When I grow up

We went to a WSU Cougar volleyball game the other night (much better than Cougar football lately!). Cora always gets so excited to see Butch (the Cougar mascot). She started looking for him from the minute we arrived, and when we finally spotted him she begged me to take her over to say hi to him. She told me "I will give him knuckles mom!"

There were also cheerleaders at this game. I know how some people feel about cheerleaders, but I was one and my sister is one in the middle school. Well it must run in the blood because Cora watched them all night. She wanted to stand on my hands the way the cheerleaders did, and also informed us in a very enthusiastic way that she was going to be a cheerleader when she grew up!

Later, at home, Greg's dad asked Cora "don't you want to be a volleyball player too when you grow up?" Her answer was a very casual "yeah". Then he asked "What about a singer?" She thought about that one for a while and then replied "Grandpa, I already am a singer right now!" She sounded so surprised that he didn't realize this.....had he not heard her singing every single day for the last month? Silly grandpa!

Rainbow

Today was not a good day. Nothing exceptionally bad happened; I didn't get pulled over or get a ticket. I didn't fall on my butt in front of a crowd. I didn't mess up anyone's hair, or food order. Things actually went smoothly, there just wasn't much of my day that I actually enjoyed.

I guess I am feeling cheated having to go back to beauty school and work in a burger joint. I know life isn't fair, but I want something to be fair in my life right now! I guess what they say is true, when it rains it pours. There just better be a dang good rainbow after this storm....and a big pot of gold wouldn't hurt either!!

One year!

Yesterday was my one year anniversary of blogging. Not sure why I'm pleased about that except that one day, when I have put even more years of memories behind me, I will be able to remember all the sweet moments. Like tonight.

I have been so frustrated with Cora at dinner time, and completely at a loss of what to do. It seems she has designated dinner time as a good opportunity to show off her extensive vocabulary and talent for telling stories. I'm sure that the main reason for these antics is the fact that we are living not only with Grandma and Grandpa, but also with Aunt Kimmie. She loves the reactions she gets out of them when she says something that makes her sound alarmingly like a teenager! Or the way they all giver her a round of applause after a vigorous recital of the ABC song! Of course the grandparents and aunt cannot possibly be held accountable for their reactions as they've only just gotten the chance to see Cora everyday, and have not yet built up an immunity to her charm (as if there is such a thing)! Needless to say, I'm lucky to get half of Cora's dinner in her, which, as you parents know leads to the "I'm hungry" whining at bedtime!

So, in a nutshell, dinner time has quickly become my least favorite time of the day......until tonight. I made fried chicken, rice, gravy, and green beans for dinner. As we sat down to eat, Cora looked at me and said "Thank you mommy for making dinner!" (I have my husband to thank for teaching her this!) Then Greg commented on how good it tasted, and Cora responded "Ya, it's the best!" Throughout the rest of the meal, Cora kept up a running commentary on how yummy dinner was and that was her favorite, and at the same time shovelling food into her mouth!

Hooray! A successful dinner. Well, perhaps I should mention that everyone else was gone this evening, drastically cutting the size of Cora's audience, but I believe as a parent you've got to count your victories no matter the circumstances!

Blessings

Here I am! No, I did not fall off the face of the earth...We made it through the move home. We are safely in Pullman and settled into my in-law's house for a while.

Cora has handled the move fairly well. She had sort of a rough, emotional first week, but has settled in and is enjoying having all 4 grandparents at her beck and call!

Greg is surviving. Not much more you can ask for at this point. We are waiting to get in to see doctors and work on med management. Until then, he sleeps when he feels the need (which is more often than normal), and we are just happy for the times when he feels well enough to spend time with us. Keep him in your prayers please.

I am...hmmm...holding it together for now. I had a little bit of a fit when I found out that after doing hair for 7 years, that is still not good enough for the state of Washington. I have to take my practical and written exams all over again. Oh, but that's not all! In order to take those exams I need 550 more hours of schooling. That's right folks; I get to go back to beauty school! Ugh. Anyway, I am getting over that since I don't see another option, and throwing a fit didn't accomplish anything! In the mean time I am applying for my barber license (cutting only) so I can work some evenings after school.

I've been a little stressed (heartburn as a result), and of course worried about my husband. I know that everything is going to work out. Most of all I am just very emotional about all the wonderful people in our lives. We have been so incredibly blessed in our time of need. Even the simple act of saying a prayer on our behalf is so greatly appreciated. Thank you everyone for blessing our lives. I pray that you will be blessed in return.

John 16:33 - These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

Greg and I have experienced out share of tribulation in our family over the past 8 years. But perhaps our greatest trial yet started about a month and a half ago when Greg was diagnosed as bipolar. You may have also heard the term manic depressive. It is the same thing. Most people do not understand what this means. I grew up with a dad who is bipolar and even I didn't really understand. And although we are understanding more now, we still have a lot to learn. For those of you with no idea, bipolar disorder is a mood disorder.

Greg is doing fairly well right now. He has started treatment and is responding well so far to the prescription they have put him on. However, we are just getting started. Bipolar disorder isn't something that can be cured. I won't just go away. It is something that we will have to deal with forever. It is, however, manageable. People with bipolar disorder can lead normal healthy lives, and that is what we are hoping for. It may be a while before Greg is feeling good enough (emotionally and physically) to work again. This is why we have decided it is time to move home to the Palouse! I plan to go to work (hopefully somewhere that will offer benefits), and Cora will have the best daycare a girl could ask for...Grandma and Noni!!

We have been greatly blessed with wonderful, supportive family and friends. This would all be a lot harder without all of you in our lives. Thank you for all your prayers.