A New Baby....Without the Labor

Any of you who know me might know that I love dogs!! Any time there are dogs for sale out by WalMart or in a pet store I have to stop and see them. Well this time, one of them stole my heart and was the right price.

Our newest addition is Comet and he's only about 12 inches long and weighs maybe two pounds. He's a miniature Dachshund and should only get to about 8 pounds. He's finally winning the hearts of our other dogs, Boomer and Rudy, and loves to tease them relentlessly. Although he has to bite everything in sight and reach and can't sleep through the night yet, we adore him!

I like this way of having another baby. No pregnancy and no labor and the potty training is already almost done....Wahoo!

Being a Mom

I'm sitting here trying to formulate my thoughts about what it is to be a Mother.

I was the youngest of seven so therefore had a very busy mom...that is, until my older siblings got married and left home. My memories of mother were of her cooking and sewing and as I grew older I remember thinking that it was a pretty dreary life. Cooking and cleaning and other motherly duties seemed very unrewarding to me. (No offense, Mom!) And I wondered what she was going to do when we all left the house. I couldn't understand why she didn't want to work.

Maybe my memories are a little out of whack because I wasn't the best child. I think my parents were often frustrated with me and "up-in-arms" as to how to handle me. But as I look back now, I applaud my mother for committing her life as a mother and taking joy in that work.

I'm trying to be a stay-at-home mother. I still have a bit of that messed-up view that my work at home is not rewarding or very appreciated and that has made my life difficult. The "world" would have me believe that I can't be happy unless I'm out there making my own money and "contributing". But being a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, I have been taught differently. Things like, 'the work I do in the home has a more eternal reward', and that 'nothing compares with the duties and joys that come from raising my children'. I believe that is true and I'm striving every day to write it in my heart and soul so that I know that what I do is of worth!

The other day my hubby and I were watching something on television and a book was mentioned regarding the worth of mothers. I said that I would like that book sometime. Well, my loving hubby decided to find it for me but purchased the wrong one...by mere coincidence?? I don't think so. He bought me the book by Jane Clayson about motherhood and it really speaks to my heart. Any mother out there who wonders about her role in the home and gets discouraged should definitely read this book! We are a powerful force in the world! We are shaping and teaching the future generations! What can be more important than that? Money and fame and recognition are so fleeting but what we do as mothers will last forever.

I hope with all my heart that I never forget this important work I have to do. And I thank my mother for her determination to do her work so well. What a great example she is to me! Thanks Mom!

Tidbits of thought

Lessons I've learned while being a partial invalid these last two weeks.

1. Service isn't as hard as it seems. A little phone call, a short visit, even a note with a snack or meal has brightened my world. I shouldn't be afraid or feel that someone else will do it.

2. Do you notice that the same few people are always the ones to sign up to give and help? And those few, in my eyes, are the people that seem to be happiest. They're the ones that I have often thought of as my examples of how I want to be...is it coincidence that they give so much of themselves?

3. It's selfish when I don't give service. In the past I would often think, "I don't know them well enough", "Someone else will take care of them", "I'm too busy with...". My good intentions are not enough!

4. Simplify. Slow down. Enjoy. And nurture friendships.

5. God is good. His ways are not our ways. He waits for us to reach out for his hand. He wants to bless us.

6. A thought from a dear friend (put in my own words because I can't remember quite how she put it): Live your life in such a way that each morning when you wake up, Satan says, "Dang! She's awake again!"

Step on a Crack...

We've had an event of a lifetime today all because of a little bit of ice. I was going about my usual day and as I stepped out the door to go to work, I slipped on some ice on my front step and fell. Now usually, this would be a case of hurting my tailbone or something like that but I happened to land the middle of my back on the edge of the step -- and that's when I heard the crack! I sat there stunned for a few minutes and then, like a small child that realizes it just got hurt, I started to freak out. Any movement was so painful that I decided to give screaming for help a try and when that didn't work I shifted my weight to retrieve my cellphone from my back pocket. This movement, of course, made me a little hysterical so when I finally got my neighbor on the line they couldn't really understand me but got enough that they came rushing over.

In a rush of phone calls to hubby and 911, they even thought to cover me with blankets. My mind, in trying to forget the pain, thought of the strangest things -- "wish I had a camera right now to record the event", "I just painted my fingernails and now they're probably ruined", "I just spilled my full cup of Diet Coke!! - bummer!", "I've never broken a bone before...will this be the first?", "Wahoo, I can at least move my legs so it can't be that bad"

I was glad to see a familiar face driving the Ambulance and it was comforting that he knew me by name. The shift to the backboard was painful and I'm sure he's got some marks on his arms from my hands hanging on to him. Then when we got me in the ambulance my neighbors, and hubby, gave me a blessing. It was an interesting first ride in an ambulance.

At the hospital, they took X-rays and a scan as well to see what the damage was. And the verdict - (drumroll) - compression fracture on one of my vertibrae. Nothing they can do for me except pain meds. So now I'm home and loopy from the shot they gave me in the ER.

I want to give a great big shout out to every one who helped me through my day today! Great neighbors, friends and new acquaintances! I especially want to thank God for whatever intervention was made on my part today. The one thought that kept going through my mind when I felt the pain was, "Christ knows this pain..." He helped me endure.

Case of Mistaken Identity

You know how cats love to climb on things and make it their bed?? Our Bassett, Boomer, has decided to follow the example and has made the back of the couch his bed (when we're not around, of course). He is so much like a little child because he knows he's not allowed on the couches but he insists on taking things as far as they can go. I will admit, though, that it was my Rudy who taught him the trick (Rudy is allowed on the couches because he doesn't shed).

And to trace it all the way back, Rudy learned this wonderful trick from our previous cat, Enu who made it all look so easy and comfortable.