Thanksgiving is just a few days away.

Well, Thanksgiving is just a few days away, so what all are you thankful for? I am thankful that God is on my side, that he comforts me when I need it, and forgives me when I fail to do as he wants, and is always there even when I have doubts. I am thankful for all my kids, and the time I have with them. I am thankful God allowed me to be John's mom, even though our time here on earth together was only 11 1/2 years, that is longer than some mom's get with their gifts from God. I am thankful for a wonderful husband who does what he can to keep us all happy, healthy and taken care of. I am thankful for my friends, who support me and laugh with me, and sometimes, just make me smile. I am thankful for the blessings that God has given me throughout my 44 years. I am thankful for the hard times too, because they remind me that if I have faith that things will be easier before long. I am thankful for the sad time, so that I can appreciate the happy times more. If we all would just sit and realize how much the Lord gives us every day, and thank him for every blessing, great or small, then the bad times wouldn't be so bad, and the sad times would be as short lived as possible, and we would have better days all around.

What are you Thankful for?
Thank you God for everything!
Judy

Okay I have been Lazy!

Well, so I have been a little lazy about posting, I guess I have just had other things on my mind. I have to admit, I have been struggling lately with a little depression, but I think I have a grip on it again. I think it was brought on by knowing there is another mom out there struggling after the death of her son, Matthew. I read her posts and it just reminded me how hard it was and still is sometimes, and I got down. But I took a day for myself, and went out and got some new craft stuff, mainly stuff for stamping and scrapbooking, then I came home and made some cards. I use blank cards that I get at the store, and just stamp them and make them nice looking. Then I went to church last night and we used one of the cards I had made for a friend at church who is having health issues right now. It did my heart good to know that I could make something and use it to lift someones spirit and let them know that I am praying for them. I also gave some of the cards I had made to the teen girls teacher at church for them to use. When I was young I never really understood the saying about helping others can help yourself, but now, I have realized that when I can make something or do something for someone else, it makes me feel blessed for everything God has given me. And I also feel more at peace with all that me and my family has been through. Someone suggested that I make some of the cards, and sell them, but I don't think I will. I think it would take the fun and satisfaction out of it for me. I would rather just do it to lift other peoples spirit, and to help other groups at church to send. I will also be making some so that I can send them out for Christmas.

Other that that, I have just been working on some of my knitting, and crocheting projects. I have to get back to making my angel ornaments if I intend to get about 25 more done in about a month. AHHHHHHHH can you believe that it is almost Thanksgiving, then Christmas and then the year will be over. Man, this year has just flown by hasn't it.

Well, I need to get busy, I have stuff I need to be doing besides being on the Internet. Don't forget to thank God for all the blessings in your life.
Live, Laugh and Love,
Judy

What a beautiful day!

Today has been an absolutely beautiful day. B.J. had a recheck at the Orthopedic doctor and it went great. We don't have to go back unless something else comes up. YEAH! Praise God. We went to the Ronald McDonald house and turned in a bunch of cola tabs and visited, that was great to see the people who work there that I came to think of as family, and we got to see Logan Miller and his mom Johna, brother Connor, and his Grandmother who he calls Maw. They looked great, and he is now only having to go to the clinic once a month. I also got to see the transplant team, and surprise them with a visit, they looked great and we all stood around for a minute and talked and enjoyed seeing each other again. After B.J.'s appointment, we went to Bed, Bath, and Beyond ( a store that sells kitchen stuff, as well as bath works, and bedding as such. I enjoy the kitchen area myself. Then we went to the book store, Barnes and Noble, and I didn't spend anything on me but I got a friend a bookmark, and B.J. a new Bible and Bible Cover. I enjoyed visiting old friends and spending time with B.J., we had some good laughs and a good time, and the weather couldn't have been much better either. It wasn't to hot, and wasn't to cold either, it was just the way I like it. I am worn completely out! But I loved it.
Thanking God for good results at the doctor, and for such a blessed day,
May God bless you all as he has me!
Judy

Feeling better and preparing to take B.J. to doctor

Well, I am feeling a bit better about life and all. I just needed to take time and process everything again. Tomorrow B.J. has an appointment with the doctor, it is a recheck from where they found a fibroid on her thigh bone a while back. I hope it has gone down some, or at least not gotten any bigger. She has been having muscle pain in her lower legs a lot lately and I don't know if it is the increase in activity from Physical Education class, or growing pains, or something to worry about. Of course I am mom, so I worry anyway, but since she has had a fractured growth plate in her ankle, and problems with knee pain, and then the fibroid, I really get nervous. Please pray for a good visit to the doctor with good news, and also for a safe trip. We are also going to go into Nashville since we will be so close, and take the drink tabs we have been saving. Between the Middle school and the Intermediate school, people at church, and the community, we have saved about a 5 gallon bucket full of them. Not bad, at least I don't think so. I have decided that I am going to try to save up tabs for as long as I can, and take them to Nashville at least once a year. It is the least I can do for the Ronald McDonald House, especially after living there for over 200 days. I don't know exactly how many days, but I know I never would have been able to pay for a hotel or anything like that for that long. So other than that things are going well.
May God bless you all,
Judy

Dealing with life can hurt sometimes!

Well, dealing with life can hurt sometimes. I have been dealing with the death of Matthew, and the knowledge that another mother is having to sort through the feelings that go along with the loss of a child, and that of course reopened some not quite healed wounds on my heart. I know her pain, confusion, anger, and total heartbreak that she is feeling, wondering what she will do now that he is gone, how will she continue to live, how will she ever be happy again. I just pray that she can lean on God, and know that even though we do not understand what has happened, that He has a reason, and a plan, and that if we continue to believe in Him and let him lead us through this very hard life, than maybe we can get to heaven and get the answers we would like to have now. I know that Matthew is no longer hurting, and as hard as he fought and the faith that he had was an inspiration to many, and a testimony to our Lord, Jesus Christ. I just pray that God wraps his loving arms around Matt's family and comforts them, and strengthens them, for there are many more hard days to go through. The "firsts" that come after the death of a child is almost as cruel as the death itself, not quite as bad, but so darn close to it. But, after a day of reflecting, and prayer, and just letting myself mourn, both for the Litchfields and myself, I am dealing with it and thanking the Lord that he went peacefully, and that they didn't have to make the decision to stop life support. That still to this day haunts me sometimes, I wonder if I should have given him more time, but then I remember that he was bleeding into his lungs, and there was nothing more the doctors could do, John had to be let go. But that was the hardest decision I ever had to make, and I would not wish that situation on any parent ever.

So other than that things are good. B.J. and I made a cute little dinner last night, one of the first times we cooked a whole meal together. I enjoyed it very much, even though I normally don't eat hot dogs, and there was way to many starches.

Well, I am going to try to catch up on some house work that needs to be done,
God bless you all,
Judy