I think all of us have people around us that we look at and think "HOW in the WORLD do you do your life..."
Whether it's because they are a full time working mom
or they are involved in 30 different things
or they always have gourmet meals on their tables
or their house is always spotless
or they have lots of kids
or they live in the boondocks
or the city
or they live with an in law
or they are slowly, painfully, renovating their house while still living in it
or they are a widow(er)
or they have lost a child
or they are in a less than ideal marriage
or they are good news to everyone around them without even having to try...
There are a million things that cause us to stop in our tracks and marvel at how someone else does their life.
I have a list of my own, but one that has been on my mind a LOT lately is the woman who have husbands in the military
and b.c they are in the military, they leave the country for MONTHS if not more at a time
I can barley keep my emotions together when Bill is working day after day all week long, late into the night
BUT, I get to SEE him...every night
I can TALK to him when ever I want
I can TOUCH him daily
I can SMELL him frequently
and I know that its just 5 days at a time that I have to go with little interaction, as we always have the weekends
So, this brings me back to these amazing woman
You have lives that don't stop just b.c your husbands are gone
you still have bills to pay and houses to keep and laundry to do and some of you have kids to take care of and animals to let out and jobs to work
and this all has to be done ALONE
I marvel at you
My husband makes is a huge point anytime he sees someone in the military to thank them...for serving US, by doing what so many of us would NEVER want or be willing to do, so that we can live in this spoiled country and so that our allies can become a little safer in theirs.
With that...I have to say THANK YOU to all you ladies
Thank you, b.c I have NO idea how you do it. I wish I could do something to take care of each one of you...I can't, obviously, so I will just leave you with Thank you.
*I would like to state that this post in no way is a desire to discuss whether or not I agree/disagree with the war....it is simply my thoughts about these woman who have to do so much of their life alone these days.* =)
Thursday, December 3, 2009
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
car trip funnies
Ella has ballet on Tuesdays and Thursdays RIGHT after school
This means she has to eat her snack (quickly!) in the car on the ride there and then, if possible, try getting some clothes off (while safely seatbelted in of course) to be as prepared as possible to take her sweet,
precious,
lolly gaggin
old time getting her leotard and tights and bun cover on....b.c she does everything in slow motion (don't even get me started on how long it takes her to..ehem...use the bathroom)
anyways, this was the case this past tuesday
She was trying to get her jacket off and somehow smacked her head (hard) against her (metal) water bottle
As she is sobbing in pain (dramatically? probably...but I still felt bad for her. i am a good mom like that...all full of compassion and stuff) Tucker says "Mommy, me never never never hit my head on cups"
to which Tate pipes up "Oh Tucker...you ALWAYS hit your head on cups"
why do my kids have such weird conversations
and why was no one worried about my poor Ella? (who was now laughing through her sobs)
then later that night, I picked Ella up, along with a friends daughter who I get to bring home (she is a riot...so its lots of fun). Her name is Roxanne
After we dropped her off Tate said to me in disbelief "WHY did they name her that?"
I was a bit confused as i think her name is beautiful and not weird or worthy of the disbelief in his voice, but I told him that is what she was named when she was born
I could almost hear the crickets chirping as Tate thought about this and finally said
"yeah..but...Rock Sand???"
This means she has to eat her snack (quickly!) in the car on the ride there and then, if possible, try getting some clothes off (while safely seatbelted in of course) to be as prepared as possible to take her sweet,
precious,
lolly gaggin
old time getting her leotard and tights and bun cover on....b.c she does everything in slow motion (don't even get me started on how long it takes her to..ehem...use the bathroom)
anyways, this was the case this past tuesday
She was trying to get her jacket off and somehow smacked her head (hard) against her (metal) water bottle
As she is sobbing in pain (dramatically? probably...but I still felt bad for her. i am a good mom like that...all full of compassion and stuff) Tucker says "Mommy, me never never never hit my head on cups"
to which Tate pipes up "Oh Tucker...you ALWAYS hit your head on cups"
why do my kids have such weird conversations
and why was no one worried about my poor Ella? (who was now laughing through her sobs)
then later that night, I picked Ella up, along with a friends daughter who I get to bring home (she is a riot...so its lots of fun). Her name is Roxanne
After we dropped her off Tate said to me in disbelief "WHY did they name her that?"
I was a bit confused as i think her name is beautiful and not weird or worthy of the disbelief in his voice, but I told him that is what she was named when she was born
I could almost hear the crickets chirping as Tate thought about this and finally said
"yeah..but...Rock Sand???"
New Years Photo Session
When: December 31, 2009
Where: Cambridge (Willowbridge Center)
What: 20 minute mini sessions
$125 (includes CD)
Email: ms@momentsintimemn.com
spots are already filling up!! =)
Where: Cambridge (Willowbridge Center)
What: 20 minute mini sessions
$125 (includes CD)
Email: ms@momentsintimemn.com
spots are already filling up!! =)
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Tell me yours, please!
What is your #1 favorite Christmas tradition?
I LOVE traditions and how different they can be from family to family.
The one we have started with out kids (by accident) that has been so much fun is every year, the weekend after Thanksgiving, we head out to our favorite local store (ehem...Target) and the kids each get to pick out their own Christmas ornament, that of course they will get to take with them when they move out
(unfortunately, the past two years they have all been in love with BIG LARGE REAL looking birds...so we now have a flock of birds on our tree. Blah...I hate birds! haha)
I LOVE traditions and how different they can be from family to family.
The one we have started with out kids (by accident) that has been so much fun is every year, the weekend after Thanksgiving, we head out to our favorite local store (ehem...Target) and the kids each get to pick out their own Christmas ornament, that of course they will get to take with them when they move out
(unfortunately, the past two years they have all been in love with BIG LARGE REAL looking birds...so we now have a flock of birds on our tree. Blah...I hate birds! haha)
Monday, November 30, 2009
Things you hear in a house with boys
well...this is more like things that HAPPEN in a house with boys
Your 5 year old gets up from his nap (yes, he still naps!) but apparently isnt QUITE awake b.c you realize shortly after that he has walked into the kitchen
pulled down his pants
and peed
right on the floor
at least a girl would notice she was squatting and not sitting on a toilet!!
Your 5 year old gets up from his nap (yes, he still naps!) but apparently isnt QUITE awake b.c you realize shortly after that he has walked into the kitchen
pulled down his pants
and peed
right on the floor
at least a girl would notice she was squatting and not sitting on a toilet!!
In my weakness, He will be revealed
Some of my favorite words to read were those written by the apostle Paul....If I could have a love for Christ that matched anyone elses, it would be his.
Once he stopped killing Christan's =) His entire existence became that to make Christ known. He didn't care what people thought, said or did to him...as long as Christ was seen in him.
Recently I read something I have either never read before, or that has never stuck before. Paul said (paraphrased) "It is in my weakness that Gods power is revealed"
I have not been able to stop thinking about this....and the more I do, the more it makes sense to me
When you see me, anything GOOD in me that you see is NOT because of WHO I am...but because of what He has made me
I am not saying that without Him I can't be nice or sweet or fun or caring
But I am saying without Him, ALL of this is tainted with my self centeredness
With my desire to always put ME first
If I am a good mom...its only because of Him
If I am a good wife...its only because of Him
If I am a good friend...its only because of Him
SO, how does that apply to allowing my weaknesses to be seen? Because if you can see who I am naturally, without him...then when these same things become GOOD in me, you can see the power He has
For example:
My weakness is to be comfortable ALL the time. Which means I don't really give of myself. I sit instead of getting up to take care of others and if I DO take care of others, I spend the entire time thinking to myself "when is someone going to take care of me?" I pout and get resentful of the time I put into those around me.
THIS IS ME
However, I have come to LOVE to take care of others...I LOVE to make other peoples lives easier...and I rarely wonder when the favor will be returned
THIS IS HIM (in me)
My weakness is to be quick and edgy and sharp in my responses to those who hurt me. If I can make a dig at them, then they will know what they just did to me. This leaves a nasty barrier between me and this person that only builds higher and higher each time I respond with digs.
THIS IS ME
However, my heart is soft to those who hurt me. I find myself trying to see what their intentions were. Surely they didn't PLAN on hurting me. And if they did, it most likely has nothing to do with me, but something in themselves they are dealing with ...so I pray for them. And I forgive them.
THIS IS HIM (in me)
My weakness is that I want to receive accolades and compliments and awards for the things I do....not that this is all bad, but I am JEALOUS when others get them and I don't. And the jealousy makes it very hard for me to be happy for them. I get bitter
THIS IS ME
However, I have gotten so that I am embarrassed when I DO receive accolades and compliments...and I LOVE when those I care about receive them. I get excited to share in their glory and their honor. There are no hard feelings and I am PROUD of them.
THIS IS HIM (in me)
My weakness is to NOT share out of what I have extra...b.c I might be able to make money if I sell it. Or I just might want to hang onto it (although I have never used it or have several of one thing) b.c I JUST MIGHT WANT TO USE IT ONE DAY. I really don't CARE if someone else really actually needs it....I worked hard for it. I saved for it or earned it. This makes me completely self centered and very ungrateful for the things I DO have. Somehow hoarding all of this actually makes me WANT MORE
THIS IS ME
Somehow, I have come to LOVE to give what I have extra. Or sometimes, even what I DONT Have extra...but know someone else could use (or really needs). I have found SO much joy in giving and it makes me so aware of the needs of others around me. It makes me BEYOND grateful for the things I have.
THIS IS HIM (in me)
On that same line...I LOVE stuff. I love to decorate. I love clothes. I love having tons of options to display around my house. Although there is nothing wrong with having things...this tends to own me. I get physically sick when I can't have the things I want. Which makes me mad that we don't have more money. It makes me jealous of those that do. It makes me HATE the things I do have b.c they aren't good enough. It makes me pouty and feeling sorry for myself and causes me to buy things EVEN IF I CANT AFFORD THEM (and have to use credit to do so)
THIS IS ME
I no longer care to have so much. In fact, I find it ridiculous to have things "just to have them". I have found that going into debt just to accumulate "stuff" makes me SO uncomfortable and uneasy and stressed that I can't and wont do it anymore. I am now SO grateful for what I do have and get excited to do things around my house once I have saved for it...but if I can't, I DO not get a negative physical reaction. I am TOTALLY contend with what I have. I feel no NEED to get more.
THIS IS HIM (in me)
One last weakness is that in general I am ungrateful and antsy and longing for more and uncomfortable and self centered and self seeking and manipulative and needy and self conscious
THIS IS ME
However, now....I am full of peace and contentment and joy and I am not jealous and I have no desire to manipulate and make things MY way.
THIS IS HIM (in me)
As I see this short list of my weaknesses compared to how He has transformed me...I can see HOW important it is that my weaknesses be shown so HIS power can be revealed.
I have no idea how to regularly allow my weaknesses to be seen so that His power that has overcome these weaknesses can be revealed....but I will start with this post.
Because, it is ONLY by His power that I am not stuck in these weaknesses.
Once he stopped killing Christan's =) His entire existence became that to make Christ known. He didn't care what people thought, said or did to him...as long as Christ was seen in him.
Recently I read something I have either never read before, or that has never stuck before. Paul said (paraphrased) "It is in my weakness that Gods power is revealed"
I have not been able to stop thinking about this....and the more I do, the more it makes sense to me
When you see me, anything GOOD in me that you see is NOT because of WHO I am...but because of what He has made me
I am not saying that without Him I can't be nice or sweet or fun or caring
But I am saying without Him, ALL of this is tainted with my self centeredness
With my desire to always put ME first
If I am a good mom...its only because of Him
If I am a good wife...its only because of Him
If I am a good friend...its only because of Him
SO, how does that apply to allowing my weaknesses to be seen? Because if you can see who I am naturally, without him...then when these same things become GOOD in me, you can see the power He has
For example:
My weakness is to be comfortable ALL the time. Which means I don't really give of myself. I sit instead of getting up to take care of others and if I DO take care of others, I spend the entire time thinking to myself "when is someone going to take care of me?" I pout and get resentful of the time I put into those around me.
THIS IS ME
However, I have come to LOVE to take care of others...I LOVE to make other peoples lives easier...and I rarely wonder when the favor will be returned
THIS IS HIM (in me)
My weakness is to be quick and edgy and sharp in my responses to those who hurt me. If I can make a dig at them, then they will know what they just did to me. This leaves a nasty barrier between me and this person that only builds higher and higher each time I respond with digs.
THIS IS ME
However, my heart is soft to those who hurt me. I find myself trying to see what their intentions were. Surely they didn't PLAN on hurting me. And if they did, it most likely has nothing to do with me, but something in themselves they are dealing with ...so I pray for them. And I forgive them.
THIS IS HIM (in me)
My weakness is that I want to receive accolades and compliments and awards for the things I do....not that this is all bad, but I am JEALOUS when others get them and I don't. And the jealousy makes it very hard for me to be happy for them. I get bitter
THIS IS ME
However, I have gotten so that I am embarrassed when I DO receive accolades and compliments...and I LOVE when those I care about receive them. I get excited to share in their glory and their honor. There are no hard feelings and I am PROUD of them.
THIS IS HIM (in me)
My weakness is to NOT share out of what I have extra...b.c I might be able to make money if I sell it. Or I just might want to hang onto it (although I have never used it or have several of one thing) b.c I JUST MIGHT WANT TO USE IT ONE DAY. I really don't CARE if someone else really actually needs it....I worked hard for it. I saved for it or earned it. This makes me completely self centered and very ungrateful for the things I DO have. Somehow hoarding all of this actually makes me WANT MORE
THIS IS ME
Somehow, I have come to LOVE to give what I have extra. Or sometimes, even what I DONT Have extra...but know someone else could use (or really needs). I have found SO much joy in giving and it makes me so aware of the needs of others around me. It makes me BEYOND grateful for the things I have.
THIS IS HIM (in me)
On that same line...I LOVE stuff. I love to decorate. I love clothes. I love having tons of options to display around my house. Although there is nothing wrong with having things...this tends to own me. I get physically sick when I can't have the things I want. Which makes me mad that we don't have more money. It makes me jealous of those that do. It makes me HATE the things I do have b.c they aren't good enough. It makes me pouty and feeling sorry for myself and causes me to buy things EVEN IF I CANT AFFORD THEM (and have to use credit to do so)
THIS IS ME
I no longer care to have so much. In fact, I find it ridiculous to have things "just to have them". I have found that going into debt just to accumulate "stuff" makes me SO uncomfortable and uneasy and stressed that I can't and wont do it anymore. I am now SO grateful for what I do have and get excited to do things around my house once I have saved for it...but if I can't, I DO not get a negative physical reaction. I am TOTALLY contend with what I have. I feel no NEED to get more.
THIS IS HIM (in me)
One last weakness is that in general I am ungrateful and antsy and longing for more and uncomfortable and self centered and self seeking and manipulative and needy and self conscious
THIS IS ME
However, now....I am full of peace and contentment and joy and I am not jealous and I have no desire to manipulate and make things MY way.
THIS IS HIM (in me)
As I see this short list of my weaknesses compared to how He has transformed me...I can see HOW important it is that my weaknesses be shown so HIS power can be revealed.
I have no idea how to regularly allow my weaknesses to be seen so that His power that has overcome these weaknesses can be revealed....but I will start with this post.
Because, it is ONLY by His power that I am not stuck in these weaknesses.
Sunday, November 29, 2009
30 day shred
Ok everyone....its that time again
that time in which I want to begin working off this baby chub!(for the last time!!)
Although I am SO excited to run again, I much prefer to to run outside so the thought of starting to run on my treadmill for the next 4 months seems daunting
LUCKILY, my sister is the BIGGEST advocate of the 30 day Shred (as she should be...her results were AMAZING) and b.c she is SUCH an advocate, she gave the Shred to me for my baby present!!
And today was the day I couldn't stand it anymore...my bod has been ACHING to start working out again!
And I did! Level 1...it hurt and felt great all at the same time!
I wonder if I will be able to walk tomorrow??? =)
that time in which I want to begin working off this baby chub!(for the last time!!)
Although I am SO excited to run again, I much prefer to to run outside so the thought of starting to run on my treadmill for the next 4 months seems daunting
LUCKILY, my sister is the BIGGEST advocate of the 30 day Shred (as she should be...her results were AMAZING) and b.c she is SUCH an advocate, she gave the Shred to me for my baby present!!
And today was the day I couldn't stand it anymore...my bod has been ACHING to start working out again!
And I did! Level 1...it hurt and felt great all at the same time!
I wonder if I will be able to walk tomorrow??? =)
Saturday, November 28, 2009
What not to wear...
although I may be REALLY insulted ;) I would LOVE if someone submitted me to that show
Wouldn't it be AMAZING to be sent on a $5000 shopping spree in NEW YORK?!
And then to get a hair make over?!?!?
Man...I just can't even IMAGINE what they could do with me =)
(although, I do have to say that I can't quite stomach the thought of spending THAT much money on clothes....not quite I said)
Wouldn't it be AMAZING to be sent on a $5000 shopping spree in NEW YORK?!
And then to get a hair make over?!?!?
Man...I just can't even IMAGINE what they could do with me =)
(although, I do have to say that I can't quite stomach the thought of spending THAT much money on clothes....not quite I said)
Thursday, November 26, 2009
HOW did I end up at the wrong school??
My kids go to a school called the Intermediate School and the School for all Seasons.
WE just call it the SFAS as that is the portion my kids attend
I went to the school they go to...
The meeting was at the PRIMARY school...It did not click in my stupid head!
I am not use to primary and intermediate schools as its a new thing here...=)
WE just call it the SFAS as that is the portion my kids attend
I went to the school they go to...
The meeting was at the PRIMARY school...It did not click in my stupid head!
I am not use to primary and intermediate schools as its a new thing here...=)
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