Coming Up For Air

Y'all are not going to believe this. My children have declared a mutiny against their own mother. Me, who endured labor for those two melon-heads. Me, who wiped various body parts and kissed a lot of booboos. Me, who had to ride with them when they got their beginner's license! And to add insult to injury...Cat Daddy backed them up! My daughter and son kicked me out of the hospital room last night and forbid me to come back until this evening! Jenn seems to think I'm hovering....me, hovering? She has me confused with someone else, obviously! My son stayed with her last night so that I could(translated to "TOLD TO") get some much needed rest. Y'all know this isn't possible...even when I know they are right, but I am taking the time to TCB here at home and do a little blogging. I've missed you all and feel like a year has passed since I did a normal post. (Can someone define what is normal for me?) I really don't want her to add me to her worry list, so I am doing as I am told for the day, but just for the day. They really don't want to mess with me much as I am the Queen of the Bed Pan and have the power to withhold privileges! Y'all have all been so wonderful to us the past week, I thought I would reward you with a little something I promised long ago and far away. Laurie Anna was so sweet to give me this award during my absence and I wanted to take the time to say thank you. I have received this award previously from Patti and Lisa and as you know it was originally on Isabel's blog. It states that blogs who receive this award are "exceedingly charming". This blog invests and believes in the Proximity nearness in space, time and relationships. These kind bloggers aim to find and be friends. They are not interested in prizes or self-aggrandizement. Our hope is that when the ribbons of these prizes are cut, even more are propagated. Please give attention to these writers. Deliver this award to eight more bloggers.

In typing and rereading these words I was overcome with an emotion hard to put into words. This award is about blogging, but it is about so much more. It is about opening the door to a world of caring individuals who hurt when we hurt, cry when we cry and laugh when we laugh. It's about complete strangers opening their hearts to a need and answering that need with prayers. Real prayers, heartfelt prayers, loving prayers. How can one person be so blessed? God has guided me to so many of you wonderful people and I can't say thank you enough.

It credits this blog with being "exceedingly charming". Well, I don't know about that one. I do know that everyone of y'all are charming beyond awards and words. I love each of your different personalities, your special "tics", your sense of humor and your style! I grow a little each time I read a new post by each and every one of you. You open my world and allow me to spend a little time getting to know you better. For that, I am eternally grateful.

In case you haven't noticed, I'm including more photos of Laurie Anna's store that I had promised you before. This is my way of saying thank you....inspirational vignettes from an inspirational lady. Really puts you in the mood for spring, right? I'm supposed to give this award to eight more bloggers, but if you haven't figured it out already, you who are reading this right now are my favorite. (Just don't tell the others, OK?) Take this award, post it, run with it and have fun with it. You deserve it and so much more. I wish I had a million dollars to send each of you a 2Chippys junk jewelry treat, but alas, I am just a poor girl....poor in money, but not in gratitude!

And speaking of money, I need to close this post now and go pay some bills! I want you to know one last thing though. Before I go to sleep at night, when I'm saying my prayers, I thank God for all of you and your big ol' Texas sized hearts. Love ya!!!!