Blessings in disguise...

So, let me just start off by saying... I am sitting here writing this morning, after not having much sleep and possibly ready to beat the cutest dog around (that would be Lily).  I have approximately a million random thoughts running through my mind, and can't even focus. So... there is no telling what may possibly end up in this post.

The past six months have been all about helping people.  For anyone who knows me, they know that I do not tell anyone "no".  I tend to say yes to everything, over extend myself, and then wonder why I totally exhausted and cranky at times.  Then there are the times, that you help people and you know you have done the right thing whether others agree or not.  You are doing what you believe in the core of your being is right. You  see, I believe that we all have times in our lives when we will need something. It may not be a major event ~ it may be that we need a simple hug, or it may be that we need an ear to listen. I would like to think that in the time of need, those people will be there for me.  Although, I am not so naive to believe that it will happen.  As I get older, I tend to care less about what people think of me.  I do not do for others for recognition in any sort.  I help others, simply because that is what I do.   When Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans, one (rather large) family in particular ended up in Hendersonville, TN.  I contacted the hotel they were staying at, to see what their needs may be.  As I organized and prepared dinners for this group, I realized that I was the one who would be truly blessed by them!  They had an incredible story, and they were the epitome of what a family should be. They showed me what true love in a family is and should be. Over the next several weeks and months, my family got to know them and we fell in love with them.  In the process of giving them what they needed, God blessed me and my kids with lifelong friends.  I saw this quote the other day, and it is so true:

"As you grow older, you will discover that you have two hands ~ one for helping yourself, and one for helping others" ~ Audrey Hepburn

I guess the point of this today is ~ help someone!  From my experience, you will get 100 times more out of it, than the person you are helping and you will be the one who is blessed!

Things I have learned...

Sitting in my happy place (my kitchen) this morning ~ there are about a million random thoughts running through my head.  So... I'm not even sure where to start.  It seems as I get older, I am constantly reminded of how short life really is.   I have friends fighting for their lives, saying good-bye to loved ones and everything in between.  Not only are these things happening around me, but I look at my kids and realize they are growing up as well.  I look at them and simply wonder, "How did this happen?"... they are almost grown, and their days in my house are truly limited.  I have tried to teach my kids to be respectful, love others, give unconditionally, be happy and above all else... live a Christian life and love God.   Now... I understand although these things sound simple ~ they are not.  They are not easy for adults, much less kids.  I have also learned as I get older, my mom is a lot wiser than I ever gave her credit for.  She has truly taught our family what loving unconditionally means.  So... with all of this being said, here are a few of the things I have learned:

• Just because you are older, does not mean you are wiser.
• The little things in life are normally the ones that matter most.
• Never underestimate the power of a smile and hug.
• Words can be forgiven, but not forgotten.
• Laughter is truly the best medicine.
• Family is not always blood.
• Be thankful for everything, and take nothing for granted.
• A simple good morning can change a person's day.
• God put people in our lives for a reason.
• Never miss a chance to tell someone you love them ~ you don't know if you will have that chance again.

These are just a few things, that I have learned along on the way.  Please feel free to comment, and tell me what you have learned.  You never know what others are going through - and you might have words of wisdom to help them out.  So, for today... go give an unsuspecting person a hug, or tell them you love them ~ it might just make their day!

Choices...

As I look back over choices I have made ~ there are some that I am proud of and there are some that I am not.  We all make choices on a daily basis.  We choose our friends, we choose where we want to work, we choose our actions, we choose to give others love and respect,  and most importantly ~ we choose our words.  There are some things you can take back or change if you are not happy with the choice you made, but... your words can never be changed.  Words have the ability to hurt and destroy people, or they have the ability to encourage and build others up! Proverbs 16:24 says. "Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the bones."  What would happen, if every day we chose to encourage and give compliments - instead of tearing down others?  In everything we do we have a choice ~ we can do it our way or we can do it God's way!  Can you imagine how our lives would be different if we lived our lives His way, instead of our way? Just imagine what our blessings would be!

We all make mistakes (I know I do) and none of us are perfect ~ but if we stop and consider our choices, maybe we would hurt less and be happy more.  As we make our way into the new year, I encourage everyone to choose their words wisely. Choose to build up, compliment, encourage ~ and imagine the difference you could make!

New year... new beginnings

As the New Year approaches, I have been looking back at 2013.  This has been a year full of anticipation, hope, disappointment and possibilities.  It has been a year of restoring old friendships and making new ones. It has been a year of hurt and also a year of forgiveness.  Most importantly, it has been a year of change (which I typically hate).  This has been a year for me to grow as a person, and learn from my past.

I realize there are many things to change - beginning with having a little more faith in people.  As Martin Luther King, Jr. said, "Take the first step in faith. You don't have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step."  Unfortunately, a lot of times - the first step is the hardest one to take.  When you take the first step, you must have faith in what is yet to come.  Having faith can mean opening your heart and letting walls come down - opening your heart and life to new possibilities.  It can also mean believing in someone when they have given you a million reasons not to.  It can mean putting your trust in God, knowing that He knows the plan for your life and He knows what is best.

In 2014, there will be a lot of changes in my world.  C will turn 16 and will be able to drive.  J will turn 21 - which is a HUGE event.  K will finish middle school, and my sweet baby girl will head to high school. All of these things are milestone's in their lives, and I am not sure I am prepared for any of them.

So, I pray on a daily basis that He will show me His plan, and I will have my heart and mind open to listen and follow it. I pray that my babies will remain safe and they will continue to grow in His name. I pray for my heart to be softened and to forgive others for things we may consider unforgivable.  It is time to let go of the negativity, and focus on the positive. I am surrounded by amazing friends and am pretty sure they are they best around.  I work for an incredible company and am blessed with co-workers I truly love. Most importantly - I have the most amazing children and family who support me and my craziness unconditionally.  It is time to make some changes to my life, that are for the better. So... here's to 2014! Cheers!!

The reason for the season...

If you are like me, I have more going on in my life right now than I really know what to do with.  For me... I work full-time, I am a full-time student, I have a daughter playing volleyball (practice twice a week), I have an active 15 year old who has a social life - throw in homework (for me and the kids), final exams, groceries, laundry, attempting to keep the house clean, taking care of animals, having extra kids in the house - then you have Christmas shopping for family, friends, holiday parties, baking... the list can go on forever!  Now...let me say, as crazy hectic as it is - I wouldn't change a thing!  I love my life and I love all the people in it - it just tends to get a little crazy sometimes! We tend to get caught up in the commercial aspect of Christmas, and truly forget what this holiday is about.

We focus on Christmas traditions, we worry about when Rudolph comes on, we worry about what food will be prepared for Christmas dinner...all of these things are fine.  But do we take the time we should to focus on the REAL reason for the season?

In John 3:16 it tells us, "For God so loved the world that He gave us his one and only Son."  That sentence sums it up - this is the time of year to celebrate Him and His birthday!  Celebrate by adopting a family in need and reaching out, show them what God's love is all about.  Sit down with your family, take time to read the Christmas story and keep Jesus in the heart of the holiday!!

Family...

As Thanksgiving approaches, I find myself thinking about family and the importance of them in our lives.  I know I have been blessed with wonderful parents who I love dearly, a step-father that I could not imagine my life without, a brother and sister who I love (but don't tell them often enough), a brother-in-law who has been around so long I can't remember many times without him, a sister-in-law who has made my brother happier than he has ever been, and I have the most incredible six nieces and nephews who are talented, smart, funny, kind hearted, loving and full of mischief who I absolutely adore.  I also have three AMAZING kids, who complete my life and make my world what it is today.

I woke up this morning, and walked around my house while the kids were asleep, the dogs were asleep and for just a brief moment - everything was quiet.  I sat and enjoyed those few minutes... enjoying the first Saturday morning in years that all three of my kids were home.  As they woke up one at a time... the quiet was over, and the games began.  The first conversation went like this.. K said, "I want a hug.", J then says, "No - you just woke up and have morning breath."  Then... she gets a big bear hug from her big brother and all is right with the world. I just sat and giggled!  When I look at each of my kids, and their different personalities - they simply make me smile.

A few minutes later, the next conversation went like this.  K was asking if we could go dress shopping today for the middle school winter formal.  I told her we would wait and see how the day goes.  C speaks up and says, "Do you know what I wore to the formal in the 8th grade? A t-shirt and jeans."  K with her sassy comeback says..."And how many girls did you dance with?  ZERO!"  Again - hysterical laughter!

In addition to the family we are born with, we have the family we choose.  We have those friends who have shared our lives, they have been there for all the ups, down, highs, lows, good times, bad times... and all the craziness in between.  They are the ones who we can look at, and with no words they know exactly what we are thinking.    They are the ones who love our kids as much as we do, who celebrate with us during the good times and are there to support us during the hard times.  They are the ones that we had the blessing of choosing to be our family!

This week for us has been full of answered prayers and blessings.  It has been a week full of emotion and thankfulness.  It has been a week of knowing that no matter what happens, He is in control.  And if we just simply, pray, listen and wait for His will to be done - things will happen the way they are supposed to.  As I look at my three blessings this morning, I could not be any more proud of them.  You see, they all have their own personalities, they are all truly unique, and - God chose to give them to me. For that... I could not be more thankful!

"The most important thing in life is family.

There are days you love them, and others you don't.

But, in the end, they're the people you always come home to.

Sometimes it's the family you're born into and 

sometimes it's the one you make for yourself." 

~Carrie Bradshaw~

The tough stuff...

Have you ever had those times in your life when things have happened and you really do not understand why?   You look, and you keep asking yourself - "Why has God allowed this to happen?"  This has been an eye opening year for me, on many different levels.  Although there are lots of little things that happen, there are a couple of doozies I simply cannot wrap my head around.  We all have things happen in life, and after reflecting on them - we know we could have handled the situation differently (or at least this happens to me). You live your life to the best of your ability, trying to always do the right thing - you try to raise your kids with roots AND wings.  So... what happens when the everything hits the fan?  What happens when your kids disappoint you?  Or when the ones you love let you down?  What happens when you look at your kids, and you wonder, "where is my little angel I raised?'  What happens when a child turns away from your family and as parents you are heartbroken?  I think as we raise our children, we give it our best effort.  We guide them and teach them how to make the best choices.  We teach them they must take responsibility for their actions. Unfortunately, just because we teach these things - doesn't mean our children listen.  It doesn't mean they will do exactly as they were taught.  There is always a possibility, they will let the world lead them and they can turn away from their family.

What the children (whether they are 12 or 20), do not understand is that the decisions they make do not only affect them.  They affect their family as a whole.  This process began as making a decision not to talk to your family for a week.  Unfortunately, weeks turn into months, and before you know it a whole year has gone by. The children also tend to forget as they are acting out, that all it would take is a simple, "I'm sorry and I love you" to begin the healing process and wipe the slate clean.  As a parent, in these circumstances, I think it is important to remember the story of the prodigal son.  Jesus told the parable, reminding us to never give up on anyone who goes a stray.  What happens if your child comes back, do you tell them "I told you so", or do you open your arms wide and rejoice they are home?   What do you do until this day comes?  You pray for your child.  You pray for their heart to be softened, and you pray for the strength of the loved ones at home who are waiting.  I think as parents we all need to remember, our children bring us happiness and they also bring us grief, and in both of those things come tears.

When things happen, and I simply think I can't take anymore - I go to my all time favorite Bible verse. 1 Corinthians 10:13 says, "No test or temptation that comes your way is beyond the course of what others have had to face.  All you need to remember is that God will never let you down; he'll never let you be pushed past your limit; he'll always be there to help you come through it."

 For me, this year - I will be praying a lot more for my sweet friend and her family who haven't heard from their child in almost a year, the holidays will definitely be different.  I will be praying for the child to be brave enough to make the phone call, and make amends with parents. I will also be praying for my kids, as they don't understand why any of this has happened.  As the holidays are approaching, I would urge everyone to tell everyone how much you love them, and hold your loved ones a little tighter.  You never know, when the course of your life will be altered.