Saturday, November 29, 2014
Not letting the Thankfulness Fade
It's the Saturday after Thanksgiving and I am watching College Game Day with my boys. (My daughter flew the coop with her Grammie this morning.) I am multi-tasking, watching Game Day, writing this post, working on a new writing project, checking Facebook, putting away the Thanksgiving decorations and bringing out the Christmas ones. I love to decorate my house for the holidays- all of them! But as I shift gears from November to December, I don't want to let the thankfulness fade. I hope that I have taught my children that the "attitude of gratitude" is more important than the "what did Santa bring me?" question. I hope that I continue to remember that each day if full of gifts much more important than those wrapped and under the tree. I think that is why I work so hard to continue certain traditions- traditions that have nothing to do with getting, but rather with the giving of ourselves to each other with our time. Walking downtown to see the Christmas lights, Christmas Eve drives through our neighborhood to see the light displays the families have put up in their yards (this one is usually accompanied by cups of hot chocolate with marshmallows or cups of ice-cream, depending on the weather in the south and the mood of the family), attending candlelight services at church, watching A Charlie Brown Christmas together, reading our favorite Christmas books- even though my kiddos have outgrown them age-wise, they are just the right fit for their child-like spirits at Christmas, and of course the reindeer food, cookies for Santa and the hanging of stockings. These are moments that cost nothing, but their dividends are priceless. And when it is all said and done, I am most thankful for those moments than anything that Santa might leave for me.
Sunday, November 23, 2014
Count Your Blessings
It's a few more days until Thanksgiving, but the sermon in church this morning really prompted me to think about the thankful season.... and really how this should be our mindset everyday, not just a Thursday in November.
The past two weeks have been a little difficult for this momma. In the last fourteen days I have spent four days away from home and my family, six days away from my office, two days stressed about how hard it is for teenage girls to be teenage girls in 2014, several hours working on two books that are headed for publication soon and too many days pooped at the end of the day. Late in the morning on Friday, I stood in front of two dear friends and all of the thoughts swirling around in my brain escaped and slid down my face as hot tears. I tried to keep the emotions at bay, but I needed a release and this was the way that my body decided to get it. I was not counting my blessings.
My hubby had to work late on Friday, so I picked up the kiddos and we went for dinner at one of our favorite Mexican restaurants. Afterwards we drove a few miles into the center of town. Our little city, which is a tourist destination and especially crowded this time of year, has a town square where I am usually fortunate enough to find a parking space-- thankfully I found one easily and because it was after 5:00 I didn't have to feed the meter (total score!). We walked around together being silly, taking twilight pictures near the bay, stopped for special salad dressing I promised my mom for our Thanksgiving gathering, and ventured through the artists that set up every weekend in the square. My kiddos are very much "Renaissance Kids." They can find the joy in almost anything- and it helped me to watch them walk together in brisk November air, talking to one another, looking at the handcrafted items in the square- talking to the artists and complimenting them on the beauty in their work. They saw what I had been missing--- the simplistic beauty in life--the blessings.
We left downtown and went home to watch a movie and wait for Daddy to come home. We watched Annie (the 1982 version) and I annoyed them by quoting almost every line and singing every song--- that had been my most favorite movie and I had soundtrack record (yes, I said record) that I had to have played in my room a million and one times.
This morning in church we sang, Count Your Blessings and I was smacked in the face with this lesson again--- focus on the good! All afternoon, as we traveled around town, if one of the kids did something that was goofy, my hubby would look at me and I would begin to sing the song again. And you know what? We all laughed and smiled and focused on the good in that moment-- the simple beauty in life--- the beauty that we are a family and that is one of my biggest blessings.
The past two weeks have been a little difficult for this momma. In the last fourteen days I have spent four days away from home and my family, six days away from my office, two days stressed about how hard it is for teenage girls to be teenage girls in 2014, several hours working on two books that are headed for publication soon and too many days pooped at the end of the day. Late in the morning on Friday, I stood in front of two dear friends and all of the thoughts swirling around in my brain escaped and slid down my face as hot tears. I tried to keep the emotions at bay, but I needed a release and this was the way that my body decided to get it. I was not counting my blessings.
My hubby had to work late on Friday, so I picked up the kiddos and we went for dinner at one of our favorite Mexican restaurants. Afterwards we drove a few miles into the center of town. Our little city, which is a tourist destination and especially crowded this time of year, has a town square where I am usually fortunate enough to find a parking space-- thankfully I found one easily and because it was after 5:00 I didn't have to feed the meter (total score!). We walked around together being silly, taking twilight pictures near the bay, stopped for special salad dressing I promised my mom for our Thanksgiving gathering, and ventured through the artists that set up every weekend in the square. My kiddos are very much "Renaissance Kids." They can find the joy in almost anything- and it helped me to watch them walk together in brisk November air, talking to one another, looking at the handcrafted items in the square- talking to the artists and complimenting them on the beauty in their work. They saw what I had been missing--- the simplistic beauty in life--the blessings.
We left downtown and went home to watch a movie and wait for Daddy to come home. We watched Annie (the 1982 version) and I annoyed them by quoting almost every line and singing every song--- that had been my most favorite movie and I had soundtrack record (yes, I said record) that I had to have played in my room a million and one times.
This morning in church we sang, Count Your Blessings and I was smacked in the face with this lesson again--- focus on the good! All afternoon, as we traveled around town, if one of the kids did something that was goofy, my hubby would look at me and I would begin to sing the song again. And you know what? We all laughed and smiled and focused on the good in that moment-- the simple beauty in life--- the beauty that we are a family and that is one of my biggest blessings.
Saturday, November 15, 2014
My four day affair with...myself
This week I was traveling for work-- attending a training for trainers hosted by the Department of Education. The training was held about four and a half hours from home, which meant that I would be away for four days! When my kids were younger I side-stepped these events. When asked, I would say that I couldn't be away over night. A few years ago I accepted a new job, one that requires more traveling and conference time away from home. This trip is my second overnighter since September. My children are older now and I feel a little bit more at ease when I need to leave home for another trip. But that didn't change the fact that when I was packing my suitcase on Tuesday morning, I was moving pretty slowly, not really "into it." I was starting to get really sad as I thought about all of the time I would be separated from my hubby and kiddos. I waited until the very last minute and then pulled out of the driveway and headed south toward Palm Beach. I will be honest--- I have a difficult time being alone sometimes--- having been in total mom and wife mode for almost 20 years, I am sometimes very uncomfortable all by myself. Tonight was no different. I made it to the hotel room getting tucked in and cozy for the night. After asking myself, "What am I going to do?" I indulged in watching one of my favorite television shows, The Voice.
The next morning I found a cute little breakfast restaurant and enjoyed the company of myself while I texted my hubby and daughter to check in on the morning happenings--- it's hard for this momma not being there!!! While sitting alone, I thought about my current situation. Seeing others eating alone in a restaurant usually makes me feel a little sad for that person, but today I saw this in a different light. I was not alone-- I was sharing this time with a very important person---ME!
After the training on Thursday, I decided to drive to Worth Avenue at the suggestion of a friend. This area of Palm Beach is amazing. It is the Beverly Hills of South Florida. The homes are big and beautiful and amazing to see. Worth Avenue is quite charming- little shops and big retailers with very recognizable names-- Tiffany, Jimmy Choo, Neiman Marcus, Cartier, Gucci, Vineyard Vines-- to name a few, and scattered throughout were art galleries and dealers.
I was lucky enough to find an empty parking spot right on the street. The weather was cool and the time of day cast a perfect combination of twilight shadow and sunlight sparkle on the street. I walked the sidewalks looking into windows, oohing and aahing at gorgeous, fiery diamonds and beautiful clothes. I visited an art gallery with amazing larger than life sculptures of everyday people. I wanted to snap a few pictures of these, but the gallery attendant followed me around the entire time. And, as I walked along alone, I smiled to myself. I was being adventurous and spending time in the quietness of my own little world. Before I entered this season of life (which I love dearly and would not exchange a moment of), I had been a very adventurous single young woman- I would travel and visit friends, do mission work in needy areas, and do things that I thought were interesting and fulfilling in a different way to the fulfillment I enjoy now as a wife and mother. It was nice to feel that way again. Just spending an hour walking the street of a new place, a place that at first glance seemed so different than home... but then again it wasn't that much different. I was the difference-- spending time, if only for a little while, in a love affair with myself.
The next morning I found a cute little breakfast restaurant and enjoyed the company of myself while I texted my hubby and daughter to check in on the morning happenings--- it's hard for this momma not being there!!! While sitting alone, I thought about my current situation. Seeing others eating alone in a restaurant usually makes me feel a little sad for that person, but today I saw this in a different light. I was not alone-- I was sharing this time with a very important person---ME!
After the training on Thursday, I decided to drive to Worth Avenue at the suggestion of a friend. This area of Palm Beach is amazing. It is the Beverly Hills of South Florida. The homes are big and beautiful and amazing to see. Worth Avenue is quite charming- little shops and big retailers with very recognizable names-- Tiffany, Jimmy Choo, Neiman Marcus, Cartier, Gucci, Vineyard Vines-- to name a few, and scattered throughout were art galleries and dealers.
I was lucky enough to find an empty parking spot right on the street. The weather was cool and the time of day cast a perfect combination of twilight shadow and sunlight sparkle on the street. I walked the sidewalks looking into windows, oohing and aahing at gorgeous, fiery diamonds and beautiful clothes. I visited an art gallery with amazing larger than life sculptures of everyday people. I wanted to snap a few pictures of these, but the gallery attendant followed me around the entire time. And, as I walked along alone, I smiled to myself. I was being adventurous and spending time in the quietness of my own little world. Before I entered this season of life (which I love dearly and would not exchange a moment of), I had been a very adventurous single young woman- I would travel and visit friends, do mission work in needy areas, and do things that I thought were interesting and fulfilling in a different way to the fulfillment I enjoy now as a wife and mother. It was nice to feel that way again. Just spending an hour walking the street of a new place, a place that at first glance seemed so different than home... but then again it wasn't that much different. I was the difference-- spending time, if only for a little while, in a love affair with myself.
Saturday, November 8, 2014
Having it All
"No one can have it all..." we've heard this over and over, time and time again from people who lament their current life situations. "There is not enough time, not enough money, when, where, why and how? I just can't possibly do everything- I can't have it all!" But, I would like to challenge this classic line of thought. People who say this are absolutely correct, they can't have it ALL as they define ALL. But I believe that anyone can have it ALL when we re-define what ALL is for each of us.
Can I have the million dollar home, the bright red sports car, the trips around the world? Nope- not even close. But, I can have it all when I define ALL as a relationship with my Lord and Savior, a husband who loves me, two AMAZING kiddos, an extended family that I love dearly and a life that challenges me to be the best ME I can be.
When I define ALL to fit the season of life in which I am living- then yes! I can and absolutely HAVE IT ALL!
I have not always been able to see life this way- in fact there are days when I still struggle with it, but throughout the past several years, my life has taken me on an amazing journey and as I reflect on those days, now past, I can see that I had, have and will continue to have it ALL-- all that I need and ALL that makes me truly happy. I invite you to join me in exploring the simple things in life that are really the most important and together we can have it ALL!
Can I have the million dollar home, the bright red sports car, the trips around the world? Nope- not even close. But, I can have it all when I define ALL as a relationship with my Lord and Savior, a husband who loves me, two AMAZING kiddos, an extended family that I love dearly and a life that challenges me to be the best ME I can be.
When I define ALL to fit the season of life in which I am living- then yes! I can and absolutely HAVE IT ALL!
I have not always been able to see life this way- in fact there are days when I still struggle with it, but throughout the past several years, my life has taken me on an amazing journey and as I reflect on those days, now past, I can see that I had, have and will continue to have it ALL-- all that I need and ALL that makes me truly happy. I invite you to join me in exploring the simple things in life that are really the most important and together we can have it ALL!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)