15 December 2010

Cruise Control Not Included

Just when I thought I had everything under control.  A couple dozen finger sandwiches for Azure's class plus a book for a book exchange, 5 containers of frosting as well as a box of Kleenex for those less fortunate, grapes for Divine's class, washed and cut, a book for Pearl's class exchange, a can of white frosting and red plus green mints for Olive's class gingerbread house decorating, and don't forget the respective class parties for each as well as teacher gifts.  Everything was in check with the third black and white outfit finished, I was feeling, in control.  
Ryan took this morning off to take his mom to an angiogram appointment.  He was excited because he has an affinity for hospital food.  [This I did know before we got married].  We were sitting around last night discussing the details of my baby sister's baby she had after a quick 2 1/2 hour labor[!], all natural.  We were talking about his weight and length and dark hair that would be so foreign to us, wondering what they named the sweet thing [Clark Vaughn Jones] when Divine returned from ice skating.  Her first time, and she had been talking about it for weeks, maybe months.  I almost didn't let her go, but I knew she might hold that grudge for weeks, maybe months.  She returned in the middle of our celebratory conversation with a cup of hot chocolate and a sad face.  She fell after 5 minutes of skating and was supporting her wrist. I convinced Ryan to take her to the hospital in the morning, you know, since he would already be there.
So, turns out, I really don't have control at all.  This arm.  Broken.  And with two abdominal ultrasounds for the UTI frequenters scheduled for Friday, it seems I am anything but in control.  The frailties of life are just that: life.  I may not finish my black and white Clad Christmas series, I may just end up getting gift cards for all those teachers who care for my baby dills many hours a week, and I will be spending more time at the hospital than packing and decking the halls than planned, but it all highlights and bolds the genuine reason for the singing, the gifts, the baking, the traveling, and the lights.  I may not have my color coordinated photo op, but that certainly won't diminish the glory and hope that shines especially bright this time of year through the birth and life of our Save-ior.  I am grateful for these reminders that the fragility of life and lack of control is balanced by the promise of one day being perfected through Him.

Divine says she's getting a green cast.  Do you think she'll let me paint it black and white?

31 comments:

  1. oh boo, poor girl. I've only ever broken a finger tip (giant snowball incident.) but I remember it really hurts. I hope it doesn't put her off skating, I spent hours skating as a kid! My dad would make a rink in the front yard every year so they could still kick us outside to play in the dead of winter :)

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  2. Firstly, Anne's baby is beautiful. Looks like MD, doesn't he?
    Secondly, you will never be in control of the things you can't control. The rest of it all, though, you handle quite wonderfully.
    Kisses to D. May she have nothing more than a broken arm.
    (Am just now remembering that my brother fell on his arm while skating when he was 10 and broke his too. this made him wildly popular at school)
    (and he turned out ok)
    (well, except that he's traded in skating for rugby and now breaks ribs and collarbones instead of arms but I'm sure D has more common sense than he).

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  3. Hope the baby Dills get well soon, that the arm heals quickly and that you get some rest.
    You inspired me to get some paperwhites-they are sitting next to my bed now, too.

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  4. Oh it seems like December brings us sweet reminders of why we so badly need to remember the reason we celebrate the holidays. The fact that we aren't in control, but are being watched after.

    I hope Divine's wrist heals well, and good luck convincing her to let you paint it black and white.

    I love your little nephews name, my son's name happens to be Clark Jones as well-I'm a bit partial.

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  5. So sorry she broke her arm. We've had that kind of autumn - within 24 hours one child broke an arm (requiring surgery) and another fell and needed nine stitches. A couple of weeks later another child fell and broke her foot. You're so right - it really isn't in our control and I'm so grateful that God has His hand in it all.

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  6. Maybe black and white polka dots on it green cast - lol. I am sorry she broke her arm!! Will make for an interesting morning of opening presents one-handed. Would like to see all the baby dills try THAT! Lol

    Merry Christmas :), funny how beauty can so often come from the chaos

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  7. Katy, your grace and ability to see what's *really* important are inspiring. I wish Divine a speedy recovery and a beautiful Christmas to you and the rest of your family!

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  8. Poor baby Dill! I hope that she heals fast! Good think it wasn't a leg. We've done broken leg and it is not fun.

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  9. Oh no, I'm so sorry! I can relate to your check list, it is very similar to mine. We can only do what we can do. Taking care of the kiddos is our priority.

    ~Ilsa

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  10. Oh goodness!! poor Divine!- I'm rubbish at ice skating too, just not as unfortunate, we've done a few broken bones over here recently, and it's no fun, I'll say a prayer for her!
    p.s congratulations to Ann! he's beautiful!

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  11. So sorry to hear about her arm. No fun! We are going through some serious ups and downs right now as well and it does put things in perspective. A friend sent this to me yesterday and I found it comforting. i hope you do, too:

    First Corinthians 13, the Christmas Version:

    If I decorate my house perfectly with plaid bows,
    strands of twinkling lights and shiny balls,
    but do not show love to my family,
    I'm just a decorator.

    If I slave away in the kitchen,
    baking dozens of Christmas cookies,
    preparing gourmet meals and
    arranging a beautifully adorned table at mealtime,
    but do not show love to my family,
    I'm just another cook.

    If I work at the soup kitchen,
    sing carols in the nursing home
    and give all that I have to charity,
    but do not show love to my family,
    it profits me nothing.

    If I trim the spruce with shimmering angels and crocheted snowflakes,
    attend a myriad of holiday parties,
    and sing in the choir's cantata,
    but do not focus on Christ,
    I have missed the point.

    Love stops the cooking to hug the child.
    Love sets aside the decorating to kiss the husband.
    Love is kind, though harried and tired.

    Love doesn't yell at the kids to get out of the way,
    but is thankful they are there to be in the way.

    Love doesn't give only to those who are able to give in return,
    but rejoices in giving to those who can't.

    Love bears all things,
    believes all things,
    hopes all things,
    endures all things.
    Love never fails.

    Video games will break,
    pearl necklaces will be lost,
    golf clubs will rust,
    but giving the gift of love will endure.

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  12. It seems so often that we need reminders of Who is really in charge. Hoping for a quiet recovery and health for your family.

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  13. Oh dear. I hope everyone gets to top shape asap.

    <3

    As for the green cast, could you make a smart fingerless glove out of matching or coordinating material to slip over the cast for pictures?

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  14. I think she should let you and Ryan gift wrap it with all that great black and white wrap you all bought for this years gifts! And yes in life's moments us moms do have to step back and say it is only an arm. Many blessing this season. Merry Christmas...Renee

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  15. A good reminder that HE is in control...for all of us super moms out there:)

    Feel better baby Dills...maybe you can do black and white photos this year to hide the GREEN:)

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  16. Thank you all for your well wishes.

    Lorchick-would your dad come over and do that for us?

    Jennifer-Yes, he especially has Brendon's/MD's lips!

    Tricia! Another Clark Jones! I love it!

    Randi-I'm hoping that this trio of hospital visits will be it!

    Jacqueline-You are kind. Thank you.

    Lisa-Yes, bright side: not a leg and it's not swimming season ;)

    Althea-So glad you got yourself some Paperwhites! Anyone I can convert I consider a success :)

    Madsta-He is beautiful, isn't he? I'm so proud that she waited it out. I've yet to get the details, but I'm sure it was a beautiful birth.

    Lisa-Thank you for the poem and verses.

    Life is Fun Here-I know, just keep on reminding myself that!

    Admitted Fabricaholic-Yes! I think we should have everyone unwrap their gifts with their LEFT hands this year. Teaching empathy, right?

    Chris-Thank you, as always.

    Dallas Ann and Renee-Those are great ideas to remedy the neon green we will be seeing shortly :) Thanks!

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  17. Rachel--Very clever! We may just do it!

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  18. Feel well Divine!

    My husband says he prefers being pessimist, then nothing can surprise him in a bad way, only in a good way.
    I tend to agree sometimes, but I could never stop being an optimist.

    I'm sure you are one too, so I'm sure everything will work out fine. Health first :)

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  19. Katy! I'm so sorry! Life is so hectic that way sometimes! If there's anything can do, let me know! Benny broke his arm/elbow in nursery in our last ward just shortly after we moved in. He was only 2 1/2 AND he ended up needing surgery! I'm glad that you'll only have to deal with a cast for Divine and not anything worse! :-) I send all my love!

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  20. Oh no! I hope that little arm heals quickly. I just welcomed in new niece into the world last night... don't you just love a newborn? Don't fret over the Christmas "stuff"... we all know that was is important cannot be wrapped with paper and ribbons.

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  21. Oh, girl, I feel your pain. We spent last night in a hotel b/c our ONLY toilet said blub blub and then burst forth into the basement. When my daughter's teacher asked me how I was doing this afternoon (with a knowing smile) I sighed and HAD TO say, "Blessed." It's true, you know? Hope the road feel smoother, soon! ~Ann

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  22. Can you make a ruffled cast cover? Like an arm warmer? I hope everything goes well and I'm sure the teachers will love the gift cards!

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  23. Oh no, poor Divine! It doesn't sound like it's going to affect your Christmas spirit though! Divine will be the coolest girl in her class with the funky green (or black & white?) cast.
    xo MODELmumma

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  24. Definitely paint it. I'm envisioning black and white damask. Consider sticking on rhinestones.

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  25. you could always sew her a little stretchy cast sleeve in black and white so she could match and you would have an additional embellishment opportunity!

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  26. So sorry to hear about the arm! I have realized a lot lately how not in control I am. I am not sure if I like it or not. I do love knowing that God is faithful.

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  27. Katy, isn't this just how life goes sometimes? Sorry to hear about the injuries and sickness, hope everybody recovers.
    I've found that the key to having fun with the holidays is planning fun stuff but not being so attached to the plans that I'm devastated when they don't happen. Kids just make things so unpredictable.

    And I just want to tell you how much I love reading your blog. It's so happy, creative and spiritual. Keep up the good work. :)

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  28. Oh, poor Divine! I really feel for her. I broke my arm roller skating when I was 11. I've hated roller skating and ice skating ever since! I hope she gets her cast exactly as she wants it.

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  29. I know the feeling of trying to have everything done, and then a kiddo gets a broken bone. Ours was a collar bone, and it destroyed yesterday. But there is still time to salvage the week, and hopefully get some stuff done.
    Good luck!

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  30. So sorry, Katy. I know those weeks (months, even). It looks like Hazel and Divine suddenly have a lot to talk about. Green is a wonderful color. Travel safe here next week and hold on. Love.

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  31. I hope Divine's wrist heals quickly! ... and I really hope it doesn't turn her off of skating! I did it for YEARS and loved it - even through the bumps, bruises, and fractures. It can definitely be a sport that's hard on your body, but very rewarding all the same!!
    And that baby - just beautiful! I'm one of those that has short natural labors, it seems...not always the most fun! They can be VERY intense!!

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