BiRtHdAy SuRpRise!

Yesterday was my birthday.  While I'm far from being old, I am old enough and have had experiences that have caused me to be more reflective than ever before.  When my grandmother passed away in August, there were over 500 people that came to her visitation.  Seeing so many of her dear friends gather in one place made me think about how many times all of those friends dearest to her had been all together at one time.  This thought made me wish to have all my friends gather in one place at one time before I'm so old I can't remember it or at my funeral!  My sister, husband, sons, parents, grandparents and friends made this wish come true by surprising me today.  In a little over a week, my hubby threw together a surprise party at our house without me even knowing!  He even did all the housework and baked a special cake ahead of time.  But what topped it off was his thoughtfulness to cook a meal that included all of my favorite foods, most of which my grandma cooked for me every birthday.  This is a busy time of year and with such short notice, many of my friends weren't able to make it, but those that did made my wish come true.
God has blessed me with an amazing family that I love beyond measure.  He has also blessed me with the absolute best friends.  Being able to spend time in the presence of those that mean so much to me  was priceless.  Those at the party today may have thought they were there to celebrate me but really I was celebrating them.  I was celebrating friendships both old and new.  I was celebrating all the talks we've had over the years, the laughs shared, and the memories we've made.  I was celebrating the inspiration they are to me.  To all my friends, whether you were at the party today or not, thank you.  You remind me that life is about more than me.  And to my husband, your love still amazes me. 

“What draws people to be friends is that they see the same truth. They share it.”
― C.S. Lewis

Like Mother, Like Son

I've probably only been told a few thousand times in my life how much I look, act, and talk like my mom.  I don't see it.....ok, if I was honest, I would say that I do.  I can fool her best friend when I answer her phone.  Strangers in WalMart have asked me if I was related to her....so I guess there's no denying it.  My youngest son has heard "He looks just like his mom!" for most of his young life.  I guess being told you look just like your mom when you're a boy is worse than being a girl and hearing the same.  Last time someone said something about him looking like me, he pointed out that I'm a girl and he's a boy....in his voice that says "Hello?! Can you not see that we're different?!"
Regardless of how much we look alike, I hope I'm setting the example for my boys to be more than me.  Not that I want them to be more than me on a materialistic or career level...although I do have aspiration for them to be lawyers, architechts, or doctors.  But rather, more than themselves.  My prayer is for them to someday be humbled servants who see, and are fully aware of, the people and world around them.

 Mat. 25:35 For I was hungry and you fed me; I was thirsty and you gave me water; I was a stranger and you invited me into your homes; Mat. 25:36 naked and you clothed me; sick and in prison, and you visited me.'

Indiana Jones and a Ninja

Halloween has never been my favorite "holiday" of the year.  But I did always enjoy dressing up.  My sister and I dressed up until we were probably 10 yrs. old or so.  And I have to say, never dress your child in an apple costume with no arm holes.  They might just fall getting out of the car and not be able to get up! Yes, one thing my mom will never live down.  But I sure was a cute apple.  My mom spent a lot of time of making some of our costumes, like making yarn wigs to make us Cabbage Patch Kids and sewing ears and gloves to make us Mickey and Minnie. 
I have really enjoyed coming up with costume ideas for my boys over the last 8 years.  The year they were airplane pilots was probably my favorite.  This year I came up with the idea of them being Mario and Luigi since that's one of their favorite video games to play together.  But that didn't fly.  So then I came up with the idea of a rodeo clown and a bullrider on a bull.  But that didn't go over either.  Suddenly the fun of dressing up was gone because one of my sweet angels didn't want to go with the flow and just be what I wanted them to be!  And then it hit me, it's really not about me.  It's about them dressing up and having fun.  I sometimes struggle with letting my boys stray from MY plan for them. 

This reminds me that my plan for my boys should be to teach them to trust and follow God's plan for their lives.  Learning to let go of little plans like Halloween costumes, may help me be ready for the day when they are teenagers making big plans like college and career plans.  I will only be able to guide them, not force them. 
Just as God guides us but doesn't force us.  How great it would be if our kids would always do as we plan for them without complaining or wasting time! My pray will always be that they would seek God's will in all they do.

Now I'm off to help make their plans of being Indiana Jones and a ninja, reality.  Love my boys!

Jeremiah 29:11
For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

enCourage to Lead

Tonight my husband and I went to see the movie "Courageous."  Being in law enforcement, he got to go to a special viewing of the movie several months ago and said it was a must see for all fathers.  After seeing it, I agree but would say it's a must see for all mothers too.  As mothers we need to encourage fathers to be the father that God has called them to be.  While we are a team, he is meant to be the team leader and might need a cheerleader every once in awhile. I must say, I have been blessed with a man of courage and integrity....thank you, God!
Tonight also brought to mind what a Christian leader truly is.  A Christian leader could be simply defined as a "good shephard" as found in John 10:11.  A shephard guides the sheep to their destination while providing for their physical and emotional needs.  It's about thinking of the sheep and not just about yourself.  As parents, it's about focusing on your children's needs and recognizing when we're just "good enough."  It's about providing an environment that allows for growth, learning, understanding and encouragement to achieve a goal.  The same can translate in our professional lives.  I always keep in mind that Jesus took on the role of a servant and was the ultimate leader.  He knew it was about more than Him!

Drano for the Soul

Like a lot of women, I tend to shed my hair like a dog losing its winter coat.  My husband can't take any credit for clogging the shower drain with his flat top length hair.  But he is usually the one who puts on the plumber hat and declogs the drain.  His secret, a cup of Drano every so often.  It works to keep the water flowing evenly and smoothly.
I run through life trying to be the very best I can be. Lots of little stresses and "to do's" pile up and leave me feeling clogged and looking for relief. While I always remember the phrase "this too shall pass", I'm still looking for relief.  Relief for me comes through doses of friendship and laughter.  What is better for shaking lose all that binds us up than a good belly laugh?!
At least once a month, I get together with my girlfriends for a great dose of stress battling laughter.  "Drano" for my marriage comes in the form of dates which we try to do weekly.  Sometimes it may just be snuggling up and laughing about some of our "inside" jokes, or things our kids have said or done.  When you feel the need for relief, make the time for a cup of "Drano"!  Making the time just might prevent a flood.

Inspired by Proverbs 17:22....love it!
²² A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.

We've got a runner!

My mornings lately have been mentally and emotionally draining.  My boys have been kinda like deaf snails...they seem to hear nothing I say, so I find myself talking louder and louder and repeating myself over and over. And they are slow as molasses! This morning I found myself saying "I'm ready to run away!" as I walked out the door.  I had the vision of taking them to school and as we were walking in the door, I took off running!  Only to hear "We've got a runner!" over the intercom and the parent police chasing me down and bringing me back to reality.....It was just a DREAM!
All day my thoughts would wonder to why my mornings have become so difficult and trying to think of a solution.  Sometimes there is just one answer, me. So as my grandma used to say, time to pull up my big girl pants!  I am the solution to my morning dysfunction....no one else!  In this case, it takes more of me.  I've become lax in laying out clothes the night before and making sure backpacks are all packed and ready.  And while my hubby isn't home in the morning, he is home in the evenings to help make sure the proper preparations have been taken to ensure we ALL have a smooth start to the day.
This also brings up the fact that I'm not always the best in asking for help....even from my partner in life.  While realizing that my morning routine is lacking more of me, I'm feeling there isn't much more of me to spread!....that's a whole weeks worth of blogs! LOL  Needless to say, I'll be discussing my need for help with my sweet husband tonight.  Oh, how hard it is to say the "H" word....HELP!

Psalms 121: 1-2  I lift up my eyes to the mountains— where does my help come from?
² My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth.