...And not near enough time to say it. Isn’t that the way? (Sorry. This turned into a bit of a rant.)

I’m getting ready to pack to go downstate again. My Uncle Alex passed away last night. I’ve missed my family very much, but I hate the circumstances that usually bring us together. Usually it’s a death. Not nearly enough babies or weddings for my liking. This is the fifth thing this month to happen to my extended family. One cousin has had a gall bladder infection bad enough to end up in the hospital and she is expecting surgery. Another cousin has had to have part of his leg replaced with a steel rod. My nuclear family has had that really bad flu for the last three weeks. (My dad had it twice!) My dad got really severe food poisoning and ended up at the hospital. Now, Uncle Alex has passed.

Seriously. Are we done yet? I think we’ve filled our quota for the next 10 years, ok?

Oh wait, I forgot the fact that I have to have surgery soon too. And I’m not at all happy that it’s not the one I was looking forward to. I really wanted to finally *finally* get my reduction done. I’ve been wanting and trying to get this done for about 22 years now. I am thankful that fate intevened just for the fact that I could provide for my children, but I am so ready to have people look me in the eyes when they meet me instead of my chest. It’s something I’ve been embarassed about since I was 10 when my stepdad and his friends started making "Dolly Parton" jokes aimed at me.

Instead, because of my wonderfully healthy but very large children, I have to get the plumbing fixed. Not going into detail, but I am trying to make myself feel better by repeating that this is "practicality over vanity." Maybe next year I’ll get the reduction I want so badly, but for now I have to get myself functioning correctly. I’ll be down for 6 weeks once it’s done but my MIL is coming to help us out. I am so thankful for that.

As always, I try to end on a high note. At least before the surgery, I’m finally going on my "girl’s trip" to L.A. with my bestest friend, Anne. We’re leaving May 13th and coming back on the 20th. I have to thank Aaron for pushing me to do this. Other than spending time with him and the kids, this is such a bright spot in my life right now and I’m really looking forward to it. I’m sure there will be many photos to come.

Gotta go for now. There is so much to get done tonight before we leave tomorrow. *Hugs* to all!

ETA: Yeah, so I don’t know what day it is either. We’re leaving to Dad’s on Friday. Not tomorrow. At least it gives me another day to get my act together, right?