We had only been married for a year or two when I decided to ask Jackson why he loved me. He thought about it for much longer than I thought he should, and all he came up with was because he married me.
What? You married me because you love me, not the other way around!
Fortunately for him, I didn't get angry, or hurt, I just laughed. I know he's not always great with using words to express his feelings. He most often chooses the funny cards over the heart-felt cards(though, in recent years, he's become very good at choosing cards that make me teary). He isn't like my first boyfriend who was constantly writing love letters and poems. So, I laughed. We continue to laugh about this, and he has yet to tell me a reason why he loves me.
Last month though, I realized how often he tells me how much he loves me without using words. Who knew he could express his love in something as simple as a number?
Back in college, our Christian Campus Ministry had an intramural soccer team. The guys decided to make jerseys out of blue camouflage t-shirts and spray paint. Jackson took the job of spray painting the numbers on the shirts. We had a group of girls who were dating the guys, and they decided to make the girlfriends' shirts with negative numbers. At the time, neither one of us was dating anyone significant, and he asked me if I would be his fan. When he was getting everyone's numbers, I told him he should choose number 9. I always chose it because Nine is my mom's maiden name. So he was 9 and I was -9.
Since, he has chosen #9 for different sports he's played and encouraged our children to choose #9 when they have the chance. I never really thought too much about the significance of it until he was signed up to play in this year's alumni soccer game. I didn't give any thought to what number he would be, but as I was sitting there watching, and saw him come onto the field in the #9 jersey, knowing(without him telling me) that he chose that number because of its meaning to me and our family, I couldn't help but smile.
He doesn't have to come up with lists of reasons why he loves me. He doesn't have to write love letters and poems. Choosing a number is enough. And, I will do my best to always remember it.
Wednesday, September 10, 2014
Tuesday, July 29, 2014
The Golden Rule
Facebook and I have a love/hate relationship. I love Facebook for the interaction it gives me with my distant family and friends. I enjoy seeing their photos and reading about what is going on in their neck of the woods. I hate it for providing an outlet to share all of the negativism that goes on in the world.
Don't get me wrong, I think it is important to know what kinds of things are happening out there. I don't want to shelter myself from bad things. But post, after post, after post of persecution, terrorism, illness, disease, etc. can get pretty discouraging. That isn't even to mention the comments, but they deserve a mention. Every other comment seems to be attacking either the original post, the intelligence of the poster, or the other commenters. It just seems that very few people have anything nice to say anymore.
I have really been thinking about all this negativism, pondering what could be done to improve life for us all. Then it came to me... Many of us learned the answer in nursery school.
The Golden Rule, if everyone would follow it, the world would be a much better place.
The Golden Rule, as I know it from Sunday school, is taken from Matthew 7:12, "So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets." But similar direction be found in many of the world's religions.
Treat others how you would want them to treat you. What a concept!
Would I want someone to steal my things? No? Maybe I shouldn't steal. Would I want someone to murder my family? No? Maybe I shouldn't murder those people. Would I want someone to kidnap my child? No? Maybe I should leave their kid alone. Would I want someone running me out of my home based on my beliefs? No? Maybe I shouldn't be doing it to others.
See a theme here? I can only imagine the greatness of this world if everyone would get on board and remember the Golden Rule.
And along the same lines, people should really remember that if you don't have something nice to say, don't say anything at all.
Recently, my city was found to be the 2nd most unhappy city in the United States. I would kind of like to argue this, since I know a bunch of seemingly happy people, but I realize I don't know anywhere close to the 75,000+ people who live here. I also know how many negative comments to local news stories and events I have seen on Facebook and the news sites posted by residents of my city.
I am always amazed by the people who start attacking those who also comment. We all have different opinions. Mine might be different than yours, but I am not going to call you an idiot, question your upbringing, attack your family, or wish death upon you for it, especially on a public forum. I must admit that the question of your intelligence or upbringing might cross my mind, but I believe in being polite. Respectfully disagreeing. Saving my breath for saying nice things and making my words count.
Think about how good you feel when you get a compliment, when someone praises something you have done. I am confident that if everyone made it as much their business to uplift and encourage one another as they do to tear each other down, we would all be happier.
But a girl can only hope.
Don't get me wrong, I think it is important to know what kinds of things are happening out there. I don't want to shelter myself from bad things. But post, after post, after post of persecution, terrorism, illness, disease, etc. can get pretty discouraging. That isn't even to mention the comments, but they deserve a mention. Every other comment seems to be attacking either the original post, the intelligence of the poster, or the other commenters. It just seems that very few people have anything nice to say anymore.
I have really been thinking about all this negativism, pondering what could be done to improve life for us all. Then it came to me... Many of us learned the answer in nursery school.
The Golden Rule, if everyone would follow it, the world would be a much better place.
The Golden Rule, as I know it from Sunday school, is taken from Matthew 7:12, "So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets." But similar direction be found in many of the world's religions.
Treat others how you would want them to treat you. What a concept!
Would I want someone to steal my things? No? Maybe I shouldn't steal. Would I want someone to murder my family? No? Maybe I shouldn't murder those people. Would I want someone to kidnap my child? No? Maybe I should leave their kid alone. Would I want someone running me out of my home based on my beliefs? No? Maybe I shouldn't be doing it to others.
See a theme here? I can only imagine the greatness of this world if everyone would get on board and remember the Golden Rule.
And along the same lines, people should really remember that if you don't have something nice to say, don't say anything at all.
Recently, my city was found to be the 2nd most unhappy city in the United States. I would kind of like to argue this, since I know a bunch of seemingly happy people, but I realize I don't know anywhere close to the 75,000+ people who live here. I also know how many negative comments to local news stories and events I have seen on Facebook and the news sites posted by residents of my city.
I am always amazed by the people who start attacking those who also comment. We all have different opinions. Mine might be different than yours, but I am not going to call you an idiot, question your upbringing, attack your family, or wish death upon you for it, especially on a public forum. I must admit that the question of your intelligence or upbringing might cross my mind, but I believe in being polite. Respectfully disagreeing. Saving my breath for saying nice things and making my words count.
Think about how good you feel when you get a compliment, when someone praises something you have done. I am confident that if everyone made it as much their business to uplift and encourage one another as they do to tear each other down, we would all be happier.
But a girl can only hope.
Monday, June 16, 2014
Garage Sale Success
I took a full van load down to my sister's a few weeks ago. Loaded the thing up! Her garage was stuffed full of her things no longer needed after merging her house with her husband's. She also had a couple of friends who brought things by. We had a huge sale!
We spent most of a Saturday selling our cast offs. I wasn't too impressed with the amount of money I made. I was hoping for grand numbers, not the measly $150 I managed to sell. My sister did much better, and I was a little envious, until I really started thinking about what I had accomplished.
Obviously, I had $150 more than I had the day before. But the real satisfaction came when I realized I was free from a ton of stuff... A full van plus 3 small boxes I took the night before the sale. I came back home with 2 and 1/2 totes and a couple of bigger toys. That is it. Everything I brought home fit in the back of my van!
It also felt great to know I had helped others with my stuff. One man had 5 kids and said he wanted every pair of tennis shoes that could possibly fit them. A woman came by wanting to make a deal on shoes. I was hesitant because I wanted the most I could possibly get for them, they were still in good shape! She told me she needed them cheap because she was shipping them to Africa. Knowing that the things I sold were going to good use, made it worth selling dirt cheap. Sure I didn't make as much money as I had hoped, but I am pretty sure I made a difference to someone.
If nothing else, I know I made a difference for our family. We still have a way more than we need, but we are down a van-ful, and that feels great!
We spent most of a Saturday selling our cast offs. I wasn't too impressed with the amount of money I made. I was hoping for grand numbers, not the measly $150 I managed to sell. My sister did much better, and I was a little envious, until I really started thinking about what I had accomplished.
Obviously, I had $150 more than I had the day before. But the real satisfaction came when I realized I was free from a ton of stuff... A full van plus 3 small boxes I took the night before the sale. I came back home with 2 and 1/2 totes and a couple of bigger toys. That is it. Everything I brought home fit in the back of my van!
It also felt great to know I had helped others with my stuff. One man had 5 kids and said he wanted every pair of tennis shoes that could possibly fit them. A woman came by wanting to make a deal on shoes. I was hesitant because I wanted the most I could possibly get for them, they were still in good shape! She told me she needed them cheap because she was shipping them to Africa. Knowing that the things I sold were going to good use, made it worth selling dirt cheap. Sure I didn't make as much money as I had hoped, but I am pretty sure I made a difference to someone.
If nothing else, I know I made a difference for our family. We still have a way more than we need, but we are down a van-ful, and that feels great!
Friday, May 2, 2014
On the Road to Becoming a Minimalist
If you know me... feel free to laugh!
I know, I know. Minimalist? Not really a word anyone would EVER use to describe me. I have always been a keeper. Compared to others I know, I am not super sentimental. I am more of a practical keeper. What might I possibly need in the near, or distant, future? What might it be hard to replace? The question I need to ask is, would I really replace it?
That light bulb moment I wrote about awhile back... it has brought me to this point. I have been searching, exploring, planning, and acting. I have a huge pile of things to get rid of. I have taken many loads to the recycling center. I have a long, long way to go.
In the book Clutterfree with Kids, and in his blog becomingminimalist.com, Joshua Becker talks about his family's journey to becoming minimalists, and what that means to them. He describes it as "the intentional promotion of the things we most value and the removal of everything that distracts from it." Right now, I am at a point where I am trying to figure out what this means for our family. We will never be able to own the bare minimum. We will still have toys and books and kitchen gadgets, and probably too much of them. But I am on the road.
I am enjoying the idea of living with less stuff. More time for family and fun. More money for things that are important. Less time cleaning and organizing. Can I really do it? Can we really do it? Only time will tell...
I know, I know. Minimalist? Not really a word anyone would EVER use to describe me. I have always been a keeper. Compared to others I know, I am not super sentimental. I am more of a practical keeper. What might I possibly need in the near, or distant, future? What might it be hard to replace? The question I need to ask is, would I really replace it?
That light bulb moment I wrote about awhile back... it has brought me to this point. I have been searching, exploring, planning, and acting. I have a huge pile of things to get rid of. I have taken many loads to the recycling center. I have a long, long way to go.
In the book Clutterfree with Kids, and in his blog becomingminimalist.com, Joshua Becker talks about his family's journey to becoming minimalists, and what that means to them. He describes it as "the intentional promotion of the things we most value and the removal of everything that distracts from it." Right now, I am at a point where I am trying to figure out what this means for our family. We will never be able to own the bare minimum. We will still have toys and books and kitchen gadgets, and probably too much of them. But I am on the road.
I am enjoying the idea of living with less stuff. More time for family and fun. More money for things that are important. Less time cleaning and organizing. Can I really do it? Can we really do it? Only time will tell...
Wednesday, March 5, 2014
40 Bags in 40 Days
I came across this blog post about 40 bags in 40 days. I am always trying to get the best ideas possible to conquer my clutter habit, so I quickly joined the Facebook group.
The challenge started today, March 5. I typically think I will participate in this kind of thing, and then life happens. I'm hoping this time is different.
My mom read a blog post this past weekend and summarized it for me. I wish I could tell you the link or even the blog it came from, but I didn't even see the site. I was busy printing, cutting and folding wedding programs for my sister's fast-approaching wedding. The quick summary of the post, if I remember correctly, was that the blogger's oldest daughter was not content with things. She was begging for a toy, and this happened often. So the blogger took all of the belongings out of her daughters' bedrooms. No toys, not even decorations. She saw a difference in the contentment of her children. They were more creative and even excited by the fact that they no longer have to pick up as much.
I have a discontented oldest child myself. He isn't happy with things he has. If he wants something new, he can't get it fast enough. He is always the one to complain when they have to pick up. His common response, "We just picked up last night!" So that blog got me to thinking. What a novel idea, less stuff means less picking up. Though I'm not sure I'm willing to go to the drastic measure of taking everything away from the kids.
A couple days after talking about that blog, I read a friend's Facebook post about the 40 Bags in 40 Days, and decided I'm gonna do it! Today was the first day. I wish I had taken before and after photos(I will tomorrow). I started in Paxton's room. I still had several baby toys, blankets, and even burp rags in his closet. I had two bags of unused children's hangers, which I moved to the garage for a garage sale. I then sorted through toys and did a quick sort through clothes. I took out a set of plastic storage bins and hanging shoe organizer. I had two boxes of items for garage sale, one bag to give away and a stack of baby blankets that I am not quite ready to part with(they went to the attic for keeping). Three bags and two boxes out of one room. I'm on a roll!
I'm not sure how well I will keep up with this. Hopefully it won't be like a New Year's resolution. But surely, with the support and encouragement of a bunch of strangers on Facebook, I can make it 40 days. Even if I just take one bag of clutter each day, that would make a huge difference in out total amount of stuff.
Go check out the Facebook group 40 Bags in 40 Days 2013(not sure why the wrong year). https://www.facebook.com/groups/40bagsin40days/
The challenge started today, March 5. I typically think I will participate in this kind of thing, and then life happens. I'm hoping this time is different.
My mom read a blog post this past weekend and summarized it for me. I wish I could tell you the link or even the blog it came from, but I didn't even see the site. I was busy printing, cutting and folding wedding programs for my sister's fast-approaching wedding. The quick summary of the post, if I remember correctly, was that the blogger's oldest daughter was not content with things. She was begging for a toy, and this happened often. So the blogger took all of the belongings out of her daughters' bedrooms. No toys, not even decorations. She saw a difference in the contentment of her children. They were more creative and even excited by the fact that they no longer have to pick up as much.
I have a discontented oldest child myself. He isn't happy with things he has. If he wants something new, he can't get it fast enough. He is always the one to complain when they have to pick up. His common response, "We just picked up last night!" So that blog got me to thinking. What a novel idea, less stuff means less picking up. Though I'm not sure I'm willing to go to the drastic measure of taking everything away from the kids.
A couple days after talking about that blog, I read a friend's Facebook post about the 40 Bags in 40 Days, and decided I'm gonna do it! Today was the first day. I wish I had taken before and after photos(I will tomorrow). I started in Paxton's room. I still had several baby toys, blankets, and even burp rags in his closet. I had two bags of unused children's hangers, which I moved to the garage for a garage sale. I then sorted through toys and did a quick sort through clothes. I took out a set of plastic storage bins and hanging shoe organizer. I had two boxes of items for garage sale, one bag to give away and a stack of baby blankets that I am not quite ready to part with(they went to the attic for keeping). Three bags and two boxes out of one room. I'm on a roll!
I'm not sure how well I will keep up with this. Hopefully it won't be like a New Year's resolution. But surely, with the support and encouragement of a bunch of strangers on Facebook, I can make it 40 days. Even if I just take one bag of clutter each day, that would make a huge difference in out total amount of stuff.
Go check out the Facebook group 40 Bags in 40 Days 2013(not sure why the wrong year). https://www.facebook.com/groups/40bagsin40days/
Tuesday, March 4, 2014
Light Bulb Moment
You know those moments in cartoons when the light bulb appears over a character's head? I had one of those moments the other day.
Mid January Paxton was outgrowing his coat. I knew when the cuffs were hitting closer to the elbow than the wrist that we would have to buy one soon. I ended up going to the children's resale shop and finding a cute coat in excellent condition. About a month later, a friend of mine asked if I needed a coat for Paxton because her son had outgrown his. I said no and didn't think another thing about it.
This weekend I was talking with my mom. For some reason the offer of the extra coat came up, and my mom said she would have taken it. She said she always liked to have an extra in case one got dirty or wet.
This is when the light bulb came on. I completely agreed with my mom. It is nice to have an extra coat, which is why almost all of my kids have at least 2(Gray and Madalynn have 3). But that moment I was standing with my friend, I was thinking of all of the extra stuff I have and thought maybe I really didn't need an extra coat. There is only 1 more month of winter, surely 1 coat will get him by.
Too often I am given things that I don't really need, and I accept them happily. They are things that I believe might come in handy. I go through hand-me-down clothes and keep most of it. I come home with loads of stuff every time I go back home. My grandparents give me things, my mom and dad give me things, my sister gives me things, and the list could go on.
I am a sucker for cast-offs.
I have a great desire to provide for my family. I know that we may not always have the money to buy new things, so I keep the old stuff. If someone is getting rid of something that might be useful, why not keep it? If I have things I haven't used in years... Who cares? I wouldn't want to buy it again, so I keep it. Pretty soon I have filled my house with things. Things that I don't want to get rid of in case I need them later.
Don't get me wrong. I purge on a regular basis. When the kids outgrow things, I resell or give them away. I get rid of clothes that are torn or stained. I throw away broken things(unless I think I can fix it). But still I feel overrun by things.
This light bulb moment made me realize that part of the reason I keep things could be inborn or learned from my parents. But it also made me realize that I had said no to adding another thing to my household, another thing that I probably didn't need.
I know that I can overcome the stuff that clutters my life, and even though my first instinct is to take and keep things that are offered, I am going to change my ways. I am going to get really choosy with the things that occupy my space, and hopefully, soon, we won't be picking up junk all of the time!
Mid January Paxton was outgrowing his coat. I knew when the cuffs were hitting closer to the elbow than the wrist that we would have to buy one soon. I ended up going to the children's resale shop and finding a cute coat in excellent condition. About a month later, a friend of mine asked if I needed a coat for Paxton because her son had outgrown his. I said no and didn't think another thing about it.
This weekend I was talking with my mom. For some reason the offer of the extra coat came up, and my mom said she would have taken it. She said she always liked to have an extra in case one got dirty or wet.
This is when the light bulb came on. I completely agreed with my mom. It is nice to have an extra coat, which is why almost all of my kids have at least 2(Gray and Madalynn have 3). But that moment I was standing with my friend, I was thinking of all of the extra stuff I have and thought maybe I really didn't need an extra coat. There is only 1 more month of winter, surely 1 coat will get him by.
Too often I am given things that I don't really need, and I accept them happily. They are things that I believe might come in handy. I go through hand-me-down clothes and keep most of it. I come home with loads of stuff every time I go back home. My grandparents give me things, my mom and dad give me things, my sister gives me things, and the list could go on.
I am a sucker for cast-offs.
I have a great desire to provide for my family. I know that we may not always have the money to buy new things, so I keep the old stuff. If someone is getting rid of something that might be useful, why not keep it? If I have things I haven't used in years... Who cares? I wouldn't want to buy it again, so I keep it. Pretty soon I have filled my house with things. Things that I don't want to get rid of in case I need them later.
Don't get me wrong. I purge on a regular basis. When the kids outgrow things, I resell or give them away. I get rid of clothes that are torn or stained. I throw away broken things(unless I think I can fix it). But still I feel overrun by things.
This light bulb moment made me realize that part of the reason I keep things could be inborn or learned from my parents. But it also made me realize that I had said no to adding another thing to my household, another thing that I probably didn't need.
I know that I can overcome the stuff that clutters my life, and even though my first instinct is to take and keep things that are offered, I am going to change my ways. I am going to get really choosy with the things that occupy my space, and hopefully, soon, we won't be picking up junk all of the time!
Wednesday, February 19, 2014
Can it get any crazier?
I have to start by saying my sweet sister called at the beginning of January to apologize for not thinking of me when setting her wedding date. Don't be silly, I said. I was the last person she should be thinking of. The date was set to March 15.
Fast forward to the beginning of February. This begins a six-week birthday extravaganza. All four of our children were born in the six weeks between February 1 and March 11(or really 5 1/2 weeks). It was not planned this way. 3 of the 4 we were hoping for fall babies, but this is how it turned out. It also seems to rival the six weeks before Christmas for being our busiest time of year. This year even more so.
The first weekend of February brought the first two birthdays. We had some family friends over for dinner to celebrate with the two little ones. Madalynn's party with friends would be the next weekend. Then came the snowstorm. We still had 3-4 inches of snow on the ground, and got 8 more. Which meant several snow days. You would think all that time off would have us working on Valentine's boxes, but I didn't think that far in advance(I would regret not thinking later).
Breathe.
The kids went back to school Friday. Madalynn and I left at noon to head to St. Louis for the first of the bridal showers. We had a great time, but made it home just in time for my nursery duties at church. The rest of the day was spent at basketball game, party prep and party. I should add, while I was gone Jackson took the big boys to Monster Jam and they had the Pinewood Derby, Super Science Saturday and a birthday party for one of Gray's friends.
Breathe.
The next week brought decisions about a BoxTop contest(deadline is fast approaching). I had to get notes made and sent home. I was the default homeroom parent for Camden's class, so notes went home about the Valentine's party. Valentine boxes had to be made and cards bought and filled out. Throw in our serving week at Wednesday night church... we had to provide a dessert. I subbed Thursday all-day and Friday morning. Valentine party Friday. Weight-lifting meet Saturday morning, bachelorette party Saturday night. Made it home Sunday just in time to pick the kids up from church, run to the last basketball game for Camden, then home for one hour. Next was Grayson's basketball tournament. 2 games for him.
Breathe.
We had the first two days of school off this week. This weekend will be the trip back home for 2 more bridal showers. One that I am hosting, I do have lots of help though! Plus wedding crafting. Jackson and Gray will head to Tulsa for Super Start with our church. I will take the other three with me. I am thinking I probably won't be home until bedtime for the kids on Sunday(8:30). After they go to bed I will have to prepare a note to go home with the school kids about the used book exchange I am in charge of.
Breathe.
Camden's party is still in the works, but his birthday is this week. Grayson has opted for a bigger gift and no party, which works for me since his birthday is only 4 days before the wedding. The first weekend in March brings the deadline for BoxTops, so somewhere in the midst of all this planning and running I will have to make time to count, sort and mail those. Last time we brought in 4000! Jackson will take the older boys to Roaring River State Park for the opening day of trout season, too.
Breathe.
The second weekend in March is somewhat unknown as of right now. Basketball is over. The trips will be finished. BoxTops will be mailed. It will be time for last minute wedding prep. Hopefully I won't still have to find shoes to go with my dress! This is the week of the book exchange, so I will be sorting books and preparing for that. Hoping it goes off without a hitch!
Breathe.
Friday starts hard-core wedding prep. Maybe a manicure. Last minute details. Rehearsal dinner. And then the big day. The biggest day of all!
I am reminding myself to breathe in this post. Reminding myself to stop and take a moment. People always say I need to make time for myself, but sometimes it seems a breath is all I have time for. When April comes and this busy time is over, I will look back and wonder how it went by so quickly, just as I always do the week after Christmas. That is the crummy part about being busy. You run and run and run, and when its over, you wonder how you got there so fast.
I am not sure it could get any crazier, but I love it! I am so blessed to have my family.
Fast forward to the beginning of February. This begins a six-week birthday extravaganza. All four of our children were born in the six weeks between February 1 and March 11(or really 5 1/2 weeks). It was not planned this way. 3 of the 4 we were hoping for fall babies, but this is how it turned out. It also seems to rival the six weeks before Christmas for being our busiest time of year. This year even more so.
The first weekend of February brought the first two birthdays. We had some family friends over for dinner to celebrate with the two little ones. Madalynn's party with friends would be the next weekend. Then came the snowstorm. We still had 3-4 inches of snow on the ground, and got 8 more. Which meant several snow days. You would think all that time off would have us working on Valentine's boxes, but I didn't think that far in advance(I would regret not thinking later).
Breathe.
The kids went back to school Friday. Madalynn and I left at noon to head to St. Louis for the first of the bridal showers. We had a great time, but made it home just in time for my nursery duties at church. The rest of the day was spent at basketball game, party prep and party. I should add, while I was gone Jackson took the big boys to Monster Jam and they had the Pinewood Derby, Super Science Saturday and a birthday party for one of Gray's friends.
Breathe.
The next week brought decisions about a BoxTop contest(deadline is fast approaching). I had to get notes made and sent home. I was the default homeroom parent for Camden's class, so notes went home about the Valentine's party. Valentine boxes had to be made and cards bought and filled out. Throw in our serving week at Wednesday night church... we had to provide a dessert. I subbed Thursday all-day and Friday morning. Valentine party Friday. Weight-lifting meet Saturday morning, bachelorette party Saturday night. Made it home Sunday just in time to pick the kids up from church, run to the last basketball game for Camden, then home for one hour. Next was Grayson's basketball tournament. 2 games for him.
Breathe.
We had the first two days of school off this week. This weekend will be the trip back home for 2 more bridal showers. One that I am hosting, I do have lots of help though! Plus wedding crafting. Jackson and Gray will head to Tulsa for Super Start with our church. I will take the other three with me. I am thinking I probably won't be home until bedtime for the kids on Sunday(8:30). After they go to bed I will have to prepare a note to go home with the school kids about the used book exchange I am in charge of.
Breathe.
Camden's party is still in the works, but his birthday is this week. Grayson has opted for a bigger gift and no party, which works for me since his birthday is only 4 days before the wedding. The first weekend in March brings the deadline for BoxTops, so somewhere in the midst of all this planning and running I will have to make time to count, sort and mail those. Last time we brought in 4000! Jackson will take the older boys to Roaring River State Park for the opening day of trout season, too.
Breathe.
The second weekend in March is somewhat unknown as of right now. Basketball is over. The trips will be finished. BoxTops will be mailed. It will be time for last minute wedding prep. Hopefully I won't still have to find shoes to go with my dress! This is the week of the book exchange, so I will be sorting books and preparing for that. Hoping it goes off without a hitch!
Breathe.
Friday starts hard-core wedding prep. Maybe a manicure. Last minute details. Rehearsal dinner. And then the big day. The biggest day of all!
I am reminding myself to breathe in this post. Reminding myself to stop and take a moment. People always say I need to make time for myself, but sometimes it seems a breath is all I have time for. When April comes and this busy time is over, I will look back and wonder how it went by so quickly, just as I always do the week after Christmas. That is the crummy part about being busy. You run and run and run, and when its over, you wonder how you got there so fast.
I am not sure it could get any crazier, but I love it! I am so blessed to have my family.
Wednesday, January 1, 2014
New Year-New You
There is something refreshing about starting a new year. It gives you a fresh start to change all of those bad habits and make the most of the coming year.
My inbox and junk mailbox has been overrun with messages about healthier eating, exercising, Bible reading, and organizing.
Lose 5 pounds in six weeks!
Top 10 ways to eat healthier!
20 ways to organize!
3 ways to make the Bible the focus this year!
Groupon- personal trainer deals!
And it goes on and on. It might take all year just to add all of the ways to do this and that.
There are always going to be new and improved ways you can better your physical and spiritual self. These things are only as good as the effort you put into it, though. How many times have I thought, This year is going to be different. This year I am going to stick to my... diet, reading plan, exercise goals, (insert your thing here)? It seems like I always think that this year will be different, this year will be better than last. Then on December 31, I find it hard to remember my goals I set in place 364 days ago. Sometimes I can't even remember goals I set a month ago. Life takes over.
I wrote before that I don't really believe in New Years resolutions, and that is still the case. So, instead of making a list of things I won't even remember, I am going to keep moving, keep living and keep letting life take over. In the end, it won't matter if I reached all of those goals in the next year, but it will matter that I played play-doh with my 1-year-old, I let my 3-year-old help me with the cooking, I watched a movie with my 6-year-old, and I took time to look at the car my 9-year-old just got on his video game. I may not remember my goals for 2014, but they will remember that I spent time with them. To me, that is the best way to make this new year count.
Side note... I will continue to make goals and strive to meet those, they just won't be the focus of my new year.
My inbox and junk mailbox has been overrun with messages about healthier eating, exercising, Bible reading, and organizing.
Lose 5 pounds in six weeks!
Top 10 ways to eat healthier!
20 ways to organize!
3 ways to make the Bible the focus this year!
Groupon- personal trainer deals!
And it goes on and on. It might take all year just to add all of the ways to do this and that.
There are always going to be new and improved ways you can better your physical and spiritual self. These things are only as good as the effort you put into it, though. How many times have I thought, This year is going to be different. This year I am going to stick to my... diet, reading plan, exercise goals, (insert your thing here)? It seems like I always think that this year will be different, this year will be better than last. Then on December 31, I find it hard to remember my goals I set in place 364 days ago. Sometimes I can't even remember goals I set a month ago. Life takes over.
I wrote before that I don't really believe in New Years resolutions, and that is still the case. So, instead of making a list of things I won't even remember, I am going to keep moving, keep living and keep letting life take over. In the end, it won't matter if I reached all of those goals in the next year, but it will matter that I played play-doh with my 1-year-old, I let my 3-year-old help me with the cooking, I watched a movie with my 6-year-old, and I took time to look at the car my 9-year-old just got on his video game. I may not remember my goals for 2014, but they will remember that I spent time with them. To me, that is the best way to make this new year count.
Side note... I will continue to make goals and strive to meet those, they just won't be the focus of my new year.
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