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Monday, March 1st, 2010

Sunshine!

Because I’ve had 3 good days in a row, pain-wise, because the sun today is lovely and I will miss it tomorrow, and because I don’t want Kelly to unfriend me…I am finally posting about the award she gave me over a week ago!

How perfect is that?  I am definitely ready for some more permanent sunshine and warmer temps!  This will do for now, though.  I’m honored that Kelly chose me and touched by what she said about me…I do not feel like I’m doing a good job with this mom business most days.  Today is NOT one of those days, though.  It’s been one of those days where I am confident and secure in my supermom-ness.  Don’t worry, that will surely change tomorrow when the clouds roll in and we have to worry about being stuck inside all day!

So, here are the rules:

1. Put the logo in your post or within your blog.
2. Pass the award on to 12 fellow bloggers.
3. Link the nominees within your post.
4. Let the nominees know they have received this award by leaving a comment on their blogs.
5. Share the love and link to the person who gave you the award.

These folks bring sunshine to my life. Go check them out — you won’t be disappointed!  (It goes without saying that Kelly is included here, right?)

1. Emily over at All I hear is blah, blah, blah.  She’s someone I “met” locally through blogging.  We now go to the same church and I respect her for SO many reasons.

2. Sarah at Growing A Little Ivy.  God brought us together, I am sure of it.  She is an amazing friend and an awesome mom and I can’t say more because I will start crying.  Seriously, her reflections on mothering and faith move me to tears regularly.

3. Kim at Kim’s Thoughts.  LOVE her movie reviews.  We have very similar taste in movies, so it’s nice to get her perspective.  I don’t get to see movies in the theater much, but I definitely make decisions on rentals based on what she has to say!

4. Jamie at Mama to the Drama.  Funny, funny, funny.  My younger son is about the same age as her son so I can always relate to anything she has to say about the age!

5. Susannah at Painting Chef.  I relate to so much she says.  But she says it much funnier than I would.  I mostly just cussed and whined.  She has a sense of humor about it all that is inspiring to me.

6. Liz at The Suburban Bohemian.  The way we met is what I love about blogging…she sent me an email asking about Sanford because they were moving here.  I hesitated, but decided to answer it because I wish I’d had someone to help me figure out details about the area before we move her.  I’m glad I did, because she is super cool and brings a different dimension to the friendships I have.

7. Melissa at Binkies and Bandaids.  A hard working mom, she is the only person on this list that I haven’t actually met.  But I love reading about her and her kids!  She totally gets the chaos that 3 kids bring like few other people I know.

Sorry, 7 is all you get.  First of all, I’ve exhausted my list of frequently read blogs and second of all I’m starting to hurt.  Plus I need to get in the shower for a meeting tonight at church.  If you have a blog I might enjoy reading, let me know in the comments.  I can always use more reading material for the times I actually get possession of the laptop!

Posted in Blog Info, Me Stuff, Tag! You're it! | 3 Comments »

Monday, February 1st, 2010

Being Part of the Solution

One thing I despise is people who gripe and moan about something and never try to come up with a better plan.  There is nothing wrong with complaining but I think it’s important to be a part of the solution if you’re going to do so.  That’s not to say I haven’t indulged in more than my fair share of whining and inaction but I try to look for a way to make things better.

There have been a lot of decisions regarding the Lee County school system lately that have left me scratching my head.  I haven’t been entirely comfortable with my son’s teacher, I dislike how things are being railroaded through the board, and I am furious about the prospect of my child going to school this Saturday due to missing school yesterday for bad weather.  There are multiple days that could have been used to make up this day…there’s a whole list of them on his school calendar.  We avoid planning things for those days because we know they might end up being school days.  Yet I am expected to drop all of my plans for Saturday with a 4 day notice so that he can attend school.  It is unacceptable.

Obviously I am just one person and these are just my perceptions.  But I know others out there are unhappy, too.  Last week Emily mentioned she felt a lot of frustration with the school board.  I’m in the same boat, obviously.  She is contemplating a run for school board and I support her 100%.  When she first made that post I mentioned that was something I’d also like to do eventually, but it just wasn’t something I felt I was ready for at the moment.  For some reason, today I feel differently.  Sadly, I do not have the resources to do it…a campaign costs money that I don’t have and additional demands on my already non-existent time.  I also think I lack the knowledge and information to really do a good job right now.

However, I am going to start learning.  I’m going to try to go to school board meetings, advocate for the changes that need to be made, and get involved where I can.  Because I want to be part of the solution, whether that’s now or 4 years from now.  I’m not happy with the status quo and I’m going to do my best to try to change it!

Posted in Me Stuff, Parenting, Politics/Government | 2 Comments »

Thursday, January 28th, 2010

The Mother I Wish I Was

Let’s all pretend I haven’t completely disappeared for several weeks, shall we?

Today I’ve been thinking about all of my (perceived) shortcomings.  Yuck.  Let’s just say that of all the things I am lazy about, the one aspect of my life I regret most is my parenting.  That’s not to say I think I am a bad parent…but just that I wish I was doing more.  For example, I would love to home school my children.  I think it can be a superior option for those prepared to put the time and effort into it.  Especially considering some of the stuff we’ve dealt with this year at public school!

Unfortunately, I’m just not cut out for it.  I’m not organized enough, not patient enough, not motivated enough, not social enough…the list goes on and on.  I guess it’s a good thing I recognize this, rather than doing it and not giving my children what they need to be successful in life.  I have several friends who do home school and I am constantly in awe of them.  They are truly dedicated to it and have children who are well adjusted and intelligent.

I am trying to homeschool my younger son right now, though.  We can’t afford preschool, I’m not impressed with the public option and I’m worried that he won’t be prepared for kindergarten if I let Noggin (NickJr?) educate him.  But just getting him to sit down for 30 minutes every day and concentrate on it is nearly impossible.

I have managed to teach him shapes and colors.  My plan is to work on numbers and letters next.  But I feel like it shouldn’t be this hard for me…that I’m somehow not a good mother because I think this is hard and don’t quite know how to go about it.

There’s nothing like a good dose of “You suck at this!” when it comes to your kids.  But really, do the bad parents ever doubt their abilities?  Probably not.  And maybe for that reason alone I’m doing an OK job.

Posted in Family, Me Stuff, Parenting | 3 Comments »

Tuesday, January 19th, 2010

Seriously?

I threw my back out again.  It happened right before church 2 Sundays ago and I made it to church through sheer force of will, but have been taking it easy ever since.  A friend whose mom has the same problem suggested it might be my sacroiliac (SI) joint in my pelvis and after a good bit of research, it certainly sounded possible!  I finally broke down and called a chiropractor.  They took x-rays and I was absolutetly shocked at how twisted my spine and pelvis were.  I also found out I have an extra vertebrae which definitely doesn’t help my back situation!  I’ve been getting adjusted every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday morning and it’s made a world of difference.  Howe we’ll pay for it, I don’t know…but it is worth every penny.

I admit that I was somewhat skeptical of chiropractic care…while I believed they could help with back pain, I wasn’t entirely sure I believed it went further than that.  But I’ve seen changes in some other things (including kidney stones!) that have made me think there may be more to it, but I’m not totally convinced yet.  It’s definitely helped my back, though!

I intended to write some more posts about last decade, but I feel like it’s too late now.  Oh well, I may do it anyway.  It was fun for me to remember the pivotal moments of the decade!

Posted in Health, Me Stuff | No Comments »

Sunday, January 3rd, 2010

A Decade Remembered: Adulthood

I turned 18 in 1993.  I was 21 in 1996.  Graduated college in 1998, got a job and lived on my own for 2 years after that.  But I don’t think I really became an adult until 2001.  It was a big year for me.  I got married.  Lost my father to cancer.  Experienced my first layoff, as did my husband.  And then there was September 11.  I think a lot of people had to grow up fast that day.  Most of these were negative experiences but they helped me to grow…a process that was necessary for what I would face in 2002.

On New Years Eve 2001 my husband and I returned to the place where we met.  His fraternity house was having a party and we thought it would be fun to go there to ring in the New Year.  I remember getting drunk and telling people it was the last time I’d be doing that because I intended to have a baby the next year.  Most of them laughed.  I think they were surprised because we hadn’t been married for very long at that point and we (obviously) were still into partying.  I was right though…before January 2002 was over I was pregnant and had experienced my 2nd layoff.  That left us both unemployed, expecting a baby, and scared to death.  This started another step toward adulthood…moving far away from our families and friends so that we’d have a source of income and a way to support our child.  Everything that was secure and comfortable was gone and suddenly we were facing parenthood on top of all of that.

These were scary, stressful situations but they taught me a lot of life lessons and prepared me in ways that reading books never could have.

Posted in A Decade Remembered, Me Stuff | No Comments »

Saturday, January 2nd, 2010

A Decade Remembered: Wedding

Last decade was pivotal for me.  It’s the decade in which I truly became an adult, a wife, and a mother.  I lost my father to cancer, moved away from my hometown and family and then moved to 2 more places.  Bought and sold multiple houses.  Learned a lot, laughed a lot, loved a lot.  It had it’s good and it’s bad for sure, but overall it has been the best decade of my life yet.

The first pivotal moment of the decade was probably my engagement…October 7, 2000.  My wedding day was exactly 6 months later on April 7, 2001.  We’d found out just days before the wedding that my dad had terminal lung cancer (after months of failed diagnoses) and I suggested holding off a few months until things were a little less dramatic, but nobody would hear of it.  People were coming from out of town, everything was paid for already.  It was better to go ahead.  Nobody said it but we all thought it…if I didn’t do it then my dad wouldn’t be there.

So we went ahead.  I had my portraits done a few days before the wedding.  Afterwards, I went to the hospital, still in my dress and hair and make-up all done.  We wanted to be sure my daddy saw me in case he didn’t get to the wedding.  People stared.  They asked questions.  When we explained, the pity in their eyes was painful.

The weather on my wedding day was beautiful.  Warm, sunny…it was exactly what I’d hoped for.  My dad was released from the hospital for the festivities and was able to walk me down the aisle and give me away.  He was wearing house slippers, but he was there and I’m pretty sure nobody realized or cared what was on his feet.  He forgot to lift my veil before he sat down and so I was behind it for the entire ceremony.  I liked it that way, though.  It kept me calm for some reason.  Fully involved but slightly removed from it all.  When my brand new husband lifted it to kiss me at the end, it felt very symbolic.

At the reception my parents danced.  I’m sure I’ve shared this here before, but I stood in a corner and sobbed.  I think everyone in the room was teary-eyed….even the caterers.  We all knew it would be the last time they danced together.  It was so hard to watch.  I was beginning my married life and my parent’s was coming to an end, not because of divorce or something that made sense, but because of cancer.  A cancer that had moved so fast and so quietly that he had less than 6 weeks from diagnosis to death.  It seemed so wrong and so incredibly unfair.

When it came time for us to leave, I asked my mom where the bubbles were.  I was working and hadn’t had a chance to go pick them up.  I’d asked her to do it for me but she forgot in the midst of everything else.  There were a few moments of panic but the caterers came to our rescue with huge bowls of rice.  The whole evening was absolutely beautiful and perfect, considering the circumstances.  The memories are bittersweet but it was right.  The events surrounding that time of my life are painful but in the middle of it all I married the man I’d loved for over 7 years in an absolutely beautiful and perfect ceremony.  It was such a blessing in that difficult period of time.

Posted in A Decade Remembered, Family, Me Stuff | 2 Comments »

Friday, January 1st, 2010

Hermits No More

We’ve moved so much in the 8 (almost 9!) years of our marriage that we’ve never settled down and made a really serious effort to make friends.  Last year that all changed and I am now blessed with some of the best and most encouraging friends I’ve ever had.  (And yes, I’m getting all misty-eyed because 2009 was an awesome year for new friendships!)  It is a wonderful feeling to know that I can call on any of them to help me out in a pinch, or just cry happy tears together, or squeal over new movies like teenagers, or any one of a million things I’ve been missing for a long time.

But I’ll be brutally honest…my house was very neglected because when you’ve spent such a long time without friends or family who come over or visit often, it’s hard to make the effort to keep it neat.  It’s easier to just throw up your hands and say “Well, nobody see it but us, anyway!” and simply allow it to get worse and worse.  It wasn’t at hoarder level yet but it was definitely something I would have been embarrassed by if anyone had just dropped by and expected to hang out!

All that changed when my mom decided to come visit for Christmas.  After finals were over I started straightening and cleaning like a madwoman and while my house still isn’t perfect (my office is full of *stuff* that needs to be gone through and/or gotten rid of and my bedroom is a wreck and I would die if anyone went in there right now) but it’s presentable.  Which made me decide I needed to host a gathering.  And I decided this on Christmas Day.  And decided to have it today…which gave me exactly one week to prepare.

I was a little bit (um, make that a LOT) stressed, but it went off very well.  There were 30 people (kids and adults) in my house this evening, playing, eating, talking, laughing…and it was fun.  There were definitely moments where I felt overwhelmed by it, but those aforementioned friends helped me hold it together.  They brought food, they made me laugh, they held my baby while I was trying to deal with other things, and they even cleaned my kitchen and made sure all of the toys got picked up before they left.  It was a great way to start 2010, and it’s made me realize that with a house that’s being regularly maintained I can do stuff like this.

I don’t like resolutions because I don’t stick to them, but I’m making it a goal to invite someone over at least once a week.  Whether it’s a playdate, a movie night, dinner, or whatever I can come up with…because tonight made me happy and it reminded me of how blessed I am to have this home and these friends.  Plus it will keep me motivated to make sure my house is neat and maintained.  It’s a win-win!

Posted in Family, House/Home, Me Stuff | 1 Comment »

Thursday, December 31st, 2009

Christmas Round-Up

Not a single thing in my 12 days of Christmas list was under my tree, but there were a few surprises.  My husband bought me (well, I picked it out) a wall sconce for a focal wall in my living room.  My mom’s gift was the paint and window treatments for that room, so that was nice.  My big surprise was a Shark steam mop.  Oh yes, it was something I wanted!  Our entire house is 50 year old hardwood floors.  All of Violet’s clothes have dirty knees because it is impossible to get them really clean…they look clean, but her clothes tell a different story.  I could mop daily and they would still not be clean.  Fifty years of dirt doesn’t go away easily, so I’ve been wondering if a steam mop would help.  When my mom heard me talking about them, she decided to get one and add it to my Christmas gifts and I was so excited!  Haven’t used it yet, but plan to tonight or tomorrow before our big New Years Day shindig for people from church.

I also got a Waterpik from my brother and his wife.  Sounds like a weird present, right?  It’s not!  I really wanted one because it is so difficult to floss my very crooked bottom teeth and the bridgework on my upper teeth.  In fact, I chipped a tooth several weeks ago while trying to floss my lower teeth so I’m a little nervous about it now.  The Waterpik gets all of those crevices clean and makes my mouth feel much better than flossing!

It was a good Christmas.  My mom was here, I got the stuff I needed to finish my living room (I’ll share a picture when it’s done, but it may be a few weeks) and a couple of surprises as well.  The kids got most of what they wanted and we had a wonderful dinner with friends on Christmas Day.  It was a really great holiday.

Now on to planning Violet’s first birthday which is less than 3 weeks away now.  I can’t believe it…where has my baby gone?

Posted in 12 Days of Christmas, Me Stuff | 2 Comments »

Thursday, December 24th, 2009

On the 12th day of Christmas…

Certainly there are many things I want.  Material things, intangible things, impossible things.  But I’ve already received the greatest gifts I could ever imagine.  My husband, my children, my loving friends and extended family.  God has richly blessed me and for that I am eternally grateful.

And I’m most grateful to Him for the gift He gave us so many years ago.  There would be no Christmas without the birth of Christ.  It’s something I have a tendency to forget because of the hectic nature of the season.  I hope that today I can remember why we’re celebrating.  There will be the craziness of preparing a special dinner, opening gifts, and then more gifts tomorrow morning and 2 more big meals.  But somewhere in there, I plan to sit down with my kids and remind them of why we do this.  The ultimate gift has been given to us in the form of a Savior.  Praise God from whom all blessings flow!

Posted in 12 Days of Christmas, Faith/Religion, Me Stuff | No Comments »

Wednesday, December 23rd, 2009

On the 11th day of Christmas…

Books.  I love to read.  I’ll read almost anything (obviously, as I read and loved Twilight despite my skepticism) and our little county library is seriously lacking in good material.  I can’t afford to buy books any more, so I’ve been doing a lot of re-reading and borrowing but there are several books on my list that nobody I know has and that our library doesn’t have.  A gift card to a book store would definitely make me smile!

Posted in 12 Days of Christmas, Me Stuff | No Comments »

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  • I am a mom to 3 living in Sanford, NC. I am a wife. I am a student. I am a Christ follower. I am a friend. This is the craziness of my life.
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