Today is our son's 5th birthday. It's been a good day. Last night, I took back some unopened chips and drinks that we had left over from his birthday party on Saturday. A month ago, I would have just kept them, but now, every penny counts. When I took them back, a young man who worked there looked at me and snidley snickered. It was kind of humiliating. But, I am proud to say I didn't rip his head off and stuff it up his huge butt. I just calmly stood there and tried to ignore him. He may have to go through something like this some day. He eventually walked away, and the cashier sweetly processed the return and gave me the money back. I used that $10 to buy my son's birthday gift. On Saturday, when we went to pick up his cake and balloons, he spotted a truck on the top shelf of the chip isle. He said, "Mommy, can I have that?" It was $8. I said, "Sweetie, I'll come back and get it. OK?" He smiled and said, "OK, Mommy." At that point, I would have done anything to get him that $8 toy. So, last night, after he went to bed, I wrapped his little truck, put a card signed by both me and hubby on the front of it, and neatly put it on the table. He opened it this morning, and I do believe it is one of his favorite toys. He's driven it all over the house today. Luckily, I have a coupon for batteries when he wears these out.



Looking back over the past 5 years, it's amazing what all has happened within that time. Over the past 5 years, we have had a child we thought we would never be able to have. We have also went on vacations, bought cars, sold our first home and bought our dream home. We've survived cancer, suffered through surgeries, managed through medical scares, and lost two beloved grandparents and three beloved pets. We've gone to concerts, seen movies, attended parties, catered a wedding, and been in two productions of "The Living Christmas Tree". We've started attending church and volunteered to help those less fortunate. We've also had arguments, both with us and others, fought for what we thought was right, and said things that we probably should have kept to ourselves.



Looking back, I realize that we have had our share of ups and downs. We have had really great times and hard times too. And, though this time right now is really tough, we will get through this. It is hard, though, to keep thinking that when you are trying to come up with $8 to buy your son's birthday gift.

On a good note, we are seeing God's work through this. I was going through the mail that I had put off opening (mostly bills). I saw an envelope from our mortgage company that I thought was just a tax statement. Turns out, it was a check for $240! It was an overage of our escrow account. So, we can now pay our HOA dues. For this, I am very truly thankful.