Heading South

Life is full of ups and downs, lately I haven't blogged because, I felt that the drama was to much to share.  I have spoke of my depression, and that I'm trying to get a handle on things.  I recently had surgery to take care of my shoulder problem, and it seems to be helping.  I'm back in Martial Arts, and that too makes me happy.  I quit taking my pills for a bit and found myself sliding back into the abyss, it's not right to have to take pills so that you can enjoy your family.  Sad really. 
On a brighter note, my hubby and I decided to take our kids to Disney World for the first time.  The oldest are still young enough to enjoy it and youngest are old enough to remember it.  That seems like a good way to start out the year right?  Last weekend we took them to Monster Jam in the Metro dome in Minneapolis.  What a hoot!  We got to see Grave Digger the Monster Jam Icon, and I became a fan of El Toro Loco, who I might add has a woman for a driver!  How cool is that?!  Oh and did I mention that we will be driving to D.W.?  It is an estimated 24 to 26 hour drive straight through.  Crazy.... Maybe, but we will spend $500 in gas instead of $2000+ in air fare (and our kids wont be molested by TSA agents either).  So hopefully all goes well this upcoming week. I'm keeping my fingers crossed and trusting in the Lord for a safe drive to and from Florida!  How about you? Doing any fun family events this year? If so please comment and share!  Thank you and God Bless :-)
~Cindy

Miss Maddy

Always in the Tub!

I found my baby on Craigslist, she was going to be in town for the weekend,  then gone forever.   I had to jump and meet her.  I called the number and set up a meeting place.  God had answered my prayers.  He found us a great dog and got her a ride to us.... all the way from Texas!  A truck driver found her starving, dehydrated and full of fleas at a steel plant in Texas.  He felt bad for her, no one had any objections to him taking her, so he fed her, watered her, gave her 3 flea baths, and posted her to Craigslist where I found her.  He couldn't keep her, but he was certainly not going to leave her there!   When I called, I had a few tests to pass.  I had to have a house in the country, (check!)  I had to have kids, (check)  I had to promise to love and take care of her.  (Check and Check!)  When I brought the kids to meet her, it was love at first sight!  She loved them and they loved her.  We couldn't wait to take her home, I felt bad for her Hero truck driver,  having to lose his companion for the past 3 days.  He said he was okay, he knew she would be happy.  He was right, everyday she greats us all happily.  We look forward to her, she pounces like a cat!   She is also a very dirty dog, she loves to roll in things better left unmentioned,  needless to say she takes alot of baths!  We love her though, one little quirk for all the love and joy we get from her!!  She is a blessing, smart puppy, she learns very fast.  I also think she smiles when I scratch her behind the ears, she likes that best.  My favorite thing she does, is definitely when she gets low like a tiger on the plains of Africa,  stalks her prey (my kids), as they come across the lawn, she lays low, slowly moving in on them, as they come around the bend she pounces!  Back packs and lunch boxes go flying, screams can be heard for miles.  MADDY! NO!!!  I watch from the window, I laugh, tears coming from my eyes,  she strikes again!  That just never gets old.  They will never learn, she ALWAYS strikes in the valley.  It's the low point, they can't see her. :)

How about you, does your dog have quirks, do they antagonize your family, do you find the humor in it?

The Cross We Bear

The cross we bear is all to often for our benefit, and sometimes for that of someone else.  In that way our cross is a blessing, because is saves others from suffering, it is enough for them to experience it through us.  Much like Christ suffered for us.  We reap the benefits with out having to go through what He did.  I have had the honor of recently suffered and had 2 loved ones tell me how they have benefited from it.

But penance need not be paid in suffering...It can be paid in forward motion. Correcting the mistake is a positive move, a nurturing move.

Barbara Hall, A Summons to New Orleans, 2000

In the first week of "remission" (I'm using this for a lack of a better word) of battling depression and an unstable home turning to anti depressants and family therapy for a solution.   A loved one told me that her husband was more attentive to her and her needs after hearing and seeing my ordeal with my beloved husband.   I could only smile thru the tears and tell her that I was happy that my misery inadvertently brought her happiness.  I was genuinely sincere in that statement.  Her happiness became mine.

Although the world is full of suffering, it is full also of the overcoming of it.

Helen Keller
US blind & deaf educator (1880 - 1968)

Another friend told me recently, that my courage to go seek help from a professional to help me pave my way toward happiness encouraged her to do the same.  After one night she feels the weight of burden relieved from her shoulders.  Again  I said the same.  I am happy for her happiness.
Only God knows why He does the things He does, it is our job to live through them and find the meaning for us.  Obviously I was meant to learn and remind others of things they have already learned.  I am finding me again, and if others find themselves in the process, so much the better!

Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, ambition inspired, and success achieved.

Helen Keller
US blind & deaf educator (1880 - 1968)

How about you?  Has Jesus brought you to your knees and helped you learn and be humbled?  I thank Him for His wisdom and for bringing me through this process so that I may be a better wife and mother.