Friday Night...

Well, it's Friday night and the end of my final full work week prior to my surgery. I have mixed emotions. I'm trying to run through everything I have done at work to prepare for being off for 6 weeks to be sure that all of my bases are covered. Only two and a half more work days before I am off....at least everything at home is coming together. I've thoroughly cleaned and organized my house over the past couple of weeks, tore apart and reorganized the kids rooms, complete with painting and a little interior decorating...the basement is actually looking livable and believe it or not all the laundry is up to date. All the arrangements for my animals have been made and I've stocked up on food for them for when I am away. Tomorrow the kids and I are going to clean the chinchilla and hamster cages so that they are all fresh before I go. One more thing for me to check off my list of things to do.

The kids have been great about this whole process. I've done my best to explain to them that I am having surgery, what it is for and that I will really need their help after I am home with them. They have been super about it and have enjoyed "practising" helping me carry up the laundry from the basement!!! It's been fun really, especially with David, because he is more able to comprehend the significance of this surgery. He told me that he is going to buy me a brand new red bicycle for my birthday next year and that he and I are going to go on a ride together next spring and summer. He has big plans for me....horseback riding, whitewater rafting, baseball...playing Wii and keeping up with his wild boxing moves...roller blading and ice skating...I don't think we are going to be bored for a really long time!!!!

David really does impress me, more and more everyday. Every night after Ruthie is all tucked in bed, he and I have a cuddle time on my bed where we just chit chat about all kinds of things. One night we got talking about the surgery and all the things we were going to do together and then just out of the blue David said, "buy Mommy, I love you whether you are chubby or skinny...because you will always be my Mommy." Since then, he has said the same thing over and over again at different times and Ruthie has now caught on and said the other day, "I love you no matter what, Mommy." So simple, and yet so very profound. The words and thoughts, the sensitivity and love of a child...reminding me of my value in the midst of all of this, despite the excess pounds of weight that I have carried for so long...reminding me that my weight does not define who I am. Thank you David & Ruthie...you have given me more than you may ever possibly know...my life is so full with the two of you in it!!!