45 is Too Young

As  mentioned in the previous post, this past week we lost a classmate.  He was only 45 years young.

Tom and I weren't close.  We were Facebook friends who graduated from a very small southern Illinois high school.  At reunions, I could always count on him to have an upbeat attitude and a smile stretching from ear to ear.

Trying to Find the Joy

No lies. This transition has been tougher than I ever imagined.  As my earlier post noted we've been through quite a lot and this week it has continued.  I'm documenting some of these events so one day when we look back we'll be able to see how far God has led us.  He is Faithful. He is Sovereign. He has a Plan.

But, I forget.

Make Way for The Ducklings!

Finding the extraordinary amidst the ordinary.

Today was an ordinary day.  I dropped the kids off at Junior Guards, then headed to have the oil changed in the car.  Finished up at the auto shop and then headed for home.

On the way home the lane of traffic I was in came to a sudden halt.  I tried switching lanes, and then also promptly stopped.

Crossing the street was a proud momma duck with her precious 9 ducklings.  They looked so small and helpless clustered close behind their momma.  They were headed to the local park.

Perfect Words, Perfect Timing

This week was All-Star selection in our local little league.  It's met with enthusiasm and anticipation as boys from ages 9-13ish await to find out if they've "made the cut."  It's also a stressful time of anticipation for parents too.  Do we prepare our kids for the excitement or the big letdown?

Sports, politics and the politics of kids' sports stir up a mixed bag of emotions.  On one hand, I know in every league, if people are involved there will be amazing dedicated volunteers, kids striving for the best they can be and parents hoping their child will shine in America's Best-Loved sport.  On the other hand, with people involved and human flaws, life happens and the outcomes are not always fair...but that's life.  It's not fair.  And that's okay.

Downtown Disney Lego Store Now Open!

We have a Lego boy in our home who's been obsessed with the Danish interlocking building blocks since he was a wee little lad.  I love watching the wheels spin as he spends countless hours building and creating.  He doesn't seem to tire of it and hearing the Lego employees refer to the "Master Builders" I can sense he'd love to be a "Master Builder."

Living fairly close to a Lego Store, is a highlight in his life.  We frequent it when we head to Downtown Disney so he can purchase mini-figures or look at the latest Lego releases.  He has informed me his one Birthday wish is to be able to go into the Lego store, make his purchase and walk out with a BIG bag!  I think to a Lego boy, that is a sign he has "arrived."

Easter Birds Nests

We tried another bird's nest idea this Easter.  This one is with Chow Mein noodles and Whoppers Robin Eggs.  It's a very simple combination of ingredients, yet they are OH SO tasty!

My Girlie made them along with her BFF.  I love their friendship!  Lots of giggles, and lots of fun!

How cute are they?!?!

For My Facebook Friend

Truth is... I really like Facebook.

Facebook has brought friendships that I never dreamed I'd have.  I have found common interests with so many unexpected people.

One Facebook friend whom I've never met in person is a gal who attended the same church we did in Washington.  I know her kids through AWANA back in the days when I was a leader.  She's an amazing woman and momma to 5 kids, most adopted.  She's also a single mom.  She's home schooled.  I admire her in so many ways!

Raising "Different" Kids

I love our kids.  More than life itself.

Before I was a mom, I knew I would dedicate my life to raising up godly, respectful, blessed children.  If being a MOM was a recipe I knew the main ingredient would be LOVE.

With each child, I gave them a song during my pregnancy.  Our oldest son's song is "Blessed" by Elton John.  Drawing from the lyrics of the song, I knew he'd be blessed; I'd give him my best; I promised him that.

When you commit to raise children, promising to give them your best, you make choices and sacrifices along the way.  I can't say I know how they will turn out as adults, but it is my desire to raise kids who are different.  By different I mean they don't fit in the "teenager" box or the "terrible two's" box or whatever other box the world wants to put them in.  Too often the world wants to place our kids a box.  It is our hope that they are who God says they are.  They are gifts packaged by God, different from any other kid who has hit this earth!  I'm honored to be given the gift of being their mom.

Parenting = Leaning heavily on God and His Word. My plan in parenting was simple: pour vast amounts of love on our kids, correct self-centered behavior and teach them compassion for others.  Along the way, in addition to love and compassion we hoped to teach them honor, respect, courtesy, kindness, generosity and more.   We acknowledge their gifts and celebrate the way God made them.

There are times I look at them completely honored.  Now I'm the one who is blessed.

Last night, our kids displayed their kindness, compassion and caring hearts.

I'm not sharing this to blow my own horn, but to celebrate what I see as the "different" behavior I had hoped and prayed for.

The kids accompanied me to the CrossFit gym for my workout.  They are so patient! They've endured countless hours at the gym waiting.

Last night's workout consisted of:

3 Rounds
800 meter run carrying 35 pound weight
3 rope climbs up a 15 foot rope
12 thrusters (I did 55 pounds)

So they wouldn't be bored, I suggested they run with me.  They love to workout, and jumped at the opportunity.

I found carrying 35 pounds while running is really tough.  Actually, it was more of a shuffle.  Our kids are incredible encouragers.  Throughout the run, they consistently repeated, "Go, Mom!  You're doing great!"

I forgot to mention we were running in the dark.  I make it a practice to never run alone in the dark.  I've mentioned numerous times about safety while running; running alone in the dark is not a good idea.

I have a friend, Suzie, who attends the gym at the same time.  Suzie is incredible. She's made amazing progress!  She was running alone last night when I was with the three kids.  I noticed during round two of the workout, our younger two kids were close to my side, but my oldest was holding back.  I sensed he was keeping tabs on Suzie making sure she was okay.

By round three, he was jogging alongside her offering encouragement.  He finished round three with her.

When she walked in, she breathlessly said, "You're kids are awesome."

This melted my heart.

He is different.

How many teenage boys would hold back not looking to run for their own glory, but to ensure the 40-something made it in safely?

His heart is HUGELY kind and compassionate!

I love that!

I didn't tell him to run with Suzie.  He just did it.

Developing your child's character isn't something you set out on a weekend to build. It's something that takes place everyday as you invest in your kids. It takes time, patience, and diligence.  It's not easy, but so worth it!  Be encouraged!

I read this quote the other day and it seems applicable:

Ringing in the New Year CrossFit Style

8am, January 1, 2012.

Is there any better way to ring in the new year than with a group of fellow CrossFitters doing a crazy WOD (workout of the day) just because?

I admit I had my reservations.  I DON'T LIKE TO BE COLD!  Being cold has adverse effects on my body.  The thought of jumping in an unheated, COLD pool in January didn't sound appealing; more importantly it didn't sound like fun.  BUT, jumping in a freezing pool with friends who are in it with you; laughing at our own misery...well, that sounds like fun and more importantly good memories were made.

We did it!

Before

Mr. New Year and My Man...with the 'fro

I don't think I can think of anything better to do on a foggy, chilly, SoCal morning than gathering with 20+ friends, jumping into a FREEZING pool, running two laps of the pool, then heading out onto a cold 400 meter road run, then completing thrusters and ball slams followed up by hitting the cold cement with burpees.

The Polar Dip

OH MY WORD!!  IT IS COLD!!!

My Man in His Cape!

The Run

My Superman

My New Year!

The Prom Queen a.k.a Event Coordinator

Wonder CrossFit Fonda Woman and McEnroe

The Convict and His Neon 80's Girl

The Weights

My Man, Event Coordinator and Fellow CrossFitter

I think a video is in the works...

What a GREAT way to begin 2012!

Thank you fellow CrossFitters for a fun morning full of laughs and a fabulous WOD!

Happy New Year!

Bucket List: Live Like You Were Dying

A number of years ago Tim McGraw came out with his song, "Live Like You Were Dying."

Even though some may listen to the song and think it sad and depressing, when I hear it I think, "Make the most of everyday!  It's a GIFT!"  I try to never take for granted waking up to enjoy another morning.  I cherish every night falling asleep holding the hand of the love of my life.  Daily, looking into the eyes of three precious children and watching them do what kids do is a gift!  I never want to pass up the opportunity to hug one of our kids or let them play with my hair.  As I type right now, one of them is sitting on the same dining room chair with me with his head on my shoulder.  Love it!

The days pass much too quickly and at the end of this blessed life I hope to say I did the best with what I had.  My mom gave me a quote by Erma Bombeck.  I have it hanging in my office.  It reads:

"When I stand before God at the end of my life, I would hope that I would not have a single bit of talent left, and could say, 'I used everything you gave me.'"

Now I could get all hung up with the fact that I don't have any recognizable talent.  I can't play an instrument.  I'm not very coordinated or athletic.  I CAN'T sing!  I can't dance, unless you consider the jerking motion displayed by Elaine Benes dancing. But this "idea" of talent may not be what real talent is.

Webster defines talent as, "A natural ability or power."

Natural ability or power.  Hmmm...  Natural abilities.  I like that!  We all have some natural abilities to share with others.

One ability could be the art of exploring, experiencing and having fun. Remember...make the most of and appreciate every day?

Organizing outings seems to be a natural ability.

I'm beginning to formulate a bucket list for Southern California.  One item on the list is:

VIEW A LIVE TAPING OF TELEVISION TALK SHOW

I've been trying, without success, to get tickets to The Ellen Show.  I'll keep trying.

In the meantime, last month I received an email asking if I'd like to attend a taping of the Dr. Drew Lifechangers program.  To be honest, I thought it was junk mail.  I had never watched the Dr. Drew show and actually never heard of it.  I've seen Dr. Drew Pinsky before, but didn't know he had his own program.  I deleted the email.

This month, I received the email invitation again.  I looked into it a bit more.  It sounded interesting.  I went ahead and responded requesting four tickets.

This week two friends and I went to a taping.  It was an experience to say the least!  For the last two days since the taping, I've been thinking of how to blog what we saw and heard.  So many thoughts have swirled around my brain.

I think I'll have two more posts following with the events of the shows.  One show was about the Octomom, Nadya Suleman, and the other was about the growing number of women looking to pursue careers in prostitution apparently as a result of the economic downturn.  Needless to say, with an afternoon on those two topics we had plenty of conversation for the three hour LA traffic mess on the way home.

My brain is still swimming with thoughts.  Until the next post...

Halloween Neighborhood Party

Fall.  Changing of the seasons.  Leaves turning color.  Chili.  Halloween.  Friends and family.  Bobbing for apples.  Games.  Bounce House.  Decorations.  Costumes. Laughter.  Pinata.  Celebration.  Sweets.  Exhaustion.

This describes our neighborhood Halloween party we had this past weekend.  We have a great group of moms who organized the whole thing.  What a blessing and a fantastic way to get people out of the house to meet those who live next door.

There were tons of children playing, laughing, eating.  Here's a glimpse of our evening!

I baked sugar cookies for a cookie decorating craft.

Frosting!  Sticky!

Bobbing for apples

Donuts on a string

My guy is so cute!

Pinata line

What an exhausting night of fun!