100.....

This is the 100th post I have posted. That is scary. I don't feel like I have said much in the 100 Posts - but I do feel like this blogging thing has changed my life. I have made new friends, grown closer to women at my church, and all around felt like I had a new outlet. I haven't blogged much lately - apparently too much going on. Here is what we have been up to.

1. Building our house! Yeah - it is scheduled to close August 17th, but we have enjoyed staying at my Mom and Dads.

2. Dad had open heart surgery a few weeks ago. He is doing FABULOUS! Still moving slower than usual and not in to full frontal hugs quite yet, but he is doing terrific!

3. Side Practice! I have a little "side bidness" of pro bono adoption work. I typically do work for the Shockley family. By the time I am done with this, I think Blake will owe us at least a hip replacement! HA! The other day I did some very special work...but you will have to go HERE to read about it.....

4. Work. Oh yeah - I work....right now I am assigned at the Child Abuse Network, prosecuting those who abuse and neglect their children. If you haven't heard of it, take a peek.

5. Project - I have been working on a cause. The Promote Oklahoma Adoption cause, wherein we are trying to change Oklahoma Adoption Code. If you are interested about that, click HERE.

6. Chair Person - I (as usual) can't keep my nose out of "politics" as well. I am currently starting a campaign for Judge Carlos Chappelle. (he is the fourth guy down - duh - I am sure you can read the names!) He is gearing up for a district court position. He is an excellent judge. If you happen to know any of THESE people, please comment and let me know!

7. TU Board of Alumni - This is a new one. I have no idea what I am doing. I was voted in last week.....yeah - more stuff to do!

8. LUKIE LUKE! My sister had a c-section and gave us our precious Luke. Making it a round 10 grandchildren in my family. Did you click on it? Isn't he cute!

9. Being a Momma! This is my top priority - being a momma to my kiddos. So much more fun with the warm weather. Greyson is almost 20 pounds and will be six months next week....and Ragon is talking up a storm...and DOES NOT STOP MOVING!

10. Praising my god....who still preforms miracles....

Our life is crazy busy...but good. Yeah for pictures, okay I stole them from my sister...but aren't my kiddos cute?

Words of Wisdom

This week has been a tough one. If you know me, you know that I have a pretty tough exterior. If you know me well, you know I am all gushy inside. I wouldn't really call it a front, it is just that I don't let a lot of folks go "real deep". I reserve the "mushy me" for my family and a few close friends. I don't know why....that is just the way I am. But this week, the tough exterior all but fell down. And it taught me a lot.

This week as you know my Dad had open heart surgery. And the fear didn't just creep in, it jumped into my heart and set up camp. And I let it. I had the worst thoughts flowing in and out of my mind all week while we anticipated Dad's surgery. Finally, Sunday night, I seriously thought I was going to have a break down. I am not kidding. It was one of those, want to scream in your back yard, throw up and then fall down crying times for me. I was so fearful that I would lose my Dad.

My sweet sister Molly was so good to talk me through it. The first thing I learned was that as wonderful as it is that we have an awesome church, family and friend support system. I tended to rely on them too much. I was relying on them for support and for peace. And not God....really ? How did I miss that one? So the first thing I did when we got home from Target (yes another trip to get my mind off the surgery) I got down on my knees, more like my face, and prayed, begged and pleaded with God for peace. Which he provided....

Second, obviously you know that the surgery went well and my Dad is healing remarkably, but after the surgery I had a nagging feeling. How come I couldn't tell the difference between God speaking to me and the negative thoughts? And I stood in the bathroom brushing my teeth asking God this very thing....why can't I tell? How can I tell? Help me to know...and clear as day it came to me, "I don't speak in fear". And it was like a light went off in my head....God will never place fearful thoughts in my head, he won't give me sad visions of the future, he just doesn't work that way....THAT is Satan. And another one of those peaceful feelings flowed over me.

One of "those" friends that gets to see my most vulnerable yucky sides of me is my friend Kim. She has seen some of the worst times in life. I am sad to say that the things that have happened to Kim are things I FEAR would happen to me and I couldn't handle them. Yet in the midst of all of the trying times in her life, she taught me something (well a ton of things - but this is just one). Celebrate today, enjoy today, live today, love today....and don't worry about tomorrow or what tomorrow might bring, because you will miss so many of the GOOD things in life. So - my words of wisdom, well they aren't from me. Enjoy this day....and fear not....

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On a better note, Luke William Grunewald made his debut today at Saint Francis. He weighed 7 lbs and 5 ounces, and was 18 inches long. He has brown hair, and in my book he looks just like Greg. He is a little pumpkin. Laura and he are doing well. I keep trying to add a picture, but so far no luck....stupid mac's. Oh well, will try to add one later. Keep Laura in your prayers for quick healing.

Please Pray....

My Dad is having open heart surgery as I type this. Please keep him and my family in your prayers.