- an amazing day with my family.  We went to the beach this afternoon and played in the sand and relaxed with the kids and the dog.  Got some great photos and I'm going to try and figure out how to post them.  Then Paul & Alex attended the Cub Scout "Blue & Gold" Banquet together, while the girls and I went to The University's Dinner Theatre to see "Thoroughly Modern Millie."  Fabulous day.  Glad I was here to watch them enjoy it.

-the wound vac.  I'm even more thankful that the doctor let me take it off for good (at least right now) this week, and though I still have an infection, everything seems to be healing well.  My anemia is improving and I feel better overall.

-a hot shower.  For the first time since December 18, I got to take full body shower this week!  (Yes, I have been washing regularly, it's just been a complicated process)  Oh - it is the simple things in life that make me really happy.  Have you ever thanked God that you live in a day and age where we actually have indoor plumbing and hot water heaters?  I do it all the time - well, not in the last 2 months, but I've started it up again.

-the opportunity and time to deal with heart matters in my children.  We've been having a problem with one frequently reoccurring "sin" in one daughter's life, and I'm just glad (even though I'm frustrated a wee bit) that I'm the one here to walk her down this path and mete out the discipline necessary to help her character grow. 

-my sister, who is a stellar attorney and amazing mom/wife helped win a $230 million dollar lawsuit this week!  (Yes, I'm bragging!!)

-our home.  Yes, it's cramped.  No, it's not my dream home.  I did find my dream home this week, completely by accident, and it's for sale!  It's absolutely the perfect size for our family, very warm and light and homey, and it's down the street from mom and dad, and on the water, with a great yard.  I simply fell in love.  One small issue - the cost.  $895,900.  Absolutely shocking.  I'm actually kind of proud that I didn't faint or even take a sharp breath when the realtor told me that.  I kept on acting like I was interested, and kept getting more info and had a lot to tell my husband about the house we'll never own.  But it was nice to dream for a few minutes.  My very "lived in" home is just what we need.  Our house payment is such that I don't have to work.  We have terrific neighbors.  And the location is good.  HMMMM.....maybe my sister could share part of her company's 40% with her poor, infected, anemic,  cancer surviving, previously baldheaded, in need of another new boob sister?  Just thinking.

-homeschool (most of the time) and a God who's faithful (all the time).  I was in quite a quandry before Christmas thinking that they would be better off in school because our lives have just continued to be a roller coaster for the last two years, but knowing that I didn't have the "go ahead" light from the Lord.  I prayed and asked others to pray for us, that we would have the wisdom to make the best decisions for our kids.  God clearly told me to homeschool- it's a story for another day, but I can tell you the day & time I was thrust into this venture with amazing clarity, and it truly was a "God -thing" that He directed.  So I figured, if He was ready for them to be back in school, He could just as clearly let me know that, as well.  Nothing happened.  I'll admit I was a bit skeptical about the progress they had made this year - it's just been very hard to be consistent with all we've had in our lives.  So when they took their "STAR" tests this week (kind of like very mini achievement tests), I was curious to see how they would measure up.  I am thrilled to report, and amazed at my God, who has kept both Alex and Madelyn in the 98th and 99th percentile (Molly's too young to test yet).  They are moving forward magnificently with the help of the Master Teacher.  I'm not bragging - just overcome with gratefulness at the goodness of God.

-a group of friends I can laugh and cry and hurt and pray and praise God with.  Priceless.