riding high

Today is the best day ever! Well, okay...maybe not as great as when my kids were born or anything...but definitely the best day this week! I picked out my Mother's Day gift this morning...a kitten for my family. It's name is Scout and it's pretty cute...all morning at work I just had to keep peeking at him...until Eric came and brought him home for me. And then I went home at lunch to visit. A kitten. It's been almost a year since we lost Emma...and although it has been good to be "pet-free," we still half-expect her to be waiting at the door when we arrive home in the dark. And what a great feeling to surprise the kids...Laura especially. If there was ever a girl who loved a cat, it is my girl...my girl, who still, at almost 14, will occasionally "meow" with joy.
And just when I thought all hope was gone for my job at school, just when I had accepted it, I found out I was wrong. It's been confirmed, but not "official" that I'll still have my job next year. I almost cried. It is where my heart is...I love the kids...I love the books...I love the kids.
And so...here I sit, exhausted and overcome with emotion. All is right with my world.

who's there?

Somebody's knocking at your door...
Oh, children, why don't you answer,
Somebody's knocking at your door.
Knocks like Jesus...
Somebody's knocking at your door...
You can trust Him...
Somebody's knocking at your door...
Open up your heart and let Him in...

It's one of my favorite songs from our old church pre-school...the kids always loved it, too. It was a fun little song, but more than that because the lesson is so big. He comes to us...right where we are...no matter where we are in life, in our faith, or lack of...and He offers us everything...everything...for nothing. We don't have to do anything, He's done it all. And still, is it not enough? We keep Him out there on the doorstep...knocking. We can trust Him...and isn't it easier to trust than to question? It is. It is easier...to put all of our burdens right in His loving, outstretched arms...to let Him take on all of our troubles...all of our pain. Open up your heart and let Him in.

chips 'n salsa

Seems I have always been a fan of Mexican restaurants...maybe it's the warm, salty chips and the fresh, spicy salsa that arrive at the table upon sitting down, or maybe it's just the memories that continue to build. My Grandma S used to take us to a little place for lunch once in a while...Tak-A-Taco. It was one of my favorites...pinatas hanging from the ceiling...colorful pottery everywhere. And then there was ChiChi's...where my Dad would take us to...on his weekend. That was where I first tried hot salsa...and fried ice cream. The atmosphere there was so fun...the girls in their brightly colored tiered dresses...singing in the background. And Chili's...where I went with friends, and then for my first date with Eric. By that time, I really had a love for all Mexican food...and had tried my hand at cooking a few things myself- but the chips and salsa...always my favorite. Eric taught me the art of nachos...he was the best at the layering of the cheese and chips...and eventually chili peppers became the decor in our kitchen. I think I could eat Mexican food every day and never get tired of it. And so, Cinco de Mayo is the perfect excuse for pulling out all of my special dishes and decorations. Just for fun...just for chips and salsa...and maybe a margarita, with salt around the rim.

don't be sick

No one likes to be sick...and I know that I will deny being sick until whatever I have has turned into something worse (for example, that whole appendix thing)...but the worst is when your baby is sick. He never complains about feeling poorly...not even when he feels his ear pop in the middle of the night...he wouldn't want to wake me up. I was so surprised today when I saw him come by on his way to the clinic... and so I took him home, and settled him in on the couch. Soon, he was asleep, curled up under the blanket...peace and healing for my sweet boy. Before long, he was up and running once again...and his smile was back.