Faith | It's a Vivas Thing!

Apr 04 2010

Can I Share?

Warning: this may turn into a rather long blog!

I am blessed. Not just with an amazingly awesome family, but with friends and a church that mean so much.

As some of you may know, I've had a rather rough year so far. Two months ago, I had a surgery that turned into a long battle. I became septic and have battled that, along with a wound that didn't want to heal and a strength that refused to come back. I went from the queen of energy to not being able to care for myself at all, let alone my family.

But, God has blessed us. Our friends & family were there with us in the hospital, going shopping for us, taking children where they needed to be, bringing meals into our home and getting our children out for a breather when needed. My children have stepped up; taking care of mom, instead of mom taking care of them. And my husband; words cannot express. All I can say is that our marriage has reached a new level! 🙂

A few weeks ago, Easter discussion began. Should we cancel our annual party this year? After much begging from me, we decided to move forward with it. 🙂 After being cooped up in a house for two months except for doctor's appointments, I needed my party!

Friday, my children really stepped up and gave the house a once over! It was wonderful to see them work together and get things done quickly!

Saturday, a couple of sweethearts came over to help with the cooking; which was considerably less since others had volunteered to bring things I usually make! B-boo also helped me put together the dozens of eggs for hiding and the Easter baskets for the next morning.

Tradition has us hiding baskets each year for the kids to find. We get up early and film and take pictures of the kids finding and then raiding, their Easter baskets. This year, hubby had to be at church by 7 am. And he wasn't coming home until shortly before the party started. And you know what? I think this was perhaps the biggest blessing of all. You see, my children weren't so worried about finding their baskets. They were more concerned with helping dad and mom get the little ones ready and going to church. And the little ones didn't complain at all about going to church before they found their baskets.

It wasn't even mentioned.

Not that tradition isn't important. But I will share what an amazing moment I had, when I realized my kids get it. They understand the real reason we celebrate Easter. They understand that while *tradition* is fun, there are just certain things that mean more. And so, we went to church and worshiped and celebrated. It was my first Sunday back, so B-boo kicked me out quickly before I could be caught up in the crowd. She is more like me every day.

And we came home, and they got to work setting up tables and doing the little things that had to wait until the last moment. And it was only after Dad got home that we quickly found our baskets; baskets that are steeped in tradition. The same baskets that Grandma had made for each of them when they were born; the same basket that my oldest son, for the 1st time in 22 years, was not here to receive.

And shortly after, our house was flooded. Flooded with friends that have been there for us for the past two months; for the past year; for the past several years.

We are blessed, indeed. And when we circled up outside for prayer before the feast, I looked around. I was overcome with emotion and tried so hard not to cry as my husband thanked everyone and then asked for the blessing. Our home was brimming; inside and out, with over 80 friends.

They were smiling, laughing, making memories. And it was amazing.

Someone came up to me at one point and commented, "You're not loved are you?"

Her point?

Our house was full. Full of His love; a love most definitely worth sharing!

Apr 01 2010

Realizing What We Have

Every Thursday, "Good, True and Beautiful" hosts Just for the Joy of It. I love this and look forward to posting something that brings me joy each week. There are so many little things that I often speak of; family times & giggles, friendship, etc….

But…

This morning, it was brought to my attention in my prayer and Bible study; what brings me joy is the ability to read His word. To pray for my children, my husband, my church, my friends, those in need. And more.

What brings me joy is knowing that I can trust in Him, no matter what. And knowing that I can go to His word and receive His comfort, His wisdom, His love.

There are many who can't.

There are many who won't.

My joy today, is not only knowing that I can, but actually doing it.

Mar 25 2010

Fun Times

It's been six weeks since my surgery and this madness started. The most maddening part is still having to be on bed rest (couch rest) when my brain is back to functioning!

And it is great friends, young and old alike who help me to get through it.

Phone calls are great.

Playing hearts with *my girls* are even better!

Winning even better! LOL…does that make me shallow?

And chocolate eclairs.

And the unexpected blessing of a meal for my family.

And friends that miss me and show up on a Wednesday night with ice cream and cookies and a long chat.

These are some of my *JOY* this week!

And it is family, who are so sweet. Bible study in the morning with the Smart One.

Doing B-boo's hair for dance try-outs.

The Princess allowing me to comb through her hair and get the tangles out, because she asked me to.

Nice weather; cuddles, chats, and giggles.

These are the things that bring me joy this week!

Mar 23 2010

Whiners

I have a problem with whiners. As a mom of five plus two, I've put up with a lot of whining over the years. I've learned to tune a lot of it out. Sometimes I'll address it in a not so normal way; depending on what the whine is about. The following are actual conversations:

Whiner: "It's not fair! How come bla bla bla?"

Me: "Because I love *** more than you today."

This is followed by an open mouth stare. But hey, it stops the whining!

(And yes, my kids know I love them, so don't think too ill of me!)

Whiner: "Why do I have to bla bla bla?"

Which is usually followed by me with, "Why do I have to bla bla bla?"

They stop, because they know I can come up with more than they can!

There are many times, of course, when I will simply suggest that I can adjust their attitudes if they'd like me to.

The two youngest are the worst! Whine combing hair; whine brushing teeth; whine making their beds. Whine, whine, whine!

Even the dumb dog is whining this week! Joey drives me nuts. I'll admit it. When we first picked out the dogs, he was hiding. We waited forever to see him. I should have walked out while I had the chance. But, I had three children and a grandma looking at me with those pitiful faces and we went home with two pups that day instead of one.

Roxy could care less if Joey is around, but Joey can't handle it. It's even worse now that she is in heat and I have them separated. He seriously has not stopped crying for days and won't eat. (Actually, he finally ate a bit yesterday after several non-eating days. I wasn't too worried though, because if food drops on the floor, he bee-lines for it!) He's whining so much that we've had to move him to the garage! And I can still hear him. The only time he stops whining is if he thinks I'm going to let him near her. NOT!

The worst of the whining is in my head! I am absolutely, without a doubt, stir crazy! I am tired of being bed-ridden/couch-ridden. I try hard not to cry, but sometimes, it gets the best of me. (I'm sure the added hormones for healing are not helping). I'm tired of being in pain. I'm tired of not being able to sit and not hurt; stand and not hurt.

Yesterday was bad, too. I had to attend a meeting and the elevator was broke, which meant I had to walk up two flights of stairs and then sit on a pillow on a hard chair for two hours. By the time I got home I could barely move.

And then, I didn't particularly care that I have to deal with things longer than I want to deal with them. I wanted to scream, "I'm tired, God! How much more?"

And then, my eldest informed me that he won't be spending Easter with us because he has other plans. Which I understand, but it's been rough so far this year, and I really wanted my family with me this Easter. And it sucks that he is getting older and is making his own plans that don't' include his family.

And then…well, my wound was a mess last night.

And I cried and cried and cried. And hubby came in, and I whined and whined and whined.

Poor man.

I can't stand whiners.

Especially when the whiner is me.

So, this morning, when the Drama Queen came in whining, I just had her crawl in bed with me, told her I loved her, and cuddled with her for a bit.

Sometimes we just need a hug.

(Please excuse me now; I have to go take care of a whiner…stop laughing.)

Mar 03 2010

Memories

Recently, Hubby has been going capturing old videos and transferring them to DVD's. We've had so much fun watching them; laughing as we remember things long forgotten. It's been fun to show our children what they were like when they were babies; the obvious love we had for them as newborns.

Yesterday, hubby came across some pictures of our dear friends from 1993! I just have to share this one and tell the story behind it!

This is my sweet friend. She ALWAYS makes me laughs. Someone once asked me to describe her, and my reply was, "She's the type that when she walks into a room, you automatically smile." We've been friends for over 17 years. We met when our husbands were working at an office supply store together. Turns out we were all the same age (give or take a few months) and we went to the same church. So, one weekend, the husbands decided the wives should meet. I was six months pregnant with the Talented One at the time. I'll never forget walking into their superbly clean, white apartment. The men introduced us, then walked into another room to do something with computers and left us standing there alone.

And we've been talking ever since!

The above picture was taken several months later, on an outing we took right after the Talented One was born. But the story to the outfit she was wearing brings back forever memories.

You see, we'd decided to go on a camping trip for Labor Day weekend. We waited and waited for them, and finally drove over to their apartment to meet them and hurry her up. When I walked into her bedroom, she was standing there, IRONING her cute little green outfit with white polka dots. To go camping. In the woods.

In her defense, she'd never been camping before; and I don't believe she's ever gone camping since.

I still laugh today at that outfit!

We had so much fun on that trip! She also took with her WHITE sweats. I'd have to say my fondest memory was sitting on the rocks, peeling potatoes.

And of our strapping young husbands, taking a bath in the freezing creek. And having the Good Looking One, six at the time, join them.

We've come a long way from "The Princess Bride" every Friday night at our house. We haven't made home made pizza in ages. They have three children now that keep them busy and her husband is gone much of the time, flying people here and there. We've a houseful of kids ourselves now!

But we are still there when it's important. We still make each other laugh. And we still have those memories.