Paint, Proud, Proceedure, Painful, Pink Polka Dots, and Performing

The past several days have been strange. Interesting conversations have taken place and a lot has been accomplished.

I met with some of my old neighborhood friends for a painting party in celebration of my friend, Caisa's birthday. It was a fun and productive way to spend time together and I liked having a project instead of going to lunch or dinner for a change. We worked together to paint her daughter's bedroom and would have completed it if only we'd had a taller ladder.

On Monday night our family helped clean our church building for Family Home Evening. We were the first ones to arrive and chose to clean the Chapel. We dusted, vacuumed, and organized until the room sparkled. Caleb noticed that the cloth on the Sacrament table was stained and asked if we could take it home to wash. After getting permission from the Bishop, we did take it home for a good cleaning. I was proud of Caleb for being proactive and taking a personal interest in something so meaningful.

Last week I was flossing my teeth and ended up breaking a small piece off one of my bottom front teeth (I knew there was a reason I hate flossing!). I went to see our dentist to have it fixed and he was astonished to find how much my jaw has moved and my bite has changed since our visit in late January. I don't know what is going on, but he said my TMJ symptoms are going to continue to get worse and he's afraid of the wear on my teeth. He highly recommends I get braces ASAP. What a decision. Clint and I have made the decision not to go into unnecessary debt and I have to decide if this warrants $4300. Bleh!

We have known a young mother with the same type of brain tumor as Caitlin's for the last five years. Unlike Caitlin though, she has had continual symptoms, tumor growth, surgeries, and treatment. Her extended family has found encouragement and hope as they have watched Caitlin grow and remain unaffected by her cancer. Brain cancer is weird though and depending on the location, grade, and general health of the patient can have varying symptoms and outcomes. A few weeks ago I was told this young mother was in hospice care and wasn't expected to live more than a month. I tried to decide what and how I should tell Caitlin. I didn't say anything though. Earlier this week, I found out Heather had passed away. I waited a day before I said anything to Caitlin. When I finally had my little speech figured out and had enough courage, I told her. Guess what she said? "I already know." One of her little friends had told her a couple of days earlier and she didn't say a word. Now I have to wonder if Caitlin was coming up with her own little speech and working up her courage to tell me. Interesting how we can want open communication and honesty, but we mess it up with the desire to be brave and protect. Again, bleh!

Today I went out for lunch and pedicures with my friend, Jen. It is so nice to have friends in my neighborhood who I enjoy spending time with. We did something a little different with our pedicures this time- hot pink polish with white polka dots. I love polka dots!

Tonight was Caleb's last middle school choir concert. He has loved being involved with the concert choir and has had good experiences performing and competing. His new High School is supposed to have a wonderful choir director and plans are in place for a good music program.