Cancer: Mother-in-Law

Got Love?

Wow, to think that a little more than a year ago, I was setting myself aside so that God could prepare me for the mate, for whom I had been begging. And now, I'm grateful to God for sending him my way. It's amazing that I met my husband almost exactly a month after I posted the below (click on link):

Cafe' Camille: "Next Chapter"? and How We Met

I love my husband...he's wonderful...all that & a bag of chips, you might say. His smile & laughter are infectious. Of utmost importance & number one on my list of requests...he's a godly man, who is passionate and compassionate. Did I already say that I'm in love? Well, I am! Today's Valentine & my hubby & I are temporarily separated (only physically....did you think that I meant like in divorce or something?...Are you crazy?! I don't even want to entertain that thought). I miss him so & cannot wait to take him into all of my senses again, once we are reunited! Also, my hubby's bday is the day immediately following the big V-Day, so we'll get to do a double celebration when he returns... how fitting would it be that a man, who is the love of my life (& directly & specifically crafted for me by God) would have a birthday so close in time to the day of love! I love you, Babe! Here's thinking & reminiscing on ya! Please don't kill me for the pic, but I like this one of you.

Ok, so there are two new things that are going on with me at the current time: (1) I have gone natural and (2) I have finally decided how I will spend the holidays.

(1) I am new to the natural journey (for all, who are unfamiliar with what I mean by going natural, check out this link[ http://www.curlynikki.com/2008/10/my-hair-story-pt1.html ]). My journey began approximately 3 months ago...at least I believe that was the last perm I had---OK, so I don't remember the actual day/month...been busy with marriage, so what'dya expect? Anyways, I transitioned/am transitioning from relaxed hair not by choice but more so by financial necessity...things got tough for a while there, and I was trying to save where ever I could. But, I'm glad that I was inadvertently pointed in that direction...I am tired of fighting with my hair. Why can't I enjoy what God gave me from birth? I say that it's at least worth the effort...can't be anymore frustrating than trying to maintain relaxed hair...so, here goes!

(2) I finally decided how I will spend the holidays...more specifically, I decided with which parent to spend my Thanksgiving (& Christmas, since I am now married). On a side note, parents, please do not place undue stress on your children to pick between you on holidays, if you one day separate.  And future parents, please be careful in picking your potential parenting mate, so as to decrease the chance of the previously-mentioned stress. Now, in my case, my parents are both great parents and they get along...they have never consciously or purposely (or allow me to feel such way, if they knew that I was experiencing stress over this) placed me in such an uncomfortable position.I have pretty much always spent the holidays with my mom, which has caused my family on my dad side to feel slighted. The last couple of years have taught me a lot, with the loss of two maternal aunts, a paternal uncle, and one of those aunts' daughters (just a few weeks ago). Since I am now married and live long distance, I can't just spend time with my original family, whenever I want...I now have my new family to consider (in-laws, step kids, etc.)...naturally, I have anxiety about the possibility of a last opportunity with my parents (having clients with this issue has not helped). Well, I decided to leave early Thanksgiving morning to spend some time (probably most of the day) with my dad's side, since it's on the way to my mom's. Then, we'll (my husband and stepdaughter) will travel further south to mom's & spend the night before returning...so, that's that...I suppose. I pray all goes well and that my husband and stepdaughter aren't too bored...no matter what, I am truly grateful for the opportunity to see and spend time with my family   once more!

Got To "Hand" It To MY God!

Good news! My stepson went for his 1st follow-up appointment for his fingers Thursday. Doctor says they seem to be doing well (they have pink color in them--indicating good blood flow), except one's growing crooked...so he had surgery Friday morning to straighten it! To MY God be the glory! Here we were, just a little over a week ago, helping this 7 year-old cope with losing one finger, while being told by 3 doctors that they needed to amputate two others. But, we immediately began consulting OUR doctor--Doctor Jesus--and were given an immediate reward for our faith, which involved the hand surgeon rethinking his decision by giving the other two fingers a chance (I don't believe in luck/chance, but these are the world's words)...he said that he would sew the other two fingers up and observe over the next couple of weeks to see if the fingers took or turned black (indicating they weren't getting blood circulation and would be dead and need amputation). But, hallelujah!...God heard our prayers and granted that little boy (whose faith and understanding of God is growing more everyday) the ability to keep his other two fingers...it seems God agreed with us that that little boy had undergone enough trauma already! Thank you, God!!!!!! I am in love with MY God!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 

Owweee!

My stepson lost one of his fingers Sunday, when the cover to a sewage hole fell on his hand. Initially, his doctor said he'd have to loose two other fingers that had also been damaged, but after our prayers & after his doctor consulting with the head doctor, he agreed to try to save the others. He (my stepson) had surgery late Sunday night thru early Monday morning. So far, his fingers are showing good improvement. Now, we are trusting in The Lord, but I am requesting prayers in agreement, as we wait over the next couple of weeks to see if his fingers will make it. Because he's already endured enough trauma for one person...let alone a 7 year-old little boy. Yet, he was impressed me & I was so VERY proud of him b/c he remained brave throughout the whole process. I couldn't imagine losing a finger as an adult, nonetheless, as a child....The poor little guy!

I'm not sure what to blog about today. My hubby seems to think that I should be a little bit more personal in my blogs, but I'm not sure what is appropriate, what might interest others, or how much is too much info. Oh well, I guess I could start off by saying that I have been really frustrated (but grateful) about where I am in many aspects of my life right now. I know that I am now with "The Man," who makes me feel secure and even open to the idea of kids. So, I suppose that is around the corner at some point (?)...scary, right? I watch this man with his existing kids (my new stepkids) and am taken aback by what a wonderful dad he is. Also, I feel a little disillusioned by the current career, which I devoted over a decade towards (a Ph.D. in psychology)...there are many aspects that would have been helpful to know before the debt...nevertheless, I know that I will gain some clarity in time. Meanwhile, I'd love to explore the other dreams/plans that I had for my life. I am wondering how professional mothers balance children and a career, while maintaining their own identities...I think that is one of the greatest parts about having children that makes me nervous...so many things to work through...so little time--it seems anyways. I know that I'm all over the place, but this is my usual style of sharing...I type as my thoughts come to me. Any words of advice on any of the above...any reassurance about being able to maintain your own identity, once you become a mother? On another note, I forgot to post another picture of my husband. So, here they are:

Ok, so here are my hubby & I (http://camille-thenextchapter.blogspot.com/p/hubby-i.html )...you heard right...I am married to the guy I spoke about in an earlier post. We were introduced by, approved for one another by, and united through Christ. I am still in love with this man today, just as I was from the beginning! He definitely enriches my life and makes my word colorful. Now that "At Last" I have someone so very special & who is so good to me, I just keep asking myself whatever made me hold on to that mess-of-a-mistake-of-a-relationship that I was in for so long before this beautiful marriage.? Who knows! Wow, if I only knew then what I was missing out on...if I only understood that the difficulty of letting go of the familiar & dealing with the pain of loneliness would be short lived & would lead to something this fabulous, it would have made it easier for me to move on. All I can say now is thank You, God, for reserving something so great--beyond my wildest/greatest dreams! God, I know that You love me b/c you gave me one of your best to spend the rest of my life! Someone pinch me, already! lol