So Ready To Complain

There are times when I forget how wonderfully blessed that I am! Let's take today for example.....
Larry worked security at a church in Kansas City and Olivia and I went to church in Lathrop like always. Olivia and I came home, she played with a neighbor and I started cleaning the kitchen and making a new casserole recipe for dinner. Larry was supposed to be home around 2:30pm. Instead, he called at 2pm and said that the Missouri Police Funeral Team was being activated, which he is a member of. A 25 year old police officer was killed in the line of duty this morning, leaving his wife and young child. Larry is going to go help plan his funeral. He needed me to pack a suitcase and get all of his stuff ready. He went on to give me a detailed list of the exact items he would need. He would be home in 30 minutes and had to be back in KC at 5pm to leave and then he got off the phone. So while I am getting the suitcase out, getting his clothes out of the closet and drawers, I was very very VERY tempted to start complaining. "I have a MOMS meeting tomorrow night and he was going to pick Olivia up from school and have her at home during my meeting." "I am making a new recipe for dinner and now he won't be able to taste it." "I hate it when he is gone." "I have no idea when he will be back." Etc. Instead, I continued packing, texted a babysitter and arrange for her to watch Olivia tomorrow night, and silently said a prayer thanking The Lord that my husband is safe and able to go help a police officer's wife who is not so fortunate. I am very embarrassed and ashamed that I was that tempted to start complaining but glad that I chose to be thankful! And that I had the choice to be thankful! Larry hugged Olivia good-bye and when she asked where he was going, he carefully explained that a little kid a few hours away lost his or her dad this morning, because he died. He said that he was going to help the little kid and the mom for a day or two. He kissed us both goodbye and I thanked The Lord for my husband, while praying for this precious family whose entire life had just been turned upside down.  I am so thankful for this hero and his sacrifice!

Birthday Questions

I have asked Olivia these birthday questions the last 3 years:

Age    3          
           4          
           5
1. How old are you?
           3    
           4            
           5
2. Who is your best friend?
           Bubby Sissy
           Karlee
           Karlee, ZiZi, Claire, Roslyn
3. What is your favorite thing to do?
           Play      
           Toys        
           Stir (cook)
4. What is your favorite color?
           Pink    
           Blue/Red    
           Pink/Orange
5. What is your favorite food?
           Noodles    
           Cheese    
           Pancakes
6. What do you like to do with your family?
           My family likes hotdogs
           Minnie Mouse Bingo
           Play with them
7. What is your favorite toy?
           Mouse, bed (?)
           Lambie, Doc McStuffins, Chilly
           Baby Boy and Bitty Baby
8. What do you want to be when you grow up?
           A carseat
           A mom
           A married girl
9. What makes you happy?
           That seat (new chair)
           Toys
           Hugging
10. What makes you sad?
           The remote
           When you don't give me toys
           Not stirring (when I don't let her help me cook)
11. What is your favorite TV show?
           Mickey Mouse
           Octonauts, Doc McStuffins
           Peppa Pig
12. What is your favorite book?
           Bible
           Bible
           Bible
13. What do you like to learn about?
           Balls
           Nothing
           Being friendly
14. What was your favorite part of your birthday?
           Emma and Weston
           Tractors and lights
           Lady at grocery store giving me birthday spankins
15. Where do you like to go?
           To the party
           To the store
           To the store with little carts (Kearney Country Mart/Price Chopper)
16. Who is your teacher?
           Alicia
           Miss Mary Jo and Miss Alyssa
           Miss Holly, Miss Heather, Miss Heidi and Miss Alyssa
17. What is your favorite treat?
           Fruit snacks
           Chocolate and candy
           Chocolate
18. What do you think about before you fall asleep?
           My bed
           I love to rest and stay in my bed
           Nothing, just being married
19. If you could meet someone famous, who would it be?
           Family
           Octonauts
           Saedee, Royce, YaYa, Muncle Roy and Mawmaw Kaye
20. What was your favorite birthday present?
           My pink Barbie jeep
           Cupcake set and tractor
           Clothes for Baby boy