Health Care Reform?

I thought long & hard about whether to post on this issue, simply because I'm not a political blogger, nor do I want to become one. But this bill is going to affect our country for years to come.

I have been faced with the hardship of having no insurance, having to find private insurance, fighting with the insurance company for payment, the list goes on and on. I am in agreement that health care reform is needed. I do not agree that this is the way to do it.

Before you stop reading, let me finish. One of the things that has been bothering me about the whole debate is the anger & name calling. It is a passionate issue & it is bringing out the best & the worst of people. Understandably. I want to try to explain how I feel about it & why, but I want to try to do it in a calm, rational, non-judgemental manner that everyone can understand. Maybe not agree with, but listen. I have listened to the other side of the argument, & like I said, I agree we need reform. And I'm actually a little bit put off that none of the Republican leaders tried harder to find another solution or explain why it might not be the best plan with less... yelling.
Here is the other thing. I am a patriot. I support the office of the President, & I support my President. The President of the United States is MY President. I may not have voted for him, but he is my President. I do NOT have to support everything he says, does or promotes. Blindy following someone without educating oneself on the issues is as bad as blindly opposing the person without listening to the issues.
But I will wish the President success, because I want my country to be the best it can be, not only for me now, but my children & grandchildren.

Our founding fathers came to America to get away from oppression from the government. A government who told them how to live, what to say, how to worship, excessive taxes, and none of these things promoted a healthy & happy life for the people. America was founded with the idea that less government control makes for a healthy & free life. All of this is detailed in the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution of the United States.

I've read both of those documents recently. Yes, I have. I'm not going to even try to explain or interpret anything in them. The language is centuries old & I'm not a history scholar. I know what I learned in school. I just wanted to read them because I personally think all adults should re-read them from time to time, lest we forget.
One thing I do think is that it is not a good thing for the federal government to be in control of too many things in our country. We are on our way to something we might not be prepared for.

Back to health care. Reform is needed. I had to pay out of pocket for a medically necessary mammogram when I was 36. My physician wrote an order for it. I had a lump. My insurance (a group plan) wouldn't pay for it because I wasn't 40. Huh? Things like that are unacceptable.
But requiring people to buy insurance... the federal government will require you to buy insurance. Is that right? Better yet, is that constitutional? Can the government mandate that you buy a service? Sure, they require we purchase auto insurance, but they don't require we purchase a car. I feel that when we allow the government to start telling what to buy & how much to buy, we are approaching a slippery slope. Where does it stop? We just have to be careful.

The other thing I think I can confidently say most people who have a problem with this bill are concerned with is how the health care is going to be paid for. My problem is that with the economy the way it is now, most people are having trouble not only paying for their own insurance, but just putting food on the table. *I heard Joe Biden say yesterday that he understood how people are feeling now, people are sitting at the breakfast table wondering "how they are going to keep their kids in school." Um, Mr. Vice President. I understand your children have never darkened the doors of a public school, but most of America is not worrying about how to pay for "free" public school. Food, clothes, & electricity are what we're concerned with.*

So, to pay for the health care of a few million people who don't have it for one reason or another, the government is going to take even more money out of our paychecks. Money that pays for milk & bread for our children. I don't mind helping people, I DO help people, I feel it's all a part of the Golden Rule, treating others the way I want to be treated, but I do mind the government telling me that I HAVE to & how much & when I have to do it. How resentful will I feel when I can't get my own children something basic & needed because our hard earned money was taken to pay for someone else's health insurance. How do I explain that injustice to my child?

Then there are the small businesses. Actually, let's not even go there. Let's just talk about businesses, companies in general. A company's biggest expense is now going to be the employee that needs a health care plan for their family. Spouse & multiple children. Are they going to keep that employee on the payroll or let them go? I hope they keep them. Government control of a business. See where we're going?

It's the TAKING that is the problem. The government TAKING.

I'm giving worst case scenarios. Or am I? It takes looking at the whole picture, not just saying let's fix it and then giving a pat on the back because we've "fixed" the problem that previous administration allegedly started.

Do I have another solution? I don't. But I'll be thinking.

If we can prevent the government from wasting the labors of the people, under the pretense of taking care of them, they must become happy. - Thomas Jefferson

Food Fight!!!

I have found myself in a place I didn't want to be. Not a terrible thing, I just feel very unqualified. I am in charge of the spring fundraiser at my children's elementary school. We are having a carnival with games & a silent auction as well.
We have decided to have a specific activity at the carnival for fundraising purposes that should prove to be very popular. An organized food fight. I'm excited about it, I think it will be a lot of fun. We have the location secured, but here is the question of the week:
In an environment like we find ourselves in these days, what kind of items are appropriate for a "food fight?" Expired food items? "Faux" food items?
We want to have fun, raise funds for our school, but we don't want to be wasteful or provide an example of wastefulness.
Any ideas, gentle readers?

When Everyone's Super, No One Is...

So I've decided to drop back into the blogosphere with a bang. I'll catch you up a little bit on who I am, first of all...

I am a wife & a mother of three. I used to be the boss at my job, now I'm underemployed. I say "under" because I found a part time job after I was laid off from my bossy job. I am now a substitute teacher. So, I guess I am now the "Faux" Boss Lady.

Anyway, I kind of had an epiphany of sorts recently. Not really an epiphany, because God didn't audibly speak to me, but it was a definite light bulb moment.

I am a perfectionist. I didn't realize how much though until recently. Apparently I think I have to be Super Mom.

I've never liked Super Moms. I've always thought they were overachievers who need attention.

Well. Apparently I am and I do.

I had a friend inform me this week that she didn't understand why I didn't feel I could open up to her about things. I was talking to her about some things going on in my life and suddenly she turned it all around started telling me that she didn't understand why I didn't think she was a good friend and she would've thought I thought more of her after all these years. Please read the previous as exactly the way I've written it. That is not what she said. She didn't turn it all around and make it about me hurting her. That is only what I heard. Read on.

Now I've never been an open book. I actually spent the first 10 years of my married life trying very hard to be a closed book. DH was a minister and living in a fish bowl is never a fun thing. The more you open up about yourself and your life, the more people can use those things to hurt you. Sad thing to learn about in life, isn't it?

But the thing I've learned the past 5 years is that if you don't trust enough to open up, there are so many things you miss out on. Taking a chance and taking a leap is what makes life exciting!!!

But I'm still not a wide open book. And I learned the past few months or so that my plate is much smaller than I thought it was. I've been very overwhelmed by life. DH and I both have. He has taken it all in stride. It's the season of life we're in, this won't last forever. Of course God comes first in our family and our marriage, but by doing that, we also put our family and our marriage before other things.

Our children are getting older and they have activities that are essential for their growth, education and development (physical and spiritual). These activities along with life, jobs and day to day things just happen have us completely overwhelmed. DH says, no biggie, it is what it is right now.

I feel embarrassed that I feel overwhelmed. I feel like I don't want anyone, I mean ANYONE, to know that I can't do it all. I feel like a failure as a mother, as a wife and as a... dare I say it... Super Mom. I'm not a Super Mom. I'm a human mom. And my pride kept me from opening up about how I felt overwhelmed by life. And my friend got offended that I didn't feel I could share it with her. I probably would've gotten offended too. But as I sat and grew more and more indignant at why she would dare hurt my feelings over something I felt was so petty, I got to thinking and I began to pray about why exactly I do not open up about seemingly small things. And here we are.

Now, we all see (hopefully) that it had nothing to do with her. Good grief, this is obviously my issue. I've had so many people compliment my mothering skills, I guess I just became afraid to let them in on the secret. I'm winging it folks. But I am still a great mom, who is going to have to learn how to tell people no and tell people I am overwhelmed and not super. Especially family and friends.

So. Here goes.

My name is Boss Lady. I am a Human Mom. I can't do everything. I can only do what is best for my family and for myself. And sometimes that means saying "No." Sometimes that means not being able to successfully complete everything.

I definitely means modeling encouraging behavior to my children that tells them, "Yes, I am human. But I can try. And if I don't succeed the first time, or if I don't succeed at all, I am still a wonderful wife, a wonderful mom and a wonderful person. Who loves her family and her friends."

How's that for open book?

She'll Be Coming Round the Mountain

So we had a great family weekend trip. We went to the mountains with Mr. Boss Lady's family. It was for his mom's birthday & it was nice. But sometimes family trips are just a pain in the tush.

I love DH's family, I do. My sister in law, Marvelous Marie, is one of my best friends, and our children have the best time playing with the cousins. Wonderful memories were sincerely made this weekend.

Sure, there was a little drama, there always is. And I'll admit, I created some of it. But we had a good time. We had a great time with cousins, brothers, sisters, & grandparents! And that is the truth. DH took our children & Tater, our

nephew, on a hike on Saturday I love how much fun they had and how they were talking about it when they returned. Great memories.

Then Marvelous Marie & I took a mini shopping trip into town & a had a great time reconnecting (life is busy you know). We all had a good time playing games & being silly too.

These kind of trips are good for families to do occasionally with each other.

I hope you all have a great week!

She's All Growed Up

DH's sister Peanut graduated from high school this weekend. I can't believe it. She was 4 when I first met her and she was a small almost-6 year old when she was a flower girl in mine & DH's wedding 12 years ago.

She was beautiful and we are so proud of her. She is going to my alma mater in the fall, so I'm a bit proud of that too.

Way to go, Peanut!!!

Indiana Jones - Don't Spoil It!

Gentle Readers,

Please don't spoil Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull. And what I mean by that is: If you've seen it, don't spoil it for me! We are taking the kids to see it this weekend, and I don't want to know ANY secrets!

I am a rabid Indiana Jones fan and have been since I saw Raiders of the Lost Ark as a kid and I am having fun introducing the franchise to my children. The Flying Monkey already gets excited to see "Indy Andy Jones" commercials on television.

So, don't email me or call me with secrets, and please put SPOILER in your title if you want to blog about it!

Good day. I said good day!

Why I Love Being a Mom

Being a Mom is a wonderful thing. It's one of the hardest and most rewarding jobs in the world. And it is a job. But I LOVE it. There are so many reasons I love being a mom. I wanted to share some of them with you.

* I love being the parent my children ask to kill the bugs.

* I love having to leave 30 minutes early to get anywhere 10 minutes late.

* I love having dirt stains on left front thigh and left butt cheek all during sports season from the monkey on my hip.

* I love being called "Mrs. [child's name]'s Mom."

* I'm proud that I don't have stretch marks.

* It makes me smile when my sister in law (Marvelous Marie) tells me she loves my "relaxed parenting style" and wishes she could do the same.

* I love slobbery kisses.

* I love giving spit baths.

* I love having to listen carefully to my four year old's word to understand. It has helped me become a better listener.

* I love being able to stomach Chicken McNuggets & pizza on a regular basis.

* I love that when I get in my minivan after my husband drives it the Hannah Montana CD is cranked up too loud.

* I love that when I go to bed at night I am so tired I can hardly move.

* I love that my son is still excited to tell me about his day.

* I love that my daughter will still hug & kiss me in public.

* I love having 3 little people look up to me like I can do no wrong and like I am their biggest hero in the world.

Happy Mothers Day to all the Moms, Grandmas, Mothers To Be & Moms at Heart. Have a wonderful day dedicated just to you.

Invasion of the Body Snatchers

I don't know if I've ever mentioned it before, but Number One Son is an incredibly picky eater. Trying new things is not on his "To Do" list.

Tonight was lasagna night and as I placed everyone's plate in front of them, I fully expected to hear, "Oh maaaaan!" as he saw what we were eating. Instead, I heard nothing and when I returned with milk glasses I saw a strange, unexpected sight.

Number One Son was eating his lasagna. Wait, let me rephrase that. He was chowing down. I made a big deal and demanded he tell me who he was and what he had done with my son.

But he was definitely smiling from ear to ear when he realized just how pleased his mom was.

What Makes the World Go 'Round?

Do you ever wonder? Well, I'll tell you what makes the world go 'round. Dandelions. Sounds too simple, doesn't it? Well, it is.

But in our hurry, rush and go lives, we very rarely take the time to stop and smell the flowers.

Today we were rushing, The Flying Monkey goes to see his speech therapist twice a week and we were flying (no pun intended) to get to Mrs. Toodah's office.

Remaining true to himself, Monkey stopped to pick a dandelion. And blow the seeds. I joined him. We had fun. And we were not late.

It's Spring! So Put On Your Coat.

We had a wonderful time this weekend, we had fun coloring eggs, hunting eggs, having quality time together etc., etc. The weekend was beautiful!!!

And today... it snowed.

Crazy.

Overheard - Can I Have a Quarter?

Overheard in our friendly neighborhood Mexican restaurant:

Number One Son: Can I have a quarter?

MIL: What happened to the quarters I gave you last week?

Number One Son: I'm saving my money for college!!!

Daddy's Day Off

Wow. So DH just returned last night from a business trip. A long trip. He was gone for 11 days. In a row. Good LARD, was I ready for him to come home!

We did alright while he was gone, the kids just really missed him and they were really tired of looking at Mommy and especially tired of listening to Mommy. It's OK, I was a little tired of me too.

DH decided he was going to take the day off today to just get some rest. I let The Flying Monkey stay home with him today too. They had a nice boys' morning.

And I was so proud of DH. He has the capability to work from home. It could be convenient if his company would really let him do that. But usually he is working from home when he is home sick. Which I hate, I feel he shouldn't be charged a sick day if he's actually working (which he is). But, who am I? I'm not in charge there and until I am things will stay the way they are! Ha, ha!

Oh yeah, so the reason I am proud of DH - he really stayed home today. Like I said, he usually works when he is home. He just can't help it. "These things have to be done!" is usually what I hear. But today... He didn't open his laptop and he didn't answer his BlackBerry. (well, I have to admit he might have before I got home or when I wasn't watching...) But from what I saw, he never opened them. That's a big deal, folks.

(for some reason, I deleted this the first time, in a fit of "oh, people actually read this" kind of thing... forgive me, it's back!)

How Sweet It Is

My family is fun. More specifically, my children are fun! There is never a dull moment and we always have fun things to do!

We've had 3 fun birthdays and a fun school dance recently. Here are some fun photos! Enjoy!

Number One Son enjoys his sopapilla!

Every good Queenie needs her Tea Time!

The Flying Monkey settles down for a cupcakeNumber One Son busts a moveDancing Queenie

Happy New Year!

I don't make New Years Resolutions. Mainly because I rarely keep them, but also because I feel if I want to turn over a new leaf, I want to do it when I want, not just at the beginning of the year... But mainly because I rarely keep my New Years Resolutions.

So I am going to post about 10 things that make me smile. I have seen variations on this, random things that make you happy, so I thought it would make a good New Years post.
So here goes...

What makes me smile and what will continue to make me smile in 2008:

1. DH. He's a handsome man. And a very talented man. I don't think I tell him either one of those things often enough. We'll be celebrating our 12th wedding anniversary next month and I sincerely love him more today than I did 12 years ago. Awww...

2. Number One Son, Queenie and The Flying Monkey. I would be lying if I said they make me smile 24 hours a day, I but I do just marvel at how wonderful they are. On a daily basis. They amaze me. Biased or not, I have to say that I have the funniest, smartest, best all around kids you'll find!
3. Butterfly kisses. Whether they be from DH, Number One Son, Queenie or The Flying Monkey, it doesn't matter. They make me smile so much my face hurts. That and hearing my children's laughter.

4. Singing. These days most of my singing is in the shower and occasionally in the car. But it still makes me smile.

5. Taking pictures. I, of course, love to take pictures of my children, but then there other things I see that are too fun to keep to myself. I have to take a picture to share what I've seen.
6. Keeping in touch with my friends and family. I love that 13 years after graduating, I know what my college roommate is doing with her life and that we still talk.
7. Margaritas. They probably make most people happy.

8. Other smiles. I love to see other people smile. That will always turn a frown upside down!

9. Girly things. Pink and green things. Frilly things. Shhh. Don't tell.

10. My Dad. He just makes me smile. He's funny.

Are there any special things that make you smile? I hope you have a wonderful, prosperous, Happy New Year and that many, many things in your life make you smile this year.

Hugs Today

My friend, Lois, lost her husband over the holidays. She's a good bit older than me and he had been sick for a while, but it was still very sudden.

It was Christmas Eve and they were visiting her sister. They were all laughing and chatting when suddenly he just fell over into his plate. He never regained consciousness and they unplugged his ventilator on Thursday. He died 45 minutes later.

I cannot imagine. The loss of a loved one is traumatic, no matter what time of year, but to lose someone at Christmas or any other memorable holiday is so very sad. What a way to remember each year.

Lois is a strong woman and I know she'll be alright. She has a strong faith. I know it gives her comfort to know that he was smiling and laughing up until the moment he basically died. But my heart hurts for her.

I feel like an especially bad friend because I missed the funeral this morning. Remember, I said DH let me sleep in this morning? I plan on visiting with her soon, and I probably shouldn't have gone anyway, feeling as badly as I have felt this past couple of weeks.

Give your family & friends hugs & kisses & tell them all how much they mean to you. You never know what tomorrow brings, but you know you have this moment, today.

XOXO

Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays!

I hope you and your families have a wonderful holiday season!!!

For our family it will be about remembering to celebrate the birth of God's Son, the ultimate gift. It will be about making each moment count with our family, continuing our Christmas traditions and possibly starting new ones.

Merry Christmas to you and yours!

A Glamorous Life? I Don't Think So...

I didn't read anything yesterday, I didn't watch the news, I avoided all news feeds. I'm completely distressed on my my own, without reading or hearing abut what Hollywood has to say about one of my children's favorite teenagers. I also didn't want them to hear about it.

If you don't know what I'm talking about, you must be over 80 or Amish. No offense to either. :) Jamie Lynn Spears - star of Zoey 101 (which my children watch regularly on Nickelodeon) and little sister of Britney Spears - is pregnant. She's 16.

DH told me yesterday morning and he was downright angry. We have watched Zoey with the kids and have talked about how we hope she takes a different path than her sister and surrounds herself with smart people who only want the best for her. Oh well.

Now, I had my distressing time keeping the Vanessa Hudgens scandal from the kids. But this is so much worse than some nudie cell phone pictures. This is forever for Jamie Lynn and it's sending a message to our children. It's OUR job to decide what that message that is, not Hollywood's.

Now, don't get me wrong, I am not going to toss Jamie Lynn to the curb, she's a child, she made a mistake. We've all made mistakes. She also has a few things stacked against her, one being her Mother of the Year Nominee mom, Lynn. I don't know anything about raising a family in the public eye, but I do what it's like to raise a family. And it is hard work. I said it's hard work being a mother who has the best interest of her children at heart. It's not hard work to live vicariously through your children.

The second obstacle Jamie Lynn faces is being Britney Spears' little sister. Especially recently. No matter what she does, she is Britney's little sister. "I hope she doesn't turn out the same way as her sister!" We even have said it. I did read on a celebrity gossip page (I just ratted myself out, didn't I?) that Britney had warned her sister over the summer against moving in with her boyfriend. Who knows if that is really true, but I can appreciate a big sister wanting the best for her little sis.

The bigger picture here is that an unmarried 16 year old girl is pregnant. She may have a boyfriend, but the reality is that she has to carry & raise this child and face the music. Top it off with the fact that she is a celebrity role model and we have a multitude of children who are confused and wondering what's going on. Now I have several friends who have beautiful children that they had very young. Teenagers. It happens, you know? Their children are beautiful and not mistakes by any means. All children are blessings and deserve to be celebrated. My concern is that, as a public figure, this might all be misinterpreted by children who don't have an adult at home to help them sort it out. Teenage pregnancy is not OK, and it's not glamorous, no matter who it is. Jamie Lynn has a long, hard road ahead of her and I want my daughter to know that.

As I've been typing, I have lost my train of thought several times, there is so much going through my mind! I caught the end of a segment on the Today show this morning where they were talking about this and they were saying this is an opportunity to talk to our children about sex and responsibility. I agree in some respect. There are opportunities to talk to our children about things everyday. A celebrity scandal should not be an opportunity to begin conversations with our children. I hope we can take it as an opportunity to continue to talk to our children about a multitude of things. Responsibility, respect, obedience, life, love, consequences.

I visited Jamie Lynn's website this morning and it was painful to be reminded that she is a child. Simple as that. Go see what I mean.

No, I am not Mother of the Year. In fact, most days I feel quite inadequate. But as a mother, I am full of so many emotions as I hear this breaking news.

Good luck, Jamie Lynn. We wish you the best.

Priorities

I have always thought where a person places their priorities tells a lot about them as a person. It tells you where their true loves lie, tells you what is important to them. Like Matthew said, For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. He was actually speaking of money and things like that, but it applies a little.
We get to go celebrate my 2 nephews' birthdays this weekend. Tater & Coo weren't born on the same day, but their birthdays are pretty close together. The celebration falls in the middle of the afternoon on a Sunday afternoon. We have several things to do that day, it IS December, you know! But hey! I wouldn't miss this for the world! Good grief, if I didn't have Number One Son, Queenie & The Flying Monkey, those 2 guys would be spoiled worthless!
So, we are making it a priority to go celebrate their special days with them. Why wouldn't we? I could go to a PTA room parent meeting, but if I missed it for something silly like that, I'd be a pretty sorry Aunt, wouldn't I? LOL!
I have learned in my "old" age that making my family a priority is what is important for me. Now that doesn't mean dropping plans with The Flying Monkey to go rub FIL's feet. It means making ourselves available for our family. It means eating Mexican food with FIL instead of the pot roast that I was planning on cooking for dinner. Because that's what makes FIL smile. It means paying $3.50 / gallon for gas to go after Thanksgiving shopping with Mamaw in her town so she can buy Queenie some shiny shoes. Because that's what makes Mamaw happy.
It means letting Tater & Number One Son wrestle and scream together on a regular basis. Because when they are in their 20's they'll laugh about it while watching the UGA game together!
So, I hope you all have a great weekend, go spend it with your family or your friends, whatever you have decided is important for YOU!!!

Happy Thanksgiving

I'm with the Fam at my folks' house, sitting here recovering from Thanksgiving dinner. I'm sleepy and full. And so thankful for many things and so many people in my life.

My Family: Mom, Dad, Nana, Dede, Uncle B, MIL, FIL, Peanut, PKP, Teem, Marvelous Marie, The Virtuous Vol, Tater, Coo and all my extended family who I could spend all evening listing. I have the best family in the world!

My friends: Gracie, whom I've known since I was 5 and is one of the truest friends I have; Supermom, my wonderful kindred spirit; Marvelous Marie, who I talk to everyday. I am very blessed to have many wonderful friends who are true friends indeed, and I love them all. Again, I could spend all night listing. They know who they are.

Health: Being healthy is an incredible blessing.

My job: It's a good stable one and these days I know it's a blessing to have a good job.

My children: Number One Son, Queenie & The Flying Monkey are my 3 greatest accomplishments. I really mean it. I am my own person and my children don't define who I am, but I really don't know what I would do without them in my life. They are the sunshine in my life and I am so very blessed to have 3 beautiful healthy children.

DH: Seriously, this man is the best thing that ever walked into my life. He loves me like no other, understands my little idiosyncrasies and, well, sorry, here it goes.... He completes me.

My God: Through it all, He loves me and has remained faithful to me, His child. Even when life has handed us things we didn't ask for or understand, He has been there. What a wonderful thing! He has also provided me with the wonderful things in my life that I am thankful for!

Thank you!!

I hope your Thanksgiving was wonderful! What are YOU thankful for?

Touched Lives

When you are a part of a circle of friends you are touched by whatever touches the lives of those in your circle. The larger your circle becomes, more life events touch yours.
In our circle of friends, we have been touched by new love, old love, births, illness & death. We have celebrated, prayed, and mourned with our friends. And our friends have celebrated, prayed and mourned with us.
The illness part is what is really on my mind at the moment. Our lives have been touched by cancer a lot in the past few years. I used to think it was odd how often cancer had touched our lives in some way or another, but then I realized, as I said earlier, it was because our circle had expanded so.
Of course, we have probably all someone to sickness or possibly a tragic event. Death is hard, no matter who it is, how old they were or what happened. But when it is a "younger" person, seemingly with a lifetime ahead of them, it seems even more tragic.

Of course, cancer isn't a death sentence; it is often a second chance at life. A chance to re-evaluate what is important and a chance to get reacquainted with the special relationships in your life, the human ones and the spiritual one.

DH had a cancer scare about 3 years ago and it brought about some rearranging of priorities for our family. I can remember thinking, "How in the world do people who don't have a relationship with Christ, or even for that matter believe in God, get through something like this?" That's another blog for another day, however. About the same time this was happening to DH, 2 of his college buddies were diagnosed with cancer. The Cute One (affectionately named so by one of my bridesmaids) has been in remission for 2 years and E lost his battle last year. Uncle B recently had successful surgery to remove his cancer and M has recurring lymphoma which we continue to pray about. And I recently had my first mammogram (see Breast Cancer Awareness post) which was prompted by the discovery of a lump.

I have a friend who was recently diagnosed with a very aggressive Her2 positive breast cancer. Rosabella had a bilateral mastectomy and will begin her chemotherapy soon. She has been an inspiration to me. Did you hear that? To ME, I said. She has 2 young children, the same age as Number One Son & Queenie. And she is sending out humorous updates on her progress. I don't mean I smile and tilt my head to the side when I read them. I laugh out loud and shake. She's bringing sexy back to breast cancer treatment! I want to be bald too! You think I'm kidding, but I'm not.

So, our circle is all the more rich for knowing E, continuing to pray for M, celebrating with Uncle B & The Cute One and for knowing, celebrating & praying for Rosabella.

My prayer is that your circle has only been touched by love & celebration, but the reality is, I know it hasn't. I do hope that you grab every opportunity to celebrate your love, celebrate your life, celebrate your family, celebrate your friends and celebrate your God. He has a plan and that circle is a part of it.