I'm a People Person. I guess you would say that I'm an extrovert too...although I can be introspective and (believe it or not) shy at times. But, I get energized by people. I'm one of those people that can't drive somewhere by myself and NOT try to call someone. I like converstaion...the silence sometimes just irritates me...not all the time. I like a quiet moment here and there, but for the most part, I just like being around people. I don't always have to be the center of attention, but I like to keep a conversation going if I can! I love bein' in a big group and laughing and sharing and just having fun!
That's probably why I like our lifegroup so much! I love being surrounded by people in different stages of life, with different life experiences, but with love for one another! Oh, I just have such a fun time when they are all over here at our house! I even love being picked on (which often happens here on Thursday nights) because it comes from people who know me!
We had a great time tonight and I just was reflecting on it...so thanks for listening!
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
It's beginning to feel a lot like....spring?
I think I've caught it...spring FEVER!!! (read that, "Fevah!!") I'm ready for it...I'm ready to open the windows (not to mention: clean the windows), plant my garden, grow my herbs, bike ride, run with my neighbor, go puddle jumping, swing on swings, smell some tulips and daffodils, dig in the dirt, wear capris, even with my white hairy legs...I'm not vain...you may be blinded when I finally come out of hibernating all winter, but I'm comin' out none the less!
My head is spinning with all sorts of "plans" for my gardens, and recipes I will make once those harvests come in...I've been researchin' and asking a billion questions about everything...I'm just gettin' ready...sunshine, you gotta get here soon!
My girls did a "play" for Italian stallion and I this evening. They composed the entire musical...Peanut was the SUN and Sweetpea was the "prancing girl"...together they sang about the Sun being Fun..oh what Fun is the Sun...One was in a skirt and tee shirt and the other in a mini skort and tee (that was probably 2 sizes too small for her)...they did their hair in ribbons and barrettes...even staged it in the family room...
What are you looking forward to this spring? I want to go outside without needing a jacket...and make a bonfire for smores with all the neighbors, and sit outside and watch the girls play on the playset...The neat thing, is that my "dream" of spring WILL come true...it's just a matter of time!!!
My head is spinning with all sorts of "plans" for my gardens, and recipes I will make once those harvests come in...I've been researchin' and asking a billion questions about everything...I'm just gettin' ready...sunshine, you gotta get here soon!
My girls did a "play" for Italian stallion and I this evening. They composed the entire musical...Peanut was the SUN and Sweetpea was the "prancing girl"...together they sang about the Sun being Fun..oh what Fun is the Sun...One was in a skirt and tee shirt and the other in a mini skort and tee (that was probably 2 sizes too small for her)...they did their hair in ribbons and barrettes...even staged it in the family room...
What are you looking forward to this spring? I want to go outside without needing a jacket...and make a bonfire for smores with all the neighbors, and sit outside and watch the girls play on the playset...The neat thing, is that my "dream" of spring WILL come true...it's just a matter of time!!!
Saturday, March 21, 2009
Esther Study and my girls
I’m in the middle of an Esther bible study by Beth Moore and nothing thus far has challenged me to be more aware of my parenting my little girls than this study. Beth intereviewed over 200 women asking them what are the hardest things about being a woman:
Oh she got some fun answers...I wish I could list them all right here because I have laughed so hard at some of them...but others that she read had some real seriousness to them:
~being insecure
~not being beautiful enough for this society
~having to deal with MEAN people, catty women
~balancing life
~emotional rollarcoasters
~comparing myself to others
What I realized is that not only have I and do I have these things in my life from time to time BUT...my GIRLS WILL be bombarded with these...this is what they have to "look forward to"...I can't protect them from everything...and when those lies and sins come charging at them...each one of my daughters will have the choice to either believe the lies or fight them...
It has really caused me to sit and think about how I parent them, as not only their mom and authority figure but as a "woman". If you read an earlier post from this week, I had the opportunity to deal with "comparison" with my eldest girl. It was eye opening for me and for her. I want to remember to drop everything else that comes charging in my day when one of my girls needs something like that. But, I also want to be proactive...to find ways to not just connect but talk through certain feelings and character traits.
My girls are young...they may not deal with these things for awhile...but I don't think that it just happens overnight either...I wonder if I really thought about it and looked for opportunities in the "small" things, that when they get older and the insecurities become "bigger" and the "meanness" is more emotional...that perhaps we'll have an even more solid foundation from which to build on...
Got some stuff to think about for sure...if you have time and you are a girl :) list your top 1-2 reasons that it's hard to be a woman on my comment list...I'm really interested!!!
Oh she got some fun answers...I wish I could list them all right here because I have laughed so hard at some of them...but others that she read had some real seriousness to them:
~being insecure
~not being beautiful enough for this society
~having to deal with MEAN people, catty women
~balancing life
~emotional rollarcoasters
~comparing myself to others
What I realized is that not only have I and do I have these things in my life from time to time BUT...my GIRLS WILL be bombarded with these...this is what they have to "look forward to"...I can't protect them from everything...and when those lies and sins come charging at them...each one of my daughters will have the choice to either believe the lies or fight them...
It has really caused me to sit and think about how I parent them, as not only their mom and authority figure but as a "woman". If you read an earlier post from this week, I had the opportunity to deal with "comparison" with my eldest girl. It was eye opening for me and for her. I want to remember to drop everything else that comes charging in my day when one of my girls needs something like that. But, I also want to be proactive...to find ways to not just connect but talk through certain feelings and character traits.
My girls are young...they may not deal with these things for awhile...but I don't think that it just happens overnight either...I wonder if I really thought about it and looked for opportunities in the "small" things, that when they get older and the insecurities become "bigger" and the "meanness" is more emotional...that perhaps we'll have an even more solid foundation from which to build on...
Got some stuff to think about for sure...if you have time and you are a girl :) list your top 1-2 reasons that it's hard to be a woman on my comment list...I'm really interested!!!
Short and Sweet
It's Saturday
I have a cold and can't breathe out of one nostril (sides keep switching)
Italian Stallion has his first soccer practice with the girls
Little Munchkin keeps running around the house chasing the dog
My middle sweet thing caught the cold and has some "weepy" eyes
I feel like the TV has been on for 2 days straight
I'm heading to Michigan to visit the grandparents this week
Little Munchkin had marshmallows for breakfast
Italian STallion got in an accident this week, but he now has his car back and repaired
I think Wonder Pets is a RIDICULOUS show
I don't get how the kids can have an electronic game blaring, the TV on and be talking all at the same time and expect to hear ANYTHING
I really could use a hot white chocolate mocha from Starbucks about now
I write really cool blogs when I lay down to sleep at night and then completely forget them by morning
Our house is cold, but my girls insist on wearing shorts and tee shirts because it's spring
My Esther bible study is really great, although my attitude isn't cooperating with everything else
I can't wait to start my garden...I think I will start in April with potatoes and lettuces
I think I may need some ibuprofen here soon
Graig and Sara made it to Kenya and found a LIBRARY!!! yippee
Yep, I could REALLY use a Starbucks
My house is pretty much a mess, but laundry is almost done
My brother & his family is coming to visit us in Michigan too...and I can't wait
I wonder if I own any socks without any holes in them
so, that's about it for the morning here this cold Saturday in Spring...hope you have a great weekend!
I have a cold and can't breathe out of one nostril (sides keep switching)
Italian Stallion has his first soccer practice with the girls
Little Munchkin keeps running around the house chasing the dog
My middle sweet thing caught the cold and has some "weepy" eyes
I feel like the TV has been on for 2 days straight
I'm heading to Michigan to visit the grandparents this week
Little Munchkin had marshmallows for breakfast
Italian STallion got in an accident this week, but he now has his car back and repaired
I think Wonder Pets is a RIDICULOUS show
I don't get how the kids can have an electronic game blaring, the TV on and be talking all at the same time and expect to hear ANYTHING
I really could use a hot white chocolate mocha from Starbucks about now
I write really cool blogs when I lay down to sleep at night and then completely forget them by morning
Our house is cold, but my girls insist on wearing shorts and tee shirts because it's spring
My Esther bible study is really great, although my attitude isn't cooperating with everything else
I can't wait to start my garden...I think I will start in April with potatoes and lettuces
I think I may need some ibuprofen here soon
Graig and Sara made it to Kenya and found a LIBRARY!!! yippee
Yep, I could REALLY use a Starbucks
My house is pretty much a mess, but laundry is almost done
My brother & his family is coming to visit us in Michigan too...and I can't wait
I wonder if I own any socks without any holes in them
so, that's about it for the morning here this cold Saturday in Spring...hope you have a great weekend!
Friday, March 20, 2009
dog stories
Well, it’s been a month since we “adopted” the newest member of our family…the little Yorkie that has invaded our home! I have to tell you that although I am so grateful to have her because my girls adore her, and even though Anthony pretends to NOT like her, I can tell that he likes it when she chooses to “relax” on his chest late at night while we’re just veggin’ in front of the TV…anyway, I say again: although I am grateful, it has been a little challenge for me…
You see, I AM the Alpha dog in this house…(bear with me here…hear me out) You see, Macie has that little dog mentality…the one where she feels like SHE rules the roost. And that is NOT okay for me…needless to say, Macie and I have had quite a few little run ins to say the least! Let me give you some examples:
~”Oh my, it’s raining outside, even though I haven’t peed in 5 hours, I do NOT want to get my little paws damp, so NO I will NOT be going outside before bed…I would rather pee on your floor and you can just wipe it up for me.”
~”When I growl at you, I EXPECT you to be at my beckon call…if I want to play, GET UP and play with me…otherwise, I am going to sit here and growl at you until I drive you crazy, however, when I’m done…I’m done.”
~“If you are going to put me in the laundry room instead of your own bed at night, well then I’m going to bark and whine at you so that you can’t sleep and then when you come and get me in the morning, watch out…I’m going to make a beeline for UNDER your bed and don’t you dare follow because I’ll get so far under that you can’t ever reach me!”
Many of you are probably laughing or saying, “duh, this is what a puppy does…” the thing is…she’s not a puppy…she almost 7 years old. The “other” thing is, she misses her family. We are not the same…I think I’ve said that a lot, that Sara and I have polar opposite personalities..so I’m sure that I irritate Macie beyond belief!
All in all, it’s not really bad! I just laugh and think it’s funny that this little 5 lbs. dog thinks she’s all that! I’m looking forward to spring when we can all hang outside and play together.
You see, I AM the Alpha dog in this house…(bear with me here…hear me out) You see, Macie has that little dog mentality…the one where she feels like SHE rules the roost. And that is NOT okay for me…needless to say, Macie and I have had quite a few little run ins to say the least! Let me give you some examples:
~”Oh my, it’s raining outside, even though I haven’t peed in 5 hours, I do NOT want to get my little paws damp, so NO I will NOT be going outside before bed…I would rather pee on your floor and you can just wipe it up for me.”
~”When I growl at you, I EXPECT you to be at my beckon call…if I want to play, GET UP and play with me…otherwise, I am going to sit here and growl at you until I drive you crazy, however, when I’m done…I’m done.”
~“If you are going to put me in the laundry room instead of your own bed at night, well then I’m going to bark and whine at you so that you can’t sleep and then when you come and get me in the morning, watch out…I’m going to make a beeline for UNDER your bed and don’t you dare follow because I’ll get so far under that you can’t ever reach me!”
Many of you are probably laughing or saying, “duh, this is what a puppy does…” the thing is…she’s not a puppy…she almost 7 years old. The “other” thing is, she misses her family. We are not the same…I think I’ve said that a lot, that Sara and I have polar opposite personalities..so I’m sure that I irritate Macie beyond belief!
All in all, it’s not really bad! I just laugh and think it’s funny that this little 5 lbs. dog thinks she’s all that! I’m looking forward to spring when we can all hang outside and play together.
Thursday, March 19, 2009
My Blessings
I started doing a new Bible study recently. I may have mentioned it before, The Esther series by Beth Moore. Now, I do not feel qualified to pontificate my own sermons on the things I've learned by any means...but I will say that I do believe God is using his history book to teach me some lessons.
This past week's study was something along the lines of it's hard living in a mean world, where live mean people...this includes myself at times too! It's funny how when I learn something and know I need to apply it, God gives me some "situation" in which to "practice".
Sometimes I find it incredibly overwhelming being a mom to 3 daughters...although they are young, it is a houseful of hormones and screechy voices and DRAMA...pretty much 24/7. There are times I feel bombarded by all the questions, whines, hurt feelings, giggles, etc. etc...but, I have realized many a time that I have pushed through in order to 'get the day done'. I have missed some pretty important opportunities...so, after the past week's study, realizing that my daughters live in this same world with me...I am trying to slow down and find those teachable moments...this one happened yesterday and I hope you'll forgive me for not being specific...even at 7, she's more "private" than I am, and so I just want to honor that...
Basically I heard her talking/playing with her sister and then on the phone with a cousin...I kept hearing this same "tone"...all I can say is that it felt like she was not only "defending" herself, but trying to "prove" something...I had the opportunity to sit her down on the steps and share with her how Mommy struggles with not feeling as pretty as someone else sometimes, and sometimes I feel like I may not be good enough at making dinners like a neighbor, etc etc...but that Daddy always reminds me that God loves me and made me just the way I am...I don't have to prove to someone else that I am good enough...the long and short of it, is that she had tears in her eyes when she realized that not only Mommy struggles too, but that the pressure can really come off to try to "be" like someone else in order to be accepted.
I think those of us that are prone to people-pleasing, really struggle with those issues and the sooner we can grasp that God made us for specific purpose and LOVES the way he made us, we may be able to be sincerely encouraging to others instead of degrading ourselves because we don't think we measure up to them.
All 3 of my girls struggle and excel in different areas...but I love how the 3 of them LOVE each other too...on the way home from a little first grade play we went to tonight (to see and encourage our neighborhood friends)...they were all in the back giggling like nothing else...E turns and looks at her older sister and says, " You and C___ are the bestest sisters I could ever have!"
Oh Lord...may it always be so!!! While living in a sometimes mean world...may they have each other to lean on...to have one small haven.
This past week's study was something along the lines of it's hard living in a mean world, where live mean people...this includes myself at times too! It's funny how when I learn something and know I need to apply it, God gives me some "situation" in which to "practice".
Sometimes I find it incredibly overwhelming being a mom to 3 daughters...although they are young, it is a houseful of hormones and screechy voices and DRAMA...pretty much 24/7. There are times I feel bombarded by all the questions, whines, hurt feelings, giggles, etc. etc...but, I have realized many a time that I have pushed through in order to 'get the day done'. I have missed some pretty important opportunities...so, after the past week's study, realizing that my daughters live in this same world with me...I am trying to slow down and find those teachable moments...this one happened yesterday and I hope you'll forgive me for not being specific...even at 7, she's more "private" than I am, and so I just want to honor that...
Basically I heard her talking/playing with her sister and then on the phone with a cousin...I kept hearing this same "tone"...all I can say is that it felt like she was not only "defending" herself, but trying to "prove" something...I had the opportunity to sit her down on the steps and share with her how Mommy struggles with not feeling as pretty as someone else sometimes, and sometimes I feel like I may not be good enough at making dinners like a neighbor, etc etc...but that Daddy always reminds me that God loves me and made me just the way I am...I don't have to prove to someone else that I am good enough...the long and short of it, is that she had tears in her eyes when she realized that not only Mommy struggles too, but that the pressure can really come off to try to "be" like someone else in order to be accepted.
I think those of us that are prone to people-pleasing, really struggle with those issues and the sooner we can grasp that God made us for specific purpose and LOVES the way he made us, we may be able to be sincerely encouraging to others instead of degrading ourselves because we don't think we measure up to them.
All 3 of my girls struggle and excel in different areas...but I love how the 3 of them LOVE each other too...on the way home from a little first grade play we went to tonight (to see and encourage our neighborhood friends)...they were all in the back giggling like nothing else...E turns and looks at her older sister and says, " You and C___ are the bestest sisters I could ever have!"
Oh Lord...may it always be so!!! While living in a sometimes mean world...may they have each other to lean on...to have one small haven.
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
When my Baby is sick...make that BabIES
My youngest got the "cold" that has been going around. Her eyes are watery, her nose is running, she has a fever on and off. She tries so hard to smile as the tears stream out of those eyes. I just want to cuddle her all day...
and then...my oldest got it...bless her little heart, she tries to act like she perfectly fine...but her cheeks are on fire and she can't stop sneezing. Being the Over achiever that I try to be, I kept trying to figure how I was going to accomplish all the things I wanted to get done today...even, to my own horror, to the point of how I could get her to get at least some schoolwork done, so that we just "stay on track"...
I think it's days like these that God just uses the circumstances to FORCE me to just stop! Get a reality check, and just BE...I curled up on the couch with my sicky girls and we read the entire first book of the Boxcar Children that my brother recommended to us. I had to stop every once in awhile to refill water cups and get more tissue...but I just had the opportunity to BABY my babies! And boy, it just felt good!
Middle child helped me make homemade spaghetti sauce and meatballs while the other two rested at one point...it was so neat...she was sittin' on the counter, stirring the sauce while I kept adding spices, and "stuff"...she was quiet and thoughtful...
"Mommy...I'm gonna be a Mommy someday too I think!"
"Baby, you will make a great mommy!" I replied.
"I think I'll have 3 kids too"
"Sounds good to me kiddo and you can teach your kids how to make sauce" I said with a smile!
Well...then it bubbled up and burned her and she started to cry...so much for my GREAT mother moment! FYI: she's okay...all is well, meatballs and sauce are simmering on the stove and smell delicious! Can't wait for dinner around the table tonight! Maybe they'll all be on the mend by the morning!
and then...my oldest got it...bless her little heart, she tries to act like she perfectly fine...but her cheeks are on fire and she can't stop sneezing. Being the Over achiever that I try to be, I kept trying to figure how I was going to accomplish all the things I wanted to get done today...even, to my own horror, to the point of how I could get her to get at least some schoolwork done, so that we just "stay on track"...
I think it's days like these that God just uses the circumstances to FORCE me to just stop! Get a reality check, and just BE...I curled up on the couch with my sicky girls and we read the entire first book of the Boxcar Children that my brother recommended to us. I had to stop every once in awhile to refill water cups and get more tissue...but I just had the opportunity to BABY my babies! And boy, it just felt good!
Middle child helped me make homemade spaghetti sauce and meatballs while the other two rested at one point...it was so neat...she was sittin' on the counter, stirring the sauce while I kept adding spices, and "stuff"...she was quiet and thoughtful...
"Mommy...I'm gonna be a Mommy someday too I think!"
"Baby, you will make a great mommy!" I replied.
"I think I'll have 3 kids too"
"Sounds good to me kiddo and you can teach your kids how to make sauce" I said with a smile!
Well...then it bubbled up and burned her and she started to cry...so much for my GREAT mother moment! FYI: she's okay...all is well, meatballs and sauce are simmering on the stove and smell delicious! Can't wait for dinner around the table tonight! Maybe they'll all be on the mend by the morning!
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