Happy Birthday Ashtyn!

So today is my baby's 14th birthday and can I tell you that the past couple of years have just not been the best birthdays for her. Last year, Dave and I had to leave the day before to go to Tulsa because my dad had been rushed into emergency surgery and the prognosis was not good. Ashtyn woke up on her birthday last year in our neighbors house (bless their wonderful souls) orphaned by her parents on her most special day of the year.

And this year has now proven to be even worse for her. About a year and a half ago, she had to have a root canal done on one of her back molars which was really sad at the time but once you have it done, everything should be good...right? Wrong!! Ashtyn came home Saturday from Stillwater in extreme pain and basically spent all of Sunday trying to get by until we could get to the dentist first thing Monday morning. And can I just tell you that I did not know root canals could fail but they can and hers did. SO, after seeing two dentists yesterday and being in tears most of the day and night, she got into the endodontist this morning, her birthday! Once in the consultation, we found out that the infection was so bad that she is going to have to have the tooth pulled due to bone loss and eventually an implant put in. (Heed my warning...do not use cookie cutter dental offices!!

And remembering holding onto this tiny little creature fourteen years ago, who I knew I would move heaven and earth for in order to make sure she would not know a day of pain, reminds me that through the years, not much changes. The radar still goes off the charts and the momma claws come out when I see her flinch, even though I know she is fully capable of letting the dentist know if she is hurting...that simply does not matter when you are a momma! Just as it was when I took her home from the hospital, so small and fragile and dressed in as much pink as I could possibly layer her in. She will ALWAYS be my child and I will ALWAYS be her momma.

For those of you who know Ashtyn, you understand what a blessing she is to be around. The child is one of the most funniest people I have ever known. You cannot be around her for long before a smile is present on your face. Not to say that she never has bad moments...all teenagers do but I do not know anyone who can let things roll off their shoulders the way this girl does. And the best part of all is that she loves Jesus and it is so evident in her life. I take for granted the blessing she is all too often!! Life passes by so quickly and I just thank the Creator that He allowed me to be this sweet-precious-beautiful inside and out-girl's momma!!! Happy Birthday Ashtyn!!

Invites

My daughter's birthday is coming up and since I am trying to teach myself more about the digital world, I decided I would make her invitations. Doing so without taking into consideration that our tastes are not even close to being the same, needless to say, has been a trying task. You know the look?... The one where her face is all scrunched up and she says "well, I do like it...I mean it is okay..." For real, this is the third one I have started for you and before I can even type in words your already out on it? "well...I don't like the sparkly thingy". Of course, in my opinion the sparkly thingy makes the whole thing all the more better and as I try to explain this to my all wise daughter, she very sadly shakes her head and gives me the other look that says I am seriously out of touch. So here are some examples of what I came up with...

I do think she gets sick of always having her birthday associated with Halloween/Fall...and I understand, that would get old but it is so fun to decorate with. And the funny thing is that I don't decorate for Halloween in my house...ever. I do decorate for Fall and I just love Fall decorations but in the past we have had Halloween parties where we have carved pumpkins and went to haunted houses and there is so much to do by way of candy, decorations, etc. But I do think she is getting worn out with this theme, so the above invite was vetoed. And may I add that the "Eat, drink and be scary" got no less than 7 eye rolls...teenagers!



So this one was my favorite! I loved all the colors and textures...I even covered the screen with my hands when she came to look...nervous because I really loved it. Ok...the big reveal..."isn't it cool, Ash"..."don't you love it"? Face scrunching..."yeah mom...I like it...but why do those thingy's have to be on there...?" and "Mom, do you really think those colors match with each other?" Sigh...

Well the good news is she did decide on one and here it is!

And with it all said and done...I think she is just getting older and ready for more grown-up type stuff which is exciting and sad all in the same thought.

Quiet Rain

The sound of rain falling while sitting in a quiet house is one of my most favorite things. Since Dave has taken Ashtyn to find some new "pimped out" basketball shoes (thanks gma & gpa), I am at home finishing what will most definitely be a yummy dinner. Pork loin with mushroom gravy (i.e., cream of mushroom soup), mashed potatoes, mixed veggies and homemade buttermilk biscuits. Ok...so they are from a mix but anything that I have to knead, roll out and cut, constitutes "homemade". And I just love the quiet and rain sounds that are just making my soul feel good right now. When you have two teenagers as well as 4200 different ESPN type channels, the quiet is something that can be lacking. So, I am gonna get my current Luanne Rice read...and enjoy the quiet and rain for just a bit longer until my husband and daughter rush in with their bags and stories of the weird people they witnessed at the mall and my son comes home from whichever girl he is currently visiting. At which point, we will enjoy a good dinner and stories of the day and I will be thankful for the noise again.

New Blogger!

So my hubby is blogging...how fun! I really cannot wait to see what he comes up with. I have always told him I think he should write because he is so good at it. Maybe this will provide him a creative outlet which in turn will be a blessing to the rest of us! :o) Check him out...I just know he will love me for that!!! http://thederoins.blogspot.com (haven't figured out how to link to words in the blog yet)

Please pray for the West family!!

Yesterday, a mother of my children's classmates passed away after a long battle with cancer. My son played football with Stanley and my daughter is good friends with Jhames and my heart aches for those boys and her husband! So many times, I take for granted that I am always going to be here for my kids and husband but the reality is...we just are not promised that in life. I pray that I can be more conscientious of making the most of every day. I say that so often just to go back to the same harried lifestyle that we all seem to fall into.

It was just a short couple of years ago that we watched our close family friends deal with the their oldest child being diagnosed with cancer. Justin was 14 when he was diagnosed and passed away shortly before his 16th birthday. Many times during Justin's journey I would thank God for the health of my children and that He had not asked me to bear that burden because I just don't think I could do it. I stood and will always stand in awe at Christy and Robert's strength in being able to put Justin in God's hands and let him go.

I pray now that Stanley and Jhames will be able to have peace knowing their mother is in God's hands and no longer suffering. I pray that God allows me the opportunity to hug those boys necks and maybe somehow fill in some of the many hugs they will be missing from Janice. I pray that their dad be blessed with peace an courage in the coming days.

Thank you Father that you have blessed me with so much more than I deserve with two beautiful and healthy children, an awesome husband, and a great extended family. Please let me not be so quick to take these blessings for granted but enjoy every moment, every second!!! Help me to always know that tomorrow is never promised and my love and appreciation must be shown today!!