15 Random Things

My friend, Heather, tagged me on her blog to write a post about 15 random things about myself. I actually did a post like this last year, except it was only 7 things. So, I cheated. I am re-posting those 7 random facts about me plus 8 new one.

1. I can roll my tongue into 3 loops. (Ask me in person and I'll show you)

2. I don't wear flat shoes. The ballet flats and sneakers are so cute, but I won't wear them because they don't add any height to my 5 feet. even. self. Even my flip flops have a wedge to them.

3. I have been either pregnant or breastfeeding since August 2006! Can you say "whacked out hormones?!"

4. I can be creative. I don't do creative things very often, even though when I do I enjoy it. Actually, I was very artistic in high school. I considered majoring in art or interior design in college, but decided not to because I didn't think I was talented enough. I am hoping to take some classes one day just for fun.

5. Some of my favorite things:

color-yellow...just about the entire interior of my home is painted a buttercream yellow color, with the exception of the bedrooms and bathrooms.
food-warm, gooey brownies (with a big, cold cup of milk)
scent-Japanese Cherry Blossom from Bath and Body Works
TV show-LOST ...I've been an addict from day one
sound: Justin walking in the door from work (because I've missed him and because by that time the kids and I NEED him to be there!

6. I was named after the Joanie Mitchell song "Chelsea Morning". Hippie parents. Most people relate my name to the Clinton's daughter or a dog that they had, so I guess the Joanie Mitchell song isn't so bad.

7. I am super indecisive. I struggle with making simple decisions. About what to eat/cook...I can read a menu for an hour and I need to know exactly what my taste buds are in the mood for(that takes a while). About what to wear or what my children should wear...I have to check the weather channel and stare into the closet for an extended period of time. About what to buy...oh my, that's the worst. I go back and forth, should I or shouldn't I? Which leads into #8...

8. I always have a bag of something in my bedroom waiting to be returned to the store.

9. I turn 30 in a few days and it really is not bothering me. In college, thirty seemed so far away and I thought it was the official age of "old". Well, I am officially old...but I don't feel like it.

10. When we bought our home it was "ghet-to". I mean really bad. Magenta door and crown molding, industrial carpet squares just placed on top of flooring, wallpaper with buffalos on it, just plain ugly! We completely "gutted" the house and started over. I am quite proud of all the work we've done. We still have to finish the master bath and install over-the-counter kitchen cabinets. I'd also like to make our screen porch into a playroom. Then we're done!

11. I lived with my grandparents from 3rd grade through the 8th grade. They were such a good, positive, Christian influence in my life. I'm not sure where I'd be if it weren't for them. I am eternally grateful to them for their love and support and help in raising me!

12. I have never been much of a "reader". I have begun to really read since joining a "book club" with other ladies from our church. It has been such a blessing to me. I truly love each one of those ladies! Shout out to L7!

13. All 3 of my children's names start with "A". We did not intend for it to be that way. The first two are family names that we love and they happened to start with the same letter. Then with baby #3 we decided we should continue that "tradition". I was afraid he'd grow up with some sort of complex if he didn't have an "a" name!

14. I just had some bangs cut. I haven't had bangs since probably the 2nd grade. Actually, I don't know if these would qualify as bangs. Can you just have a bang (singular)?

15. I have a very contradictory personality. I was voted "Most Popular" in high school, but now I am kind of shy and have a small circle of close friends. I have a laid back demeanor and usually wait until the last minute to plan or execute a plan, but I crave organization and having things in their "correct place". I was a "tomboy" growing up; I climbed trees, built forts, caught bugs. I am somewhat of a girly-girl; I almost always wear make-up, love Vera Bradley and shoe shopping, don't get my hair wet when swimming. There are lots of elements of my personality that are contradictory. Maybe it stems from being indecisive?

So, there are 15 random things about me. I'm not sure who to tag...so if you would like to do this fun post, consider yourself tagged. And please leave me a comment so I'll know you did it, too!

Warning...This post contains excessive whining!

Feeling miserably huge and uncomfortably hot. Nothing fits...growing out of maternity clothes. Tired, but can't sleep because of frequent urination, night sweats and awkward sleeping positions. Body aches. Ready to get this over with! Less than two weeks to go...really nervous about adding a third child to our family!

Dunlap Syndrome

Do you know what Dunlap Syndrome is? That could be one of Jeff Foxworthy's "you might be a redneck" questions. Let me explain. Dunlap Syndrome is southern slang for an expanding belly...as in "yer belly has dunlapped over yer belt". I, unfortunately, have Dunlap Syndrome.
I remember when my dad turned 50 my grandmother told him that he was approaching the time in life where he would have to decide "over or under". She was referring to whether his belt and pants would be over or under his belly. My dad's belly is not yet big enough for him to worry about that now, but if and when it is he will go under (not the same decision his father made).
Anyway, my over under decision is different and thankfully temporary. Lately, rocking Anderson is a challenge. I am not sure if I should put him under the belly. When sitting my lap is almost non-existent. Or should I put him over the belly? Then, he is almost around my neck. Either way it is awkward.

I'm Not Ready To Think About Retirement

I read somewhere about a mom who said that with preteens in the house she was happy to be in "reproductive retirement". I am not there yet. Maybe once I am the mother of TWO boys, 14 months apart....and one 4-year-old drama queen I will be on my way. But, I'm not there yet. I really don't want to ponder the thought that this could be my last pregnancy. I haven't let my mind go there. Actually I haven't had the time. This pregnancy is flying by! My husband, however, is ready to plan for our reproductive retirement. He has brought up the "v-word", as in vasectomey, several times. We haven't had a real conversation about it. It usually lasts 5 minutes tops and goes something like:

Justin: So-and-so at work today was asking how the pregnancy is going....and if we would have any more kids. He told me he had a vasectomy and it all went well.

Chelsea: Really?

Justin: You know we're going to have to discuss this.

Chelsea: I'm just not ready to say we are definately done. What if in two or three years, we decide we DO want another baby. It's just so....permanant.

Justin: silence

Okay, so more like 30 seconds of conversation. But never a resolution. I don't think that I can give in on this one. I just don't feel in my heart that it is the right time to make such a permanant change. At the same time, it is scary because we were taking contraceptive precautions when we got pregnant this time. Justin has lost all confidence in pharmeceutical birth control. So, at this point I am just praying. I am mostly praying that God will change Justin's perspective :)! I believe what it says in Psalm 127:3:

Children are a gift from the Lord;
they are a reward from him.

It goes on to say:

Children born to a young man
are like sharp arrows in a warrior's hands.
How happy is the man whose quiver is full of them!
He will not be put to shame when he confronts his accusers at the city gates.
Ps. 127:4-5

We are still young. We are technically still in our twenties, clinging by our fingernails, but we still are! And I am not sure if the Lord plans to bless us with more. He definately gave us this child growing inside me when we had not planned on it. He may have a plan for another child in our future, but we could hinder that by going ahead with the vasectomy. I don't know....maybe I'm being super-spiritual?!
It could be that right now I feel such a calling to be a mommy, and to see in the far distance an end to that makes me sad. It's not that I have my identity wrapped up in mommyhood and that I don't know what to do if I am not at home raising my children; I have a career waiting in the wings. It is a career that I do enjoy. I've had the flexibility to work a few days a week over the years while still being at home with children, and it has been a nice "get-away". I enjoy having a purpose outside of my home as well. I think that it just all boils down to the fact that I am not ready to make the decision that our family is complete. So, I ask that you all pray for clarity for Justin and I and a sense of peace with whatever we choose.

Simple Pleasures

Sometimes the smallest things bring a lot of joy to my heart.



I went grocery shopping. Now, that in itself does not bring me joy. But, they just opened a new Wal-Mart store close to our house. It is nice, new, and clean and it is has not been crowded or had long lines the few times that I have shopped there. That brings me joy. I finished my grocery shopping at ALDI. Let me just say... if you are looking for ways to save on groceries ALDI is the place to shop. That is, if you are not a brand-a-holic. They do not regularly stock name-brand foods, but occasionally have some "on special". This week they had my favorite cereal (Kellogg's All-Bran Strawberry Medley) at ALDI. I bought 3 boxes. That brought me joy. I have my meals planned for the week and the groceries to make it happen. Now, all I have to do is cook it. That is the hard part. Cooking does not bring me joy. But, if I don't make dinner no one complains. Anderson is content with just about anything we feed him, Anagrace with ALDI brand spaghetti and meatballs, Justin with a peanut butter sandwich, and me with my cereal. So, to know that I do not have the pressure to cook everynight and not feel guilty....that brings me joy.

Two Heartbeats!

I had an OB appointment today. My midwife measured my belly and was surprised by the amount of growth. I had been thinking for weeks that my belly is bigger than it should be, but I just thought

"Well, this is my third child....

I got pregnant 5 months after giving birth,so my uterus was still larger than usual....

I still have baby weight from Anderson...etc."



Then came time to listen to the heartbeat, and there were TWO! TWO heartbeats?! Am I having twins?!!!!!








April Fool's....The 2 heartbeats were mine and the baby's! Did I get you?


I did have an appointment today, and the midwife said everything is fine. My belly is measuring where it should be. Now, my behind is another story! She didn't say that...that's my personal opinion. And if it's yours too, please keep that to yourself....JUSTIN.

I Need to Be Cleaning My House Right Now

I must pry myself away from this computer. I have set this day aside, in my own mind, as a day of cleaning. I need to be cleaning my house right now. The children are at their Grandma Prevette's, so I cannot use them as an excuse. My only distractions are the ones I create myself. I will use one excuse, though...I get "winded" so easily. I have to do some cleaning and then take a break. This extra baby weight is wearing me out. And to think I still have 18-20 more weeks...YIKES! Mental Note: do not sit down at the computer when taking a breather.
I need to be cleaning my house right now. Justin had a stomach bug the past 2 days, which means deep cleaning is in order for the contaminated portions of the house. I Lysol-ed everything (sometimes while he was still in the area!), but I want to scrub those germs away before my children return.
I need to be cleaning my house right now. In 2 weeks we will have about 30 adults and 9 children over for an Easter Brunch. I know that in 2 weeks my house will be dirty again. But, maybe if I do some deep cleaning (which I am not good at) then a little tidying and straightening (which I am better at) will suffice before the gathering.
Okay, I am going to go clean my house now!

A Busy Few Days

It has been a busy few days for me. Here's what has been going on:

Tuesday, February 19th~Ultrasound. Surprised once again by the baby inside me. I thought for sure I was carrying a girl. It took me days to wrap my brain around having another boy. (But not near as long as it took when I discovered I was pregnant...now that was a shock!)

Wednesday, February 20th~Left for Charleston for the SC Speech-Language and Hearing Convention. I enjoyed the ride in my "new" Odyssey!

Thursday-Saturday, February 21-23~Spent hours in sessions about various speech-language topics such as swallowing disorders, stuttering, autism, functional therapy techniques.,etc. Although all of that was "fun", the best part of my trip was spending time with my former co-workers from Fort Mill School District and my college roommate, Kristen, who lives in Charleston.

Saturday, February 23~I returned home. It is so wonderful coming home after a few days away. I missed my husband and kids so much, even thought I was only gone a few days. The smiles on the kids' faces and my husband's sweet words (he now understands and appreciates my daily routines) made a wonderful homecoming!

Sunday, February 24~ Went to our awesome church. We went to the later service, because I could not pull myself out of the bed. Actually, we all slept in. Once home, we began trying to tidy up the mess that had accumulated while mommy was away!

Monday, February 25~ I am writing this post during my lunch break. I am substituting for a speech therapist at a local elementary school. I did not get the job that I interviewed for last month. I was really disappointed at first, but now I realize it is for the best. If I had been hired, the clients on my caseload would have to be placed back on a waiting list when I have the baby. That would not be fair to them. So, I inquired about helping out with the school system until the end of the school year. The school year will end right before baby #3 arrives. It works out perfectly; I will be a "permanant substitute" that rotates through the therapists in the various schools in the district to help them with paperwork, testing and therapy until the end of the year. It will be a 1 to 2 day a week position. So, here I am....back in the working world (kind of).

Well, my lunch break is about over. Just wanted to let you in on the busyness of my life... and give my excuse for not blogging in a while.

What I Have Been Doing, Since I Haven't Been Blogging

Well, I haven't blogged in a while. Here's what I have been doing:

1. Since returning from my trip, I have been unpacking. 4 suitcases: one for each of the kids that they took to their grandparents, mine and Justin's. That's quite a bit of laundry. I blogged on my hatred of laundry once. Sadly, it is still not all done!

2. Cleaning my house. Well not the deep cleaning that it really needs, but constant de-cluttering and straightening. I really feel like this is an endless battle. It seems that one room is undone while I'm cleaning another.

3. Taking Anderson the doctor's. Which all culminated with him having tubes put in his ears last Tuesday. He's doing great!

4. Updating my resume, contacting references and going on one job interview. I am hoping to get a part-time job (2 days a week) at a speech therapy clinic that recently opened close to my house.

5. Watching football. Well I usually doze off, but it's been on our TV a lot lately. The Super Bowl is always somewhere around my birthday, which is a fantastic way for a girl to celebrate.

So, now that all that is done..actually it's never done, but regardless I am hoping to be a frequent blogger again soon.

My Getaway

I post this in hopes that my fellow mommy bloggers do not get jealous as they are dealing with piles and piles of stuff and are exhausted to tears. I was right there just a few days ago. And I will be back there in 2 days, however I am praying that this getaway leaves me refreshed and ready to deal with the piles and exhaustion that accompanies motherhood. And I also pray that you mommies out there find a moment to relax and be refreshed as well, even if it is just a coffee break or a trip to the store without children. We derserve it!

Yesterday was my first full day here. My flight was delayed on Tuesday evening and I did not arrive in Chicago until 10:30pm our time. The hotel is actually in Rockford, IL which is an hour away from the airport. So, I didn't get to bed until around midnight. I slept like a baby...well not like my baby because he is still waking up in the middle of the night...but I slept well on the Sleep Number bed. For those of you that have not experienced a sleep number bed, you press a button on a remote that makes the bed softer or firmer to your liking. Praises to whoever invented that one! I have slept 'til 9:30 both mornings. 9:30 was early in my college days, but by my current standards that's late! I stayed in my jammies until 4:30 yesterday. I was somewhat embarrassed when I recieved my lunch via room service and still had them on, but that quickly passed. I stayed in the sleep by numbers bed and channel surfed on cable television for most of the day. I have concluded that I am not missing much by not have cable at home. When I do get home I will, however, miss these hours of relaxation. But, I'm looking forward to seeing the sweet faces of those two precious children of mine...even if it is in the middle of the night.

I need a break!

I have not been myself lately. I'm not sure if pregancy hormones are to blame? I have been on an emotional rollercoaster. Not fun. My husband has been as supportive as can be expected of someone who doesn't understand female emotions. Bless his heart. He tiptoed around the news that he may have to leave for a business trip for 6 days. Six days! I pleaded my case of a much needed break.
"The hotel room is paid for, right?"..."It is your birthday week, and we need to celebrate together. "... "I may go crazy before you return!"
Well, it worked. I am counting down the days until I meet Justin in Chicago next Tuesday. I am looking forward to a hotel room with a bed that I can enjoy uninterrupted sleep in, cable television (I will not have to watch PBS children's shows for 3 whole days), and a much needed break from the daily duties of my stay-at-home mommy life. I checked on Oprah's website for last-minute tickets, no luck. She only has tickets available for the January 16th taping, darn it! Oh well, I will settle for watching it on TV in the calm, quiet hotel room in my pajamas.

In Shock

Boy, do I have something to blog about! Sometimes, I feel like my posts are random and rambling. This one may be rambling because my brain feels like scrambled eggs, but it is definately "blog-worthy". Okay, are you ready...

here it comes...

I'm pregnant AGAIN! I know, shocking isn't it? We could not have been more surprised. Justin actually asked the midwife if it is possible to get a refund on the birth control pills. For those of you that know Justin I'm sure this doesn't surprise you, but the whole pregnant thing has to. He was not even sure he wanted to have another child. I knew I did, but I did not plan for it to happen so soon! 14 month age difference?! Oh well, God's plan is better than our plan. That's what we keep telling eachother. My mind has been racing with all of the thoughts of preparing for a new baby physically, emotionally, financially. But I just try to keep in mind that although this wasn't my plan, it was His Plan.


I recently read a devotional written by Marybeth Whalen, one of my fellow members of Momtourage (a book study group that I am part of and have been sooo blessed by) and it really spoke to me and my situation at this moment. The devotional focuses on the story about Mary and her response to the shock of her life. When the angel delivered the news that she would give birth to God's son, although she was "confused and disturbed" she responded "May it be to me as you have said" (Luke 1:38). Marybeth wrote that "the first step to embracing every season is to let go of our own expectations" and that whatever the situation we should "trust that the Lord is sovereign and He ordained for you to be where you are at this time, for His purpose". Wow. There are so many nuggets of truth and helpful information in that devotional...I hope you'll check it out! I am appreciating the Christmas story from a different perspective this year and taking a lesson from Mary's life that a person's character is revealed by her response to the unexpected. I'm praying that I can trust in the Lord with the faith that Mary did as I am dealing with my own shocking news.


Here's the ultrasound picture of "our little peanut" who is due to arrive July 19th!

Thankful

Today, Anagrace and I did a few art projects. We did the classic turkey made by painting her hand. And we also used peel and stick letters to write "thankful". Then I asked Anagrace to tell me three things she is thankful for and draw it. Here is the result:

She is thankful for her house, brother and 2 cats. Once again, I did not make the list! A few days ago, she and Justin were talking about how much they loved eachother by stretching out their arms and arguing who loves who more. Cute, right? Well, then Justin says "Who else do you love?".
She answers, "Brother".
"And who else?"
"Bebe and Grammie."
I'm sitting right beside her. Justin nods his head in my direction as a cue for her to add me to the list. Still, she names a few other people in our extended family.
"What about Mommy?" Justin asks.
I jokingly say, "I know she loves me....but I'm at the bottom of the list"
"Yeah, she's at the bottom of the list" Anagrace agreed.

Nevertheless, even if she or Justin or Anderson do not give me any appreciation or recognition (that I so deserve [LOL]) I am thankful to have them in my life!

By the way, isn't that artwork adorable?! I just love Anderson's alien fingers and toes and those incredibly strange looking cats!

Bittersweet

Anderson has taken three formula bottles since Wednesday. Justin and I went out for a few hours when he 2-3 months old and he took bottles then, but they contained breast milk. I tried formula bottles to no avail at 5 months. The past few weeks he has been battling sickness and an ear infection, so he has not had any interest in eating baby food. His interest has been solely in breastfeeding. In one word...OUCH! I was eager to try the bottle again. And so, here is the bittersweet transition. I don't think I am ready to entirely wean him, but I am ready for a break and some freedom.

Last month, my mom kept him while Justin and I attended our class reunion. But, before his bedtime he needed to nurse. My mom brought him to the restaurant, so I could feed him in the bathroom! The restaurant is a sports-bar type place. I was waiting for the reenactment of the scene in Sweet Home Alabama...a classmate would approach me and exclaim "You have a baby...in a bar!". I felt the need to explain to everyone that he would not take a bottle and needed to eat.

So, part of me is happy because he is taking a bottle...but part of me is very sad.

Hot Tea

I'm am all about some hot tea lately! It all started when my good friend Dawn and I went out to eat for her birthday. Well, it was 2 months past her birthday, but it was a great time just the same! We went to Kabutos and I had hot tea there...and I've had it pretty much everyday since. It is just a simple pleasure that I enjoy, because I can't afford the sophisticated pleasures...haha! There's just something about the warm cup of tea on a chilly day (and my house stays somewhat chilly due to my cheap frugal husband monitoring the thermostat) that makes me happy. I've been trying to enjoy my daily hot tea during the kids' naptime so that I can read in my Bible and pray at the same time or catch up on my blog reading. It's good for my soul. Not chicken soup for the soul, but hot tea for the soul. I hope that you can find, or that you already have, a simple pleasure that you are enjoying daily!

Mommy Woes Part 2

Well, the wait-it-out period lasted about 24 hours. Anderson began to run a fever yesterday around lunch time. I didn't need to call for anyone's opinion this time...I made an appointment with the doctor right away. He has another ear infection. So, now I'm trying not to beat myself up for not taking him sooner. Oh, the self-imposed guilt I put myself through. I agonize over what to do and then condemn myself for making the wrong choice. You know I would say that's a universal mommy thing, but often I think it is more of a character flaw with me. Aside from second guessing my decisions regarding my children, I second guess almost all my decisions. My purchases, for example. I am the "Returns Queen"; at any given time I have 2 or more bags on my bedroom floor ready to be returned to stores. I have a bad case of buyer's remorse that extends a little further...I think I have decision remorse!

Mommy Woes

I talked to three people on the phone today trying to decide if I should take Anderson to the doctor....again. Three people...I am so indecisive and a little co-dependant. I guess I felt in my gut that I should probably "wait it out", but I hate to see my baby boy not feeling well. For about a week now he has had a stuffy nose and seemed generally "blah", not his happy-go-lucky self. I took him to the doctor shortly after the symptoms started, afraid that he may have developed an ear infection. Ears looked great, teeth on their way. So I chalked up the runny nose and blahness to the pearly white beasts. But days later he's not worse, but not better. As a mommy, I just want to fix it and make him all better. The third person I talked to (the nurse at the Dr's office) told me that since he is sleeping fine and is not running a fever that I could wait a few more days. I knew that, so why did I need someone else to tell me. Actually, my mom said to take him, Justin said to do whatever I thought was best (typical), and the nurse told me to wait. I made my decision after I heard the answer I thought I should hear! But, why? I am not sure why I second guess myself...constantly. I am afraid of making the wrong decision about everything. Everything. About silly stuff. But especially about things involving my children. I realized later, that during all that "do I or don't I" I never consulted the One who could have eased my anxiousness and given me peace with my decision.
But, I'm praying now that Anderson will be better soon. Will you, too?

Long Time, No Blog

I haven't posted a new blog in awhile. I wasn't sure anyone noticed, but my sweet grandmother did and decided to let me know. Thanks, Grandma!

The reason behind my postponed blogging is two-fold. Writer's block and a class reunion. I haven't been able to come up with what to write next. And I really think that it is because my brain has been consumed the past few weeks with planning/organizing the final details for my high school class's 10 year reunion. Well, it is this weekend... so hopefully I can accumulate more frequent blogger miles soon.

Just for fun here's a picture of me and Justin 10 years ago!

Coincidence...I think not

After my post about God caring about the small problems in our life that seem big to us, I began reading in my book The Mom Walk. (By the way, it is a great book by Sally Clarkson for any mommies out there looking for something to read and ponder. Check out the link on the side.) Anyway after removing the cat, I began reading and the story about a dream the author had that completely coincided with my last post. It was like a "smile from God". He does care!

Here's a little snippet of what I read:

As I reflected on this dream, I understood that in God's perspective, my life looked totally different than it did to me from my perspective. My perspective is so limited and finite. The details and worries of my life seem to loom so large in my days, casting their shadows over my thoughts and my feelings about life.
But my dream helped me to realize that even the hardest situations to me are simple to God. From His eternal perspective, they are so small. They are not unimportant in the sense that they don't affect my life, but they are small matters for Him to take care of if I will just choose to trust Him. I f I will choose to look beyond them to His vast power and beauty overcoming every darkness and trouble, I will be able to live in strength and peace, knowing that all will be well.

Wow, Sally said it much better than I did!

That passage just spoke to my heart...especially since I was pondering the same thoughts earlier that day. I'm so glad that I can take all my troubles to Him, whether it's a lost cat, a whiney 4 year-old, a baby who is yet again not sleeping through the night or the other stressful aspects of my life and He is more than willing and able to help me.

The small things

This is a picture of my sweet kitty, Noel. We've had Noel for almost 7 years. We "rescued" Noel and her brother, Nicky, from a life of homelessness 5 months before Justin and I got married. A stray cat had a litter of kittens under Justin's parents' house. Nick and Noel were the only 2 kittens that would get close enough for us to pet them. Being the animal lover that I am I convinced Justin and his parents to keep the kittens in their home until Justin and I moved into our house. I love my kitties. (However, they do have some annoying habits. Like in this picture Noel is laying on the book that I was attempting to read...which she does ALL THE TIME.)

Last week we couldn't find Noel anywhere in the house. The cats are strictly indoor felines, so I knew she must have slipped out the door at some point in the day as our family was going in and out. I could not remember what time it was that I saw her last. I was guessing it was around 10 in the morning, but we didn't realize she was missing until dinnertime. I was in a panic. She has never been outside for that long. I went into the "ugly cry". You know the one where your face is a wreck and your body shakes as you sob. I haven't done that in quite some time. I made signs to post around the neighborhood. When Justin went to hang the signs, I began to pray. At first, I felt kind of silly "bothering" God about my missing cat. But, you know God cares about the small things, too. He cares that I can't find the cat that I love very much because He loves me. What a comfort to know that problems that seem big for me are small to God...not insignificant,but small in comparison to everything else He deals with.

(I am so thankful God answered my prayer, however small it may have seemed. Noel was in the far corner under our back deck in the fenced-in back yard with our dog. Don't think she'll be sneaking out anytime soon! Now I have to get back to my book...if she will remove herself from it!)