The other day while waiting for M to get her teeth cleaned at the dentist, I saw a Seventeen magazine on the table and decided to flip through it. If it hadn't been for magazines like this when I was entering my teen years then I wouldn't have had all those great "make-up secrets", like wearing electric blue mascara or even known about Baby Soft or Jean Nate. What would I have done if I didn't see that Guess or Esprit outfit that "I HAD TO HAVE" and beg my mom for it for months? Not to mention I wanted every pair of and Candies that I saw an ad for.
While thumbing through today's version of Seventeen I learned at least 3 things:
1-Candies are still in style and still run ads in Seventeen
2-Electric Blue Mascara has not yet made a come back (Thank the good Lord)
3-My child will not be allowed to read Seventeen until she is at least 30!
I was completely shocked at the total lack of modesty and quite frankly, the subject matter in the articles made me blush just reading it. I'm sure the magazine that I read, too, in some way pushed it a little, but I can assure you that I never read things like this.
I remember a few years back, as one of my nieces was beginning her teen years and wanting to read these type magazines, that my sister in law would have to view it first and tear out anything she thought was inappropriate for her young daughter. I can tell you that between the ads themselves being racy and provocative along with the articles containing information that you don't want your daughter to read until she is married, there wouldn't be much left in between the front and back cover of the one I was looking at.
Trust me, the whole Miley Cyrus ordeal dulls in comparison to this stuff, but nobody is screaming up and down at Seventeen Magazine. Meanwhile, Miley Cyrus is being bombarded with questions, mean comments, and has been forced to apologize for appearing in a photograph for Vanity Fair that is considered too risque. I have to agree with people on this, as she is a role model for many very young girls, like my 7 year old. It may not have been the best judgement on her part, but really, shouldn't our girls be looking for role models more there age , instead of a sixteen year old? I take part of the blame myself on that one because I let her watch Hannah Montana, which is a very cute show.
Another issue is the whole Jamie Lynn Spears issue. M came up to me the other day, as I was checking out at the grocery store and said, "Mom, Jamie Lynn Spears is doing it alone." Apparently she read the headlines of a magazine in line there...which by the way is about the 4th time she has done that concerning the same story. Try explaining that to a seven year old. Not quite ready to go there.
What I want to know is where are the "Punky Brewsters" of today? They aren't to be found. I think it's time we not only slow down the pace of our lives, but try to slow down the pace of theirs as well. Let's let a 7 year old be 7, still into baby dolls, books, sticker collections and riding bikes until bedtime. They're growing up entirely to fast.
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Monday, April 28, 2008
Time To Slow It Down
I have said in several posts that I don't know when I became in such a hurry. I try so hard to tell myself to stop and savor in sweet moments and precious times with my family because I have seen how quickly time passes us by, but still sometimes I find myself trying to rush through things. I know I am not alone in this because there are many songs out there pertaining to this very thing, "Dont Blink", by Kenney Chesney, "You're Gonna Miss This", by Trace Adkins and the oldie, "I'm In A Hurry", by Alabama (all of which are in my music box on this blog). I swear, country music is the best!
This past week was a very busy one for me with work. Wednesday and Thursday were particularly busy and I actually woke up, threw on some clothes and began working both days as soon as M left for school and literally did not get done until she arrived back home in the afternoon. I did manage a break or so during that time to feed two children, change a few diapers, and take a shower for me, with no makeup or styling of the hair, I might add...strictly to get clean. I was truly exhausted and short fused at the end of those two days.
On Thursday night I was getting the girls to bed when I realized that we hadn't read M's story for homework and one that she would be tested on the following day. That's when the rush started..."Use the bathroom...Brush your teeth...Hop in the bed...Listen to the story..." Just a whole series of commands for the girls with the added rush, rush, rush tone of voice. During the entire story, which was unusually long this week, K would stop and point out something in a picture (on just about every single page). After a few questions by K and a few quick responses by me, I said, "Ok, no more questions. We have to read the story."
We finished the story I tucked K in bed and then tucked M in bed, kisses, hugs, wind the music box.... and on the way out the door, M says, "Mommmmmmy?" (the way both of them do every single night to ask me some silly question or say something totally off the wall as a stall tactic) "Ughhh, What?", in a very sharp "what now?" kind of voice. It is then when God used my sweet angel to show me how I was being.
M teared up and said, "Never mind." Oh no....the realization of how badly I had been behaving set in with me.
"What is it, M?" I asked, in a much sweeter tone....slowing down, taking time to listen.
"Why are you yelling at me and K?" she asked.
"I'm not yelling at you and K." I responded.
"Well, you're just acting...." and bless her heart she didn't really know how to say it, I guess.
"I just had a very busy day. I'm just ready to have y'all in bed and mommy have some time alone." ..I thought this was easy enough....
"Why? Do you not love me and K?" she asks.
Oh, blow right to the heart! I explained to her that yes, I love her and K dearly and love spending time with them, but that sometimes I just needed a moment for some "mommy time". I related it to her wanting to play with her friends next door. I explained that even though she loves to be at home, she also likes sometimes to go next door and play with her friends. She understood the analogy and I was relieved because I'm not sure how much sense it made to me...but it's all I had at the moment. Most importantly I swallowed my pride, admitted I was very wrong, apologized and told her I shouldn't be in such a hurry. Of course I followed that up with many more kisses and hugs and another wind of the music box, and probably "one more sip of water".
I desperately want to slow down the pace, take it all in, savor in the sweet moments and the pure and simple joy that is given to me on a daily basis. I know I will have my moments, but I am hoping that I can do better about being so rushed so that when my kids are all grown up, I don't look back and wish I would've spent more time with them, read more books to them, snuggled with them a little longer at bedtime, or listened to them more when they were talking.... I'm slowing down the pace for them and for me.
This past week was a very busy one for me with work. Wednesday and Thursday were particularly busy and I actually woke up, threw on some clothes and began working both days as soon as M left for school and literally did not get done until she arrived back home in the afternoon. I did manage a break or so during that time to feed two children, change a few diapers, and take a shower for me, with no makeup or styling of the hair, I might add...strictly to get clean. I was truly exhausted and short fused at the end of those two days.
On Thursday night I was getting the girls to bed when I realized that we hadn't read M's story for homework and one that she would be tested on the following day. That's when the rush started..."Use the bathroom...Brush your teeth...Hop in the bed...Listen to the story..." Just a whole series of commands for the girls with the added rush, rush, rush tone of voice. During the entire story, which was unusually long this week, K would stop and point out something in a picture (on just about every single page). After a few questions by K and a few quick responses by me, I said, "Ok, no more questions. We have to read the story."
We finished the story I tucked K in bed and then tucked M in bed, kisses, hugs, wind the music box.... and on the way out the door, M says, "Mommmmmmy?" (the way both of them do every single night to ask me some silly question or say something totally off the wall as a stall tactic) "Ughhh, What?", in a very sharp "what now?" kind of voice. It is then when God used my sweet angel to show me how I was being.
M teared up and said, "Never mind." Oh no....the realization of how badly I had been behaving set in with me.
"What is it, M?" I asked, in a much sweeter tone....slowing down, taking time to listen.
"Why are you yelling at me and K?" she asked.
"I'm not yelling at you and K." I responded.
"Well, you're just acting...." and bless her heart she didn't really know how to say it, I guess.
"I just had a very busy day. I'm just ready to have y'all in bed and mommy have some time alone." ..I thought this was easy enough....
"Why? Do you not love me and K?" she asks.
Oh, blow right to the heart! I explained to her that yes, I love her and K dearly and love spending time with them, but that sometimes I just needed a moment for some "mommy time". I related it to her wanting to play with her friends next door. I explained that even though she loves to be at home, she also likes sometimes to go next door and play with her friends. She understood the analogy and I was relieved because I'm not sure how much sense it made to me...but it's all I had at the moment. Most importantly I swallowed my pride, admitted I was very wrong, apologized and told her I shouldn't be in such a hurry. Of course I followed that up with many more kisses and hugs and another wind of the music box, and probably "one more sip of water".
I desperately want to slow down the pace, take it all in, savor in the sweet moments and the pure and simple joy that is given to me on a daily basis. I know I will have my moments, but I am hoping that I can do better about being so rushed so that when my kids are all grown up, I don't look back and wish I would've spent more time with them, read more books to them, snuggled with them a little longer at bedtime, or listened to them more when they were talking.... I'm slowing down the pace for them and for me.
Thursday, April 24, 2008
Teach Me While My Heart Is Tender
M's GG passed away last week. GG is my step-grandmother, but really since my grandmother died when I was around 5 years old and my grandfather remarried shortly there after, she was the only grandmother I really knew on my father's side.
PapaF (my grandfather) and GG kept M for me when she was first born and I was still teaching. They would drive all the way across town at 7:00 in the morning to come stay with M at my house all day. It was such a blessing. And because of this, M was very close to them and vice versa. Well, my sweet grandfather, PapaF, died about 4 years ago and M was about 4 years old. GG remained at the local nursing home until about a year ago, but honestly, we just didn't go see her as much as we should, and as much as M would have liked. When did I get so busy? Too busy for that?...I digress, but it makes me sad to think about it.
Back to my point, GG passed and her family brought her body back here to be buried next to my grandfather. I took M out to the grave so she could say her "good-byes" so to speak. M was very sweet and said sweet things...she has such a tender heart. K, on the other hand, was very curious. "Where is her body?...Where is her head? ..Can we walk on the graves?" just a whole series of slightly uncomfortable, but just curious types of questions. M was the same way when PapaF had died when she was only 4. Just the curiosity they have. When my grandfather did pass, I just told M the truth. I didn't worry about just "grazing" the subject, but instead I explained everything to her and just thought, "Well, she might not comprehend it, but at least it is the truth." At almost 8 now, she was explaining it all to her little sister.
K-"Where is her body."
M-"It's under there, K, but it's just a body. Just a shell."
K'"Huh?"
M-"It's just her body, but SHE is not in there. Her soul is in heaven with God."
Me-"Yes, K, M is right. If you believe in Jesus and you're a Christian, then you/your soul goes to heaven."
I was so proud that M was explaining all this truth to her little sister. As we were driving home we were listening to Teach Me While My Heart Is Tender by Judy Rogers. I highly recommend buying this CD (go here to buy it). It teaches so much. It isn't just praise music, but rather it teaches the catechisms. It's great and my children love it. Anyway...We were listening to a song about "Can I see God?" and M looks at me and says, "Mom, it's like God just has eyes stretching all over the world seeing everything at the same time. Isn't that just amazing?" Yes, child, so amazing. I was struck with awe at the pure faith of this 7 year old child. Just as the title of the CD says, "Teach me while my heart is tender." You tell a child something, they believe. They are not worldly yet..they just believe, have faith. As they grow up, yes, they will have their doubts, but they will remember what you have taught them and they will grow in the truth.
Tender children with tender hearts, impressionable minds, and incredible faith.
Edit to this post: I forgot to mention that my GG was laid next to my grandfather on his birthday. Oh how sweet is that?
PapaF (my grandfather) and GG kept M for me when she was first born and I was still teaching. They would drive all the way across town at 7:00 in the morning to come stay with M at my house all day. It was such a blessing. And because of this, M was very close to them and vice versa. Well, my sweet grandfather, PapaF, died about 4 years ago and M was about 4 years old. GG remained at the local nursing home until about a year ago, but honestly, we just didn't go see her as much as we should, and as much as M would have liked. When did I get so busy? Too busy for that?...I digress, but it makes me sad to think about it.
Back to my point, GG passed and her family brought her body back here to be buried next to my grandfather. I took M out to the grave so she could say her "good-byes" so to speak. M was very sweet and said sweet things...she has such a tender heart. K, on the other hand, was very curious. "Where is her body?...Where is her head? ..Can we walk on the graves?" just a whole series of slightly uncomfortable, but just curious types of questions. M was the same way when PapaF had died when she was only 4. Just the curiosity they have. When my grandfather did pass, I just told M the truth. I didn't worry about just "grazing" the subject, but instead I explained everything to her and just thought, "Well, she might not comprehend it, but at least it is the truth." At almost 8 now, she was explaining it all to her little sister.
K-"Where is her body."
M-"It's under there, K, but it's just a body. Just a shell."
K'"Huh?"
M-"It's just her body, but SHE is not in there. Her soul is in heaven with God."
Me-"Yes, K, M is right. If you believe in Jesus and you're a Christian, then you/your soul goes to heaven."
I was so proud that M was explaining all this truth to her little sister. As we were driving home we were listening to Teach Me While My Heart Is Tender by Judy Rogers. I highly recommend buying this CD (go here to buy it). It teaches so much. It isn't just praise music, but rather it teaches the catechisms. It's great and my children love it. Anyway...We were listening to a song about "Can I see God?" and M looks at me and says, "Mom, it's like God just has eyes stretching all over the world seeing everything at the same time. Isn't that just amazing?" Yes, child, so amazing. I was struck with awe at the pure faith of this 7 year old child. Just as the title of the CD says, "Teach me while my heart is tender." You tell a child something, they believe. They are not worldly yet..they just believe, have faith. As they grow up, yes, they will have their doubts, but they will remember what you have taught them and they will grow in the truth.
Tender children with tender hearts, impressionable minds, and incredible faith.
Edit to this post: I forgot to mention that my GG was laid next to my grandfather on his birthday. Oh how sweet is that?
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
What you eat is what you are...
My two girls are not necessarily picky eaters, but they definitely know what they like and what they don't like. Weird enough, they are completely the opposite. J has just begun to eat so who knows how he will be.
M loves vegetables...broccoli, squash, green beans, corn..too many too name. As a matter of fact, she would choose a local home-cooking style restaurant over McDonald's most of the time and she gets a vegetable plate. The only meats she will eat are the highly processed of sorts and the typical "kid foods"...chicken fingers and hot dogs. M is also not a casserole eater. She likes her food all separate...nothing thrown together in a casserole dish with some cream of chicken soup on top, much to my disappointment because casseroles are so easy to make AND CLEAN up. I love those one dish suppers, but M doesn't. I have to have every pot and pan I have used to give her a good meal.
K, on the other hand, steers clear of anything green for the most part, unless it is disguised with the cream of chicken soup, that is. She is definitely my meat and potato eater. She loves steak, grilled chicken and will eat just about any casserole you put in front of her. As a matter of fact, the other night she tried and loved grilled pork chops. The next day she came into me at lunchtime and said, "Mommy, can I have some more of those chop-sticks that I had last night?" It took me a minute to figure out she was talking about pork chops!
I wonder what kind of eater J will be. So far, it's anything that is being fed to him. His favorite, by far, is bananas. Sweet potatoes are a close behind that. With the amount of teeth he has, he'll be eating table food before long! I love the Cheerio stage and that's almost here, as soon as he gets that pincer grasp down. A tray of Cheerios on a Saturday morning will give you a good 20 more minutes of sleep!
M loves vegetables...broccoli, squash, green beans, corn..too many too name. As a matter of fact, she would choose a local home-cooking style restaurant over McDonald's most of the time and she gets a vegetable plate. The only meats she will eat are the highly processed of sorts and the typical "kid foods"...chicken fingers and hot dogs. M is also not a casserole eater. She likes her food all separate...nothing thrown together in a casserole dish with some cream of chicken soup on top, much to my disappointment because casseroles are so easy to make AND CLEAN up. I love those one dish suppers, but M doesn't. I have to have every pot and pan I have used to give her a good meal.
K, on the other hand, steers clear of anything green for the most part, unless it is disguised with the cream of chicken soup, that is. She is definitely my meat and potato eater. She loves steak, grilled chicken and will eat just about any casserole you put in front of her. As a matter of fact, the other night she tried and loved grilled pork chops. The next day she came into me at lunchtime and said, "Mommy, can I have some more of those chop-sticks that I had last night?" It took me a minute to figure out she was talking about pork chops!
I wonder what kind of eater J will be. So far, it's anything that is being fed to him. His favorite, by far, is bananas. Sweet potatoes are a close behind that. With the amount of teeth he has, he'll be eating table food before long! I love the Cheerio stage and that's almost here, as soon as he gets that pincer grasp down. A tray of Cheerios on a Saturday morning will give you a good 20 more minutes of sleep!
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
Speaks right to my heart
J is growing much faster than I would prefer. He is ready to go, ready to be mobile. He's at that stage where he is rocking back and forth on his knees and any day, he will be gone, into everything. He is so strong too...he has such force. If he sees something he wants, he's after it and although not crawling yet, he is usually very successful just by scooting around.
Now six teeth are in fully. 4 on the top and 2 on the bottom. And as suspected, it looks very funny. I went into get him from his nap the other day...I peeked over the crib and he was looking right up at me with the biggest smile ever and all 6 of those teeth were showing. You expect a baby this age to have a toothless grin, or that precious smile with 2 bottom teeth showing. What you don't expect is a 6 month old baby to look at you with almost a full set of teeth. It's funny...but oh, so cute at the same time.
He's such a sweet baby and I just adore him. He makes the sweetest little sound in the back of his throat when he's happy. I call it his purr. It's almost a laugh, but not really...just a purr with a great big grin on his face and eyes that look so satisfied, comforted. I love this little man. He speaks right to my heart.
Now six teeth are in fully. 4 on the top and 2 on the bottom. And as suspected, it looks very funny. I went into get him from his nap the other day...I peeked over the crib and he was looking right up at me with the biggest smile ever and all 6 of those teeth were showing. You expect a baby this age to have a toothless grin, or that precious smile with 2 bottom teeth showing. What you don't expect is a 6 month old baby to look at you with almost a full set of teeth. It's funny...but oh, so cute at the same time.
He's such a sweet baby and I just adore him. He makes the sweetest little sound in the back of his throat when he's happy. I call it his purr. It's almost a laugh, but not really...just a purr with a great big grin on his face and eyes that look so satisfied, comforted. I love this little man. He speaks right to my heart.
Shout Out!
I have to give a shout out to my blog friend over at Joni's Joy. Go check out her post on "What I Know Is True" from yesterday. This my friend, is a girl that can "keep it real" as she says. She is right on the money with this post. Loved it.
Monday, April 21, 2008
More Disney
Let me just say that our trip there was great. It only took us about 8 1/2 hours and that included a stop for lunch that took about 30 minutes and a couple of pit stops. It was great until about 1 mile from actually entering into Disney world and then we got pulled over and got a speeding ticket. $183.00! My husband is notorious for getting speeding tickets and this trip was no exception. The officer even said that Disney world seems to have a gravitational pull that makes you speed up once you are there. Guess he was right. A bummer way to start off our trip for sure.
The first night we got into the park around 6:00 and we did the Country Bear Jamboree and then, thanks to very good advice from wendymom, we staked out a place for the night parade in front of the Hall of Presidents...a fantastic spot! We then watched the fireworks, and as always, they were magical! After the fireworks, we looked at the girls and they were going strong so we decided to ride Space Mountain before we called it a night.
OK, let me just say that until we got up to actually get on the ride, I had forgotten that you had individual seats in the little rocket ship! K had never even ridden anything bigger than a ride at the fair! I panicked on the inside but didn't say a word. M was in the front, K behind her, then me, then T. I literally bruised my breastbone trying to just touch K's shoulder during the entire ride. You can't even see your hand in front of your face, and all I could do was pray, pray, pray that my girls would still be in their seats at the end of the ride. Every once in a while I got a glimpse of the backs of their heads to know that they were still there...but even then I was thinking, "what if they are passed out...or had a heart attack!" We all 4 got off of it alive and M looks at T and said, ..."Awwwwwwesome!"
and K said, "That was funnnnnn!" I couldn't believe it. A word of advice for anyone going to Disney...don't start off with Space Mountain. Build up to that one, because everything kind of dulled in comparison after that. I don't think the girls enjoyed It's a Small World and Peter Pan and all the other stuff as much as they could have if only we would have STARTED with these! While in line for everything, K would say, "Is this one fast?" We aren't really sure if she actually loved it, or was just pretending to be a "big girl" like her sister. We very well could've traumatized her for life! She hung in there like a trooper...riding all the big ones like Thunder Mtn, Barnstormer..even Mission Space (the fast version) and Tower of Terror!
Another little thing that I wanted to remember was M and how careful she was with her money. My mom gave each of the girls $50 to spend at Disney on whatever they wanted. I explained to M that it would be difficult to decide and told her how very expensive things were. The first night, during the light parade, T came up with 2 glow in the dark Tinkerbell twirly things and M said, "Daddy, how much was that!?" T explained that it was his treat and that it didn't come out of her money. It was the last day and they hadn't spent their money at all so we took them over to Downtown Disney before we hit the road and they picked out their goodies..both got a t-shirt and one doo-dad a piece(key chain for M and croc things for K). I was so proud of how responsible they were with their money.
One piece of advice for anybody going to Disney anytime soon...upgrade to a better hotel room if you can. We were scheduled to stay at the Pop Century (the Holiday Inn version in Disney) but at the last minute we decided to upgrade to the Contemporary Resort. It was fabulous! We were the first stop on the monorail when you left Magic Kingdom..meaning we could actually get back to our room before the kids passed out! We had a Magic Kingdom suite that overlooked Cinderella's castle and the room itself was very roomy. We could easily take J back in all 5 stay comfortably in that one room. Last night as I was putting K down to bed, she said, "Mommy next time when we go back to Disney world tomorrow, can we stay in that hotel room with the TV and the computer and the train going through it?" She is easily entertained and I think would have been just fine going to a hotel room for a night. Man, that would have saved lots of cash! ...but we wouldn't have all those magical memories would we? I can't wait to go back already! I love that place! Oh...and so did these two!
The first night we got into the park around 6:00 and we did the Country Bear Jamboree and then, thanks to very good advice from wendymom, we staked out a place for the night parade in front of the Hall of Presidents...a fantastic spot! We then watched the fireworks, and as always, they were magical! After the fireworks, we looked at the girls and they were going strong so we decided to ride Space Mountain before we called it a night.
OK, let me just say that until we got up to actually get on the ride, I had forgotten that you had individual seats in the little rocket ship! K had never even ridden anything bigger than a ride at the fair! I panicked on the inside but didn't say a word. M was in the front, K behind her, then me, then T. I literally bruised my breastbone trying to just touch K's shoulder during the entire ride. You can't even see your hand in front of your face, and all I could do was pray, pray, pray that my girls would still be in their seats at the end of the ride. Every once in a while I got a glimpse of the backs of their heads to know that they were still there...but even then I was thinking, "what if they are passed out...or had a heart attack!" We all 4 got off of it alive and M looks at T and said, ..."Awwwwwwesome!"
and K said, "That was funnnnnn!" I couldn't believe it. A word of advice for anyone going to Disney...don't start off with Space Mountain. Build up to that one, because everything kind of dulled in comparison after that. I don't think the girls enjoyed It's a Small World and Peter Pan and all the other stuff as much as they could have if only we would have STARTED with these! While in line for everything, K would say, "Is this one fast?" We aren't really sure if she actually loved it, or was just pretending to be a "big girl" like her sister. We very well could've traumatized her for life! She hung in there like a trooper...riding all the big ones like Thunder Mtn, Barnstormer..even Mission Space (the fast version) and Tower of Terror!
Another little thing that I wanted to remember was M and how careful she was with her money. My mom gave each of the girls $50 to spend at Disney on whatever they wanted. I explained to M that it would be difficult to decide and told her how very expensive things were. The first night, during the light parade, T came up with 2 glow in the dark Tinkerbell twirly things and M said, "Daddy, how much was that!?" T explained that it was his treat and that it didn't come out of her money. It was the last day and they hadn't spent their money at all so we took them over to Downtown Disney before we hit the road and they picked out their goodies..both got a t-shirt and one doo-dad a piece(key chain for M and croc things for K). I was so proud of how responsible they were with their money.
One piece of advice for anybody going to Disney anytime soon...upgrade to a better hotel room if you can. We were scheduled to stay at the Pop Century (the Holiday Inn version in Disney) but at the last minute we decided to upgrade to the Contemporary Resort. It was fabulous! We were the first stop on the monorail when you left Magic Kingdom..meaning we could actually get back to our room before the kids passed out! We had a Magic Kingdom suite that overlooked Cinderella's castle and the room itself was very roomy. We could easily take J back in all 5 stay comfortably in that one room. Last night as I was putting K down to bed, she said, "Mommy next time when we go back to Disney world tomorrow, can we stay in that hotel room with the TV and the computer and the train going through it?" She is easily entertained and I think would have been just fine going to a hotel room for a night. Man, that would have saved lots of cash! ...but we wouldn't have all those magical memories would we? I can't wait to go back already! I love that place! Oh...and so did these two!
Saturday, April 19, 2008
Disney Magic
We're back! We had so much fun! It was indeed magical and exhausting!! Here are a few pictures from our trip to DisneyWorld.
These two are views from our hotel room at the Contemporary Resort.... fantastic views!
Here is our first night in the park! It was extremely cold for April in the Sunshine state...very windy and very chilly!
These few are pictures I took of the girls faces while watching the Spectro Magic Parade at night and the Wishes fireworks. K even looked at me during the parade and said, "Mommy...This is the best day of my life!" That and the look on M's face just made all that money well spent!
And here are just a few of the characters we got the girls pictures with...I won't bore you will all of them now. I'm sure I will post some more later though.
And the most important of them all...
My two princesses had a ball in Disney. I'll have a few more pictures and stories to share later. Memories that will last forever.
These two are views from our hotel room at the Contemporary Resort.... fantastic views!
Here is our first night in the park! It was extremely cold for April in the Sunshine state...very windy and very chilly!
These few are pictures I took of the girls faces while watching the Spectro Magic Parade at night and the Wishes fireworks. K even looked at me during the parade and said, "Mommy...This is the best day of my life!" That and the look on M's face just made all that money well spent!
And here are just a few of the characters we got the girls pictures with...I won't bore you will all of them now. I'm sure I will post some more later though.
And the most important of them all...
My two princesses had a ball in Disney. I'll have a few more pictures and stories to share later. Memories that will last forever.
Sunday, April 13, 2008
Baby Boy and BabySitter
"What? Who's going where?"
"..And I don't get to go to Disneyworld too?.."
"You say you promise to take me back when I'm older and do lots of fun boy stuff?...Well, then, I think I'm o.k. with that."
One of our babysitters for J this coming week is getting in some good practice!
"..And I don't get to go to Disneyworld too?.."
"You say you promise to take me back when I'm older and do lots of fun boy stuff?...Well, then, I think I'm o.k. with that."
One of our babysitters for J this coming week is getting in some good practice!
Friday, April 11, 2008
Whew!
If I had the energy or could find the "Flight of the Bumblebee" song...that would be appropriate to be playing right now on this blog.
After processing about 40 files for work to get everything done for me to be out of town next week...I am FINALLY done! Names, account numbers, addresses all just started running together! Now I have several loads of laundry to do, a house to clean, and major notes to write to leave my mom about J's schedule. I know...she raised 3 before, but I'm just like that...I have to leave notes.
I'm physically and mentally exhausted and we are headed to Disney World in basically 2 days..because we are leaving so early on Monday morning. I think I can get it all done by then, but I know I am going to be beat by the time that I get there. Nothing a couple of cans of RedBull or several cups of really strong coffee won't do once we get there. It'll be magical, I KNOW!!!
After processing about 40 files for work to get everything done for me to be out of town next week...I am FINALLY done! Names, account numbers, addresses all just started running together! Now I have several loads of laundry to do, a house to clean, and major notes to write to leave my mom about J's schedule. I know...she raised 3 before, but I'm just like that...I have to leave notes.
I'm physically and mentally exhausted and we are headed to Disney World in basically 2 days..because we are leaving so early on Monday morning. I think I can get it all done by then, but I know I am going to be beat by the time that I get there. Nothing a couple of cans of RedBull or several cups of really strong coffee won't do once we get there. It'll be magical, I KNOW!!!
Thursday, April 10, 2008
True Love: Part 2
I first wrote about this in March, so if you haven't read previously about my sweet neighbors, in their 80's, you might want to. They are such a good example of true love, a Christian love and they just speak right to my heart through their actions and affection with one another.
Mr. W is such a kind and gentle man, very outgoing and willing to lend a hand for anything. As a matter of fact a couple of years ago we had a big storm blow through and it left a huge limb in our backyard. T set out with his chain-saw and got to work. Without any words, Mr. W entered our backyard, put on his work gloves and started picking up limbs and placing them in our wheelbarrow. No words needed to be said, he just did it. We often think about what a wonderful example of loving one another and being kind to your neighbor that he displayed in that simple act of kindness.
As I previously posted, Mrs. W has cancer and she is losing the battle quickly. Hospice has now been called in and it is just a waiting game at this point.
My other neighbor happens to be their grand-daughter and I had the pleasure of chatting with her yesterday about her grandmother (Mrs. W) and how she was doing. This is when she told me it was just a matter of hours, days..they really don't know. I asked about how Mr. W was holding up and she said, "Well, he's just pitiful." She proceeded to tell me things that confirmed even greater about how true their love is.
She said he strokes her hair and tells her how pretty she looks. She caught him saying to his sick wife while stroking her hair, "My, you are just so pretty. I've thought you were beautiful since the first time I saw you..." and he picked up her hand and looked at her fragile, wrinkled hands and fingernails, ones that she used to have the habit of bitting, and said, "Oooh, look at your pretty fingernails. You stopped bitting them...they look beautiful."
As if that wasn't enough of a tear jerker for me, the grand-daughter continued and said he said to his wife, "Honey, if I can get everyone here to leave, I might get me some sugar." The grand-daughter looked over at her somewhat unresponsive grandmother and she was puckering her tired little lips..........
Mr. W handles this all extremely well, as well as can be expected. But the day last week when they had to bring in a hospital bed for her, his daughter found him in his bedroom sobbing and screaming into his bed pillow. He said, "She will never be back in our bed, my bed again. I have slept in this bed with her for over sixty years now, and I won't be able to do that anymore."
It is all so bitter sweet to hear all of that. On one hand you are so saddened by it, and on another you are so thankful to have been witness to such a Godly couple whose love is as strong now as ever. And I am comforted, as I'm sure they are, that they will be reunited again in perfect form.
As much as I don't want to grow old, I want to grow old with my man. I want to be married over 60 years too. I want us to hold each others wrinkled hands and stroke each others white hair. I want us to feel the blessed assurance of salvation and being reuinted the way our sweet neighbors do.
Mr. W is such a kind and gentle man, very outgoing and willing to lend a hand for anything. As a matter of fact a couple of years ago we had a big storm blow through and it left a huge limb in our backyard. T set out with his chain-saw and got to work. Without any words, Mr. W entered our backyard, put on his work gloves and started picking up limbs and placing them in our wheelbarrow. No words needed to be said, he just did it. We often think about what a wonderful example of loving one another and being kind to your neighbor that he displayed in that simple act of kindness.
As I previously posted, Mrs. W has cancer and she is losing the battle quickly. Hospice has now been called in and it is just a waiting game at this point.
My other neighbor happens to be their grand-daughter and I had the pleasure of chatting with her yesterday about her grandmother (Mrs. W) and how she was doing. This is when she told me it was just a matter of hours, days..they really don't know. I asked about how Mr. W was holding up and she said, "Well, he's just pitiful." She proceeded to tell me things that confirmed even greater about how true their love is.
She said he strokes her hair and tells her how pretty she looks. She caught him saying to his sick wife while stroking her hair, "My, you are just so pretty. I've thought you were beautiful since the first time I saw you..." and he picked up her hand and looked at her fragile, wrinkled hands and fingernails, ones that she used to have the habit of bitting, and said, "Oooh, look at your pretty fingernails. You stopped bitting them...they look beautiful."
As if that wasn't enough of a tear jerker for me, the grand-daughter continued and said he said to his wife, "Honey, if I can get everyone here to leave, I might get me some sugar." The grand-daughter looked over at her somewhat unresponsive grandmother and she was puckering her tired little lips..........
Mr. W handles this all extremely well, as well as can be expected. But the day last week when they had to bring in a hospital bed for her, his daughter found him in his bedroom sobbing and screaming into his bed pillow. He said, "She will never be back in our bed, my bed again. I have slept in this bed with her for over sixty years now, and I won't be able to do that anymore."
It is all so bitter sweet to hear all of that. On one hand you are so saddened by it, and on another you are so thankful to have been witness to such a Godly couple whose love is as strong now as ever. And I am comforted, as I'm sure they are, that they will be reunited again in perfect form.
As much as I don't want to grow old, I want to grow old with my man. I want to be married over 60 years too. I want us to hold each others wrinkled hands and stroke each others white hair. I want us to feel the blessed assurance of salvation and being reuinted the way our sweet neighbors do.
Wednesday, April 9, 2008
5 More Days!!!
M-I-C-K-E-Y ....M..O...U...S..E!
Only 5 more days before our Disney trip. The girls are beside themselves with excitement and anticipation. So are T and I. We can't wait. I'm going to miss my little 'feller (J) though!
Get ready T...a whole lot of Princesses and girly stuff on this trip!!! Complete with dinner at Cinderella's Royal Table in the castle.
I'm giddy with excitement! (if you couldn't tell)
Only 5 more days before our Disney trip. The girls are beside themselves with excitement and anticipation. So are T and I. We can't wait. I'm going to miss my little 'feller (J) though!
Get ready T...a whole lot of Princesses and girly stuff on this trip!!! Complete with dinner at Cinderella's Royal Table in the castle.
I'm giddy with excitement! (if you couldn't tell)
Elephant Blanket
My sweet K has a dear friend that she has had since birth, her Elephant blankie. "Elephant blankie" is actually her name...I guess she never felt the need to give her another name. K has super sensitive senses. Her eyes are very sensitive to light, she often covers her ears when she hears something loud, and she loves to feel things. I say all this because I really think it is that hightened sense of touch that makes her want her blankie all the time. She actually takes the blankie and covers her eyes with it and rubs the little ribbon attached to it's neck on her top lip.
On a few nights we have been unable to locate the blankie because she has layed it down somewhere or put it in something and we coulndn't find it. Bedtimes did not go well when this happened and eventually forced all of us to go on an "Elephant hunt" and locate it before she would finally go to sleep. She depends on that little blankie for comfort and security.
I struggle with the notion of taking this security blanket away from her. At what point will she be willing to let go of it, if ever? It is past the point of coming clean despite the (every once in a while) bath in the washing machine. It's looking pitiful and there is no replacing it with another....trust me on that.
All this got me to thinking, what things do I run to for comfort? Do I look for compliments from my husband? Emotional support from my mother? Approval from people or friends? Probably "yes" to all of these, although I know better. I know God is the only sense of true security, but I think I often run to others instead of Him for these things.
I am going to make an effort to lay down all these false "security blankets" and seek Him more. He alone will bring me the comfort I need....And for the time being, I'm going to let K hang on to her Elephant blankie a little while longer because it's so darn cute!
On a few nights we have been unable to locate the blankie because she has layed it down somewhere or put it in something and we coulndn't find it. Bedtimes did not go well when this happened and eventually forced all of us to go on an "Elephant hunt" and locate it before she would finally go to sleep. She depends on that little blankie for comfort and security.
I struggle with the notion of taking this security blanket away from her. At what point will she be willing to let go of it, if ever? It is past the point of coming clean despite the (every once in a while) bath in the washing machine. It's looking pitiful and there is no replacing it with another....trust me on that.
All this got me to thinking, what things do I run to for comfort? Do I look for compliments from my husband? Emotional support from my mother? Approval from people or friends? Probably "yes" to all of these, although I know better. I know God is the only sense of true security, but I think I often run to others instead of Him for these things.
I am going to make an effort to lay down all these false "security blankets" and seek Him more. He alone will bring me the comfort I need....And for the time being, I'm going to let K hang on to her Elephant blankie a little while longer because it's so darn cute!
Monday, April 7, 2008
Forgiveness
I was telling a friend the other day about something that happened in my family on my wedding day and I just thought I would write in here so that one day my children would know how it happened. It's a perfect example of being sorry and being forgiven.
My parents have been divorced almost as long now as they were married. It seems hard to believe that this much time has passed by, but it has. My parents now have three adult children and eleven grandchildren. In addition, my father has seven step grandchildren. We have been productive in the last 21 years to say the least.
On my wedding day, one of my nieces (H)who was just 7 at the time, was riding from the church to the reception with my Dad and Step-Mother. She asked the question, "Why aren't you and Grandmother married anymore?" I think my Dad responded by saying it was wrong and they got divorced and he was sorry for that. My niece then asked, "Have you told her you were sorry?" It had already been about 8 years since the actual divorce at this point. My Dad said, "No, but I am sorry."
"Well then, you have to tell her so." she said.
"O...K..." he responded.
After the reception was over and my family members were cleaning up, (Thanks everyone) my Dad did in fact approach my mother and tell her he was sorry. I'm not sure really what my mother said at this point, because I think she was more confused or just a little dumbfounded by it. Later that night, however, my sweet little niece was still on her mission..."Grandmother, did Grandfather apologize to you tonight?"
"Ugh..Yeah, he did as a matter of fact," said my mom.
"Did you tell him you forgive him?" inquired H.
"I didn't say those words, but I do forgive him," my mom replied.
H then said, "That's not good enough. When someone says they are sorry, you have to tell them that you forgive them."
"O..K....You're right," my mother agreed. My mother proceeded to call my Dad on the phone and tell him exactly that.
What a simple solution. A seven year old...being taught everyday by her parents to say, "Im sorry" and "I forgive you", brought that wisdom along for my middle aged parents. A basic lesson we all learn when we are children, but so quickly forget it's importance as we grow older. I know this was a healing time for everyone and it was all brought on by a tender child that was thinking so simply, but it had such a huge effect.
I just wanted to document this little piece of history of my family for my children. Yes, there is forgiveness and healed hearts in our family...and I appreciate my little niece (now 18!) that inspired it all.
My parents have been divorced almost as long now as they were married. It seems hard to believe that this much time has passed by, but it has. My parents now have three adult children and eleven grandchildren. In addition, my father has seven step grandchildren. We have been productive in the last 21 years to say the least.
On my wedding day, one of my nieces (H)who was just 7 at the time, was riding from the church to the reception with my Dad and Step-Mother. She asked the question, "Why aren't you and Grandmother married anymore?" I think my Dad responded by saying it was wrong and they got divorced and he was sorry for that. My niece then asked, "Have you told her you were sorry?" It had already been about 8 years since the actual divorce at this point. My Dad said, "No, but I am sorry."
"Well then, you have to tell her so." she said.
"O...K..." he responded.
After the reception was over and my family members were cleaning up, (Thanks everyone) my Dad did in fact approach my mother and tell her he was sorry. I'm not sure really what my mother said at this point, because I think she was more confused or just a little dumbfounded by it. Later that night, however, my sweet little niece was still on her mission..."Grandmother, did Grandfather apologize to you tonight?"
"Ugh..Yeah, he did as a matter of fact," said my mom.
"Did you tell him you forgive him?" inquired H.
"I didn't say those words, but I do forgive him," my mom replied.
H then said, "That's not good enough. When someone says they are sorry, you have to tell them that you forgive them."
"O..K....You're right," my mother agreed. My mother proceeded to call my Dad on the phone and tell him exactly that.
What a simple solution. A seven year old...being taught everyday by her parents to say, "Im sorry" and "I forgive you", brought that wisdom along for my middle aged parents. A basic lesson we all learn when we are children, but so quickly forget it's importance as we grow older. I know this was a healing time for everyone and it was all brought on by a tender child that was thinking so simply, but it had such a huge effect.
I just wanted to document this little piece of history of my family for my children. Yes, there is forgiveness and healed hearts in our family...and I appreciate my little niece (now 18!) that inspired it all.
K's likes & dislikes
(Told to me by K...these are her words)She is four years old
Five things I like:
1. I love my Daddy
2. I love my Mommy
3. I love my brother & my sister
4. I love when I get hot chocolate
5. I like M's Hannah Montana poster
Five things I dislike:
1. I don't like M hitting me
2. I don't like bugs
3. I don't even like if you give me coffee
because that's too hot
4. I don't like my baby brother naked
5. I don't like eating horses
(I promise I have NEVER served my children coffee OR horses!!!I have no idea where this came from!)
Five things I like:
1. I love my Daddy
2. I love my Mommy
3. I love my brother & my sister
4. I love when I get hot chocolate
5. I like M's Hannah Montana poster
Five things I dislike:
1. I don't like M hitting me
2. I don't like bugs
3. I don't even like if you give me coffee
because that's too hot
4. I don't like my baby brother naked
5. I don't like eating horses
(I promise I have NEVER served my children coffee OR horses!!!I have no idea where this came from!)
M's likes & dislikes
(Told to me by M. These are her words)She is seven years old.
Five things I love:
1. my momma
2. DisneyWorld
3. my baby brother
4. my Daddy
5. and my sister
Five things I Dislike:
1. my sister bothering me
2. when my Daddy changes the TV
channel
3. spinach
4. oooh....school
5. winter because you don't get to swim and
swimming is like the funnest thing ever
Five things I love:
1. my momma
2. DisneyWorld
3. my baby brother
4. my Daddy
5. and my sister
Five things I Dislike:
1. my sister bothering me
2. when my Daddy changes the TV
channel
3. spinach
4. oooh....school
5. winter because you don't get to swim and
swimming is like the funnest thing ever
Friday, April 4, 2008
The Color Purple
Have you ever just tried to have a moment to talk with a friend or a loved one without the kids present? My mom was over this afternoon and we were trying to have a conversation without the constant interruptions from the girls, so I sent them to color in the next room. After a little conversation and still a whole lot of interruptions, (despite my efforts) the girls reappeared in the room with us and this is what I discover:
And of course the story was, K: "M drew on my feet."
M: "Well, K told me too."
I think I'm punching out for the day...Tomorrow is another day.
And of course the story was, K: "M drew on my feet."
M: "Well, K told me too."
I think I'm punching out for the day...Tomorrow is another day.
Thursday, April 3, 2008
In a week or so, he'll need braces!
I promise I really don't blog all day and do nothing else, although it might seem that way today with this being my 3rd entry for today. I have done a few loads of laundry, processed a few files, prepared and fed breakfast and lunch to children...Obviously I'm feeling guilty (ahem,...T), but I just had to get back on and document this:
BABY BOY NOW HAS HIS 4TH TOOTH! 4 teeth in a week and a half!! Funny enough it is not his other "front tooth", but rather the one next to that. It's just a matter of time before the other front tooth comes in. I am going to have a baby with a mouth full of teeth. I can't imagine how that will look.
He is wanting to grow up way faster than I would prefer!
BABY BOY NOW HAS HIS 4TH TOOTH! 4 teeth in a week and a half!! Funny enough it is not his other "front tooth", but rather the one next to that. It's just a matter of time before the other front tooth comes in. I am going to have a baby with a mouth full of teeth. I can't imagine how that will look.
He is wanting to grow up way faster than I would prefer!
Favorite Things A-Z
These are just a few of my favorite things:
A-Allison Krauss' beautiful, angelic voice
B-Babies' pudgy hands and feet
C-Cuddles from my children
D-Dogs. My favorite... Casey-brown and fuzzy
E-Elizabeth, my name, a traditional and strong name
F-faces of excited children on Christmas morning
G-God's grace
H-hugs.. they say so much and can heal better than words
I-ice that is shaved or shaped like pellets
J-J, my favorite boy with blue eyes, long black
eyelashes, and pudgy, kissable cheeks
K-K, my favorite girl and the sweetest girl in the
world
L-love from my man
M-M, my favorite girl and the prettiest girl in the world
N-new friends...God provides them at the most
perfect time.
O-Olives...only black ones
P-peanuts roasted and salty
Q-Quiet times in the morning on my patio...coffee in hand-
preparing mentally and spiritually for the day ahead of me and
my family
R-Rain on a sunny day in the summer afternoons
S-Springtime..my most favorite time of the year--new life,
glorious colors, perfect temperatures to enjoy time outdoors
T-T, my man..strong, handsome, protective, wise
U-untangled hair in the mornings
(not sure if it's ever happened)
V-violets, sweet, fragile, innocent
W-water, cold from the refrigerator -first thing
in the morning
X- ugh...I'm stumped by this one...sorry
Y-yellow daffodils..looking like a burst of sunshine, telling
you springtime is here
Z-zinnias blooming in my garden in the summer...so colorful
and pretty. I love to cut them and put them on my kitchen
table.
On some of these letters I could say many favorite things, but "x" stumped me. Does anyone have an "x"? Curious to know.
A-Allison Krauss' beautiful, angelic voice
B-Babies' pudgy hands and feet
C-Cuddles from my children
D-Dogs. My favorite... Casey-brown and fuzzy
E-Elizabeth, my name, a traditional and strong name
F-faces of excited children on Christmas morning
G-God's grace
H-hugs.. they say so much and can heal better than words
I-ice that is shaved or shaped like pellets
J-J, my favorite boy with blue eyes, long black
eyelashes, and pudgy, kissable cheeks
K-K, my favorite girl and the sweetest girl in the
world
L-love from my man
M-M, my favorite girl and the prettiest girl in the world
N-new friends...God provides them at the most
perfect time.
O-Olives...only black ones
P-peanuts roasted and salty
Q-Quiet times in the morning on my patio...coffee in hand-
preparing mentally and spiritually for the day ahead of me and
my family
R-Rain on a sunny day in the summer afternoons
S-Springtime..my most favorite time of the year--new life,
glorious colors, perfect temperatures to enjoy time outdoors
T-T, my man..strong, handsome, protective, wise
U-untangled hair in the mornings
(not sure if it's ever happened)
V-violets, sweet, fragile, innocent
W-water, cold from the refrigerator -first thing
in the morning
X- ugh...I'm stumped by this one...sorry
Y-yellow daffodils..looking like a burst of sunshine, telling
you springtime is here
Z-zinnias blooming in my garden in the summer...so colorful
and pretty. I love to cut them and put them on my kitchen
table.
On some of these letters I could say many favorite things, but "x" stumped me. Does anyone have an "x"? Curious to know.
Well Enough Alone
I'm sure you all wish I would leave this topic well enough alone, but I can't help to give you an update on the smell in K's room so that if this ever happens to any of you, you will know what to expect. I certainly didn't expect it.
After about a week of the offensive odor it started to dissipate. For several days we had nice weather and I was able to raise her window, turn on the fans and air out the room. This helped tremendously...much more than the Febreeze, Lysol, or candles. Now the smell is almost gone, well..not completely, but the smell has changed and now it smells what can only be described as a BAND-AID! I know...this is confusing for me too. What once was a nasty, disgusting smell has turned into a very sterile smell. (Guess this goes to show you that no matter how clean a place smells doesn't mean it is in fact clean. A hospital comes to mind...)
I have to say, as perplexing as it is, the smell is very welcomed! Sometimes a Band Aid does make it all better. Which leads me to question how exactly band-aids are made.....??
After about a week of the offensive odor it started to dissipate. For several days we had nice weather and I was able to raise her window, turn on the fans and air out the room. This helped tremendously...much more than the Febreeze, Lysol, or candles. Now the smell is almost gone, well..not completely, but the smell has changed and now it smells what can only be described as a BAND-AID! I know...this is confusing for me too. What once was a nasty, disgusting smell has turned into a very sterile smell. (Guess this goes to show you that no matter how clean a place smells doesn't mean it is in fact clean. A hospital comes to mind...)
I have to say, as perplexing as it is, the smell is very welcomed! Sometimes a Band Aid does make it all better. Which leads me to question how exactly band-aids are made.....??
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
Gratitude
Time to butter up the in-laws. (and this is only my father-in-law's side of the family...whew!) More things that I am thankful for:
72. A mother in law who is my friend. Fun to be with and talk to.
(and as an added bonus she just happens to be my personal shopper)
73. A very generous and loving father in law who is wise and has
a very calm dispostion.
74. A very intelligent, very witty brother in law who has a gift
of reading people like no other. He's a great uncle to my children
and a wonderful friend to me.
75. A grandmother in law who is computer savvy in her 80's! She
raised 5 wonderful children while working as a teacher/counselor
the whole time.
76. Memories of a grandfather in law...a hard working farmer,
a kind and gentle man, who I didn't have long enough
to really get to know.
77. 4 Aunts and 4 uncles (in laws) who always make you feel at
home, a part of the family, so kind, generous, fun to be around.
78. 8 cousins (in laws) and 1 cousin in law,in law (married to
a cousin..) that are so intelligent, seeming to have a constant
quest for knowledge..so talented..such good people to know.
79. And the family grows....a precious baby boy cousin on the
way...a 2nd cousin (or 3rd..not really sure how exactly that
works) for my children.
80. A wonderful, incredible, handsome, caring, loving,
generous, intelligent, funny, hard-working man who added
all these people in my life..my sweet husband who is so
proud of his heritage, his family and I am just honored to
be a part of.
72. A mother in law who is my friend. Fun to be with and talk to.
(and as an added bonus she just happens to be my personal shopper)
73. A very generous and loving father in law who is wise and has
a very calm dispostion.
74. A very intelligent, very witty brother in law who has a gift
of reading people like no other. He's a great uncle to my children
and a wonderful friend to me.
75. A grandmother in law who is computer savvy in her 80's! She
raised 5 wonderful children while working as a teacher/counselor
the whole time.
76. Memories of a grandfather in law...a hard working farmer,
a kind and gentle man, who I didn't have long enough
to really get to know.
77. 4 Aunts and 4 uncles (in laws) who always make you feel at
home, a part of the family, so kind, generous, fun to be around.
78. 8 cousins (in laws) and 1 cousin in law,in law (married to
a cousin..) that are so intelligent, seeming to have a constant
quest for knowledge..so talented..such good people to know.
79. And the family grows....a precious baby boy cousin on the
way...a 2nd cousin (or 3rd..not really sure how exactly that
works) for my children.
80. A wonderful, incredible, handsome, caring, loving,
generous, intelligent, funny, hard-working man who added
all these people in my life..my sweet husband who is so
proud of his heritage, his family and I am just honored to
be a part of.
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
Running on Empty?
My husband and I have been discussing lately all the bad "stuff" we have been encountered with recently. Not necessarily to us, but we just seem to be surrounded with bad news and depressing, heavy issues. It's all around...everywhere...Im sure to you as well. My mother in law says often that, "the world is going to hell in a hand basket," and I think I'm starting to be a believer of that myself. Through everything I just keep coming back to one thing, people need more of God. I include myself in this too...we always need more. People seem to be running on empty, on mere fumes...maybe it's time we filled our tank. Which in saying that, I am reminded that people say it's more economical to fill your tank with gasoline at the half way mark, instead of waiting until on empty. I think this philosphy also applies to our spiritual walk. Why do so many of us wait until we are on "empty" before we fill ourselves with what we need?
In the midst of thinking all of these thoughts today, I opened my email to find a forwarded email from a niece of mine and it's just seemed so fitting. The following is the email she sent me(I don't know who wrote it to give them the credit):
One day, a man, his heart heavy with grief, was walking in the woods. As he thought about his life this day, he knew many things were not right. He thought about those who had lied about him back when he had a job.
His thoughts turned to those who had stolen his things and cheated him. He remembered
family that had passed on. His mind turned to the illness he had, that no one could cure. His very soul was filled with anger, resentment, and frustration.
Standing there this day, searching for answers he could not find, knowing all else had failed him, he knelt at the base of an old oak tree to seek the one he knew would always be there. And with tears in his eyes, he prayed:
"Lord- You have done wonderful things for me in this life. You have told me to do
many things for you, and I happily obeyed. Today, you have told me to forgive.
I am sad, Lord, because I cannot, I don't know how. It is not fair Lord,
I didn't deserve these wrongs that were done against me and I shouldn't have to
forgive. As perfect as your way is Lord, this one thing I cannot do, for
I don't know how to forgive. My anger is so deep Lord, I fear I may not
hear you, but I pray you teach me to do the one thing I cannot do: Teach
me to forgive."
As he knelt there in the quiet shade of that old oak tree, he felt something fall onto his shoulder. He opened his eyes. Out of the corner of one eye, he saw
something red on his shirt. He could not turn to see what it was because
where the oak tree had been was a large square piece of wood in the
ground. He raised his head and saw two feet held to the wood with a large
spike through them.
He raised his head more, and tears came to his eyes as he saw Jesus hanging on a cross. He saw spikes in His hand s, a gash in His side, a torn and battered body, deep thorns sunk into His head. Finally he saw the suffering and pain on His precious face. As their eyes met, the man's tears turned to sobbing, and Jesus began to speak.
"Have you ever told a lie?" He asked?
The man answered - "Yes, Lord."
"Have you ever been given too much change and kept it?"
The man answered - "Yes. Lord." And the man sobbed more and more.
"Have you ever taken something from work that wasn't yours?" Jesus asked?
And the man answered, "Yes, Lord."
"Have you ever sworn, using my Father's name in vain?"
The man, crying now, answered - "Yes, Lord."
As Jesus asked many more times, "Have you ever"? The man's crying became
uncontrollable, for he could only answer - "Yes, Lord".
Then Jesus turned His head from one side to the other, and the man felt something fall on his other shoulder He looked and saw that it was the blood of Jesus.. When he looked back up, his eyes met those of Jesus, and there was a look of love the man had never seen or known before.
Jesus said, "I didn't deserve this either, but I forgive you."
It may be hard to see how you're going to get through something, but when you look back in life,you realize how true this statement is.
Read the following first line slowly and let it sink in.
"If God brings you to it - He will bring you through it."
When Jesus died on the cross, he was thinking of you!
Now, I can't believe I was thinking about how heavy of a burden I was carrying with all the issues surrounding me. I am humbled, once again, by my loving and forgiving God who bears the weight of all the "heavy" issues for me and all of his believers. He is the only person that can save us.
"He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shelter of the Almighty. I will say to the Lord, "He is my refuge and my fortress; my God, in Him will I trust." Psalm 91:1-2
In the midst of thinking all of these thoughts today, I opened my email to find a forwarded email from a niece of mine and it's just seemed so fitting. The following is the email she sent me(I don't know who wrote it to give them the credit):
One day, a man, his heart heavy with grief, was walking in the woods. As he thought about his life this day, he knew many things were not right. He thought about those who had lied about him back when he had a job.
His thoughts turned to those who had stolen his things and cheated him. He remembered
family that had passed on. His mind turned to the illness he had, that no one could cure. His very soul was filled with anger, resentment, and frustration.
Standing there this day, searching for answers he could not find, knowing all else had failed him, he knelt at the base of an old oak tree to seek the one he knew would always be there. And with tears in his eyes, he prayed:
"Lord- You have done wonderful things for me in this life. You have told me to do
many things for you, and I happily obeyed. Today, you have told me to forgive.
I am sad, Lord, because I cannot, I don't know how. It is not fair Lord,
I didn't deserve these wrongs that were done against me and I shouldn't have to
forgive. As perfect as your way is Lord, this one thing I cannot do, for
I don't know how to forgive. My anger is so deep Lord, I fear I may not
hear you, but I pray you teach me to do the one thing I cannot do: Teach
me to forgive."
As he knelt there in the quiet shade of that old oak tree, he felt something fall onto his shoulder. He opened his eyes. Out of the corner of one eye, he saw
something red on his shirt. He could not turn to see what it was because
where the oak tree had been was a large square piece of wood in the
ground. He raised his head and saw two feet held to the wood with a large
spike through them.
He raised his head more, and tears came to his eyes as he saw Jesus hanging on a cross. He saw spikes in His hand s, a gash in His side, a torn and battered body, deep thorns sunk into His head. Finally he saw the suffering and pain on His precious face. As their eyes met, the man's tears turned to sobbing, and Jesus began to speak.
"Have you ever told a lie?" He asked?
The man answered - "Yes, Lord."
"Have you ever been given too much change and kept it?"
The man answered - "Yes. Lord." And the man sobbed more and more.
"Have you ever taken something from work that wasn't yours?" Jesus asked?
And the man answered, "Yes, Lord."
"Have you ever sworn, using my Father's name in vain?"
The man, crying now, answered - "Yes, Lord."
As Jesus asked many more times, "Have you ever"? The man's crying became
uncontrollable, for he could only answer - "Yes, Lord".
Then Jesus turned His head from one side to the other, and the man felt something fall on his other shoulder He looked and saw that it was the blood of Jesus.. When he looked back up, his eyes met those of Jesus, and there was a look of love the man had never seen or known before.
Jesus said, "I didn't deserve this either, but I forgive you."
It may be hard to see how you're going to get through something, but when you look back in life,you realize how true this statement is.
Read the following first line slowly and let it sink in.
"If God brings you to it - He will bring you through it."
When Jesus died on the cross, he was thinking of you!
Now, I can't believe I was thinking about how heavy of a burden I was carrying with all the issues surrounding me. I am humbled, once again, by my loving and forgiving God who bears the weight of all the "heavy" issues for me and all of his believers. He is the only person that can save us.
"He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shelter of the Almighty. I will say to the Lord, "He is my refuge and my fortress; my God, in Him will I trust." Psalm 91:1-2
I Remember
Recently I received an email, that I'm sure some of you got as well, about a girl of the 1970's. Wow, that was a fun email and it brought back a lot of great memories from my childhood. Either my sister or I experienced or had 99% of the things on that email! I started remembering even more things I had, or did as a young girl....
-I remember when Cabbage Patch Kids were Adoption Dolls.
(I also remember my doll's name was Clarissa Renee and my
sister's doll was Constance Aurora!)
-I remember playing hours on end with "Little People" that looked
a lot different then the Fisher Price version these days.
-I remember good tv shows like Mork & Mindy, The Smurfs, Strawberry Shortcake,
and Care Bears (the originals!)
-I remember as a pre-teen watching Silver Spoons, Different Strokes,
The Facts of Life and those wonderful After School Specials!
-I remember when John Bon Jovi looked like this:
-I remember the entertainment of my Barbie Colorforms.
-I remember making a homemade Barbie house with homeade
accessories: Shoeboxes were closets, Kleenex boxes made into
beds, tiny silk flowers in a tootpaste cap became a
nice table arrangement..oh, and the toothpaste cap also made
a nice shade for a lamp! Pictures cut out of magazines became
our Barbie's artwork that adorned her cardboard box walls.
-I remember when you couldn't purchase a Barbie Pool, like you
can now, but instead I would dig a hole in my backyard, line it
with a plastic bag, and fill it with water. My Barbie enjoyed many
vacations in her yellow camper in my backyard with Ken, who
at the time actually looked like a man!
-I remember my beloved red,yellow, and blue Big Wheel. I started
at the top of our hill, pedal as fast as I could, turn into my
driveway, pull up the brake on the side and skid all the way
across the slick garage floor.
-I remember thinking I would marry Kirk Cameron
-I remember seeing E.T. at the theater!
-I remember Christmas Eve, my sister and I wore matching
silk, red, pinoir sets.(Bless her heart... she was probably
12 and I was 4!)
-I remember SNOW DAYS, complete with SNOW!
-I remember making friendship pins for my Treetorns and making
friendship bracelets by the dozen.
-I remember writing on the sides of my Treetorns things like,
"I heart T.W." or something like that, as tacky as that is!
-I remember shopping for Guess and Esprit and shopping at
Benneton.
-I remember when it was cool to wear a Coca-Cola rugby and
pegged jeans.
-I remember wearing duck boots and polo plaid shirts during
the "preppy stage".
The list could go on and on! Most importantly, I remember when all I had to worry about were these things listed above. Life gets a little bit more complicated as you grow older. I wouldn't trade being a grown-up for the world (as long as I can stop it at 35?) but it's nice to take a trip down memory lane every once in a while.
-I remember when Cabbage Patch Kids were Adoption Dolls.
(I also remember my doll's name was Clarissa Renee and my
sister's doll was Constance Aurora!)
-I remember playing hours on end with "Little People" that looked
a lot different then the Fisher Price version these days.
-I remember good tv shows like Mork & Mindy, The Smurfs, Strawberry Shortcake,
and Care Bears (the originals!)
-I remember as a pre-teen watching Silver Spoons, Different Strokes,
The Facts of Life and those wonderful After School Specials!
-I remember when John Bon Jovi looked like this:
-I remember the entertainment of my Barbie Colorforms.
-I remember making a homemade Barbie house with homeade
accessories: Shoeboxes were closets, Kleenex boxes made into
beds, tiny silk flowers in a tootpaste cap became a
nice table arrangement..oh, and the toothpaste cap also made
a nice shade for a lamp! Pictures cut out of magazines became
our Barbie's artwork that adorned her cardboard box walls.
-I remember when you couldn't purchase a Barbie Pool, like you
can now, but instead I would dig a hole in my backyard, line it
with a plastic bag, and fill it with water. My Barbie enjoyed many
vacations in her yellow camper in my backyard with Ken, who
at the time actually looked like a man!
-I remember my beloved red,yellow, and blue Big Wheel. I started
at the top of our hill, pedal as fast as I could, turn into my
driveway, pull up the brake on the side and skid all the way
across the slick garage floor.
-I remember thinking I would marry Kirk Cameron
-I remember seeing E.T. at the theater!
-I remember Christmas Eve, my sister and I wore matching
silk, red, pinoir sets.(Bless her heart... she was probably
12 and I was 4!)
-I remember SNOW DAYS, complete with SNOW!
-I remember making friendship pins for my Treetorns and making
friendship bracelets by the dozen.
-I remember writing on the sides of my Treetorns things like,
"I heart T.W." or something like that, as tacky as that is!
-I remember shopping for Guess and Esprit and shopping at
Benneton.
-I remember when it was cool to wear a Coca-Cola rugby and
pegged jeans.
-I remember wearing duck boots and polo plaid shirts during
the "preppy stage".
The list could go on and on! Most importantly, I remember when all I had to worry about were these things listed above. Life gets a little bit more complicated as you grow older. I wouldn't trade being a grown-up for the world (as long as I can stop it at 35?) but it's nice to take a trip down memory lane every once in a while.
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