It's On The Way

The Hub was honored to be given the opportunity to preach at a friend's church in Charlottesville this past Saturday. This was just "right" on so many levels. The kids stayed home, so it was a lot like a date for us. Two hours in the car; I stayed awake; lots of convo and quality time. The service was delightful and the Hub's message was entitled "It's On The Way". He preached about Hannah and how she prayed, fasted and wailed before God for Him to fulfill the desires of her heart...give her a son. God remembered her prayer and gave her a son, Samuel.

The Hub encouraged the congregation to keep focused and choose to believe that "It's On The Way". Just keep praying and believing and don't give up too quickly. I was there as the supportive pastor's wife. But let me tell you friends, God was speaking to me too. As church planters, there are lots of discouraging days. We don't see the things happening that we think should be happening. We pray, we work, we love and we wait for the results to come through. It's a tough, lonely road. Yet, I sat there listening to the Hub preach and thought, "thanks God. You are taking this one small moment to encourage me to keep praying, believing and NOT give up." God is faithful and I want to be too.

This morning I decided to hit the vending machine for a cup of spiced Chai. I've cut out coffee. No worries friends, I have not murdered anyone or broken any furniture or children. I've detoxed from my coffee habit pretty nicely so far. In any case, wanted something nice and hot this morning so I hit the machine. As my cup is brewing, the digital reader on the vending machine is scrolling the following message: "It's On The Way." Just like that. I love when God confirms His message. I love when I am alert enough to see it (it is Monday after all). I love that He has told me not once, but twice, in the last three days, that He has not forgotten me and my prayers. I'll keep praying, folks. Ya'll do the same.

Game Life

Rushed out of work yesterday to head straight home to pick up the fam and head to the final scrimmage of the season for Oldest. This is great news; now we can get the regular season rolling. Somehow we missed the kickoff again. I am so determined to see the FULL game for each game we attend this season. I mean, who wouldn't want to get that pumped up feeling along with the boys as they run out on the field?

The boys played tremendously. They versed Annandale High and although I'm not sure what they are doing over there, they are producing some big boys. Despite being bigger, they were clearly not better. Without a scoreboard to confirm, I can say that the score was at least 14 to 7. And Oldest got his fair share of playing time and performance. Then they put the 2nd string in. TOUCHDOWN for Annandale. "There goes the 2nd string," I tell the Hub. Good thing it was a scrimmage because that may well have been their first and last chance to play.

It was a good game. The other kids were bored to death and enjoyed the rocks and pebbles at their feet for two hours. My favorite part of the evening: the Defensive Line coach is talking with Oldest, just as he is about to board the bus. Right about the same time we are walking down the sidewalk. He asks Oldest how he felt he played and they conversed for a few minutes as we approached. Oldest tells his coach he had 2 men on him at all times and they were holding. The coach tells the Hub that Oldest has been playing very, very well and that he is the most improved player on the team. Major beams coming out of my face. So sweet to see how hard Oldest has worked and to see all his hard effort is paying off. The coach likes him, he's playing well, he's showing maddening improvement. It shall be a good season folks. I'm very proud!

Still Summer

Well friends and family, many of you have happily returned your lovely children to school. Happy, bright, loving their new school clothes, new shoes, seeing their friends again. My lovely children are home wondering what they will do for the remainder of this week and ALL of next week, until the FOLLOWING Tuesday. Suggestions welcome...

We are anxiously awaiting the emails placing our lovely Soccer Chick and Baseball Chick on their fall teams. Seems that when we have reached this time of year, every second feels like a year. No word yet, but we are definitely excited to get this ball rolling. The girls are ready to begin practices, meet their coaches, see their teams and receive their ever-exciting uniforms. But alas, we wait.

We almost had the Hub roped into coaching Soccer Chick's season this fall. After the third email pleading for one more coach to step up arrived in our inbox one of her friend's mother and I decided the Hub definitely had time to take this on. Thank God He knows more than we do. By the time I sent the email that the Hub would do it, another gentleman had stepped up. The Hub has, however, graciously volunteered to man the grill at all home games for Oldest's football team meals. Just him, 100 football playing kids, a bunch of overgrown, outdated man-coaches and sports moms. He's gonna have a blast. Just his kind of scene.

Football scrimmage number 3 and last non-official game of the season commences tonight. I'm doing my best to stop watching the clock this afternoon. Game time is 5pm. We're pretty psyched up about it. Oldest is listed on the school roster as 6'0, 210 pounds. Highest # on the team, #92. Game time baby, as he would say.

The Hub says we would be doing a big disservice to ourselves and to Youngest if we didn't get that character on tv somewhere. If God opens that door I know it will be Him. This kid is destine for stardom. I can't tell you how many teenage fans he has. At 4 years of age he has more friends than me. That's not saying a whole lot, but in perspective, what 4 year old engages in conversation and warms the hearts of teenage girls like this one? There's only one Youngest. World beware...

All Hail Sports Season

I simply must update you on the fantastical scrimmage Oldest had on Friday night. I do know fantastical is not even a word, BUT, so appropriate to encapsulate my excitement. Let me just tell you it was in Woodbridge, so it was a hike of a hike. Took ridiculously long to get there and we didn't arrive until half time. Despite that disappointing news, we sat down in the bleachers and were promptly informed of what a tremendous game Oldest had played so far. Neighbor-father told us that Oldest had at least two tremendous quarterback sacks and 2nd half commenced. He did, indeed, play a good game. We witnessed at least one additional sack and several that he was a prominent part of.

He has worked so hard for this one season; all that work is paying off. Football season ends in November and about that time last year, he began his incredible push towards senior year season. He did workouts and conditioning nearly every day of the week from November through June. I believe the boy said he had a 99% attendance record. When most boys were off doing other sports or lounging in the off season, Oldest was working his hardest. You know it too, you've seen the bulging muscles. As soon as June hit, the workouts and conditioning became official for the upcoming team and it got even more serious for Oldest. Now here we are in August, two-a-day practices and it is game time for this guy. He is so pumped. He says that a bunch of the boys are getting mohawks for the first game. Oh, goodness me.

Chantilly won that scrimmage about 20 to 7 or so. Strangely, the scoreboard stopped working right about half time. Both sides were set at 0 for some reason. When we arrived it was 20 to zip, Chantilly and the other team scored once I believe. At one point Baseball Chick asks me what the down marker was for. I just stared at her with that "did anyone hear her ask me that?" look. I am hoping none of the other parents picked up on my not answering her, out of a sheer lack of knowledge. With that experience behind me I decided to ask the Hub to give me simple explanations. I get the point, and the plays, pretty much. But I really couldn't say I understand the whole "down" system. Yesterday I asked for some assistance and the Hub joyfully pulled out some chalk on the driveway and gave me a good run through. I think now I could answer Baseball Chick's question. Loudly and proudly, if I had to.

We are truly looking forward to this season and hoping for the boys that they can win a state championship. Oldest says the coach says this is the best looking team he's had in awhile. "Doesn't he say that every year to you guys?" I say. Oldest says no. He played varsity last year and he hasn't heard the coach talk this way yet. So we are very hopeful.

On another note, we are getting desperate pleas for an additional soccer coach for Soccer Chick's season. Do these people know they really don't want me to coach? I really, truly wish I could take this on. I have the time, and the energy and the excitement for sure. But...hmmm. coaching? You have to really understand the game and the positions, or else what good are you? I fear I would cause more damage than good. I don't think I could survive a parent like the kind of parent that I am, on the sidelines, flipping out over my poor coaching job. I'm much better suited to only half way knowing what I'm talking about, from the sidelines. So, we're hoping someone will step up. The Hub surely doesn't have the time to fit it in, although I know he'd like to do it. We'll just be praying some other family has a parent that can do this for the girls.

Oldest has another scrimmage Thursday night. We are so pumped for this. The boys are pumped too. "Game time baby" is Oldest's walk around the house slogan. Well, that and "Rach, I'm hungry."

Just Plain Cute

I love to share with you the authentic antics of Youngest. His thought processes really do amaze me. Last night I am catching up on emails at my desk. Doing the whole distracted parent thing when Youngest comes in to show me two small cuts on his wrist. In his most "I'm amazed and appalled" voice he says "Mom! Look at these two cuts on my wrist!" I ask him where they came from, without even looking at them. You know how moms can do it. He responds by saying "I don't know. But do you know what will help them get better? Gum. White gum in a container," as he eyes the white gum in a container on my desk.

Needless to say I stopped typing and looked down at him as he presented me with his most innocent - or "I'm trying to look innocent" face. "Really mom. Seriously." Needless to say he got the gum.

On another note, have you checked out my sister's blog? www.fromcvillewithlove.blogspot.com. She is simply the most amazing and creative person I know. She recently completed a trade show for her jewelry (yes, folks, that she makes and sells) and posted pictures of her booth. I've always been amazed and proud of her. But I must confess reading her post this morning brought tears to my eyes. I couldn't put a finger on any particular reason why I would be feeling more emotional than normal so I'm pretty confident in saying her booth looked that amazing. I was really having a hard time saying this was created by my younger sister. NOT that she is not capable. But totally because this is seriously talented stuff. Like famous-people kind of stuff. If you have time check out her photos and her blog post. She is a funny gal and you will enjoy the reading.

Scrimmage Success

Last night we had the distinct privilege of attending Chantilly's first scrimmage of the season. Does it matter that the team scrimmages itself? Well, come now friends. Not if you are a Chantilly Charger it doesn't. I suppose that if you are outside of this reality it make seem a bit odd to get excited over something so internal and silly. But, isn't that the fun of being part of a team, or a fan of a team? I am definitely that. Did I pay much attention to the other three's tireless boredom pleas. Nah, not so much.

Oldest is 1st string O line. For my non-football speaking friends that simply means he's in the group that goes out to play first, as in the top/best players on the team and he play on Offensive line. Now don't get crafty and ask me what position he plays because that may simply be beyond my knowledge of understanding. I asked Oldest to explain to me some very simple stuff the other day. I am hoping that since this season is such a big deal to him I might actually cheer and clap at the right time. That being dependent on understanding the game, naturally. Which I can tell you now, is not where I am. BUT! I am working on it and I do want to learn it. I am capable of some complex things so surely I can get the gist of this thing.

Well friends, despite my asking Oldest wouldn't budge. Tells me it would be a waste of time for him to explain it to me because I wouldn't get it. This from the kid who seeks me out for the simplest of "complex" things he has to do in his 17 year old life. I love that he thinks I can't comprehend the game of football. I mean, I haven't figured it out yet and I was a cheerleader in high school and have been going to his games since he was 7. But, friends, that's not the point. Surely I was distracted from focusing and understanding. In fact, I'm pretty sure the Hub gives me the same response that Oldest did when I have asked him to explain to me. What's a gal to do.

I do want to tell you that I can remember cheer leading and not knowing what the plays meant. That should be a mandatory lesson as part of the cheer leading practice. It seemed that everyone around me knew what was happening, but I clearly didn't. So I cheered when they cheered; clapped when they clapped. And like all things in life, you can't fake it 'til you make it. Because here I am, umpteen years later and not a football scholar am I. Now, that said, I plan to get better this season. I still have Youngest to see through those priceless youth football days.

The scrimmage itself went very well. The boys looked pretty good. Ha! I say this after telling you that I really don't know what I'm talking about. I'll keep you updated as the season rolls along. I know how to read a scoreboard and that's all that really matters. My boy got a few sacks and was doing big things out there. He came home looking like he had been hit by a mac truck. He barely could walk up the steps. We did have to make a cleat purchasing run to the sports store, at which we were delighted to find a middle aged store employee who delighted himself in putting Oldest on the spot. I suppose Oldest set himself up by not having the energy to change out of his uniform. But regardless, you gotta love a grown man who thinks he has to call a kid out about playing football. He talked way too loud. I mean, who's attention was he trying to get? And friends, HE was the grown up working at a sport store, giving Oldest the third degree about colleges and playing time and 1st string or 2nd string and positions and performance, and some sort of "Alright, you better do something out there. I'm going to come check out your games." And no, friends, we do not know this man. At all. When we walked away Oldest summed it up pretty well, I thought: "okay, loser grown man harassing kids. Dusch bag."

Oldest has another scrimmage on Friday night. Now this is when the Friday Night lights fever will really begin to set in. The Hub and I feeling the heat rising. The rest of the kids look at us like we're crazy but you know we don't care. And did I mention that at the scrimmage yesterday Youngest so no less than 3 teenage girls that are fans of his. I suppose they didn't see the rest of us. He is the cutest thing walking, and thus, all that matters, apparently.

4 in 1

The emails are trickling in and the excitement is building. Our sports season is about to be upon us. You know how we Copelands do it, lots of sports means lots to blog about! I'm so excited friends, about this upcoming season. Brace yourself...we'll have four playing in one season. Let me get your good and ready:

Oldest, as you may know, never stopped working out from last football season. Completed all the off-season workouts and non-mandatory conditioning and here we are at August when the actual real season has arrived. The Chantilly football team is now doing their "two-a-days". For my friends that are not sports enthusiasts that simply means two practices a day. I'll try to break it down for you whenever I can. That said, I can't give you play-by-plays of the game because I don't actually know how to play. Nevertheless, in a few short weeks there I will be on Friday nights, sitting in the stands, rooting for that big guy. His arms measure the second biggest of anyone on the team and he says the dude with the biggest doesn't count because he's just sloppy. So my big guy will be out there, hopefully doing some big things. And prayerfully, some college football team somewhere will notice him and invite him to come chat. You better believe I will be specifically praying for this before each and every game. God tells us to pray specifically, and that's what I intend to do.

I've gotten an email about Soccer Chick's season. This year they will be playing girls from other leagues. This takes the soccer game to a whole other level. No more house league team against same house league team. It means no more local playing fields every week, so a bit more travel for us but it also means a higher level of competition and skill. That same email asked for coaches as they have found themselves short. I wish that I could transport my brother-in-law, known as Cute Husband on my sister's blog (www.). I know that he would be a fantastic coach. Since he lives a whopping two hours away, I couldn't sign him up. I am confident they don't want me to coach. That, friends, would be disasterous. As you know I get way too emotionally involved in game time. I am much better suited for the sidelines.

Haven't heard anything about Baseball Chick yet. I am certain we will be hearing soon. I'm guessing she will be on a team with all boys again. And that will be just fine with her. Hopefully with a coach that gives me plenty to blog about.

And the most exciting news...Youngest is officially registered to play on his first team. If you know him, you know this is major. The boy is a balled up container of energy, running on maximum constantly. I can foresee him leading the ball and scoring multiple goals in each game. I look forward to keeping you updated on this guy. He's excited to have a jersey with a real number. He's such an old soul in a little guy's body. When I told him he was registered, he took it in stride...."When do I start practice?" As if he's David Beckham or something. At this age, there's no such thing; just games on Saturdays. But the little man intends to do business on the field so we won't stand in his way.

So yes, folks, we will have four teams to juggle during one 3 month period. Ya'll pray for us that we can manage the scheduling. We're praying for not too much overlapping and a miracle of scheduling that allows us to balance the three youngest's games on Saturdays. All things are possible with God...even this!

Suburban Chick

I have officially self-assigned a nickname to myself...Suburban Chick. Last night the Hub goes out to put some trash out. Instantly he's at the back door with that wild-eye look of one who's seen something unusual. "I just found a snake!" And off he zooms to get the shovel to put an end to that trespasser.

The girls and I went out to witness the murder. And friends, we were all three torn between "I want to see" and "ewww, I really don't want to see." I suffered from this dilemna more than the girls. I, unlike those two, stayed up on the deck. For safety, you know.

The Hub saw that black, disgusting thing just before it went into it's snake hole which we now know is under our house. Um. Gross, people. Just watching the Hub perform the pre-meditated murder was funny enough. He plotted, waited for the right moment and hit that sucker right under his head. The follow through was pretty funny too. With the shovel on this creature's neck, there were some serious jumping moves for emphasis. There's just something so not right about a snake. I tie that creature right back to the days of Adam and Eve. Oh, how the serpent was used for evil. Needless to say, I don't mess with snakes.

Once it was thoroughly decapitated, and much to our intrigued horror, the Hub decided to hang the body up on a tree just over our fenceline. Um. Gross, people. Like what? Is that supposed to be a sign to his little friends. This is what will happen to you guys too! But the grossest of all would be the head that continue to writher and stretch for way too long for my comfort. People, gross. Really, really gross. Finally, it took what us civilized people would consider it's first breath and opened it's mouth wide. If I could hear the sound it isn't possible to make it would have been a dying scream, I'm certain. Then shut, and dead and gone. It was strangely like a death scene from a way-too-dramatic movie. I guess he wasn't happy about dying.

Bigger problem: the snake hole under our house. The Hub says this would be the one year he didn't put down the Snake Away around the house. Great Hub, great. After our ordeal was over and we were thoroughly grossed out, I began to think "that could have been me!" I put the trash out all the time; even in the dark. I know that God loves me because if that had of been me, folks I might never venture out again.

And so I have given myself this new nickname: Suburban Chick. What happened to the tomboy girl I was oh so long ago? No clue, but she is gone, gone, gone. I can't stand to feel dirty and sand from the beach is kind of the worst. Just can't stand the feeling on the bottom of my feet. This coming from the same girl that played straight up in the mud as a kid. That same kid has been so suburbanized that I now need and invisible fence around my life to keep the nature out! I have discovered, and last night, confirmed, I am NOT a country girl. And as kind as I am, I am having a hard time being willing to share my space with these creatures. For now, I'm not venturing into the backyard. Snake Away for me is more like Rach Away.

What's Your Plan?

Yesterday afternoon everyone in my office received the County emergency message that there was a gunman in our regional office and the building has been put on lockdown. Now, friends, this is the building that I travel to work in at least once per month. Immediately our office was in a scurry, thinking of our co-worker who was covering that office at the time. About an hour later we receive an updated message stating the gunman has been apprehended safely and there were no injuries.

Naturally, this caused quite the stir in our office. Finally we were able to talk to our co-worker who, after 1 hour, was still outside the now-evacuated building, waiting for the police to let them back inside. She said the "word" was that the gunman was fleeing the police and ran into the building to disappear. He ran into a government building. Bad situation just made worse. They were informed by overhead intercom to lock their office suite doors and stay put. Our co-worker fidgeted with the door and could not get it to lock. While deliberating over that, they were told by intercom to evacuate.

Friends, as I thought on this last night and this morning, I, of course, thought what would my plan be if someone came into this government building? There is the physical reality of knowing that I would follow whatever prompts I was given by the authorities in charge. But the spiritual reality is what matters to me more. I know, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that when in trouble and in times of fear I turn to God first.

I can tell you from my own previous experiences that when I have been faced with seriously troubling issues and circumstances I have prayed first. That, to me, is the benefit, and evidence, of having Jesus in my life. I don't want to just talk about Him, or learn about Him, but I want to know that when the situation is bad...really bad, I turn to Him first. I might still have the panic and anxiety related to the severity of what I'm facing. But I want to know that I know what I know, you know?

They say that you really see what a person is about when the going gets tough. When you have been faced with a serious situation (and I mean serious, as in car accident, death of a loved one, bankruptcy, foreclosure, gunman in the building, you know...that kind of stuff) what is your instinct? My instinct is to pray first. Because I know Him personally, and I have a conversation with Him quite often, it's natural at that moment to start talking to Him as if He was right beside me. Because really people, I believe He is right beside me.

I hope that for you, you have a rescue plan too. I hope that, like me, you know that in those moments the best remedy is to call on the power of God to move. It's that power that brings miracles. I heard someone once say that 99% of people call on the name of God when facing death and trauma. They don't call on the universe, Allah, Buddha or even mom. What do we say in that moment of complete desperation. "Oh, my God."

I'll leave you with that thought, and one more. Last night, our "incident" didn't even make the evening news. What does that matter? It tells me that a potentially dangerous situation like this is no longer news. He didn't kill anyone, was apprehended without incident, therefore, nothing to report. I'm amazed that in our society a person with a gunman out, having the ability to shoot, injure and kill, is no longer so unusual that it's considered "news".

Be Still My Nerves!

Caution, caution!!! Teenage driver in the house. You know the one, Oldest. The one who moves slow as molasses for all things but football. The one who "forgets" to do his chores and his homework, and study, and...and...and. Yup. That one. That same one is the one who now all of a sudden wants to drive his siblings everywhere their adorable little hearts want to go. You know the scene: new driver = drive everywhere.

My post today is just to share with you how funny this human being is. He is full of catchy phrases and funny sayings that are not proving to be a big help when I'm trying to have my serious passenger seat driver face on. One of my favorites: my big guy is in the right hand lane and a car is merging into it. "Coming in hot Rach! They are coming in hot!!!" A delightful little way to express his slightly heightened anxiety at seeing that car come straight for his lane. Another chuckle comes from cars that change lanes, into his lane, oh, let's say 50 feet in front of him..."Oh! You! I can't believe you just did that!"

And never has this young man been more of a gentleman. Waving everyone in and in front of him. Do they care that it's because he needs to take his time and would rather they go then he have to figure out how to go himself? Oh, and a mini-crisis avoided at the mall yesterday. Grandma walking with her two grandbabies almost had a heart attack when he was "coming in hot" as she was in the crosswalk. "Break, break!", I'm telling him. Finally his ears open and he stops. That poor woman. I believe we scared her something bad. Don't worry, we were quite a distance away; nowhere near impact, but the fact that he wasn't slowing down surely rattled her a teensy bit.

I've been very brave. I only "drove" from the backseat once, much to the Hub and Oldest's strong dissatisfaction. In his defense, he's pretty good. I mean, who wouldn't want to stop 3 to 4 car lengths behind another car at a red light. Why can't we all do that? So, practice is us, anywhere and everywhere. To the store; to the mall; to the gas station. You remember that feeling. He's lobbying for the Hub to give him the Benz and get himself something else. I personally prefer my own car so I push to take that on our excursions but the Oldest hems and haws to drive that instead.

And as always, a little Youngest joy for you: Upon seeing his brother driving the car he says "I can't WAIT to get my license. Boy, I'm gonna drive this car. You watch mommy. It's gonna be so fast!" Yup, I believe that. I'll have to keep my reigns on that one. He's fearless. You do know that he sleeps with his arms folded behind his head, right? He really does. I'm gonna snap and post a picture for you one of these days. You can't appreciate it until you really see it. As if, even in sleep, he is stating "ahhhh, this is the life."

Fun, Fun

Saturday was our annual church picnic, folks. I posted my thoughts pre-picnic on facebook, by stating my prediction of a jolly-good time. And friends, it was so much fun. The shelter reservation was in a supreme location. Even though my thoughts of kickball were dashed by some way-too-serious soccer players. I would have run them off "my field" but, um...there were about 30 of them playing a serious game of soccer. So I let them be. Instead we enjoyed really great food and had some friends and family come from several hours away. We had some of our regulars from church and some new friends too. All in all, it was a jolly-good time.

I think I must say that the impromptu volleyball game was the greatest. As the self-appointed spokesperson for the losing team, two "games" in a row, if you can call them that...I will say that the teams were uneven. The other side seemed to consistently have more people than we did. Seemed the heads just seemed to multiple over there. Being the tough-it-out gals that we are, we hung strong.

The killer was the other team's ace in the hole...let's call him "surprise". Surprise is this 11 year old, quiet, came-from-out-of-town kid that rocked us! The kid spiked the ball and I'm telling you not one of us on our team could do anything but pick our jaws up. He was pretty good. I kept trying to get him to sign on with us but he just wasn't having it. In retrospect, I will save face for our team by saying we did the honorable thing by taking the children to our side mercifully and patiently.

Probably the funniest thing would be my increasing irritation with the Hub as he came off the grill and his socializing and took a spot on the team. Correct that- took over the team. Do you think it's possible the Hub could have done that. Took. Over. Folks. Played every spot on our side, dash here, dash there. In between laughing ourselves silly and fussing at him for trying to be the showboat-superstar, we lost. Truly, a fun, fun day.

There really isn't anything like friendship. Whether it's the connection between girlfriends, buddies, you and God, whoever it may be, it's actually priceless. We are two days past the event and the Hub and I are still talking about how much fun we had. What was so different this year than past? Well, mostly the good time you may or may not have is determined by the state of mind you are in. Who knows where I was last year, and I did have a good time, but this was soooo much better. Just real people, being people, enjoying each other's company and presence. Laughter is so good for the soul.

Wind Whipped Right Outta Me

Whew, friends! What an exhausting 6 or so days it's been. Friday I made the bold, daring and rather insane decision to cut out coffee. Gasp! Friends, hold on to your hearts here. I'm doing fine. As well as can be expected in such a situation as this. Sure enough, Saturday my head felt like I had put it between my kids' energy and pushed "go".

By Saturday night I was sick, sick, sick, I tell ya. By Monday I was out of work, home sleeping and slept through about three days of life. I didn't truly come back to reality until Wednesday. What an amazing experience. Folks, to be in and out of consciousness and not really know what's happening around you...strange. Really strange. I still have the lingering cough that has attached itself to my heart apparently and won't go away even under severe threats. It keeps me up at nights and makes me ever-so-annoying to my work friends. All I can say, people, is thank God I'm married. My children truly would have been answering the door in underwear and giving themselves haircuts had it been left up to me.

Glad to say I'm back upon the land of the living. The Hub was calling me Lazarus for a few days; surprised that I had resurrected so pleasantly. I'm praying mightily that no one else in the home should suffer so. Call me crazy, but I really do put a lot of blame on the coffee withdrawal. Like my body rebelled against my wise decision by sticking it to me something awful.

Good news is, I'm recuperating. The Hub took care of business, not that I would expect any less. He checked on me every few hours (a memory that is fleeting but I'm certain is real) just to make sure I was still breathing. Kids are all accounted for, haircuts in tact, fully clothed and life goes on.

Favorite Youngest moment of the past week:

Youngest: "Mom, we should live with grandma."
Me: "Why?"
Youngest: "Because she lives all alone and that's sad."
Me: "No, she lives with Horse Granddaughter. She's not all alone."
Youngest: thinking intently, pauses and then..."Nah, we should ask her. I think she wants us to live there."

Friends, I'm certain even though my mother loves me immensely, she does NOT want all six of us moving into her crizzo. Now that friends, would send her into something much worse than my ailing body suffered this past week. She just might hit coma-status!