Not the picture perfect goodbye!

Yesterday I took Landon to UVA in Charlottesville for a wrestling camp that he has been looking forward to for months. It is just about a three hour trip from Virginia Beach. Check in was between 2 and 3, so planning ahead, I figured that we could go to church and leave pretty much after that.....around 11:15ish. I believe that I am way too optimistic at times about traffic around Hampton Roads. We ended up sitting in miles and miles of back-up on Interstate 64 and it took us almost 2 hours just to reach Williamsburg. So, ultimately we were late in arrival for camp.

My son, Landon is the typical teenager and was extremely irritated at me for the volume of traffic. I did a great job of staying calm and assuring him that things probably wouldn't be right on time and that he would be fine if we were a little bit delayed.

I was so thankful for my friend, Lizzie whose son was also attending the camp. She called me and let me know that the directions to check in were a bit confusing and she took the time to walk me through them. She also took my phone call as I was driving around searching for the dorms and calmed me down as I was frazzled beyond belief at 3:30 p.m.

As we arrived, we grabbed all of Landon's gear from the trunk and ran up a hill to check in. Sweat was dripping down the sides of my face as well as just about everywhere else in the 100 degree heat. As we approached I could see all of the wrestlers outside waiting for the camp to begin....not many parents were still there and my heart sunk knowing that we were really late and that my assurances about things not being on time were incorrect. Approaching the check in a woman stopped me and asked if we were the LoAlbo's. She directed us inside to turn in our forms and for Landon to get his dorm key. We headed towards the doors, but it was difficult because all of the wrestlers were coming outside for orientation. Landon had a confused and frustrated look on his face and was looking to me for answers. I walked in and turned in the forms and grabbed Landon's key. Landon had already headed up to his room and I met him there. We inserted the key and to add to our frustration, the key did not work. I just wanted to cry!!

Luckily two college aged counselors approached and asked if they could help. They tried the key as well and didn't have any success. (This definitely made me feel better and I kept some credibility with Landon too!!) They graciously offered to put Landon's belongings into their room until later that evening. We walked to the end of the dorm and put his things down. Landon grabbed his work out gear and quickly followed the counselors to orientation which had begun 10 minutes prior.

I was now realizing that I was leaving my son for three days and I wasn't going to get the kind of goodbye that I wanted. Well there it was again...me thinking that it was always about me and God saying, "Hello Tracy....it is not all about you....I am in charge!" I tentatively yelled to Landon, "Bye, bud....Have a wonderful time....I love you!!" I understood that I was NOT going to get a hug or a kiss and that was the price I was paying for running so late. To my absolute surprise and delight, the counselors turned to Landon and said, "You go and give your mom a hug and kiss goodbye!!!" Landon hesitated and looked to the counselors first to see if they were joking or serious. As he did this, Landon knew that they were serious and he ran towards me and embraced me and gave me a quick peck on the cheek.

How thankful I was for this!! It may seem like nothing, but it meant the world to me and I am so grateful that God placed these wonderful counselors in just the right place at the right time for me to receive a goodbye that I will treasure for the three days and nights Landon is not with us. This also is especially important because Landon forgot his cell phone and normally I would be bugging him with "I love you " and "I miss you" messages and since I am not able to do that now, that goodbye was extremely special to me.

Why do I doubt God?? I get so wrapped up in myself and the limits of time that I totally forget that God is always in control. Yesterday was a perfect example of this. God provided even when I was hot, irritated, and most ungrateful. My prayer is that I can remember this and know that even when things are not going my way, that God will always provide and come through in His perfect timing!!

Things to be thankful for this week:

#81-100:

college aged counselors

Ocean Breeze water park

Atlantic ocean

dolphins

beach time

caring pediatricians

Kerri

Sweet nieces and nephew in Charlottesville

summer bible study

authenticity

Dean's sermons

faces of joy

successful eye surgery

Piercing pagoda

friends that share their pools
Aunt Susan

Taylor Mary

driving school

pink seedless watermelon

fresh basil

Spring Break

It has been a great week!! This has been our Spring Break from Virginia Beach City Public Schools. A few weeks ago I was feeling sorry for myself that we were not going to travel anywhere. After this past week, I am thrilled that we stayed put!! Beginning last Friday, the weather has been perfect. By that I mean, no humidity, no rain and just warm spring air and sunshine. The boys and I have had a wonderful time together. We rode bikes, slept in, went for runs, traveled to Busch Gardens, and went to the beach twice!! I actually acquired a sun burn on my back!! This weekend I am looking forward to Landon's lacrosse games and relaxing until it is back to reality on Monday.
I am thankful for this past week as well. Dan had an accident at work on Tuesday where he shot a nail completely through his left hand. If you know Dan at all, he is NOT one to complain or go to the doctors or the hospital. I knew when the phone rang on Tuesday afternoon and he said that he was at the hospital that it had to be somewhat serious. The nail entered his hand through the palm and came out the other side. It was quite a sight which I was not able to look at for any length of time!! Hand surgery was being contemplated at one point, but then the emergency room doctor was able to remove it after going to his car and getting a tool on the end of his key chain. :) WOW!! So much for modern hospital technology!! Praise God that this nail did not hit an artery or go through the bone. It really is a miracle and Dan went back to work yesterday on a very high dose of antibiotics to combat any infection.
I am thankful that my diet survived the break and Easter too!! I am beginning my third week of Eat to Live by Joel Fuhrman. It is a wonderful change and I am feeling the difference in my health. I have eaten no meat, dairy, oils or pasta for the past three weeks. I also have had no soda in three weeks, which for me is a feat in itself!! I also have lost just about 10 pounds and am feeling strong and fit knowing that what I am putting into my body is healthy and good for me!! I have found many blogs with recipes for vegans that I have tried and it really is a lot of fun. I am looking forward to talking to my friends Karen, Jen and Samantha at work about their successes over the break as well.
Just nine more weeks until summer.....it is a bittersweet feeling as I love my job and the children that I work with each day. It will be so comforting though to have that feeling of summer and not feeling pressured to be somewhere everyday at a specific time. I also am looking forward to spending the time with my family and friends as time ticks away way too quickly.

Taking things for granted.....

I take so many things for granted. I KNOW that God does not want us to do that, but it is so easy in a world that is caught up in self absorption and want. My dear friend, April writes a blog and has encouraged her readers to write on Thursdays about what they are thankful for. As I was driving home today from work, I was thinking about this, but the idea that came to my mind was how many things in my life I take for granted. It is almost like I am entitled to them and boy is that wrong thinking!! I know that I get so frustrated when my children expect things and think that they are entitled to have whatever they want. How can they be so demanding and unthankful? Well, I am the same way and need to really stop and praise Him for all that He has given to me and all that He provides day after day after day.....regardless of my attitude!!

I am thankful for (but many times take for granted):
1. My dear husband who puts up with my pre-menopausal fits a LOT!!
2. My precious children who can drive me crazy, but I could not live without!!
3. My friends who love me for who I am.
4. My father and his wife, Lori and my brother, Vinnie whose hearts are so good.
5. My mother and father in law and my sister in law.....they love unconditionally.
6. My sweet puppy, Sophie who lights up all of our smiles.
7. Living at the beach and having the opportunity to listen to the waves and praise God's glorious creation whenever I want.
8. My cozy home....which is perfect for us and full of memories to fill all of our hearts with overflowing love.
9. Health.....I truly take this for granted everyday...I am so thankful that my family is healthy and happy.
10. My job.....I love my job and am so thankful in this time of difficulty financially in our country that I have a job that I can go to everyday and come home smiling!!
11. My faith and the knowledge that I truly will live forever. That this Earthly home is only temporary and I have so much to look forward to.
My prayer is that I can truly give thanks everyday to God for the things that I take for granted. That I can be thankful in all of my words and actions. That my heart is convicted when I am acting selfish and He can set me straight to realize that every gift I have is from Him and they are all perfect!!

James 1:17: Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like the shifting shadows. (NIV)