My mom died of ALS 4 1/2 years ago. 

Last night I dreamed that I had my mom back. Not forever…just for a weekend. And in my dream I knew that.

I started out simply elated in my dream. She was completely healthy again and looked really, really pretty just sitting on my couch.

I was flitting and jumping around…only occasionally stopping for a second to let her talk. I was catching her up on all the things she’d missed out on over the past 4 1/2 years. There was SO MUCH to tell her! I got out pictures and showed her Malachi’s birth and all the boys and how much they’d grown.

Somehow in my dream, I had her all to myself for the whole weekend. There were no interruptions and I didn’t have to share her with anyone. It was incredible.

And then…suddenly the weekend was almost over. The reality of that hit me and all I could do was throw my head into her lap and sob. I couldn’t even talk anymore to tell her all the things I wanted to tell her about how much I’d missed her. I couldn’t even ask her all the questions I’ve been wanting to ask her about how much spice to put into a certain recipe or about how old I was when I first started doing certain things. 

All I could do was sob.

My dream ended there. I woke up crying and couldn’t stop. So I got up and tried to put my thoughts into words.

I tend to think about her more this time of year. Her birthday is coming up in May…and well…so is Mother’s Day. 

I miss her. 

But now that I’m awake enough to think a little more clearly…I wouldn’t wish her back to this earth. Not even so that I could have her all to myself for a weekend. Not even so that she could see my precious boys and see how big and smart and handsome and amazing they are. Not even so that I could once more throw my head onto her lap and let her hold me while I cry.

She’s in the perfect place. 

Knowing that is enough to stop my tears. 

Or at least change them to tears of joy.

Remember our plans to go to the Oakland A’s vs. the Kansas City Royals game yesterday? Well, as we traveled toward KC yesterday for the game…the rain kept getting heavier and heavier. Yeah, so the game got rained out and cancelled. Big bummer.

However…the game was rescheduled for today. So, we made a few phone calls to get things squared away at home. Now we get to have bonus time with Brad’s family while we’re here hanging out in KC waiting for today’s game. Guess God knew we needed a bit of extended vacation! 

And, well…it’s a tough thing for me to be flexible and change my plans sometimes…but shucks…there’s an outlet mall just down the road that I’ll now have time to go check out. See, I’m growing as a person all the time.

It’s good to be flexible.

:)

We received a phone call this morning to let us know that my cousin and his wife were killed tragically in an accident last night. It’s amazing how something like this can put life into perspective.

We quickly left and headed to Kansas to be with our family.

I won’t be posting for a couple of days, but I wanted to request your prayers. I’ll resume posts on Monday night with Gratituesday. 

Certainly, even during sadness and tragedy…there is much to be grateful for. 

God is good.

Today the boys and I were discussing oysters.

Oh, it’s amazing the topics that can be covered in one day’s time.

The possibility of an oyster providing a pearl didn’t really offer much excitement around here.

(“What’s a pearl?” “For a necklace?!”)

Yeah, I could tell they were thinking of things far more “precious” than pearls.

So, I asked each of them…

“If you had some Gulf oysters….and you opened one up and found something precious…what would that precious thing be?”

And here’s what they said:

Asa (age 10):  “Well, I’d like to say something like, ‘for everyone to be nice’ or ‘for everyone to know God’ or ‘for everyone to have everything they need’. But, if you want me to tell you an answer that’s a ‘thing’…I guess I’d have to say, ‘A $10,000 dollar bill.'”

Justus (age 8):  “I can’t really think of anything.” Which translates to, “Maybe, could you stop asking me weird questions so that I can go back and play some more?”

Elias (age 6):  “Hm…I’d like there to be a Wii in there…but that would have to be a REALLY big oyster!”

Malachi (age 3):  “A GUITAR!” (gurtawr)

If you ask me (although no one did), I would have to say: “Springtime” or  “A helpful little housekeeper”  (wouldn’t that be cute?!).

Well, I guess we could all settle for a pearl…and then sell it on ebay?!

I’ve never eaten oyster (I live in Nebraska, you know…). 

But we found some great oyster recipes at BeOysterAware.com  just in case we ever come across any. They actually sound pretty good!

And we found out that you have to be careful with how their cooked, so you don’t get sick…cause no one wants Virio vulnificus lurking around on their oyster, now do they?

Now, we’re more oyster aware…and I can go dream about opening up an oyster and finding that cute little housekeeper…

Hope she does windows!

Hey, I’ve been tagged by Shalee! How fun is that?! 

So now you get to learn four things about me in several different categories!

 Four jobs that I’ve had:

1. Waitress at a small town diner
2. Elderly caretaker
3. First Grade Teacher
4. Mom to four boys (job description:  cook lots, hug more, and duck when the light saber is swinging at you)

Four movies you would watch over and over:
(over and over, really? hm…none, but for the sake of filling in the blanks…)

1. Any Veggie Tale
2. Return to Me
3. While You Were Sleeping
4. One of our few home videos of the boys that we’ve actually had time to record

Four of my favorite foods:

1. Chicken Fried Steak
2. Chocolate Pound Cake
3. Cheesecake
4. Lasagna

Four TV shows I love to watch (or used to watch):
(you’ll probably notice that these were “used to watch”)

1. Webster (remember that show?)
2. Mad About You
3. Full House
4. Wheel of Fortune

Four Places I’ve lived:

1. Isabel, KS
2. Pratt, KS
3. Colorado Springs, CO
4. York, NE

Four places I’ve been on vacation:

1. Silver Dollar City
2. Colorado Springs (on our honeymoon, before we knew we’d live there someday!)
3. DisneyLand
4. Wal-Mart (hey, we just don’t go very many places, okay?)

Four websites I visit daily:

1. HeavenlyHomemakers
2. Biblical Womanhood
3. Rocks in my Dryer
4. Gmail.com (I know, how exciting!)

Four places I’d rather be right now:

1. Under a blanket reading a book
2. At the table eating cheesecake
3. Working in my garden in 70 degree weather
4. I’m at home right now, and there’s really no place I’d rather be :)

Five people I’m tagging:

1. Char
2.  Niki
3. Suezque
4. Jayme
5. Christy

I don’t keep up much with politics, and I know I should do better. But, I do know that this is a very big night in Iowa and that all the hopeful candidates have been working very hard to let everyone know what they are all about.

My husband reminded me tonight when he came home that this was the BIG NIGHT in Iowa. And suddenly I was struck with what a big deal all of this is. The beginning of the voting process that decides who is in charge of America for the next four years. 

Can you imagine what kind of job it is to be president of a nation? Talk about pressure! Talk about hard work. 

And so, I feel a big need tonight to pray for us all as we each make our decision about who we will vote for to be our next president. I feel a big need to pray for the person who will be chosen. 

The good news is, God is really the one in charge of our nation. What a comfort. Let’s lift up to Him our future president.