Favorite Gifts: Day 3

Gift Received: April 15, 2005

Scott was released after about 6 weeks in the hospital, on April 12, 2005.  One of the best days of my life.  April 15th is right up there among the best days in my life as well.  Ginger's inspired idea came to life on that day.  Family, friends, neighbors, community, strangers- all came together to lift our family through rough times.  Everyone made "the longest journey".  Whenever I wear that t-shirt I remember that day and the faces that were there.  I was overwhelmed by the scope of it all.  So many people, so much stuff, so much time- all for us.  Amazing.  

One of the gifts we received that day was this mini-van.  We were driving our Hyundai at the time with the 3 kids stuffed in the back seat and Scott's wheelchair jammed in the trunk.  We were "makin' do".  A sweet friend from our newlywed days, whom I hadn't spoken with in some time, made several phone calls until she got the answer she was looking for, and secured this van for us.   It had 60,000 miles on it.  We are selling it this week and it has over 140,000 miles on it.  It took us to doctor's appointments, countless therapy sessions, Grandparents houses, California, and the grocery store.  Its brought home new babies twice, taken kids to soccer games, been fishing and camping, and parked in the sprinkler. (It's only been pulled over twice- in 5 years! And only 1 ticket.) It's been kept running by a selfless neighbor, who serves others endlessly.  This van was more than a gift in a tough time, for me it represents the enormous power for good we each have inside of us.  I am sad to see it go, but I will never forget it, or that day.  

Favorite Gifts: Day 2

Christmas of 2005 I received this red box with a tassel on it from Chloe. She's very thoughtful and loves to buy gifts for others.  The timing of this gift was perfect.  My heart was hurting and heavy that year.  Inside the box I pulled out this little glass angel holding a red heart.

The angel was beautiful, but the message in the box is what meant the most.  The little card inside reads:

Angel Worry Box

The Angel in this box

Is the guardian of your heart.

Give her your worries

and your fears,

So hope and peace can start,

Keep this box nearby you,

And know how much she cares,

For when you need love and joy,

Your angel will be there.

Sis helped me remember my worries and pain are not mine alone.  He is always there for me. Waiting for me to turn to Him. One of the most beautiful, timely gifts I've ever received.

Favorite Gifts: Day 1

I decided as a Christmas countdown I would list some of my most favorite gifts I've received.
I've actually been thinking about this for some time and have a little list going in my head.

Received: August 2009

From: Aidan

Last August we went to Yellowstone.  The first day we hit a "shopping" area (West Yellowstone) Aidan hit the ground running. He had money and he had to buy something.  We were all seated outside at the pizza joint in town waiting for our food and Aidan talked someone into taking him into a store.  He was gone a few short minutes and came out beaming.  His excitement shown in his every move and he watched me intently as I pulled his purchase from the sack.

A statue of 2 gray wolves.

I thanked him and my eyes got a bit teary.  The very first thing he bought and it was for me.  It melted my heart. I loved how excited he was to buy something for someone else.

When I am old and some of my great grandchildren find this treasure I hope they don't question my taste, but rather find this story and realize how beautiful this gift is to me.

A Gift? For Me!

Asher came home from school the other day with a question, 

"Guess what I made in computers today?"

I don't know. What son?

"A coupon book for you!"

You have my attention.

He had practiced his typing and made me a nifty book of 8 coupons.

The expiration dates range from 3 days to 30 days.

So I've been busy turning these things in so as to not waste this thoughtful gift :)

I was very impressed with how well my son knows me.  The coupons are as follows:

This coupon is good for 20 mins. of playing with your hair.

This coupon is good for 2 days of 30 min. foot rub.

1 week of fun with friends.  (He would be watching Grace)

This coupon is for 3 days of cleaning the house. (It would probably take that long to get it clean)

This coupon is good for 1 hour of a nap. (again, babysitter)

This coupon good for 30 min. foot massage. 

This coupon is for 1 back and foot rub for 30 mins.

This coupon is for a 2 hour nap. 

So I was ready to trade in another coupon tonight.  I handed one to Asher and one to Chloe.

"What, I didn't make those coupons Mom" Chloe says.

Don't you accept competitors coupons? I replied.

Turns out she does.

lucky me.

What a thoughtful boy.  3 down. 5 to go!

Wish I Had Video of This

I was tired this morning.  Usually when it's 5:45 and time to take Scott to the bus I really don't have any thought about it- I just get up.  Today I had an internal battle.  I just wanted to stay in my warm bed snuggled with my baby.  You see she was the 2nd child to climb in our bed last night.  The first one left me with  soaking wet pants and part of my shirt.  Lucky for him his bed was still warm and dry and so he climbed into new pj's and got in it.  I got to use the old "cover it with a towel and pretend like you're not laying on urine" trick for the rest of the night.     fun.

I did get up and got Scotty off to the freezing cold bus stop.  After I got the kids off to school and Grace down for her nap I laid on the couch by Cole while he studied his Spanish (okay, he was watching Diego, I just call it language immersion to feel better about it).  It was fabulous for a long while, especially because my phone was off the hook, unbeknownst to me.  Then I heard a very loud knock at the door that woke me from my slumber.  My instincts told me it was an adult and then I remembered the "sheetrock guy" (friend of the Insulation Guy) was coming to repair that crack.     crap.

I jumped off the couch to run upstairs and put on some needed support system under my  pj.'s before I answered the door (Cole was working on unlocking it, but it's really hard). Still in a half asleep daze in my glasses and oversized pajamas I hit the hardwood floor which was covered with a silky backdrop and  SLAM!  I went down on my right elbow.  It was so loud.  And all I could think was "I bet he heard that and is wondering why I won't come to the door".  My elbow was all bruised and had some skin slicked off.

I straightened my glasses, put on my bra, and answered the door like it was all good.  Wish I'd had some video footage of that fall.  We'd all be laughing.