World Meningitis Day 2010

Today is World Meningitis Day! "Meningitis is the name given to the inflammation of the membranes, called the meninges, which surround and protect the brain and spinal cord. It can be caused by many different organisms including bacteria, viruses and fungi. Some of the bacteria can also cause septicemia (blood poisoning) as well as meningitis. Vaccines are the only way to prevent meningitis and there are a number available against the different types and strains of bacteria. However, until there are vaccines against all causative bacteria it is vital to know the signs and symptoms and the actions to take." You can learn more about meningitis at the Confederation of Meningitis Organizations or the CDC.
I have a very dear friend who is a survivor of meningitis (who I've written about previously) and while she is doing great now, it's been a long hard road for her. She will continue to face different struggles for the rest of her life. BUT I am amazed by the challenges she has faced so far and her enduring spirit. I just want to take a moment to say Miss K, YOU ARE AWESOME! :)

Me and my friend when she was in the hospital

Wedding Season & Busy Weekends

I'm trying to get back into the swing of blogging but things are pretty busy right now. We're not involved in *too* many things but it always seems like there's not enough hours in the day and that there's lots going on! It always takes forever to get the house back in order after house projects and ours is finally looking normal again. ;) We had a fun weekend with hubby's daughter/my step-daughter - we went to a cookout that some friends were hosting and the girls and I went to a bridal shower on Saturday. The kids had a lot of fun playing outside in the nice weather and at church Sunday.

This year seems to be the year of weddings! Two of my friends and one of my husband's friends from High School are getting married this year. One in April, May and June - plus two bridal showers! The two girls I know that are getting married I've known since practically forever. My friend Ashley I've known since preschool (when I called her Trashley for some odd reason) and although we haven't talked too much in the last couples years (as I mentioned life has been a tad bit busy!) I still consider her a good friend. I'm actually going to be playing the piano at her wedding too. My friend Amy I've known since elementary school. Amy and I were first and second chair flutes in high school respectively and always annoying our band director. We had a lot of fun times and even though our lives have been on different paths the last couple years, she's still kept in touch with me and has been a wonderful godmother to my kids. Her wedding shower that I went to this past weekend was so much fun and it was great to see her and her Momma. Here's a picture of her & I at the shower:

I'm really looking forward to Ashley's shower too - which is this coming weekend. Then the weekend after THAT, we're going to the wedding for hubby's friend from High School. And then after that is Ashley's wedding! Whew! :) Alright, now I need to get ready for bed!

Theta Mom Thursday

I'm joining Theta Mom Thursday this month! Head over to Theta Mom's blog to leave your link if you'd like to participate too. It's hosted by Theta Mom herself and is a time once a month where moms blog about an hour that they found during the month to spend on themselves without the kids.

My alone time has not happened yet but will be happening this Saturday! I am going out with a very good friend to celebrate her birthday! We're going to a nice sit-down restaurant and I will actually be able to eat in peace without having to cut up anyone's food, clean up a spill or take someone to the potty. And it's even better because I already have a gift card for the restaurant so I won't have to spend any money. Wooooo!

These Precious Things

"Pain is the payment for each precious thing," was a quote from this week's episode of CSI:NY. I've watched it from time to time but I'm not a super fan by any means - I was flipping channels and it just happened to be on. One of the CSI people was recovering from being shot and having to learn to walk all over again. His co-worker told him the quote I mentioned above, talking about how he needed to try harder to learn to walk for his precious little newborn baby. At the end of the episode, his wife (girlfriend?) wakes up, hearing the baby crying on the baby monitor. She gets up and goes to the baby's room only to find that the CSI is already up with the baby, shuffling around the room and patting it's back. She smiles as tears fill her eyes. It reminded me of two things - one, a very good friend of mine who recently went through that process of learning to walk all over again and two, the first steps we take as babies.

The first thing was a long and still continuing process for my friend. She spent most of last winter sick with meningitis. She ended up having her legs amputated, getting new legs and learning to walk all over again. It has been amazing to see her accomplishments. When she sent me the pictures of her first steps with her new legs, I cried. I'm very proud of her and all the things she has done. She has come a long way and I believe she will go even further than anyone has ever imagined as time goes on.

The second thing, our first steps as babies, are a huge, well..."step" in our life. We learn to roll, to crawl, to smile, to eat and eventually to walk. And once your children start walking, that's it! Soon they're getting into things, following their siblings, growing taller & stronger, reaching more & more milestones and moving on up out of our lives. Before we know it, they're adults with families of their own. When my son took his first tedious steps across the floor, tears immediately sprang to my eyes - my little guy was growing up! I was so proud. Now he tears around all over the house! :) I know I will do the same thing all over again when my daughter learns to walk too.

So that first big step is a big part of all of our lives - whether we're learning to walk for the first OR the second time. And sometimes it requires a little pain. But it's good to remember that "pain is the payment for each of our precious things."