Monday, March 25, 2024

Too Much?!


I have learned over the years that I am not necessarily available just because I don't have something scheduled in my calendar at that time.  I have to remember to block off down time.  If I don't have down time, it will catch up with me and sickness will ensue.  

It's easy to over schedule yourself now adays with things at your fingertips.  One of the hardest things for me is not getting together with loved ones.  I have to ask myself often if the get together will allow for building of a relationship or just having a party.  And then I need to decide if I have time for that.

Every summer/school year, I tell myself next year will be different; I will schedule less.  Where does the time go and who keeps adding things to my calendar?!  LOL 


Monday, March 18, 2024

Blessings Throughout the Year

We just got back from our yearly camping trip with our extended family.  We see each other throughout the year, but this trip is extra special.  Even when the weather seems to work against us, we power through.  Friday was rainy and windy, but it was worth it.  The sun came out Saturday and stayed Sunday.  Our talent show was covered in sprinkles but it didn't stop us.  We love each other and help out when we can.  They are such a blessing.  

Monday, March 11, 2024

Where's the Fun?!

I remember when I was little...

I would have been thrilled to play with other kids, to go on vacations, to have my parents spend time with me.  And I was thrilled when it happened, but it didn't happen nearly as often as I hoped.  I spent most of my school days on the bus or in school.  When I did get home, I was stuck inside because we were latchkey kids, and it was the rule.  We did get to watch one half hour show after our homework was complete, but I would have much preferred going outside to play.

I do remember my mother spending every minute she had available doing something with us whether it was watching a show together, playing a game, eating dinner, going to see family, going to church, etc.  Our vacations were on the inexpensive side as we didn't have much money to spare, but they were fun because we went together and got to do something different.

Now that I have kids, I actually get to stay home with them every day and teach them.  We play games together, visit friends and family, go to church, camp, etc.  The thing about it is my kids, at least my two oldest, beg to stay home.  They all like going to church, thankfully, but aside from that, they'd like to stay inside by themselves.  :(

I think kids now a day are, for the most part, spoiled.  They have too many things at their fingertips to appreciate the little things like fresh air, an actual book, and laughter with friends.  They can get those things any time they want and don't realize how precious it really is.  

I have to "force" my kids to go on a hike, go camping, play a board game or cards, go for a bike ride, etc.  They usually enjoy it, but I am spent by the end of it from having to make them go in the first place.  

I often toy with the idea of quitting everything except for church and getting rid of the internet.  I wonder if my children would have a different tune after that.  Hmmm...  Things to think about :) :) :)

Monday, March 4, 2024

Alarm

 I feel like I have to set an alarm for everything these days.  The air was low in one of our van tires, but I couldn't stop.  I had to get the kids to horseback riding lessons.  Then I completely forgot about it.  It took a few days for someone else to find the problem.  

I had to set an alarm to remind me to write this blog once a week.  Another alarm is set to remind me to make reservations to go camping.  Alarms for vitamins, pick up the kids, drop the kids off, etc....

I think this life with access to everything at our fingertips has made life more cumbersome.  I remember back when I didn't have a cell phone or email.  Yes, I am dating myself.  But life seemed easier, less stressful.  Wouldn't it be nice to go back to those days?  Maybe I'll set an alarm to remind me one week out of the month to turn all electronics off.  LOL

Monday, February 26, 2024

Stop! Just for a minute or two, please :)

 It seems life just keeps on going even when you ask nicely for it to halt for just a bit...

I measure my children throughout the year, usually around their birthdays.  I guess it was about time I measured them again.  My son only grew about a quarter of an inch in the last seven months :)  Six foot three/four inches is quite tall enough.  He already has issues with sitting in cars and planes; we don't need to add to that.  My oldest daughter who has been trying to stay shorter than me is now the same height when she stands up straight.  No she doesn't slouch her shoulders; instead she falls into her hip and bends her knees.  My youngest is coming up fast.  She has gained about two inches in the past seven months.

I am reminded how quickly time flies when I get photo reminders of years past.  My children use to sit on my lap and snuggle with me and give me nose kisses.  At least my youngest still does, but how long will that last?  I continue to remind myself to enjoy every moment I have with them; before too long they will be grown up and move on.  I wish I could bundle up some of the hugs they give me for days when this house will be empty.  

It's funny!  I TREASURE my time alone, but I still miss them when they are not with me.  

I am one blessed mamma :)

Wednesday, February 21, 2024

Thankful

 I have been homeschooling my three children.  Yes, we now have three.  A, B, G.

We started a "Thankful Journal" three years ago.  This year we started using a weekly planner instead of a notebook.  It is much easier to keep track of :)  However, our weeks now end on Sunday as that is how the planner is set up.  I still prefer the planner to a notebook, especially for my children.  

At the end of the week, we mark the thing we are most thankful for that week and share it with each other.  It is more difficult some weeks than others to choose just one.  We do the same at the end of each month.  At the beginning of the new year, we go over our most thankful thing for each month and pick one for the year.   I love looking back on our thankful "posts."  We have really good years even when hard things happen.  Being thankful each day makes life more enjoyable no matter what is happening.

We do a White Elephant gift exchange with our family each year.  I remind them that no matter what they get they need to be thankful.  We practiced by me asking my son how he could be thankful for manure.  He responded, "It's good for the garden."  

I am one blessed mamma :)  

Friday, March 2, 2018

It All Started With Ash on the Forehead

Quite a few years back, I noticed something black/gray on my aunt's forehead.  When I mentioned it, she told me about Ash Wednesday.  On Ash Wednesday, Catholics and maybe others put ash on their foreheads and begin their "40" day fast of Lent.  Everyone fasts something different.  Some fast sweets, some meats, some coffee, and such.  I may not be Catholic but thought this would be a good way to eat healthier.  I know that is not the intention of Lent, but those were my thoughts just the same :)

Next year began my first full fast during Lent.  I couldn't think of anything I was hooked on, but I had been drinking one hot chocolate each night for months.  So I decided to give that up.  The next year, I limited my television watching TREMENDOUSLY.  That was harder on me than giving up hot chocolate, but I still didn't feel accomplished much less closer to God.

I really did like the idea of  Lent but needed to change it up a bit.  I decided to add something instead of give something up.  From Lent forward, every time I drive by myself before 10am, I keep the radio off and pray to God.  I have pretty much kept that up to this day.  What a blessing it has been!  I felt my relationship with God get stronger even though it was only a short drive to work.  These days, I get that time with God a lot less as children are usually with me.  But, our relationship is like a best friend who you don't get to see as often as you used to when neither of you had family obligations.  We still talk throughout the day, but that drive time is coveted.

I began thinking that waiting for Lent to happen was no longer needed.  I could start any time of the year.  So, a few years back, I began a November thankful for post on Facebook like I saw so many others doing.  However on December 1, I found myself longing to stay positive and thinking on what I was thankful for.  You guessed it.  I started my "Lent fast" a few months early :)  I started writing it to keep me thinking positively and being grateful for what I have.  A year or so later, various people started telling me in person or via message how they looked forward to reading my thankful for posts.  Wow!  God works in mysterious ways.

I now think, "In what way can I better my life and/or someone else's life."  It may be something that takes a few seconds or something that continues through the years.  Blessing someone else ends up blessing me even if just by a shared smile or a smile I envision them having when they see how someone has secretly blessed them.

What are some blessing suggestions you have that don't cost much if anything?

putting away someone else's grocery cart
pushing store carts back to the store that don't have a place in the parking lot
giving a neighbor a note of appreciation
smiling at passersby (it might be the only smile they get that day)
saying "Thank you, ..."  Saying someones name adds SO much to the thank you.