Ok, so this weekend includes two of my favorite things -- Valentine's Day and the Olympics. I am so excited for both of them!!
I think Valentine's Day might be my favorite holiday, and it definitely is the most underrated. The problem with V-Day is that it is marketed as some romantic sort of day. That mushy stuff is nice, and I understand why we have a day to celebrate this, but people get left out and that's just not fun. So, that's why I don't like to view Valentine's Day like that. It is just a day full of love for EVERYONE. If I had my way, it would be a religious holiday...it SHOULD be! After all, God is love! And what a better opportunity to show this to people than the day already known for love. It is such a human need to feel loved, and sadly, many people in our world don't have anyone to show them love. This year, I'm having my kids make valentines to take to a nursing home. I'm hoping they get to help pass them out, too, but I'm not sure if it'll all work out. This week, keep your eyes open...look for something you can do to make someone feel love who normally doesn't....
And the Olympics! What an awesome event that takes place every two years that gives us a chance to not only view the best athletes in the world and gives us some way as a nation to come together in a really positive way. I mean, for real....how many of you were like my family two summers ago, ten o'clock at night, chanting "USA, USA", screaming for the guy who swam the last leg of that relay who came back from half a lap behind to make sure Michael Phelps continued his quest of only winning gold, in what...like seven races?!?! CRAZY...EXCITING!!! I LOVE IT! And with the Winter Olympics, we have Apollo Anton Ohno and Shaun White..and who knows who else will emerge!! And just a warning...if I talk to you in the next two weeks, I will ask you if you're watching the Olympics...and if you tell me no, I will call you unAmerican. So, if you're not tuning in, you better just lie...and oh yeah...Curling is a must watch...DVR it if you have to!
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Random Happiness
So, January, for me and for a lot of people, is a downer month. This January in particular, I felt blah. This past December had a lot more going on than most months...well, really from like Dec. 13th on. I directed our children's Christmas musical at church on Dec. 20, so the whole week before was pretty focused on that. Then, we had family in town from December 19-January 4. It was wonderful and I wouldn't trade any of the chaos for anything.
SIDE NOTE:
You know, the word chaos has such a negative connotation to it...I don't know why that is. At least for me, I tend to thrive, or feel more alive, in the chaos. I was watching TLC's "A Baby Story" the other day and this new mom on there really got me thinking. She said, "Our lives, right now, are chaos, but my chaos is beautiful and I wouldn't trade it for anything." I totally feel the same. Many people look at my life and think (and feel the need to tell me) how they couldn't live my life. It seems like they are saying that with a negative undertone, and I think it all goes back to how we define chaos. For me, at least, I'm going to live defining my chaos as beautiful.
So, I think the fact that we had two weeks of super-sized fun helped lead to this year's extreme blahs. So to start February and kick those blahs away, I'm going to list some random things that make me happy -- this list will not include important things, like God or my family -- just the randoms.
1. Leaving the house the same time as our neighbor to take our kids to school and planning which way to take so I can beat them, followed by actually winning.
2. Going out to eat -- anywhere -- doesn't matter where or when, I'm there!
3. My Pandora station -- Glee Cast mixed with NSYNC and Jesse McCartney -- I HIGHLY suggest it!
4. Baths -- more specifically, baths taken without my children trying to climb in.
5. Diet Coke out of a fountain
6. Being able to watch TV shows on the computer. (We got rid of our DVR - boo!!)
7. Movies that TBS and TNT play over and over -- my favorite being "30 Going on 13"....would watch it every time it's on.
8. Having my favorite pair of jeans clean.
9. The automatic car wash with the free vacuums
10. Taking walks on our town's paths that go through the woods and all around town.
11. Traveling -- and all that's included in it -- flying, driving, hotels, exploring, relaxing, etc.
12. Facebook and Skype
13. Finding good deals at Name Brand Clothing -- it's the best store full of real stores discards, so you really have to look carefully at stuff to make sure it's not ripped or the zipper works, stuff like that, but for the two family weddings we had this past summer, I got really fancy dresses with nothing wrong with them for $30, that full price in a department store would have been $350
14. Getting the $10 bag of Tyson frozen chicken tenderloins for $6 -- thank you WalMart for your quarterly sale!
15. The face of the kids at Bubba's school when I say hi to them by name and how happy that makes them.
16. Rollercoasters
17. Having a mind full of dumb things that there is no need to know, but being able to use them when necessary. Example: T.Hubs and I watching TV -- T.Hubs = "Where do I know that girl from?" Me = "She was Zack's biker girlfriend on Saved by the Bell"
18. Cleaning out my kid's ears -- a gross one, I know, but you can not imagine the amounts of ear wax those little bodies produce
19. Filling out forms, any kind -- Can't wait for the Census! Loved filling out the 4 page ACT form!
20. Paper Napkins for different holidays -- Already got mine for Valentine's Day!
Do any of these things make you happy?? Are you in a down mood? Make your own list!! I could go on and on, but gymnastics class is calling, so I'll stop with 20! Have a great day!!
SIDE NOTE:
You know, the word chaos has such a negative connotation to it...I don't know why that is. At least for me, I tend to thrive, or feel more alive, in the chaos. I was watching TLC's "A Baby Story" the other day and this new mom on there really got me thinking. She said, "Our lives, right now, are chaos, but my chaos is beautiful and I wouldn't trade it for anything." I totally feel the same. Many people look at my life and think (and feel the need to tell me) how they couldn't live my life. It seems like they are saying that with a negative undertone, and I think it all goes back to how we define chaos. For me, at least, I'm going to live defining my chaos as beautiful.
So, I think the fact that we had two weeks of super-sized fun helped lead to this year's extreme blahs. So to start February and kick those blahs away, I'm going to list some random things that make me happy -- this list will not include important things, like God or my family -- just the randoms.
1. Leaving the house the same time as our neighbor to take our kids to school and planning which way to take so I can beat them, followed by actually winning.
2. Going out to eat -- anywhere -- doesn't matter where or when, I'm there!
3. My Pandora station -- Glee Cast mixed with NSYNC and Jesse McCartney -- I HIGHLY suggest it!
4. Baths -- more specifically, baths taken without my children trying to climb in.
5. Diet Coke out of a fountain
6. Being able to watch TV shows on the computer. (We got rid of our DVR - boo!!)
7. Movies that TBS and TNT play over and over -- my favorite being "30 Going on 13"....would watch it every time it's on.
8. Having my favorite pair of jeans clean.
9. The automatic car wash with the free vacuums
10. Taking walks on our town's paths that go through the woods and all around town.
11. Traveling -- and all that's included in it -- flying, driving, hotels, exploring, relaxing, etc.
12. Facebook and Skype
13. Finding good deals at Name Brand Clothing -- it's the best store full of real stores discards, so you really have to look carefully at stuff to make sure it's not ripped or the zipper works, stuff like that, but for the two family weddings we had this past summer, I got really fancy dresses with nothing wrong with them for $30, that full price in a department store would have been $350
14. Getting the $10 bag of Tyson frozen chicken tenderloins for $6 -- thank you WalMart for your quarterly sale!
15. The face of the kids at Bubba's school when I say hi to them by name and how happy that makes them.
16. Rollercoasters
17. Having a mind full of dumb things that there is no need to know, but being able to use them when necessary. Example: T.Hubs and I watching TV -- T.Hubs = "Where do I know that girl from?" Me = "She was Zack's biker girlfriend on Saved by the Bell"
18. Cleaning out my kid's ears -- a gross one, I know, but you can not imagine the amounts of ear wax those little bodies produce
19. Filling out forms, any kind -- Can't wait for the Census! Loved filling out the 4 page ACT form!
20. Paper Napkins for different holidays -- Already got mine for Valentine's Day!
Do any of these things make you happy?? Are you in a down mood? Make your own list!! I could go on and on, but gymnastics class is calling, so I'll stop with 20! Have a great day!!
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
The Fam and I
Ok, so last post was a little heavy, I'll admit...not really a "Hi! How are ya?? Nice to meet ya."
So let me tell you some things about my family...
1. I married my high school sweetheart, I'll refer to him as The Husband, aka T.Hubs. He is a great husband and father. He has been successful enough at his job to allow me to be a stay at home mom without us having to sacrifice much as far as lifestyle goes. I thank God for this often and my husband not nearly enough.
2. On top of the 9-5, T.Hubs coaches a high school varsity basketball team. This is his passion and ministry and I fully support him in this. (SIDE NOTE = This statement includes no sarcasm, but you can expect some when talking about this subject in the future). The kids and I love going to the games....Bubba dresses up in his suit and sits on the bench to help coach and the girls have their own cheerleading outfits that they use to get the crowd spirited!
3. Bubba also has a heart beat for sports. If you don't know him, you probably won't believe it, but he would play _________ ball (fill in the blank with any sport) twelve or more hours a day. Right now, he's on two basketball teams, a fact that thrills me (Ok, there's the sarcasm). But he loves it and I love him, so I do what I need to do. Bubba is in kindergarden right now and he loves school and is very gifted...I know all parents say that, but it's true :) He is literally the sweetest kid you could ever meet, almost to a fault. He would do almost anything to make people happy and "do the right thing"...that's what he's always asking, "Mom, did I do the right thing?" 
4. Sis, on the other hand, oozes attitude. This sounds awful, but I don't mean it in a bad way. Can it be? You bet, but sometimes it's the funniest thing you've ever seen. Sweet is just not a correct description of her. It's more like spunky or sassy. Here's an example for ya (if you need more of an example than that picture.): She gets mad at T. Hubs for saying I love you over and over. When I asked her why this bothers her she said, and I quote, (hand on hip, head bobbing, eyes rolling) "Ugh, mom, it just really freaks me out." Did I mention she talks like a sixteen year old? I love it! No one is gonna tell her what to do! A great quality when dealing with friends. Right now, she goes to an AM preschool and is in gymnastics.
5. The baby, C.Bear, she's somewhere in the middle of the others, personality wise. She's still working on becoming herself. It really is a joy to watch. She is our lover...always filled with hugs and kisses! She's in gymnastics too, and let me tell ya, she can shake her little hips better than anyone else I know! She's precious. One of my favorite things she does is right after we've dropped Sis off at school....every day when we're walking back to the car, she looks at me and says, "C.Bear, Mommy time." Seriously, there is nothing that makes me feel more special than knowing my kids love me and look forward to spending time with me....so, how to make it last?!?!So, what about me?? Well, as you can probably tell, my time is pretty well taken up by others. Here's a few random facts about me. I'm 28....I'd love to lose 30 pounds....Every once in a while, I find (and remove) a grey hair...I love to watch TV....I love to eat out....I try to be a good friend....I really like to travel....I love Jesus....I love my family.....I really miss contact with adults...I'm awful at keeping up with the laundry. What else? I'm hoping to discover more about myself through this process. Until next time...
Monday, January 18, 2010
A Beginning...One of Those Days
Good evening!! Thanks ahead of time for reading! I want to thank you right up front, because you just might not make it to the end. I'm feeling particularly whiny, which is not a positive way to start an endeavor like this, but as my five year old son - we'll call him "Bubba" - would say "You get what you get and you don't throw a fit" Along with Bubba, I've birthed two girls, four year old "Sis" and three year old "C. Bear". You're probably thinking 3, 4, and 5?!? The answer is yes - 3 kids in 33 months. Crazy? I love it - most of the time. Tonight, however, is not one of those times. Tonight, if I see my children walk down the stairs, I just might walk out of the house and drive away.
Yeah...it's been one of those days. Most of my days feel like one of those days. No matter what I do, many nights I go to bed feeling like I've failed, hoping I haven't scarred the kids for life. I think back to the tone or volume I've said things in...many times before 9 AM, during the mad dash to school...sometimes I hear the echos of those three little voices using those same awful tones I've used, resounding in my head like nails on a chalkboard. I pray for God's guidance and His grace many times throughout the day and I know He's by my side, holding my hand. But, the struggle comes in helping my children see him through me. I don't want God to be invisible to them through my actions. If you know me, you might be surprised to hear me talk like this. I would say most people would say I'm a great mom. So, here's the question - why don't I see it that way? I'm sure there are many other moms out there like me. Yes, part of the problem might be the secrets we keep about our imperfection -- like the two bags of laundry that have been in my car since company came last week or how sometimes I make my kids go to bed for rest time just so I can sit on the couch with a bowl of ice cream and not have to share. So, obviously these things don't make me a bad mother, so here's the question: why do they make me feel like one? How do we translate what we know in our logical minds to how we feel in our emotional heart? I'd really like some feedback on this...it's something I've often pondered and I never seem to come up with a conclusion.
Ok....enough of the heavy stuff...next post will be an intro into my life, that is, if I haven't scared you away with this one!!
Yeah...it's been one of those days. Most of my days feel like one of those days. No matter what I do, many nights I go to bed feeling like I've failed, hoping I haven't scarred the kids for life. I think back to the tone or volume I've said things in...many times before 9 AM, during the mad dash to school...sometimes I hear the echos of those three little voices using those same awful tones I've used, resounding in my head like nails on a chalkboard. I pray for God's guidance and His grace many times throughout the day and I know He's by my side, holding my hand. But, the struggle comes in helping my children see him through me. I don't want God to be invisible to them through my actions. If you know me, you might be surprised to hear me talk like this. I would say most people would say I'm a great mom. So, here's the question - why don't I see it that way? I'm sure there are many other moms out there like me. Yes, part of the problem might be the secrets we keep about our imperfection -- like the two bags of laundry that have been in my car since company came last week or how sometimes I make my kids go to bed for rest time just so I can sit on the couch with a bowl of ice cream and not have to share. So, obviously these things don't make me a bad mother, so here's the question: why do they make me feel like one? How do we translate what we know in our logical minds to how we feel in our emotional heart? I'd really like some feedback on this...it's something I've often pondered and I never seem to come up with a conclusion.
Ok....enough of the heavy stuff...next post will be an intro into my life, that is, if I haven't scared you away with this one!!
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