What can I give?

My mom used to deliver meals on wheels to an assisted living type facility. She would take me along with her sometimes and I have very good memories of doing that with her to this day. My mom would also sometimes make an extra plate of food at Thanksgiving for people who might need a good meal or might be alone on that day. I went once with my dad to deliver it. You remember these things and how good it made you feel. Two years ago at Christmas, our family delivered Christmas meals to 2 different families through volunteering that was set up by a local church. I loved being able to expose the boys to the spirit of helping people. You never know when you might be the one who needs help someday! We also participate in Operation Christmas Child which delivers shoeboxes of toys to underprivileged kids in other countries and of course giving our things we don't need anymore to Goodwill. However, sometimes we or you might not have the extra money to spend on charity stuff but would like to participate somehow. You can always give your time. Sometimes that is the only way we can help other people but I wish someday for enough "extra" to really make a difference in a few lives. At least I would like to think that is what I would do with enough "extra"...  ;)

Be all you can be

Today I am thinking about all the things I want to teach my kids while they are still listening! :) I made a list some time ago of the things that I wanted to make sure and teach my children one day. Then, I asked them what things did they want mom or dad to teach them? The abundance of answers I got was amazing! One said he wanted to know how to turn a cartwheel really good...the other said he needs to know how to cook like a chef. Both wanted to learn about growing things in a garden and both had interests in learning everything they could about animals such as dogs and snakes. I also heard from one that he wants to know about China and what it is like there and how to speak a little Chinese. My point is I could not believe what happened when I just asked them! They would list a thing or two and I would say..is that all..anything else? Then the list would continue and continue...I worked on their lists for a little while but have neglected them lately. I am determined to get back to teaching them the things that they are hoping to learn from me plus a few more that I want them to know. Here are some of the topics we are covering: China, anatomy of a human, dog breeds, snakes, cooking..including reading a recipe, become familiar with different types of music, car parts/mechanics, tool identification and use, healthy living..including different exercise they can practice, Bible stories, etc. We haven't gotten to all the topics yet but we are working our way through them. I want them to be the best they can be but I am careful to not push too hard or expect too much.....afterall I do realize we are dealing with a 5 year old and an 8 year old here :) Keeping it age appropriate is the key to success here! I want to mention that they're not going to excel in every area or love every topic. However, it does help to identify their natural interests and strengths.

Being Content

Okay folks, this is an area where I really struggle I am sorry to admit. I am one of those "dreamers" who is constantly looking toward the future  for the next best thing. It is not easy to admit this but it is true. I sometimes rob myself of today's joy by focusing on tomorrow's possibilities. Example: There was a time when we lived in an apartment just starting out but we didn't live there long because I wanted less neighbors and more space. So we moved into a duplex that was in a great location because from the front porch I got a view every morning of a beautiful lake. It was also very roomy and by most peoples standards a nice place to live...but we didn't stay there long because I wanted even more privacy and an even bigger space and my own house. We moved about a year later into our first home in a different city than we were in before. It was a brand new home that was all brick with lots of nice builder details like a whirlpool tub and his and hers walk-in closets with 4 bedrooms and 2 baths and by most peoples standards not a starter home at all! But in my mind that is exactly what it was. A place to start not to stay and so when about 3 years later we got transfered to a new city I was not wanting to move but loving the possibililty of an even bigger and better place than before. You see what is happening here? Instead of being content in each phase of my life, I tend to rush each phase to get to the next one...the finish line. But you know what? No matter how nice my house or life is there will always be someone out there who has a bigger or newer or nicer place than me. It's that way for everyone pretty much. We can't all be the top dog of the world. We have to learn to be content where we are because otherwise we will live our whole lives and miss all the small joys while we were waiting on happiness. In the Bible, Paul states that he has ....learned to be content in whatever circumstances he is in (paraphrase) from Phillipians. This is something that I am still striving for. I am not saying that you shouldn't dream or set goals for yourself...I think there is a difference when it becomes such a longing that you are no longer content with your life and are left feeling unhappy. As for me, I have that bigger house...the biggest we've lived in yet...it just happens to be 30 years older than the last one we lived in and without those bells and whistles ;)....you see what I mean!? There I go again.

Thankful for...

In no particular order and by all means only a partial list :)
God, electricity, family, friends, home, clean water, air conditioners and heaters, ovens, toilets, cars, pets, laptops, internet, facebook, books, overhead lighting, holidays, happy days, church, Jesus, hometown, ink pens, Bible, Sharpie markers, blankets, pillows, good food, pictures, digital cameras, cell phones, comfortable shoes, snow days, sunny days, rainy days, windy days, jobs, sunsets, good music...the list goes on

Change

I have a strange relationship with change. I need it and then I get anxious if there is too much of it. I like certain things to change frequently and others to stay the same. My blog colors and background for one will probably always be changing because I like it that way. I also like to change my profile picture, my haircolor, my clothes, my surroundings but NOT what I eat for breakfast, what I like to drink, my Thursday night routine, my certain parking aisle at Walmart...you get the point. How can I be so flexible on some things and then so...well...not flexible on others? I took this pic of a little frog that lived in a birdhouse in my mom's backyard this summer...at least until he changed his mind!  :)

This is for my daddy :)

 Five years ago I lost my dad suddenly to a brain aneurysm. It was a hard thing to go through. He was so full of life and personality that when he was suddenly gone it was a real shock to me. My dad and I would spend time together at his store, Jones Furn. and  Western Auto. I worked there since before I could drive! I had stopped working there in 1999 which is the year that I got married.  We had our little rituals that I miss such as every Sat. eating 1/2 a chicken from Ramey's BBQ for lunch. His desk was next to mine and we would sit and eat lunch and talk. We also both liked going out to eat but disagreed on our taste in music. He loved gospel and old time country and I love a little bit of everything now but then not gospel or old time country. He liked to frequent antique shops and flea markets and I love doing that too. He could see the potential in an old piece of furniture and he passed that trait on to me also. Daddy loved to fish but not hunt unless it was for squirrels. He did teach me how to shoot a bow and arrow and a gun although I haven't shot either in years. Dad was a deacon at church and a Sunday School teacher for as long as I can remember. He would have been a great example for my boys to follow and learn from today. I am sad that they won't have that opportunity. Carson was 2 when he died and Roman was on the way...they never met. I sometimes talk about him and his store to them because I want them to feel like they knew him. I miss 2 things most of all...talking to him and getting that peck on the forehead when he greeted me followed by "How's my baby?". His baby is 33 now and misses him terribly but has finally reached the point where she knows it's gonna be okay. I can think of him now and smile :)

Patience and brotherly love/war

Someone once told me to never ask God for patience because to learn patience you will have to learn to wait which is why you were needing patience in the first place. Their point was that you might not like how the lesson is learned. However, I do need a lesson in patience. I am one of those right now people who do not enjoy delayed gratification but rather instant gratification is more my thing. Also, I need patience in dealing with my boys. They are having issues with getting along and I really would like to have more of a house of peace rather than one of well...war. I am not sure how to accomplish this so any suggestions are welcome. Day 2 of fall break and I realize that I am not looking forward to spending every day for the next 2 weeks being a referee! Uh-oh better go get my whistle...til next time. :)