I had something really cool happen last Thursday. I didn't blog about it yesterday because I was too busy ranting, but I had to mention this.

The other day I received a box in the mail. I kind of knew it was coming because my brother had mentioned something about it earlier in the week.

I know I haven't talked much about my parents, not because I haven't wanted to, but because I'm grateful that at the moment my relationship with them is pretty damn good. It wasn't always that way (especially with my dad), but I have nothing to complain about.

So . . . in the box was my Dad's newest book. Now my Dad has written many books, in fact he's had 2 or 3 out in the past couple of years. But what makes this book special was the dedication:

To Lisa and Christopher . . . Thanks for the terrific grandchildren.

This line means alot to me for two reasons . . . One, this is the first time he has ever dedicated a book (or anything) to my brother and me. And second, years ago I wondered about how my dad would feel about having grandchildren. He's not the kind of person who likes to be reminded about the fact that he's getting older (my grandma was the same way). When I first told him, almost 12 years ago, that I was pregnant with Kid #1, his first comment was, "I don't ever want to be called Grandpa."

Thankfully soon after, he and my step-mom adopted my little sister. It's because of her that my dad changed his mind . . . and I will always be grateful to her for that.

The other special items in the box were two other books . . . a book of Ben Hur that belonged to my Great-Grandma who I knew and repected, and a copy of Little Women that belonged to my Grandma, who I had a very special relationship with, when she was young.

The significance of Little Women, is that it had always been one of my favorite books. Although I never had a copy of my own, 22 years ago my mom gave me her copy she received when she was 10 years old. Now I also have my Grandma's copy. Given the fact that I will presumably be accomplishing what she always wanted to do, write for children, when my article gets published, I feel like I've come around full circle.

On top of that, to have received these three books during what's been a very stressful time in my life, just reminds me as to why I've been going through everything I talked about yesterday. The kids . . . the writing . . . everything.

And you know what . . . I'd go through it all again in a heartbeat.

Thanks for listening.

So another month and a half has gone by and I haven't been able to get myself to start blogging regularly again . . . . what AM I going to do!

This school year has been INSANE and right now I'm suffering from a very common mother syndrome called . . . CANTSAYNOITIS. I had always prided myself on not not falling into this situation. I had seem what my sis-in-law had gone through, and I've had several friends comment on how amazed they are that I'm able to run a smooth household with 3 very active kids . . .

Unfortunately that's not the case anymore.

Right now, 2 times a week, I'm working in at least 2 of my kids' classrooms . . .

Then I double booked myself to run both Kid #1 and #2's Halloween partys

Then I changed Kid #2's Girl scout troop to meet 2x's a month . . . at my house . . .

Then I took over coordinating the GS Fall Product booth sales for the ENTIRE city . . .

Then I had to plan Kid #1 AND Kid #2's birthday parties (three weeks apart) . . .

Then I start working again next Thursday (but only part-time 3X's a week).

AND my husband just got home last night after having been on a business trip since last Sunday.

I am SO waiting for November 1st! Not just because it's MY birthday (#37), but because a good portion of what I've been dealing with for the past 6 weeks wil be OVER!!!

WHOO HOO!!!!

Of course I'm not taking into account the fact that even though soccer will be over for Kid #2 and #3 tomorrow, Kid #3 started basketball tonight . . . and Kid #2 will start basketball in about 2 weeks.

Then Kid #1 starts basketball the end on November . . .

It never ends does it?

I do have one big . . . actually HUGE piece of news . . .

I got my first writing piece accepted by Boys' Quest magazine! It won't be published until June of 2012, BUT it's a publishing credit all the same.

Well, that's it for now . . . I'm sure I'll start venting again in the next day or so.

Or . . . maybe not. :)