30 Days of Thanks, Day 1: Life

November 1, 2011 by · 1 Comment

All around me…is life.

Almost daily I am up before 6:30 to go f or my m

orning run or my daily torture, as I sometimes call it. Just getting myself to put one foot in front of the ot her

is often a challenge…but once I am off and running, it’ s impo

ssible to ignore the life around me. On weekends there is less traffic, and it’s easier for me actually see the life surrounding me…in the changing leaves, the fog that hovers over the ground, the deer I often see as I run the last stretch of Carpenter Park.

On the other days, I experience life in a whole different way…in the form of

the hustle and bustle of rushed mornings. As I run, I pass countless cars driven by people in their usual morning hurry, chatting on their phones, sending that illegal-while-driving text, touching up make-up.

It’s all part of life.

I’ll get home and shower, and the rest of my day is filled with a different kind of life…the amazing, wonder-filled world of a sixteen month-old.

Oh, How. She. Lives.

Life, to her, is exploring every nook and cranny of her surroundings…of finding joy in the simplest things and giggling gleefully in a sound that is just perfect.

To her, life is being…completely…and it is beautiful.

I am blessed to have these days with her.

..to live them with her.

While most of my day is consumed with my girl, I live in other ways, too…by being a wife, a friend, a puller of espresso shots…and most importantly,  a follower of my F

ather.

It is in each of these things that I find Life…purpose, being, existence.

And in all of this life around me, the Life I am most thankful for comes through my Father’s Love…the Life that came in the form of a tiny baby so many years ago.

It is through the Life of my Savior, Jesus Christ…and his death…that I may Live, too.

Not just here on earth, but in heaven someday…for eternity.

Praying that each of you have found that Life  for which I am so thankful today.

Sig

Filed Under: 30 Days of Thanks, blessings, just life, running

Little Blessings (Pt. 13)

October 28, 2011 by · Leave a Comment

:) A night of praise music.

:) Percussion instruments.

:) A quick visit today with some dear friends from Indonesia.

:) Seeing my daughter spread the love around tonight

at church.

:) Learning discipline in some areas…and seeing the areas in which I still need it.

:) Funky earrings.

:) A day in the 50’s, giving me an excuse for flip flops tonight.

:) Seeing God’s purpose for something…after the fact.

:) A tired girl who will (hopefully!) sleep in a bit tomorrow morning!

:) Missing Indonesia…and remembering how wonderful it was.

Thanking God for blessings today.

What about you?

Sig

Filed Under: blessings, just life, random

Little Blessings (Pt. 12)

October 22, 2011 by · Leave a Comment

:) I might actually be ready to RUN an entire 5k in two weeks!

Yay for motivation!

:) A sweet girl who continues to as

tound us.

Her newest wor

d? Strawberry, or as she says it, strawbaby. Too cute!

:) My creative juices are definitely flowing again! I finished the necklace I was working on today and even made myself a pair of funky earrings, which I was going to post a picture of… but I forgot.

Maybe tomorrow. I can’t wait to keep creating!

:) Facing a situation recently where I was able to choose JOY.

:) A chat with a friend today that encouraged my heart.

:) More friend time tonight…perfect night for a fire in the

fire pit.

:) God’s Word…and how He truly does give us an answer for everything we might be facing.

:) Sleeping in ’til 7 tomorrow…hopefully!

:) Three less loads of laundry to fold.

:) Answered prayer and new opportunities.

:) An idea for my Patch article.

:) Being loved.

Sig

Filed Under: blessings, just life, random

Missing Moments

October 19, 2011 by · 2 Comments

It’s barely early afternoon, and I already know I won’t be getting the Mommy Award today.

Tuesdays and Wednesdays are busy…and stressful. Because I leave for work at 4:30, I have to make sure that Mae and Tobin have something to eat for dinner…and pb & j is really only ok every other week or so.

They like REAL dinner…can’t say I blame them too much. 😉

I’ve also been slightly procrastinating a blog post that I need to finish by tonight to keep myself on track…and I haven’t found the time to string the words together yet.

And in between getting all of that ready and spending all day with my girl, I’ve found myself losing my patience with her 

so much more quickly.

I think part of it is Mae’s age, but I KNOW that most of it is me.

Mae is dying to be close

to me all the time and wants to help me do everything. Her idea of being helpful

? Throwing EVERYTHING into the kitchen garbage.

No matter what I try, she just can’t seem to understand that not everything belongs in the trash can…she just loves to “help”.

It’s almost as cute as it is annoying, and I truly think she’s trying to be helpful, but after fishing things out of it over and over all morning, I finally lost it.

And I yelled.

The look on her face said everything, and I knew I’ d completely messe

d up.

I took a few deep breaths, counted, and went over to her.

I love kids and how quickly they forget.

She held her arms up, and when I picked her up she gave me a hug. I sat down with her on the couch and talked to her about staying out of

the garbage.

I know she doesn’t get it yet.

But that’ s not the point.

I also asked her to forgive me and prayed with her.

I know she doesn’t get that yet, either, but that’s really not the point.

I’m finding that on busy days when I have an agenda and so many things I feel like I need to accomplish, I miss out on the moments that make up a day.

My girl is 16 months old, and she’s already growing up too fast.

She’s down for a nap now, and she’ll probably wake up just before I leave for work.

I’ll get a few minutes with her, and then I won’t see her again until tomorrow morning.

Another day gone.

And how many of those moments did I take today? I sat down to read a few books with her, I played the stacking toy with her, I took a (very, very) short walk outside with her.

But I don’t w ant to miss

those precious hugs, those sweet giggles, those times I can’t get back…any of them…because I’ m too focused on

making dinner or finishing a blog post or making a grocery list.

I don’t want to miss a day.

A moment.

A second.

Tobin and Maelie might have to order a pizza more often, but at least I’ll know that I spent my days in the best possible way I could.

Because I didn’t miss any moments.

Sig

Filed Under: being mommy, blessings, Maelie, where I am

Little Blessings (Pt. 11)

October 13, 2011 by · Leave a Comment

:) Friends who cheer me up and encourage me.

:) Writing…and a new opportunity, which I can hopefully tell you all about tomorrow!

:) Insanely gorgeous weather for about 12 days straight.

Rain today? No reason to complain at all…let it pour!

:) The BK play place and that Maelie is somewhat big enough to play there now.

:) Batik blankets and little reminders of Indonesia that are everywhere.

I love that it will always be a small part of us.

:) Creativity and the fact that it’s slowly creeping back.

Yay!

:) A sweet daughter who loves other people.

:) Eight hours of sleep.

:) A sweet hubby who made me coffee this morning.

:) A fun weekend to look forward to…a girls’ night, a coffee date with my sweet friend, a bridal shower to help with, church, and (hopefully) a date with Tobin.

Hope you’ re feeling as blessed

as I am today.

Sig

Filed Under: blessings, just life

Grandpa Don

October 11, 2011 by · 6 Comments

He wasn’t really my grandpa.

In fact, I didn’t even meet him

until my first week of 3rd grade when he walked through the door to his daughter-in-law, my teacher’s, classroom.

He was quiet.

And he would sit in the classroom while we learned and grade papers or help Mrs. D with projects.

But when recess came or we had a break

?

He was there.

It was as if he couldn’t wait to love us. He’d walk with us at recess, tell us stories, jokes, make us laugh. Sometimes he’d even eat lunch with us.

Names had to be put into a hat to be drawn because we’d fight over who got to sit by our beloved Grandpa Don.

Somewhere in those first weeks, we connected.

We were friends…this third grade girl, this mid-60’s man.

Soon, he began stopping over once in awhile on a Saturday. He’d bring lawn darts and chocolate ice cream, and sometimes my parents would come out to talk to him, too. He never asked to come in; he was content to sit on our front porch and talk.

I’d look forward to his visits, waking up on Saturday mornings and wondering if this might be a Grandpa-Don-comes-to-visit day.

A couple times he took me fishing and when we didn’t catch anything, we’d go to Taco John’s instead to have potato oles and chat.

I can’t tell you much about the conversations that we had.

But I can tell you that his friendship meant so much to me.

Over the years I’ve wondered why I was the one who

was special to him.

I never asked him but have often thought that maybe every child was special, and he had the gift of making us each feel that way.

I’d see Grandpa Don here and there after third grade, but once I moved on to middle school, I rarely saw him.

When I did, he’d always greet me with a monstrous bear hug. Really, he squeezed so tightly that it hurt.

But none of us ever cared…some things are worth pain.

Grandpa Don died during my sophomore year after a long illness.

I remember the day I found out he was gone and the ache that filled my heart…the same one I feel today as I reflect on this friend who knew how to love so well.

And who taught me so much about love.

I also remember the day that I went to the cemetery

to look for his grave stone and feeling disappointed when I saw how small and simple it was.

To me, the size of his grave stone should have matched the size of his heart.

But then I thought about it.

How, often, the simplest things in life like friendship are the things that end up meaning so much to us. And how, though he was full of love for everyone, he really was a simple guy.

To him, living was loving.

About ten years ago, just before I graduated from college, I went back to Mrs. D’s classroom to visit her, and we started talking about Grandpa Don.

I’ll never forget what she said to me.

You were always so special to him. Just like one of his grandkids.

That made my heart happy and reminded me that friendship and love come in many ways…and often when we least expect them.

I still think about him.

I still miss him.

But I can also still feel those bear hugs.

Jennifer at Getting Down With Jesus challenged her readers to write about a person from their past who had a profound influence on their lives. Hop on over to her blog to read more stories.

Sig

Filed Under: blessings, friends, remembering

A Reminder

October 8, 2011 by · 2 Comments

A short but sweet thought tonight.

We hired a b

abysitter tonight.

(Two, actually.) We had plans and these girls came highly recommended, so they

came over and spent four hours with Maelie. (Well, two of them she was sleeping, but still.)

As I was driving them ho me tonight,

they kept saying, “Your daughter is amazing.”

That made my heart smile.

But inside, I thought, I know.

I know how amazing she is, but sometimes I forget to look at the little things that make her just that.

Like…

her cheesy, scrunchy-face smile,

her still-slightly-off-balance toddle as she runs toward me,

watching her chase the dogs, giggling as loudly as possible, (it’s WAY too cute ;))

her sweet personality and love for everyone,

her desire to be close to us all the time,

the way she grins and squeals when she sees us first thing in the morning,

the way she’s growing and changing and learning,

the beautiful creation of God that she is,

and so,

so much more.

It was a good reminder to me tonight.

I am so thankful for my girl and all she is.

Sig

Filed Under: being mommy, blessings, Maelie, where I am

Little Blessings (Pt. 9)

October 2, 2011 by · Leave a Comment

:) A good weekend with family.

:) Dancing. I am not good, but

I danced anyway.

Yay for me!

:) Watching two people commit their love

to each other forever.

Congrats, Mike and Annie!

:) Getting to sit in some pretty stinkin’ comfy, cushy chairs during the wedding. (Yes…in not on… they got married in the Legislative room at the Capitol building.

You know those chairs all those important people sit IN

? Yep, we’re so cool.)

:) A sunny morning walk and a chance to get to know one of my nieces better.

:) A beautiful day.

Really, really BEAUTIFUL.

:) Being loved. And learning to love.

:) Being encouraged by God’s promises.

Sig

Filed Under: blessings, just life, random

Contemplating Joy

September 25, 2011 by · Leave a Comment

My sweet blogging friend, 10 cheap generic mg nolvadex

engirl.blogspot.com/”>Sara, passed away late last night.

She is at peace, in the presence of both her earthly fat

her and her Heavenly Father, pain free, and dancing.

Dancing…I’m sure of it. :) There are so many reasons to find joy though  my heart aches for her family and friends.

Please keep them in your prayers this week as they say goodbye.

This morning I went to sign in to my blog to find out it was

hacked. Big time. What a mess.

Yeah, it stressed me out, but I was able to leave it alone and go on with my morning. Maybe thinking about Sara just put things in perspective…it is only a blog.

And five hours later, it was back up.

I realized when changing Mae’s diaper right before I had to leave for church that her rash had gotten worse and that she now had it by her mouth and on her feet as well. No church for the girl…home with daddy it was.

Despite her rash, though, Mae was a really happy girl today, full of laughter and giggles…and joy.

And I went to church this morning, discovering all three of these things within less than an hour of when I had to be there.

I was full of anything but joy…but I was aware of it, and I prayed that God would give me that joy.

I found a friend right before praise team practice, let some tears flow, and moved on, determined to smile.

Friends, it is true that God gives joy, even on the bad days.

There were So. Many. Reasons. To. Smile. today.

:) Time at church that left my heart happy.

:) I really, really love to sing. And we sang my very favorite song ever today. That was special.

:) Absolutely gorgeous sunshine, which defied the weatherman for the second day in a row.

Yahoo!

:) Time to get a few things done and to…ahem…cook. (Still not sure if I find joy in cooking, but whatever.)

:) A sweet end to the Packers/Bears game.

:) Good friends (and Bears fans!) to watch the game with.

:) All of us laughing hysterically at the antics of Mae…there will be a picture posted very, very soon of her toddling around in her too-big footie pj’s. So, so funny.

It did my heart good to laugh that hard!

:) A bit of reflecting and realizing what a gift Sara was to so, so many people. I will miss her but am so thankful for the piece of her heart she left with each of us.

God is Good.

And He gives Joy.

Love.

Sig

Filed Under: blessings, friends, just life, what I'm learning

Little Blessings (Pt. 8)

September 23, 2011 by · 2 Comments

:) A little girl who finds great joy in pushing her stroller and shopping cart all over the house. She is easy to keep entertained.

:) Hearing her vocabulary just explode over the last two weeks. New words include baby, book, and…purse. Tear. I am so proud.

:) The Brewers clinched their division tonight.

I could care less about

baseball, but Brewers doing well = happy hubby. So definitely a blessing.

:) Finding ways to choose joy…and in choosing it, feeling it too. That’s cool. :)

:) A really thought-provoking video at Bible Study yesterday that I’ m still thinking about.

It? Was about choosing joy, too. God definitely knows what I need this week.

:) Making caramel apples with friends tonight for Pumpkin Days this weekend.

Fun.

:) Good hair. I am ALWAYS in

a good mood after a haircut.

:) Weekends and coffee.

:) Friends I love.

Sig

Filed Under: blessings, just life, random
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