Yesterday I told you about the sermon I heard on the word NOW. And I promised you a list of the things I appreciate in the NOW. So here goes:

1. I appreciate that my dear hubby gets up every day (at the crack of dawn) and trods out the door to work. He travels extensively and while I know it's so hard on him to send night after night on the road, he never complains, unless it's to complain that he's not here for us. Meanwhile, I just keep spending the money on therapies, legal fees and other such things.

2. I appreciate that on Wednesday LuLu played for over 3 hours with the children of the guy who came over to repair my computer. She was behaviorally appropriate and enjoyed herself. I watched as she had a "normal" kid conversation at lunch with them about going to the dentist. It was a heart-warming event.

3. I appreciate that when KayKay didn't pass her learner's permit test by one point, she didn't give up, but went back the next day and nailed that puppy! The other thing I appreciate about her is how she so independently maneuvered around the DMV. I watched other parents bringing their 15-year-olds in and "doing everything for them". I handed K her birth certificate and my drivers license and sat in the back with LuLu waiting for her. She is growing up so nicely! And sadly, that means she'll be "all grown up" and off to her own life much quicker than I really want.

4. I appreciate our friends...and we have so many. Friends who would come all the way across the country to watch LuLu so we can get away for a weekend. Friends who would let LuLu and I sit next to them at the orchestra concert last night, even though LuLu tends to have vocal tics that can be disruptive. Friends who make us laugh, who call and come visit, who email encouragement, who pray for us.

5. I appreciate that LuLu made it through the orchestra concert last night so I could watch my talented cellist play her new beautiful cello. In fact, LuLu even enjoyed it (except she declared it went on a bit too long - which it was.)

6. I appreciate our house, which I truly love. It's not a mansion and it's rarely clean, but it is comfortable and full of things that make it ours. I deeply appreciate that LuLu's rages have subsided to the point of not damaging the house any more.

7. And I appreciate that my poor old 40-something body seems to heal pretty darn fast. After my fall a week ago Wednesday I thought I'd be bruised and scraped for a month. But the scabs are almost gone and a trip to the chiropractor on Monday put my head on straight. Yea for healing!

Well...that's it for today's NOW list. I realize that to appreciate my NOW sometimes I have to look closer and deeper at what's happening around me. But that's where the miracles are. And the rest of the things happening around me, while they're often crises and emergencies, aren't nearly as important!