So the other night I asked the kids to start cleaning up their toys. Myles starting running around the house.
A little background:
I have been known to set the kitchen timer for 5 minutes while the kids "play a game" to see who can pick up the most stuff before the timer goes off.
Brilliant, huh? I thought so.
So, he's running around the house--even without me setting the timer--(I guess it's sort of like Pavlov's dog lol) and he picks up a shirt, throws it in the hamper, and as he wizzes past me says:
No offense mom, but my hamper sure is full.
It's a tough crowd. A crowd that likes clean clothes apparently.
Friday, July 24, 2009
Thursday, July 23, 2009
We're Closing!!
I haven't given many updates on the house lately, and trust me it's been an experience and a ride, but we are finally closing on the house today!
It leaves me with all sorts of emotions, but mainly just a relief to close that chapter and fully concentrate on the one we're in.
Interestingly enough, as God would have it, we got the call to do a showing for the guy that's buying it on Myles' birthday, and received the final approval on my birthday. Ironic, huh?
This whole process has made me think a lot about the future and what is in store. I have heard the same message repeated several times from different sources lately, which almost always means I need to listen up.
The point of the lesson has been:
1. Being happy with the season of life you're in.
2. Realizing that God has blessings in store for you so great you can't even imagine if you just hang on during the tough times.
3. God is watching what we do and how we react while we're going through tough times. And he's willing to let the Devil test us to see how we respond.
4. You have to rehearse what you want/what you speak is what you get. If you listen to all the naysayers and negative things going on and convince yourself you will lose your job/your house/have marriage problems, etc etc...YOU WILL. YOu will speak it into existence. And most importantly...Vice Versa!!
5. Joel Osteen gave a message I loved last Sunday regarding all of this. He used the analogy of bamboo, explaining that for 4 years after it's planted it doesn't grow. You water it and fertilize it and all the while the root system is growing and expanding, reaching deeper and wider. But you can't see any visible results of the work above ground. THEN...in year 5 it shoots up as tall as 80 ft. From 0-80 in one year.
But too many of us want year 5 results in year 1. We want the results wihtout doing the 4 years of harvesting. And we have to remember that during those 4 years of harvesting our roots are growing and expanding, we are getting stronger, so that we can shoot up and receive all the blessings God has in store for us.
This analogy really impacted me and I wanted to share. I don't tell it nearly as well as he does (and I don't have the cute southern accent to go with it), but I hope it makes a little sense.
So, right now I'm in year one and I'm harvesting...and can't wait to see what God has in store for us!
It leaves me with all sorts of emotions, but mainly just a relief to close that chapter and fully concentrate on the one we're in.
Interestingly enough, as God would have it, we got the call to do a showing for the guy that's buying it on Myles' birthday, and received the final approval on my birthday. Ironic, huh?
This whole process has made me think a lot about the future and what is in store. I have heard the same message repeated several times from different sources lately, which almost always means I need to listen up.
The point of the lesson has been:
1. Being happy with the season of life you're in.
2. Realizing that God has blessings in store for you so great you can't even imagine if you just hang on during the tough times.
3. God is watching what we do and how we react while we're going through tough times. And he's willing to let the Devil test us to see how we respond.
4. You have to rehearse what you want/what you speak is what you get. If you listen to all the naysayers and negative things going on and convince yourself you will lose your job/your house/have marriage problems, etc etc...YOU WILL. YOu will speak it into existence. And most importantly...Vice Versa!!
5. Joel Osteen gave a message I loved last Sunday regarding all of this. He used the analogy of bamboo, explaining that for 4 years after it's planted it doesn't grow. You water it and fertilize it and all the while the root system is growing and expanding, reaching deeper and wider. But you can't see any visible results of the work above ground. THEN...in year 5 it shoots up as tall as 80 ft. From 0-80 in one year.
But too many of us want year 5 results in year 1. We want the results wihtout doing the 4 years of harvesting. And we have to remember that during those 4 years of harvesting our roots are growing and expanding, we are getting stronger, so that we can shoot up and receive all the blessings God has in store for us.
This analogy really impacted me and I wanted to share. I don't tell it nearly as well as he does (and I don't have the cute southern accent to go with it), but I hope it makes a little sense.
So, right now I'm in year one and I'm harvesting...and can't wait to see what God has in store for us!
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Scooby Snacks
Last week when we were grocery shopping I noticed some frozen snickers ice cream bars...and the fact they were half off. Somehow they ended up coming home with me. NO idea how that happened, but who am I to waste them??
So, one night Myles asked me if he could have one.
I know you all probably figured I shared with him, because I'm his mom and I always teach him that sharing is the right thing to do, and because what grown woman doesn't share with her only son?
Let me answer that. Me. Some things aren't shared. This was one of them.
So, being silly, I told him he couldn't have one because they were a "Mommy Snack". He looked at me like I had three eyes.
I said...you know how Scooby Doo has Scooby snacks? Well, these are mommy snacks.
More weird looks.
But I'll be danged if he hasn't begged me for a scooby snack every day since.
I find too much humor in it to correct him. Although I should probably explain to his sitter before he starts begging for Scooby Snacks and she's left to figure out what the heck he's talking about.
So, one night Myles asked me if he could have one.
I know you all probably figured I shared with him, because I'm his mom and I always teach him that sharing is the right thing to do, and because what grown woman doesn't share with her only son?
Let me answer that. Me. Some things aren't shared. This was one of them.
So, being silly, I told him he couldn't have one because they were a "Mommy Snack". He looked at me like I had three eyes.
I said...you know how Scooby Doo has Scooby snacks? Well, these are mommy snacks.
More weird looks.
But I'll be danged if he hasn't begged me for a scooby snack every day since.
I find too much humor in it to correct him. Although I should probably explain to his sitter before he starts begging for Scooby Snacks and she's left to figure out what the heck he's talking about.
Monday, July 20, 2009
Don't forget the half
Myles turned 5...and a HALF on Saturday. I was actually sick on his real birthday in January and we had to cancel his party.
Call it mommy guilt, or the fact I realized I had not pictures of him "turning 5", or maybe just chalk it up to the fact I love birthdays, but I decided to celebrate it.
We didn't do anything major...just took him to the store and let him pick out a small present for himself and something for his sister. (Cause what's better than getting gifts on someone ELSE'S birthday??), got him a small cake and just generally tried to make his day special.
Regardless, he loved it and told everyone all day that he was 5 and a half now....which in kid years is the same as "almost a grown up". According to him anyway.
I also realized this weekend that Gina is exactly the same age that Myles was when we had her. Probably one of those weird things that only moms think about, but it's a crazy thought to me. I can't believe that much time has passed!
So, next time you see Myles...don't forget the "half"...it's all the difference between baby and almost a grown up. :)
Call it mommy guilt, or the fact I realized I had not pictures of him "turning 5", or maybe just chalk it up to the fact I love birthdays, but I decided to celebrate it.
We didn't do anything major...just took him to the store and let him pick out a small present for himself and something for his sister. (Cause what's better than getting gifts on someone ELSE'S birthday??), got him a small cake and just generally tried to make his day special.
Regardless, he loved it and told everyone all day that he was 5 and a half now....which in kid years is the same as "almost a grown up". According to him anyway.
I also realized this weekend that Gina is exactly the same age that Myles was when we had her. Probably one of those weird things that only moms think about, but it's a crazy thought to me. I can't believe that much time has passed!
So, next time you see Myles...don't forget the "half"...it's all the difference between baby and almost a grown up. :)
Friday, July 17, 2009
Comfort zones
We all have our own comfort zones, don't we? I know I sure do. And, admittedly, it's not a very big zone. I am definitely a creature of habit and thrive on routine. I get very comfortable with what I do, where I go, etc. etc. In fact I'm one of those people that tend to order the same menu item every time I go to a restaurant. It's what I like and what I know. Sad, I know! :)
But lately I've been getting the sense I need to expand my comfort zone. Dramatically.
You could say this isn't so recent considering it all started over a year ago when we made the decision to sell our house and move. The house I grew up in. The only house I ever knew. Although, problem was, we realized we should have moved years earlier, but it was too hard. Too far out of my zone.
Then we decided to find a new church. And leave the one I'd gone to since I was a child. The only one I'd ever knew.
Both of those have turned out to be good decisions, and I learned a lot about myself through the process.
However, now I've started a transformation process and I think I need to keep going.
I got my degree in marketing and management, but have never used the marketing part of it.
Actually I currently work for a family owned business.
Do we see a trend here? Yeah...small comfort zone. If it ain't broke don't fix it I guess.
Anyway, I've recently decided I'd like to expand my responsibilities at work and begin to educate myself more about marketing and be able to apply it to my current job. Maybe even lay the foundation for changing careers down the line in order to take full advantage of my potential.
I know it's a slow process, but you have to start somewhere, right?
I've also decided to do the couch to 5K program. We'll see how that goes. I have a friend that started it 8 weeks ago and could barely run for 90 seconds the first week. Now she's doing 3 miles and signed up for a 5K. I'm scared as I am SO not a runner, but I'm hoping to make the same progress. We'll see.
So that's what I've been up to and part of why I haven't been around much. So what about you?
But lately I've been getting the sense I need to expand my comfort zone. Dramatically.
You could say this isn't so recent considering it all started over a year ago when we made the decision to sell our house and move. The house I grew up in. The only house I ever knew. Although, problem was, we realized we should have moved years earlier, but it was too hard. Too far out of my zone.
Then we decided to find a new church. And leave the one I'd gone to since I was a child. The only one I'd ever knew.
Both of those have turned out to be good decisions, and I learned a lot about myself through the process.
However, now I've started a transformation process and I think I need to keep going.
I got my degree in marketing and management, but have never used the marketing part of it.
Actually I currently work for a family owned business.
Do we see a trend here? Yeah...small comfort zone. If it ain't broke don't fix it I guess.
Anyway, I've recently decided I'd like to expand my responsibilities at work and begin to educate myself more about marketing and be able to apply it to my current job. Maybe even lay the foundation for changing careers down the line in order to take full advantage of my potential.
I know it's a slow process, but you have to start somewhere, right?
I've also decided to do the couch to 5K program. We'll see how that goes. I have a friend that started it 8 weeks ago and could barely run for 90 seconds the first week. Now she's doing 3 miles and signed up for a 5K. I'm scared as I am SO not a runner, but I'm hoping to make the same progress. We'll see.
So that's what I've been up to and part of why I haven't been around much. So what about you?
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Well, hello!
Seems like it's been forever since my last post! Where is the summer going? July is going especially quick!
We have been having an unexceptionally cool July here. That's good for most outdoor activities, but not so great for opportunities to enjoy our complex pool.
Work has been getting busier and I have only been blogging in the evenings. Except that hasn't been actually happening. There's always so much to do in the time after work that it's been hard to find time to blog....and I miss it. I feel so "out of the loop". Isn't it funny how you feel like you need to "check-in" with people and feel so connected to those in the online world?
My kids behavior indicated they clearly needed an early bedtime tonight, and my husband is working late, so I thought I'd hop on and say hello and start catching up.
Hope you are all doing well and enjoying summer!! What is your favorite summer activity?
We have been having an unexceptionally cool July here. That's good for most outdoor activities, but not so great for opportunities to enjoy our complex pool.
Work has been getting busier and I have only been blogging in the evenings. Except that hasn't been actually happening. There's always so much to do in the time after work that it's been hard to find time to blog....and I miss it. I feel so "out of the loop". Isn't it funny how you feel like you need to "check-in" with people and feel so connected to those in the online world?
My kids behavior indicated they clearly needed an early bedtime tonight, and my husband is working late, so I thought I'd hop on and say hello and start catching up.
Hope you are all doing well and enjoying summer!! What is your favorite summer activity?
Monday, July 6, 2009
4th of July Weekend
I had 6 days off in a row.....and it was so great!!! Unfortunately, as I tend to do sometimes, I found myself In The Pit for the first part of my time off over life stuff, but with the help of my husband was able to get a reality check and enjoy the rest of my time off.
On the fourth of July I headed over to our old house to do some cleaning up, and just happened to get there right about 10, when the neighborhood parade starts. I had forgotten all about it.
The kids had an awesome time watching the parade and of course collecting all the candy being thrown at them.
Here are some pictures as we were waiting:
I have no idea what she's looking at in the one, but her facial expression cracks me up.
After that we grabbed some lunch and then headed to the park where they played in the sand volleyball court:
That night we had a movie night at home. We rented Cinderella and popped popcorn at home and I told them they could stay up as late as they wanted:
The next day we went to Parky's Farm, a local farm that's part of our County's park district. They do pony rides, have a barn converted into a play barn, an outdoor playground, do tractor rides, have lots of animals, a big pond, etc. We had a blast:
Ahh.....too bad I had to come back to work today!
On the fourth of July I headed over to our old house to do some cleaning up, and just happened to get there right about 10, when the neighborhood parade starts. I had forgotten all about it.
The kids had an awesome time watching the parade and of course collecting all the candy being thrown at them.
Here are some pictures as we were waiting:
I have no idea what she's looking at in the one, but her facial expression cracks me up.
After that we grabbed some lunch and then headed to the park where they played in the sand volleyball court:
That night we had a movie night at home. We rented Cinderella and popped popcorn at home and I told them they could stay up as late as they wanted:
The next day we went to Parky's Farm, a local farm that's part of our County's park district. They do pony rides, have a barn converted into a play barn, an outdoor playground, do tractor rides, have lots of animals, a big pond, etc. We had a blast:
Ahh.....too bad I had to come back to work today!
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
A great weekend
My niece turned 7 on July 1st, and we celebrated her birthday the Saturday before. We had such a great time getting together. Unfortunately, we rarely enjoy family time and everytime we get together we say we need to do it more often. I would post other pictures of the birthday girl and the photographic evidence of my SIL holding Gina, but I haven't asked permission yet to do so. :)
The kids all had a blast eating pizza and cake and running through the sprinklers. It was a perfect day!
The next day we had our church picnic. Last year, on our first day visiting the church it happened to be the day of the picnic, but we didn't yet feel comfortable going. This year we didn't get to go for long, but we had a good time and Derrick taught Myles how to play cornhole. I love warm summer afternoons just being outside and letting the kids play. I just can't believe how fast it's all going!
The kids all had a blast eating pizza and cake and running through the sprinklers. It was a perfect day!
The next day we had our church picnic. Last year, on our first day visiting the church it happened to be the day of the picnic, but we didn't yet feel comfortable going. This year we didn't get to go for long, but we had a good time and Derrick taught Myles how to play cornhole. I love warm summer afternoons just being outside and letting the kids play. I just can't believe how fast it's all going!
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