Well, well.......we meet again! Hahahaaa! I feel the need to apologize for the HUGE gap in my writing....I could bore you a million reasons as to why.....but that seems like a serious waste of my time and yours. And if you are taking time out of your precious day to read this, I respect you way too much to bore you with the details! :)
The journey continues.....
Our family is quickly approaching the sweet completion of the school year. To many, this might not seem like a noteworthy event; but to our family, it is quite the transition. My husband will now be home on a regular basis.....which both excites and terrifies me in the same breath. Truth be told, he is gone. A LOT. Rehearsals(band, choir, jazz band, musical), performances, extra-curricular meetings and events occupy his time throughout the school year. In fact, our joke is that he lives at school more than he lives at home! Because he gone so much, the girls and I have developed and follow what seems like a seamless daily routine......but it doesn't necessarily include Doug.
That being said, he will now be around a lot more.....and the girls, especially Amelia and I, are about to get a non-intended rude interruption to our daily routine. Don't get me wrong, I am excited to have Doug home more.......it is just the transition period that is a bit difficult to navigate. And it seems like just as we are getting comfortable and content with Doug being home, we start the process of preparing for Doug to leave again as he starts a new school year.
So I am stating this goal: to make every attempt to ENJOY the transition to and from summer vacation.
Far too often, I am a bit cranky during transition time. It is the CHANGE that I struggle to embrace. My brain tends to focus on the kinks of transition, as I'm sure many of you can understand. It is my goal to embrace the change, and enjoy the difference in having Doug home. Cherish the all-too-short summer and make every effort to enjoy having my husband back.
Love you, honey!
xoxo
Wednesday, June 5, 2013
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
Deleted.
Ok, my apologies for taking a break from blogging. So you-----you know who you are-----HERE! Here is another post from my crazy life. Enjoy.
Deleted. Banished. Kicked Out. Expunged. Removed. So many words to describe what recently happened to me on Facebook by my sister. Yes, I said my sister. We haven't been close for some time now....too many stories and traumatic events to go into at this time, and there are a few of you that know them all. I want to take a moment and thank you right here and now for being there. For keeping me sane. For letting me vent, yell, cry, and talk my way through everything. You are more precious than I could ever write in a silly blog. Xoxo.
That being said, my sister deleted me as a friend on Facebook. We engaged in an argument while messaging each other, which really means that I didn't see things her way, and decided to not give in and conform--which always results in a battle of some sort. I later went to find a picture I knew she had on her Facebook page, only to find that in order to look at the photo, I needed to be her "friend." Had it come to this? Was she really this petty? Had she made the decision to cut me out of her life completely? Evidently so, as I looked at the screen, with her smiling face looking back at me, in utter astonishment and shock.
I can't even begin to explain all of the emotions I feel about this event. I keep attempting to type something profound enough to describe to you how I'm feeling, only to erase it and start over. The only word close enough to describe what I'm feeling is "HURT." In addition, I also feel some strange sense of relief and peace---a sort of freedom you get after being released from a toxic relationship. There are so many people that think Chris is the most wonderful, amazing person----always happy, always willing to help, always there for you. It's a facade. She's a brilliant actor. Making you believe exactly what she wants you to believe. There are only a few of us who see right through all of that------the people who will call her out and insist she hold herself accountable for her actions. To admit she's not perfect. To help her understand that there are other opinions in this world. Did I mention that she's getting married in July, and I'm not invited? And she's marrying a Pastor----which is interesting, considering that she doesn't seem to be acting very "godly" these days. Or maybe she saves her anger and mean streak actions for ME.
For those of you that are still left in her world, do not be surprised if one day, when you challenge her master plan, that you get deleted, too. I'll be here to welcome you.
Deleted. Banished. Kicked Out. Expunged. Removed. So many words to describe what recently happened to me on Facebook by my sister. Yes, I said my sister. We haven't been close for some time now....too many stories and traumatic events to go into at this time, and there are a few of you that know them all. I want to take a moment and thank you right here and now for being there. For keeping me sane. For letting me vent, yell, cry, and talk my way through everything. You are more precious than I could ever write in a silly blog. Xoxo.
That being said, my sister deleted me as a friend on Facebook. We engaged in an argument while messaging each other, which really means that I didn't see things her way, and decided to not give in and conform--which always results in a battle of some sort. I later went to find a picture I knew she had on her Facebook page, only to find that in order to look at the photo, I needed to be her "friend." Had it come to this? Was she really this petty? Had she made the decision to cut me out of her life completely? Evidently so, as I looked at the screen, with her smiling face looking back at me, in utter astonishment and shock.
I can't even begin to explain all of the emotions I feel about this event. I keep attempting to type something profound enough to describe to you how I'm feeling, only to erase it and start over. The only word close enough to describe what I'm feeling is "HURT." In addition, I also feel some strange sense of relief and peace---a sort of freedom you get after being released from a toxic relationship. There are so many people that think Chris is the most wonderful, amazing person----always happy, always willing to help, always there for you. It's a facade. She's a brilliant actor. Making you believe exactly what she wants you to believe. There are only a few of us who see right through all of that------the people who will call her out and insist she hold herself accountable for her actions. To admit she's not perfect. To help her understand that there are other opinions in this world. Did I mention that she's getting married in July, and I'm not invited? And she's marrying a Pastor----which is interesting, considering that she doesn't seem to be acting very "godly" these days. Or maybe she saves her anger and mean streak actions for ME.
For those of you that are still left in her world, do not be surprised if one day, when you challenge her master plan, that you get deleted, too. I'll be here to welcome you.
Sunday, May 15, 2011
The sweetest things.......
As this weekend comes to a close, I happened to get the pleasure of experiencing one of the sweetest things in life: listening to my husband singing with Amelia. I am doing dishes and cleaning the kitchen as I hear them in the living room. They are laying on the floor together, curled up and facing each other, singing songs like "Jesus Loves Me" and "This Little Light of Mine" and other songs that simply warm my heart more than words can say.
It is really the cutest thing to hear them singing together---as I'm sure you can imagine. In fact, I'm getting all choked up as I type, just hearing those cute little melodies, and realizing how amazing my life is. Even more so, what a wonderful father Doug has become.....or maybe he's always been, and I don't notice often enough.
He sang these exact songs when Abbi was a toddler, and I recall tonight how much I've enjoyed hearing him sing with both of the girls throughout the years. Thanks for being an amazing Daddy, Doug. I love you. :)
What a wonderful way to end the weekend!
It is really the cutest thing to hear them singing together---as I'm sure you can imagine. In fact, I'm getting all choked up as I type, just hearing those cute little melodies, and realizing how amazing my life is. Even more so, what a wonderful father Doug has become.....or maybe he's always been, and I don't notice often enough.
He sang these exact songs when Abbi was a toddler, and I recall tonight how much I've enjoyed hearing him sing with both of the girls throughout the years. Thanks for being an amazing Daddy, Doug. I love you. :)
What a wonderful way to end the weekend!
Monday, May 9, 2011
Softball Season begins.....and it's serious!
Well, here it is.....another year of Softball for Abbi. She is on the Girl's 9/10 yr. old team at Mendon, and let me tell you........it's taken a bit of a serious turn. Let me preface this entire post with the fact that I'm not much of a sports buff, and am really not athletically inclined in any way. That being said...
It seems that softball is now way more competitive than I remember. Parents are pacing back and forth, stressed to the max because their daughter didn't catch the ball, hit the ball, didn't swing, didn't run fast enough, ran when they weren't supposed to, weren't paying attention......the list really DOES go on, but I'm certain that you get my point!
My question is THIS: Why aren't kids allowed to have FUN anymore?
It seems to me that kids are not allowed to simply have fun playing sports, or anything else for that matter. I guess it's our jobs as parents to make sure that things like this are still "fun"----but there are those parents who are constantly yelling at their child, putting pressure on them to be the BEST......and God help them if they don't do exactly as their parents say. I actually feel bad for the pitcher on Abbi's team, as her Dad (also Mom--but she's a bit passive compared to Dad) paces back and forth, coaching her from the fence. This 10yr. old child already has a pitching coach, as she is being groomed to pitch for High School.
**Side thought----I wonder if she had a CHOICE in all of this. If one day she said to her Dad, "I like pitching," and Dad went HOG-WILD and got her every pitching video he could find, set her up with lessons, and made her practice, even when she was too tired, or was too afraid to tell him "I don't want to pitch anymore."
I understand that as parents, we are supposed to cheer our kids on and be there for them, helping them to achieve their goals....yada-yada-yada. I just wonder: When do you cross that line from being supportive to being psycho-obsessed?
It's needs to be said that Abbi is just an average softball player, and plays to have fun. Doug and I cheer her on and encourage her to do her best. It also needs to be said that there is an ALL-STAR 9/10 Softball Team that continues to play and travel to play other teams throughout the Summer.
Happy Softball Season everyone!
It seems that softball is now way more competitive than I remember. Parents are pacing back and forth, stressed to the max because their daughter didn't catch the ball, hit the ball, didn't swing, didn't run fast enough, ran when they weren't supposed to, weren't paying attention......the list really DOES go on, but I'm certain that you get my point!
My question is THIS: Why aren't kids allowed to have FUN anymore?
It seems to me that kids are not allowed to simply have fun playing sports, or anything else for that matter. I guess it's our jobs as parents to make sure that things like this are still "fun"----but there are those parents who are constantly yelling at their child, putting pressure on them to be the BEST......and God help them if they don't do exactly as their parents say. I actually feel bad for the pitcher on Abbi's team, as her Dad (also Mom--but she's a bit passive compared to Dad) paces back and forth, coaching her from the fence. This 10yr. old child already has a pitching coach, as she is being groomed to pitch for High School.
**Side thought----I wonder if she had a CHOICE in all of this. If one day she said to her Dad, "I like pitching," and Dad went HOG-WILD and got her every pitching video he could find, set her up with lessons, and made her practice, even when she was too tired, or was too afraid to tell him "I don't want to pitch anymore."
I understand that as parents, we are supposed to cheer our kids on and be there for them, helping them to achieve their goals....yada-yada-yada. I just wonder: When do you cross that line from being supportive to being psycho-obsessed?
It's needs to be said that Abbi is just an average softball player, and plays to have fun. Doug and I cheer her on and encourage her to do her best. It also needs to be said that there is an ALL-STAR 9/10 Softball Team that continues to play and travel to play other teams throughout the Summer.
Happy Softball Season everyone!
Monday, April 11, 2011
Mulch: My new best friend!
A friend once said, "Never underestimate the power of mulch." I'm thinking she is one of the wisest people right now, as I look at my yard with giddy excitement! I started out with 10 bags of mulch (thinking I would have so much leftover)....and then I went back to Home Depot 2 more times, making my TOTAL mulch purchase equal 40 bags, YES, 40!!!!
I must preface that my yard has been pretty much neglected for the past 2 years, getting only the least, absolute necessary care. Although I live on one acre, we have numerous flowerbeds and areas around the trees that used to have mulch, but now have more black plastic showing than mulch. Between childbirth, other surgeries, and moving to Interlochen last summer, the yard wasn't high on the priority list. I had many ideas that never had a chance of evolving due to the lack of time. This summer, however, I have decided to put the yard slightly higher on the list.....and it all began with mulch.
My once weed-filled flowerbeds are now clean and fresh looking!! The area around my trees are blanketed with mulch! The area where the dog is chained up now has a nice layer of mulch, instead of exposed dirt from the constant wear and tear. Mulch and more mulch everywhere! What a difference mulch makes!
I must preface that my yard has been pretty much neglected for the past 2 years, getting only the least, absolute necessary care. Although I live on one acre, we have numerous flowerbeds and areas around the trees that used to have mulch, but now have more black plastic showing than mulch. Between childbirth, other surgeries, and moving to Interlochen last summer, the yard wasn't high on the priority list. I had many ideas that never had a chance of evolving due to the lack of time. This summer, however, I have decided to put the yard slightly higher on the list.....and it all began with mulch.
My once weed-filled flowerbeds are now clean and fresh looking!! The area around my trees are blanketed with mulch! The area where the dog is chained up now has a nice layer of mulch, instead of exposed dirt from the constant wear and tear. Mulch and more mulch everywhere! What a difference mulch makes!
Sunday, April 10, 2011
Mom, just tell me the truth.
OUCH......I hate when conversations start like that. As a parent, I am as honest and frank as I can be with my kids. Of course, this pertains to Abbi, as Amelia is way too young to even care. But with Abbi, it's a whole different story. Some of you know about my somewhat recent discussions with Abbi about the existence of Santa. You see, many of her friends no longer believe in the Jolly Man, and have teased her endlessly about still believing. I've tried to say, "Abbi, it doesn't matter what the other kids think; what you believe is YOUR business, and no one can tell you what to believe/not believe." My intentions were simple: to buy Doug and I some time to figure out how to handle such a delicate issue. I could have said that I was building confidence and self-esteem......that might have been a possible outcome, but frankly, I would be stretching the truth.Up to this point, our plan was working (or should I say the band aid was sticking pretty well.) Until today.
As we are riding home from church, Abbi pops out, "Mom.......is Santa real?" ---just like that! Out of the BLUE! I collect myself and ask her, "What do you believe?" She then busts into this huge conversation about how her friends think she is crazy for believing in Santa, The Easter Bunny and The Tooth Fairy----and told her that it was US doing all of it. (How rude is that?)
You see, I think in the back of my head, my greatest worry was that if she found out about Santa and all of the others, that she would start to question as to whether God was real. And although I am a Christian, I was nervous about answering that......even though I believe with all of my heart that Christ is my Savior! God obviously knew that I need the words to say(of course he did), because my pastor's sermon was all about God: The Miracle Worker! Pastor Paul went on about all 47 miracles that Jesus performed, and how each one is documented in the Bible------PROOF that they happened, and therefore proof that God is REAL. Pastor Paul also discussed other religions, and how they attempt to say their way/belief system is the only way. Pastor Paul put it simply: "God is the only way, and the proof is on the 47 miracles he performed, that are documented in the Bible. And I'm following the guy who is doing the miracles!!! --and He's still doing them today." I love it!
Needless to say, Abbi now knows that there isn't a Santa, or an Easter Bunny, or a Tooth Fairy. We actually Googled the History and Santa, and the History of the Easter Bunny and discussed at great length the many traditions that other families/cultures follow. But with Christmas and Easter, it's so much more about Jesus, our Savior. Abbi never questioned me about the existence of God. I guess my worry was for nothing.
As we are riding home from church, Abbi pops out, "Mom.......is Santa real?" ---just like that! Out of the BLUE! I collect myself and ask her, "What do you believe?" She then busts into this huge conversation about how her friends think she is crazy for believing in Santa, The Easter Bunny and The Tooth Fairy----and told her that it was US doing all of it. (How rude is that?)
You see, I think in the back of my head, my greatest worry was that if she found out about Santa and all of the others, that she would start to question as to whether God was real. And although I am a Christian, I was nervous about answering that......even though I believe with all of my heart that Christ is my Savior! God obviously knew that I need the words to say(of course he did), because my pastor's sermon was all about God: The Miracle Worker! Pastor Paul went on about all 47 miracles that Jesus performed, and how each one is documented in the Bible------PROOF that they happened, and therefore proof that God is REAL. Pastor Paul also discussed other religions, and how they attempt to say their way/belief system is the only way. Pastor Paul put it simply: "God is the only way, and the proof is on the 47 miracles he performed, that are documented in the Bible. And I'm following the guy who is doing the miracles!!! --and He's still doing them today." I love it!
Needless to say, Abbi now knows that there isn't a Santa, or an Easter Bunny, or a Tooth Fairy. We actually Googled the History and Santa, and the History of the Easter Bunny and discussed at great length the many traditions that other families/cultures follow. But with Christmas and Easter, it's so much more about Jesus, our Savior. Abbi never questioned me about the existence of God. I guess my worry was for nothing.
Saturday, April 9, 2011
Let Spring Begin!
It's 8:36pm, the birds are still chirping, and it's just getting dark. It's so exciting!!! I don't know about you, but this winter has been longer than I care to experience. About a month ago, I was really wishing that we lived in a warmer climate, and even considered packing everyone up to head south! And what's with all of the crud going around that is almost impossible to get rid of. People, it's time for SPRING!
Today I felt the most productive I've felt in a long time. Yard work will do that for me. I love laboring over my yard, and then admiring the work. In different situations, you may work at something for days or even weeks, often with no sense of accomplishment. NOT WITH YARD WORK! It's immediate gratification, my friends! The work you put in results in the beauty of your yard. It's very satisfying. :) I also loved that my entire family was in on the work. I love doing stuff like this as a family. Team-work is really what it's all about.
I hope you had a chance to get outside, maybe even do some yard work.....or maybe you just had time to open the windows in your house or car. Either way, I hope you enjoyed the day. More days like this are just around the corner!!!!!!
Today I felt the most productive I've felt in a long time. Yard work will do that for me. I love laboring over my yard, and then admiring the work. In different situations, you may work at something for days or even weeks, often with no sense of accomplishment. NOT WITH YARD WORK! It's immediate gratification, my friends! The work you put in results in the beauty of your yard. It's very satisfying. :) I also loved that my entire family was in on the work. I love doing stuff like this as a family. Team-work is really what it's all about.
I hope you had a chance to get outside, maybe even do some yard work.....or maybe you just had time to open the windows in your house or car. Either way, I hope you enjoyed the day. More days like this are just around the corner!!!!!!
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