What's Done Is Done!

20 years ago I... had been married for two years and spent eight weeks living on the Isle of Wight while my husband worked. It was an amazing experience I will never forget. Also twenty years ago at this time I was in the hospital recovering from bilateral knee replacements. I was only 22 years old! I had been told by doctors I was too young to have it, but thankfully God led me to a rheumatologist who disagreed! I have lived pain free~in my knees anyway since then! Also twenty years ago, although I didn't know it at the time, my future daughter was just about to arrive!! She was born on the 16th of December!

15 years ago I...and my hubby were in the middle of taking adoption classes for special needs children. God had big plans for the both of us! We were still trying to decide if adoption was what we wanted to do or not. Little did we know that within two months we would become proud parents of our two daughters!

10 years ago I...was the mother of two daughters and a son by this time! My kids were 10, 8, and 6 years old. I had my right hand replaced in the spring. Right after surgery we went to Florida for business/vacation. While my poor hubby worked the kids and I had the pool completely to ourselves everyday! I had to wear a certain splint while I was in the water. I had the coolest tan that year....the top of my right arm was striped from where the velcro attached to the splint....lol....can you picture it? It was pretty funny!

5 years ago I...was teaching my daughter how to drive a car...I wasn't sure I would live through it, but I actually did pretty well. She said I was calmer than dad was and preferred it when I took her out to practice ;o) Which turned out I needed her alot because that fall I had my left shoulder replaced. My dad had just been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease and was getting ready to retire. If I only knew then what I know now.....

3 years ago I... was an overprotective mother. My oldest daughter had her first boyfriend. I typically love anybody and everybody. I didn't realize until then that nobody is good enough to date my child! I have worked on this very hard and while she is not with him anymore I love him like a son. And all those other boys that have passed through our lives since then are considered sons as well! I have lots and lots of sons now with two daughters dating! God will see me through until each of them find their spouses.....IF they get married!

1 year ago I...was wondering if that would be the last Christmas I would spend with my father. I had a rough winter as far as hurting and was trying desperately to stay off crutches. I was enjoying the birth of my new great niece! One year ago I was twenty pounds heavier. One year ago I looked in a mirror and discovered a whole lot of gray hairs...lol...I earned each and every one of them!

So far this year I...have been blessed beyond measure to have my father still! I cherish every moment I have with him! It's been a busy year...I walked as long as I could on my own and gave up and started using crutches in April. At the same time I gave birth to my first kidney stone with it's brother announcing his arrival a few months later! So far this year I have lost a little over twenty pounds by eating every few hours~what a chore! I really haven't accomplished anything big this year~just trying to survive one day at a time. But God is faithful and had taught me not to worry so much about the big stuff. I can only do my best and as long as I am doing that it will glorify God. I'm certainly not saying that I am even near perfect and He is pleased with all my actions. I'm just saying I have learned that I have a long way to go and God is right there with me!

Yesterday I...along with my mom and brother started preparing for dad's funeral. He hasn't passed away and we don't know when and if he will, but we need to be prepared. My brother picked out his casket. I asked my husband if he would sing at dad's funeral. I told mom I would go find a suit for dad since he has lost so much weight he won't be able to fit in his old ones anymore. I cried all evening, but I am better today.

Today I...had lunch with my husband and daughter. I came into work for a few hours. I have prepared for Awana tomorrow night. And of course I have been reading blog after blog after blog! The night is still young so who knows what I'll do!

Tomorrow I will...spend the morning with my daughter, go to work for a few hours and then I get to go to Awanas! I made a deal with the girls that if every single one of them said a section in their book I would eat some mint ice cream! I know that doesn't sound difficult, BUT I cannot stand the taste of mint ice cream...YUCKY! But I will be more than happy to eat a huge bowl full if the girls are learning their verses!

In the next year I will...hopefully lose enough weight so I can have both of my hips replaced! I will hopefully keep blogging and meeting new friends like Pamela! I will continue to work in Awana and love every minute of it! I don't know what the future holds for me. I am sure I am going to have some rough spots here and there, but I also know I will receive many blessings as well. My God shall supply my every need!

In the next minute I will...think thoughtfully on the past twenty years and realize what a wonderful life I've had thus far!

To be continued........