Christmas that is. Did you make your "blessings" list from last weeks post? I tried hard to remember them as I hurried from here to there. Christmas cards are finished (if you didn't get one, that is because you didn't send me one last year...send me one and I'll do the same), out of town package mailed (on Saturday no less....the post office this time of year gives me hives), my kids bedding washed and beds made ready for them to come home tomorrow, my kitchen counters cleaned off, and my baking days are planned. I was feeling horribly behind when I realized that I did all of this before December 15th. I still have 10 days to enjoy the season with only baking to do...and I keep it really simple. I also realized that I am doing better about being less annoyed with annoying people. Slow down, realize that other people may be having a bad day, smile. That is all this world really needs.
Oh yeah, my kids will fly in tomorrow morning! SO excited to see them!
Sunday, December 16, 2012
Sunday, December 9, 2012
Blessings
Aren't they cute? They never cease to be "cute" to me...I decided this post would be about blessings, so what picture could be more appropriate than two of my greatest blessings?
This time of year is not my favorite. Horrible to admit, but it is true. There are things I really love about it: I love the weather (really), all the decorations, the focus on family, and the lessons we learn about Christ and His Holy birth. I don't like the pressure to shop (love shopping...just not under pressure), I don't like the way people are impatient, rude, and unpleasant. I don't like the way the world is in a hurry...and the hurriedness triples this time of year. Yes, "hurriedness" is a word. So I've decided I need an attitude adjustment. I am going to focus on the things I love about the Christmas season, and dump the rest. In order to help me focus, I decided a list of my blessings is in order. I've also decided this list needs to be personal, and specific...and I challenge each one who reads this to make their own list:
I am thankful for (and blessed with):
1. God. Specifically, I am grateful I can talk to Him in any situation, and that our relationship is such that I can talk to Him not only as my Heavenly Father, but my friends. What do friends do for us? They cheer us on...they hold us when we are aching and sad, and they help us grow. I'm not sure what my life with be without Him.
2. My husband. Specifically, I am grateful that he accepts and loves me as I am, warts and all. And believe me, I have lots of "warts". He is patient and he "gets" me. He knows I am not perfect but he doesn't care. He scrubbed the tub for me so I could take a bath after the birth of my first child...enough said.
3. My daughter. I am going in age order, so no, David, it doesn't mean I love her more because her name is before yours. Specifically I am grateful for the adult she has grown into. She is SO insightful, and so caring about the people around her. I am SO grateful that we never went through a period where she hated me. I am excited to see where her life takes her and what happiness she will claim as hers.
4. My son. Specifically, I love his loyalty. I love it that he is protective of me and his sister. He loves with his WHOLE heart, and that makes my heart swell. I am grateful to the adult that he is growing into. He is learning so much right now...not only academically, but spiritually and temporally. I love that family comes first with him. I am grateful that we are close. I am excited to see what his future holds, and for the eternal family he will add to ours.
5. My parents. Well, this isn't totally in age order. I am grateful for ALL of them..and I have more than my fair share. They each bring something good to the table of my life and I wouldn't be the person I am without them. I am grateful that even though I am an adult, that I can count on them, lean on them, whine when I need to, and share my joys. I am SO grateful for the way I was raised and the values they taught me. Honesty, integrity, loyalty, love.
6. My siblings. All of them. Specifically I am grateful to share this life with them...it makes life a whole lot less loney.
7. My relatives through marriage: When you marry, you gain another family. If you are very,very fortunate, you gain a whole new support system. I am one of those very, very fortunate people. I love all of my "inlaws" greatly...
8. My friends. I can't imagine what my life would be without their wisdom, their sturdy shoulders, and their love.
What are YOU thankful for?
Sunday, December 2, 2012
A Choice
This post is about a choice I made long ago that has changed my life. As you read it remember that it was my choice, and that it may not be the right choice for everyone.
21 years ago I gave birth to my first child. I was so worried I would not be a good mother. I was worried I wouldn't know what to do...or when to do it. From the minute she was born I was.in.love....seriously smitten. I couldn't get enough of holding her and dreaming about her future. Shortly after she was born I was back at work...a financial necessity. I was able to go back part time for a little while, but had to go full time fairly quickly. We were very fortunate to have good daycare. The yearning to be the one to hold her and love her all day never left me. Three years later I gave birth to my second child. Again, love at first sight. I was able to stay home with both kids for four months this time before I went back to work again. It was heart breaking to leave them every day and realize that the daycare provider saw them more than I. I felt like their little lives were speeding by.
I liked my job and the people I worked with. I felt successful and was promoted often. The head of the division where I worked invited me in his office and asked where I wanted to go professionally. He gave me the opportunity to choose the direction I wanted to go anywhere in the company. It was a heady feeling knowing I could go anywhere I chose.
I often felt torn in two directions. I wanted to be the best employee and I wanted to be the best mother I could be. I felt like I wasn't the best at either. I felt like I was at war inside. I was able to cut back my full time work to part time when Sami started kindergarten. I was overjoyed! At the same time, I was being passed over for promotions because I worked part time. I agonized over whether to apply for promotions knowing that I probably wouldn't get them. Finally a very good friend sat me down and told me that I needed to CHOOSE. I could either focus on my career and move up the ranks of state government, or I could focus on being a mother. I, personally, was suffering from not having that focus. It all came clear to me after this discussion. I didn't care about my job more than my kids...My kids were my focus. After that life was easier. I made the CHOICE and all decisions were put up against that choice. Shortly after that I was able to reduce my hours even more...and then was able to quit all together.
Financially this choice didn't make sense - and we've struggled. Emotionally, for me, it was the best choice. I will be forever grateful for my friend for helping me see why I struggled emotionally, and for giving me the courage to choose. My choice has made all the difference.
21 years ago I gave birth to my first child. I was so worried I would not be a good mother. I was worried I wouldn't know what to do...or when to do it. From the minute she was born I was.in.love....seriously smitten. I couldn't get enough of holding her and dreaming about her future. Shortly after she was born I was back at work...a financial necessity. I was able to go back part time for a little while, but had to go full time fairly quickly. We were very fortunate to have good daycare. The yearning to be the one to hold her and love her all day never left me. Three years later I gave birth to my second child. Again, love at first sight. I was able to stay home with both kids for four months this time before I went back to work again. It was heart breaking to leave them every day and realize that the daycare provider saw them more than I. I felt like their little lives were speeding by.
I liked my job and the people I worked with. I felt successful and was promoted often. The head of the division where I worked invited me in his office and asked where I wanted to go professionally. He gave me the opportunity to choose the direction I wanted to go anywhere in the company. It was a heady feeling knowing I could go anywhere I chose.
I often felt torn in two directions. I wanted to be the best employee and I wanted to be the best mother I could be. I felt like I wasn't the best at either. I felt like I was at war inside. I was able to cut back my full time work to part time when Sami started kindergarten. I was overjoyed! At the same time, I was being passed over for promotions because I worked part time. I agonized over whether to apply for promotions knowing that I probably wouldn't get them. Finally a very good friend sat me down and told me that I needed to CHOOSE. I could either focus on my career and move up the ranks of state government, or I could focus on being a mother. I, personally, was suffering from not having that focus. It all came clear to me after this discussion. I didn't care about my job more than my kids...My kids were my focus. After that life was easier. I made the CHOICE and all decisions were put up against that choice. Shortly after that I was able to reduce my hours even more...and then was able to quit all together.
Financially this choice didn't make sense - and we've struggled. Emotionally, for me, it was the best choice. I will be forever grateful for my friend for helping me see why I struggled emotionally, and for giving me the courage to choose. My choice has made all the difference.
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