Monday, December 21, 2009

I Said A Prayer For You Today

I said a prayer for you today and I know God must have heard - I felt the answer in my heart Although He spoke no word.  I didn't ask for wealth or fame.  I knew you wouldn't mind.  I asked Him to send treasures of a far more lasting kind.  I asked that He'd be near you at the start of each new day.  To grant you health and blessings and friends to share your way.  I asked for happiness for you in all things great and small.  But it was for His loving care I prayed the most of all. . . Life is Good. 

Wednesday, December 16, 2009

Getting Old and Great Book

After a wonderful weekend with friends a couple of months ago, I came home and was so embarrassed to find an inch long dark hair growing from my chin - How does that happen??  Not only was I disturbed by the hair, but I was disturbed that I couldn't see it without a VERY strong magnifying mirror.  That morning, I vowed to myself that I would make daily checks to ensure that yucky little growth would not reappear.  Well . . . as I was doing my daily check this morning and smiling that "all was clear", I happened to glance down at my neck and saw not one, but two more black hairs . . . on my neck!!  Completely grossed out, I took care of the problem and now have a much larger area to check on a daily basis.  Who has time to get old??  More importantly, why does no one tell you that these things start to happen . . . even in your late 30's!?

Now to the important part of this entry:  Yesterday while I was trying to find some Christmas gifts, I saw Mitch Albom's new book, "Have a little Faith".  It is a true story and so special that I have not been able to put it down - I was late to carpool while reading it in the store yesterday, and it seems every spare minute at a stop light, etc. I open it up.  It is a quick read but shares some great insights on faith, love and happiness.  Following is one exerpt I was really moved by this morning:  "A man seeks employment on a farm.  He hands his letter of recommendation to his new employer.  It reads simply, 'He sleeps in a storm.'  The owner is desperate for help, so he hires the man.  Several weeks pass, and suddenly, in the middle of the night, a powerful storm rips through the valley.  Awakened by the swirling rain and howling wind, the owner leaps out of bed.  He calls for his new hired hand, but the man is sleeping soundly.  So he dashes off to the barn.  He sees, to his amazement, that the animals are secure with plenty of feed.  He runs out to the field.  He sees the bales of wheat have been bound and are wrapped in tarpaulins.  He races to the silo.  The doors are latched, and the grain is dry.  And then he understands.  'He sleeps in a storm.'  If we tend to the things that are important in life, if we are right with those we love and behave in line with our faith, our lives will not be cursed with the aching throb of unfulfilled business.  Our words will alsways be sincere, our embraces will be tight.  We will never wallow in the agony of I could have, I should have.  We can sleep in a storm.  And when it's time, our good-byes will be complete."  That is part of a sermon preached by Reb, one of the two men of faith Mitch covers in "Have a little Faith".  Hope you might have time to pick up a copy . . . life is good.

Tuesday, December 15, 2009

Family Christmas Picture

Well, last night Phil and I got to celebrate our 13th Wedding Anniversary!   Since we were going to be dressed for dinner, we decided it was the night to torture the kids and dogs for the family Christmas picture.  As you can see, no one was happy - except for the plastered smile on Mom that reads "We are Happy and Going to Take This Picture!" - Yea right!!! 

Many, many thanks to Erin for taking our pic and keeping Preston and Jessie so we could enjoy a fun, special evening together. . . Despite all the complaining, and the frowning faces, at least we got a pic with everyone standing/sitting together . . . life is good.

Friday, December 4, 2009

Thanksgiving and the Week After






We got to Celebrate a great Thanksgiving with some new special friends!  Thanks to Sandy and Jo and Sera and Christian for joining us!   Erin and I started the morning by running the Turkey Trot and then we were excited to have family and friends over to watch the game and eat turkey, etc. (Thanks again to Nanny!)  Phil, the kids and I headed for the Deer Lease on Friday for the weekend and as you can see in the pics, it was a successful, fun trip!  It has been a busy week and I don't think anyone is happier to see Friday than Phil!  He was at the hospital all night for 3 staight but the highlight of my week was seeing again how he manages to juggle everything.  Wed. night Preston and Phil were going to the SMU/TCU basketball game.  I had a very excited, anxious son waiting for Phil to get home.  He walked in the door at 8:00 p.m. and immediately got called back in to the ER.  Preston quietly went upstairs and when I followed him up, found him sitting in his chair trying really hard not to cry.  Then the tears starting coming from me. . . . He kept saying it is o.k. - no big deal but you could see the disappointment in his eyes.  A few minutes later Phil came in and said "come on buddy - we are going to the game!" . . . the pure joy in Preston's eyes was priceless.  Phil had them e-mail an xray of the guys hand and Phil could tell that it was not urgent or serious and since the guy was going to be in the hospital all night anyway, Phil was able to go to the game and then spend the rest of the night at Baylor - - what a great, great Dad.  Never thought after Residency, Phil would still be just as busy, but I guess that is the sacrifice we make with the choices we made . . . Life is Good.