Now that Christmas has come and gone we have just a few days until New Year's. With that many people have begun to think about New Year's resolutions and whether or not they are going to make one. I will admit that I typically enjoy making one. There have been years that the resolution I made was about things I wanted to improve and there have been years that my resolution has been more about new experiences and enjoying new things.
One of my favorite resolutions that I ever made was also one of the hardest ones for me to keep. I want to share a little of that story with you in a hope that as you think about your resolution this year you won't shy away from picking something that you don't necessarily want to do but that in the end will have great rewards.
This was a few years ago, I was at a point where I didn't have much of a relationship at all with my parents. In the years prior there had been many hurtful things said on both sides and I simply chose not to include them in my day to day life anymore. In the previous year I had probably only talked to my parents 2 maybe 3 times. They were living in Michigan while I enjoyed sunny Florida. This was also before my parents discovered the wonderful world of facebook so they really had no idea what was going on in my life nor did I with them.
So, New Year's rolls around and I know it's time for a change. My older brother played a big part in encouraging me to step up and do something to reach out to my parents. My resolution was this. I would have contact with my parents twice a month. You may be thinking in your head that's no big deal but for me it was huge. Looking back I can say with certainty it was the pivotal moment in my relationship with them.
The first month I called them within the first week. It was stressed and awkward and neither of us had much to say. I was dreading calling again so I kept putting it off. The next time I called when I knew they would be gone to church and I would get the answering machine. I survived January. February was next and with that was my Mom's birthday. I sent her a card in the mail and made a phone call a couple weeks later. Awkward again. Two months down ten to go.
The spring months I don't remember specifically but I know I sent a Mother's Day card, a birthday card to my Dad, an email here and there, and I made a few phone calls. I remember every month putting the phone calls off until the end of the month and then being relieved when they were over.
Along came summer though and something began to change. At this point I have had more contact with them in 5 months than in the previous 3 years combined and I began to find that I had things that we could talk about. I didn't dread each phone call quite so much and I didn't cringe every time they would answer the phone instead of the machine.
Summer turned into fall and leaves began to change. There were times I would get frustrated with my parents and their way of thinking just as I'm sure they got frustrated with me. But we had reached a new point in our relationship. I didn't have to pretend that the past didn't exist and I was strong enough to disagree with them without arguing with them.
I continued my twice a month contact right up through the end of the year. At the time I remember being greatly relieved when December was over and I knew I didn't have to call them the next month. But as many of you have probably guessed I called anyway. The hard part was done and now I could call just to say hi. In the years that have passed between then and now I have continued to build a relationship with my parents. I value them and the relationship we have now and chances are my mom is even getting a little teary as she reads this because I know that she values what we have just as much.
So, this year I'm not sure yet what my resolution will be but I know that I don't have to be afraid of doing something difficult because the reward at the end is worth all of the work that goes into it.
Sunday, December 29, 2013
Saturday, December 21, 2013
Christmas
I love Christmas time. This year as Christmas is fast approaching I have had a blast preparing for it. My house is decked out with lights both inside and out, I have baked more Christmas goodies than ever before, I have been out shopping with Zoe, I have spent time with my family and am looking forward to spending time with Jake's family.
For me one of my favorite parts about Christmas this year is seeing it through my daughters eyes. Everything is so simple and pure for her. Take a look with me as I look at Christmas through Zoe's eyes.
The Decorations~A pretty tree has appeared in my living room and it has little bells on the bottom just for me to ring. I even have a special pink tree with lights in my bedroom I can plug in all by myself. Every evening when we walk down to the mailbox I get to look at all the other pretty twinkle lights on our street. My favorite part is the giant snowman at our neighbor's house. I love to look at it and tell Mom and Dad all about it. I also like to point out all the big bows and pretty stars that are hanging up all over town. There are so many shiny things that sparkle and catch my eye.
The Food~My mom always bakes cookies with me but we have been making lots of new yummy stuff. My favorite part is after I help Mom stir when she lets me lick the spoon. I really like the chocolate stuff. Sometimes my hands get messy but I just lick them clean too. I don't like the way Mommy made the crackers taste funny though so she gives me the plain yellow crackers I like instead.
The Shopping~Mommy and I have been to lots of stores lately. I like it when I can walk and don't have to sit in the shopping cart. Mommy and I have a deal that I can walk as long as I don't touch things and I have to hold her hand when she says to. (Like if there are a lot of people or if we are in the parking lots where the cars are driving.) I got to help Mommy pick out presents for Daddy and me. One time Daddy even came shopping with us and I got to run around the store hiding from him while Mommy shopped. That was really fun and he even bought me a bouncy ball. Most of all I like the red cans and the ringing bell outside the store especially when I drop money in the can and the man with the bell lets me ring it too.
The Family~Nana and Papa flew on an airplane to come see me and we had so much fun. I really liked it when Papa played with me. We played with my music toys, and with my kitchen toys, but my favorite is playing with my new Kitty that Papa gave me. I liked it when Papa and Daddy hold my hands to walk so I can swing between them. I also liked Nana because she sat next to me in the car and played with me. Nana is really good at talking to me and reading me stories. Pretty soon Granny and Poppy are going to come to our house too. It is so fun to have Nana and Papa and Granny and Poppy to play with.
For Zoe Christmas is a magical time. She doesn't care if Christmas has been commercialized or if Santa is coming to her house. She doesn't care if the traffic is bad and stores are busy or if someone says Happy Holiday instead of Merry Christmas. I am so blessed to be able to spend this Christmas looking through the eyes of my daughter and to see what a magical time it is. My heart is full and Christmas day isn't even here yet.
For me one of my favorite parts about Christmas this year is seeing it through my daughters eyes. Everything is so simple and pure for her. Take a look with me as I look at Christmas through Zoe's eyes.
The Decorations~A pretty tree has appeared in my living room and it has little bells on the bottom just for me to ring. I even have a special pink tree with lights in my bedroom I can plug in all by myself. Every evening when we walk down to the mailbox I get to look at all the other pretty twinkle lights on our street. My favorite part is the giant snowman at our neighbor's house. I love to look at it and tell Mom and Dad all about it. I also like to point out all the big bows and pretty stars that are hanging up all over town. There are so many shiny things that sparkle and catch my eye.
The Food~My mom always bakes cookies with me but we have been making lots of new yummy stuff. My favorite part is after I help Mom stir when she lets me lick the spoon. I really like the chocolate stuff. Sometimes my hands get messy but I just lick them clean too. I don't like the way Mommy made the crackers taste funny though so she gives me the plain yellow crackers I like instead.
The Shopping~Mommy and I have been to lots of stores lately. I like it when I can walk and don't have to sit in the shopping cart. Mommy and I have a deal that I can walk as long as I don't touch things and I have to hold her hand when she says to. (Like if there are a lot of people or if we are in the parking lots where the cars are driving.) I got to help Mommy pick out presents for Daddy and me. One time Daddy even came shopping with us and I got to run around the store hiding from him while Mommy shopped. That was really fun and he even bought me a bouncy ball. Most of all I like the red cans and the ringing bell outside the store especially when I drop money in the can and the man with the bell lets me ring it too.
The Family~Nana and Papa flew on an airplane to come see me and we had so much fun. I really liked it when Papa played with me. We played with my music toys, and with my kitchen toys, but my favorite is playing with my new Kitty that Papa gave me. I liked it when Papa and Daddy hold my hands to walk so I can swing between them. I also liked Nana because she sat next to me in the car and played with me. Nana is really good at talking to me and reading me stories. Pretty soon Granny and Poppy are going to come to our house too. It is so fun to have Nana and Papa and Granny and Poppy to play with.
For Zoe Christmas is a magical time. She doesn't care if Christmas has been commercialized or if Santa is coming to her house. She doesn't care if the traffic is bad and stores are busy or if someone says Happy Holiday instead of Merry Christmas. I am so blessed to be able to spend this Christmas looking through the eyes of my daughter and to see what a magical time it is. My heart is full and Christmas day isn't even here yet.
Friday, December 6, 2013
Does God Heal?
Does God Heal?
Absolutely!
Today it is easy for me to say this because of recent events in the life of my 2yr old. I have to ask myself if I would be just as confident had things not turned out the way they did. It is hard to believe when you are not seeing evidence so I want to share our story to encourage someone else that is having a difficult time believing today.
About a month ago at Zoe's 2 yr well baby check her pediatrician found a heart murmur. Zoe has been an active normal child so I had no warning or time to prepare myself for this news. Zoe's pediatrician did a great job of taking time to examine Zoe and also talking to me about what she was hearing. Zoe's heart murmur was not the kind that is the most common in children. It had more to do with the way in which the blood was leaving the heart than just the innocent murmurs that are the norm. She referred us to a pediatric cardiologist.
After coming home from Zoe's appointment I was shook up. I don't like hearing that there is anything wrong with my child and especially not something I couldn't prevent or control. I began to pray. Jake and I shared our concerns about Zoe's heart with some friends and they began to pray. I have heard first hand stories from others how God had healed before and I wanted this for my daughter. So I asked for it. I asked God to heal Zoe's heart.
After an EKG and a round of x-rays Zoe's cardiologist gave us great news today. Zoe's heart is healthy and strong. There is still a very slight murmur but it does not pose any future risk for her. The cardiologist is confident Zoe will outgrow the murmur altogether.
God has healed my baby girl's heart. She is a special gift to us and I know God has big plans for her life. I look forward to when she's older and I can share this story with her. I hope it will encourage her and help her to always have faith that God can and will heal and answer prayers.
Absolutely!
Today it is easy for me to say this because of recent events in the life of my 2yr old. I have to ask myself if I would be just as confident had things not turned out the way they did. It is hard to believe when you are not seeing evidence so I want to share our story to encourage someone else that is having a difficult time believing today.
About a month ago at Zoe's 2 yr well baby check her pediatrician found a heart murmur. Zoe has been an active normal child so I had no warning or time to prepare myself for this news. Zoe's pediatrician did a great job of taking time to examine Zoe and also talking to me about what she was hearing. Zoe's heart murmur was not the kind that is the most common in children. It had more to do with the way in which the blood was leaving the heart than just the innocent murmurs that are the norm. She referred us to a pediatric cardiologist.
After coming home from Zoe's appointment I was shook up. I don't like hearing that there is anything wrong with my child and especially not something I couldn't prevent or control. I began to pray. Jake and I shared our concerns about Zoe's heart with some friends and they began to pray. I have heard first hand stories from others how God had healed before and I wanted this for my daughter. So I asked for it. I asked God to heal Zoe's heart.
After an EKG and a round of x-rays Zoe's cardiologist gave us great news today. Zoe's heart is healthy and strong. There is still a very slight murmur but it does not pose any future risk for her. The cardiologist is confident Zoe will outgrow the murmur altogether.
God has healed my baby girl's heart. She is a special gift to us and I know God has big plans for her life. I look forward to when she's older and I can share this story with her. I hope it will encourage her and help her to always have faith that God can and will heal and answer prayers.
Monday, November 25, 2013
If You Want More...
If you want more than you've had before, you have to do more than you've done before.
This is an old saying I've heard many times. Jake brought it up this evening while we were spending some time together and it got me to thinking. I like this saying for many reasons. It encourages me to push beyond myself, to set higher goals, to identify areas where I want to improve, and to change behaviors that have become routine.
I hope my thoughts will encourage you.
If you want more from your marriage~ As a young couple Jake and I acknowledge that having an awesome marriage takes hard work. Often times husbands and wives slip into a routine with each other and let the little things they used to do for one another fall away. This doesn't work. Marriage isn't about you and what you can get out of it. It's about the other person and putting them first. You can't keep on doing what you've been doing and expect better results. It's time to up your game.
If you want more from your job~ A big part of this one may be the attitude with which you're doing it. If you go to work with the attitude that it's what's required of you then don't be surprised when you get the same results day after day. Your job is the opportunity you have every day to provide for yourself and your family. Acknowledge that is it an opportunity and opportunities can be lost just as easily as they're gained. You can't do the same thing again and again and expect different results. Something has to change.
If you want more from your friendships~ Maintaining friendships is not always easy. People have emotions and with that they have needs. If you are finding that you're wanting more out of the friendships in your life, try putting more into them. People want to feel needed and appreciated. If you spend more time valuing your friends and letting them know the ways they enrich your life they will in turn grow to share a deeper more meaningful friendship with you.
If you want more from your parenting~ This is an obvious one but also a tough one. The parent that has to tell their child 8 times to do something before it gets done is probably ready to admit they want more from their efforts at parenting. The problem is the parent has not consistently followed through so the child knows that they don't have to obey what the parent is saying right away because their parent is going to tell them several more times before any consequence comes. If you want to be a more effective parent take time learning from other parents how they do it. Read up on techniques that you want to use with your children and ask questions when you are not seeing the results you desire. Put more effort into your kids and you will be rewarded greatly with the love that they show you in return.
If you want more from your relationship with God~ My thoughts are far and wide on this one but my passion for it is true. If you want more than you've had before, you have to do more than you've done before. If you can think of a time that you were in a more personal, closer, stronger place with God than you are right now it's time to step up. You cannot continue on where you are even if it's a good place, and expect greater rewards. I can not say it enough, if you want more than you've had before you must do more than you've done before. I know God has a bigger plan for my life than I have for myself. I desire all that God has for me so each day I need to find ways to do more than I have done the day before.
As we approach this holiday season let me challenge you. If you want this Thanksgiving and Christmas to be special and more meaningful than any you have had before, now is the time to push beyond yourself, set higher goals, identify areas where you want to improve, and change behaviors that have become routine. If you want more than you have had before, you must do more than you have done before!
This is an old saying I've heard many times. Jake brought it up this evening while we were spending some time together and it got me to thinking. I like this saying for many reasons. It encourages me to push beyond myself, to set higher goals, to identify areas where I want to improve, and to change behaviors that have become routine.
I hope my thoughts will encourage you.
If you want more from your marriage~ As a young couple Jake and I acknowledge that having an awesome marriage takes hard work. Often times husbands and wives slip into a routine with each other and let the little things they used to do for one another fall away. This doesn't work. Marriage isn't about you and what you can get out of it. It's about the other person and putting them first. You can't keep on doing what you've been doing and expect better results. It's time to up your game.
If you want more from your job~ A big part of this one may be the attitude with which you're doing it. If you go to work with the attitude that it's what's required of you then don't be surprised when you get the same results day after day. Your job is the opportunity you have every day to provide for yourself and your family. Acknowledge that is it an opportunity and opportunities can be lost just as easily as they're gained. You can't do the same thing again and again and expect different results. Something has to change.
If you want more from your friendships~ Maintaining friendships is not always easy. People have emotions and with that they have needs. If you are finding that you're wanting more out of the friendships in your life, try putting more into them. People want to feel needed and appreciated. If you spend more time valuing your friends and letting them know the ways they enrich your life they will in turn grow to share a deeper more meaningful friendship with you.
If you want more from your parenting~ This is an obvious one but also a tough one. The parent that has to tell their child 8 times to do something before it gets done is probably ready to admit they want more from their efforts at parenting. The problem is the parent has not consistently followed through so the child knows that they don't have to obey what the parent is saying right away because their parent is going to tell them several more times before any consequence comes. If you want to be a more effective parent take time learning from other parents how they do it. Read up on techniques that you want to use with your children and ask questions when you are not seeing the results you desire. Put more effort into your kids and you will be rewarded greatly with the love that they show you in return.
If you want more from your relationship with God~ My thoughts are far and wide on this one but my passion for it is true. If you want more than you've had before, you have to do more than you've done before. If you can think of a time that you were in a more personal, closer, stronger place with God than you are right now it's time to step up. You cannot continue on where you are even if it's a good place, and expect greater rewards. I can not say it enough, if you want more than you've had before you must do more than you've done before. I know God has a bigger plan for my life than I have for myself. I desire all that God has for me so each day I need to find ways to do more than I have done the day before.
As we approach this holiday season let me challenge you. If you want this Thanksgiving and Christmas to be special and more meaningful than any you have had before, now is the time to push beyond yourself, set higher goals, identify areas where you want to improve, and change behaviors that have become routine. If you want more than you have had before, you must do more than you have done before!
Friday, November 15, 2013
Toddler Busy Bags
I have been making these for my daughter for quite a while so here's the scoop on some of my favorites.
1. Brightly colored pieces of felt cut in various shapes
I always cut a pair so that she can match them, but there are lots of things she can do with these.
2. Plastic beads and pipe cleaners
The pipe cleaner is much easier for my little one to string the beads on than a shoelace so she doesn't get frustrated but still works those fine motor skills.
3. Nuts and bolts
Yep, that's it just some nuts and bolts. Zoe will turn and twist four or five nuts onto one bolt. I love the concentration she will put into this.
4. Craft pom poms and big tweezers
The open and close motion she has to do with the tweezers is great.
5. Texture balloons
One is filled with flour, one with sugar, and one with couscous. Zoe likes to squeeze, stretch, and poke the balloons as she explores the different textures within.
6. Bugs
7. Buttons
Another favorite, we started with just one color but have since added a second. These are great for sorting. She will pick out the biggest ones, smallest ones, and smooth ones. Some days she stacks them in piles other days she lines them up on the floor.
8. Chain links
Yes, Zoe's are shaped like flowers and hearts but the concept is still there. Link them together and make a chain.
9. Rose Petals and Ribbon
This is the same concept as stringing beads but with petals and ribbon to mix things up just a bit.
10. Animal Cards
This is just a pack of flash cards I picked up at the dollar store but Z likes having it in one of her bags so she can play with it all by herself.
1. Brightly colored pieces of felt cut in various shapes
I always cut a pair so that she can match them, but there are lots of things she can do with these.
2. Plastic beads and pipe cleaners
The pipe cleaner is much easier for my little one to string the beads on than a shoelace so she doesn't get frustrated but still works those fine motor skills.
3. Nuts and bolts
Yep, that's it just some nuts and bolts. Zoe will turn and twist four or five nuts onto one bolt. I love the concentration she will put into this.
4. Craft pom poms and big tweezers
The open and close motion she has to do with the tweezers is great.
5. Texture balloons
One is filled with flour, one with sugar, and one with couscous. Zoe likes to squeeze, stretch, and poke the balloons as she explores the different textures within.
6. Bugs
This has been Zoe's all time favorite. She will line her bugs up, play hide-n-go-seek with her bugs, tell me the color of her bugs, practice bug sounds, sort her bugs by species, and put her bugs down for a nap. She loves to play with these guys wherever we are.
7. Buttons
Another favorite, we started with just one color but have since added a second. These are great for sorting. She will pick out the biggest ones, smallest ones, and smooth ones. Some days she stacks them in piles other days she lines them up on the floor.
8. Chain links
Yes, Zoe's are shaped like flowers and hearts but the concept is still there. Link them together and make a chain.
9. Rose Petals and Ribbon
This is the same concept as stringing beads but with petals and ribbon to mix things up just a bit.
10. Animal Cards
This is just a pack of flash cards I picked up at the dollar store but Z likes having it in one of her bags so she can play with it all by herself.
There you have it. Hope this helps and you come up with some great busy bags of your own. Really, anything that your child can sit quietly and do by themselves is a win in my book. It is great for giving me a few minutes to make lunch, sweep the floor, or get dinner started. There are many times I sit down and do these with Zoe but having things she can do on her own is what our busy bags are all about.
Thursday, November 7, 2013
If a 3 year old can do it, so can I
Let me tell you the story that made my daughters day and in turn melted my heart.
After nap today we loaded up in the stroller and walked the four blocks over to the park. This is a pretty normal occurrence for us and like many other days we were meeting some friends there. The kids rode bicycles, played on the slides, chased each other around, swang on the swings, and picked up little bugs. They spent a couple hours enjoying the fall air and just being kids. As we were loading up, Zoe's friend Levi remembered he had something special he wanted to do.
Levi knows that Zoe loves to play with balls. Earlier in the day he had picked out one of his own bouncy balls just for her. He told his mom that he wanted to bring it with him to the park so he could give it to Zoe. So as we were getting bikes and strollers situated, Levi dug out his bouncy ball and presented it to my baby girl. Zoe was all smiles. A pink and blue bouncy ball in her world is just about the greatest thing ever. For the rest of the afternoon and evening Zoe played with and chatted about Levi and the bouncy ball he gave her.
Levi is 3 years old. He didn't have to work at it, he simply put the desires of another before his own. Of course he loves bouncy balls as much as any other 3 year old does, but he wanted to do something special. He put his friend first. He didn't give hoping to get something in return, and he certainly didn't care if anyone was watching or what they thought.
Today Levi is my hero. He demonstrated generosity, caring, thoughtfulness, and love. These are all qualities I want people to look at me and see in my life. How great would every day be if we would all practice such simple acts of kindness? If a 3 year old can do it, so can I.
After nap today we loaded up in the stroller and walked the four blocks over to the park. This is a pretty normal occurrence for us and like many other days we were meeting some friends there. The kids rode bicycles, played on the slides, chased each other around, swang on the swings, and picked up little bugs. They spent a couple hours enjoying the fall air and just being kids. As we were loading up, Zoe's friend Levi remembered he had something special he wanted to do.
Levi knows that Zoe loves to play with balls. Earlier in the day he had picked out one of his own bouncy balls just for her. He told his mom that he wanted to bring it with him to the park so he could give it to Zoe. So as we were getting bikes and strollers situated, Levi dug out his bouncy ball and presented it to my baby girl. Zoe was all smiles. A pink and blue bouncy ball in her world is just about the greatest thing ever. For the rest of the afternoon and evening Zoe played with and chatted about Levi and the bouncy ball he gave her.
Levi is 3 years old. He didn't have to work at it, he simply put the desires of another before his own. Of course he loves bouncy balls as much as any other 3 year old does, but he wanted to do something special. He put his friend first. He didn't give hoping to get something in return, and he certainly didn't care if anyone was watching or what they thought.
Today Levi is my hero. He demonstrated generosity, caring, thoughtfulness, and love. These are all qualities I want people to look at me and see in my life. How great would every day be if we would all practice such simple acts of kindness? If a 3 year old can do it, so can I.
Monday, October 28, 2013
Thankfulness-Even though I Don't Want to
My, how quickly fall has arrived. Here in southern California it can at times be easy to forget that fall is in deed here. The days are still sunny and warm and the leaves are still green. I did however, get the chance to drive up in the mountains this week and we saw first hand that fall is in full swing. Pumpkins are ready for carving, apple cider is being made, and leaves are vibrant shades of red, yellow, and orange.
It is with this holiday season approaching that I am currently stuck on this thought of giving thanks. I'll be honest with you and tell you that I don't really place much value in all the "I'm thankful for..." stuff you see this time of year. I figure if people really want to develop an attitude of thankfulness it is something they should work on all year round not just when Thanksgiving is around the corner.
However, I have found myself in recent days very critical of others when they are complaining. I typically ignore people who are frequent complainers, but I have brushed off people this week and even this evening who have simply hinted at little complaints. My mind has little red flags that jump up when I am being less compassionate towards others than I should be and it tells me I need to change my behavior. In my head, the opposite of complaining is being thankful.
So, even though this is definitely not my favorite time of year to work on developing an attitude of thankfulness this is where I am headed. I don't like it when people are critical of me so I am making a conscious choice to work on developing an attitude of thankfulness.
Way back in June a friend and I had a good conversation about choosing to be thankful every day. She suggested each day you have to pick out something different to be thankful for and write it down. It keeps you motivated to find new ways to be thankful but also lets you read back through everything you have already given thanks for. I didn't start this back then but I'm going to give it a shot now.
I can't stop the people in my life from complaining but I can change the way I respond.
It is with this holiday season approaching that I am currently stuck on this thought of giving thanks. I'll be honest with you and tell you that I don't really place much value in all the "I'm thankful for..." stuff you see this time of year. I figure if people really want to develop an attitude of thankfulness it is something they should work on all year round not just when Thanksgiving is around the corner.
However, I have found myself in recent days very critical of others when they are complaining. I typically ignore people who are frequent complainers, but I have brushed off people this week and even this evening who have simply hinted at little complaints. My mind has little red flags that jump up when I am being less compassionate towards others than I should be and it tells me I need to change my behavior. In my head, the opposite of complaining is being thankful.
So, even though this is definitely not my favorite time of year to work on developing an attitude of thankfulness this is where I am headed. I don't like it when people are critical of me so I am making a conscious choice to work on developing an attitude of thankfulness.
Way back in June a friend and I had a good conversation about choosing to be thankful every day. She suggested each day you have to pick out something different to be thankful for and write it down. It keeps you motivated to find new ways to be thankful but also lets you read back through everything you have already given thanks for. I didn't start this back then but I'm going to give it a shot now.
I can't stop the people in my life from complaining but I can change the way I respond.
Wednesday, October 16, 2013
Leftovers
I ran out of clean tupperware containers today because they were all in the fridge filled with leftovers in varying stages of decomposition. It was well past time to clean out the fridge and toss the old food. Some dishes were almost empty, some were not touched since the day they were put in the fridge, and some were well...growing. This task did however get me to thinking about leftovers.
I heard a Pastor speak once about how God doesn't want our leftovers. As I cleaned out the fridge and loaded the dishwasher I kept thinking about this concept of giving God the leftovers. I can't remember the entire thought the Pastor was getting at, but it went something along the line of giving to God the first of our time, energy, money, and so on. I'm sure it is a valid principle but it wasn't the direction that my thoughts were headed.
God was clearly saying to me He does want my leftovers.
#1. My leftover time. This is huge. How often do we finish a task only to sit on the couch and veg out for the next 15 minutes until the next task comes along. Give God that leftover time. Text a friend that needs encouragement, pray for your husband, listen to some praise and worship music on you tube, write a note to your Pastor, read a devotional on-line, or sit still and ask God to speak.
#2. My leftover money. Little bits can make a big difference. The change in the bottom of my purse can go in the jar for missions, a 5 dollar bill can buy lunch for a homeless guy, a small donation can help send a teen to a youth retreat, shampoo, conditioner, and body wash can be dropped off at a local women's shelter, and a generous tip can make the difference in your server's day.
#3. My leftover energy. What? Leftover energy? Well, lets be honest. Some days are slower than others and at the end of the day you know a little physical exertion would help you sleep. Wash the windows of the church, pick up trash in the parking lot, mow the yard for the single mom down the street, offer to babysit for the young family you see every week at church, volunteer to chaperon the next youth group activity, or man the grill at the next church BBQ.
#4. When leftovers is all I have. God still cares. He knows you're tired, broke, and exhausted. Some days all we can do is take care of ourselves we don't have anything left to give to others. Kids get sick, cars break down, company comes to visit, water heaters die, emotions overwhelm, accidents happen, and emergencies pop up. Life happens but it's in these moments you can crawl in bed, bury your head under the covers, and cry or you can dig through the fridge and pull out those leftovers. Draw strength, boldness, courage, and wisdom from the things you have in your life and step forward.
How will you use your leftovers today? I'm going to give mine to God.
I heard a Pastor speak once about how God doesn't want our leftovers. As I cleaned out the fridge and loaded the dishwasher I kept thinking about this concept of giving God the leftovers. I can't remember the entire thought the Pastor was getting at, but it went something along the line of giving to God the first of our time, energy, money, and so on. I'm sure it is a valid principle but it wasn't the direction that my thoughts were headed.
God was clearly saying to me He does want my leftovers.
#1. My leftover time. This is huge. How often do we finish a task only to sit on the couch and veg out for the next 15 minutes until the next task comes along. Give God that leftover time. Text a friend that needs encouragement, pray for your husband, listen to some praise and worship music on you tube, write a note to your Pastor, read a devotional on-line, or sit still and ask God to speak.
#2. My leftover money. Little bits can make a big difference. The change in the bottom of my purse can go in the jar for missions, a 5 dollar bill can buy lunch for a homeless guy, a small donation can help send a teen to a youth retreat, shampoo, conditioner, and body wash can be dropped off at a local women's shelter, and a generous tip can make the difference in your server's day.
#3. My leftover energy. What? Leftover energy? Well, lets be honest. Some days are slower than others and at the end of the day you know a little physical exertion would help you sleep. Wash the windows of the church, pick up trash in the parking lot, mow the yard for the single mom down the street, offer to babysit for the young family you see every week at church, volunteer to chaperon the next youth group activity, or man the grill at the next church BBQ.
#4. When leftovers is all I have. God still cares. He knows you're tired, broke, and exhausted. Some days all we can do is take care of ourselves we don't have anything left to give to others. Kids get sick, cars break down, company comes to visit, water heaters die, emotions overwhelm, accidents happen, and emergencies pop up. Life happens but it's in these moments you can crawl in bed, bury your head under the covers, and cry or you can dig through the fridge and pull out those leftovers. Draw strength, boldness, courage, and wisdom from the things you have in your life and step forward.
How will you use your leftovers today? I'm going to give mine to God.
Sunday, October 6, 2013
What Really Matters
This afternoon I have reached a point of contemplating what really matters. I have been pushed down this line of thinking by two seemingly unrelated situations yet maybe my answer to the first dilemma is actually my answer to the second.
Okay so here's the deal.
Situation #1 The hill/mountain directly behind my house was on fire this morning. As it turns out only about 15 acres were burned and the fire was contained before it became a dangerous threat. Never the less, it did raise the question for Jake and I of what we value in our home and whether we needed to get anything out of the house before getting ourselves to safety.
Situation #2 For our life group that we are in at church we have homework this week. We are supposed to write down what our core values are for our family.
Now you see why I sit here contemplating what really matters. On one side I am looking at my physical possessions and asking myself what of it has the most value to me. On the flip side, our core values are not caught up in what we own. They are the reality of how we live our lives each day. So what does really matter?
I loved that when I asked Jake what I needed to get out of the house his answer was myself and Zoe. He made no secret of the fact that the things in the house are just things to him. He looked at me and said that Zoe and I are all that matter. Things can be replaced, we cannot. Having this mindset is a good reminder that for our family one of our core values will forever be this. It is the people in our lives that matter, not the things.
It's always a challenge when you have to look at your own life and evaluate what it is that you place the most value in. Today is a very good reminder for me to hold my physical possessions very loosely but to pour my heart into the people in my life.
Okay so here's the deal.
Situation #1 The hill/mountain directly behind my house was on fire this morning. As it turns out only about 15 acres were burned and the fire was contained before it became a dangerous threat. Never the less, it did raise the question for Jake and I of what we value in our home and whether we needed to get anything out of the house before getting ourselves to safety.
Situation #2 For our life group that we are in at church we have homework this week. We are supposed to write down what our core values are for our family.
Now you see why I sit here contemplating what really matters. On one side I am looking at my physical possessions and asking myself what of it has the most value to me. On the flip side, our core values are not caught up in what we own. They are the reality of how we live our lives each day. So what does really matter?
I loved that when I asked Jake what I needed to get out of the house his answer was myself and Zoe. He made no secret of the fact that the things in the house are just things to him. He looked at me and said that Zoe and I are all that matter. Things can be replaced, we cannot. Having this mindset is a good reminder that for our family one of our core values will forever be this. It is the people in our lives that matter, not the things.
It's always a challenge when you have to look at your own life and evaluate what it is that you place the most value in. Today is a very good reminder for me to hold my physical possessions very loosely but to pour my heart into the people in my life.
Friday, September 27, 2013
Mommy
Mommy. That one little word has so much emotion attached to it. It meant the world to me when that dollar store pregnancy test read positive. It made me cry when I first heard Zoe cry. Mommy is the way I refer to myself a hundred times a day while I interact with my daughter. I am passionate about being a mom and being the best mom I can be for my Zoe bug.
In the last few days Zoe has switched from calling me "Mama" to calling me "Mommy." It is a small change I know but it is just one more example of how fast our kids grow up. I have often been asked if I feel like the time is going too fast. And each time I give my answer I get different responses. Well, that's fine. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion. But I will share my answer to that question with you this evening.
Do I feel like the time is going too fast? No. No, I don't. I know, I know I just commented about how Zoe changing from calling me mama to mommy is yet another sign of how fast time goes by. Well, that's just it. The time does go by fast. That is why I have chosen to be present in her life. That is why I read to her everyday. That is why I play tea party and build towers with her, I tell her stories I make up as they go along, and I talk with her while we wander the isles in the grocery store. That is why we sing songs in the car and we do the hand motions for every nursery rhyme I know. That is why I push her on the swings, I climb up the slide at the playground with her, and I play hide-n-go seek all over the house. I know the time is going fast and I want to make the most of all the time I have. I don't want to look back in six months or six years and ask myself where I was while Zoe was growing up. I want to look back and see that I was right there with her.
I don't feel like the time is going too fast because I am living out each day with my daughter. Not all days are fun and games. We still have sick days and bad weather days and stay in our pj's days and don't leave the house days but those days are important too because they are a part of who we are.
We all have the same amount of time each day and each of our days go just as fast so please chose to be present in your children's lives. When our little ones are grown we won't remember what happened in which season of our favorite TV show, how many text messages we got covering the latest neighborhood gossip, what the latest buzz was blowing up facebook, or which DIY craft project was all over pinterest. We will remember the time we spend with our children.
Zoe is worth my time. I am blessed to be her Mommy.
In the last few days Zoe has switched from calling me "Mama" to calling me "Mommy." It is a small change I know but it is just one more example of how fast our kids grow up. I have often been asked if I feel like the time is going too fast. And each time I give my answer I get different responses. Well, that's fine. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion. But I will share my answer to that question with you this evening.
Do I feel like the time is going too fast? No. No, I don't. I know, I know I just commented about how Zoe changing from calling me mama to mommy is yet another sign of how fast time goes by. Well, that's just it. The time does go by fast. That is why I have chosen to be present in her life. That is why I read to her everyday. That is why I play tea party and build towers with her, I tell her stories I make up as they go along, and I talk with her while we wander the isles in the grocery store. That is why we sing songs in the car and we do the hand motions for every nursery rhyme I know. That is why I push her on the swings, I climb up the slide at the playground with her, and I play hide-n-go seek all over the house. I know the time is going fast and I want to make the most of all the time I have. I don't want to look back in six months or six years and ask myself where I was while Zoe was growing up. I want to look back and see that I was right there with her.
I don't feel like the time is going too fast because I am living out each day with my daughter. Not all days are fun and games. We still have sick days and bad weather days and stay in our pj's days and don't leave the house days but those days are important too because they are a part of who we are.
We all have the same amount of time each day and each of our days go just as fast so please chose to be present in your children's lives. When our little ones are grown we won't remember what happened in which season of our favorite TV show, how many text messages we got covering the latest neighborhood gossip, what the latest buzz was blowing up facebook, or which DIY craft project was all over pinterest. We will remember the time we spend with our children.
Zoe is worth my time. I am blessed to be her Mommy.
Monday, September 23, 2013
A Weekend Away
Friday afternoon I got in my car and drove up into the mountains to spend the weekend at a ladies retreat.
One would think that after such a weekend I would be bursting forth with inspiration and motivation. I should have something profound and life changing to write about. The truth is I don't.
You may be thinking to yourself that we must not have had a very good speaker but I promise you that is not the case. Our keynote speaker for the weekend was wonderful. She did something that not many people are willing to do. She talked to us about life. About her life. She is a beautiful example to me that how you see someone today doesn't show you anything about their yesterday. I loved her words and her honesty.
The problem is this. I sat up there and met new people and made new friends. We talked, we laughed and we even did some crying. I kept having the same thoughts come back to me. Why was I so willing to invest in these strangers but I ignore the strangers in my everyday life. The mom at the playground that I force myself to make small talk with, the lady sitting by herself at the ice cream shop, the older gentleman out for a walk with his dog that Zoe just has to pet, and even the couple that sit just down the row from me almost every Sunday at church.
It's time for me to get outside my comfort zone and make an honest effort to reach out to others. So, wish me luck. I have a fresh batch of cookies Zoe and I are going to take over to the neighbors house this afternoon. Yikes!
One would think that after such a weekend I would be bursting forth with inspiration and motivation. I should have something profound and life changing to write about. The truth is I don't.
You may be thinking to yourself that we must not have had a very good speaker but I promise you that is not the case. Our keynote speaker for the weekend was wonderful. She did something that not many people are willing to do. She talked to us about life. About her life. She is a beautiful example to me that how you see someone today doesn't show you anything about their yesterday. I loved her words and her honesty.
The problem is this. I sat up there and met new people and made new friends. We talked, we laughed and we even did some crying. I kept having the same thoughts come back to me. Why was I so willing to invest in these strangers but I ignore the strangers in my everyday life. The mom at the playground that I force myself to make small talk with, the lady sitting by herself at the ice cream shop, the older gentleman out for a walk with his dog that Zoe just has to pet, and even the couple that sit just down the row from me almost every Sunday at church.
It's time for me to get outside my comfort zone and make an honest effort to reach out to others. So, wish me luck. I have a fresh batch of cookies Zoe and I are going to take over to the neighbors house this afternoon. Yikes!
Tuesday, September 17, 2013
Toddler Temper Tantrums
I have been told that temper tantrums are a normal part of having a toddler. I choose to not except that. Temper tantrums may be something every child goes through but Zoe and I are learning together how to conquer this monster. There have been days that the tantrums have gotten the best of one or both of us but we are not giving up. We don't want temper tantrums to have a place in our home.
There are no magic answers but here are a few thoughts on toddler temper tantrums.
1. A temper tantrum is a toddler's way of expressing the frustration of that moment.
It may be frustration at not getting their way, at not getting the toy they want, of not having control of the situation they are in. It could be their frustration at not having the ability to communicate what they want, what they are feeling, or what they need. It's hard to be little.
2. Temper tantrums are not 100% avoidable but there are ways to prevent them.
*When your toddler is hungry, thirsty, or tired they have a lower threshold for what they can handle and temper tantrums are much more likely to occur.
*Plan ahead! If you are going shopping go when they are fresh. If you are going to be waiting in line take a snack or toy with you. Don't linger next to something that you have already told them no about.
*Let your toddler feel some control by making appropriate choices. When it's time to get dressed let her choose the pink dress or the yellow one. At lunch time, grilled cheese or crackers with peanut butter. Then praise her for the choice she made.
*Talk to your toddler. Although they may not understand everything you are saying they might surprise you by what they do pick up. Tell them what needs to be accomplished before you can leave for the playground. For example, we are going to go potty, get dressed, brush hair, and pack a snack.
Also give them a warning when you are going to be transitioning to a new activity, ex. you have 5 more minutes to color then it's time for lunch.
3. Decide ahead of time how you are going to handle the tantrum.
Many people will tell you the best method for dealing with a tantrum is to ignore it. Well, this doesn't work for me. Ignoring the poor behavior doesn't help Zoe to feel validated and it doesn't help me to feel like the best mom I can be for my daughter. Here are some of the ways we handle different tantrums.
*Encourage your toddler to use their words. Although your toddler may not voice a complete thought chances are good she can get her point across. For Zoe, "no no door" is likely to mean that she didn't want Mommy to close the door she wanted to do it herself. Once she has had her say then I am able to reply, "I know you wanted to close the door but Mommy did it this time. Thank you for telling Mommy. I am very proud of you when you use your words." When she is able to have her frustration repeated back to her it validates what she is feeling and lets her know that though I may not agree with her I am aware of her desires.
*Create a diversion. This is not my favorite way of dealing with tantrums but it can be very effective. For example, while grocery shopping Zoe spies the gummy snacks that although she has never had before she just has to have now and a full blown meltdown is about to take place laying in the middle of the isle. I may ask her "What sound does a kitty cat make?" Since kitties are currently her favorite thing in the world (Thanks Auntie Anne) I am likely to hear "meow" for the next two isles but by then I'll have her busy helping me find some crackers or whatever else is on the list. This is also the same situation in which after Zoe has spied the gummy snacks and is about to become a hot mess I will reach in her bag and pull out a toy or other previously stocked snack to distract her with. These are the times a toddler's short attention span comes in handy.
*Physical contact-my hand on your hand. This is used when the tantrum is about doing something that the toddler doesn't want to do. If you tell your toddler to put on her coat only to be met with a tantrum, ignoring your child will give her exactly what she wants. Not to put on the coat. Time-out in this situation would do the same thing, it would prolong the little one putting on the coat. Try this instead, tell you toddler I'm going to put my hands on your hands and we're going to do this together. Then you can gently force the coat on. Picking up toys might go much the same way. When the child begins to throw a fit at having to pick up you can tell your toddler I'm going to place my hands on your hands and we're going to do this together. By the time the toys are picked up the tantrum is often forgotten.
*Hugs. Giving the temper tantrum toddler a hug is both one of my favorite and one of my least favorite things to do. You may think this is the last thing you want. Your screaming child right next to your ear but it can be very effective. I'm talking about a big firm hug, not a super cuddly one. Hugs can make children feel secure and sometimes they just need a safe place where they can get their emotions out. Holding a fighting toddler is not easy, but once Zoe has cried for a minute she is ready to snuggle, talk, laugh and move on.
4. A few key things to remember.
*Speak calmly
*Keep your own temper in check. You're not going to get anywhere with your toddler if both of you are screaming at each other. Take a deep breath, gain control over your emotions, and then talk to your toddler. Firmly let her know that tantrums are not acceptable behavior.
*If you give in to the tantrum by giving your toddler what they want or letting them get out of doing what they don't want to do the tantrums are going to continue.
*Remember, your ability to stay calm and in control will help your toddler feel secure.
*If you lose your cool or give in to your little one's demands, you'll only teach your toddler that tantrums are effective.
*It's okay to ask for help. Talk to your friends, your parents, and your pediatrician. They might have a suggestion that can really make a difference.
In closing, do Jake and I think that our house will be temper tantrum free? Not likely. We do however know that as we learn to work through these temper tantrums we are showing Zoe that she is important to us. She is a very special part of our family and our home is a place she can feel safe. A place she can express the things she is feeling, but most of all a place that she is loved.
There are no magic answers but here are a few thoughts on toddler temper tantrums.
1. A temper tantrum is a toddler's way of expressing the frustration of that moment.
It may be frustration at not getting their way, at not getting the toy they want, of not having control of the situation they are in. It could be their frustration at not having the ability to communicate what they want, what they are feeling, or what they need. It's hard to be little.
2. Temper tantrums are not 100% avoidable but there are ways to prevent them.
*When your toddler is hungry, thirsty, or tired they have a lower threshold for what they can handle and temper tantrums are much more likely to occur.
*Plan ahead! If you are going shopping go when they are fresh. If you are going to be waiting in line take a snack or toy with you. Don't linger next to something that you have already told them no about.
*Let your toddler feel some control by making appropriate choices. When it's time to get dressed let her choose the pink dress or the yellow one. At lunch time, grilled cheese or crackers with peanut butter. Then praise her for the choice she made.
*Talk to your toddler. Although they may not understand everything you are saying they might surprise you by what they do pick up. Tell them what needs to be accomplished before you can leave for the playground. For example, we are going to go potty, get dressed, brush hair, and pack a snack.
Also give them a warning when you are going to be transitioning to a new activity, ex. you have 5 more minutes to color then it's time for lunch.
3. Decide ahead of time how you are going to handle the tantrum.
Many people will tell you the best method for dealing with a tantrum is to ignore it. Well, this doesn't work for me. Ignoring the poor behavior doesn't help Zoe to feel validated and it doesn't help me to feel like the best mom I can be for my daughter. Here are some of the ways we handle different tantrums.
*Encourage your toddler to use their words. Although your toddler may not voice a complete thought chances are good she can get her point across. For Zoe, "no no door" is likely to mean that she didn't want Mommy to close the door she wanted to do it herself. Once she has had her say then I am able to reply, "I know you wanted to close the door but Mommy did it this time. Thank you for telling Mommy. I am very proud of you when you use your words." When she is able to have her frustration repeated back to her it validates what she is feeling and lets her know that though I may not agree with her I am aware of her desires.
*Create a diversion. This is not my favorite way of dealing with tantrums but it can be very effective. For example, while grocery shopping Zoe spies the gummy snacks that although she has never had before she just has to have now and a full blown meltdown is about to take place laying in the middle of the isle. I may ask her "What sound does a kitty cat make?" Since kitties are currently her favorite thing in the world (Thanks Auntie Anne) I am likely to hear "meow" for the next two isles but by then I'll have her busy helping me find some crackers or whatever else is on the list. This is also the same situation in which after Zoe has spied the gummy snacks and is about to become a hot mess I will reach in her bag and pull out a toy or other previously stocked snack to distract her with. These are the times a toddler's short attention span comes in handy.
*Physical contact-my hand on your hand. This is used when the tantrum is about doing something that the toddler doesn't want to do. If you tell your toddler to put on her coat only to be met with a tantrum, ignoring your child will give her exactly what she wants. Not to put on the coat. Time-out in this situation would do the same thing, it would prolong the little one putting on the coat. Try this instead, tell you toddler I'm going to put my hands on your hands and we're going to do this together. Then you can gently force the coat on. Picking up toys might go much the same way. When the child begins to throw a fit at having to pick up you can tell your toddler I'm going to place my hands on your hands and we're going to do this together. By the time the toys are picked up the tantrum is often forgotten.
*Hugs. Giving the temper tantrum toddler a hug is both one of my favorite and one of my least favorite things to do. You may think this is the last thing you want. Your screaming child right next to your ear but it can be very effective. I'm talking about a big firm hug, not a super cuddly one. Hugs can make children feel secure and sometimes they just need a safe place where they can get their emotions out. Holding a fighting toddler is not easy, but once Zoe has cried for a minute she is ready to snuggle, talk, laugh and move on.
4. A few key things to remember.
*Speak calmly
*Keep your own temper in check. You're not going to get anywhere with your toddler if both of you are screaming at each other. Take a deep breath, gain control over your emotions, and then talk to your toddler. Firmly let her know that tantrums are not acceptable behavior.
*If you give in to the tantrum by giving your toddler what they want or letting them get out of doing what they don't want to do the tantrums are going to continue.
*Remember, your ability to stay calm and in control will help your toddler feel secure.
*If you lose your cool or give in to your little one's demands, you'll only teach your toddler that tantrums are effective.
*It's okay to ask for help. Talk to your friends, your parents, and your pediatrician. They might have a suggestion that can really make a difference.
In closing, do Jake and I think that our house will be temper tantrum free? Not likely. We do however know that as we learn to work through these temper tantrums we are showing Zoe that she is important to us. She is a very special part of our family and our home is a place she can feel safe. A place she can express the things she is feeling, but most of all a place that she is loved.
Friday, September 13, 2013
Friends
There are so many different types of friends that it's hard to group them into this general thing we call friendship. I want to share with you my thoughts about some of the different friendships in my life and why I am thankful for them.
My Husband-This one is first because this is the friendship that is the most important. I am thankful that he is mine and he knows me like no other. He encourages me to grow and become a better version of myself. I am so thankful that he values me and our relationship above all others. He is my best friend and I wouldn't have it any other way.
My Best Girlfriends-These ladies are awesome. They are the people in my life that I spend time with on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis. I am thankful that we are able to bounce ideas off of each other and learn from one another's mistakes. I am thankful for the play dates with our kiddos, the bbq's with our whole families, and the ladies nights with just us. It's with these ladies that I am truly in my own skin. I don't worry about how clean my house is or if Z is having an off day. I am thankful that these ladies can make me laugh, or let me cry.
My Mentors-These are friendships that I value greatly. They are people that I can learn from. They are friends that will challenge me to get outside of myself and grow. I am thankful that they hold me accountable and push me to want more for myself. I am thankful that they make me evaluate what is important to me and what I am passionate about. They have taught me to dig deeper into my relationship with God, and to live a life that will leave a legacy.
My Fellow USMC Spouses-These ladies take the cake. I am thankful that it doesn't matter if we just met or have known each other for years. They get it. I am so thankful for the support that is offered with this unique group of friends. Long explanations are never required but these friends are always there. I am thankful for pizza night when our husbands are in the field and babysitting night when he's not.
My Acquaintances-It is this group of friends that reminds me how important it is to live a life I'm proud of. I'm thankful that they are my constant reminder to let Christ's love show through my actions. If they only see me for a few minutes I don't want them to see me loosing my temper, being disrespectful to others, or complaining about whatever situation I may be in. I am thankful that my acquaintances make me watch what I say and the attitude with which I say it.
So you see, these are just some of the different friendships in my life. Our friends are people just like us. They need to know that they are important and that we appreciate the role that they play in our lives.What friendships are you thankful for today? Have you told that person?
A friend's worth cannot be measured with dollar signs but with the words that are spoken of them.
My Husband-This one is first because this is the friendship that is the most important. I am thankful that he is mine and he knows me like no other. He encourages me to grow and become a better version of myself. I am so thankful that he values me and our relationship above all others. He is my best friend and I wouldn't have it any other way.
My Best Girlfriends-These ladies are awesome. They are the people in my life that I spend time with on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis. I am thankful that we are able to bounce ideas off of each other and learn from one another's mistakes. I am thankful for the play dates with our kiddos, the bbq's with our whole families, and the ladies nights with just us. It's with these ladies that I am truly in my own skin. I don't worry about how clean my house is or if Z is having an off day. I am thankful that these ladies can make me laugh, or let me cry.
My Mentors-These are friendships that I value greatly. They are people that I can learn from. They are friends that will challenge me to get outside of myself and grow. I am thankful that they hold me accountable and push me to want more for myself. I am thankful that they make me evaluate what is important to me and what I am passionate about. They have taught me to dig deeper into my relationship with God, and to live a life that will leave a legacy.
My Fellow USMC Spouses-These ladies take the cake. I am thankful that it doesn't matter if we just met or have known each other for years. They get it. I am so thankful for the support that is offered with this unique group of friends. Long explanations are never required but these friends are always there. I am thankful for pizza night when our husbands are in the field and babysitting night when he's not.
My Acquaintances-It is this group of friends that reminds me how important it is to live a life I'm proud of. I'm thankful that they are my constant reminder to let Christ's love show through my actions. If they only see me for a few minutes I don't want them to see me loosing my temper, being disrespectful to others, or complaining about whatever situation I may be in. I am thankful that my acquaintances make me watch what I say and the attitude with which I say it.
So you see, these are just some of the different friendships in my life. Our friends are people just like us. They need to know that they are important and that we appreciate the role that they play in our lives.What friendships are you thankful for today? Have you told that person?
A friend's worth cannot be measured with dollar signs but with the words that are spoken of them.
Tuesday, September 10, 2013
Crafty Time with Little Ones
With fall quickly approaching a girlfriend and I decided we wanted to do a fun craft project with our little ones. After just a few minutes on Pinterest my head was full of ideas. So many cute craft projects and they all make it look so fun and easy. The part that has me laughing out loud however is this. They either neglected to mention the mess that comes with the craft project or our kiddos are superstars at going above and beyond.
This is how our project went.
We gathered the supplies. Paint, paper, potatoes, tissue paper, glue sticks, wet wipes, and 3 of the cutest kids around.
First order of business is cutting the potato into the shape of a leaf. Ha! It looked so easy in the picture. It wasn't. Our "leaves" were more like weird shaped stars and pointy ovals than leaves but we press on.
It's time to head outside. It would have been cooler and perhaps more comfortable to stay inside for craft time but, we know our kids and paint was coming up next.
I start with the oldest and paint his hand and arm then show him how to press it onto the paper thus making a tree. It worked! In fact it worked so well he decided doing hand prints on the paper was way more fun than using the funny leaf shaped potato stamp. Zoe on the other hand was not letting the paint anywhere near her hand. I had to sacrifice my own hand for her tree but at least she caught on and mastered the potato stamp. As for child #3, he hand printed, leaf printed and had a grand time smearing paint everywhere!
Onto the next phase. Tissue paper and glue sticks. Now that the kids know how to make the tree it's time for tissue paper leaves. We have a huge assortment of tissue paper in fall colors (at least 5 times more than we needed) and let them go wild attaching the "leaves" to the trees.
When all was said and done. We had a bite taken out of the raw potato stamp, and another out of a glue stick, paint on hands, feet, arms, legs, faces, and hair. We had a wall covered in glue, a sliding glass door with green, orange, and yellow paint on it. We had squares of tissue paper and wet wipes spread all over the patio. But best of all we had 3 of the cutest kids ever with their fall craft projects drying in the breeze.
This is how our project went.
We gathered the supplies. Paint, paper, potatoes, tissue paper, glue sticks, wet wipes, and 3 of the cutest kids around.
First order of business is cutting the potato into the shape of a leaf. Ha! It looked so easy in the picture. It wasn't. Our "leaves" were more like weird shaped stars and pointy ovals than leaves but we press on.
It's time to head outside. It would have been cooler and perhaps more comfortable to stay inside for craft time but, we know our kids and paint was coming up next.
I start with the oldest and paint his hand and arm then show him how to press it onto the paper thus making a tree. It worked! In fact it worked so well he decided doing hand prints on the paper was way more fun than using the funny leaf shaped potato stamp. Zoe on the other hand was not letting the paint anywhere near her hand. I had to sacrifice my own hand for her tree but at least she caught on and mastered the potato stamp. As for child #3, he hand printed, leaf printed and had a grand time smearing paint everywhere!
Onto the next phase. Tissue paper and glue sticks. Now that the kids know how to make the tree it's time for tissue paper leaves. We have a huge assortment of tissue paper in fall colors (at least 5 times more than we needed) and let them go wild attaching the "leaves" to the trees.
When all was said and done. We had a bite taken out of the raw potato stamp, and another out of a glue stick, paint on hands, feet, arms, legs, faces, and hair. We had a wall covered in glue, a sliding glass door with green, orange, and yellow paint on it. We had squares of tissue paper and wet wipes spread all over the patio. But best of all we had 3 of the cutest kids ever with their fall craft projects drying in the breeze.
Monday, September 9, 2013
Yes Lord Yes
This evening as I sit here and gather my thoughts I can feel God prompting me with the chorus of a hymn I learned as a child.
Yes, Lord, yes, to your will and to your way.
Yes, Lord, yes, I will trust you and obey.
When your Spirit speaks to me with my whole heart I'll agree
And my answer will be yes Lord yes.
If only it were that simple. I don't always say yes to God's will though. I don't always say yes to His way of doing things. Some days it is hard for me to trust Him and some days I disobey.
Why is that?
Because I am a sinner. I mess up. I make mistakes.
No big words. No excuses. No religious sounding explanations.
A while back I sat in a church service and began to hear God prompting me to speak to an older lady that was sitting a couple of rows in front of me. It was not a very full church service and there was no one sitting between myself and where this lady was. I knew that I had briefly been introduced to her before but I didn't remember her name.
The singing part of the service was going on and I knew that I'd be given a chance in a matter of minutes to speak to her. By this time God was giving me the words to say to her to encourage her. I was overwhelmed in my own head, struggling with whether or not this was really a message from God and if it could really apply to this lady. After all I didn't really know anything about her.
The signing had ended now and we were given a brief break to greet the people around us. This was my chance.
I stood frozen in my seat.
I was far to uncertain of myself to approach this lady and speak to her. The moment passed and the message began. What do you know though? God's still there whispering in my head that I need to talk to this lady. He is giving me very specific words to say and rather than pay any attention to the sermon I am practicing in my head how to approach this lady. I'm going over and over it and battling back and forth in my mind if this could really be what God is telling me or not. I decided to make a deal with God. (I know, crazy right.) Anyway, I told God that if it was really Him that when the service ended I'd be easily able to slip over to this lady and speak with her. But, if it wasn't from God then someone would get in my way or she'd go the other way or something. The reality is it should have been really easy to get to her because there was no one sitting between where I was and where she was.
So the service ended and we're all standing up to be dismissed. As soon as the Pastor says the last word the person on my other side turns to me and asks me a question.
It wasn't just one of those "How are you today?" questions. It was a legitimate question that needed my attention and needed a response. So I take care of the situation and then when I turn back toward the lady she is gone.
I was a bit discouraged. But then I thought to myself oh well, must not have been a God thing because I should have totally been able to get to her. As the afternoon went on though I just couldn't get it off my mind. In fact it came to my mind several times as the week went on. I thought about the lady and the words God had given me for her all week long.
The next Sunday came around and I am in church again and sitting in just about the same seat. As I looked up I see this lady walk in again. She walks past me and she walks to just about the same spot as the week before. Before she even sits down though I see another person walk up to her. Someone I know and have a lot of respect for. This gentleman greets her very warmly and then begins to speak to her. I am two rows back but I can hear the conversation. He is saying to her the exact same words that God had given me. You can see peace and joy just wash over the lady as she is encouraged by the words the man is speaking to her. It is a beautiful moment. I know she is being blessed by the words he is saying to her. I was so happy for her but I was so sad for me. I had missed an opportunity to be used by God. I wasn't willing to follow the path that He had for me.
I have learned from this experience. Yes, I still have doubts and questions from time to time but I want my answer to be Yes, Lord, Yes.
Yes, to Your will and Yes, to Your way.
I want to trust, I want to obey.
When Your Spirit speaks to me with my whole heart I'll agree
And my answer will be Yes, Lord, Yes.
Yes, Lord, yes, to your will and to your way.
Yes, Lord, yes, I will trust you and obey.
When your Spirit speaks to me with my whole heart I'll agree
And my answer will be yes Lord yes.
If only it were that simple. I don't always say yes to God's will though. I don't always say yes to His way of doing things. Some days it is hard for me to trust Him and some days I disobey.
Why is that?
Because I am a sinner. I mess up. I make mistakes.
No big words. No excuses. No religious sounding explanations.
A while back I sat in a church service and began to hear God prompting me to speak to an older lady that was sitting a couple of rows in front of me. It was not a very full church service and there was no one sitting between myself and where this lady was. I knew that I had briefly been introduced to her before but I didn't remember her name.
The singing part of the service was going on and I knew that I'd be given a chance in a matter of minutes to speak to her. By this time God was giving me the words to say to her to encourage her. I was overwhelmed in my own head, struggling with whether or not this was really a message from God and if it could really apply to this lady. After all I didn't really know anything about her.
The signing had ended now and we were given a brief break to greet the people around us. This was my chance.
I stood frozen in my seat.
I was far to uncertain of myself to approach this lady and speak to her. The moment passed and the message began. What do you know though? God's still there whispering in my head that I need to talk to this lady. He is giving me very specific words to say and rather than pay any attention to the sermon I am practicing in my head how to approach this lady. I'm going over and over it and battling back and forth in my mind if this could really be what God is telling me or not. I decided to make a deal with God. (I know, crazy right.) Anyway, I told God that if it was really Him that when the service ended I'd be easily able to slip over to this lady and speak with her. But, if it wasn't from God then someone would get in my way or she'd go the other way or something. The reality is it should have been really easy to get to her because there was no one sitting between where I was and where she was.
So the service ended and we're all standing up to be dismissed. As soon as the Pastor says the last word the person on my other side turns to me and asks me a question.
It wasn't just one of those "How are you today?" questions. It was a legitimate question that needed my attention and needed a response. So I take care of the situation and then when I turn back toward the lady she is gone.
I was a bit discouraged. But then I thought to myself oh well, must not have been a God thing because I should have totally been able to get to her. As the afternoon went on though I just couldn't get it off my mind. In fact it came to my mind several times as the week went on. I thought about the lady and the words God had given me for her all week long.
The next Sunday came around and I am in church again and sitting in just about the same seat. As I looked up I see this lady walk in again. She walks past me and she walks to just about the same spot as the week before. Before she even sits down though I see another person walk up to her. Someone I know and have a lot of respect for. This gentleman greets her very warmly and then begins to speak to her. I am two rows back but I can hear the conversation. He is saying to her the exact same words that God had given me. You can see peace and joy just wash over the lady as she is encouraged by the words the man is speaking to her. It is a beautiful moment. I know she is being blessed by the words he is saying to her. I was so happy for her but I was so sad for me. I had missed an opportunity to be used by God. I wasn't willing to follow the path that He had for me.
I have learned from this experience. Yes, I still have doubts and questions from time to time but I want my answer to be Yes, Lord, Yes.
Yes, to Your will and Yes, to Your way.
I want to trust, I want to obey.
When Your Spirit speaks to me with my whole heart I'll agree
And my answer will be Yes, Lord, Yes.
Thursday, September 5, 2013
What? Not even for $5?
My husband received a phone call the other day from the local cable TV provider offering us a cable TV package for just $5 a month. Sounds like a great deal! Well, he declined their offer. The sales person was very surprised and couldn't believe that we didn't want to take advantage of such a great opportunity. Seeing as we didn't have any current TV package he thought the $5 a month price was unbeatable. Jake explained to him it wasn't that the price was too high it was that he didn't want to watch TV. Again the sales person thought that for $5 a month it was irresistible. Jake resisted.
Here's why.
A few years ago Jake and I decided to get rid of our cable TV. We had only been married a short time and we found that more evenings than not we ended up sitting in front of the television together yet apart. It's true we were side by side maybe even holding hands but we weren't paying attention to each other. We weren't engaging one another in conversation, and we weren't challenging each other to grow, to reach out, to become involved in the world around us. We were simply existing until it was time to go to bed.
After choosing to turn off the TV we started spending more time doing other things. We took walks, played games, wandered the isles of Lowes and Home Depot, read books, worked puzzles, and spent time sitting on the couch just talking. In the next months we grew closer to each other and looked forward to our evenings together. We weren't just existing, we were investing time into each other and into our marriage.
Having Jake tell me about the phone call as we spent our evening together was a great reminder of how much I love our life. We cooked dinner together, we played with Zoe and put her to bed. We cleaned up the kitchen and sat down to fresh baked brownies and a game of cribbage. We talked, laughed, smiled, and kissed.
Is $5 a month a great price for a cable package? Probably. But having a husband who chooses to spend his time investing in me and Zoe is worth so much more!
Here's why.
A few years ago Jake and I decided to get rid of our cable TV. We had only been married a short time and we found that more evenings than not we ended up sitting in front of the television together yet apart. It's true we were side by side maybe even holding hands but we weren't paying attention to each other. We weren't engaging one another in conversation, and we weren't challenging each other to grow, to reach out, to become involved in the world around us. We were simply existing until it was time to go to bed.
After choosing to turn off the TV we started spending more time doing other things. We took walks, played games, wandered the isles of Lowes and Home Depot, read books, worked puzzles, and spent time sitting on the couch just talking. In the next months we grew closer to each other and looked forward to our evenings together. We weren't just existing, we were investing time into each other and into our marriage.
Having Jake tell me about the phone call as we spent our evening together was a great reminder of how much I love our life. We cooked dinner together, we played with Zoe and put her to bed. We cleaned up the kitchen and sat down to fresh baked brownies and a game of cribbage. We talked, laughed, smiled, and kissed.
Is $5 a month a great price for a cable package? Probably. But having a husband who chooses to spend his time investing in me and Zoe is worth so much more!
Tuesday, September 3, 2013
Day #1 of Big Girl Panties
The time has come. I have decided to give this whole potty training thing a shot. We have bought the cute little 2T undies, the potty seat, and the flushable wipes. The bathroom is stocked with M&M's and stickers along with hand sanitizer, paper towel, and Clorox wipes.
Zoe has been telling me for months now when she has to poo poo and for the most part when we are at home she does a great job of using the big girl potty for this. Pee pee on the other hand, well here's how our day went.
Woke up this morning and got the princess out of her crib. Talked to her about how proud I am of her and what a big girl she is becoming. Took off her diaper and let her pee pee on the potty. So far so good. Put on pair #1 of big girl panties. Life doesn't stop for a week as I would like it to while we are getting started on this new adventure so a trip to the grocery store was in order. Not feeling brave enough to leave the house without a diaper on Little Miss we took panties back off and put a diaper on. I did let her sit on the potty again before doing so.
Off to the commissary. About 20 minutes in Zoe tells me she pee peed. Good job Princess. Except she wants candy for pee peeing so now in the middle of the commissary I get to explain to her she only gets an M&M when she pee pees in the big girl potty not her diaper. She wants to use the big girl potty in the commissary. I wasn't prepared for this (she is wearing a diaper after all) so I tell her not today. Crisis averted.
Arrive back home. Off comes the diaper and naked baby streaks around the kitchen while I put groceries away. We head upstairs she sits on the potty and I tickle her. Yeah for pee pee. She gets candy and I'm thinking this isn't so bad. We eat lunch and she gets a fresh diaper to go down for her nap.
Zoe wakes up from her nap after only 50 minutes (normally she naps for 2 hours). She is upset that she pee peed in her diaper. Panty #2 goes on. We play for a little while only for me to look up and see her sitting in a puddle. She looks at me and asks "pee pee?" We clean up and are on panty #3. We head downstairs to play for a while. I attempt to get pictures of my girl and her fist day of big girl panties but am interrupted by Zoe pointing to her panties and saying pee pee. We make it to the potty to finish but not before a small puddle has formed under her feet. Zoe went through panty #4 and #5 in much the same fashion. She is great at announcing she has to pee right after starting to go but saving just enough to make it to the potty and earn the much sought after M&M.
Panty #6 I do believe is my favorite of the day. Daddy arrived home from work and is cuddling on the couch with the Princess. I warn him she hasn't been saying pee pee until she has started to go so they have a blanket folded underneath of where Zoe is perched. Less than a minute later Jake asks "Why is my side all warm and wet?" Yes, I'm laughing out loud at this. Jake takes Zoe to the potty and she gets one last pee pee in before it's into the tub and off to bed for the night.
So yes, we had a great time hanging out together today. Zoe got a half dozen M&M's and I mopped the floor more than once. Did I know this morning Zoe would go through 6 pairs of panties? No. Do I think Zoe is any closer to being potty trained? Not exactly. Is Z going to wear big girl panties again tomorrow? You bet!
Zoe has been telling me for months now when she has to poo poo and for the most part when we are at home she does a great job of using the big girl potty for this. Pee pee on the other hand, well here's how our day went.
Woke up this morning and got the princess out of her crib. Talked to her about how proud I am of her and what a big girl she is becoming. Took off her diaper and let her pee pee on the potty. So far so good. Put on pair #1 of big girl panties. Life doesn't stop for a week as I would like it to while we are getting started on this new adventure so a trip to the grocery store was in order. Not feeling brave enough to leave the house without a diaper on Little Miss we took panties back off and put a diaper on. I did let her sit on the potty again before doing so.
Off to the commissary. About 20 minutes in Zoe tells me she pee peed. Good job Princess. Except she wants candy for pee peeing so now in the middle of the commissary I get to explain to her she only gets an M&M when she pee pees in the big girl potty not her diaper. She wants to use the big girl potty in the commissary. I wasn't prepared for this (she is wearing a diaper after all) so I tell her not today. Crisis averted.
Arrive back home. Off comes the diaper and naked baby streaks around the kitchen while I put groceries away. We head upstairs she sits on the potty and I tickle her. Yeah for pee pee. She gets candy and I'm thinking this isn't so bad. We eat lunch and she gets a fresh diaper to go down for her nap.
Zoe wakes up from her nap after only 50 minutes (normally she naps for 2 hours). She is upset that she pee peed in her diaper. Panty #2 goes on. We play for a little while only for me to look up and see her sitting in a puddle. She looks at me and asks "pee pee?" We clean up and are on panty #3. We head downstairs to play for a while. I attempt to get pictures of my girl and her fist day of big girl panties but am interrupted by Zoe pointing to her panties and saying pee pee. We make it to the potty to finish but not before a small puddle has formed under her feet. Zoe went through panty #4 and #5 in much the same fashion. She is great at announcing she has to pee right after starting to go but saving just enough to make it to the potty and earn the much sought after M&M.
Panty #6 I do believe is my favorite of the day. Daddy arrived home from work and is cuddling on the couch with the Princess. I warn him she hasn't been saying pee pee until she has started to go so they have a blanket folded underneath of where Zoe is perched. Less than a minute later Jake asks "Why is my side all warm and wet?" Yes, I'm laughing out loud at this. Jake takes Zoe to the potty and she gets one last pee pee in before it's into the tub and off to bed for the night.
So yes, we had a great time hanging out together today. Zoe got a half dozen M&M's and I mopped the floor more than once. Did I know this morning Zoe would go through 6 pairs of panties? No. Do I think Zoe is any closer to being potty trained? Not exactly. Is Z going to wear big girl panties again tomorrow? You bet!
Monday, August 26, 2013
When the Dishes Need Doing...
As a stay at home mom and wife most of the housework falls on me to accomplish. Is housework my favorite thing to do? Not even close. Each day I am however, presented with a choice. I can sit and think poor me, the floor needs sweeping, the carpet needs vacuuming, the dishes need doing, the toilets need scrubbing, the mirrors need wiping, and so on, or I can simply get up and do it. Is it necessary to have a chance to sit down each day and have me time? Yes, of course it is. It helps me to be a better parent if I have a few minutes of down time each day. The thing I have to constantly remind myself of though is that it also helps me to be a better parent when Zoe sees me washing counters, sweeping floors, and dusting furniture. My daughter needs to know the house doesn't magically clean itself everyday while she naps or after she goes to bed. I want her to value hard work and a job well done and I am not teaching her that if I am not valuing those things myself. Baking cookies, making craft projects, and playing play dough are far more fun things to do with my daughter but I need to make a conscious effort to put off the fun things from time to time and tackle everyday chores together instead.
Thursday, August 22, 2013
Sleepy Time
Today Zoe is 22 months old. Tonight I rocked her to sleep. Why? You ask. It isn't because she can't fall asleep on her own. She can and she does most of the time. It wasn't because she asked me to, although I know she enjoys it. She hadn't had a rough day, and she was sleepy and ready for bed. So the question remains, why did I rock Zoe to sleep? It wasn't so I could put off the dinner dishes for just a little longer, or the living room that needs to be put to right. Both of which I still must accomplish before turning in for the night.
It was simply this. Tonight I chose her. After placing Zoe in her crib each evening it is easy for me to walk back downstairs and get swallowed up in my own interest. However, Zoe is worth far more than whatever book I am reading or the latest thing on Pinterest. She is more important than strictly following a routine, and the 30 extra minutes of holding her are a memory I will treasure. God blessed me greatly when He entrusted her to my care. So for me, this evening was the highlight of my day. As I softly sang and prayed for my baby girl as she drifted off to sleep I know I made the right choice. Life will always be going on around us but it is knowing when to stop and cherish the moment that really makes a difference.
It was simply this. Tonight I chose her. After placing Zoe in her crib each evening it is easy for me to walk back downstairs and get swallowed up in my own interest. However, Zoe is worth far more than whatever book I am reading or the latest thing on Pinterest. She is more important than strictly following a routine, and the 30 extra minutes of holding her are a memory I will treasure. God blessed me greatly when He entrusted her to my care. So for me, this evening was the highlight of my day. As I softly sang and prayed for my baby girl as she drifted off to sleep I know I made the right choice. Life will always be going on around us but it is knowing when to stop and cherish the moment that really makes a difference.
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