Push button here. Car starts there.

We have been surprised and so blessed by a neat provision of God through some very dear friends to grant us a newer,  nicer, better-fit-for-a-family-of-four car than our little sporty Eclipse that M drives to work each day.  So we’ve got an extra car that we don’t *have* to sell right away but are putting out there to see if anyone might need it. 

Paying forward a great deal if you’re in need of some wheels with great gas mileage.

What we’ll miss most…. remote start!! SO nice in both warm and cold weather. It sure spoils a driver quickly!

Edited to add…. Good Gravy!!  It’s been on Craigslist for all of 60 minutes and I’ve got 3 who plan to see it tomorrow. Who knew?!?

Wonderful welcome home

Today the girls, both canine and human, and I made the trip back home. Kinlee does not travel nearly as well as Braska did at that age, that is for sure, but overall, they did well. Both trips, down and back, had stops at about halfway for a hold-over feeding for Kinlee. And it's only a 2-hour trip!! She doesn't go to sleep and snooze the whole way as I'd like, so we adjust. When she starts to cry, Braska yells at her, and if Kinlee doesn't stop--which she doesn't--then Braska melts into one of her previously rare crying fits. Then the dog barks at both of them. It's good times. So even though I prefer a straight-through trip, we stop and calm them all, then we continue on.

When we arrived home today, there was a very delightful surprise here to greet us. A sweet bouquet of flowers.


It might look simple to you, but to me it's absolutely perfect. I knew immediately that there was thought behind it, and I'm all about that kind of thing. I called M right away and told him we were home and that I loved the flowers. And he confirmed that I was right in thinking that he'd planned this little bouquet very carefully.

There's the rose for me.

A carnation for Kinlee...

And, my favorite detail, a tulip for Braska...

Many of you will know why that tulip is so special. For those that don't, read this. We like Holland, and especially it's beautiful flowers.

Thankful, very thankful.

Pam at Rhett's Journey tagged me for a meme of what things we're thankful for. I've meant to do another one of these for a while, but obviously haven't gotten around to it. (Reminds me of a wooden coin-like thing I had when I was younger that had the letters TUIT on it. It was round. A round tu-it. Get it... I always think of that.) Anyway.......

Since it's Thanksgiving Day, it's about time I get over my procrastinating ways and get to it.

~I'm thankful for a sound mind and good sense. I know that may be debatable in the opinions of some of you, but I've seen some disturbing examples in those around me lately of a lack of sound-ness. It makes me very thankful that I have the ability to consider a situation, review the options, and make a sensible decision. It's no small thing. I still goof up, but those seem to be fewer and less severe.

~I'm thankful that one year after living through the heartbreaking events of Braska's arrival and diagnoses that I'm not scared of those things anymore. There will always be obstacles and challenges, and I do still get frustrated about her feeding issues, but it's all manageable. In the beginning I really thought I was doomed and would never have a happy day without despair again...thank you hormones... so we've come along way.

~I'm thankful that God has it all figured out, and when I realize that and simply take the steps that he shows me, my life is SO much less stressed out and difficult. I'll never be free of trials while on this earth, but when I stop and just let Him do the driving, things are so much more bearable and even fun!

~I'm thankful for all you fellow DS bloggers! I have learned so darn much from all of you, more than I could have imagined. It's such a big part of my day to keep up with everyone, see what's new, learn from your frustrations, and celebrate with you and your precious ones! I wish so deeply that I had had the strength to dive into this resource sooner. But now I am the first to spread the word to new parents who find themselves in our kind of situation. Every time, they are as thankful as I am. So thanks to you all for continuing to share so that we can all know we're not alone!

~I'm thankful for the privilege of being able to stay home with Braska. It's been a huge blessing to be able to work from home for the past 3 years, grow a successful business, and now be able to cut back to have time to take care of all her appointments, needs, and my own sanity. I'm thankful for "the girls" who do the toughest work for the company and keep us going. You guys are the best!!

There are a zillion other things I'm thankful for, and I should be more regular in acknowledging them. I do spend several times each day JUST thanking God for blessings. It has made a huge difference in my attitude toward the issues I face. Make it a regular thing, not just one day a year. It'll add years to your life and great length to your patience!