The Lessons You Learn From Your Mother

Yesterday was my mother's birthday, and here are a few things that I've learned from her:
1. The power of a mother- 'I brought you into this world and I can take you out of it.' That comment can stop you in your tracks. What's really scary is that she still means it, even though I'm an adult!
2. You only inherit good traits from your mother- "You must have gotten that from your father, cause I would never!" For some reason that was always followed up after we didn't do something right.
3. Just laugh!- She has this ability to find humor in everything and then her chuckle is contagious. She finds David hilarious, which unfortunately only encourages him even more.
4. Be there for your family! No matter what's going on, my mother has no problem dropping her plans, and being there for us.
5. Who are you again?- If you don't remember someone's name, just go down the line of names that you do know, and you'll eventually get to it. I can't even count the amount of times, that we were called the dogs' name before she called out ours.
6. Survival Techniques. A few years ago, I was home for Halloween and we were cutting pumpkins. I had to have a challenging design which turned out pretty good, except for one piece. No need to worry, mom would super glue it! The siblings and I had gone to bed, but mom was still up doing some things, including fixing a pumpkin. Unfortunately, she super-glued herself to the floor and for some reason we couldn't hear her calling for help. In the end, she was able to stretch far enough to reach for something under the sink that eventually allowed her to become free. Sorry mom, I promise we didn't hear you scream for help. Although, have learned that Goo Gone will help you detach yourself from the floor.
7. Reading is important! She has such a passion for reading. We never have to guess if she's read a book or not, it's more like "So, how many times have you read this one?"
8. It's important to listen to others. Thank you for listening to me on my way home from work. It's great comparing who's kids have done something worse that day.
9. Love your animals. - Much like Daisy Mae's order of our household, my mother's dogs are on the top. Sometimes even pushing the kids off the list:)
10. Life's Timeline- I'm on a timeline for giving her grandbabies!!!

A little need of inspiration...

I must confess that I came home in tears yesterday. Unfortunately, I felt as though it was one struggle after another. It's days like that, while they can wear me out, I know they make me stronger. God must have known that I needed a little inspiration, because I sat in on a lesson that the counselor did with my children today. It was about hopes, dreams, and believing in yourself and others. These are a few things that I sometimes forget to do. I watched this video from Dallas ISD's Convocation and had goosebumps with tears in my eyes. I thank this young gentleman from the bottom of my heart for reminding me!

This is a great video, even if you're not a teacher: http://www.dallasisd.org/keynote.htm

Sharing A Bit of Heaven

While David and I were in San Diego, we found a wonderful place called YoGo Tango. I fell in love at first bite. It serves true frozen yogurt with a dream bar of toppings. You begin with chosing your flavor and size of yogurt, and they would fill the cup and weigh it. Continuing down the line you came to a toppings bar that puts all others to shame. There is a huge selection of dessert toppings, followed by a massive selection of fresh fruits. What was nice, is that you could put the toppings on yourself, allowing you to choose as many as you wanted and how much you wanted of each. At the end, they would weigh your yogurt again and charge you by the weight. I've been talking about this place, since getting back in town. In fact, I came across a YoGoTango punch card the other day that I've kept, in hopes that David would take me back to SD or start one here for me. Unfortunately he has not done either of these, but coming home the other day we found a Yogurteria right across the road from us. It has the same true frozen yogurt, with a toppings bar that has a good selection. You choose the flavor and size, but instead they put the topping on for you. After tasting the first bite, I was reminded of San Diego. David could tell that I was in heaven and quickly followed with, "You are not allowed to come here everyday." Now if any of you know David, you would be laughing at that comment, because we solely supported Nick-N-Willy's for about two years and currently support either Palio's or Market Street.
So if you're in the mood for a healthy treat, I recommend Yogurteria! I'll probably see you there!

Ultrasound vs. Sonogram

Tomorrow I go to a Radiology Center for my first ever ultrasound. I've quickly learned the hard way that it is not called a sonogram. I accidentally said that a couple of times, causing a chain reaction, beginning with many people's jaws dropping, followed by clapping with slight squeals of joy, and finally the popular questions began, "When did you find out? When are you due? Were you trying?". I had to quickly correct myself, knowing how fast things can travel. I was terrified that my ever hopeful mother would hear those words two hours away, without me blinking an eye.
My ultrasound is to look at my gall bladder, liver, and pancreas. I'm trying not to get my hopes up that they will find something, that is easily curable, and this will all be done with. So instead I say a prayer that a wise wise man once told David, "I don't say a prayer that God will heal me, because it can question my faith if he doesn't. Instead, I ask for him to help me deal with what is going on." So if you're looking for something to add to your prayer list, please ask God to allow me to deal with whatever results come of this the next few days. And NO MOTHER, please don't add to your list anything having to deal with a sonogram.