I can't believe it's FRIDAY!

WOW. This week really flew. I have thought about blogging over the past 2 days, but to be honest, I haven't been able to think about anything else except Race returning home. Which, if all goes as planned won't be too much longer.

My sister Thomasina, saved the day for me again. She was letting everyone spend the night with her Wednesday night, so that I could get to my 9am hair appt. . At lunch time, I was heading back toward her house when she called with the news that Jack wasn't feeling good. So I went out to pick them up, got them some lunch, and headed home after a quick stop for gingerale (the magical "sick tonic" at our house). I sent Jack straight to bed in my room. He vehemently protested this request for about 5 minutes......and was asleep. I believe that he had what would best be explained as a "little kid hang-over". I mean this child was bouncing off the walls all day Wednesday at the thought of being able to spend the night at "Aunt Thomasina's Rockin' Party House". I mean we are talking about a night filled with movies, chips, dip, candy, and all the soda that you can handle. And since my children view Aunt Thomasina as an equal, (you know,one of their pack, NOT an alpha wolf), there would be very few restrictions or limitations on the evening. So, for Jack, just the anticipation of such an evening just about killed him. He was spent.

Thomasina was kind enough to take Savannah and Austin to their lessons for me, so that Jack could rest and sip bloody mary's (kidding- he slept for about 5 hrs!). Anyway, she saved the day for me. I am SOOooo thankful to have family close by. Race has always been gone a lot, and all of these years up until now, if something went wrong, I had to call on the kindness of others to help me out. And since we were dirt poor, stuff seemed to happened a lot. I mean, I can't tell you how many times I prayed for all I was worth that I had enough gas in the car, or that the tires would hold out a little bit longer, or that we would be able to get the A.C. fixed. But, you know, stuff happens, and God always supplies enough. It is not lost on me, what a blessing it is to have family near. I am very, very thankful for it.

I got to do a little shopping yesterday, and use up some gift cards that I have been saving since Christmas. It was heavenly. I have had a wardrobe filled with nothing but black, khaki, and white, for about the last .........what? .......10 years? So it was exhilarating to walk into the stores and see all of the beautiful feminine styles and COLORS!! Pink is everywhere! I love it. Big hair, bright colors....I tell you it is the return of the 80's folks (oh, be still my heart!)
It was a fun day, but you know, I've noticed something. When my kids were little, I would LONG for a day to myself. I mean, in the eyes of a mother of babies, that is like the equivalent of a 2 wk beach vacation. But now.......well, the kids don't really need me to do the same sort of things for them. I am no longer exhausted from DOING for them. So a night to ones self (without ones spouse), is ....well.... it's just kinda lonely. I missed their COMPANY. Huh. Who knew?

We have a busy day ahead of us. School lessons, then Martial Arts, and then hair cuts for these shaggy headed boys. To bed early for us tonight, because Austin has to be at the ball field at 8:45 am tomorrow. I will be running the shuttle between ball field and ballet rehearsal tomorrow, and then it will be off to Mam-maw and Pap-paw's! woo-hoo! I can't wait to get there.

Hope that everyone has a great day!
Melissa