Breath in...now out.
Let's see if I can collect my thoughts and emotions long enough to write a long overdue post! I wish I could report everything has been so wonderful that I haven't needed to write and find my "ah ha moments" on here, but sadly I have just been crazy busy and uninspired.
I took a blow yesterday with my original issue that brought me here to share and seek some sunshine, and haven't been able to shake that gray cloud that seems to be hovering above me since. No need for concerned emails and phone calls...I'm fine and will continue to be fine because I haven't lost sight of the blessings in my life. Being fine, though, doesn't mean I can't have moments of self pity and frustration.
We all know the way it goes, though. You feel down about one thing and everything else just starts going wrong. You get stuck behind a dump truck while rushing to pick your daughter up from preschool. (Sorry Ellsie Bells) Your 2-year-old finds your wallet and dumps it, leaving you scrambling to gather up the change before the baby eats it. (I made it just in time to pull the quarter from his little mouth) The dog runs in before you have time to clean off her mud covered paws, leaving wonderful little prints all through the kitchen.
And then, the pièce de résistance, I open the fridge to get out the milk to finish the macaroni and cheese for the three kids in the next room screaming for food like they had NEVER eaten, only for the 2-quart pitcher of Kool Aid to fall, soaking my jeans and sending a tidal wave of purple sweetness across the tile floor. In case the mess wasn't enough, the kiddies came running into the kitchen to see why mommy was screaming, stepping in the mess and spreading it further.
Back to breath in...now out.
I actually remained pretty calm, returned the kids to the family room and flipped on Ratatouille to distract them. I grabbed a roll of paper towels and began to soak it up, rushing to the grape flavored river about to travel under the fridge. As I tore square after square and watched as it soaked up my spill, I began to fantasize about mega paper towels that can soak up life's problems. Sure, these little squares are great for Kool-Aid and milk, but imagine such a simple fix for those curve balls life throws our way that we can't simply wipe away.
I guess in some way we do have that. It just isn't packaged and sold at Giant Eagle or Krogers. I guess when we have those gray clouds we need to look to the people in our lives to be our sunshine. We have to let the hugs that cover us from our kids, or spouses, or friends absorb our hurt and frustration. No, our problems won't just go away when we embrace the people we love, but sometime it makes the hurt hurt a little bit less, it makes the sadness a little easier to bare, and it reminds us that while love doesn't cure what ails us, it can carry us through till we're all better.
Now to make more Kool-aid and empty the trash can full of soaked paper towels. Thank you, Bounty!!!
Friday, October 16, 2009
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Choosing My Attitude
I'm going to admit as I start this entry, I have a selfish motivation behind it. I'm having a crappy morning. A REALLY crappy morning. My Prince Charming was less than charming this morning (although he'd probably say the same about me), we missed the school bus, I had to take the kids out in the rain to drop Elliot off at school, Nolan fell in a giant puddle...ugh! It has been one thing after another. Anyway, I'm hoping by the time I'm done typing this, I'll find a little peace and perspective.
Perspective. I think it is something we all need to look for from time to time. I don't mean we shouldn't get to have bad days or vent about our kid having a cough. We shouldn't DWELL on it though. So I had a bad morning. Too bad, Sara-Summer. GET OVER IT! There is still plenty of time for me to turn this day around.
We all get to make choices about how we are going to look at things and what we are going to do about those bumps in our day that can send us into a tailspin if we let them. I worked at Build-a-Bear on and off for a few years. While I was there we practiced something called the FISH! Philosophy. It is meant for the workplace, but I wonder how we could improve our roles as spouses and parents and even our own moods if we embraced it in everything we do.
The first of the four principles is Be There. This means being emotionally available for the people in your life. Think about how much we could show people we care and respect them by really listening and being there. Play is the idea of being creative in everything you do to really enjoy life and help those around you enjoy it! Make Their Day is about taking the time to do something extra for somebody, not for a reward or something in return, but just for the sake of showing them they matter. Finally, Choose Your Attitude. This is a good one for me right now. I'm going to cut and paste right from the website for this, "Choose Your Attitude means taking responsibility for how you respond to what life throws at you. Once you are aware that your choice impacts everyone around you, you can ask yourself, 'Is my attitude helping my team or my customers? Is it helping me to be the person I want to be?'"
As I go on with my day, I'm going to try to embrace the FISH! Philosophy. I think if we all tried to live like this the world (and my household) would be a much happier place.
Perspective. I think it is something we all need to look for from time to time. I don't mean we shouldn't get to have bad days or vent about our kid having a cough. We shouldn't DWELL on it though. So I had a bad morning. Too bad, Sara-Summer. GET OVER IT! There is still plenty of time for me to turn this day around.
We all get to make choices about how we are going to look at things and what we are going to do about those bumps in our day that can send us into a tailspin if we let them. I worked at Build-a-Bear on and off for a few years. While I was there we practiced something called the FISH! Philosophy. It is meant for the workplace, but I wonder how we could improve our roles as spouses and parents and even our own moods if we embraced it in everything we do.
The first of the four principles is Be There. This means being emotionally available for the people in your life. Think about how much we could show people we care and respect them by really listening and being there. Play is the idea of being creative in everything you do to really enjoy life and help those around you enjoy it! Make Their Day is about taking the time to do something extra for somebody, not for a reward or something in return, but just for the sake of showing them they matter. Finally, Choose Your Attitude. This is a good one for me right now. I'm going to cut and paste right from the website for this, "Choose Your Attitude means taking responsibility for how you respond to what life throws at you. Once you are aware that your choice impacts everyone around you, you can ask yourself, 'Is my attitude helping my team or my customers? Is it helping me to be the person I want to be?'"
As I go on with my day, I'm going to try to embrace the FISH! Philosophy. I think if we all tried to live like this the world (and my household) would be a much happier place.
Monday, September 28, 2009
Remembering Our Blessings
It was without a doubt a fall morning in Pittsburgh. The sky was gray, there were off and on showers, and thousands of people were anxiously awaiting the start of the Great Race. The Great Race is a 10k, or 6.2 mile run through Pittsburgh, and is one of Pittsburgh great traditions. On top of a Pittsburgh tradition, it is a family tradition. I ran my first Great race with my dad when I was 6-years-old, and yesterday my 6-year-old daughter ran it with my dad and I.
The plan was for her to run as much as she could and we would walk when she needed. Was I surprised when that walk break never came. I was so proud of her and knew how blessed I was to be sharing that moment not just with my daughter, but with my father, too.
Not that I shouldn't be proud of her, but last night I had a bit of a reminder that I shouldn't just be proud, I should be grateful for what a gift it is that she was able to be there with me. Yesterday a spaghetti dinner was held to raise money for a local family who is going through something nobody should have to face. Both of their sons, ages 5 and 2, have a rare genetic disorder called Late Infantile Batten Disease. This disease robs children of their physical abilities as well as their vision and causes heartbreaking debilitation. Life expectancy can be anywhere from 8-12 years of age.
My husband used to play baseball with their father, Chris. When the dads would play ball, our oldest daughter would run around and play with their older son, Drew. Drew can no longer walk. I know it sounds silly, but I felt guilty yesterday knowing that Presley had run the Great Race and here was this BEAUTIFUL little boy in a wheel chair. It doesn't make much sense. Their younger son hasn't started showing symptoms yet, but the tests indicated that eventually he will.
I've said this in the past, and I hope you guys will take this with you today. When you look at your child, or niece, or nephew or whatever special child is in your life, don't ask WHY you are so blessed, ask how you can help people who may be facing challenges with their own children. If you can help financially, great. If you help by adding this family to your prayers at dinner time or bedtime, great. Here is a link to the website. Please take some time to read about this family and the challenging road that lays ahead of them. http://www.gradysallstars.com/
The plan was for her to run as much as she could and we would walk when she needed. Was I surprised when that walk break never came. I was so proud of her and knew how blessed I was to be sharing that moment not just with my daughter, but with my father, too.
Not that I shouldn't be proud of her, but last night I had a bit of a reminder that I shouldn't just be proud, I should be grateful for what a gift it is that she was able to be there with me. Yesterday a spaghetti dinner was held to raise money for a local family who is going through something nobody should have to face. Both of their sons, ages 5 and 2, have a rare genetic disorder called Late Infantile Batten Disease. This disease robs children of their physical abilities as well as their vision and causes heartbreaking debilitation. Life expectancy can be anywhere from 8-12 years of age.
My husband used to play baseball with their father, Chris. When the dads would play ball, our oldest daughter would run around and play with their older son, Drew. Drew can no longer walk. I know it sounds silly, but I felt guilty yesterday knowing that Presley had run the Great Race and here was this BEAUTIFUL little boy in a wheel chair. It doesn't make much sense. Their younger son hasn't started showing symptoms yet, but the tests indicated that eventually he will.
I've said this in the past, and I hope you guys will take this with you today. When you look at your child, or niece, or nephew or whatever special child is in your life, don't ask WHY you are so blessed, ask how you can help people who may be facing challenges with their own children. If you can help financially, great. If you help by adding this family to your prayers at dinner time or bedtime, great. Here is a link to the website. Please take some time to read about this family and the challenging road that lays ahead of them. http://www.gradysallstars.com/
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Elementary Open House
John, this one is for you!
Tuesday night was open house at our oldest daughter's school. She was so excited to show us her classroom, school work and for us to meet all of her new friends. The reality was we went to her class and then went to the cafetorium for cookies, at which time she met up with her friends and all interaction with us came to a screeching halt!
Ironically, I saw more that night than me or my daughter anticipated, and it had very little to do with her classroom.
My husband and I moved to this community three short years ago. When we moved here we only knew one family, and even that one we were still just getting to know. As I walked around the school it seemed I knew somebody at every turn. Not only did I know people, but A LOT of these people have become friends. These are people who in such a short time have come to care about our family and have built relationships with my children.
What an amazing gift it is to have these people in my life. You don't realize when you first meet a person how they will play a role in your life. Our daughter's baseball coach, her teacher from last year, fellow parents who I've connected with...all these people who have come into our life by chance, but whom we've become friends with by choice. It is an amazing thing. It is truly a blessing.
It is a special thing to know you have people looking out for your child and who care. I don't mean to downplay my family and the extended family I have in my close circle of friends. I am ALWAYS grateful for what they bring to my life. I'm talking about the support system we may not always realize is there, It is something I don't take for granted. Take some time today to think about the great, unexpected friends in your life, and then thank God for these blessings. They really are a gift He has given us.
A thought for the day:
"It doesn’t matter what you’ve heard, impossible is not a word. It’s just a reason for someone not to try" - Kutless, What Faith Can Do
Tuesday night was open house at our oldest daughter's school. She was so excited to show us her classroom, school work and for us to meet all of her new friends. The reality was we went to her class and then went to the cafetorium for cookies, at which time she met up with her friends and all interaction with us came to a screeching halt!
Ironically, I saw more that night than me or my daughter anticipated, and it had very little to do with her classroom.
My husband and I moved to this community three short years ago. When we moved here we only knew one family, and even that one we were still just getting to know. As I walked around the school it seemed I knew somebody at every turn. Not only did I know people, but A LOT of these people have become friends. These are people who in such a short time have come to care about our family and have built relationships with my children.
What an amazing gift it is to have these people in my life. You don't realize when you first meet a person how they will play a role in your life. Our daughter's baseball coach, her teacher from last year, fellow parents who I've connected with...all these people who have come into our life by chance, but whom we've become friends with by choice. It is an amazing thing. It is truly a blessing.
It is a special thing to know you have people looking out for your child and who care. I don't mean to downplay my family and the extended family I have in my close circle of friends. I am ALWAYS grateful for what they bring to my life. I'm talking about the support system we may not always realize is there, It is something I don't take for granted. Take some time today to think about the great, unexpected friends in your life, and then thank God for these blessings. They really are a gift He has given us.
A thought for the day:
"It doesn’t matter what you’ve heard, impossible is not a word. It’s just a reason for someone not to try" - Kutless, What Faith Can Do
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Find the Blessing in a Dirty Diaper
I can't even tell you how many diapers I change a day between my two little princes! I can tell you it is a lot. A rough estimate would be 12-15 a day. Maybe. That isn't my point. Other than groaning because my little poop factory produced another whopper for me to clean up, changing diapers doesn't stress me out. Every wet or dirty diaper isn't a reminder of what I don't have or struggle to provide for my family.
There are SO many families struggling to get by, and these families have just as many diapers to change as a family with a solid balance in their checking account. Imagine leaving your kiddo in a wet diaper because you can't afford to change it every time they go. Imagine letting a wet diaper dry out and putting it back on your child.
This next part I'm stealing from pittsburghmom.com to pass on to you!
"I recently found out that diapers and wipes are not covered public assistance, food stamps, WIC, etc. And that cost of diapers runs nearly $100 per month per child.
Did you know that 39% of kids in Pennsylvania are living in "low income" families? That means there are a LOT of moms out there that are struggling to afford diapers.
I am organizing a "Diaper Drive" for the month of September. We will be collecting diapers in conjunction with the Greater Pittsburgh Food Bank. Just like a food drive, a diaper drive will allow people to donate one diaper from their diaper bag or a whole pack and drop them off at various locations throughout the city."
This was started by my friend, former professor and advisor, Heather Starr Fiedler at Point Park University. It is over in a week and it would be great to see as many people donate to this great cause. You can drop off diapers at the following locations:
Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium
Pittsburgh Toy Lending Library
E2Toys 2 Try
BounceU
National Aviary
Children's Museum of Pittsburgh
or make a donation at www.pittsburghdiaperdrive.org.
Thanks a lot!
There are SO many families struggling to get by, and these families have just as many diapers to change as a family with a solid balance in their checking account. Imagine leaving your kiddo in a wet diaper because you can't afford to change it every time they go. Imagine letting a wet diaper dry out and putting it back on your child.
This next part I'm stealing from pittsburghmom.com to pass on to you!
"I recently found out that diapers and wipes are not covered public assistance, food stamps, WIC, etc. And that cost of diapers runs nearly $100 per month per child.
Did you know that 39% of kids in Pennsylvania are living in "low income" families? That means there are a LOT of moms out there that are struggling to afford diapers.
I am organizing a "Diaper Drive" for the month of September. We will be collecting diapers in conjunction with the Greater Pittsburgh Food Bank. Just like a food drive, a diaper drive will allow people to donate one diaper from their diaper bag or a whole pack and drop them off at various locations throughout the city."
This was started by my friend, former professor and advisor, Heather Starr Fiedler at Point Park University. It is over in a week and it would be great to see as many people donate to this great cause. You can drop off diapers at the following locations:
Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium
Pittsburgh Toy Lending Library
E2Toys 2 Try
BounceU
National Aviary
Children's Museum of Pittsburgh
or make a donation at www.pittsburghdiaperdrive.org.
Thanks a lot!
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
The Strength To Carry On
Somebody in my life who I love very, very much is having a hard time right now. My heart breaks for him. I wish I could make him smile. I wish I could give him the biggest hug ever. I wish I could take his problem, lift the hurt from his heart, crumble it up and throw it away forever.
I am in a great place in my life right now, even with some uncertainties I'm facing. The truth is, I didn't take the easy road getting here. Before being married to my Prince Charming, I was married to a real jerk. It was brief, miserable, but I won't say it was a mistake. Nothing that led me to my current life could have been a mistake. I was lost for a while after it all happened, though. At the time, I was so deep in hurt and confusion that it was hard to see what direction my life was going.
The amazing thing was, even when I didn't know where I was going, God did. Through the support and encouragement of my family I went back to college, where I met the love of my life and my best friend. God blessed me with amazing people. People who couldn't fix my problems, but who helped hold me up until I was strong enough to stand on my own. People who steered me straight until the fog cleared enough for me to see the amazing road God had laid before me.
When our friends and family have hard times, we need to be there the best that we can. We need to offer them support and strength and love. We also need to recognize our limits. We can't fix the problems of other people. As much as we love them, as much as we want to carry their burdens, we can't. We have to trust that God is with them, carrying them through.
Here is a lasting thought or today!
"Tough times never last, but tough people do." - Robert Schuller
I am in a great place in my life right now, even with some uncertainties I'm facing. The truth is, I didn't take the easy road getting here. Before being married to my Prince Charming, I was married to a real jerk. It was brief, miserable, but I won't say it was a mistake. Nothing that led me to my current life could have been a mistake. I was lost for a while after it all happened, though. At the time, I was so deep in hurt and confusion that it was hard to see what direction my life was going.
The amazing thing was, even when I didn't know where I was going, God did. Through the support and encouragement of my family I went back to college, where I met the love of my life and my best friend. God blessed me with amazing people. People who couldn't fix my problems, but who helped hold me up until I was strong enough to stand on my own. People who steered me straight until the fog cleared enough for me to see the amazing road God had laid before me.
When our friends and family have hard times, we need to be there the best that we can. We need to offer them support and strength and love. We also need to recognize our limits. We can't fix the problems of other people. As much as we love them, as much as we want to carry their burdens, we can't. We have to trust that God is with them, carrying them through.
Here is a lasting thought or today!
"Tough times never last, but tough people do." - Robert Schuller
Saturday, September 5, 2009
Bumps and Bruises
Yesterday was one of those days I probably would have been better off had I just stayed in bed...or a padded room...I would have gone either way! My eye has been giving me a lot of problems, so I finally caved and made my first ever appointment with the eye doctor, only to be told he couldn't find the problem. REALLY? After shining a light that I'm pretty sure was as bright as the sun in my eyes for 35 minutes, putting 38 different kind of drops in my eyes (I may be exaggerating a bit with 38), and making me sit through all of your corny eye jokes, you can't FIND the problem. GRRRRR!
I walked out of the office and, thanks to my dilated pupils, I couldn't see anything but unbearable brightness. Thank God I had my sunglasses. I got home and let out the dogs (who may or may not have been possessed by the devil at the time) only to have one of them slam my knee into the doorway. OUCH!!! Instant bruise and major swelling. Wonderful. Thanks for that.
To keep with my great day, in all my genius, I full forced smacked my hand on the lip of the counter. I don't know the last time I cried that hard. (or swore that loud) I had shooting pains up my arm, and for the second time that day, major swelling. Seriously? Serious?
So at this point you are probably sick of my pity party and ready for the point. I guess the point is that as bad as yesterday was, it was yesterday. It was the past. This is a new day with new possibilities. Sure, I still have 2 bruises and an eye driving me insane, but they don't make up my whole. They are just little pieces that remind me of yesterday.
We all have some bumps and bruises life has left on our bodies and our hearts. Some are on our souls, and all we can do is pray the God helps us find healing for those. As for the bruises that don't fully fade in time, they are the reminders we need in our life of who we are, where we've been, and how we've gotten to where we are in our lives today.
Happy thought for today!
"When you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change."
-Max Planck, Nobel Prize-winning physicist
I walked out of the office and, thanks to my dilated pupils, I couldn't see anything but unbearable brightness. Thank God I had my sunglasses. I got home and let out the dogs (who may or may not have been possessed by the devil at the time) only to have one of them slam my knee into the doorway. OUCH!!! Instant bruise and major swelling. Wonderful. Thanks for that.
To keep with my great day, in all my genius, I full forced smacked my hand on the lip of the counter. I don't know the last time I cried that hard. (or swore that loud) I had shooting pains up my arm, and for the second time that day, major swelling. Seriously? Serious?
So at this point you are probably sick of my pity party and ready for the point. I guess the point is that as bad as yesterday was, it was yesterday. It was the past. This is a new day with new possibilities. Sure, I still have 2 bruises and an eye driving me insane, but they don't make up my whole. They are just little pieces that remind me of yesterday.
We all have some bumps and bruises life has left on our bodies and our hearts. Some are on our souls, and all we can do is pray the God helps us find healing for those. As for the bruises that don't fully fade in time, they are the reminders we need in our life of who we are, where we've been, and how we've gotten to where we are in our lives today.
Happy thought for today!
"When you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change."
-Max Planck, Nobel Prize-winning physicist
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