February, where did thou go?

February was rough around here on a lot of levels.  We spent a lot of time on the road, I was sick most of the month, Steve suffered with his knee (hopefully, he’ll have surgery scheduled within the next week or so and his pain will be alleviated), our sheltie had some suspicious results on some blood work (luckily, she’s totally fine..it was a bit worrisome for a week while we waited for the retest), Gracie missed a lot of school, I cracked a tooth and had to have a crown (and you may not know this about me, but I’d rather go through an emergency c-section without anesthesia than spend any time in the dentist’s chair…okay may not without anesthesia, but you get the picture).  And, those were just the mildly troublesome things that happened.  Because in the middle of all that and the normal scouts, school, church, dance, work craziness of our lives, my Uncle Terry died suddenly and unexpectedly. 

He was only 66 years old and his death was a shock to all of us.  I didn’t get to see him often, but I enjoyed the time I did get to spend with him.  He was funny and loud and overflowing with personality. I loved him. My girls? Well, my girls adored him.  Every time we go to visit my grandfather, they ask if Uncle Terry is going to be there.  He had a soft spot for my girls and my nieces and I hope they gave him as much joy as he gave them.  I’m thankful that we got to see him last July and celebrate what ended up being his final birthday with him.  I’m glad he got that last piece of Angel Food cake. 

So, a good portion of the month was filled with sadness and worry.  I was worried about both my grandmother and my grandfather.  I can’t imagine the agony of losing a child, no matter how old that child is.  And, I’m worried about my mother for a myriad of reasons.  No, it wasn’t an easy month at all.

But, when I look back at the pictures from the month (yes, I’m somewhat proud of myself that I kept up with my daily pictures throughout everything), I realize that mixed in with the sadness and the sickness and the stress and the worry, there was a lot of joy and fun in February.

Gracie went to not one, but two sleepovers this month.  And.she.actually.stayed.the.WHOLE.night.BOTH.TIMES.  My child – the one who doesn’t want to go to college unless I go and stay in the room with her.  The one who wants to go to India and China and London and Paris, but only if I go with her and hold her hand the entire time.  My child who swore she would never, ever, spend an night away from me willingly.  She was a little nervous to go to the first sleepover, but it was a wonderful experience for her.  She was so excited to go to the second one.  I think we’ve definitely turned a corner!

I got to see my sister and my nieces twice this month.  And, really, what could possibly be wrong with a month where that happens? 

I’ve spent some quality time with Abigail this month…we went to the planetarium with her class, to the grand opening of our church Thrift store, to the Dr. Seuss reading day at Target.  I’m loving watching her change from a toddler into a little girl – she’s just amazing to me.

I have so much to look forward to this month…fun events at church, Mardi Gras, my birthday, St. Patrick’s Day, dinner out at our favorite restaurant with Steve. 

I’ll leave you with some of my favorite pictures from this month.

This if from a mini photo session that I did with the girls after ballet.

Gracie’s school Valentines.  She was so proud of them (I was, too!)

The Morleys in Meridian celebrating Gracie and Emmie’s birthdays.

Gracie reading the Gideon Bible in the hotel in Meridian.  She was reading John 3:16.  I’m blown away by her faith sometimes.

Gracie and two of her best buddies headed out to one of the sleepovers.

Abigail at the Dr. Seuss birthday celebration at Target.  Contrary to what the picture looks like, she really did enjoy herself.  Why she looks like she’s being tortured, I’ll never know..

And finally, a reminder.  Gracie picked this for me at Fort Barrancas this weekend.  The girls are always picking flowers and weeds for me.  But, something about this flower made me stop and think.  They are not always going to pick me flowers.  One day, in the not too distant future, they’re going to stop doing this.  Does this make me sad?  Well, maybe a little.  But, I know that the flower-picking will be replaced with something else that I love just as much – a hug after a high-school football game, a kiss on my cheek after college graduation, a postcard from a foreign country they’re visiting after working with the Peace Corps (okay, maybe I’m projecting a little here).  But, it does remind me that I need to appreciate the little things that make my girls who they are right now.  I’m so lucky…my blessings are greater than the petals on this flower and I am thankful for each and every one of them.