Slurping Life

To Concentrate Attention Or Energy ~ Theme Thursday ~ Love Thursday

Focus...to concentrate attention or energy

 

Yesterday my baby, Wil, celebrated his tenth birthday.

He hasn't a conscious clue as to the boundless attention or energy which has for years been focused upon him.  And that's a good thing.  He simply knows that he is a boy...who is ten years old...who has brothers...and a father...and a mother...and extended family...and a God...who love him...and that he loves NASCAR.  He has no clue that he is a miracle and that God gave the gift of him...and gave him a gift.

But I know.  Someday he will know.  And he will do great things for others.

If the button link above does not take you to Theme Thursday...focus...use this link.  You will definitely want to take a few moments to visit.

This photo and post is also for Love Thursday...go on over...feel the love of sisters.

Do You Suppose God Wants Me To Have A Big Butt?

Because it is one thing that I could easily accomplish.

And that is all you will ever know about this post.  Seriously.  I typed my heart out...expressed my reasoning with eloquence and humor...and then...then...my laptop screen went green...completely solid green...no words.  What the heck does that mean?  A black screen, I've seen.  A blue screen, I've seen.  But never in my multiple times ten years of living have I seen a green computer screen.

Yep, God wants me to have a big butt.

The end.

Borrowed Daughter ~ Wordless Wednesday

Visit 5 Minutes for Mom for more Wordless Wednesday photography.

There Is So Much More, But What Is It?

It is always the simple things that change our lives. And these things never happen when you are looking for them to happen. Life will reveal answers at the pace life wishes to do so. You feel like running, but life is on a stroll. This is how God does things. ~~Donald Miller

Life has been strolling, offering contemplative moments, simple pleasures, little changes...when I wasn't looking...wasn't listening...wasn't wanting...wasn't expecting...

Life is finite...first chances do not come again...time is a priceless gift...

When we love something it is of value to us, and when something is of value to use we spend time with it, time enjoying it and time taking care of it. ~M. Scott Peck.

I'll be spending time

...loving...

...wondering...

...learning...

...doing...

...being...

...inhaling...

...slurping life...

...hoping for revelation...

...because there is so much more...

...and missing it would be so sad. 

Can you tell that I have reached that cliche known as a crossroad in life? 

Part of finding my direction in life includes what I post here at Slurping Life.  I know my blogging does not and will not alter the universe.  I just want to know...

What do you find when visiting Slurping Life?  Honestly, why do you come back...or maybe you do not plan to come back, why not?

Comments are open.  Thanks.

Hurry Up And Wait, NOW!

Finally, the morning of my procedure arrives, January 28.  I unfold the letter from the patient coordinator to read and be certain of where to go for registration.  *gasp*  I was to have visited the lab on January 22 for preop.  *uh....ah...grunt...groan...run in circles for a few seconds*  There is a reason these letters are sent a couple of weeks in advance...things go smoothly if the patient actually reads the letter in advance of the day of the procedure. 

Using my most pitiful pleaseImustgetthisdonetodaybecauseIhavemadeallthe
arrangementsmyhusbandtookthedayofffromwork voice, I telephone and speak with the patient coordinator.  She says get to the hospital lab NOW and tell them to do your work-up STAT and MAYBE we can get this done today. [emphasis is that of the patient coordinator]

Next picture me who has mood issues when hungry and, being preop, is not allowed to eat - a husband who has just been told what I have done (rather not done) and who is now accurately labeled as disgruntled - a thirteen year old bipolar/ADHD boy - a ten year old Asperger's Syndrome boy - and an Iwillbeteninacoupleofdayswhoisarrangingmybirthday celebration cerebral palsy/PDD NOS boy - all rushing through a two-story house searching for underwear, brushing teeth, shoving and pushing and grabbing toaster waffles with one hand (but not me, I'm not allowed to eat), socks and shoes with the other, hanging coats upon our heads as we tip-toe run barefoot across the freezing cold cement garage floor and fall into the vehicle.  Good.  We're on our way.

After the bonding experience of dressing and eating in the SUV the guys kick me out onto the curb we arrive safely at the entrance of the outpatient center...where, incidentally, I was told by the surgeon's patient coordinator to go STAT.  Husband goes to park the vehicle as I go through the door and to the registration counter. After explaining the situation to the registration lady, she tells me "Your procedure is today and you need preop?"

"Yes."

"You should not be here.  Go to the hospital main entrance and directly to central registration."

I arrive at central registration, tell the tale, again, am handed a stapled stack of papers with more information about myself than I ever knew and told to go immediately to cubicle number six.  The registration process is in motion, and I realize that hubby has no clue where I am.  After parking the SUV the disgruntled husband will have to hike through a cold parking garage and search a mega-sized medical center for me...the three above-described boys in tow...because I don't have my cell phone to tell him where I am now or will be later.  "He can't find me.  Maybe that's a good thing" crosses my mind.

Registration complete.  A kind lady escorts me to the "AM Surgery" waiting room where I wait...for two hours...for STAT preop.  I caused my family near bodily harm to get to the hospital NOW for STAT preop as instructed, and I sit and wait...for two hours...and my family hasn't a clue where to find me.  My family hasn't a clue where to find me!

It was two of the most peaceful hours of my life.

Isn't it great how we (moms) appreciate the little pleasures of life?

*Thank you for your prayers and thoughts, I am home and fine. This was a simple 'look and see' procedure; the angioplasty-stent will be next week.  Right now I'm off to enjoy my last few hours of queen for a day...and of my baby being nine years old.

Sharing Beauty ~ Photography

Sunday is a day of sharing beauty at Slurping Life.

Excessive words are not necessary.  Simply visit A Walk Through Durham Township and savor the beauty of Kathleen Connally's photography.  Do make time to visit there for a while.

Old Books, Grace and Margaret Ann

Enjoying dear friends...savoring the good times as well as the bad over a cup of hot tea snuggled contently on the sofa beneath a hand-sewn family quilt. 

Old books are dear friends to me.  A leisurely day spent rummaging through secondhand bookstores and thrift shops searching for treasures of old books is an endearing gift.  The moment we unite -feeling the worn pages, thumbing their rough, uneven edges...inhaling the musty scent of memories...my eyes photographing the printed words as my heart transforms the words into meaning- is like no other.

   

Knowing that untold people have known these friends as well is enchanting, and the rare occasion when I am given the privilege of discovering their names is joyous.  Then I wonder...did Grace and Margaret Ann love this beautiful friend as much as I?

   

Today's theme is books.  Drop by Stacey's place and meet more friends through photography and words at Theme Thursday.

Having A Moment Without Pausing For Punctuation

The day was extremely stressful.  Actually, imagine a plethora of extremely stressful days...I was having a moment without pausing for punctuation...

Me:    Boys!  Enough!  This unruly loud arguing and fighting must stop now because I have had more than my fill of dealing with your behaviors and what are you fighting about this time never mind because honestly I don't care just stop it now before you lose every privilege you have every known and don't see the outside of your rooms before age twenty oh crap Ursula has one of my sweaters where did she get that Ursula drop it you three be quiet there is nothing to laugh about if she tore my sweater you can pay for it and did one of you take her outside this morning do you realize how much I need to do how much you need to complete in your school work the errands we must run and sometime during this lovely day I would love to go to the bathroom without hearing crashing banging wailing gnashing of teeth and the ever-so-disdained screaming of Moooommmmm whenever my butt touches the toilet seat are you boys listening to me stop get your hands off of him look at me when I'm talking to you no you may not have a snack which by the way reminds me that I would like to get in my workout today so that my butt which never touches the toilet seat in peace does not become the size of an elephant's rear I said look at me while I am talking to you I am not finished and on top of everything your grandfather just called and he is coming in a couple of days the place is a wreck there is no decent food in the house the laundry is piled high and only one-fifth of it is mine good grief in ten minutes we need to leave and go to Wil and Mac's therapy sessions do you realize that in addition to the usual stuff to deal with around here I am about to have the first of two surgical procedures and am a bit stressed about it after anesthesia I puke for at least twenty-fours even when there is nothing left in my stomach and that does not feel good I am not looking forward to these surgeries so could you guys please consider these things?

Mac:   Mom?

Me:    Do not interrupt me.  I am having a moment, thank you.

Then, almost in unison, I see and hear....

Lee:    [rolls eyes in that just-became-a-teenager way]

Mac:  If you puke a lot, you'll lose weight and won't have a big butt.  Right?
Wil:   [mumbles] Drama queen.

Don't you love how the boys stole my moment?  They completely altered my grumpy mood.  How could I not smile?

Once Upon A Time There Was A Little Girl...

   

...who grew up.

Have a smiley kind of day this Wordless Wednesday.

Rented Shoes ~ Best Shot Monday

Visit the home of Best Shot Monday...Mother May I...for more photos and exciting news about the launching of Tracey's new photography site...Shutter Sisters.   I'm excited!

Sharing Beauty and Inspiration

I found Jackal through cre8Buzz.  Janine is a beautiful person and a talented photographer.  If a picture is worth a thousand words, visiting the links below will reveal hundreds of thousands of words...

Jackal's Flickr

Janik - Red Bubble

Jackal's Blog - Read Janine's writings of her life, her struggle, her photography...her attempt to merge them and move forward.

She inspires me.

Overdue, But No Less Thankful

Energy, creativity, ingenuity...they escape me now.  However, because it is far overdue I need and want to take a moment to thank my following bloggy friends.  The awards and remarks they have for me are priceless in my heart...thank you, friends.

My lovely lady of Full Time In NM presented me with the Bloggers With Integrity award and made this statement:

For Creativity:

Slurping Life - Of all the people I’ve met through the wonderful world of blogging Melody never ceases to surprise me with a plethora of creative ideas, projects, and contests both on her personal site and through Wrapped Emotions.

Thank you.  I will always strive to remain creative and true to my beliefs.

My sweet bloggy friend Emily of Wheels on the Bus bestowed upon me the Thinking Blogger Award and said:

"Melody, because those photographs show such depth of thought"

Thank you, Emily.  I will certainly keep the camera clicking and am working on actually learning photography.

My long-time bloggy friend De of Just Another Day In Paradise has passed the Mathetes Award to me.  Honestly, I do not know how to or if I should accept this award.  I am a Christian.  I try to live accordingly.  I fall far more than short.  I  know that forgiveness is granted to me through Christ...I ask for it frequently.

Thank you, De.  I humbly thank God for the discipleship you have witnessed in me through my blogging. 

This award originated with Dan King over at Management
by God, who states, "Mathetes is the Greek word for disciple, and the role
of the disciple (per the Great Commission) is to make more disciples. The role
of a disciple of Christ is to carry His message to the ends of the earth. It is
with this heart that I have created the Mathetes Award."Those who receive it are
to pass it on to other disciples who are sharing the good news in their own
bloggity ways.

Most recently one of my best (and one of my first) bloggy friends, Natalie of The Benson Family and Other Stuff, brightened my life with a lovely bouquet of flowers and words:

Melody, because she always is so intuitive about when I might need a little pick me up...and she's one of the funniest bloggers I know.

Natalie, thank you.  I love ya!

Last, not least, is Bonnie of Simple Beauty who swears she needs a daily dose of Slurping Life:

Bonnie, thank you sweetly.  I am missing my daily dose of you and my other bloggy friends.  Hopefully, life will allow me to get back to blog reading real soon.

~~~

Having accepted each of the above awards, I now would like to ask for your prayers for our family.  Issues are many...physical and mental health...with the boys and myself.  I am not even sure what to ask for except your prayers for God's will and peace for us.  Often I feel my prayer requests are vague, but honestly, with three special needs sons and the recent health issues of my own...detailing it all would get quite lengthy.  No one wants or needs to read all of that information.  Please know that my family embraces your prayers and kind wishes.

Blessings to you.

Questionable Nutritional Information ~ Wordless Wednesday

My favorite soy ice cream...

Theirs:   8 servings

Mine:     1 serving

Who ya gonna believe?  Huh?

So this is almost wordless.  Some people actually follow the rules at Wordless Wednesday.

A New Winner Chosen In The Pure Essentials Giveaway

When a winner does not claim a prize the logical thing to do is to give it to someone else.  Remember this giveaway?  The winner did not claim the prize package, and Proctor & Gamble says a new winner may be chosen. 

A new winner from the ninety-three comments has been chosen using random.org, and it is commenter #29.  Angie of Sonflower, come on down and claim your fabulous gift package of Proctor & Gamble Pure Essentials products...that means email me with a shipping address, please.

Thanks for stopping by.

Long Ago

Long ago. The struggle to keep him alive...the struggles to keep each of them alive...the three of them....began long ago.  Then came the struggles to manage each of their medical, behavioral and learning special needs. 

It seems along the way of keeping them alive and safe and managing their needs at any given moment, I forgot.  I forgot that they just might grow up, healthy and strong.  They did.  Now I need to tell them so many things...explain so much.  It is difficult to fathom that they had lives before me...only briefly, but they had hard lives before me...their mom.  Yet they are a part of me and always have been.

Thank God...they have grown strong and healthy and will one day...in the blink of an eye...be men.  There are new adventures awaiting our family as the boys grow up.  I am afraid...and excited...and happy.

These thoughts played through my mind when I snapped this photo of Wil...my baby...soon to be ten years old.

Photo as shot, no cropping.  Editing in Photoshop Elements 5, curves, sharpening.  Click to enlarge.

Many other photos and stories are waiting for you at Best Shot Monday.  Do drop by, and do share yours.

Sunday's Sharing Beauty

There is nothing more beautiful than birth...the gift of life.

Kristen's twin girls are miracles.  Kristen's mom, Grandma Dawn, is providing most of the updates and photos.  Visit Kristen and Dawn and leave your well-wishes and please, remember the baby girls and family in your prayers.

Bowling Alley Fries

This week's theme is contrast. 

Lee celebrated his thirteenth birthday on Tuesday with bowling at the local hot spot.  The boys ate a lot of crap and had a lot of fun.   In contrast, I'm not allowed to eat the junk food and currently with two bum arms, I could not bowl.  But I had my camera to keep me occupied.

Since several people emailed and asked "how are you?", I wanted to say our family holiday respiratory infections and stomach viruses are almost eradicated...more cheery posts coming.  The whining will now stop...promise.

Thanks for stopping by to say hello.  I do know Christmas is over, and I'll change the blog header soon.

What contrasts do you have to share?  Join the photo fun of Theme Thursday at The Land of K.A. and get Stacy's great photography tips each week.

The Thrill of Thirteen

 

Pray, people, pray...for me.  Yesterday Lee became a teenage boy.

Visit the home of Wordless Wednesday for more photo thrills.

The Miracle of Life

Please go visit Kristen today.  Tomorrow will be a big day for her, and I know she would appreciate your prayers and good thoughts.  Her twins were not suppose to survive, but we know who has the final word.

I love the miracle of life.

Comments are closed here...please, go talk to Kristen.

A Rainbow Made With Love ~ Thursday's Theme

The rainbow afghan was crocheted more then twenty years ago by his great grandmother.  Only our now twenty-six year old son knew her.  She only knows our younger three sons by looking down upon them from heaven...yet she has loved and nurtured each of them from infancy to present. 

We have a treasure of baby afghans and adult-sized afghans handmade with love for us by Granny Mac, and each of us reaches for one when feeling under the weather.  We have been reaching for them a lot during the past month and are still grabbing.  It's a good thing Granny Mac made enough to go around.

What color has touched your life recently?  Visit Stacy's Theme Thursday to see more of this week's photo theme...color...and join the weekly fun.