Entry in My Random Smiles Journal

A lot has been going on this past week.  I smile as I open my journal and jot down some of the drama. 

Our oldest daughter, Amy, has seen her doctor three times this past week.  She was bitten by a brown recluse spider, a foe we contend with here in Arizona.  Amy had to take pain meds for a few days and she’s still on the antibiotic, but she is mending just fine.  I could write a whole post just on the natural potions people have suggested so her skin does not scar!

I heard from my cousin that our 97 year-old Aunt Ange, mom’s sister, passed away.  My sisters and I noted the longevity in the family; mom was 96.  Our mom was a strong-willed spirit, sometimes gruff tomboy, and her decree over her life repeatedly was “You can’t kill a tough Polack.”  I reminded my sisters of this because there is something to the words we speak.  I hope they come up with a classier declaration we can use to speak over our fate.

I'm packing my bag for tomorrow’s flight to San Diego.  Our daughter, Carrie, is ready to deliver any day now.  I’m rested and geared up to help in any way the family needs, especially caring for five-year old Susanna!

I’m praying for Carrie’s childbirth to be safe.  I told her not to begin laboring until I arrive, of course!  I love the verse I saw on my desk calendar when I flipped into March.  “I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well,”  Psalm 139:14  This is my prayer for my new grand baby soon to arrive.  Oh what fun it will be to have a baby to kiss and cuddle!

For some crazy reason, I woke up very weepy a few mornings ago.  The blues just hit me out of nowhere.  My husband found some cash he tucked away for future guitar equipment and suggested a ride to Old Town.  He bought me lunch at an old European Café.  Afterward, we walked through the little shops and I found a cute blue cookie cutter in the shape of a bunny for Susanna.  In another gift shop, I found a decorative blue soap for her bathroom.  We want her to feel special and not crowded out with the coming of a new baby.  (I like how her mom let her choose new towels for the bathroom.  Of course she chose blue!)  By the time we got back to the homestead, I forgot why I was sad in the first place.  Kudos to my hubby for sharing his stash with me and creating such a romantic afternoon date.

I am currently reading Through A Glass Darkly by Gilbert Morris.  My girlfriend, Mary Jane, tucked it in my arm the other day; now I'll have an interesting read on my travel day.

Over the weekend, I asked the Lord for some encouragement regarding my prayer list.  I know He is working in every request, and solutions take time but could He just send inspiration?  That night before I lay my head on my pillow, I learned that my friend’s daughter has been declared cancer free!  Added to that, two of my middle-aged friends have been weary of the lonely single life.  Both wrote that day that they are dating wonderful men of whom the families approve!  God truly is busy at work in each situation!  And I like this quote about prayer:

“I had rather stand against the cannons of the wicked than against the prayers of the righteous.”  Thomas Lye

I close with grandparent humor:

"The best babysitters, of course, are the baby's grandparents. You feel completely comfortable entrusting your baby to them for long periods, which is why most grandparents flee to Florida."  Dave Barry

“A grandmother is a woman who’s thrilled because her grandchild can recite the Gettysburg Address at eight when Lincoln didn’t do it until he was much older.”  Milton Berle

I’ll be off line for a few weeks and will return with photos of my trip to share in future journal entries.