Saturday, December 31, 2011
New Year
Well, here we are on the brink of a brand new year. Fresh, new, and clean ... just waiting for all kinds of wonderful possibilities. It is easy to get melancholy about the year behind us but I would rather look ahead to the future.
Fourteen years ago on New Years Day, I had my first date with my beloved hubby and I look forward to another year of being the best wife I can be! To be the loving support that lifts him up and helps him succeed at everything he undertakes to do and stand by his side as we walk together through this life.
I also look forward to another year of watching my three beautiful children grow and learn. Watching them change into the wonderful young men and woman that God has intended for them to be! Feeling such motherly pride when I see them grow and mature almost overnight.
I love my life!! I am blessed beyond all that I could imagine. I plan to continue working out and staying healthy, spend quality time with my wonderful family and enjoy every moment I can. Hubby has told me I am unsociable so My only "resolution" for this year is to spend more time with my girlfriends.
Okay everyone ... Let's make it the best year yet. Make good choices in everything you do. <3
Thursday, December 1, 2011
Peace
What constitutes peace? Is it different for each person or is a general feeling of serenity?
For me, peace is the harmony that I feel when everything is running smoothly. That doesn't mean that we aren't busy or that the kids are being uber quiet, playing in seperate corners not being kids. It is more like a feeling of balance ... a machine that is well oiled and running smoothly.
So how do you handle it when the delicate balance has been upset and it feels like someone is doing the scratch on a record album? Do you ignore it in hopes that it will go away or right itself. Or do you do everything in your power to restore the order?
This is the question that I have been asking myself. There is nothing more wonderful that a peaceful home ... happy kids who are getting along, hubby home and relaxing, and a corner on the couch where I can snuggle with a cozy throw and a good book.
However, I felt it necessary to bring an additional Jack Russell dog into our home. I wanted Ethan to have a dog of his own. (see previous story about Oliver) Yet, I didn't really figure into the equation Elisabeth's cat and the fact that jacks like to chase and hunt. Since Charlie has been here for three years, they are quasi friends. Plus Lola (new dog) is older. I have to give her credit...she is a relatively mellow dog and gets along well with the kids and Charlie. So what am I to do? Keep her and find the time to attempt to train her or find her another home? UGH!!
So needless to say, I am working on restoring the peace and harmony balance in my home... wish me luck.
For me, peace is the harmony that I feel when everything is running smoothly. That doesn't mean that we aren't busy or that the kids are being uber quiet, playing in seperate corners not being kids. It is more like a feeling of balance ... a machine that is well oiled and running smoothly.
So how do you handle it when the delicate balance has been upset and it feels like someone is doing the scratch on a record album? Do you ignore it in hopes that it will go away or right itself. Or do you do everything in your power to restore the order?
This is the question that I have been asking myself. There is nothing more wonderful that a peaceful home ... happy kids who are getting along, hubby home and relaxing, and a corner on the couch where I can snuggle with a cozy throw and a good book.
However, I felt it necessary to bring an additional Jack Russell dog into our home. I wanted Ethan to have a dog of his own. (see previous story about Oliver) Yet, I didn't really figure into the equation Elisabeth's cat and the fact that jacks like to chase and hunt. Since Charlie has been here for three years, they are quasi friends. Plus Lola (new dog) is older. I have to give her credit...she is a relatively mellow dog and gets along well with the kids and Charlie. So what am I to do? Keep her and find the time to attempt to train her or find her another home? UGH!!
So needless to say, I am working on restoring the peace and harmony balance in my home... wish me luck.
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
Thankful...
The Thanksgiving holiday has passed and now we are gearing up for a very busy Christmas holiday. Running around to different things...Nutcracker rehearsals and performances, shopping for gifts, as well as Christmas programs and parties to attend.
But as we get so wrapped up in the things that we are doing it is important that we don't forget to continue to have a thankful heart. Just because Thanksgiving is past doesn't mean that we stop being thankful. We should always have an "Attitude of Gratitude."
Let's also remember not to forget the reason for the upcoming season. Make the saying "Keep Christ in Christmas" more than just a slogan. Without Christ there wouldn't be a need to even celebrate.
But as we get so wrapped up in the things that we are doing it is important that we don't forget to continue to have a thankful heart. Just because Thanksgiving is past doesn't mean that we stop being thankful. We should always have an "Attitude of Gratitude."
Let's also remember not to forget the reason for the upcoming season. Make the saying "Keep Christ in Christmas" more than just a slogan. Without Christ there wouldn't be a need to even celebrate.
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
Lost and Found
Yesterday was an amazing day. I love it when something good happens that is so totally unexpected.
Okay, let me start at the beginning. A couple weeks ago, a good friend of mine posted a picture of a Lahsa Apso dog. She stated that he was a lost dog that had showed up on her doorstep. He has no collar and she hadn't seen any pictures posted around the neighborhood. Unfortunately, they already had a dog and didn't need another one due to the very busy schedule that their family had. My hubby took pity on him and told them we would take him. He figured since Elisabeth had her kitty and Max had his dog, this one could be Ethan's.
So that Friday night, they brought him over to us. Our Jack Russell, Charlie, is a friendly dog and they started playing immediately. Since Will and Max named Charlie, it was up to Ethan and me to name this one. We started throwing out different names and finally narrowed it down to seven and then down to one ... Ethan and I determined his new name would be Oliver. To us it just seemed to fit.
Well, fast forward to this past Monday (October 24) ... I found myself on a local Lost and Found facebook page. Of course being curious, I started looking through all the pictures. I came to about the tenth picture and I was amazed to see a picture of a little dog that looked JUST like Oliver. The description said that he was lost in the same neighborhood as my friend and ironically, his name was Charlie. I call my hubby to see what he thought but he wasn't at his desk. I left a message for him and yelled to the kids to come look. We were all four intently staring at this tiny picture trying to determine if it was him or not, when hubby called me back. He looked at the picture and agreed with us. It just had to be him.
I call the number that was listed with the posting but didn't get an answer. I left a message and waited. It wasn't long before I received a return call. I told her that I thought I had her dog. We talked a few moments, trying to determine if he was or not. I got the idea to send her a picture via a text. But the picture was slow going through, so I told her to just come look at him. If it was her dog then awesome but if not, that was okay too.
The picture text must have gone through a few moments after we hung up because she called back crying. She was so emotional telling me that it was indeed her lost dog. She was so so happy that someone had found her beloved little dog.
I made sure that our Charlie was outside when she arrived so that there wouldn't be any disruption when she saw her dog for the first time in over a month. The reunion between them was wonderful. We opened the door and Oliver/Charlie went right to her. She bent down and loved on him with such overwhelming emotion!! We determined that he had been gone for 10 days when my friend found him and then we had had him since then.
When she and her son left cradling Charlie, it was such a wonderful feeling. I was thrilled to know that he had been reunited with his brother, Cookie and the family who loved him so very much.
What an amazing and awesome day!!
Okay, let me start at the beginning. A couple weeks ago, a good friend of mine posted a picture of a Lahsa Apso dog. She stated that he was a lost dog that had showed up on her doorstep. He has no collar and she hadn't seen any pictures posted around the neighborhood. Unfortunately, they already had a dog and didn't need another one due to the very busy schedule that their family had. My hubby took pity on him and told them we would take him. He figured since Elisabeth had her kitty and Max had his dog, this one could be Ethan's.
So that Friday night, they brought him over to us. Our Jack Russell, Charlie, is a friendly dog and they started playing immediately. Since Will and Max named Charlie, it was up to Ethan and me to name this one. We started throwing out different names and finally narrowed it down to seven and then down to one ... Ethan and I determined his new name would be Oliver. To us it just seemed to fit.
Well, fast forward to this past Monday (October 24) ... I found myself on a local Lost and Found facebook page. Of course being curious, I started looking through all the pictures. I came to about the tenth picture and I was amazed to see a picture of a little dog that looked JUST like Oliver. The description said that he was lost in the same neighborhood as my friend and ironically, his name was Charlie. I call my hubby to see what he thought but he wasn't at his desk. I left a message for him and yelled to the kids to come look. We were all four intently staring at this tiny picture trying to determine if it was him or not, when hubby called me back. He looked at the picture and agreed with us. It just had to be him.
I call the number that was listed with the posting but didn't get an answer. I left a message and waited. It wasn't long before I received a return call. I told her that I thought I had her dog. We talked a few moments, trying to determine if he was or not. I got the idea to send her a picture via a text. But the picture was slow going through, so I told her to just come look at him. If it was her dog then awesome but if not, that was okay too.
The picture text must have gone through a few moments after we hung up because she called back crying. She was so emotional telling me that it was indeed her lost dog. She was so so happy that someone had found her beloved little dog.
I made sure that our Charlie was outside when she arrived so that there wouldn't be any disruption when she saw her dog for the first time in over a month. The reunion between them was wonderful. We opened the door and Oliver/Charlie went right to her. She bent down and loved on him with such overwhelming emotion!! We determined that he had been gone for 10 days when my friend found him and then we had had him since then.
When she and her son left cradling Charlie, it was such a wonderful feeling. I was thrilled to know that he had been reunited with his brother, Cookie and the family who loved him so very much.
What an amazing and awesome day!!
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
Infiltration
Webster's Dictionary defines "infiltration" as something that permeates...
Ever notice just how much children "infiltrate" our lives? From the very moment that a couple starts even talking about having children, they consume our every thought. From the trying to the pregnancy then from pregnancy to the delivery. But are we really prepared for how much they take over our lives? Even if someone had warned us, I don't think that we would have truly understood. Every waking moment, and some non-waking moments, are consumed with the caring and raising of said children.
From the moment I became pregnant the first time, I have had a child with me. Everywhere I go and everywhere I am. Yes, there have been the rare moments (ie: dr appointments) where I have been alone. But I would say that 99.9% of the time, I have at least one child with me and many times I have four. Sometimes, I think I have forgotten what it is like to only hear my thoughts.
This said infiltration goes even into every aspect of life. We buy our vehicles in proportion to how many kids we need to transport. We plan our dinners out to what the kids will eat. We plan our vacations around what our kids enjoy. Our weeknights and weekends revolve around the extracurricular activities that each child participates in. When it is time for the purchasing of seasonal clothing, we invariably buy for our children first and then if there is anything left, we might buy for ourselves.
I can't sit down unless I am ready for one or more to come sit or crawl on me. A trip to the bathroom is never done alone because invariably one of them will need something that (in their mind) just cannot wait or that is the very moment needs a hug.
Now that we are homeschooling, I am with them even more. They spend all morning in the "schoolroom" working very hard ... each with their own lessons. While I bounce between the three of them instructing and answering questions. Occasionally, I can slip off the the bathroom, throw in a load of laundry or do the dishes.
The boys are getting very close to having their birthdays. It isn't that I don't know what to get them...I just don't know when I am going to shop for birthday gifts...they are always with me.
But ya know ... This is my life. I chose it. I chose to be a SAHM and a homeschool teacher. I know it won't last forever. I know that it won't be long and they will be driving themselves around doing their own thing, coming home only to eat and sleep. I know that these moments are fleeting and there will come a day when I will miss them standing at the bathroom door wanting me to snap their jeans or give them a hug. I will miss it when I sit down and there isn't a small body that flings him/herself on me just because they need to be near me. And the nightly prayers and tuck-ins will be a thing of the past. A trip to the grocery store won't be a monumentous occasion because I will be wandering the aisles by myself. But for now...I treasure the wild and chaotic times as well as the quiet moments with each of them.
And since I chose this life...I don't complain even thought most evenings/nights, I am utterly exhausted.
And since I chose this life...I snuggle my sweet children close even though my mind and body is screaming "get off of me."
And since I chose this life...I wouldn't have it any other way.
I love you Elisabeth, Max and Ethan!!!
Ever notice just how much children "infiltrate" our lives? From the very moment that a couple starts even talking about having children, they consume our every thought. From the trying to the pregnancy then from pregnancy to the delivery. But are we really prepared for how much they take over our lives? Even if someone had warned us, I don't think that we would have truly understood. Every waking moment, and some non-waking moments, are consumed with the caring and raising of said children.
From the moment I became pregnant the first time, I have had a child with me. Everywhere I go and everywhere I am. Yes, there have been the rare moments (ie: dr appointments) where I have been alone. But I would say that 99.9% of the time, I have at least one child with me and many times I have four. Sometimes, I think I have forgotten what it is like to only hear my thoughts.
This said infiltration goes even into every aspect of life. We buy our vehicles in proportion to how many kids we need to transport. We plan our dinners out to what the kids will eat. We plan our vacations around what our kids enjoy. Our weeknights and weekends revolve around the extracurricular activities that each child participates in. When it is time for the purchasing of seasonal clothing, we invariably buy for our children first and then if there is anything left, we might buy for ourselves.
I can't sit down unless I am ready for one or more to come sit or crawl on me. A trip to the bathroom is never done alone because invariably one of them will need something that (in their mind) just cannot wait or that is the very moment needs a hug.
Now that we are homeschooling, I am with them even more. They spend all morning in the "schoolroom" working very hard ... each with their own lessons. While I bounce between the three of them instructing and answering questions. Occasionally, I can slip off the the bathroom, throw in a load of laundry or do the dishes.
The boys are getting very close to having their birthdays. It isn't that I don't know what to get them...I just don't know when I am going to shop for birthday gifts...they are always with me.
But ya know ... This is my life. I chose it. I chose to be a SAHM and a homeschool teacher. I know it won't last forever. I know that it won't be long and they will be driving themselves around doing their own thing, coming home only to eat and sleep. I know that these moments are fleeting and there will come a day when I will miss them standing at the bathroom door wanting me to snap their jeans or give them a hug. I will miss it when I sit down and there isn't a small body that flings him/herself on me just because they need to be near me. And the nightly prayers and tuck-ins will be a thing of the past. A trip to the grocery store won't be a monumentous occasion because I will be wandering the aisles by myself. But for now...I treasure the wild and chaotic times as well as the quiet moments with each of them.
And since I chose this life...I don't complain even thought most evenings/nights, I am utterly exhausted.
And since I chose this life...I snuggle my sweet children close even though my mind and body is screaming "get off of me."
And since I chose this life...I wouldn't have it any other way.
I love you Elisabeth, Max and Ethan!!!
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