Just Pick One!

Life's question for Haley has never been "What to do?" but rather "What to do first!" She has always had lots of goals, hopes and desires, things she wants to do, and places she wants to go. Sometimes I have wondered, "Is there such a thing as too many options?" Don't get me wrong, there are plenty of obstacles to many of her plans - some are emotional, some are financial, and some are even physical. Regardless, where there's a will, there's a way.

Shortly after the first of the year, I was talking to Haley on the phone. After a fairly lengthy conversation about future plans and options, I simply said, "Just pick something, and we'll work to make it happen." I never dreamed what would transpire in the following weeks and months.

Once the decision was made to travel to Africa this summer for humanitarian purposes, the task of selecting a program was overwhelming. There are hundreds of organizations. Thousands of hours could be spent researching them all. So, once again, came the resolution, "Just pick one!" And she did!

In just a few short weeks from now, Haley will leave for Africa. It is nothing less than miraculous that she is going. The trip is paid for. She has gotten her shots. She is collecting donation items, and she even has some spending money for the trip.

I shouldn't be surprised that help has come, plans have materialized and prayers have been answered. We are surrounded by angels in the form of friends, neighbors and family. I am certain that the miracle is just beginning.

Haley loves people.

She thrives on making new friends and keeping old ones.

She is at her best in preserving relationships. Haley has spent her life extending herself to others in service, friendship and, most often, in fun! Now she will see others extending themselves to her in ways she could never imagine! Thanks to all of you who have helped make this experience possible. How sweet is the experience of learning that we all belong to the same group - "one of the least of these!!"

State Cup Champions!!

Finally, the Sparta U15 team won State Cup!! It has been a long hard fight. They ran so many hills in the early spring that even they lost count.

Coach Matt worked them hard and was his usual ruthless self. . . and it finally paid off!!

They were even more excited because they beat their arch rivals!!

Congratulations Sparta!! What a great team you are!!

Things that Bug Me

I must be in a particularly irritable mood today. It could be because I never seem to get an uninterrupted night of sleep. It is completely my own fault. My adult children would prefer that I not monitor their comings and goings. Frankly, sometimes I wish that I didn't know what time they arrive home.

Maybe I am cranky because I am just getting old and ornery. Let's hope that is not the case. I do have an eleven year old that I would like not to torture for the next eight years. Regardless of the reason, I am very easily perturbed of late.

Here are some of the things that bug me:

*Women that don't comb the back of their hair.

*The pile of unmated socks on the top of my dryer - I know it is my fault, but seriously how many socks can one household have with no mates?!

*Dirt! If you have been to my house, you would never guess that I hate dirt. Truthfully, once again, it is my own fault that I am surrounded by dirt - soccer cleats, baseball pants, etc. - I have trained my kids to love the dirt.

*The comment, "It's in the back of Dad's car." - How many times do we have to learn this lesson? Dad goes to work everyday. If you leave your "stuff" in his car, you will not have access to it when you need it!!

*The phrase, "Goodnight, Mom." at 4:00 in the morning. Here's a hint, I will always be cranky if you are just telling me goodnight at 4:00 a.m. It is definitely not my best hour!!

*Crumbs on the kitchen counter. I am trying to get the family to adopt the motto, "Leave no trace." (I know, it's a scout thing, but it works for potentially messy people). If you can fix and eat the food, you can clean it up!!

*Unhappy clerks in stores.

*Unnecessary destruction. I can't stand to see things ruined - even if it is in the movies or on TV. I just don't appreciate the "special effects" in life!

*Smooshed pillows on the sofa. I am a compulsive "pillow fluffer."

*DVD's and video games that are not put back in their proper case.

Who would have guessed that I love the phrase, "It's the little things that make a difference." I like to think that I am fairly easy going - perhaps not always! But here's one thing I do know. . . I am very easy to please. So, maybe for Mother's Day you could wipe off a counter, fluff a pillow and say "Goodnight" at 10:00 in my honor!!