Half a dozen things

1. My inner psyche and I have been overwhelmed this week with the wonder of such amazing friends.
You know my whole black belt thing? Well, even though it was a giant big deal in my life, I sure didn't expect everyone else to treat it like something monumental had occurred.
But they did.
I received gifts and cards and accolades from everyone around. Like they all viewed it as even bigger than I viewed it. I was, (and this is surprising), more awed by their outpouring of love than by my own sizable accomplishment. My eyes kept falling off of my Id, Ego, and Belt to fall upon the applauding people who love me. That's all kinds of humbling.
I am the very most fortunate girl ever.

2. We have this little house church thingy, right? These are beautiful people. These people pray together. And there's something about praying for and with people that adds to one's intimacy level. (My youngest son likes to say we're 'inta-mint.' I'm more inta-chocolate). When you pray with and for people, you are invested in them, and they in you. It's real deep.
I'm all feelin' the love.
Plus it's Christmas time and I want to buy all these people fabulous and extravagantly expensive gifts. Not that I will....

3. I decided to go Christmas shopping today. It's high time, what with Thanksgiving next week. My credit card and coupons took off for J.C.Penny. I felt at once that I should have left Grumpy 1 and Grumpy 2 at home. Grumpy 1 was feeling deprived since I refused to purchase more clothes for his bedroom floor, and also because I am somehow to blame for his lack of dirt bike experience. I'm so mean. Grumpy 2 wanted to be permanently within my shadow and under my feet, and I was all "GET OUT OF MY SPACE!!!" and now he'll require therapy. Once his counselor gets him over that hurdle, they can tackle the fact that I refused to purchase the guitar at Penny's in 2007. From now on I shop alone.

4. My baby sister is on the verge of her second labor and birth. I am all excited to give my sweet new niece a kiss. My mom better watch out, too, because now that I am a black belt, I am going to get those girls more. Mom always gets to watch them. (Can you imagine having people fight each other to babysit your kids? My sister is so lucky, and she's skinny, too. She doesn't even look pregnant from behind. I still look pregnant from behind!)

5. My Auntie and Uncle will be in town this weekend. I love them just a lot. My Auntie is also a black belt and she's real tough, so I won't give her any trouble. My uncle's pretty tough, too, but I'll give him a little trouble, anyway, because that's fun. These two are a couple of my very favorite people in the whole world; and that's sayin' a lot. Plus, it's Jenn's Mom and Dad. (Hi Jenn! Wish you were here...)

6. I bought a new couch. For this, I am shouting a really loud thank you to Patsy. She sent me an email the other day that said something to the effect of, "I saw a couch with your name on it at the Goodwill, and it's begging for doilies. Go right now to see it.." So I freaked out as though I was going into labor myself, and I spun in three circles in my living room while hollering for the children to GET SHOES ON AND GET IN THE CAR RIGHT NOW! Because I knew that someone else was going to get there before me and buy my couch. Fortunately, I beat them there and I wrote a check as fast as I could, and now it's mine all mine!!!!!! I love it Patsy. Thank you for getting me the 411 fast!