We have been blessed with incredible weather this weekend. This morning Gracie and I went for breakfast and then spent some time at a local playground. What a great way to start the day! When we left the playground Gracie said "Mom, I really love this day!" She is off with her cousins this afternoon to a local carnival which gives me a couple hours to clean, with a little blogging thrown in for good measure.
Yesterday I had an opportunity to attend a tea at a good friend of mine's home to raise awareness and funds for the Fistula Foundation. Hope for our Sisters is a non-profit that is partnering with the fistula foundation to provide surgery for women afflicted with this condition. A fistula is a medical condition brought about by obstructed labor and/or trauma leaving a woman with incontinence, resulting in isolation from family, friends and society, a lack of dignity, and a loss of hope. There is a powerful documentary called A Walk to Beautiful that follows five women on their journey to seek treatment and healing for fistula.So far, Hope for our sisters has raised enough to fund 48 surgeries but their goal is to fund 100. Fistula has been eradicated in much of the world but many women in Africa and some poorer Asian countries are still suffering from it. I was amazed to learn that the surgery and hospital stay, plus a new dress is only $450. That seems like nothing here but is a massive amount of money for many of these women. If you're interested in learning more I would highly encourage you to visit their website.
While I was out for the afternoon yesterday, Gracie spent the afternoon at my parent house. Gracie sees them all the time and adores them but she still anxiety being at other people's houses without me. She's generally fine a little while after I leave but the lead up is always hard for her. She was anxious in the car on the way up and I thought we were in for a full throttle tantrum. But once we got in the house, she relaxed and 5 minutes later I said I was going outside to put her car seat in Baseball and Grandma Judi's car and she said "Oh wait, Mom! First I need a kiss!" I gave her a kiss and that was it. No crying, no sadness, just excited to go on an adventure with the grandparents to get their hair cut. They said she was fantastic and they really enjoyed having the one on one time and so did she. So much so that when it was time to leave after we had dinner with them she was in tears and begged to stay. It was a really good feeling for all of us.
Next weekend should be extra fun for us. Gracie's Auntie Andrea and Uncle Rob are coming to town and we'll spend Friday afternoon together and then Uncle Rob will go meet up with the guys and Auntie Andrea will have a sleepover with Gracie and I. Gracie was so excited and said "Auntie Andrea want to sleep in my bed?" I said I was sure she would appreciate the offer but she would likely take the couch over the toddler bed. On Sunday Gracie and I are going to Maine for the day. My parents are up there for the weekend and have invited us to come up and spend the day with them at their hotel pool. So it should be a great weekend!
