Drama Queen

Today's major drama melt down was brought to me by a pair of socks, a Kroger sticker, and cousin Rylan.

I detected a little bit of attitude this morning, but it seemed to correct itself. And then we went to Bed, Bath and Beyond where I cruelly wouldn't purchase her a box of Skittles and a princess tent. Foot stomp, pout and glare.

After a little talking to in the car it seemed all better. I am choosing to believe that when she ran into my Achilles tendons as hard as she could with her "own perfect size" shopping cart it was truly an accident.

And then we got home and Rylan came over to play. They galloped through the yard, slid on the slide, swung on the swings, climbed the fence and had a fabulous good time.

The beginning of the end was at lunch when Rylan selfishly and purposely took the Kroger sticker that was probably laying on the floor and put it on his napkin.

Shrieks followed by tears -But that was my Kroger sticker and I don't want Ry to have it. I was saving it special for Mich and Daddy and IT'S MINE.

Once the lunch drama was done came the sock drama. Tears and shrieks and screaming. Again, Rylan was all to blame because he's just so mean. How dare he think that it's okay to touch and try to wear one of Addie's 64 pairs of socks. Oh the humanity!

This followed by more bickering, a bit of pushing and hitting, tons of foot stomping and a load of theatrics from two toddlers. Rylan left to go take a nap at his grandparents' house and I ushered Addie upstairs for quiet time.

As she crawled on my lap to read Ramona Quimby, Age 8 she looks up at me and says, I love having Ry here. Can he come back tomorrow?

Thankful Thursdays

What am I thankful for this Thursday?

• A new scent of laundry detergent, and baskets full of clean, folded laundry.
• Spending five days with an old friend laughing (I've been thankful for that for the past two weeks).
• Sleeping in until 8, but still being up early enough to have 30 minutes to myself.
• Oil changed, tires rotated and gas tank full with the car ready to head off to Chicago.
• Newly planted Black Eyed Susans, Shasta daisies and Sedum.
• Not getting poison ivy, despite picking a big bush of "leaves of three".
• Play dates with sweet little girls who clean up after themselves.
• The anticipation of seeing old coworkers and good friends for a few moments.
• Being hours away from a glass of wine on my Dad's patio.
• Having a clean house - with mopped floors and everything.
• Knowing that when they are good, they are so very good - and so very adorable.

JOY

When he got down on one knee, I was beside myself.
When her heart beat on that sonogram, I was speechless.

When I got to go to both proms, with nice, cute boys, I was pretty dang pleased.
When I walked across those stages and grasped those diplomas, I was relieved.

When she was told she was in remission, I was was overjoyed.
When he was told the scans were clean and the prognosis was good, I was overwhelmed.

When my nephews were born, my heart swelled.
When we found the right house, in the right neighborhood, with the right play set, I was thrilled.

I have known pure joy. Andy. Addie. Mom and Dad. High school drama and growing families...amazing. Loyal friendships and a loving family. I have it pretty darn good.

But I am not sure that I have ever felt quite as good as him.