Imagine for once that you could stop the clock. Just make it stop ticking so that you could sit down for a minute. But is that what you would really do? Would you really sit? Would you really fold that laundry or clean that house or catch up on those e-mails?
I sometimes think that I would, but then, I realize that the reality is that I would do none of those things.
I would sit with my husband and love on my kids because the clock will have stopped to give me the time to do just that.
I would look at them...really look because I would know that when the clock started ticking again, they would be off and running again and off and growing up again.
The diapers would wait. They would still be exactly the same after the clock started up again, but they wouldn't.
These precious little time bombs. Exploding all over the house dumping the contents of closets and refusing the eat their dinner and snuggling for just one more story that we've read I think a thousand times.
Sometimes I can just imagine it.
Showing posts with label Five Minute Friday. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Five Minute Friday. Show all posts
Friday, May 31, 2013
Friday, March 1, 2013
Five Minute Friday - Small
(Ok, so somehow I thought that this week's word was 'small' but it's not. It's 'ordinary'. But since I've already written for my 5 minutes, you get what I wrote, which is 'small', but never 'ordinary'!)
I was always been the smallest in my family growing up. My dad is 6 feet tall, my mom 5'6", my sister 6'1" and my brother 6'3". I was a mere 5'5". (Now I'm 5'6" like my mom. I grew a bit with each kid. I used to figure how many kids I would have to have in order to reach my sister's height, but Jimmy wasn't going for it, so i gave up.) I was (am) also the only one of us 3 kids who doesn't have red hair. So, with my brother and my sister being very tall, older than me and having flaming red hair, you can see how I would end up being labelled as 'so and so's little sister'. I used to want to scream 'I HAVE A NAME, YOU KNOW!!!!'
Anyway, I assume that happens with many younger siblings, but I felt it even more because I was just so darn short!
I used to equate height with both beauty and power because, well, my siblings were very 'beautiful' with their red hair, and, being older than me, they were also very powerful.
I remember that when I felt my best, I felt tall. When I felt my worst, I felt small and shrimpy.
I am neither short nor shrimpy, but sometimes I still feel that way.
But the interesting thing is that not too long ago, maybe 5 years or so ago, my sister told me that while I was envious of her height, she was envious of my 'petite' size because I could go into any store and find any clothes or shoes to fit me whereas she could not. She told me that she used to get upset to see how 'cute' I looked in any outfit because everything fit me well when she could not even find jeans that didn't look like highwaters on her.
The hair thing was never an issue with her. She loves her red hair, but honestly, I'm pretty content with mine now, too.
Ok, well, so that was a five minute ramble, but hey, that's what it's all about, right?
Come on over and join us!
- See more at: http://lisajobaker.com/five-minute-friday/#sthash.sbnO0uLQ.dpuf
I was always been the smallest in my family growing up. My dad is 6 feet tall, my mom 5'6", my sister 6'1" and my brother 6'3". I was a mere 5'5". (Now I'm 5'6" like my mom. I grew a bit with each kid. I used to figure how many kids I would have to have in order to reach my sister's height, but Jimmy wasn't going for it, so i gave up.) I was (am) also the only one of us 3 kids who doesn't have red hair. So, with my brother and my sister being very tall, older than me and having flaming red hair, you can see how I would end up being labelled as 'so and so's little sister'. I used to want to scream 'I HAVE A NAME, YOU KNOW!!!!'
Anyway, I assume that happens with many younger siblings, but I felt it even more because I was just so darn short!
I used to equate height with both beauty and power because, well, my siblings were very 'beautiful' with their red hair, and, being older than me, they were also very powerful.
I remember that when I felt my best, I felt tall. When I felt my worst, I felt small and shrimpy.
I am neither short nor shrimpy, but sometimes I still feel that way.
But the interesting thing is that not too long ago, maybe 5 years or so ago, my sister told me that while I was envious of her height, she was envious of my 'petite' size because I could go into any store and find any clothes or shoes to fit me whereas she could not. She told me that she used to get upset to see how 'cute' I looked in any outfit because everything fit me well when she could not even find jeans that didn't look like highwaters on her.
The hair thing was never an issue with her. She loves her red hair, but honestly, I'm pretty content with mine now, too.
Ok, well, so that was a five minute ramble, but hey, that's what it's all about, right?
Come on over and join us!
- See more at: http://lisajobaker.com/five-minute-friday/#sthash.sbnO0uLQ.dpuf
Tuesday, January 22, 2013
Five Minute Friday: Cherished
I know that it's not Friday anymore, but I still want to participate, so here goes!
This Friday's topic was:
Cherished.
She cradled the box to her chest. In it was all she held dear, all she thought she cherished. But in order to take the next step, she had to leave that box behind. She couldn't take that box with her, full of all the things that she felt she couldn't leave behind, and still step out into the unknown.
There was a wait limit, and she'd reached it. In fact, far surpassed it. She couldn't wait anymore. She had reached the limit of waiting, and, as a matter of fact, she had also reached the weight limit. The box was full to capacity and she couldn't carry it anymore. And he wouldn't wait forever but she couldn't go to him if she didn't leave that box! The weight of the wait pulled on her. And she knew that all she had to do was let go of that darned box.
But her knuckles were white gripping the thing. It wasn't even pretty, you know. It was old and battered and dirty. Grimy in a depressing and disappointing kind of way. How could something so ugly be so hard to let go of?
But it pulled her down. It had her on her knees, knuckles dragging on the ground, getting bloodied by the rough pavement.
Let it go!
He kneels in front of her, lifting her chin with a gentle hand. This isn't how it has to be, you know, he says. She looks up at him and asks him, will you still?
And he says, yes. He says he will. He says he's never stopped asking her. But she was the one that never stopped saying no.
Because to say yes meant that she would have to leave her box.
But then, she did it. She stood, and left that box there.
It wasn't as hard as she thought that it would be. The box didn't call to her, it didn't chase her down. It stayed put right there on the steps where she left it.
And they stood there alone together at the altar without that box and she said yes and he said yes and her tears were of joy and fear because what if she needed that box or what if it found her again but it felt so good to have left it there.
And it's not that she never thinks about that box because one has to, you know. You can't just leave something behind that you have had with you for so long and expect to not ever think about it or have it come back to visit you in one way or another, but she has a new box now.
And it's bright and beautiful and slightly banged up here and there but it's full to bursting and she's always trying to cram more and more into it and it's lovely because it's raw and it's life and it's here and it's now and it's memories and she has finally realized what it is that needs to be cherished.
This Friday's topic was:
Cherished.
She cradled the box to her chest. In it was all she held dear, all she thought she cherished. But in order to take the next step, she had to leave that box behind. She couldn't take that box with her, full of all the things that she felt she couldn't leave behind, and still step out into the unknown.
There was a wait limit, and she'd reached it. In fact, far surpassed it. She couldn't wait anymore. She had reached the limit of waiting, and, as a matter of fact, she had also reached the weight limit. The box was full to capacity and she couldn't carry it anymore. And he wouldn't wait forever but she couldn't go to him if she didn't leave that box! The weight of the wait pulled on her. And she knew that all she had to do was let go of that darned box.
But her knuckles were white gripping the thing. It wasn't even pretty, you know. It was old and battered and dirty. Grimy in a depressing and disappointing kind of way. How could something so ugly be so hard to let go of?
But it pulled her down. It had her on her knees, knuckles dragging on the ground, getting bloodied by the rough pavement.
Let it go!
He kneels in front of her, lifting her chin with a gentle hand. This isn't how it has to be, you know, he says. She looks up at him and asks him, will you still?
And he says, yes. He says he will. He says he's never stopped asking her. But she was the one that never stopped saying no.
Because to say yes meant that she would have to leave her box.
But then, she did it. She stood, and left that box there.
It wasn't as hard as she thought that it would be. The box didn't call to her, it didn't chase her down. It stayed put right there on the steps where she left it.
And they stood there alone together at the altar without that box and she said yes and he said yes and her tears were of joy and fear because what if she needed that box or what if it found her again but it felt so good to have left it there.
And it's not that she never thinks about that box because one has to, you know. You can't just leave something behind that you have had with you for so long and expect to not ever think about it or have it come back to visit you in one way or another, but she has a new box now.
And it's bright and beautiful and slightly banged up here and there but it's full to bursting and she's always trying to cram more and more into it and it's lovely because it's raw and it's life and it's here and it's now and it's memories and she has finally realized what it is that needs to be cherished.
Friday, January 11, 2013
Five Minute Friday: DIVE
Five Minute Friday. Where you have a topic that you write on for 5 minutes. This week's topic?
DIVE!
Brown legs dangle over the edge. I can't Mommy. I'm scared. It's deep.
You can do it, Honey. I am right here. You can swim.
But the water is so deep!
Yes, but if the water is over your head, it's over your head. If you can swim in 5 feet, you can swim in 12.
Will you be right there, Mommy?
Yes, Sweetie. Right here. Waiting for you.
Ok, Mommy. I'm going to do it.
Ok. You can do it. I know you can!
Trots to the end of the board. Peers into the blue depths. Looks at me for reassurance. Stands up just a bit straighter. Focuses ahead. Looks down.
And JUMPS!
Bobs to the surface. Paddles. Looks for me. Huge grin.
I did it, Mommy!
Hauls out of the water and drips on my shorts, small brown arms wrapping around my waist.
Yay! My hero! My Elizabeth.
At 3 years old.
Yes, I still remember the little days.
Sometimes it's not a dive that you need, beautiful and swan like, but a trot and a jump will do the trick.
DIVE!
Brown legs dangle over the edge. I can't Mommy. I'm scared. It's deep.
You can do it, Honey. I am right here. You can swim.
But the water is so deep!
Yes, but if the water is over your head, it's over your head. If you can swim in 5 feet, you can swim in 12.
Will you be right there, Mommy?
Yes, Sweetie. Right here. Waiting for you.
Ok, Mommy. I'm going to do it.
Ok. You can do it. I know you can!
Trots to the end of the board. Peers into the blue depths. Looks at me for reassurance. Stands up just a bit straighter. Focuses ahead. Looks down.
And JUMPS!
Bobs to the surface. Paddles. Looks for me. Huge grin.
I did it, Mommy!
Hauls out of the water and drips on my shorts, small brown arms wrapping around my waist.
Yay! My hero! My Elizabeth.
At 3 years old.
Yes, I still remember the little days.
Sometimes it's not a dive that you need, beautiful and swan like, but a trot and a jump will do the trick.
Friday, November 18, 2011
Five Minute Friday - Grow
Today is Friday, which means I'm linking up to Gypsy Mama for Five Minute Friday.
The rules? Write for 5 minutes without stopping to correct or edit.
Today's topic? GROW!
Ready? Set? GROW!
It starts with a cry and waving fist, uncontrolled and unsure. Angry or hungry or tired or wet and the fist opens and grabs a finger, unknowingly clamping around something that's just its size.
Then there are the damp finger prints left on pants right around your knees where they run to hug your legs.
But in not too long, there is the pat on your belly and the hug right around your waist with hands clasped behind your back determined not to let go.
Then you bend so that they can hug your neck and you can bury your face in their hair that smells of outside and sweat and play.
But before you know it, there you are...looking eye to eye and putting your arm around their shoulders without having to stoop.
And you wonder...how did this happen? Where did the time go? How long ago was it really that you cradled your bulging belly in your arms awaiting their arrival?
But you look into their eyes and see wisdom and strength and you know that even as you miss their little hands and sticky fingers, you have done your job and they have done theirs...
Because in the end, they all must
grow.
STOP!
Come join us!
The rules? Write for 5 minutes without stopping to correct or edit.
Today's topic? GROW!
Ready? Set? GROW!
It starts with a cry and waving fist, uncontrolled and unsure. Angry or hungry or tired or wet and the fist opens and grabs a finger, unknowingly clamping around something that's just its size.
Then there are the damp finger prints left on pants right around your knees where they run to hug your legs.
But in not too long, there is the pat on your belly and the hug right around your waist with hands clasped behind your back determined not to let go.
Then you bend so that they can hug your neck and you can bury your face in their hair that smells of outside and sweat and play.
But before you know it, there you are...looking eye to eye and putting your arm around their shoulders without having to stoop.
And you wonder...how did this happen? Where did the time go? How long ago was it really that you cradled your bulging belly in your arms awaiting their arrival?
But you look into their eyes and see wisdom and strength and you know that even as you miss their little hands and sticky fingers, you have done your job and they have done theirs...
Because in the end, they all must
grow.
STOP!
Come join us!
Friday, November 11, 2011
Five Minute Friday - Unexpected
Today is Friday and *gasp* I am here to participate in Gypsy Mama's Five Minute Friday!
The rules? Write for 5 minutes without stopping to edit or correct.
Today's topic? Unexpected
Ready? Set? GO!
It really wasn't unexpected. I mean, I KNEW it would happen even though I don't think that Jimmy really believed me. I TOLD him it would happen, but I don't think that he thought that I really knew.
But it did...
and here I am, 6.5 months later with a baby due in February. A baby boy, none-the-less.
(I TOLD him...not the boy part but the baby part...he didn't believe me. Maybe he will now...)
Anyway, like I said, THAT part, at least for me, was not unexpected.
What WAS unexpected was the rolling snowball of events that began happening and decisions that were made AFTER it happened. As in, after Jimmy actually believe that I knew what I was talking about and realized that yes, honey, we ARE going to have another child. Yes, honey this WILL be # 4, and yes, honey, I TOLD you...
The first decision that was made was that I would stop working at my present company after the baby is born. That is a first for me because I have worked basically full time since I was 14 and a lot of babysitting and housecleaning before that and not stopped...ever...for anything...ever...never. It will be hard and interesting to see how I 'handle' it.
Then the next decision was that I would bump up my Pampered Chef business because I really like it, and we will need SOME kind of extra income. So that means that I am pretty busy most evenings and weekends, and days and nights and afternoons and well, you get the point...because I am still working full time with the other 3 kids to chase after all the while trying to build a business up from the ground...or perhaps you could even call it a hole since I had a pretty good start last year but totally let everyone slide away after my brother-in-law passed away and Jimmy and I had to tend to that and be sure that his mother could go to El Salvador to be with her family there.
THEN...we decided that since we are not happy with the public school where Jo will be going next year for kindergarten, we will keep her home and home school her there since I will be home anyway...which is an idea Jimmy and I had been toying with anyway.
THEN...Elizabeth was having some issues in school (granted, this was while everyone was super stressed becauase my mother-in-law was in the hospital so Liz had to come home every day right after school to watch the kids while my father-in-law went to the hospital and then she get dinner ready and then she had homework and soccer and choir and everything else that a teenager can get involved with.) So, we started discussing home schooling with her and she seemed to take to it a little and so Jimmy and Liz and I started investigating and praying about it and now we are pretty sure that it is the route we are going take.
THEN...my mother-and-father-in-law realized that if I am at home that they would not be 'needed' (are you kidding me!?!??!) so they have decided that they may leave to go back to El Salvador...NOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!! So, she and I, well and Jimmy, too, are trying to figure out how they can stay with us at least for a while longer while making enough money since we won't be able to pay them for childcare anymore since I won't be 'working'.
So, the snowball gets bigger and bigger...
all be cause of the 'unexpected' tiny little unborn baby.
Ummm...so I think that was more than 5 minutes. I mean I was typing fast, but...
anyway, that's what I have to say about THAT little word!
Come join us! Link on up right here!
The rules? Write for 5 minutes without stopping to edit or correct.
Today's topic? Unexpected
Ready? Set? GO!
It really wasn't unexpected. I mean, I KNEW it would happen even though I don't think that Jimmy really believed me. I TOLD him it would happen, but I don't think that he thought that I really knew.
But it did...
and here I am, 6.5 months later with a baby due in February. A baby boy, none-the-less.
(I TOLD him...not the boy part but the baby part...he didn't believe me. Maybe he will now...)
Anyway, like I said, THAT part, at least for me, was not unexpected.
What WAS unexpected was the rolling snowball of events that began happening and decisions that were made AFTER it happened. As in, after Jimmy actually believe that I knew what I was talking about and realized that yes, honey, we ARE going to have another child. Yes, honey this WILL be # 4, and yes, honey, I TOLD you...
The first decision that was made was that I would stop working at my present company after the baby is born. That is a first for me because I have worked basically full time since I was 14 and a lot of babysitting and housecleaning before that and not stopped...ever...for anything...ever...never. It will be hard and interesting to see how I 'handle' it.
Then the next decision was that I would bump up my Pampered Chef business because I really like it, and we will need SOME kind of extra income. So that means that I am pretty busy most evenings and weekends, and days and nights and afternoons and well, you get the point...because I am still working full time with the other 3 kids to chase after all the while trying to build a business up from the ground...or perhaps you could even call it a hole since I had a pretty good start last year but totally let everyone slide away after my brother-in-law passed away and Jimmy and I had to tend to that and be sure that his mother could go to El Salvador to be with her family there.
THEN...we decided that since we are not happy with the public school where Jo will be going next year for kindergarten, we will keep her home and home school her there since I will be home anyway...which is an idea Jimmy and I had been toying with anyway.
THEN...Elizabeth was having some issues in school (granted, this was while everyone was super stressed becauase my mother-in-law was in the hospital so Liz had to come home every day right after school to watch the kids while my father-in-law went to the hospital and then she get dinner ready and then she had homework and soccer and choir and everything else that a teenager can get involved with.) So, we started discussing home schooling with her and she seemed to take to it a little and so Jimmy and Liz and I started investigating and praying about it and now we are pretty sure that it is the route we are going take.
THEN...my mother-and-father-in-law realized that if I am at home that they would not be 'needed' (are you kidding me!?!??!) so they have decided that they may leave to go back to El Salvador...NOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!! So, she and I, well and Jimmy, too, are trying to figure out how they can stay with us at least for a while longer while making enough money since we won't be able to pay them for childcare anymore since I won't be 'working'.
So, the snowball gets bigger and bigger...
all be cause of the 'unexpected' tiny little unborn baby.
Ummm...so I think that was more than 5 minutes. I mean I was typing fast, but...
anyway, that's what I have to say about THAT little word!
Come join us! Link on up right here!
Sunday, November 6, 2011
Five Minute Friday - Remember
Today is Sunday, so I figured it would be a great time to link up to Gypsy Mama's Five Minute Friday.
The rules? Write for five minutes without stopping to correct or edit.
The topic? Remember
Ready? Set? GO!
I remember back when I was little and I had blind faith. I just thought that it would all work out and that I would be safe, and sound and protected.
I remember when I used to walk in front of the strip mall with my dad and he would put his hand on top of my head and I would close my eyes and he, with his hand on my head, would lead me around the poles and trash cans and people.
Until one time he forgot that I had my eyes closed.
And I ran into a pole.
And it hurt. It hurt my head, and my pride.
Things are different, now though. I still wish for that hand on my head, and I still wish for that gentle but firm guiding from my dad, but it's not like that anymore. I know that no one can do that for me. No one can be constantly vigilant and watch my every step.
And so, for the longest time, I tried to put my own hand on my head and close my eyes and lead myself.
But you can guess the outcome of that!
So I have now turned to look at another Father.
I know that my father still loves and cares for me, but he is not here, right here, right now.
And my blindness leading my own self just wasn't working.
And besides, when I hit that pole, and it hurt, and I fell, this hand on my head couldn't hold me up, because I was the one who holding the hand up on the top of my head.
But now, I have a Father who puts His hand under and around me and not only guides me, but holds me up and watches not only where my head goes, but where my feet go, also.
STOP! Wow that was a fast 5 minutes!
The rules? Write for five minutes without stopping to correct or edit.
The topic? Remember
Ready? Set? GO!
I remember back when I was little and I had blind faith. I just thought that it would all work out and that I would be safe, and sound and protected.
I remember when I used to walk in front of the strip mall with my dad and he would put his hand on top of my head and I would close my eyes and he, with his hand on my head, would lead me around the poles and trash cans and people.
Until one time he forgot that I had my eyes closed.
And I ran into a pole.
And it hurt. It hurt my head, and my pride.
Things are different, now though. I still wish for that hand on my head, and I still wish for that gentle but firm guiding from my dad, but it's not like that anymore. I know that no one can do that for me. No one can be constantly vigilant and watch my every step.
And so, for the longest time, I tried to put my own hand on my head and close my eyes and lead myself.
But you can guess the outcome of that!
So I have now turned to look at another Father.
I know that my father still loves and cares for me, but he is not here, right here, right now.
And my blindness leading my own self just wasn't working.
And besides, when I hit that pole, and it hurt, and I fell, this hand on my head couldn't hold me up, because I was the one who holding the hand up on the top of my head.
But now, I have a Father who puts His hand under and around me and not only guides me, but holds me up and watches not only where my head goes, but where my feet go, also.
STOP! Wow that was a fast 5 minutes!
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
Five Minute Friday - Relevant
So, it's not Friday anymore, but oh, well. Here's my Five Minute Friday, linked to Gypsy Mama
The topic?
Relevant...
Ready? GO!
Hmmm....Relevant.
It is relevant that I have complete writer's block recently and can think of nothing to say on here that anyone would want to read?
Is it relevant that it is Tuesday and I am just now writing Five Minute Friday?
Or is it just enough to be on here and to let my mind and my fingers loosen up to get the juices flowing?
Things are happening, time is flying...
My mother in law is home from the hospital and my Pampered Chef business is doing well. I am very happy with both things, but are they really relevant?
Elizabeth is going back and forth between wanting to home school and wanting to go to eh public high school. But is THAT relevant?
Does it really matter what she thinks or wants if Jimmy and I truly feel that God is pulling us in the direction of finishing off her years of education before college here at home?
Is it relevant that my parents will not like the idea?
Or is it only relevant that we point ourselves upward and outward, in that order, so that we can help our children fulfill their God-given life's work?
Of course, the answer would be that only what is good, right and holy is what is relevant, but that is so hard to see and accept when there is so much opposition.
But then maybe the opposition is more in my head.
Urgh. I told you. Nothing much coming from these tired fingers and this worn mind today. Maybe tomorrow.
I hope you'll find me more relevant then.
But I did see a home video today of a little girl playing with her daddy who had folded his tall frame to the floor to take her in completely and wholly.
THAT was relevant to me
Because it made me smile.
Cheers!
The topic?
Relevant...
Ready? GO!
Hmmm....Relevant.
It is relevant that I have complete writer's block recently and can think of nothing to say on here that anyone would want to read?
Is it relevant that it is Tuesday and I am just now writing Five Minute Friday?
Or is it just enough to be on here and to let my mind and my fingers loosen up to get the juices flowing?
Things are happening, time is flying...
My mother in law is home from the hospital and my Pampered Chef business is doing well. I am very happy with both things, but are they really relevant?
Elizabeth is going back and forth between wanting to home school and wanting to go to eh public high school. But is THAT relevant?
Does it really matter what she thinks or wants if Jimmy and I truly feel that God is pulling us in the direction of finishing off her years of education before college here at home?
Is it relevant that my parents will not like the idea?
Or is it only relevant that we point ourselves upward and outward, in that order, so that we can help our children fulfill their God-given life's work?
Of course, the answer would be that only what is good, right and holy is what is relevant, but that is so hard to see and accept when there is so much opposition.
But then maybe the opposition is more in my head.
Urgh. I told you. Nothing much coming from these tired fingers and this worn mind today. Maybe tomorrow.
I hope you'll find me more relevant then.
But I did see a home video today of a little girl playing with her daddy who had folded his tall frame to the floor to take her in completely and wholly.
THAT was relevant to me
Because it made me smile.
Cheers!
Monday, October 17, 2011
Five Minute Friday - Catch
Well, so I know it's not Friday, but I really wanted to blog and I have well...about 5 minutes in which to do it, so here I go!
The rules? Write for 5 minutes without stopping to edit or correct.
The topic? Catch
Catch. Catch my breath. Catch a nap. Catch some time. Catch a kiss from my man.
What can I catch? A slippery right from the tub little boy who loves to run naked.
What else can I catch? Ahhh...But I will tell you something that I can't catch. The doctors at the hospital where my mother in law is staying again. Those are the things that I can't catch. Any of them. Ever. I am ever in the dark. She does not speak English, and they, although they are supposed to, do not take the time to find an interpreter.
So, that is something that I would like to catch but can't.
But what I love to catch is the sight of the two little ones playing together on the floor. The way that Jo shows Gabriel how to blow bubbles in the bathtub.
I love to catch the sight of Gabriel's face when he first sees Elizabeth walk up the drive from the bus stop.
Pure joy. Pure delight in his oldest sister coming unsuspecting up the walk and his little self hurling willy nilly into her knees.
Because he knows that she will
catch
him.
And why? Why does she catch him? Every time, without fail? Because she loves him and in her own way waits for him just as much as he waits for her.
So I lean back and catch my breath and catch the peace and calm at the end of the day and I know that tomorrow will be another day to try and catch all the things that I might have missed today,
but for now, I will hold in my heart all that I
caught
today.
The rules? Write for 5 minutes without stopping to edit or correct.
The topic? Catch
Catch. Catch my breath. Catch a nap. Catch some time. Catch a kiss from my man.
What can I catch? A slippery right from the tub little boy who loves to run naked.
What else can I catch? Ahhh...But I will tell you something that I can't catch. The doctors at the hospital where my mother in law is staying again. Those are the things that I can't catch. Any of them. Ever. I am ever in the dark. She does not speak English, and they, although they are supposed to, do not take the time to find an interpreter.
So, that is something that I would like to catch but can't.
But what I love to catch is the sight of the two little ones playing together on the floor. The way that Jo shows Gabriel how to blow bubbles in the bathtub.
I love to catch the sight of Gabriel's face when he first sees Elizabeth walk up the drive from the bus stop.
Pure joy. Pure delight in his oldest sister coming unsuspecting up the walk and his little self hurling willy nilly into her knees.
Because he knows that she will
catch
him.
And why? Why does she catch him? Every time, without fail? Because she loves him and in her own way waits for him just as much as he waits for her.
So I lean back and catch my breath and catch the peace and calm at the end of the day and I know that tomorrow will be another day to try and catch all the things that I might have missed today,
but for now, I will hold in my heart all that I
caught
today.
Friday, September 16, 2011
Five Minute Friday - Joy
Seeing as it's Friday and I have about 5 minutes to dedicate to my blog today, I do believe that I will participate in Gypsy Mama's 5 Minute Friday!
The rules? Write for 5 minutes without stopping to correct or edit.
Today's topic?
JOY!
Ready? GO!
Yesterday was a hard day. I am not sure why, but it ended the evening with a broken down spirit and tears threatening to spill over, frustrations, anger, and disappointment.
And that was just me.
A lot of that can be attributed to the fact that I am pregnant, hormonal and we are about to make a HUGE family change.
But today was different.
Why?
Jimmy and I had a heart to heart, we both admitted our misgivings and fears about what we are about to do, and we had a good time of connection.
And he mowed the lawn.
I didn't realize how much that meant to me until it was done. The back is still left undone, but we seem to spend most of our time in the front and while he was finishing up and I took the little guys out to play for a little while and to watch him (and find a dead bird that the cat had caught and gifted to us and that then someone had then accidentally squished so all its insides were spilling out...so then we had to pull out the science book and look at what the different parts of the bird that we were seeing were) I felt pure
Joy.
The kids were happy to be in the lawn that was not up around their knees (OK. I'll be honest. Up around their belly buttons...the lawn mower has been broken for a long time!) and I was happy to see them play together and laugh and squeal with
Joy.
Pure, giggling rollicking, roll on the ground
Joy.
And so I was infected with that joy not only because the lawn was finally getting mowed, but also because my husband knows me well enough to know that it would make a difference so he lugged a mower over here and after a long day at work worked even harder to get it done for me because he cares.
And I know that it will work out. I know that I am on the winning team of God, Jimmy and me and nothing, not even tall tall grass will hold us back.
And that brings me
Joy.
The rules? Write for 5 minutes without stopping to correct or edit.
Today's topic?
JOY!
Ready? GO!
Yesterday was a hard day. I am not sure why, but it ended the evening with a broken down spirit and tears threatening to spill over, frustrations, anger, and disappointment.
And that was just me.
A lot of that can be attributed to the fact that I am pregnant, hormonal and we are about to make a HUGE family change.
But today was different.
Why?
Jimmy and I had a heart to heart, we both admitted our misgivings and fears about what we are about to do, and we had a good time of connection.
And he mowed the lawn.
I didn't realize how much that meant to me until it was done. The back is still left undone, but we seem to spend most of our time in the front and while he was finishing up and I took the little guys out to play for a little while and to watch him (and find a dead bird that the cat had caught and gifted to us and that then someone had then accidentally squished so all its insides were spilling out...so then we had to pull out the science book and look at what the different parts of the bird that we were seeing were) I felt pure
Joy.
The kids were happy to be in the lawn that was not up around their knees (OK. I'll be honest. Up around their belly buttons...the lawn mower has been broken for a long time!) and I was happy to see them play together and laugh and squeal with
Joy.
Pure, giggling rollicking, roll on the ground
Joy.
And so I was infected with that joy not only because the lawn was finally getting mowed, but also because my husband knows me well enough to know that it would make a difference so he lugged a mower over here and after a long day at work worked even harder to get it done for me because he cares.
And I know that it will work out. I know that I am on the winning team of God, Jimmy and me and nothing, not even tall tall grass will hold us back.
And that brings me
Joy.
Sunday, July 24, 2011
Five Minute Friday - Full
Seeing that's it's Sunday evening, I figure that I will hook on up to
This is where you write for 5 minutes without stopping to correct of edit.
The topic of the day? FULL!
Ready...Set....GO!
The first thing that I thought of when I saw the topic was just plain full.
Like my stomache with its gradually increasing roundness as it expands to fill with new life.
But then, I moved on past the physical stuff to the deeper stuff.
Like the full that my life is now and the fuller that it is going to be with the new baby that is coming
And then the fullness of my heart with the 3 kids that we already have and how do you make room in there for one more? But I know I will and I know that it will be easy to shift and rearrange and fit everyone comforatbly in my heart and then it will be full to bursting with the love of family
and our house will also be full to bursting. Well, it already is, but it will be even more so and where do we put one more little life with its little diapers and its little clothes and its little toys? But we do and we shift and we move and we share because that is what life is all about.
Living fully, loving fully
and therefore
being full of love
and life!
DING! Well, that was a fast 5 mins! Let's see what came out this time. It was somewhat interrupted by little kids in jammies, so I'm not sure I really made sense, but then, do I ever REALLY make sense and besides, that's the point of the whole game, right?
The topic of the day? FULL!
Ready...Set....GO!
The first thing that I thought of when I saw the topic was just plain full.
Like my stomache with its gradually increasing roundness as it expands to fill with new life.
But then, I moved on past the physical stuff to the deeper stuff.
Like the full that my life is now and the fuller that it is going to be with the new baby that is coming
And then the fullness of my heart with the 3 kids that we already have and how do you make room in there for one more? But I know I will and I know that it will be easy to shift and rearrange and fit everyone comforatbly in my heart and then it will be full to bursting with the love of family
and our house will also be full to bursting. Well, it already is, but it will be even more so and where do we put one more little life with its little diapers and its little clothes and its little toys? But we do and we shift and we move and we share because that is what life is all about.
Living fully, loving fully
and therefore
being full of love
and life!
DING! Well, that was a fast 5 mins! Let's see what came out this time. It was somewhat interrupted by little kids in jammies, so I'm not sure I really made sense, but then, do I ever REALLY make sense and besides, that's the point of the whole game, right?
Friday, July 1, 2011
Five Minute Friday - Welcome
We have once again made it to Friday, which means that it's FIVE MINUTE FRIDAY!!!!
The rules? Write for 5 minutes without stopping to edit or fix anything.
The topic? Welcome!
Ready? Set? GO!
They are there...
Lurking...
Behind the door...
On the sofa...
In the driveway....
Or in the yard.
They come running when they see you...
A full tilt run...
Their little legs pumping...
Their little faces smiling.
They are little and warm...
And slightly sticky.
They're sweaty and they smell of grapes and peanut butter and apples
And dirt.
They leave little handprints...
On your work pants
When they ram into your legs
And hug them silly.
Sticky little spots to remind you of their love
Long after they are in bed.
They are cherubic
And mischievious
And lovely
And who could ask
At the end of the day
For a better
Welcome!
Ding! Let's see what we have now!
Come join me! It's fun, and it only takes 5 minutes!
The rules? Write for 5 minutes without stopping to edit or fix anything.
The topic? Welcome!
Ready? Set? GO!
They are there...
Lurking...
Behind the door...
On the sofa...
In the driveway....
Or in the yard.
They come running when they see you...
A full tilt run...
Their little legs pumping...
Their little faces smiling.
They are little and warm...
And slightly sticky.
They're sweaty and they smell of grapes and peanut butter and apples
And dirt.
They leave little handprints...
On your work pants
When they ram into your legs
And hug them silly.
Sticky little spots to remind you of their love
Long after they are in bed.
They are cherubic
And mischievious
And lovely
And who could ask
At the end of the day
For a better
Welcome!
Ding! Let's see what we have now!
Come join me! It's fun, and it only takes 5 minutes!
Friday, June 24, 2011
Five Minute Friday - Wonder
So, we made it to another Friday! Yay!
That means it's Five Minute Friday over at Gypsy Mama!
The rules? Write for 5 minutes without stopping to edit or revise.
The topic? Wonder!
Ready?
Set?
GO!
Ok, so when I first saw the topic, this started running through my head.
But then I got seriuos and really got to wondering.
I was thinking about this earlier this week, actually.
I was wondering what would have happened in and with my life if I had made different choices.
For example, what would have happened had I just kept it Elizabeth and me after my first failed marriage? I mean, she's 13 now, and I would have my 'freedom' if you will. We could travel, which I love to do, and we would have more $ because I wouldn't have to be paying for preschool and childcare for the others. It would be great!
BUT....
Then I got to thinking about how much I would miss being here, right where I am.
And I realized that no matter how fun, easy, or free that life might be had I made that choice, I am much happier right here, where I am.
Of course, you could say that you can't miss something that you never had; that I couldn't miss the little dudes if they were never there, but I'm not so sure that's true. I mean, I wouldn't be able to miss them, exactly,
but....
what about the laughs and the fun and the family and the working together and the give and take it takes to make a large blended family work?
And what about all the wonder
the wonder that is on the little dudes faces as they watch their big sister do big sister things.
the adoration one their little faces when she comes home from school to scoop them up and love on them.
That would all not be here...
so, I don't really wonder what it would be like.
I'm just glad it's the way it is!
DING!
Ok....that felt random...let's see what happened here...I wonder....
Come join us!
That means it's Five Minute Friday over at Gypsy Mama!
The rules? Write for 5 minutes without stopping to edit or revise.
The topic? Wonder!
Ready?
Set?
GO!
Ok, so when I first saw the topic, this started running through my head.
But then I got seriuos and really got to wondering.
I was thinking about this earlier this week, actually.
I was wondering what would have happened in and with my life if I had made different choices.
For example, what would have happened had I just kept it Elizabeth and me after my first failed marriage? I mean, she's 13 now, and I would have my 'freedom' if you will. We could travel, which I love to do, and we would have more $ because I wouldn't have to be paying for preschool and childcare for the others. It would be great!
BUT....
Then I got to thinking about how much I would miss being here, right where I am.
And I realized that no matter how fun, easy, or free that life might be had I made that choice, I am much happier right here, where I am.
Of course, you could say that you can't miss something that you never had; that I couldn't miss the little dudes if they were never there, but I'm not so sure that's true. I mean, I wouldn't be able to miss them, exactly,
but....
what about the laughs and the fun and the family and the working together and the give and take it takes to make a large blended family work?
And what about all the wonder
the wonder that is on the little dudes faces as they watch their big sister do big sister things.
the adoration one their little faces when she comes home from school to scoop them up and love on them.
That would all not be here...
so, I don't really wonder what it would be like.
I'm just glad it's the way it is!
DING!
Ok....that felt random...let's see what happened here...I wonder....
Come join us!
Friday, June 17, 2011
Five Minute Friday - Home
So, TODAY is Friday, not yesterday, even though I kept thinking that yesterday was and was very disappointed to not find FMF on Gypsy Mama yesterday.
But, I came back again and am going to link up with her.
So, here we go!
Five Minute Friday!
The rules? Write for 5 mins without stopping to edit or correct.
The topic? Home!
Ready?
GO!
Home is a very interesting concept to me. I mean, what does home really mean? I remember being a teenager in my own house wishing that I could go home. Where was that illusive home that I wanted to escape to? I had no idea (and still don't) but I knew that it wasn't where I was at the time!
Our home, the house where we live, is very different from any body else's in my family, so they have a hard time seeing our house...our living arrangements as home.
But I do.
Within these four walls lives 7 people plus a room mate, who is here 3 nights out of the week. No one sleeps alone. Everyone ('cept the roomer) shares a bed or at least a room with someone else. That is a foreign thought to the rest of my family. My mom and dad knock around alone in a huge house, my brother lives alone in his house, and my sister and her husband live apart in their house. We are the only ones that live this close.
Close enough to touch.
Close enough to hug.
Close enough to love.
Living this close together means that you really get to know everyone else. There is no hiding, and no running away. We are always together and always feeling-hearing-seeing what the other is going through.
My goal is that our children never have that sense of wanting to go 'home' when they are inside these four walls.
My hope is that if you ever get to come and visit our home, you will feel right at home, right away.
My desire is that you would feel the love that we share in our home for one another seep out and cover you, too.
STOP!
Wow! I think I was burning up the keyboard there! Wonder what came out today...
But, I came back again and am going to link up with her.
So, here we go!
Five Minute Friday!
The rules? Write for 5 mins without stopping to edit or correct.
The topic? Home!
Ready?
GO!
Home is a very interesting concept to me. I mean, what does home really mean? I remember being a teenager in my own house wishing that I could go home. Where was that illusive home that I wanted to escape to? I had no idea (and still don't) but I knew that it wasn't where I was at the time!
Our home, the house where we live, is very different from any body else's in my family, so they have a hard time seeing our house...our living arrangements as home.
But I do.
Within these four walls lives 7 people plus a room mate, who is here 3 nights out of the week. No one sleeps alone. Everyone ('cept the roomer) shares a bed or at least a room with someone else. That is a foreign thought to the rest of my family. My mom and dad knock around alone in a huge house, my brother lives alone in his house, and my sister and her husband live apart in their house. We are the only ones that live this close.
Close enough to touch.
Close enough to hug.
Close enough to love.
Living this close together means that you really get to know everyone else. There is no hiding, and no running away. We are always together and always feeling-hearing-seeing what the other is going through.
My goal is that our children never have that sense of wanting to go 'home' when they are inside these four walls.
My hope is that if you ever get to come and visit our home, you will feel right at home, right away.
My desire is that you would feel the love that we share in our home for one another seep out and cover you, too.
STOP!
Wow! I think I was burning up the keyboard there! Wonder what came out today...
Friday, June 10, 2011
Five Minute Friday - Backwards
Today, as we cheer another week survived, I am happy to join in on
Five Minute Friday.
The Rules? Write for 5 minutes without stopping to correct or edit.
The topic? BACKWARDS!
There is a lot on my mind when I think of the word backwards as I sit here today.
First of all, this evening, after Gabriel fell and cracked his head on the piano and blood is dripping down his face and onto my shirt and when that finally subsided enough to even get a LOOK at the damage, and when I saw the huge gash on his forehead that looked fleshy and meaty and wide open and bloody, and he wasn't wearing any clothes, just undies and we shoved him in the car anyway to take him to the ER and the car in front of me seemed to be going
backwards.
And as I think back over this week that has been so hot and the kids and my in-laws have been here in our house that doesn't have AC and I feel like we are going
backwards.
And the time ticks and the clock moves ahead and I already miss my little babies everyday when I drive off to work and I want the clock to go
backwards.
or at least stand still for a minute.
And when I see my little guy with his 5 stictches in his head and it is bloody and he doesn't even really seem to care but I do because he will have a scar and he is so little and he cried because the area wasn't totally numb where the last stitch went in and I want to make it not have happened by going
backwards
and preventing it.
But when I think of my children growing in the Godly man and women that they are meant to be and I see Elizabeth who earned her $500 all by herself and she's so proud because she is paying for her whole mission trip herself and I am so proud and little Jo is getting better and braver each day and I know that we have no choice but to hold on tightly to God's hand and ever so slightly just little by little let go of our children's hands and go
forward.
Because we as parents have been entrusted with the with the gift and responsibility of not only raising our children in how they should go, but also letting them go and fly the way that God wants them to go.
BEEP!
Wow! That's it! Time flies...let's see what fell out of my super tired happy to be home from the ER self!
Five Minute Friday.
The Rules? Write for 5 minutes without stopping to correct or edit.
The topic? BACKWARDS!
There is a lot on my mind when I think of the word backwards as I sit here today.
First of all, this evening, after Gabriel fell and cracked his head on the piano and blood is dripping down his face and onto my shirt and when that finally subsided enough to even get a LOOK at the damage, and when I saw the huge gash on his forehead that looked fleshy and meaty and wide open and bloody, and he wasn't wearing any clothes, just undies and we shoved him in the car anyway to take him to the ER and the car in front of me seemed to be going
backwards.
And as I think back over this week that has been so hot and the kids and my in-laws have been here in our house that doesn't have AC and I feel like we are going
backwards.
And the time ticks and the clock moves ahead and I already miss my little babies everyday when I drive off to work and I want the clock to go
backwards.
or at least stand still for a minute.
And when I see my little guy with his 5 stictches in his head and it is bloody and he doesn't even really seem to care but I do because he will have a scar and he is so little and he cried because the area wasn't totally numb where the last stitch went in and I want to make it not have happened by going
backwards
and preventing it.
But when I think of my children growing in the Godly man and women that they are meant to be and I see Elizabeth who earned her $500 all by herself and she's so proud because she is paying for her whole mission trip herself and I am so proud and little Jo is getting better and braver each day and I know that we have no choice but to hold on tightly to God's hand and ever so slightly just little by little let go of our children's hands and go
forward.
Because we as parents have been entrusted with the with the gift and responsibility of not only raising our children in how they should go, but also letting them go and fly the way that God wants them to go.
BEEP!
Wow! That's it! Time flies...let's see what fell out of my super tired happy to be home from the ER self!
Friday, June 3, 2011
Five Minute Friday - Everyday
Yay! It's Five Minute Friday again! AND I'M HERE ON FRIDAY!!!! Double yay!
The rules? Write for 5 minutes without stopping to edit or correct.
The topic? The EveryDay
Ready????
GO!
The EveryDay
The everyday is a splash of milk in the bowl of cereal, plopped down in front of the hungry child. It's the packing of lunches the kissing of cheeks, the closing of doors on tiny faces already awaiting your return.
The everyday is a drive through traffic and a sit at a desk...a labor of love for the ones I love to give them the milk in their cereal and the peanut butter for their jelly.
The everyday is a drive back home through traffic, a negotiation through dinner and a trip up and down and up the road again to go from here to there and back again taking the cleats and their feet to soccer and buying more milk and peanut butter to go in the bowls and with the jelly.
The everyday is a pile of dishes in the sink and a pile of laundry in the basket...ok, on the floor.
But the everyday is what I live for and what I love. The sticky jelly faces, the spilt milk, the cleats tracking mud, the stinky socks...it's what it's all about.
I would not change even one little thing about my
EVERYDAY!
The rules? Write for 5 minutes without stopping to edit or correct.
The topic? The EveryDay
Ready????
GO!
The EveryDay
The everyday is a splash of milk in the bowl of cereal, plopped down in front of the hungry child. It's the packing of lunches the kissing of cheeks, the closing of doors on tiny faces already awaiting your return.
The everyday is a drive through traffic and a sit at a desk...a labor of love for the ones I love to give them the milk in their cereal and the peanut butter for their jelly.
The everyday is a drive back home through traffic, a negotiation through dinner and a trip up and down and up the road again to go from here to there and back again taking the cleats and their feet to soccer and buying more milk and peanut butter to go in the bowls and with the jelly.
The everyday is a pile of dishes in the sink and a pile of laundry in the basket...ok, on the floor.
But the everyday is what I live for and what I love. The sticky jelly faces, the spilt milk, the cleats tracking mud, the stinky socks...it's what it's all about.
I would not change even one little thing about my
EVERYDAY!
Monday, May 9, 2011
Five Minute Friday
So, I know that this is not Friday, nor really even close to it, but I wanted to participate, and since I have not had time to do anything til now, I'm just going to toss my five minutes in now...especially since that is about all I have to spare right now!
I am going to link up to Gypsy Mama's Five Minute Friday.
The rules? Write for 5 minutes without stopping or editing.
The topic? Motherhood Should Come With...
Ready?
GO!
Hmmm...what motherhood should come with. I have not read any of the other blogs on this yet, I try not to so that they don't change what I may have been thinking on my own, but I can imagine that perhaps people would say that they think that motherhood should come with a manual. You know, a rule book of sorts that would tell you what to do and what not to do with your kids so that they all turn out alright.
I don't know, maybe nobody else said that, but I know that I have heard it before.
I have 2 thoughts on that.
One is that we DO have a manual. It is the Bible; God's Word. All the little things that we should be teaching our children are right between the pages.
The second is that if someone somewhere wrote a guide book for us to raise our children, how boring would THAT be!?!?! All of us have our own ways to teach our own children. And, if we treat our children with the same love that our havenly Father treats us, they will turn out OK, but each in his or her own way. Not some textbook child.
Who really wants to be told by someone else how to raise their child? I mean, really. You have your own ideas about education and discipline and everything else, and even though they may be different than mine, they are prolly just as good, if not better!
But the things that motherhood DOES come with...now that is a list that would go on for days.
Just think of all the unlimited hugs and smiles and sticky hands to hold.
Think of all the unconditional love (til they are teenagers and realize that you really don't know everything)!
But one of the most interesting things that I have seen as I watched little kids with their parents at the amusement park this weekend is that they see you for just exactly the best of who you are. They don't care how you look..if you are blind or can't hear or are in a wheelchair. They couldn't care less if you are overweight or bald or have 'weird' skin or one arm. The things that we as adults may shy away from out of knowing too much and 'knowing' what's 'right' and what's 'not right', little kids don't see. They each see the one they love for exactly who they are - the one who loves them.
And in the end, that's all that really matters, and motherhood comes with that...for free!
Wow! Times up! Let's see what we got this time!
I am going to link up to Gypsy Mama's Five Minute Friday.
The rules? Write for 5 minutes without stopping or editing.
The topic? Motherhood Should Come With...
Ready?
GO!
Hmmm...what motherhood should come with. I have not read any of the other blogs on this yet, I try not to so that they don't change what I may have been thinking on my own, but I can imagine that perhaps people would say that they think that motherhood should come with a manual. You know, a rule book of sorts that would tell you what to do and what not to do with your kids so that they all turn out alright.
I don't know, maybe nobody else said that, but I know that I have heard it before.
I have 2 thoughts on that.
One is that we DO have a manual. It is the Bible; God's Word. All the little things that we should be teaching our children are right between the pages.
The second is that if someone somewhere wrote a guide book for us to raise our children, how boring would THAT be!?!?! All of us have our own ways to teach our own children. And, if we treat our children with the same love that our havenly Father treats us, they will turn out OK, but each in his or her own way. Not some textbook child.
Who really wants to be told by someone else how to raise their child? I mean, really. You have your own ideas about education and discipline and everything else, and even though they may be different than mine, they are prolly just as good, if not better!
But the things that motherhood DOES come with...now that is a list that would go on for days.
Just think of all the unlimited hugs and smiles and sticky hands to hold.
Think of all the unconditional love (til they are teenagers and realize that you really don't know everything)!
But one of the most interesting things that I have seen as I watched little kids with their parents at the amusement park this weekend is that they see you for just exactly the best of who you are. They don't care how you look..if you are blind or can't hear or are in a wheelchair. They couldn't care less if you are overweight or bald or have 'weird' skin or one arm. The things that we as adults may shy away from out of knowing too much and 'knowing' what's 'right' and what's 'not right', little kids don't see. They each see the one they love for exactly who they are - the one who loves them.
And in the end, that's all that really matters, and motherhood comes with that...for free!
Wow! Times up! Let's see what we got this time!
Friday, April 29, 2011
Five Minute Friday
Yay! It's Five Minute Friday again, and I'm participating!
The rules? Write for 5 minutes without stopping to edit or correct.
Today's topic? If I knew I could, I would...
Ready?
GO!
If I knew I could, I would take back this evening and replay it. It was not one of our better ones. I hate it when you go out to eat somewhere and anticipate a great time and then something goes wrong that makes it NOT a great time and then you are stuck there and you have spent the money to do it. Then the money is gone out of the budget and you know that you have to wait a month before you have the opportunity to go out again.
That happened tonight.
We went out and Gabriel threw up EVERYWHERE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And the service was so slow and they mixed up Elizabeth's order....
And this was Elizabeth's birthday outing. We may just have to reallocate something in the budget to go out again sooner than a month from now. (Sometimes I am so TIRED of living on such a tight budget...but I know it will pay off in the end!)
But other than that, I think that if I knew I could I would stay home with my kids. If I didn't have to work all day every day, I would stay home with them.
Also, if I knew I could, I would go into DC and try to do something to fix the immigration issues so that all of my family could get all of their documents fixed and there would be no more worries about that and everyone could be where they most need to be when they most need to be there.
I also would like to reach out to my friends and travel the world with my family to visit them all in their places. They have come to see me, and now I want to have a turn to see them there!
And lastly, if I could, I would fix the relationship that is so wrong inside my family...my mom , dad and sister. I would reach right into all of our hearts and find the button of forgiveness and acceptance and push it so hard and so fast that everyone's hair would turn!
But I would not change who I am, nor where I am nor how I got here. I am in the place that I need to be in the time that I need to be here because this is where God chose to place me and He is blessing me fully while I am here!
STOP!
Wow! That was a fast 5 mins...let's see what fell out of my head today! (I hope it's better than what fell out of Gabriel's tummy this evening!)
The rules? Write for 5 minutes without stopping to edit or correct.
Today's topic? If I knew I could, I would...
Ready?
GO!
If I knew I could, I would take back this evening and replay it. It was not one of our better ones. I hate it when you go out to eat somewhere and anticipate a great time and then something goes wrong that makes it NOT a great time and then you are stuck there and you have spent the money to do it. Then the money is gone out of the budget and you know that you have to wait a month before you have the opportunity to go out again.
That happened tonight.
We went out and Gabriel threw up EVERYWHERE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And the service was so slow and they mixed up Elizabeth's order....
And this was Elizabeth's birthday outing. We may just have to reallocate something in the budget to go out again sooner than a month from now. (Sometimes I am so TIRED of living on such a tight budget...but I know it will pay off in the end!)
But other than that, I think that if I knew I could I would stay home with my kids. If I didn't have to work all day every day, I would stay home with them.
Also, if I knew I could, I would go into DC and try to do something to fix the immigration issues so that all of my family could get all of their documents fixed and there would be no more worries about that and everyone could be where they most need to be when they most need to be there.
I also would like to reach out to my friends and travel the world with my family to visit them all in their places. They have come to see me, and now I want to have a turn to see them there!
And lastly, if I could, I would fix the relationship that is so wrong inside my family...my mom , dad and sister. I would reach right into all of our hearts and find the button of forgiveness and acceptance and push it so hard and so fast that everyone's hair would turn!
But I would not change who I am, nor where I am nor how I got here. I am in the place that I need to be in the time that I need to be here because this is where God chose to place me and He is blessing me fully while I am here!
STOP!
Wow! That was a fast 5 mins...let's see what fell out of my head today! (I hope it's better than what fell out of Gabriel's tummy this evening!)
Friday, April 15, 2011
Five Minute Friday
I am participating in Five Minute Friday again over at The Gypsy Mama.
The rules? Write for 5 minutes without stopping to correct or edit.
Today's topic? Distance.
Ready?
GO!
Distance is all very relative, you see
What's far for you may be close for me.
It also depends on the time and day
and how you chose to go your way.
My bed seems impossibly far away
When I have 3 kids to sleep before me at the end of the day
But then I can honestly say with heart
That sometimes people are never far apart
I have friends here and there around the world
In Canada is one very special girl
In France you will find and boy and his baby
And in Russia is a new family in the making
These friends are far apart by miles
But just thinking of them brings on the smiles
They are never far from my heart and mind
And I know that they feel for me in kind
So the distance between us is no big thing
It's just a shout through the heartstrings
So distance can't really be defined
What's far from home is always close in heart and mind
And that is what I have to say
On this five minute Friday!
Whew! That's it for me...let's look and see what fell from my 'pen' today!
Friday, April 8, 2011
Five Minute Friday: If you met me...
I'm linking up to Five Minute Friday again. I had such fun last time, that I thought I would give it a whirl again.
The rules? Write for 5 minutes without stopping or editing...just let it flow.
The topic? If you met me...
Ready?
GO!
If you had met me before, you probably would have said that I looked too young to be a mom of a teenager. I probably would have answered you, 'You're right. I am.' I mean, what else am I really going to say? Uh, no I'm not...
If you met me now, however, you probably would not say that anymore. Two more kids added to the mix can do that to you, right?
If you met me, I would hope to not talk too much and listen more than I talk, but I can't guarantee that. I always seem to talk too much and then wish I hadn't later. I'm working on it, though.
If you met me, you would probably be surprised at my (very) dirty-blond haired green eyed self spouting out commands and requests to my children in fluent Spanish, and you would probably ask where I learned it. I would say that I love languages and that I have traveled and that my husband is Latino. As if that matters, though, right? How many of us are married to people who are from here or there and don't speak their language?
If you met me, I am sure that I would tell you about my kids and how awesome they are and how proud I am of them. I would ask you about yours and if you are a homeschooler, I would love to ask you so many questions.
If you met me, you would probably find me a little odd and quirky...but that's just the way I like it, and I would hope that you would, too!
Whew! Times up! Let's see what fell out of my brain this time!
Here's the link if you'd like to join in!
The rules? Write for 5 minutes without stopping or editing...just let it flow.
The topic? If you met me...
Ready?
GO!
If you had met me before, you probably would have said that I looked too young to be a mom of a teenager. I probably would have answered you, 'You're right. I am.' I mean, what else am I really going to say? Uh, no I'm not...
If you met me now, however, you probably would not say that anymore. Two more kids added to the mix can do that to you, right?
If you met me, I would hope to not talk too much and listen more than I talk, but I can't guarantee that. I always seem to talk too much and then wish I hadn't later. I'm working on it, though.
If you met me, you would probably be surprised at my (very) dirty-blond haired green eyed self spouting out commands and requests to my children in fluent Spanish, and you would probably ask where I learned it. I would say that I love languages and that I have traveled and that my husband is Latino. As if that matters, though, right? How many of us are married to people who are from here or there and don't speak their language?
If you met me, I am sure that I would tell you about my kids and how awesome they are and how proud I am of them. I would ask you about yours and if you are a homeschooler, I would love to ask you so many questions.
If you met me, you would probably find me a little odd and quirky...but that's just the way I like it, and I would hope that you would, too!
Whew! Times up! Let's see what fell out of my brain this time!
Here's the link if you'd like to join in!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)