Sometimes you need a little S P A C E

So, for a week long stretch Gage had an out of body experience. He was on steroids and if he NEVER takes them again it will be too soon! He was "not himself" for several days but thankfully several weeks ago we had already planned a trip for him to go to his grandparent's house for the weekend. My father-in-law and his mom (I guess my grandmother-in-law) came Thursday from Harlem and followed Gage and I to the doctor for his check up. As it turned out he had a double ear infection and would need to begin antibiotics Thursday night. As Mr. Bob "Adda" and Grandma Brown "GG" drove Gage back with them to Harlem they stopped in Milledgeville for a burger, to pick up his meds, and off they went to Harlem. It was a LONG ride, but they finally made it.

Why would you ask them to follow you all the way to Macon you may ask? Well...also planned for this same Thursday night was a girl's night with my BFF, Hollie. So, Mr. Bob was nice enough to follow me to Macon so I wouldn't have to drive back in forth in one day or reschedule my time with Hollie. She picked me up from Gage's doctor and for the next 5 hours neither of us stopped talking. It was as if we were 16 years old walking down the halls of our high school. We talked about everything (and everyone) we could think of. I don't know if you have a friendship with someone like we have with each other, but its the through thick and thin, good times and bad, laughing and crying, no matter where we live we stay in touch...and on and on...thank kind of friendship. Here is what I love when I am with Hollie- we talk- we listen- we are open/honest/truthful/real- we are supportive- we are both Christian girls in love with our God, our husbands, and our sons. There is no doubt that when Hollie and I are 59 we will be sneaking some time away to spend with each other and catch up on the latest life happenings. I love this girl like my sister, and she is my forever friend!

As if Thursday night with Hollie wasn't enough...I had Friday, Saturday, and a good part of today baby free! Before you go getting all "mother of the year" on me, know that I needed some space from my sweet boy. I am a better mom because I work and I am a better wife and mom when I get some time to myself to do things I want to do and when I want to do them. I am so thankful for my parents and for Chris' parents who do so much for Gage and with Gage. I pray they know how much they mean to us!

All of that said to say...Chris and I had a great weekend. We met up for a late dinner on Friday night after I worked at school until about 7. Its amazing how much you get done when nobody is around! We woke up late Saturday and Chris went fishing with a friend and I watched a movie, worked on taxes, coached my last upward game, ate with my team, and then Chris and I hit the sack to get ready for church today. We enjoyed Sunday School and church this morning, lunch out today, and then grocery shopping!

By this time we are so ready to see Gage...and then...Whitney pulls up and I can hear him yelling our names from the backseat. It was priceless. Precious. So good to hear. There is nothing like hearing "Mommy" and "Daddy" when you haven't heard it in three days! He is back to his old self- thankfully- and the steroids are out of his system. He has a few more days on antibiotics, but nothing we can't handle.

Bottom line?

If you are at your breaking point, take some time, put some space between you and the thing/person for a few days. There is nothing wrong with some space...it did a world of good for me!

It could ALWAYS be worse...

If you are familiar with the movie "Pollyanna", then you are also familiar with the "glad game". This is a game my dad and I have played since I was a little girl. It goes something like this...

Person 1: breaks their arm

Person 2: says something clever like...it could be worse...atleast it wasn't both arms

Person 1: says something like I am just glad I have an arm to break, there are many who have no arms, or arms that are wounded...

You get the idea!

Well...today...I was reminded that perspective is VITAL in life. Let's take Gage for example. He has this horrible sounding cough with the runniest nose I have ever seen. None of have slept in days and we are all TiReD!!! We went to the doctor yesterday and she put him on steroids and breathing treatments. I don't know if you have ever seen a 2 year old on steroids, but use your imagination and multiply that by a million and there you have our son. Since he is "off", everything about him is off. His mood. His sleep. His breathing. His pottying. His....and on and on. He has driven me absolutely bonkers today and just as the benedryl kicked in this afternoon, and Gage and I were laying in his bed, I checked my email. There I found a link to a blog recommended by a friend of mine. For me, what it boiled down to was perspective.

This girls was singing a sob story because she hurt her foot and meanwhile a friend of hers with cancer was asking prayer for the mouth sores she was having to deal with during her 3rd round of chemo. WOW, right?

How quickly we lose sight of our blessings when things aren't going our way, or according to OUR (MY) plan. I was reminded today how it could be SO much worse in our household. Right now I am thankful for... a husband who shares the "burdens" at home, a little boy- not 100% though he may be- he is ours, medicine that will help him feel better and faster, a day off of work to take care of him, and mostly I am thankful that I am praying for

his sleep...

as opposed to his life!

You know what I was also reminded of today? Even in Philly while praying for Gage's life, it could have been so much worse then too.

Bottom line?

Perspective- we could all use a better one from time to time. However, no matter what ours is, God's never changes, and nor does He. The same God that is with the girl's hurt foot, is with the girl who has cancer, was and is with Gage, and is or wants to be with you! What is your perspective on a God who sent His only son to die so that you and I might live, and live abundantly? I am overwhelmed with his love, mercy, and grace!

A good message...

What did I get out of church today?

I need to GROW UP...spiritually speaking! Children do childish things and like children should, but as adults, we need to act like we are such. Not just adults, but Christian adults, set apart by God, to show the world there is a difference in us!

I was given a measure of grace by God...not for myself, but to pour out on others. When that grace "runs out", God is right there with more, and more, and more. I was reminded of how much grace has been given to me, who am I not to share mine with other people?

I was called to L O V E my brothers and sisters in Christ. Not judge them. Not listen to gossip about them, or spread it about them. Not "keep my distance" in an order to be safe. Not contribute to making our church looking like the world, but to help make church a safe place, a place for healing and helping. I am convinced that what the "world" wants to see is ONE thing. They want to see someone who walks their talk. We have heard it a million times, but it is so true. They don't want someone who can tell them how spiritual they are, how many times they read the Bible through or went to church. What does this matter if we don't have love? If we are so head smart, but heart stupid, is God impressed? The answer I was reminded of today...no! It's now about the songs we sing, the time our services start, the programs we have, the things we agree or don't agree on...its about 2 things...loving God and loving people.

I told Chris today. I am over it. I am ready to grow up. I am ready to draw a line in the sand at work and at school. When things don't go my way. Grace. When I don't agree. Grace. When people make me mad. Grace. When I hear the latest rumor. Grace. I want Chris to have a wife and Gage to have a mom that is too busy giving grace to stop and make it her job to judge or condem. I want people to tell them- wow God is all over her. I can tell she loves her God, loves her family, and loves other people. I don't want to be distracted by things that don't matter, but rather I want to love and extend the grace that is so freely given to me time after time after time. Chris said, let's pray for that conviction that you will be ever aware of that attitude that you have, and the one that you desire.

I am praying.

I am ready to do some growing.

Thanks Andy! Awesome message today!

What have we been up to at our house?

Dear Baby Nursery-

I can still remember the smell of the fresh blue paint that Mr. Bob and Mrs. Kay painted on your on your walls. I remember going to pick out furniture with my mom back home. I can also remember getting our bedding...from the most unlikely place (my pal Megan's dad randomly picked it up at an auction and I LOVED it). I also remember when Hollie stumbled across the website to find all the "stuff" to match the bedding. I remember Tammy painting the details on Gage's name and book basket. I remember FINALLY deciding on a chair...oh the chair...many days and nights of rocking, many books read, and many times just sitting and watching Gage from that chair! I remember coming home from Philadelphia with my sweet new bundle of joy and him sleeping in his bed the very first night he was home. Its funny now, but it wasn't then, the first time I messed up his medicine and he puked all over Hollie- on that nice clean carpet- little did I know that would be my first of MANY mistakes. I am told I will make a lifetime of them as a mother. Gage had many firsts in you, sweet baby nursery. You have been good to him. It is time though to say goodbye to you. My sweet 7 week old that we brought home is now 29 months old. He is a "big boy" and in need of a "big boy room". He needs room to stretch his long legs and a place he can have new "firsts" in. The walls are still that same "baby blue" but everything else has changed. Our soft colors have been traded in for primary colors and our sweet frogs replaced with monster trucks. Our diaper genie has been replaced with a trash can (potty training is going GREAT...for this weekend anyway). I say goodbye to you nursery but welcome the next phase we are entering for it means many things. It means that God has had His hand on Gage for these 29 months and is holding all of Gage's organs in place-right where they belong. It means he is healthy and growing. It means that there is a storage building full of baby furniture that may be used again sometime- Lord willing. It means that Chris and I are blessed far beyond what we deserve. It means every time we walk in this special room of our home, we will always remember what is started as, and one I am learning right now...Gage will always be our baby!!