So, I’m here, but not really. I went to RWA Nationals from July 14-19th (it was so amazingly fantastic and I promise to post about that, with photos).

From July 20-24th I had volunteered at our Summer Kids Camp, which was in the late afternoon/early evening this year and my kids were still in school until the 24th, so it was a completely insane week (and don’t worry I won’t post any more about that and there will be no photos of the 410 wieners I peeled–all individually wrapped–for one night’s hot dog dinner). Then I went straight into a weekend of worship team (singing) which I love, but had no voice left so was amazed I could croak much out.

After that I tried to completely decompress, but you know we had the highest heat here ever, breaking a hundred year old record. So that’s been fantastic! (Once again, no blogs or photos, but I can give you free advice that towels/pillowcases put into the freezer for use at bedtime are your friends when the heat is over 100 and you don’t have AC, because you’ve never really needed it before.)

Add to that my regular Mommy of 3 workload, writing work, querying and just other real life stuff and well, you can see why I haven’t been here. Hopefully.

I will return soon, to post about Nationals. I promise!

So, today’s is my birthday (41) and all of a sudden I’m receiving gifts and/or cards that feature things like this:

or this:

I kind of expected this last year. I think I was given a grace period.

I’m a skeert!

From my family to yours, I wish you all a very Merry Christmas!

To my wonderful husband. Thank you for loving me as I am and not as you wish I would be (and I’m sure you have many wishes LOL). Thank you for being such a good man. These years haven’t always been easy, but through it all we’ve remained friends. Thank you for showing me that real men are caring and treat their women well. I love you.

Romance is real. It is in the every day. Although grand gestures are fabulous, it really is in just knowing you are loved. And sometimes that is in just the way he takes over with the kids when you’re tired, or they way he makes you a drink when you didn’t even ask. Sometimes it’s just in the way he holds your hand as you’re falling asleep or even that he leaves you alone when you need it the most. Sometimes it’s that he’ll change the baby’s diaper, even though he just got home from work. And sometimes he’ll surprise you. After ten years I’ve come to realise that while my day-to-day seems fairly mundane, and that I don’t get flowers very often or even phone calls while he’s at work (something I really used to be annoyed about – can’t you call me once during the day?), I am still very lucky to have a husband who comes home and is present and interested in my life.

I’ve learned that romance is in the little things. And I’m very grateful and blessed.

I found out my Uncle is dying. No one knew and another infection tipped us to this one. Of course, he’s apparently been sick for months, but didn’t feel like he needed to go to the doctor. Now there is cancer in his lungs and colon. And now he is in the hospital and very sick. We went from 0 to 60 in just a few short days. From not knowing, to knowing too much too late.

This sucks. Cancer sucks.

But I’m saying prayers and I hope those of you out there who feel like supporting me and my family will do the same.

EDITED/UPDATED 10:24pm, Mar 22nd – My uncle passed away a few minutes ago. I appreciate all your prayers and support.