Back Off, Bud!

I feel like Satan has really been hitting on me and those around me lately.

- Since the beginning of September, the girls and I have taken turns being sick. The latest was Peanut getting RSV. She was at the doctor's office twice and the ER once last week.

- We lost all of the wood floor in the storm. Some sections of this floor have been replaced twice already in the last year. What's a third time?

- Right before my mom's and my trip to Dallas for a work convention, one of her vehicles got wrecked and was in the shop, another of theirs broke down and mine started acting up.

- A month later hers is still broken down and mine is still acting up.

- Sweet Pea got sick right before our trip and Peanut got sick during it.

- Peanut has created a horrible habit of wanting to nurse during church making it difficult for me to stay in the service.

- Sweet Pea has been pushing limits.

- Peanut hasn't slept through the night in I don't know how long.

- Our dog died.

- Due to the above listed illnesses it has been nearly impossible to get to the gym and use the membership we are shelling out money for.

- Things are getting financially tight again. Seems to be this way everywhere.

- Business is super busy right now.

- Our company credit card numbers for my mom's embroidery business got stolen and someone drained our entire bank account making purchases at fine establishments like Journeys and Frederick's of Hollywood.

- My parents, who are also strapped right now, had their well go out. Nothing says fun like a house of ten with NO water.

- I bounced my first check ever and it just happened to be the mortgage payment. With the baby being sick, I forgot to transfer money.

- I am constantly getting hammered with guilt for not doing enough of this, that or the other, while also getting hit with "your doing too much" or "I just want to stay home today" (from the kids).

- I feel that I have absolutely no time to do anything I want to do and not enough time to do things I need to do.

But you know what Satan?

- We have good doctors and medicine and are all feeling better.

- We have house insurance that is going to cover getting all new floors and THIS time we don't have to install it ourselves.

- I had a great weekend with my mom and my sister and two cranky, sick kids and we learned a TON of information for our business.

- My dad has the knowledge to fix both of our cars (he only needs a little time).

- I've learned to swallow my pride and not care what others think if I nurse during a church service and have made it through an entire service because of it. I've also learned that Peanut can sleep in the nursery.

- Sweet Pea has also had some amazingly sweet moments.

- I love the time I get with Peanut during the night, when it is just her and I and ALL is quiet.

- We have had a wonderful time sharing memories of CJ and discussing what type of dog we will get next (in the distant future).

- I've lost 5 pounds despite the fact I've been in the gym once in the month of October.

- We haven't had to sell our house or car, we have barely any debt and we are still making it just fine. We still have so much more than most the world.

- My mom and I are learning how to work together to get the job done in "crunch time".

- The bank is returning all the money that was stolen and waving all the fees.

- My parents still have their heads above water, no pun intended, and were able to get the well fixed cheaper than expected thanks to the hard work of my dad, mom, siblings and a close friend.

- The mortgage company reprocessed the check and the bank cleared the fees.

- I know that my priorities are God, my husband and my kiddos. I know that in the end God has a plan for us all and all things will come together for the good. I've also got a great Christian counselor who continues to help show me what's important and how to balance my life.

- I know what I don't get done today will still be there tomorrow.

Satan can't win. He can't have us. He can burn our house and all of our belongings to the ground. It doesn't matter. He has no place in our lives and NEVER will. He can pull all he wants, but our Father has us in His grip and He will never let go.

I do, however, wish he would go knock on someone else's door for a while. I'm getting tired.


During times like this, I want to remember the good times too.
Last night, while swinging at the park, Sweet Pea had a conversation with CJ in the clouds. She was talking to him because "she was closer to him" when she swung. There was a dog barking somewhere in the neighborhood and she was sure it was him answering her. It was priceless.

Peanut has started a new habit of playing with my hair when I hold her. She is not a big cuddle-er, as she is much too busy for that. She loves to twirl my hair and even though I don't care to have my hair played with, it melts my heart.

My husband and I have had some really awesome conversations lately and I fall even more in love with him everyday.

Now, Lord help me if Obama takes office. I think I'll "cling to my guns and religion".