Thursday, November 29, 2012

Thankful: Day 26, 27, 28 & 29

Day 26:  YoYo Dinners.  YoYo stands for "You are On Your Own" for dinner.  Everyone knows they can eat what they can find (within reason) and I am off the hook for making dinner.

Day 27:  Lizard started basketball and her practice is inside!  Hallelujah.  I was able to read my book and watch her practice in realtive warmth.  I am also thankful she loves basketball.

Day 28:  Laying by the fireplace in the evenings.

Day 29:  For the multiple kisses and hugs Little Man gives me each morning at school.  Once I say "last one" so he knows it is time for me to go, I get five hugs and five kisses (on the lips!) from him and give him a "fake hug" in the air as I walk out of eye site.  I have to walk him to his classroom door everyday.  It would so much easier to drop him off in the car line (especially on cold, rainy days like today), but I know the time will end very soon that he will not hug and kiss me that way so I am very thankful.

Sunday, November 25, 2012

Thankful: Day 20, 21, 22, 23, 24 & 25

Day 20:  Having a excellent (and funny) OB/GYN doctor to care for me and deliver ALL three of my children.  My OB is going to phase out of daily office care and be solely focused on hospital care for his practice's patients.  This was probably the last time I will see him.  He choked up when he said good-bye saying he will be miss being a part of people's families.

Day 21:  My Dad being healthy and able to travel up for Thanksgiving.

Day 22:  Being a Mom.  I became a Mom 13 years ago today.  The hardest job ever, but also the most amazing job ever.

Day 23:  NOT heading out for Black Friday sales.  I understand the deals people find, but I'd rather spend time at home with my family.

Day 24:  Knowing that Chief and I are on the same page when it comes to big life philosophy type things … the ones that mean the most at the end of your life.  

Day 25:  Finally being able to go to church as a family again.  Activities mess with our schedule A LOT so it feels good to be able to go again regularly, at least for now.

Monday, November 19, 2012

Thankful: Day 14, 15, 16, 17, 18 & 19

Day 14:  My healthy children. 

Day 15:  A brisk walk with a friend and our puppies.

Day 16:  Saying yes at the last minute to arranging a sleepover at our house for Lizard.  Sleepovers (and playdates) are not easy for us because of Little Man; it is not a relaxing break for us as it is for most parents when their kids are occupied with their friend.  It is MORE work for us.  So we don't do them a lot at our house.  But it made her smile and for that I am thankful. 

Day 17:  Heated leather seats.  God bless whoever created this feature.

Day 18:  A break from soccer for both Soccer Girl and Chief (from coaching).  It will be nice to have our activity scheduled lightened significantly.... at least for a few weeks.

Day 19:  Little Man and the silly way he says things.  He was telling me the time on my digital clock and he said "6-4-E" (cause you know the digital 3 looks like and E!).  And he said he can't wait to get his Adams Apple so he can match Dad, except for his face.  He also calls Mint Milano cookies (yum) "Limp Pilanos" and remote control cars "Mote Cin-Can-Troll."

Thursday, November 15, 2012

Aging

I read a wonderful post at inCourage written by Kristen Welch who blogs at We are THAT Family.  Kristen is one of my daily read (sometimes more than once!).  This post is a beautiful message for every women on aging gracefully and true beauty.   Read her post here.

Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelery or fine clothes.  Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God's sight.  
1 Peter 3:3-4

Wednesday, November 14, 2012

Thankful: Day 13

Day 13:  I am thankful Little Man is doing so well in school.

School conferences are in early December and Little Man's teacher indicated in an email that if there were any issues (socially or academically) she has already spoken to the parents so there are no surprises come December.  We get routine updates about his behavior and progress, but we have not had a special meeting!  I never in a million years anticipated he would NOT be having difficulties in school.  I know now we did the right thing moving to medication.  As weird as I still feel giving him his dose every morning, I know it is what he needs to succeed.  For that I am VERY thankful.

Monday, November 12, 2012

Thankful: Day 9, 10, 11 & 12

Day 9:  Snuggling on the couch with two of my three critters.

Day 10:  Having a warm house to return to after an early morning soccer game in the cold (34 degrees!)

Day 11:  Having time to read.  I love to read and don't seem to find much time in the day so this was a treat.

Day 12:  An evening with NO activities!  This VERY rarely happens.  A true blessing.

Friday, November 9, 2012

Authenticity

I have been struck lately by the idea of authenticity and how that plays out in our lives on a daily basis.

Websters defines authentic as "not false… true to one's own personality, spirit, or charater…"

Social media (FaceBook, Blogs, Instagram, Pinterest, etc.) have many of us presenting a life that is not necessarily as authentic or real as our lives actually are.  I have read blogs that have made me wonder if these people ever have dirty underwear on the floor and mold in their showers.  Their birthday parties for their kids are over the top… fancy cookies, decorations, horses.  I can't keep up with such expectations. It seems as if no one can be imperfect these days.

Teenagers post happy, cute, fun pictures of themselves on Instagram.  Always smiling, always looking their best… competing to see who as the most "likes" on a given post or picture.  That is so much pressure to put on each other at such a young age.  It seems to me that kids may always feel that they are not good enough.  So much is given to our kids so young and it is EXPECTED that they will have these things.  Parents don't seem to know how to say no.  Just because you get a good deal on a iPhone and data package does not mean it is the right thing to give a 13 year old.  Do they really need access to the Internet at all hours of the day, posting pictures on Instragram during the school day?  I want my kids to know they are enough, without the electronics, fancy jeans and 50 likes on their pictures.


The idea of being authentic has really struck me lately as I see people socialize with people that they do not necessarily like or at least they have indicated to me that they don't agree with the way they handle their lives.  They seem to seek out opportunities to be with people that they dislike or don't have much in common.  Please don't misunderstand me.  All of us are in situations where we socialize with people (on your kids sports team, your kids being in class with a particular kid year after year) that we don't agree with how they handle things or we would not be best of friends with them.  You know the ones.  But I am able to be kind, social and even enjoy my conversations with most people.  However, I will not seek out a friendship with someone who consistently handles situation with their kids, or at school or their personal affairs in a way that is counter to my beliefs and values.  That to me, would not be authentic to my personality or character.

One could make the argument that as a Christian, I should seek out those type of relationship to be a light to someone.  And, I do agree with that to a point.  I think I am a light when I am friendly and interested in most people I encounter and do my best not to judge someone else as I do not know their walk or struggles in life.  I think it is telling that I am NOT invited to certain functions.  I think some people can tell I am not willing to "play the game" that is so prevalent these days.  And while I might be initially hurt (I am human after all), at the end of the day, I want all my relationships in my life to authentic… to be based on honesty, integrity and real connection.  I want to spend my time with people who I can be real with and honest with without a second thought that the other person will judge me or use what I say in a way that could hurt anyone.  Or maybe they don't invite me because they think I am a stick in the mud!  Ha.  Either way, at the end of the day, I am OK with that.

When my life comes to a close, I want people to say I was authentic.  That I was real and genuine.  That I walked the talk.  I have a long way to go in many areas for sure.  When I am screaming at my kids to STOP YELLING (Oh, the irony in THAT ONE), I am not genuine or authentic for sure.  My heart and actions do not match.  But I think I am starting to actually feel and see the dilemma of living out my Christian faith in this world.  God lets me know instantly when I am made a bad choice (like a swear word in front of my kids or making poor financial decision that in the past I would not have thought twice about).  I can see the struggle my kids go through when they don't have the latest and greatest social media fad that all their friends have because the implications it can have.

But, I'll continue to walk this walk, grow and be as authentic and true to myself and my beliefs as I can.

Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works and in your teaching show integrity and dignity.
Titus 2:7

For we are not, like so many, peddlers of God's word, but as men of sincerity, as commissioned by God, in the sight of God we speak in Christ.
2 Corinthians 2:17

Thursday, November 8, 2012

Thankful: Day 5, 6, 7, & 8

Day 5:  Having a working garage door again.  Parking outside in the NW is miserable.  So thankful for a dry "warm" car in the morning.

Day 6:  The freedom to vote.

Day 7:  Listening to Soccer Girl's coach talk to her and encourage her to play to her ability.  And also how he related the skills she is working on to life (like if you have a problem, you have to communicate… whether that is on the field with your team or relationships in your life).

Day 8:  Finding Wildtree last spring.  I love this company and products.  I like introducing people to cooking a healthier way.

Sunday, November 4, 2012

Thankful: Day 3 & 4

Day 3:  For my husband to drive an hour out of our way to let me purchase a consignment store find I left behind 5 days earlier.  He did it without complaining or questioning.   He gets me.

Day 4:  Watching Soccer Girl at her ODP training.  She is playing very well despite being exhausted.  She is learning a life lesson about pushing through when you don't feel like it.

Friday, November 2, 2012

Thankful: Day 1 & 2

In honor of Thanksgiving I am doing a month of thankfulness like I did last year.  It is wonderful to focus on being thankful each day for the big and small blessings in my life.

Day 1 - A quiet moment to close my eyes during the day
Day 2 - Four hours to myself IN MY OWN HOUSE while Little Man is on a field trip.