10-26-2008 Week in Review

Well, another week passes by and I have to say that even though it was absolutely crazy at times I feel it went rather well. I spent most of this week getting the finishing details done for our Ward's Annual Chili Cook-off that I was in charge of.

Wednesday I headed out with my SIL, Rachel, to a night at the fair (and thanks to my mom donating free tickets she got, we didn't have to pay to get in!). It was so amazing to get to go with no kids and with someone who only wanted to see the exhibits and eat all the yummy food, same as me! We took some pics on our phones but mine's dead and I haven't got pics from her yet so you'll just have to imagine all the laughing and smiles.

Thursday was a bit crazy. Corben had a doctor's appt. at 3:30 at UNC with a new doctor that I've been trying desperately for a long time to get an appt. with. He and Dade were also were scheduled to go see Walking With Dinosaurs with my mom at 7pm. So the madness began in the morning with Corben not feeling well. Dade called soon after to ask me to pick him up from school (I was going to have to pick him up early anyway to accomplish everything.) I had yet to hear if I was going to get authorization from Corben's insurance for the appt. and was worried because it would be almost 3 months before I could get another appt. After 3 calls to finally get a yea or nay I kept getting the run around and was getting frustrated. All of the sudden the woman on the phone asked me what my caseworker had said. Caseworker? What's that?! So they gave me her phone number and I called to find out exactly what she was and much to my utter joy she was in fact an Angel!! She found out what went wrong with the authorization, called Corben's pediatrician and told me not to worry that she'd have it all straightened out before I got the to the appt. In fact, she called me at 2:30 as I was driving there to give me the authorization number. She did in 4 hours what 15 people over 4 days had told me couldn't be done in less than 7 days!! Miracle! The appt. went equally well. The doctor spent quite a bit of time running some very needed tests and determining exactly what treatments Corben should get. Unfortunately, she took so much time that the clinic was closed when we left and we were literally running to the car to try to get Corben back to meet my mom and not miss the dinosaurs. 35 minutes later I was sitting in my car less than a mile from the parking garage, stuck in stopped traffic, and devastated the boys were going to miss the show. I said another prayer that somehow they would get to see some of the show. Within minutes a gap opened up that allowed me to get up and through the light onto open road and no traffic. I didn't reach my mom until after the show had already started and they still had to drive to the arena, park, and get in but they made it and for some reason none of the dinosaurs had come out yet. They hadn't missed a thing! They had a great night. Dade came home pretty sick but was glad he'd gotten to go. Thanks, Mom!

Friday was crazy day, again. RJ was over bright and early and I had Dade home from school with a headache. I was busy getting all the last minute details done for the Ward Activity. I even made 3 spoons as prizes for the best chili. I bought wooden spoons and burned a picture of chili's onto it with the name of the event and the prize. I then wrapped blue, red, and yellow ribbons around the end so they could be hung up. They turned out really cool! Hopefully, I'll get a pic to post. Finally, after getting my house (sort of) picked up, costumes together, and most last minute details taken care of I headed out to pick up Corben from school and head over to the church to set up. It was upon arrival to the church and standing in the midst of 12 tables that filled the gym that I realized that this was going to be a huge activity and I was very concerned that there wasn't going to be enough room in the gym or enough food to feed everyone. I was even more concerned when all the food was finally there and I realized that we had many less pots of chili than I'd been anticipating. To top it off, we had nearly 3 times the number of people show up! It was so exciting to see so many new faces. Many had invited their neighbors and friends! I just kept praying "Loaves and Fishes, loaves and fishes!" Sure enough, at the end of the evening not only had everyone eaten several bowls, but there was still chili in some of the pots and cornbread to spare. It's nice to know my Heavenly Father hears and answers my prayers! Once again, I have no pictures from this activity (if you have some of me or my kids and would be willing to email them to me, please do!). I was so busy that I didn't have time to take any. Ella went as an angel, Sylvie as a witch, Dade went as Ryan, and Corben went as a ninja. (Side note: I was supposed to make Corben a costume but didn't have time and walking through Walmart I saw this black ninja costume that I hoped he'd like. When I picked him up from school, he looked at me and said, "Mom, I've changed my mind about what I want to be for Halloween...." - I hold my breath knowing I have no time to make anything...., "I think I'd like to be a black ninja!" YEAH!! That couldn't have worked out any better, could it?!) Ryan and Dade left after the activity to go to a Scout campout so me and Ryan's sister (who was a much needed help all night) stayed up 'til the wee hours talking and watching a chic flick. It was so nice.

Saturday I got up early to head to my photography field trip at Pullen Park. It was a bit rainy but turned out great anyway. I DO have pictures from that though they're not nearly as exciting as pics of my kids. There were no people at the park to take pics of so I took a lot of "different" kinds of photos.

I left straight from there to my niece, Gabriella's baby blessing. It was such a beautiful event and it was so nice to see Ryan and his brothers up there performing such a blessing. We spent the rest of the day catching up on chores and such.

And today? Nothing much, just a sad discovery.....after months of wondering, I finally spent several minutes with a curling iron and Ella's beautiful, but very thin, blonde hair. Sure enough, after it was all said and done, she was left with a full head of....nothing. Not one curl!! Not even a little!! Oh well, guess she's doomed to beautiful, perfectly straight, thin hair forever!

So, I guess I'd have to say after this week, that I KNOW my Heavenly Father is listening and watching out for me. He sure helped me out in so many seemingly impossible things this week. There were so many more than I can share here but want everyone to know how thankful I am. Prayer is truly an amazing gift to us as children of our Father. I don't know what I'd do if I couldn't talk to God when the going got tough. He makes me feel so loved and safe. If you haven't talked with Him lately, I guarantee he's still ready to listen and just waiting to hear from you!

Have a fabulous day!!