Music

Today's prompt is to write about a song (the prompt called it a piece of music)that changed your life. It mentions writng about how it makes you feel now.

I've certainly had life changing moments. There have been people who've changed my life. I've read books that changed my life. But a song? Don't get me wrong. I LOVE music. It's just that I guess I've always thought of it as a way of expressing or emphasizing the way I was feeling at any given moment. So while I wouldn't say a song has changed my life, there are songs I associate with the things I've lived through. Perhaps my favorite is "Angel Lullaby" by Richard Marx. It touched my heart from the first time I heard it because it said so perfectly how I felt about being a parent. I loved it so much I used it in a montage of the boys. (Please note: I've posted this before but I thought I'd put it here again since I'm talking about it.) I've watched that video so many times I can see it perfectly in my mind just listening to the song. Whether I watch the video or just hear the song now, it always makes me cry, especially the lines "I'll never catch all those memories I'm chasing, never be ready to let go."

"Angel's Lullaby" lyrics:
I was never alive
til the day I was blessed by you
When I hold you late at night
I know what I was put here to do

I turn off the world
and listen to you sigh
and I will sing my angel's lullaby

The one forever near
The one you call always call
Right now all you know to fear
are the shadows on your wall

And I'm here close enough
to kiss the tears you cry
And I will sing my angel's lullaby

So tell me how to stop the years from racing?
Is there a secret someone knows?
I'll never catch all those memories I'm chasing
Never be ready to let go

And when the world seems cold
You feel all of your strength is gone
There may be one tiny voice
Your reason to carry on

And when I'm not close enough
to kiss the tears you cry
You will sing your angel's lullaby
Let this be our angel's lullaby

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Goodbye 2010

Looking back, I can't say this year has been a good one. Again. Maybe that's pretty typical. The negative has a way of making a bigger impact I guess. There have been some surprizes, lots of changes, and both joy and sadness this year. God even threw in a Christmas miracle. As much as I appreciate that miracle, I can't wait to kick 2010 to the curb and start over with new hopes and dreams for the new year.

May 2011 be blessed for all of us and full of joy, peace, health, and promises fulfilled!

Happy New Year!

I Can't Say It Enough

I think the vast majority of the people who read this blog know me well enough that they know what a horrible yet miraculous roller coaster ride these last few days have been. You've been there offering your time, your ear, your prayers, and your help. I HATE that it takes times like these to bring home yet again just how blessed I am but boy am I glad to be! So, to everyone who's been there for me the last few days...thank you. You're wonderful and I hope you know how much I love you all!

Oh! God? I couldn't leave you out. Thank you for blessings beyond belief and a huge Christmas miracle. I love You!

Friends or Family???

I wasn't planning to sit and blog right this minute. I usually do that later in the day. I just checked the NaBloPoMo prompt page for something to occupy my mind as I wait for Cory to finish playing on the boys' computer and Ty to get home from his "job" (he does odd jobs for people in the neighborhood). But this prompt? I love.

This was yesterday's prompt: Who are you closer to, friends or family? Wow. I don't know how much I'll have to SAY about this subject but I know I it makes me feel a lot.

I'm close to my family. I think my mom and dad would do almost anything for us and I would do anything within my power for them. They've always been there for me. And my brother and sister? Ya...talk about blessings!!! My sister and I are amazingly close and I can't imagine anything ever changing that. We'ere always there for each other. And my brother? He's like the world's best uncle lol. He's watched the boys for me. He takes time with them, makes them laugh, teaches them things. I absolutely love him! And I get along with and LIKE my brother and sister in-law. My brother-in-law is so good for my sister and a great dad. And my sister in law? She's more like a sister. She's sweet, she cares, and she's been there for me, too. On top of that, I have several cousins that I just adore and a couple of aunts who are almost second moms to me. I'm so blessed by all of them.

But my friends? Holy cow! I am so blessed by them, too. Can I count them any less? There are friends I've made online that I can't imagine my life without. I've even met one of them. I talk to the ones I'm closest to at least once every day. On the rare day it happens that I don't? I'm completely thrown for a loop. We've all been there for each other and will continue to be so through some difficult times. I have 3 friends I've known since fourth grade who are like sisters to me. We don't talk or see each other very often now, but when we do it's as if we were never apart. There's not much I wouldn't do for any of these ladies.

I guess it comes to this. There is family. There are friends. And there are friends who ARE family. I'm happily extremely close to the first and inordinately blessed by the number of people I can count among the third. And I thank God for both every day!

Thankful

It's that time of year and I'm feeling the need to remind myself of the blessings in my life. So, I am thankful for:

1. God.

2. The boys. We have our moments but I couldn't live without the love, laughter, joy, and excitement they bring into my life!

3. My friends and family! I'm truly blessed in this area.

4. My family's health.

5. The fact that we have all we need, even if not everything we want: enough food to eat, a place to live, warm clothes to wear, etc.

6. My car.

7. The little things that make my life so pleasant: clean sheets, coffee, music, movies, chocolate, etc.

Veteran's Day

Veteran's Day has always meant a lot to me. There are a lot of people on both sides of my family, including my parents, who were in the military. That also includes my cousin Cory currently serving in Afghanistan. I've had several friends in the military. But this year? Some things have made it even more meaningful to me. I was shocked and so sad to learn that my friend Patty's son was killed in action after being deployed for only a couple of weeks. My friend Gina's son was killed in a car accident. He was too young yet to serve but was planning on it and was involved where he could be. The third and final thing is that Cory (my son, not my cousin) has expressed interest in serving when he graduates and since he's in 9th grade, we've been exploring opportunities for him in that area. All of this just brings it closer to home than ever.

So let me just say this: If you have served, are serving, or are going to serve, please know that you have my everlasting gratitude and respect!

My Heart

I've never gone into much detail on my blog with the boys' stories or behaviors but if you read enough, you know that at times they can be challenging. In the past, I have felt defeated and even a bit broken at times. I've also recently said that I think we, as a family, and as individuals, have made some serious progress. I do know, as I've said before, that there will be more work to be done. But it's moments like last night that make my heart melt and make it all worth while.

We were driving to a local megamart and it was just a moment I want to freeze and carry with me forever. We began talking about lucky numbers, which for the boys translates quickly to birthdays, locker numbers/combinations, jersey numbers of favorite athletes, and car numbers of favorite NASCAR drivers. This led to what we call "double lucky" numbers...numbers that have more than one meaning for that person. Example...Ty's jersey number this year was 16 and that is in his locker combination. Logan's favorite race car driver is #2 and his birthday is the second. It was just fun and silly UNTIL this:

Ty: You were born in 1971, right, mom?
Me: Yep.
Ty: So you're going to be the big 4-0 this year. (Yes, he already knew this. I've been lamenting it for a few years now. Two actually...since my older brother turned 40 lol.)
Jay: Hey! That's cool. You need to celebrate. We should really do something for it this year.
Ty: Yeah! What can we do?
Logan: We should par-tay! (Yes he said it like that. I swear I don't know where he got it from lol.)
Jay: Aunt Val will help us, guys!
Ty: You're gonna be so surprized mom! (Um, no, now I'm not. But thanks! LOL)

At this point the conversation veered in another direction. I was lost in my own space for a few minutes but they didn't notice. I was thinking about the love and excitement in their voices. And you know what? I know I shouldn't need that to make me feel loved, respected, and validated. But it did anyway.

Yes, Readers, There IS A Decent Corporation!

This year for Christmas I got my very own Miracle on N Street!

A bit of background information first. I'm somewhere between moderately and severely hearing impaired. I may or may not not have mentioned it in my 100 things about me post, I can't remember. Most of my regular readers are friends who know this. So a year and a half ago I got hearing aids. They were $2,000 each and insurance doesn't cover them (even IF I HAD insurance, which I didn't and still don't). Enter Casper. Yup, suffice it to say I now have a $4,000 dog and no hearing aids.

I've tried everything I could think of because there's no way I can pay the $4,000. The loss and damage warranty expired in May, 6 months ago. I couldn't find help anywhere. The audiologist didn't hold out much hope but said I could bring them in and he'd see if the company could repair them since that might be cheaper and within my reach. On Monday I got a call from the receptionist. They were NOT fixable BUT for no reason that I know of the company, Oticon*Delta, was extending the warranty! THAT'S RIGHT! A company was bending over backwards to help an individual! As of next week I'll have 2 brand new hearing aids! I don't know why and I don't care. They didn't have to. Not that any or many of you need hearing aids lol but I thought they deserved a shout out. So thanks for restoring my faith in human decency, Oticon*Delta!

By the way, I was doing some research on them...their motto is People First. How about that?

Thankful

10 things I'm thankful for tonight:

1. God.

2. My boys (of course lol).

3. My friends and family.

4. My furbabies.

5. Answered prayers.

6. Having enough to eat.

7. A warm house.

8. The health of my loved ones.

9. My health.

10. Music.