Too Funny Not to Record

And The Word Is...

2010 is here!

I was in bed last night by 8:40 (completely unheard of!) so I was not up to usher it in - but alas, it came anyway as it always does.

I've never been one to get greatly excited over the new year. I don't go out and party. Never loved the whole 'resolution' thing.. Didn't even like watching Dick Clark count down the ball in Times Square. (no offense to Mr. Clark)

Yet even with this, the older I get my views on this time of year have changed. The year seems to wind down in a series of celebrations (halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas) before it ends, welcoming in a 'fresh start'. I believe that is what most people find so attractive - the idea of a 'fresh start'. Let's face it - even as adults there are times when we'd like a 'do-over' - but alas, that can not happen. So what's the next closest thing? How about a new year?

You open your new calendar and all of the squares are blank. What will you choose to fill the boxes in with - and what will be chosen for you? What plans will you make? What surprises do these days hold in store? What trials may come? What great joys shall over flow your cup?

Many things we can not control - but as I've said once and I'll say yet again - our attitude is one thing that we can at least attempt to control.

So - to that end, I have thought and thought, and prayed and thought, and bit my nails (I haven't bit my nails since I was a child), and ate some chocolate, and thought and ate more chocolate and drank cup after cup of tea and finally... I was stuck on 2 words. Which would become my 'theme word of the year'?

drum roll please.......

FIT

As with all of my 'words of the year', this too has many meanings.

Of course your first thought may be "yea, yea, you wanna lose weight like everyone else" - and while there is some truth to that - FIT is representing so much more for me.

When considering this word for me theme - I went to visit my dear friend Mr. Webster to consult with him. Here is what he told me:

1. adapted to an end or design; suitable by nature or by art. acceptable from a particular viewpoint (such as morality)

2. put into a suitable state, to make ready. being in such a state as to be or seem ready to do or suffer something.

3. sound physically and mentally

So now that I was equipped with the exact meanings of my theme word - I am now ready to apply it to my life this 2010.

1. My faith is of tremendous importance to me! I feel however, that I am frequently trying to 'squeeze God in'. This is not 'acceptable'. I need to make God 'FIT' into my life and make my faith life "FIT". Weather it be a whole chapter or section of a study or simply one verse from the Psalms, I know that I must begin each day with God's word. It is the only thing in this world that is unchanging and without error! For all else to go right in my life - I must make my faith FIT.

2. 'To put into a suitable state"??? are you kidding? I could write out a whole list that would take an entire roll of Charmin to record it all! But rather than an exorbitant amount of time detailing all areas this applies to - I'll just write a few key areas: my business, my educational/career goals, finances, the kitchen, my office, etc... I'll take them one task at a time and FIT them into my schedule as to make them a priority in my life - without stressing myself out so much that I become unFIT. :)

3. Lastly - 'physically and mentally FIT'. I have already taken a few steps to begin my journey down this road. On many levels, this will be the hardest application of my theme word. But once again - although I will FIT time in for me, to take better overall care of myself, I will take this one step at a time. Offering praise for each victory and humbling myself to ask for help when I need it.

This will be a journey my friends - an uphill one at that at times.

To help me on my journey, and maybe you as well, I will be starting a new blog entitled

"It's Time" - my journey to a better me".

It will be raw and honest. It will help me to face the reality of situations seeing it in type.

Will I still have this blog? YES! Here is where I will still blog about my everyday happenings and observances about life, faith and what seems to be very frequent in my topics - my boys.

The other blog I will post to a minimum of once a week to track my journey and share what I'm going through - what has worked for me - and what isn't.

Well my friends - Happy New Year to you!

I pray that whatever 'resolutions' - 'goals' - or 'themes' you've set for yourself will be a great success!!

God Bless

Did I Have Order in 09'?

My Mum always used to say, 'the older you get, the faster time goes.' Mum, you were right!

It seems as if we just began the year 2009 and yet here we are about to say goodbye to it and greet 2010.

Before I look forward to the new year, I always like to look back. What have I done, accomplished, experienced.... I love history. I feel the best way to prepare for the future is to look back and see what worked and what did not.

I have had some success' over the past 12 months as well as some less than stellar results. But that's life, isn't it?

Beginning a few years ago, I started coming up with a theme word for my year. I take this quite seriously and really reflect and see where I need to go.

For 2008, my word was 'Simplify'. I started the year well with this goal, but the passing of my much beloved mum made this goal seem very unimportant.

For 2009 my word has been 'Order'. So, how have I done?
Let's start on an up-note shall we... I did get many things organized! My closets for instance (which I had shared in a fall post). I went through the hall, linen, boys and my closets and cleaned them out completely! Got rid of the excess (including about 6 pairs of black velvet shoes... why? really..) and created space for everything that legitimately needs to be stored.

I also cleaned out the cupboards and drawers in the kitchen. I wish I could tell you that it has all stayed Martha Stewart standard condition. but alas..

I organized my child care folders and files and began a lesson plan book so that hopefully I will cut down on the work I have to do in years to come.

These have all been great accomplishments!

When it comes to my calendar, I have had minimal success here. I did go through the calendar and mark off family days, date nights and the like - but to my dismay, there are things that we can not just dismiss. How dare the Boy Scouts for instance not check with our calendar prior to scheduling community events. :) I also forgot to write in all of the family birthdays. Typically, I do this at the beginning of January, but this past year for some reason I only filled in the birthdays for the first few months of the year. This proved to be problematic as I am the one who reminds my husband of his family's' birthdays - so if I mess up... oops! Sorry to any we called a day late this year!!

Spiritually, again I did so so. Rather than a basket, I have turned a brown and pink tote bag I received at a Women of Faith conference I went to a few years ago into my worship center. In it I keep a Bible (I use more than one when I'm really studying a topic/passage - but no need to carry them all around), notebook for taking notes at studies, devotions and I also use it as my prayer journal, pens, etc.. This has worked well. I have also been blessed to begin a new study with the ladies at my church that will run year round, Foundations. I wish I could report that I have been unfailingly devoted to my daily devotions, but I must honestly tell you that I still struggle to spend quality time with the Lord daily. Thankfully, He never gives up on us!!

As for having order in my physical life..... I have not tracked my food. I have not made time for exercise. I have honestly earned an 'F' in this category.

So all in all.... I would give myself a 'B'. But in saying that, should I really be grading myself on life? Wow - that a whole new level of pressure. Forget that. Let's just said I did ok.

Now, are you ready for my word for 2010?

That's another post.

Do you have goals for 2010 or a theme word? Share.

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas my friends!

This is not only my first post in quite some time, but also, my first post from my new lap top my husband gave me for Christmas. Thanks!

I have had many 'Oh, I've goooooot to blog about this!' moments - but not the time to tap them out.

For the time being, I'd like to just blog about today.

Some great moments:
1. My boys were told that they couldn't come out of their room until 6:00 am - this is a lot to ask as the oldest wakes up each day at around 4:30 am! But they did great! I got up very early to retrieve the stockings that Santa had filled and put them in their bedroom so they could explore those while waiting for the old folks to get up. We got up at about 5:40, got the coffee brewing/tea steeping and cameras on the ready. The boys did well and were running down the hall by 6.
2. Son number one walked into the living room, hammed it up for the camera, and explored gifts under the tree all while seeming to be completely oblivious to the big red bike right next to the tree. When something was finally said about the bike, he simply said it was for mum or dad.. never occurring to him that it could be for him! I told him to read the tag to let us all know who it was for. Next we heard mumbling and then he exclaimed "Sweeeeeeettttt"!
3. Took a lot of leg work to find just the right toys - but as always seems to be the case, son number two's favorite toy from the day was the $10 Rockem' Sockem' game. Not a big shock as the little guy has some aggression issues (hoping this will become a good outlet).
4. I got a laptop computer! What do I need one of these for? It had been becoming increasingly clear to us that this would be a good idea as I 1. run my own business, 2. help lead ladies ministries in my church, 3 have been thinking about going back to school. (any suggestions on majors? I'm thinking child care as it's what I do now.. but not 100% sure.
5. Dinner - yummy!! Great company too as my husbands parents came and joined us. Good food & good company.

But more than these great memories I will cherish for years to come - What I like most about this day is that it is all to celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ!

Thank you God for giving us your son. Thank you for loving us so much!! Thank you for a gift too marvelous for our minds to fully comprehend.

Happy Birthday Jesus!!

My Squanto

The big guy had his Thanksgiving class 'play' yesterday. (it turned out to be more of a long poem in costume)

He was so excited about being Squanto! I think you can see the excitement on his face.

This is just a little clip. Turn off the music to the right by clicking on the middle button so you can hear the poem.

Enjoy - and Happy Thanksgiving!!

(sorry for the shaky camera work - son #2 was a wiggle worm on my lap)

The Waiting Room

The lighting was dim. Typically medical centers have harsh fluorescent lighting. I think the designers purposefully made this little waiting room dim to help ladies feel relaxed. Whether waiting to have your mammogram due to a specific concern, a yearly check up or even a base scan, the moments in the waiting room can feel like a most uneasy eternity.

Sitting there with my purse, keys and all clothing from the waist up stuffed into the canvas bin on my lap (fear not, I did have a flimsy little johnny on) I felt very alone. Of course, I was not the only person there. I heard the sound of nurses, doctors and technicians feet clad in soft souled shoes quickly treading this way and that, but sitting there I couldn't help but face the realization that in times like this, you really are alone. Even though when you head into the mammography room and you have a very amiable technician, aka sculpture, shoving, squishing and molding your body into just the right position to be pressed between two hard pieces of plastic as if your breast is a panini; it really is just you and the machine. This large cold piece of equipment holds the answers to every women's fears.

But I am thankful. No, I haven't received my results yet. I am thankful because what could have been a situation that in the past would have had me turning inside out, I had peace. Peace in knowing that in fact, I was not.. I am not alone. Jesus was with me in that waiting room, and came in with me as the technician started reading off my families history, "You have cancer all around you", and stayed with me as I got dressed again and headed out to meet up with my sister who was watching my youngest son. He is with me right now and gives me peace knowing that I should have the results in a week or so. And peace knowing that He will be right there with me regardless of the results.

God willing, the scans will be completely clear! I have no specific concern. But I think this is a fear of all women, especially when you have a family history of it. But God is good! He is with me always, and continues to shower me with His grace through every difficult and trying situation.

Difficult situations can spring up to meet us on a daily basis. This is why I try to be in God's word on a daily basis.

There are a few pieces of scripture that have really stuck with me lately from Proverbs - the book of wisdom.

Proverbs 3:5-6
Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
And do not lean on your own understanding.
In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He will make your paths straight.

and

Proverbs 3:25 - 26
Do not be afraid of sudden fear,
Nor of the onslaught of the wicked when it comes;
For the Lord will be your confidence,
And will keep your foot from being caught.

Wow! Don't be afraid of fear. Just let your mind wrap itself around that for a moment. And a straight path that I don't have to find on my own! Thank you! I can't find my way out of a paper bag.

My daily difficulties/concerns have been trying lately. But they are bearable. Bearable because I am not alone. I don't have to fear fear. I don't have to figure out the right path on my own (thank heavens because I'd never find it!).

When sitting in the various waiting rooms in life, you don't have to rely on the dim lighting and soothing music to keep you at peace. Go to the source of peace that surpassed all understanding.

photo: 'Hells Waiting Room' from FlickR

Yuck!!

I'm going to share a really gross thing that happened to me today. My husband had a good laugh when I told him - he completely enjoyed my horrible experience.

I was typing out an email to our church secretary for entry into the newsletter when I saw something out of my peripheral vision. I turned to see a big nasty bug climbing up my wall from behind the couch. Yuck!!

Well there I was alone, no man.. or even boy to help me out. I went into the other room and emptied a box of Capri Sun into the fridge and brought the empty box back into where the bug was leisurely strolling along my wall. I put my hand in the box and pow... squish!! (for all of you who think I should have gingerly picked up the house guest and escorted him outside... get a grip!!! I wasn't chancing that thing crawling on me!)

As I pulled the box away from the wall, a horrible oder permeated the air. Yes - it turns out my uninvited guest was a stink bug!! A bloody stink bug in my house! Are you kidding?

Rather than throw it away in the trash and keep the stench lingering, I decided to shake it off of the box outside. (so there you go - the bug was being brought out) Up the stairs I went, opened the front door, stepped out onto the top step and began to shake/scrape the box outside. Just as I was about done and feeling safe to reenter my home, it happened.

Now for all of you nature lovers who thought I was terrible for killing the bug, here's the part you'll love and be saying to yourselves "serves you right". With the last shake, up from the box came a clump of bug guts and hit me right on the cheek. AAAAAAAAAAAAhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!

I threw the box, ran back in and up the stairs and began to scrub several layers of skin off of my cheek. Nasty!!!!