how getting kicked out of the blood drive turned out to be a good thing

Two weeks ago, our church held a blood drive. I haven't given in a very long time and by the time our worship service was over, something had grabbed hold of my heart so hard that I just knew that I was going to donate that day. I whispered over to Mark what my plans were. He looked surprised, knowing that I'm no fan of needles, but said "good for you."  He took the kids to get a little snack, and enjoyed a cup of coffee for himself and would wait for me while I gave. So I hesitantly walked in and began facing the multitude of questions that are in the giant folder of information required for a happy, healthy blood donation. No, haven't been out of the country (boooo). No, haven't had -insert scary disease name here- (yayyyy). Done. Next, I was sent on to the screening panel of wonderful people at Heartland Blood Center. On a sidenote, they really ARE an amazing group of people doing honorable work! This is the part that you answer a couple of verifying questions, get your blood pressure taken, and a finger prick to float your blood in some sort of liquid to check for something very official. This is also the part that I failed.
The gentleman working on my chart frowned, and decided to take my blood pressure again, And again. Then he went and retrieved another friend to take it again on my other arm before stamping my paperwork with a "denied" block and apologized ----but my blood pressure is too high to donate blood today. Then I had to face the music and tell my husband. And call my doctor. Honestly, I've been thinking about calling the doctor for many weeks. I just haven't felt "right" but there hasn't been anything concrete or serious enough to get me to make that call. Until now. So I called. He got me in right away --conveniently on the same day I already took off to take my son to his own check up. I figured it was nothing...but that wasn't quite right.
So the nurse took my blood pressure. Three times. And then stared in  my face asking me "so how do you feel RIGHT NOW?"  ("a little freaked out that you're staring me down ...thanks.") She went to get our long-time doctor (awesome!) and I could hear her talking to him in the hallway about my blood pressure. ("Look at her BP and she's just sitting there without chest pain or anything!") Ugh. Doctor and I talk, he takes my pressure too, does what he does and wants to see me next week. Turns out much of my feeling "not right" is due to super high blood pressure that can be managed with a bunch of meds. So....although I was bummed that I couldn't give blood....I am happy that it resulted in a visit to avoid scary things like "permanent heart and kidney damage" and clearly resulted in saving someone's life. Mine.Thanks be to God. And getting kicked out of the blood drive.

blah! or maybe not...

I came out the house this morning to get into my car and before I could even set down my coffee cup I noticed the little bit of frost on my windshield. I took a quick look around the yard noticed more of the white stuff on the grass, on the flowerbeds, on the bird feeder and mailbox. Driving to work I saw the gross, dingy remants of what used to be someone's snowman, but all it is now is a pathetic, dirty lump of ice. Covered in slush. Covered in cold. That's what I told like about February...the cold and wet and dark. It's this time of year when I REALLY get "blah". The days are still dark and cold. (did I mention cold?) Everything looks gray, brown or beige. I WANT to see THIS:

 

But instead I have to be content with flower and seed catalogs and looking back at our summer fun photos! Tonight I just can't seem to get warm so I'm looking at lots of our summer vacation pictures. It actually makes me  start thinking about this year's Spring Break, and even in to summer plans. Which makes me happy. And excited...and looking forward to warm weather that is sure to be coming soon. So maybe it's not "blah" that's going to win tonight.

blogs and inspiration

I've been reading some wonderful blogs lately. The Zielke Hut, miss mustard seed, Whimsical Perspective and Blondie in Bombay to name a few. The blogs are written about very different experiences, too. Family life and faith, travel, design, creativity....but they all have ONE thing in common. They are written by FABULOUS women that I admire on many different levels. I realized that I haven't written in my own blog in a long, long time. (October????!!!) I miss it. It's an outlet for me, therapy of  some kind I guess. But I am inspired by these wonderful women. Today has been a crummy day after a few other crummy days and I'm feeling a little unsatisfied and sad. After seeing their photos and reading their recent posts...I'm feeling inspired to get up and get writing again. Thank you ladies!

bravery

While visiting Sea World recently, Adam was amazed at all of the rides and people. He enjoyed watching it all and taking it all in, just as we did. But being in a crowded place like this, (and the airport, the city, the Riverwalk etc. ALL crowded places) it had me in SuperhyperoverprotectivenervousMom-mode. I was constantly watching that other adults weren't too close to the kids, that they weren't too far from us, that they weren't out of our sight for a minute. Then he saw the Atlantis.

 

He wanted to go on that ride so badly. And Mark was willing to go on it with him. My heart was walking away from me to take a horrifying dive through the sky and into a lake while held in place by a little seatbelt. But he was being "big" and he was feeling brave. And I decided that since Mark was going with him I could be be brave too. And off they went.

Adam's bravery paid off and he had a fantastic ride! My bravery paid off because I was able to let him go try something he wanted to do. Bravery requires faith and a deep breath.

the airplane

We arrived at the airport to check our bags in and these kids were totally excited!

A little snuggle with Mommy while we waited for boarding

Can't believe there are tables to work on and still SO SO excited

Ready Mom!

The parts of the airplane ride that are least pleasant for me are always the take-off and landing. For Adam's and Lucy's first flight, I wanted them to be as comfortable as possible with the least amount of worry; especially for the little girl aka Worry Wart. We talked about the procedure at the airport for security and check in, the amount of people at an airport, how they should behave on the airplane, what they should expect to see, what to do if you have to go to the bathroom, etc. I guess we did a good job, and they are just really great kids, because they acted like pros. Both kids were so filled with anticipation about the flight to San Antonio that they enjoyed every minute of it. Lucy felt "like I'm flying like a bird! I'm higher than the clouds!" Adam couldn't believe all the lights he could see and how fast we  must be going.
Now they say they are totally ready for Disney. Let the planning begin!

anticipation

Tomorrow is a big day. We are taking our first trip with the kids on an airplane! As San Antonio is our destination of choice for Columbus Day weekend, we all have excitement growing for visiting a new city. Lucy is excited for the plane, for Sea World and for swimming in the hotel pool. Adam is excited for the plane, for "the desert" (Texas automatically becomes the desert for some reason), and for the adventure itself. Mark and I are both eager to see their reactions to flying on the airplane. We are looking forward to seeing our dear friends Bob and Julie. We are looking forward to exploring the Riverwalk, Alamo and all the area has to offer. Mostly it is anticipation of getting away with our family. More to come...can't wait!

perspective

Last weekend was a fabulous family wedding. (see next blog post) Throughout the day and evening, my eyes were open to all that was going on around me. Like many women, I took in the dresses, the styles, the wedding decorations, the cake etc. Like many women attending weddings, I thought back to my own wedding with a smile on my face. My own observations had me laughing at the kids, catching my family in strange animated conversations. My eyes were open to all that was going on around me. But I guess my eyes weren't the only ones making observations...Apples and Trees so they say. Here is a piece of paper I found on our table at the reception. It is Adam's handwriting. He was too embarrassed to dance on the dance floor, being 7 he is now into a bit of "what does everyone think of me" phase.

His observations include: Lucy dancing on stage, old people dancing, old people on stage, person picking me up on stage.

This short little list of the wedding through his eyes just got added to my List of Things I Love About Adam. I need to remember to ask him who the "old people" were.