Miscellany

My Sweetie Pie turned 18 months old today. She learned a new word for the occasion and surprised me with it while I was doing laundry: Minnie. She said "Nin-nie" and had she not been holding up a magnet of Minnie Mouse I would not have known what she was saying.

Anna's teacher was glowing, GLOWING, today as she told me about Anna's new boyfriend, Hudson. It got me grinning to hear about how he hugs and kisses her lately and how she lets him. We both remarked how interesting it is that they acknowledge each other this way now after ignoring each other all year. We chalked it up to Spring Fever. Funny note about Hudson - he is the little guy in her class that Josh and I have referred to as Abercrombie all year because he looks so much like a model.

Noah came home with a note from his teacher (whose last day was today and I am wishing that was not so). What she complimented my boy on had me beaming. She bragged on how considerate he is of other people's feelings. I treasure little glimpses of him like these that show how he behaves when I am not around to insist that he behave.

My newest mantra for keeping my blood pressure down in the face of frustrations we encounter in dealing with our case worker is this: Gracious and Faithful. I must be gracious and faithful. Gracious and Faithful. Gracious and Faithful. Can you tell I have had opportunity today to practice reminding myself of these two qualities that I want to be known for? Gracious and Faithful. Gracious and Faithful. Gracious and Faithful. After reading her latest email to us this morning, I had to mumble this to myself over and over and over again. Just like a crazy person. Which I just might be by the end of this process ...

Walmart. Wow, Walmart. Proof that you don't have to be in a car to develop road rage. Shopping and waiting in line at Walmart ALSO gives me opportunity to brush up on my "gracious and faithful."

I am on a fancy new diet these days. You may have heard of it. It's called Starvation!