I woke up in the very early hours of the morning making my mental list of all the things that I really needed to accomplish today. This was before I had my morning conversation with God. Once that was done, I hit the ground running...well, not really running, probably more like strolling.
First thing to check off was to find out how many and what kind of shots my public school-bound son needs to gain entrance. This was done by calling the health dept. in a nearby town and finding out to my surprise that shot clinic was TODAY and they wanted him to come right in. Therein were some slight problems. Son was still asleep in bed. He isn't really what one would consider a morning person and I try to always let him wake up on his own for that reason. AND he hates, I mean HATES, shots. His last foray into immunizations was when he was eight. He can still tell you exactly what happened, which shots he got, where he got them and probably what he was wearing and what the nurse looked like who inflicted the torture. We had to literally drag him out of the vehicle! Yes, I am aware his is now 16 but it still didn't bode well. Thankfully, his dad was able to run him over for the clinic and he only needed two shots. He told me they gave him a 'color changing' band-aid and it would be brown if it really hurt. Yep, the band-aid is brown. I love that kid! :)
Next on my list was to get prepared for my job at the Lunchbox Diner. Bringing children meals in the park for free is an awesome and fun time but it sure gets hot out there. Occasionally, I get to bandage scratched knees, comfort hurting little ones and share some love as well.
I arrived home late from work after delivering some kids home and for some reason didn't feel too good. I had several things that needed checked off my list yet but within an hour or so, I really didn't feel good. No other symptoms but a horrible stomach ache. Dirk decided that some Kaopectate would do the trick. However, I really don't like taking medicine so I held out for oh, about 30 minutes. By then, I was ready for anything. Lovingly, he ran to DG and bought me the vanilla kind. (I'm the mom who tells her children they can handle the nasty medicine and cheers them on, all the while thinking I'd never touch the stuff myself.) One word for this stuff. NASTY. He really got a chuckle out of me trying to get it and keep it down. The thing is, it actually worked. I never did have any other symptoms and I started feeling better!
About this time, I heard Ally and a friend using the mixer in the kitchen. It just so happened that Cole and Will's friend is the brother to Ally's friend that was visiting. Heaven help the big brother's when the little sister's get together! The guys kept telling the girls to make them a cake...so they did. With jalapeno juice and hot sauce added in! :)
Dinner time arrived and with it several extras that have filtered in throughout the evening to have a plate of an old standby recipe and hang out in the man cave. Usually, we just keep the pop and gatorade stocked and they're happy. It sounds like movie night tonight, which is kind of a nice change from the serenading that happened a few nights ago.
After waiting over a week past the date of when test results were supposed to come back, we found out my step-dad's troubles are benign! I'm so thankful for the good news.
And now, with several things still on my to do list, I realize it's been a good day. No, I didn't accomplish what I wanted to but I tried to accomplish what God wanted me to. Hopefully, someone's day was just a little brighter, I know mine was. And tomorrow, I'll probably hit the ground strolling again. *Thanks, God, for making it a good day! And, thanks a lot for the good report on step-dad.*
What a Day!
What Has Surprised Me the Most

I think what surprises me the most in the role of motherhood is the intensity of the desire to hold on tightly when we must let go.
Yesterday was college orientation and registration. Officially, the paperwork had been taken care of months ago. Officially, once the pomp and circumstance was done, so was parental control. Officially, he's making his own money and paving his own way. Officially, he's a mature adult. 
Unofficially, I just don't get it. How does one give her heart so completely to someone and then just let it go? Maybe, we are only able to do this because there is hope that one day they will return, different and yet the same.
We're Back!
Nope, we didn't go on an extended vacation (but I wish we had)! It was surprising how long it's been since I was last on here. With Winter's passing and getting Cole graduated (with honors), we've run headlong into Summer and nothing seems to be slowing us down yet. The boys are working at the pool again and Ally is busy with summer basketball. Will surprised us and has decided to give public school a try this coming year. Cole will be leaving for college in less than two months. I've taken on a little summer job supervising a children's summer feeding program at our local park. It's pretty cool to be able to offer any child who stops by a FREE meal--no strings attached. Dirk's still busy teaching, preaching and working with the young people in the community.
On a personal level, I'm still trying to adjust to my sister's absence in my life. It's hard. Sometimes much harder than others. The other day I came across a little picture frame and it said, "When they ask me what the best part was, I'll tell them it was you." In the past couple of years, I grew a lot closer to my sisters. Even tho we have always been close, we got REALLY close. But then suddenly, one of the stars in our sister's constellation went out and I'm still trying to figure it all out. I sure hope I get it figured out soon...
"Of one thing I am perfectly sure: God's story never ends with 'ashes." — Elisabeth Elliot
Random
Just a few photos of the past month...
Unfortunately, this is an all too common site...The Buffington cousins with Grandma B!
The snow has been good for some great fun for the kids.
Roadtrips have made some memories and left a few 'scars'. :)
And of course, who can forget it's basketball season...
Love to watch!
2010
So much has happened and so many things continue to happen. If only the world would stop for a moment so I could catch up!
Life has taken on a great change for me. I am trying to find out where I belong in the midst of the changes, in the midst of missing my sister. There were five of us and now there are four. There is definitely a missing link, and I don't know what to do.
I keep telling myself it's time to get back into the thick of things, but it's not working very well.
2010 will be an amazing year simply because God has not forsaken us. I look forward to all He has for each of us as we tentatively walk forward into the changes of life.
