As You Wish

I've had a couple experiences this week that really touched my heart. They were definitely an answer to prayer and proof that we have a loving Heavenly Father who listens to us and knows exactly what we need when we need it!

This summer has been unique. It seems that I've had more to do than ever before. Max's new career choice means he's on the road travelling more than he's home. That means that I'm both mom and dad. I'm in charge of the house inside and out. I've taken over all of Max's chores and added them to my own. Also, I have also started working in Max's local office part time as the A/P clerk (accounts payable). I am also trying very hard to make the summer days special for my kids. I want them to look back and say, "Man! I used to love summer vacation! There were so many fun things to do!"

I know that there are a lot of women out there that are doing this already and they are doing it better than I am. I realize that my situation is not unique... heck, it's not even special. But to me, it's new and I'm trying to adjust to it. I'm trying to find the balance between what has to be done versus what can wait until there's more time.

Fortunately, the kids are winning. I think we've had a lot of fun this summer and made a lot of memories. Unfortunately, the house is losing. The laundry is piling up, the dishes are making it to the dishwasher, but there are still many that need to be hand washed. I need to reintroduce myself to my vacuum.

Buttercup has taken on the chore of getting the lawn mowed, but neither of us know how to run the weed whacker or the leaf blower (both help the lawn look really nice!) Thankfully, there was so much rain during the month of June, I haven't had to chase sprinklers much this summer, because we are the only house in the neighborhood -- probably the whole town of Florin -- that doesn't have a sprinkler system. I didn't buy even one pony pack of flowers this year. The only flowers that are blooming are perennials... or weeds.

Thankfully, I am blessed with the ability to be optimistic. For me, most days are viewed through "rose colored glasses." However, I have also had moments of despair. Moments of thinking, "what in the heck are we doing?" as I go to bed alone... again. I have had moments of feeling completely and totally overwhelmed. My prayers have been, "Please give me the strength to endure."

Don't get me wrong. Not every day is filled with negative feelings and despair. I have enjoyed many wonderful visits this summer with family and friends. I have reconnected with people that I love that I haven't seen in years. And it's been wonderful. I have felt rejuvenated by the love I feel from my kids; my parents and siblings; my neighbors. It's not all bad. Really it isn't.

And I had proof again this week that life is good:

Buttercup went on a vacation this week. Alone. Without me. Without Max. Without Inigo. I put my baby girl on an airplane all by herself and sent her to Oregon to visit Max's sister.

**Disclaimer: Okay!! I know my "baby girl" is 17 years old!! But this is the first time she's gone away without us! I'm trying to adjust!!

After we dropped her off at the airport and as I was saying goodbye to Max as he was going off on yet another business trip I realized that I was going to be the lawn mowing person this week. I seriously hate mowing the lawn. I was dreading it and planned on putting it off until late in the week... as long as I could possibly go.

Imagine my surprise when I got out of the shower on Tuesday and I could hear a lawn mower in my back yard. At first I thought it was just the neighbors mowing their yard, but it finally dawned on me they were mowing my yard!! I didn't ask them to. Max didn't ask them to. I didn't tell them that I didn't want to mow this week. Maddle Faddle (age 17) just had the impression that she could just keep mowing my yard after she finished hers! And she mowed the entire yard!! Her mom, Jillwanna, (age not disclosed) followed behind with the leaf blower.

WHAT A BLESSING!!! (And my yard looks wonderful!! THANKS GUYS!!!!)

Today something incredibly nice happened. Maybe you've had a similar experience, but for me it was a first!

I took Inigo and his friend, Bullseye, to Guilder to go to the Museum. To make the day even more "special" for the two of them, we decided to get lunch at McDonalds. Moving slowly through the drive-thru, we were laughing and talking about the cool Titanic exhibit we were going to see. I placed my order and moved forward to pay the bill.

When I arrived at the window, I tried handing the clerk a $10 bill. She looked at me and smiled and said, "The lady in front of you already paid."

WHAT!?!?!

Seriously, that's what I said. She shrugged her shoulders and said, "She already paid. You can move forward."

I have heard of things like this happening. I have even thought about doing it myself. But I've never followed through with it. I can tell you that I will follow through the next time the prompting hits me. I'd love for someone else to feel as special as I did. I'd love to be as nonchalant as that lady was... I kept yelling "THANK YOU" out my window, but she pretended not to hear me for a long time. Finally she just gave me a wave and drove off.

Isn't that wonderful?

And what's even more wonderful is that I was reminded that I'm not alone. Even though I don't have Max with me as much as I'd like, I have the companionship of someone else that loves me. Someone who loves me just as much, if not more than anyone else.

I'll put my "rose colored glasses" back on now!