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Check. Check. This thing on?

Skipping Thanksgiving!

Our small sanctuary was filled yesterday in prelude to our annual Thanksgiving Sunday feast. We usually have this immediately following the worship service the Sunday before Thanksgiving. It's like a "practice" meal before Thursday. *smile* I looked around at all the people seated. Some faces I knew and some I did not. Some of our regulars were missing and of course, I silently wondered where they could be. Don't you always miss those brothers and sisters who are absent? I do.

I was listening to the pastor speak of Christmas music being played in most of our department stores and how everything has gone from October straight to Christmas. At first I was thinking how I enjoy Christmas music and there couldn't possibly be anything wrong with helping the world get focused on the MOST important season of all as soon as possible, right? As Christians, it's a time we can use the opportunity to celebrate our Savior's birth and not fear retaliation. (not yet, anyway) And then he said it. "Just skipping Thanksgiving" This statement made a HUGE impact on me. Skipping Thanksgiving. Yep, I have been guilty. Definitely not guilty of skipping the holiday meal and all the trimmings, but skipping the opportunity to REALLY be thankful.
Convicted I was. We are to be in a continual state of thankfulness., not just a seasonal state of mind. We know the risen savior! This alone is enough, but we (I) have so much to be thankful for! Families, health, jobs, homes, cars, clothing, food, electricity, indoor plumbing (Hallelujah!) and the list goes on and on.

So, this evening as I am getting things ready to be chopped, baked and presented, I am thankful. Thankful first of all to the One who has given me health and the means to be able to cook and the food. Also for the family that will partake in the breaking of the bread and a home in which we can sit and share our meal. I am nothing and can never be nothing without Him.
Jesus Christ. My Lord and Savior.


Have A HAPPY AND THANKFUL THANKSGIVING TO ALL MY FRIENDS!!

Snow?

Yes, my friends! We had snow! It wasn't anything measurable, of course, but nevertheless, SNOW! In November! I was taken by complete surprise as I stared out the window. I took a picture with my cell phone, but it didn't capture the fine flurries, so you will have to imagine it with me. If only I would have had my regular camera....*sigh*

Whatcha' think about that ANITA?!! *smile*

Mother's Intuition, Or Is It?

I had an awful scare at Nathan's pediatric appointment the other day. He was in for his four year check up, nothing out of the ordinary, right? While there I was asked by the nurse as well as the pediatrician about giving him the flu shot. Being a little leery of "new" vaccinations or drugs, (Have I mentioned before I have been called "over protective?) I declined. I guess saying I was "asked" by them is putting it mildly. Saying that I was lectured by the pediatrician about him having it would be more appropriate. She was almost unrelenting as she told me the side effects were all but none existent and expounded on the dangers of the flu itself instead of the vaccine. She also expressed to me the falsehood of how people will say that they were not even sick until they received the flu vaccine and then they got the flu. She said this is completely false and if you get the flu after receiving the vaccine, you were already exposed before the vaccine was able to "get into your system" to prevent it.


Although I had repeatedly said no to the vaccine during this office visit, I was starting to re-think my decision after hearing how serious the effects of the flu would be on my son and how negligent I would be as a parent to knowingly reject the vaccine, especially since there were little to NONE side effects. I apprehensively agreed and finally gave the go ahead although I still had reservations. As most of you know, Nathan was traumatized by the antibiotic injections he had during his time of back to back ear infections and I didn't want a repeat of arm flailing and screaming. I decided to ask him if the nurse could give him a "shot" in his thigh and to my surprise he answered yes! Not only that, but he wanted to watch!

I sat him up on the table and the nurse soon came in ready to take care of business. She had release form for me to sign with questions about egg allergies. Seems this is what the flu vaccine is derived from. Hmmm, imagine that. Anyway, she cleaned his little thigh off and thumped the needle and before you know it, it was over. Nathan, much to my surprise and the nurse's, didn't shed a tear or take his eyes off the procedure from start to finish. "You are definitely going to the treasure box today" she told him. I pulled his jeans up and fastened them and we strolled out the door headed to the receptionist desk. We passed the dr. in the hallway and she seemed very pleased I heeded her advice. "Don't forget to make an appointment for one month" she said to me. "He will need to get the second half." What?!!!! She never mentioned a second half to me. Seems there is two parts for children under the age of nine. I wondered to myself why she didn't tell me this previously.

I continued on to the check out desk and told the receptionist that I needed to bring him back in one month for part two. As she was trying to get me scheduled Nathan tugged on my leg and let me know that he was suppose to go to the toy chest to get his prize. He sure hadn't forgotten that and didn't want me to either. I mentioned to the young lady the nurse had promised the chest and she proceeded to look for it. (It was her first day at this office) I informed her is was in the bottom drawer of the file cabinet behind her. She allowed us to come around the partition and opened the drawer much to Nathan's delight. I told him to pick just one and he did so happily. He chose a toy exactly like the one he chose the last visit. It was a small rubber dinosaur. He was happy! We went back around the desk to finish the scheduling. As we worked out the day, I felt Nathan tug on my leg and when I looked down, he said to me with a gnarled up face, "Mommy, My tummy hurts" Suddenly, as I started to ask him questions, he turned a wax white. I have never seen him look this pale and his lips were turning blue! I picked him up (he was just limp at this point) and immediately knew he was having a reaction to the flu shot!


I had two nurses guiding me back to the examining room as they were calling for the pediatrician. Funny, how I can remember hearing her heels clicking on the tile floor as she hurried to where we were. They were telling me to lay him down on the table. I did, but I didn't move completely away from him. No need to tell you how scared I was. He was placed on a monitor for his breathing and heart rate. Thank the Lord, He was still conscious. I still hand my hands on him and begin to pray. Yes, I am one of those who definitely believes in the "laying on of hands" as the bible instructs. His color began to come back and he wanted something to drink. His pediatrician got him some water. I stayed right by his side until I knew he was ABSOULUTELY, WITHOUT A DOUBT, FINE! Of course I am thinking to myself how I knew NOT to get this flu shot, but I went against my intuition! Ugghhhh!!!!! As Christians, we know better than this!

Nathan's pediatrician had no explanation for his reaction to the vaccine. She knew I would not allow him to have the second half. She did, however, apologize to me. She even told me that she wished she would not have kept trying to persuade me, knowing that I was not comfortable with it. *sigh* Who could have known, right? I haven't heard of anyone else having issues with this, have you?



Once again, I am thankful for the loving care of my heavenly father. I don't know what I would do without Him taking care of me and my family.

Gone

I am bad for putting off dr. appointments until almost, absolutely necessary because I just don't like to to go. Period.

I realize, as I am getting older, that I may as well get over this little......ummmm....phobia?...maybe?, I am not sure what it is. Anyway, I finally made myself an appointment for an issue I needed to address and decided while I was there I may as well confront a couple of other minor concerns. You know, kinda get everything knocked out in one trip, especially since my co-pay has gone up. The co-pay is almost as much as the office visit use to be! Don't get me wrong, I am not complaining. I am soooo thankful for insurance. I know there are many without this privilege.

After taking care of the formalities,(this visit was for a second opinion) I began to get on with the visit explaining the main problem for which I was seeking medical care. This didn't seem to generate too much interest from the attending physician, in fact, she seemed almost bored. She did address my concerns, but almost monotonously. Could this be because I told her I was there for a second opinion? You know, the whole dr. taking care of dr thing? I don't know. I guess it may have something to do with repeating the same thing over and over to women my age. I had three different things to inquire about so I hastily moved on to the last thing on my mental list of ailments. One of them being a mole in a very uncomfortable place. In the last year or so, it seemed to pop up out of no where and then take off with incredible speed and desire to take over!



I thought for sure she would refer me to a dermatologist for evaluation, but I was wrong. Seconds after seeing "the mole" (I had her attention now, by golly) I was told "I am taking care of this today!" Before I knew it, the nurse was in waving her vials of pain killer(in needle form) and saying things like "lie back" and "just relax" like anyone could do such after seeing the little "surgery" kit she brought in with her. Before I knew it, I was numbed up and ready to go...stitches and all. *smile* It didn't take the dr. long to place "it" in a jar to be sent off. I hope to have the results in a couple of weeks. I am believing all is well.


I was totally unprepared for such quick removal, but I have to say, I think sudden decisions are sometimes best. If I was given too much time to think about it, I probably would have opted to wait a little longer......

I Finally Did It!

Yes, Ladies, I finally purchased my first Christmas present this weekend. It's not that I am in the "Christmas Spirit" or anything like that, it's just that I found a great deal on a gift (clearance baby!) for Nathan and it was only $5. I know, right? Five dollars! I usually don't start my shopping until November/December so I am early and a tad bit proud of myself. With the economy in the condition it is, I think this will be the target amount for a good portion of gifts on my list. I plan to keep my eyes open for more of these deals.

I have already let it be known that gift giving will be down this year compared to last. I plan to be more practical and penny wise. I also want to get back to making beautiful things for my friends and family. I'm sure this has been a popular thought with most already. I think it will give us all more time to stress the real reason behind the slogans and keep us a little more humble. It is so easy to take things for granted. I will be the first to raise my hand.

On another note, I had another great find. It is this and it is delicious!


I had seen it last weekend, but chose not to purchase it at the time, (don't ask, because I don't know what I was thinking, lol) but I have it now. I usually have my cup of tea with one packet of splenda and about a half pack of sweet and low. I don't like to use the artificial sweeteners, but those teaspoons of sugar tend to add up the calories pretty quickly. I don't know about you, but I have other things I use those calories on!

The Movie Is Great!

I actually saw the movie the weekend before last, but have failed to post about it. Shame on me!
It is absolutely worth every penny spent we spent to see it. My honey and I haven't been to the theater together in years and I mean YEARS, but we decided to make a special effort to see this movie. I am so glad we did. I have seen Kirk Cameron on various programs and knew he was a christian, but since seeing him in his latest role, I have a completely different opinion of him. I saw him as a mature, man of God for the very first time.

I realize the movie is being targeted towards married couples, but I would encourage everyone, married or only thinking about it, to see it. I think there is something for all. There were a lot of tears shed during the viewing, but I think there were just as many laughs. Yes, laughter. Plenty of laughter. In fact, I think some of the tears were from laughing.....

I can't imagine this movie NOT winning some type of award and I have to say it is the only movie I have seen in the theater that I would pay twice to see again. If you happen to go, please let me know how you enjoyed it.