And then three years went by.
How can I compress so much coal?
Life has been excruciatingly difficult and hard.
There was a lot of pain and suffering.
Life has been good, stable and happy.
There has been much growth and lots of joy.
Looking at older posts, remembering ...
My heart aches.
My heart rejoices.
So many prayers were heard.
So many prayers were answered.
Big questions were asked.
Big answers were unearthed.
Except, sometimes not.
Life can be a beautiful mess.
I breathe more deeply now.
I think more freely.
I speak more honestly.
I'm more me than I've ever been.
I've greater peace than I've ever known.
I've greater peace with the past.
I've greater peace with who I was in the past
And who I no longer am
And who I am now.
I've asked Jesus to be my centre.
Lots of the time I'm able to stay out the way
And let Him do His good and perfect work in and through me.
Except for the times when I'm a roadblock.
I'm so thankful for His goodness.
I'm so thankful for His grace.
I'm so thankful for His redemption.
I'm so thankful for His faithfulness.
Wednesday, October 24, 2012
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Autumn Family Time
Whew! Who knew back to school time got busier and busier every year and with every addition to the family? Not much extra time for blogging and such. Here's some new pix in lieu of posting.
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
First Day of School!
Whoops! These pictures loaded in the opposite order !!! Cameron had his first day of pre-school, Carter's first day of 3rd grade and there is a picture of them all in mom and dad's bed that morning . . . the boys had both snuck in at some point in the early morning hours.
Sunday, September 20, 2009
Playtime Ideas
I've been attempting to accumulate more fun, inexpensive play and craft ideas for the fam that don't involve going anywhere or buying anything . . . gotta prep for winter time! I'm a big fan of our beautiful seasons in Michigan and winter can be lots of fun but the littles can only be out in the cold for so long.
SIMPLEkids.net chock full of fun, ideas, articles of interest to parents with littles . . . this website is another of my New! Favorites!
kidscraftweekly.com is a SPECTACULAR website for families. I love painting, crafting, creating with the kids. This site has endless ideas. I especially loved all of these outdoor activities that are listed at http://kidscraftweekly.com/outdoor_activities.html I'm telling ya, you just gotta check it out - another one of my New! Favorite! Websites. I can't wait to try some of the ideas like setting up an obstacle course in the back or front yards, having a rolling race or building an outdoor blanket fort.
Looking forward to hours of endless fun with my littles :)
SIMPLEkids.net chock full of fun, ideas, articles of interest to parents with littles . . . this website is another of my New! Favorites!
kidscraftweekly.com is a SPECTACULAR website for families. I love painting, crafting, creating with the kids. This site has endless ideas. I especially loved all of these outdoor activities that are listed at http://kidscraftweekly.com/outdoor_activities.html I'm telling ya, you just gotta check it out - another one of my New! Favorite! Websites. I can't wait to try some of the ideas like setting up an obstacle course in the back or front yards, having a rolling race or building an outdoor blanket fort.
Looking forward to hours of endless fun with my littles :)
Saturday, September 19, 2009
Contentment!
Ahhh . . . to be content . . . to be happy with who you are, where you are, where you live, what you look like, your relationships, etc. At least, these are the things I struggle to be content with (and more, to be honest.)
I gotta be honest: the following info that I'm putting up I found on my NEW! FAVORITE! website, simplemom.net - I love, love, love it. These are great tips for being content and I plan to post them up on my bathroom mirror. These principles are from a book called Calm My Anxious Heart: A Woman’s Guide to Finding Contentment by Linda Dillow.
*Never allow yourself to complain about anything — not even the weather.
*Never picture yourself in any other circumstance or someplace else.
*Never compare your lot with another’s.
*Never allow yourself to wish this or that had been otherwise.
*Never dwell on tomorrow — remember that tomorrow is God’s, not ours.
On a side note, we had a discussion on contentment at our women's Bible study group this summer and Robyn, our fearless leader, pointed out that it's important to not confuse complacency with contentment.
I gotta be honest: the following info that I'm putting up I found on my NEW! FAVORITE! website, simplemom.net - I love, love, love it. These are great tips for being content and I plan to post them up on my bathroom mirror. These principles are from a book called Calm My Anxious Heart: A Woman’s Guide to Finding Contentment by Linda Dillow.
*Never allow yourself to complain about anything — not even the weather.
*Never picture yourself in any other circumstance or someplace else.
*Never compare your lot with another’s.
*Never allow yourself to wish this or that had been otherwise.
*Never dwell on tomorrow — remember that tomorrow is God’s, not ours.
On a side note, we had a discussion on contentment at our women's Bible study group this summer and Robyn, our fearless leader, pointed out that it's important to not confuse complacency with contentment.
Saturday, September 12, 2009
As of Late
My grandfather is going to pass away any minute, my hubs is severely exhausted and I'm . . .
Grandpa, who resides in Pheonix, AZ with Grandma (several other family members have migrated in that direction as well) was visiting my aunt Johnna and her little family in Atlanta, GA last week. Grandpa is a cancer suriving, Hungarian-American, beloved guy. He and Grandma have 5 children and 10 grandchildren. Grandma doesn't travel anymore and has become more and more of a recluse as time passes by.
They were out to dinner (I'm sure at some incredible Atlanta restaurant that Johnna and Rob and their friends frequent.) Grandpa was eating and started to choke on his food. Rob attempted to perform the heimlich to no avail. Gramps passsed out because he was oxygen deprived. The EMT's arrived and performed CPR and rushed him to the hospital. Surgery was performed to remove his spleen and repair his stomach tears (probably from the compressions??) We waited by the phone each day to hear news since Tuesday. At first, things were looking up; he opened his eyes, squeezed a hand, heart rate sped up when Uncle Chip talked to him about food. Then today we heard that he has no brain function except from the brain stem.
I loved going to Grandma and Grandpa's house when they still lived in MI when I was a kid. Grandpa had a shiny black baby grand in the upstairs family room and he would play old tunes and let me sing along as if I really knew how to read the music.
Their basement held so many treasures; dusty old novels, a billiards tables, old halloween costumes, vintage clothing, antiques, etc. I would sit and type stories for hours on their old typewriter. After exploring, I would head upstairs, hand Aunt Jill one of my short stories, swim in the pool and then come in for one of Grandpa's famous meals replete with appetizers, salads, breads and desserts. We feasted on each other's company and his bountiful table. After dinner, I would head up to Grandma's bedroom where she would pull out her jewelry box and let me sort through and try on her beautiful jewelry (real and costume.) I would try on Aunt Rita's vintage clothing and play with Grandma's face creams and makeup. Then I would head downstairs to watch television and look at magazines with Grandma on the chaise lounge while Grandpa snored prostrate on the floor in front of the tv and wait for someone to comment on my makeup, hair and outfit.
I'm a little heavy-hearted lately; that's why I haven't posted a review of 'Fearless' yet. Truth be told, I'm 2 or 3 chapters away from finishing the book. I'm thankful to be able that I serve a God who is gracious and patient with me.
Grandpa, who resides in Pheonix, AZ with Grandma (several other family members have migrated in that direction as well) was visiting my aunt Johnna and her little family in Atlanta, GA last week. Grandpa is a cancer suriving, Hungarian-American, beloved guy. He and Grandma have 5 children and 10 grandchildren. Grandma doesn't travel anymore and has become more and more of a recluse as time passes by.
They were out to dinner (I'm sure at some incredible Atlanta restaurant that Johnna and Rob and their friends frequent.) Grandpa was eating and started to choke on his food. Rob attempted to perform the heimlich to no avail. Gramps passsed out because he was oxygen deprived. The EMT's arrived and performed CPR and rushed him to the hospital. Surgery was performed to remove his spleen and repair his stomach tears (probably from the compressions??) We waited by the phone each day to hear news since Tuesday. At first, things were looking up; he opened his eyes, squeezed a hand, heart rate sped up when Uncle Chip talked to him about food. Then today we heard that he has no brain function except from the brain stem.
I loved going to Grandma and Grandpa's house when they still lived in MI when I was a kid. Grandpa had a shiny black baby grand in the upstairs family room and he would play old tunes and let me sing along as if I really knew how to read the music.
Their basement held so many treasures; dusty old novels, a billiards tables, old halloween costumes, vintage clothing, antiques, etc. I would sit and type stories for hours on their old typewriter. After exploring, I would head upstairs, hand Aunt Jill one of my short stories, swim in the pool and then come in for one of Grandpa's famous meals replete with appetizers, salads, breads and desserts. We feasted on each other's company and his bountiful table. After dinner, I would head up to Grandma's bedroom where she would pull out her jewelry box and let me sort through and try on her beautiful jewelry (real and costume.) I would try on Aunt Rita's vintage clothing and play with Grandma's face creams and makeup. Then I would head downstairs to watch television and look at magazines with Grandma on the chaise lounge while Grandpa snored prostrate on the floor in front of the tv and wait for someone to comment on my makeup, hair and outfit.
I'm a little heavy-hearted lately; that's why I haven't posted a review of 'Fearless' yet. Truth be told, I'm 2 or 3 chapters away from finishing the book. I'm thankful to be able that I serve a God who is gracious and patient with me.
Sunday, September 6, 2009
Stress Relief
Try out some of the following tips to help relieve stress and anxiety. I found these at essortment.com/all/stressrelief.rvhn.htm
Breathe Deeply – Inhale deeply through your nose. Pull the air all the way down, deep into the lungs. Hold the breath for a count of six. Exhale slowly through the mouth to the count of six. Do this for several minutes. Be careful not to hyperventilate. If dizzy or light-headedness occur, begin breathing naturally.
Express Feelings and Thoughts - Call a friend. Join a group. Join a community on the Internet. If you feel these avenues are not helping talk to your doctor, seek out a counselor. Use all resources after through work, church and community. If seeing a counselor is something you’re fearful of, consider getting a pet. Pets listen very well.
Make Time for Relaxation and Fun – Find an activity that makes you feel good. It may be dancing, listening to music, walking along the beach, prayer, hiking in the mountains, working in the garden, taking photographs, watching birds, going to the movies, golfing, swimming, visiting museums. Make a list of activities that give you joy. Break them down into time segments of 2-5 minutes, 5-20 minutes, 30 minutes to ½ day and ½ day or longer. List the activities that give you joy under these time segments. Do at least three of them everyday. Most people think they have to do big things, such as vacations of whole days away from work or home to relieve stress. Not so, small activities that give you joy are the best stress busters.
Exercise - Try something new, like swimming. Begin a walking program. Do some form of exercise that interests you. Make sure to consult your physician beforehand.
Laugh - Laughter is a great way to relieve stress. If you find something funny, have a good belly laugh. Watch funny movies. Read funny stories.
Learn Happy Talk - Humor your stress. Go to www.stressed.com for a class in happy talk.
Get Rid of Negative - Take a hard look at the circle or environment you’re standing in. People who are negative and prone to “moods” spread negativity to others. Learn to say no to negativity and remove yourself from it whenever possible.
Write – Write out your complaints or troubles. Writing is no substitute for professional help but it does allow you to vent your feelings and frustrations. By writing with pen in hand or at the keyboard, you may discover an insight or solution to whatever is frustrating or bothering you.
Get A Massage – Make an investment in yourself. Massage therapy can relax muscles, easy muscle spasm, increase blood flow to skin and muscles and relieve mental and emotional stress. A massage will be one of the best investments you’ve ever made.
Be Realistic in Expectations– Don’t expect everyone to be like you or behave to your code of “shoulds and oughts”. Don’t expect to be right all the time. Don’t expect harmony all the time. Real life has conflicts in it. Be willing to confront conflict, state your needs then work at coming to a mutual compromise.
Examine your expectations of yourself - When you can’t live up to them, they will cause stress, tension and pressure. Learn to say no when unrealistic demands are placed upon you. Communicate what you can do and what you can’t do clearly. Be honest with yourself on the expectations (goals) you place on yourself. Don’t let ego and social pressure force you into being/doing something your not.
Monitor Your Communication Skills – Aggressive and hostile communication with others antagonizes and alienates. Assertive training can help you learn to express your needs without offending others or feeling ignored.
You can only change yourself - Work to grasp the full meaning of this statement. Trying to change another person causes stress to both parties. It can ruin relationships, damage relationships and cause others to withdraw from you. If you make statements such as – if only he, if only she, if only they – then you need to look in the mirror and say, what can I change about myself to make the situation better.
Accept - If you can’t leave a situation that is causing you extreme stress then accept it as it is. Adjust your approach to it. Look for ways to see positive things. Do not dwell on the negative. Above all, if the situation is abusive, either physically or emotionally (this includes work situations also) seek professional help through counseling.
Stress will not suddenly disappear in modern day life. It will remain,even increase. To reduce and manage stress takes a commitment to do so. Make a commitment to practice or do anyone of the following tips and chances are stress levels will begin to fall to a range where it is manageable and causes no long-term damage to health or relationships.
Breathe Deeply – Inhale deeply through your nose. Pull the air all the way down, deep into the lungs. Hold the breath for a count of six. Exhale slowly through the mouth to the count of six. Do this for several minutes. Be careful not to hyperventilate. If dizzy or light-headedness occur, begin breathing naturally.
Express Feelings and Thoughts - Call a friend. Join a group. Join a community on the Internet. If you feel these avenues are not helping talk to your doctor, seek out a counselor. Use all resources after through work, church and community. If seeing a counselor is something you’re fearful of, consider getting a pet. Pets listen very well.
Make Time for Relaxation and Fun – Find an activity that makes you feel good. It may be dancing, listening to music, walking along the beach, prayer, hiking in the mountains, working in the garden, taking photographs, watching birds, going to the movies, golfing, swimming, visiting museums. Make a list of activities that give you joy. Break them down into time segments of 2-5 minutes, 5-20 minutes, 30 minutes to ½ day and ½ day or longer. List the activities that give you joy under these time segments. Do at least three of them everyday. Most people think they have to do big things, such as vacations of whole days away from work or home to relieve stress. Not so, small activities that give you joy are the best stress busters.
Exercise - Try something new, like swimming. Begin a walking program. Do some form of exercise that interests you. Make sure to consult your physician beforehand.
Laugh - Laughter is a great way to relieve stress. If you find something funny, have a good belly laugh. Watch funny movies. Read funny stories.
Learn Happy Talk - Humor your stress. Go to www.stressed.com for a class in happy talk.
Get Rid of Negative - Take a hard look at the circle or environment you’re standing in. People who are negative and prone to “moods” spread negativity to others. Learn to say no to negativity and remove yourself from it whenever possible.
Write – Write out your complaints or troubles. Writing is no substitute for professional help but it does allow you to vent your feelings and frustrations. By writing with pen in hand or at the keyboard, you may discover an insight or solution to whatever is frustrating or bothering you.
Get A Massage – Make an investment in yourself. Massage therapy can relax muscles, easy muscle spasm, increase blood flow to skin and muscles and relieve mental and emotional stress. A massage will be one of the best investments you’ve ever made.
Be Realistic in Expectations– Don’t expect everyone to be like you or behave to your code of “shoulds and oughts”. Don’t expect to be right all the time. Don’t expect harmony all the time. Real life has conflicts in it. Be willing to confront conflict, state your needs then work at coming to a mutual compromise.
Examine your expectations of yourself - When you can’t live up to them, they will cause stress, tension and pressure. Learn to say no when unrealistic demands are placed upon you. Communicate what you can do and what you can’t do clearly. Be honest with yourself on the expectations (goals) you place on yourself. Don’t let ego and social pressure force you into being/doing something your not.
Monitor Your Communication Skills – Aggressive and hostile communication with others antagonizes and alienates. Assertive training can help you learn to express your needs without offending others or feeling ignored.
You can only change yourself - Work to grasp the full meaning of this statement. Trying to change another person causes stress to both parties. It can ruin relationships, damage relationships and cause others to withdraw from you. If you make statements such as – if only he, if only she, if only they – then you need to look in the mirror and say, what can I change about myself to make the situation better.
Accept - If you can’t leave a situation that is causing you extreme stress then accept it as it is. Adjust your approach to it. Look for ways to see positive things. Do not dwell on the negative. Above all, if the situation is abusive, either physically or emotionally (this includes work situations also) seek professional help through counseling.
Stress will not suddenly disappear in modern day life. It will remain,even increase. To reduce and manage stress takes a commitment to do so. Make a commitment to practice or do anyone of the following tips and chances are stress levels will begin to fall to a range where it is manageable and causes no long-term damage to health or relationships.
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