the grocery store, this was truly a short line and no one in front of me tried to sneak 20 items into the express lane.   I never reallylost my patience or  felt much pain at all.

So about the time Oprah came on, I was ready to give birth.  Jack popped out, and the doctor held up this beautiful baby with the biggest brown eyes and a head loaded with  jet black hair.  Jack looked at me directly as if to say, “That was some ride!”  I can still picture his big eyes.  Probably the daylight steaming in the windows helped make this day especially clear.

Jack reminded me last night that he was actually due on the 4^th.  He has always had a gift for numbers.  He remembers dates like the birth date of his great grandfather.  In the car he repeated back the phone number for the radio station contest when the rest of us couldn’t remember.     He notices how much money is in the Mega Million Jackpot and reports when someone wins.  He used to regularly check Matt’s company stocks on my iphone to see if we are “winning.”  He only asked for money for his birthday, so he can save for an itouch which costs nearly $200.  He counts his money and spends it carefully. 

And, Jack, I count it a joy to be your mom!

Happy Birthday!

Oprah may have her “Aha” moments, but I had a “Thank you, Lord Jesus” moment yesterday. 

We live at the top of a fairly steep drive.  I currently do not own a four wheel drive vehicle.  And it has been snowing– lots. 

Of course, going down the hill is no problem.  Sliding down sideways is a different sort of problem, but that has only happened once back when I was a much less experienced snow driver.

So I have had to trudge up the hill more than once when I failed to make it all the way to the top of the hill.  Yesterday was one of those days, but I was prepared with boots for me and the kids.  I also had a car full of groceries.  The boys ran their book bags into the house then came back down the hill to help me unload.

Jack was standing on the porch when I was bringing up the last load.

“Is that all?” he asked.

I just stopped and smiled. 

The normal reaction when I ask the boys to do something is to do as little as possible then make themselves as scarce as possible.  Jack genuinely wanted to make sure that he finished the job and make sure that his mom didn’t need anything else.  There is hope. 

But I couldn’t help reflecting on my own attitude toward what God asks me to do.  Do I go the extra mile?  Do I cheerfully ask, “Is that all?” Do I desire to complete my tasks and have a willing, servant’s heart in response to all God requests of me? 

Shamefully, no.  I don’t.  But realizing how much joy Jack’s response brought to me, I will try harder to respond the same way.  I will do what is required then ask, “Is that all? Lord, what else would you have me do?”

It is February.  Do you know where your resolutions are?

You know the ones that you wrote down or at least thought about writing down.

I started out on the Special K diet.  That only lasted for one meal–breakfast.    Then I was tempted to try the Taco Bell Drive Thru diet, but I couldn’t leave the house for a week due to the snow.

Man, being snowed in really makes you hungry.

Watching those kids trudge up and down the hill from inside my cozy house just made me want to warm up a big bowl of soup and drink another hot chocolate.

So as I sit here and tick off my list of unfinished projects and good ideas and intentions, I realize that this year is already 1/12 over.  So I have now designated February as the month to finish it ALL.  I will check off EVERYTHING on my list.

My mom snickered when I told her this.  Of course, it is totally her fault that I even have a list.  She has kept a spiral notebook with her list in it as far back as I can remember.  We are both list makers.  We shake our heads at all those non-list makers and wonder how they get anything done.  (Maybe they are doing things instead of merely writing down what they want to do. There is a thought.)

I did check almost everything off my list yesterday.  I only have three things on my list today.  I read in a magazine that 3 is the maximum number of items you should put on your list.  Listing more items than that transforms your list from a “to-do list” to a WISH LIST. 

I can see that.  If my list is too long I really do WISH that someone else would do it for me.  Having only three items forces me to complete those before I jump down and get started on #10 before #3 is finished. 

So that is my resolution.  Make shorter lists and check off everything on the list. 

Write today’s blog—CHECK.

Do you ever feel that God may have put you here on earth to make other people feel better about themselves?

Do you ever think to yourself in the middle of one of your stories that the person you are relating this hilarious event to is actually GLAD that she is not you?

Has anyone ever said about you, “It could be worse–we could be like the _____?”  (This did happen to us in the church parking lot one time.)

Do you ever look over while you are typing a blog and notice that there are 8 M&M’s under the chair in your TV room?

Do you ever wonder if the 5 second rule is really just an urban myth while you pick up M&M’s off the floor and eat them?  (OK I am just kidding about that one.  The M&M’s are still on the floor. . .for now.)

God made me with a sense of humor.  He knew  I would need one.

So in keeping with my calling in life, I will now relate all those things currently in my life that will make you feel better about yours:

I still have Christmas decorations spread all over the ping pong table in the basement. 

I have lost my hair 3 times, and some days consider that those were the best hair days of my life.

I sometimes feed my kids pop tarts and cereal all week long. (Ok, Ok sometimes they eat that on the weekends too.)

The one day that I did try to make breakfast last week (cinnamon toast!!!), it burned.  Seriously, there was smoke.

I checked Will out of school to  go to the orthodontist office last week.  We were there on the wrong day.  I had the right location, the right time and the right child.  Can I at least get partial credit?

I have started 4 books since Christmas and finished none of them.  But I have read several magazines cover to cover.

My husband was helping me out by taking the baked potato soup out of the oven.  Somehow he sloshed the soup onto the door, and it went inside the door between the exterior glass and the interior glass.  (OK if this has happened to you too, you are starting to make ME feel a little better about my life.  If you can now tell me how to get it clean, I will feel tons better.)

Even though I have survived cancer, I still get mad when I can’t find my car keys.

My kids are closer to their Bible reading goal for the month than I am.

Jack did show up to his basketball game last week with 2 different colored socks on.  (He does this on purpose for some reason.)

So I hope that some of those things make you feel better or at least normal.  I was recently bemoaning to my mom the fact that all my friends’ houses are so neat.  My mom said that I needed to find some messier friends.  But maybe my purpose is to be their messy friend who makes them feel better.  Yes, that must be it.

I am loving life today.  And not JUST because we had a snow day.

I do enjoy those though.  We played Monopoly and went sledding in the dark after eating down at GG’s house. 

Since February is the month when we actually talk about love, I thought I should write this month about how much I love living and all the things I love about life.

Last month marked the 5^th anniversary of my cancer diagnosis.  I am beyond blessed to be here.

In Cancerland there are two benchmarks.  The first benchmark is at one year.  At this point many patients have already completed their treatment.  I was still in treatment at the one year mark.  I could see the light at the end of the tunnel.  I knew I only had 6 more months to go, and some of the worst was over.  Whew.

The next big milestone is the 5 year mark.  When the doctor first talked to me about my prognosis, this was an important number to me.  How many people with my cancer live to see 5 more Valentine’s Day?  Of course, there are many factors that play into this number.  The prognosis is affected by the size, spread and nature of the cancer.  Going into surgery I knew that my prognosis was good unless they determined that my cancer was at an advanced stage.  It was mostly stage 2 with some stage 3, so that is why I got drugged (chemo) and zapped (radiation) in addition to surgery.

So, 5 years is a big deal. 

George was only two when I got sick.  I remember feeling devastated that he might not remember me. 

Now I am devastated thinking about what they might actually remember:

 “Remember how Mom used to scream like a banshee in the mornings to get us ready for school?”

But I didn’t have to yell at them this morning.  And that is why I love snow days.

Today is Will’s birthday.  He is 11.

He loves for me to tell him the story of his birth.

It was one of those moments in life where everything seemed normal, and then suddenly it was not.

I was just settling in, hoping for a nap because that is what happened after I got an epidural with our first baby.  But anyone with more than one child knows that no two kids–or their births– are alike.

Will’s heart rate started to dip.  The doctor looked up at me and said, “We need to have this baby in the next 10 minutes.” 

I just stared at him.  Labor with Brady was long and difficult. I pushed for 4 hours.   Was he kidding?

Apparently not.

 In seconds our room filled with equipment, lights and lots of people in blue outfits scurrying around.

The panic didn’t last long.  In less than 10 minutes my little blue boy was born. 

Instead of the usual congratulations, there was silence. 

Instead of Will being placed on my stomach for me to admire, he was whisked off to a metal table and surrounded by a team of doctors and nurses.

Still silent.  No crying.

Finally I looked up at my doctor and asked, “Is he OK?”

He hesitated as he looked over for a signal from the other team then finally said, “Yes.”

I finally got to snuggle him and said, “So you’re the little guy who has been kicking me awake every morning at 5:30.” 

Will still gets up early.  He sets his alarm so he can get up and shower before school.  He is usually dressed with his book bag ready before I make it out of the bedroom.  The other morning he even got breakfast set out for everyone without me asking.

He is growing up fast.  And I think he is growing up just fine.

 I love you, Will!  Happy Birthday!

5=inches of snow on the ground when we woke up

16=chilly degrees outside

4=boys who believe that praying combined with flushing ice cubes down the toilet can make it snow

500=pieces in the puzzle we started

6=times the boys asked to do something other thanput the puzzle together

10=nutcrackers packed away

13=items to donate to goodwill

2=boys who had to brave the cold to feed the chickens twice

1=boy who was glad it snowed so he won’t have to make up any work because he is sick

20=shirts that didn’t get ironed today (obviously this has been put off more than once)

1=phone call from my college roommate to plan a weekend visit

15=pairs of socks that each boy had to match

4=happy boys when their great grandmother returned from a 3 week trip to St. Louis

3=calls to my mother to plan beach vacation (Think summer!)

5=times we checked the snow schedule before we found out that school is canceled again tomorrow

7=things already on my to do list for tomorrow

1=mom grateful for a snowy day

My kids went back to school today, and I already miss them.

Last year in our Christmas letter I celebrated the fact that my husband and I have now reached the golden age of child rearing:  we don’t worry about the boys’ safety when we see a loose plastic Wal-mart bag lying on the floor, and they are not yet old enough to ask for the keys to  drive themselves to Wal-mart.

 I was reminded of this today.  It was 16 degrees, and I stumbled into the grocery store to make sure we had enough milk for the next snowstorm.  I audibly wished my children were with me in the grocery store.  Yes, I said that.  Can you believe it?

I know.  Some of you with toddlers are shaking your head because you dread taking your children to the grocery store.  You would rather wait and go at midnight or put sharp objects under your fingernails than drag all your offspring up and down the aisles.  I hope I can give you a little glimpse into your future.  It will get easier soon.

My boys are now very helpful in picking up heavy things, pushing the cart, loading all the groceries onto the conveyor belt then packing them all in the car.  And when we arrive home, guess who gets to unload them and remove them from the plastic bags?

I feel a little spoiled.  I feel a little relieved.  I feel very thankful to God for the blessing of my sweet, obedient boys.

I hope that they are having a great first day back.  Remember boys, summer is just a few short months away.

Congratulations to Christina for submitting  the link to “Star Wars According to a 3-year-old!”  She won the Chrismas Cheer Contest! 

Thanks for everyone who sent in videos and voted!  I hope the videos brought a little cheer to your holidays!

Have a safe and happy Christmas as we celebrate Christ’s birth!

Greetings from the Ski Lodge! 

We just sat down and watched all the video we recorded yesterday of the kids sledding and making snowmen.  FUN!!  Church was cancelled, and we will probably be snowed in for a few days.  I called my mom in sunny SC to see if she would finish my shopping for me. 

A BIG thank you goes out to all the readers who entered the Christmas Cheer contest!!!!! 

It was great fun watching all of the videos.  I am a little concerned about what some of you are doing in your free time, but I would do almost anything for free Chik-fil-a, so I don’t blame you. 

In fact, here is a picture of me dressed up like a cow to get some free Chik-fil-a.  I take my chicken seriously.  I also have no pride. 

Please vote by leaving a comment with the entry # you think is the most FUN.  ANYONE can vote, so get all your friends to vote for yours.  Chik-fil-a and Starbucks are at stake. (One vote per email address.Voting will end at 12:00 PM on Monday, Dec.21.  At that time votes will be counted, and the winner will be announced.)

 Thanks again for playing along.  I know it is not for lottery-proportion-winnings, but laughing during the holiday stress IS priceless.   

Have a VERY Merry Christmas!

Entry #1 Monks singin Hallelujah Chorus  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZCFCeJTEzNU

Entry #2  Surprised Kitteh http://www.viddler.com/explore/cheezburger/videos/244/

Entry #3  Lawnmower taking out snowman http://abc.go.com/primetime/afv/index?pn=player&itemId=1461323

Entry #4  Girl on Carriage  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ZZ3Hv93q1Y

Entry #5  Laughing Baby  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5P6UU6m3cqk

Entry #6  Evolution of Dance   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dMH0bHeiRNg

Entry #7  Evolutuion of Dance 2 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=inLBPVG8oEU

Entry #8 Star Wars acc. to 3 yr. old  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EBM854BTGL0&feature=player_embedded

Entry #9  Sneezing Baby Panda  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FzRH3iTQPrk

Entry #10  Baby Dancing  http://s196.photobucket.com/albums/aa103/samjsmom/?action=view&current=Shake20whatcha20mama20gave20ya.flv 

Entry #11  Doggies Decorating http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AUtPKbMwnRo&feature=player_embedded#

Entry #12 A Merry Microwave Christmas http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q4mw_zia-Vk&feature=player_embedded#

Entry #13 Christmas Lights Gone Wild  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rmgf60CI_ks&feature=player_embedded#

Entry #14  Nutcracker Christmas Lights  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RJISYEbPF4E&feature=player_embedded#

Entry #15 Cookie Boy http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E8aprCNnecU&feature=related

Entry #16 O Holy Night http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mk4woNRD7NQ