Tuesday, November 30, 2010

Joys

My friend, Sarah over at http://www.sarahmarkley.com/ put up a wonderful post on her blog today about challenging herself to find daily joys in life all through the month of December. I loved this! Life is about that, isn't it? Looking for what you can be JOYful about. I look around and there are many wonderful things that bring us JOY each day, but we are so used to them and take them for granted, that sometimes we may miss those little things. For today, I have found JOY in being healthy. I have never suffered by being unhealthy, but moving around my house today I was cleaning and organizing with such ease, but I took it for granted. What if I wasn't able to do that and everyday was a struggle? At the least, it would be a very unproductive day, and at the worst I probably wouldn't enjoy waking up each day. I find JOY in my health and vigor. What do you find JOYful?

Monday, November 29, 2010

December

The month of magic! Lights, music, decorating, holiday outings, bundling up w/ scarves, hats and mittens. The brisk chill just "feels" WINTER! I love it. But I wish it wasn't also the month I turned another year older. I always have to associate the excitement of everything that happens in December with my birthday. I guess I am used to it, however it's not always fun to share my birthday with the month that Jesus was also born. He gets all the glory- I don't. I get Birthday presents wrapped in Christmas wrapping, I get excuses on why people can't get together for my bday because they have Christmas parties to attend or Christmas shopping to do, I get a quick glance and then moving on!! But the one perk I have always delighted in is that I DO get to have my birthday at a magical time, nonetheless! Hustle and Bustle, hustle and bustle! :)

Tuesday, November 23, 2010

Date Nights

NOTE: I NEED A DATE NIGHT and I think I can speak for my husband - SO DOES HE!

I didn't realize how important date nights were until AFTER we had kids. Then we had babies and we didn't have anyone to leave our children with, especially as babies. We had to learn to accept that and "ride it out" until they were a little older and when we felt a little more reassured that the kids would be OK and wouldn't die if we left for an evening! AHHH...the joys of first time parents! To say that we thought we were going to lose our minds (without having any breaks or time to be together ALONE w/o kids) for YEARS, is an understatement.

Now that the kids are older we do take date nights. But still not as often as I wish we could. I would be happy with 1 date every 2 weeks. More like I think we NEED one every two weeks. I think all couples do. It's more like once a month or sometimes as long as once EVERY TWO months! That is just ridiculous. About 3 yrs. ago, we actually got the opportunity to get a TRIP AWAY for 6 days! At that point we had been married for 10 yrs. and realized it was our first getaway (except one that was 2 days about 5 yrs. prior) and we WERE IN HEAVEN and realized that we thrived from that trip.

Rule of thumb- Take date nights as often as you CAN! Take a one night getaway every other month and try to take an extended trip (5+ days) once a year!!

Start by taking a Date TONIGHT and on the date pencil on your calendar when your next trip is going to be!!

Monday, November 22, 2010

Take the time.

Let your children create, express and share. Listen to what is important to them. Express to them how much you love them and that you are listening. Li-sten! Li-sten! They have so much to say and teach us. I learn something everyday from my kiddos....
What did you learn today from them?

Saturday, November 20, 2010

Fighting for Rituals.

Even though both Gracie and Cole are in school, I still feel like I'm not "all the way there." Cole only goes for a half a day and he is home by 12:30. I feel like I am slowly hanging on with only 1 finger and grabbing his finger and grasping for that little short while left of having my baby (or any kids) at home any longer during the day. It's slowly widdling down to the end. Soon they will both be at school all day and then I can accomplish many things that I have wanted to for the last (by then it will be 10 yrs.)!! BUT I will still wish they were home with me. Our routine everyday is picking up Cole and he comes home and eats lunch and we still have some 1 on 1 time together. It still feels like I have a "little one." It's a ritual- it is what I have had for years. Always a little one by my side. To say the least, I will feel sad when it is no longer that way. Even now, I wish for their vacations- because then I have them all to myself. I love their random days off. I even love their EVERY WEEK modified Wednesdays because then I know I get them at 1pm and we have the whole rest of the day together. We do "movie wednesdays" at home where we relax on "hump day" and cuddle together. I'm going to fight for these alone times with them, even when they are teenagers. I'm going to fight for my rituals.

Friday, November 19, 2010

Gratitude

Lately, everything seems to be flowing.

Gracie has been exceptional in communicating her feelings in a way that is NON-dramatic and effective. Cole has been making us all laugh on a daily basis and finally is really able to laugh at himself; he is not taking everything so seriously.
Bryan has regularly been coming up here to see us all and has done what he says; when he says he will be here at a certain time, he actually HAS been here at that time.
Onyx (despite the fact that she is nearly 14 yrs. old) is really hanging in there. Sometimes you can see her slower pace but in so many ways she still acts like a puppy with her hyperactivity and loveable self.
Brownie just wanders outside but is always only wandering in the backyard waiting for us to show our face so he can come press up against us. Even though he is going to snub us the minute we pay attention.
Robert has lightened his load and is really living in the moment and being present with all of us. He is loving me minute by minute.
I am being more patient and not jumping at the moment that something doesn't go the way I think it should.
These are all things that have happened on a weekly basis and have reminded me on a daily basis WHY I am grateful and that my family is the absolute BEST. I am not taking any of it for granted. (see SIDE NOTE below).

Love the ones you hold closest. Enjoy those seconds, minutes, hours and if you're lucky days, weeks, months and years you have with them. Put down your technological device and stare at her or him. Kiss them, tell them WHY you love them, why you appreciate them, and remember that moment you are in. Who do you love everyday and why?


Side note: Today at my DR. appt., I was relieved, but not surprised, that I am still as healthy as ever and was advised to "keep living my current healthy lifestyle." Another reason to be grateful.

Thursday, November 18, 2010

Sometimes you just get your hopes up and POOF, the letdown

I tend to get really excited when I see things going in a direction that will be good, really good for me or us.  I just get right on board. I start to daydream and I really believe that the "change" will take us to a better place then we are. We can finally start to really "plan and get ahead." I believe in the "thing" that I have set my mind to- I believe it is going to happen. I really BELIEVE. Then after the steps that I have put into place are there and I have now focused on the future- things change and don't pan out the way I want or what I thought. I try not to be discouraged or sad or sorry, but the truth is I am. How do I get over these valleys? What have you looked forward to lately and it hasn't happened?

Wednesday, November 17, 2010

Proud as can be!

Robert and I attended parent/teacher conferences this week.  We were beside ourselves with pride. Our kids have always done well, but when you see it on a consistent basis and their teachers are beaming that they have gone above and beyond- in their school work and as a student with good life skills, it makes me well up with tears. Not for the reflection on me, but for the hope that you have had since the day they were born that they would excel, succeed and love life with a zest for learning and be excited about what's to come and wanting more! It is overwhelming and I am so happy, so thrilled! They, too, are beaming. I just want my kids to dream, believe and persist! That is all I could hope for!

Tuesday, November 16, 2010

Time sure does fly.

My first year with the kids at the same school and THEIR first year together. Cole started Kindergarten and Gracie is in 4th grade. I really wish I could freeze time because I have the best kids out there. They are so sweet, loving and thoughtful. I want them to stay little for as long as possible.

Monday, November 15, 2010

Trying very hard to keep up.

As I look back on my blog, I realize I really do suck at keeping it up. The things I write about are precious to me and I want to keep it going. Everyday something funny happens in our family and I want to log it down. I don't want to forget those times. So I am re-dedicated. I have even set a reminder on my phone so that I will be reminded everyday to at least write something. I know that my kids would love to have this to look back at - along with their scrap booking books. HA! Did I just say scrap booking? Yes, another craft I LOVE to do, but can't find the time for. Gracie is 9 and I am still scrapping her 1st year. :( This is going to change. I found a friend that I hope between the two of us we can get others to plan a monthly night to scrap.
More to come....xo, T