Friends Change Everything

Its been no surprised that I have been tired today ... no surprise at all.

What was a surprise today though, was a visit from some fabulous (and I mean FABULOUS) gals!

This afternoon Jocie and I went for a trike ride out at the lake because we were in serious need of some rejuvenating sun rays! Along the way I came inches from almost hitting a deer and it was only like 11am! I guess deer don't realize that 11am is totally not an appropriate time for launching themselves in front of me. Then again, there is never a "good" time to almost hit a deer! I totally had to choke my heart back down into my chest. I've fallen in love with our van and I now don't know what I would ever do without it! My friend Brian said according to the deer "a near car experience is nature's best laxative!" Ha! He's always making me laugh with his quick wit.

So anyways, once we got home, we started doing some of our preschool stuff which neither of us wanted to do. I'm ready for some energy to be zapped into our body's. About half-way through our stuff I hear a knock on the front door. I immediately thought "Oh no! My door is open and someones totally going to know I'm home ... I have to answer it now ... Gawd! No one comes to my house unexpectedly ... I live in the country ... this will be just grand!!"

Aren't I just the positive one today? Shame on me for being such a turd! I was letting my crankiness get the best of me and I don't like it when I get this way ... not one bit!!

To my lovely surprise, it was my girlfriend Sarah!! Seeing her smiling face standing there at my door with a warm Chai drink in one hand and a 6-pack of superbly decorated mini Billy Vanilly cupcakes in the other hand, was the most beautiful sight I've seen in days!!!

Even though she is one of the busiest women I know, she took time out today (probably missing her own lunch) to swing by and see us. I probably kept her entirely too long, but it was so nice getting to chat for a little bit face-to-face with a girlfriend. Visiting with her this afternoon made me realize a few things that I hadn't really took the time to think through yet. Funny how sometimes your brain, or heart, throws-up when you least expect. Needless to say, I think she was suppose to come over today and I'm so glad she did.

After a later lunch, I snuggled Jocelyn a bit to get her good and sleepy, then laid her down for a much needed nap. I also laid down but wasn't quite as successful. I did end up getting about 45 minutes of rest in, so that was something. Before I fell asleep I was praying to the "Gods of Crankiness" that we would both wake up in better moods!

And we did!

Not only did I feel a little better, but more of my girlfriends came by to bring us supper, dessert and even breakfast for tomorrow! I felt guilty because they had to drive like 20 minutes both ways just to bring it to us, but I know they love us.

The icing on the cake was getting to see our boys and mini princess -- I love their sweet kids. I know everyone has pretty awesome kids, but my girlfriends' kids always have so much love and giggles for us and they are such a treat to be around. They kept them in the car because they said they didn't want me to have to "entertain" them, so I just went outside and riled them up anyways! haha Chasing Ty around the yard was good fun for this lady.

I just recently found out that Grady's been praying for Jocelyn most nights and if that isn't heart-melting, then I don't know what is!! Ashley and Cherry, you girls are always so supportive and loving -- what did I ever do without you?? I love you both so dearly! Like I said a little bit ago, there is just something about great comfort in someone else's food ... I've always heard its because its made with love. You really made a difference in our night and seeing you two, and the kids, was uplifting in itself.

I've realized a few things today from my two visits:

1) I have AMAZING friends!

2) I'm truly fearful that we're going to loose Jocelyn ... I've felt this way for some time now ... and with the latest events, its all came to a head.

3) That a "cake intervention" really can cure a lot! :)

4) That sometimes I'm too hard on myself as a mother, and that I'm doing a pretty good job even on my worse day.

5) That simply seeing a bright beautiful smile on the face of a friend can make your whole day turn around.

6) That its okay to always want more for Jocelyn and for her to achieve as much as possible because that is what parents want. What I want most, is for Jocelyn to be HAPPY, and I think right now she truly is minus feeling a little achy and sick. I have never bothered to look up what a child with Jocelyn's diagnoses typically achieves (guess I've never wanted to know because I didn't want to plant the seed in my brain that "this is just the way things are" and give myself permission to not expect greatness), but I recently had a therapist inform me that the majority of people with Jocelyn's diagnoses rarely show any interest in anything, can't hold their head up, can't sit up on their own, manipulate anything, they do not roll and so forth. Hearing this from a trusted friend made me immeasurably grateful that Boogie can do those things, and yet, its still okay for me to want more for her.

7) And lastly, that a meal cooked for you oddly enough has healing magical powers!

I love you girls - so much! Thank you for making this Friday, much better than the last. You have the most giving hearts and I adore you all the more for that.