Today's stream of consciousness...

We've been adjusting to the new school.  Payton is not going to play volleyball after all.  She started, but then we learned it was not a requirement, so we dis-enrolled her.  It's been hard enough adjusting to the new expectations of this school with regards to homework, so we'll revisit volleyball next season.  Jim and Connor helped some friends move this weekend.  Payton's been active in youth group and loves going to Capture the Flag every Saturday night (to her dismay, so does Connor).  I had dinner with some friends last week to celebrate my birthday.  Mexican, of course!  Always a great time with them and thankful God has placed them in my life.  We had dinner with some new friends on Sunday night.  Loved hanging out and getting to know them.  Payton's been having tummy issues nearly every morning since early last week.  Not sure if it's nerves, a virus, stress....or worse.  I tend to get stuck on the possibility of it being in that "worse" category.  I thought being a Mom would get easier as they got older.  I thought I wouldn't get freaked out about every little or big illness.  But, I do!  It's not getting easier.  In fact, it's getting more difficult.  Why didn't somebody tell me it was going to be like this?  Anyhow, we had our small group last night.  Still doing the Crazy Love study.  Wow, it's a good one.  Good conversations.  Great challenges.  I decided that I want to do a bible study for my friends, neighbors, really anyone that wants to come.  It's not really a "bible study" though.  Of course, the foundation is biblical.  But, it's a book, called The Best Question Ever, by Andy Stanley.  It was recommended to me by a friend.  I'm hoping someone, anyone, will want to join in!  I think it will be great.  And, it's only a 6-week deal.  In other news, Jim is working from home all week.  We got Payton out of school today and took her to lunch.  Tomorrow, we'll do that with Connor.  I'm a dinner-cooking-maniac lately with E-Mealz.  No planning, no grocery lists.  It's all done for me.  I'm in love!  Signed up for a new Wish Kid a few weeks ago and a co-Wish Granter finally signed on with me.  I got the paperwork to call the boy's family.  What happened next was somewhat stunning for me.  The boy's dad said he (the Wish Child) was not interested in having a Wish.  What?  OK, this has never happened before.  The child is 17.  So, maybe not a child.  He's depressed.  He's bitter.  He's probably angry.  He has no interest in meeting with me/us.  He has no interest in even finding out more, according to his father.  I tried to explain what a "wish" can do for the spirit of a child enduring something as tragic as chemotherapy.  It didn't matter.  We won't be meeting this Wish Child.  I'll follow up in 6 months and see if he has a change of heart.  His 2nd PET scan was scheduled for late last week.  Prayed for positive results.  Maybe he'll change his mind.  I'm hoping.  I'm also praying that God uses this tragic situation to get through to this teenager and his family (if they don't know Him already).  It's in the midst of tragedy when God does his best work!  I'm praying they don't miss it!  So, this brings me to the present.  Time to finish paying some bills.  Time to marinade some shrimp.  And, have some mid-afternoon caffeine.