I am not one to cry at the drop of a hat, but that's exactly what happened...literally...when I went to the Whole Foods last week.
I was on my way into the store, walking through the dirty slush of the parking lot, and about 20 feet ahead of me was an elderly woman walking extremely slowly so not to fall. As I held on to my shopping bags I watched as her hat blew off her head and landed in the dirty slush below. She bent over to pick it up and it was all wet. I followed her into the store and watched her grab some paper towels and try to dry it off. I immediately started to cry. I don't know if it was because I felt bad about her beautiful knit hat getting dirty and wet or the fact that now her head might be cold as she ventured back out into the below zero temps....I just know for some reason it made me quite emotional.
It seems this time around I tear up at the mere mention of a new baby. There are some pretty comical things that make me cry these days too. Here is a small list of some recent contributors to my tear factory:
*when the lights go off at the Bulls game & the theme song comes on...I think it's the excitement
*the plane that landed in the Hudson...I cried for hours that day even though everyone was OK
*when my kids tell me that I am their "prettiest mama" and give me a big squeezer
*I tear up every time I see a commercial about animals
*any song on the radio at some point
*seeing a new mom at the doctor
*the people who stand in the median with signs for food
*looking through picture albums of my kids as babies
*my wedding album
*writing thank you notes
*watching the confetti fly as the Cardinals secured their place in the Super Bowl. I don't even know where the Cardinals are from!!!
Wow...there are so many more but the more I write down, the less information I want to share! I just found it a little funny myself how emotional I can get these days. I am very thankful this time that I feel so great. Crying is no big deal...just a little embarrassing when you're in a waiting room and start to cry at a paper towel commercial or for the losers on American Idol.
If all I can complain about are a few tears or "pregnancy brain" (I keep calling Dylan 'Diego') this time around, I feel very blessed because I know all that could be wrong.
Sunday, January 18, 2009
Saturday, January 17, 2009
Reflections
As I look forward to what is to come in 2009, I can't help but look back at 2008 and take a big deep breath and thank my dear Savior for leading me through. It was a year of excitement, heartache, trials, praises & wonder.
In March of last year we purchased our first home. What a wonderful feeling it was to get the keys in our hands! James worked extremely hard last winter with snowplowing. It snowed so often it felt like it was his full time job. I thank God every day for a husband that works so hard to provide for his family. The kids and I enjoyed our new back yard all summer long. We rode bikes, had a slip'n'slide, a pool and played for hours on our new swingset.
July proved to be the toughest month. On July 5th my dear cousin Sheri, passed away of Ovarian Cancer at the age of 30. She had been battling the deadly beast for just over a year. She was one of my best friends from my earliest memory, my cousin, co worker and big sister. I spent 28 years with her having sleepovers, going to swim lessons, selling lemonade & popsicles on the 4th of July and she was there leading the way to high school, dating, and college. Always giving advice, lending a listening ear, or just being "Sheri." My favorite most recent memory of her was getting to spend a weekend with her up in Lake Geneva @ the women's retreat last fall. I really believe that God used that particular time for us to be alone together and spend a really sweet time...a time that would be our last on this earth just the two of us. I miss her. As I write this with tears streaming down my face, I am smiling just thinking and knowing that she is now in Glory with our Heavenly Father who never once let her slip from the palm of His hand. Her faith was shown to all who read her blog or asked her about her cancer battle and felt the power of prayer as she faught to live for Him. I do go to her name in my blackberry and want to call her often. I always called her when I needed someone to talk to or had exciting news...I miss her voice. I miss her. I do know that one day we will all rejoice together in heaven when he calls me home. I can just imagine her standing before the throne and seeing God's face and saying what she was known for saying, "awesome," and the sight of Him truely will be!
The last few months have really been a blur. This fall, the holidays and the new year came so fast. So what will this new beautiful year bring? Hopefully more joys, less sorrow and a new renewed heart of mine to Serve HIM and to show the love, compassion & service so my children will see not my face, but His. I am thankful for this year. I have experienced and learned many new things, met new people who have become good friends, watched my children grow and develop, and learned a lot about myself. Any regrets? Oh boy...no regrets. I believe that regrets hold you back from a lesson learned, they prevent you embracing the road untraveled, and most importantly they don't allow you to fully turn around from a mistake or bad desicion and trust in the Lord to guide you.
I look forward to this fresh new year full of possibilty, uncertainty, joy and even sorrow. I know from experience it is through each of those times, good and bad, to show me His will. The next six months will pass quickly and before we know it we will have a new little blessing in our home. Just thinking about number five has been a real test of faith. God never gives you more than you can handle...but I do believe He also has a great sense of humor. What an exciting year this will be!
In March of last year we purchased our first home. What a wonderful feeling it was to get the keys in our hands! James worked extremely hard last winter with snowplowing. It snowed so often it felt like it was his full time job. I thank God every day for a husband that works so hard to provide for his family. The kids and I enjoyed our new back yard all summer long. We rode bikes, had a slip'n'slide, a pool and played for hours on our new swingset.
July proved to be the toughest month. On July 5th my dear cousin Sheri, passed away of Ovarian Cancer at the age of 30. She had been battling the deadly beast for just over a year. She was one of my best friends from my earliest memory, my cousin, co worker and big sister. I spent 28 years with her having sleepovers, going to swim lessons, selling lemonade & popsicles on the 4th of July and she was there leading the way to high school, dating, and college. Always giving advice, lending a listening ear, or just being "Sheri." My favorite most recent memory of her was getting to spend a weekend with her up in Lake Geneva @ the women's retreat last fall. I really believe that God used that particular time for us to be alone together and spend a really sweet time...a time that would be our last on this earth just the two of us. I miss her. As I write this with tears streaming down my face, I am smiling just thinking and knowing that she is now in Glory with our Heavenly Father who never once let her slip from the palm of His hand. Her faith was shown to all who read her blog or asked her about her cancer battle and felt the power of prayer as she faught to live for Him. I do go to her name in my blackberry and want to call her often. I always called her when I needed someone to talk to or had exciting news...I miss her voice. I miss her. I do know that one day we will all rejoice together in heaven when he calls me home. I can just imagine her standing before the throne and seeing God's face and saying what she was known for saying, "awesome," and the sight of Him truely will be!
The last few months have really been a blur. This fall, the holidays and the new year came so fast. So what will this new beautiful year bring? Hopefully more joys, less sorrow and a new renewed heart of mine to Serve HIM and to show the love, compassion & service so my children will see not my face, but His. I am thankful for this year. I have experienced and learned many new things, met new people who have become good friends, watched my children grow and develop, and learned a lot about myself. Any regrets? Oh boy...no regrets. I believe that regrets hold you back from a lesson learned, they prevent you embracing the road untraveled, and most importantly they don't allow you to fully turn around from a mistake or bad desicion and trust in the Lord to guide you.
I look forward to this fresh new year full of possibilty, uncertainty, joy and even sorrow. I know from experience it is through each of those times, good and bad, to show me His will. The next six months will pass quickly and before we know it we will have a new little blessing in our home. Just thinking about number five has been a real test of faith. God never gives you more than you can handle...but I do believe He also has a great sense of humor. What an exciting year this will be!
Saturday, January 10, 2009
Kids
The kids are growing by leap and bounds these days it seems. Some of the things they do these days either crack us up or make us wonder ...
The other day I was getting the kids ready to go on an outing with daddy. I gave them breakfast, got their clothes on, brushed their teeth and hair and sat them all on the couch so I could go hunting for shoes. I found Dylan's first. I gave them to him and went on the hunt for a couple more pairs. When I returned with the other shoes, I noticed what appeared to be Dylan licking the bottom of his shoes. As I walked up to him it was clear...he WAS licking the bottom of his shoes. When I got them away I saw the bottoms were freshly wet. I almost lost my breakfast. I asked him why on earth he was licking them and his answer was "I am cleaning my dirty shoes, mom." So innocent, yet so gross!
Last night Madison wanted to have her toenails painted. I took her upstairs to our room and picked out just the right color pink. As I started to paint them the smile on her face grew bigger and bigger. She is ALL girl. She wouldn't stop thanking me for putting "nolish" on her toes and preceded to tell me I was her "best girly." This is a common conversation we have where I must respond by saying "...and do you know who my best girly is?" She proudly responds "ME!" I enjoy having a little girl time with her since we are clearly outnumbered in our house.
Since Christmas Noah is constantly "fixing" things around our house. Believe it or not, the "pretend" power tools and wrenches and screwdrivers actually do take things apart, so we are constantly having to "refix" things that he fixes. He even took apart their toy box last week!
Brett is at the age where things are constantly changing. Hugs are no longer a cool way to greet him at school. Leaving treats in his desk or notes in his lunch are no longer shared with friends, they are hidden. It's a little hard to adjust to a all the changes of a "tween." At least I know he is growing up and can take care of himself in most situations. I have to admit though...I am feeling a lot less "needed."
The other day I was getting the kids ready to go on an outing with daddy. I gave them breakfast, got their clothes on, brushed their teeth and hair and sat them all on the couch so I could go hunting for shoes. I found Dylan's first. I gave them to him and went on the hunt for a couple more pairs. When I returned with the other shoes, I noticed what appeared to be Dylan licking the bottom of his shoes. As I walked up to him it was clear...he WAS licking the bottom of his shoes. When I got them away I saw the bottoms were freshly wet. I almost lost my breakfast. I asked him why on earth he was licking them and his answer was "I am cleaning my dirty shoes, mom." So innocent, yet so gross!
Last night Madison wanted to have her toenails painted. I took her upstairs to our room and picked out just the right color pink. As I started to paint them the smile on her face grew bigger and bigger. She is ALL girl. She wouldn't stop thanking me for putting "nolish" on her toes and preceded to tell me I was her "best girly." This is a common conversation we have where I must respond by saying "...and do you know who my best girly is?" She proudly responds "ME!" I enjoy having a little girl time with her since we are clearly outnumbered in our house.
Since Christmas Noah is constantly "fixing" things around our house. Believe it or not, the "pretend" power tools and wrenches and screwdrivers actually do take things apart, so we are constantly having to "refix" things that he fixes. He even took apart their toy box last week!
Brett is at the age where things are constantly changing. Hugs are no longer a cool way to greet him at school. Leaving treats in his desk or notes in his lunch are no longer shared with friends, they are hidden. It's a little hard to adjust to a all the changes of a "tween." At least I know he is growing up and can take care of himself in most situations. I have to admit though...I am feeling a lot less "needed."
Friday, January 9, 2009
Happy New Year!
Happy New Year!
The start to our year has proved to be pretty great! We are extremely excited to announce that this July we will welcome our 5th little blessing into our home. We have been asked many MANY times if we are going to find out the sex, so to set the record straight...NO! We love surprises and can't wait to see the gift from God when they arrive in July. Who wants to know what their gift is beforehand anyway?
We had a very eventful holiday season. We were able to spend Christmas with both sides of our families, and even hosted our first Christmas get together in our new home. The kids had a complete blast opening their gifts which were actually related to their own personal interests this year. It was a little crazy at times with wrapping paper flying through the air, but so fun to see the looks on their little faces! What a blessing it was to just be able to spend time with our families uninterrupted and to enjoy them.
One more thing...
This year was the first year that I was in bed before the ball dropped at midnight on NYE! I am definately starting to feel old especially since Brett turned 10 last week. Yes, I said TEN!!! Where does the time go? I remember his first birthday like it was yesterday. We had a themed Winnie the Pooh party titled "Fun to BEE one!" I look at him now almost all grown up and just thank God for all wonderful years he has been in our lives. He is such a kind, gentle, intelligent child with a heart of gold and a willingness to serve others and His Savior. God is So good!
The start to our year has proved to be pretty great! We are extremely excited to announce that this July we will welcome our 5th little blessing into our home. We have been asked many MANY times if we are going to find out the sex, so to set the record straight...NO! We love surprises and can't wait to see the gift from God when they arrive in July. Who wants to know what their gift is beforehand anyway?
We had a very eventful holiday season. We were able to spend Christmas with both sides of our families, and even hosted our first Christmas get together in our new home. The kids had a complete blast opening their gifts which were actually related to their own personal interests this year. It was a little crazy at times with wrapping paper flying through the air, but so fun to see the looks on their little faces! What a blessing it was to just be able to spend time with our families uninterrupted and to enjoy them.
One more thing...
This year was the first year that I was in bed before the ball dropped at midnight on NYE! I am definately starting to feel old especially since Brett turned 10 last week. Yes, I said TEN!!! Where does the time go? I remember his first birthday like it was yesterday. We had a themed Winnie the Pooh party titled "Fun to BEE one!" I look at him now almost all grown up and just thank God for all wonderful years he has been in our lives. He is such a kind, gentle, intelligent child with a heart of gold and a willingness to serve others and His Savior. God is So good!
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