So I’ve been off from work since last Wednesday and been at home.  I really wanted to go somewhere but can’t afford it right now, but have to say that being at home has been really relaxing.

I spent the last half of last week getting ready for Jack’s birthday party on Saturday, running around doing errands, cleaning, etc.

Sunday was Easter and it was our first Easter alone...just the four of us.  After church and an egg hunt for the boys, we went out for lunch (which we rarely do), came home, went for a walk, and blew some bubbles.  

Monday, some dentist appointments for Kyle and me and great news...NO Cavities!!  I surprised Kyle by taking him bowling afterwards and for lunch at the alley.  He crushed me but I still had fun.

Tuesday was Jack’s real birthday and Kyle went back to school so it was just me and Jack at an indoor pool.  The little guy had a lot of fun.

Now I will be doing some serious cleaning around the house the rest of the week.  I’ve also had time to read some good mystery novels and watch a bunch of movies (Black Swan, Devil, and Switch) which I rarely do.

All in all the home vacation wasn’t bad at all but I still hope we can go to the beach in August.  

Jack is my youngest boy who will be 3 tomorrow.  I consider him my miracle baby for a few reasons.  First I had 2 miscarriages and then when I had some lab work done, the doctor said I had “low ovarian reserve” and that my chances of natural conception were very low.

I was pretty upset as I really wanted another child.  To make things harder for me, it seemed like all the mothers I knew were pregnant with their second child.  It just didn’t seem in the cards for me.

I could have seen a fertility specialist but decided if it wasn’t meant to be, it wasn’t meant to be.  

Then my mother died in July 2007.  Shortly afterwards, we went to the beach in August.  I was on a Ferris wheel with my son Kyle and I felt a little nauseated.  I thought, that’s wierd, I never get nauseated on rides.  I didn’t think much of it.

Later that month, I took a pregnancy test and found out I was pregnant!  And I was really scared because I thought I would have another miscarriage and I just couldn’t deal with another miscarriage along with losing my mom.

But lo and behold, the pregnancy went well.  I didn’t have any issues except the morning sickness and my feet swelling up near the end of my pregnancy.  Ironically, Jack’s due date was April 20th, one day before my mom’s birthday.  He was late, although not as late as Kyle, and was born on April 26th, 2008.

Jack Leon Mansfield - he was unexpected but most definitely a wanted baby and my miracle baby!  Plus with him being the youngest and me being the youngest in my family, I feel like there’s an even more special bond between us.

Yesterday I went to the hair salon to get a hair cut...just an inch or so to get rid of my dead ends.  Then on a whim, I decided to get my hair straightened.  I have NEVER had my hair straightened.  I felt like a totally new person when I saw the end result and just wanted to share!  I am not good with hair so I doubt I will be able to recreate this by myself but I just wanted to share with you ladies.

My hair is naturally wavy and my hairdresser Sabrina told me NOT to get my hair wet or it will curl up again, LOL!

I also got a brow wax and a manicure which is really really chipped bad now.

I rarely go the hair salon and get my hair done so this was a special treat.

I belong to a group called MOPS, Mothers of Preschoolers.  They meet twice a month.  While our kids are being taken care of at their preschool, the moms get a nice hot breakfast and a chance for spirtual nourishment as well.   There is a devotional, prayer time, discussion time, and sometimes even a craft.

I am a consultant and my project was coming to an end.  Our contract was up for recompete and I asked for prayers that we win the contract.  The prayer leader, who is also the pastor’s wife, prayed earnestly that we would win, and today my friends, I found out that we had WON!!

There were a lot of jobs on the line and if we hadn’t won, that probably means we would have gone on the beach, which is another term for being between projects.  Being on the beach is NOT a good place for anyone to be right now at our company.  You basically have a few months to find something else or you are terminated.  It can be very stressful.  Plus I am supporting a family of 4 and my husband is not working at this time.

I do have to say that after this woman prayed for me and over me, I just felt very peaceful.  I felt in my heart that no matter what happened, whether we would win or lose the contract, everything would be all right.  I prepared my resume just in case we lost though.  And I didn’t worry...it is so wonderful NOT to worry.

My company had recently lost several contracts too so the mood of my team was pretty pessismistic so what wonderful news to hear that we had won!

Just TRUST in the Lord ladies...never give up HOPE.

Today at 2:05 p.m. our beloved cat died.  She died in my husband’s arms.  This is the first time in my life that I have had to deal with a pet dying.  I had pets growing up but none of them ever died on me.

This cat was a present from my husband to me.  He got Malley the year after we got married.  She was not even a year old when we got her.

My husband is absolutely devastated.  He was the closest to her as she always hung out in the basement, his man-cave, where he would play his guitar and watch his fish.

But the whole family loved Malley cat, me, my two boys, and Coda our dog.  I can’t believe she’s gone and we won’t ever see her again.

My husband is outside digging a hole so we can bury her today as we‘re supposed to get some snow tonight.

This really sucks!  The only comfort is that she is no longer suffering.  She wasn’t eating, she was literally skin and bones, and at the very end, could not walk.  It is so terrible to watch someone or something you love dying and know it’s just a matter of time.

I received an email at work about an organization called “Cleaning for a Reason“.  This organization provides free housecleaning once a month for 4 months for any woman currently undergoing chemotherapy.  All the patient has to do is sign up and have her Dr. fax a note confirmng the treatment.  Cleaning for a Reason will have a local maid service arrange for the help.  Their web site is [Link Removed]

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