Living away from family

This past weekend flew by.  Hubby's parents came for a visit and we had a fun, jam packed weekend.  It seems when weekends like these are over, I feel a bit of longing.  A longing for more.

We live about 4 hours from my parents and 5 hours from hubby's parents.  While we are many miles from each other, we also know we can hop in the car and easily get there if we need to.  I do admit that as I get older, it is harder for me to be further away ~ for many different reasons.

Don't get me wrong, I love where we live.  We have made so many wonderful friends.  We have become involved in our community in a variety of ways, and we really enjoy our neighborhood and all our area has to offer.

The two things I mainly struggle with are:

 # 1 the lack of grandparent time for our kids (only because of distance, not because of effort!).  The thing is, is our kids don't know any different either.  They LOVE when we are able to go visit and when their grandparents come to our house for a  visit.  When either of those things happen, the kids are doted upon, cheered on and supported, not to mention, there is always fun to be had.  I do however, remember all of the wonderful memories I made with my grandparents.  I remember having sleepovers, just for fun, many times when my Grandpa was out of town and sometimes when he wasn't.  Grandma and I would walk to Wendy's to get frostys.  We would walk to the store and purchase a new word find book to work on.  Such simple things, but so memorable!  I remember curling up on the "davenport", as they called it watching "Hee Haw" on a Saturday night.  And I remember I would sometimes get up early on a Sunday morning just to meet them at church for mass and maybe breakfast out.  These are little things I wish my children could experience.  Their grandparents live just far enough away that they can't come see their school programs during the week.  They can't attend many of their sporting events, and they can't meet up for church or for a simple, unplanned meal together.

And #2, I wish I could be around to stop by and visit them more.  I hear my girlfriends talk about the fun they have getting together with their moms  (and dads) and going shopping, spending a day baking, or going to a movie.  I admit, I feel a twinge of jealousy when I hear them talking.
Another thing, our parents are not getting younger (no matter what they say) and being closer for them would be nice.  We could simply help with yard work, or stuff around the house.  We could just get together for a cup of coffee and a little conversation.

I do know that we are not planning on moving closer, nor are they.  So, in the meantime, we will make the most of the time we are able to spend together.  And this past weekend, like all of the other times we get together was no different.

We went snow tubing and shopping.  We ate great meals in and out.  We went to church together.  We played games.  We celebrated Actions birthday together.... a couple weeks early, and we watched Sassy play in a volleyball tournament.  It was a great weekend, and I need to remember to make memories and enjoy the time we are able to spend together and not on the time  I wish we could spend together.

 (via QuoteDiary.Me)

Something to Think About Sunday

In the past, when I was a more regular blogger, on Sundays I use to post something called "Something to Think About Sunday".  Most often these posts consisted of quotes, phrases or songs that got me thinking (examples: shoveling, cleaning, honk, dog).  Today is no different.

Awhile ago, I read a book titled "Kisses from Katie"

I reviewed it on my Good Reads account and here is what I wrote:

It takes an extremely strong woman (in mind and faith) to leave everything she new ~ the wealthy comforts of home ~ to go to another country to serve those less fortunate (which is an extreme understatement). At the age of 19, Katie has more love and compassion than so many of the people I know. Her love of God and the desire to serve and follow him is simply inspiring. I definitely recommend this book.

I read the book back in February and it's words continue to creep into my mind and heart.   

Let me give you an example: A couple of months ago our family had to make some decisions.  These decisions had to do with my husbands job.  His company was bought out a little over a year ago.  Things were changing ~ he had to reapply and reinterview.  He was offered a continued position with the new company, but wasn't so sure he was interested.  You see the new company is much larger than the old.  He was concerned about the new direction, and becoming just another dispensable number.  He was concerned about the lack of customer service and the way the new company treated their customers.  It was becoming something and someone he wasn't.  It was stressful not wanting to be where he was, but not knowing what was going to come.   Regardless of what he ultimately decided to do, we knew we would be ok.  And while we were stressed out and unsure, I knew that we were still so fortunate compared to so many.... compared to too many.

I kept coming back to this book and this quote/story written and witnessed by a 19 year old girl who has uprooted herself to make a difference and help those who are truly in need:

"During our one night hospital stay, doctors diagnosed sweet baby Patricia with pneumonia and severe malnutrition.  Her HIV test came back negative and I praised Jesus for that.  In the hospital, I fed her high-energy formula and then took her home to continue to care for her until she was well.  For the first twenty-four hours, I could hardly stand to look at her.  The hurt and the hunger in her lifeless little eyes were simply unbearable.  Every time I changed her diaper, it was filled with large worms - big, fat earthworm-sized worms.  To add to her misery, she could hardly sleep at night because of the cough that assailed her weak little body."

You see, this problem and stresses because of it that we were facing felt daunting, confusing and frustrating.  But as I reread this passage and many others, I was reminded to find perspective.  My family has food on the table.  We have clean water.  We are healthy.  We have family and friends we can go to in times of need.  I'm not saying that times will not come that we lose hope, hurt, cry, stress, want to quit or give up, break down or become hungry ~ physically or emotionally.  This is part of being human.  But I just hope that we can find the light where there is darkness and to keep it all in perspective.

10 Things

Thankful.

This is the season.  The season when we take the time to look at the "things" in our life and remind ourselves of fhose which we are thankful.  I know many bloggers and have many Facebook friends who through this month of November have been writing about one thing they are thankful for on a daily basis.  Some of them are simple, some of them are more complex all of them have their significance.

My bloggy friend Jennifer Juniper is hosting a party.  A thankful/favorite things party where we have been asked to list 10 things we are thankful for.  I think this is a fabulous way to kick off this week of Thanksgiving.

So, in no particular order 10 things I am thankful for:

1.  My Husband. He is the man I can tell anything to.  He loves me, supports our family, makes me laugh, plays, works hard and keeps me balanced.  Life without him in it would be dreary.

2.  My Children.  All three of them are unique.  They are loving and giving.  Their laughter is contagious and their sadness makes my heart ache.  They grow up too fast and I am trying to not get lost in the rush of life and finding ways to enjoy each and every moment.  Even if it is arguing with my 3rd grader over math homework (oh the stories I can tell his future bride).

3.  My Health.  I love to exercise.  You can find me running, spinning, or lifting weights on any given day.  Last Monday I slipped on a patch of ice and attempted to do the splits, much to the disagreement of my right hamstring.  I felt a pop and haven't been able to run since.  I know it's only been a week, but for me to not be able to run is putting a damper on my mood.  Running for me is my release, it's when I pray, when I think and when I plan.  I take it for granted that I can run and not being able to has made me very thankful for my health.

4.  My family's health.  We have no disorders, no major illnesses or injuries and for this I am thankful.  Action was up vomiting last Friday morning at 1:30 am and stayed home from school.  Sassy's body gave in to the same bug in the wee hours of Saturday.  So,  yes we have our bouts of scrapes and bruises and colds and stomach bugs.  But overall everyone is healthy.

5.  Church.  For me church is a place of peace.  A place I can go and feel peace, no matter what is going on in my life, the country or the world.

6.  My Parents, Siblings and the rest of my family.  We may not see each other a lot, but we can always rely on each other.  We challenge each other, frustrate each other and make each other smile.  How dull life would be without family.

7.  My Friends.  People to laugh with, cry with and to find solace in.  Friends can come in and out of your life.  But I believe every one of my friends was put into my life at the time I needed them most.  Sometimes people change, circumstances change and people move on, but their significance and the memories made are everlasting.  And isn't it funny how with the internet, you can be "friends" with someone you've never met them in person.  The world is a crazy place :)

(found on Pinterest here)

8.  Clothes.  Yes, I am thankful for clothes.  I don't want to be naked and honestly some people, actually most people,  I just don't want to see naked.  'Nuff said.

9.  Food. Water. Necessities.  Could you imagine.... no food..... no water ~ or only unsanitary water?  I can't.  So for those I am thankful.

10.  Computers, Internet and Technology.  What an amazing way to connect with and meet people, to share pictures and information.  To learn, to research, to gather "facts" and I will absolutely admit, to assist with 6th grade homework.

There is so much more that I am thankful for, but these people and things are absolute.  Unfortunately, I don't always take the time to remember that I have clean water to drink, although so many don't.  That I have a sturdy home that I love (just realized my house didn't make my list!).  A house that provides us protection and warmth, but also a foundation to create and build traditions and memories.  Too many people in our own cities live on the streets and in homeless shelters wondering where their next meal will come or how they will feed their children.

I am blessed with so much and I am thankful.  And remember you can create better days for everyone you come in contact with ~ a smile given, a door held, an ear opened to listen, a simple "thank-you", the respect of putting down your cell phone when you are checking out at a store.  These little things can make someone thankful for you ~ for being in their lives at that exact moment.  Maybe you are exactly what they need on that day.


What are you thankful for?  Leave a comment here, or better yet, come up with your 10 things and link up with Jennifer (let me know you did!)

They'll throw you in jail.

I hate to admit it, but I went there.

You see, Smiley isn't always the best shopper.  She's great if she's down, walking and has free reign of the store.  And frankly, that isn't the best option for a inquisitive 2 year old.  Much to her dismay, I  prefer her to be confined to her stroller or a cart.

So when we made a quick trip to Ikea last week, I immediately put her in a cart.  Life was good.  Smiley was chatting up a storm pointing at this and that.  When all of a sudden it started.

The screaming.
I'm not talking a holler or a yell, but a full out scream.  Just to let me know that she is completely displeased with that fact that she is not free and waking around.

So what did I do?  I got eye level with her and said, "If you don't stop screaming, the workers are going to call the police.  Then the police will come and put you in jail."

Her reply, "I no want to go to jail."

Guess what?

She didn't scream anymore.  And yes, I do feel a little bad about scaring her.  But my ears (and I'm sure the ears of those within a mile of us) said a big BIG thank-you!

I wish I was perfect, with perfect children but alas, I am not.  How boring life would be if I was!  And I wouldn't want it any other way :)

4 Words and a Touch

Kind words can be short and easy to speak but their echoes are truly endless. ~Mother Teresa

One morning last week, Smiley and I went to the store to do our grocery shopping.  Smiley is not a fan of the cart.  She is one heck of an independent little girl. However, on this morning, I had a list.  Not a super long list,  but one long enough that she needed to be in the cart.  We hit the produce section.  Success.  Next stop, meat and seafood.  Success.  On to the deli/bakery.  FREE COOKIES for the kids! SUCCESS. (I know it was morning, but this is the little something that keeps her calmly in the cart for a few more aisles ~ yep, I'm a sucker)  Dairy... Check, and on we went.  All was fabulous until were halfway through the rest of the aisles.  I only needed 10 more minutes.  Ugh..  She began to grab random things off of the shelves and toss them into the cart.  By the time I put it back something new would be in.  Once I had the cart positioned in the center of the aisle and all extra items removed from it, the yelling began.  And then the arching of the back and the attempts to climb out of the cart.

I sang.
I asked her questions about the grocery store.
I did my best to entertain her.
To redirect her thoughts.

We made it.
We made it to the check out lane.

We waited in line.
We placed our items on the belt.

She began grabbing everything in sight.  Candy, chips, batteries, magazines.  Testing me.  Testing my will and my patience.  I continued my wait in line all while replacing items, unloading items and watching my yelling daughter as she looked at me with her turned in eyes (I'm not ready to go into that now, so more on that another day).  I was frustrated and sad and trying to keep my patience and my smile.

We checked out.
I paid.
I was bagging my groceries up when it happened.

It was the man behind me.
He began bagging his groceries as the cashier continued sending his items down the belt to him.
And he looked at me and said so sincerely, "Your daughter is BEAUTIFUL."

And HE made me smile.  He turned my morning around with those 4 simple words.  Because, my daughter is beautiful.  Even if her eyes are not perfect.  Even if she hates to be confined to a grocery cart and will let everyone around her know.

Do you realize, all it takes is a word, or a gesture to make a difference.

In church yesterday, Smiley was back to her "I don't want to be confined", independent, noisy self.  She wanted me to put her down.  Here's the low down, when we are standing in church and she is not being held, she crawls around on the floor, climbs on the seats and is basically "all over the place"  So we choose to hold her unless we are sitting down (she will sit if we are).  She wanted to be down.  I told her, "No."  So as we sat in our usual spot in the front row she threw herself a knock down, classic, two year old temper tantrum ~ yelling, arched back, flailing arms and legs, red faced temper tantrum.  I calmly walked with her (screaming and yelling the entire way) to the back of the church, where we have a little corner we have designated as her "time out" spot (I know, time outs at church, really?  Yep. Time outs at church).  She had her time out, she calmed down, we went back to "our spot".  During communion (only a few minutes later) an acquaintance  walked past and grabbed my hand and gave it a squeeze.  A comfort, a gesture from one mom to another.  An "I've been there"  gesture.

Simple.
So very simple.
No words spoken.


Words from a stranger and a gesture from an acquaintance.  Both unexpected, both deeply appreciated, because, I am not a perfect mother.

Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around. 

~Leo Buscaglia

69. Laughter

70. A mess house after a day with friends

71. The peace of a rosary

72. The confidence of my daughter

73. A simple note of thanks

74. A discussion of contentment

75. Fresh Air

Something to Think About Sunday

"if you love somebody better tell them so 

'cuz you never ever ever no when they gonna go, 

if they love you back, just give thanks, 

can't keep love like money in the bank.

Life in the City 

by:

Michael Franti and Spearhead

♥ From my house to yours ♥

The Valentines have been addressed, and yes, they were store bought (fine, Internet bought), and being delivered as I type.  Actually, the mail lady (☺) just grabbed her note and chocolates out of our mailbox. Teacher gifts were created (You can find the tutorial here, Thank-you Jen! We purchased our sanitizer at the $1 store, for $1 ☺, instead of rub-on transfers, we used decorative stickers with clear backgrounds ~ 8 sheets, $1.99 on clearance at Michael's and pipe cleaners instead of wire and beads)

The house is decorated, well kind of (Thank-you bloggy friends, for my new fabulous accessories, you ARE the best).

And the Salmon is thawing for tonight's dinner.

Why?

Well, today is Valentine's day ~ The day we tell the people around us that we love them.

But WHY?

Saturday, we received a phone call extending the sad news that a dear family friend had passed away.

He was a Young "old" man.
Happy
Thoughtful
Prayerful
Playful

He was diagnosed with cancer a few years ago, and the outlook was not good.  He was a man of God and he fought.  He won too. He won more time with his family, his beautiful wife, and his friends.  He won the hearts of many with his outlook on life, his prayerfulness, his optimism and his spirit.

Of course, there are the standard word said, "he's in a better place" and "he feels no pain".  While these words are true, they do not fill the whole left behind by this great man.

Which, brings me back to today, Valentine's day.

Why not celebrate the ones you love everyday?

Why not let those who are important in your life, those you are thankful for and those you should be thankful for know how you feel everyday?

A quick note.
A kiss (ok, not just anyone gets a kiss ~ don't go kissing the newspaper delivery person, if you want them to come back, and not with a lawyer!)
A hug (see above disclaimer)
A word of thanks
A letter via "snail mail"
A simple thank-you
A smile
Your undivided attention

Something, somehow, someone EVERYDAY.

Not just on a "holiday".

So tonight, it's Salmon, tomorrow, it may be leftovers, but you can better believe, they will be hot, on a clean plate and served with love and a smile ~ as long as no one yells "ewwwww GROSS" before they even sit at the table ~ HA! ;).  After all, it's nourishment for the body as well as for the soul.

Have a beautiful day my friends and know I am thankful for you today, and everyday!

♥

Jim ~ you will be missed!

(Jim, Sassy and Grandpa ~ hunting 2007)

Happy Birthday Little Man!

Yep, I'm getting sentimental today.

I can't believe my little guy is 7 years old.

His birthday was this past Saturday. We had family in town visiting, we went snow tubing with friends, and ate some yummy cupcakes (with quickly formed fondant snow tubes on them ~ my color gels were lacking and I only had black and  girly colors on hand so we went with all black tubes).  We went out for dinner at Applebee's (not his first choice, but on a Saturday night at 7pm without reservations, the choices are limited when you have 7 hungry people), and I am still kicking myself for not having my camera ready when the staff came out clapping and singing birthday wishes to him. Oh, the look of crazy embarrassment on his face was PRICELESS!

We had a blast, and to top it off, Sunday night the Steelers won ~ a perfect end to a perfect weekend!

However, like I said before, I am a little sentimental today.

Time goes way to fast.  I need to remember to make sure I take the time to stop, enjoy and savor the big moments, but especially the little moments of life.  It is so easy to get wrapped up and busy with everyday life that I don't let myself sit and savor the smiles and the giggles and the daily celebrations ~ you know, a good grade on a test or a basket during a basketball game.  I rush too much when we make cookies together, or read a book ~ I want to get them done because I have this and this and this to do, or it's time for bed, we'll read more tomorrow.  I need to stop rushing so much and start reveling in the beauty of the everyday.

Cheers to you Action!
My little man who:
has a contagious smile
love sports
is sensitive
is a little freaked out at the sight of blood
is nervous to lose his first tooth
loves sweets
adores his sisters (even if he does fight with them)
is becoming quite the little student at school
savors reading books with Dad and Mom before bed
is kind of addicted to his new DSi
and  who always has a twinkle in his eye


I love you!

1. Family
2. My son ~ you make me smile every single day
3. Friends to celebrate a Pittsburgh Steeler’s win with
4. Leftovers