Barbie Bribery and other weapons mothers use!!

So between today and tomorrow, my "HannahBanana", has two doctor's appts. This afternoon she has an appt. with her pediatrician for her 5 year old checkup and clearance for her eye surgery next month. If I remember correctly, today's visit will require at least one shot and lucky for me, a "pee in the cup test"! Tomorrow morning, we head back to the eye doctor so that she can have her eyes dilated once more before her surgery takes place. Hannie is NOT a fan of having 5 different eye drops in each eye that make it even harder for her to see the rest of the day.
So, as of now, I'm weighing my bribery options available to mothers like me!! So far, I have considered a new Barbie for today's trauma and maybe a trip to "Chick -a-Lay-Lay" (Hannah's name for Chick-fil-A!!) after the appt. tomorrow. I do need to tread lightly though or else I risk uping the ante for her surgery next month. As of now, she has agreed to cooperate with the surgery if balloons and pizza are provided. A mighty fair request if you ask me!!
Oh, the tools mothers will employ to keep their children smiling! Truth be told, if I could, I would gladly have the shots myself, pee in the cup (talk about a cup runneth over!!), walk around with those silly sunglasses covering my dilated eyes, and have the surgery on my eyes if it would spare my little "HannahBanana".

Having a ball!!

So I figured it was time for another one of my "sugar posts"!! Last Thursday, my youngest niece, Dani, celebrated her 8th birthday. Her birthday party was held yesterday. I offered to make her cake and she requested a soccer ball cake. I made the cupcakes for the kids, complete with soccer ball candles or soccer ball rings. Everything was delicious!!

www.actionalz.org

"The Shack"

Alright, enough posts regarding my latest creation with sugar!! Now for a more serious topic. I just finished reading "The Shack". For a while, I had been hearing different people talk about this book, it has even been a topic of discussion on several television programs. I must admit that I was drawn to read it just to see what all the hype is about. My Mom was hearing all of the buzz and broke down and bought the book with the idea that I would read it first and then pass it on to her. Since then, the list of people who we are going to pass our copy along to has grown.
First and foremost, I can not divulge too much about the plot as it would ruin it for anyone who would like to experience the book for themselves. I will say this, it is a deep book that explores deep topics of faith, religion, and God to say the least. At first, it was hard for me to get past some of the metaphors in the book as they challenge what I have been taught regarding God most of my life. I did however stick it out and I'm so glad that I did! The book is a different and new, but wonderful way of understanding faith, however little or much we claim to have. I will not claim to have had a religious experience after completing the book, but I do have a clearer understanding of some things. A few "aha" moments, as Oprah would say it, maybe!
Below are some quotes from the book that spoke to me, both because of my relationship, or should I say lack of relationship with my father. I have struggled with his inability to be a decent father for most of my life. It wasn't until recently that I spoke words of forgiveness to him. I now realize, after reading this book, that true forgiveness is a process or journey. I take comfort in knowing that I have at least begun on that path.

"Let me say for now that we knew once the Creation was broken, true fathering would be much more lacking than mothering. Don't misunderstand me, both are needed-but an emphasis on fathering is necessary because of the enormity of its absence."

"Forgiveness in no way requires that you trust the one you forgive."

I encourage everyone to read "The Shack", whether it's just to see what all the hype is about or to experience the words for yourself in a deeper way.