Lipstick Cover-Up

My oldest child, Emily, AKA Loud Girl, turned 9 this past weekend...we had a good weekend, busy, but fun. She's fabulous I tell you what, this kid really is a gem...even when I get overwhelmed and angry at some insane behavior that just comes with the territory, she's still amazing. Some days she's my lesson in patience, other days she's my lesson in kindness, she's a real giver, wants to make others happy.

We'll have her horseback riding party this coming weekend, and it should be loads of fun.

I'm so very grateful to have her here with me, that she's well, cancer-free, happy, bright eyed, loving, and sassy!

We're hoping to send her to sleep-away camp this summer, she is so excited about it, much more than I am, but I'm trying to be really positive and supportive of it, it just seems like such a long time and I'll miss her honestly, more than I can express, not sure I'm ready to let go like that yet, but when are you ever ready?

I've hovered with her, always there watching waiting worrying...I've been very protective of her, more than I probably should have been...and I'm sure I'll always worry that's what parents do right, but I hope I can relax enough to just let her spread her wings and experience all that life has to offer her.

Good luck to each of us in this adventure we call parenthood! I hope all of you bloggy friends are doing ok, getting by, smiling!

Lots of love,
lil'sis

I'm so very sad for my friends Snickollet and OTR girl...the words seem hollow, almost pointless, but I wanted to say something.

I'm sorry for their losses in very different ways. For Snick, I hope and wish for her and her family that the very tough days she's anticipating down the road after her mother leaves don't break her spirit. She is a good soul, a wonderful woman, mother, wife....I am lighting candles for her and GH and the kids.

For OTRgirl, the passing of her grandmother too is very sad, I'm glad her pain as GH's has ended, I'm confident the place they are at now is bringing them relief from the physical pains and showing them great joy as well.

My internet/bloggy friends are talented women, strong women, beautiful souls. I'm lighting candles for them both and for their loved ones.

I'm lighting candles as well today for the lives of the students lost at my alma mater, Virginia Tech. It was with much sadness that I read of what unfolded there today, in the building I once lived. I thought of the young people that I know of today who attend this great school, and I worried for them and thier parents.

Many days I find myself praying to give thanks for all of my blessings and that of my families as well. Today I am praying for all of the above. Praying for a bit of peace for these friends of mine, for the children, for the families. I'm grateful for having that, the ability to pray and have faith in something greater than this life, this very transient existence. I'm praying too that I keep my faith, for all of them as well as for me.

Lots of love,
lil'sis