~I know my mother is laughing out loud right now~
:)
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
What Goes Around...
Little Dear came downstairs this morning sporting a pair of shorts, a long sleeve shirt, and her newly-purchased boots. (similar to these...)
~I know my mother is laughing out loud right now~
:)
~I know my mother is laughing out loud right now~
:)
Sunday, October 25, 2009
Captivating Sunshine
I have a Pollyanna outlook on life, I need to admit this right from the start of this post. The opinions I hold are those that are filtered through rose-colored glasses. I have always been this way, and am likely always to be this way. Some may call it naivete, and others with more malicious intentions would try to poison my thinking with their harshness of "reality." Which to me, is no more than hopelessness and despair.
I prefer rainbows and sunshine... fully aware that it takes a storm to appreciate both.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
There was a post/comment somewhere a long long time ago (sorry... I cannot remember where I read it, trust me, I've looked!) wherein a woman said (I know it was a woman, and that is why it struck me) that sometimes people have to be content with being ordinary. And that struck me. It struck me to the core of my being, but I wasn't sure why. It wasn't until I was having one of my "bad" days... the days where I looked and felt like a steamroller had flattened me... my spirits and my attitude, my love of the good and my ability to communicate that love were flat and meaningless. I looked at myself and the Deceiver whispered that I was just "ordinary" anyway... not worth the trouble of resurrecting. Why couldn't I just accept this and move on? Why bother? Who cares? I'm just a mom like everyone else, just making my way through life like everyone else... what made me think I was so special anyway?? ....
And I got mad. Righteously mad. Because I knew in an instant that this is exactly what we as moms, as women even, have been led to believe. We work behind the scenes, doing the little jobs, the smaller tasks, not even realizing how essential those tiny tasks are to those who surround us daily. Our attitude, our outlook on life, our self-awareness and our love of God are crucial to raising healthy, loving people. And if we were to accept the fact that we were "not worth" the fight for love and salvation, where would our families be?
Not only are we not called to be "ordinary"... we are, in fact, called to be extraordinary.
My friends are beautiful women. I mean that in every single sense of that term... spiritually, emotionally and physically. Surrounded by them this past Friday evening, I felt so fortunate to be able to sit and listen and laugh and ponder with them. It struck me that we all hold such different opinions about seemingly unimportant matters, but we hold them strongly, and with well thought out reasons. We are thinkers, we split hairs, and we joke and laugh along the way.
We are not ordinary women.
In fact, no woman is ordinary. And if you think that you are, consider for a moment what your world would be without you. How many lives would be shattered if you were not there? You are the sun of your own private universe. Even if you are single, in the working world... your family and co-workers would be at a loss if suddenly you were gone.
Especially if you have allowed your sunshine to penetrate the darkness that you encounter everyday.
And that is precisely what we women are called to do. In our own unique way, we are to shine forth and be a beacon... if for no one else but our family and friends. True, some are called to shine forth for a people or cause... but that in no way diminishes the lights of the rest of us. We light the way for so many in our own paths, small or big. It matters not. We must shine.
My heart aches for those women who have no life behind their eyes. For those who continuously compare themselves to others. Who think that their lights are not worth the trouble to shine forth.
Every woman's light is unique... and unquenchable. Our work is crucial. We must not let ourselves be beaten down anymore.
I prefer rainbows and sunshine... fully aware that it takes a storm to appreciate both.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
There was a post/comment somewhere a long long time ago (sorry... I cannot remember where I read it, trust me, I've looked!) wherein a woman said (I know it was a woman, and that is why it struck me) that sometimes people have to be content with being ordinary. And that struck me. It struck me to the core of my being, but I wasn't sure why. It wasn't until I was having one of my "bad" days... the days where I looked and felt like a steamroller had flattened me... my spirits and my attitude, my love of the good and my ability to communicate that love were flat and meaningless. I looked at myself and the Deceiver whispered that I was just "ordinary" anyway... not worth the trouble of resurrecting. Why couldn't I just accept this and move on? Why bother? Who cares? I'm just a mom like everyone else, just making my way through life like everyone else... what made me think I was so special anyway?? ....
And I got mad. Righteously mad. Because I knew in an instant that this is exactly what we as moms, as women even, have been led to believe. We work behind the scenes, doing the little jobs, the smaller tasks, not even realizing how essential those tiny tasks are to those who surround us daily. Our attitude, our outlook on life, our self-awareness and our love of God are crucial to raising healthy, loving people. And if we were to accept the fact that we were "not worth" the fight for love and salvation, where would our families be?
Not only are we not called to be "ordinary"... we are, in fact, called to be extraordinary.
My friends are beautiful women. I mean that in every single sense of that term... spiritually, emotionally and physically. Surrounded by them this past Friday evening, I felt so fortunate to be able to sit and listen and laugh and ponder with them. It struck me that we all hold such different opinions about seemingly unimportant matters, but we hold them strongly, and with well thought out reasons. We are thinkers, we split hairs, and we joke and laugh along the way.
We are not ordinary women.
In fact, no woman is ordinary. And if you think that you are, consider for a moment what your world would be without you. How many lives would be shattered if you were not there? You are the sun of your own private universe. Even if you are single, in the working world... your family and co-workers would be at a loss if suddenly you were gone.
Especially if you have allowed your sunshine to penetrate the darkness that you encounter everyday.
And that is precisely what we women are called to do. In our own unique way, we are to shine forth and be a beacon... if for no one else but our family and friends. True, some are called to shine forth for a people or cause... but that in no way diminishes the lights of the rest of us. We light the way for so many in our own paths, small or big. It matters not. We must shine.
My heart aches for those women who have no life behind their eyes. For those who continuously compare themselves to others. Who think that their lights are not worth the trouble to shine forth.
Every woman's light is unique... and unquenchable. Our work is crucial. We must not let ourselves be beaten down anymore.
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Wednesday Lessons
It's another rainy day here. We've had a few days of glorious sun and open skies, but now it is time for the return of the dreary side of Fall.
We've had our share of rain, and after an entire week of being socked in.. fog and misty rain do not belong in a Texan's vocabulary yet here I was all ready to purchase hip rain boots and parade my way to Starbucks like all the PNWer's... we needed more sun. That's my own personal opinion, of course, you can take it with a grain of humidity.
:)
Hauling ourselves out of bed this morning, I groaned as the rain poured down. Today is our "stay home" day of the week. No one has gym class or scouts or any other activity. Weannoy the hell out of enjoy each other's company all. day. long.
Lovely. Couldn't. wait.
Yet... here I sit. Dinner is in the crock pot. Sports Fan made pumpkin muffins (supervised) while I popped ingredients into the bread maker and switched it on. The girls are playing "store" in the front living room, Action Man is scheming something with his matchbox cars and Lil Sis is napping upstairs. All this while Martina McBride croons in the background.
It is lovely. I'm so grateful to be shown that, for this moment anyway, rainy days and staying home days can be peaceful and productive. Maybe I won't dread it quite so much the next time around...
Like in a few months.
:P
We've had our share of rain, and after an entire week of being socked in.. fog and misty rain do not belong in a Texan's vocabulary yet here I was all ready to purchase hip rain boots and parade my way to Starbucks like all the PNWer's... we needed more sun. That's my own personal opinion, of course, you can take it with a grain of humidity.
:)
Hauling ourselves out of bed this morning, I groaned as the rain poured down. Today is our "stay home" day of the week. No one has gym class or scouts or any other activity. We
Lovely. Couldn't. wait.
Yet... here I sit. Dinner is in the crock pot. Sports Fan made pumpkin muffins (supervised) while I popped ingredients into the bread maker and switched it on. The girls are playing "store" in the front living room, Action Man is scheming something with his matchbox cars and Lil Sis is napping upstairs. All this while Martina McBride croons in the background.
It is lovely. I'm so grateful to be shown that, for this moment anyway, rainy days and staying home days can be peaceful and productive. Maybe I won't dread it quite so much the next time around...
Like in a few months.
:P
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Speaking Of...
..homes and being grateful...
Yesterday afternoon our outdoor circuit box exploded.
Flames shot up the side of the house as DH called 911 and I got the kids outside to the front.
The Fire Department got here quickly and put out the fire.
There is no damage to the house at all, just a severely charred circuit box.
We have no power, which will be interesting since my parents are coming into town today...
Yet I can't help but be grateful:
~that it happened during the day when we were all awake.
~that DH was home.
~that the Fire Department got here in time to make sure the house did not get damaged.
~that no-one was injured at all.
I simply cannot let my mind go forward with the thoughts of "what if?"
~What if it had happened at night while we slept?
~What if we had been away from the house?
~What if we had not woken up in time?
"There are no 'ifs' in God's world, Corrie."
With many prayers of thanksgiving,
Yesterday afternoon our outdoor circuit box exploded.
Flames shot up the side of the house as DH called 911 and I got the kids outside to the front.
The Fire Department got here quickly and put out the fire.
There is no damage to the house at all, just a severely charred circuit box.
We have no power, which will be interesting since my parents are coming into town today...
Yet I can't help but be grateful:
~that it happened during the day when we were all awake.
~that DH was home.
~that the Fire Department got here in time to make sure the house did not get damaged.
~that no-one was injured at all.
I simply cannot let my mind go forward with the thoughts of "what if?"
~What if it had happened at night while we slept?
~What if we had been away from the house?
~What if we had not woken up in time?
"There are no 'ifs' in God's world, Corrie."
~The Hiding Place, Corrie tenBoom.
With many prayers of thanksgiving,
Wednesday, October 07, 2009
Quiet Bustle
Almost two years ago we bought our current home. You long time readers remember the drama surrounding that purchase.
First, the sale of our house.
Then, the rejected offers on other houses.
Finally, the God-directed find and purchase of our current home.
It was quite a ride, and I never tire in my thanksgiving that Someone else was completely in control the entire time.
:)
The best part about our new home is that we can accommodate vast quantities of people without feeling like the walls are going to burst. Regardless of our house size, I have always subscribed to the axiom "the more the merrier"... but I am realizing something very valuable.
I'm realizing that it's difficult to house the "more" and "be merry" if you are all on top of each other constantly.
Now. I am not advocating a tv/computer in every child's room so we don't have to socialize with one another. (although I've been tempted... oy, the fighting!)
:)
What I am specifically speaking of are the times when we host dinners and parties, and have family come to stay.
In our old house, Lil Sis came over with her friends once so they could make brownies or something, and they ended up huddled around the dining table, speaking in hushed tones while baking, since the kids were all sleeping at the end of the hall and DH was watching television 20 feet away.
When we moved, Lil Sis brought her gang of friends over for dinner many times. After eating, they would gather outside on the patio for s'mores and songs and joke-telling. Later they moved into the home school room for more romping and internet browsing while DH and the boys lounged in the living room watching hockey and I would shoo the girls upstairs to bed.
It was a busy night, but everyone was comfy, everyone was enjoying themselves (well, maybe except the girls who had to go to bed) and no-one felt like they were putting us out.
And this is key.
They most definitely were NOT putting us out when we lived in our smaller home, but they were acutely aware of the acoustics and the close proximity of the bedrooms, and so were hesitant to really kick back and enjoy.
This is the inner beauty of our lovely new home that I am so so very grateful for...
~When Lil Sis needed a place to stay, I could immediately offer the spare bedroom and a place at the table without a moment's thought.
~When my parents come into town to watch Lil Sis play soccer, there is enough room to put up a comfy bed.
~American Thanksgiving is celebrated at the Nut House now, or at least whenever my family can make it down. And this year promises to be one for the books, since my brother and another "Lil Sis" will also be making the trip.
These days of craziness and love in our home I affectionately term "Quiet Bustle" since I know that there will come a time (all too soon, most likely...) where there will be little to no "Bustle" here.
"Quiet Bustle" is what I hear every morning, as muted alarms go off in the various bedrooms, and the beloved inhabitants start their day.
"Quiet Bustle" is Lil Sis downstairs eating breakfast and listening to Little Dear who knows how to take advantage of a sleepy Auntie who is too tired to resist her prolific stories.
"Quiet Bustle" is the washing machine humming, the coffee pot spouting, dishes clanking and children playing... all under one roof.
God has been so very good to us, providing us with enough room for our little family... and allowing us the space to open our hearts and home for even more merriment in our lives.
:)
First, the sale of our house.
Then, the rejected offers on other houses.
Finally, the God-directed find and purchase of our current home.
It was quite a ride, and I never tire in my thanksgiving that Someone else was completely in control the entire time.
:)
The best part about our new home is that we can accommodate vast quantities of people without feeling like the walls are going to burst. Regardless of our house size, I have always subscribed to the axiom "the more the merrier"... but I am realizing something very valuable.
I'm realizing that it's difficult to house the "more" and "be merry" if you are all on top of each other constantly.
Now. I am not advocating a tv/computer in every child's room so we don't have to socialize with one another. (although I've been tempted... oy, the fighting!)
:)
What I am specifically speaking of are the times when we host dinners and parties, and have family come to stay.
In our old house, Lil Sis came over with her friends once so they could make brownies or something, and they ended up huddled around the dining table, speaking in hushed tones while baking, since the kids were all sleeping at the end of the hall and DH was watching television 20 feet away.
When we moved, Lil Sis brought her gang of friends over for dinner many times. After eating, they would gather outside on the patio for s'mores and songs and joke-telling. Later they moved into the home school room for more romping and internet browsing while DH and the boys lounged in the living room watching hockey and I would shoo the girls upstairs to bed.
It was a busy night, but everyone was comfy, everyone was enjoying themselves (well, maybe except the girls who had to go to bed) and no-one felt like they were putting us out.
And this is key.
They most definitely were NOT putting us out when we lived in our smaller home, but they were acutely aware of the acoustics and the close proximity of the bedrooms, and so were hesitant to really kick back and enjoy.
This is the inner beauty of our lovely new home that I am so so very grateful for...
~When Lil Sis needed a place to stay, I could immediately offer the spare bedroom and a place at the table without a moment's thought.
~When my parents come into town to watch Lil Sis play soccer, there is enough room to put up a comfy bed.
~American Thanksgiving is celebrated at the Nut House now, or at least whenever my family can make it down. And this year promises to be one for the books, since my brother and another "Lil Sis" will also be making the trip.
These days of craziness and love in our home I affectionately term "Quiet Bustle" since I know that there will come a time (all too soon, most likely...) where there will be little to no "Bustle" here.
"Quiet Bustle" is what I hear every morning, as muted alarms go off in the various bedrooms, and the beloved inhabitants start their day.
"Quiet Bustle" is Lil Sis downstairs eating breakfast and listening to Little Dear who knows how to take advantage of a sleepy Auntie who is too tired to resist her prolific stories.
"Quiet Bustle" is the washing machine humming, the coffee pot spouting, dishes clanking and children playing... all under one roof.
God has been so very good to us, providing us with enough room for our little family... and allowing us the space to open our hearts and home for even more merriment in our lives.
:)
Monday, October 05, 2009
My Heart's At Home Daybook: The Flu Edition
Outside my home...
Cloudy cloudy day. Storms and mugginess are in the forecast this week.
I am listening to...
The girls play Barbies. They are all on the mend, with Little Love still sporting a low grade fever despite the fact that she was the very first to get sick last week. Our school today will be sporadic at best.
I am wearing...
Jeans and a tank under a lime green sweatshirt. My hair is up in a messy bun, although that has to change before I venture out into the world of mankind... to get more medicine, of course. :)
To be fit and happy...
Of course I've fallen off the wagon, but just for the past week. Yesterday I went for a brisk walk around the neighborhood, and tonight I will run. I'm determined that this healthy lifestyle will become permanent.
I am thankful for...
Nebulizers and Tamiflu and MucinexD and Motrin. I would be in a panic about my children if it wasn't for these wonders of medicine. Especially for my asthma-prone kids... we're keeping a sharp eye on them during this sickness.
I am pondering...
Patience. And keeping connected. Specifically with my children. One of my kids is drama incarnate while sick, and the hysterics are enough to drive me over the edge. My calm demeanor is sometimes the only thing that holds us together...
I am reading...
Just finished State of Fear (for book club) and am still re-reading Hold On To Your Kids. It is the only parenting book worth buying, IMHO. I can't even lend it out, I'm so glued.
From the kitchen...
It's been McD's and pizza for those well enough to eat. I'm too worn out playing sick nurse and disinfecting the house. Hopefully I'll be able to throw something decent together for tonight.
I am creating...
Beauty. In my home and most specifically, in the master bed and bath. Lil Sis and I are doing paintings, and I am organizing and re-decorating. It's nice to live in a grown up space.
On my iPod...
Nothing new, yet. I gave a list to Lil Sis and she made me a cd. Somehow in the next week, the two shall become one. :)
I am hoping and praying...
That the children recuperate before company come on Friday, and that DH and I don't get sick. It's imperative that we don't. And so we are willing our way around this airborne virus.
In the garden...
Mr. D next door promised me new flowers soon. But in the meantime, the stuff out there looks great! (did you seriously expect me to remember the actual names of what I planted out there?) So, I am not too concerned at the moment. The torrential rains this weekend made our yards look amazing.
Around the house...
Fall decor has sprung up, though not in full force yet. It's hard to put out the scarecrows and pumpkins when it is 85 degrees. Although I know it is fall. The sun is slanted and everything burns orange...
On keeping home...
Nursing sick ones and reading to feverished children has enveloped my days. However, DH and I have really gotten quite a bit accomplished in and outside the home. Nothing motivates you like expected family in town! We are thrilled that Andrew's sister is making the trip south. The weather looks promising, and the hope of health keeps us going.
One of my favorite things...
Hot coffee on a cool, cloudy morning. And everyone home, safe and sound. DH is working from home today and Lil Sis hasn't left for school yet. The house is bustling, but quietly. I love it.
A few plans for the rest of the week...
I believe we only have one plan for the rest of the week... GET. BETTER. :) With lots of cleaning along the way.
A picture thought I am sharing...
Behold... our "sick room." The kids don't like to be banished to their rooms when they are sick. Instead, we spread sheets over our furniture and assign each sickie their own "bed." The kitchen overlooks this living room, so they have easy access to Mom, medicine and food. The TV is also in this room and entertainment abounds.
This is where the action is these days.
:)
Friday, October 02, 2009
Poetry Friday
From the "rejected by employer" department:
THE CATCH
Wind-whipped blue sky
Mountains rushing past.
Orange vest
Life is best
On the oceans vast.
Fish, birds, swim, fly
Sea salt and water wet
Curved line
Life is fine
Flippers in the net.
One, three, seven, ten!
Pouring through the hatch.
In the hull
Life is full
Bringing home the catch
:)
THE CATCH
Wind-whipped blue sky
Mountains rushing past.
Orange vest
Life is best
On the oceans vast.
Fish, birds, swim, fly
Sea salt and water wet
Curved line
Life is fine
Flippers in the net.
One, three, seven, ten!
Pouring through the hatch.
In the hull
Life is full
Bringing home the catch
:)
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