Laughter really is the best medicine.

Geez, is it possible that the last few weeks have flown by as well as drug on and on.
So many things have changed. Of course Brad is now unemployed and has taken over as Mr. Mom. He kind of already had that position before as well as working full time :)
I have also made a career change and am working at a new office in Tacoma for a group of spine surgeons. It is much closer to home and I have a set full-time schedule. I have only been there for two days but feel as though it is a perfect fit for me.
In other news Madelyn broke her arm on Sunday, while we were having guests over for dinner. Nothing makes you feel like a horrible mom like telling a kid she is just fine only to find out one x-ray later that she has a hairline fracture and will need to wear a sling for the next 6 weeks. Can't say that she is too upset by the whole ordeal, the girl couldn't wait to go to school the next day and even came back to school after her ortho appointment. So if anyone is counting this is the 3rd trip to the ER for the Snodgrass Children in just over a year and a half. Luckily we haven't been turned in to CPS yet (good thing for eyewitnesses).
Tonight started out being a drag due to some communication issues with the other half. But thank you Jesus I was able to turn it around. Kailey, my darling 7 year old, was feeling the stress of her parents tension. So after we had worked things out I went to her room to just hang with her for a little bit. I asked about her day at school and she proceeded to tell me about the game her and her girlfriends have been playing at recess. There are 6 girls and 4 of them are the puppies and 2 are the owners. Kailey is playing a Yorkie named Emma..too cute! After she told me this I started reminiscing about my days in Grade School and the games we used to make up. She asked me all sorts of questions about how are playground was laid out and what teachers I liked and disliked. It was a fun conversation that just kept getting better. After a fit of laughter over a possible lost earring that happened to still be in her ear. We started telling one another jokes. ANYONE who knows me well knows that I LOVE to laugh. A huge belly chuckle always makes me feel good. Don't get me wrong a little giggle now and then is great but I am more of the burst out loud BAHAHAHAHAHA kind of girl. Kailey is the only offspring that has carried that gene on and boy does it do my heart good. I had that girl laughing so hard she was beating on her pillow. I was telling jokes from my child hood days like "Hey Kailey what's under there" she of course answered repeatedly " I don't know" I just kept repeating "what's under there" (at least 100 times) finally, she bursts into full belly laughs which I return and she says "oh I get it you just keep asking "what's under there, that's funny mom" Madelyn my older and more serious daughter walks in once without breaking a smile and says " are you trying to get her to say "whats under where". Of course, Kailey again cracks up laughing thinking she gets the joke. Meanwhile, I go on with some old favorites like "A guy walks into a bar, what does he say?". I say "he says ouch" she keels over laughing but then reveals that she doesn't get it. I explain, we both die laughing. Next joke "How do you scare a bee" she answers "how" I return, "BOO BEE" she cracks up laughing and then repeats the joke to Avery (who at 4 is clueless to our humor) after K says the punch line she looks at me and cracked the biggest smile and said " Boo Bee oh my goodness I get it boobie". About 20 minutes later as things are winding down and she is getting ready for bed she starts cracking up and says " I get it! Not under where, it's underwear" HaHaHa.
My tummy muscles definitely got a good workout and I had the best time relating to my growing girl through our shared joy of laughing. As the girls get older I am finding it more and more difficult to find ways to relate to them. It is easy with the youngest, all I have to do is wrestle her and tickle her and she loves me. Not so easy with two girls who are growing fast and whose interests are growing faster. I cherish each moment I have with them to share the real side of me, not just the "mean mom" side. I want them to know how much I love being around them and how much joy the bring me, in spite of the fact that parenting is not second nature (or third or fourth) to me.

God is showing us in so many ways His Hand on our life as we work through the issues we are living with today. I am finding extra meaning in my relationship to Brad as we struggle through dealing with the ugliness of a family member losing a battle with cancer. And the pure Joy of having to rely on our Heavenly Father as we wait for what is next for Brad! I am so thankful that we are not alone and that we are safe in His arms!

TTFN